Does Researcher Allegiance Bias Outcomes in Psychotherapy Research? A Quasi-Experimental Secondary Analysis.

Researchers who conduct studies comparing the efficacy of two treatments often find that their preferred treatment outperforms the comparison treatment. This finding has been labelled the allegiance association. Although this association is robust, it is unclear whether it reflects an allegiance bias on the part of the researchers or whether it is noncausal, with researchers being allied to the more effective treatments. This study applied a quasi-experimental method proposed by a previous study to 19 pairs of treatment comparison studies. Each member of a pair had used the same two psychotherapies to treat clients with the same disorder, but the researchers in each of the two studies had opposing allegiances. If the authors of one study in the pair concluded that their preferred treatment was superior and the authors of the other study concluded that their preferred treatment was superior or that the two treatments were equivalent, these patterns would suggest allegiance bias. In 10 of the 19 pairs, the patterns were consistent with the operation of an allegiance bias, indicating that although allegiance biases are not inevitable, they are ubiquitous. Practitioners and other psychotherapy research consumers should use caution when interpreting the findings from treatment comparison studies.

A Systematic Appraisal of Conflicts of Interest and Researcher Allegiance in Clinical Studies of Dry Needling for Musculoskeletal Pain Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and methods of conflicts of interest (COI) reporting in published dry needling (DN) studies and to determine the frequency of researcher allegiance (RA). METHODS: A pragmatic systematic search was undertaken to identify DN studies that were included in systematic reviews. Information regarding COI and RA were extracted from the full text of the published DN reports, and study authors were sent a survey inquiring about the presence of RA. A secondary analysis also was undertaken based on study quality/risk of bias scores that were extracted from the corresponding systematic reviews and study funding extracted from each DN study. RESULTS: Sixteen systematic reviews were identified, containing 60 studies of DN for musculoskeletal pain disorders, 58 of which were randomized controlled trials. Of the DN studies, 53% had a COI statement. None of these studies disclosed a COI. Nineteen (32%) authors of DN studies responded to the survey. According to the RA survey, 100% of DN studies included at least 1 RA criterion. According to the data extraction, 1 RA criterion was met in 45% of the DN studies. The magnitude of RA per study was 7 times higher according to the surveys than in the published reports. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that COI and RA might be underreported in studies of DN. In addition, authors of DN studies might be unaware of the potential influence of RA on study results and conclusions. IMPACT: Improved reporting of COI/RA might improve credibility of results and help identify the various factors involved in complex interventions provided by physical therapists. Doing so could help optimize treatments for musculoskeletal pain disorders provided by physical therapists.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (r-TMS) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-resistance in obsessive-compulsive disorder: A meta-analysis and clinical implications.

INTRODUCTION: Despite promising results from several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses, the efficacy of r-TMS as a treatment for OCD remains controversial, at least in part owing to inconsistency in the trial methodologies and heterogeneity in the trial outcomes. This meta-analysis attempts to explain some of this heterogeneity by comparing the efficacy of r-TMS in patients with or without resistance to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), defined using standardized criteria. METHODS: We conducted a pre-registered (PROSPERO ID: 241381) systematic review and meta-analysis. English language articles reporting blinded RCTs were retrieved from searches using MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library databases. Studies were subjected to subgroup analysis based on four stages of treatment resistance, defined using an adaptation of published criteria (1 = not treatment resistant, 2 = one SSRI trial failed, 3 = two SSRI trials failed, 4 = two SSRI trials failed plus one or more CBT trial failed). Meta-regression analyses investigated patient and methodological factors (age, duration of OCD, illness severity, stage of treatment-resistance, or researcher allegiance) as possible moderators of effect size. RESULTS: Twenty-five independent comparisons (23 studies) were included. Overall, r-TMS showed a medium-sized reduction of Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) scores (Hedge's g: -0.47; 95%CI: - 0.67 to -0.27) with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 39.8%). Assessment of publication bias using Trim and Fill analysis suggested a reduced effect size that remained significant (g: -0.29; 95%CI: -0.51 to -0.07). Subgroup analysis found that those studies including patients non-resistant to SSRI (stage 1) (g: -0.65; 95%CI: -1.05 to -0.25, k = 7) or with low SSRI-resistance (stage 2) (g:-0.47; 95%CI: -0.86 to -0.09, k = 6) produced statistically significant results with low heterogeneity, while studies including more highly resistant patients at stage 3 (g: -0.39; 95%CI: -0.90 to 0.11, k = 4) and stage 4 (g: -0.36; 95%CI: -0.75 to 0.03, k = 8) did not. Intriguingly, the only significant moderator of the effect size found by meta-regression was the severity of baseline depressive symptoms. All trials showed evidence of researcher allegiance in favour of the intervention and therefore caution is required in interpreting the reported effect sizes. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis shows that r-TMS is an effective treatment for OCD, but largely for those not resistant to SSRI or failing to respond to only one SSRI trial. As a consequence, r-TMS may be best implemented earlier in the care pathway. These findings would have major implications for clinical service development, but further well-powered RCTs, which eliminate bias from researcher allegiance, are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn.

