bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validity of Test Score Interpretations for Three Self-Concept Measures Based on Differing Theoretical Models
Authors: Fletcher Richard B. , Nielsen Brian , Marshall Dru , Hattie John A.
Published: September 2010

Three theoretical models have been proposed to represent self-concept: (a) unidimensional; (b) multidimensional; (c) multidimensional hierarchical. Inventories have been developed under each of the three competing theoretical models; which model best represents self-concept is unclear. Typically, self-concept construct validation has utilized various approaches including correlational, multitrait-multimethod, and factor analytic methods. Another method, however, for assessing validity would be to determine the consequences of score interpretations using different measures specific to each of the theoretical models. This paper examined Messick's notion (1989) of the validity of test-score interpretations as applied to three of the most widely used measures derived under each of the three different theoretical models of self-concept. Results suggest that overall multidimensional measures are more consistent in classifying individual's self-concept than unidimensional measures.
Identification with Sports Teams by Fans of Women's Sports
Authors: Nelson Kelly
Published: September 2010

Previous studies on why sports fans identify with a particular team have focused on fans of men's sports teams. This study examined why fans favor a particular women's sports team. Based on survey responses from 273 self-identified fans of women's sports, athletes are most frequently cited as the reason for choosing a favorite women's sports team.
Stress Symptoms One Year after 9/11/01: A Follow-up
Authors: Piiparinen R. , Smith J. C.
Published: September 2010

This study investigated whether stress symptoms related to attention deficit previously found for a sample ( n = 149) of Chicago-area college students 1 to 5 weeks after the September 11th attacks were present in a comparable sample ( n = 129) 12 to 14 months later. As hypothesized, the later participants had a significantly lower mean score on the scale, Attention Deficit of the Smith Stress Symptoms Inventory, than a different group of participants tested immediately after the attacks. Mean Attention Deficit scores for groups after one year and immediately before September 11th ( n = 320) did not differ statistically. Findings are consistent with the interpretation that elevations in scores on Attention Deficit immediately after September 11th were indeed associated with the catastrophic attacks and not artifacts of time of examination. Consistent with previous research with this inventory, disaster-related traumatic stress scores are lower over time, although here no control group was included.
Factors Associated with Helplessness among Japanese Collegiate Swimmers
Authors: Yasunaga Madoka , Inomata Kimihiro
Published: September 2010

In this study the factors that lead to learned helplessness among Japanese collegiate swimmers were examined. Participants were 135 men and 72 women swimmers (ages 18 to 22 years). A Sports Attributional Style Scale measuring helplessness in performance and daily life was administered, and the participants were divided into two groups: those scoring high and low. Analysis indicated that (1) there was no significant correlation between helplessness scores and performance. (2) The group scoring high on learned helplessness reported a strong tendency towards helplessness not only in competitive life but also in daily life, which implied the generalization of helplessness. (3) The tendency to helplessness in performance was more closely related to the attributional style of positive events than negative events. In conclusion, some factors involved in helplessness among athletes can be explained by the theory of learned helplessness; however, some characteristics of athletes may be better described by attributional style in positive events.
Relative Contributions of Perceived Mattering to Parents and Friends in Predicting Adolescents' Psychological Well-Being
Authors: Marshall Sheila K.
Published: September 2010

Perceived mattering is the psychological tendency to perceive the self as significant to specific other people. The central goal of this study was to examine whether adolescents' perceived mattering across social spheres (parents and friends) is additive or compensatory in predicting adolescents' psychological well-being. Tests of the relative importance of adolescents' perceived mattering to parents and friends for psychological well-being were conducted using data from two convenience samples. Study 1 participants were, on the average, 17.5 yr. old and living in rural northwestern United States ( N = 128, 50% male, n = 64; 50% female, n = 64). Study 2 participants, on the average, were 16.9 yr. old, from a suburban western Canadian region ( N = 532, 51.4% male, n = 273; 48.6% female, n = 259). Hierarchical regression analysed with indicators of self-concept and behavioral misconduct as dependent variables used perceived mattering to parents and perceived mattering to friends and the interaction between these two variables as independent variables. Perceived mattering in both social spheres seemed the optimal condition for adolescents. Perceived mattering to friends “added” to perceived mattering to parents in explaining variance in assessments of psychological well-being in both studies.
Teaching Speech Sounds to Young Children Using Randomly Ordered, Variably Complex Task Sequences
Authors: Skelton Steven L. , Funk Tracy E.
Published: September 2010

Three children, ages 4:8 to 5:11, were taught a speech sound using a randomly ordered variably complex task sequence (concurrent treatment), in which practice occurred in randomized easy-to-hard tasks. In an AB research design replicated across participants, the children quickly advanced to 60% accurate productions of the target speech sound and displayed generalization to untaught tasks.
Relationships between Physiological and Psychological Stress and Salivary Immunoglobulin a among Young Female Gymnasts
Authors: Filaire Edith , Bonis Joelle , Lac Gerard
Published: September 2010

