Sydney eScholarship Collection:

Can a witness report hearsay evidence unintentionally? The effects of discussion on eyewitness memory

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Can a witness report hearsay evidence unintentionally? The effects of discussion on eyewitness memory Authors: Paterson, Helen M; Kemp, Richard I; McIntyre, Sarah Abstract: When eyewitnesses are exposed to misinformation about an event from a co-witness, they often incorporate this misinformation in their recall of the event. The current research aimed to investigate whether this memory conformity phenomenon is due to change in the witness's memory for the event, or to social pressures to conform to the co-witness's account. Participants were shown a crime video and then asked to discuss the video in groups, with some receiving misinformation about the event from their discussion partners. After a one week delay some participants were warned about possible misinformation before all participants provided their own account of the event. In Study 1, participants made remember/know judgments about the items recalled, and in Study 2 they indicated the source of their memories. Co-witness information was incorporated into participants' testimonies, and this effect was not reduced by warnings or source monitoring instructions, suggesting memory change may have occurred. However, there was some indication that remember/know judgments may help distinguish between "real" memories and co-witness information.

Predicting adolescent breakfast consumption in the UK and Australia using an extended theory of planned behaviour

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Predicting adolescent breakfast consumption in the UK and Australia using an extended theory of planned behaviour Authors: Mullan, Barbara A; Wong, Cara; Kothe, Emily J Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) with the addition of risk awareness could predict breakfast consumption in a sample of adolescents from the UK and Australia. It was hypothesised that the TPB variables of attitudes, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control (PBC) would significantly predict intentions, and that inclusion of risk perception would increase the proportion of variance explained. Secondly it was hypothesised that intention and PBC would predict behaviour. Participants were recruited from secondary schools in Australia and the UK. A total of 613 participants completed the study (448 females, 165 males; mean = 14 years ±1.1). The TPB predicted 42.2% of the variance in intentions to eat breakfast. All variables significantly predicted intention with PBC as the strongest component. The addition of risk made a small but significant contribution to the prediction of intention. Together intention and PBC predicted 57.8% of the variance in breakfast consumption.

Splitting attention reduces temporal resolution from 7 Hz for tracking one object to <3 Hz when tracking three

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Splitting attention reduces temporal resolution from 7 Hz for tracking one object to <3 Hz when tracking three Authors: Holcombe, Alex; Chen, Wei Ying Abstract: Overall performance when tracking moving targets is known to be poorer for larger numbers of targets, but the specific effect on tracking's temporal resolution has never been investigated. We document a broad range of display parameters for which visual tracking is limited by temporal frequency (the interval between when a target is at each location and a distracter moves in and replaces it) rather than by object speed. We tested tracking of one, two, and three moving targets while the eyes remained fixed. Variation of the number of distracters and their speed revealed both speed limits and temporal frequency limits on tracking performance. The temporal frequency limit fell from 7 Hz with one target to 4 Hz with two targets and 2.6 Hz with three targets. This decrease was so profound that, at high speeds in the two-target condition, participants would have done better by tracking only one of the two targets and ignoring the other. These effects are predicted by serial models involving a single tracking focus that must switch among the targets, sampling the position of only one target at a time. Under parallel processing models, supplemental assumptions are required to account for why dividing the tracking resource so markedly diminishes temporal resolution. Description: Experiment program code, raw data, and data analysis scripts

Predicting adolescents' safe food handling using an extended theory of planned behavior

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Predicting adolescents' safe food handling using an extended theory of planned behavior Authors: Mullan, Barbara A; Wong, Cara; Kothe, Emily J Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with the addition of risk perception could predict safe food handling in a sample of adolescents from the UK and Australia over and above the explanatory power of knowledge. It was hypothesized that knowledge would predict both intention to prepare food safely and self-reported food hygiene behavior. It was expected that attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and risk perception would predict intentions over and above knowledge. It was hypothesized that intentions and PBC would significantly predict food hygiene behavior over and above the influence of knowledge. Participants were recruited from secondary schools in Australia and the UK (n=205). Knowledge alone predicted 4% of intention and 1.4% of behaviour. TPB variable with the addition of risk perception accounted for an additional 60% of the variance in intention. PBC and intention accounted for an additional 24% of the variance in behavior. Knowledge was not a significant predictor of intention or behaviour once other variables were added to the model these results provide further support for criticisms of interventions that have targeted food safety through knowledge based interventions. The results provide further support for the utility of the TPB in predicting safe food handling. The addition of risk perception added to the predictive utility of the model, suggesting that researchers may want to incorporate that factor into future considerations of food hygiene using the TPB.

