javad mollazadeh

The purpose of this research is to compare the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy with integrated meta-diagnosis on three variables of sexual self-concept, sexual intimacy and sexual performance in women with premenstrual dysphoria.

The research method was based on the objective, applied, quantitative and semi-experimental, with a pre-test, post-test design with a control group with a 2-month follow-up.The statistical population of the research included all married women with an age range of 25 to 45 years suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder who referred to medical centers affiliated to Lar University of Medical Sciences and Welfare in 1400-1401, at least six months to one year from The period of their menstrual problems was passing and they did not have any specific physical disease, 60 people were selected from among them with the purposeful sampling method and were replaced by random assignment in three equal groups of 20 people.

The experimental and control groups completed the Multifaceted Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire (MSSCQ), the Female Sexual Performance Questionnaire (FSFI) and the Sexual Intimacy Questionnaire (SIQ) at different stages of assessment. Both meta-diagnostic and cognitive-behavioral treatments were implemented during 9 sessions for the subjects of the experimental groups (not the subjects of the control group). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, statistical assumptions test, mixed analysis of variance and Benferroni's post hoc test. The results showed that both treatments had a significant effect on improving the average score of sexual self-concept, sexual intimacy and sexual performance. The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on sexual self-concept and sexual performance has been higher than integrated transdiagnostic therapy, but the effect of integrated transdiagnostic therapy on sexual intimacy has been higher. The findings of the current research were empirical support for two treatment methods to improve sexual indicators in married women.

brain behavioral systems are related to avoidance and approach behavior. In the model of frontal asymmetry, Davidson introduced avoidance and approach systems. The aim of this study was to investigate The effect of affect induction on frontal and posterior asymmetry of alpha brain waves in individuals with high and low behavioral activation/inhibition systems.

In this regard, 300 non-disordered adults self-reported behavioral inhibition/activation systems questionnaire. After that, based on the Z scores in BAS/BIS scale, four groups (n=28, n=7 in each group) were selected. Quantitative electroencephalography was recorded for each individual in baseline, positive and negative affect induction. Absolute power of alpha waves in four regions and frontal and posterior asymmetries were calculated for each individual. Paired t-test and repeated Measures ANOVA were performed for statistical analysis.

In baseline condition, the high inhibition group showed frontal asymmetry (greater arousal in the F4 region) at the level of P =0.04. In terms of pleasant affect induction, the high and low activation groups showed frontal asymmetry at the level of P <0.01 (more arousal in F3 region). In terms of negative affect induction, the high inhibition group showed frontal asymmetry at the level of P =0.001 (more arousal in the F4 region), and the low activation group showed posterior asymmetry at the level of P = 0.002 (more arousal in the O2 region).

The findings confirm the Gray theory and Davidson model for the frontal asymmetry. Type of induced affect and personality differences Leads to different patterns of asymmetry.

It was argued that the major systems of the human brain influence behavior and cause personality differences among individuals. The behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral activation system (BAS) are related to avoidance and approach behaviors. In the previous decade, it was assumed that individual differences in these systems could lead to a broad spectrum of psychological disorders. For instance, it was asserted that reducing the experience, such as anxiety and failure to provide a proper response to threatening conditions, will result in low behavioral inhibition and a normal behavioral activation system. In contrast, high behavioral activation and normal behavioral inhibition system results in intensive impulsivity and anxiety. Such findings suggest that the study of high and low behavioral activation/inhibition may assist us in gaining a better grasp of the processes that underpin emotional responses. This study compared emotion regulation strategies in students with high and low behavioral inhibition/activation systems.