We investigated whether psychological and physical stress induced by training or competition influence the secretory immune system among 12 highly trained young female gymnasts. Salivary levels of secretory IgA and cortisol responses to gymnastic training session or competition were assessed a total of 10 times, immediately before and after two training sessions which had different intensities and just before and after a major competition. These parameters were also measured on two non-training days. The Brunel Mood Scale was also used to assess the gymnasts's overall mood on each test day. IgA:Protein ratio was calculated. Significant decreases in this ratio were found after each exercise session, related to the physiological and psychological stress induced by exercise. Over the 5-mo. training period the presession IgA:Protein ratios were unchanged. Gymnasts registered any episodes of upper respiratory tract infection. Bouts of exercise induce transitory effects on the immune system in relation to the workload and the stress induced by the exercise without any relation to increased susceptibility to illness in children.
Temporal Stability of the Sleep Disturbance Ascribed to Worry Scale
Authors: Kelly William E. , Forbes Amy
Published: September 2010

This study examined the test-retest reliability of the Sleep Disturbance Ascribed to Worry Scale. College students ( N = 116) completed the scale twice over a 1 -mo. interval. The test-retest correlation was .83, indicating satisfactory temporal stability.
High School, College, and Professional School Faculty Members' Perceptions of Students Who are Current Smokers, Former Smokers, and Nonsmokers
Authors: Chambliss Catherine
Published: September 2010

A questionnaire rating the descriptions of a hypothetical student smoker, a former smoker, and a nonsmoker, as well as personal smoking habits, was administered to 35 high school, 34 college, and 24 professional school faculty members. Respondents rated smokers more negatively than nonsmokers or former smokers. Paired-sample t tests indicated that smokers were rated as less intelligent, independent, conscientious, and ambitious and as having poorer judgment and being more hostile than the nonsmoking student. In addition, paired-sample t tests identified only one significant difference out of seven between the ratings of the former smoker and the nonsmoker; the former smoker was rated less artistically creative than one who had never smoked. High school teachers' ratings of students who smoked relative to nonsmokers were more negative than those of college and professional school faculty, suggesting that high school student smokers might be especially socially penalized for their decision to smoke.
Statistical Analysis for Finger Tapping with a Periodic External Stimulus
Authors: Hasan Mohammed A. , Thaut Michael H.
Published: September 2010

In this paper we outline an experiment in which seven subjects attempted to tap in synchrony with a pacing stimulus with the interstimulus interval that varied in a cycle ( T,T+d T,T, T − d T) repeating every fourth interval, where T represents an unexpected step change of an interstimulus interval. Conditions included three levels of T = (400, 500, and 600 msec.) with four levels of d T = 1, 3, 5, and 7% of T). The statistical analysis indicated that small changes in T lead to rapid matching of the interresponse intervals to the new interstimulus intervals even when the variation in the input is not apparent to subjects.
Perceptions of Causes of Performance-Related Injuries by Music Health Experts and Injured Violinists
Authors: Ackerman Bronwen J. , Adams Roger D.
Published: September 2010

Skilled violin and viola players, all of whom had a current performance-related musculoskeletal injury, were asked to report their perceptions of contributing risk factors, consistent with a participatory ergonomics approach. The 26 players, age 18 to 60 years, had been playing for a minimum of 10 years and averaged three hours of practice per day. In addition, 7 music health experts, all with more than 10 years of clinical experience in treating musicians, were asked to report on the risk factors for musicians' performance-related injuries. A high correlation between the perceptions of these two groups was found, with the same top five factors in terms of severity indicated by both groups. Factors rated as high risk were primarily intrinsic and related to the manner in which respondents practiced, to playing posture, and to flaws in skill technique.
Endogenous Opioids, Blood Pressure, and Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Controls: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Edwards Robert R. , Ness Timothy J. , Fillingim Roger B.
Published: September 2010

A 2003 study suggested that there are age differences in diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNIC), a form of endogenous pain inhibition. The present report describes a followup study employing a pharmacological blockade of endogenous opioids, i.e., using naloxone, in a small subset ( n = 6) of healthy young volunteers to characterize the opioid-dependence of DNIC, as well as DNIC's association with cardiovascular reactivity. Findings suggested that, while opioid blockade enhanced cardiovascular reactivity to cold pain, DNIC was not affected by administering naloxone. Interestingly, greater cardiovascular responses to noxious cold were associated with enhanced DNIC in this small sample. This relationship, which did not appear opioid-dependent, supports previous models integrating cardiovascular activity with the functioning of pain-modulatory systems.
Using RPE to Regulate Exercise Intensity during a 20-Week Training Program for Postmenopausal Women: A Pilot Study
Authors: Dunbar Christopher C. , Kalinski Michael I.
Published: September 2010

