bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extreme Response Set, Internality‐Externality and Performance
Authors: BIGGS J. B. , DAS J. P.
Published: July 2011

Inconsistent relationships between extreme response set (ERS) and personality have been found in previous research. It is suggested that ERS interacts with item content and personal involvement; and that two types of ERS, internal and external, indicate cognitive styles of internality‐externality. Externality was expected to lead to rote‐associative, and internality to reasoning, processes. Relationships between ERS, personality, study behaviour and academic performance were in accordance with expectations. High ERS (internal) individuals were found to be introverted, divergent, non‐dogmatic and orientated towards meaning in study. Those with high ERS (external), however, were extraverted, dogmatic, projected a good self‐image and were orientated towards fact‐rote learning in study. Some implications for research into personality and into academic performance are discussed.
The External Control of Auditory Hallucinations: An Information Theory Analysis
Authors: SLADE P. D.
Published: July 2011

The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of external stimulation on the reported occurrence of auditory hallucinations. The activity variable was selected for study as it is readily amenable to operational definition and systematic manipulation using Shannon's information theory equations. Two auditorily hallucinated patients were asked to report the occurrence/non‐occurrence of their ‘voices’ during 20 s time periods. During each period one of six conditions was implemented: a no‐activity control condition; three information‐processing conditions involving increasing information load; a reading and writing condition. The main finding was that the frequency of auditory hallucinations decreased as a function of increasing information to be processed. A ‘limited channel capacity’ model is proposed to account for the findings, which are discussed both in relation to the experimental literature and to their potential clinical implications.
Attention and Information Processing in Schizophrenia
Authors: HEMSLEY DAVID R.
Published: July 2011

The performance of 20 acute schizophrenics and 10 depressives, matched for age, verbal intelligence and pre‐morbid functioning, was assessed on a choice reaction‐time card‐sorting task. Stimulus and response uncertainty were varied independently, and there were two main conditions, distraction and no distraction. The schizophrenics were slower than the depressives over all the functions examined in the study. Schizophrenics were significantly more affected by increases in response uncertainty than the depressives. Although there was a tendency for the schizophrenic group to be more affected by distraction and by increasing stimulus uncertainty, these differences were not significant. There was no significant interaction between the effects of stimulus and response uncertainty, nor between the effects of distraction and stimulus uncertainty. The effects of distraction increased with increasing response uncertainty. The results are discussed in relation to two models of information processing, suggested by Broadbent (1971) and by Sternberg (1969). Such models allow a more detailed examination of the cognitive abnormalities found in schizophrenia.
Cross‐validation and response sets in repeated use of mood questionnaires
Authors: Johnston Marie , Hackmann Ann
Published: July 2011

Two questions concerning the repeated use of mood questionnaires on the same subjects were examined using the STAI, the MACCL and the Lorr et al. mood scales. Firstly, “are corresponding moods and mood changes correlated across questionnaires?”, and secondly, “o response sets affect the changes in responses’. Both within‐ and between‐subjects designs were used.

The results suggest that the corresponding mood measures do change in parallel, giving evidence of validity, especially for anxiety measures. Only the Lorr et al. scores were affected by response sets and this effect was reduced in a within‐subjects design.
Wilson and Patterson's Conservatism Scale: A shortened alternative form
Authors: Kirton M. J.
Published: July 2011

The present study shows the continued usefulness of the C scale, using two independent samples (n = 286, n = 276). Following item analysis a shortened 30‐item scale is proposed as an alternative to Wilson's own (1975) revision. Evidence is given that this shortened alternative has high internal reliability, improved relationships with other relevant tests, strong underlying unidimensionality, elegant factorial structure and value in the interpretation of other concepts.
The timing of Looks in dyadic conversation
Authors: Rutter D. R. , Stephenson G. M. , Ayling K. , White P. A.
Published: July 2011

Kendon (1967) suggested that Looking serves a number of functions, one of which is to synchronize transitions from speaker to speaker. The suggestion stemmed from the finding that the pattern of Looks in dyadic conversations was closely related to the pattern of speech: over 70 per cent of long utterances began with the speaker looking away from the listener and over 70 per cent ended with the speaker looking up at the listener. Unfortunately, while his interpretation referred to floor changes, Kendon's data referred only to beginnings and endings of long utterances. Two experiments were therefore set up to investigate floor changes specifically, and findings indicated a rather different pattern from Kendon's. In particular, whether the speaker Looked at the end of an utterance appeared not to be critical in triggering floor changes since a Look was frequently not given or was missed by the listener because he was looking elsewhere. It is suggested that the importance of visual communication in synchronizing conversation is not that it permits eye‐contact but that it enables speaker and listener simply to see and be seen by each other.
Vulnerability and defensive reactions in relation to the human menstrual cycle
Authors: Vila J. , Beech H. R.
Published: July 2011