Failures to bind spatially coincident features

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Failures to bind spatially coincident features Authors: Holcombe, Alex; Clifford, Colin Abstract: N/A Description: Letter to appear in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences

The role of self-regulation in predicting sleep hygiene in university students

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The role of self-regulation in predicting sleep hygiene in university students Authors: Todd, Jemma; Mullan, Barbara Abstract: University students have poor sleep hygiene, leading to poorer health. Facets of self-regulation such as planning, behavioural inhibition, cognitive flexibility and working memory were explored in relation to three sleep hygiene behaviours: avoiding stress or anxiety before bed, avoiding going to bed hungry or thirsty, and making the bedroom restful. One hundred and thirty-seven participants took part in an internet-based survey over two time points separated by a period of 2 weeks. Only cognitive flexibility and behavioural inhibition correlated with sleep hygiene. Cognitive flexibility significantly predicted an aspect of sleep hygiene after controlling for past behaviour. However, when past behaviour was controlled for, behavioural inhibition no longer predicted sleep hygiene. Thus cognitive flexibility may play a role in explaining sleep hygiene, however behavioural inhibition does not appear as important as previously assumed. Further research could build on this study to determine whether cognitive flexibility can be experimentally improved. Description: This is a preprint of an article whose final and definitive form has been published in Psychology, Health & Medicine © 2012 Taylor & Francis; Psychology, Health & Medicine is available online at: www.tandfonline.com

Consequences of Play: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Online Gaming

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Consequences of Play: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Online Gaming Authors: Sublette, Victoria; Mullan, Barbara Abstract: Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) have received considerable attention in news headlines describing gamers who have died while engaging in excessive play. However, more common physical and psychosocial effects attributed to online video gaming are social isolation, increased aggression, and negative academic and occupational consequences. In consideration of the bias in reporting negative consequences of video gaming, a systematic review was conducted to evaluate the evidence of the effects of MMOGs on those who play them. In the sixteen studies that met the inclusion criteria, analysis revealed that only those players who were classified as “addicted” or engaged in “problematic game play” experienced significant negative consequences, with many gamers finding positive aspects to video gaming such as enjoyment, feelings of achievement, friendship, and a sense of community. However, significant limitations in the studies point to the need for further research so that appropriate treatments and interventions can be developed for problematic game play. Description: The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com

Children’s Understandings of Mediated Health Campaigns for Childhood Obesity

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Children’s Understandings of Mediated Health Campaigns for Childhood Obesity Authors: Babooram, Melanie; Mullan, Barbara; Sharpe, Louise Abstract: Purpose: The present study investigated children’s understandings of the intent and importance of current media initiatives designed to target childhood obesity. Semi structured interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis, for the responses of overweight and normal weight children. Methodology: Thirty-three children were interviewed, 24 of normal weight and 9 overweight. They were shown 2 print and 4 television advertisements from the New South Wales Health Department website that were popularly broadcast between 2003-2007. Children were then asked if they had seen the advertisement prior to the interview, and their understanding of the intent and importance of the advertisements. Findings: Most children in both weight groups recalled seeing 5 out of the 6 presented advertisements prior to interview. The main themes identified were ‘Health Maintenance’ and ‘Illness Prevention’ for 5 of the 6 advertisements. Overweight children were more numerous in their detection of a health message as opposed to normal weight children who mostly commented on the safety aspect of advertisement 6. Practical implications: Future evaluations of mediated health campaigns should go beyond recording simple recall of campaign material and investigate instead the understandings of target groups. Mediated health campaigns should also specify messages to particular target groups, as they appear to be most likely to facilitate behaviour change. Originality/value: Mediated health campaigns are mostly evaluated quantitatively rather than by qualitative means. In addition, no study has evaluated the views of overweight and normal weight children with regards to these health campaigns.

A pilot evaluation of appetite-awareness training in the treatment of childhood overweight and obesity

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: A pilot evaluation of appetite-awareness training in the treatment of childhood overweight and obesity Authors: Bloom, Taryn; Sharpe, Louise; Mullan, Barbara; Zucker, Nancy Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of Children’s Appetite Awareness Training (CAAT), a treatment for childhood obesity which encourages overweight children to eat in response to internal appetite cues. Method: Overweight children (ages 6 – 12 years old) were randomized to either the CAAT treatment group (N=23), to receive one-hour treatment sessions over six weeks, or a wait-list group (N=24). Weight and height of children and parents in both groups were assessed at pre- and post-treatment (or equivalent time for wait-list control) and at a six-month follow-up for those in the CAAT group. Results: The intervention had a significant, short-term effect on the BMI of children who participated. Although at six-month follow-up, children’s BMI has not increased significantly, the difference between pre-treatment and follow-up BMI was no longer significant. Discussion: These results are encouraging for the use of CAAT with overweight children. Long-term effectiveness could be enhanced through increasing the duration of the program, adding booster sessions and increased involvement of parents. Description: The definitive version is available at www3.interscience.wiley.com

Predictors of undergraduates' intention to incorporate glycaemic index into dietary behaviour

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Predictors of undergraduates' intention to incorporate glycaemic index into dietary behaviour Authors: Goodwin, Robyn; Mullan, Barbara

