Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Poor fear conditioning has been consistently found in adult psychopaths, criminals, delinquents, and antisocials. but it is not known if this relationship occurs early in life or whether the association is moderated by social adversity. Using a differential classical conditioning paradigm, skin conductance responses (SCRs) to auditory aversive tones were recorded from 162 children (53% male) at five different time points (ages 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 years). The Children’s Behaviour Questionnaire was completed by the children’ teachers when they were age 8, producing two behavioral factors (aggressive-hyperactive and anxious-fearful). Social adversity data were collected when the children were aged 3 years. Children were categorized into good (n = 82) or poor conditioners (n = 80) based on their average conditioned SCRs across ages. Compared to good conditioners, poor conditioners scored significantly higher on aggressive-hyperactive factor (p = .018). The two groups did not differ on the anxious-fearful factor (p = 1.000). In addition, poor conditioners showed significantly higher score on an 8-item antisocial items (p = .038). There were also trends showing that poor conditioners scored higher on both aggressive (p = .075) and non-aggressive antisocial subscales (p = .074). Boys showed significantly higher score on aggressive/hyperactive factor, 8 antisocial items, aggressive and non-aggressive antisocial items compared to girls (all ps < .05). The above findings remained significant when social adversity was included as a covariate. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that poor fear conditioning is associated with antisocial behavior in children and demonstrate that this relationship occurs early in childhood. Findings are consistent with as neurodevelopmental perspectives on child antisocial behavior, and suggest that poor fear conditioning early in life is a risk factor for later development of antisocial behavior.

Publication Type: Session Paper
Abstract: The organizers will review the workshop structure, the assignment of participants with and without presentations to groups for group sessions, and the communication procedures and goals for the day’s activities.

Publication Type: Paper Presentation
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to analyze these environmental education studies in Turkey. Analyses included: (a) research methodology, (b) demographic characteristics, and (c) environmental literacy. Results of these analyses and their implications for EE in Turkey will be presented.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This study examined commitment in the context of the online social networking site, MySpace. Survey results indicated that constructs of commitment are covariates of ranking, and constraint commitment is a positive predictor of ranking in the Top 8. Additionally, a clear pattern emerged: one’s commitment, whether personal dedication or constraint commitment, is not an indicator of the ranking one will receive from their romantic partner. Relationship type and ranking in the Top 8 were also investigated, and the prevalence of other strong ties such as family and close friends were visible within the Top 8.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Twelve investigative interviewers took part in a training project. First, interviewers submitted pre-training interviews for transcription and coding. Next, interviewers participated in a 2-day training session on basic child development and were introduced to a structured interview protocol. Then, interviewers received 2 months of weekly verbal and written feedback. Third, interviewers participated in a 2-day “refresher” training session, which was followed by 6 months of weekly or bi-weekly feedback. Comparisons of pre- and post-training interviews indicated that interviewers increased use of desirable prompts and amount of information elicited from children in response to such prompts and decreased use of undesirable prompts.