Perception of Justice and Employees' Brand-Based Equity in the Service Sector: Evidence From Education Industry.

This study aims to investigate the impact of justice perception of the employees on three dimensions of employee-based brand equity (EBBE) under the mediating role of psychological contract fulfillment. For this purpose, data have been collected from the employees of the education industry under the convenience sampling technique. In this regard, a survey method was used, and questionnaires were distributed among 420 respondents, out of which 310 questionnaires were received back, and after discarding 32 partially filled questionnaires, useable responses were left (279 observations). Data have been analyzed through structural equation modeling, and the partial least square (PLS)-SEM approach has been used in this regard through the Smart PLS software. Measurement and structural models were assessed, and all the indicators of reliability and validity have been found to be fit. Path estimation indicates that perception of justice promotes brand endorsement and brand allegiance, while the relationship of perception of justice and brand-consistent behavior has not been found statistically significant. Moreover, it has also been found that perception of justice ensures employees that their psychological contract has been met. In addition, psychological contract fulfillment has found a mediating mechanism between the perception of justice and the three dimensions of EBBE.

Validez convergente de NPS y valoración de modelos de lealtad en servicios deportivos / Convergent validity of NPS and assessment of loyalty models in sports services

El fin del trabajo es determinar la validez de Net-Promoter-Score para medir la lealtad y comparar dos modelos que relacionan dimensiones de la calidad, valor, satisfacción y lealtad. En primer lugar, se determinó la validez convergente de Net-Promoter-Score en usuarios de servicios deportivos mediante una correlación entre ambos instrumentos. Posteriormente, se pusieron a prueba los dos modelos, utilizando en el primero Net-Promoter-Score y, en el segundo, una escala multidimensional que mide las intenciones futuras, en ambos casos se utilizó el mismo instrumento para valorar calidad, valor y satisfacción. Se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio de los modelos, con el objeto de comprobar la estabilidad de ambos. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que los dos instrumentos son válidos para medir la lealtad de los usuarios de servicios deportivos y que el modelo que utiliza la escala multidemensional proporciona más información para la toma de decisiones de los responsables de la gestión. (AU)

The purpose of the work is to determine the validity of the Net-Promoter-Score to measure loyalty and to compare two models that relate dimensions of quality, value, satisfaction and loyalty. First, the convergent validity of the Net-Promoter-Score in users of sports services was determined by means of a correlation between both instruments. Subsequently, the two models were put to the test, using a Net-Promoter-Score in the first and a multidimensional scale that measures future intentions in the second, in both cases the same instrument was used to assess quality, value and satisfaction. A confirmatory factor analysis of the models was carried out in order to verify the stability of both. The results obtained show that the two instruments are valid for measuring the loyalty of users of sports services and the model that uses the multidemensional scale provides more information for decision-making by managers. (AU)

The United States Constitution and The Hypocrisy of the American Oath: January 6th Raid on The Capital.

The purpose of this article is to discuss the hypocrisy of American ethics. This hypocrisy allows certain members of our society to breach their ethical duties and responsibilities without concern for the collective or regard for the oaths they pledge. This hypocrisy wields great power that continues to support the systemic discrimination that will be the downfall of this Country. By analyzing the January 6, 2021, raid on the Capital, we will examine how government officials and American citizens disregarded their oaths and committed unethical acts to overthrow the government. They used the American flag, that they pledge their lives in the name of Democracy, as a tool to incite violence and insurrection. Analysis of this incident clearly reflects that this selective application of ethical responsibility allows some government officials and members of society to commit violent acts against the government officials, institutions, and its citizenry, without the same criminal reprisal other Americans endure.

