La psicología ante la disforia de género, más allá de la ideología queer / Psychology and gender dysphoria: Beyond queer ideology

La disforia de género en la infancia y la adolescencia está hoy en día más bajo el domino de la ideología queer que dentro de los conocimientos científicos y profesionales. Este dominio de la ideología se traduce en importantes consecuencias prácticas como la autodeterminación de la identidad de género con base en el sentimiento y la terapia afirmativa de la identidad sentida como la única opción aceptable. Como resultado, quedan fuera de evaluación los aspectos psicológicos y se emprenden transiciones fármaco-quirúrgicas que no resuelven el problema para todos. En particular, surge el nuevo fenómeno de los arrepentidos de haber cambiado de género y destransicionistas que quisieran volver atrás. Las profesiones sanitarias incluida la psicología, así como la psiquiatría y la pediatría, debieran reclamar ante la disforia de género los mismos estándares científicos y profesionales que aplican en los demás problemas, empezando por la exploración, la evaluación, el análisis funcional, el diagnóstico, la prudencia, la espera atenta, en vez de asumir sin más la terapia afirmativa.(AU)

Gender dysphoria in childhood and adolescence is today more under the domain of queer ideology than within scientific and professional knowledge. This dominance of ideology translates into important practical consequences such as self-determination of gender identity based on sentiment and affirmative therapy of felt identity as the only acceptable option. As a result, psychological aspects are left out of evaluation and pharmaco-surgical transitions are undertaken that do not solve the problem for everyone. In particular, there is the new phenomenon of those who regret having changed their gender and detransitionists who would like to reverse the process The health professions, including psychology, as well as psychiatry and paediatrics, should claim the same scientific andprofessional standards for gender dysphoria as they apply to other problems, starting with exploration, evaluation, functional analysis, diagnosis, prudence, attentive waiting, instead of simply assuming affirmative therapy.(AU)

Atención plena (mindfulness): por qué es posible que funcione y por qué es seguro que triunfe / [Mindfulness: Why It Might Work and Why It's Sure to Succeed]

La atención plena (mindfulness) ha desbordado el ámbito clínico y comienza a aplicarse con entusiasmo en la escuela, el deporte o la empresa. La sospecha de que estamos ante una intervención que, aunque probablemente eficaz, tenga un tamaño de efecto pequeño, lo que obliga a realizar investigaciones con gran rigor. Así, solo conociendo los procesos psicológicos implicados en la atención plena podremos tener una visión más realista de su utilidad ante los diferentes problemas. Ante esto, ¿cómo explicar el extraordinario éxito que está obteniendo en Occidente la atención plena, tanto a nivel académico como mundano? Se presentan tres principios conductuales que se practican durante el entrenamiento en atención plena y se denuncia su uso ideológico, que aparece enmarcado, no en la mística existencial ni en el conductismo contextual, sino en la psicología positiva y su agenda neoliberal.

Mindfulness has gone beyond clinical applications and is beginning to be enthusiastically applied in schools, sport, and business settings. It seems to be a type of intervention that, while probably effective, has a small effect size, which calls for rigorous research. Understanding the psychological processes involved in mindfulness is essential in order to achieve a more realistic picture of its usefulness for some behavioral disorders. How can we explain the extraordinary success of mindfulness in western societies, both in academia and in popular culture? We present three behavioral principles and ideological reasons for applying mindfulness. Nowadays, mindfulness is framed not by mystical existentialism or contextual behaviorism, but by positive psychology and its neoliberal agenda.

The Structure of Behavior as Unity of Psychology According to Mariano Yela.

BACKGROUND: As Mariano Yela is one of the most eminent Spanish psychologists, the centenary of his birth is a good occasion to revisit his work. Despite being best known for his contributions to psychometrics, Yela has also made important contributions to theoretical psychology, with particular interest in the question of its unity-diversity. METHOD: Some of his most important theoretical works, presented in various contexts, were reviewed. RESULTS: One conception of psychology and one concern are emphasized throughout his work. The conception of psychology is based on behavior as meaningful action. The concern is to see any possible unity in the diversity of psychology. CONCLUSIONS: The structure of behavior defined by subject, situation and action emerge as the basis on which the unity of psychology could be established. If anything, unity of diversity. Some implications are discussed.

[Empirically Supported Psychological Treatments for Children and Adolescents: State of the Art].

