Slithering snakes, angry men and out-group members : what and whom are we evolved to fear?

The preparedness theory of classical conditioning proposed by Seligman (1970, 1971) has been applied extensively over the past 40 years to explain the nature and "source" of human fear and phobias. In this review we examine the formative studies that tested the four defining characteristics of prepared learning with animal fear-relevant stimuli (typically snakes and spiders) and consider claims that fear of social stimuli, such as angry faces, or faces of racial out-group members, may also be acquired utilising the same preferential learning mechanism. Exposition of critical differences between fear learning to animal and social stimuli suggests that a single account cannot adequately explain fear learning with animal and social stimuli. We demonstrate that fear conditioned to social stimuli is less robust than fear conditioned to animal stimuli as it is susceptible to cognitive influence and propose that it may instead reflect on negative stereotypes and social norms. Thus, a theoretical model that can accommodate the influence of both biological and cultural factors is likely to have broader utility in the explanation of fear and avoidance responses than accounts based on a single mechanism.

Optimism : what it is and its relevance in the school context

"For myself, I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use to be anything else". Winston Churchill Optimism has its modern roots in philosophy dating back to the 17th century in the writings of philosophers such as Descartes and Voltaire (Domino & Conway, 2001). Previous to these philosophical writings, the concept of optimism was revealed in the teaching of many of the great spiritual traditions such as Buddhism and Christianity (Miller, Richards, & Keller, 2001). In the 20th century, optimism became defined in juxtaposition to pessimism, sometimes conceptualized as a bipolar unidimensional construct and by others as two related but separate constructs (Garber, 2000). Contemporary models (Scheier & Carver, 1985; Seligman, 1991) have increasingly focused on distinguishing optimism-pessimism as a general dispositional orientation, as described by expectancy theory, and as an explanatory process, described by explanatory style theory.

Gaming well: Links between videogames and flourishing mental health

This paper is a review of the state of play of research linking videogaming and flourishing, and explores the role of videogames and technology to improve mental health and well-being. Its purpose is to develop understandings about the positive intersection of gaming and well-being, to document evidence regarding links between videogames and positive mental health, and to provide guidelines for use by other researchers as they design and use tools and games to improve mental health and well-being. Using Huppert's (Huppert and So, 2013) proposition that to flourish is more than the absence of mental disorder but rather a combination of feeling good and functioning effectively, resulting in high levels of mental well-being, and Seligman's (Seligman, 2011) PERMA theory of well-being, the paper identifies strengths in existing games that generate positive affect, positive functioning, and positive social functioning, contributing to, and supporting mental health and well-being.

Low δ18O zircons from the Bruneau-­Jarbidge eruptive center: A key to crustal anatexis along the track of the Yellowstone hotspot

