PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Environmental behavior”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Environmental dependence of behavioral control mechanisms: effects of alcohol and information processing demands.

Studies show that alcohol increases a drinker's reliance on the environmental context for the maintenance of inhibitory and activational responding. The author of the present study examined additive effects of alcohol and cognitive load on the cue dependency of inhibitory and activational mechanisms of control. Adults received 0.0 g/kg, 0.45 g/kg, and 0.65 g/kg alcohol and performed a cued go/no-go task that presented simple and complex go and no-go stimuli. Results showed that cue dependency of response inhibition increased as a function of dose, and this effect was similar across low and high cognitive load conditions. These findings are consistent with a capacity limitation account of alcohol impairment that could involve central or output stages of information processing.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychological explanations and interventions for indifference to greening hospitals.

Attention has increasingly been given to "greening" the environment, that is, to engaging in environmentally responsible behavior. Applied to hospitals, greening is collective interdisciplinary organizational behavior that reduces environmental hazards and overconsumption. An environmental crisis in hospitals is described. A number of individual and group psychological phenomena are detailed to explain the current absence of widespread greening in hospitals. Social and environmental psychology concepts for behavior change are combined to provide a model consisting of hospital administration and staff interventions to green this setting. Successful examples of these interventions are provided.

Conflict, Psychological↗
PubMed2005

Phenotyping the untouchables: environmental enhancement of behavioral and physiological activation in seizure-prone El mice.

The onset and frequency of spontaneous and tail suspension-induced seizures in El mice appear to be influenced strongly by developmental and experiential factors over the first 3 months of life. To assess the impact of social factors on behavioral characteristics of El mice prior to the age of seizure susceptibility, locomotor activity and exploratory measures of arousal were recorded in 40-day-old El and control DDY mice exposed to group and isolation housing conditions. Once mice reached maturity, physiological reactivity to a tail suspension stressor was evaluated. The locomotor activity measure revealed circadian entrainment in both strains, nocturnal hyperactivity in El mice, and a locomotor activity-attenuating effect of group housing in El mice. In the two-compartment model of exploration, latency to enter, transitions to and from, and rearing in a brightly lit compartment were 50% higher in El relative to DDY mice, again suggesting a hyperactive phenotype. Finally, an acute 2-minute tail suspension stressor applied to 75-day-old mice implanted with radiotelemetry transmitters revealed a reactive tachycardia in El, but not DDY, mice. No seizures were observed during any of the experimental manipulations. Taken together, these results suggest that spontaneously occurring deviations in behavioral and cardiovascular measures of arousal characterize preseizure El mice and that motor features of hyperarousal can be exaggerated by the environmental manipulation of isolation housing.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1981

Relationship of IQ, adaptive behavior, age, and environmental demand to community-placement success of mentally retarded adults.

Successfully and unsuccessfully placed mentally retarded adults were compared on the basis of IQ, age, Adaptive Behavior Scale (ABS) Factors 1, 2 and 3, and the ranking of program-setting demands. The ABS Factor 2 (Social Maladaptation), which is composed of behavior that challenges staff members' authority or threatens the health/safety of staff members or other clients, was the only measure that distinguished the groups. Successfully placed subjects exhibited lower levels of Social Maladaptation, suggesting that in order to improve chances for successful community placement, institution and community staff members should concentrate their efforts either on the reduction of socially maladaptive behavior or on the placement of more socially adaptive clients.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Alterations in brain norepinephrine metabolism and behavior induced by environmental stimuli previously paired with inescapable shock.

After exposure to a single session of inescapable footshock, rats show deficits in escape performance 24 h later when required to lever press on a fixed ratio (FR-3) schedule. Footshock stress produces an immediate increase in brain levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol sulfate (MHPG-SO4), a major metabolite of norepinephrine in rat brain. Twenty-four hours after a single or repeated session(s) of footshock stress, when levels of MHPG-SO4 returned to baseline, increases in brain levels of MHPG-SO4, crouching and defecation behavior were elicited in rats by neutral environmental stimuli that had been previously paired with inescapable footshock stress. These results suggest that sensitization or conditioning of noradrenergic neuronal systems may be induced by environmental stimuli previously paired with stress, and may help to explain, at least in part, the deficits in escape performance observed 24 h after exposure to inescapable shock.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Relationship between ADH activity and behavioral response to environmental alcohol in Drosophila.

Three alcohol dehydrogenase genotypes, homozygous for either the electrophoretically fast, slow, or null allele at the Adh locus in D. melanogaster, were tested for relative larval alcohol preference behavior (APB) over a range of ethanol concentrations. Differences in behavior between genotypes were not significant at concentrations below 10%. At concentrations greater than 10%, avoidance behavior was negatively correlated with the relative ADH activity levels of the genotypes tested. A model based on the differential buildup of toxic acetaldehyde is proposed to explain the avoidance response.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed2000

Environmental distribution and behavior of 3H and 14C around Wolsong Nuclear Power Plants.

