Role of behavior theory in behavioral medicine.

Behavioral medicine is a multidisciplinary field that combines research methods and findings from behavioral and biomedical sciences. Many investigators in the field have tended to emphasize the contribution of the biomedical more than the behavioral sciences. This is evident in the emphasis on biological rather than behavioral outcomes and on the reductionist approach within the field to reduce mechanisms responsible for behavioral effects and disease to biological influences. There has been a similar shift in psychology toward mechanistic, bottom-up approaches to understanding mechanisms responsible for integrated and dynamic behavior. These shifts in emphasis have stimulated investigators to examine the use of biomedical methods and findings as causes and explanations for behavior, rather than to utilize newer findings in behavioral sciences. New advances in basic research on learning are used to illustrate that findings from behavioral science have implications for the field of contemporary behavioral medicine. Finally, the importance of developing new technologies for measuring behavior is presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral medicine: The contribution of the experimental analysis of behavior to medical care.

There has been a great increase in research and clinical activity using psychological methods and procedures for understanding and modifying patterns of behavior that affect physical health. The term "behavioral medicine" has come into use to describe some of these activities. The present article reviews the contribution of the experimental behavioral sciences in the understanding and treatment of medical disorders and disease and examines some of the implications of the new field for psychology. Current definitions, which emphasize either a biopsychosocial or a behavioral framework, are discussed. Major themes in clinical behavioral medicine are identified, including the modification of overt behavior or physiological responses that constitute problems in their own right, the modification of behavior of health care providers, the improvement of adherence to prescribed treatment, and the modification of behavior or responses that constitute risk factors for disease. (95 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Do sex differences in the brain explain sex differences in the hormonal induction of reproductive behavior? What 25 years of research on the Japanese quail tells us

Early workers interested in the mechanisms mediating sex differences in morphology and behavior assumed that differences in behavior that are commonly observed between males and females result from the sex specificity of androgens and estrogens. Androgens were thought to facilitate male-typical traits, and estrogens were thought to facilitate female-typical traits. By the mid-20th century, however, it was apparent that administering androgens to females or estrogens to males was not always effective in sex-reversing behavior and that in some cases a "female" hormone such as an estrogen could produce male-typical behavior and an androgen could induce female-typical behavior. These conceptual difficulties were resolved to a large extent by the seminal paper of C. H. Phoenix, R. W. Goy, A. A. Gerall, and W. C. Young in (1959, Endocrinology 65, 369-382) that illustrated that several aspects of sexual behavior are different between males and females because the sexes have been exposed during their perinatal life to a different endocrine milieu that has irreversibly modified their response to steroids in adulthood. Phoenix et al. (1959) therefore formalized a clear dichotomy between the organizational and activational effects of sex steroid hormones. Since this paper, a substantial amount of research has been carried out in an attempt to identify the aspects of brain morphology or neurochemistry that differentiate under the embryonic/neonatal effects of steroids and are responsible for the different behavioral response of males and females to the activation by steroids in adulthood. During the past 25 years, research in behavioral neuroendocrinology has identified many sex differences in brain morphology or neurochemistry; however many of these sex differences disappear when male and female subjects are placed in similar endocrine conditions (e.g., are gonadectomized and treated with the same amount of steroids) so that these differences appear to be of an activational nature and cannot therefore explain sex differences in behavior that are still present in gonadectomized steroid-treated adults. This research has also revealed many aspects of brain morphology and chemistry that are markedly affected by steroids in adulthood and are thought to mediate the activation of behavior at the central level. It has been explicitly, or in some cases, implicitly assumed that the sexual differentiation of brain and behavior driven by early exposure to steroids concerns primarily those neuroanatomical/neurochemical characteristics that are altered by steroids in adulthood and presumably mediate the activation of behavior. Extensive efforts to identify these sexually differentiated brain characteristics over the past 20 years has only met with limited success, however. As regards reproductive behavior, in all model species that have been studied it is still impossible to identify satisfactorily brain characteristics that differentiate under early steroid action and explain the sex differences in behavioral activating effects of steroids. This problem is illustrated by research conducted on Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), an avian model system that displays prominent sex differences in the sexual behavioral response to testosterone, and in which the endocrine mechanisms that control sexual differentiation of behavior have been clearly identified so that subjects with a fully sex-reversed behavioral phenotype can be easily produced. In this species, studies of sex differences in the neural substrate mediating the action of steroids in the brain, including the activity of the enzymes that metabolize steroids such as aromatase and the distribution of steroid hormone receptors as well as related neurotransmitter systems, did not result in a satisfactory explanation of sex differences in the behavioral effectiveness of testosterone. Possible explanations for the relative failure to identify the organized brain characteristics responsible for behavio     

Laterality, alternation, and perseveration relationships on the T-maze test.

