@article{AbendrothNaurothRichteretal.2022, author = {Abendroth, Johanna and Nauroth, Peter and Richter, Tobias and Gollwitzer, Mario}, title = {Non-strategic detection of identity-threatening information: Epistemic validation and identity defense may share a common cognitive basis}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {17}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0261535}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-301019}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Readers use prior knowledge to evaluate the validity of statements and detect false information without effort and strategic control. The present study expands this research by exploring whether people also non-strategically detect information that threatens their social identity. Participants (N = 77) completed a task in which they had to respond to a "True" or "False" probe after reading true, false, identity-threatening, or non-threatening sentences. Replicating previous studies, participants reacted more slowly to a positive probe ("True") after reading false (vs. true) sentences. Notably, participants also reacted more slowly to a positive probe after reading identity-threatening (vs. non-threatening) sentences. These results provide first evidence that identity-threatening information, just as false information, is detected at a very early stage of information processing and lends support to the notion of a routine, non-strategic identity-defense mechanism.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{AdelAbdelrehimMohamedSoliman2019, author = {Adel Abdelrehim Mohamed Soliman, Hadya}, title = {Structural Equation Modeling of Factors Influencing EFL Reading comprehension: Comparative study between Egypt and Germany}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-18695}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-186957}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2019}, abstract = {In most foreign language learning contexts, there are only rare chance for contact with native speakers of the target language. In such a situation, reading plays an important role in language acquisition as well as in gaining cultural information about the target language and its speakers. Previous research indicated that reading in foreign language is a complex process, which is influenced by various linguistic, cognitive and affective factors. The aim of the present study was to test two structural models of the relationship between reading comprehension in native language (L1), English language (L2) reading motivation, metacognitive awareness of L2 reading strategies, and reading comprehension of English as a foreign language among the two samples. Furthermore, the current study aimed to examine the differences between Egyptian and German students in their perceived usage of reading strategies during reading English texts, as well as to explore the pattern of their motivation toward reading English texts. For this purpose, 401 students were recruited from Germany (n=200) and Egypt (n=201) to participate in the current study. In order to have information about metacognitive awareness of reading strategies, a self-report questionnaire (SORS) developed by Moktari and Sheory (2002) was used. While the L2 reading motivation variable, was measured by a reading motivation survey (L2RMQ) which was based on reviewed reading motivation research. In addition, two reading tests were administrated one to measure reading comprehension for native language (German/Arabic) and the other to measure English reading comprehension. To analyze the collected data, descriptive statistics and independent t-tests were performed. In addition, further analysis using structural equation modeling was applied to test the strength of relationships between the variables under study. The results from the current research revealed that L1 reading comprehension, whether in a German or Arabic language, had the strongest relationship with L2 reading comprehension. However, the relationship between L2 intrinsic reading motivation was not proven to be significant in either the German or Egyptian models. On the other hand, the relationship between L2 extrinsic reading motivation, metacognitive awareness of reading strategies, and L2 reading comprehension was only proven significant in the German sample. The discussion of these results along with their pedagogical implications for education and practice will be illustrated in the following study.}, subject = {Leseverstehen}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Ahnert2005, author = {Ahnert, Jutta}, title = {Motorische Entwicklung vom Vorschul- bis ins fr{\"u}he Erwachsenenalter - Einflussfaktoren und Prognostizierbarkeit}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-16346}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2005}, abstract = {Langfristige Prognosen sportmotorischer Leistungen sowie die Kenntnis relevanter Einflussfaktoren auf die motorische Entwicklung gewinnen angesichts des ver{\"a}nderten Bewegungsverhaltens und der Zunahme motorischer Defizite von Kindern und Jugendlichen immer st{\"a}rker an Bedeutung. Der bisherige Forschungsstand zur Stabilit{\"a}t und Vorhersage sportlicher Leistungsf{\"a}higkeit beschr{\"a}nkt sich bisher jedoch fast ausschließlich auf retrospektive Studien oder aber auf L{\"a}ngsschnittstudien, die nur einen begrenzten Lebensabschnitt erfassen. Im Vordergrund der vorliegenden multivariaten L{\"a}ngsschnittstudie steht die empirische Analyse potentieller personinterner und personexterner Einflussfaktoren auf die Entwicklung motorischer - insbesondere koordinativer - F{\"a}higkeiten vom Vorschul- bis ins fr{\"u}he Erwachsenenalter. Außerdem sollte versucht werden, die Auspr{\"a}gung sportlicher Aktivit{\"a}t und motorischer F{\"a}higkeiten im fr{\"u}hen Erwachsenenalter m{\"o}glichst gut durch potentielle Pr{\"a}diktoren aus der Kindheit vorherzusagen. Als theoretischer Rahmen wurde ausgehend von einem f{\"a}higkeitsorientierten Ansatz das transaktionale Handlungsmodell von Baur (1989, 1994) ausgew{\"a}hlt, das sowohl endogene als auch exogene Einflussfaktoren auf die motorische Entwicklung ber{\"u}cksichtigt. Die Daten zur motorischen, somatischen und psychischen Entwicklung wurden im Rahmen der M{\"u}nchner L{\"a}ngsschnittstudie zur Genese individueller Kompetenzen (LOGIK) an 152 M{\"a}dchen und Jungen im Alter von 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 und 23 Jahren erhoben. Es zeigen sich bereits im Vorschulalter substantielle Stabilit{\"a}tskoeffizienten zu den motorischen Leistungen im fr{\"u}hen Erwachsenenalter, die ab dem Grundschulalter auf mittelhohe Werte ansteigen. Als bedeutsame Einflussfaktoren auf die motorische Entwicklung erweisen sich neben der sportlichen Aktivit{\"a}t und dem BMI auch die nonverbale Intelligenz und das athletische Selbstkonzept. In Abh{\"a}ngigkeit von der Schullaufbahn, dem sozio{\"o}konomischen Status sowie der Sportvereinszugeh{\"o}rigkeit k{\"o}nnen Unterschiede im motorischen Entwicklungsverlauf nur zum Teil nachgewiesen werden. Einen nachhaltigen Einfluss auf die motorische Entwicklung bis ins fr{\"u}he Erwachsenenalter besitzt dagegen das fr{\"u}he sportive Anregungsniveau im Elternhaus. Mittels schrittweiser Regression k{\"o}nnen unter Einbezug motorischer, somatischer, kognitiver, pers{\"o}nlichkeitsbezogener und soziodemographischer Merkmale im Vorschulalter bereits bis zu 31\%, ab dem Grundschulalter bis zu 46\% der Varianz motorischer Leistungen mit 23 J. aufgekl{\"a}rt werden. F{\"u}r eine befriedigende Prognose sp{\"a}terer motorischer Leistungen sollten deshalb neben den motorischen Leistungskomponenten auch somatische, kognitive, pers{\"o}nlichkeitsbezogene und sozialisationsbedingte Einfl{\"u}sse ber{\"u}cksichtigt werden. Die relativ hohe Stabilit{\"a}t motorischer F{\"a}higkeiten ab dem Grundschulalter deutet darauf hin, dass bereits in der Kindheit die Grundlagen f{\"u}r die weitere motorische Entwicklung gelegt werden. Ein effizienter Ansatzpunkt zur Intervention scheint hier vor allem die F{\"o}rderung von sportlicher Aktivit{\"a}t und Sportinteresse im Elternhaus zu sein.