The present study was a causal –comparative study. The statistical population consisted of 20 –35 years old students of Tehran University, Tehran City, Iran, who were studying in the academic year 2020 –2021. In the first stage, 320 students from 5 faculties were selected by cluster random sampling, and two questionnaires on behavioral inhibition/activation systems (Carver and White, 1994) and Emotion Regulation Strategies (Garnefski, Kraaij & Spinhoven, 2001) were distributed among them. The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire is composed of 9 conceptually distinct subscales. The BIS/BAS scale includes 24 items and 4 scales, in which 7 items were concerned with BIS and 13 with BAS. Four items of this scale were neutral. The incomplete questionnaires and the questionnaires of students with a history of referring to a psychiatrist or taking psychiatric medicines were excluded.
Ultimately, according to the inclusion criteria, 260 students were selected. Also, 32.3% (n=85) of the primary sample (n=260) were male, and 67.3% (n=175) were females. Students' raw scores were converted to Z scores. Based on the Z scores, 4 groups were selected by targeted sampling in the behavioral inhibition/activation systems questionnaire (n=72, each group was 18 people). Individuals with a standard Z score on the Behavioral Activation Scale above 1.5 and whose standard Z score on the Behavioral Inhibition Scale was less than 0.5 were chosen as the high behavioral activation group. Individuals were selected as the high behavioral inhibition group whose standard Z score on the behavioral inhibition scale was above 1.5, and their standard Z score on the behavioral activation scale was less than 0.5. Individuals were selected as the low behavioral activation group whose standard Z score on the behavioral activation scale was below –1.5 and their standard Z score on the behavioral inhibition scale was more than –0.5. Individuals were selected as the low behavioral inhibition group whose standard Z score on the behavioral inhibition scale was below –1.5 and their standard Z score on the behavioral activation scale was more than –0.5. Multivariate analysis of variance compared 4 groups in 9 emotion regulation strategies at a significance level 0.05 using SPSS software version 24.

The multivariate analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests were employed to clarify differences between groups. Results showed significant differences between the groups in 5 strategies: acceptance (F3,65=2.78, p=0.048, ηр²=0.11), rumination (F3,65=3.98, p=0.011, ηр²=0.15), reappraisal (F3, 65=4.07, p=0.010, ηр²=0.15), catastrophizing (F3,65=7.67, p=0.000, ηр²=0.26), and blaming others (F3,65=5.70, p=0.002, ηр²=0.20). To understand which group shows significant differences, the Tukey post hoc test was done for 5 emotion regulation strategies: acceptance (HBIS>HBAS, p=0.037), rumination (HBIS>LBIS, p=0.007), reappraisal (LBIS>HBIS, p=0.012), catastrophizing (HBAS>LBIS, p=0.006), (HBIS>LBIS, p<0.001), and blaming others (HBAS>LBIS, p=0.014), (HBIS>LBIS, p=0.001). According to the results, the high behavioral inhibition group used the rumination strategy significantly more often than the low behavioral inhibition group. Regarding the acceptance strategy, the high behavioral inhibition group used this strategy significantly more often than the high behavioral activation system. We argued that findings about acceptance are contradictory. Acceptance might be adaptive in certain situations and might depend on the type of the studied mood. Also, the low behavioral inhibition group used the reappraisal strategy more often than the high behavioral inhibition group. Besides, the three groups had a significant difference in catastrophizing and blaming others strategies. Results indicated that high behavioral activation and high behavioral inhibition groups used the catastrophizing and blaming others strategy significantly more often than the low behavioral inhibition group.

The study findings suggest that high and low behavioral inhibition/activation systems play an important role in selecting emotion regulation strategies. The type of emotion regulation strategies is appropriate to the personality traits that dominate the individual and can be considered a factor in emotional dysregulation.

Major Depressive Disorder is a common disorder in prisoners that is usually associated with reduced olfactory sensitivity and defects in hedonic responses to olfactory stimuli. Due to the limited access to psychotherapy resources and drug alternatives, there is a fundamental need for the development of complementary treatments such as psycho-aromatherapy for these patients.

The present study tries to compare the effectiveness of aromatherapy-based mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy on improving symptoms in depressed patients.

This study was a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test, alongside two experimental and one control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all depressed patients in Shahrekord Prison. A total of 45 patients were selected using convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to three groups. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II, 1996) was used for data collection. Univariate covariance analysis and Scheffé post hoc test were employed for data analysis with SPSS-25 software.

The means of the post-tests for the aromatherapy-based mindfulness were (M= 30.89), cognitive behavioral Therapy (M= 32.08) and control (M= 45.75), which showed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups (F= 10.79, P< 0.000).

Aromatherapy-based mindfulness can be suggested as an effective clinical intervention along with cognitive behavioral therapy to improve the depression of prisoners.

