Rafael Torrubia | Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (original) (raw)

Papers by Rafael Torrubia

Research paper thumbnail of Psicopatía: una entidad clínica controvertida pero necesaria en psiquiatría forense

Revista Española de Medicina Legal, 2008

La psicopatía es una de las entidades clínicas más controvertidas en psiquiatría debido a la conf... more La psicopatía es una de las entidades clínicas más controvertidas en psiquiatría debido a la confusión existente en los aspectos conceptuales y terminológicos. Sin embargo, durante las últimas décadas, se ha ido acumulando evidencia clínica, forense y de laboratorio que justifica la utilización de un constructo clínico específico para definir a los individuos que, a causa de su carácter frío, manipulador e impulsivo, de su agresividad y de su violación persistente de las normas sociales, entran en conflicto permanente con su entorno social. En la presente revisión se realiza, en primer lugar, un breve resumen de las controversias conceptuales y terminológicas relacionadas con la psicopatía; a continuación, se describen y comparan algunas de las categorías de clasificación vigentes. En la última parte, se presenta evidencia empírica que respalda la validez y la utilidad práctica de los criterios diagnósticos de psicopatía de R.D. Hare. Se concluye que es necesario avanzar hacia la utilización sistemática de dichos criterios diagnósticos en la práctica forense en nuestro país.

Research paper thumbnail of Passive avoidance learning in extraverted females

Personality and Individual Differences, 2000

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying passive avoidance learning in ... more The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying passive avoidance learning in females in order to contrast Newman's (disinhibition as a consequence of BAS hyperactivity) with Gray's perspective (disinhibition can also appear as a consequence of BIS hypoactivity). Two computerized versions of the go/no-go discrimination task used by Newman et al. [

Research paper thumbnail of Trastorns de conducta i trets de psicopatia en joves: Estil Educatiu dels pares com a possible factor de risc

Research paper thumbnail of Predicting outcome of lithium added to antidepressants in resistant depression

Journal of Affective Disorders, 1997

This study was conducted to assess the predictive value of different variables including the resp... more This study was conducted to assess the predictive value of different variables including the response to dexamethasone suppression test (DST), in 105 patients with resistant depression after the addition of lithium (600 to 800 mg/day) for 4 weeks to antidepressant medication. Clinical remission was observed in 57 patients and no improvement in 48. A dramatic and rapid relief of depression occurred in 12 patients. Variables with significant or marginally significant differences between responders and non-responders were included in a stepwise logistic regression model. Weight loss (P = 0.0013) and depressive psychomotor activity (P = 0.045) in the Newcastle diagnostic index (NDI) scale, and overall score of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) before adding the lithium (P = 0.0039) were significantly associated with clinical remission. The difference in post-DST cortisol plasma levels between both groups was marginally significant. The logistic equation resulted in a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 65% and total correct classification of the lithium-added response of 72%. The clinical profile of patients who improve with the addition of lithium may include significant weight loss, psychomotor retardation and possibly, poor control of cortisol secretion. Partial remission before adding lithium as well as endogenomorphic traits according to NDI may also be considered additional criteria for response.

Research paper thumbnail of Screening of personality disorders for gender among Spanish college students by personality diagnostic questionnaire-4+ (Pdq-4+)

European Psychiatry, 2008

Research paper thumbnail of Behavioural inhibition and behavioural activation systems in cocaine dependent patients

European Psychiatry, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of Behavioral activation and inhibition systems in bipolar i euthymic patients and its influence in subsequent episodes

European Psychiatry, 2007

Theorists have proposed that depression is associated with abnormalities in the behavioral activa... more Theorists have proposed that depression is associated with abnormalities in the behavioral activation (BAS) and behavioral inhibition (BIS) systems. In particular, depressed individuals are hypothesized to exhibit deficient BAS and overactive BIS functioning. Self-reported levels of BAS and BIS were examined in 62 depressed participants and 27 nondepressed controls. Clinical functioning was assessed at intake and at 8-month follow-up. Relative to nondepressed controls, depressed participants reported lower BAS levels and higher BIS levels. Within the depressed group, lower BAS levels were associated with greater concurrent depression severity and predicted worse 8-month outcome. Levels of both BIS and BAS showed considerable stability over time and clinical state. Overall, results suggest that BAS dysregulation exacerbates the presentation and course of depressive illness.