Feelings of effort sense quantified via the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale have been validated for regulating exercise intensity. Most studies validating RPE for exercise prescription have used young, male subjects and only a few exercise sessions. As part of a larger study we examined the accuracy of RPE for regulating exercise intensity in a group of postmenopausal women. Six women (70.0 ± 7.1 yr.) were given a maximal graded exercise test. Target RPEs equivalent to 40%, 50% and 60% VO2 max were developed from this test using standard techniques. These RPEs were used to regulate intensity during a 20-wk. training program. During the initial 5 wk. of training target intensity was increased from 40% to 60% VO2 max and exercise duration from 15 to 30 min. Accuracy of exercise intensity regulation was determined by comparing the heart rate during exercise to a target heart rate equivalent to the desired %VO2 max. At Week 2 of training (target 40% VO2 max) the mean intensity produced did not differ from target. During Weeks 4 (target 50% VO2 max), 6 and 10 of training (target 60% VO2 max) the mean exercise intensity was below target. At Week 20 the mean intensity produced was not different from target. This suggests that elderly women can accurately use RPE to regulate exercise intensity, but at intensities above 40% VO2 max an acclimation period is needed.
Human Figure Drawing Size and Body Image in Preschool Children from a Self-Physique Perspective
Authors: Tanaka Chie , Sakuma Haruo
Published: September 2010

To learn about the relationship between size of human figure drawings and the physiques of children, we investigated body image characteristics in childhood by using the Human Figure Drawing test. Height, weight, Kaup Index (a body mass index for children) and Human Figure Drawing traits (vertical height, horizontal width, waist size, surface area of head, surface area of the self-drawing) were measured for drawings of 122 4- to 6-yr.-old children (62 boys, 60 girls). Analysis showed that boys, who are physically larger than girls, produced self-drawings with somewhat larger surface areas. For vertical height of self-drawings of boys, 4-yr.-olds characteristically made taller self-drawings than 5-yr.-olds. While we hypothesized that taller children would make vertically taller self-drawings, we observed a negative relationship between children's physical height and the vertical height of the self-drawings. 4-yr.-old boys showed the most interest in their own physical height, making taller drawings and in doing so gave a clue to an early childhood feature of body image.
Strength Training Effects on Physical Conditioning and Instep Kick Kinematics in Young Amateur Soccer Players during Preseason
Authors: Manolopoulos Evagelos , Papadopoulos Christos , Salonikidis Konstantinos , Katartzi Ermioni , Poluha Steve
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine effects of lower limb strength training on physical conditioning and kinematic characteristics of instep kicking in 16 young amateur soccer players who participated in initial and final laboratory tests. In addition to their standard preseason soccer program, 8 players comprised the experimental group, who performed an 8-wk. strength-training program. Maximal and relative isometric force of the lower limbs were significantly improved. Moreover, toe and ankle linear velocity during ball contact, ball velocity, as well as ankle, knee and hip angular velocities of the kicking leg were significantly increased. It is concluded that conditioning and kinematic indices of the kicking performance could be improved after strength training of the lower limbs.
Premotor and Motor Reaction Time of Educable Mentally Retarded Youths in a Taekwondo Program
Authors: Song Kang-Young , An Jeong-Deok
Published: September 2010

This study investigated the educational effect of a Taekwondo program on premotor and motor reaction time in high school students who were mentally retarded but educable. Subjects were voluntarily recruited from the Special High School for the Mentally Retarded in Busan, South Korea. Subjects were divided into a trained group ( n = 10) and a control group ( n = 10) with balanced ages, physical conditions, and IQ. Subjects took part in pretests after practicing a Taekwondo motion 10 times with a signal presented randomly between 2 and 8 sec. after “Ready!” The motion was raising the right knee powerfully enough to crush a pine board. Subjects in the trained group took a Taekwondo course three times a week for 7 mo. This program was designed for the cognitive and physical characteristics of mentally retarded persons. After 7 mo., all subjects underwent posttests like the pretests. A four-channel EMG analyzing device (LAXTHA Inc., 2001) recorded EMG activity. Analysis of covariance analyzed the difference of mean pre- and posttests for the two groups. For premotor RT, mean performance of the groups showed no significant difference, but significant improvement in mean motor RT by the trained group ( p <.01) was noted.
Coaches' Assessment of Their Coaching Efficacy Compared to Athletes' Perceptions
Authors: Short Sandra E. , Short Martin W.
Published: September 2010

This study compared coaches' assessments of their own coaching efficacy with their athletes' perceptions of the coaches' efficacy. Coaching efficacy was measured with the Coaching Efficacy Scale. Participants were 9 football coaches and 76 football players from the same team. Analysis indicated coaches were confident in their coaching abilities (range 6.5 to 9.0 on a 9-point scale). For 7 of the 9 coaches the coaches' ratings of themselves were higher than the athletes' ratings. For the other 2 coaches, athletes' ratings of coaches' efficacy were higher than the coaches' ratings of themselves. All coaches' ratings fell within the 95% confidence interval based on the athletes' ratings of the coaches' efficacy. Results are discussed in terms of the interplay between athletes and coaches efficacy beliefs and its influence on behavior.
Factor Analysis of a Test of Acrobatics and Balance
Authors: Robazza Claudio , Bortoli Laura
Published: September 2010