To estimate of the dispersion trend of 3H and 14C discharged from the Wolsung Nuclear Power Plants, the present level of 3H and 14C in environmental samples in the vicinity of the Wolsong site was studied. Tree-ring cellulose analyses were carried out for retrospective evaluation of 3H and 14C in the environment around the Wolsong Nuclear Power Plants. 3H released from the Wolsong Nuclear Power Plants has affected an area up to a 25-km radius from the site, while almost all 14C was deposited within a 2-km radius, reaching to a natural level over 2 km. Organically bound tritium concentrations in tree rings were strongly correlated with the gaseous tritium discharge rate, while delta14C (excess) in tree rings ranged from 204 per thousand to 460 per thousand, which did not significantly vary with year.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗
PubMed2005

Habitual and value-guided purchase behavior.

Society increasingly requests that individuals adopt environmentally benign behavior. Information campaigns purported to change people's attitudes are often regarded as prerequisites to installing such changes. While such information may be a necessary step, it is not sufficient by itself. We argue that many everyday behaviors with environmental consequences are habitual, and that little attention is given to information directed toward changing these habitual behaviors. In other instances, behavior is guided by values in a more reflective process. However, other information besides environmental consequences may draw a person's attention and affect behavioral choice. Using surveys and experimental studies targeting consumer behavior, we studied under what conditions different kinds of information is likely to influence people with varying levels of environmental concern. Based on results from these studies, implications for behavioral change are discussed.

Choice Behavior↗
PubMed1991

Sexually dimorphic influence of prenatal exposure to diazepam on behavioral responses to environmental challenge and on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-stimulated chloride uptake in the brain.

Early developmental exposure to diazepam (DZ) via administration of the drug to the pregnant rat (1.0 or 2.5 mg/kg) over gestational days 14 to 20 altered both behavior of adult progeny on two tests of anxiety and function of the benzodiazepine/gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor complex (a neural substrate of anxiety-related behavior) in a sexually dimorphic manner. Adult male rats (60-90 days) exposed in utero to DZ spent significantly more time on the open arm of the elevated plus-maze than male rats exposed to vehicle, whereas plus-maze performance in female rats was unaffected by the early drug exposure. Similarly, early exposure to DZ markedly altered environment-specific social interaction in male rats, leading to increased social interaction in the unfamiliar environment and decreased social interaction in the familiar environment. Social interaction in adult female rats is not normally environment-specific; however, female rats exposed in utero to DZ at 2.5 mg/kg demonstrated a significant effect of the novel environment on social interaction, thus responding like unmanipulated male rats. The sensitivity of GABA-mediated 36chloride uptake to GABA was enhanced in synaptoneurosomes from male rats exposed in utero to DZ at 2.5 mg/kg and early exposure to either dose of DZ prevented the facilitative effect of DZ added in vitro on GABA-mediated chloride uptake. Function of the receptor complex was not altered in female rats by early DZ exposure. Thus, perinatal insults at the molecular level may underlie gender-related behavioral disorders in the young adult.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

The assessment of peer selection and peer environmental influences on behavior using pairs of siblings or twins.

Many studies have found strong peer correlations for a variety of problem behaviors that begin in adolescence (e.g. substance use). Such correlations are commonly attributed to peer influences, but could also be explained by selective ('assortative') friendship: the tendency for those with similar patterns of behavior to become friends. Here we show how, under certain assumptions, cross-sectional data from pairs of siblings or twins and their peers may be used to resolve the contributions of peer selection and reciprocal peer environmental influences to peer resemblance. We performed power calculations to determine necessary sample sizes for rejecting with 80% power, at the 5% significance level, the hypothesis of only peer selection effects, or only reciprocal peer environmental effects. A false hypothesis of only selective friendship effects was always easier to reject than a false hypothesis of only reciprocal peer environmental influences. Limitations of these simulations, including uncertainty about the most appropriate way to model peer selection, are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

A comparison of the effects of hard rock and easy listening on the frequency of observed inappropriate behaviors: control of environmental antecedents in a large public area.

Observation of clients at a state mental health hospital by direct care staff indicated that they appeared to act in more inappropriate ways when "hard rock" or "rap" music was played in an open courtyard than when "easy listening" or "country" music was played. A study was conducted to compare the inappropriate behavior of clients when hard rock and rap music were played (21 days), followed by easy listening and country and western music (21 days). This comparison was followed by a reversal phase in which hard rock and rap music were again played (18 days). The behaviors of the clients were observed and recorded via a controlled methodology. The results demonstrated that more inappropriate behavior was observed under conditions in which hard rock and rap music were played than when easy listening and country western music were played. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Heightened vulnerability and increased risk-taking among adolescent chat room users: results from a statewide school survey.

