Traditionally, juvenile sex offenders have been ignored in the literature. More recently the research has expanded particularly in the area of assessment and treatment. This study focused on the assessment of sexual arousal to deviant stimuli using the penile plethysmography (PPG) since it likely plays a significant role in juvenile sex offending behaviors. The goal of this study assessed its validity and reliability using Becker et al.'s set of PPG scenarios with a population of juvenile sex offenders. Significant differences were found between groups of (a) admitters versus partial admitters and (b) offenders with and without male victims. This study also examined the latent structure of the PPG results and found three dimensions: arousal to male stimuli, arousal to females and paraphilias, and arousal to non-sexual acts. These findings provide important implications for assessment of juvenile sex offenders and add to the clinical utility of PPG assessments.

This study sought to explore whether PTSD symptoms in detained adolescents were differentially related to high and low patterns of emotional reactivity, as determined based on callous-unemotional (CU) traits and emotion dysregulation. Analyses revealed four distinct groups based on these criteria: a low/no trauma control group with few PTSD symptoms, and three groups whose PTSD symptoms were distinguished by symptoms of emotional numbing. The study sought to determine whether these profiles were related to distinct patterns of aggression and delinquency. Results revealed that the low/no PTSD symptom group exhibited the least aggression and delinquency. Further, results indicated that higher CU traits and violent offending are associated with a combined PTSD symptom profile. Results suggest a relationship between PTSD symptoms, delinquency, aggression, and CU traits. Findings provide support for the existence of a secondary variant of CU youth who are more emotionally dysregulated and prone to both arousal and emotional detachment.

The aim of the study was to determine if interactivity would affect how immersed and aroused the participants would become when exposed to horror media with different levels of interactivity. Two groups of participants were asked to either play or watch a virtual scenario. The participants had their heart rate measured using an activity bracelet and eyes tracked using a Tobii 4C eye tracker. The study found that as interactivity increased, so did arousal, whilst immersion did not. The results indicated that cutscenes may result in significantly lower levels of arousal, compared to interactive gameplay. / Målet med studien var att fastställa om interaktivitet skulle påverka hur inlevelsefulla och upphetsade studiedeltagarna skulle bli inför skräckmedia med olika nivåer av interaktivitet. Två grupper studiedeltagare blev tillfrågade att antingen spela eller titta på ett virtuellt scenario. Studiedeltagarnas hjärtrytm mättes sedan med ett aktivitetsarmband med inbyggd hjärtmonitor. Studiedeltagarnas ögonrörelser spelades in med hjälp av en Tobii 4C eye tracker. Studien fann att upphetsning ökade när interaktivitet ökade. Inlevelse ökade inte när interaktivitet ökade. Resultaten indikerade att cutscenes kan ha signifikant lägre nivåer av upphetsning, jämfört med interaktiv gameplay.

Tactile stimulation, an important physiological component of the sexual experience, has the ability to influence the body’s representation in the brain. The sensory homunculus proposed by Penfield and Rasmussen illustrates the way in which the body is represented within the somatosensory cortex. Due to neuroplasticity, this map has the ability to adapt to differing levels of tactile input. How sexual arousal affects, or is represented by, the sensory homunculus is unknown. The study sought to identify: which body areas, rated by participants, are high in their ability to facilitate sexual arousal; to measure the intensity of the different body areas; and to identify whether the areas of greatest intensity lie adjacent cortically to the genital area thus supporting the hypothesised neuroplasticity of brain functioning. The current study was conducted through an online survey which was completed by volunteers with access to university portal sites, social networking sites and referrals. Sampling was convenient and comprised 208 heterosexual males. Data were treated quantitatively through descriptive (frequencies) and inferential (correlations, rotated factor analysis) statistics. The research findings provide support for the sensory homunculus mapping and suggest that there are three areas (genital, facial and trunk) that facilitate sexual arousal. The ability to facilitate sexual arousal is proposed to lie in the close proximity that these areas have within the three erogenous centres (cortically) as well as co-activation of body areas through perceived erogeneity and physiological proximity. This has important implications for sex therapy for individuals in which feeling in the genital area is lacking.

