156 research outputs found
Causes of unity and disunity in psychology and behaviorism: an encounter with Arthur W. Staats' psychological behaviorism'
The following is a synthesis of a number of interviews with Arthur W.
Staats. For the last fifty years A. W. Staats has made important contributions in
developmental psychology, learning Psychology, emotional behavior, language, behavioral
theory and theoretical unification in psychology. His theoretical proposal, Psychological
Behaviorism (PB), is illustrated as a non-eclectic framework for unification between
behaviorism and Psychology. In this document we give special consideration to: (a)
historical factors in behaviorism history, including similarities and pathways of influence
between first- and second- and third-generation behaviorism; (b) theoretical fragmentation
in contemporary Psychology; (c) the role of eclecticism as an artificial framework for
unification in Psychology; (d) unification in psychology; (e) differentiation between PB
and Radical Behaviorism with regard to functional analysis, emotional operation/classic
responses, and their theoretical conception of the relationship between basic and applied
research; and (f) key concepts in PB, including basic behavioral repertoires, threefunction
theory, multi-level theory, experimental-longitudinal method, behavioral use
of psychometric tests, and PB theory of intelligence.En este estudio teórico se presenta la síntesis de varias entrevistas mantenidas
con Arthur W. Staats. Durante los últimos cincuenta años A. W. Staats ha
realizado relevantes contribuciones en psicología del desarrollo, psicología del aprendizaje,
comportamiento emocional, lenguaje, teoría conductual y unificación teórica de
la psicología, entre otras áreas. Su propuesta teórica, el conductismo Psicológico, se
presenta como un marco no ecléctico de unificación entre conductismo y psicología. En
el presente documento se discuten especialmente: (a) aspectos históricos del desarrollo
del conductismo, incluyendo las similitudes e influencias entre conductismos de primera,
segunda y tercera generación, (b) fragmentación teórica en Psicología, (c) papel del
eclecticismo como marco artificial para la unificación de la Psicología, (d) unificación
de la Psicología, (e) distinciones entre conductismo radical y paradigmático con respecto
a análisis funcional, conducta emocional, concepción teórica del vínculo entre investigación
básica y aplicada, y (f) conceptos clave del conductismo psicológico (e.g.
repertorios básicos de conducta, teoría de las tres funciones del estímulo, teoría multinivel,
método experimental-longitudinal, uso conductual de tests psicométricos, teoría
paradigmático-conductista de la inteligencia).Neste estudo teórico apresenta-se a síntese de várias entrevistas com Arthur
W. Staats. Durante os últimos cinquenta anos A. W. Staats contribuiu de modo relevante
para a psicologia do desenvolvimento, psicologia da aprendizagem, comportamento
emocional, linguagem, teoria comportamental, e unificação teórica da Psicologia, entre
outras áreas. A sua proposta teórica, o comportamentalismo psicológico, apresenta-se
como um marco não eclético de unificação entre comportamentalismo e Psicologia. No
presente documento discutem-se especialmente: (a) aspectos históricos do desenvolvimento
do comportamentalismo, incluindo as semelhanças e influências entre comportamentalismo
de primeira, segunda e terceira geraçıes, (b) fragmentação teórica na Psicologia, (c)
papel do ecletismo como marco artificial para a unificação da psicologia, (d) unificação
da Psicologia, (e) distinçıes entre comportamentalismo radical e paradigmático com
respeita à análise funcional, comportamento emocional, concepção teórica do vínculo
entre investigação básica e aplicada, e (f) conceitos chave do comportamentalismo
psicológico (e.g. repertórios básicos de comportamento, teoria das três funçıes do estímulo,
teoria multi-nível, método experimental-longitudinal, uso comportamental de
testes psicométricos, teoria paradigmático-comportamental da inteligência).This work was developed during an internship
granted by the Andalusian Service of Health (Servicio Andaluz de Salud) at the Hawai’i State Hospital and the University of Hawai’i
Functional analysis in behavior therapy: behavioral foundations and clinical application
This theoretical study reviews the theoretical and applied foundations of
a functional analysis strategy in clinical case-formulation. Functional relations between
variables are those that demonstrate a mathematical association. Causal functional relations
between variables require: (a) covariance, (b) a logical connection, (c) temporal precedence
of the causal variable, and (d) absence of a third variable explaining the relation. There
are unidirectional, bidirectional, moderating, and mediating (i.e., explanatory) causal
functional relations. In a functional analysis the relevant, controllable, and causal functional
relations that apply to particular behaviors of an individual are identified. A functionalanalytic
approach to case-formulation is designed to minimize clinical judgment bias
and optimize clinical decision-making in the assessment and treatment processes.
Additional features of a functional analysis and its use for intervention design are
discussed within the context of a patient diagnosed with Schizophrenia Paranoid Type.