}, subject = {Motorische Entwicklung}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Akakpo2019, author = {Akakpo, Martin Gameli}, title = {The influence of learner characteristics on interactions to seek and share information in e-learning: A media psychology perspective}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-18593}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-185934}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Research on the deployment and use of technology to assist learning has seen a significant rise over the last decades (Aparicio et al., 2017). The focus on course quality, technology, learning outcome and learner satisfaction in e-learning has led to insufficient attention by researchers to individual characteristics of learners (Cidral et al., 2017 ; Hsu et al., 2013). The current work aims to bridge this gap by investigating characteristics identified by previous works and backed by theory as influential individual differences in e-learning. These learner characteristics have been suggested as motivational factors (Edmunds et al., 2012) in decisions by learners to interact and exchange information (Luo et al., 2017). In this work e-learning is defined as interaction dependent information seeking and sharing enabled by technology. This is primarily approached from a media psychology perspective. The role of learner characteristics namely, beliefs about the source of knowledge (Schommer, 1990), learning styles (Felder \& Silverman, 1988), need for affect (Maio \& Esses, 2001), need for cognition (Cacioppo \& Petty, 1982) and power distance (Hofstede, 1980) on interactions to seek and share information in e-learning are investigated. These investigations were shaped by theory and empirical lessons as briefly mentioned in the next paragraphs. Theoretical support for investigations is derived from the technology acceptance model(TAM) by psychologist Davis (1989) and the hyper-personal model by communication scientist Walther (1996). The TAM was used to describe the influence of learner characteristics on decisions to use e-learning systems (Stantchev et al., 2014). The hyper-personal model described why computer-mediated communication thrives in e-learning (Kaye et al., 2016) and how learners interpret messages exchanged online (Hansen et al., 2015). This theoretical framework was followed by empirical reviews which justified the use of interaction and information seeking-sharing as key components of e-learning as well as the selection of learner characteristics. The reviews provided suggestions for the measurement of variables (K{\"u}hl et al., 2014) and the investigation design (Dascalau et al., 2015). Investigations were designed and implemented through surveys and quasi experiments which were used for three preliminary studies and two main studies. Samples were selected from Germany and Ghana with same variables tested in both countries. Hypotheses were tested with interaction and information seeking-sharing as dependent variables while beliefs about the source of knowledge, learning styles, need for affect, need for cognition and power distance were independent variables. Firstly, using analyses of variance, the influence of beliefs about the source of knowledge on interaction choices of learners was supported. Secondly, the role of need for cognition on interaction choices of learners was supported by results from a logistic regression. Thirdly, results from multiple linear regressions backed the influence of need for cognition and power distance on information seeking-sharing behaviour of learners. Fourthly, the relationship between need for affect and need for cognition was supported. The findings may have implications for media psychology research, theories used in this work, research on e-learning, measurement of learner characteristics and the design of e-learning platforms. The findings suggest that, the beliefs learners have about the source of knowledge, their need for cognition and their power distance can influence decisions to interact and seek or share information. The outlook from reviews and findings in this work predicts more research on learner characteristics and a corresponding intensity in the use of e-learning by individuals. It is suggested that future studies investigate the relationship between learner autonomy and power distance. Studies on inter-cultural similarities amongst e-learners in different populations are also suggested.}, subject = {e-learning}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Anderson2011, author = {Anderson, Christina}, title = {Idiosyncratic Facial Movement in Face Perception and Recognition}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-70355}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2011}, abstract = {It has been proposed that different features of a face provide a source of information for separate perceptual and cognitive processes. Properties of a face that remain rather stable over time, so called invariant facial features, yield information about a face's identity, and changeable aspects of faces transmit information underlying social communication such as emotional expressions and speech movements. While processing of these different face properties was initially claimed to be independent, a growing body of evidence suggests that these sources of information can interact when people recognize faces with whom they are familiar. This is the case because the way a face moves can contain patterns that are characteristic for that specific person, so called idiosyncratic movements. As a face becomes familiar these idiosyncratic movements are learned and hence also provide information serving face identification. While an abundance of experiments has addressed the independence of invariant and variable facial features in face recognition, little is known about the exact nature of the impact idiosyncratic facial movements have on face recognition. Gaining knowledge about the way facial motion contributes to face recognition is, however, important for a deeper understanding of the way the brain processes and recognizes faces. In the following dissertation three experiments are reported that investigate the impact familiarity of changeable facial features has on processes of face recognition. Temporal aspects of the processing of familiar idiosyncratic facial motion were addressed in the first experiment via EEG by investigating the influence familiar facial movement exerts on event-related potentials associated to face processing and face recognition. After being familiarized with a face and its idiosyncratic movement, participants viewed familiar or unfamiliar faces with familiar or unfamiliar facial movement while their brain potentials were recorded. Results showed that familiarity of facial motion influenced later event-related potentials linked to memory processes involved in face recognition. The second experiment used fMRI to investigate the brain areas involved in processing familiar facial movement. Participants' BOLD-signal was registered while they viewed familiar and unfamiliar faces with familiar or unfamiliar idiosyncratic movement. It was found that activity of brain regions, such as the fusiform gyrus, that underlie