Changes in group behaviour in response to a preferred environment reflect positive affect.

When observed in their preferred environments, animals display behavioural changes, such as an increase in resting or a reduction in agonism, suggestive of positive affect and improved welfare. However, most studies focus on the behaviour of individuals or, at most, pairs of animals; even though in group-living animals beneficial environmental changes may impact on how the group behaves as a whole. In this study, we investigated whether experiencing a preferred visual environment affected the shoaling behaviour of zebrafish (Danio rerio) groups. We first confirmed a group preference for an image of gravel placed underneath the base of a tank compared to a plain white image. Second, we observed replicated groups either with or without the preferred (gravel) image present to determine if a visually enriched and preferred environment could elicit changes in shoaling behaviour. We found a significant interaction between the observation time and test condition, with differences in shoaling behaviour reflective of increased relaxation emerging gradually over time in the gravel condition. The findings of this study reveal that experiencing a preferred environment can alter group behaviour, making such holistic changes valuable as potential indicators of positive welfare.

PsicoQuilombologia: escrevivência de uma psicologia das encruzilhadas em tempos pandêmicos / PsychoQuilombology: writexperience of a psychology of crossroads in pandemic times / PsicoQuilombología: escrivivencia de una psicología de la encrucijada en tiempos pandémicos

O texto é um relato de experiência da participação no Grupo de Estudos psicoQuilombologia ocorrida nos meses de setembro de 2020 a março de 2021, período atravessado pela segunda onda da pandemia de COVID-19 no Brasil. O objetivo do relato é apresentar o conceito-movimento de psicoQuilombologia como uma proposta epistemológica quilombola de agenciamento de cuidado e saúde, com base em uma escuta que se faça descolonial e inspirada no fecundo e ancestral acervo de cuidado dos povos africanos, quilombolas e pretos, preservado e atualizado em nossos quilombos contemporâneos. A metodologia utilizada é a escrevivência, método desenvolvido por Conceição Evaristo que propõe uma escrita em que as vivência e memórias estão totalmente entrelaçadas, imersas e imbricadas com a pesquisa. O resultado das escrevivências dessa pesquisa descortinam que os povos pretos desenvolveram práticas de cuidado e acolhimento às vulnerabilidades do outro, enraizadas no fortalecimento de laços e conexões coletivas de afetos e cuidado mútuos. Práticas de cuidado que articulam memória, ancestralidade, tradição, comunidade, transformação, luta, resistência e emancipação, engendrando modos coletivos de ser e viver. Nas quais cuidar do outro implica tratar suas relações e situar o cuidado como extensão de uma cura que se agencia no coletivo. O trabalho conclui apontando que o cenário pandêmico vigente acentua a pungência de se desenvolver estratégias de cuidado baseadas em epistemologias pretas e quilombolas, valorizando os sentidos de ancestralidade, comunidade, pertencimento e emancipação.(AU)

The text is an experience report of the participation in the psicoQuilombology Study Group that carried out from September 2020 to March 2021, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. The purpose of the report is to introduce the concept-movement of psicoQuilombology as a quilombola epistemological proposal for the development of care and health, based on a decolonial listening and inspired by the rich care collection of African peoples, quilombolas and Blacks, preserved and updated in our contemporary quilombos. The methodology used is writexperience [escrevivências], a method developed by Conceição Evaristo who proposes a writing in that the experiences and memories are totally involved with the research. The result of the writability of this research show that Black people have developed practices of care and acceptance of the other's vulnerabilities, based on the strengthening of ties and collective connections of mutual affection and care. Care practices that mix memory, ancestry, tradition, community, transformation, struggle, resistance and emancipation, outlining collective ways of being and living. The core idea is that taking care of the other means treating your relationships and maintaining care as an extension of a cure that takes place in the collective. The paper concludes by pointing out that the current pandemic scenario demonstrates the urgent need to develop care strategies based on black and quilombola epistemologies, valuing the senses of ancestry, community, belonging and emancipation.(AU)