This article also considers the conditional nature and limitations of a functional-analytic
approach in clinical psychology.En este estudio teórico se revisan los fundamentos teóricos y aplicados de
un modelo de análisis funcional en formulación clínica de casos. Las relaciones funcionales
entre variables demuestran una asociación matemática; el subconjunto de relaciones
funcionales causales requiere además: (a) covarianza, (b) conexión lógica, (c)
precisión temporal de la variable causal y (d) exclusión de terceras variables que
expliquen la relación. Hay relaciones funcionales cuasales unidireccionales, bidireccionales,
moderadoras y mediadoras (explicativas). En el análisis funcional se identifican las
relaciones funcionales relevantes, controlables y causales que se asocian a determinados
comportamientos del individuo. Una aproximación analítico-funcional a la formulación
clínica de casos está concebida para minimizar los sesgos de juicio clínico y
optimizar la toma de decisiones durante los procesos de evaluación y tratamiento.
Aspectos adicionales del análisis funcional y de su uso para el diseño de intervenciones
se ilustran en el contexto de un caso diagnosticado de esquizofrenia tipo paranoide;
entre ellos, un modelo matemático sencillo para estimar la eficacia del tratamiento
basado en análisis funcional. Finalmente, consideramos las limitaciones en el contexto
clínico de la aproximación al análisis funcional propuesta.Neste estudo teórico revêem-se os fundamentos teóricos e aplicados de um
modelo da análise funcional em formulação clínica de casos. As relações funcionais
entre variáveis demonstram uma associação matemática; o subconjunto de relações
funcionais causais requer: (a) covariância, (b) conexão lógica, (c) precisão temporal da
variável causal e (d) exclusão de terceiras variáveis que expliquem a relação. Há relações
funcionais causais unidireccionais, bidireccionais, moderadoras e mediadoras (explicativas).
Na análise funcional identificam-se as relações funcionais relevantes, controláveis
e causais que se associam a determinados comportamentos do indivíduo. Uma aproximação
analítico-funcional à formulação clínica de casos está concebida para minimizar os viés
de juízo clínico e optimizar a tomada de decisões durante os processos de avaliação e
tratamento. Aspectos adicionais da análise funcional e do seu uso para o planeamento
de intervenções ilustram-se no contexto de um caso diagnosticado com esquizofrenia
tipo paranoide; entre eles, um modelo matemático sensível para estimar a eficácia do
tratamento baseado na análise funcional. Finalmente, consideramos as limitações no
contexto clínico da aproximação à análise funcional proposta.This article was composed during a scholarship at the Psychology Department of the University of Hawai’i at Manoa (October 2003-May 2004) granted by the Servicio Andaluz de Salud as part of a three-years
internship program (PIR) in the Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén (Jaén, Spain)
Aspectos funcionales de la psicoterapia analítico funcional.
Se considera una nueva psicoterapia de orientación conductual: la Psicoterapia Analítico Funcional. Se describen brevemente sus fundamentos teóricos, metodológicos y aplicados. Se discuten sus aspectos funcionales desde un punto de vista contextual
Aspectos funcionales de la psicoterapia analítico funcional.
Se considera una nueva psicoterapia de orientación conductual: la Psicoterapia Analítico Funcional. Se describen brevemente sus fundamentos teóricos, metodológicos y aplicados. Se discuten sus aspectos funcionales desde un punto de vista contextual
A protective personal factor against disability and dependence in the elderly: an ordinal regression analysis with nine geographically-defined samples from Spain
Background
Sense of Coherence (SOC) is defined as a tendency to perceive life experiences as comprehensible, manageable and meaningful. The construct is split in three major domains: Comprehensibility, Manageability, and Meaningfulness. SOC has been associated with successful coping strategies in the face of illness and traumatic events and is a predictor of self-reported and objective health in a variety of contexts. In the present study we aim to evaluate the association of SOC with disability and dependence in Spanish elders.
Methods
A total of 377 participants aged 75 years or over from nine locations across Spain participated in the study (Mean age: 80.9 years; 65.3% women). SOC levels were considered independent variables in two ordinal logistic models on disability and dependence, respectively. Disability was established with the World health Organization-Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (36-item version), while dependence was measured with the Extended Katz Index on personal and instrumental activities of daily living. The models included personal (sex, age, social contacts, availability of an intimate confidant), environmental (municipality size, access to social resources) and health-related covariates (morbidity).
Results
High Meaningfulness was a strong protective factor against both disability (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.50; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.29–0.87) and dependence (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.19–0.58) while moderate and high Comprehensibility was protective for disability (OR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.22–0.70 and OR = 0.39; 95%CI = 0.21–0.74), but not for dependence. Easy access to social and health resources was also highly protective against both disability and dependence.
