bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Physical Exertion on Mental Performance with Reference to Training
Authors: Zervas Yannis , Danis Apostolos , Klissouras Vassilis
Published: August 2011

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of physical exertion (treadmill) on mental performance (matching a comparison design). Nine pairs of monozygotic twins (boys aged 11 to 14 yr.) were randomly divided into two groups, one trained and one untrained, while eight boys of the same age served as a control group. The trained group underwent a specifically designed program lasting six months. The trained and untrained groups performed on the treadmill for 20 min. at a running speed intensity above their individual anaerobic thresholds. Mental performance was evaluated by analysing mean number of correct answers, time taken to reach correct answers (decision time), and wrong answers. A 3 × 2 (group × pre/posttest) analysis of variance with repeated measures on the last factor yielded no significant differences; however, significant pre- versus posttest differences on correct answers and decision times occurred among the exercised groups.
The Perception of Torque Pulses
Authors: Walmsley A. , Williams L. R. T.
Published: August 2011

The reliability of perception of a series of torque pulses and the influence of practice on the perceptual threshold were assessed. Eleven subjects were tested. Analysis showed distinctive cumulative frequency curves with the threshold of perception ranging from 0.016 Nm to 0.049 Nm. The reliability of individual differences over 100 trials was .998 and, when the number of trials was reduced to 25, reliability was .992. There was little evidence of a practice effect. It was clear that individual differences in torque perception could be accurately measured.
Children's Understanding of Facial Expression of Emotion: II. Drawing of Emotion-Faces
Authors: Missaghi-Lakshman Monica , Whissell Cynthia
Published: August 2011

67 children from Grades 2, 4, and 7 drew faces representing the emotional expressions of fear, anger, surprise, disgust, happiness, and sadness. The children themselves and 29 adults later decoded the drawings in an emotion-recognition task. Children were the more accurate decoders, and their accuracy and the accuracy of adults increased significantly for judgments of 7th-grade drawings. The emotions happy and sad were most accurately decoded. There were no significant differences associated with sex. In their drawings, children utilized a symbol system that seems to be based on a highlighting or exaggeration of features of the innately governed facial expression of emotion.
Drugs and Sex: A Survey of College Students' Beliefs
Authors: Bills S. A. , Duncan D. F.
Published: August 2011

71 university students were surveyed regarding the effects of five drugs on human sexuality. Most of the myths examined were believed by a number of the 71 students surveyed. Users of alcohol ( n = 62) and cocaine ( n = 22) were more accurate in identifying effects than were nonusers.
Relationships between Achievement and Affiliation Needs and Sex-Role Orientation of College Women Whose Fathers Were Absent from Home
Authors: Harris Shanette M. , Gold Steven R. , Henderson Bruce B.
Published: August 2011

This study examined the influence of fathers' absence on the gender-role orientation, achievement, and affiliation of middle-class, college-aged women and whether these effects operate similarly for white and black women. The subjects were classified as father-absent (34 between 0 to 6 years of age, early absence; 29 between 7 to 12 years of age, late absence) or father-present, based upon written descriptions of their households. Over-all, 80 father-absent subjects were not higher in achievement and lower in affiliation than 191 father-present women; however, black women whose fathers died had significantly higher daydream achievement scores than those with fathers present or white women. Father-absent women were not significantly more masculine and androgynous than father-present women. However, 12 black women whose fathers were dead had significantly higher masculinity scores than the other three groups. The implications of these results are discussed.
Visual Word Recognition in Beginning Readers of Persian
Authors: Baluch Bahman , Shahidi Shahriar
Published: August 2011

This article briefly addresses general current issues expressed in relation to psychological models of visual word recognition, the significance and the implications of current research in reading Persian script. It concludes with results and implications of a study on beginning readers of Persian.
Generalization of the Population Density Index Model
Authors: O'Brien Frank
Published: August 2011

The author's population density index (PDI) model was previously derived for the measurement of population density in studies employing 100 density points or less. The PDI model is now generalized through a derived equation which allows its basic component, the unit lattice average Euclidean distance, to be calculated for any finite lattice rectangle or square in a population density study.
African Adolescents' Drawings of the Interior of the Body: Preliminary Findings
Authors: Amann-Gainotti Merete , Grazioso Mariarosaria
Published: August 2011

This paper, concerned with cultural variations of representations and beliefs related to the body, reports some preliminary data collected in Africa (Zaire) from a sample of 184 male and 161 female adolescents' drawings of the interior of their bodies. Analysis evidenced specific qualitative characteristics of African subjects' drawings that were not comparable to those produced by European subjects in a previous study.
A Study of Homework Time of a High School Sample
Authors: Hagborg Winston J.
Published: August 2011