the processing of face identity, was modulated by familiar facial movement. Together these two experiments provide valuable information about the nature of the involvement of idiosyncratic facial movement in face recognition and have important implications for cognitive and neural models of face perception and recognition. The third experiment addressed the question whether idiosyncratic facial movement could increase individuation in perceiving faces from a different ethnic group and hence reduce impaired recognition of these other-race faces compared to own-race faces, a phenomenon named the own-race bias. European participants viewed European and African faces that were each animated with an idiosyncratic smile while their attention was either directed to the form or the motion of the face. Subsequently recognition memory for these faces was tested. Results showed that the own-race bias was equally present in both attention conditions indicating that idiosyncratic facial movement was not able to reduce or diminish the own-race bias. In combination the here presented experiments provide further insight into the involvement of idiosyncratic facial motion in face recognition. It is necessary to consider the dynamic component of faces when investigating face recognition because static facial images are not able to provide the full range of information that leads to recognition of a face. In order to reflect the full process of face recognition, cognitive and neural models of face perception and recognition need to integrate dynamic facial features as a source of information which contributes to the recognition of a face.}, subject = {Gesicht}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Andreatta2010, author = {Andreatta, Marta}, title = {Emotional reactions after event learning : a Rift between Implicit and Explicit Conditioned Valence in Humans Pain Relief Lerning}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-55715}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Organismen vermeiden Gefahren und streben nach Belohnungen, um zu {\"u}berleben. Klassische Konditionierung ist ein einfaches Model, das erkl{\"a}rt, wie Tiere und Menschen Ereignisse in Verbindung bringen. Dieses Lernen erm{\"o}glicht Lebewesen Gefahr oder Belohnung direkt vorherzusehen. Normalerweise besteht das Konditionierungsparadigma aus der Pr{\"a}sentation eines neutralen Stimulus zusammen mit einem biologisch bedeutsamen Event (der unkonditionierte Stimulus - US). Aufgrund dieser Assoziation erwirbt der neutrale Stimulus affektive Eigenschaften und wird dann konditionierter Stimulus (CS+) genannt. Wenn der CS+ mit Schmerz w{\"a}hrend der Trainingsphase assoziiert wird, leitet er eine defensive Reaktion, wie z.B. Vermeidung ein. Wenn der CS+ mit einer Belohnung assoziiert wird, leitet er eine appetitive Reaktion, wie z.B. Ann{\"a}herungsreaktionen ein. Interessanterweise haben Tierstudien gezeigt, dass ein konditionierter Stimulus vermieden wurde, wenn er einem aversiven US in der Trainingsphase vorausgegangen war (CS+US; Vorw{\"a}rtskonditionierung). Das deutet darauf hin, dass der CS+ aversive Eigenschaften erlangt hat. Jedoch f{\"u}hrte ein konditionierter Stimulus zu einer Ann{\"a}herung, wenn er in der Trainingsphase auf einen aversiven US folgt (US CS+; R{\"u}ckw{\"a}rtskonditionierung). Das deutet darauf hin, dass der CS+ appetitive Eigenschaften erlangt hat. Kann das Event Timing sowohl aversive als auch appetitive konditionierten Reaktionen auch bei Menschen ausl{\"o}sen, die zu Kognitionen bez{\"u}glich der Assoziationen f{\"a}hig sind? Um diese Fragestellung zu beantworten, wurden vier Studien durchgef{\"u}hrt. Die Studien hatten den gleichen Ablauf, variiert wurde nur die Zeit zwischen CS+ und US (das Interstimulusintervall - ISI - ist als das Zeitintervall zwischen dem Onset des CS+ und dem Onset des US definiert). W{\"a}hrend der Akquisitionsphase (Konditionierung) wurden, zwei einfache geometrische Figuren als konditionierte Stimuli dargeboten. Eine geometrische Figur (der CS+) war immer mit einem leichten schmerzhaften elektrischen Reiz (der aversive US) assoziiert; die andere Figur (der CS-) war nie mit dem elektrischen Reiz assoziiert. In einem between-subjects Design wurde entweder eine Vorw{\"a}rtskonditionierung oder eine R{\"u}ckw{\"a}rtskonditionierung durchgef{\"u}hrt. W{\"a}hrend der Testsphase (Extinktion) wurden CS+ und CS- pr{\"a}sentiert sowie zus{\"a}tzlich eine neue neutrale geometrische Figur pr{\"a}sentiert, die als Kontrollstimulus fungierte; der US wurde in dieser Phase nie dargeboten. Vor und nach der Konditionierung wurden die Probanden sowohl bez{\"u}glich der Valenz (bzw. Unangenehmheit und Angenehmheit) als auch der Erregung (bzw. Ruhe und Aufregung) hinsichtlich der geometrischen Figuren befragt. In der ersten Studie wurde der Schreckreflex (Startle Reflex) als Maß f{\"u}r die implizite Valenz der Stimuli gemessen. Der Schreckreflex ist eine defensive Urreaktion, die aus einem Muskelzucken des Gesichts und des K{\"o}rpers besteht. Dieser Reflex ist durch pl{\"o}tzliche und intensive visuelle, taktile oder akustische Reize evoziert. Einerseits war die Amplitude des Startles bei der Anwesenheit des vorw{\"a}rts CS+ potenziert und das deutet daraufhin, dass der CS+ eine implizite negative Valenz nach der Vorw{\"a}rtskonditionierung erworben hat. Anderseits war die Amplitude des Startles bei der Anwesenheit des r{\"u}ckw{\"a}rts CS+ abgeschw{\"a}cht, was darauf hin deutet, dass der CS+ nach der R{\"u}ckw{\"a}rtskonditionierung eine implizite positive Valenz erworben hat. In der zweiten Studie wurde die oxygenierte Bloodsresponse (BOLD) mit funktioneller Magnetresonanztomographie (fMRI) erhoben, um neuronale Korrelate des Event-Timings zu erfassen. Eine st{\"a}rkere Aktivierung wurde in der Amygdala in Erwiderung auf den vorw{\"a}rts CS+ und im Striatum in Erwiderung auf den r{\"u}ckw{\"a}rts CS+ gefunden. Zum Einen entspricht dies einer Aktivierung des Defensive Motivational Systems, da die Amygdala eine wichtige Rolle beim Angstexpression und Angstakquisition hat. Deshalb wurde der vorw{\"a}rts CS+ als aversiv betrachtet. Zum Anderen entspricht dies einer Aktivierung des Appetitive Motivational System, da das Striatum eine wichtige Rolle bei Belohnung hat. Deshalb wurde der r{\"u}ckw{\"a}rts CS+ als appetitiv betrachtet. In der dritten Studie wurden Aufmerksamkeitsprozesse beim Event-Timing n{\"a}her beleuchtet, indem steady-state visuelle evozierte Potentiale (ssVEP) gemessen wurden. Sowohl der vorw{\"a}rts CS+ als auch der r{\"u}ckw{\"a}rts CS+ zog Aufmerksamkeit auf sich. Dennoch war die Amplitude der ssVEP großer w{\"a}hrend der letzen Sekunden des vorw{\"a}rts CS+, d.h. direkt vor dem aversiven US. Die Amplitude der ssVEP war aber gr{\"o}ßer w{\"a}hrend der ersten Sekunden des r{\"u}ckw{\"a}rts CS+, d.h. kurz nach dem aversiven US. Vermutlich wird die Aufmerksamkeit auf den hinsichtlich des aversiven US informativsten Teil des CS+. Alle Probanden der drei Studien haben den vorw{\"a}rts CS+ und den r{\"u}ckw{\"a}rts CS+ negativer und erregender als den Kontrollstimulus beurteilt. Daher werden die expliziten Ratings vom Event-Timing nicht beeinflusst. Bemerkenswert ist die Dissoziation zwischen den subjektiven Ratings und den physiologischen Reaktionen. Nach der Dual-Prozess Theorie werden die Verhaltensreaktionen des Menschen von zwei Systemen determiniert: einem impulsiv impliziten System, das auf assoziativen Prinzipien beruht, und einem reflektiv expliziten System, das auf der Kenntnis {\"u}ber Fakten und Werte basiert. Wichtig ist, dass die zwei Systeme auf synergetische oder antagonistische Weise agieren k{\"o}nnen. Folglich k{\"o}nnte es sein, dass das impulsive und das reflektive System nach der R{\"u}ckw{\"a}rtskonditionierung antagonistisch arbeiten. Zusammen deuten die vorliegenden Studien daraufhin, dass Event-Timing eine Bestrafung in eine Belohnung umwandeln kann, aber die Probanden erleben den Stimulus assoziiert mit einem aversiven Event als negativ. Diese Dissoziation k{\"o}nnte zum Verst{\"a}ndnis der psychiatrischen St{\"o}rungen wie z.B. Angstst{\"o}rungen oder Drogenabh{\"a}ngigkeit beitragen.