bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polygraphic Evaluation of Laughing and Smiling in Schizophrenic and Depressive Patients
Authors: Sakamoto Sakae , Nameta Ken , Kawasaki Tatsuhito , Yamashita Koh , Shimizu Akira
Published: August 2011

Polygraphic recordings was used to assess laughing and smiling, and results were compared for 34 normal controls, 24 schizophrenic patients, and 15 depressive patients. The schizophrenic and the depressive patients showed reduced “laughs of pleasure,” i.e., laughing in reaction to a comic video assessed by laughing score; however, the depressive patients in remission showed the same laughing reaction as the controls. “Smiles as social signals” during interviews were reduced for the schizophrenic patients but remained for the depressive patients. There was a tendency for greater reduction of both laughing and smiling in disorganized-versus paranoid-type schizophrenia, suggesting that the disturbance of affect might be more severe in the former. These results show the possibility that polygraphic recording of laughing and smiling might be a useful method for investigating the disturbance of affect in schizophrenic and depressive patients.
Frequency of Public Smiling across the Life Span
Authors: Chapell Mark S.
Published: August 2011

This study of the frequency of public smiling in a sample of 15,824 children, adolescents, young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults yielded a significant decrease in public smiling across age groups. Females smiled significantly more than males.
General Cognitive Abilities and Patterns of Adaptation: For Serial Color–Word Test Norms Based on Reading Times
Authors: Rubino I. Alex , Claps Maria , Zanna Valeria , Cristina Maria , Pezzarossa Caramia Bianca , Ciani Nicola
Published: August 2011

In a pool of 859 clinical and nonclinical Serial Color-Word Test protocols, significant positive correlations were observed between reading times on the Stroop task and measures of linear and nonlinear change. Especially nonlinear change, both within and between the five subtests, showed high correlations with reading times. To derive new time-related norms, the sample was divided into five time groups of the same size and stratified medians were calculated for each of the variables of the test. The new classification procedure should permit an assessment of patterns of adaptation less dependent on the general level of perceptual-cognitive functioning.
Hand Test Scores of Panic Disordered Outpatients Sexually Abused as Children
Authors: Zizolfi Salvatore , Cilli Gabriella , Concari Simona , Colombo Giulio
Published: August 2011

A history of childhood sexual abuse has been implicated in a variety of adult psychiatric disorders as more frequent in females than in males and in subjects with more prominent dissociative symptoms such as panic disorder. Previous research has varied greatly in terms of methods, measurement instruments, and reported findings. Recent studies, however, suggest that projective techniques may be useful in resolving some of these inconsistencies. The present study utilized the Hand Test to investigate the late effects of childhood sexual trauma in a group of authenticated cases of panic disordered adult outpatients sexually abused as children compared to a matched sample of presumably nonabused patients. No statistically significant differences on quantitative variables were obtained between the two groups, but the group of outpatients ( n = 16) sexually abused as children showed a larger latency to the ninth card of the Hand Test (shock reaction). This may be a potentially useful index in investigating cases of suspected abuse and confirms Wagner's (1983) contention that Card IX has a psychosexual “pull” as documented also by Italian studies.
A Grade Four Reading Level Key for the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised
Authors: Lubin Bernard , Van Whitlock Rodney
Published: August 2011

Data from samples of College Students ( n = 433), Adolescents ( n = 746), and a community mental health center sample (Outpatients) ( n = 202) were re-scored using a scoring key that consisted of adjectives from the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised at or below the Grade 4 reading level (MAACL–R4). Factor analyses showed that, unlike the MAACL–R, a three-factor structure (Positive Affect 4, Anxious Depression 4, and Hostility 4) best described the 38 Grade 4 adjectives on the MAACL–R4. Estimates of reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) for each scale were acceptable. Correlations between scores on MAACL–R4 and four Self-rating Mood Scales showed expected convergent and discriminant validities. Also, patterns of means among the three groups could differentiate the nonreferred from referred samples.
Time-Series Studies of the French Suicide Rate Using Age-Adjusted Rates
Authors: Lester David
Published: August 2011

For France from 1950 to 1985, divorce, marriage and birth rates predicted the crude and the age-adjusted male and female suicide rates identically.
Cutaneous and Psychosocial Benefits of Alpha Hydroxy Acid Use
Authors: Fried Richard G. , Cash Thomas F.
Published: August 2011

Alpha hydroxy acids are used extensively by patients and consumers for restorative cutaneous purposes. The current study of 32 patients evaluated the clinical and psychosocial effects of this cosmetic therapy. After 12 weeks, significant clinical improvements were found for facial skin tone and fine wrinkling, as well as for patient-reported satisfaction with physical appearance and with marital or relationship quality.
Confidence in Personal Computer Use and Locus of Control
Authors: Perrone Anthony , Lester David
Published: August 2011