The Bruneau-Jarbidge eruptive center (BJEC) in the central Snake River Plain, Idaho, USA consists of the Cougar Point Tuff (CPT), a series of ten, high-temperature (900-1000°C) voluminous ignimbrites produced over the explosive phase of volcanism (12.8-10.5 Ma) and more than a dozen equally high-temperature rhyolite lava flows produced during the effusive phase (10.5-8 Ma). Spot analyses by ion microprobe of oxygen isotope ratios in 210 zircons demonstrate that all of the eruptive units of the BJEC are characterized by zircon δ¹⁸O values ≤ 2.5‰, thus documenting the largest low δ¹⁸O silicic volcanic province known on Earth (>10⁴ km³). There is no evidence for voluminous normal δ¹⁸O magmatism at the BJEC that precedes generation of low δ¹⁸O magmas as there is at other volcanic centers that generate low δ¹⁸O magmas such as Heise and Yellowstone. At these younger volcanic centers of the hotspot track, such low δ¹⁸O magmas represent ~45 % and ~20% respectively of total eruptive volumes. Zircons in all BJEC tuffs and lavas studied (23 units) document strong δ¹⁸O depletion (median CPT δ¹⁸OZrc = 1.0‰, post-CPT lavas = 1.5‰) with the third member of the CPT recording an excursion to minimum δ¹⁸O values (δ¹⁸OZrc= -1.8‰) in a supereruption > 2‰ lower than other voluminous low δ¹⁸O rhyolites known worldwide (δ¹⁸OWR ≤0.9 vs. 3.4‰). Subsequent units of the CPT and lavas record a progressive recovery in δ¹⁸OZrc to ~2.5‰ over a ~ 4 m.y. interval (12 to 8 Ma). We present detailed evidence of unit-to-unit systematic patterns in O isotopic zoning in zircons (i.e. direction and magnitude of Δcore-rim), spectrum of δ¹⁸O in individual units, and zircon inheritance patterns established by re-analysis of spots for U-Th-Pb isotopes by LA-ICPMS and SHRIMP. In conjunction with mineral thermometry and magma compositions, these patterns are difficult to reconcile with the well-established model for "cannibalistic" low δ¹⁸O magma genesis at Heise and Yellowstone. We present an alternative model for the central Snake River Plain using the modeling results of Leeman et al. (2008) for ¹⁸O depletion as a function of depth in a mid-upper crustal protolith that was hydrothermally altered by infiltrating meteoric waters prior to the onset of silicic magmatism. The model proposes that BJEC silicic magmas were generated in response to the propagation of a melting front, driven by the incremental growth of a vast underlying mafic sill complex, over a ~5 m.y. interval through a crustal volume in which a vertically asymmetric δ¹⁸OWR gradient had previously developed that was sharply inflected from ~ -1 to 10‰ at mid-upper crustal depths. Within the context of the model, data from BJEC zircons are consistent with incremental melting and mixing events in roof zones of magma reservoirs that accompany surfaceward advance of the coupled mafic-silicic magmatic system.

On Systems Thinking, Systems Biology, and the in Silico Plant

The recent summary report of a Department of Energy Workshop on Plant Systems Biology (P.V. Minorsky [2003] Plant Physiol 132: 404-409) offered a welcomed advocacy for systems analysis as essential in understanding plant development, growth, and production. The goal of the Workshop was to consider methods for relating the results of molecular research to real-world challenges in plant production for increased food supplies, alternative energy sources, and environmental improvement. The rather surprising feature of this report, however, was that the Workshop largely overlooked the rich history of plant systems analysis extending over nearly 40 years (Sinclair and Seligman, 1996) that has considered exactly those challenges targeted by the Workshop. Past systems research has explored and incorporated biochemical and physiological knowledge into plant simulation models from a number of perspectives. The research has resulted in considerable understanding and insight about how to simulate plant systems and the relative contribution of various factors in influencing plant production. These past activities have contributed directly to research focused on solving the problems of increasing biomass production and crop yields. These modeling approaches are also now providing an avenue to enhance integration of molecular genetic technologies in plant improvement (Hammer et al., 2002).

Board of Delegates of American Israelites records 1859-1881, 1887, 1932

Contains printed copies of the 1860 constitution and by-laws, copies of proceedings and annual reports, 1859-1877, of the Board of Delegates; report on Jews in Roumania, an 1874 annual report of the Hebrew Benevolent and Orphan Asylum Society, manuscript minute books and minutes of meetings, 1859-1876, resolutions, executive, financial, ritual slaughtering and other special committee reports, newspaper clippings and correspondence with synagogues and organizations in the U.S. who constitute the membership of the Board of Delegates, with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations with whom they later merged, the Union's Board of Delegates of Civil and Religious Rights, and with individuals and organizations in foreign countries including the Alliance Israelite Universelle, the Anglo-Jewish Association, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Committee for the Roumanian Jews (Berlin), the Koenigsberg Committee, and the London Roumanian Committee.

Philip Cowen papers undated, 1873-1935

Contains primarily correspondence and published material in English, German and Russian relating to anti-Semitism in Russia and Roumania, the Russian passport question, loans from Jewish bankers to the Russian government and immigration from Eastern Europe, especially Russia, to the United States. Includes also correspondence concerning Jewish welfare institutions and agricultural colonies in the United States and the National Farm School in Doylestown, Pa. Also contains correspondence relating to and drafts of articles for the American Hebrew, particularly the Emma Lazarus memorial number, and correspondence relating to the publication of the Jewish encyclopedia and to survey on anti-Semitism conducted in 1890, as well as information on the Jews in China and material relating to Count Arthur Cherep-Spiridovich.