Empirically Supported Psychological Treatments for Children and Adolescents: State of the Art. BACKGROUND: The empirical evidence accumulated on the efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency of psychotherapeutic treatments in children and adolescents calls for an update. The main goal of this paper objective was to carry out a selective review of empirically supported psychological treatments for a variety of common psychological disorders and problems in childhood and adolescence. METHOD: A review was carried out of the psychological treatments for different psychological disorders and problems in social-emotional or behavioral adjustment in the child-adolescent population according to the Spanish National Health System (Clinical Practice Guidelines) levels of evidence and degrees of recommendation. RESULTS: The findings suggest that psychological treatments have empirical support for addressing a wide range of psychological problems in these developmental stages. The degree of empirical support ranges from low to high depending on the phenomenon analyzed. The review suggests unequal progress in the different fields of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: From this update, psychologists will be able to make informed decisions when implementing those empirically supported treatments to address the problems that occur in childhood and adolescence.

[Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments for Adults: A Selective Review]

Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments for Adults: A Selective Review. BACKGROUND: Psychological treatments have shown their efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency in dealing with mental disorders. However, considering the scientific knowledge generated in recent years, in the Spanish context, there are no updating studies about empirically supported psychological treatments. The main goal was to carry out a selective review of the main empirically supported psychological treatments for mental disorders in adults. METHOD: Levels of evidence and degrees of recommendation were collected based on the criteria proposed by the Spanish National Health System (Clinical Practice Guidelines) for different psychological disorders. RESULTS: The results indicate that psychological treatments have empirical support for the approach to a wide range of psychological disorders. These levels of empirical evidence gathered range from low to high depending on the psychological disorder analysed. The review indicates the existence of certain fields of intervention that need further investigation. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this selective review, psychology professionals will be able to have rigorous, up-to-date information that allows them to make informed decisions when implementing empirically based psychotherapeutic procedures based on the characteristics of the people who require help.

¿Qué Nos Importa Skinner, Treinta Años Después? / What Does Skinner Matter, Thirty Years Later?

Se toma el treinta aniversario de la muerte de Skinner como ocasión para visualizar su presencia en la psicología actual y recordar algunas de sus mayores aportaciones. En general, se puede decir que Skinner brilla por su ausencia según abundan temas skinnerianos sin apenas citarlo y sin embargo se echa en falta su presencia según sus aportaciones resolverían algunos importantes problemas de la psicología como ciencia. Temas skinnerianos sin apenas Skinner son las adicciones al juego y las máquinas, el recién redescubierto test proyectivo auditivo (ruido blanco), la economía conductual y el nuevo inconsciente basado en el control ambiental. Aportaciones fundamentales de Skinner como el moldeamiento de la conducta, la conducta operante como unidad funcional y la selección por las consecuencias siguen perentorias para la psicología actual en su persistente deriva dualista, neurocéntrica y esencialista. La ironía es que estas aportaciones revolucionarias en su día, se dan hoy por hecho, sin percibir su alcance teórico y filosófico. Se sugieren algunos aspectos de su importancia más allá de su aplicación práctica ya incorporada. (AU)

The thirtieth anniversary of Skinner’s death is taken as an occasion to visualize his presence in psychology today and remember some of his greatest contributions. In general, it can be said that Skinner is conspicuous by his absence, as there are many Skinnerian themes that barely mention him, and yet his presence is missed as his contributions would solve a number of importantproblems of psychology as a science. Skinnerian themes with hardly anything about Skinner are addictions to games and machines, the newly rediscovered auditory projective test (white noise), behavioral economics, and the new unconscious based onenvironmental control. Skinner’s fundamental contributions such as behavioral shaping, operant behavior as a functional unit, and selection by consequences remain peremptory for current psychology in its dualistic, neurocentric, and essentialist drift. The ironyis that these contributions, revolutionary in their day, are taken for granted today, and their theoretical and philosophical scopeare not perceived. We suggest some aspects of their importance beyond the practical application already incorporated. (AU)

Ecstasy (MDMA): A rebellion coherent with the system.