Having negative attitudes toward personal computers was not associated with sex or external locus of control scores in a sample of 59 undergraduates.
A Longitudinal Study of Visuospatial Discrimination in Parkinsonian Patients
Authors: Katsarou Z. , Bostantjopoulou S. , Alevriadou A. , Mentenopoulos G. , Avraam X. , Kiosseoglou G.
Published: August 2011

Visuospatial discrimination was evaluated longitudinally in 45 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. 47 normal matched subjects served as controls. Visuospatial discrimination was assessed by means of a picture test with complex superimposed objects (Poppelreuter's test) at the beginning of the study as well as three years later. At initial evaluation the group with Parkinson's disease identified fewer objects than the control group and made more errors. Relations between performance on the visuospatial discrimination task and the main parameters of the disease were not statistically significant. At reevaluation, three years later on the same task, performance by the group with Parkinson's disease deteriorated. Longitudinal assessment of motor symptoms showed that disease progressed during the study period in 35 patients. Comparison of motor deterioration with performance on the visuospatial discrimination task showed no statistically significant relationship.
Assessment of Pain: A Survey of Practicing Clinicians
Authors: Piotrowski Chris
Published: August 2011

This study reports on use of tests in the assessment of pain patients. Data are based on 212 respondents from the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Personality inventories, measures of depression and anxiety, coping scales, and the McGill Pain Questionnaire were among the top 10 ranked instruments.
Reading Achievement by Learning Disabled Students in Resource and Regular Classes
Authors: Goldman Renitta , Sapp Gary L. , Foster Ann Shumate
Published: August 2011

K–TEA Comprehensive Reading scores of 34 elementary boys in either resource rooms or regular settings were compared. The boys were identified as learning disabled in reading. They were pretested at the beginning of the school year and posttested at the end. Treatment was one year of daily instruction in reading provided by six teachers in resource settings and six teachers in regular settings. K–TEA Reading Decoding and Reading Comprehension scores, separately compared in 2 × 2 repeated-measures analysis of variance, were not significantly different.
Concurrent Validity of the Koppitz Bender-Gestalt Emotional Indicators among Women with Mental Retardation
Authors: Dixon Jennifer L.
Published: August 2011

This study evaluated the concurrent validity of Koppitz' revised Bender-Gestalt Emotional Indicators among 44 women with mental retardation. The concurrent validity of the Emotional Indicator total score was not supported when compared with responses on two widely used and accepted screening inventories, the Reiss Screen and the Inventory for Client and Agency Planning.
Crossing the Midline: A Study of Four-Year-Old Children
Authors: Screws Doris P. , Eason Bobby L. , Surburg Paul R.
Published: August 2011

Midline crossing refers to behavior that results in reaching, stepping, or looking across the body's midline. Several studies have indicated that infants, young children, and individuals with disability make more errors on midline-crossing tasks than on similar tasks placed at the ipsilateral side. Until recently, assessment of midline crossing has used a spatial protocol and has been criticized for not having a temporal component. The purpose of this study was to assess midline crossing by 9 4-yr.-old children within an information processing context. Analysis indicated that contralateral tasks required more processing time than similar tasks placed ipsilaterally.
Increasing Return Rates of a Mail Survey to Exercise Professionals Using a Modest Monetary Incentive
Authors: Hare Sheri , Price James H. , Flynn Michael G. , King Keith A.
Published: August 2011

This study indicated that a variety of survey techniques resulted in a modest return rate (66%) in a national survey of 455 exercise professionals. A $1.00 bill incentive was significantly more effective than no incentive in improving returns, and the rate of double responses in this anonymous mail survey was extremely low (<1%).
Partial Cross-Validation of Low Correlation for Scores on the Test of Visual-Motor Integration and the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration
Authors: Preda Cristina
Published: August 2011

The aim of this study was to further investigate the correlation between a well established test, the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration and a new copying test, the Test of Visual-Motor Integration. For scores on the tests of 71 children from a public school in Italy, the correlation is .34, which is consistent with earlier evidence and indicates that the Test of Visual-Motor Integration is not a substitute for the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration.
Use of Dohsa-Hou, a Japanese Psychorehabilitative Program, to Guide Motor Activity of Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Dadkhah Asghar
Published: August 2011

Dohsa-hou, a Japanese psychorehabilitation method for motor training, was introduced to 10 subjects with cerebral palsy in a pre-post (6-wk.) design. Four expert raters were asked to judge the improvement in range of motion, ease and smoothness of movement, correctness of posture) of these subjects. Findings suggest that the training method had a significant effect on body movement as compared to body posture. Since the effect may be peculiar to this subject group, further studies are suggested.
A Defensive Response Set and the Relation between Cognitive and Emotional Functioning: A Replication
Authors: Putzke John D. , Williams Mark A. , Boll Thomas J.
Published: August 2011

