IUSB Department of Psychology faculty publications and conference presentations

Permanent link for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/2022/20136

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Now showing 1 - 9 of 9

Large and Small Field Inflation from Hyperbolic Sigma Models
(American Physical Society, 2022) Schimmrigk, Rolf
Long standing themes in inflation include the issue of large field vs. small field inflation as well as the question what fraction of phase space leads to sufficient inflation and furthermore is compatible with the experimental data. In the present paper, these issues are discussed in the context of modular inflation, a specialization of the framework of automorphic nonlinear σ models associated to homogeneous spaces G=K in which the continuous shift symmetry group G is weakly broken to discrete subgroups Γ. The target spaces of these theories inherit a curved structure from the group G, which in the case of modular invariant inflation leads to a hyperbolic field space geometry. It is shown that in this class of models the symmetry structure leads to both large and small field inflationary trajectories within a single modular inflation model. The present paper analyzes the concrete model of j-inflation, a hyperbolic model with nontrivial inflation interactions. It describes in some detail the structure of the initial conditions, including a systematic analysis of several phenomenological functions on the target space, leading to constraints on the curvature scalar of the field space by upcoming experiments, as well as a discussion of the scaling behavior of the spectral index, the finite volume fraction of the field space leading to sufficient inflation, the attractor behavior of j-inflation, and a comparison of inflation trajectories vs. target space geodesics. The tensor-ratio analysis shows that j-inflation is an interesting target for upcoming ground and satellite experiments.
Religious / Spiritual: Differences in Substance or Style?
(Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, 2012) Ladd, Kevin L.; Ladd, Meleah
While scholars debate the terms “spiritual” and “religious,” people readily self-identify as “spiritual not religious (SNR),” “religious not spiritual (RNS),” “both spiritual and religious (BSR),” or “neither spiritual nor religious (NONE).” This study investigated how these self labels related to the substance and style of people’s prayers and other faith-based features. Respondents (N = 103) completed an internet survey. RNS and NSR did not have enough respondents for analysis. BSR and SNR groups were indistinguishable with regard to the substance of their prayers and perceptions of God as loving or controlling. Likewise the two groups equally valued their faith positions as important for self-identity. BSR reported greater nearness to God. BSR and SNR respondents were significantly different on many style related characteristics (e.g., attendance at formal services; frequency and duration of prayer; age at first prayer). They were similar in their preferences for praying alone. These results suggest that the differences between claiming the designation of “religious” and / or “spiritual” may have more to do with the style than the substance of the faith system embraced.
Conceptualizing ‘‘Prayer’’ for an East–West Dialogue and Beyond
(Springer, 2016-11-16) Ladd, Kevin L.; Ladd, Meleah L.; Sahai, Nupur
Early in the American psychology of religion, prayer was a central topic, emphasizing the ‘‘self’’ (James in Varieties of religious experience. Longmans, Green, New York, 1902) and social activity (Strong in The psychology of prayer. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1909). These writings, and contemporary efforts as well, typically conceptualize prayer as a theistically directed activity of communication, locating the work firmly in Western faith traditions. While this orientation captures a portion of the practice within those traditions, it is difficult to carry that definition over into comparative studies with Eastern practices. The present paper explores alternative ways to think about prayer and analogous activities that may facilitate an East–West dialogue. In addition, non-theistic formulations may help extend the conversation to encompass the spiritual practices of people not associated with any sort of traditionally bounded belief system. Keyword: Religion, Spirituality, Prayer, History, Theory, Review
The Close-up Eye-asymmetry Visual Metaphor Communicates the Abject: Evidence from Batman and Superman Comics
(Editorial Universidad de Alcalá, 2021) Juricevic, Igor
A distinctive theme of Gothic narratives is the abject. A character that is abject threatens to disrupt boundaries, both personal and societal. As such, the abject character must be rejected or destroyed by society. In this study, I propose that the visual metaphor of Close-Up Eye Asymmetry (CUE-A) com- municates the concept of the abject in Gothic narratives. I then investigate this proposal by comparing how often CUE-A is used when depicting Batman compared to Superman in comic books. Overall, I provide evidence that: (1) Batman is more Gothic than Superman, (2) Batman is more abject than Su- perman, and (3) Batman is depicted with CUE-A more often than Superman. Taken together, this shows that CUE-A co-occurs with the concept of the abject in Gothic narratives, supporting the idea that the CUE-A visual metaphor does, in fact, communicate the abject in Gothic narratives. Keywords: Gothic, visual metaphor, abjection, Batman, Superman
Young children revise explanations in response to new evidence
(Elsevier, 2018) Legare, Christine H.; Schult, Carolyn; Impola, Milla; Souza, Andre L.
Revising explanations when faced with new evidence is essential to the learning process. Two studies with 3- to 6-year-olds examined the capacity to generate and revise explanations in response to different kinds of evidence within and across domains. In Study 1 (N = 60) children were presented with new evidence about an alternative individual preference that was inconsistent with children’s prior beliefs. In Study 2 (N = 60) the new evidence was biological rather than psychological. The data demonstrate that children are more likely to first explain inconsistent than consistent psychological outcomes and that children revise explanations for inconsistent outcomes in response to new evidence, both within and across domains. Keywords: belief revision; cognitive development; causal reasoning; explanation; explanation revision; scientific reasoning