Aim: This study attempts to demonstrate the relevance of the socio-cultural model of drugs in explaining the impressive development of ecstasy in the last 45 years. Method: First the study describes the use of ecstasy by groups which have left their imprint on the substance: university students, gays, yuppies and the "New Age" movement. Then the link between ecstasy and techno music led to the socially integrated "club" phenomenon, and the "rave", which began as a rupturing, nonconformist phenomenon. Findings: According to this argument, in spite of its clearly counterculture beginnings, the "rave" movement and its most characteristic drug, ecstasy, have gradually become integrated into mainstream culture, somehow reinforcing the functioning of capitalist postmodernity. Our study explains ecstasy's history in reference to the cultural contradictions of capitalism and the functions that it currently fulfils for young people. Based on this analysis, the implications of the cultural perspective are discussed as a paradigm of research in drug use, stressing notions of subculture, myths and rituals. It also proposes a harmonious articulation of academic and common knowledge as the most appropriate method for their study. Conclusion: A cultural approach to drug use could assist in unblocking a field so in need of conceptual and empirical revision.

Tratamientos Psicológicos Empíricamente Apoyados Para Adultos: Una Revisión Selectiva / Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments for Adults: A Selective Review

Antecedentes: los tratamientos psicológicos han mostrado su efi cacia, efectividad y efi ciencia para el abordaje de los trastornos mentales; no obstante, considerando el conocimiento científi co generado en los últimos años, no se dispone de trabajos de actualización en español sobre cuáles son los tratamientos psicológicos con respaldo empírico. El objetivo fue realizar una revisión selectiva de los principales tratamientos psicológicos empíricamente apoyados para el abordaje de trastornos mentales en personas adultas. Método: se recogen niveles de evidencia y grados de recomendación en función de los criterios propuestos por el Sistema Nacional de Salud de España (en las Guías de Práctica Clínica) para diferentes trastornos psicológicos. Resultados: los resultados sugieren que los tratamientos psicológicos disponen de apoyo empírico para el abordaje de un amplio elenco de trastornos psicológicos. El grado de apoyo empírico oscila de bajo a alto en función del trastorno psicológico analizado. La revisión sugiere que ciertos campos de intervención necesitan una mayor investigación. Conclusiones: a partir de esta revisión selectiva, los profesionales de la psicología podrán disponer de información rigurosa y actualizada que les permita tomar decisiones informadas a la hora de implementar aquellos procedimientos psicoterapéuticos empíricamente fundamentados en función de las características de las personas que demandan ayuda. (AU)

Background: Psychological treatments have shown their effi cacy, effectiveness, and effi ciency in dealing with mental disorders. However, considering the scientifi c knowledge generated in recent years, in the Spanish context, there are no updating studies about empirically supported psychological treatments. The main goal was to carry out a selective review of the main empirically supported psychological treatments for mental disorders in adults. Method: Levels of evidence and degrees of recommendation were collected based on the criteria proposed by the Spanish National Health System (Clinical Practice Guidelines) for different psychological disorders. Results: The results indicate that psychological treatments have empirical support for the approach to a wide range of psychological disorders. These levels of empirical evidence gathered range from low to high depending on the psychological disorder analysed. The review indicates the existence of certain fi elds of intervention that need further investigation. Conclusions: Based on this selective review, psychology professionals will be able to have rigorous, up-to-date information that allows them to make informed decisions when implementing empirically based psychotherapeutic procedures based on the characteristics of the people who require help. (AU)

El embrollo científico de la Psicoterapia: Cómo salir / The scientific imbroglio of Psychotherapy: A way out

Se introduce la noción de embrollo como instrumento crítico. Si por un lado sirve para la identificación de un estado confuso de las cosas, por otro invita a su clarificación y salida. Dos embrollos se identifican en la psicoterapia. El primero es el enigma de cómo diferentes psicoterapias tienen, sin embargo, una eficacia similar. Se aclara de acuerdo con tres niveles de análisis: ontológico (distinguiendo entidades naturales versus interactivas), antropológico (factores comunes de las psicoterapias) y psicológico (ciertos efectos sanadores inherentes a toda práctica curativa). El segundo es el problema de la demarcación entre ciencia y pseudociencia. Siendo importante, el problema de la demarcación encubre otros problemas todavía más importantes que tienen que ver con la concepción de ciencia al uso. Porque la demarcación es subsidiaria de una concepción positivista de ciencia, ella misma problemática cuando se aplica en clínica. Estos otros problemas se han identificado como mala ciencia, cientificismo e integracionismo. Aun cuando estos embrollos se han clarificado, la salida pasa por plantear la cuestión ontológica de base acerca de qué es un trastorno psicológico, sin asumir la concepción estándar como «avería» en mecanismos internos. Se elabora una idea de trastorno que tiene su base en los problemas de la vida