}, subject = {Gef{\"u}hl}, language = {en} } @article{AndreattaPauli2015, author = {Andreatta, Marta and Pauli, Paul}, title = {Appetitive vs. aversive conditioning in humans}, series = {Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience}, number = {128}, doi = {10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00128}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-148614}, year = {2015}, abstract = {In classical conditioning, an initially neutral stimulus (conditioned stimulus, CS) becomes associated with a biologically salient event (unconditioned stimulus, US), which might be pain (aversive conditioning) or food (appetitive conditioning). After a few associations, the CS is able to initiate either defensive or consummatory responses, respectively. Contrary to aversive conditioning, appetitive conditioning is rarely investigated in humans, although its importance for normal and pathological behaviors (e.g., obesity, addiction) is undeniable. The present study intents to translate animal findings on appetitive conditioning to humans using food as an US. Thirty-three participants were investigated between 8 and 10 am without breakfast in order to assure that they felt hungry. During two acquisition phases, one geometrical shape (avCS+) predicted an aversive US (painful electric shock), another shape (appCS+) predicted an appetitive US (chocolate or salty pretzel according to the participants' preference), and a third shape (CS) predicted neither US. In a extinction phase, these three shapes plus a novel shape (NEW) were presented again without US delivery. Valence and arousal ratings as well as startle and skin conductance (SCR) responses were collected as learning indices. We found successful aversive and appetitive conditioning. On the one hand, the avCS+ was rated as more negative and more arousing than the CS and induced startle potentiation and enhanced SCR. On the other hand, the appCS+ was rated more positive than the CS and induced startle attenuation and larger SCR. In summary, we successfully confirmed animal findings in (hungry) humans by demonstrating appetitive learning and normal aversive learning.}, language = {en} } @article{AndreattaPauli2019, author = {Andreatta, Marta and Pauli, Paul}, title = {Generalization of appetitive conditioned responses}, series = {Psychophysiology}, volume = {56}, journal = {Psychophysiology}, doi = {10.1111/psyp.13397}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-221132}, year = {2019}, abstract = {A stimulus (conditioned stimulus, CS) associated with an appetitive unconditioned stimulus (US) acquires positive properties and elicits appetitive conditioned responses (CR). Such associative learning has been examined extensively in animals with food as the US, and results are used to explain psychopathologies (e.g., substance-related disorders or obesity). Human studies on appetitive conditioning exist, too, but we still know little about generalization processes. Understanding these processes may explain why stimuli not associated with a drug, for instance, can elicit craving. Forty-seven hungry participants underwent an appetitive conditioning protocol during which one of two circles with different diameters (CS+) became associated with an appetitive US (chocolate or salty pretzel, according to participants' preference) but never the other circle (CS-). During generalization, US were delivered twice and the two CS were presented again plus four circles (generalization stimuli, GS) with gradually increasing diameters from CS- to CS+. We found successful appetitive conditioning as reflected in appetitive subjective ratings (positive valence, higher contingency) and physiological responses (startle attenuation and larger skin conductance responses) to CS+ versus CS-, and, importantly, both measures confirmed generalization as indicated by generalization gradients. Small changes in CS-US contingency during generalization may have weakened generalization processes on the physiological level. Considering that appetitive conditioned responses can be generalized to non-US-associated stimuli, a next important step would be to investigate risk factors that mediate overgeneralization.}, language = {en} } @article{AppelMarkerMara2019, author = {Appel, Markus and Marker, Caroline and Mara, Martina}, title = {Otakuism and the appeal of sex robots}, series = {Frontiers in Psychology}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Psychology}, number = {569}, issn = {1664-1078}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00569}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-195893}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Social robots are becoming increasingly prevalent in everyday life and sex robots are a sub-category of especially high public interest and controversy. Starting from the concept of the otaku, a term from Japanese youth culture that describes secluded persons with a high affinity for fictional manga characters, we examine individual differences behind sex robot appeal (anime and manga fandom, interest in Japanese culture, preference for indoor activities, shyness). In an online-experiment, 261 participants read one out of three randomly assigned descriptions of future technologies (sex robot, nursing robot, genetically modified organism) and reported on their overall evaluation, eeriness, and contact/purchase intentions. Higher anime and manga fandom was associated with higher appeal for all three future technologies. For our male subsample, sex robots and GMOs stood out as shyness yielded a particularly strong relationship to contact/purchase intentions for these new technologies.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Arnold2007, author = {Arnold, Bettina}, title = {Modulation der Druckschmerzintensit{\"a}t durch emotionale Bildreize bei Fibromyalgie-, somatoformen Schmerz-, R{\"u}ckenschmerzpatienten und Gesunden}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-23103}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2007}, abstract = {Teil 1: Aus fr{\"u}heren Arbeiten geht hervor, dass Fibomyalgiepatienten {\"u}ber eine h{\"o}here Schmerzst{\"a}rke in bezug auf ihren klinischen Schmerz nach negativem emotionalen Priming verglichen mit positivem Priming berichten als Patienten mit muskuloskelettalem Schmerz. Um die affektive Modulation von Druckschmerz bei Fibromyalgiepatienten (n = 30) unter kontrollierten Bedingungen im Vergleich mit Gesunden und Schmerzerkrankungen gekl{\"a}rter Genese (d.h. organisch oder psychisch) beschreiben zu k{\"o}nnen, wurde Schmerz experimentell induziert. Neben 30 Gesunden (schmerzfreien Personen) dienten 30 R{\"u}ckenschmerzpatienten, bei denen eine organische Schmerzgenese vermutet wurde, und 30 somatoforme Schmerzpatienten als Vergleichsgruppen. F{\"u}r die letzte Gruppe, bei der eine psychische Schmerzgenese angenommen wurde, wurde die gleiche Schmerzmodulation wie f{\"u}r die Fibromyalgiepatienten vermutet. Als Primes dienten positive, neutrale, negative und schmerzbezogene Bilder des International Affective Picture Systems. Schmerz wurde {\"u}ber einen konstanten tonischen Druckreiz ausgel{\"o}st; als abh{\"a}ngige Variable wurde die empfundene Schmerzst{\"a}rke erfasst. {\"U}ber alle