Research paper thumbnail of The Underlying Traits of the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP)

European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 2002

Research paper thumbnail of Personality, expectations, and response strategies in multiple-choice question examinations in university students: a test of Gray's hypotheses

European Journal of Personality, 2004

The relation between personality and type of error made in multiple-choice examinations when corr... more The relation between personality and type of error made in multiple-choice examinations when correction for guessing is applied was investigated across two studies. Our general hypothesis was that disinhibited subjects (those scoring high on the Sensitivity to Reward (SR) scale and/or low on the Sensitivity to Punishment (SP) scale) would make more incorrect responses and fewer omission errors (blanks) than inhibited subjects (those with high SP and/or low SR scores). The meta-analyses of 19 examinations in study 1 confirmed our hypotheses for SP, SR, and extraversion. Regression analyses on effect sizes revealed that SP differences were obtained in examinations with low marks, whereas SR differences were obtained in examinations with more responses and fewer questions. Study 2 showed that a low-mark expectation increased omissions in high-SP subjects, whereas a highmark expectation increased incorrect responses in high-SR subjects. These results suggest two different mechanisms mediating inhibition/disinhibition: one associated with aversive motivation, and the other with appetitive motivation. The multiple-choice examinations described in this paper all involved correction for guessing. That is, a correct answer resulted in one point whereas an incorrect one resulted in loss of points equal to one over the number of response options minus one (1/n À 1) for that question. Thus, students were faced with a decision to respond or to omit responding to each item. Another interesting point is that in the first study our examinations were rated from 0 to 10, and that passing them involved exceeding a fixed criterion (i.e. examinations are not curved): to pass the examinations, students had to attain a score of 5 or greater. Recently, Corr (2002) has distinguished two complementary accounts of Gray's model.

Research paper thumbnail of Striatum gray matter reduction in males with an overactive behavioral activation system

European Journal of Neuroscience, 2006

Using optimized voxel-based morphometry, we studied the relationship between gray matter volume i... more Using optimized voxel-based morphometry, we studied the relationship between gray matter volume in brain areas associated with reward and scores on a behavioral activation system measure (the Sensitivity to Reward scale) in a sample of 50 male undergraduates. Voxel-based morphometry analysis revealed a negative correlation between Sensitivity to Reward scores and gray matter volume in the dorsal striatum and prefrontal cortex. Results indicate that a reduced volume in the striatum might be associated with enhanced reward sensitivity and deficits in inhibitory control.

Research paper thumbnail of Conditioned Subjective Responses to Socially Relevant Stimuli in Social Anxiety Disorder and Subclinical Social Anxiety

Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 2014

Although enhanced fear conditioning has been implicated in the origins of social anxiety disorder... more Although enhanced fear conditioning has been implicated in the origins of social anxiety disorder (SAD), laboratory evidence in support of this association is limited. Using a paradigm employing socially relevant unconditioned stimuli, we conducted two separate studies to asses fear conditioning in individuals with SAD and non-clinical individuals with high social anxiety (subclinical social anxiety [SSA]). They were compared with age-matched and gender-matched individuals with another anxiety disorder (panic disorder with agoraphobia) and healthy controls (Study 1) and with individuals with low social anxiety (Study 2). Contrary to our expectations, in both studies, self-report measures (ratings of anxiety, unpleasantness and arousal to the conditioned stimuli) of fear conditioning failed to discriminate between SAD or SSA and the other participant groups. Our results suggest that enhanced fear conditioning does not play a major role in pathological social anxiety. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. We used a social conditioning paradigm to study fear conditioning in clinical and subclinical social anxiety. We found no evidence of enhanced fear conditioning in social anxiety individuals. Enhanced fear conditioning may not be a hallmark of pathological social anxiety.