The effects of alterations of the organism's internal state, attributable to the menstrual cycle, upon heart‐rate responsivity and conditioning are reported. Two groups of 24 female phobic patients (one with natural cycles and the other taking the oral contraceptive) were tested, either premenstrually or intermenstrually, using a conditioning procedure in which a small blue light was the CS and white noise the UCS. Subjects tested premenstrually were significantly differentiated from those tested intermenstrually respecting HR responsivity to the first UCS. Significant differences were also found in conditioned responses following three acquisition trials. The type of reactions observed are similar to those which have been called defensive reactions. Subjects taking the oral contraceptive showed increased susceptibility to acquisition of conditioned responses.
Development of the ability to distinguish intended actions from mistakes, reflexes, and passive movements
Authors: Shultz Thomas R. , Wells Diane , Sarda Mario
Published: July 2011

Two experiments were conducted on the child's developing ability to distinguish intended actions from mistakes, reflexes, and passive movements. Such distinctions were successfully made by 3–5 years of age, regardless of whether children were judging their own or another's familiar or unfamiliar behaviour. Responses to causal questions indicated that children as young as 3 years attributed behaviours to intentional states in accordance with the scheme for multiple sufficient causes.
Premenstrual symptomatology: An interaction hypothesis
Authors: Vila J. , Beech H. R.
Published: July 2011

An experiment on mood changes in relation to the premenstrual phase of the cycle is reported. Two groups of 24 female phobic patients (one with natural cycles and the other taking the oral contraceptive) were tested either premenstrually or intermenstrually using concurrent and retrospective methods of mood assessment. Although subjects retrospectively reported experiencing negative mood changes during the premenstrual phase as compared to the intermenstrual phase, no such differences were found when subjects were tested at these particular phases when the purpose of the study was disguised. The implication of this finding, together with those reported previously concerning conditionability and defensive reactions, are discussed.
Mood change with alcohol intoxication
Authors: Robbins B. J. , Brotherton P. L.
Published: July 2011

The effects of increasing blood alcohol concentration (BAC) on a set of six mood variables were investigated in 10 men and 10 women subjects.

The Profile of Mood States (POMS) was used to assess mood states, and blood alcohol levels were determined by breathalyser readings.

Results indicated a reduction in tension and an increase in confusion for subjects in general, as BACs increased, while levels of tension were consistently lower for women. Important interaction effects were observed, with men becoming more depressed and angry, and women less so, with increasing BACs.
Comparative credibility of treatment rationales: Three tests of expectancy theory
Authors: Shapiro David A.
Published: July 2011

Previous research has challenged the adequacy of conventional ‘placebo’ controls, by demonstrating that active treatments, such as systematic desensitization, are more credible than supposedly inert control conditions. Such findings give support to the hypothesis that the arousal of positive expectancies is the key to therapeutic change. Three experiments are reported, in which Borkovec's credibility rating method was applied to treatment comparisons modelled upon the findings of outcome research. In the first experiment, systematic desensitization was more credible than rational‐emotive and client‐centred therapy (P < 0·001), consistent with an expectancy‐arousal explanation of Di Loreto's (1971) comparative outcome study. In the second experiment, Paul's (1966) attention placebo condition was less credible than three active treatments (P < 0·001). In the third experiment, in vivo desensitization was in some respects more credible than imaginal desensitization, which was in turn more credible in some respects than relaxation alone (P < 0·001). The results of the latter two experiments were broadly consistent with an expectancy‐arousal interpretation of much outcome literature. These results emphasize the insufficiency of merely including a designated ‘placebo control condition’ in outcome research (Kazdin & Wilcoxon, 1976). Credibility differences did not mirror precisely the results of the outcome research on which these studies were modelled, however. Methodological limitations are discussed, and further clinical research is advocated, in which the persuasiveness of treatment rationales is studied in its own right as a contribution to treatment efficacy.
Personality and surgical recovery: A review
Authors: Mathews Andrew , Ridgeway Valerie
Published: July 2011

Studies concerned with the influence of personality variables on recovery from surgery are critically reviewed. There is some evidence that high levels of neuroticism or trait‐anxiety are associated with more distress and slower recovery from surgery. Evidence concerning other personality variables is less conclusive, and those positive associations that have been found may be attributable to overlap between the assessments used and trait‐anxiety measures. Future research should involve patient groups that are more homogeneous in terms of sex and type of surgery. Progress in the field would also be furthered by the use of factorially grounded personality measures and standard recovery variables such as pain ratings, respiratory complications or resumption of normal activities. The links which have been found between personality and clinical outcome measures can be explained in terms of effects on subjective distress, or on the patients' involvement in behaviour which may promote recovery, or on physiological and immunological mechanisms.
On the estimation of premorbid intellectual functioning: Validation of Nelson & McKenna's formula, and some new normative data
Authors: Ruddle H. V. , Bradshaw C. M.
Published: July 2011