Este es un reporte de experiencia de la participación en el Grupo de Estudio psicoQuilombología que ocurrió en los meses de septiembre de 2020 a marzo de 2021, periodo en que Brasil afrontaba la segunda ola de la pandemia de la COVID-19. Su propósito es presentar el concepto-movimiento de psicoQuilombología como una propuesta epistemológica quilombola para el desarrollo del cuidado y la salud, basada en una escucha decolonial e inspirada en el rico acervo asistencial de los pueblos africanos, quilombolas y negros, conservado y actualizado en nuestros quilombos contemporáneos. La metodología utilizada es la escrivivencia, un método desarrollado por Conceição Evaristo quien propone una escrita en que las vivencias y los recuerdos están totalmente involucrados con la investigación. El resultado de la escrivivencia muestra que las personas negras han desarrollado prácticas de cuidado y aceptación de las vulnerabilidades del otro, basadas en el fortalecimiento de lazos y conexiones colectivas de afecto y cuidado mutuos. Prácticas de cuidado que mezclan memoria, ascendencia, tradición, comunidad, transformación, lucha, resistencia y emancipación, perfilando formas colectivas de ser y vivir. El cuidar al otro significa tratar sus relaciones y mantener el cuidado como una extensión de una cura que tiene lugar en lo colectivo. El trabajo concluye que el actual escenario pandémico demuestra la urgente necesidad de desarrollar estrategias de atención basadas en epistemologías negras y quilombolas, y que valoren los sentidos de ascendencia, comunidad, pertenencia y emancipación.(AU)

[A manner of voicing, the mass hysteria]. / Une manière de s'exprimer, l;hystérie collective.

INTRODUCTION: Mass hysteria is defined as the epidemic occurrence of a succession of physical symptoms without organic disorder or identifiable illness agents. The hysteria epidemic has been described since the Middle Ages, reported in different cultures and religions and affects different populations throughout the world. Few studies on the subject have been under takenin Madagascar. We aim at describing in this study the clinical and therapeutic aspects of a mass hysteria that has occurred in the South of Madagascar. METHODOLOGY: The study is retrospective and prospective at the same time. It concerns the victims of a mass hysteria that had occurred in a village (Ikalahazo) in the South of Madagascar,from the 6th of April 2009 to the 7th of May 2009. Patients exhibiting clinical symptoms ofconversive behavior and having undergone an assessment in hospital surroundings represent the object of this study. During the study period, 27 cases of young women were reported, 22 ofthem were sent to the University Hospital Center of Fianarantsoa (UHCF), a referring center o fthe region, for a thorough clinical examination. Demographic data, the clinical aspects and thecare and treatment provided are the studied parameters. RESULT: During a land ownership dissension that drags on endlessly in Ikalahazo village, exclusively 27 young women, between 8 and 21 years old, presented atypical symptoms, strangedisorders. A first case appeared on the 6th of April 2009, that is to say a month before alarge manifestation of the crisis. A similar case was observed two years ago, but it was an isolated case. The symptoms, primarily with motive manifestation, extended rapidly but remainedhowever limited, susceptible to the "Mpiandry" (literally "shepherds") advice. As the villagers believed that spiteful spirits were at the origin of the deeds, they appealed to the latter. Facing the symptoms persistence, the Neuropsychiatry Unit employees of the CHUF were sent to the village on the 6th of May 2009. The intense adhesion of villagers to a belief in satanic misdeedscomplicated their somatic assessment, the results of which showed no distinctive features. At the end of the land dissension proceedings that was resolved in favor of the villagers, and after the isolation of the "madwomen" in the Mpiandry's camp, no more pathological cases related to the above occurrence were reported. CONCLUSION: A mass hysteria diagnosis is retained. It is favored and kept up by local dissensions,by the villagers' belief and its large media casting, thanks to the shepherds' presence. It mingles culture, tradition and modern psychiatry. Therefore, care and treatment of the disorder to be appropriate and optimal require the cooperation between these three spheres.

Current-oriented swimming by jellyfish and its role in bloom maintenance.