Research paper thumbnail of El desenvolupament de la conducta antisocial: trajectòries evolutives, factors de risc i prevenció

… : revista catalana d'educació especial i …, 2008

En aquest article es revisen alguns factors relacionats amb el desenvolupament de la conducta ant... more En aquest article es revisen alguns factors relacionats amb el desenvolupament de la conducta antisocial durant la infància i l'adolescència: a) Els aspectes essencials del Trastorn Negativista Desafiant, del Trastorn Dissocial i de les aproximacions dimensionals a aquests trastorns; b) les trajectòries evolutives cap als problemes de conducta i la conducta delictiva; c) les causes i els factors de risc més importants; d) la interacció de la natura i la cultura en la gènesi i el manteniment dels problemes de socialització; e) les pràctiques parentals de criança més vinculades a la conducta antisocial; f) els resultats d'alguns estudis fets amb població catalana que il·lustren aquesta relació; i g) els programes de prevenció. En les conclusions es remarca la importància de la detecció precoç de les conductes problemàtiques, especialment quan es presenten en forma de patrons estables d'agressió física des dels primers anys de vida, i la necessitat d'endegar programes de prevenció adreçats als infants amb més factors de risc i a les seves famílies.

Research paper thumbnail of Personality characteristics in obsessive-compulsive disorder and individuals with subclinical obsessive-compulsive problems

British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2004

Objective. To assess the relationship between normal personality traits and obsessivecompulsive (... more Objective. To assess the relationship between normal personality traits and obsessivecompulsive (OC) phenomena in individuals with subclinical OC problems and patients whose problems met diagnostic criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Research paper thumbnail of Negative reward expectations in Borderline Personality Disorder patients: Neurophysiological evidence

Biological Psychology, 2013

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients present profound disturbances in affect regulation... more Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients present profound disturbances in affect regulation and impulse control which could reflect a dysfunction in reward-related processes. The current study investigated these processes in a sample of 18 BPD patients and 18 matched healthy controls, using an event-related brain potentials methodology. Results revealed a reduction in the amplitude of the Feedback-Related Negativity of BPD patients, which is a neurophysiological index of the impact of negative feedback in reward-related tasks. This reduction, in the effect of negative feedback in BPD patients, was accompanied by a different behavioral pattern of risk choice compared to healthy participants. These findings confirm a dysfunctional reward system in BDP patients, which might compromise their capacity to build positive expectations of future rewards and decision making.

Research paper thumbnail of No effect of trait anxiety on differential fear conditioning or fear generalization

Biological Psychology, 2013

Previous studies have shown that individuals with anxiety disorders exhibit deficits in fear inhi... more Previous studies have shown that individuals with anxiety disorders exhibit deficits in fear inhibition and excessive generalization of fear, but little data exist on individuals at risk from these disorders. The present study examined the role of trait anxiety in the acquisition and generalization of fear in 126 healthy participants selected on the basis of their trait-anxiety scores. Measures of conditioning included fear-potentiated startle, skin conductance response and online risk ratings for the unconditioned stimulus. Contrary to our hypotheses, trait anxiety did not have any effect either on the acquisition or the generalization of fear. Our results suggest that these fear conditioning processes are not impaired in individuals at risk from anxiety.

Research paper thumbnail of Influence of individual differences in the Behavioral Inhibition System and stimulus content (fear versus blood-disgust) on affective startle reflex modulation

Biological Psychology, 2006

Previous research has shown that the startle reflex is potentiated during experimentally induced ... more Previous research has shown that the startle reflex is potentiated during experimentally induced anxiety (fear-potentiated startle). In the present study, the magnitude and time course of the startle blink reflex were examined among 35 undergraduates scoring one standard deviation above (n = 14) or below (n = 21) the mean in a self-report measure of sensitivity to punishment (SP) in a paradigm involving the anticipation of electric shocks. Contrary to our predictions, SP did not relate to differences in the magnitude or in the time course of fear-potentiated startle. Our data do not support an association between this individual differences variable and the fear-potentiated startle.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of two flooding procedures in reducing avoidance and skin conductance responses in human volunteers