PURPOSE: To profile adolescent Internet chat room users in terms of demographic characteristics, psychological and environmental factors, and behavioral risk factors. METHODS: The study sample was drawn from respondents to an anonymous statewide survey of 50,168 9th-grade public school students and included 40,376 students who reported Internet access at home and 19,511 who accessed chat rooms. Data were collected by the Minnesota Student Survey (MSS), a survey that has been administered triennially by the state's education department to public school students in grades 6, 9, and 12 since 1989. The MSS includes more than 117 questions (300 variables) addressing attitudinal, behavioral, and environmental issues. Data analysis consisted of comparing the odds of a particular characteristic or behavior for chat room users with that of nonusers. Analyses were run separately for boys and girls. The homogeneity of odd ratios was tested with the Breslow-Day statistic using SPSS for Windows. RESULTS: For boys and girls, use of Internet chat rooms was associated with psychological distress, a difficult living environment, and a higher likelihood of risky behaviors. Although most chat room users did not report serious problems, this group included a disproportionate number of troubled individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Because chat room use serves as an indicator of heightened vulnerability and risk-taking, parents and others need to be aware of potential dangers posed by online contact between strangers and youth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Environmental enrichment-behavior-oxidative stress interactions in the aged rat: issues for a therapeutic approach in human aging.

The effects of environment enrichment on motor activity, exploration, and cognitive performances were studied in aged rats. Both nonimpaired (NI) and impaired (I) rats were submitted to daily training in a complex-enriched environment (cEE) for 60 days. Animals were examined at spatial water maze task, passive avoidance test, open-field test, and sensorimotor coordination tasks (bridges test and Marshall scales). At the end of experiments, animals were killed for brain biochemical determinations (gluthatione content and specific-ChAT activity). Results after the first evaluation (before training) corroborate that the aged rat population showed a heterogeneity in behavioral patterns like that observed in humans. Also, cEE modified exploration activity, cognition, motor functions, and biochemical markers in both NI and I groups, but changes reached significant relevance for the last group. It is significant that neurotrophins, "novo" synthesis of neurotransmitters, and oxidative stress levels may mediate the observed changes, indicating that the aged brain still has appreciable plasticity in response to well-manipulated environmental stimulation. Finally, our results also support the novel concepts and programs in prevention/reduction both in incidence/severity and outcome of age-associated neurodegenerative conditions.

Aging↗
PubMed2026

Development, feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of NutriSOS®: A behavioral mobile app to promote sustainable diets.

The primary objective of this study was to describe the development of the NutriSOS&#xae; app and to evaluate its feasibility and acceptability for its use in the NutriSOS&#xae; Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to promote sustainable diets. A secondary objective was to explore preliminary changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors and environmental impact following app use. The NutriSOS&#xae; app integrates personalized dietary advice, educational content, self-monitoring, and social interaction features. A single-arm, pre-post pilot study was conducted in 37 young Mexican adults over four weeks. Feasibility, acceptability, quality, and usability were assessed using online surveys, alongside exploratory changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors, environmental indicators, and their association with perceived behavioral determinants. Feasibility and acceptability were high overall, with favorable responses reaching up to 100% in key components such as the nutritional guide and learning modules, and above 90% for messaging, registration, and design. Greater variability was observed in some sections, particularly the 24-h recall (41-86%). Reductions in red and processed meat and ultra-processed food consumption were observed (from 3 to 1 times/week, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01), with &#x223c;60% decreases in their related environmental footprints (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01) and favorable self-reported behavioral determinants (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.0001). Physical activity type and intensity changed (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05). These findings support NutriSOS&#xae; as a feasible and acceptable tool, while highlighting areas for refinement, particularly those related to the time and effort required for data entry, prior to its implementation in the NutriSOS&#xae; RCT, in which its effectiveness will be formally evaluated.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

Characteristics of exercise behavior among college students: application of social cognitive theory to predicting stage of change.

BACKGROUND: Young adulthood is characterized by a steep decline in the level of physical activity, but few theory-based studies have examined characteristics associated with regular exercise in this population. This study applied Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and the Stages of Change Model (SCM) to determine personal, behavioral, and environmental characteristics associated with exercise behavior and intentions among undergraduate university students. METHODS: A random sample of 937 undergraduate students (mean age 22.0 +/- 5.6 years; 84.7% ages 17-24 years) enrolled at a large Midwestern university completed a mailed questionnaire. Valid and reliable instruments were used to measure personal, behavioral, and environmental variables based on the SCT that were hypothesized to influence stage of exercise behavior change. Multivariate discriminant analysis was used to determine associations among these variables with stage of exercise behavior change. RESULTS: Exercise self-efficacy, physical activity history, and nonexercise estimation of aerobic capacity were significant predictors of the stage of exercise behavior change for both males and females. Among females, exercise self-efficacy (P < 0.001) and family social support (P < 0. 001) for physical activity were the best predictors of stage of exercise behavior change. Friend social support (P < 0.001), physical activity history (P < 0.001), and exercise self-efficacy (P < 0.001) were significant predictors of stage of exercise behavior change among males. CONCLUSIONS: The SCT framework predicted stage of exercise behavior change as defined by the SCM. Exercise self-efficacy was associated with exercise stage, but the source of significant social support (family versus friends) was different for males and females.

Adolescent↗