A systematic review of the quality, content and context of breakfast consumption

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Title: A systematic review of the quality, content and context of breakfast consumption Authors: Mullan, Barbara; Singh, Monika Abstract: Purpose: Consumption of breakfast is often associated with important health related behaviours. For example, skipping breakfast is related to obesity and eating breakfast is also correlated to cognitive, behavioural, and affective components. This paper attempts to review the breakfast eating literature, and investigate the circumstances under which people consume breakfast, what is actually being consumed, and how much breakfast is eaten therefore Method/Approach: This systematic review summarised the results from 24 studies which focus on who is eating what, where, and with whom. Findings: All 24 of the included studies were of a self report nature, from which nine were analyses from second-hand survey data. Sample sizes varied from 100 to a total of 35119 with a reported participants’ age range from two years old to 70 years of age. Ready-to-eat cereal and dairy foods were the most commonly consumed breakfast items across the studies. Between 1.7 and 30% of participants were found to skip breakfast and approximately one quarter of the studies reported that those with lower socio-economic status, non-whites and females were the groups more likely to omit breakfast. Practical implications and Limitations: The evidence provided in this review suggests that there is still considerable variation in studies into breakfast consumption. This has implications for future research into breakfast eating if interventions are based on these studies. Originality/Value: There are very few systematic reviews detailing the quality, context and content of breakfast consumption and the lack of consistency in the results show the need for further research to be conducted to find a degree of consistency in how breakfast should be defined and measured.

Trust not in money: The effect of financial conflict of interest disclosure on dietary behavioural intention

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Trust not in money: The effect of financial conflict of interest disclosure on dietary behavioural intention Authors: Goodwin, Robyn; Mullan, Barbara Abstract: Purpose To determine the impact of financial conflict of interest (FCI) disclosure on dietary behavioural intention related to the glycaemic index (GI) of food. Design/methodology/approach Seventy-two participants were randomly allocated to two conditions by reading an academic journal article about GI that contained an FCI disclosure (conflict) or a statement detailing that the authors had no FCI to declare (no-conflict). Using a questionnaire, participants made judgments about the article and authors as well as intention to perform GI-related behaviour. These were then analysed for significant differences between the two conditions. Findings Although no significant differences emerged between group means of judgments about the article, those in the conflict condition judged the authors as significantly less trustworthy and credible than those in the conflict condition. Contrary to expectation, those in the conflict condition reported significantly higher intentions to perform GI-related behaviour. Research limitations/implications The present research must be conducted in other populations of interest in order to establish if the results can be generalised. Practical implications The results suggest that FCI disclosure might be best placed at the beginning of articles and that education about FCI be made available to the general public. Originality/value This paper examines the practical implications of FCI disclosure. It also focuses on a readership beyond an academic community who is well-acquainted with the subject area and issues pertaining to FCI.

Predicting food hygiene: An investigation of social factors and past behaviour in an extended model of the Health Action Process Approach.

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Predicting food hygiene: An investigation of social factors and past behaviour in an extended model of the Health Action Process Approach. Authors: Chow, S; Mullan, Barbara

Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour to design a Food Hygiene Intervention

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour to design a Food Hygiene Intervention Authors: Mullan, Barbara; Wong, Cara

Consumer food-safety education for the domestic environment: a systematic review

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Consumer food-safety education for the domestic environment: a systematic review Authors: Milton, Alyssa; Mullan, Barbara Abstract: Purpose Despite the recognised importance of food-safety, a large number of consumers do not practice adequate food-safety in the home. Many studies have recommended that education is a key step in preventing food borne illness in the domestic environment. However, few educational or psychosocial interventions have been designed and implemented to improve food-safety knowledge, attitudes and behaviours. Even fewer of these studies have been subject to rigorous appraisal. A systematic review of studies that described and evaluated a food-safety intervention in a non-clinical adult sample was conducted. Design/methodology/approach A total of ten studies met the criteria for inclusion in the systematic review. Outcomes of interest included food-safety behaviour, behavioural intention, attitudes, knowledge, microbial transfer and the use of Social Cognition Models. Findings The evidence regarding the effectiveness of the reviewed interventions on these food-safety outcomes was somewhat positive, however, many gaps remained. For example, of the 5 self-report behaviour change studies all reported some significant improvement post intervention. However, the percentage of specific behaviours that significantly changed within each study varied between 0.04 to 100%. There were methodological flaws in many of the studies which complicated the interpretation of these results and indicate a need for more research. Research limitations/implications Future research should include better defined outcomes, longer follow-up, more rigorous reporting of results and intervention design, the use of randomised controlled trial protocols, and utilising health models to have a greater theoretical underpinning to the studies. Originality/value This is the first systematic review examining the effect of psychosocial food-safety interventions on behaviour, attitudes and knowledge.