The test, Acrobatics and Balance, was developed by Robazza and Bortoli to assess gross motor skills related to acrobatics and balance of high school students. This study was conducted to examine the factor structure of the test using exploratory and confirmatory factor-analytic techniques. The test was administered to 493 Italian high school boys, ages 14 to 16 years ( M=14.9, SD=.7), during physical education lessons. The sample was then randomly split into two groups. Principal axis factor analysis on Group 1, followed by oblimin rotation, yielded three factors accounting for 53.1% of variance. A two-factor solution was then specified including acrobatics and balance items. Confirmatory factor analysis on Group 2 lent support to a two-factor structure (GFI = .92, NNFI = .91, CFI = .94, and RMSEA = .05). Acceptable internal consistency of test and subscales was also shown. Overall findings warrant the adoption of this tool in the educational domain.
Considerations on Perception of “Animacy” in the Motion of a Single Object
Authors: Gyulai Elisabetta
Published: September 2010

Many studies have focused on the factors related to attribution of meaning to motion. In the majority of these studies, two or more moving objects were used, often on a nonhomogeneous background. In the present paper the literature on the perception of animacy of a single object moving on a homogeneous background is reviewed. A pilot study was performed to study the influence on perception of animacy of the shape of the trajectory, the presence of a reference point on the screen, introduction of a sudden stop or of a pause in the motion of a single object, and influence of one or more sudden accelerations or decelerations. Although research shows that the context may favour the perception of animacy, the present analysis shows that it is possible to distinguish between animate and inanimate motion of a single object on the basis only of the kinetic conditions.
Control of Striking Velocity by Table Tennis Players
Authors: Marinovic Welber , Iizuka Cristina Akiko , Freudenheim Andrea Michele
Published: September 2010

This study investigated how 7 skilled table tennis players controlled velocity of a forehand drive stroke when the ball's trajectory, velocity, and spin were modified. They hit a target in response to balls launched under four different conditions. The relative and absolute times used in the backswing phase showed no significant differences among conditions. When subjects hit fastballs, there was a significant change in the time required for them to reach the peak of velocity in the forward swing phase. In addition, players decreased the velocity of their strokes to hit fast-approaching balls. These results indicate that highly skilled table tennis players need to adjust the striking velocity and striking time (relative and absolute) required to reach the peak of velocity in the forward swing phase for these task modifications. Since they used slower movement velocities to hit faster-approaching balls, skilled table tennis players may override this speed-coupling process.
Relationships among Coordinated Exertion of Force and Performance on Pegboard and Pursuit Rotor Tests Using Upper Limbs and Fingers
Authors: Nagasawa Yoshinori , Demura Shinichi
Published: September 2010

This study assessed the relationships between coordinated exertion of force and performance on pegboard and pursuit-rotor tests. University students (30 men and 30 women; M = 20.4 yr., SD = 1.1) matched their submaximal grip strength to changing demand values displayed as either a bar chart or a waveform appearing on the display of a personal computer and performed pursuit-rotor and pegboard tests. Sex differences were not significant. Correlations with maximal grip strength were minimal. Performance on coordinated exertion of force test was moderately correlated (men: r = −.42, women: r = −.70) with performance on the pursuit-rotor test for both sexes, but not with scores on the pegboard test. Scores on the coordinated exertion of force test and these two tests using upper limbs and fingers have little relation to maximal grip strength, and the correlations among them are similar for both sexes.
Body Shape Ideals and Perceptions of Body Shape in Spanish and American College Students
Authors: Carlson Erika A. , McAndrew Francis T.
Published: September 2010

108 Spanish university students (55 men, 53 women) from the University of Barcelona and 111 American college students (51 men, 60 women) from a midwestern liberal arts college responded to Fallon and Rozin's 1985 figure drawings used to measure perceptions of body image. All students were between the ages of 18 and 24 years. Women viewed themselves as being significantly larger than men perceived themselves to be, and women also desired a significantly thinner body for themselves than did men. Overall, men were more satisfied with their body shapes and were more accurate than women in guessing what the other sex would perceive as most attractive. The minimal differences between Spanish and American students suggested that sex has a more powerful influence on perceptions of body shape than does cultural background.
Performance on a Dual Driving Simulation and Subtraction Task following Sleep Restriction
Authors: Rupp Tracy , Arnedt J. Todd , Acebo Christine , Carskadon Mary A.
Published: September 2010