This study was designed to examine the hypothesis that a defensive self-report response set tends to attenuate the strength of the relationship between self-reported emotional functioning and cognitive tests, particularly the functioning of verbal memory. 75 patients with end-stage lung disease were administered the MMPI and a cognitive test battery as part of a psychosocial evaluation for transplantation. Patients were separated into defensive and nondefensive groups using the MMPI F – K Gough Dissimulation index (raw score F minus K⩽−15). Cognitive factor scores were generated and correlated with non-K-corrected raw scores of MMPI Scales 2, 7, and 8. Correlation coefficients were compared across groups. As predicted, increases on Scales 2 and 7 were significantly associated with decreased functioning of verbal memory ( r = −.35 and −.34, respectively) among the nondefensive group but were unrelated in the defensive group. It is argued that the attenuation of the relationship between self-reported emotional status and verbal memory functioning is, in part, due to a restricted range of symptom endorsement on the MMPI among the defensive group. These findings replicate those previously reported using a sample of patients with cardiac disease.
Inventory-Derived Task Handedness Preferences of Nine Professions and Their Associations with Self-Report Global Handedness Preferences
Authors: Ransil Bernard J. , Schachter Steven C.
Published: August 2011

The handedness preference (laterality) of 1,196 professionals grouped in nine professions previously reported using self-reported global handedness and scores on a modified Edinburgh Handedness Inventory was further defined by evaluating the association between profession and the 10 manual tasks of the inventory. The previously reported ranking of professions in order of increasing righchandedness of laterality score arose from the handedness of specific inventory tasks. A similar association was found for self-reported global handedness. The evidence continues to support the hypothesis of an association between handedness preference and specific aptitudes or skills in this sample of professional persons.
Motivational Climate and Intrinsic Motivation of Young Basketball Players
Authors: Goudas Marios
Published: August 2011

The present study examined the relationship between motivational climate with intrinsic motivation for athletes with high and low perceived competence. It was predicted that for highly competent athletes a motivational climate of high mastery and high performance would be associated with enhanced intrinsic motivation whereas for athletes of low competence perceptions of a motivational climate of high mastery would be associated with higher intrinsic motivation. Analysis for 100 male basketball players showed that there was no significant interaction between perceived competence and perceptions of motivational climate. Scores for perceptions of a task-involving climate were significantly correlated with intrinsic motivation.
Impression Formation as a Function of Male Baldness
Authors: Butler Jeff , Pryor Burt , Grieder Mary
Published: August 2011

A computer-morphing procedure was used to produce a “full cranial hair” photograph for comparisons of perceptions by 96 undergraduates of a photograph of a naturally bald 30-yr.-old man on 13 dependent measures derived from 30 semantic differential scales. Analysis showed the full-hair condition was rated significantly more dominant, dynamic, and masculine than the bald condition. While the model was also perceived as younger in the full-hair condition, there was no difference in mean ratings of attractiveness between photographs.
Eliminating Temper Tantrums in a Four-Year Old by Parents Eliciting Incompatible Behavior
Authors: Porrata Jose Luis
Published: August 2011

A 4-yr. old boy's temper tantrums were modified by eliciting incompatible behavior. Family dynamics changed to more acceptance of the child's decision making and attention needs.
Visual Search, Reaction Time, and Cognitive Ability
Authors: Schweizer Karl
Published: August 2011

The contributions of visual search to reaction time and cognitive ability were investigated with 45 subjects. Visual search was assessed via eye movements. The electrooculogram was recorded while a subject located letters arranged in a large display. Reaction time was obtained for a search task. A reasoning and a space scale served to assess cognitive ability. Substantial correlations of number, amplitude, and velocity of saccades with reaction time were obtained. Significant correlations of scores on ability scales with reaction times and amplitudes of saccades were also observed. Obviously, subjects of higher ability showed amplitudes better adjusted to the distances between the letters than those of lower ability.
Paraprofessionals' Attitudes toward Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in Physical Education
Authors: O'Connor John , French Ron
Published: August 2011

The Physical Educators' Perceptions of Inclusion Inventory was administered to 80 paraprofessionals in special education. A Mann-Whitney U analysis indicated a significant difference in scores on knowledge related to inclusion by years of experience working. There was a significant difference between knowledge scores for length of time working but none for scores on perception.
Performance on Two Attention Tasks as a Function of Sex and Competition
Authors: Palmer Debra L. , Folds-Bennett Trisha
Published: August 2011

Effects of sex and competition on receptive attention and Stroop task performance of 59 college students were investigated. 33 participants in a competitive condition were informed that performance would be ranked by sex; 36 in a noncompetitive condition were given no information regarding competition. Consistent with previous research, no significant main effects or interactions were found for scores on the receptive attention task. Contrary to previous findings, though, the Stroop task also yielded no significant main effects; however, a significant interaction was found. Men experienced more interference in the competitive condition, whereas women showed no significant effects of competition. Women did experience more interference than men in the Noncompetitive condition. Conclusions suggest that men may be more sensitive to sex-based performance comparisons.
Semantic Activation by Japanese Kanji: Evidence from Event-Related Potentials
Authors: Hayashi Mitsuo , Kayamoto Yuriko , Tanaka Hideki , Yamada Jun
Published: August 2011

