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Background: Cognitive perspectives suggest that gambling-related cognitive (GRC) biases contribute to the development and maintenance of gambling problems. Evidence has since accumulated to support these claims: GRCs tend to be stronger amongst problems (and pathological) gamblers, and can be effective therapeutic targets of talking treatments. However a richer account of how GRCs are conditioned by gamblers' game and group interactions might enhance their explanatory power and therapeutic value. Methods: Here, I present the results of an extended programme of research involving: (i) laboratory-based experiments on action-based expressions of illusions of control (IOC; Studies 1-4) and value learning when making decisions under uncertainty (Study 5); (ii) online surveys of Chinese gamblers' participation patterns and beliefs in luck (Study 6); and finally, (iii) qualitative interviews of treatment-seeking professional footballers in the United Kingdom (Study 7). Results: Studies 1-2 demonstrated that (non-problematic) gamblers displayed IOC biases by rolling a simulated die for longer when attempting to hit targets with larger prizes and numerical values. These action-based expressions of IOC were facilitated by congruent target numbers and prizes (Study 3), and heightened competition with gambling co-actors (Study 4). Additionally, computational models of gamblers' choices in Study 5 showed that self-report GRCs, and impulsivity, weaken gamblers' ability to learn the value of competing game options. Next, Study 6 reported that Chinese gamblers' GRCs were related to a broader range of gambling activities, and self-report IOCs mediated the association between beliefs in luck and the number of reported gambling problems. Finally, Study 7 found that social pressures, high income, and work-related frustrations precipitated problematic gambling involvement in treatment-seeking footballers. Discussion: Overall, the results suggest that a richer account of GRCs can be achieved by considering the sensorimotor and sociocultural contexts of gamblers. My thesis concludes with a discussion of GRCs within more recent theoretical developments of the embodied and social cognitions paradigms.

Recent approaches to the study of clinical depression stress the role of interpersonal processes in the course of the disorder. In particular, the responses of others to depressed persons are thought to be important in the maintenance of depression. Several empirical studies have shown that depressed patients tend to be rejected and to induce negative mood (e.g., depression, anxiety, and hostility) in others. The present study was a further attempt to assess the nature of the depressed person's interaction with his/her social environment. Thirty-four female subjects engaged in same sex face-to-face dyadic interactions with depressed patients, nondepressed patients, or normal controls. Behavioral and self report measures were taken of the response of others to depressed patients, nondepressed patients, and normal controls. Contrary to expectations, no characteristic patterns were identified in the response of others to depressed patients. Several possible explanations of the findings were presented. The results were discussed in terms of the interactional theory of depression and related to relevant empirical studies. Several suggestions for further research were presented.

No description available.

Psychopathy continues to receive increased attention due to the negative outcomes, including recidivism, violence, and poor treatment amenability. Despite the vast amount of attention psychopathy has received, research on its applications to mentally disordered offenders remains sparse. The current study explored the relationship between psychopathy, depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders. It also investigated the comparative fits of two and three-factor models of the PCL-R with mentally disordered offenders. Participants consisted of 96 inmates placed in the mental health pod at Tarrant County Jail. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with testlets found the three-factor PCL-R model had excellent fit (Robust Comparative Fit Index = 1.00). Psychopathy was found to be a construct independent of mental disorders. Two exceptions were (a) a modest correlation between anxiety and Impulsive and the Irresponsible Lifestyle factor of the PCL-R (r = 0.20) and (b) a modest negative correlation between Deficient Affective Experience of the PCL-R and mania (r = -.37). Based on the current data, treatment programs for mentally disordered offenders are suggested that focus on both behavioral and personality aspects of psychopathy.

No description available.

Orientador: Jorge Luís Ferreira Abrão / Coorientadora: Viviana Carola Velasco Martinez / Banca: Gustavo Adolfo Ramos Mello Neto / Banca: Fabio Roberto Rodrigues Belo / Banca: Thassia Souza Emídio / Banca: Diana Pancini de Sá Antunes Ribeiro / Resumo: Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo estabelecer um diálogo entre as teorias do trauma de Sándor Ferenczi de Jean Laplanche, a fim de relacionar os pontos convergentes presentes nos autores. Para tanto, procedeu-se a uma revisão bibliográfica a fim de destacar a especificidade do pensamento de cada autor. Discorreu-se sobre a vida e obra de Ferenczi a título de efetuar um resgate do autor e pontuar os principais conceitos envolvidos em sua concepção de trauma. Depois, descreveu-se a trajetória de pesquisa de Laplanche, a qual eclodiu na renovação teórica apresentada em sua teoria da sedução generalizada. Ao final, articulou-se os principais conceitos teóricos presentes na teoria de ambos para discutir a noção de trauma oriunda destas. Destacou-se quatro pontos fundamentais sobre os quais a análise teórica foi feita: a abertura psíquica; o papel do outro na constituição subjetiva; a noção de corpo como parasitado pelas representações desligadas e a noção de après-coup como característica da temporalização do humano. Como resultado caracterizou-se dois tipos de trauma descritos pelos autores: o trauma fundamental e o trauma intromissivo. Também se certificou que para os autores o caráter exógeno da formação psíquica implica a relação com o outro originário, cujas mensagens pulsionais incidem sobre a criança, instaurando a tópica inconsciente. Assim, pode-se pensar nos aspectos éticos implicados no cuidado parental e nas possibilidades profiláticas da terapêutica psicanalítica / Abstract: This research aims to establish a dialogue between the trauma theories of Sándor Ferenczi and Jean Laplanche, to enable to indicate their convergence points. Therefore, proceeded a bibliographical review to point out the specificity of each author's thoughts. Ran through the life and work of Ferenczi to evaluate the author rescue and point out his major concepts about the trauma. Than, described Laplanche's research, which emerges in a theorical renovation presented in the general seduction's theory. In the end, we articulate the major concepts present in both authors to discuss the notion of trauma from them. We accentuated four conceptual axes to proceed to an theorical analysis: the psychic openning; the role for the other in the psychic constitution; the notion of body as parasited by desconnected representations and the notion of après-coup as caracateristic of human temporalization. As result, we caracterized two types of trauma as described by the authors: a fundamental trauma and the intromissive trauma. Also certificates that for these authors the psychic formation has an exogenous character implicated in the relationship with the original other, which pulsional messages affects the child, instituting the unconscious topic. So, we can think about the ethical aspects of the child's care and the possibilities of psychoanalytical terapeutics / Doutor