The Schonell Graded Word Reading Test (SGWRT), the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM) were administered to 78 healthy subjects aged between 18 and 84 years. Regression equations were derived for predicting Verbal, Performance and Full‐Scale IQs measured with the WAIS on the basis of a subject's score on the SGWRT, and for predicting total score on the RSPM on the basis of age and score on the SGWRT. Discrepancies between obtained and predicted scores were approximately normally distributed; z scores are presented for these discrepancies for each of the predicted variables. The equation derived for predicting Full‐Scale IQ was in good agreement with the equation derived by Nelson & McKenna (1973), and the dispersion of the discrepancies was similar to that found in Nelson & McKenna's sample. ‘Significant’ discrepancies (z score greater than 1·645) between obtained and predicted Full‐Scale IQs were found in approximately half of a group of patients with confirmed organic cortical damage. These results constitute a validation of Nelson & McKenna's formula for estimating premorbid IQ, and in addition provide new normative data which may be used for estimating premorbid Verbal or Performance IQ, or score on the RSPM.
Essential hypertension and psychological functioning: A study of factory workers
Authors: Steptoe Andrew , Melville Donald , Ross Alvin
Published: July 2011

This study was designed to examine the links between psychological characteristics and mild essential hypertension. Hypertensives were identified through mass screening of industrial populations. Sixteen men under the age of 56 whose blood pressure remained above 145/90 (145/95 for the 45 − 55 age group) on three separate occasions were compared with 13 age‐matched normotensives from the same population. Participants completed a series of personality questionnaires, and carried out concurrent mood ratings and blood pressure self‐monitoring four times daily for 14 days. Subjects remained unaware of their diagnostic status until the procedure was completed. No differences between groups were found on measures of trait anxiety, total hostility or direction of hostility. State anxiety and Type A (coronary‐prone) scores were significantly higher in normotensives than in hypertensives. Analysis of mood and self‐monitored blood pressure revealed consistent correlations between negative mood and higher pressure in both groups. Comparison of correlations between blood pressure, tension and anger with the correlations of pressure with a control mood scale permitted spurious associations based on expectancies or reporting biases to be distinguished from genuine effects. Only the correlation between tension and systolic pressure in the hypertensive group exceeded the correlation with the control mood scale. Self‐monitored pressure also correlated with pressure levels recorded in the laboratory. These results suggest that examination of blood pressure variations and psychological factors on a longitudinal basis may be valuable, particularly in the development of self‐management procedures for essential hypertensives.
Predicting educational attainment from WISC‐R in a primary school sample
Authors: Yule William , Lansdown Richard , Urbanowicz Marie‐Anne
Published: July 2011

Data are reported on 160 children aged 6 to 12 years which allow scores on reading (Neale), spelling (Vernon) and mathematics (Vernon) to be predicted from WISC‐R full scale IQ and chronological age.
Integration misunderstood
Authors: Wachtel Paul L.
Published: July 2011

Yates's (1983) criticisms of the possibility of integrating psychodynamic and behavioural perspectives are critically examined. Some of Yates's arguments hold only for integration with a classical, intrapsychic version of psychoanalysis, not for an interpersonal psychodynamic perspective. Yates confuses a demonstration of differences between psychodynamic and behavioural views with an argument that they cannot be put together as part of a higher order synthesis. Issue is taken with Yates's contention that beliefs held ‘tenaciously’ and ‘in spite of the empirical evidence available’ are the best path to scientific progress.
Reply
Authors: Yates Aubrey J.
Published: July 2011

The attempts of the commentators to grapple with the problem of the integration of the psychodynamic and behaviouristic approaches to specific disorders such as stuttering and enuresis are evaluated and found wanting. The importance of reconciling theory and practice is seen as critical to successful integration.
Attributional style and life‐events
Authors: Rothwell Neil , Williams J. Mark G.
Published: July 2011

The study addressed the question of the significance of intervening life‐events in linking attributional style and depression. Twenty male subjects who had experienced an uncontrollable event, job redundancy, were compared with 20 controls on measures of attributional style, depression and self‐esteem. The reformulated helplessness hypothesis implies that attribution and depression should be correlated only after the uncontrollable event. This was found to be the case for internal‐external dimension, providing tentative support for the reformulated helplessness model.
Client disclosure and psychotherapy session evaluations
Authors: Stiles William B.
Published: July 2011

