Memory phenomena associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have received increased attention in the recent literature. Some debate remains about whether OCD is characterized by deficits in memory per se, or by poor memory confidence. Following from a recent study that demonstrated memory distrust results from repeated checking of a virtual computerized stove, we asked 50 undergraduate students to repeatedly turn on, turn off and check either a real kitchen stove (relevant checking) or a real kitchen faucet (irrelevant checking) in a standardized, ritualized manner. All participants completed a final check of the stove following these 19 checking trials. Results indicated that following repeated relevant checking, participants reported significantly reduced memory confidence, vividness and detail. Repeated irrelevant checking did not produce these decreases. Results are discussed in terms of cognitive-behavioural formulations of OCD and in terms of the effects of repetition on memory and metamemory.

Reducing consumption of drinks which contain high levels of sugar and/or alcohol may improve population health. There is increasing interest in health behaviour change approaches which work by changing cues in physical environments ("nudges"). Glassware represents a modifiable cue in the drinking environment that may influence how much we drink. Here, we report three laboratory experiments measuring consumption of soft drinks served in different glasses (straight-sided vs. outward-sloped), using distinct paradigms to measure drinking. In Study 1 (N = 200), though total drinking time was equivalent, participants consumed a soft drink with a more 'decelerated' trajectory from outward-sloped tumblers, characterised by a greater amount consumed in the first half of the drinking episode. In Study 2 (N = 72), during a bogus taste test, participants consumed less from straight-sided wine flutes than outward-sloped martini coupes. In Study 3 (N = 40), using facial electromyography to explore a potential mechanism for decreased consumption, straight-sided glasses elicited more 'pursed' lip embouchures, which may partly explain reduced consumption from these glasses. Using a combination of methods, including objective measures of volume drunk and physiological measures, these findings suggest that switching to straight-sided glasses may be one intervention contributing to the many needed to reduce consumption of health-harming drinks. Overconsumption of drinks containing excess sugars and alcohol is a major threat to population health globally 1-4. Sugary drink consumption, in particular, is linked with a number of health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and others 5,6. Developing novel and effective interventions to change drinking behaviour is thus an important goal of research and policy. There is increasing interest in approaches that work by changing cues in physical environments-known also as "nudging" 7-10. Broadly speaking, these interventions are thought to engage automatic (rather than reflective) processes, requiring relatively less active engagement or high-level cognitive processing to elicit a change in behaviour than other types of behaviour change techniques 11. One aspect of the drinking environment that has the potential to influence drinking behaviour-possibly outside of awareness-is the glassware in which drinks are served. There is a growing evidence base for the effect of glass size and shape on drinking behaviours. Wine glass size has increased over the past 300 years-in particular in the last 30 years 12-with some evidence that the use of larger wine glasses increases wine consumed 13-15. The shape of a glass-in particular, whether it is outwardsloped or straight-sided-may also influence consumption. Two studies have explored the impact of glass shape on the total time spent drinking. One study found slower consumption from straight-sided glasses for beer served in beer glasses, though no evidence that soft drink consumption differed 16. These authors argued that the ef...

BACKGROUND Blood donor recruitment remains an important worldwide challenge due to changes in population demographics and shifts in the demand for blood. Various cognitive models help predict donation intention, although the importance of affective deterrents has become increasingly evident. This study aimed to identify fears that predict donation intention, to explore their relative importance, and to determine if self‐efficacy and attitude mediate this relationship, thus providing possible targets for intervention. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 347 individuals (269 nondonors and 78 donors) living in Québec responded to questionnaires assessing medical fears, psychosocial factors related to donation intention including the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) constructs, anticipated regret, and facilitating factors (i.e., time commitment and rewards). To examine the relative importance of these factors in the context of blood donation, the same questions were also asked about other medical activities that involve salient needle stimuli: flu vaccinations and dental examinations. RESULTS Medical fears, especially blood‐related fears, were significantly associated with donation intention. Bootstrapping tests confirmed that this relation was mediated by attitude and self‐efficacy. Underlining the importance of medical fears in the blood donation context, these fears were not associated with attitudes and intentions for dental examinations or flu vaccinations. CONCLUSION These results suggest that medical fears, especially blood‐related fears, play a key role in predicting donation attitudes and intentions. Mediational pathways provide support for interventions to improve donation intentions by addressing specific fears while also improving a donor's belief in his or her ability to manage donation‐related fears.