Behavior Therapy, 1988

ABSTRACT Two types of flooding, unrestrained (with no response prevention) and restrained (with p... more ABSTRACT Two types of flooding, unrestrained (with no response prevention) and restrained (with prevention of avoidance responses), were compared in normal students who had acquired an active avoidance which was afterwards extinguished. Skin conductance responses (SCRs) were measured during the different phases of the experiment. SCRs were significantly greater throughout flooding treatment when the subjects (unrestrained) were allowed to make an avoidance response which did not terminate the warning stimulus, but SCRs declined at the same rate during subsequent extinction trials regardless of the type of flooding used. Avoidance responses during the extinction trials declined significantly faster after unrestrained flooding. The two types of flooding produced similarly large proportions of desynchrony (lack of covariation in the cessation of SCRs and avoidances) during the extinction test. Nevertheless, the particular sequence of extinction between SCRs and avoidances was found to be dependent on the type of flooding used. Results are in line with other animal and clinical studies and could be used to derive improvements in exposure methods to treat abnormal avoidances.

Research paper thumbnail of Spanish Version of the Savings Inventory-Revised: Adaptation, Psychometric Properties, and Relationship to Personality Variables

Behavior Modification, 2006

The factor structure, psychometric properties, and relationship with personality variables of a S... more The factor structure, psychometric properties, and relationship with personality variables of a Spanish version of the Savings Inventory-Revised (SI-R) are investigated in a sample of 381 undergraduate students. A maximum likelihood factor analysis suggests a three-factor structure, which is similar but not identical to that of the original English version. The three factors mirror the three hypothesized domains of compulsive hoarding: acquisition, difficulty discarding, and clutter. The Spanish SI-R demonstrates acceptable high internal consistency and test-retest reliability, but its divergent validity is weaker than expected because of a significant overlap with depressive symptoms. Different SI-R factors are associated with different personality traits: Whereas the difficulty discarding dimension is predominantly associated with susceptibility to punishment, the acquisition dimension is predominantly associated with susceptibility to reward. The authors conclude that the Spanish SI-R is a promising instrument to measure hoarding symptoms.

Research paper thumbnail of Temporal Stability of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Dimensions in an Undergraduate Sample: A Prospective 2-Year Follow-Up Study

Behavior Modification, 2007

The temporal stability of obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions was studied in a nonclinical st... more The temporal stability of obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions was studied in a nonclinical student sample. The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised was administered twice to 132 undergraduate students during a 2-year period. There were no significant changes in symptom dimension scores between the baseline and follow-up, except for the Obsessing scale. The score of each dimension at follow-up was strongly and uniquely predicted from the score on the same dimension at baseline. The results indicate that obsessivecompulsive symptom dimensions tend to be temporally stable in nonclinical participants, replicating similar studies in clinical populations.

Research paper thumbnail of Alcohol use as a behavioural sign of disinhibition: Evidence from J.A. Gray's model of personality

Addictive Behaviors, 2007

Based on Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, the influence of behavioural disinhibition upon... more Based on Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, the influence of behavioural disinhibition upon alcohol consumption was studied. A sample of undergraduates answered different questionnaires related to the Behavioural Inhibition System and Behavioural Activation System. In relation to alcohol use, three aspects of alcohol consumption were assessed: frequency, quantity of alcohol intake and the age at first drink. From a series of correlation and regression analyses, we found that both high scores on BAS-related scales and low scores on those scales related to the BIS were jointly associated with current alcohol-taking habits. Additionally, the Sensitivity to Reward (SR) scale (BAS) was negatively correlated with, and a predictor of, the onset age of alcohol use. We conclude by proposing that research on alcohol use can benefit from this well-grounded theory of the neuropsychology of the individual differences.