This study aims to assess the mediating role of Cognitive Emotion Regulation (CER) strategies in the relationship between brain-behavioral system activity and marital satisfaction.

This is a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population consists of all married men and women referred to two clinics of petrochemical industries in Mahshahr, of whom: 200 (106 female and 94 male) were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data collection tools were the Gray-Wilson Personality Questionnaire, ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale, and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). Pearson correlation test, multiple regression analysis and path analysis were carried out in SPSS v.17 and LISREL v.8.8. 

All dimensions of CER (negative and positive strategies) and the activity of brain-behavioral system were significantly associated with marital satisfaction. Both negative and positive CER strategies and two Behavioral Activating System and Fight/Flight System as components of the brain-behavioral system had direct association and the Behavioral Inhibition System component had indirect association with marital satisfaction. They had good predictive power to predict marital satisfaction in families. 

 The brain-behavioral system activity, as a biological model of personality, and the use of CER strategies have can predict marital satisfaction.

 Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a relatively common and often severe psychiatric disorder. This disorder is a highly distressing disorder associated with poor quality of life. In addition, it is characterized by persistent and intrusive preoccupation with perceived defects or flaws in one’s physical appearance accompanied by repetitive behaviors such as mirror checking, excessive grooming, and reassurance seeking.

 The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of BDD symptoms and body dissatisfaction among college students. Furthermore, the current study examined students’ checking behaviors and the parts of the body that they were most concerned about. This research also sought to examine the comorbidities associated with BDD symptoms, such as eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and social anxiety.

 A total of 750 college students were recruited from different schools of the Shiraz University, including Social Science, Engineering, Art, Education and Psychology, and Science and Art, using the cluster sampling method. Two classes were randomly selected in each school, and those who were volunteers took part in this study. Participants completed several questionnaires, including the Body Dysmorphic Disorder questionnaire, Beck Depression inventory, Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder scale, Social Phobia inventory, and Eating Attitude test. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used.

 The results of this study showed that about 77% of college students were dissatisfied with at least one part of their bodies. The findings also revealed that the prevalence of BDD symptoms among college students was 4.5%. Furthermore, our results indicated that college students were mostly concerned about the appearance of their skin followed by hair, nose, weight, stomach, height, teeth, breast, and other parts of the body. In terms of checking behaviors, checking in front of a mirror, reassurance seeking, seeking treatment, and comparing themselves with others were the most common behaviors. The most prevalent comorbidity associated with BDD symptoms was obsessive compulsive disorder followed by social anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.

 This study highlighted that the majority of college students were dissatisfied with their bodies. This research also showed that college students are at high risk of mental health problems.

Infertility and its treatment bring about such consequences as disturbance, frustration, depression, anxiety, hopelessness, feeling of guilt, and feeling of worthlessness in life. Using adaptive emotion regulation strategies in the face of stressful life tasks reduces negative emotions and increases individual adjustment.Therefore, the aim of this study was to predict marital adjustment based on cognitive strategies of emotion regulation among infertile couples.

The present research was a descriptive correlational study. All infertile couples presenting to the Mother and Child Hospital of Shiraz in the summer of 2013 constituted the statistical population of this study. The research sample consisted of 122 infertile couples who were selected via convenience sampling method. Spanier's Dyadic Adjustment Scale and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire were employed to collect data. Data analysis was performed through Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis.

The results showed that there is a significant negative relationship between marital adjustment and Catastrophising (r = - 0.31, P = 0.000). Also, there is a significant positive relationship between marital adjustment and putting into perspective (r = 0.19, P = 0.003), marital adjustment and positive refocusing (r = 0.36, P = 0.000), marital adjustment and positive reappraisal (r = 0.32, P = 0.000) and marital adjustment and refocus on planning (r = 0.30, p = 0.003). Multiple linear regression results also showed that positive refocusing (B = 0.211, P = 0.01) and Catastrophising (B = - 0.287, P = 0.000) are predictive power of marital adjustment in infertile couples and explain for 22.6% of the variance of infertile couples' marital adjustment.

