Situations that present individuals with a conflict between local and global gains often result in a behavioral pattern known as melioration — a preference for immediate rewards over higher long-term gains. Using a variant of a paradigm by Tunney & Shanks (2002), we explored the potential role of feedback as a means to reduce this bias. We hypothesized that frequent and informative feedback abo...

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders among adults with adverse childhood experiences (ACE). Several studies have well documented the protective role of social support against depression in other populations. However, the impact of perceived social and emotional support (PSES) on current depression in a large community sample of adults with ACE has not been studied yet...

Situations that present individuals with a conflict between local and global gains often result in a behavioral pattern known as melioration — a preference for immediate rewards over higher long-term gains. Using a variant of a paradigm by Tunney & Shanks (2002), we explored the potential role of feedback as a means to reduce this bias. We hypothesized that frequent and informative feedback abo...

The parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis is an emerging model organism for developmental and behavioral genetics. It reproduces by haplodiploidy; males typically develop parthenogenetically from haploid eggs and females from fertilized diploid eggs. A polyploid mutant strain is available in which females are triploid and lay haploid and diploid eggs that normally develop into males when unfertil...

INTRODUCTION This article discusses the process of defining competencies and development of a best practices training course for investigators and clinical research coordinators who conduct social and behavioral research. METHODS The first project phase established recommendations for training in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and was done in conjunction with representatives from 62 Clinical an...

Background Experience suggests that some physicians view obesity as a purely lifestyle condition rather than a chronic metabolic disease. Physicians may not be aware of the role of biological factors in causing weight regain after an initial weight loss. Methods A questionnaire was administered at continuing medical education conferences, both primary care and obesity-specific. The questionna...

BACKGROUND Behavioral risk factors are known to co-occur among youth, and to increase risks of chronic diseases morbidity and mortality later in life. However, little is known about determinants of multiple chronic disease behavioral risk factors, particularly among youth. Previous studies have been cross-sectional and carried out without a sound theoretical framework. METHODS Using longitudi...

Today’s global markets have brought a new definition of the concept of loyalty. If a customer enjoys a continuous purchasing experience with a single supplier, he will develop a behavioural pattern, known as a ‘shopping script’, which may reduce his cognitive effort and optimise purchasing times. The possession of the script and the customer satisfaction inherent in its use, shape the switching...

Insufficient sleep is associated with cardiometabolic disease and poor health. However, few studies have assessed its determinants in a nationally representative sample. Data from the 2009 behavioral risk factor surveillance system were used (N = 323,047 adults). Insufficient sleep was assessed as insufficient rest/sleep over 30 days. This was evaluated relative to sociodemographics (age, sex, ...

This article presents a behavior-analytic view suggesting that biological factors, whether genetic or otherwise, have little to do with our preference for same-gender or opposite-gender sexual stimulation. This view stresses the importance of behavioral history and current behavioral contingencies in understanding the causes of an individual's behavior and values. This view states that genetic ...