Learning 9

Psychology

Date of Lecture: Tuesday 25 April 2023

About the lecture:
When Joe Biden entered the Oval Office in 2021, he promised to heal America from four turbulent years of Donald Trump. Since that time, however, partisan polarization hasn’t waned in the United States, and many critics have accused Biden of abandoning his original pledge to govern from the center in favor of a bolder, more progressive agenda. More than two years into his presidency, and with uncertainty surrounding his and the Democratic Party’s future, which depiction of Biden is more accurate? Where has Biden succeeded in fulfilling his goals, and where has he fallen short? And how will he approach the final two years of his term in office? 

A﻿bout the speaker:
Thomas Gift is Associate Professor of Political Science at UCL. As founding director of UCL's Centre on US Politics.

Joe Biden: Moderate Pragmatist, or Progressive Trailblazer?

In much of Europe, India, Australia and New Zealand, three-year undergraduate degrees are standard. Now, a US college accrediting body is allowing Brigham Young University in Idaho and affiliated Ensign College to offer the shorter programs, requiring fewer credits. Reporter Emily Haavik explains what's behind the change and how it will work.

Following most of Europe, 3-year degrees to be offered in the US

Scientists have been studying the residues of balms used in the mummification of an ancient Egyptian noblewoman, and they managed to recreate the scent used to preserve her body. The findings are published in the journal Scientific Reports. Host Carol Hills speaks with Christian Loeben who is one of the authors of the paper. He's an Egyptologist based at the August Kestner Museum in Hanover, Germany.

The 'scent of eternity'

The Millions “Most Anticipated” Books of 2023

Never-before-seen unpublished works by award-winning American literary icon Ntozake Shange, featuring essays, plays, and poems from the archives of the seminal Black feminist writer who stands alongside giants like Toni Morrison and Alice Walker, curated by National Book Award winner Imani Perry with a foreword by New York Times bestselling author Tarana Burke.
 
            In the late ’60s, Ntozake Shange was a student at Barnard College discovering her budding talent as a writer, publishing in her school’s literary journal, and finding her unique voice. By the time she left us in 2018,  Shange had scorched blazing trails across countless pages and stages, redefining genre and form as we know them, each verse, dance, and song a love letter to Black women and girls, and the community at large.
            Sing a Black Girl’s Song is a new posthumous collection of Shange’s unpublished poems, essays, and plays from throughout the life of the seminal Black feminist writer. In these pages we meet young Shange, learn the moments that inspired for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf…, travel with an eclectic family of musicians, sit on “The Couch” opposite Shange’s therapist, and discover plays written after for colored girls’ international success. Sing a Black Girl’s Song houses, in their original form, the literary rebel’s politically charged verses from the Black Arts Movement era alongside her signature tender rhythm and cadence  that capture the minutia and nuance of Black life. Sing a Black Girl’s Song is the continuation of a literary tradition that has bolstered generations of writers and a long-lasting gift from one of the fiercest and most highly celebrated artists of our time.   

Available September 12, 2023 from Hachette Audio as a digital download, and in Print and Ebook from Legacy Lit.

Sing A Black Girl's Song by Ntozake Shange Read by Full Cast - Audiobook Excerpt

DOI: 10.13056/acamh.24655
https://doi.org/10.13056/acamh.24655

In this Papers Podcast, Dr. Zoe Smith discusses her JCPP paper ‘Academic motivation decreases across adolescence for youth with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Effects of motivation on academic success’ (https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13815). Zoe is the first author of the paper.

There is an overview of the paper, methodology, key findings, and implications for practice.

Discussion points include:

- An overview of the self-determination theory of motivation.
- How motivation presents in young people with ADHD and how this may differ from youth without ADHD.
- Surprising and unexpected findings from the JCPP paper.
- The interventions that are known to foster autonomy growth in young people with ADHD.
- The implications for child and adolescent mental health professionals, policymakers, education professionals.

In this series, we speak to authors of papers published in one of ACAMH’s three journals. These are The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (JCPP); The Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) journal; and JCPP Advances.

Academic Motivation In Youth With And Without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

From a stunning new voice in science fantasy comes an action-packed debut of fire magic and ancient prophecy, in which the fate of a futuristic desert kingdom rests in the hands of a princess desperate for power and an assassin with a dark secret.

"A CAPTIVATING ADVENTURE." —Peter V. Brett

The Ravani kingdom was born of a prophecy, carved from unforgiving desert sands and ruled by the Ravence bloodline: those with the power to command the Eternal Fire.

Elena Aadya is the heir to the throne—and the only Ravence who cannot wield her family’s legendary magic. As her coronation approaches, she will do whatever it takes to prove herself a worthy successor to her revered father. But she doesn’t anticipate the arrival of Yassen Knight, the notorious assassin who now claims fealty to the throne. Elena’s father might trust Yassen to be a member of her royal guard, but she is certain he is hiding something. 

As the threat of war looms like a storm on the horizon, the two begin a dangerous dance of intrigue and betrayal. And the choices they make could burn down the world.

"Come for the science fantasy worldbuilding and stay for the characters you just can’t get out of your head.” —Vaishnavi Patel, NYT bestselling author of Kaikeyi

"Elegant and intelligent storytelling…an exhilarating adventure perfect for fans of S.A. Chakraborty." —Library Journal

"A riveting page turner." —Booklist

"This exciting fantasy promises good things from the series to come." —Publishers Weekly

The Phoenix King By Aparna Verma Read by Full Cast - Audiobook Excerpt

DOI: 10.13056/acamh.27714
https://doi.org/10.13056/acamh.27714

In this Papers Podcast, Assistant Professor Jacqueline Samson and Associate Professor Martin Teicher discuss their co-authored JCPP paper ‘Practitioner Review: Neurobiological consequences of childhood maltreatment – clinical and therapeutic implications for practitioners’ (https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13883). Jacqueline and Martin are the lead authors of the paper.