The amount of time high school students spend on homework is predictive of achievement, grades, and even dropping out of school. This study, based on a sample of 95 high school students, identified a group who spent zero time on homework and other students for comparison on measures of school performance and personal adjustment. The zero-time homework students were more often male, older, presented less favorable school attitudes, lower grades, more frequent discipline and conduct problems, less satisfactory close friendships, and a more external locus of control (Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire). The groups did not differ, however, on socioeconomic status, history of repeating grades, educational expectations, and 7 of 9 scales of a measure of self-esteem (Self-perception Profile for Adolescents). It is concluded that the time a student spends on homework, at the low end, is a useful indication of the student's school adjustment, but not necessarily related to the student's out-of-school personal adjustment.
Binary-Choice Decision Time Depends upon Cerebral Hemisphere and Nature of Task
Authors: Schweitzer Laurence R.
Published: August 2011

Binary-choice paradigms are classificatory problems of basic importance to the understanding of elementary decision processes. Generally when subjects decide if two visual stimuli are identical or differ by as little as one element, the decision of “Different” takes longer. This finding is unexpected as decisions of “Different” should not require an exhaustive matching of elements. Using stimulus presentation to the right and left cerebral hemispheres, the right hemisphere initiated fast selections of “Same” for figural material and alone was responsible for the “Same”/ “Different” response differential. Exp. 1 ( n = 22) gave no differences for same-different, unilateral-bilateral stimulation, and left-right hemispheres. Exp. 2, using word meaning as the binary-choice task, also showed faster decisions for “Same” but a different left-hemisphere-dependent strategy. The nature of information processing in relation to binary-choice tasks is discussed and the utility of bihemispheric paradigms is demonstrated.
Self-Concepts of Adolescent Siblings of Children with Mental Retardation
Authors: Auletta Richard , DeRosa Arnold P.
Published: August 2011

Self-concepts of 70 adolescent siblings of children with profound levels of mental retardation were investigated. Their mean self-concept was compared with a matched group of 70 adolescent siblings of children without profound levels of retardation. Using the Tennessee Self-concept Scale, two variables (maternal self-concept and siblings' self-concept) were assessed for differences between siblings and mothers (the target group) of mentally retarded children and siblings and mothers (the comparison group) of children without mental retardation. No significant mean difference between the two groups suggests no special difficulties in psychosocial adjustment for siblings of the mentally retarded.
Visuospatial Ability, Accuracy of Size Estimation, and Bulimic Disturbance in a Noneating-Disordered College Sample: A Neuropsychological Analysis
Authors: Thompson J. Kevin , Spana Richard Enrico
Published: August 2011

The relationship between visuospatial ability and size accuracy in perception was assessed in 69 normal college females. In general, correlations indicated small associations between visuospatial defects and size overestimation and little relationship between visuospatial ability and level of bulimic disturbance. Implications for research on the size overestimation of body image are addressed.
Relationship of Teachers' Technical Knowledge Skills and Students' Learning on a Volleyball Unit
Authors: Gusthart J. L. , Kelly I. W. , Tennant M.
Published: August 2011

An examination of the relationship between 9 teachers' technical knowledge of volleyball and 222 students' learning of a unit on volleyball uncovered no association. Suggestions for research are provided.
Note on Risk-Homeostasis and Night-Time Pedestrian Casualties
Authors: Reinhardt-Rutland A. H.
Published: August 2011

Data from published studies suggest risk-homeostasis as an explanation for accidents at night is not as effective an hypothesis as in other circumstances.
Fashion Dolls: Representations of Ideals of Beauty
Authors: Pedersen Elaine L. , Markee Nancy L.
Published: August 2011

To study the ideal of beauty that fashion dolls portray, a sample of 15 dolls (one of each type available by manufacturer) was collected. In comparison with both the fashion model ideal and the Greek model of beauty the dolls were observed to be short waisted and to have longer legs than either ideal.
Dark-Shading in the Poems of Anne Sexton
Authors: Lester David
Published: August 2011

There appeared to be an increase in the use of the words ‘dark’ and ‘black’ in the final 6 poems of Anne Sexton, confirming the results of an earlier analysis of Sylvia Plath's poems.
Effectiveness of Filler Items in Disguising Scale Purpose
Authors: Kumar V. K. , Lebo Carol , Gallagher Charles
Published: August 2011

Subjects ( n = 246) were asked to identify the trait(s) measured by Rotter's Interpersonal Trust Scale with and without filler items, either by responding freely or by circling traits listed on a sheet. Half the subjects were informed prior to filling out the questionnaire that their task was to identify the traits being measured by the questionnaire; the remaining half of the subjects were informed of their task after they completed the questionnaire. Very few subjects were able to identify correctly the trait being measured by Rotter's scale regardless of the experimental condition. Most subjects named multiple traits. It was concluded that the use of filler items per se was not the key factor in disguising the true purpose of Rotter's test; rather item wording may have produced multiple interpretations.
Defining Clinically Significant Changes in the Treatment of Child Stutterers
Authors: Gagnon Mireille , Ladouceur Robert
Published: August 2011

This study established a clinically significant criterion to evaluate outcomes of children's stuttering therapy. 30 stutterers, ages 6 to 15 years, and 30 nonstutterers served as subjects. Speech samples were recorded and the percentage of stuttered syllables and rate of speech analyzed. According to Jacobson and Revenstorf's procedure, 3% of stuttered syllables and 160 syllables per minute should become the target behaviors in the treatment of children's stuttering.
Symptoms of Prosopagnosia in Intoxicated Subjects
Authors: Werth Reinhard , Steinbach Thomas
Published: August 2011