A novel task, combining simulated driving with subtraction, was compared in 26 participants ages 18 to 26 years ( M = 20.6, SD = 2.3; 13 men). After two nights of 8.5 hr. in bed, participants performed a 30-min. driving and subtraction task followed by a 10-min. Psychomotor Vigilance Task. These tasks were repeated after two more nights of 8.5 hr. time in bed for the control group and 5 hours and 3 hours time in bed for the restricted group. The sensitivity of the task to moderate sleep loss was supported because impairment was seen on several dual-task variables whereas impairment was not observed on the Psychomotor Vigilance Task.
Relationship between Achievement Goal Constructs and Physical Self-Perceptions in a Physical Activity Setting
Authors: Newton Maria , Detling Nicole , Kilgore Jennifer , Bernhardt Paul
Published: September 2010

The relations of achievement goal theory constructs and physical self-perceptions were explored with 225 students (91 men, 109 women, and 25 nonindicators; M age = 23.5 yr., SD = 9.2), enrolled in basic physical activity classes (aerobics, weight training, modern dance, badminton, yoga, tai chi, basketball, racquetball, gymnastics, bowling, aquatone, and step aerobics) in a university setting. Goal orientations (Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire), perceptions of the motivational climate (Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2), and physical self-perceptions (Physical Self-perception Profile) were assessed. Data were analyzed separately by sex. Ego orientation was the only predictor of Physical Self-perceptions in men, accounting for between 12 and 15% of the variance in Physical Self-worth, Sport Competence, Physical Conditioning, and Body Attractiveness. Constructs of achievement goal theory were not predictive of Physical Self-perceptions in the women. The results are discussed in light of achievement goal theory and the nature of the sample.
Development of Perceived Body Size and Dieting Awareness in Young Girls
Authors: Dohnt Hayley K. , Tiggemann Marika
Published: September 2010

To examine longitudinally figure-rating preferences and dieting awareness in young girls a sample of 40 Australian girls, ages 5 to 7 years ( M = 6.5, SD = 0.9), were recruited from two single-sex private schools in Adelaide. Girls were tested at both Time 1 (mid 2002) and Time 2 (late 2003), approximately 16 months apart. Using the Children's Figure Rating Scale of Tiggemann and Wilson-Barrett, girls indicated current and ideal figure preferences. Their understanding of the concept of dieting was assessed using the Dieting Awareness measure, developed by Lowes and Tiggemann. At Time 1, younger girls preferred a larger ideal figure than the current figure, relative to older girls. At Time 2, however, this age difference had decreased, and all girls preferred a thinner ideal figure. In addition, there was a significant increase in Dieting Awareness from Time 1 to Time 2.
Attributions of Athletes on Collegiate Sports Teams
Authors: Pedersen Darhl M. , Manning Craig L.
Published: September 2010

This study investigated the patterns of attributions for success made by intercollegiate athletes in three categories: more versus less successful teams, men versus women athletes, and individual versus group sport participants. 74 men and 83 women on 17 varsity teams across a number of sports took the Sports Attribution Style Scale, measuring internal, stable, controllable, intentional, and global attributions. It was hypothesized that (a) the athletes on more successful teams would have higher internal, stable, controllable, and intentional attributions, (b) that athletes in individual sports would have lower internal, stable, and controllable attributions, and (c) that women would score higher on all five attributions. Profile analyses of the attributions led to the confirmation of the first hypothesis. For the second hypothesis, the pattern of sport attributions did not differ for individual and team athletes. The third hypothesis was not confirmed. Women athletes scored higher on the attributional dimensions (except globality).
Comment: “Role of Perceptual and Motor Abilities in Instep Kicking Performance of Young Soccer Players” by Zisi, Derri, and Hatzitaki
Authors: Barfield William R.
Published: September 2010

Comments and suggestions concern an article in 2003 by Zisi, Derri, & Hatzitaki.
Adequacy of Simple Measures for Characterizing Impairment in Upper Limb Strength following Stroke
Authors: Bohannon Richard W.
Published: September 2010

Simple measures are sometimes used to characterize weakness in the upper limb after stroke, but their reliability and validity remain uncertain. Here, we examined the adequacy of three measures relative to dynamometer measurements of 26 patients (15 women and 11 men, M age = 70.1 ± 11.7 yr.) with acute stroke. The strength of the involved upper limb was characterized using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale: Motor Functions-Arm (drift test), the Stroke Impact Scale: Arm and Hand (self-report), and objective dynamometry. Correlations between the simple measures and dynamometry were significant ( rs = .70–.87). However, none of the 8 patients who achieved the best NIH scale-Arm score (0: no drift) self-reported having “a lot of strength.” Dynamometry indicated that the strength of these patients was less than 50% of that expected according to published norms. The three simple measures examined had convergent validity, but drift, as scored on the NIH scale, was not sensitive to mild or moderate weakness of the upper limb after stroke.
Expanding Reliability Generalization: Confidence Intervals and Charter's Combined Reliability Coefficient
Authors: Henson Robin K.
Published: September 2010