In a character-judgment paradigm, the subject quickly pressed a key when a hiragana (Japanese syllabary) appeared on a display and did nothing when a kanji (Japanese logograph) appeared. The amplitude of the N400 component was compared when four types of visual stimuli were used: (Type 1) single kanji—Grade 1- to 3-level words, (Type 2) single kanji—Grade 1- to 3-level bound morphemes, (Type 3) single kanji—high school- and college-level bound morphemes, and (Type 4) obsolete kanji. Analysis showed that N400 was largest in the temporal-occipital areas for the Type 1 stimuli and larger in the right parietal area for Type 2 than Type 3 stimuli. The analyses of N400 to semantic stimulations have been conducted and discussed in terms of their meaningfulness, age when writing of these kanji was mastered, and linguistic status (kanji versus nonkanji). Most interestingly, the Types 3 and 4 kanji did not activate semantic responses, showing that they did not function as linguistic units, i.e., kanji, in the mental lexicon.
Machiavellian, Bureaucratic, and Transformational Leadership Styles in Police Managers: Preliminary Findings of Interpersonal Ethics
Authors: Girodo Michel
Published: August 2011

A factor analysis of an intercorrelation matrix for scores assigned by 197 police managers to 26 statements describing ethical ways of influencing people on the job produced three leadership factors. In increasing strength of endorsement these were Machiavellian, Bureaucratic, and Transformational Styles. Use of a Machiavellian Style remained the same across age groups of 28 to 55 years, while the Bureaucratic and Transformational Styles increased in use across age and years of job experience. A multiple regression indicated age of the manager to account for significant variance only in the Transformational Style. Duties influenced which style managers used. The Machiavellian style was the most often and the Transformational style the least often used of interpersonal influence methods by managers involved in administration. The opposite was found for managers involved in training and in directing community-oriented police activities. Findings support the idea that subscribing to the Transformational Style follows a developmental view about interpersonal ethics but also that the use of specific influence methods depends on the opportunities created by one's work.
Figure-Ground Perceptual Organization and Learning by Three-Year-Old Children
Authors: Salavert Francina , Pelegrina Manuel , Beltran Francesc S.
Published: August 2011

We have elaborated a program for the instruction of 54 3-yr.-olds using visual aids (cards showing the graphic representation of a number printed on three different types of backgrounds). Analysis showed differences in the increase in scores obtained by the children before and after the application of the program depending on the type of background.
Variations in Frequency of Hand Gestures
Authors: Brainerd Edwin G. , Berry Christina , Moore Dewayne
Published: August 2011

Hand gestures increased significantly in a dyadic interview of 37 students when the interviewer was a male or an intimate topic was discussed. Gestures occurred most frequently in the first 2 min. of the interview, regardless of topic.
Similar MÜller-Lyer Effects from Operant and Comparison Response Modes
Authors: Nelson Brian , Greene Ernest
Published: August 2011

A one-sided (monopole) version of the Müller-Lyer was used to assess the effect of response mode on the metric distortion associated with the illusion. Two different response modes were tested for comparability. The Operant Mode required the judgment of stimulus span to be indicated by marking a dot on the test page. The Comparison Mode required judgment of equality of two adjoining prepositioned spans. The perceptual effects with the comparison procedure are known to consist of underestimation of spans which are bounded by concave fin-sets and overestimation of spans which are bounded by convex fin-sets. The question is whether the motor demands of the operant task produce an additional source of metric bias. Analysis indicate a very high correlation of judgments for the two modes of testing. Also, data with either mode of responding closely fit a linear model of the effect, and the model provides comparable index values for the concave and convex versions. These results should mitigate concern about potential motor bias from the operant method and encourage its use as a more efficient procedure for assessing metric distortion.
Psychometric Properties of the Grade 4 Reading Level Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised with Offenders
Authors: Van Whitlock Rod , Lubin Bernard
Published: August 2011

The reliability and validity of the Grade 4 reading level Multiple Affect Adjective Check List was assessed with offenders in four settings within the criminal justice system. With the exception of the Sensation Seeking Scale, the MAACL-R4 scales showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability and adequate convergent and discriminant validity, but not for the Depression scale for 53 female arrestees and the Hostility scale with 51 male arrestees. Correlations with self-ratings of health and stress and with the Family Environment scales were in expected directions. It is concluded that the MAACL-R4 has the basic qualities necessary for use in research with offenders.
Congenital Dyschromatopsia and School Achievement
Authors: Gallo P. Grassivaro , Panza M. , Viviani F. , Lantieri P. B.
Published: August 2011