Allegiance and Supremacy: Religion and the Royal Society's 3rd Charter of 1669.

This paper examines a neglected aspect of the history of the early Royal Society. Though it's first two Royal Charters of 1662 and 1663 did not contain any religious-political restrictions, its 3rd Royal Charter of 1669 did. For the grant of an investment property in Chelsea, and the right to appoint more than one Vice President, the 3rd Charter restricted the sale of the property in Chelsea back to the Crown, and all Presidents and Vice Presidents were required to swear the Anglican religious-political state oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy before admission to the positions. Thus the Royal Society, for the first time, was placed under a similar oaths system as those covering state, corporation, and religious organizations. The paper analyses the chaotic events leading up to the passing of the 3rd Charter: the impact of the Fire of London, the Royal Society's move to Catholic aristocrat Henry Howard's Arundel House, its failed plan to build a permanent 'college' there, and its forced acceptance of both the oaths and the non-alienation of Chelsea College. The paper concludes with the aftermath, the replacement of the oaths by a statutory declaration in 1835, through an Act of Parliament.

The D*Phase-study: study protocol for a pragmatic two-phased, randomised controlled (non-inferiority) trial that addresses treatment non-response and compares cognitive behavioural therapy and short-term psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy for major depression.

BACKGROUND: Several evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment options are available for depression, but the treatment results could be improved. The D*Phase study directly compares short-term psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy (SPSP) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The objectives are 1. to investigate if, from a group level perspective, SPSP is not inferior to CBT in the treatment of major depressive disorder, 2. to build a model that may help predict the optimal type of treatment for a specific individual; and 3. to determine whether a change of therapist or a change of therapist and treatment method are effective strategies to deal with non-response. Furthermore (4.), the effect of the therapeutic alliance, treatment integrity and therapist allegiance on treatment outcome will be investigated. METHOD: In this pragmatic randomised controlled trial, 308 patients with a primary diagnosis of MDD are being recruited from a specialised mental health care institution in the Netherlands. In the first phase, patients are randomised 1:1 to either SPSP or CBT. In case of treatment non-response, a second phase follows in which non-responders from treatment phase one are randomised 1:1:1 to one of three groups: continuing the initial treatment with the same therapist, continuing the initial treatment with another therapist or continuing the other type of treatment with another therapist. In both treatment phases, patients are offered sixteen twice-weekly psychotherapy sessions. The primary outcome is an improvement in depressive symptoms. Process variables, working alliance and depressive symptoms, are frequently measured. Comprehensive assessments take place before the start of the first phase (at baseline), in week one, two and four during the treatment, and directly after the treatment (week eight). DISCUSSION: While the naturalistic setting of the study involves several challenges, we expect, by focusing on a large and diverse number of research variables, to generate important knowledge that may help enhance the effect of psychotherapeutic treatment for MDD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on 26 August 2016 with the Netherlands Trial Register, part of the Dutch Cochrane Centre (NL5753), https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/5753.

The power of allies: Infants' expectations of social obligations during intergroup conflict.

Many species of animals form social allegiances to enhance survival. Across disciplines, researchers have suggested that allegiances form to facilitate within group cooperation and defend each other against rival groups. Here, we explore humans' reasoning about social allegiances and obligations beginning in infancy, long before they have experience with intergroup conflict. In Experiments 1 and 2, we demonstrate that infants (17-19 months, and 9-13 months, respectively) expect a social ally to intervene and provide aid during an episode of intergroup conflict. Experiment 3 conceptually replicated the results of Experiments 1 and 2. Together, this set of experiments reveals that humans' understanding of social obligation and loyalty may be innate, and supported by infants' naïve sociology.

Measurement reliability for individual differences in multilayer network dynamics: Cautions and considerations.

