Amanda Morin | Texas Christian University (original) (raw)
Papers by Amanda Morin
International Journal of Exercise Science Conference Proceedings, 2014
Current global statistics estimate that 44.4 million people are afflicted with dementia, and that... more Current global statistics estimate that 44.4 million people are afflicted with dementia, and that 50%-75% of these patients suffer from Alzheimer's disease (AD; Prince et al. 2013). AD, a progressive disorder categorized by neuronal and behavioral deterioration, is the 6 th leading cause of death in America (Alz facts and figure 2012). One hallmark pathology of AD is the presence of amyloid-beta (Aβ) in the brain, which can limit cell-to-cell communication, leading to cognitive deficits, and neuronal cell death. Although the exact origins of this disease still remain unknown, one possible catalyst of AD pathology is inflammation. Our lab has previously shown that 7 consecutive peripheral injections of a bacterial mimetic led to systemic inflammation, increased levels of Aβ in the brain, and cognitive dysfunction (Kahn et al., 2012; Weintraub et al., 2013). Currently there are very few effective treatments that diminish AD symptomology. One documented way to decrease inflammation without the use of pharmaceuticals is through regular physical exercise (Cho et al., 2003; Cotman & Berchtold, 2002; Cotman et al., 2007). The present study tested the hypothesis that voluntary exercise would decrease the level of brain Aβ following inflammation. Interestingly, we found that two weeks of voluntary wheel running after inflammation led to a reduction of Aβ when compared to sedentary recovery. These results indicate that exercise may be an effective modality to reduce AD-like pathology, and that these effects appear to be facilitated by higher versus lower levels of exercise, as measured by total distance run.
Child psychiatry and human development, Jan 4, 2016
Use of valid, affordable, accessible, and brief measures facilitates the assessment of mental hea... more Use of valid, affordable, accessible, and brief measures facilitates the assessment of mental health outcomes. The Child and Adolescent Behavior Assessment Scale, a brief, structured scale, assesses problem behavior through patient and/or informant report. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the scale's psychometric properties. In the cross-sectional study presented, a large national sample of youth (aged 5-18) admitted for psychiatric treatment (N = 32,689) was examined. The two major domains of problem behavior assessed were Internalizing and Externalizing. Reliability was good to excellent with alpha levels ranging from 0.874 to 0.917. Additional items measured Risk Behavior (α = 0.648). Subscale total scores correlated well with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale for Children, 9-item version (BPRS-C-9). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the three-factor, multidimensional model of problem behavior as satisfactory for child and adolescent use, altho...
PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2011
UMI. ProQuest® Dissertations & Theses The world's most comprehensive collection of disse... more UMI. ProQuest® Dissertations & Theses The world's most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses. Learn more... ProQuest. The ET scale: Individual differences in preferences for epistemic versus teleologic tactics of deliberate self-persuasion. ...
Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2014
Although previous research has shown that beliefs about alcohol (expectancies) are associated wit... more Although previous research has shown that beliefs about alcohol (expectancies) are associated with alcohol-consistent, nonconsumptive behavior (e.g., aggression; Friedman, McCarthy, Bartholow, & Hicks, 2007), no research has examined the effects of such expectancy on physical balance. The purpose of the current research was to test the association between alcohol cue exposure and feelings of imbalance. Study 1 showed that participants exhibited poorer balance in the presence of alcohol-related pictures compared to neutral (e.g., juice) or no pictures. Study 2 found that people exhibited a heightened accessibility of alcohol-related thoughts following a manipulation where they felt imbalanced (i.e., rocking on a wobble board) versus balanced. Study 3 showed that people with higher positive expectancies about alcohol reported a greater number of alcohol-related thoughts after they were made to feel imbalanced (vs. balanced). Implications of this research for alcohol expectancies, embodied cognition, and psychomotor functioning are further discussed.