Cross-flows (winds or currents) affect animal movements [1-3]. Animals can temporarily be carried off course or permanently carried away from their preferred habitat by drift depending on their own traveling speed in relation to that of the flow [1]. Animals able to only weakly fly or swim will be the most impacted (e.g., [4]). To circumvent this problem, animals must be able to detect the effects of flow on their movements and respond to it [1, 2]. Here, we show that a weakly swimming organism, the jellyfish Rhizostoma octopus, can orientate its movements with respect to currents and that this behavior is key to the maintenance of blooms and essential to reduce the probability of stranding. We combined in situ observations with first-time deployment of accelerometers on free-ranging jellyfish and simulated the behavior observed in wild jellyfish within a high-resolution hydrodynamic model. Our results show that jellyfish can actively swim countercurrent in response to current drift, leading to significant life-history benefits, i.e., increased chance of survival and facilitated bloom formation. Current-oriented swimming may be achieved by jellyfish either directly detecting current shear across their body surface [5] or indirectly assessing drift direction using other cues (e.g., magnetic, infrasound). Our coupled behavioral-hydrodynamic model provides new evidence that current-oriented swimming contributes to jellyfish being able to form aggregations of hundreds to millions of individuals for up to several months, which may have substantial ecosystem and socioeconomic consequences [6, 7]. It also contributes to improve predictions of jellyfish blooms' magnitude and movements in coastal waters.

Justice at the margins: witches, poisoners, and social accountability in northern Uganda.

Recent responses to people alleged to be 'witches' or 'poisoners' among the Madi of northern Uganda are compared with those of the 1980s. The extreme violence of past incidents is set in the context of contemporary upheavals and, in effect, encouragement from Catholic and governmental attitudes and initiatives. Mob justice has subsequently become less common. From 2006, a democratic system for dealing with suspects was introduced, whereby those receiving the highest number of votes are expelled from the neighborhood or punished in other ways. These developments are assessed with reference to trends in supporting 'traditional' approaches to social accountability and social healing as alternatives to more conventional measures. Caution is required. Locally acceptable hybrid systems may emerge, but when things turn nasty, it is usually the weak and vulnerable that suffer.

Massa e poder: das maltas à paranoia / Crowds and power: from packs to paranoia

A autora destaca do livro Massa e poder, de Elias Canetti, aspectos referentes às maltas, os mais primitivos agrupamentos humanos, o seu conceito de poder e a relação das massas com as ordens. Canetti faz um paralelo entre estes aspectos de massa com o caso Schreber. Essa abordagem permitiu uma maior evidência do papel das massas na psicologia do indivíduo e uma expansão do campo de investigação psicanalítica. O filme 2001 - Uma odisseia no espaço, de Stanley Kubrick, serviu de moldura para este artigo.

The author highlights in the book Crowds and Power by Elias Canetti, some aspects related to the packs as the most primitive human groupings, the concept of power and the relationship between the masses to orders. Canetti draws a parallel between these aspects of masses with Schreber's case study. This approach has allowed better understanding of role of the mass on the psychology of individuals and an expansion of the psychoanalytical investigation field. The Stanley Kubrick's film, 2001 - A Space Odyssey, was used as a frame for this article.

Massa e poder: das maltas à paranoia / Crowds and power: from packs to paranoia

A autora destaca do livro Massa e poder, de Elias Canetti, aspectos referentes às maltas, os mais primitivos agrupamentos humanos, o seu conceito de poder e a relação das massas com as ordens. Canetti faz um paralelo entre estes aspectos de massa com o caso Schreber. Essa abordagem permitiu uma maior evidência do papel das massas na psicologia do indivíduo e uma expansão do campo de investigação psicanalítica. O filme 2001 - Uma odisseia no espaço, de Stanley Kubrick, serviu de moldura para este artigo.(AU)

The author highlights in the book Crowds and Power by Elias Canetti, some aspects related to the packs as the most primitive human groupings, the concept of power and the relationship between the masses to orders. Canetti draws a parallel between these aspects of masses with Schreber's case study. This approach has allowed better understanding of role of the mass on the psychology of individuals and an expansion of the psychoanalytical investigation field. The Stanley Kubrick's film, 2001 - A Space Odyssey, was used as a frame for this article.(AU)

Collective trauma processing: dissociation as a way of processing postwar traumatic stress in Guinea Bissau.