Multilayer network models have been proposed as an effective means of capturing the dynamic configuration of distributed neural circuits and quantitatively describing how communities vary over time. Beyond general insights into brain function, a growing number of studies have begun to employ these methods for the study of individual differences. However, test-retest reliabilities for multilayer network measures have yet to be fully quantified or optimized, potentially limiting their utility for individual difference studies. Here, we systematically evaluated the impact of multilayer community detection algorithms, selection of network parameters, scan duration, and task condition on test-retest reliabilities of multilayer network measures (i.e., flexibility, integration, and recruitment). A key finding was that the default method used for community detection by the popular generalized Louvain algorithm can generate erroneous results. Although available, an updated algorithm addressing this issue is yet to be broadly adopted in the neuroimaging literature. Beyond the algorithm, the present work identified parameter selection as a key determinant of test-retest reliability; however, optimization of these parameters and expected reliabilities appeared to be dataset-specific. Once parameters were optimized, consistent with findings from the static functional connectivity literature, scan duration was a much stronger determinant of reliability than scan condition. When the parameters were optimized and scan duration was sufficient, both passive (i.e., resting state, Inscapes, and movie) and active (i.e., flanker) tasks were reliable, although reliability in the movie watching condition was significantly higher than in the other three tasks. The minimal data requirement for achieving reliable measures for the movie watching condition was 20 min, and 30 min for the other three tasks. Our results caution the field against the use of default parameters without optimization based on the specific datasets to be employed - a process likely to be limited for most due to the lack of test-retest samples to enable parameter optimization.

Reconfigurations within resonating communities of brain regions following TMS reveal different scales of processing.

An overarching goal of neuroscience research is to understand how heterogeneous neuronal ensembles cohere into networks of coordinated activity to support cognition. To investigate how local activity harmonizes with global signals, we measured electroencephalography (EEG) while single pulses of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) perturbed occipital and parietal cortices. We estimate the rapid network reconfigurations in dynamic network communities within specific frequency bands of the EEG, and characterize two distinct features of network reconfiguration, flexibility and allegiance, among spatially distributed neural sources following TMS. Using distance from the stimulation site to infer local and global effects, we find that alpha activity (8-12 Hz) reflects concurrent local and global effects on network dynamics. Pairwise allegiance of brain regions to communities on average increased near the stimulation site, whereas TMS-induced changes to flexibility were generally invariant to distance and stimulation site. In contrast, communities within the beta (13-20 Hz) band demonstrated a high level of spatial specificity, particularly within a cluster comprising paracentral areas. Together, these results suggest that focal magnetic neurostimulation to distinct cortical sites can help identify both local and global effects on brain network dynamics, and highlight fundamental differences in the manifestation of network reconfigurations within alpha and beta frequency bands.

Network topology of symbolic and nonsymbolic number comparison.

Studies of brain activity during number processing suggest symbolic and nonsymbolic numerical stimuli (e.g., Arabic digits and dot arrays) engage both shared and distinct neural mechanisms. However, the extent to which number format influences large-scale functional network organization is unknown. In this study, using 7 Tesla MRI, we adopted a network neuroscience approach to characterize the whole-brain functional architecture supporting symbolic and nonsymbolic number comparison in 33 adults. Results showed the degree of global modularity was similar for both formats. The symbolic format, however, elicited stronger community membership among auditory regions, whereas for nonsymbolic, stronger membership was observed within and between cingulo-opercular/salience network and basal ganglia communities. The right posterior inferior temporal gyrus, left intraparietal sulcus, and two regions in the right ventromedial occipital cortex demonstrated robust differences between formats in terms of their community membership, supporting prior findings that these areas are differentially engaged based on number format. Furthermore, a unified fronto-parietal/dorsal attention community in the nonsymbolic condition was fractionated into two components in the symbolic condition. Taken together, these results reveal a pattern of overlapping and distinct network architectures for symbolic and nonsymbolic number processing.

Case studies in psychotherapy training using Austria as an example.

