Showing papers in "European Psychologist in 2017"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss common themes of benefits that people believe are afforded to them by their consensual non-monogamy relationships within the current state of the literature to provide insight into unique and shared (with monogamy) relationship benefits.
Abstract: . The increased media and public curiosity on the topic of consensual non-monogamy (CNM) presents an interesting case, given that these types of relationships are highly stigmatized. In the present review piece, we first situate common themes of benefits that people believe are afforded to them by their CNM relationships within the current state of the literature to provide insight into unique and shared (with monogamy) relationship benefits. This approach helps uncover relationship benefits and theoretical advances for research on CNM by highlighting some of the key features of CNM relationships that people find rewarding, including need fulfillment, variety of activities, and personal growth and development. Second, we discuss common misconceptions about CNM and stigma toward CNM. Finally, we conclude with future directions and recommendations for scholars interested in pursuing research on CNM.
100 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review a number of existing theoretical and conceptual debates and propose a conceptualization of thriving applicable across different populations and domains, and consolidate pertinent bodies of extant thriving research and identify key personal and contextual enablers to inform applied practice.
Abstract: Human beings have an inherent drive for self-improvement and growth (Maslow, 1965; Ryan & Deci, 2002). In a quest to understand how human beings achieve fulfillment, researchers have sought to explain why some individuals thrive in certain situations, whereas others merely survive or succumb. The topic of thriving has become popular with scholars, resulting in a divergent body of literature and a lack of consensus on the key processes that underpin the construct. In view of such differences, the purpose of this paper is threefold: (i) to review a number of existing theoretical and conceptual debates, and to propose a conceptualization of thriving applicable across different populations and domains; (ii) to consolidate pertinent bodies of extant thriving research and identify key personal and contextual enablers to inform applied practice; and (iii) to identify noteworthy gaps within existing literature so as to make recommendations for future research and, ultimately, support the development of effective psychosocial interventions for thriving.
78 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors outline important factors to consider in test-retest reliability analyses, common errors, and some initial methods for conducting and reporting reliability analyses to avoid such errors.
Abstract: Psychological research and clinical practice rely heavily on psychometric testing for measuring psychological constructs that represent symptoms of psychopathology, individual difference characteristics, or cognitive profiles Test-retest reliability assessment is crucial in the development of psychometric tools, helping to ensure that measurement variation is due to replicable differences between people regardless of time, target behavior, or user profile While psychological studies testing the reliability of measurement tools are pervasive in the literature, many still discuss and assess this form of reliability inappropriately with regard to the specified aims of the study or the intended use of the tool The current paper outlines important factors to consider in test-retest reliability analyses, common errors, and some initial methods for conducting and reporting reliability analyses to avoid such errors The paper aims to highlight a persistently problematic area in psychological assessme
64 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the literature aimed to identify help-seeking facilitating and inhibiting factors in response to intimate partner violence (IPV) was carried out on the PsycINFO and Medline databases using the following keywords: “intimate partner violence,” “domestic violence, and helpseeking.
Abstract: . Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global social concern: many women are affected by this phenomenon and by the difficulty of putting an end to it. This review of the literature aims to identify help-seeking facilitating and inhibiting factors in response to IPV. It was carried out on the PsycINFO and Medline databases using the following keywords: “intimate partner violence,” “domestic violence,” “help-seeking,” and “help-seeking barrier.” Ninety out of 771 eligible publications were included on the basis of inclusion criteria. The results highlight that (1) research on this phenomenon is very recent and underdeveloped in Europe, (2) theoretical and conceptual frameworks are poorly developed and extended, (3) there is a significant impact of violence characteristics (e.g., severity, type) on help-seeking, and (4) help-seeking is a complex and multifactorial process influenced by a wide range of factors simultaneously individual and social. To conclude, these findings lead us to propose a psyc...
49 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a constructivist model of wisdom is proposed, which suggests that cultural-historical, personal-motivational, and ego-decentered (vs. egocentric) viewpoint of wisdom benefits from context-dependency of intentions and actions depicted in the narratives of wisdom exemplars' lives.
Abstract: . Some folk beliefs characterize wisdom as an essence – a set of immutable characteristics, developing as a consequence of an innate potential and extraordinary life experiences. Emerging empirical scholarship involving experiments, diary, and cross-cultural studies contradicts such folk beliefs. Characteristics of wise thinking, which include intellectual humility, recognition of uncertainty and change, consideration of different perspectives, and integration of these perspectives, is highly variable across situations. Cumulatively, empirical research suggests that variability in wise thinking is systematic, with greater wisdom in ecological and experimentally-induced contexts promoting an ego-decentered (vs. egocentric) viewpoint. Moreover, teaching for wisdom benefits from appreciation of context-dependency of intentions and actions depicted in the narratives of wisdom exemplars’ lives. I conclude by advancing a constructivist model of wisdom, suggesting that cultural-historical, personal-motiv...