Versuchspersonen hinweg modulierte die Bildervalenz die Schmerzst{\"a}rke: nach schmerzbezogenen Bildern war die Schmerzst{\"a}rke h{\"o}her als nach negativen und nach negativen Bildern war sie h{\"o}her als nach neutralen. Die Schmerzst{\"a}rken nach neutralen im Vergleich zu positiven Bildern unterschieden sich jedoch nicht signifikant. Somatoforme Schmerzpatienten berichteten {\"u}ber h{\"o}here Schmerzst{\"a}rken als R{\"u}ckenschmerzpatienten und Gesunde. Die Fibromyalgiepatienten zeigten {\"a}hnlich hohe Schmerzst{\"a}rken wie die somatoforme Schmerzgruppe, doch unterschieden sie sich weder von den Gesunden noch von den R{\"u}ckenschmerzpatienten. Zwischen Priming und Gruppe gab es keine Interaktion: Die affektive Schmerzmodulation war bei den Fibromyalgie- und den somatoformen Schmerzpatienten nicht spezifisch ver{\"a}ndert, doch die somatoformen Schmerzpatienten zeigten eine erh{\"o}hte Druckschmerzsensibilit{\"a}t als Gesunde und R{\"u}ckenschmerzpatienten. Teil 2: Es wurde oft vermutet, dass sich Fibromyalgiepatienten hinsichtlich soziodemographischer Daten und psychologischer Merkmale von Schmerzpatienten unterscheiden, deren Schmerz organischer Genese ist wie bei Patienten mit (rheumatoider) Arthritis. Ob sie sich diesbez{\"u}glich von Patienten mit somatoformer Schmerzst{\"o}rung unterscheiden, wurde bis jetzt noch nicht gekl{\"a}rt. Um das psychologische Profil von Fibromyalgiepatienten zu spezifizieren, wurden 25 Fibromyalgie- mit 29 somatoformen Schmerz-, 27 R{\"u}ckenschmerzpatienten und 30 gesunden (schmerfreien) Kontrollpersonen (alle Versuchspersonen hatten am Teil 1 der Studie teil genommen) in bezug auf Unterschiede in soziodemographischen Merkmalen, klinischer Schmerzst{\"a}rke, schmerzbezogene Selbstinstruktionen, Partnerreaktionen, Stressbew{\"a}ltigungsstrategien und Selbstwirksamkeits- und externale Kontroll{\"u}berzeugungen verglichen. Alle drei Schmerzgruppen berichteten {\"u}ber eine st{\"a}rkere Depression, gr{\"o}ßere Trait-Angt und gr{\"o}ßere affektive Verstimmung als die Gesunden. Fibromyalgie- und somatoforme Schmerzpatienten zeigten außerdem eine niedrigere Lebenskontrolle, weniger Aktivit{\"a}ten außer Haus und vermehrt negative Stressbew{\"a}ltigungsstrategien als die Gesunden. Die Fibromalgiepatienten berichteten zudem {\"u}ber eine st{\"a}rkere Somatisierung und gr{\"o}ßere affektive und sensorische Schmerzst{\"a}rken als die R{\"u}ckenschmerzpatienten, aber unterschieden sich nicht von den somatoformen Schmerzpatienten. Des weiteren gaben die Fibromyalgiepatienten mehr Schmerzen an verschiedenen K{\"o}rperstellen an als die R{\"u}ckenschmerzpatienten. Ein unerwartetes Ergebnis war, dass die somatoformen Schmerzpatienten eine gr{\"o}ßere Auspr{\"a}gung im Merkmal Bestrafung (i. s. einer Partnerreaktion) als die Fibromyalgiepatienten (und die Gesunden) zeigten.}, subject = {Schmerz}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Bahnik2016, author = {Bahn{\´i}k, Štěp{\´a}n}, title = {Processing fluency and judgment}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-144656}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2016}, abstract = {To simplify a judgment, people often base it on easily accessible information. One cue that is usually readily available is processing fluency - a metacognitive feeling of ease of cognitive processing. Consequently, processing fluency is used as a cue for many different types of judgment, such as judgment of truth, confidence, and novelty. The present work describes results of three studies investigating various aspects of processing fluency effects on judgment. Processing fluency has been sometimes equated with speed of a cognitive process. Therefore, response times have been used for evaluation of processing fluency. However, response times in experimental tasks often do not encompass only the time needed for a given process, but also the time needed for a decision based on the resulting information. The study described in Chapter II uses a novel experimental method that enables separation of reading and decision times. The results show that people make a decision about liking of pseudowords faster when the pseudowords are hard-to-pronounce (i.e., disfluent) than when they are moderate in pronounceability. This suggests that response times cannot be used as a proxy for processing fluency when they include the time needed to make a decision. One of the studies of judgmental effects of processing fluency showed that food additives with easier pronounceable names are judged to be less harmful than those with hard-to-pronounce names. While people encounter food additives that are safe more often, this environmental association may be in the opposite direction for some categories of objects. For example, people are more likely to see names of especially dangerous criminals in the news. Chapter III describes a study which initially tested whether the fluency-safety association may be in the opposite direction for some categories of objects as a consequence of this selective exposure to especially dangerous exemplars. The results did not show support for this hypothesis. Furthermore, subsequent studies suggest that the previously found association between fluency and safety is replicable with the original stimuli used in the previous research, but not with newly constructed stimuli. Chapter IV describes a study which applied a finding from the processing fluency literature to a positive psychology exercise in order to increase its effectiveness. Namely, the experiment manipulated the number of good things that participants listed daily for two weeks as part of the exercise. While listing more things was considered harder, the number of things listed each day had no effect on effectiveness of the exercise.}, subject = {Urteilen}, language = {en} } @article{BahnikStrack2016, author = {Bahn{\´i}k, Štěp{\´a}n and Strack, Fritz}, title = {Overlap of accessible information undermines the anchoring effect}, series = {Judgment and Decision Making}, volume = {11}, journal = {Judgment and Decision Making}, number = {1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-169287}, pages = {92-98}, year = {2016}, abstract = {According to the Selective Accessibility Model of anchoring, the comparison question in the standard anchoring paradigm activates information that is congruent with an anchor. As a consequence, this information will be more likely to become the basis for the absolute judgment which will therefore be assimilated toward the anchor. However, if the activated information overlaps with information that is elicited by the absolute judgment itself, the preceding comparative judgment should not exert an incremental effect and should fail to result in an anchoring effect. The present studies find this result when the comparative judgment refers to a general category and the absolute judgment refers to a subset of the general category that was activated by the anchor value. For example, participants comparing the average annual temperature in New York City to a high 102 °F judged the average winter, but not summer temperature to be higher than participants making no comparison. On the other hand, participants comparing the annual temperature to a low -4 °F judged the average summer, but not winter temperature to be lower than control participants. This pattern of results was shown also in another content domain. It is consistent with the Selective Accessibility Model but difficult to reconcile with other main explanations of the anchoring effect.