BACKGROUND: Case studies (CS) are relevant for the development of theoretical and practical competencies in psychotherapy. Despite rapid progress in the development of methods and principles for establishing CS in the last three decades, research into the aims of CS, especially in training, or how CS are to be conducted is rare. AIM: To elucidate the form and methodology of CS, the objectives of CS used in training institutions (TI), and if/how TIs handle therapist allegiance. Also, this preliminary investigation will suggest avenues for further research and attempt to establish certain guidelines. METHODS: In order to counteract researcher bias and enlarge the question-pool, a focus group was established. The recorded and transcribed text was analyzed with Mayring's method of qualitative content analysis, and the generated categories were formulated as questions. The resulting questionnaire with both qualitative and quantitative queries was sent out (after pre-testing) to all 39 Austrian TIs that provide professional psychotherapy training. The answers and text passages received were then also categorized with qualitative content analysis. Data analysis was discussed by a peer group consisting of three psychotherapists trained in differing schools of psychotherapeutic methods. RESULTS: 94% of Austrian institutes use CS as part of their psychotherapeutic training. Understanding of the term "case study" is inconsistent and has a wide variety of interpretations. CS serve mainly: (1) For observation of training/progress in therapeutic practice and knowledge/acquisition of the theory specific to each psychotherapeutic school; (2) To improve (self-)reflection capabilities; and (3) To expand theoretical knowledge. Most of the CS written are not accessible for students nor for the research community. More than two thirds of the CS take only the position of the author into account (the client's position is not described). 15.5 % of the TIs do not consider researcher or therapist allegiance at all. CONCLUSION: A more precise formulation of the term case study is needed in psychotherapeutic training. The training therapists play a key function, as they exemplify and teach how to deal with distorting factors. General guidelines as to how to conduct CS in training institutions would provide more direction to students, increase scientific rigor, and enhance synergistic effects.

Resting state fMRI based multilayer network configuration in patients with schizophrenia.

Novel methods for measuring large-scale dynamic brain organisation are needed to provide new biomarkers of schizophrenia. Using a method for modelling dynamic modular organisation (Mucha et al., 2010), evidence suggests higher 'flexibility' (switching between multilayer network communities) to be a feature of schizophrenia (Braun et al., 2016). The current study compared flexibility between 55 patients with schizophrenia and 72 controls (the COBRE Dataset). In addition, novel methods of 'between resting state network synchronisation' (BRSNS) and the probability of transition from one community to another were used to further describe group differences in dynamic community structure. There was significantly higher schizophrenia group flexibility scores in cerebellar (F (1124) = 9.33, p (FDR) = 0.017), subcortical (F (1124) = 13.14, p (FDR) = 0.005), and fronto-parietal task control (F (1124) = 7.19, p (FDR) = 0.033) resting state networks (RSNs), as well as in the left thalamus (MNI XYZ: -2, -13, 12; F(1, 124) = 17.1, p (FDR) < 0.001) and the right crus I (MNI XYZ: 35, -67, -34; F (1, 124) = 19.65, p (FDR) < 0.001). Flexibility in the left thalamus reflected transitions between communities covering default mode and sensory-somatomotor RSNs. BRSNS scores suggested altered dynamic inter-RSN modular configuration in schizophrenia. This study suggests less stable community structure in a schizophrenia group at an RSN and node level and provides novel methods of exploring dynamic community structure. Mediation of group differences by mean time window correlation did however suggest flexibility to be no better as a schizophrenia biomarker than simpler measures and a range of methodological choices affected results.

Efficacy of group psychotherapy for anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of group psychotherapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Method: A comprehensive literature search using PubMed, PsychInfo, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and manual searches was conducted to locate randomized controlled trials. We found 57 eligible studies (k = 76 comparisons) including 3656 participants receiving group psychotherapy or an alternative treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Results: Effect size estimates show that group psychotherapy reduces specific symptoms of anxiety disorders more effectively than no-treatment control groups (g = 0.92, [0.81; 1.03], k = 43) and treatments providing common unspecific treatment factors (g = 0.29 [0.10; 0.48], k = 12). No significant differences were found compared to individual psychotherapy (g = 0.24 [-0.09; 0.57], k = 7) or pharmacotherapy (g = -0.05 [-0.33; 0.23], k = 6). The effects were unrelated to factors of the group treatment. Within head-to-head studies, a significant moderating effect emerged for researcher allegiance. Conclusions: Our results support the efficacy of group psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. They indicate that mixed-diagnoses groups are equally effective as diagnosis-specific groups, although further evidence is required. Future primary studies should address differential effectiveness, include a wider range of therapeutic approaches as well as active comparison groups.

Allegiance effects in mindfulness-based interventions for psychiatric disorders: A meta-re-analysis.