The notion of imbroglio is introduced as a critical instrument. If on the one hand it serves to identify a confused state of affairs, on the other it invites its clarification and a way out. Two imbroglios are identified in psychotherapy. The first is the puzzle of how different psychotherapies, surprisingly, have similar efficacy. This is clarified according to three levels of analysis: ontological (distinguishing natural versus interactive entities), anthropological (common factors of psychotherapies), and psychological (certain healing effects inherent in all healing practices). The second imbroglio is the problem of the demarcation between science and pseudoscience. Although important, the problem of demarcation conceals other even more important problems that have to do with the current conception of science. This is because the demarcation is subsidiary to a positivist conception of science, itself problematic when applied in the clinic. These other problems have been identified as bad science, scientism, and integrationism. Even when these imbroglios have been clarified, the way out is to pose the basic ontological question about what is a psychological disorder, without assuming the standard conception as a «failure» in internal mechanisms. An idea of the disorder is raised that is based on life's problems

La psicoterapia como ciencia humana, más que tecnológica / Psychotherapy as a human science, more than technological one

El panorama actual de la psicoterapia es tan próspero como desconcertante. Diferentes terapias muestran una eficacia comparable. La práctica basada-en-la-evidencia ha dado paso a una resaca de otros movimientos. La investigación de procesos lleva camino de un archipiélago de "nichos de investigadores". A fin de clarificar este panorama, se ha acudido a la filosofía de la ciencia. La filosofía de la ciencia ha permitido identificar diferentes epistemologías, reabrir la distinción entre ciencia natural positiva y ciencias humanas y resituar la psicoterapia del lado de estas últimas. Como ciencia humana, la psicoterapia sería ante todo una actividad relacional holista contextual centrada en la persona y basada en valores, más que una actividad científico-técnica centrada en "mecanismos averiados. El modelo contextual de Wampold y un enfoque fenomenológico-existencial son hitos de esta "nueva vida" de la psicoterapia, más humana que tecnológica-impersonal

The current landscape of psychotherapy is as prosperous as it is disconcerting. Different therapies show comparable efficacy. Evidence-based practice has given way to a backwash of different movements. Psychotherapy process research leads to an archipelago of "niches of researchers". In order to clarify this panorama, we have turned to the philosophy of science. The philosophy of science has made it possible to identify different epistemologies, reopen the distinction between positive natural science and human sciences and resituate psychotherapy on the human science side. As a human science, psychotherapy is, above all, a contextual holistic relational activity, person-centered and values-based, rather than a scientific-technical activity centered on "faulty mechanisms". Wampold's contextual model and a phenomenological-existential approach are milestones of this "new life" of psychotherapy, which is more human than technological-impersonal

Effects of Behavioral Activation on the Quality of Life and Emotional State of Lung Cancer and Breast Cancer Patients During Chemotherapy Treatment.

Research suggests that the progressive abandonment of activities in cancer patients are related to depression and worse quality of life. Behavioral activation (BA) encourages subjects to activate their sources of reinforcement and modify the avoidance responses. This study assesses the effectiveness of BA in improving quality of life and preventing emotional disorders during chemotherapy treatment. One sample of lung cancer patients and another of breast cancer patients were randomized into a BA experimental group (E.G.lung/4sess.n = 50; E.G.breast/6sess.n = 33) and a control group (C.G.lung/4sess.n = 40; C.G.breast/6sess.n = 35), respectively. In each session and in follow-ups (3/6/9 months), all participants completed different assessment scales. The results converge to show the effectiveness of BA, encouraging cancer patients to maintain rewarding activities which can activate their sources of day-to-day reinforcement and modify their experience avoidance patterns. BA appears to be a practical intervention which may improve social and role functioning and the emotional state of cancer patients during chemotherapy treatment.