Guidelines on psychosocial interventions in postconflict areas commonly mention that interventions should be based on local needs and be built on culture-specific expertise. This paper is based on a dissociative cult, the Kiyang-yang (KYY), in Guinea Bissau. In a previous article, we used a refined definition of the concept of idiom of distress to analyze the dissociative behavior displayed in KYY as a symbolic language addressing politically dangerous truths. This paper uses the concept of "collective trauma processing" to analyze how the idiom offered the local population a pathway to mitigate the consequences of protracted and widespread political violence. The paper first argues that the field of psychotraumatology lacks a comprehensive ecological theory on trauma. Moreover, within clinical psychology and psychiatry, little attention is paid to local cultural healing mechanisms addressing traumatic stress. This paper is an effort to study such mechanisms in their own right. To compare trauma processing mechanisms across the globe, we propose to analyze trauma processing mechanisms with the help of a comprehensive model discerning five ontological dimensions that are considered to be involved in suffering and are addressed in healing approaches. Our paper describes similarities and differences between psychological healing traditions and collective trauma processing within the West African context of Guinea Bissau. We will illustrate how the KYY movement uses the idiom of dissociation as both a collective expression of distress and as a vehicle to process social suffering and traumatic stress as a circular phenomenon.

Involuntary mass spirit possession among the Miskitu.

This paper seeks to understand the outbreaks and the development of grisi siknis, a form of mass spirit possession among the Miskitu of north-eastern Nicaragua. Earlier documented outbreaks typically involved a few adolescents, however, in recent years, violent large-scale epidemics have taken place, involving many people of all ages. This has coincided with recent developments in Miskitu society marked by conflicts, contradictions and tense social relations. The anthropological field technique of participant-observation was used. The research took place during 11 months from 2005 to 2008 in the port town of Puerto Cabezas. A total of 38 informants were interviewed. Group discussions, narratives and informal and semi-structured interviews were carried out, as well as participation in healing rituals. The paper shows that socio-economic, cultural, personal as well as environmental factors all contribute to outbreaks of grisi siknis. The affliction has previously been considered a 'culture-bound syndrome' only occurring among the Miskitu. However, when viewed in a more contemporary context and cross-cultural perspective, grisi siknis shows similarities with other forms of involuntary mass spirit possession, particularly in the ways it is manifested, experienced and appears to be spreading. The paper argues that the phenomenon should no longer be considered a 'culture-bound condition' but in fact a Miskitu version of involuntary mass spirit possession. Further research that seeks to understand other forms of involuntary mass spirit possession should emphasize the social, personal and environmental context as well as cross-cultural comparisons in order to encompass fully the role of culture in relation to illness and suffering.

[Development of a vulgarity scale based on Ortega's "The revolt of the masses"].

This study developed a scale measuring the spiritual vulgarity of the masses, based upon Ortega's "The revolt of the masses" (1957). A questionnaire was constructed with forty items, based on Ortega's descriptions of the characteristics of the spiritual vulgarity of the masses. The questionnaire was completed by 200 university students. The results of factor analysis of the vulgarity measurements yielded two subscales; autistic attitude and contumelious attitude. The two scales were correlated with other existing measures of social values, which was further evidence of validity.

Mass hysteria revisited.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Instances of mass psychogenic response have occurred throughout history, and across population groups; however, the present-day threat of terrorism and biological warfare is expected to enhance societal vulnerability to epidemics of such events. This paper provides a brief review of the current state of knowledge regarding the conceptualization, diagnosis, and management of mass psychogenic response. RECENT FINDINGS: Various terms are nowadays used to denote mass hysteria, such as 'mass psychogenic illness' and 'mass sociogenic illness'. Recent studies investigating personality types predisposed to mass hysteric reactions are inconclusive with a range of results found. Cognitive models of this condition have been effective in promoting empowerment and adaptation among vulnerable individuals. The actions of governments, medical communities, and the media are pivotal in the management of mass hysteria. SUMMARY: The diagnosis of mass hysteria remains contentious, and the mechanisms underlying its perpetuation are similarly ambiguous. The prevalence of 'threat' within the modern sociocultural climate is likely to increase the incidence of the condition, and this could result in serious implications for health services. A holistic approach entailing the collaboration of various public sectors performing a range of preventive activities will be required to contain future mass psychogenic reactions.

[Saint Orosia's convulsionaries]. / Los convulsionarios de Santa Orosia.