Two experiments were made to test whether a blood ethanol concentration of about 1 g ethanol per kg blood influences the ability to recognize faces which were shown 24 hours earlier. 18 subjects who saw the faces for the first time when sober and whose task it was to recognize the faces when under the influence of alcohol, recognized the faces significantly less frequently than controls. The controls saw the faces for the first time when sober and their task was to recognize the faces later when also in a sober state. When 20 sober subjects had to recognize faces which they had seen 24 hours earlier under the influence of alcohol, they recognized the faces significantly less frequently than controls. 18 subjects to whom visual forms were shown when under the influence of alcohol and who had to recognize these forms 24 hours later when sober again performed like subjects who had to recognize faces under identical experimental conditions. Subjects who saw the forms, however, in a sober state and who had to recognize these forms when intoxicated performed significantly better than subjects who had to recognize faces under identical experimental conditions. In additional experiments, it was shown that alcohol did not influence ability to compare simultaneously presented faces. Intoxicated subjects' reduced abilities to recognize faces is regarded as a symptom of prosopagnosia since it cannot be explained by a reduced ability to recognize forms or to compare faces.
Age Differences in Children's Pain
Authors: Lander Janice , Fowler-Kerry Susan
Published: August 2011

A cross-sectional study of venipuncture pain and anxiety was conducted with 180 consecutively referred children and their parents. Analysis indicated that younger children report more venipuncture pain than older children. Anxiety was related to both age and pain. As well, anxiety was lowest among children with no previous venipuncture experience and among those with the greatest experience.
A New Implementation of Sheedy's Visual Grating Task
Authors: Freivalds Andris
Published: August 2011

A simple visual paradigm involving a square-wave grating, introduced by Sheedy in 1981, was developed into a compact, portable device to be used for screening DWI offenders in the field.
Perceptions of Health among Lay Consumers
Authors: Kenney Janet W.
Published: August 2011

The incongruent perceptions of health by consumers and health professionals may contribute to low rates of adherence to medical regimens and few health promotion behaviors. This study of 65 adults, 21 men and 44 women, examined adults' views of health to identify gender, age, and education differences in health perceptions. A questionnaire with 34 items in 12 health categories was developed, based on the work of Woods and associates. Self-concept, fitness, and role performance were rated highest by all groups. Women rated social involvement and harmony significantly higher than men. Education groups rated body-image, fitness, and self-actualization significantly differently.
Comparison of Self-Concepts of Students Identified as Gifted and Regular Students
Authors: Yong Fung L. , McIntyre John D.
Published: August 2011

The purpose of the present study was to compare the self-concepts of 40 eighth grade students identified as gifted and 40 regular eighth grade students using the Piers-Harris Children's Self-concept Scale. A t test indicated a significant group difference on the behavior component only and no significant differences by gender. More similarities than differences were noted in self-concepts of these students identified as gifted and regular students.
Relationship of Fitness to Depression, State and Trait Anxiety, Internal Health Locus of Control, and Self-Control
Authors: Brandon Jeffrey E. , Loftin J. Mark
Published: August 2011

Aerobic forms of exercise have been suggested as one approach to reducing the costly effects of excessive or chronic stress, yet the results of some studies related to this assumption have been mixed. The purpose of this study was to estimate the correlation between emotional states and fitness level among 8 women and 9 men who were recreational cyclists. Fitness was determined by cycle ergometric testing (VO2 max). Psychometric measures included the short version of the Beck Depression Inventory, the internal portion of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Self-control Questionnaire. Significant correlations were observed between fitness and the depression scores, internal locus of control, and self-control measures. These results tend to support previous findings regarding the possible link between physical fitness and improved emotionality.
Comparison of Supervisors' and Incumbents' Estimates of the Worth of Workers to Their Organizations: A Brief Report
Authors: Matthews Michael D.
Published: August 2011

The purpose of the current study was to compare estimates of the economic value of workers to their organization obtained from supervisors with those obtained from job incumbents. The measure of value used, SDy, is a utility analysis term which translates workers' performance into dollars and cents. Among a sample of 18 task scientists and 13 of their supervisors, the workers and their supervisors provided substantially and significantly different measures of SDy. This suggests that such estimates obtained from workers and their supervisors not be pooled for analysis.
Eyerobics Visual Training for Soccer, a Reply
Authors: McLeod Bill
Published: August 2011

This reply to Cohn and Chaplik indicates their points require further research.
Canonical Correlation of a Temporal Lobe Signs Scale with Schizoid and Hypomania Scales in a Normal Population: Men and Women are Similar but for Different Reasons
Authors: Persinger M. A.
Published: August 2011