Conclusions
Our results are consistent with the view that high levels of SOC are protective against disability and dependence in the elderly. Elderly individuals with limited access to social and health resources and with low SOC may be a group at risk for dependence and disability in Spain.This project was partially funded by a research contract in support of the project “Epidemiological Study of Dementia in Spain” signed by the Pfizer Foundation and Carlos III Institute of HealthS
Disability, support and long-term social care of an elderly Spanish population, 2008-2009: an epidemiologic analysis
BACKGROUND: Though poorly known, relationships between disability, need of help (dependency) and use of social services are crucial aspects of public health. The objective of this study was to describe the links between disability, officially assessed dependency, and social service use by an industrial population, and identify areas of inequity. METHODS: We took advantage of a door-to-door survey conducted in the Cinco Villas district, Spain, in 2008–2009, which provided data on disability, morbidity, and service use among 1216 residents aged ≥50 years, and officially assessed dependency under the 2006 Dependency Act (OAD). Using logistic regression, we combined data collected at homes/residences on 625 disability screened-positive participants, and administrative information on degree of OAD and benefits at date of visit. RESULTS: Based on 163 disabled persons, the prevalence of residential/community-care users was 13.4% overall, with 6.0% being market-provided, 2.5% supported by the 2006 Act, and 4.9% supported by other public funds. Of 111 OAD applicants, 30 had been assigned an OAD degree; in 29 cases this was the highest OAD degree, with 12 receiving direct support for residential care and 17 receiving home care. Compared to unassessed dependency, the highest OAD degree was linked to residential care (OR and 95% CI) 12.13 (3.86–38.16), declared non-professional care 10.99 (1.28–94.53), and publicly-funded, non-professional care 26.30 (3.36–205.88). In contrast, 43 persons, 58% of the severely/extremely disabled, community-dwelling sample population, 81% of whom were homebound, including 10 persons with OAD but no implemented service plan, made no use of any service, and of these, 40% lacked a non-professional carer. CONCLUSIONS: Formal service use in the Cinco Villas district attained ratios observed for established welfare systems but the publicly-funded proportion was lower. The 2006 Act had a modest, albeit significant, impact on support for non-professional carers and residential care, coexisting with a high prevalence of non-use of social services by severely disabled persons
A protective personal factor against disability and dependence in the elderly: an ordinal regression analysis with nine geographically-defined samples from Spain
Background: Sense of Coherence (SOC) is defined as a tendency to perceive life experiences as comprehensible, manageable and meaningful. The construct is split in three major domains: Comprehensibility, Manageability, and Meaningfulness. SOC has been associated with successful coping strategies in the face of illness and traumatic events and is a predictor of self-reported and objective health in a variety of contexts. In the present study we aim to evaluate the association of SOC with disability and dependence in Spanish elders. Methods: A total of 377 participants aged 75 years or over from nine locations across Spain participated in the study (Mean age: 80.9 years; 65.3% women). SOC levels were considered independent variables in two ordinal logistic models on disability and dependence, respectively. Disability was established with the World health Organization-Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (36-item version), while dependence was measured with the Extended Katz Index on personal and instrumental activities of daily living. The models included personal (sex, age, social contacts, availability of an intimate confidant), environmental (municipality size, access to social resources) and health-related covariates (morbidity). Results: High Meaningfulness was a strong protective factor against both disability (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.50; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.29-0.87) and dependence (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.19-0.58) while moderate and high Comprehensibility was protective for disability (OR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.22-0.70 and OR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.21-0.74), but not for dependence. Easy access to social and health resources was also highly protective against both disability and dependence. Conclusions: Our results are consistent with the view that high levels of SOC are protective against disability and dependence in the elderly. Elderly individuals with limited access to social and health resources and with low SOC may be a group at risk for dependence and disability in Spain
Prevalence of Disorders Recorded in Dogs Attending Primary-Care Veterinary Practices in England
Purebred dog health is thought to be compromised by an increasing occurence of inherited diseases but inadequate prevalence data on common disorders have hampered efforts to prioritise health reforms. Analysis of primary veterinary practice clinical data has been proposed for reliable estimation of disorder prevalence in dogs. Electronic patient record (EPR) data were collected on 148,741 dogs attending 93 clinics across central and south-eastern England. Analysis in detail of a random sample of EPRs relating to 3,884 dogs from 89 clinics identified the most frequently recorded disorders as otitis externa (prevalence 10.2%, 95% CI: 9.1-11.3), periodontal disease (9.3%, 95% CI: 8.3-10.3) and anal sac impaction (7.1%, 95% CI: 6.1-8.1). Using syndromic classification, the most prevalent body location affected was the head-and-neck (32.8%, 95% CI: 30.7-34.9), the most prevalent organ system affected was the integument (36.3%, 95% CI: 33.9-38.6) and the most prevalent pathophysiologic process diagnosed was inflammation (32.1%, 95% CI: 29.8-34.3). Among the twenty most-frequently recorded disorders, purebred dogs had a significantly higher prevalence compared with crossbreds for three: otitis externa (P = 0.001), obesity (P = 0.006) and skin mass lesion (P = 0.033), and popular breeds differed significantly from each other in their prevalence for five: periodontal disease (P = 0.002), overgrown nails (P = 0.004), degenerative joint disease (P = 0.005), obesity (P = 0.001) and lipoma (P = 0.003). These results fill a crucial data gap in disorder prevalence information and assist with disorder prioritisation. The results suggest that, for maximal impact, breeding reforms should target commonly-diagnosed complex disorders that are amenable to genetic improvement and should place special focus on at-risk breeds. Future studies evaluating disorder severity and duration will augment the usefulness of the disorder prevalence information reported herein
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