Randomised controlled trial of a brief theory-based intervention promoting breakfast consumption

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Randomised controlled trial of a brief theory-based intervention promoting breakfast consumption Authors: Kothe, Emily Jane; Mullan, Barbara; Amaratunga, Rajith Abstract: The present study sought to test the efficacy of a brief theory-based intervention to promote regular consumption of breakfast, and to expand previous results suggesting that the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) can be meaningfully applied to breakfast consumption. A four-armed randomised controlled trial was conducted. Participants (n = 349) were allocated to receive either a (1) positively framed attitude intervention, (2) negatively framed attitude intervention, (3) Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC) intervention, or (4) control task. Attitude, subjective norm, PBC and behaviour were measured at baseline and 4-week follow-up. All three interventions employed persuasive communication and an implementation intention task. The intervention did not result in expected increases in breakfast consumption, or in changes in attitude, subjective norm or PBC. However, baseline attitude, subjective norm and PBC predicted 39.3% of baseline intention. Baseline intention in turn predicted 33% of breakfast consumption at 4 weeks. Change in breakfast consumption was predicted by change in attitude, subjective norm, and PBC between baseline and follow-up. Despite a lack of intervention effects, the TPB provided a good model of breakfast consumption over the four-week follow-up period. By expanding on previous work investigating breakfast consumption using the TPB, this study provides further support for the argument that that theory based interventions could result in meaningful increases in breakfast consumption.

Health-related content in Australian television advertising

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Health-related content in Australian television advertising Authors: Baker, Julia; Mullan, Barbara Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the proportions of health-related content in non-program time on Australian television, and how this relates to channel, product category, program genre and whether it is an advertisement or public service announcement (PSA). Design/methodology/approach – Australian prime time television was recorded across three commercial television stations in Sydney. Non-program content (NPC) was coded according to the channel, program genre, length of content and product advertised. In total, 44 hours of programming was recorded. Findings – Not surprisingly, significant differences were found in the percentage of health-related content between advertisements (22 percent) and PSAs (67 percent). Again unsurprisingly there was also a significant relationship between the product category and health-related content (χ 2=366.601, p=0.000), but also between health-related content and program genre (χ 2=20.594, p=0.024), particularly situation comedies (31 percent) and sport (15 percent). No difference was found in the percentage of health-related content between the channels. Research limitations/implications – Differences existing in the amount of NPC across program genre suggest that viewers of programs with high rates of health-related content in advertising may have higher exposure to product dependant health information. Originality/value – Health information is examined in a general sample without focus on particular demographics or health topics and the role of program genre is investigated.

Measuring beliefs about gluten free diet adherence in adult coeliac disease using the theory of planned behaviour

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Measuring beliefs about gluten free diet adherence in adult coeliac disease using the theory of planned behaviour Authors: Sainsbury, Kirby; Mullan, Barbara Abstract: The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) was used to elicit the salient beliefs about gluten free diet (GFD) adherence in adults with coeliac disease (CD) and to design a TPB questionnaire to predict adherence levels. This questionnaire was administered to 265 CD participants with adherence and quality of life (QOL) measures, a GFD knowledge test, and self-reported psychiatric history. Regression analyses were used to test the fit of the TPB in predicting adherence, and to determine the nature of the relationships between adherence, QOL, knowledge, and psychiatric history. The TPB combined with self-reported depression and anxiety, and QOL explained significant variance in intention (41.0%) and adherence (33.7%). Poorer dietary adherence and psychiatric history were also associated with lower QOL. Findings suggest that the TPB provides an adequate model for predicting GFD adherence in CD, and the presence of psychiatric conditions represents a potential intervention target to improve adherence and QOL.

The Role of Executive Function in Bridging the Intention-Behaviour Gap for Binge-Drinking in University Students

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The Role of Executive Function in Bridging the Intention-Behaviour Gap for Binge-Drinking in University Students Authors: Mullan, Barbara; Wong, Cara; Allom, Vanessa; Pack, Sophia Abstract: Background Alcohol consumption contributes to a significant proportion of disease and the high prevalence amongst young adults is a worldwide health concern. Purpose To determine which aspects of executive function (EF) distinguish binge-drinkers from non binge-drinkers and to establish the role of EF in predicting behaviour. Methods Self-report questionnaires, four tests of self-regulation and a behaviour measure were administered to 153 students. Results The Theory of Planned Behaviour model was significant in predicting both intentions and behaviour. Although binge-drinkers and non binge-drinkers were found to differ on three of the four measures of EF, none predicted additional variance in behaviour. Planning ability and inhibition control moderated the relationship between intention and behaviour such that for individuals who intended to binge-drink, those with high planning ability or high inhibitory control were more likely to avoid doing so. Conclusions Interventions targeting binge-drinking behaviour should aim to develop planning skills and inhibitory control.

An Extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Immediate Hedonic Behaviors and Distal Benefit Behaviors

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: An Extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Immediate Hedonic Behaviors and Distal Benefit Behaviors Authors: Collins, Anna; Mullan, Barbara Abstract: The importance of understanding different behaviortypes is fundamental to changing patterns of dietary consumption toward optimal health. This study investigates fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption as a distalbenefitbehavior and snacking as an immediatehedonicbehavior, within the framework of the theory of plannedbehavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1991). The model was extended to examine the predictive value of past behavior and self-regulatory ability across these two dietary behaviors. A total of 190 undergraduate students from an Australian university were administered two online questionnaires over two measurement points with 1-week interval. At time one, participants completed TPB questionnaires and a behavioral measure of self-regulation. At time two, self-reported dietary behavior was measured. Multiple and hierarchical regression analyses showed that the TPB model significantly predicted intention to perform both dietary behaviors and intention significantly predicted both behaviors. However consistent with hypotheses, there was a large intention-behavior gap and the predictive value of the TPB differed depending on whether the behavior had immediate vs. distal rewards. When past behavior was added to the model, intention was a significant predictor for the hedonicbehavior, but not for the distalbehavior. Differences in the predictive variables for the two behavior types suggest that the distalbenefitbehavior vs. immediatehedonicbehavior distinction may be useful when designing interventions by considering the temporal element of health decision-making.

Predicting breakfast consumption: A comparison of the theory of planned behaviour and the health action process approach

Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Predicting breakfast consumption: A comparison of the theory of planned behaviour and the health action process approach Authors: Mullan, Barbara; Wong, Cara; Kothe, Emily; MacCann, Carolyn Abstract: Purpose: Breakfast consumption is associated with a range of beneficial health outcomes including improved overall diet quality, lower BMI, decreased risk of chronic disease, and improved cognitive function. Although there are many models of health and social behaviour, there is a paucity of research utilising these in breakfast consumption and very few studies that directly compare these models. This study compares the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) in predicting breakfast consumption. Methodology: University students (N=102; M = 19.5 years) completed a questionnaire measuring demographics, TPB and HAPA motivational variables, and intentions. Behaviour and HAPA volitional variables were measured four weeks later. Findings: Using structural equation modelling, it was found that the TPB model was a superior fit to the data across a range of model indices compared to the HAPA. Both models significantly predicted both intentions and behaviour at follow up; however, the TPB predicted a higher proportion of the variance in breakfast consumption (47.6%) than the HAPA (44.8%). Further, the volitional variables did not mediate the intention-behaviour gap, and the data were not an adequate statistical fit to the model compared to the TPB. Research Implications: The results support the use of the TPB and shows that that some aspects of the HAPA are useful in predicting breakfast consumption, suggesting that risk perception and self-efficacy be targeted in interventions to increase behaviour. The volitional variables did not appear to mediate breakfast consumption indicating that intention is still the strongest predictor, at least in this behaviour Originality: The current study is the first to compare the TPB and HAPA in predicting breakfast consumption

The content of compound conditioning

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The content of compound conditioning Authors: Harris, Justin A; Andrew, Benjamin J; Livesey, Evan J Abstract: In three experiments using Pavlovian conditioning of magazine approach, rats were trained with a compound stimulus, AB, and were concurrently trained with stimulus B on its own. The reinforcement rate of B, rB, was either ½, ⅔, or ⅖ of rAB. After extended training, the conditioning strength of A was assessed using probe trials in which A was presented alone. Responding during A was compared with that during AB, B, and a third stimulus, C, for which rC = rAB – rB. In each experiment, the rats’ response rate during A was almost identical to that during C (and during B, when rB = ½rAB). This suggests that, during AB conditioning, the rats had learned about rA as being equal to [rAB – rB], and implies that the content of their learning was a linear function of r. The findings provide strong support for rate-based models of conditioning (e.g., Gallistel & Gibbon, 2000). They are also consistent with the associative account of learning defined in the Rescorla-Wagner (1972) model, but only if the learning rate during reinforcement equals that during non-reinforcement. Description: 'This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record.'

Using the theory of planned behaviour and prototype willingness model to target binge drinking in female undergraduate university students

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Using the theory of planned behaviour and prototype willingness model to target binge drinking in female undergraduate university students Authors: Todd, Jemma Abstract: The current study investigated whether binge drinking in female undergraduates could be reduced by the mere measurement effect (MME), and by altering binge drinker prototypes from the prototype willingness model (PWM). Whether willingness added to the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) was also explored. Female undergraduates aged 17-25 (N=122) were randomly allocated to a prototype manipulation, mere measurement, or control group, and completed two online questionnaires separated by 14-21 days. Controlling for past behaviour, MME group consumed less alcohol than the control group, and this effect was more extreme for those who previously consumed more alcohol. However, the prototype manipulation had no effect. The TPB variables were predictive of intentions and behaviour, but willingness was not. Despite limitations, the MME could be utilised to reduce binge drinking in female undergraduates. The TPB appears to model binge drinking in female undergraduates better than the PWM, implying that binge drinking can be a reasoned behaviour.