The T-maze test has been used to study several entirely different issues: spontaneous alternation behavior (SAB), perseveration behavior (PB), and behavioral lateralization. Despite the fact that in this test the behavior studied is always the same one (i.e., side choice), the possible relationships among SAB, PB, and lateralization have not been previously evaluated. The present study investigated the relationships among these functions. The results demonstrated that (1) shock increases PB and lateralization decreases SAB, (2) practice increases lateralization and decreases SAB but does not modify PB, and (3) there are sex differences for alternation and SAB. Because these functions are expressed by the same behavioral pattern, they must be quantified simultaneously to avoid mistaken conclusions when the T-maze test is used. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Verbal relations and the evolution of behavior analysis.

Human Ss often show performances that differ in important ways from those of nonhumans. Over the past decade, many behavior analysts have concluded that many of these differences are due to human verbal behavior. Human behavior analytic research has evolved largely into the study of the nature of verbal events. New and exciting research methods, findings, and theories have emerged that are quite unlike stereotypical views of behavior analysis. This article reviews the literature, especially the work on stimulus equivalence, and describes relational frame theory, a behavioral perspective that distinguishes direct and derived stimulus functions at the level of psychological process. It is argued that at least 1 new behavioral principle (verbal or relational control) has been uncovered. This analysis is applied to issues of verbal meaning and rule following. These developments demonstrate the vitality of contemporary behavior analysis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparative psychology lives on under an assumed name Psychogenetics].

Comparative psychology has been subjected to a succession of critical assessments in recent years, and, in the latest, R. Lockard (see record 1971-24449-001) suggests that the term "comparative psychology" be abandoned. This suggestion appears to be based on the narrow view that comparative psychology can be equated with study of behavioral evolution through inter species comparisons, i.e., behavioral phylogeny. A broader view is taken here in which it is argued that behavioral evolution studied through intra species comparison represents an important and hitherto neglected aspect of comparative psychology. An increasing interest in intra specific comparison represents a maturation of approach to problems of comparative psychology and one in which psychogenetics, the study of behavioral inheritance, has a major role to play. Psychogenetics can provide evidence on behavioral evolution by indicating the kinds of selective forces to which behavior has been subjected. Results of some recent psychogenetic investigations are presented to support these claims (44 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to the special series.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in most industrialized countries. Moreover, it has increasingly been recognized that the major risk factors for development of CVD are behavioral. Risk factors that relate to life-style or behavioral tendencies include smoking, hypertension, obesity, elevated serum cholesterol, exercise habits, alcohol consumption, aspects of the Type A behavior pattern, environmental stressors, and psychophysiological responsivity to stressors. This special series addresses the current status of research on behavioral variables in CVD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral Changes Induced in Rats by Exposure to Trimethylthiazoline, a Component of Fox Odor.

Trimethylthiazoline (TMT), a component of fox feces, has been used in various studies as a natural predator stimulus to induce autonomic and behavioral signs of fear (e.g., higher levels of stress hormones, freezing, and risk assessment). The present study investigated whether 2 further behavioral signs of fear are induced in rats by TMT exposure: potentiation of the acoustic startle response and inhibition of appetitive behavior. In addition, the authors tested the rats for dose dependency of TMT-induced freezing behavior. The study confirmed that behavioral changes observed during TMT exposure are caused by TMT-induced fear and are dose dependent. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Menstrual cycle and social behavior in vervet monkeys

We assessed the relationship between social behavior and the menstrual cycle in 11 adult female vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus) living in an established, stable social group. The findings indicated that fluctuations in ovarian steroids are accompanied by behavioral changes in vervet monkeys. A significant increase in aggressive action, avoidance of social overtures, and retreats from threat occurred during the late luteal phase. However, the social environment can greatly affect behavior independent of the phase of the menstrual cycle. The 10 nondominant (or subordinate) individuals not only exhibited behavioral changes across their own menstrual cycles, but also were responsive to the dominant female's cycle. During the dominant female's late luteal phase, subordinate females significantly increased aggression and decreased social activity. Some of behavioral patterns in female vervet monkeys are therefore relatively independent of direct hormonal modulation and support the contention of the dominant female as the driving force for behavioral changes related to aggression and social interaction. The differential effect of hormones and social status and other environmental factors on behavior has not been critically evaluated in human studies of the premenstrual syndrome. The present study suggests that it is important to assess which behavioral patterns in women are hormonally mediated and which are dependent on the environment.     