Research paper thumbnail of Psicopatía: una entidad clínica controvertida pero necesaria en psiquiatría forense

Revista Española de Medicina Legal, 2008

La psicopatía es una de las entidades clínicas más controvertidas en psiquiatría debido a la conf... more La psicopatía es una de las entidades clínicas más controvertidas en psiquiatría debido a la confusión existente en los aspectos conceptuales y terminológicos. Sin embargo, durante las últimas décadas, se ha ido acumulando evidencia clínica, forense y de laboratorio que justifica la utilización de un constructo clínico específico para definir a los individuos que, a causa de su carácter frío, manipulador e impulsivo, de su agresividad y de su violación persistente de las normas sociales, entran en conflicto permanente con su entorno social. En la presente revisión se realiza, en primer lugar, un breve resumen de las controversias conceptuales y terminológicas relacionadas con la psicopatía; a continuación, se describen y comparan algunas de las categorías de clasificación vigentes. En la última parte, se presenta evidencia empírica que respalda la validez y la utilidad práctica de los criterios diagnósticos de psicopatía de R.D. Hare. Se concluye que es necesario avanzar hacia la utilización sistemática de dichos criterios diagnósticos en la práctica forense en nuestro país.

Research paper thumbnail of Passive avoidance learning in extraverted females

Personality and Individual Differences, 2000

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying passive avoidance learning in ... more The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying passive avoidance learning in females in order to contrast Newman's (disinhibition as a consequence of BAS hyperactivity) with Gray's perspective (disinhibition can also appear as a consequence of BIS hypoactivity). Two computerized versions of the go/no-go discrimination task used by Newman et al. [

Research paper thumbnail of Trastorns de conducta i trets de psicopatia en joves: Estil Educatiu dels pares com a possible factor de risc

Research paper thumbnail of Predicting outcome of lithium added to antidepressants in resistant depression

Journal of Affective Disorders, 1997

This study was conducted to assess the predictive value of different variables including the resp... more This study was conducted to assess the predictive value of different variables including the response to dexamethasone suppression test (DST), in 105 patients with resistant depression after the addition of lithium (600 to 800 mg/day) for 4 weeks to antidepressant medication. Clinical remission was observed in 57 patients and no improvement in 48. A dramatic and rapid relief of depression occurred in 12 patients. Variables with significant or marginally significant differences between responders and non-responders were included in a stepwise logistic regression model. Weight loss (P = 0.0013) and depressive psychomotor activity (P = 0.045) in the Newcastle diagnostic index (NDI) scale, and overall score of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) before adding the lithium (P = 0.0039) were significantly associated with clinical remission. The difference in post-DST cortisol plasma levels between both groups was marginally significant. The logistic equation resulted in a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 65% and total correct classification of the lithium-added response of 72%. The clinical profile of patients who improve with the addition of lithium may include significant weight loss, psychomotor retardation and possibly, poor control of cortisol secretion. Partial remission before adding lithium as well as endogenomorphic traits according to NDI may also be considered additional criteria for response.

Research paper thumbnail of Screening of personality disorders for gender among Spanish college students by personality diagnostic questionnaire-4+ (Pdq-4+)

European Psychiatry, 2008

Research paper thumbnail of Behavioural inhibition and behavioural activation systems in cocaine dependent patients

European Psychiatry, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of Behavioral activation and inhibition systems in bipolar i euthymic patients and its influence in subsequent episodes

European Psychiatry, 2007

Theorists have proposed that depression is associated with abnormalities in the behavioral activa... more Theorists have proposed that depression is associated with abnormalities in the behavioral activation (BAS) and behavioral inhibition (BIS) systems. In particular, depressed individuals are hypothesized to exhibit deficient BAS and overactive BIS functioning. Self-reported levels of BAS and BIS were examined in 62 depressed participants and 27 nondepressed controls. Clinical functioning was assessed at intake and at 8-month follow-up. Relative to nondepressed controls, depressed participants reported lower BAS levels and higher BIS levels. Within the depressed group, lower BAS levels were associated with greater concurrent depression severity and predicted worse 8-month outcome. Levels of both BIS and BAS showed considerable stability over time and clinical state. Overall, results suggest that BAS dysregulation exacerbates the presentation and course of depressive illness.

