Metacognitive Failure as a Feature of Those Holding Radical Beliefs. Max Rollwage, Raymond J. Dolan, Stephen M. Fleming. Current Biology, Volume 28, Issue 24, 17 December 2018, Pages 4014-4021.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2018.10.053
Highlights
• Metacognition refers to the ability to reflect on our cognitive processes
• We investigated metacognitive features of radicalism in a low-level perceptual task
• Radical participants showed less insight into the accuracy of their decisions
• Radicals showed smaller confidence shifts in response to disconfirmatory evidence
Summary: Widening polarization about political, religious, and scientific issues threatens open societies, leading to entrenchment of beliefs, reduced mutual understanding, and a pervasive negativity surrounding the very idea of consensus [1, 2]. Such radicalization has been linked to systematic differences in the certainty with which people adhere to particular beliefs [3, 4, 5, 6]. However, the drivers of unjustified certainty in radicals are rarely considered from the perspective of models of metacognition, and it remains unknown whether radicals show alterations in confidence bias (a tendency to publicly espouse higher confidence), metacognitive sensitivity (insight into the correctness of one’s beliefs), or both [7]. Within two independent general population samples (n = 381 and n = 417), here we show that individuals holding radical beliefs (as measured by questionnaires about political attitudes) display a specific impairment in metacognitive sensitivity about low-level perceptual discrimination judgments. Specifically, more radical participants displayed less insight into the correctness of their choices and reduced updating of their confidence when presented with post-decision evidence. Our use of a simple perceptual decision task enables us to rule out effects of previous knowledge, task performance, and motivational factors underpinning differences in metacognition. Instead, our findings highlight a generic resistance to recognizing and revising incorrect beliefs as a potential driver of radicalization.
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Elevated brain reward region response to food cues, & a genetic propensity for greater dopamine signaling, predict weight gain; youth who show greater food reward-cue learning show greater gains
Neural vulnerability factors for obesity. Eric Stice, Kyle Burger. Clinical Psychology Review, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2018.12.002
Highlights
• Youth at risk for weight gain show greater reward region response to food tastes.
• Elevated brain reward region response to food cues predicts future weight gain.
• A genetic propensity for greater dopamine signaling predicts weight gain.
• Youth who show greater food reward-cue learning show greater weight gain.
• Overeating reduces reward region response to high-calorie foods.
• Data provide strong support for the incentive sensitization theory of obesity.
Abstract: Multiple theories identify neural vulnerability factors that may increase risk for overeating and weight gain. Early cross-sectional neuroimaging studies were unable to determine whether aberrant neural responsivity was a risk factor for or a consequence of overeating. More recent obesity risk, prospective, repeated-measures, and experimental neuroimaging studies with humans have advanced knowledge of etiologic processes and neural plasticity resulting from overeating. Herein, we review evidence from these more rigorous human neuroimaging studies, in conjunction with behavioral measures reflecting neural function, as well as experiments with animals that investigated neural vulnerability theories for overeating. Findings provide support for the reward surfeit theory that posits that individuals at risk for obesity initially show hyper-responsivity of reward circuitry to high-calorie food tastes, which theoretically drives elevated intake of such foods. However, findings provide little support for the reward deficit theory that postulates that individuals at risk for obesity show an initial hypo-responsivity of reward circuitry that motives overeating. Further, results provide support for the incentive sensitization and dynamic vulnerability theories that propose that overconsumption of high-calorie foods results in increased reward and attention region responsivity to cues that are associated with hedonic reward from intake of these high-calorie foods via conditioning, as well as a simultaneous decrease in reward region responsivity to high-calorie food tastes. However, there is little evidence that this induced reduction in reward region response to high-calorie food tastes drives an escalation in overeating. Finally, results provide support for the theory that an initial deficit in inhibitory control and a bias for immediate reward contribute to overconsumption of high-calorie foods. Findings imply that interventions that reduce reward and attention region responsivity to food cues and increase inhibitory control should reduce overeating and excessive weight gain, an intervention theory that is receiving support in randomized trials.
Highlights
• Youth at risk for weight gain show greater reward region response to food tastes.
• Elevated brain reward region response to food cues predicts future weight gain.
• A genetic propensity for greater dopamine signaling predicts weight gain.
• Youth who show greater food reward-cue learning show greater weight gain.
• Overeating reduces reward region response to high-calorie foods.