Promoting fruit and vegetable consumption: Testing an intervention based on the theory of planned behaviour

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Promoting fruit and vegetable consumption: Testing an intervention based on the theory of planned behaviour Authors: Kothe, Emily Jane; Mullan, Barbara; Butow, Phyllis Abstract: This study evaluated the efficacy of a theory of planned behaviour (TPB) based intervention to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. The extent to which fruit and vegetable consumption and change in intake could be explained by the TPB was also examined. Participants were randomly assigned to two levels of intervention frequency matched for intervention content (low frequency n = 92, high frequency n = 102). Participants received TPB-based email messages designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, messages targeted attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control (PBC). Baseline and post-intervention measures of TPB variables and behaviour were collected. Across the entire study cohort, fruit and vegetable consumption increased by 0.83 servings/day between baseline and follow-up. Intention, attitude, subjective norm and PBC also increased (p<.05). The TPB successfully modelled fruit and vegetable consumption at both time points but not behaviour change. The increase of fruit and vegetable consumption is a promising preliminary finding for those primarily interested in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. However, those interested in theory development may have concerns about the use of this model to explain behaviour change in this context. More high quality experimental tests of the theory are needed to confirm this result.

NSW Young People on Community Orders: Key Findings Report

Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Title: NSW Young People on Community Orders: Key Findings Report Authors: Kenny, Dianna; Nelson, Paul; Butler, Tony; Lennings, Chris; Allerton, Mark; Champion, Una

Attentional Changes During Implicit Learning: Signal Validity Protects a Target Stimulus from the Attentional Blink

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Attentional Changes During Implicit Learning: Signal Validity Protects a Target Stimulus from the Attentional Blink Authors: Livesey, Evan J; Harris, Irina M; Harris, Justin A Abstract: Participants in two experiments performed two simultaneous tasks: one, a dual-target detection task within a rapid sequence of target and distractor letters; the other, a cued reaction time task requiring participants to make a cued left/right response immediately after each letter sequence. Under these rapid visual presentation conditions, it is usually difficult to identify the second target when it is presented in close temporal proximity of the first target, a phenomenon known as the attentional blink. However, here, participants showed an advantage for detecting a target presented during the attentional blink if that target predicted which response cue would appear at the end of the trial. Participants also showed faster reaction times on trials with a predictive target. Both of these effects were independent of conscious knowledge of the target-response contingencies assessed by post-experiment questionnaires. The results suggest that implicit learning of the association between a predictive target and its outcome can automatically facilitate target recognition during the attentional blink, and therefore shed new light on the relationship between associative learning and attentional mechanisms.

Tracking a single fast-moving object exhausts attentional resources

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Tracking a single fast-moving object exhausts attentional resources Authors: Holcombe, Alex; Chen, Wei-Ying Abstract: Driving on a busy road, eluding a group of predators, or playing a team sport involves keeping track of multiple moving objects. In typical laboratory tasks, the number of visual targets that humans can track is about four. Three types of theories have been advanced to explain this limit. The fixed-limit theory posits a set number of attentional pointers available to follow objects. Spatial interference theory proposes that when targets are near each other, their attentional spotlights mutually interfere. Resource theory asserts that a limited resource is divided among targets, and performance reflects the amount available per target. Utilising widely separated objects to avoid spatial interference, the present experiments validated the predictions of resource theory. The fastest target speed at which two targets could be tracked was much slower than the fastest speed at which one target could be tracked. This speed limit for tracking two targets was approximately that predicted if at high speeds, only a single target could be tracked. This result cannot be accommodated by the fixed-limit or interference theories. Evidently a fast target, if it moves fast enough, can exhaust attentional resources. Description: NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Cognition. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication.

Comparing learned predictiveness effects within and across compound discriminations

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Comparing learned predictiveness effects within and across compound discriminations Authors: Livesey, Evan J; Thorwart, Anna; De Fina, Nicole L; Harris, Justin A Abstract: In four human learning experiments, we examined the extent to which learned predictiveness depends upon direct comparison between relatively good and poor predictors. Participants initially solved (1) linear compound discriminations in which one or both of the stimuli in each compound were predictive of the correct outcome, (2) biconditional discriminations where only the configurations of the stimuli were predictive of the correct outcome, or (3) pseudo-discriminations in which no stimulus features were predictive. In each experiment, subsequent learning and test stages were used to assay changes in the associability of each stimulus brought about by its role in the initial discriminations. Although learned predictiveness effects were observed in all experiments (i.e. previously predictive cues were more readily associated with a new outcome than previously non-predictive cues), the same changes in associability were observed regardless of whether the stimulus was initially learned about in the presence of an equally predictive, more predictive, or less predictive stimulus. The results suggest that learned associability is not controlled by competitive allocation of attention, but rather by the absolute predictiveness of each individual cue.