Para pensar la psicología más allá de la mente y el cerebro: un enfoque transteórico / Thinking psychology beyond the mind and the brain: a trans-theoretical approach

A pesar de su boyante expansión, la psicología sigue boyante también en el sentido de flotante sin un referente claro de ciencia de qué. La fragmentación sigue siendo el paisaje más llamativo de la psicología. Su concepción más socorrida como ciencia de la mente y la conducta aboca a más problemas que resuelve, entre ellos el dualismo que se creía superar. Por su parte, la neurociencia cognitiva, lejos de suponer una salida, parece ella misma una fábrica de explicaciones dualistas con su personificación del cerebro atribuyéndole las funciones psicológicas. Como alternativa, se presentan cinco concepciones no dualistas ni cerebrocéntricas de la psicología actual, como muestra de que el dualismo y el cerbrocentrismo no son inevitables. Frente a la pluralidad de enfoques, se propone una concepción transteórica de la psicología como ciencia del sujeto y el comportamiento, más allá de la mente y el cerebro

Despite its buoyant expansion, psychology is still also buoyant in the sense that it is floating without a clear definition regarding the science of what it is exactly. Fragmentation remains the most striking landscape of psychology. Its most cherished conception as a science of mind and behavior leads to more problems than it solves, among them the dualism that it was thought to overcome. On the other hand, cognitive neuroscience, far from being a solution, seems itself to be a factory of dualistic explanations with its personification of the brain attributing the psychological functions to it. As an alternative, we present five conceptions of current psychology that are neither dualistic nor brain-centric, as proof that dualism and brain-centrism are not inevitable. Faced with the plurality of approaches, a trans-theoretical conception of psychology is proposed as the science of the subject and behavior, beyond the mind and the brain

Activation vs. Experiential Avoidance as a Transdiagnostic Condition of Emotional Distress: An Empirical Study.

Background: From a contextual transdiagnostic approach, this study focuses on the importance of the processes of Experiential Avoidance and Activation in explaining and treating psychological problems. There exists widespread empirical evidence to suggest that the response pattern known as Experiential Avoidance, a general unwillingness to remain in contact with particular private experiences through the use of maladaptive avoidance strategies, acts as a functional dimension in various psychological problems. Activation, that is, maintaining contact with experiences/conditions of life and consequently with associated sources of reward, is a condition present in most therapeutic processes. Although a great deal of research has analyzed the relationship of the value of reward with the etiology and maintenance of psychological problems, Activation, as a transdiagnostic factor, has been studied less. The aim of this paper is to carry out an empirical study of the relationship between Activation, EA and emotional state and analyze the capacity of these two conditions to discriminate the intensity and symptomatology type in subjects with emotional distress. Methods: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Environmental Reward Observation Scale (EROS) and Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS) were completed by 240 health center users. Results: Of the participants, 55% showed clinically relevant emotional distress. All cases of depression showed clinical anxiety. To discriminate between subjects without (n = 109) and with emotional distress (n = 131), analyses of the ROC curves and logistic regression analysis identified the BADS-Avoidance/Rumination followed by the EROS. To discriminate between subjects with anxiety but without depression (n = 61) and with anxiety and depression (n = 70), the most efficient scales were EROS followed by BADS-Social Impairment. Conclusion: It was shown that people with no emotional complaints maintained greater contact with life experiences and with environmental sources of reward than those with emotional distress. Response patterns showing Experiential Avoidance and a reduction in Activation responses were associated with clinical distress. A reduction in Activation was the condition which distinguished those people with the greatest distress and also the greatest comorbidity of symptoms of depression and anxiety. These data support the transdiagnostic nature of Activation and suggest greater attention should be paid to this concept.

Diminished emotional expression in schizophrenia: an interdisciplinary approach based on behavioral interventions / Expresión emocional disminuida en la esquizofrenia: un abordaje interdisciplinar basado en intervenciones conductuales

Background: Negative symptoms represent the main cause of disability in schizophrenia, having recently been grouped into two general dimensions: avolition and diminished emotional expression, which includes affective flattening and alogia. The aim of this study was to explore the response of these two symptoms to a set of behavioral interventions based on contingency management, performed in an interdisciplinary context. Method: Behaviors of interest were monitored and evaluations before and after the treatment were performed on 9 schizophrenic inpatients with persistent negative symptoms. The program included 12 group double sessions aimed at developing facial expression and verbal communication, and a nursing care plan to generalize and strengthen these behaviors synergistically. Results: there were appreciable differences in facial expression, which were less clear for alogia. The clinical evaluation using PANSS-N did not find notable differences at group level, but the nursing assessment using NOC indicators did. Conclusions: although difficult to modify, negative symptoms are not insensitive to the influence of behavioral interventions. Specific psychological interventions that address negative symptoms as a priority focus of attention and care need to be promoted and developed, particularly when considering the crucial role of context in their progression (AU)