Research paper thumbnail of The Underlying Traits of the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP)

European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 2002

Research paper thumbnail of Personality, expectations, and response strategies in multiple-choice question examinations in university students: a test of Gray's hypotheses

European Journal of Personality, 2004

The relation between personality and type of error made in multiple-choice examinations when corr... more The relation between personality and type of error made in multiple-choice examinations when correction for guessing is applied was investigated across two studies. Our general hypothesis was that disinhibited subjects (those scoring high on the Sensitivity to Reward (SR) scale and/or low on the Sensitivity to Punishment (SP) scale) would make more incorrect responses and fewer omission errors (blanks) than inhibited subjects (those with high SP and/or low SR scores). The meta-analyses of 19 examinations in study 1 confirmed our hypotheses for SP, SR, and extraversion. Regression analyses on effect sizes revealed that SP differences were obtained in examinations with low marks, whereas SR differences were obtained in examinations with more responses and fewer questions. Study 2 showed that a low-mark expectation increased omissions in high-SP subjects, whereas a highmark expectation increased incorrect responses in high-SR subjects. These results suggest two different mechanisms mediating inhibition/disinhibition: one associated with aversive motivation, and the other with appetitive motivation. The multiple-choice examinations described in this paper all involved correction for guessing. That is, a correct answer resulted in one point whereas an incorrect one resulted in loss of points equal to one over the number of response options minus one (1/n À 1) for that question. Thus, students were faced with a decision to respond or to omit responding to each item. Another interesting point is that in the first study our examinations were rated from 0 to 10, and that passing them involved exceeding a fixed criterion (i.e. examinations are not curved): to pass the examinations, students had to attain a score of 5 or greater. Recently, Corr (2002) has distinguished two complementary accounts of Gray's model.

Research paper thumbnail of Striatum gray matter reduction in males with an overactive behavioral activation system

European Journal of Neuroscience, 2006

Using optimized voxel-based morphometry, we studied the relationship between gray matter volume i... more Using optimized voxel-based morphometry, we studied the relationship between gray matter volume in brain areas associated with reward and scores on a behavioral activation system measure (the Sensitivity to Reward scale) in a sample of 50 male undergraduates. Voxel-based morphometry analysis revealed a negative correlation between Sensitivity to Reward scores and gray matter volume in the dorsal striatum and prefrontal cortex. Results indicate that a reduced volume in the striatum might be associated with enhanced reward sensitivity and deficits in inhibitory control.

Research paper thumbnail of Conditioned Subjective Responses to Socially Relevant Stimuli in Social Anxiety Disorder and Subclinical Social Anxiety

Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 2014

Although enhanced fear conditioning has been implicated in the origins of social anxiety disorder... more Although enhanced fear conditioning has been implicated in the origins of social anxiety disorder (SAD), laboratory evidence in support of this association is limited. Using a paradigm employing socially relevant unconditioned stimuli, we conducted two separate studies to asses fear conditioning in individuals with SAD and non-clinical individuals with high social anxiety (subclinical social anxiety [SSA]). They were compared with age-matched and gender-matched individuals with another anxiety disorder (panic disorder with agoraphobia) and healthy controls (Study 1) and with individuals with low social anxiety (Study 2). Contrary to our expectations, in both studies, self-report measures (ratings of anxiety, unpleasantness and arousal to the conditioned stimuli) of fear conditioning failed to discriminate between SAD or SSA and the other participant groups. Our results suggest that enhanced fear conditioning does not play a major role in pathological social anxiety. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. We used a social conditioning paradigm to study fear conditioning in clinical and subclinical social anxiety. We found no evidence of enhanced fear conditioning in social anxiety individuals. Enhanced fear conditioning may not be a hallmark of pathological social anxiety.

