The effect of perceived criticism from others is one potentially important risk factor for suicide that has received scant attention, despite decades of research on the role of criticism in the treatment and course of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders. The current study analyzed the unique effect of perceived criticism's association with suicidal ideation and attempts as well as its connection with the well-established suicide related constructs of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and the acquired capability to enact self-harm as described in the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide. Results demonstrated that perceived criticism is a significant predictor of suicidal ideation and attempts, above and beyond the role of mental illness. Further analyses demonstrated that the effect of perceived criticism on suicide ideation and attempts is fully mediated by the constructs of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. These results should be replicated in a wider sample and should be investigated as a factor to address in public and individual mental health treatment to help reduce suicide ideation and attempts. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Summer Semester, 2014. / June 12, 2014. / Criticism, Perceived Burdensomeness, Suicide, Thwarted Belongingness / Includes bibliographical references. / Thomas E. Joiner, Jr., Professor Directing Thesis; Janet A. Kistner, Committee Member; Ashby Plant, Committee Member.

Psychopathic individuals are distinct from non-psychopathic individuals in affective, interpersonal, and behavioral domains. A hallmark characteristic of psychopathic individuals is lack of empathy. Gender differences have been identified with regards to psychopathy and empathy. The current study examined two factors of empathy, Cognitive and Affective Empathy, and employed a triarchic model of psychopathy, which included boldness, meanness, and disinhibition as the three factors (Patrick, Fowles, & Krueger, 2009). The current study examined whether gender and/or gender roles moderated the relationship between the empathy and psychopathy factors. It was expected that gender roles, rather than gender alone, would moderate the relationship between empathy and psychopathy, such that masculine individuals would be deficient in empathy and endorse more psychopathic characteristics, whereas feminine individuals were expected to have more empathy and endorse fewer psychopathic characteristics. As expected, in the current study, females demonstrated higher levels of femininity, as well as empathy and cooperation, whereas males demonstrated higher levels of psychopathy (specifically boldness and meanness) and the propensity to look out only for their best interests and not cooperate with others. Further, masculine individuals demonstrated higher levels of boldness and meanness. Results from an Exploratory Factor Analysis, Canonical Correlation, and Hierarchical Regression indicated that affective empathy factors, rather than cognitive empathy factors, demonstrated the strongest negative relationship with boldness and meanness. Disinhibition demonstrated no relationship with either affective or cognitive empathy factors. Implications of these results are discussed. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2014. / February 24, 2014. / Affective Empahy, Cognitive Empathy, Empathy Differences, Gender Roles, Triarchic Model of Psychopathy / Includes bibliographical references. / Joyce Carbonell, Professor Directing Dissertation; Marc Gertz, University Representative; Chris Patrick, Committee Member; Chris Schatschneider, Committee Member; Jesse Cougle, Committee Member.

The purpose of this study was to examine the shared and unique associations of sadness rumination and anger rumination and their links to depressive and aggressive symptoms in pre/early adolescents. Children, seven through fourteen years old, completed self-report measures of their response styles, depressive symptoms, and peer nominations of aggressive behaviors. Results revealed that anger rumination uniquely predicted aggressive and depressive symptoms, controlling for sadness rumination. In contrast to previous studies, sadness rumination did not predict depressive symptoms when anger rumination was controlled for. In addition, sadness rumination was negatively associated with aggressive symptoms. Gender did not moderate the relationship between any of the variables. An exploratory cluster analysis was also conducted to examine patterns of rumination and their associated behavioral correlates. The following groups emerged: general ruminators, high sadness ruminators, high anger ruminators, and low ruminators. Results revealed that general ruminators did not demonstrate comorbid depressive and aggressive behaviors. Study limitations and future directions for research are discussed. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Summer Semester, 2014. / June 24, 2014. / Aggression, Depression, Response Styles, Rumination / Includes bibliographical references. / Janet A. Kistner, Professor Directing Thesis; Kimberly A. Driscoll, Committee Member; Colleen Kelley, Committee Member.