Max James Kohler papers, 1888-1934.

Contains scrapbooks, correspondence and reports relating to Kohler's extensive activities on behalf of liberal immigration and naturalization laws in the United States, his opposition to the registration of aliens, the problems of Chinese immigration to the United States, his opposition to the use of the term "Hebrew Race" in the classification of immigrants, the drafting of minority clauses at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, Jewish and Christian relations in the U.S., and the condition of Jews in Russia, Roumania, Poland and Nazi-Germany with the following institutions: the American Civil Liberties Union, 1926-1934, the American Jewish Committee, 1909-1934, B'nai Brith, 1930-1933, the Union of American Hebrew Congregations - Board of Delegates on Civil Rights, the Committee on Ellis Island, the Foreign Language Information Service, the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Baltimore, the Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society, the Jewish Immigrants' Information Bureau in Galveston, Texas, the Industrial Removal Office, the National Conference of Jews and Christians, the National Council of Jewish Women, the National Council on Naturalization and Citizenship, the Bureau of Immigration to the United States Department of Laborm the United States Department of Commerce and Labor, the Department of State and individual United States Congressmen.

Myer S. Isaacs collection undated, 1844, 1851-1925

Contains correspondence and newspaper clippings relating to the centennial birthday celebration of and memorial services for Sir Moses Montefiore; correspondence consists primarily of replies to a circular advocating the holding of memorial services issued by the Board of Delegates on Civil and Religious Rights from congregations in Buffalo, Charleston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Detroit. Contains also correspondence relating to the activities of the Alliance Israelite Universelle on behalf of Palestine and the Jews in the Balkan States and Morocco and to the establishment of United States committees for the Alliance and the raising of funds, including correspondence with H. Pereira Mendes, Henry S. Jacobs, John Hay, and Adolphe Cremieux as well as letters from Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Galveston, Minneapolis, Mobile, Rochester, St. Louis, and San Francisco. Also contains extensive correspondence concerning anti-semitism in Russia, aid to Jewish immigrants, and Jewish agricultural colonies in the United States, with letters from James G. Blaine, Manuel Augustus Kursheedt, Sabato Morais, Charles Nathan, Hirsch Leib Sabsovich, (Isaac N.?) Seligman and Judah Wechsler, among others. Also contains newspaper clippings and other items relating to Jewish life during the late 19th century and articles and memorabilia about various members of the Isaacs family.

Claude Corty Collection 1994-2001

Family tree, genealogical notes and master chart for the Adler family in Warburg, prepared by Claude Corty.

Ensayo : Psicología positiva: ¿Una nueva forma de hacer psicología?

El presente trabajo intenta mostrar el desarrollo de la Psicología Positiva (PP), desde su surgimiento (hace una década), como disciplina tendiente al estudio científico del funcionamiento psíquico óptimo de personas, grupos o instituciones, en detrimento del clásico interés en variables psicopatológicas. Se desarrollan los tres pilares de la PP, que constituyen vías de acceso para una vida plena: la vida placentera (incremento de emociones positivas), el compromiso (que puede lograrse experimentando estados de flow) y la vida con significado (aplicación de las fortalezas personales para el desarrollo de algo que trascienda al individuo) (Seligman, 2002). Recientemente, Seligman (2009) agregó un cuarto pilar de estudio: los vínculos positivos (la vida social) como vía de acceso a la felicidad. También se reflexiona sobre las intervenciones psicoterapéuticas en PP encaminadas hacia la mejora de los rasgos positivos, el cultivo de las fortalezas humanas y la ayuda que se da a los clientes para estimular el cambio positivo –y no sólo reducir lo negativo– (Seligman, 2002). Se exponen, además, los medios más usuales de divulgación de las investigaciones en PP y los programas educativos existentes. Por último, se reflexiona acerca del futuro de la PP: si se propone como una especialidad más de la psicología, o si se integra con otros campos del quehacer profesional del psicólogo.