Clients' percentage of disclosure (first person, subjective utterances) was compared with evaluative session ratings by clients, therapists, and an external rater across 43 psychotherapy sessions. In contrast to observers' perceptions, participants' perceptions of session depth and value were not correlated with client disclosure. Sessions high in disclosure (relative to the client's usual level) were rated from all three perspectives as relatively rough, unpleasant, difficult, and dangerous.
Improving the social validity and implementation of behaviour therapy training for psychiatric nurses using a patient‐centred learning format
Authors: Milne Derek
Published: July 2011

Low levels of behavioural care plan implementation and criticisms of the format of an earlier ‘classroom’ course led to a patient‐centred approach to training psychiatric nurses. The critical change involved a series of practical learning tasks with patients on the ward, leading to a single‐subject care plan. The 24 psychiatric nurses attending the new course achieved superior results on two of the skill measures by post‐testing. They also conducted more care plans and credited the course with more social validity than their predecessors (n = 41). These findings are important in showing how training formats can overcome institutional constraints on service innovation.
The retention of new information in senile dementia
Authors: Little A. G. , Volans P. J. , Hemsley D. R. , Levy R.
Published: July 2011

Paired associate learning performance of demented patients was assessed repeatedly over six months. Patterns of change of performance for repeated and for changing items were compared. Performance on changing items progressively declined, performance on repeated items was maintained at initial levels. This difference was significant and indicates that these patients are able to retain same information over one‐ and two‐month intervals.
Hyperactivity, drugs and attention to features in a story
Authors: Hartley L.
Published: July 2011

Twenty hyperactive children were divided into two groups of 10 volunteers. Group 1 was taken off its medication (methylphenidate) for two weeks and group 2 was kept on its medication at the usual dosage. About one week following the cessation of medication subjects from both groups heard a story and were shown some pictures illustrating events in the story. They were then tested on their memory for this material. One week later their delayed retention was tested. Both immediate and delayed retention was better in those children who remained on medication. This was especially true for the incidental material.
The reaction of psychiatric patients to computerized assessment
Authors: French Christopher C. , Beaumont J. Graham
Published: July 2011

A questionnaire was given following test administration in either a standard or computerized form, to 367 psychiatric patients who completed up to eight psychometric tests. Patients responded in the computerized versions by using either a keyboard or a touch‐screen. In general, the evaluation of both test forms was positive and fewer differences were detected than had been expected. Where differences existed, the computerized forms were found more enjoyable, especially in the case of the simpler tests, but were also reported to be less comprehensible and less clear in the case of some of the more complex ones. Subjective estimates of attainment and willingness to undergo further testing were largely unaffected by test form. The touch‐screen was preferred to the keyboard in the simpler tests, but in other cases there was evidence that prior experience of the standard form of the test facilitated performance.

The findings support the feasibility of creating computerized tests which are essentially parallel to standard original forms, but point to the need to understand the complex factors which govern the users' evaluation of human‐computer interaction. However, computerized assessment seems to be entirely acceptable to clinical psychiatric patients.
The impact of attributions in marriage: Empirical and conceptual foundations
Authors: Fincham Frank D. , Bradbury Thomas N.
Published: July 2011

Although a reliable association between attributions and concurrent marital satisfaction has been documented, the dominant role assigned to attributions in cognitively oriented accounts of marital dysfunction lacks a firm empirical foundation. To redress this imbalance, the major ideas guiding theoretical analyses of attributions in marriage are identified, namely, that attributions (a) initiate or maintain marital dissatisfaction and (b) mediate the behaviour exchanges characteristic of distressed and non‐distressed marriages. Four studies are reported that provide initial support for these hypotheses. In view of these findings, the distinction between private and communicated attributions underlying this research is used to guide the development of an integrative framework relating attributions, behaviour and marital satisfaction. The relevance of this framework for future research and for marital therapy is discussed.
Psychological effects of dieting
Authors: Warren Clare , Cooper Peter J.
Published: July 2011

Seven men and seven women, all of normal weight, were assessed by means of daily visual analogue scales for a two‐week baseline period and for two weeks during which they were placed on a calorie‐restricted diet. There were no significant changes in mood and no sex differences. Compared with the baseline, during the diet there were significant changes in their cognitions concerning eating: subjects were more preoccupied with thoughts about food, had strong urges to eat more frequently and were more likely to feel out of control of their eating.
The development of a measure of social support: The Significant Others (SOS) Scale
Authors: Power M. J. , Champion L. A. , Aris S. J.
Published: July 2011

A description is presented of the development of a new scale to measure social support which is called the Significant Others (SOS) Scale. The scale measures different functional resources of social support that may be provided by a number of significant role relationships within an individual's social network. Preliminary results from a sample of mature students show that the scale has good six‐month test‐retest reliability, and significantly distinguishes between depressed and non‐depressed respondents. Details of a short form of the scale currently being developed are also presented.
Remediation of attention deficits in chronic schizophrenic patients: A preliminary study
Authors: Benedict Ralph H. B. , Harris Anne E.
Published: July 2011