• Data provide strong support for the incentive sensitization theory of obesity.
Abstract: Multiple theories identify neural vulnerability factors that may increase risk for overeating and weight gain. Early cross-sectional neuroimaging studies were unable to determine whether aberrant neural responsivity was a risk factor for or a consequence of overeating. More recent obesity risk, prospective, repeated-measures, and experimental neuroimaging studies with humans have advanced knowledge of etiologic processes and neural plasticity resulting from overeating. Herein, we review evidence from these more rigorous human neuroimaging studies, in conjunction with behavioral measures reflecting neural function, as well as experiments with animals that investigated neural vulnerability theories for overeating. Findings provide support for the reward surfeit theory that posits that individuals at risk for obesity initially show hyper-responsivity of reward circuitry to high-calorie food tastes, which theoretically drives elevated intake of such foods. However, findings provide little support for the reward deficit theory that postulates that individuals at risk for obesity show an initial hypo-responsivity of reward circuitry that motives overeating. Further, results provide support for the incentive sensitization and dynamic vulnerability theories that propose that overconsumption of high-calorie foods results in increased reward and attention region responsivity to cues that are associated with hedonic reward from intake of these high-calorie foods via conditioning, as well as a simultaneous decrease in reward region responsivity to high-calorie food tastes. However, there is little evidence that this induced reduction in reward region response to high-calorie food tastes drives an escalation in overeating. Finally, results provide support for the theory that an initial deficit in inhibitory control and a bias for immediate reward contribute to overconsumption of high-calorie foods. Findings imply that interventions that reduce reward and attention region responsivity to food cues and increase inhibitory control should reduce overeating and excessive weight gain, an intervention theory that is receiving support in randomized trials.
Calling into question the conceptual & empirical distinctiveness of grit vis-à-vis self-control, & the importance of grit as a unique & independent characteristic salient for the pursuit & achievement of long-term goals
To Grit or not to Grit, that is the Question! Alexander T. Vazsonyi
et al. Journal of Research in Personalitym
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2018.12.006
Highlights
• Tested measurement of and the validity of grit, vis-à-vis self-control.
• Lifecourse sample, from young adulthood to 55+.
• Grit and self-control largely indistinguishable in predicting long-term goals.
Abstract: The current study tested the validity of grit as a non-cognitive construct related to, yet distinct from self-control. Data were collected from N = 1,907 adults spanning the life-course (53.1% female, M age = 41.4 years). Associations between grit and present and past goals were very similar to ones observed with self-control. Extensive model tests using structural equation modeling provided evidence of substantial overlap between these two constructs, calling into question the conceptual and empirical distinctiveness of grit vis-à-vis self-control, as well as the importance of grit as a unique and independent characteristic salient for the pursuit and achievement of long-term goals. This finding was consistent and invariant across adult developmental periods. Study implications for grit-investment are discussed.
Highlights
• Tested measurement of and the validity of grit, vis-à-vis self-control.
• Lifecourse sample, from young adulthood to 55+.
• Grit and self-control largely indistinguishable in predicting long-term goals.
Abstract: The current study tested the validity of grit as a non-cognitive construct related to, yet distinct from self-control. Data were collected from N = 1,907 adults spanning the life-course (53.1% female, M age = 41.4 years). Associations between grit and present and past goals were very similar to ones observed with self-control. Extensive model tests using structural equation modeling provided evidence of substantial overlap between these two constructs, calling into question the conceptual and empirical distinctiveness of grit vis-à-vis self-control, as well as the importance of grit as a unique and independent characteristic salient for the pursuit and achievement of long-term goals. This finding was consistent and invariant across adult developmental periods. Study implications for grit-investment are discussed.
Slasher films: Characters who were shown nude on screen, dressed in a revealing fashion, did not engage in fight behaviors against the antagonist & engaged in fewer types of pro-social behaviors were more likely to be killed
“There are Certain Rules that One Must Abide by”: Predictors of Mortality in Slasher Films. A. Dana Ménard, Angela Weaver, Christine Cabrera. Sexuality & Culture, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12119-018-09583-2
Abstract: Slasher films, a popular and lucrative sub-genre of horror movie, are often thought to be characterized by violence, gratuitous sexual content and specific, repetitive tropes; however, although these tropes have been widely discussed and even parodied, there is scant research examining their validity. Thirty top-grossing slasher films (10 each for the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s) were subjected to content analysis at the level of the individual character to examine the factors associated with character deaths or survival. Characters who were shown nude on screen, who dressed in a revealing fashion, who did not engage in fight behaviors against the antagonist and who engaged in fewer types of pro-social behaviors were more likely to be killed. Several common tropes of slasher films (e.g., virgins survive, ethnic minority characters die) were not supported. The implications of these messages of which characters are depicted as “deserving” of survival are discussed in terms of gender, sexual scripts, and agency.