In 1993-94, in Liguria (a northwestern Italian region) a study was carried out on dyschromatopsia, a congenital sex-linked form of colour blindness. 3124 junior high school boys aged 10–15 years were tested using Ishihara plates (1973 edition) and Farnsworth's D-15 test (1947 edition). 152 students were identified as colour blind (4.87%), a value slightly below the Italian average of 5.3%. The school achievement of these students was assessed by means of the school marks of two randomised subsamples composed of 82 dyschromates and 82 orthochromates, paired homogeneously by age and class Statistical analysis indicated significantly lower general school achievement for the 82 dyschromate subjects (except for art). The learning difficulties of dyschromate persons for whom colour is a basic didactic tool are discussed. Introduction of dyschromatopsia tests at preschool would be desirable.
Identification of a Speaker's Sex: A Fricative Study
Authors: Whiteside S. P.
Published: August 2011

An experiment was carried out to test whether three phonetically naive listeners were able to identify the speaker's sex from brief (30 msec, to 100 msec.) voiceless fricative segments. All speech segments were extracted from sentences spoken by members of a group of 3 women and 3 men with a British General Northern accent. The consonant segments were significantly identified by the listeners with an accuracy of 64.4%. A sample of the fricative segments was chosen to investigate acoustic and phonetic differences related to a speaker's sex, using spectrographic analysis. Analysis showed that on the average the frication of the women's voiceless fricatives was significantly higher in frequency than that of the men.
Preliminary Development of a Scale to Measure Attitudes regarding the Importance of Role Modeling in Physical Activity and Fitness Behaviors among Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Professionals
Authors: Cardinal Bradley J. , Krause Jerry V. , Cardinal Marita K. , Maddalozzo John G. F. , Drabbs Mary E. , Martin Jeffrey J. , Melville D. Scott , Singleton Steven P.
Published: August 2011

This paper presents a new 16-item scale designed to measure attitudes regarding the importance of role modeling in physical activity and fitness behaviors among Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance professionals. The measure was reviewed for face validity by a panel of experts and preliminary analyses gave as Cronbach a of .95 and split-half reliability of .97 for 22 graduate students.
Speakers' Sex Differences in Voice Onset Time: A Study of Isolated Word Production
Authors: Whiteside S. P. , Irving C. J.
Published: August 2011

This report presents a brief study into sex differences of speakers in the voice onset time of English plosives that are stressed in both word-initial and pre-vocalic positions. 36 isolated words were spoken by 5 men (age range 25 to 37 yr., M: 34.2 yr.) and 5 women speakers (age range 28 to 38 yr., M: 32.6 yr.) who were subjects. Analysis showed that the women speakers had on the average relative to the men, longer voice onset time values for voiceless plosives and shorter voice onset time values for the voiced plosives.
Comparison of the Vertec and Just Jump Systems for Measuring Height of Vertical Jump by Young Children
Authors: Isaacs Larry D.
Published: August 2011

To assess differences between the Vertec and the Just Jump Systems in measuring height of vertical jump, 248 boys and 232 girls between 7 and 11 years were required to perform four maximal countermovement vertical jumps. A maximum of the four trials recorded was the dependent variable. Each vertical jump was simultaneously evaluated by each measuring device and a paired t test indicated the systems were significantly different; however, the experimentwise difference of .93 in. has no practical value. The Just Jump System seems a viable alternative. Advantages and potential pitfalls regarding the use of each system are discussed.
Sex Differences in Exercise Motivation and Body-Image Satisfaction among College Students
Authors: Smith Billy L. , Handley Priscilla , Eldredge Dee Ann
Published: August 2011

The current study was an expansion of one by Cash, Novy, and Grant in 1994, in which responses of 101 female nursing students were examined for associations between reasons for exercise, frequency of exercise, and body-image satisfaction. In the current study, 78 male and 100 female undergraduates between the ages of 18 and 25 years ( M = 21.2, SD=1.9) from various majors completed a demographics/frequency of exercise survey, two body-assessment inventories, and the Reasons for Exercise Inventory of Silberstein, Striegel-Moore, Timko, and Rodin. Contrary to Cash, et al.'s findings, only health and fitness reasons were predictive of women's frequency of exercise, and women's dissatisfaction with specific bodily attributes was not significantly related to any reasons for exercising; however, like women in their sample, the current students who experienced more situational body dissatisfaction exercised for appearance and weight control. Sex comparisons indicated similar dissatisfaction with specific bodily attributes among men and women, but values were not significantly associated with any reasons for exercising. Women reported higher situational body dissatisfaction and exercising for appearance-related reasons more than men. Current participants may represent a more diverse group than previously tested, and the inventory's factor structure may not be generalizable to men and women.
Golf Clubs: Hidden Home Hazard for Children
Authors: Ridenour Mascella V.
Published: August 2011

