A matching law analysis of the reinforcing efficacy of wheel running in rats

Previous research has demonstrated that running in a rotating wheel functions as a reinforcer for leverpressing in rats. In these studies, the pattern of responding was similar to the pattern of responding maintained by consummatory reinforcers, such as food and water. The present study investigated quantitative features of responding maintained by running. In previous experiments in which responses were reinforced according to variable-interval (VI) schedules and food and water served as the reinforcer, the equation for a rectangular hyperbola described the relationship between response rate and reinforcement rate. This experiment tested whether this quantitative regularity also applies to leverpressing maintained by the opportunity to run in a wheel. Fourteen male Wistar rats responded on levers for the opportunity to run. In each session, subjects were exposed to a series of VI schedules. An opportunity to run for 60 sec was the reinforcing consequence. Results showed that response rate was a negatively accelerated function of reinforcement rate, and the relationship between these two variables was described well by the equation for a rectangular hyperbola. To further test the similarity between running and consummatory reinforcers, the response requirement and access were manipulated. In previous experiments with food and water, these types of manipulations differentially changed the two parameters of the hyperbola. A similar pattern of results was obtained with wheel running. Thus, the equation appears to apply to running about as well as it does to consummatory reinforcers.     

A Family Focused Intervention Influences Hippocampal-Prefrontal Connectivity Through Gains in Self-Regulation

The stressors associated with poverty increase the risks for externalizing psychopathology; however, specific patterns of neurobiology and higher self-regulation may buffer against these effects. This study leveraged a randomized control trial, aimed at increasing self-regulation at ~11 years of age. As adults, these same individuals completed functional MRI scanning (M_age = 24.88 years; intervention n = 44; control n = 49). Functional connectivity between the hippocampus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex was examined in relation to the intervention, gains in self-regulation, and present-day externalizing symptoms. Increased connectivity between these brain areas was noted in the intervention group compared to controls. Furthermore, individual gains in self-regulation, instilled by the intervention, statistically explained this brain difference. These results begin to connect neurobiological and psychosocial markers of risk and resiliency.     

Exploring Japanese high school English teachers’ foreign language teacher efficacy beliefs

This study explored the foreign language teaching efficacy beliefs of Japanese high school English teachers. The study provides a teacher efficacy scale designed for the Japanese context, which could also be used or adapted for similar contexts in the wider East Asian area. Data were drawn from an online survey of 141 participants. Exploratory factor analysis identified five dimensions of latent teacher efficacy beliefs, including individual and collaborative dimensions, and some specific to the Japanese context, such as efficacy for helping students achieve entrance success. Findings also indicate that some dimensions of foreign language teaching efficacy, such as efficacy for using the L2, are generalizable to wider field.