The hippocampal-medial prefrontal circuit has been shown to serve a critical role in decision making and goal directed actions. While the hippocampus (HF) exerts a direct influence on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), there are no direct return projections from the mPFC to the HF. The nucleus reuniens (RE) of the midline thalamus is strongly reciprocally connected with the HF and mPFC and represents the major link between these structures. We investigated the role of RE in functions associated with the hippocampus and the mPFC -- or their interactions. Using two different inactivation techniques (pharmacological and chemogenetic), we sought to further define the role of RE in spatial working memory (SWM) and behavioral flexibility using a modified delayed non-match to sample (DNMS) working memory task. We found that the reversible inactivation of RE with muscimol critically impaired SWM performance, abolished well-established spatial strategies and produced a profound inability to correct non-rewarded, incorrect choices on the T-maze (perseverative responding). We observed similar impairments in SWM following the chemogenetic (DREADDs) inactivation of RE or selective RE projections to the ventral HF. In addition, we showed that the inhibition of RE terminals to the dorsal or ventral HF altered task related behaviors by increasing or decreasing the time to initiate the task or reach the reward, respectively. Finally, we examined discharge properties of RE cells across sleep-wake states in behaving rats. We found that the majority of RE cells discharge at high rates of activity in waking and REM and at significantly reduced rates in SWS, with a subpopulation firing rhythmically in bursts during SWS. We identified five distinct subtypes of RE cells that discharged differently across vigilant states; those firing at highest rates in waking (W1, W2), in REM sleep (R1, R2) and SWS (S1). Given the differential patterns of activity of these cells, we proposed they may serve distinct functions in waking – and possibly in SWS/REM sleep. In sum, our findings indicate that RE is critically involved in mnemonic and executive functions and the heterogeneous activity of these cells support a role for RE in arousal/attention, spatial working memory and cognition. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Os modelos básicos da MPR são usados como blocos de construção de uma máquina estocástica que simula o responder operante. A máquina-MPR é então testada sob uma ampla variedade de condições experimentais, e prova sua capacidade de produzir com realismo: (a) distribuições de IRT, (b) padrões do responder intra-sessão, e (c) as relações entre taxa de reforçamento e taxa de resposta sob esquemas de intervalo e de razão. Em outro conjunto de experimentos, o modelo demonstra propriedades emergentes realistas e reproduz fenômenos bem conhecidos no âmbito dos esquemas múltiplos, como (d) contraste comportamental e (e) desaceleração da extinção ambos além do alcance original da MPR. No último capítulo do estudo, a máquina-MPR é dotada de um modelo de controle temporal. Essa nova configuração, chamada tMPR, se mostra capaz de simular (f) o comportamento de timing que emerge sob esquemas previsíveis de intervalo, assim como (g) as propriedades centrais desse tipo de comportamento. O poder de abarcar um vasto domínio de fenômenos operantes com um mecanismo simples que roda sobre um conjunto de parâmetros com valores fixos e o fato de que ela faz isso a partir de uma arquitetura que pode ser facilmente expandida, faz da máquina-MPR uma plataforma útil para a integração de teorias. À medida que outros pesquisadores enriquecerem o framework com novos módulos, ele poderá ajudar a elucidar como diferentes aspectos do comportamento operante interagem uns com os outros, pavimentando a transição de uma análise do comportamento para uma síntese comportamental. / The basic models of MPR are used as the building blocks of a stochastic machine that simulates operant responding. The MPR-machine is then tested under a wide variety of experimental conditions, and proves its ability to produce realistic (a) IRT distributions, (b) within-session patterns of responding, and (c) relations between reinforcement rate and response rate under interval and ratio schedules. In another set of experiments, the model show realistic emergent properties and reproduces well known multiple schedule phenomena, such as (d) behavioral contrast and (e) extinction deceleration all of them beyond the original reach of MPR. In the last chapter of the study, the MPR-machine is embodied with a model of temporal control. The new configuration, named tMPR, proves itself able to simulate (f) the timing behavior that arises under predictable interval schedules as well as (g) the central properties of this behavior. The power to account for a vast domain of operant behavior phenomena with a simple mechanism that runs on a fixed set of parameter values and the fact that it does so based on an architecture that can be easily expanded to accommodate new models makes the MPR-machine a useful platform for theory integration. As other researchers enrich the framework with new modules, it may help to elucidate how different aspects of operant behavior interact with one another, paving the transition from a behavior analysis to a behavioral synthesis.