Antecedentes: los síntomas negativos representan la principal causa de discapacidad en la esquizofrenia, habiendo sido agrupados recientemente en dos dimensiones: avolición y expresión emocional disminuida, que incluye el aplanamiento afectivo y la alogia. El objetivo del estudio fue explorar la respuesta de estos dos síntomas a un conjunto de intervenciones conductuales basadas en el manejo de contingencias en un contexto interdisciplinario. Método: se monitorizaron conductas de interés y realizaron medidas pre y post a 9 participantes con esquizofrenia negativa persistente ingresados en dispositivos de rehabilitación. El programa incluyó 12 sesiones grupales dobles dirigidas a trabajar la expresión facial y la comunicación verbal, y un plan de cuidados para fortalecer y generalizar estas conductas. Resultados: se obtuvieron diferencias relevantes en la expresión facial, que fueron menos claras para la alogia. La evaluación clínica mediante la PANSS-N no obtuvo diferencias notables a nivel de grupo, pero sí la valoración mediante indicadores NOC. Conclusiones: aunque difíciles de modificar, los síntomas negativos no son insensibles a la influencia de intervenciones conductuales. Resulta necesario potenciar intervenciones psicológicas específicas que aborden estos síntomas como un foco prioritario de atención y cuidado, considerando el papel crucial del contexto en su evolución (AU)

Treating anxiety and depression of cancer survivors: Behavioral activation versus acceptance and commitment therapy / Tratamiento de ansiedad y depresión en supervivientes de cáncer: activación conductual versus terapia de aceptación

Background: Behavioral activation (BA) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are considered particularly useful treatments when dealing with emotional problems of cancer survivors. The efficacy of these two treatments, applied on a group basis, were evaluated and compared. Method: An analysis was carried out of pre-post treatment changes in the emotional state and patterns of activation/avoidance of 52 cancer patients, with anxiety and/or depression, randomly assigned to three groups (BA/ACT/waiting list control). Results: Both therapies were superior to no treatment in all the variables evaluated. Significant differences were found between the two treatments in favor of ACT in social impairment and avoidance/rumination. Conclusions: BA and ACT, applied on a group basis, are efficacious in the treatment of those emotional difficulties most prevalent in cancer survivors. Results suggest that activation and avoidance are the mechanisms responsible for the changes (AU)

Antecedentes: la activación conductual (AC) y la terapia de aceptación y compromiso (ACT) se plantean como tratamientos especialmente útiles para los problemas emocionales de los supervivientes de cáncer. Se evaluó y comparó la eficacia de ambas terapias aplicadas en formato grupal. Método: se analizaron los cambios pre-post tratamiento en el estado emocional y los patrones de activación/evitación de 52 supervivientes de cáncer con ansiedad y/o depresión que se asignaron aleatoriamente a tres grupos (AC/ACT/control de lista de espera). Resultados: ambas terapias fueron superiores al no tratamiento en todas las variables evaluadas. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre tratamientos a favor de la ACT en deterioro social y evitación/rumia. Conclusiones: la AC y la ACT, en formato grupal, son eficaces para el tratamiento de las dificultades emocionales más prevalentes en supervivientes de cáncer. Los resultados apuntan a la activación y la evitación como mecanismos responsables de los cambios (AU)

Treating anxiety and depression of cancer survivors: Behavioral activation versus acceptance and commitment therapy.

BACKGROUND: Behavioral activation (BA) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are considered particularly useful treatments when dealing with emotional problems of cancer survivors. The efficacy of these two treatments, applied on a group basis, were evaluated and compared. METHOD: An analysis was carried out of pre-post treatment changes in the emotional state and patterns of activation/avoidance of 52 cancer patients, with anxiety and/or depression, randomly assigned to three groups (BA/ACT/waiting list control). RESULTS: Both therapies were superior to no treatment in all the variables evaluated. Significant differences were found between the two treatments in favor of ACT in social impairment and avoidance/rumination. CONCLUSIONS: BA and ACT, applied on a group basis, are efficacious in the treatment of those emotional difficulties most prevalent in cancer survivors. Results suggest that activation and avoidance are the mechanisms responsible for the changes.