Keywords: Media Content analysis Slasher film Sex Gender role Just world
Abstract: Slasher films, a popular and lucrative sub-genre of horror movie, are often thought to be characterized by violence, gratuitous sexual content and specific, repetitive tropes; however, although these tropes have been widely discussed and even parodied, there is scant research examining their validity. Thirty top-grossing slasher films (10 each for the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s) were subjected to content analysis at the level of the individual character to examine the factors associated with character deaths or survival. Characters who were shown nude on screen, who dressed in a revealing fashion, who did not engage in fight behaviors against the antagonist and who engaged in fewer types of pro-social behaviors were more likely to be killed. Several common tropes of slasher films (e.g., virgins survive, ethnic minority characters die) were not supported. The implications of these messages of which characters are depicted as “deserving” of survival are discussed in terms of gender, sexual scripts, and agency.
Keywords: Media Content analysis Slasher film Sex Gender role Just world
An Evolutionary-emotional Perspective of Insomnia and Parasomnias: Genetic determinants, personality traits, etc.
Perogamvros, Lampros. 2018. “An Evolutionary-emotional Perspective of Insomnia and Parasomnias.” PsyArXiv. December 19. doi:10.31234/osf.io/5vma2
Abstract: Based on past literature, it is here supported that insomnia, and parasomnias such as sleepwalking, sleep terrors and nightmares, reflect an evolutionary survival mechanism, which has threat-related origins and which, in some vulnerable individuals, becomes persistent due to failure of a fear extinction function. Genetic determinants, personality traits and sleep disturbances seem to determine whether the individual will resume normal sleep after the acute phase (return to safety) or will develop the pathological condition of chronic insomnia, persistent sleepwalking in adulthood and nightmare disorder. Possible treatments targeting fear extinction are proposed, such as pharmacotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and targeted memory reactivation during sleep.
Abstract: Based on past literature, it is here supported that insomnia, and parasomnias such as sleepwalking, sleep terrors and nightmares, reflect an evolutionary survival mechanism, which has threat-related origins and which, in some vulnerable individuals, becomes persistent due to failure of a fear extinction function. Genetic determinants, personality traits and sleep disturbances seem to determine whether the individual will resume normal sleep after the acute phase (return to safety) or will develop the pathological condition of chronic insomnia, persistent sleepwalking in adulthood and nightmare disorder. Possible treatments targeting fear extinction are proposed, such as pharmacotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and targeted memory reactivation during sleep.
Reactions according to social norm of politeness: Phone “talking impolitely” was devalued regarding friendliness & competence; “talking politely” was revaluated regarding friendliness but not competence
Impertinent mobiles - Effects of politeness and impoliteness in human-smartphone interaction. Astrid Carolus et al. Computers in Human Behavior, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.12.030
Highlights
• results support research paradigm conceptualizing “smartphones as social actors”
• smartphones elicit reactions according to social norm of politeness
• phone “talking impolitely” was devalued regarding friendliness and competence
• phone “talking politely” was revaluated regarding friendliness but not competence
• gender of the phone impacted the evaluation of “impolite phones”
Abstract: This study aims to reveal first insights into human-smartphone interaction by focusing on the effects of smartphones either “speaking” politely or impolitely. Following the idea of media equation and the corresponding paradigm “computers as social actors” (CASA), smartphones are conceptualized as social agents suggested to elicit social responses in their human users (Nass, Steuer, & Tauber, 1994). In a laboratory experiment, (n = 85) participants interacted with a talking phone, which replied to them either politely or impolitely. Participants evaluated this phone twice, before and after they had received the phone’s feedback. ANOVA revealed polite phones to be evaluated significantly better than impolite phones. Comparing evaluations before and after the feedback showed that polite phones were revaluated regarding friendliness but not regarding competence. In contrast, the second evaluation of impolite phones deteriorated on both dimensions: friendliness and competence. Furthermore, results were not affected by ownership (subject’s own vs. not subject’s own phone). However, the gender of the phone (female vs. male voice) impacted the evaluation: impolite male phones were evaluated less positively regarding their competence, impolite female phones were not. Transferring the CASA paradigm to "talking smartphones” is considered as a heuristically fruitful approach to further analyze humans interacting with phones as well as with speech assistants in general. Results are discussed as an empirical contribution of conceptualizing “smartphones as social actors” (SASA), activating social norms originally exclusive for human-human interactions.