Annual outbreaks of mass motor hysteria have been observed in the past during some religious celebrations. In Jaca, a Northern Spanish town close to the Pyrenees, the convulsionaries have been well known since the eleventh century, though little attention has been paid to this phenomenon in the medical literature. Pilgrims from remote parts of the valleys gathered in procession on June 25th in front of Saint Orosia sarcophagus. Epileptics, psychotics, the paralyzed and hysterics joined the procession looking for healing together with in exorcist rituals. Reig and Gascó, a military physician, described in 1881 the atmosphere of fervour, ignorance and vestigial paganism accompanying these unusual behaviours. Saint Orosia's convulsionaries ended in 1947 following prohibition by local Catholic Authorities, probably the recurrent outbreak of mass motor hysteria lasting to most recent years in Europe.

Witchcraft or mycotoxin? The Salem witch trials.

BACKGROUND: The Salem witchcraft trials of 1692 have been studied by many historians looking for the complex social, political, and psychological determinants behind the community-wide hysteria that led to a travesty of justice and the deaths of 20 innocent Puritans. Recently, ergot poisoning has been put forth by some as a previously unsuspected cause of the bizarre behaviors of the young adolescent girls who accused the townsfolk of witchcraft. In this essay the circumstances behind the ergot poisoning theory for this historical event are described. When the evidence is weighed carefully both pro and con, it seems unlikely that ergotism explains much of what went on in colonial Salem.

[Coexistence of mass hysteria, konzo and HTLV-1 virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo]. / Coexistence hystérie collective, konzo et virus HTLV-1 en République Démocratique du Congo.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in Pindi located 115 kilometers from Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo to characterize a local school epidemic involving paralysis of the lower extremities, identify risk factors, and establish differential diagnosis with konzo and spastic paralysis related to human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). Data was obtained using a qualitative approach based on records, interviews, focus group technique, and neurological examination. Blood tests using the ELISA and western blot tests were performed to detect HTLV-1 and HIV 1 and 2. A total of 41 cases of paralysis were observed between 1994 and 1998. All patients were female and most (n = 28) were between the ages of 16 and 20 at the time of the study. The majority of cases were recorded in 1998 (31 prevalent cases and 16 incidents). Epidemiological data, clinical findings, and laboratory tests suggested that the etiology was mass hysteria with somatic conversion rather than toxic or viral causes in most cases. The psychosocial environment played an important role in the spread of the epidemic. These findings demonstrate the crucial role of the psychosocial environment in the occurrence of mass hysteria and support use of integrated health programs in developing countries.

Fabricated trauma exposure: an analysis of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional factors.

The 1995 Oklahoma City bombing was a disaster of unparalleled dimension in the United States. The professional response included the development of systematic clinical and research programs. This article describes the case of a child who, as a participant in a research study, appeared to fabricate a story of bomb-related loss. The research and clinical records of this child were examined and analyzed according to the factors and conditions that might underlie this fabrication. These include issues related to memory and suggestibility, symptom contagion, and mass hysteria. The report describes the role of psychological vulnerability in trauma and this child's coping and adaptation.

False allegations of satanic abuse: case studies from the witch panic in Rättvik 1670-71.

The creation of false memories, psychiatric symptoms and false allegations of satanic child abuse during an outbreak of witch hysteria in Sweden in the seventeenth century are described and related to contemporary issues in child testimonies. Case studies of 28 children and 14 adults are presented. The mechanisms underlying the spread of these allegations, as well as the reactions and influence of the adult world on the children's testimonies, are discussed.

Mass hysteria: one syndrome or two?

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that mass hysteria can be divided into two syndromes; one with predominant features of anxiety and the other with predominant abnormalities of motor behaviour. In the former condition, prior tension is absent and spread is by visual contact. In the latter, prior tension is present, initial cases can be identified and spread is gradual. METHOD: The development and resolution of neurological symptoms in 156 Nigerian school girls were studied and a diagnosis of 'mass hysteria' made. RESULTS: The signs and symptoms manifested by the school girls during the outbreak of illness had features of both 'anxiety' and 'motor' predominant forms of mass hysteria. CONCLUSIONS: Although there may be two patterns of symptom presentation in mass hysteria, other supposedly discrete features overlap. This weakens the argument that there are two separate syndromes.