Psychophysiology and imaging of visual cortical functions in the blind: A review
(Behavioural Neurology, 2008) Simon-Dack, Stephanie Lynn; Rodriguez, P. Dennis; Teder-Sälejärvi, Wolfgang Alexander
Imaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and psychophysiological recordings of the congenitally blind have confirmed functional activation of the visual cortex but have not extensively explained the functional significance of these activation patterns in detail. This review systematically examines research on the role of the visual cortex in processing spatial and non-visual information, highlighting research on individuals with early and late onset blindness. Here, we concentrate on the methods utilized in studying visual cortical activation in early blind participants, including positron emissions tomography (PET), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and electrophysiological data, specifically event-related potentials (ERPs). This paper summarizes and discusses findings of these studies. We hypothesize how mechanisms of cortical plasticity are expressed in congenitally in comparison to adventitiously blind and short-term visually deprived sighted participants and discuss potential approaches for further investigation of these mechanisms in future research. Keywords: Visual function, plasticity, blind, brain imaging, EEG, ERP, fMRI, PET, TMS
Activation of Brian Attention Systems in Individuals with Symptoms of ADHD
(Hindawi, 2007) Rodriguez, P. Dennis; Baylis, Gordon C.
Previous research investigating attention and impulse control in individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has largely ignored the symptomatic differences among the three subtypes of ADHD: ADHD-Inattentive Type, ADHD-Hyperactive/Impulsive Type, and ADHD-Combined Type. The present study examined attention and impulse control by focusing on these subtypes. Based on their self-reported symptoms of ADHD, participants belonged to one of four groups: ADHD-Inattentive, ADHD-Hyperactive/Impulsive, ADHD-Combined, and control. Cortical activity was recorded from participants during performance of a Go/NoGo task. The event-related potentials (ERP) measured at frontal and posterior sites discriminated between the control group and participants with symptoms of ADHD. The control group consistently exhibited a higher P3 amplitude than all the ADHD groups. The main difference occurred at the frontal site, indicating that individuals with ADHD symptoms have deficits in the anterior attentional system, which mediates signal detection. Behavioral measures of signal sensitivity revealed that the ADHD-Inattentive and the ADHD-Hyperactive/Impulsive groups had more difficulty with the attention-demanding Go/NoGo respond-to-target task, while behavioral measures of response bias indicated that the ADHD-Hyperactive/Impulsive and the ADHD-Combined groups responded more liberally in the inhibition-demanding Go/NoGo suppress-to-target task.
Long-term Adjustment After Surviving Open Heart Surgery: The Effect of Using Prayer for Coping Replicated in a Prospective Design
(The Gerontologist, Vol. 50, No. 6, 798-809, 2010) Ai, A. L.; Peterson, C.; Cook, C. A.; Shearer, M.; Koenig, H. G.; Ladd, Kevin L.
Purpose: Despite the growing evidence for effects of religious factors on cardiac health in general populations, findings are not always consistent in sicker and older populations. We previously demonstrated that short-term negative outcomes (depression and anxiety) among older adults following open heart surgery are partially alleviated when patients employ prayer as part of their coping strategy. The present study examines multifaceted effects of religious factors on long-term postoperative adjustment, extending our previous findings concerning prayer and coping with cardiac disease. Design and Methods: Analyses capitalized on a preoperative survey and medical variables from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ National Database of patients undergoing open heart surgery. The current participants completed a mailed survey 30 months after surgery. Two hierarchical regressions were performed to evaluate the extent to which religious factors predicted depression and anxiety, after controlling for key demographics, medical indices, and mental health. Results: Predicting lower levels of depression at the follow-up were preoperative use of prayer for coping, optimism, and hope. Predicting lower levels of anxiety at the follow-up were subjective religiousness, marital status, and hope. Predicting poorer adjustment were reverence in religious contexts, preoperative mental health symptoms, and medical comorbidity. Including optimism and hope in the model did not eliminate effects of religious factors. Several other religious factors had no long-term influences. Implications: The influence of religious factors on the long-term postoperative adjustment is independent and complex, with mediating factors yet to be determined. Future research should investigate mechanisms underlying religion-health relations.
“I Heard the Voice. I Felt the Presence”: Prayer, Health and Implications for Clinical Practice
(2015) Esperandio, Mary Rute Gomes; Ladd, Kevin L.
Research concerning the relation between physical health and prayer typically employs an outcome oriented paradigm and results are inconsistent. This is not surprising since prayer per se is not governed by physiological principles. More revealing and logically compelling, but more rare, is literature examining health and prayer from the perspective of the participants. The present study examines the health–prayer experience of 104 Christians in the United States. Data were collected through recorded video interviews and analyzed by means of content analysis. Results show that prayer is used as a context nuanced spiritual tool for: dealing with physical suffering (spiritual-religious coping); sustaining hope and spirituality via a sacred dimension; personal empowerment; self-transcendence. These findings demonstrate that practitioners primarily engage prayer at a spiritual rather than a physical level, underscoring the limitations of a biomedical or “Complementary and Alternative Medicine” perspective that conceptualizes prayer as a mechanism for intentionally improving physical health. In clinical practice, regarding the medical, psychotherapeutic, or pastoral, the challenge is to understand prayer through the framework of the practitioner, in order to affirm its potential in healthcare processes.

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