Sapientia, 2004, Vol. LIX, nº 216 (número completo)

Contenido: Josef Pieper en el centenario de su nacimiento / Héctor J. Delbosco – Misterio filosófico y misterio teológico en Josef Pieper y en Santo Tomás de Aquino / Ignacio Andereggen – El status de la filosofía en la posciencia. Respuestas desde Josef Pieper / Miriam Dolly Arancibía de Calmels – “Miseria y esplendor de la interpretación”. En torno a los límites de la hermenéutica en Pieper y en Ortega / Roberto E. Aras – Si sí : la condicionalidad metafísica de una afirmación absoluta / Santiago Argüello – Una perspectiva del saber y de la fortaleza en el héroe unamuniano a la luz de Josef Pieper / Angélica S. Arza de Bousquet – Manía, mito y conmoción erótica / Luis Baliña ; Juan Torbidoni – Juventud, fiesta y esperanza en la obra de Josef Pieper : una respuesta a la cultura posmoderna / Santiago Bellomo – Pieper y Guardini en Rothenfels : un encuentro fecundo / Alberto Berro – La afirmación real del amor / María José Binetti – Josef Pieper al encuentro de Platón : una relectura de las relaciones entre mito y filosofía / Claudio Calabrese – Orientación y pautas de discernimiento en el ámbito poético-literario : la doctrina de la contemplación terrena enunciada por Josef Pieper e ilustrada en Albert Camus / Inés de Cassagne – La imposibilidad de una filosofía no cristiana según Josef Pieper / Agustín Ignacio Echavarría – Ética y psicoterapia según Josef Pieper / Martín Echavarría – Enseñanzas de un gran maestro : la corruptibilidad de la palabra / María del Carmen Fernández – La inspiración platónica de la filosofía de Josef Pieper / Juan Francisco Franck – Método y lenguaje en el pensamiento de Josef Pieper / Jean Lauand – Josef Pieper y Peter Wust / Juan Andrés Levermann – Aprobación creadora : un aspecto de la dimensión social del bien de la persona / Marisa Mosto – Josef Pieper y la reflexión sobre el mito y la cultura / Héctor Jorge Padrón – Josef Pieper y el tomismo medieval : la controversia sobre la creación / François-Xavier Putallaz – Algunas consideraciones sobre J. Pieper y el tema del mal en la problemática filosófica contemporánea / Juan Pablo Roldán – Josef Pieper y la acedia : la causa afectiva de ciertas deformaciones intelectuales / El hombre de ocio : parásito o transformador del mundo / Bernard N. Schumacher – La templanza en Josef Pieper y Santo Tomás / Zelmira Seligmann – El ideal del trabajo en Josef Pieper / Ludovico Antonio Videla – Valor para la realidad – Valor para la persona : reafirmación cristiana como crítica de la cultura en la obra temprana de Josef Pieper / Berthold Wald – Notas y comentarios -- Bibliografía

Final Report of the Phase III Archaeological Investigations at the Dr. Upton Scott House (18AP18), Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 1998-1999

In the summers of 1998 and 1999, the Archaeology in Annapolis project carried out archaeological investigation at the eighteenth century Dr. Upton Scott House site (18AP18)located at 4 Shipwright Street in the historic district of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The Upton Scott House is significant as one of only a few Georgian houses with remnants of its original plantation-inspired landscape still visible (Graham 1998:147). Investigation was completed in agreement with the owners of the historic property, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Christian, who were interested in determining the condition and arrangement of Dr. Upton Scott’s well-documented pleasure gardens. Betty Cosans’ 1972 Archaeological Feasibility Report, the first real archaeological study of the Upton Scott House site, guided the research design and recovery efforts. Cosans determined that testing and survey in the back and side yards of the Scott property would yield important information on the use and history of the property, including that of Scott’s famous gardens. Excavation units and trenches were placed within three separate areas of backyard activity on the site which included Area One: extant brick stables in the southwest of the property; Area Two: the brick foundations of a small outbuilding located in the northwest area of the site; and Area Three: the area of Scott’s formal gardens. The research design included an interest in recovering evidence of African-American spiritual practice and domestic life at the site. Also of significant importance was an analysis of Scott’s garden beds, concerning the order and layout. Also sought was an understanding of the change in perception and use of the backyard by the various owners of the property.