Carmem Beatriz Neufeld

Bases Epistemológicas da Psicologia Cognitiva Experimental

This article aims to analyze the epistemological basis of Cognitive Experimental Psychology. Initially, some of the presuppositions of cognitive psychology within the realm of cognitive science and its relation to cognitivism will be discussed. Secondly, the relation between historical aspects and theoretical presuppositions are considered. In light of these aspects, some philosophical ideas are raised in order to highlight the transition from the original models of science to the appearance of cognitive science as it is known today. Finally, arguments contrary to and in favor of the cognitive revolution are discussed as a rupture with the paradigm of behaviorism.

Adaptação de um método de investigação do impacto da emoção na memória

This study presents an adaptation of Cahill, Prins, Weber and McGaugh’s instruments and procedures on the assessment of the effect of emotion on memory distortions. The study main purpose was to provide the lusophone scientific community with a valuable instrument for the study of memory and false memories. To test if the ne w version of the target materials (slides and narratives) and memory test were adequate to assess both true and false memories. The experiment was conducted with 138 college students from several private universities. The procedure consisted of eleven slides adapted to the Brazilian reality and a yes-no recognition memory test. The results suggested that both instruments and procedures were properly adapted. In addition, emotion tended to increase male participants true memory scores. The instrument was effective to measure the effect of emotion on memory distortions, and emotion seams to inoculate memory from distortions.

Conceitualização cognitiva de caso: uma proposta de sistematização a partir da prática clínica e da formação de terapeutas cognitivo-comportamentais

1-Doutora em Psicologia pela PUCRS. Coordenadora do Laboratorio de Pesquisa e Intervencao Cognitivo-Comportamental LaPICC do Departamento de Psicologia e Educacao da Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciencias e Letras de Ribeirao Preto da Universidade de Sao Paulo. 2-Psicologa pela USP-RP. Colaboradora do Laboratorio de Pesquisa e Intervencao Cognitivo-Comportamental LaPICC do Departamento de Psicologia e Educacao da Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciencias e Letras de Ribeirao Preto da Universidade de Sao Paulo.

O efeito da sugestão de falsa informação para eventos emocionais: quão suscetíveis são nossas memórias?

The current essay forwards scientific evidence on th e susceptibility of distorted memories by assessing false memories (remembrance of events which actually did not occur) in emotionally arousing situations. The B razilian version of the Cahill, Prins, Weber and McGaughs instruments and procedures adapted by Neufeld, Brust and Stein on the evaluation of the effect of emotion on memory and false memories were used. Misinformation effect on memory of 138 college students has been investigated. Misinformation material cong ruent to the story given in a newspaper article has also been tested. Results suggest that true memory has not been immune from errors and distortions even though it has ap parently been supported by emotionally arousing events. In fact, misinformation seems to have assisted memory in the discrimination of the items suggested.The current essay forwards scientific evidence on the susceptibility of distorted memories by assessing false memories (remembrance of events which actually did not occur) in emotionally arousing situations. The Brazilian version of the Cahill, Prins, Weber and McGaugh’s instruments and procedures adapted by Neufeld, Brust and Stein on the evaluation of the effect of emotion on memory and false memories were used. Misinformation effect on memory of 138 college students has been investigated. Misinformation material congruent to the story given in a newspaper article has also been tested. Results suggest that true memory has not been immune from errors and distortions even though it has apparently been supported by emotionally arousing events. In fact, misinformation seems to have assisted memory in the discrimination of the items suggested.

Intervenção cognitivo-comportamental em grupo de socioeducadores: um relato de experiência

This essay proposes an experience in intervention with socio-educators of a Socio-education Center in the State of Parana. Such centers are institutions responsible for sheltering and making come to pass educative means of adolescents who have committed any infringement act. Socio-education aims to offer a human and educative environment, allowing the accomplishment of the means in proper conditions for educative action with focus on the full educative process for the citizen social participation, and stimulating the adolescent to the construction of a new life Project based on ethic and moral values. The leading staff sees interns not as trustworthy, thus, members of this team feel superior. The intern group sees the leading staff as condescending, making interns feel inferior and guilty, causing communication distortions between the two groups. Group work has counted with the participation of ten socio-educators, in a cognitive-behavioral view; group interventions enable a space for learning how to join others, enclosing a range of possibilities for problem solving. The process involved teaching socio-educators to identify specific shortages in social or behavioral, communication-related abilities, targeting to improve the probability of obtaining positive reactions from others, leading to other positive consequences.