Appetite, 2014
Consumers often turn to non-caloric sweeteners (NCS) as a means of promoting a healthy body weigh... more Consumers often turn to non-caloric sweeteners (NCS) as a means of promoting a healthy body weight. However, several studies have now linked their long-term use to increased weight gain, raising the question of whether these products produce unintended psychological, physiological, or behavioral changes that have implications for weight management goals. In the following, we present the results of three experiments bearing on this issue, testing whether NCS-consumption influences how individuals think about and respond to food. Participants in each of our three experiments were randomly assigned to consume a sugar-sweetened beverage, an unsweetened beverage, or a beverage sweetened with NCS. We then measured their cognition (Experiment 1), product choice (Experiment 2), and subjective responses to a sugar-sweetened food (Experiment 3). Results revealed that consuming NCS-sweetened beverages influences psychological processes in ways that -over time -may increase calorie intake.
Psychological Assessment, 2014
People are often dissatisfied with their attitudes (e.g., liking their jobs too little or junk fo... more People are often dissatisfied with their attitudes (e.g., liking their jobs too little or junk food too much) and would like to evaluate differently. On the basis of theory and research, a scale was developed to measure individual differences in preference for 2 types of cognitive tactics (epistemic or teleologic [E or T]) that people use when they try to change their own attitudes (Maio & Thomas, 2007). For each of 3 attitude objects (my life, a romantic partner, Arabs), the scale items loaded on the 2 intended factors, and E - T scale scores were significantly correlated across the 3 attitude objects (Study 1). Scale scores also displayed satisfactory internal and test-retest reliability and discriminant validity (Study 2). In addition, E - T scores (i.e., mean preference for epistemic vs. teleologic tactics) displayed satisfactory predictive and construct validity by predicting the extent to which individuals would recall negative attributes of their lives (Study 3) and of going to a counseling center (Study 4) after a session of deliberate self-persuasion. The discussion centers on theoretical and practical applications of the new scale.
European Journal of Social Psychology, 2011
Page 1. Research article Effects of role model deservingness on overcoming performance deficits i... more Page 1. Research article Effects of role model deservingness on overcoming performance deficits induced by stereotype threat RUSTY B. MCINTYRE1*, RENE´ M. PAULSON2, CHERYL A. TAYLOR3, AMANDA L. MORIN3 AND ...
International Journal of Exercise Science Conference Proceedings, 2014
Current global statistics estimate that 44.4 million people are afflicted with dementia, and that... more Current global statistics estimate that 44.4 million people are afflicted with dementia, and that 50%-75% of these patients suffer from Alzheimer's disease (AD; Prince et al. 2013). AD, a progressive disorder categorized by neuronal and behavioral deterioration, is the 6 th leading cause of death in America (Alz facts and figure 2012). One hallmark pathology of AD is the presence of amyloid-beta (Aβ) in the brain, which can limit cell-to-cell communication, leading to cognitive deficits, and neuronal cell death. Although the exact origins of this disease still remain unknown, one possible catalyst of AD pathology is inflammation. Our lab has previously shown that 7 consecutive peripheral injections of a bacterial mimetic led to systemic inflammation, increased levels of Aβ in the brain, and cognitive dysfunction (Kahn et al., 2012; Weintraub et al., 2013). Currently there are very few effective treatments that diminish AD symptomology. One documented way to decrease inflammation without the use of pharmaceuticals is through regular physical exercise (Cho et al., 2003; Cotman & Berchtold, 2002; Cotman et al., 2007). The present study tested the hypothesis that voluntary exercise would decrease the level of brain Aβ following inflammation. Interestingly, we found that two weeks of voluntary wheel running after inflammation led to a reduction of Aβ when compared to sedentary recovery. These results indicate that exercise may be an effective modality to reduce AD-like pathology, and that these effects appear to be facilitated by higher versus lower levels of exercise, as measured by total distance run.