39 citations
TL;DR: There has been a growing awareness in academic literature, and particularly among Muslim psychologists, of the relationship between Islam and psychology as mentioned in this paper, and this progression of interest has pointed toward the potential establishment of an Islam and Psychology movement within the landscape of psychological sciences.
Abstract: . Since the late 1970s there has been a growing awareness in academic literature, and particularly among Muslim psychologists, of the relationship between Islam and psychology. Indicated by almost 40 years of publications and debates, this progression of interest has pointed toward the potential establishment of an Islam and psychology movement within the landscape of psychological sciences. We provide a narrative review that outlines the constitutive elements and appraises the current state of the field. Attention is given to the predominantly-involved professionals, academics, and associations; as well as to the definition of its subject matter and conceptual approaches. We conclude by summarizing current opinions on how the movement may successfully evolve.
30 citations
TL;DR: Forgiveness is frequently investigated, and many methods of assessment have been used as discussed by the authors. However, discerning which methods to use for which purposes has generally not been based on systematic analysis.
Abstract: Forgiveness is frequently investigated, and many methods of assessment have been used. However, discerning which methods of assessment to use for which purposes has generally not been based on systematic analysis. We searched four databases: Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and PsycINFO. Forgiveness measures were grouped into Forgiveness Scales (i.e., Dispositional Forgiveness, Episodic Forgiveness, and Dyadic Forgiveness) and Other Measures of Forgiveness (i.e., implicit, behavioral, and biological measures). We reviewed original articles that describe the development of 45 measures and compiled psychometric information (including instrument language and availability, original samples, instrument composition, estimated reliabilities of scores, evidence of construct validity, and an evaluation of each measure). Also, our review suggests a nomological network of associations regarding the construct validity of interpreting scores as forgiveness. Those associations inform the concept of forgiveness, describing which and how variables are associated with this construct. We evaluate the level of sophistication of research in forgiveness assessment and offer suggestions to consider when choosing specific instruments to assess dispositional and episodic forgiveness.
24 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine current controversies and assumptions associated with the nature of women's sexual arousal and desire, focusing specifically on four assumptions: (1) women should be aroused by stimuli that align with their stated preferences, (2) women's physiological and self-reported arousal should perfectly align, (3) sexual desire precedes sexual arousal, and (4) the assumption that a single pharmaceutical compound will adequately restore women’s sexual response to her level of satisfaction.
Abstract: . The past three decades have seen an unprecedented increase in empirical research on women’s sexual response. In this review, we critically examine current controversies and assumptions associated with the nature of women’s sexual arousal and desire. We focus specifically on four assumptions: (1) the assumption that women should be aroused by stimuli that align with their stated preferences, (2) the assumption that women’s physiological and self-reported arousal should perfectly align, (3) the assumption that sexual desire precedes sexual arousal, and (4) the assumption that a single pharmaceutical compound will adequately restore women’s sexual response to her level of satisfaction. Engaging a gendered psychological framework for conceptualizing women’s sexuality, we emphasize the need for models of women’s sexual response to be sensitive to the sexed biological processes and gendered psychosocial factors that contribute to a woman’s unique sexual experience.
24 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss recent insights provided by formal models of the evolution of sensitive periods, which help to identify the conditions in which sensitive periods are likely to evolve, and make predictions about the factors that affect their development.
Abstract: . Sensitive periods in development are widespread in nature. Many psychologists and biologists regard sensitive periods as byproducts of developmental processes. Although this view may be correct in some cases, it is unlikely to be the whole story. There is large variation in sensitive periods (a) between species in the same trait (Beecher & Brenowitz, 2005), (b) between individuals of the same species (Frankenhuis, Panchanathan, & Belsky, 2016), and (c) between different traits within a single individual (Zeanah, Gunnar, McCall, Kreppner, & Fox, 2011). In this article, we discuss recent insights provided by formal models of the evolution of sensitive periods. These models help to identify the conditions in which sensitive periods are likely to evolve, and make predictions about the factors that affect their development. We conclude by discussing future directions for empirical research.
21 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide an overview of the key events leading up to the approval of flibanserin for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women, including the role of the Even the Score advocacy campaign, that accused the FDA of gender bias in not giving women with sexual desire problems access to treatment options.