Different accident patterns for golf equipment were noted for adults and children. Children are more likely than adults to be hit by a golf club as bystanders who entered the swing zone of a golf club. Previous publications investigating accidents involving golf clubs and over 2000 incidents involving emergency room treatment of children injured by golf clubs were reviewed. Most injuries occurred when unsupervised children played with golf clubs at home. When studies limit their focus to accident victims, who are currently being treated in the emergency room, hospital, or outpatient facility, no deaths are reported. A separate analysis of death certificates of children between the ages of 4 and 14 years also identified death as a possible consequence as 19 deaths have been reported to the National Injury Information Clearinghouse. Based on these three sources of data, golf clubs should not be used by children unsupervised given the potential for serious and permanent head injury and death. Recommendations for parents and manufacturers regarding the safety of golf clubs are provided.
Competing Personal Goals and Exercise Behaviour
Authors: Gebhardt Winifred A. , Maes Stan
Published: August 2011

Research on the determinants of exercise behaviour has not assessed the role of personal goals which may be in conflict with exercising. A cross-sectional study showed that 312 nonexercisers, 466 people who exercised once or twice a week, and 202 people who exercised at the norm of at least three times a week differed significantly with respect to the number of important personal goals expected to be hampered by exercising at the norm. To be specific, the number of competing activities in the home was higher for the sedentary group than for those who exercised. Further, those who exercised at the norm reported fewer competing social activities than all other subjects and fewer competing self-developmental activities than the nonexercisers. Scores on the scale for activities outside the home did not differ significantly among the three groups. It is argued that any theoretical model of exercise behaviour should take into account the influence of competing personal goals on the initiation and continuation of exercise during leisure time.
Effects of Magnetic Stimulation through VLF-Sferics on Reaction Time
Authors: Stark Rudolf , Schienle Anne , Klöpper René , Vaitl Dieter
Published: August 2011

64 students participated in a study of a simple reaction time (RT) task with and without magnetic sferics stimulation. Exposure did not affect RT.
Construction of Self-Regulation Questionnaire for Japanese Elementary School Children
Authors: Nakata Sakae , Shiomi Kunio
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this investigation was to identify factors of self-regulation in 1307 Japanese elementary school children from Grades 3 to 6 and to develop a questionnaire for assessment. Factor analyses gave four factors on self-regulation named Permissiveness, Self-disclosure, Decision Making, and Uniqueness. Correlations among factors showed differences based on grade and sex. The interactions among factors were discussed.
Variation among Nonclinical Subjects on a Line-Bisection Task
Authors: Cowie Roddy , Hamill Glenn
Published: August 2011

Absence of leftward bias in a line-bisection task is often used as a clinical hemispheric indicator, but the effect is not uniform in a normal population. Sex, handedness, and strategy variables affect the strength and direction of any bias.
Influence of Spatial Mapping on Manual Aiming Asymmetries
Authors: Maraj Brian K. V. , Elliott Digby , Lyons James , Roy Eric A. , Winchester Tamara
Published: August 2011

Two experiments were conducted to examine manual asymmetries in a one-dimensional aiming task. In Exp. 1, 10 right-handed adults slid a computer mouse 13 cm on a graphics tablet with both the right and left hands to targets of 3 different diameters. Under these conditions, the movement time for the right hand was significantly faster as expected. In Exp. 2, subjects performed similar movements to move a cursor 13 cm on a computer monitor. Thus the study was identical except the stimulus-response mapping was indirect. In this situation, there were no significant differences for either movement time or movement error between hands despite these performance measures indicating that target aiming was more difficult in Exp. 2. Because increases in task difficulty generally result in a greater advantage for the right hand, as indicated by Todor & Smiley, 1985, the present studies suggest that superiority of the right hand in aiming tasks may be diminished when spatial translation is required. Perhaps the spatial translation requires greater involvement of the right hemisphere, a process associated with manual advantage for the left hand, previously suggested by Roy and MacKenzie.
Newborns Crying in Different Contexts: Discrete or Graded Signals?
Authors: Boero D. Lenti , Bianchi C. , Volpe C. , Marcello A. , Lenti C.
Published: August 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate whether human infants' cries show individually and contextually discriminable acoustic parameters. 20 full-term normal human newborns (aged 1 to 4 days) had their cries recorded during routine blood withdrawal (pain context) 30 min. before a scheduled feeding (hunger context) and when subjected to kinetic stimuli during neurological examination (manipulation context). Type of cries, melodic contours, F0 parameters, but not the “macro” trend of the start of the fundamental frequency, indicated a difference in pain cries in the other two contexts. All the acoustic features considered showed an individual specificity. The peak frequencies of voiceless or partially voiced wails had the interesting property of being optimised as long distance signals. We hypothesised that this feature of infants' cries may have evolved in a time window when the infants were left in collective nurseries and not carried on the mothers' backs as maintained by the traditional view.
Differences between Congenitally Blind and Normally Sighted Subjects in the P1 Component of Middle Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials
Authors: Naveen K. V. , Srinivas R. , Nirmala K. S. , Nagarathna R. , Nagendra H. R. , Telles Shirley
Published: August 2011

