espanolEl efecto de la predictibilidad aprendida o LPE, es el hallazgo de que cuando las personas... more espanolEl efecto de la predictibilidad aprendida o LPE, es el hallazgo de que cuando las personas aprenden que algunos estimulos son predictores fiables de una consecuencia en una primera etapa del entrenamiento (fase 1), muestran un sesgo de aprendizaje a favor de estos estimulos en un entrenamiento posterior que implica nuevas consecuencias (fase 2), a pesar de que todos los estimulos son igualmente fiables en la fase 2. En el Experimento 1, replicamos el efecto basico y demostramos que la ejecucion de una tarea de memoria secundaria durante la fase 2 no tuvo una influencia significativa sobre la LPE. En el Experimento 2, demostramos que la misma tarea secundaria puede facilitar o interrumpir la LPE, dependiendo de si las consecuencias de la fase 1 fueron congruentes o incongruentes afectivamente con las consecuencias de la fase 2. Estos hallazgos son discutidos en relacion a las explicaciones asociativa e inferencial de la LPE. EnglishThe learned predictiveness effect or LPE is t...
Revista Argentina de Ciencias del Comportamiento, 2020
The redundancy effect is the finding of greater learning when an X stimulus is trained in an A+ A... more The redundancy effect is the finding of greater learning when an X stimulus is trained in an A+ AX+ blocking procedure, than when a Y stimulus is trained in a BY+ CY- discrimination procedure. These findings are new and theoretically challenging for all conditioning theories that calculate learning based on a common error. For this reason, we alternatively examined the possibility that the phenomenon is the result of a propositional reasoning. In an experiment, we replicated the basic effect and we found out that the addition of instructions on the occurrence of the consequences at a submaximal level does not have a significant impact on the redundancy effect. These findings are discussed with regard to a propositional and associative approach based on the assumption that the experimental stimuli share a common feature.
The usage of rigorous analyses based on contemporary methods to enhance psychometric properties o... more The usage of rigorous analyses based on contemporary methods to enhance psychometric properties of screening questionnaires aimed to address psychotic-like experiences (PLE) is currently being encouraged. The Brief Self-Report Questionnaire for Screening Putative Pre-psychotic States (BQSPS) is a recently created tool addressing PLE beyond attenuated positive symptoms (APS). Its psychometric properties as a screening tool for first step assessment seems to be adequate, but further research is needed to evaluate certain validity aspects, particularly its dimensionality, internal structure, and psychometric properties in different populations. We assessed the reliability, construct validity, and criterion validity of BQSPS in two samples: 727 adolescents aged 13-18 years, and 245 young adults aged 18-33 years. We used exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The original four-factor structure was not replicated. The best fit in adolescents was obtained by a structure of threecorrelated factors: social anxiety (SA), negative symptoms (NS), and positive symptoms (PS). This structure was confirmed in young adult subjects. The three-factor model reached a predictive capability with suicidality as external criterion. PLE are represented by a threefactor structure, which is highly stable between adolescent and young-adult samples. Although the BQSPS seems to be a valid tool for screening PLE, its psychometric properties should be improved to obtain a more accurate measurement.
In the past decade, the bifactor model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has bee... more In the past decade, the bifactor model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been extensively researched. This model consists of an ADHD general dimension and two specific factors: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. All studies conclude that the bifactor is superior to the traditional two-correlated factors model, according to the fit obtained by factor analysis. However, the proper interpretation of a bifactor not only depends on the fit but also on the quality of the measurement model. To evaluate the model-based reliability, distribution of common variance and construct replicability of general and specific ADHD factors. We estimated expected common variance, omega hierarchical/subscale and H-index from standardized factor loadings of 31 ADHD bifactor models previously published. The ADHD general factor explained most of the common variance. Given the low reliable variance ratios, the specific factors were difficult to interpret. However, in clinical samp...
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnostic criteria assume that t... more The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnostic criteria assume that the 18 symptoms carry the same weight in an Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis and bear the same discriminatory capacity. However, it is reasonable to think that symptoms may differ in terms of severity and even in the reliability with they represent the disorder. To test this hypothesis, the aim of this study was to calibrate in a sample of Spanish children (age 4-7; n = 784) a scale for assessing the symptoms of ADHD proposed by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, IV-TR within the framework of Item Response Theory. Samejima's Graded Response Model was used as a method for estimating the item difficulty and discrimination parameters. The results showed that ADHD subscales (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity / Impulsivity) had good psychometric properties and had also a good fit to the model. However, relevant differences between symptoms were observed at the level of severity, informativeness and reliability for the assessment of ADHD. This finding suggests that it would be useful to identify the symptoms that are more important than the others with regard to diagnosing ADHD.