The relationships between four relevant Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory variables and temporal lobe signs and symptoms were determined separately for 70 university men and 86 women. Canonical correlations were similar in magnitude (0.55 to 0.60) but indicated sex-specific construction of the roots. For men the significant variables were the schizoid and complex partial epileptic-like signs; for women the significant variables were hypomania and all three temporal lobe clusters: complex partial seizure experiences, interictal-like signs, and religious/psi phenomenology.
Application of Tetra-Ataxiametric Posturography in Clinical and Developmental Diagnosis
Authors: Kohen-Raz Reuven
Published: August 2011

Tetra-ataxiametric posturography is based on the measurement and computerized elaboration of electronic signals emitted by four footplates, one for each heel and toe, respectively. These are sensitive to vertical pressure produced by a subject standing straight but in various positions (feet parallel, in tandem, eyes closed, on pads, etc.). The method yields additional parameters not obtained by the traditional monoplate stabilometers, namely, weight-distribution patterns and correlations among six combinations of paired outputs from the two heels, two toes, heel/toe of each foot, and the two diagonals (tetra-ataxiametric synchronisations). Comparing age-matched learning disabled, mentally retarded, autistic, and hearing impaired (with and without labyrinthine hypofunction) with normal children, significant and clinically meaningful differences were detected between the tetra-ataxiametric measures of stability, interaction between Fourier Spectral Power Ranges of body sway, weight distributions, and synchronisations of toe parts. The same parameters correlated significantly with cognitive school readiness in normal populations. While the stability and spectral quotients show significant developmental changes, weight distribution and toe synchronisations are stable from 5 years onwards. The method is suitable for young subjects and attractive to children who may ordinarily be reluctant to cooperate, such as the autistic ones. The equipment is portable and tests can be conveniently carried out in a child's familiar educational setting.
Body-Size Judgments and Eye Movements Associated with Looking at Body Regions in Obese and Normal Weight Subjects
Authors: Gardner Rick M. , Morrell James A.
Published: August 2011

Eye movements of 20 male and 20 female obese and nonobese subjects were monitored during two body-size estimation tasks using a computer-based video technology. Analysis indicated no differences in body-size estimation between subjects using the staircase method. All subjects slightly underestimated body size; however, obese subjects were more sensitive than normal-weight subjects in detecting size distortion when a signal-detection task was employed. Eye-movement data indicated subjects looked longest at the chest, followed by waist, head, thighs, and calves/ feet, in both the staircase and the signal-detection methods. Women viewed the waist region longer than men. On a signal-detection task subjects were better at detecting body-size distortion when viewing the body from the back than from front or profile.
Sex of Figure Drawings and Self-Esteem
Authors: Waehler Charles A. , Zaback Thomas P.
Published: August 2011

This study examined the relationship between sex order of human figure drawing and self-esteem. Undergraduates ( N = 440) drew a person and completed the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. Female subjects ( n = 255) drew the opposite sex 39.2% of the time ( n = 100), while 185 men drew females first only 6.5% of the time ( n = 12). Using median scores derived from the sample, men who drew females first were more likely to have low self-esteem than were the men over-all. Self-esteem judged on the sex of their drawing was not significantly different for women. These findings reinforce the importance of accounting for sex differences in personality assessment and support the hypothesis that drawing of the opposite sex by women may reflect social role rather than psychological conflict.
Personality Profile of Nonscholarship College Football Players
Authors: Newby Robert W. , Simpson Steve
Published: August 2011

This paper presents a profile of the mood states of nonscholarship football players as measured by the Profile of Mood States inventory. Analysis suggests that these 120 athletes did not conform to the “iceberg profile” described for elite athletes, differing mainly in the areas of tension and anger. The athletes measured for this report indicated more anger than a sample of 60 football players attending an institution providing financial aid for participation in sports. Total mood scores were lower than those of college athletes on scholarship and high school athletes and nonathletes. Differences in mood states were also found between members of the offensive and defensive squads and between varsity and junior varsity players.
Role of Fitness in Mediating Stress: A Correlational Exploration of Stress Reactivity
Authors: Brandon Jeffrey E. , Loftin J. Mark , Curry Jack
Published: August 2011

Researchers have investigated the effect of exercise on reducing subjects' responsiveness to stress. Results from the initial studies were positive, yet these studies often did not use objective measures of fitness. This investigation applied more rigorous methodology than past experiments to assess the relationship between fitness and reactivity to stress. Maximal oxygen consumption was measured to indicate the fitness of recreational cyclists who were then exposed to three stressful situations (mental subtraction, speech preparation, and the cold pressor test). Heart rate, frontalis electromyographic (EMG) levels, and self-report of tension were monitored during the stress-inducing tasks. Physical fitness was significantly related to heart rate taken during the subtraction and cold pressor tasks, with EMG during subtraction, and with self-report during all three stressor tasks. These results further support the hypothesized association of physical fitness and reducing response to stress.
Association of Eye Color and Sex with Basketball Free Throws by Elementary School Children
Authors: Patee Tammy , Frewen Mike , Beer John
Published: August 2011