Purpose– The relations between reading and writing have been studied extensively but the exact nature of their interrelation is not known. This study applied new advances in change score modeling to investigate longitudinal developmental relations between reading and writing skills at the word, sentence and text levels. Dynamic models were used to compare unidirectional pathways (reading-to-writing and writing-to-reading) and bidirectional pathways in a test of nested models.Method– Participants included 316 boys and girls who were assessed annually in grades 1 through 3. Measures of reading included pseudo word decoding, sentence reading efficiency measures and passage comprehension. Measures of writing included spelling, a sentence combining task and computational indices of linguistic features of a writing prompt.Results– The changes in reading and writing were characterized by improvements between years. The reading-to-writing model fit the data well, where changes in reading and writing were a function of a) status, b) growth or c) both in reading or writing. At the word level, high status in grade 1 decoding predicted an improvement on spelling between grades 2-3, and the improvement in decoding between grades 1-2 predicted an improvement in spelling between grades 2-3. At the sentence level, high status in reading predicted an improvement in writing across the years. At the text level, high status in grade 2 reading predicted an improvement in writing between grades 2-3.Discussion– findings suggest that a reading-to-writing model better describes the data than does a bidirectional model, and this relation holds across levels of language. Secondly, changes in writing are predicted by high achievement status in reading at all levels of language, and this effect was significant at both stages of development at the word and sentence levels, and at the later stage of development at the text level (between grades 2 and 3). Thirdly, change in spelling was predicted by change decoding between grades 1 -2. Thus, our results show that Mathew effects are characteristic of reading-writing development in that acquisition of writing skills is facilitated for good readers. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Fall Semester, 2011. / August 8, 2011. / latent change score, levels of language, literacy, longitudinal, reading, writing / Includes bibliographical references. / Richard K. Wagner, Professor Directing Thesis; Chris Schatschneider, Committee Member; Jon Maner, Committee Member.

Every romantic partner possesses faults and will at some point act poorly during the course of a relationship. Such negativity can lead to conflict and even relationship dissolution. In order to protect their relationship, romantically involved individuals often engage in positive illusions and forgiveness--two maintenance strategies that can promote healthy relationship functioning and relationship longevity. However, few studies have examined the specific relationship motives that lead people to engage in these processes. If positive illusions and forgiveness serve as relationship maintenance strategies, then people should engage in them particularly when they are motivated to maintain their relationship into the long-term. Across two studies, I used priming procedures to manipulate relationship motives (long-term motives, short-term motives, and a neutral control) to examine their effect on positive illusions (Study 1) and forgiveness (Study 2). I predicted that the long-term motive prime (compared to controls) would promote positive illusions and forgiveness of the partner. I also tested interactions between condition and sex to examine whether a long-term relationship orientation would encourage men and women to display greater levels of positive illusions/forgiveness on those characteristics/transgressions that should be particularly important to their sex. My hypotheses were not supported; no effects of experimental priming were found. However, across studies I replicated previous work, finding that greater positive illusions and forgiveness were associated with greater levels of relationship satisfaction. Furthermore, in Study 1, I found an unpredicted sex by condition interaction, such that a short-term motive prime led men (relative to women) to display marginally stronger positive illusions, whereas a long-term motive prime led women (relative to men) to display marginally stronger positive illusions. Possible interpretations of this unpredicted finding, along with limitations of the current studies and possible future directions, are discussed. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Science. / Summer Semester, 2014. / July 16, 2014. / Forgiveness, Positive illusions, Relationship maintenance, Romantic relationships, Sex differences / Includes bibliographical references. / Jon K. Maner, Professor Directing Dissertation; Keith Roberson, University Representative; E. Ashby Plant, Committee Member; Jim McNulty, Committee Member; Colleen Ganley, Committee Member.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a new full-threshold eating disorder diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , fifth edition (DSM-5). While the research literature supports the overall inclusion of BED, the specific diagnostic criteria, particularly the required associated features of binge-eating episodes, have received little empirical attention. In addition, questions remain about gaps in the criteria, specifically the absence of a cognitive criterion focused on the undue influence of weight and shape on self-evaluation. Therefore, the present study sought to determine how the associated features of binge-eating episodes and the undue influence criterion predict the clinical significance of eating behavior. Distress regarding binge eating was used as the index of clinical significance. Secondary analyses of self-report (N=115) and interview data (N=61) from an epidemiological study of eating patterns were completed. A parallel data analytic strategy was adopted between both data sources, including the calculation of point biserial correlations, regression models, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The associated feature of "feeling disgusted, depressed, or very guilty after overeating" (American Psychiatric Association (APA), 2013) emerged as the best predictor of distress across both methods of assessment. However, the undue influence item was only a unique predictor of distress within the survey data. Across ROC curve analyses, three of five associated features emerged as the best threshold for predicting distress, and the undue influence item demonstrated clinical utility only in the ROC curve analyses of the survey data. Finally, in both the survey and interview data, the five associated features were found to have poor internal consistency reliability. The present study highlights the critical need for more stringent tests of the BED diagnostic criteria, as well as the need to examine new criteria that may be better able to detect clinically significant eating pathology. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Summer Semester, 2014. / May 5, 2014. / Includes bibliographical references. / Pamela K. Keel, Professor Directing Thesis; Thomas E. Joiner, Jr., Committee Member; Diana Williams, Committee Member.