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Bakhtiari2015, author = {Bakhtiari, Giti}, title = {The Role of Fluency in Oral Approach and Avoidance}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-118666}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Names of, for instance, children or companies are often chosen very carefully. They should sound and feel good. Therefore, many companies try to choose artificially created names that can easily be pronounced in various languages. A wide range of psychological research has demonstrated that easy processing (high processing fluency) is intrinsically experienced as positive. Due to this positive feeling, easy processing can have profound influences on preferences for names. Topolinski, Maschmann, Pecher, and Winkielman (2014) have introduced a different mechanism that influences the perception of words. Across several experiments they found that words featuring consonantal inward wanderings (inward words) were preferred over words featuring consonantal outward wanderings (outward words). They argued that this was due to the fact that approach and avoidance motivations are activated by articulating inward and outward words, because the pronunciation resembles approach and avoidance behaviors of swallowing and spitting, respectively. They suggested this close link as an underlying mechanism for the so-called in-out effect, but did not test this assumption directly. In the current work, I tested an alternative fluency account of the in-out effect. Specifically, I hypothesized that processing fluency might play a critical role instead of motivational states of approach and avoidance being necessarily activated. In Chapter 1, I introduce the general topic of my dissertation, followed by a detailed introduction of the research area of approach and avoidance motivations in Chapter 2. In Chapter 3, I narrow the topic down to orally induced approach and avoidance motivations, which is the main topic of my dissertation. In Chapter 4, I introduce the research area of ecological influences on psychological processes. This chapter builds the base for the idea that human language might serve as a source of processing fluency in the in-out effect. In the following Chapter 5, I elaborate the research area of processing fluency, for which I examined whether it plays a role in the in-out effect. After an overview of my empirical work in Chapter 6, the empirical part starts with Study 1a and Study 1b (Chapter 7) that aimed to show that two languages (Eng. \& Ger.) in which the in-out effect has originally been found might feature a source of higher processing fluency for inward over outward words. The results showed that higher frequencies of inward dynamics compared to outward dynamics were found in both languages. This can lead to higher pronunciation fluency for inward compared to outward words which might in turn lay the ground for higher preferences found for inward over outward words. In Chapter 8, the assumption that inward compared to outward dynamics might be more efficient to process was tested directly in experiments that examined objective as well as subjective processing fluency of artificially constructed non-words featuring pure inward or outward dynamics. Studies 2a-4b found an objective as well as subjective processing advantage for inward over outward words. In Chapter 9, the causal role of objective and subjective pronunciation fluency in the in-out effect was examined. In Study 5 mediational analyses on item-level and across studies were conducted using objective and subjective fluency as possible mediating variables. In Study 6 mediation analyses were conducted with data on subject- and trial-level from a within-subject design. Overall, the data of the item-based, subject-based and trial-based mediation analyses provide rather mixed results. Therefore, an experimental manipulation of fluency was implemented in the last two studies. In Chapter 10, Study 7 and Study 8 demonstrate that manipulating fluency experimentally does indeed modulate the attitudinal impact of consonantal articulation direction. Articulation ease was induced by letting participants train inward or outward kinematics before the actual evaluation phase. Additionally, the simulation training was intensified in Study 8 in order to examine whether a stronger modulation of the in-out effect could be found. Training outward words led to an attenuation and, after more extensive training, even to a reversal of the in-out effect, whereas training inward words led to an enhancement of the in-out effect. This hints at my overall hypothesis that the explicit preferences of inward and outward words are, at least partially, driven by processing fluency. Almost all studies of my dissertation, except for one analysis of the item-based mediation study, speak in favor of the hypothesis that inward words compared to outward words are objectively and subjectively easier to articulate. This possibly contributes partially to a higher preference of inward over outward words. The results are discussed in Chapter 11 with respect to processing fluency and to the role of language as an ecological factor. Finally, future research ideas are elaborated.}, subject = {Sozialpsychologie}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Baumann2018, author = {Baumann, Christian}, title = {Psychologische und genetische Einflussfaktoren auf die Furchtkonditionierung und die Generalisierung konditionierter Furcht}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-153656}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Bei der Entstehung und Aufrechterhaltung von Furcht und Angsterkrankungen stellt, neben der Furchtkonditionierung, die Generalisierung der konditionierten Furcht einen wesentlichen Mechanismus dar. Die der Generalisierung zugrunde liegenden psychologischen und biologischen Prozesse sind jedoch beim Menschen bisher nur wenig untersucht. Ziel dieser Arbeit war, anhand eines neu entwickelten experimentellen Paradigmas den Einfluss eines psychometrisch bestimmbaren angstspezifischen Faktors sowie der mit Furcht und Angst assoziierten Genotypen Stathmin1, COMT Val158Met und BDNF Val66Met auf die Furchtkonditionierung und Generalisierung konditionierter Furcht zu untersuchen und somit m{\"o}gliche Risikofaktoren f{\"u}r die Entstehung von Angsterkrankungen zu bestimmen. Hierf{\"u}r wurden N = 126 gesunde Versuchspersonen (n = 69 weiblich; mittleres Alter M = 23.05, SD = 3.82) f{\"u}r die genannten Polymorphismen genotypisiert und zu {\"a}ngstlichen und affektiven Symptomen befragt. In einer Akquisitionsphase wurden den Probanden zwei neutrale weibliche Gesichter pr{\"a}sentiert (CS), von denen eines mit einem Schrei sowie einem {\"a}ngstlichen Gesichtsausdruck (UCS) gepaart wurde. Der sich anschließende Generalisierungstest erfolgte anhand von vier Gesichtern, die in der {\"A}hnlichkeit zwischen den beiden CS schrittweise {\"u}bergingen. Die Furchtreaktion wurde {\"u}ber die Bewertung von Valenz, Arousal und Kontingenzerwartung sowie {\"u}ber die Hautleitf{\"a}higkeitsreaktion (SCR) erfasst. Die Analyse der Frageb{\"o}gen anhand einer Hauptachsenanalyse und anhand von Strukturgleichungsmodellen erbrachte eine zweifaktorielle L{\"o}sung, die die Konstrukte Depression und Angst abbildete. Nur der Faktor Angst war mit einer ver{\"a}nderten Furchtkonditionierung und Furchtgeneralisierung assoziiert: Hoch {\"A}ngstliche zeigten eine st{\"a}rkere konditionierte Furchtreaktion (Arousal) und wiesen eine st{\"a}rkere Generalisierung der Valenzeinsch{\"a}tzung und Kontingenzerwartung auf. F{\"u}r den Stathmin1 Genotyp ergaben sich geschlechtsspezifische Effekte. Bei den m{\"a}nnlichen Versuchspersonen zeigte sich in Folge der Akquisition ein st{\"a}rkerer Abfall der Valenz f{\"u}r den CS+ in der Gruppe der Stathmin1 T Alleltr{\"a}ger, die ebenfalls eine