Highlights
• results support research paradigm conceptualizing “smartphones as social actors”
• smartphones elicit reactions according to social norm of politeness
• phone “talking impolitely” was devalued regarding friendliness and competence
• phone “talking politely” was revaluated regarding friendliness but not competence
• gender of the phone impacted the evaluation of “impolite phones”
Abstract: This study aims to reveal first insights into human-smartphone interaction by focusing on the effects of smartphones either “speaking” politely or impolitely. Following the idea of media equation and the corresponding paradigm “computers as social actors” (CASA), smartphones are conceptualized as social agents suggested to elicit social responses in their human users (Nass, Steuer, & Tauber, 1994). In a laboratory experiment, (n = 85) participants interacted with a talking phone, which replied to them either politely or impolitely. Participants evaluated this phone twice, before and after they had received the phone’s feedback. ANOVA revealed polite phones to be evaluated significantly better than impolite phones. Comparing evaluations before and after the feedback showed that polite phones were revaluated regarding friendliness but not regarding competence. In contrast, the second evaluation of impolite phones deteriorated on both dimensions: friendliness and competence. Furthermore, results were not affected by ownership (subject’s own vs. not subject’s own phone). However, the gender of the phone (female vs. male voice) impacted the evaluation: impolite male phones were evaluated less positively regarding their competence, impolite female phones were not. Transferring the CASA paradigm to "talking smartphones” is considered as a heuristically fruitful approach to further analyze humans interacting with phones as well as with speech assistants in general. Results are discussed as an empirical contribution of conceptualizing “smartphones as social actors” (SASA), activating social norms originally exclusive for human-human interactions.
Experimentally Inducing Disgust Reduces Desire for Short-Term Mating
Experimentally Inducing Disgust Reduces Desire for Short-Term Mating. Laith Al-Shawaf, David M. G. Lewis, Maliki Eyvonne Ghossainy, David M. Buss. Evolutionary Psychological Science, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40806-018-0179-z
Abstract: Short-term mating strategies involve casual sex, multiple partners, and short-time intervals before initiating intercourse. Such strategies should be difficult to implement in the presence of high levels of sexual disgust. Researchers have therefore suggested—and found evidence for—the hypothesis that individuals with a stronger proclivity for short-term mating have lower levels of sexual disgust. Here, we suggest a related hypothesis: inducing sexual disgust should reduce desire for short-term mating. Experiment 1 (N = 341) and experiment 2 (N = 361) investigated the effects of disgust induction on desire for short-term mating. Both studies found that inducing disgust reduces desire for short-term mating, and that the effect of sexual disgust is particularly strong. These results support the novel hypothesis advanced here and corroborate the broader hypothesis that reduced sexual disgust is a previously undiscovered design feature of short-term mating strategies.
Keywords: Disgust Emotions Evolutionary psychology Sexual disgust Mating Short-term mating
Abstract: Short-term mating strategies involve casual sex, multiple partners, and short-time intervals before initiating intercourse. Such strategies should be difficult to implement in the presence of high levels of sexual disgust. Researchers have therefore suggested—and found evidence for—the hypothesis that individuals with a stronger proclivity for short-term mating have lower levels of sexual disgust. Here, we suggest a related hypothesis: inducing sexual disgust should reduce desire for short-term mating. Experiment 1 (N = 341) and experiment 2 (N = 361) investigated the effects of disgust induction on desire for short-term mating. Both studies found that inducing disgust reduces desire for short-term mating, and that the effect of sexual disgust is particularly strong. These results support the novel hypothesis advanced here and corroborate the broader hypothesis that reduced sexual disgust is a previously undiscovered design feature of short-term mating strategies.
Keywords: Disgust Emotions Evolutionary psychology Sexual disgust Mating Short-term mating
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