Abstract: . Recent changes in the classification of female sexual dysfunction in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the first drug to treat low sexual desire in women (flibanserin) have highlighted the intense focus on sexual desire problems in women. We first discuss the rationale for the DSM changes and outline the DSM-5 criteria for Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder. We provide an overview of some of the key events leading up to the approval of flibanserin for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women, including the role of the “Even the Score” advocacy campaign, that accused the FDA of gender bias in not giving women with sexual desire problems access to treatment options. Incorporating narratives from testimonials of female patients attending the 2014 FDA Patient-Focused Drug Development Public Meeting, we examine some of the prevalent beliefs around sexual “normalcy” an...
21 citations
TL;DR: The most widely used typologies of male-to-female transsexualism have been based on sexual orientation and have distinguished between persons who are androphilic (exclusively sexually attracted to males) and those who are non-androphilic as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: . Sexual scientists have recognized for over a century that biologic males who seek sex reassignment – male-to-female (MtF) transsexuals – are not a homogeneous clinical population but comprise two or more distinct subtypes with different symptoms and developmental trajectories. The most widely used typologies of MtF transsexualism have been based on sexual orientation and have distinguished between persons who are androphilic (exclusively sexually attracted to males) and those who are nonandrophilic (sexually attracted to females, both males and females, or neither gender). In 1989, psychologist Ray Blanchard proposed that most nonandrophilic MtF transsexuals display a paraphilic sexual orientation called autogynephilia, defined as the propensity to be sexually aroused by the thought or image of oneself as a woman. Studies conducted by Blanchard and colleagues provided empirical support for this proposal, leading to the hypothesis that almost all nonandrophilic MtF transsexuals are autogynephilic...
TL;DR: A growing body of research suggests that physical activity, healthy eating, and music can, either directly or indirectly, have positive effects on our brain and cognition as discussed by the authors, and that music seems to create a positive mood and a higher arousal, which translates into better performance in many cognitive tasks.
Abstract: . A growing body of research suggests that physical activity, healthy eating, and music can, either directly or indirectly, have positive effects on our brain and cognition. More specifically, exercising and eating seem to enhance cognitive abilities, such as memory, creativity, and perception. They also improve academic performance and play a protective role from many degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Concerning music, research has shown that there exists a general positive relation between music aptitude and cognitive functioning. Furthermore, the presence of music seems to create a positive mood and a higher arousal, which translates into better performance in many cognitive tasks. This literature review provides an overview of the major empirical findings in this domain. Studies on both healthy and clinical individuals are reviewed and discussed. We conclude with suggestions for educators, policymakers, people in helping professions, and any others interested in making info...
TL;DR: The qualitative and quantitative proliferation of barks can be explained by mechanisms of evolution such as ritualization and adaptive radiation, and became suitable for conveying a more various set of information than the original barks of wolves did.
Abstract: . Interspecific communication provides good opportunity for studying signal evolution. In this theoretical paper, we hypothesized that vocal signaling in dogs may show specific changes that made it more suitable for interspecific communication in the anthropogenic niche. We assumed that (1) some dog vocalizations will diverge from the corresponding exemplars of wolves; (2) they provide comprehendible affective, indexical, and contextual information for humans; (3) some aspects of dog vocalizations are more typical for the interspecific than for the intraspecific domain. We found that the most unique type of vocalization in the dog is barking. We proved that human listeners can contextually categorize dog barks, as well as attribute distinct inner states of dogs based on the barks. We found that dogs are sensitive to both contextual and individual-specific features of other dogs’ barks. However, dogs showed almost no response to the bark emitted in isolation, which is one of the easiest to recogniz...
TL;DR: Overall the studies supported some benefits of CCBT approaches for the psychosis continuum, although the outcomes assessed are still symptom-focused and there is still need for improvement.
Abstract: . Considering several etiologic, therapeutic, and comorbidity-related factors, a psychosis continuum model has been proposed for the understanding and treatment of psychotic disorders. Within the new emerging treatment approaches, Contextual Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies (CCBT) seem to hold promise for the psychosis continuum. However, considering their novelty for this specific population, the quality of efficacy evidence remains unclear. Objective: To examine, critically analyze, and summarize the results from studies based on therapeutic models within the CCBT approach (Mindfulness and Acceptance-based interventions, Compassion-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Metacognitive Therapy) for patients with a diagnosis within the psychosis continuum (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder). Methods: Three leading electronic databases (MEDLINE/PUBMED; PsycINFO; Cochrane Library), a grey literature database (OpenGrey), and registered clinical trials (ClinicalTrials....