The findings of this study confirmed the relationship between cognitive emotion regulation strategies and marital adjustment of infertile couples. Therefore, it is suggested that the necessary conditions be provided for the collaboration of infertility specialists with psychologists in infertility treatment centers and it is also recommended that psychological counseling centers be established in these centers in order to improve the psychological problems and marital adjustment of these patients.

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is defined as the subjective experience by an individual as a result of the struggle with trauma. Previous research has emphasized the negative psychological experiences of cancer, while some other studies have indicated that a number of patients experience positive changes in the context of the disease. Posttraumatic growth is assumed to be related to social support and life meaning. The aim of this research was to examine the role of social support and meaningfulness in predicting PTG in patients with breast cancer. One hundred and ninety-six women diagnosed with breast cancer participated in this study. The sample was recruited from Motahari Clinic in Shiraz, using convenience sampling. Participants completed the research measures, including Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Multidimensional Perceived Social Support (MPSS), and Personal Meaning Index (PMI). Mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis were utilized to analyze data. The data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 16). This study showed that a majority of patients with breast cancer experienced posttraumatic growth. Of PTGI dimensions, the highest score was related with others followed by spiritual change and appreciation of life. Findings on regression analysis indicated that social support and meaningfulness significantly predicted posttraumatic growth. This study highlighted that women with breast cancer experienced positive change. This research also indicated that women with more social support and those who had meaning in life were more likely to experience personal growth

Along the cognitive and behavioral changes during adolescence, some changes emerge in the quality and quantity of teenage females’ interactions. They spend increasing amount of time with their peers and begin to place more importance on their views and advice. Therefore, parents are not the exclusive source of emotional experiences in this period. On the other hand, emotion socialization is 1 of the factors that affect behavioral problems in this period. Despite the growing body of research which shows the effect of parents and peers’ emotion socialization on children’s psychopathology, there is no study in Iran to compare the role of parents and peers’ emotion socialization in predicting teenage females’ psychopathology. An understanding of the parental and peer influences on teenage females’ behavioral problems might suggest directions for the focus of interventional programs and family training.
For this purpose, 202 teenage females selected by the convenient sampling method from Shiraz high schools, Iran, completed the measure of emotion socialization (the emotions as a child; EAC2) scale, peer emotion socialization (you and your friends; YYF) scale, and adolescents’ problem status (the youth self-report; YSR) questionnaire.
Results showed that reward was the most popular strategy that parents and peers used. Also, results showed that parents’ magnification and negligence can significantly and positively predict teenage females’ psychopathology (P value Families should be viewed as central to the well-being of adolescents, and informed about their effect on their teenage females’ behavioral problems. They should also be trained how to respond to their children emotions.

Plastic surgery and its acceptance have been increasing in recent years. People have different psychological problems. In recent years, studies have emerged on this group of people. However, there is no tool that can assess the acceptance of plastic surgery.
The aim of this study is to determine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Iranian version of the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale (ACSS).
In this cross-sectional study, 226 students were selected through convenience sampling among students of Hormozgan University during the academic year 2014–2015. In order achieve the aims of this study, the Iranian version of the ACSS was completed. The data was analyzed using internal consistency, composite, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis.
The reliability of the scale was obtained by calculating the internal consistency of Cronbach’s alpha as 0.94 and using the spelling method as 0.81. The results of the exploratory factor analysis reveal that two factors, “intrapersonal” and “social attention and consider”, in this scale explain 65.57% of the total variance of the test. The confirmatory factor analysis confirms the existence of these two factors. The correlation coefficients of the subscales with the whole test were 0.89 and 0.97.
The findings of this study suggest that the ACSS can be an appropriate tool for assessing the tendency of individuals to perform plastic surgery and can be used as a valid scale in Iran.

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to positive psychological change experienced as a result of the struggle with highly challenging life circumstances. PTG in cancer survivors is related to several psychosocial factors such as psychological hardiness and marital satisfaction.
The purpose of this study was to examine the prediction of posttraumatic growth based on psychological hardiness and marital satisfaction.
Patients and A total of 120 women with breast cancer were recruited from several hospitals in Isfahan using convenience sampling. Participants completed the research questionnaires including the posttraumatic growth inventory (PTGI), the Ahvaz psychological hardiness scale and the Enrich’s marital satisfaction scale (EMS). Statistical analysis including means, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analysis were carried out using SPSS software (version 16).
Results indicated that the majority of patients with cancer experienced posttraumatic growth. Findings also showed that psychological hardiness, marital satisfaction and longer time since diagnosis of cancer significantly predicted posttraumatic growth.
This study highlights the significant role of psychological hardiness and marital support in personal growth of breast cancer survivors.