ABSTRACT Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are prevalent in the general population and are associ... more ABSTRACT Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are prevalent in the general population and are associated with poor mental health and a higher risk of psychiatric disorders. The Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences—Positive (CAPE-P15) scale is a self-screening questionnaire to address subclinical positive psychotic symptoms (PPEs) in community contexts. Although its psychometric properties seem to be adequate to screen PLEs, further research is needed to evaluate certain validity aspects, particularly its internal structure and its functioning in different populations.
Background: The measurement of subjective quality of life in schizophrenic patients has become in... more Background: The measurement of subjective quality of life in schizophrenic patients has become increasingly one of the critical tasks when assessing the effectiveness of psychiatric rehabilitation programs. Aims: To develop a specific questionnaire to evaluate subjective quality of life in schizophrenic patients and to asses its main psychometric properties. Patients and Method: The study was conducted in several stages. First, a list of the 65 most relevant quality of liferelated topics was extracted from the relevant literature. The list was then modified according to the suggestions of 15 experts and to the results of the observation of 10 patients, who were followed up for a month. Next, a questionnaire was build using semantic differential items for each of the selected topics. Finally, the questionnaire was administered to 200 patients attending to public health services in Chile and its major psychometric properties were assessed. Results: An exploratory factor analysis conducted to evaluate the preliminary validity of the questionnaire revealed a 9 dimensions solution: adaptation to the environment, subjective well being, affective intercourse, self-efficacy, psychiatric attention, home and family, sentimental life, financial situation, and emancipation from home. The reliability, assessed by Cronbach's alpha, was 0.89 for the entire questionnaire and varied from 0.51 and 0.83 for the factors. Conclusion: The questionnaire is appropriate to assess subjective quality of life schizophrenic patients. Normative scores and interpretation criteria are provided.
espanolEl efecto de la predictibilidad aprendida o LPE, es el hallazgo de que cuando las personas... more espanolEl efecto de la predictibilidad aprendida o LPE, es el hallazgo de que cuando las personas aprenden que algunos estimulos son predictores fiables de una consecuencia en una primera etapa del entrenamiento (fase 1), muestran un sesgo de aprendizaje a favor de estos estimulos en un entrenamiento posterior que implica nuevas consecuencias (fase 2), a pesar de que todos los estimulos son igualmente fiables en la fase 2. En el Experimento 1, replicamos el efecto basico y demostramos que la ejecucion de una tarea de memoria secundaria durante la fase 2 no tuvo una influencia significativa sobre la LPE. En el Experimento 2, demostramos que la misma tarea secundaria puede facilitar o interrumpir la LPE, dependiendo de si las consecuencias de la fase 1 fueron congruentes o incongruentes afectivamente con las consecuencias de la fase 2. Estos hallazgos son discutidos en relacion a las explicaciones asociativa e inferencial de la LPE. EnglishThe learned predictiveness effect or LPE is t...
Revista Argentina de Ciencias del Comportamiento, 2020
The redundancy effect is the finding of greater learning when an X stimulus is trained in an A+ A... more The redundancy effect is the finding of greater learning when an X stimulus is trained in an A+ AX+ blocking procedure, than when a Y stimulus is trained in a BY+ CY- discrimination procedure. These findings are new and theoretically challenging for all conditioning theories that calculate learning based on a common error. For this reason, we alternatively examined the possibility that the phenomenon is the result of a propositional reasoning. In an experiment, we replicated the basic effect and we found out that the addition of instructions on the occurrence of the consequences at a submaximal level does not have a significant impact on the redundancy effect. These findings are discussed with regard to a propositional and associative approach based on the assumption that the experimental stimuli share a common feature.
