Diversity and representation: Key issues for psychophysiological science

Abstract

This Special Issue is devoted to the illustration and discussion of three key demographic variables (sex/gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status) that have been shown to moderate associations between psychophysiological processes and behavior. The introduction to the issue discusses the role of phenotypic plasticity in the emergence of different neural processes that achieve the same behavioral outcome, with emphasis on how these relatively stable developmental contexts affect brain/behavior associations without necessarily resulting in difference in behavior. These findings have profound significance for the implications of generalization and call into question the presumption that diverse samples produce an average result that is appropriately reflective of the individuals themselves. Increasing diversity within psychophysiological research is critical in elucidating mechanisms by which the human brain can accomplish cognitive and affective behaviors. This article further examines the logistical and ethical challenges faced in achieving this goal.

Emotional Reactivity, Behavior Problems, and Social Adjustment at School Entry in a High-risk Sample

“…They are also consistent with prior research linking RSA withdrawal (Beauchaine et al, 2001; Boyce et al, 2001) and HR reactivity (Erath et al, 2012; Waschbusch et al, 2002; Williams et al, 2003) with internalizing and externalizing problems, particularly in high-risk samples (Graziano & Derefinko, 2013). A unique feature of this study was the focus on young children growing up in a very high-risk urban context and the collection of physiological measures at school, making it possible to represent a group of children that is generally overlooked in laboratory-based studies (see also Fortunato et al, 2013; Gatzke-Kopp et al, 2014; Gatzke-Kopp, in press). The consistent pattern of associations that emerges across age and samples supports the hypothesis that heightened autonomic arousal in reaction to emotionally evocative events increases risk for the development of both externalizing (“fight”) and internalizing (“flight”) behaviors (Beauchaine et al, 2007; Calkins et al, 2007).…”

“…Specifically, whereas greater RSA withdrawal was adaptive in community samples, it was more often associated with maladaptive outcomes among clinical or high-risk samples. Given the importance of sample characteristics in moderating associations between RSA reactivity and psychosocial measures, it is important to have more research that examines traditionally under-represented populations (see Gatzke-Kopp, in press). …”

The association between perinatal hypoxia exposure and externalizing symptoms and children’s decision making in conditions of uncertainty is moderated by DRD2 genotype

“…However, the preliminary nature of these findings warrants caution and requires further examination and replication (Dick et al, 2015). Furthermore, although the relative racial and socioeconomic homogeneity of the present sample may enhance the ability to detect genetic associations, it is important to note that it cannot be assumed such findings generalize to other racial subgroups, or under different environmental conditions (see Gatzke-Kopp, 2016). …”

Using a cultural and RDoC framework to conceptualize anxiety in Asian Americans

“…Given that prevalence rates of anxiety in Asian Americans significantly differ from that of other ethnic groups, it is possible that biomarkers of anxiety may not be ‘universal’ and instead vary by ethnicity (Hitokoto, Glazer, & Kitayama, 2015). As research on ethnic differences in neurophysiological biomarkers for psychopathology is in its infancy (Gatzke-Kopp, 2016), much work in this area is needed.…”

“…Although research has made advancements in identifying potential biomarkers for psychopathologies such as anxiety, the majority of work thus far has largely investigated White samples. Thus, this approach may not entirely characterize anxiety processes in other ethnic groups, as biomarkers for psychopathology may not be universal (Gatzke-Kopp, 2016). Given the importance of accurate identification of anxiety processes, we will review studies that have examined whether Asian Americans exhibit different patterns of SAT and SPT relative to Whites.…”