Health locus of control is an important variable in diabetes. The aims of the present study were to investigate the role of health locus of control in predicting psychosocial adjustment to illness and compare psychosocial adjustment to illness and dimensions of health locus of control among male and female type 2 diabetic patients. One hundred and eighteen patients were recruited via convenience sampling method from type 2 diabetic patients who were referred to the Shahid Motahari diabetes clinic in Shiraz. The participants filled Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) and Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS). The results indicated that there were significant positive correlations between psychosocial adjustment to illness and internal health locus of control (r=. 30، P ≤. 001) and God health locus of control (r=. 18، P ≤. 05). Internal health locus of control (β=. 28، P ≤. 01) significantly predicted psychosocial adjustment to illness. There were significant differences between male and female diabetic patients on the basis of chance health locus of control. Female patients got higher scores on chance health locus of control. Moreover، there were no significant differences between male and female diabetic patients on the basis of psychosocial adjustment to illness. The findings highlighted that internal health locus of control and God health locus of control play significant role in psychosocial adjustment to illness. Therefore، it is recommended that psychologists and clinicians take the dimensions of health locus of control into considerations in the treatment of psychological problems of diabetic patients.

Nausea and Vomiting due to chemotherapy are the most distressing side effects of this treatment in breast cancer patients. Apart from pharmacological factors, non-pharmacological factors including psychological factors such as emotions and emotion regulation have a significant impact on the incidence and severity of these side effects. Because emotion regulation is one of the main factors leading to different behaviors in different individuals in response to various situations, the aim of this research is the study of difficulties in emotion regulation as a predictor of incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients. In this is descriptive correlation study (Oct 2012-Feb 2013), 300 breast cancer patients referred to Reza clinic and Omid and Qaem hospitals in Mashhad were selected through available sampling. They completed Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and nausea and vomiting scale (MANE). To data analysis SPSS software, factor analysis and regression analysis were used. The results of regression analysis showed that difficulties in emotion regulation can predict the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients (P<0.01). Considering the findings, difficulties in emotion regulation can predict the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients.

The aim of the present study is to examine the prediction of the reminiscence functions in older adults on the basis of the five personality factor model. 242 elderly adults older than 60 were recruited from retirement clubs of the city of Shiraz via available sampling method. The participants completed the Reminiscence Functions Scale and Goldberg's International Personality Item Pool. Forty participants were deleted from the sample because they did not complete the questionnaires fully. All the participants took part in the study with their conscious consent. To conduct the necessary descriptive and inferential statistical operations, SPSS (Version 16) was used. Mean, standard deviation and Pearson correlation coefficient were utilized to analyze the data in the descriptive statistics section. And in inferential statistics section, simultaneous multiple regression was used to predict reminiscence functions. According to the results of the multiple regression analysis, Neuroticism predicted the reminiscence functions of Bitterness Revival (β=. 28, P ≤. 001) and Intimacy Maintenance (β=. 25, P ≤. 001) and Extraversion predicted the reminiscence functions of Teach/ Inform (β=.18, P <. 05). The results indicated that people with higher levels of psychological distress tend to rehash and ruminate on bitter memories and hold onto memories of intimate social relations who are no longer part of their lives. Moreover, extravert people tend to share memories to transmit a lesson of life and share personal ideologies and experiences. Clinicians should focus on more adaptive functions of reminiscence (e.g., identity, problem solving and teach/ inform) and teach such functions.

Study of psychological factors affecting HIV-related mental illnesses is vital in promoting mental health of HIV patients. Among these factors are attachment styles and religious coping styles, which relation with mental health is studied in this study.

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 120 HIV+ patients in counseling centers in Shiraz, were randomly selected. After completing consent form, patients were studied via Revised Adult’s Attachment Styles (RAAS) by Collins and Reid, Religious Coping Styles Scale by Bodroxand General Mental Health(GHQ) by Goldberg.