This study investigated the utility of cognitive retraining procedures in the treatment of schizophrenia. Twenty in‐patients were matched on reaction time and assigned to one of three groups: experimental‐treatment, attention‐placebo and no‐treatment control. Subjects participating in the experimental attention‐training programme exhibited significantly greater reaction‐time improvement than controls. The data suggest that practice on cognitive tasks can improve the attentional performance of chronic schizophrenic patients.
Cognitive therapy vs. self‐management training in the treatment of chronic headaches
Authors: Martin Paul R. , Nathan Paula R. , Milech Dan , van Keppel Margaret
Published: July 2011

In view of the association between chronic headaches and depression, this study compared a cognitive therapy package designed for depression with a relatively standard behavioural treatment package designed for headaches (self‐management training), in terms of their effects on headaches and depressive symptoms. Fifty‐five subjects suffering from chronic headaches (tension, migraine and combined) were randomly assigned to the two treatment conditions. Cognitive therapy and self‐management training were equally effective at decreasing headaches and depressive symptoms on most measures. Changes in headaches and depressive symptoms were not significantly correlated in either condition, however. Greater headache improvement was associated with high pre‐treatment headache activity for both conditions but, whilst self‐management training was more effective for subjects low on depression, cognitive therapy was more effective for subjects high on chronicity. This suggests that the latter approach, or some variation of it, may be the treatment of choice for more chronic headache sufferers with depressive symptoms.
The multidimensional nature of schizotypal traits: A factor analytic study with normal subjects
Authors: Bentall R. P. , Claridge G. S. , Slade P. D.
Published: July 2011

Fourteen published scales of psychotic traits or symptoms (measuring various delusional states, magical ideation, perceptual aberration, disposition towards hallucination, hypomanic personality, schizotypal personality, borderline personality and anhedonia) were combined with the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire to form a Combined Schizotypal Traits Questionnaire (CSTQ) which was administered to 180 normal subjects. Two factor analyses were carried out on the scale scores. The first analysis excluded symptom scores derived from the Delusions Symptoms States Inventory of Foulds and Bedford and yielded a three‐factor solution which appeared to measure traits relating to (i) positive psychotic symptomatology; (ii) negative psychotic symptomatology; and (iii) aspects of schizotypy involving social anxiety and cognitive disorganization. The Foulds scales were included in the second analysis which yielded a four‐factor solution. The first three factors were similar to those obtained from the first analysis; the fourth factor seemed to measure an asocial component of schizotypy. This last factor was mainly accounted for by the P scale from the EPQ. These results support previous findings suggesting that different schizotypy scales relate to different underlying aspects of schizophrenia. The findings also indicate that psychotic traits are distributed along at least three dimensions.
Eating disorders and family interaction
Authors: Waller Glenn , Calam Rachel , Slade Peter
Published: July 2011

The McMaster Model of Family Functioning was used to compare women with eating disorders with a normal comparison group. The anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa groups showed similar perceived family pathologies but bulimics with no history of anorexia showed a pattern of family interaction that was more severely ‘unhealthy’ than that of the other clinical groups. The McMaster Model could be a useful tool in clinical assessment and in planning therapy in this particular area.
Transfer of long‐stay psychiatric patients: A preliminary report of inter‐institutional relocation
Authors: Chanfreau Diana , Deadman J. M. , George H. , Taylor K. E.
Published: July 2011

A large mental hospital closed in November 1986. Twenty‐eight female patients formed the first group to be transferred to a second psychiatric hospital. Patients in the receiving hospital were identified as controls. Both transfer and control groups were studied before the move and at six‐ and 12‐month follow‐ups. No differences in mortality or morbidity were found between groups, but the transferred patients increased in behavioural dependency. Within the transfer group, patients became more positive towards the move over time. Results are discussed with reference to previous studies of relocation effects on elderly people.
Non‐verbal cues in the self‐presentation of Parkinsonian patients
Authors: Pitcairn Thomas K. , Clemie Susan , Gray John M. , Pentland Brian
Published: July 2011

Parkinson's disease (PD) patients are seen as cold, withdrawn, unintelligent and moody, and appear to relate poorly to the interviewer (Pentland, Pitcairn, Gray & Riddle, 1987). The cues responsible for this are shown to be related not only to the type of limb and body movements made, but also particularly to the facial expressions. The expressions seen are not only reduced in frequency but are also qualitatively different, particularly in the smiles which are seen to be ‘false’ smiles. The implications of this for a treatment regime are discussed in relation to the neurology of the disease. It would seem that non‐verbal training methods may not produce the required effects because of the shift in neural pathway used from that which normally controls spontaneous expressive movements (via the basal ganglia) to that used in voluntary movements.
One hundred alleged false confession cases: Some normative data
Authors: Gudjonsson Gisli H.
Published: July 2011