st{\"a}rkere Generalisierung der Furchtreaktion, abgebildet in allen verbalen Maßen, aufwiesen. Ein gegenteiliger Befund ergab sich f{\"u}r die Gruppe der Frauen, insofern eine mit dem Stathmin1 C Allel assoziierte h{\"o}here Generalisierung der Valenz, des Arousals und der Kontingenzerwartung festgestellt werden konnte. F{\"u}r den COMT Val158Met Genotyp ergaben sich keine Einfl{\"u}sse auf die Akquisition der konditionierten Furcht. F{\"u}r Tr{\"a}ger des COMT 158Val Allels zeigte sich jedoch eine st{\"a}rkere Generalisierung der Valenz und der Kontingenzerwartung. Auch f{\"u}r den BDNF Val66Met Genotyp konnte keine Ver{\"a}nderung der Furchtakquisition beobachtet werden. Es ergaben sich jedoch Hinweise auf eine erh{\"o}hte Generalisierung der Kontingenzerwartung in der Gruppe der BDNF 66Val Homozygoten. F{\"u}r keinen der beschriebenen Faktoren konnte ein Einfluss auf die Furchtkonditionierung oder deren Generalisierung anhand der SCR abgebildet werden. Unsere Ergebnisse weisen auf einen psychometrisch erfassbaren Faktor und genetische Einfl{\"u}sse hin, die {\"u}ber den Prozess einer st{\"a}rkeren Generalisierung der konditionierten Furcht das Risiko f{\"u}r die Entstehung von Angsterkrankungen erh{\"o}hen k{\"o}nnen. Jedoch sollten die Befunde in gr{\"o}ßeren Stichproben repliziert werden. Neben der fr{\"u}hzeitigen Identifikation von Risikofaktoren sollten in zuk{\"u}nftigen Studien dar{\"u}ber hinaus wirksame Maßnahmen zur Pr{\"a}vention und Intervention entwickelt werden, um diesem Risiko entgegen zu wirken.}, subject = {Konditionierung}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Beinicke2017, author = {Beinicke, Andrea}, title = {Career Construction Across the Life Span: Career Choice and Career Development}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-117447}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2017}, abstract = {This dissertation contributes to deepen our understanding of constructs that play a key role in individuals' vocational career construction. In this regard, many previous studies have focused exclusively on a specific phase of an individual's career. Yet, modern societies require continuous investments in one's career to adapt to changing Environments throughout the life span. Consequently, this dissertation takes a broad approach to capture a wide spectrum of career construction processes. According to Super's (1990) developmental stage framework, individuals have to manage vocational developmental tasks corresponding to each of the developmental life stages in order to be career mature across the life span. As the two stages exploration and maintenance set the stage for individuals' future career pathways, they are especially important in individuals' vocational career construction. Therefore, both of them are addressed in this dissertation. By answering open research questions relevant to career choice in early career stages and to career development in later career stages, this dissertation contributes to the overarching goal of shedding more light on constructs relevant to individuals' vocational career construction processes across the life span. Beyond the results presented within each study's horizon, this dissertation aimed at offering practical guidance to career counselors, trainees, and training and development (T\&D) professionals. Career counselors and T\&D professionals are involved in guiding vocational career construction processes of individuals across the life span. Thus, on the one hand, this dissertation supports career counselors' work so that they can help deliberating individuals make optimal and effective career choices. On the other hand, this dissertation facilitates T\&D professionals' work so that they can effectively design and evaluate e-learning and classroom trainings in corporate educational settings. Identifying individuals' vocational interests combined with cognitive abilities through adequate test measures and maximizing success of learning and success of transfer through fostering evidence-based transfer support actions will help individuals adapt quickly to the changing nature of work environments in the 21st century and to continue to successfully construct careers across the life span.}, subject = {Karriere}, language = {en} } @article{BellingerWehrmannRohdeetal.2023, author = {Bellinger, Daniel and Wehrmann, Kristin and Rohde, Anna and Schuppert, Maria and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Flohr-Jost, Michael and Gall, Dominik and Pauli, Paul and Deckert, J{\"u}rgen and Herrmann, Martin J. and Erhardt-Lehmann, Angelika}, title = {The application of virtual reality exposure versus relaxation training in music performance anxiety: a randomized controlled study}, series = {BMC Psychiatry}, volume = {23}, journal = {BMC Psychiatry}, doi = {10.1186/s12888-023-05040-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-357833}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Background Performance anxiety is the most frequently reported anxiety disorder among professional musicians. Typical symptoms are - on a physical level - the consequences of an increase in sympathetic tone with cardiac stress, such as acceleration of heartbeat, increase in blood pressure, increased respiratory rate and tremor up to nausea or flush reactions. These symptoms can cause emotional distress, a reduced musical and artistical performance up to an impaired functioning. While anxiety disorders are preferably treated using cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure, this approach is rather difficult for treating music performance anxiety since the presence of a public or professional jury is required and not easily available. The use of virtual reality (VR) could therefore display an alternative. So far, no therapy studies on music performance anxiety applying virtual reality exposure therapy have investigated the therapy outcome including cardiovascular changes as outcome parameters. Methods This mono-center, prospective, randomized and controlled clinical trial has a pre-post design with a follow-up period of 6 months. 46 professional and semi-professional musicians will be recruited and allocated randomly to an VR exposure group or a control group receiving progressive muscle relaxation training. Both groups will be treated over 4 single sessions. Music performance anxiety will be diagnosed based on a clinical interview using ICD-10 and DSM-5 criteria for specific phobia or social anxiety. A behavioral assessment test is conducted three times (pre, post, follow-up) in VR through an audition in a concert hall. Primary outcomes are the changes in music performance anxiety measured by the German B{\"u}hnenangstfragebogen and the cardiovascular reactivity reflected by heart rate variability (HRV). Secondary outcomes are changes in blood pressure, stress parameters such as cortisol in the blood and saliva, neuropeptides, and DNA-methylation. Discussion The trial investigates the effect of VR exposure in musicians with performance anxiety compared to a relaxation technique on anxiety symptoms and corresponding cardiovascular parameters. We expect a reduction of anxiety but also a consecutive improvement of HRV with cardiovascular protective effects. Trial registration This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov. (ClinicalTrials.gov Number: NCT05735860)}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Benhima2009, author = {Benhima, Ghadah}, title = {Die Konzeptionen der neurotischen, hysterischen und psychasthenischen Pers{\"o}nlichkeiten bei Pierre Janet}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-51424}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2009}, abstract = {In dieser Dissertation werden die Begriffe Hysterie und Psychasthenie aus der Hinsicht Pierre Janet, franz{\"o}sischen Arztes des 19. Jahrhundert, anhand zahlreicher Fallbeispiele beschrieben.