Dark-eyed individuals perform reactive activities better while light-eyed individuals generally perform self-paced activities better. There were 68 (21 dark-and 47 light-eyed) elementary school children who shot 5 practice and then 15 free throws from the free-throw line in a high school gym. There were no differences in performance between light- and dark-eyed children, but boys scored more free throws than girls.
Effects of Overt and Covert Tasks on Orienting Response under Unimodal and Bimodal Stimulations
Authors: Imai Akira
Published: August 2011

The present study examined the occurrences of “selective” and “alertive” orienting responses (ORs) in relation to stimulus modality under overt and covert tasks by using electrodermal response (EDR). Two sets of 36 university students received two stimuli (figure and/or tone) during both habituation and test sessions either unimodally (Exp. I) or bimodally (Exp. II). The subjects were assigned to one of three groups during a test session: (1) Key-press which required pressing a key at the offset of the test stimulus, (2) Perceptual-judgment which requested estimating the duration of the test stimulus, or (3) Neutral-instruction which received no task for stimulus presentation. Analysis showed in Exp. I, the first two groups indicated significant increases in EDR magnitudes only in response to the test stimulus, and this EDR increase demonstrated the occurrence of selective OR. In Exp. II, key-press alone showed a significant increase in EDR magnitudes to the nontest stimulus, and this EDR demonstrated the elicitation of alertive OR. The alertive OR emerged clearly when the subject performed an overt task under bimodal stimulation.
Greater Right Hemisphericity is Associated with Lower Self-Esteem in Adults
Authors: Persinger M. A. , Makarec Katherine
Published: August 2011

28 men and 32 women were given Vingiano's Hemisphericity Questionnaire and the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory. People who reported the greatest numbers of right hemispheric indicators displayed the lowest self-esteem; the correlations were moderately strong ( r>.50) for both men and women. These results support the hypothesis that the sense of self is primarily a linguistic, left-hemispheric phenomenon and that a developmental history of frequent intrusion from right-hemispheric processes can infuse the self-concept with negative affect.
Thoughts on the Utility of Musical Mnemonics
Authors: Neuschatz Joseph S. , Chazin Sharon
Published: August 2011

The authors point out some of the differences between the recent approaches to mnemonic techniques suggested by Scruggs and Brigham and the earlier study by Chazin and Neuschatz.
Morningness versus Eveningness Arousal Patterns in Young Adults
Authors: Sexton-Radek Kathy , Harris Donna
Published: August 2011

The preference for morning versus evening time for activities requiring alertness was investigated. Responses from 9 individuals categorized as “owls” and 7 classed as “larks” based on their scores on the Morningness Versus Eveningness Questionnaire were compared to a group of 11 classified as “neither” on measures of sleep attitude and personality factors of arousal. No statistically significant differences were found; however, an item analysis yielded a statistically significant difference among the groups' responses on questions involving personal choices of sleep/wake schedules. This distinguishing aspect between the groups denotes the utility of subjective measures of preference. Our findings complement those from other subjective and experimental studies of “owls” and “larks” and add the important dimension of inquiring about personal preferences of subjects.
Response Patterns to Central Auditory Tests and the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals—Revised: A Pilot Study
Authors: Howard Merle R. , Hulit Lloyd M.
Published: August 2011

Tests of central auditory function and measures of receptive and expressive language abilities were administered to 10 children suspected of having central auditory processing disorders. Eight of the 10 subjects displayed expressive language difficulties, suggesting a need to examine more closely the relationship between expressive language and central auditory processing.
On Learning, Distance Overestimation and Mist-Related Motorway Casualties
Authors: Reinhardt-Rutland A. H.
Published: August 2011

A learning model to explain road behavior appears incomplete regarding mist-related casualties. Distance overestimation may explain this.
Effects of Foreperiod and Time on Task on Reaction Time and Movement Time
Authors: Bjørklund Roald Arild
Published: August 2011

The study was undertaken to investigate the effects of foreperiod (range 0.5 to 5.0 sec.) and 80 min. time on task (TOT) on reaction time (RT) and three subsequent fractions of movement time (MT) in a visual reaction-time experiment. Main effects of foreperiod and TOT, and an interaction between them appeared on RT. During the first 40 min. TOT, the most rapid RTs were observed at the foreperiods exceeding 1.5 sec., while after 40 min. TOT an increment in RT also emerged at the 5-sec. foreperiod. The interaction indicates that some kind of time-dependent fatigue affects ability to maintain preparatory set mainly with long fore-periods. A main effect of foreperiod was observed on all the three fractions of MT; the measurements lengthened with prolonged foreperiods, indicating that onset of fore-period generates a general preparedness in the motor system. TOT did not affect MT. The study indicates that temporal factors affect the perceptual component of simple human performance more than the motor components.
Relationship between Selected Values and Perceived Control
Authors: Goff Brent G. , Goddard H. Wallace
Published: August 2011

The present study related the terminal core values measured by the List of Values with perceived control (as measured by Schulz and Decker in 1985), using data from a stratified random sample of 329 households. All of the values were significantly and positively correlated with perceived control as is consistent with social adaptation theory. Adding perceived control to value-driven behavior models (such as Rosenberg's 1956 one) may improve their predictive ability.
Contrasting Departure Service of Commuter Railroad Trains: An Informal Look
Authors: Trinkaus John
Published: August 2011