This paper describes the psychological characteristics of individuals who retract self‐incriminating admissions made during police interviewing. A group of 100 alleged false confessors was compared with 104 other forensic referrals on four psychological variables. The two groups differed significantly on tests of intelligence, suggestibility, compliance and acquiescence. Normative data are provided for clinicians to evaluate test scores when assessing the psychological characteristics of individuals who claim to have made false confessions.
Performance on tests sensitive to frontal lobe lesions by patients with organic amnesia: Leng & Parkin revisited
Authors: Shoqeirat Mohammed A. , Mayes Andrew , MacDonald Christopher , Meudell Peter , Pickering Alan
Published: July 2011

Groups of amnesics with aetiologies that included chronic alcoholism, encephalitis and ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm (ACoAA) were examined on the Cognitive Estimation Test (CET), FAS Word Fluency Test (FAS) and the full and Nelson (1976) versions of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). The alcoholic amnesics were impaired on all four tests, whereas the post‐encephalitic amnesics were impaired on the FAS and CET but performed normally on both versions of the WCST. The ACoAA amnesics were impaired on both the FAS and the CET, and scored at a level in between the other amnesic subgroups on the WCST.
Assessing the validity of NART‐estimated premorbid IQs in the individual case
Authors: Crawford J. R. , Allan K. M. , Cochrane R. H. B. , Parker D. M.
Published: July 2011

The National Adult Reading Test (NART: Nelson, 1982) has become the standard means of estimating premorbid intelligence. The danger in using the NART for this purpose is that it yields an invalid estimate if a client's performance on the test has suffered impairment. In the present study a sample of 659 healthy subjects was used to build a regression equation for the prediction of NART scores from demographic variables (i.e. years of education, social class, age and sex). The multiple correlation between these demographic variables and the NART was .70 (p < .0001). Comparing a client's obtained and predicted NART score will permit the clinician to assess objectively whether NART performance is impaired, and thus whether or not the NART will provide a valid estimate of premorbid intelligence.
The Short NART: Cross‐validation, relationship to IQ and some practical considerations
Authors: Crawford J. R. , Parker D. M. , Allan K. M. , Jack A. M. , Morrison F. M.
Published: July 2011

Beardsall & Brayne (1990) have presented a method whereby the full‐length National Adult Reading Test (NART) scores of subjects who are of below average reading ability can be predicted from performance on the first half of the test (termed the Short NART). The accuracy with which the Short NART predicted full‐length NART scores was examined in a large cross‐validation sample (N = 674). A subgroup of this sample (N = 142) was administered the WAIS. The results indicated that the Short NART was only moderately successful in predicting full‐length NART scores. However, comparison of the accuracy with which the full‐length NART and Short NART predicted WAIS IQs, revealed that the superiority of the former was very minimal. It is concluded that, despite some reservations regarding the Short NART's practical utility, it can be used with reasonable confidence in clinical practice to estimate premorbid IQ.
Pressor effects of caffeine and cigarette smoking
Authors: James Jack E. , Richardson Margaret
Published: July 2011

Pressor effects of caffeine and cigarette smoking were examined in 15 normotensive young men and women. A cross‐over design was used in which all subjects participated in four separate conditions: placebo alone, caffeine alone, placebo plus smoking, and caffeine plus smoking. Caffeine and smoking produced independent increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and these effects were additive in the caffeine‐plus‐smoking condition. Heart rate was significantly increased by smoking but was essentially unaffected by caffeine.
Memory loss following radiotherapy for nasal pharyngeal carcinoma — An unusual presentation of amnesia
Authors: Parkin Alan J. , Hunkin Nicola M.
Published: July 2011

In this article we describe a patient who developed amnesia several years after receiving a second course of radiotherapy treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Detailed assessment of memory indicated a marked anterograde impairment for verbal material with less impaired non‐verbal memory. A dense retrograde deficit was also present, reflected in both poor event memory and loss of general knowledge. Performance on other tests indicated a mild intellectual deficit but no other cognitive impairments. The findings indicate a striking memory disorder arising from late temporal lobe necrosis. These findings stress the importance of assessing neuropsychological sequelae when evaluating the long‐term outcome of radiotherapy for NPC and other cancers of the head and neck.
Behavioural memory after temporal lobectomy or amygdalo‐hippocampectomy
Authors: Goldstein Laura H. , Polkey Charles E.
Published: July 2011