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) has become one of the most well researched risk factors for the development of psychopathology. Research has found that the AS subfactor of cognitive concerns may be play an important role in PTSD, depression, and suicide. Fear reactivity to biological challenges (or laboratory procedures that induce symptoms of anxiety) have long been used as behavioral measures of AS. However, fear reactivity to these biological challenges correlates most strongly with AS physical concerns due to the induction of primarily physical symptoms of anxiety (e.g., racing heart, shortness of breath). Brief computerized interventions have proven successful in reducing overall AS, although these interventions have also focused on the nature of physical symptoms of anxiety. The current study (N = 59) investigated the relationship between fear reactivity to the induction of dissociative symptoms and AS cognitive concerns, as well as the efficacy of a computerized AS cognitive concerns focused brief intervention. The results demonstrated that individuals with higher AS cognitive concerns experienced greater fear reactivity to dissociative symptoms than individuals with lower AS cognitive concerns. Additionally, there was a significant effect of intervention condition such that individuals in the active treatment condition had lower AS cognitive concerns after the intervention controlling for baseline levels of AS cognitive concerns. The current study provides initial evidence of the utility of using fear reactivity to a dissociation challenge as a behavioral correlate of AS cognitive concerns. The current study also found successful amelioration of AS cognitive concerns though a brief computerized psychoeducation protocol. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Summer Semester, 2014. / June 2, 2014. / Anxiety, Anxiety Sensitivity, Computerized Intervention, Dissociation / Includes bibliographical references. / Norman B. Schmidt, Professor Directing Thesis; Jesse R. Cougle, Committee Member; Michael P. Kaschak, Committee Member.

It is well established that the ovarian hormone estradiol exerts its diverse actions primarily via the two classic estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα and ERβ. While available data suggest that ERα plays an important role (14, 15, 17, 21), the time course over which selective activation of ERα inhibits food intake differs from that observed following similar administration of a non-selective ER agonist (estradiol benzoate) and thus requires further study. At present, the contribution of ERβ to the estrogenic control of food intake remains equivocal. Thus, the goals of the current research were to investigate the time course over which selective activation of ERα decreases food intake in ovariectomized rats and whether ERβ is sufficient or necessary for estradiol's anorexigenic effect. Experiment 1 revealed that acute administration of the ERα agonist PPT produced a rapid, dose-dependent decrease in food intake that was detected within 2 h and persisted for up to 21-h. In contrast, acute administration of a range of doses of the ERβ agonist DPN failed to influence food intake. Experiment 2 revealed that DPN failed to modulate PPT's anorexigenic effect. Experiment 3 revealed that the anorexigenic effect of estradiol benzoate (EB) was not attenuated by co-administration of the ERβ antagonist PHTPP. Experiment 4 revealed that the ERβ agonist DPN reliably decreased anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze and that this action of DPN was attenuated by co-administration of the ERβ antagonist PHTPP. These positive findings confirm the involvement of ERβ in mediating estradiol's anxiolytic effect and provide critical evidence that the same dose of these compounds that failed to alter food intake in our feeding tests effectively targeted (activated or blocked) ERβ. Taken together, these data demonstrate that PPT exerts a rapid anorexigenic effect that appears to occur with minimal or no delay. Because this time course appears to preclude the involvement of nuclear ERs, which function to alter gene transcription following a long (12-24 h) latency, PPTs rapid anorexigenic effect suggests the involvement of membrane ERα signaling events. Additionally, our data provide compelling evidence that ERβ is neither sufficient nor necessary for estradiol's anorexigenic effect. The null findings associated with DPN and PHTPP are not likely due to insufficient targeting of ERβ as both drugs altered anxiety-like behavior, suggesting that appropriate doses were used to probe ERβ's involvement in the estrogenic control of food intake. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Summer Semester, 2014. / July 11, 2014. / Anorexigenic, Estradiol, Estrogen Receptor, Food Intake, Pharmacology, PPT / Includes bibliographical references. / Lisa A. Eckel, Professor Directing Thesis; Diana L. Williams, Committee Member; Thomas E. Joiner, Committee Member.