50 convenience observations over the course of a year suggest that the quality of passenger service provided by a commuter railroad differs among its branches. Reasons as to why this may be so and for disadvantaged riders' reluctance to seek redress are offered.
Are Inaccuracies in Self-Reported Weight Motivated Distortions?
Authors: Cash Thomas F. , Grant Jill R. , Shovlin Joanne M. , Lewis Robin J.
Published: August 2011

The accuracy of self-reported weight and the motivation of distorted reporting were studied among 169 female and 101 male college students. Although subjects were moderately accurate in their weight estimates, errors reflected women's underreporting, men's overreporting, and heavier persons' underreporting. With body mass controlled, most motivational variables had little explanatory value.
Tempo as a Perceptual Cue for Judgment of Infant Cries
Authors: Tsukamoto Taeko , Tohkura Yoh'Ichi
Published: August 2011

Cry stimuli with a variety of tempi were generated by changing the durations of some original cries using linear time-scale conversion. Subjects who had had no experience in infant care were instructed to identify the stimuli by making a forced-choice among the three categories: hunger, anger, and call. The analysis indicates that tempo is one reliable cue for cry judgment, especially for the discrimination between cries of hunger and anger.
Response Confidence and the Ponzo Illusion
Authors: Diaz Luis F. , Delay Eugene R.
Published: August 2011

The number of longer line judgements and the ratings of confidence in these judgements were significantly higher when the comparison line was located near the apex of the Ponzo wedge but only confidence ratings were affected by the orientation of the wedge ( ns = 24 men, 24 women). Differences between the two measures suggest that perceptual and nonperceptual processes may be involved in the illusion.
Suicide Notes from Canada and the United States
Authors: Leenaars Antoon A.
Published: August 2011

The rate of suicide is higher in Canada than in the USA. There are, however, few empirical studies comparing these two countries. Suicide notes from both countries were compared based on a multidimensional model of suicide. No major differences were noted. It is concluded that, although the model may be applicable to suicides in both countries, sociological research (e.g., attitudes) may be more fruitful to account for the differences in the rates of suicide.
Me: A Self-Concept Scale, Revised Norms
Authors: Feldhusen John F. , Willard-Holt Colleen
Published: August 2011

The Me Scale is a measure of self-concept for use with gifted and talented youth. It focuses on perceptions of self as a highly able or talented person. Expanded and updated norms, based upon a sample of 931 gifted students in Grades 3 to 10, were developed for the Me Scale and are presented in this report.
A Controlled Study of Sensation Awareness and Verbal Disclosure for Regulation of Arousal and Anxiety
Authors: Scholle Stephen R.
Published: August 2011

Interactions of attention and verbalization were investigated for effects of self-reported arousal and state-anxiety. Levels of verbalization from silence through talking-without-a-listener to disclosure were compared while self-directed attention was manipulated for sensation versus general thoughts and feelings. Following a stimulus, disclosure of sensations was expected to reduce state anxiety and increase energetic arousal significantly more than disclosure of thoughts. Based on a randomly assigned sample of 120 men, a 3 × 2 × 2 multivariate analysis of variance indicated a significant interaction in the predicted directions. A significant interaction was also found for the 3 × 2 interaction for energetic arousal. For state anxiety means were in the predicted direction. Results indicate that verbalization of sensations is more energizing and calming than silence, while for general thought, silence is more energizing and calming than verbalization. The results suggest efficacy in reframing self-talk to quiet awareness and in communicating sensed distinctions as they emerge.
Lingual Vibrotactile Threshold and Suprathreshold Responses of Normal-Speaking Black and White Young Adults
Authors: Fucci Donald , Petrosino Linda , Harris Daniel , Belch Marianne , Underwood Gail
Published: August 2011

A paradigm for studying oral sensory tactile function through use of single frequency vibration applied to the dorsal surface of the tongue was administered to a group of 10 young black women and 10 young white normal-speaking women. Analyses showed no differences between groups with regard to lingual vibrotactile threshold of sensitivity or suprathreshold magnitude-estimation scaling responses.
An Interrater Reliability Study of the Trail Making Test (Parts A and B)
Authors: Fals-Stewart William
Published: August 2011

In 1982 Lezak hypothesized that the current procedure used to administer and score the Trail Making Test had resulted in diminished reliability by increasing scorers' variance. 39 participants, trained in order to reduce subjects' performance variance, were given Parts A and B of the Trail Making Test by four different experienced psychometrists. The interrater reliability on both parts was high ( rPartA = .94; rPartb = .90), which suggests that, at least with experienced examiners, substantial variance of scorers is not introduced.
Hemispheric Asymmetry and Recategorized Wisc—R Patterns in Learning-Disabled and Nondisabled Children
Authors: Johnson Lynda G. , Evans Randall W.
Published: August 2011