Use of drinking protective behavioral strategies in association to sex-related alcohol negative consequences: The mediating role of alcohol consumption.

Alcohol use has been implicated as a risk factor for sexual negative consequences, such as unprotected sexual intercourse. The present research was conducted to examine the relationship between drinking protective behavioral strategies and consensual sex-related alcohol negative consequences, and whether this relationship varied by gender. Additionally, typical number of drinks during sexual behavior was evaluated as a potential mediator of this association. Heavy drinking, sexually active college students (N = 297, 50.2% women) completed self-report measures of drinking protective behavioral strategies, alcohol consumption, and sex-related alcohol negative consequences. Findings indicated that women who used drinking protective behavioral strategies more frequently were less likely to experience sex-related alcohol negative consequences whereas this relationship was not significant for men. For women, this relationship was mediated by the typical number of drinks consumed during sexual behavior. The current research demonstrates that use of drinking protective behavioral strategies is related to a reduction in women's sex-related risks when drinking. Findings are discussed in terms of alcohol myopia theory. Implications for interventions aimed to reduce higher risk sexual behavior among college students are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The powers of John Barleycorn: Beliefs about the effects of alcohol on social behavior.

Argues that in popular thought, alcohol has been invested with a great number of varied effects. It has been suggested that these effects are, in part, a function of beliefs about the power of alcohol to change the drinker. A review of the data on causal beliefs about alcohol and social behavior indicates that such beliefs are common and that the general public shares a number of beliefs about alcohol as a cause of crime and disinhibited behavior. Several issues are discussed, including the role of individual differences in drinking habits, sex differences in beliefs, and the dichotomy of desirable and undesirable behavioral effects. It is suggested that these beliefs function in maintaining drinking behavior and in contributing to alcohol's potential for excusing untoward behavior. (95 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A discourse on behavioral medicine: Current status and future trends.

Suggests that the field of behavioral medicine encompasses considerable diversity of opinion and interests and that the increasing volume of clinical and research activity bodes well for the future. Although some areas of clinical intervention still lack systematic evaluation of treatment outcome and efficacy, the potential of the behavioral medicine approach has been amply demonstrated. Four areas of behavioral intervention are identified as overt behavior or physiological response that constitutes a health problem, improvement of health care delivery, treatment adherence, and risk factors for disease. Particularly noted is research on biobehavioral adaptations to the environment. (77 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Histochemical localization of adenylate cyclase in cultured sympathetic neurons

The influence of female odors on agonistic behavior among grouped male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) was studied. After the introduction of female odors, investigative behavioral interactions between the males increased in frequency. The source of the odor, the sexual experience of the males, and the ongoing behavior of the group influenced the intensity of the behavioral response. Sexually experienced males showed the greatest number of agonistic instances and attempted sexual interactions after the introduction of urine from estrous females. Agonistic interactions did not decrease upon the introduction of female odors, as has been reported for Mus musculus. It is concluded that these behavioral changes are not due to a response to a releaser pheromone, but are the result of confusion in communication between males.     

New directions in behavioral consultation.

The expanding application of behavioral technologies to alleviate the mental health and educational problems of children has increased the scope and social significance of behavior analysis during recent decades. Although behavioral technologies provide an empirical basis for assisting parents, teachers, and children, these procedures rarely include a method for implementation in service delivery. The pioneering work that placed behaviorism into a general case delivery model has led to the wide acceptance of a specific model for behavioral consultation. While Behavioral Consultation (BC) has become widely accepted as a particular process consisting of four interviews and plan implementation, it could be more broadly described as the provision of services and technologies that are based on behavioral research. The purpose of this special series is to examine the provision of behavior therapy and behavior modification in education using the broader conceptualization of behavioral consultation that diverges in some ways from BC. While BC has contributed to the work comprising this special series, each of the authors examines issues in the delivery of behavioral consultation that diverge in some way from BC. One goal in creating the miniseries was to initiate an examination of BC as a method, rather than the method, for providing behavior analysis in schools. The second goal of this special series was to serve as a catalyst for the examination of new methods for implementing behavioral consultation. The contributions of the various authors serve to illustrate the breadth of potential new directions for the conceptualization, investigation, and implementation of the broad class of behaviors belonging to response class of behavioral consultation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Empirical tests of an information-motivation-behavioral skills model of AIDS-preventive behavior with gay men and heterosexual university students.