Auditory evoked potentials (0 to 100 msec. range) were recorded two times for 9 congenitally blind children (age=14.1 yr.±1.4 yr.) and 9 age-matched children with normal vision. The groups' peak latency and amplitude of the P1 wave were compared. The peak latency was significantly lower for the congenitally blind than for the normally sighted on a two-factor analysis of variance. Since the P1 wave is thought to correspond to either the ascending reticular activating system or the primary auditory cortex, these results suggest that information processing at these neural levels may occur more efficiently in the blind.
Accuracy Characteristics of Throwing as a Result of Maximum Force Effort
Authors: Etnyre Bruce R.
Published: August 2011

Fitts' law predicts the accuracy of movement to a target decreases as the velocity of the movement increases. This speed-accuracy tradeoff has been examined under numerous conditions. During some tasks, however, increased force to nearly maximal level decreases the variability of the movement (Sherwood & Schmidt, 1980). This condition apparently produced results different from what would be predicted by Fitts' law. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of maximal force on dart throwing accuracy and variability. 54 subjects were categorized into groups based upon their experience with dart throwing: Advanced, Intermediate, or Beginners. Each subject performed two sessions of 15 trials. Subjects were instructed to “throw normally” for one session and “throw as hard as you can” for the other session. Distances from the target (triple-20 area) on the regulation dart board were measured and recorded after each of three darts was thrown. Average Error and Variable Error were calculated for each condition for each subject. The Average Error and Variable Error were greatest for the Beginner group and least for the Advanced group. For all three experience categories both Average Error and Variable Error were significantly greater when subjects performed with maximal force. The greater average error for the maximal force for all subjects suggested the speed-accuracy tradeoff applied to this aiming task. The greater variability in accuracy with maximal force suggested a ceiling effect, which reduced variability in previous studies, was not achieved.
Intercorrelations and Internal Consistency of Limb Muscle-Action Strengths of Patients with Renal Disease
Authors: Bohannon Richard W.
Published: August 2011

This study involved the retrospective analysis of instrumented measurements of strength from six muscle actions of 15 patients with renal disease. Most measurements were correlated significantly (mean Pearson r = .78). The measurements also showed strong internal consistency (Cronbach α > .92). These findings extend those obtained in studies of healthy individuals and patients with stroke and suggest the presence of a common underlying construct, limb muscle strength.
‘Learning-To-Learn’: A Neo-Piagetian Interpretation of the Potential for Learning
Authors: Niaz Mansoor , Caraucan Emerita
Published: August 2011

According to Pascual-Leone the fact that rates of cognitive development differ across cultures is evidence of the importance of learning, a factor that Piaget may have underemphasized. To characterize the sort of learning (academic performance) that takes place in a traditional classroom, three groups of children (7- to 10-yr.-olds, N = 94) were tested to assess development (Piaget's Cognitive Development and Pascual-Leone's M-power) and learning (Pascual-Leone's L-power, i.e., potential for learning). Analysis showed that the two developmental measures did not predict academic performance for two of the groups, whereas Pascual-Leone's L-power correlated significantly with academic performance for all three groups of children. It is concluded that Pascual-Leone's L-power can explain academic performance as a function of learning.
Right and Left in the Koran (Qur'an)
Authors: Tan Üner
Published: August 2011

Right and left were mentioned in 11 chapters in the Koran. Right was mentioned in 23 sentences and left in 11 sentences which did not deal with handedness. Rather, the right hand refers to the right side or place of honor and goodness; the left hand refers to the bad side and badness. There were only a few sentences indicating the use of the right hand in writing and throwing. The Koran is thus not an exception of the ancient thought in this respect.
Self-Esteem and Coping Responses of Athletes with Acute versus Chronic Injuries
Authors: Wasley David , Lox Curt L.
Published: August 2011

6 athletes with acute and 6 with chronic injuries reported differences in measures of self-esteem and coping strategies following sport-related injury.
Precompetitive Mood States and Performance of Elite Male Golfers: Do Trait Characteristics Make a Difference?
Authors: Hassmén Peter , Koivula Nathalie , Hansson Torsten
Published: August 2011

The relationship between preperformance mood, measured by the Profile of Mood States inventory, and subsequent athletic performance has been the focus of considerable research. Presumably, athletes with less positive mood profiles should be outperformed by those with more favorable profiles. The results presented so far in the literature are equivocal. One possible explanation is that more stable trait characteristics might mediate mood states prior to competitive situations. In the present study, 8 male golf players, all members of the Swedish National Team, completed a number of trait inventories (Eysenck's Personality Inventory, Locus of Control, Sport Competition Anxiety Test, Self-consciousness Scale) prior to the competitive season. Subsequently, they completed the Profile of Mood States before each game played. Analysis showed that the players' preperformance mood states differed significantly and that these differences were associated with their scores on the trait inventories. Furthermore, preperformance mood states were significantly related to athletic performance for some individuals but not for others. Further research should also include trait measurements to understand better the relationship between mood states and the athletic performance of individual athletes.
The Monthly Distribution of Suicides and Urbanization
Authors: Lester David
Published: August 2011