The relationship between hemispheric processing and recategorized WISC—R patterns (spatial strengths and depressed Acquired Knowledge scores) in 14 learning-disabled and 14 nondisabled boys was examined. A genetic-prenatal hormonal basis appears most plausible.
Effects of Aerobic and Nonaerobic Exercise on Depression and Self-Concept
Authors: Stein Paula N. , Motta Robert W.
Published: August 2011

The effects of aerobic and nonaerobic exercise on depression and self-concept were investigated in a pretest-posttest control group design. 89 undergraduates engaged in the aerobic exercise of swimming, the nonaerobic exercise of weight training, or a control, Introductory Psychology class. Dependent measures were the Beck Depression Inventory, Depression Adjective Check Lists, Tennessee Self-concept Scale, and Cooper's 12 Minute Swim. Analysis indicated that both the aerobic and nonaerobic groups were equally effective in significantly reducing self-reported depression in comparison to the controls. The nonaerobic condition was superior to the aerobic condition for enhancing self-concept. These results contradict earlier findings suggesting that only aerobic types of exercise yield psychological benefit but are consistent with more recent findings showing the psychological benefit of nonaerobic exercise.
Headache Symptoms, Depression, and Suicidal Preoccupation
Authors: Lester David , Ferraro Tracey M. , Murphy Julie A.
Published: August 2011

Of 125 undergraduates, those who reported greater frequency of the symptoms of both tension and of migraine headaches obtained higher scores on Beck's self-report depression inventory but were not more suicidal.
A New Procedure for Assessment of Proprioception
Authors: Leplow Bernd , Schlüter Volkert , Ferstl Roman
Published: August 2011

A new method for the assessment of proprioception was developed and tested with 40 healthy subjects on two facial muscles (i.e., masseter and zygomatic muscles). The experiment was repeated after 3 1/2 months. In our study, proprioception was studied with respect to sensations arising from the muscle spindles and tendon organs. Therefore, myesthesia was investigated, which was assessed by the correspondence between a voluntary muscle contraction and its immediate replication. Good perception was defined by a small integral of differences, standardized by duration and intensity of the contraction, and its replication. Results show that this measure is independent of the characteristics of muscle activation. In concordance with our hypothesis, myesthesia was superior in a muscle richly supplied with muscle spindles and afferent fibers (i.e., masseter muscle), to that for a muscle less prepared for afferent information processing (i.e., zygomatus major).
Relationship between Cognitive Style and Emotional Behavior
Authors: Ruggieri Vezio , Guarino Angela
Published: August 2011

In this research we examined the relationships among cognitive styles using the categorization of Bion and styles of modulation of emotional behavior (hostile content) explored with the Gottschalk, et al. method applied to the speech of 20 female and 10 male undergraduate students whose ages ranged from 20 to 35 years. Their verbalization was produced in a standard stimulus situation of 3 minutes duration. Analysis indicated a relationship between hostile attitude and cognitive styles. In particular, those who were relatively less hostile presented higher frequencies of processes classified by Bion as D2, which are characterized by an attitude of expectancy and waiting, with a tendency to defend internal psychological themas.
Characteristics of the Rival and the Experience of Jealousy
Authors: McIntosh Everton G. , Tate Douglass T.
Published: August 2011

To estimate the relationship between characteristics of the third party and jealousy, 185 subjects read different jealousy-evoking scenarios and then indicated how jealous they would feel. Analysis indicated that two of the manipulated characteristics, prestige and attractiveness, significantly affected the experience of jealousy.
Max R as a Substitute for Alpha: Review and Update
Authors: Kelch Lois W.
Published: August 2011

Research is cited which points out the shortcomings of coefficient alpha as a measure of internal consistency under certain conditions. Following a review of the recent literature, a new statistical procedure, the max r, is suggested as a suitable alternative.
Adolescents' Time Perspective
Authors: Lennings C. J.
Published: August 2011

201 boys and girls in Grade 11 were administered the Time Perspective Questionnaire, which assesses the type of events students typically generate when asked to think of the past and future and their temporal extension. Analysis confirms little difference between adolescent boys' and girls' time perspectives, thereby suggesting considerable convergence has occurred in boys' and girls' temporal expectations.
Anticipated Reaction of others to Intimate Vs Nonintimate Self-Disclosure
Authors: Goodpaster Shona , Hewitt Jay
Published: August 2011

22 men and 22 women were presented 8 hypothetical situations in which they disclosed something to a same-sex friend. They rated how good an impression they would create by each statement. In the 8 situations, the topic was positive or negative, intimate or nonintimate, and self-disclosure was high or low. Subjects expected that they would be less well received by high vs low self-disclosure when the topic was intimate. Only on a positive nonintimate topic did they expect to be better received through high self-disclosure.
Sex Discrimination of Photographs of Humans by a Chimpanzee
Authors: Itakura Shoji
Published: August 2011