There is an overview of the paper, methodology, key findings, and implications for practice.

Discussion points include:

- How childhood maltreatment alters threat detection and the impact of childhood maltreatment on the area and integrity of white matter tracts.
- What happens in terms of hippocampal and subfield activation.
- Definition and insight into the concept of latent vulnerability and ecophenotypes, and the impact of maltreatment.
- The problematic behavioural presentations that you would expect to see in individuals exposed to childhood maltreatment.
- Evidence-based tools for treatment and how knowledge about alterations in brain functioning changes the clinical approach to treatment.

In this series, we speak to authors of papers published in one of ACAMH’s three journals. These are The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (JCPP); The Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) journal; and JCPP Advances.

#ListenLearnLike

Neurobiological Consequences of Childhood Maltreatment: The Implications for Practitioners

DOI: 10.13056/acamh.28495
https://doi.org/10.13056/acamh.28495

In this Papers Podcast, Dr. John Weisz discusses his JCPP paper ‘Research Review: The internalizing paradox – youth anxiety and depression symptoms, psychotherapy outcomes, and implications for research and practice’ (https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13820).

There is an overview of the paper, methodology, key findings, and implications for practice.

Discussion points include:

- An explanation of what the internalizing paradox is.
- The five different possible explanations for the internalizing paradox.
- The differential comorbidities between anxiety disorders and depressive disorders.
- Insight into ‘variegated nature of polythetic conditions’.
- A definition of differential progress in the search for mechanisms of change.
- How differential complexity of evidence-based psychotherapy protocols relate to the internalizing paradox.
- The clinician's challenge.
- How the different perspectives suggest different treatment strategies and insight into these strategies.
- The limitations of current research and the possible avenues for future work.
- Implications for clinicians and how this research impacts interventions.
- Messages for parents and carers and the importance of parents/carers partnering with clinicians with regards to interventions.

In this series, we speak to authors of papers published in one of ACAMH’s three journals. These are The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (JCPP); The Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) journal; and JCPP Advances.

#ListenLearnLike

The Internalizing Paradox - Youth Anxiety and Depression Symptoms

Eric Bellinger — the Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer who has written hit songs for artists such as Wale, Chris Brown, Fetty Wap and 2 Chainz — has just released the deluxe edition of his 2024 solo album, ‘It’ll All Make Sense Later.’ Adding five new tracks to the project, he tells SoundCloud about how inspiration struck while he was working in the studio with Usher, with ideas from that session leading to “My Decision,” which features Rotimi. The acclaimed R&B artist shares how “Tunnel Vision” was inspired on the dance floor, while “Understood” is the oldest track in this collection, recorded five years ago. Maybe “I was just ahead of my time,” he says. Hear more insights from Eric Bellinger, only on SoundCloud.

Voice Notes: Eric Bellinger on "My Decision"

Welcome to Mind The Kids, hosted by Mark Tebbs. In this episode, Mark sits down with Dr. Charlotte Viktorsson, a behavioural genetics researcher at Uppsala University, to explore the genetic and environmental influences on infant sleep and crying. Drawing on findings from a major study involving nearly 1,000 sets of Swedish twins, they discuss how much of a baby's crying is down to genetics and why sleep quality often depends on home routines and environment.

If you're a parent in the thick of sleepless nights or frequent tears, this episode offers both reassurance and fresh insight. Dr. Viktorsson explains why some babies simply cry more than others—even in the best of circumstances—and shares practical advice for supporting your child's wellbeing in those challenging early months. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that brings clarity and comfort to anyone caring for young children.

Based on the findings of ‘Genetic and environmental influences on sleep quality, ability to settle, and crying duration in 2- and 5-month-old infants: A longitudinal twin study’ Charlotte Viktorsson, Ashraf Yahia, Mark J. Taylor, Angelica Ronald, Kristiina Tammimies, Terje Falck-Ytter. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcv2.70023


Mind the Kids - Behind the Tears: The Surprising Role of Genetics in Infant Crying

DOI: 10.13056/acamh.14629
https://doi.org/10.13056/acamh.14629

In this podcast we talk to Professor Anita Thapar, Professor, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University. A researcher and a clinician, Anita is also on the board of the UK national neurodiversity charity ADHD Foundation.

Anita talks about the relationship between disorders, such as, ADHD and autism, the elevated risk of later depression, and what is known about the mechanisms behind this association.

Anita also looks at what factors may be protective in terms of mitigating the association between neurodevelopmental disorders and youth depression, and how research can impact, or change, the trajectory, from childhood neurodevelopmental disorder, to youth depression.

'ADHD, autism, and the elevated risk of later depression' In conversation with Prof. Anita Thapar

These podcasts are an invaluable resource for anyone interested in child and adolescent mental health. They bridge the gap between rigorous research and practical application, featuring expert discussions on mental health. 

Each episode highlights cutting-edge studies offering insights into findings, and implications for practice. The series caters to clinicians, researchers, and those interested in mental health. 

Available on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, it’s an accessible way to stay informed about advancements in the field.
Visit our website (www.acamh.org) for a host of free evidence-based mental health resources.

Academic Motivation In Youth With And Without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health