The goal of this dissertation was to understand the issue of load in a more operationally realistic way, while examining underlying segmental relations and postural regulation related to functional capability. The ecological approach provides a foundation for this work, as its approach seeks understanding across nested relations and at the level of the Organism-Environment system. First, a landing task was used to examine transitions from movement to upright stance, evaluating the effects of load on changes relevant to prospective control of action. Greater negative head angles, reductions in the field of regard, and reduced variability in orienting coordination (trunk-head relations) under load all suggest reductions in the postural affordances for visual perception. The heaviest load was not the worst; as the asymmetrically loaded Vest configuration had greater negative effects on postural affordances. This was further supported by the increased power and frequency content in the Center of Pressure dynamics, suggesting much more difficult postural regulation in this configuration. The second study examined the effects of load on dynamic marksmanship performance using large loads on the torso and small loads on the extremities (night vision goggles and extremity armor on the arms) while establishing two different postures determined by target placement. Load and Posture both had negative impacts on the speed-accuracy trade-off, with larger loads affecting gross postural transitions and smaller loads degrading fine-aiming performance. The more challenging posture degraded accuracy on target substantially, suggesting that reorientation of multiple segments may be necessary for assessing the consequences of load on marksmanship performance. Increases in the total coordinative variability of Head-Trunk-Gun relations with load at a high target suggests that increased inertial and interactive forces during movement "push" the system out of the optimal segmental relations. Moreover, the results from Postural-Focal coupling suggest that load "freezes" previously available degrees of freedom, making the system more deterministic and less flexible in goal-directed achievement. The two previous paradigms are joined in the third study to understand perception-action coupling during movement cessation to marksmanship transitions, a ubiquitous task in combat. Increased time to discriminate targets was found with load and was related to peak head velocities and the inability to dissipate energy at the head/eyes under load. Again, Load and Posture had significant effects on the speed-accuracy trade-off, especially at the load most similar to that seen in current missions. Segmental coordination in this effort ballasts the findings in study 2, as significant shifts from optimal Head-Trunk-Gun relations were observed with load as well as increased variability that was detrimental to task performance. This dissertation demonstrates that science can be "Operationalized" in a way that maintains scientific integrity during complex task analysis; providing additional insight into the issue of load across multiple scales of analysis related to functional capability and survivability in combat and others encumbered by load.

The nine amino acid peptide vasopressin acts as a neurohormone in the periphery and a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator in the central nervous system. Historically, research on vasopressin neurons and their projections to the pituitary has helped lay the groundwork for our understanding of peptidergic neurotransmission. Currently, our research on central vasopressin projections is driving a revolution in our understanding of social behavior. Vasopressin affects a number of social behaviors from social memory to aggression to affiliative behavior, such as pair-bonding. Further, with the addition of more and more transgenic mouse models of disease states, anxiety and depression related disorders, and social behavior dysfunction, it is important now more than ever to have a clear knowledge of the mouse vasopressin system, which derives from a number of distinct nuclei within the brain. Here, I map out vasopressin immunoreactivity in the mouse brain, and delineate the subset of brain regions with gonadal steroid hormone-dependent vasopressin immunoreactivity. Such projections are thought to derive from the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis and medial amygdala in the telencephalon. Finally, based on data from mice with lesions of the suprachiasmatic nucleus, I outline the subset of regions that likely receive vasopressin from this source. Our research on the anatomy of the vasopressin system of mice and our attempts to delineate the site of origin of the many vasopressin fibers found throughout the brain suggest that a significant amount of the vasopressin innervation deriving from cells in the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis and medial amygdala project to areas in the midbrain involved in serotonin and dopamine transmission, such as the dorsal raphe and ventral tegmental area. These transmitter systems play a crucial role in the control of anxiety and depression levels as well as motivated behavior and emotional regulation. Our results strongly suggest that a direct link exists between these systems, and future plans include an examination of this possibility. It is our hope that this work will further our understanding of the role of vasopressin and other transmitter systems in the regulation of social behaviors.