Analysis of variance showed that HIV+ patients with secure attachment styles have better mental health than patients with both avoidant and anxious-ambivalent insecure attachment styles (P<0.001). Independent t-test showed that patients who use positive religious coping more frequently (P=0.007), have better mental health. To predict mental health based on secure attachment styles and religious coping styles, multiple regression method was used. Results indicated that among HIV+ patients secure attachment styles is the most important predictor of mental health.

Results indicated that higher positive religious coping and secure attachment styles can result in bettermental health of HIV+ patients.

Cognitivists have recently paid extensive attention to source monitoring deficit as an impairment in schizophrenic patients and is used in clarification of major symptoms including hallucination and delusion. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the effects of source monitoring ability in auditory hallucination.

Methods and Materials: 

This causal-comparative study used availability sampling to select 40 schizophrenic patients and 21 individuals with major depression among those referred to or hospitalized in four psychiatric hospitals in Shiraz during June 2008-May 2009. Nineteen healthy individuals were used as the control group. After conducting supplementary interviews, they were tested using a sourcemonitoring task designed by the corresponding author. The data were statistically analyzed using signal detection theory (SDT). Response-sensitivity and response-bias scores were determined for each subject. The results have been explained in the light of the Fernyhogh’s re-expansion model (2004) and show the deficit in interactional relationship between source monitoring and inner speech.

Schizophrenic patients with current auditory hallucination scored the lowest in the visual sensitivity part of the source monitoring task which was not attributable to the response-bias andantipsychotic medication.

Our results confirmed the hypotheses stated in Fernyhough's re-expansion model about the mechanism of auditory hallucination.

Aggressive behavior is a major issue in the field of mental health. Pharmacotherapy is often used for the treatment of violent individuals. A neurochemical system most consistently linked with aggression is the GABAergic system. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the effect of muscimol (GABAA agonist) 250 and 500 ng/rat and picrotoxin (GABAA antagonist) 1.5 and 3 ng/rat injection into central amygdaloid (ac) and medial amygdaloid (am) nuclei of amygdala on aggressive behavior. Fifty five adult male rats weighting 180 to 220 g were used. Cannulae were implanted into the ac and am nuclei of amygdala using stereotaxic method. Aggression was induced by applying 2 mA current every 3 seconds for 5 minutes. After the electrical shock, another rat was placed in the electroshock chamber, and the behavior of aggressive rat was evaluated in comparison to the normal one. Data were analyzed by one way analysis of variance ANOVA and Tukey as post-hoc test and Student T test. Level of significance was set at P<0.05. Data showed that injection of muscimol (500 ng/rat) into the ac and am nuclei of amygdala significantly increased aggressive behavior (P<0.05). Injection of picrotoxin (1.5 ng/rat) into the ac nucleus of amygdala significantly increased the aggressive behavior, too (P<0.05). Furthermore, injection of picrotoxin (1.5 and 3 ng/rat) into the am nucleus of amygdala significantly increased aggressive behavior (P<0.05). It can be deduced that GABA system in the ac nucleus of amygdale is more potent than the am nucleus; and both ac and am nuclei of amygdala modulate aggressive behavior mediated by GABAA receptors.

Social phobia and shyness are terms used to describe those who are reticent in social situations. Despite similarities between shyness and social phobia, the majority of shy individuals do not meet criteria for social phobia. Therefore these two conditions are not the same and might have some differences. The aim of the current study was to examine differences between shyness and social phobia in different aspects. The sample consisted of 87 participants. 30 participants were individuals with a diagnosis of social phobia, 26 participants were shy individuals and 31 participants were normal individuals. Social phobia sample were selected from counseling center of Shiraz University and control groups were screened from 300 students who were selected using cluster sampling method from Shiraz University. The instruments were used: Social Phobia Inventory, Revised Cheek and Buss Shyness Scale, Body Sensations Questionnaire, and Communication skill Test Revised.Results shoued Shy and social phobia groups compared will, normal group demonstrated less social skills. Shy and social phobia groups showed a significant difference in body sensations scale, but showed no difference in social skills scale. The results were discussed in terms of different theories on social phobia.