Research paper thumbnail of El desenvolupament de la conducta antisocial: trajectòries evolutives, factors de risc i prevenció

… : revista catalana d'educació especial i …, 2008

En aquest article es revisen alguns factors relacionats amb el desenvolupament de la conducta ant... more En aquest article es revisen alguns factors relacionats amb el desenvolupament de la conducta antisocial durant la infància i l'adolescència: a) Els aspectes essencials del Trastorn Negativista Desafiant, del Trastorn Dissocial i de les aproximacions dimensionals a aquests trastorns; b) les trajectòries evolutives cap als problemes de conducta i la conducta delictiva; c) les causes i els factors de risc més importants; d) la interacció de la natura i la cultura en la gènesi i el manteniment dels problemes de socialització; e) les pràctiques parentals de criança més vinculades a la conducta antisocial; f) els resultats d'alguns estudis fets amb població catalana que il·lustren aquesta relació; i g) els programes de prevenció. En les conclusions es remarca la importància de la detecció precoç de les conductes problemàtiques, especialment quan es presenten en forma de patrons estables d'agressió física des dels primers anys de vida, i la necessitat d'endegar programes de prevenció adreçats als infants amb més factors de risc i a les seves famílies.

Research paper thumbnail of Personality characteristics in obsessive-compulsive disorder and individuals with subclinical obsessive-compulsive problems

British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2004

Objective. To assess the relationship between normal personality traits and obsessivecompulsive (... more Objective. To assess the relationship between normal personality traits and obsessivecompulsive (OC) phenomena in individuals with subclinical OC problems and patients whose problems met diagnostic criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Research paper thumbnail of Negative reward expectations in Borderline Personality Disorder patients: Neurophysiological evidence

Biological Psychology, 2013

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients present profound disturbances in affect regulation... more Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients present profound disturbances in affect regulation and impulse control which could reflect a dysfunction in reward-related processes. The current study investigated these processes in a sample of 18 BPD patients and 18 matched healthy controls, using an event-related brain potentials methodology. Results revealed a reduction in the amplitude of the Feedback-Related Negativity of BPD patients, which is a neurophysiological index of the impact of negative feedback in reward-related tasks. This reduction, in the effect of negative feedback in BPD patients, was accompanied by a different behavioral pattern of risk choice compared to healthy participants. These findings confirm a dysfunctional reward system in BDP patients, which might compromise their capacity to build positive expectations of future rewards and decision making.

Research paper thumbnail of No effect of trait anxiety on differential fear conditioning or fear generalization

Biological Psychology, 2013

Previous studies have shown that individuals with anxiety disorders exhibit deficits in fear inhi... more Previous studies have shown that individuals with anxiety disorders exhibit deficits in fear inhibition and excessive generalization of fear, but little data exist on individuals at risk from these disorders. The present study examined the role of trait anxiety in the acquisition and generalization of fear in 126 healthy participants selected on the basis of their trait-anxiety scores. Measures of conditioning included fear-potentiated startle, skin conductance response and online risk ratings for the unconditioned stimulus. Contrary to our hypotheses, trait anxiety did not have any effect either on the acquisition or the generalization of fear. Our results suggest that these fear conditioning processes are not impaired in individuals at risk from anxiety.

Research paper thumbnail of Influence of individual differences in the Behavioral Inhibition System and stimulus content (fear versus blood-disgust) on affective startle reflex modulation

Biological Psychology, 2006

Previous research has shown that the startle reflex is potentiated during experimentally induced ... more Previous research has shown that the startle reflex is potentiated during experimentally induced anxiety (fear-potentiated startle). In the present study, the magnitude and time course of the startle blink reflex were examined among 35 undergraduates scoring one standard deviation above (n = 14) or below (n = 21) the mean in a self-report measure of sensitivity to punishment (SP) in a paradigm involving the anticipation of electric shocks. Contrary to our predictions, SP did not relate to differences in the magnitude or in the time course of fear-potentiated startle. Our data do not support an association between this individual differences variable and the fear-potentiated startle.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of two flooding procedures in reducing avoidance and skin conductance responses in human volunteers