A total of 46 patients who had undergone surgery for the relief of temporal lobe epilepsy were tested on the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) and two traditional tests of memory. The patient and a relative or close friend were also asked to complete a questionnaire about the everyday memory problems experienced by the patients. Scores on the RBMT failed to distinguish between patients who had undergone either a traditional en bloc temporal lobectomy or a more restricted resection, the amygdalo‐hippocampectomy, although scores on one of the traditional memory tests did. Epilepsy‐related variables did not alter the outcome of data analyses. Only relatives' questionnaire ratings of patients' memory correlated with patients' scores on the RBMT.
Neuropsychological and psychiatric abnormalities in myalgic encephalomyelitis: A preliminary report
Authors: Riccio Massimo , Thompson Christopher , Wilson Barbara , Morgan D. J. Richard , Lant Ariel F.
Published: July 2011

Ten patients attending one general medical hospital clinic who fulfilled operational criteria for the diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and with a history longer than three months, underwent a series of standardized neuropsychological and psychiatric tests. Nine were able to complete the tests and were individually matched with a normal control group for age, sex, educational background and premorbid intelligence. The ME subjects showed inferior performance to the controls on two tests of verbal memory. Their personality scores displayed less extraversion and less psychoticism. This is the first report of objective neuropsychological abnormalities in patients with ME, suggesting a discrete deterioration of short‐term memory. The findings may also suggest a concurrent psychiatric component of the condition, but the direction of causality remains to be clarified.
Sense of coherence, self‐esteem, depression and hopelessness as correlates of reattempting suicide
Authors: Petrie Keith , Brook Richard
Published: July 2011

Sense of coherence (SOC) has been proposed as a psychological factor that predicts good health and positive adjustment. The three components of SOC: manageability, comprehensibility and meaning were assessed together with depression, hopelessness and self‐esteem as factors predicting future suicidal ideation and behaviour in parasuicides. One hundred and fifty hospitalized parasuicides were evaluated on these measures and followed up after six months to determine their current level of suicidal ideation and whether they had been readmitted for a further attempt or killed themselves in the intervening period. Suicidal ideation on admission was best predicted by a low score on the SOC meaning subscale and also significantly related to the other predictor variables. Suicidal ideation at the six‐month follow‐up was best predicted by the SOC subscales manageability and comprehensibility. These two SOC subscales also emerged as discriminators of suicidal behaviour over the six months following admission. Overall prediction of suicidal behaviour was enhanced by also including the background variables of age, a history of previous attempts, unemployment and whether the attempter was living alone. The study ends with a discussion of the importance of widening the focus when assessing and predicting suicidal risk to include not only predictions based on pathology but also psychological factors that promote adjustment.
The development of a six‐item short‐form of the state scale of the Spielberger State—Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
Authors: Marteau Theresa M. , Bekker Hilary
Published: July 2011

Two studies are reported describing the development of a short‐form of the state scale of the Spielberger State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for use in circumstances where the full‐form is inappropriate. Using item–remainder correlations, the most highly correlated anxiety‐present and anxiety‐absent items were combined, and correlated with scores obtained using the full‐form of the STAI. Correlation coefficients greater than .90 were obtained using four and six items from the STAI. Acceptable reliability and validity were obtained using six items. The use of this six‐item short‐form produced scores similar to those obtained using the full‐form. This was so for several groups of subjects manifesting a range of anxiety levels. This short‐form of the STAI is therefore sensitive to fluctuations in state anxiety. When compared with the full‐form of the STAI, the six‐item version offers a briefer and just as acceptable scale for subjects while maintaining results that are comparable to those obtained using the full‐form of the STAI.
Epilepsy and poor memory: Who complains and what do they mean?
Authors: Corcoran Rhiannon , Thompson Pamela
Published: July 2011

The aim of this study was to increase the understanding of the major causes of memory complaints made by people with epilepsy. Neuropsychological test performance, patients' self‐reports of memory failures and the use of memory support strategies were compared in two groups of 30 patients with epilepsy differing in level of memory complaints. Those reporting significant memory difficulties performed more poorly on two of the six measures of memory administered. Age of onset of seizures was significantly later in the ‘complaining’ group but none of the other treatment and epilepsy variables considered differentiated the groups. Patients who complained of memory problems, however, were significantly more depressed and anxious than non‐complainers. These findings may have implications for memory rehabilitation interventions in the population.
A brief mental fatigue questionnaire
Authors: Bentall Richard P. , Wood Graham C. , Marrinan Teresa , Deans Carol , Edwards R. H. T.
Published: July 2011