Emotional events are often better preserved in memory than events without an emotional component. Emotional stimuli benefit from capturing and holding the attention of a perceiver to a higher degree than more emotion-neutral stimuli. Arousal associated with experiencing emotionally valenced stimuli or situations affects every major stage in creating, maintaining and retrieving lasting memories. Presented in this thesis were models delineating the behavioral and neurological mechanisms that might explain arousal-induced effects on subsequent memory outcome. Based on a study of relevant literature, findings were presented in this thesis that highlight amygdala activation as crucial for the enhancement of memory generally associated with emotional arousal. The amygdala modulates processing in other areas of the brain involved in memory. Heightened levels of norepinephrine, stemming from sympathetic nervous system activation, underlies observable arousal-induced memory effects and seem to be a crucial component in enabling glucocorticoid augmentation of memory. Arousal seems to further amplify the biased competition between stimuli that favors the neural representation of motivationally relevant stimuli and stimuli of a sensory salient nature. The aim of this thesis was to outline the impact of emotional arousal on different stages of memory processing, including processes for memory formation, strengthening of memory traces, and eventual subsequent retrieval.

Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD) is a complex, poorly understood condition characterized by unremitting, unwanted, distressing genital arousal which occurs frequently and for extended periods of time, often in the absence of sexual stimuli. The pathophysiology is unknown. Researchers have hypothesized underlying disorders of neurological, vascular, pharmacological and psychological origins. Possible causalities have been suggested including anxiety disorder, SSRI use, and pudendal nerve neuropathies among others. Despite the uncertainty of etiology, other aspects of the disorder are clearer, including distress and poor quality of life for many. In this study, I used a biopsychosocial model to examine three potential psychological predictors 'depression, stress, and anxiety' as well as moderators including erotophobia and perceived partner support on a sample of 51 women with PGAD. Quantitative survey methodology was used to collect information from women with PGAD who had sought care for their condition from a sexual medicine specialty clinic (San Diego Sexual Medicine) and members of an online PGAD support group. Results of the study indicated depression as the most significant predictor of distress of the three psychological variables under study. Neither erotophobia nor perceived social support moderated any of the psychological factors studied. Scores on the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised demonstrated clinically important levels of distress. The findings highlight the need for a biopsychosocial treatment approach to the condition, including psychological therapy. Implications for social change include the preservation of quality of life and reduced depression rates in women with PGAD.

This thesis provides an overview of the literature both in the field of academic anxiety and emotion regulation. The two research fields have proceeded independently in the literature at least until recently and the thesis highlights their integration. The thesis aims to answer: what happens in the brain during cognitive reappraisal and how can we use cognitive reappraisal as a strategy for dealing with academic anxiety. Brain-imaging studies show that cognitive reappraisal (an emotion regulation strategy) involves many different higher-order cognitive processes, such as emotion processing, manipulation of appraisals in working memory, inhibiting the old and selecting new appraisals. Different regions of the prefrontal cortex are believed to support these functions, moreover, the prefrontal cortex modulates amygdala activity and decreases negative emotions. Previous research in the lab and in the classroom suggests that cognitive reappraisal might be a strategy for dealing with academic anxiety. The arousal reappraisal intervention encourages students to reinterpret their increased arousal as beneficial to their performance. Only a small number of studies have tested the intervention in academic contexts, however the results are promising, e.g. students improved exam performance. The goal is to teach students that it is possible to perform well regardless of one’s anxiety. The findings presented in this thesis provide an initial glimpse into the fruitful integration of these two research fields.