Response Rate and Reinforcement Rate in Pavlovian Conditioning

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Response Rate and Reinforcement Rate in Pavlovian Conditioning Authors: Harris, Justin A Abstract: Four experiments used delay conditioning of magazine approach in rats to investigate the relationship between the rate of responding, R, to a conditioned stimulus (CS) and the rate, r, at which the CS is reinforced with the unconditioned stimulus (US). Rats were concurrently trained with four variable-duration CSs with different rs, either as a result of differences in the mean CS-US interval or in the proportion of CS presentations that ended with the US. In each case, R was systematically related to r, and the relationship was very accurately characterized by a hyperbolic function, R = Ar/(r+c). Accordingly, the reciprocal of these two variables – response interval, I (=1/R), and CS-US interval, i (=1/r) – were related by a simple affine (straight line) transformation, I = mi+b. This latter relationship shows that each increment in the time that the rats had to wait for food produced a linear increment in the time they waited between magazine entries. We discuss the close agreement between our findings and the Matching Law (Herrnstein, 1970), and consider their implications for both associative theories (e.g., Rescorla & Wagner, 1972) and non-associative theories (Gallistel & Gibbon, 2000) of conditioning.

Summation of reinforcement rates when conditioned stimuli are presented in compound

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Summation of reinforcement rates when conditioned stimuli are presented in compound Authors: Andrew, Benjamin J; Harris, Justin Abstract: Three experiments used delay conditioning of magazine approach in rats to examine the summation of responding when two conditioned stimuli (CSs) are presented together as a compound. The duration of each CS varied randomly from trial-to-trial around a mean that differed between the CSs. This meant that the rats’ response rate to each CS was systematically related to the reinforcement rate of that CS, but remained steady as time elapsed during the CS (Harris & Carpenter, in press; Harris, Gharaei, & Pincham, in press). When the rats were presented with a compound of two CSs that had been conditioned separately, they responded more during the compound than during either of the CSs individually. More significantly, however, in all three experiments, the rats responded to the compound at the same rate as they responded to a third CS that had been reinforced at a rate equal to the sum of the reinforcement rates of the two CSs in compound. We discuss the implications of this finding for associative models (e.g., Rescorla & Wagner, 1972) and rate-based models (Gallistel & Gibbon, 2000) of conditioning.

Elemental Representations of Stimuli in Associative Learning

Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Elemental Representations of Stimuli in Associative Learning Authors: Harris, Justin A Abstract: This paper reviews evidence and theories concerning the nature of stimulus representations in Pavlovian conditioning. It focuses on the elemental approach developed in Stimulus Sampling Theory (Atkinson & Estes, 1963; Bush & Mosteller, 1951b) and extended by McLaren and Mackintosh (2000; 2002), and contrasts this with models that that invoke notions of configural representations that uniquely code for different patterns of stimulus inputs (e.g., Pearce, 1987, 1994; Rescorla & Wagner, 1972; Wagner & Brandon, 2001). The paper then presents a new elemental model that emphasizes interactions between stimulus elements. This model is shown to explain a range of behavioral findings, including those (e.g., negative patterning and biconditional discriminations) traditionally thought beyond the explanatory capabilities of elemental models. Moreover, the model offers a ready explanation for recent findings reported by Rescorla (2000; 2001; 2002b) concerning the way that stimuli with different conditioning histories acquire associative strength when conditioned in compound

The arguments of associations

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The arguments of associations Authors: Harris, Justin A Abstract: This chapter considers associative solutions to “non‐linear” discrimination problems, such as negative patterning (A+ and B+ vs AB‐) and the biconditional discrimination (AB+ and CD+ vs AC‐ and BD‐). It is commonly assumed that the solution to these discriminations requires “configural” elements that are added to the compound of two stimuli. However, these discriminations can be solved by assuming that some elements of each stimulus are suppressed when two stimuli are presented in compound. Each of these approaches can solve patterning and biconditional discriminations because they allow some elements, as the arguments of associations, to have differential “presence” on reinforced versus nonreinforced trials, and thus differential associability and control over responding. The chapter then presents a more specific version of one of these models, describing how interactions between stimuli, particularly the competition for attention, provide a mechanism whereby some elements are more suppressed than others when stimuli are presented simultaneously as a compound.