Methods of reliability generalization characterize the reliability of a scale's scores across studies. Charter in 2003 presented useful formulae for computing combined estimates of reliability. The present article illustrates use of Charter's formulae and application of confidence intervals for reliability coefficients, including the combined estimate. Researchers may find these methods for reliability generalization useful.
Threshold vs Duration for Gaussian-Shaped Tone-Pips of One to Four Periods Duration
Authors: Nizami Lance
Published: September 2010

Detection thresholds were obtained for Gaussian-shaped tone-pips of 1, 2, 3, or 4 periods duration for 20 frequencies spanning 50–3,000 Hz, in quiet, and in high-pass noise, for a single exceptionally patient and experienced listener. Thresholds were fitted by straight lines in decibels SPL versus the logarithm of duration. Slopes fell into 3 distinct regimes of frequency-dependence under both listening conditions. Models of Garner and of Formby, et al. do not account for this relation.
Sleep Education in College: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Tsai Ling-Ling , Li Sheng-Ping
Published: September 2010

In this study we evaluated the effect of a two-credit (100 min./week) “Sleep Management” course on the sleep patterns of college students as the course progressed over an 18-wk. semester. Curricular activity included lectures, group discussions, and practice of self-evaluation of sleep. Instead of giving the students the whole list of sleep hygiene at the outset of the course, each concept of sleep hygiene was introduced and discussed under related lecture topics. A total of 241 students (131 men and 110 women) took the course and kept 7-day sleep logs three times. Concurrently, sleep-log data were collected from 65 students (32 men and 33 women) who were not taking the course. Both groups showed similar varieties of academic backgrounds and characteristics of sleep patterns at the beginning. Similarly, their sleep patterns, namely, rise time, nighttime awakenings, time asleep, time in bed, sleep efficiency, and rise time regularity, changed over the semester. Women in both groups had more nighttime awakenings. In contrast, sleep quality was progressively better for the group in the course but not for the control group. Only women in the course decreased their nap time in the second and third months. Thus, the course of “Sleep Management” only had a mild and limited effect on sleep patterns. The course content needs refinement to maximize influence on students' sleep patterns and habits, particularly, on reduction of insufficient sleep and daytime sleepiness which are the highest ranking sleep problems among college students.
Effect of Five Weeks of Strength and Flexibility Training on Associations between Self-Reported and Performance-Based Measures of Physical Fitness in Older African-American Adults
Authors: Schuler Petra B. , Marzilli Thomas S. , Kozusko Joseph
Published: September 2010

Previous research suggests that older adults' perceptions of personal physical fitness are limited, especially for muscular strength and flexibility, and that these perceptual limitations may be the result of an insufficient referent for discerning appropriate muscular strength and flexibility. This study evaluated whether 5 wk. of strength and flexibility training would provide the additional experiences necessary for older adults to strengthen the correlations between their self-reported and performance-based measures of physical fitness, specifically for the subcomponents of strength and flexibility. Evaluated components were aerobic endurance (maximal distance covered in 6 min.), muscular strength (maximal amount of weighted arm-curls and chair ups), flexibility (back-scratch and modified sit and reach), and body composition (BMI). From a local community center a convenient sample of 20 African-American adults (5 men and 15 women) who ranged in age from 57 to 82 years ( M = 68 yr., SD = 5 yr.) volunteered to participate in 5 wk. of strength and flexibility training (twice a week, 60 min. per session). Initially, the absolute value of correlations between self-reported and performance-based measures of physical fitness were low to moderately high ( r = .35 to .68) with the greatest correlation found for body composition ( r = −.68). After 5 wk. of training, the participants' self-reports of upper body flexibility significantly improved ( r = .42 to .70); however, no significant changes were found in self-reports of muscular strength and lower body flexibility. Additional validation of available self-report scales, as well as the development of new and improved self-report ones, is needed.
Ratings of Perceived Exertion are Not Influenced by Exercise Stage of Change in Physically Active College Students
Authors: Buckworth Janet , Fink Chris , Rozorea Maria , Jansen Jacob , Mattern Craig
Published: September 2010

Comparisons of ratings of perceived exertion based on fitness have been equivocal but have not accounted for recent exercise history. The purpose of this study was to test mean differences in ratings of perceived exertion among individuals of differing exercise histories as measured by exercise stage of change. Participants completed questionnaires to measure exercise stage of change and physical activity [preparation stage ( n = 32), action stage ( n = 31), and maintenance stage ( n = 41)]. Ratings of perceived exertion were measured during a graded maximal exercise test. Individual regression equations were computed to estimate the ratings for 50%, 60%, 70%, and 80% of VO2 max. There were no significant differences in the ratings across the preparation, action, and maintenance stages. Therefore, the hypothesis that recent exercise history would influence ratings of perceived exertion during an aerobic fitness test was rejected.
Development of the Tactical Skills Inventory for Sports
Authors: Elferink-Gemser M. T. , Visscher C. , Richart H. , Lemmink K. A. P. M.
Published: September 2010