The usage of rigorous analyses based on contemporary methods to enhance psychometric properties o... more The usage of rigorous analyses based on contemporary methods to enhance psychometric properties of screening questionnaires aimed to address psychotic-like experiences (PLE) is currently being encouraged. The Brief Self-Report Questionnaire for Screening Putative Pre-psychotic States (BQSPS) is a recently created tool addressing PLE beyond attenuated positive symptoms (APS). Its psychometric properties as a screening tool for first step assessment seems to be adequate, but further research is needed to evaluate certain validity aspects, particularly its dimensionality, internal structure, and psychometric properties in different populations. We assessed the reliability, construct validity, and criterion validity of BQSPS in two samples: 727 adolescents aged 13-18 years, and 245 young adults aged 18-33 years. We used exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The original four-factor structure was not replicated. The best fit in adolescents was obtained by a structure of threecorrelated factors: social anxiety (SA), negative symptoms (NS), and positive symptoms (PS). This structure was confirmed in young adult subjects. The three-factor model reached a predictive capability with suicidality as external criterion. PLE are represented by a threefactor structure, which is highly stable between adolescent and young-adult samples. Although the BQSPS seems to be a valid tool for screening PLE, its psychometric properties should be improved to obtain a more accurate measurement.
In the past decade, the bifactor model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has bee... more In the past decade, the bifactor model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been extensively researched. This model consists of an ADHD general dimension and two specific factors: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. All studies conclude that the bifactor is superior to the traditional two-correlated factors model, according to the fit obtained by factor analysis. However, the proper interpretation of a bifactor not only depends on the fit but also on the quality of the measurement model. To evaluate the model-based reliability, distribution of common variance and construct replicability of general and specific ADHD factors. We estimated expected common variance, omega hierarchical/subscale and H-index from standardized factor loadings of 31 ADHD bifactor models previously published. The ADHD general factor explained most of the common variance. Given the low reliable variance ratios, the specific factors were difficult to interpret. However, in clinical samp...
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnostic criteria assume that t... more The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnostic criteria assume that the 18 symptoms carry the same weight in an Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis and bear the same discriminatory capacity. However, it is reasonable to think that symptoms may differ in terms of severity and even in the reliability with they represent the disorder. To test this hypothesis, the aim of this study was to calibrate in a sample of Spanish children (age 4-7; n = 784) a scale for assessing the symptoms of ADHD proposed by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, IV-TR within the framework of Item Response Theory. Samejima's Graded Response Model was used as a method for estimating the item difficulty and discrimination parameters. The results showed that ADHD subscales (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity / Impulsivity) had good psychometric properties and had also a good fit to the model. However, relevant differences between symptoms were observed at the level of severity, informativeness and reliability for the assessment of ADHD. This finding suggests that it would be useful to identify the symptoms that are more important than the others with regard to diagnosing ADHD.
ABSTRACT Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are prevalent in the general population and are associ... more ABSTRACT Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are prevalent in the general population and are associated with poor mental health and a higher risk of psychiatric disorders. The Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences—Positive (CAPE-P15) scale is a self-screening questionnaire to address subclinical positive psychotic symptoms (PPEs) in community contexts. Although its psychometric properties seem to be adequate to screen PLEs, further research is needed to evaluate certain validity aspects, particularly its internal structure and its functioning in different populations.
Background: The measurement of subjective quality of life in schizophrenic patients has become in... more Background: The measurement of subjective quality of life in schizophrenic patients has become increasingly one of the critical tasks when assessing the effectiveness of psychiatric rehabilitation programs. Aims: To develop a specific questionnaire to evaluate subjective quality of life in schizophrenic patients and to asses its main psychometric properties. Patients and Method: The study was conducted in several stages. First, a list of the 65 most relevant quality of liferelated topics was extracted from the relevant literature. The list was then modified according to the suggestions of 15 experts and to the results of the observation of 10 patients, who were followed up for a month. Next, a questionnaire was build using semantic differential items for each of the selected topics. Finally, the questionnaire was administered to 200 patients attending to public health services in Chile and its major psychometric properties were assessed. Results: An exploratory factor analysis conducted to evaluate the preliminary validity of the questionnaire revealed a 9 dimensions solution: adaptation to the environment, subjective well being, affective intercourse, self-efficacy, psychiatric attention, home and family, sentimental life, financial situation, and emancipation from home. The reliability, assessed by Cronbach's alpha, was 0.89 for the entire questionnaire and varied from 0.51 and 0.83 for the factors. Conclusion: The questionnaire is appropriate to assess subjective quality of life schizophrenic patients. Normative scores and interpretation criteria are provided.
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