Increasing the frequency of breakfast consumption

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Increasing the frequency of breakfast consumption Authors: Kothe, Emily J; Mullan, Barbara A Abstract: Purpose – A number of interventions aimed at increasing breakfast consumption have been designed and implemented in recent years. This paper seeks to review the current research in this area with the aim of identifying common features of successful interventions and strengths and weaknesses in the current research methodology. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic review of interventions aimed at increasing breakfast-eating frequency in a non-clinical sample was conducted. Findings – A total of 11 interventions were identified and reviewed; of these, only three resulted in an increase in breakfast consumption at follow-up. The three studies that were successful in changing breakfast consumption all included a psychosocial component that was successful in increasing positive attitudes towards nutrition in the intervention protocol. Many of the breakfast-eating interventions included in this review have methodological weaknesses, including difficulties in implementing interventions, small sample sizes, and selection biases, which future researchers should consider when designing and evaluating their own interventions. Research limitations/implications – These findings highlight the importance of including psychosocial components in interventions designed to increase breakfast consumption, while also signalling issues that should be addressed when designing and reporting future interventions. Originality/value – This review was the first to investigate the efficacy of interventions aimed at increasing breakfast consumption. The identification of weaknesses in the current body of research, and of successful and unsuccessful intervention practices is an important step in developing successful interventions in the future.

An attention modulated associative network.

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Title: An attention modulated associative network. Authors: Harris, Justin A; Livesey, Evan J Abstract: We present an elemental model of associative learning that describes interactions between stimulus elements as a process of competitive normalization. Building on the assumptions laid out in Harris (2006), stimuli are represented as an array of elements that compete for attention according to the strength of their input. Elements form associations among each other according to temporal correlations in their activation but restricted by their connectivity. The model moves beyond its predecessor by specifying excitatory, inhibitory, and attention processes for each element in real time and describing their interaction as a form of suppressive gain control. Attention is formalized in this model as a network of mutually inhibitory units that moderate the activation of stimulus elements by controlling the level to which the elements are suppressed by their own inhibitory processes. The model is applied to a range of complex discriminations and related phenomena that have been taken as evidence for configural-learning processes.

The acquisition of conditioned responding

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The acquisition of conditioned responding Authors: Harris, Justin A Abstract: This report analyzes the acquisition of conditioned responses in rats trained in a magazine approach paradigm. Following the suggestion by Gallistel, Fairhurst and Balsam (2004), Weibull functions were fitted to the trial-by-trial response rates of individual rats. These showed that the emergence of responding was often delayed, after which the response rate would increase relatively gradually across trials. The fit of the Weibull function to the behavioral data of each rat was equaled by that of a cumulative exponential function incorporating a response threshold. Thus the growth in conditioning strength on each trial can be modeled by the derivative of the exponential – a difference term of the form used in many models of associative learning (e.g., Rescorla & Wagner, 1972). Further analyses, comparing the acquisition of responding to a continuously reinforced stimulus (CRf) and a partially reinforced stimulus (PRf), provided further evidence in support of the difference term. In conclusion, the results are consistent with conventional models that describe learning as the growth of associative strength, incremented on each trial by an error-correction process.

Response rates track the history of reinforcement times

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Response rates track the history of reinforcement times Authors: Harris, Justin A; Gharaei, Saba; Pincham, Hannah L Abstract: When conditioning involves a consistent temporal relationship between the conditioned stimulus (CS) and unconditioned stimulus (US), the expression of conditioned responses within a trial peaks at the usual time of the US relative to the CS. Here we examine the temporal profile of responses during conditioning with variable CS-US intervals. We conditioned stimuli with either uniformly distributed or exponentially distributed random CS-US intervals. In the former case, the frequency of each CS-US interval within a specified range is uniform but the momentary probability of the US (the hazard function) increases as time elapses during the trial; with the latter distribution, short CS-US intervals are more frequent than longer intervals, but the momentary probability of the US is constant across time within the trial. We report that, in a magazine approach paradigm, rats’ response rates remained stable as time elapses during the CS when the CS-US intervals were uniformly distributed, whereas their response rates declined when the CS-US intervals were exponentially distributed. In other words, the profile of responding during the CS matched the frequency distribution of the US times, not the momentary probability of the US during the CS. These results are inconsistent with real-time associative models, which predict that associative strength tracks the momentary probability of the US, but may provide support for timing models of conditioning in which conditioned responding is tied to remembered times of reinforcement.

Seeing slow and seeing fast: Two limits on perception

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Seeing slow and seeing fast: Two limits on perception Authors: Holcombe, Alex Abstract: Video cameras have a single temporal limit set by the frame rate. The human visual system has multiple temporal limits set by its various constituent mechanisms. These limits appear to form two groups. A fast group comprises specialized mechanisms for extracting perceptual qualities such as motion direction, depth, and edges. The second group, with coarse temporal resolution, includes judgments of the pairing of color and motion, the joint identification of arbitrary spatially separated features, the recognition of words, and high-level motion. These temporally coarse percepts may all be mediated by high-level processes. Working at very different timescales, the two groups of mechanisms collaborate to create our unified visual experience.

program code for "Perceiving spatial relations via attentional tracking and shifting"

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Title: program code for "Perceiving spatial relations via attentional tracking and shifting" Authors: Holcombe, Alex; Linares, Daniel; Vaziri-Pashkam, Maryam Abstract: Program code for software associated with "Perceiving spatial relations via attentional tracking and shifting" article by Holcombe, Linares, & Vaziri-Pashkam