}, subject = {Hysterie}, language = {de} } @article{BerlijnHildebrandtGamer2022, author = {Berlijn, Adam M. and Hildebrandt, Lea K. and Gamer, Matthias}, title = {Idiosyncratic viewing patterns of social scenes reflect individual preferences}, series = {Journal of Vision}, volume = {22}, journal = {Journal of Vision}, number = {13}, doi = {10.1167/jov.22.13.10}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-301029}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In general, humans preferentially look at conspecifics in naturalistic images. However, such group-based effects might conceal systematic individual differences concerning the preference for social information. Here, we investigated to what degree fixations on social features occur consistently within observers and whether this preference generalizes to other measures of social prioritization in the laboratory as well as the real world. Participants carried out a free viewing task, a relevance taps task that required them to actively select image regions that are crucial for understanding a given scene, and they were asked to freely take photographs outside the laboratory that were later classified regarding their social content. We observed stable individual differences in the fixation and active selection of human heads and faces that were correlated across tasks and partly predicted the social content of self-taken photographs. Such relationship was not observed for human bodies indicating that different social elements need to be dissociated. These findings suggest that idiosyncrasies in the visual exploration and interpretation of social features exist and predict real-world behavior. Future studies should further characterize these preferences and elucidate how they shape perception and interpretation of social contexts in healthy participants and patients with mental disorders that affect social functioning.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Berner2007, author = {Berner, Michael P.}, title = {Sensory and motor components of highly skilled action sequences}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-23324}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2007}, abstract = {A series of experiments was conducted in order to investigate motor contributions to learning highly skilled action sequences in contrast to sensory contributions. Experiments 1-4 made use of a bimanual-bisequential variant of the serial reaction time task: Presentation of imperative stimuli was arranged such that participants' left-hand and right-hand responses followed different sequences independently of one another, thus establishing a compound sequence spanning both hands. At least partly independent learning of the two concurrently implemented hand-related sequences was demonstrated after extensive practice under condi-tions of both simultaneous (Experiments 1 \& 2) and alternating (Experiments 3 \& 4) stimulus presentation and responding. It persisted when there was only one imperative stimulus for presenting both hand-related sequences (Experiments 2-4) instead of two separate imperative stimuli (Experiments 1 \& 2), one for each sequence, even when the hand-related sequences were correlated and massive integrated learning of the compound sequence occurred (Ex-periment 4). As for the nature of the independently acquired sequence representations, trans-ferable sequence knowledge was acquired only when there was a separate imperative stimulus for each sequence (Experiments 1 \& 2) but not otherwise (Experiments 2-4). The most likely stimulus-based representations which allow for intermanual transfer can be regarded as sen-sory components of highly skilled action sequences, whereas motor components can be con-sidered as being reflected in effector-specific, non-transferable sequence knowledge. The same decomposition logic applies to transferable and non-transferable sequence knowledge observed under conditions of unimanual practice of a single sequence (Experiments 6 \& 7). The advantage of practicing a key press sequence with fingers of one hand as opposed to practicing it with fingers of both hands (Experiment 5) also implicates a motor component as the two assignments were equivalent in all other respects. Moreover, Experiments 6 and 7 showed that hand-specific sequence knowledge can develop after relatively little practice (as little as approximately 120 sequence repetitions). Presumably, this occurs especially in tasks with particularly pronounced requirements for coarticulation between consecutive finger movements. In sum, the present series of experiments provides compelling evidence for an effector-specific component of sequence learning. Albeit relatively small in size, it emerged consistently under various conditions. By contributing to the refinement of sequential action execution it can play a role in attaining high levels of performance.}, language = {en} } @article{BertiVosselGamer2017, author = {Berti, Stefan and Vossel, Gerhard and Gamer, Matthias}, title = {The orienting response in healthy aging: Novelty P3 indicates no general decline but reduced efficacy for fast stimulation rates}, series = {Frontiers in Psychology}, volume = {8}, journal = {Frontiers in Psychology}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01780}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-173651}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Automatic orienting to unexpected changes in the environment is a pre-requisite for adaptive behavior. One prominent mechanism of automatic attentional control is the Orienting Response (OR). Despite the fundamental significance of the OR in everyday life, only little is known about how the OR is affected by healthy aging. We tested this question in two age groups (19-38 and 55-72 years) and measured skin-conductance responses (SCRs) and event-related brain potentials (ERPs) to novels (i.e., short environmental sounds presented only once in the experiment; 10\% of the trials) compared to standard sounds (600 Hz sinusoidal tones with 200 ms duration; 90\% of the trials). Novel and standard stimuli were presented in four conditions differing in the inter-stimulus interval (ISI) with a mean ISI of either 10, 3, 1, or 0.5 s (blocked presentation). In both age groups, pronounced SCRs were elicited by novels in the 10 s ISI condition, suggesting the elicitation of stable ORs. These effects were accompanied by pronounced N1 and frontal P3 amplitudes in the ERP, suggesting that automatic novelty processing and orientation of attention are effective in both age groups. Furthermore, the SCR and ERP effects declined with decreasing ISI length. In addition, differences between the two groups were observable with the fastest presentation rates (i.e., 1 and 0.5 s ISI length). The most prominent difference was a shift of the peak of the frontal positivity from around 300 to 200 ms in the 19-38 years group while in the 55-72 years group the amplitude of the frontal P3 decreased linearly with decreasing ISI length. Taken together, this pattern of results does not suggest a general decline in processing efficacy with healthy aging. At least with very rare changes (here, the novels in the 10 s ISI condition) the OR is as effective in healthy older adults as in younger adults. With faster presentation rates, however, the efficacy of the OR decreases. This seems to result in a switch from novelty to deviant processing in younger adults, but less so in the group of older adults.}, language = {en} }