A brief mental fatigue questionnaire was administered to normal subjects and muscle‐diseased, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), recovered CFS and depressed patients. The questionnaire was found to have excellent internal consistency and discriminated effectively between CFS and depressed patients on the one hand and recovered CFS, normal and muscle‐diseased patients on the other. However, the scale failed to discriminate between CFS and depressed subjects, who were found to experience qualitatively and quantitatively similar mental fatigue symptoms.
The differentiation of major depression from dementia of the Alzheimer type using within‐subject neuropsychological discrepancy analysis
Authors: O'Carroll R. E. , Curran S. M. , Ross M. , Murray C. , Riddle W. , Moffoot A. P. R. , Ebmeier K. P. , Goodwin G. M.
Published: July 2011

The method of comparing premorbid versus current intellectual ability has become established clinical practice in the differential diagnosis of dementia versus depression. Recently, Schlosser & Ivison (1989) suggested that the comparison of premorbid ability versus current memory function may offer a more sensitive method of assessing early dementia. In the present study, a variety of within‐subject discrepancy analyses comparing premorbid estimates with current measures of memory and intellectual functioning were compared across three groups: patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type, patients with major depression and healthy controls. The results revealed that, while mean group differences were easily demonstrated, the overlap between Alzheimer and depressed patients was large. It is concluded that none of the simple neuropsychological discrepancy analyses examined in the present study can be recommended for use in clinical practice for the differential diagnosis of dementia from major depression.
Reliability of self‐rated tinnitus distress and association with psychological symptom patterns
Authors: Hiller W. , Goebel G. , Rief W.
Published: July 2011

Psychological complaints were investigated in two samples of 60 and 138 in‐patients suffering from chronic tinnitus. We administered the Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ), a 52‐item self‐rating scale which differentiates between dimensions of emotional and cognitive distress, intrusiveness, auditory perceptual difficulties, sleep disturbances and somatic complaints. The test‐retest reliability was .94 for the TQ global score and between .86 and .93 for subscales. Three independent analyses were conducted to estimate the split‐half reliability (internal consistency) which was only slightly lower than the test‐retest values for scales with a relatively small number of items. Reliability was sufficient also on the level of single items. Low correlations between the TQ and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL‐90‐R) indicate a distinct quality of tinnitus‐related and general psychological disturbances.
The structure of schizotypy, its relation to subdiagnoses of schizophrenia and to sex and age
Authors: Venables P. H. , Bailes K.
Published: July 2011

A growing amount of evidence suggests that the generally accepted division of schizophrenic symptomatology into positive and negative aspects should be extended to include a third major aspect, namely ‘disorganization/social impairment’. As schizotypy can be seen as the non‐pathological counterpart of schizophrenia, possibly brought about by the same ‘schizotaxic’ predisposition(s), it might be expected that the multidimensionality of schizotypy would reflect the tripartite structure seen in schizophrenia. Although the data from studies using scales to measure schizotypy do not clearly support this view, this is mainly because of the relative lack of comparability among the scales used in different studies. Results from the present study, which involve the factor analysis of items rather than scales derived from the testing of a large and diverse population of normal subjects, does, however, support the view that measures of schizotypy may be grouped in a parallel way to symptoms shown by populations of schizophrenic subjects. The suggestion may thus be made that the symptom groupings shown by schizophrenics may be seen as primary and not the secondary result of reactions to earlier phases of the illness. The role of sex and age in the determination of scores on schizotypic dimensions is also examined and show that the sex and age differences found in subdiagnostic categories in schizophrenia are reflected in dimensions of schizotypy.
Into the dangerous world: An in vivo study of information processing in agoraphobics
Authors: Hayward Peter , Ahmad Tayseer , Wardle Jane
Published: July 2011

The differential processing of threatening information in anxious patients is now well established, but there has been little attention to situational variation in information processing. A review of the experimental literature suggests that agoraphobics should show interference in the performance of the modified Stroop task for threat words and that this interference should increase in phobic situations. In the present study, agoraphobics and normal controls carried out the Stroop task either in a safe setting or a public place. Agoraphobics showed greater interference with threat words but this interference was not affected by setting. The implications of this result are considered.
The relations between sociotropy and autonomy, positive and negative affect and two proposed depression subtypes
Authors: Jolly John B. , Dyck Murray J. , Kramer Thomas A. , Wherry Jeffrey N.
Published: July 2011

We examined relations between the cognitive/personality model of sociotropy (SOC) and autonomy (AUT; Beck, 1983) and the affect/personality model of positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA; Tellegen, 1985; Watson & Clark, 1984, 1992), and their relations to two proposed depression subtypes (Beck, 1983) in 60 adult depressed out‐patients. SOC and NA scores shared significant common variance while facets of AUT and low PA were moderately related. Autonomous depressive symptoms appeared more depression‐specific than sociotropic depressive symptoms. Findings did not confirm the usefulness of sociotropy and autonomy in the prediction of the symptom clusters, possibly due to the measurement of the depressive symptom clusters.