This article contains empirical tests of the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model of AIDS preventive behavior (J. D. Fisher and W. A. Fisher; see PA, Vol 79:28622; W. A. Fisher and J. D. Fisher, 1993), which has been designed to understand and predict the practice of AIDS-preventive acts. The IMB model holds that AIDS-preventive behavior is a function of individuals' information about AIDS prevention, motivation to engage in AIDS prevention, and behavioral skills for performing the specific acts involved in prevention. The model further assumes that AIDS-prevention information and motivation generally work through AIDS-prevention behavioral skills to influence the initiation and maintenance of AIDS-preventive behavior. Supportive tests of the model, using structural equation modeling techniques, are reported with populations of gay male affinity group members (n?=?91) and heterosexual university students (n?=?174). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Strategies for modifying sexual behavior for primary and secondary prevention of HIV disease.

Sexual behavior change is needed for both the primary and secondary prevention of HIV disease. Remarkable progress has been made in modifying high-risk behaviors in selected populations (e.g., gay men living in the epicenters of the epidemic). However, many at-risk populations (e.g., gay men living outside these epicenters, homosexual men who are young or Black, ethnic minorities—especially women of childbearing age, and persons over age 50) have received relatively little research attention and may be at risk for further infection. A community-level approach to behavior change represents one kind of comprehensive strategy to achieve significant reduction in the spread of HIV. Effective approaches at this level require component interventions that are effective in changing behavior and acceptable to target populations. Also needed is an infrastructure to support behavioral change efforts. Lacking at present is a comprehensive and coordinated structure to conceptualize, stimulate, and support the continuum of behavioral research needed for the control of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conceptualizations of human environments.

Presents a summary of the major methods by which human environments have been assessed and characterized. 6 general types of dimensions are identified: (a) ecological dimensions, which include both geographical-meterological and architectural-physical design variables; (b) behavior settings, the only units thus far proposed which are characterized by both ecological and behavioral properties; (c) dimensions of organizational structure; (d) dimensions identifying the collective, personal, and/or behavioral characteristics of the inhabitants; (e) dimensions related to psychosocial characteristics and organizational climates; and (f) variables relevant to the functional or reinforcement analyses of environments. These categories are nonexclusive, overlapping, and mutually interrelated. Their common characteristic is that each has been conceptualized and shown to have important effects on individual and group behavior. The overview presented is necessarily incomplete and sketchy but serves to illustrate the broad range of dimensions relevant to this area. Implications for a robust and socially relevant environmental psychology are considered. (2 p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The kindling effect as a model of epilepsy.

The kindling effect is described as involving a gradual change in behavior in response to periodic invariant electrical stimulation of specific brain sites, culminating in convulsions. Two premises are evaluated relative to kindling: (a) The kindling effect provides an excellent model of human epileptic conditions. (b) The amino acid taurine will act to suppress convulsions developed during kindling. Consideration of behavioral, electrophysiological, neurological, and chemical aspects of kindling suggest that behavioral aspects may model those of epilepsy, but it is probable that neurological mechanisms in some types of epilepsy are different from those underlying the kindling event. Although taurine appears to have an important role (e.g., as an inhibitory neurotransmitter) and has been successful in suppressing convulsions in humans and in some experimentally induced seizures, it has been found to have no effect on convulsions developed via kindling. (65 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Legal issues and behaviour modification: A Canadian perspective.

The use of behavior modification techniques has been a matter of litigation in the US courts. The resulting judicial decisions have limited some aspects of the application of behavior modification techniques. Similar litigation is beginning to take place in Canada. The US cases will probably have some value as legal precedents before the Canadian courts. These US judicial decisions as well as related articles from legal and behavioral psychology journals and texts are reviewed. A series of guidelines is presented that behavior modification practitioners might adopt to prevent a similar legal-behavior modification conflict from developing in Canada. (French abstract) (53 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Applied behavior analysis and school psychology: An introduction to the mini-series.

Provides an overview of a mini-series on behavior analysis which stemmed from the authors' view that applied behavior analysis and school psychology are complimentary and that each area can make contributions to the other. It is suggested that there are 4 features of behavior analysis that make it particularly well-suited for assessment and intervention in the schools: the emphasis on analysis, the emphasis on repeated measures of individual behavior, the emphasis on observable behavioral and environmental events, and the reliance on proven principles of behavior to account for behavioral persistence and behavioral change. Behavior analysis is equally concerned with questions about why behavior is occurring and knowing why interventions are (or are not) effective. Behavior analysis also emphasizes repeated measurements of individual behavior, which is advantageous because the trends and patterns of behavior can be evaluated while those trends and changes are in progress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)