TL;DR: A systematic review of the literature on this topic can promote an understanding of what has been studied, and can differentiate what is currently attributable to BIF from that which cannot be associated with this kind of intellectual functioning as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: . Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF) refers to a global IQ ranging from 71 to 84, and it represents a condition of clinical attention for its association with other disorders and its influence on the outcomes of treatments and, in general, quality of life and adaptation. Furthermore, its definition has changed over time causing a relevant clinical impact. For this reason, a systematic review of the literature on this topic can promote an understanding of what has been studied, and can differentiate what is currently attributable to BIF from that which cannot be associated with this kind of intellectual functioning. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, we have conducted a review of the literature about BIF. The results suggest that this condition is still associated with mental retardation, and only a few studies have focused specifically on this condition.
TL;DR: This study reviewed ontology resources that can be of interest to researchers and scholars involved in human behavior and psychological research and contrasted the three main components of ontologies, classes, individuals, and properties.
Abstract: . The development of information and communication technologies has stimulated a variety of data and informational resources about human behavior. This is contributing toward collaborative efforts in the formalization and systematization of an overwhelming volume of scientific information. Several tools are helpful for this endeavor, among which the ontology is growing in popularity. Most of the available informational resources adopt the ontology to organize a shared conceptualization of a given body of knowledge. In the present study, we reviewed ontology resources (n = 17) that can be of interest to researchers and scholars involved in human behavior and psychological research. The selected ontologies were contrasted on the three main components of ontologies, classes, individuals, and properties, and on scheme and knowledge metrics. Moreover, we recorded the associations of the terms within a given ontology with terms of other ontologies (mappings), the number of projects using a particular on...
TL;DR: The goal of this review is to present the results of research on the influence of lymphoma on patients’ emotional status and cognitive functioning and to choose 39 publications, which in the author’s opinion could be interesting or useful for psychologists.
Abstract: . The goal of this review is to present the results of research on the influence of lymphoma on patients’ emotional status and cognitive functioning. A literature search was conducted to identify articles in English that investigated short- and long-term psychological outcomes of lymphoma and lymphoma treatment. Studies published prior to July 2016 were located by an electronic search using relevant databases such as ScienceDirect and PubMed. The search terms used included both medical subject headings and keywords such as “Hodgkin lymphoma,” “non-Hodgkin lymphoma,” “therapy,” “treatment,” “malignant,” “psychology,” “cognitive function,” “emotion,” “psychological adaptation,” “depression,” and “anxiety.” The retrieved publications were independently evaluated by two reviewers. Articles were selected based on the applicable titles and abstracts. The lists of eligible publications were compared and disagreements were resolved by discussion. Of the 1,418 articles identified in the search, we chose 39...
TL;DR: In this paper, the detrimental consequences of performance-approach goals on availability of working memory resources are discussed, pointing at distraction as the cause of this phenomenon. And the authors present both methodological and theoretical arguments to clarify and reconcile the apparent contradictions between emerging evidence and the well-documented positive impact of performanceapproach goal.
Abstract: . Recent years have seen an increased interest in understanding how high-stakes evaluative contexts, which are pervasive in the academic arena, may influence crucial outcomes such as performance and achievement. The salience of grades, as well as the importance to distinguish oneself in the eyes of teachers to have access to valued diplomas, encourages the adoption of performance-approach goals (i.e., the desire to outperform others). Consistent with literature documenting the cognitive costs of high-pressure situations, recent findings have highlighted the detrimental consequences of performance-approach goals on availability of working memory resources, pointing at distraction as the cause of this phenomenon. We review and discuss this result in the light of the achievement goal literature. We then present both methodological and theoretical arguments to clarify and reconcile the apparent contradictions between this emerging evidence and the well-documented positive impact of performance-approac...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose that there are specific strategies and niches that can help older adults thrive and that more work is needed to understand the exact characteristics that lead to good performance in old age.
Abstract: . The layperson’s view associates aging with biological and cognitive losses, which could be associated with decrements in work productivity and overall contributions to society. In turn, ecological approaches to life span development suggest that successful performance can result from an adaptive employment of an individual’s physical, cognitive, or social capital in the appropriate environment. This ecological framework suggests that one must understand the demands of particular ecologies (i.e., niches) to predict whether aging is associated with failure, maintenance, or even improvements in performance. We provide examples that illustrate the importance of an ecological approach to understanding adaptation to challenging decision tasks both in the laboratory and in the wild. Overall, we propose that there are specific strategies and niches that can help older adults thrive and that more work is needed to understand the exact characteristics that lead to good performance in old age.