Purpose of this study, in which 19 trainers and 415 competitive youth field hockey and soccer players ( M age = 15.9, SD = 1.6; 283 boys and 132 girls) selected by their age, sex, and performance status participated, was to develop a practical, reliable, and valid measure of tactical skills in sports. With trainers, 34 questions were formulated involving tactical skills. Factor analysis yielded the Tactical Skills Inventory for Sports. Scales were labeled Positioning and Deciding, Knowing about Ball Actions, Knowing about Others, and Acting in Changing Situations, covering all aspects of tactical skills regarding Declarative versus Procedural knowledge and Attack and Defense. Internal consistency and test-retest measures for reliability (except Knowing about Ball Actions) were within acceptable limits. Elite players scored better than nonelite players, supporting construct validity. The inventory is suitable for measuring tactical skills in youth field hockey and soccer players in sports practice.
Suicide Rate and Blood Groups: An Ecological Study of 39 Nations
Authors: Voracek Martin
Published: September 2010

Across 29 European and 10 non-European nations, contemporary suicide rates for men and women were negatively correlated with national proportions of people with Type O blood, thus replicating and extending findings of Lester (1987) and Lester and Kondrichin (2004).
GRIP Strength Norms for Elderly Women
Authors: Brennan Patrick , Bohannon Richard , Pescatello Linda , Marschke Lisa , Hasson Scott , Murphy Mary
Published: September 2010

As part of community health screenings, the grip strength of 113 independently ambulatory women ( M age = 75.2 ± 7.3 yr.) was measured. Norms derived from the measurements are presented and compared with (a) norms reported for similar procedures about 20 years ago and (b) values for disabled women.
WAIS-III Digit Symbol-Incidental Learning Base Rates: Findings for College Student and Patient Samples
Authors: Schnakenberg-Ott Summer , Ryan Joseph J. , Tree Heather A.
Published: September 2010

Frequencies for Pairing and Free Recall of the WAIS-III Digit Symbol-Incidental Learning procedure were determined separately for 104 college students and 73 patients with substance abuse disorders. Means for age and education were 22.2 yr. ( SD = 5.1) and 14.7 yr. ( SD = 1.0) and 46.0 yr. and 12.2 yr. ( SD = 9.4), respectively. Base rate tables indicated that for Pairing, 93% of students and 89% of patients paired the number 1 with the appropriate symbol. Conversely, only 43% of students correctly paired the number 3 with its associated symbol, while 30% of patients paired the number 4 with its appropriate symbol. When Free Recall was assessed, 98% of students remembered the first symbol, but only 61% recalled the third. The most frequently recalled symbol by patients was the ninth (97%) and the most infrequently recalled symbol was the fourth (50%). The present base rate tables may be helpful for detecting unusual recall frequencies on the Incidental Learning procedures.
Perceived Stress and Health Complaints: An Examination of the Moderating Roles of Personality and Physical Activity
Authors: Lochbaum Marc R. , Lutz Rafer S. , Sell Susan , Ready Ashley , Carson Tyler
Published: September 2010

275 undergraduate university students were asked to complete a battery concerning their health complaints, perceived stress, strenuous physical activity, and personality (“Big Five” traits). An hierarchical regression showed that Stress and Strenuous Physical Activity Participation, but not Personality, predicted the Number of Health Complaints in this sample. Also, there was a significant interaction for Stress by Strenuous Activity indicating individuals who did not frequently engage in strenuous leisure-time physical activity reported more health complaints than those who did. This finding corroborates the notion that physical activity (or fitness) may serve to attenuate the relation between stress and health complaints.
Field Dependence-Independence of Normally Developing and Mentally Retarded Boys of Low and Upper/Middle Socioeconomic Status
Authors: Alevriadou A. , Tsakiridou H. , Hatzinikolaou K. , Grouios G.
Published: September 2010

The field dependence-independence of normally developing and mentally retarded boys of low and upper/middle socioeconomic status was examined. To test the cognitive style, the 96 young participants were subdivided into four groups ( n = 24 per group) matched on mean mental age, using the Raven Colored Progressive Matrices. Two groups of mentally retarded boys (Groups A and B) and two groups of normally developing boys (Groups C and D). Groups A and C were matched on mental age at 5.6 yr.; Groups B and D were matched on mental age at 7.6 yr. Each pair of groups differed significantly in mean chronological age. Within each subgroup, 12 boys came from upper/middle socioeconomic status families and 12 from low socioeconomic status families. Analysis indicated absence of significant differences between Groups A and C on field dependence-independence, but there were statistically significant differences between Groups B and D. Moreover, analysis showed that boys from families of upper/middle socioeconomic status, both normally developing and mentally retarded, were consistently more field independent than boys from families of low socioeconomic status. Finally, conclusions were drawn concerning the empirical and theoretical benefits for psychology and education, which arise from the study of field dependence-independence of mentally retarded individuals.
Assessing Influence of Stimulation on Mood and Aberrant Behavior of Persons with Multiple Disabilities during Brief Treadmill Sessions
Authors: Lancioni G. E. , Singh N. N. , O'Reilly M. F. , Oliva D. , Piazzolla G. , Groeneweg J.
Published: September 2010