Child psychiatry and human development, Jan 4, 2016
Use of valid, affordable, accessible, and brief measures facilitates the assessment of mental hea... more Use of valid, affordable, accessible, and brief measures facilitates the assessment of mental health outcomes. The Child and Adolescent Behavior Assessment Scale, a brief, structured scale, assesses problem behavior through patient and/or informant report. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the scale's psychometric properties. In the cross-sectional study presented, a large national sample of youth (aged 5-18) admitted for psychiatric treatment (N = 32,689) was examined. The two major domains of problem behavior assessed were Internalizing and Externalizing. Reliability was good to excellent with alpha levels ranging from 0.874 to 0.917. Additional items measured Risk Behavior (α = 0.648). Subscale total scores correlated well with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale for Children, 9-item version (BPRS-C-9). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the three-factor, multidimensional model of problem behavior as satisfactory for child and adolescent use, altho...
PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2011
UMI. ProQuest® Dissertations & Theses The world's most comprehensive collection of disse... more UMI. ProQuest® Dissertations & Theses The world's most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses. Learn more... ProQuest. The ET scale: Individual differences in preferences for epistemic versus teleologic tactics of deliberate self-persuasion. ...
Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2014
Although previous research has shown that beliefs about alcohol (expectancies) are associated wit... more Although previous research has shown that beliefs about alcohol (expectancies) are associated with alcohol-consistent, nonconsumptive behavior (e.g., aggression; Friedman, McCarthy, Bartholow, & Hicks, 2007), no research has examined the effects of such expectancy on physical balance. The purpose of the current research was to test the association between alcohol cue exposure and feelings of imbalance. Study 1 showed that participants exhibited poorer balance in the presence of alcohol-related pictures compared to neutral (e.g., juice) or no pictures. Study 2 found that people exhibited a heightened accessibility of alcohol-related thoughts following a manipulation where they felt imbalanced (i.e., rocking on a wobble board) versus balanced. Study 3 showed that people with higher positive expectancies about alcohol reported a greater number of alcohol-related thoughts after they were made to feel imbalanced (vs. balanced). Implications of this research for alcohol expectancies, embodied cognition, and psychomotor functioning are further discussed.
Appetite, 2014
Consumers often turn to non-caloric sweeteners (NCS) as a means of promoting a healthy body weigh... more Consumers often turn to non-caloric sweeteners (NCS) as a means of promoting a healthy body weight. However, several studies have now linked their long-term use to increased weight gain, raising the question of whether these products produce unintended psychological, physiological, or behavioral changes that have implications for weight management goals. In the following, we present the results of three experiments bearing on this issue, testing whether NCS-consumption influences how individuals think about and respond to food. Participants in each of our three experiments were randomly assigned to consume a sugar-sweetened beverage, an unsweetened beverage, or a beverage sweetened with NCS. We then measured their cognition (Experiment 1), product choice (Experiment 2), and subjective responses to a sugar-sweetened food (Experiment 3). Results revealed that consuming NCS-sweetened beverages influences psychological processes in ways that -over time -may increase calorie intake.
Psychological Assessment, 2014
People are often dissatisfied with their attitudes (e.g., liking their jobs too little or junk fo... more People are often dissatisfied with their attitudes (e.g., liking their jobs too little or junk food too much) and would like to evaluate differently. On the basis of theory and research, a scale was developed to measure individual differences in preference for 2 types of cognitive tactics (epistemic or teleologic [E or T]) that people use when they try to change their own attitudes (Maio & Thomas, 2007). For each of 3 attitude objects (my life, a romantic partner, Arabs), the scale items loaded on the 2 intended factors, and E - T scale scores were significantly correlated across the 3 attitude objects (Study 1). Scale scores also displayed satisfactory internal and test-retest reliability and discriminant validity (Study 2). In addition, E - T scores (i.e., mean preference for epistemic vs. teleologic tactics) displayed satisfactory predictive and construct validity by predicting the extent to which individuals would recall negative attributes of their lives (Study 3) and of going to a counseling center (Study 4) after a session of deliberate self-persuasion. The discussion centers on theoretical and practical applications of the new scale.
European Journal of Social Psychology, 2011
Page 1. Research article Effects of role model deservingness on overcoming performance deficits i... more Page 1. Research article Effects of role model deservingness on overcoming performance deficits induced by stereotype threat RUSTY B. MCINTYRE1*, RENE´ M. PAULSON2, CHERYL A. TAYLOR3, AMANDA L. MORIN3 AND ...