Described in this thesis is research that examined the influence of courtroom symbolism on jurors' ability to focus on the evidence presented in a criminal trial. This research is unique as participants were 'real' jurors who had, at the time of participation in the research, recently completed deliberations on a District Court trial. To date no other research has explored the interaction between symbolism in the courtroom and the juror experience. The broad research question examined in this research was: Do symbolic elements in the courtroom environment draw juror attention away from the evidence being presented?. Three theories drawn from environmental psychology were utilised in this research (i.e., environmental uncertainty theory, environmental arousal theory and environmental load theory). Additionally, Rapoport's (1983, 1990) theory, which was drawn from the architectural field of knowledge, was utilised. Rapoport's theory facilitated the measurement of symbolism in the form of environmental cues found in the courtroom. To address the broad research question, eight subordinate research questions were formulated those being: (1) Do trait anxiety and court related factors influence the amount of attention jurors pay to the elements of the courtroom environment?, (2) Do trait anxiety and court related factors influence the effect on jurors of the attention they paid to the elements of the courtroom environment?, (3) Do trait anxiety and court related factors influence the sense of stress or arousal in jurors?, (4) Is there an association between attention paid by jurors to the environmental cues found in the courtroom, their ability to perform their role as a juror and their sense of appreciation for the function of the law?, (5) Is there an association between attention paid by jurors to the environmental cues in the courtroom and a state of elevated stress?, (6) Does the amount of attention paid by jurors to environmental cues found in the courtroom diminish over time?, (7) Does the effect on jurors of the attention they paid to the environmental cues in the courtroom diminish over time? and, (8) Does the amount of stress jurors experience diminish over time?. The eight research questions were addressed in two studies. The first involved a survey of jurors who had completed deliberations in District Court trials in Brisbane and Cairns during the period 19th July, 2001 and 18th July, 2002 (N=192). This study examined the amount of attention jurors paid to four elements of the courtroom environment (i.e., the courtroom design, the appearance and behaviour of court officials, the appearance and behaviour of those associated with the offence and the task of being a juror). Also examined in this study was the influence on jurors of the attention they paid to the elements of the courtroom environment. Juror experience of state anxiety as measured by the State Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI] (Spielberger, 1983) was also examined. Additionally, the influence of trait anxiety as measured by the STAI (Spielberger, 1983) and court related factors (i.e., location of trial, prior jury experience, nature of the offence and length of trial) on the juror experience was examined. Two time frames were examined (i.e., initial contact with the courtroom and midpoint of juror experience) which allowed the examination of the influence of time on the juror experience. Interviews with jurors who had completed the survey (N=19) comprised the second study. This study allowed jurors to describe their experience on a jury from a more personal perspective. The elements of the juror experience that distracted and reinforced their ability to focus on the evidence and facilitated a sense of appreciation for the function of the law were discussed. Also discussed were the elements of the juror experience that caused jurors to experience anxiety. Overall, the findings of this research indicated that although symbolism in the courtroom was linked to juror anxiety, this was positive and facilitated juror attention to the evidence and a sense of respect for the criminal justice system. That anxiety experienced by jurors facilitated their focus on the evidence is consistent with environmental arousal theory in that for optimum performance one must experience a certain level of arousal. Also confirmed by the findings of this research is environmental load theory, an element of which predicts that jurors will be task driven when experiencing environmental load. That these two theories are linked by an underlying construct is evidenced by the findings of this research. These findings open up possibilities for future theoretical research using environmental arousal theory and environmental load theory. The findings of this research also suggest that jurors found the symbolism in the courtroom environment distracting and that some elements of the juror experience were onerous and stressful. However, previous experience in the courtroom and lower trait anxiety moderated these factors. Consequently, consistent with the results of this research courts might benefit from implementing an orientation program for prospective jurors such that they are familiarised with the courtroom environment. Such a program would moderate any distress experienced by jurors. In the context of such adjustments by the courts, the influence of symbolism in the courtroom are considered beneficial to the juror experience and there is no need for the courts to alter the courtroom setting or robing practices of lawyers.