Objectives: A recent meta-analysis reported that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) outperform specific active control conditions but not evidence-based treatments (EBTs) across various psychiatric conditions. Given both comparison conditions represent bona fide treatments, the superiority of MBIs over other bona fide treatments is unexpected. The current study examined researcher allegiance (RA) as a potential source of bias that may explain this result. Method: All studies from the original meta-analysis that compared MBIs with bona fide psychological treatments were included. RA was independently coded using established methods. A series of meta-analyses examined the RA-outcome association and the degree to which RA may account for the effect of EBT status. Results: Sixty independent comparisons (n = 5,627) were included. MBIs outperformed bona fide treatment comparisons overall (g = 0.13), but effects were smaller with EBT comparisons. RA towards MBIs was associated with larger effects. No evidence for superiority of MBIs was found when RA was absent or balanced. Further, EBT status no longer predicted effects when controlling for RA. Conclusions: RA appears to be a potential source of bias in MBI research that should be considered when interpreting existing studies (clinical trials, meta-analyses) and planning future studies. RA may account for smaller effects when using EBT comparisons.

Researcher allegiance in research on psychosocial interventions: meta-research study protocol and pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: One potential source of bias in randomised clinical trials of psychological interventions is researcher allegiance (RA). The operationalisation of RA differs strongly across studies, and there is not a generally accepted method of operationalising or measuring it. Furthermore, it remains unclear as to how RA affects the outcomes of trials and if it results in better outcomes for a preferred intervention. The aim of this project is to develop and validate a scale that accurately identifies RA, contribute to the understanding of the impact that RA has in a research setting and to make recommendations for addressing RA in practice. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A scale will first be developed and validated to measure RA in psychotherapy trials. The scale will be validated by surveying authors of psychotherapy trials to assess their opinions, beliefs and preferences of psychotherapy interventions. Furthermore, the scale will be validated for use outside the field of psychotherapy. The validated checklist will then be used to examine two potential mechanisms of how RA may affect outcomes of interventions: publication bias (by assessing grants) and risk of bias (RoB). Finally, recommendations will be developed, and a feasibility study will be conducted at a national mental health agency in The Netherlands. Main analyses comprise inter-rater reliability of checklist items, correlations to examine the relationship between checklist items and author survey (convergent validity) as well as checklist items and trial outcomes and multivariate meta-regression techniques to assess potential mechanisms of how allegiance affects trial outcomes (publication bias and RoB). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Scientific and Ethical Review Board (VCWE) at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Study result and advancements will also be published on the Open Science Framework. Furthermore, main findings will be disseminated through articles in international peer-reviewed open access journals. Results and recommendations will be communicated to the Cochrane Collaboration, the Campbell Collaboration and other funding agencies.

An external review of the conclusions regarding the peak direct training module.

Promoting the Emergence of Advanced Knowledge-Direct Training Module (PEAK-DTM) is a commercially available assessment and curriculum for individuals whose language skills are not developmentally adequate. In their review of PEAK-DTM, Reed and Luiselli (2016) analyzed the extant literature on PEAK-DTM and concluded that it has a sound and growing body of empirical support on its efficacy, usability, and psychometric properties. Similar conclusions are mirrored in the PEAK-DTM literature and promotional material. I review these conclusions and contend that many overrate the research that backs them. Suggestions for a more rigorous research agenda on PEAK-DTM and its related modules are provided.

University Sports Rivalries Provide Insights on Coalitional Psychology : Territorial Context Influences Reactions to Vocal Signals of Allegiance.

Sports are an excellent venue for demonstrating evolutionary principles to audiences not familiar with academic research. Team sports and sports fandom feature dynamics of in-group loyalty and intergroup competition, influenced by our evolved coalitional psychology. We predicted that reactions to expressions signaling mutual team/group allegiance would vary as a function of the territorial context. Reactions should become more prevalent, positive, and enthusiastic as one moves from the home territory to a contested area, and from a contested area to a rival's territory during active rival engagement. We also predicted that men would be more responsive than women based on sex differences in evolved coalitional psychology. The research team visited public places immediately prior to 2016-2017 collegiate football and basketball games. A male research confederate wore a sweatshirt displaying the logo of one of the competing university teams and vocalized the team's most popular slogan when he saw a fan displaying similar logos. Observers followed 5 m behind, recording reactions (N = 597) and response positivity/enthusiasm. Reaction tone was most positive in the rival territory, least positive in the home territory, and intermediate in the periphery and contested territory. Rates of "no reaction" were lowest in the rival territory but were highest in the periphery. Men had higher reaction rates and more positive and enthusiastic reaction tones than women. Reactions generally followed predictions based on expected signal value. This project provides evidence that coalitional psychology influences dynamics related to university sports team rivalries and that context matters for expressions of alliance.