The focus of this study was to evaluate the psychological and psychosocial factors of a novel and composite meditation–visualization practice known as the best self visualization method (BSM). The researcher adapted and modified the BSM to work within a brief 2-week, two-session intervention period. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects on psychopathology (GAD, PHQ), resilience (PHQ, GAD, Gratitude, Compassion, DSES, Trust, Personal Growth, Mindfulness, and Social Connection), and bio-physiological changes related to EEG spectral power, coherence, and heart rate variability (BPM-Coherence). A total of 66 participants were randomized into active meditation control (n = 35) and BSM (n = 31) intervention groups. Data analysis revealed significant effects for GAD in favor of BSM psychopathology attenuation (U = 316.5, z = -1.62, p ≤ .05) as well as for the PHQ (U = 321.5, z = -1.54, p = .06). Individual t tests revealed a much more robust effect. There were no significant differences for the other scales measured except for interpersonal trust, which had a stronger effect for the BSM group, t(23) = -1.90, p = .04. For EEG and HRV data, results showed the BSM elicited significant changes in parietal gamma spectral power (F[2, 15] = 6.34, p = .010), parietal alpha blocking (F[1, 15] = 5.14, p = .039), and heart rate coherence achievement (t[28] = 1.97, p = .03), as well as demonstrated a heart rate increase trend. Paradoxically, the BSM’s bio-physiological profile was more “activating” when compared to the control, indicating psychopathology attenuation was not related necessarily to a relaxation response.

Magister Chirurgiae Dentium - MChD / Oral physiological pigmentation presents with great variability with respect to sites, forms, patterns and contrasts in colour. Knowledge of the existence of pigmented lesions and their significance remained unclear for both the general public and oral clinicians alike. The possibility of malignant transformation of some pigmented lesions makes them important to monitor and biopsy. The prevalence of physiological pigmentation is unknown for the defined population group in this study. The results will be beneficial as part of a larger multicentre study with South Africa (Feller et al, 2015). Methodology: A cross sectional analytical study of patients that attended the University of the Western Cape Oral Health centres for routine treatment was conducted. After obtaining informed consent, patients were screened and asked a series of questions using a standardized questionnaire. From these completed questionnaires a prevalence relating to oral physiological pigmentation was determined. Oral physiological pigmentation did not have a male or female predominance in this study population group, but was associated with increased age. Oral pigmentation seemed to be well represented after 18 years of age. Patients were not usually aware of the pigmented gingiva unless being made aware off it.

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / The aim of this study was to profile the characteristics of children with mental retardation presenting at the Clinical Psychology Unit of Polokwane/Mankweng Hospital Complex over a period of five years. A descriptive methodological approach was chosen as a study design for the purpose of data collection and subsequent data analysis. Using the archival data method, the clinical files of all children presenting with mental retardation at this facility were retrieved and studied. A total of 326 (male = 169; female = 157) files covering the period under review were retrieved. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the data. Categorical data were analysed by using frequency tables, descriptive statistics and crosstabulations. The study showed that 314 cases (96.3%) were reflected as Black, whilst the remaining 12 cases (3.7%) were reflected as White (2.15%); Indian (1.23%); and Other (0.30%). Several clinical methods that included clinical interviews, psychometric tests, clinical observations and collateral information sources were used by the psychologists for the purpose of making a diagnosis. The study further revealed that a huge number of cases (35.6%) were diagnosed with mental retardation. It was also found that 45.4% of the cases were diagnosed to have comorbid clinical conditions such as epilepsy, Down’s syndrome, visual problems etc. The majority of the persons were referred to the Clinical Psychology Unit to be assessed for school placement (50%) and disability grant (38.7%).With regard to interventions, psychologists who saw these persons tended to frequently refer them to special schools and other health professionals. Psychotherapy was the least utilised intervention method used by the psychologists. The findings of the present study reinforce the importance of and value of high quality management and treatment of mental retardation and related comorbid conditions. Based on these findings, it is recommended that more efforts be made to strengthen the working relationship between Polokwane/Mankweng Hospital Complex and the respective special schools where these persons that are diagnosed with mental retardation are referred to. It is further recommended that consideration be given to strengthening the relationship between Polokwane/Mankweng Hospital Complex and the social security agency so as to obviate any potential problems that could be associated with the allocation of the disability grants to persons with mental retardation.