Behavior Therapy, 1988

ABSTRACT Two types of flooding, unrestrained (with no response prevention) and restrained (with p... more ABSTRACT Two types of flooding, unrestrained (with no response prevention) and restrained (with prevention of avoidance responses), were compared in normal students who had acquired an active avoidance which was afterwards extinguished. Skin conductance responses (SCRs) were measured during the different phases of the experiment. SCRs were significantly greater throughout flooding treatment when the subjects (unrestrained) were allowed to make an avoidance response which did not terminate the warning stimulus, but SCRs declined at the same rate during subsequent extinction trials regardless of the type of flooding used. Avoidance responses during the extinction trials declined significantly faster after unrestrained flooding. The two types of flooding produced similarly large proportions of desynchrony (lack of covariation in the cessation of SCRs and avoidances) during the extinction test. Nevertheless, the particular sequence of extinction between SCRs and avoidances was found to be dependent on the type of flooding used. Results are in line with other animal and clinical studies and could be used to derive improvements in exposure methods to treat abnormal avoidances.

Research paper thumbnail of Spanish Version of the Savings Inventory-Revised: Adaptation, Psychometric Properties, and Relationship to Personality Variables

Behavior Modification, 2006

The factor structure, psychometric properties, and relationship with personality variables of a S... more The factor structure, psychometric properties, and relationship with personality variables of a Spanish version of the Savings Inventory-Revised (SI-R) are investigated in a sample of 381 undergraduate students. A maximum likelihood factor analysis suggests a three-factor structure, which is similar but not identical to that of the original English version. The three factors mirror the three hypothesized domains of compulsive hoarding: acquisition, difficulty discarding, and clutter. The Spanish SI-R demonstrates acceptable high internal consistency and test-retest reliability, but its divergent validity is weaker than expected because of a significant overlap with depressive symptoms. Different SI-R factors are associated with different personality traits: Whereas the difficulty discarding dimension is predominantly associated with susceptibility to punishment, the acquisition dimension is predominantly associated with susceptibility to reward. The authors conclude that the Spanish SI-R is a promising instrument to measure hoarding symptoms.

Research paper thumbnail of Temporal Stability of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Dimensions in an Undergraduate Sample: A Prospective 2-Year Follow-Up Study

Behavior Modification, 2007

The temporal stability of obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions was studied in a nonclinical st... more The temporal stability of obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions was studied in a nonclinical student sample. The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised was administered twice to 132 undergraduate students during a 2-year period. There were no significant changes in symptom dimension scores between the baseline and follow-up, except for the Obsessing scale. The score of each dimension at follow-up was strongly and uniquely predicted from the score on the same dimension at baseline. The results indicate that obsessivecompulsive symptom dimensions tend to be temporally stable in nonclinical participants, replicating similar studies in clinical populations.

Research paper thumbnail of Alcohol use as a behavioural sign of disinhibition: Evidence from J.A. Gray's model of personality

Addictive Behaviors, 2007

Based on Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, the influence of behavioural disinhibition upon... more Based on Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, the influence of behavioural disinhibition upon alcohol consumption was studied. A sample of undergraduates answered different questionnaires related to the Behavioural Inhibition System and Behavioural Activation System. In relation to alcohol use, three aspects of alcohol consumption were assessed: frequency, quantity of alcohol intake and the age at first drink. From a series of correlation and regression analyses, we found that both high scores on BAS-related scales and low scores on those scales related to the BIS were jointly associated with current alcohol-taking habits. Additionally, the Sensitivity to Reward (SR) scale (BAS) was negatively correlated with, and a predictor of, the onset age of alcohol use. We conclude by proposing that research on alcohol use can benefit from this well-grounded theory of the neuropsychology of the individual differences.