Unevenness in the monthly distribution of suicides in the American states in 1980 was associated with low urbanization and a northern latitude.
Length, Weight, and Width: Covariation Assessments Based on Haptic Exploration
Authors: McGahan Joseph R. , Williamson J. David , Stoecker Jerome
Published: August 2011

Intuitive judgments about covariations of length, weight, and width were assessed in two experiments using a series of prepositional statements. In Exp. 1, only a priori judgments were rendered, whereas in Exp. 2 blindfolded participants physically manipulated and described a series of objects varying on these dimensions before rendering their judgments. Analyses indicated participants judged weight and width as positively correlated, length and weight as uncorrelated and, to some extent, length and width as negatively correlated. If judgments are rendered after the haptic exploradon phase, weight and width are (again) judged as positively correlated, and length and weight were still judged as uncorrelated. However, after the database intervention, length and width were judged as positively correlated. Results are discussed relative to research on reasoning about covariation and belief perseveration as well as perceived covariations between height, weight, and body fat.
Complement to “Ratio of Male and Female Characters in a Dream Series”
Authors: Houran James
Published: August 2011

This note relates recent research on dream content to other findings on imaginal experiences which suggest that state or situational factors frequently define the content of experiences related to altered states of consciousness. As with hallucinatory, dissociative, and autohypnotic phenomena, dream content reflects a continuity between waking and imaginai experience.
Body Perceptions of Bulimic and Nonbulimic Groups
Authors: Harden Amy J. , Butler Sara , Scheetz Melissa
Published: August 2011

A brief survey measuring satisfaction with the body, concern for physical appearance, and motivations for selection of clothing was administered to 30 women in a university-sponsored support group for bulimic students and 30 women randomly selected from a college campus. No mean differences were found between the groups on concern for physical appearance when in a social setting, but mean differences were significant on satisfaction with weight, satisfaction with body image, and concern for physical appearance when alone.
Men and Women Holding Hands: Whose Hand is Uppermost?
Authors: Chapell Mark , Basso Ellen , Decola Antoinette , Hossack Jamie , Keebler John , Marm Justin , Reed Brian , Webster Elisabeth , Yoggev Dana
Published: August 2011

This study explored the issue of whether status and power differences are expressed in the way men and women hold hands. It was hypothesized that men's hands would be upper in heterosexual handholding couples significantly more often than women's Also, to explore the possibility that height differences of handholding partners might affect handholding position, all handholding couples observed in this study were classified as couples with men and women of equal height or couples where either the men or women were taller. A total of 1,006 handholding couples were observed, and men's hands were significantly more likely to be the upper one in couples when men were taller than women and in couples where men and women were of equal height, suggesting that, while height does matter, it is less important for this handholding pattern than sex differences.
Time Course Analysis of the Reverse-Stroop Effect in Japanese Kanji
Authors: Moriguchi Kayu , Morikawa Yasuo
Published: August 2011

A reverse of the Stroop effect was obtained with Japanese kanji (logographic script) but not with Japanese kana (syllabic scripts) by Morikawa in 1981. In the present study, the normal effect on reaction times by word and color was altered by presenting the words before or after the color. The reverse Stroop effect was observed with kanji but not with kana even when the color was presented prior to the word. It was shown that the difference between kanji and kana in the reverse-Stroop effect could not be explained by the relative speed of processing of word and color and that the reading process of kanji is different from that of kana.
Selective Effects of Physical Exercise on Choice Reaction Processes
Authors: Arcelin René , Delignieres Didier , Brisswalter Jeanick
Published: August 2011

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of an exercise of moderate intensity (60% of maximal aerobic power) on specific information-processing mechanisms. 22 students completed 3 10-min. exercise bouts on a bicycle ergometer. Concomitantly, participants performed six manual choice-reaction tasks manipulating task variables (Signal Intensity, Stimulus–Response Compatibility, and Time Uncertainty) on two levels. Reaction tests, randomly ordered, were administered at rest and during exercise. A significant underadditive interaction between Time Uncertainty and exercise was found for the highest quartiles of the distribution of reaction times. No other interaction effects were obtained for the other variables. These results reasonably support that moderate aerobic exercise showed selective rather than general influences on information processing.
Temporal Stability of the Learning Efficiency Test—II
Authors: Webster Raymond E. , Stroud Susan B. , Hall Cathy W. , Bolen Larry M.
Published: August 2011

This study's focus was the temporal stability of the Learning Efficiency Test–II for 32 undergraduate volunteers over an average test-retest time interval of 44 days. Correlations and dependent groups t tests were used to examine the consistency of participants' scores across this interval. Analysis indicated high temporal stability for scores on the Visual, Auditory, and Global Memory processing factor, with correlations of .86, .81, and .95, respectively. The temporal stability of participants' scores on the 12 subtests was more variable with statistically significant correlations ranging from .40 to .89. The findings support the reliability of the test as a tool to evaluate the information-processing characteristics of young college students and also show the stability of memory over 6 wk. Expansion to a wider age range of the full population is desirable.