Vasovagal reactions (VVR) are common, complicating and deterring people from various medical procedures. A recent perspective (R. R. Diehl, ) suggests that VVR developed from the adaptive process of hemorrhagic fainting, perhaps as a means of preparing for anticipated blood loss. The primary goal of this study was to compare vasovagal symptoms during intravenous‐injection and blood‐draw videos. Sixty‐two young adults watched the videos. Vasovagal symptoms were assessed with self‐report, blood pressure, and heart rate variability. As predicted, participants reported more vasovagal symptoms and anxiety following the blood‐draw video. Sympathetic nervous system activity (low‐ to high‐frequency ratio) decreased during both videos but significantly more during the blood‐draw video, although this could be reversed by the Applied Tension technique. Results are discussed in terms of the relevance of specific stimuli and emotions in VVR.

A recent theory proposes that emotional fainting developed from an earlier adaptive characteristic, fainting in response to hemorrhage. Despite potential loss of consciousness, a dramatic decrease in blood pressure improves chances of survival in animals with severe wounds by reducing blood loss and facilitating clotting. Humans may have developed the characteristic of emotional fainting as a response to anticipated blood loss. This idea suggests that people with stronger fears of blood should be especially susceptible to fainting and milder vasovagal symptoms such as dizziness and lightheadedness. Two samples of young adult blood donors (N = 276 and 663) who completed the Medical Fears Survey (MFS) were studied. Items from the MFS related to fears of blood, needles, and mutilation were used to predict self-reported dizziness and nurse-initiated treatment for vasovagal reactions. In both samples, fears of experiencing or seeing blood loss were more closely associated with both subjective and objective measures of vasovagal reactions, despite the fact that other fears (e.g., fears related to needles) were more common overall. Better understanding of the mechanisms of vasovagal reactions has both theoretical and clinical implications, such as improving means of coping with invasive medical procedures.

The results provide modest support for the idea that applied tension may increase subsequent blood donation though the results were limited to men who practiced the technique as instructed.

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Background: Fear of blood donation is implicated in vasovagal reactions, donor recruitment, and retention. This study examined the extent to which fear among donors is associated with various donor outcomes in an Australian sample, and whether fear can be addressed on-site to reduce adverse reactions and improve the donation experience. Study design and methods: Six hundred and sixty-four donors (age M = 33.4, SD = 12.7; 55% female) participated in a two-center, pragmatic, parallel group, individually randomized controlled trial. Following donor registration and consent, whole-blood (n = 539) and plasma (n = 125) donors were assigned to one of four Conditions: control; fear assessment; fear assessment + brochure; fear assessment + brochure + tailored conversation focused on any self-reported fear and coping strategies. Post-donation questionnaires assessed the donors' experience including positive support, donor self-efficacy, anxiety, fear, venipuncture pain, and vasovagal reactions. Results: Fear among donors predicted higher venipuncture pain, postdonation anxiety, and vasovagal reactions and remained significant after controlling for other established predictors (i.e., total estimated blood volume, age, sex, and donation experience). Mediational analyses showed that exposure to brochures (with or without the tailored conversation) was associated with less pain, with this effect mediated by donor perceptions of more positive support.Venipuncture pain was also associated with vasovagal reactions, reduced likelihood of return within 6 months, and less satisfaction with the donation experience. Conclusion:The current results underline the importance of interventions to address fear among both whole-blood and plasma donors to secure the safety and well-being of donors and the blood supply.