Psychology as a Science of Subject and Comportment, beyond the Mind and Behavior.

The turn of qualitative inquiry suggests a more open, plural conception of psychology than just the science of the mind and behavior as it is most commonly defined. Historical, ontological and epistemological binding of this conception of psychology to the positivist method of natural science may have exhausted its possibilities, and after having contributed to its prestige as a science, has now become an obstacle. It is proposed that psychology be reconceived as a science of subject and comportment in the framework of a contextual hermeneutic, social, human behavioral science. Thus, without rejecting quantitative inquiry, psychology recovers territory left aside like introspection and pre-reflective self-awareness, and reconnects with traditions marginalized from the main stream. From this perspective psychology might also recover its credibility as a human science in view of current skepticism.

La Psicología más allá del dualismo y el cerebrocentrismo / The Psychology beyond the dualism and braincentrism

El artículo empieza por discutir la autoconcepción de la Psicología como ciencia natural basada en el supuesto método científico. Esta autoconcepción positivista, además de dejar fuera temas irrenunciables de la Psicología que merezca su nombre, está en la base del persistente dualismo y del aclamado cerebrocentrismo con el que se pretende superar aquél. Se muestran variantes del dualismo en distintos enfoques de la Psicología entre ellos la psicología del procesamiento de información, la neurociencia cognitiva y la psicología evolucionista. Se ofrecen algunos puntos para superar el dualismo, así como ejemplos de psicologías actuales no-dualistas. La buena noticia es que del dualismo y del cerebrocentrismo se puede salir, con tal de pensar más allá de los lugares comunes

The article begins by discussing the self-conception of psychology as a natural science based on the supposed scientific method. This positivist self-conception, apart from leaving irrevocable themes of psychology worthy of its name, is at the base of the persistent dualism and the acclaimed brain-centrism with which it is intended to overcome that one. Variants of dualism are shown in different approaches to psychology, including the psychology of information processing, cognitive neuroscience and evolutionary psychology. Some points are offered to overcome the dualism, as well as examples of current non-dualist psychologies. The good news is that we can get out of dualism and brain-centrism, as long you think beyond the commonplaces

Emotional state and psychological flexibility in breast cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: This study analyses the premise that less time spent carrying out valuable activities and inflexible avoidance of thoughts, feelings and memories related to the oncological process may play an important role in the emotional problems of cancer survivors. METHODS: Emotional state was evaluated, as was quality of life and psychological flexibility in a sample of 122 breast cancer survivors (Mage = 52.40; SDage = 7.26). The analysis was carried out using a cross-sectional predictive study. RESULTS: Approximately half of those in the sample suffered from clinically significant emotional distress. The predictor variables selected explained a high percentage of the variability in emotional problems and quality of life (51.10-77.10%). CONCLUSION: Avoidance explained a high percentage of the variance in anxiety, depression and general distress. A lower degree of participation in valuable activities contributed, more specifically, to explaining variability in depression. The quantity and availability of environmental reinforcement was closely related to quality of life. A decisive contribution towards promoting emotional well-being and quality of life can be made by nursing action aimed at diminishing those avoidance strategies related to the oncological experience which may distance patients from daily activities which are gratifying and congruent with their values.

The Four Causes of ADHD: Aristotle in the Classroom.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most well-established and at the same time controversial disorders to the extreme of being placed in doubt. In the first of two parts, the established position is critically reviewed, beginning with showing fallacious reasoning on which the diagnosis is based, lacking clinical proof. Similarly, a certain rhetoric and metaphysics in genetic and neurobiological research is highlighted, where, for example, a meager accumulation of data is offered as robust conclusions, and correlates and correlations as causes and bases. However, that may be, the controversy is silenced in a dialog of the deaf between "defenders" and "critics." with no way out in sight in empirical and scientific terms. A new meta-scientific position is necessary to analyze the science of ADHD itself and its social uses. In this respect, the second part introduces Aristotle's four causes, material, formal, efficient, final, as an instrument of enquiry. According to this analysis, ADHD is not the pretended clinical entity as presented, but a practical entity providing a variety of functions. The implications would be rather different from the usual.