Using a labeling task, photographs of clothed humans were presented to a female chimpanzee to assess whether the chimpanzee could discriminate between the sex of humans in the picture. The chimpanzee learned such a discrimination very quickly and without many physical features.
Geophysical Variables and Behavior: LXVIII. Distal and Lunar Variables and Traffic Accidents in Saskatchewan 1984 to 1989
Authors: Laverty W. H. , Kelly I. W. , Flynn M. , Rotton J.
Published: August 2011

The daily total number of traffic accidents and traffic accident severity for the years 1984 to 1989 in Saskatchewan were analyzed to estimate relationships with day of the week, season of the year, and various lunar variables (lunar phase, distance of the moon from the earth, and moon-sun tidal index). A regression model with both a linear term and a trigonometric term was fitted to the data. No relationship between lunar cycles and total accidents or severity of accident was found. A larger number of total accidents was found during the winter months and weekends; however, more severe accidents tended to occur during the summer months. A slight linear trend was uncovered for total accidents over the time period under consideration.
Cognitive Style and Extent of Computer Use in Organizations: Relevance of Sufficiency of Originality, Efficiency and Rule-Conformity
Authors: Foxall Gordon R. , Hackett Paul M. W.
Published: August 2011

Investigation of the relationship between the extent of 34 senior managers' use of applications software and their adaptive-innovative cognitive style shows that the extent of software use correlates with total scores on the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory; it is also positively related to two of the subscales measuring Sufficiency of Originality and Rule-conformity but negatively related to the third subscale measuring Efficiency. Three forms of the Kirton inventory, the 32-item measure devised by Kirton and two abridged versions recently proposed by Taylor, produce substantially similar results when used as unitary measures of adaption-innovation and for the subscales.
Efficacy of Awareness of Strategy and Overt Verbalization for Recall by Kindergarten Students
Authors: Estes Joe C. , Chovan William
Published: August 2011

Two prevailing models for teaching memory strategies for remembering were compared for two kindergarten classes (45 boys, 30 girls). A third class provided a control. One class received instruction in specific and efficacious strategies for recall on three discrete tasks: sequential memory, paired-associate memory, and clustering recall. The second class received the same instruction embedded in an overt verbalization procedure adapted form Bash and Camp (1985). The control class received as much practice as the two instructional groups but no instruction on strategy or overt verbalization. Significant gains in memory were made on paired associates at posttest for both the strategy-only group and the overt-verbalization group. Overt verbalization inhibits recall on paired associates at delayed posttest and its effect on sequential memory at posttest remains equivocal.
Information Loss: The Primary Psychological Trauma of the Loss of Vision
Authors: Hershberger Paul J.
Published: August 2011

A psychology of blindness is proposed that contends that information loss is the most critical trauma of the loss of vision. The magnitude of information loss is emphasized with respect to vision as the primary sensory modality for obtaining information. Further, the vital role of access to information in human development and the tendency to seek information to cope with stressful circumstances are addressed. Implications for rehabilitation of blind persons are discussed.
Influence of Selected Reinforcers on the Cardiorespiratory Exercise Behavior of Profoundly Mentally Retarded Youth
Authors: French Ron , Silliman Lisa M. , Ben-Ezra Vic , Landrieu-Seiter Melinda
Published: August 2011

6 profoundly mentally retarded youth were provided a 5-wk. stair-climbing program to improve cardiorespiratory fitness behavior. Three subjects were provided verbal plus food reinforcement and the other three received verbal reinforcement during the intervention phase. Based on the visual inspection of the data, both types of reinforcement increased the number of steps taken and exercise time.
Age Differences in Perception of Risk
Authors: Otani Hajime , Leonard S. David , Ashford Vera L. , Bushroe Michelle , Reeder Gary
Published: August 2011

Age differences in perception of risk and the likelihood of disregarding warning signs were examined. A total of 358 adults, between 18 and 85 years old, were asked to rate 12 warning labels with respect to (a) how risky it would be to ignore the warning, (b) how likely it was that they would disregard the warning, and (c) how familiar they were with the labels. The older groups indicated higher risk in ignoring the signs than did the younger group. The older subjects were also less willing to disregard the signs than the younger subjects.
Hearing Threshold Shift during Auditory Magnitude Estimation
Authors: Harris Daniel , Petrosino Linda , Fucci Donald , Belch Marianne
Published: August 2011

The purpose of the present experiment was to determine the extent of hearing threshold shift that may occur during an auditory magnitude-estimation task involving stimulus intensities as great as 80 dB sensation level. Also, possible influences of hearing threshold shift on numerical magnitude-estimation responses and magnitude-function slopes were investigated. Results indicated that hearing threshold shift was insignificant (1–2 dB). Consistent small increases in numerical magnitude responses were observed on a magnitude-estimation task where hearing thresholds were retested between stimulus presentations versus a magnitude-estimation task where hearing thresholds were not retested. The stability of auditory magnitude functions across different conditions in the current investigation was in agreement with vibrotactile magnitude-scaling behavior observed by Fucci, et al. in 1989 and 1991. The over-all results supported the concept of an absolute, internal sensory-scaling mechanism being operable during magnitude estimation of auditory stimuli as discussed by Zwislocki and Goodman in 1980.