Brazilian Version of the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) for Young Adolescents

The present study developed a Brazilian adaptation of the BAS for young adolescents, testing its factor structure by the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), concurrent and criterion validity, and its internal consistency. Participants were 347 adolescents (171 male and 176 female, aged between 10 and 13 years old). Three psychologists experts in psychological evaluation and three teachers of Portuguese of elementary school also participated for the adaptation stage of the items in order to be properly understood by the sample age group. There were few changes from the version culturally adapted for the Brazilian adult population. Cronbachs alpha coefficients were satisfactory for the general population and both sexes (.804; female =.851; male =.752). The one-factor model of the BAS was confirmed by the confirmatory factor analysis with good indicators for the measurements of adjustment to the model, χ2 = 77.9; GFI = 0.967; NFI = 0.940, CFI = 0.979; TLI = 0.968; RMSEA;.038). The convergent validity analyzes revealed significant correlations between BAS scores and BMI (r = -.230; p < .001) and between the first and body image satisfaction (r = .309; p < .001). The BAS version for Brazilian young adolescents had adequate levels of validity and reliability, keeping the one-dimensional structure which indicates its use in Brazilian adolescents samples.

False memories in social anxiety disorder

False memories are memories of events that never occurred or that occurred, but not exactly as we recall. Events with emotional content are subject to false memories production similar to neutral events. However, individual differences, such as the level of maladjustment and emotional instability characteristics of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), may interfere in the production of false memories. Objectives This study aimed to assess the effect of emotion in memory performance for an event witnessed by participants with and without SAD. Methods Participants were 61 young adults with SAD and 76 without any symptoms of SAD who were randomly assigned to watch a story with or without emotional arousal. Participants answered a subjective scale of emotion about the story and a recognition memory test. Results Participants with SAD recovered more true memories and more false memories for the non-emotional version compared to the emotional version of the story. Overall, participants with SAD produced fewer false memories compared to those without SAD. Discussion This finding suggests that social anxiety may have a significant impact on emotional memory accuracy, which may assist in the development and improvement of techniques for therapeutic intervention

Choir singing as an activity to manage anxiety and temporomandibular disorders: Reports from a Brazilian sample:

The aim of this study was to evaluate anxiety, stress and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among a sample of participants that practice choir singing as a recreational activity. As the literature shows the positive effects of choir singing on mental and physical health, we hypothesized that anxiety, stress and TMD symptoms would be less frequent in the choir group when compared to participants from the general population. The choir group included 33 adults who participated weekly in a choral singing group as a recreational activity and the comparison group included 40 participants from the general population. Choir singers had significantly lower levels of anxiety and TMD. A significant positive correlation was observed between anxiety and TMD scores. The groups did not differ regarding the presence of stress symptoms. It seems that choir singing was associated with better mental and physical outcomes. This study reinforces the promising benefits of choir singing as a recreational activity. Although we only included amateur singers in our sample, the literature shows that singing as a professional may be an etiologic factor for developing TMD. Future studies should explore differences between professional and amateur choir singers regarding TMD symptoms.

Information and communication technologies and training of the clinical psychologist

New Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) bring challenges and advantages to professional’s formation in several domains of knowledge. In the present paper, ICTs influences in Psychology courses are discussed as well as on clinical psychologist formation. At the contemporary and technology world, psychologists need to learn and manage to integrate several spaces in a balanced and innovative way. In other words, these professionals are demanded to form new contexts for learning, mediated by digital language. New learning nets exist and can promote the development of therapeutic skills to psychologists under formation. It is concluded that Psychology courses need to plan activities including the virtual reality. It is evidenced that Universities and educators need to plan and to be flexible at the curriculum of Psychology about the time of physical presence in class and virtual interactions, integrating in a creative and innovative way these contexts in order to prepare the Psychology professional to the new reality.

Erratum - Brazilian Congress of Cognitive Therapies: a history in 10 editions

In late 1980, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies (CBT) arrived in Brazil and have spread throughout the country. The Brazilian Federation of Cognitive Therapies (FBTC) has played an important role in this growth promoting Brazilian Congress of Cognitive Therapies (CBTC), which completed 10 editions in 2015. This study aimed to outline the history of CBTC and point its contributions to the growth of CBT in Brazil. For this, were examined the annals of CBTC, reports provided by FBTC and by companies responsible for organizing the meetings, meetings websites, as well as several materials such as photographs and personal notes provided by FBTC members, as well as scientific articles and book chapters that could help construct this process. The results show that CBTC grew along these years, with increased number of speakers, participants and presented papers. They also indicate intense participation of FBTC and CBTC in the growth and spread of CBT in Brazil. However, there is still much to be done to spread CBT, especially in the North, Midwest and Northeast of Brazil. We can say that CBTC are fulfilling its role of disseminating CBT, as forecasted by FBTC and by the field.