Neurocognitive underpinnings of face perception: further evidence of distinct person and group perception processes.

A model of social perception is presented and tested. The model is based on cognitive neuroscience models and proposes that the right cerebral hemisphere is more efficient at processing combinations of features whereas the left hemisphere is superior at identifying single features. These processes are hypothesized to produce person and group-based representations, respectively. Individuating or personalizing experience with an outgroup member was expected to facilitate the perception of the individuating features and inhibit the perception of the group features. In the presented study, participants were asked to learn about various ingroup and outgroup targets. Later, participants demonstrated that categorization response speeds to old targets were slower in the left hemisphere than in the right, particularly for outgroup members, as predicted. These findings are discussed for their relevance to models of social perception and stereotyping.

Physical activity and physical activity adherence in the elderly based on smoking status.

This study assessed the impact of current smoking status and lifetime smoking status on physical fitness and physical activity regimen adherence as part of a larger study on walking for exercise in elderly primary care patients at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. At baseline, 218 participants self-reported smoking status which was verified by carbon monoxide expiration. Former and current smokers responded to questions about length of time quit, average daily cigarette intake, and years a smoker. Smoking measures were re-collected at 6- and 12-month follow-ups if the participants indicated a change in smoking status. Veterans completed multiple measures of physical activity (e.g., 6-min walk, 7-day Physical Activity Recall), and adherence to a physical activity goal was assessed. The Physical Component Summary (PCS) subscale of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (MOS SF-36) was used to assess health-related quality of life. Hierarchical regression models indicated smoking status was a predictor of the baseline 6-min walk such that smokers walked significantly shorter distances than nonsmokers. In addition, smoking status was found to be a significant predictor of adherence; however, the overall model that included smoking status as a predictor did not demonstrate a significant effect on adherence. Neither smoking status nor pack years were predictors of baseline self-reported physical activity or changes in physical activity post intervention. Results are consistent with recommendations to use physical exercise as an aid to tobacco cessation, even in aging men with extensive smoking histories.

A confirmatory factor analysis of the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men (ATLG) measure.

The Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay men (ATLG; Herek, 1988) hypothesizes that individuals can have feelings of sexual prejudice toward gay men and lesbians. No research has confirmed the hypothesized factor structure of the ATLG. This study tested four possible factor structures for the ATLG. Results indicate that the hierarchical factor model provided a good description of the ATLG items. A measure of total sexual prejudice was derived. From the hierarchical structure, a measure representing the difference in sexual prejudice toward gay men and lesbians was also computed. Increased religious involvement and the etiology of homosexuality were statistical predictors of overall sexual prejudice, while decreased religious involvement and gender were statistical predictors of differential sexual prejudice toward gay men.

General and smoking cessation related weight concerns in veterans.

This study sought to assess general and cessation related weight concerns in Veterans presenting for QuitSmart, a tobacco cessation program used extensively in the Veteran Affairs system. Assessed were prevalence rates of cessation related weight concerns, the weight at which concerned Veterans would relapse to smoking, characteristics of weight concerned Veterans, and the impact of weight concerns on cessation at the program's end and at the 1-month follow-up. Sixty-seven Veterans participated. Of those, 63 were eligible for cessation analyses. Results suggested that 26.9% were concerned about post-cessation weight gain, the mean and median weights tolerated before relapse were in the 10-12 lb range, and weight concerned Veterans were more likely younger with more general weight concerns. At both time points, Veterans with general weight concerns were much more likely to quit smoking than those without such concerns. At neither time point, were post-cessation weight concerns significantly associated with quit status, though specific concerns remained in predictive models and trends suggested those with cessation related weight concerns were less likely to quit smoking than those without such concerns. Results suggest a significant prevalence rate of general and cessation related weight concerns in Veterans attempting to quit smoking, greater success in doing so if weight concerns are general in nature, and the need to continue to assess these relationships and develop effective cessation treatments for this population.

Predictors of aversive alcohol consequences in a military sample.

The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of risky alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences among postdeployment soldiers. Demobilizing soldiers completed an assessment packet that included questions about demographic factors, relationships, stress, and alcohol-related consequences. Significant predictors of greater alcohol-related consequences, as assessed with the CAGE questionnaire, included fewer years of formal education, male gender, not being in an intimate relationship, racial/ethnic minority status, enlisted rank, having been deployed to the continental United States, and greater stress, whereas significant predictors of drinking and driving included male gender, not being in an intimate relationship, and greater stress. Identifying the predictors of alcohol consequences that occur upon demobilization may aid in determining which soldiers are at risk for such consequences before deployment and may help to maintain military readiness.