This study assessed the influence of favorite stimuli on indices of happiness, e.g., smiling or excited vocalizations, and aberrant behavior, e.g., cantilena-like vocalizations or hand waving, of two young adults with multiple disabilities during 5-min. treadmill sessions. Several favorite stimuli, e.g., music and vibratory events, were available for the participants. The stimuli were presented in a rotation fashion during the sessions. To control for the effects of the stimuli, treadmill sessions without stimuli were also conducted. Analysis showed that the treadmill sessions with stimuli led to higher indices of happiness and lower aberrant behavior for both participants, compared to the treadmill sessions without stimuli.
Influence of Bichord Interval on Perception of Simultaneity
Authors: Sinico Michele
Published: September 2010

The present paper describes the influence on perceptual simultaneity of the bichord interval between two pure tones. In the experiment, 30 participants (musicians and nonmusicians) listened to tone pairs (bichords: C-D, C-E flat; C-F sharp; C-G) with different degrees of asynchronization and indicated whether two tones had been simultaneous or successive. The method of constant stimuli was used. An analysis of variance showed that bichords' intervals were perceived with different degrees of simultaneity. Tones less distant in frequency were not necessarily easier to perceive as simultaneous. This result suggests that judgement of simultaneity cannot be accounted for only in terms of frequency or temporal relationship between single stimuli at the physical level. The effect of a nontemporal variable concerning the perceptual moment hypothesis is discussed.
On the Role of Working Memory in Response Interference
Authors: Stins John F. , Vosse Sjoerd , Boomsma Dorret I. , de Geus Eco J. C.
Published: September 2010

A recent study by de Fockert, et al. claimed that working memory and selective attention are interacting cognitive systems. We used a dual task design that closely resembled de Fockert, et al.'s experiment, but using different stimuli. Our subjects first had to store the positions and sequence of a number of blocks. During storage they then had to respond to a few selective attention trials, after which memory was tested. Selective attention was tested using a computerized version of the color Stroop task and the Simon task. We expected to find a monotonic increase of response interference with increasing working memory load, but we found only modest evidence of an influence of working memory on attention. The results shed new light on the nature of and the relation between these cognitive systems.
Fluctuation of Predictions of a Connectionist Model Can Lead to Qualitatively Different Results
Authors: Yamaguchi Makoto
Published: September 2010

Several methods have been proposed to derive ideal predictions of connectionist models. In contrast, there have been few attempts to explore fluctuations of the predictions around the ideal value in probabilistic environment. This void must be filled. Thus, Monte-Carlo simulations with the Rescorla-Wagner model were conducted for an experimental paradigm called relative validity. Simulations indicated that fluctuation is too sizeable to neglect and that it can even lead to qualitatively different predictions. The final associative strength was influenced by the last several trials.
Gambling and Delaying Rewards as a Function of Frontal System Dysfunction: A Study in Neuroeconomics
Authors: Spinella Marcello , Lester David , Yang Bijou
Published: September 2010

In a sample of 235 community residents, the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale which measures frontal system dysfunction was negatively associated with income and positively associated with accepting smaller immediate rewards rather than larger delayed rewards.
Sex-Role Orientation Associations with College Students' Body-Image Preferences
Authors: Johnson H. Durell , Lamont Janine , Monacelli Jennifer , Vojick Alex
Published: September 2010

Sex roles dictate acceptable attitudes and preferences for men and women. Further, perception of ideal body type is one attitude and preference that may be associated with sex-role orientation. Therefore, the current study examined the association between sex-role orientation and men's and women's reports of their preferred body type and their views of others' preferred body type for men and women. Responses from 172 university students indicated sex-role associations with participants' personal body-type preferences and participants' perceptions of the body types others prefer. Analysis indicates that a more masculine sex-role orientation was associated with men's and women's perceptions of larger ideal body images. Results are discussed in terms of the association between sex-role orientation and possible susceptibility to societal standards of ideal body images.
Suicides among Former Major League Baseball Players
Authors: Lester David
Published: September 2010

No support was found for the hypothesis that former major league baseball players do not commit suicide during the baseball season.
Subself Theory and Reincarnation/Possession
Authors: Lester David
Published: September 2010

A subself model of the mind is used to account for multiple personality, possession, the spirit controls of mediums, reincarnation, and the auditory hallucinations of schizophrenics, with suggestions for empirical research.
Multimodal Behavioral Treatment of Nonrepetitive, Treatment-Resistant Nightmares: A Case Report
Authors: Tanner Barry A.
Published: September 2010

A 23-yr.-old young woman presenting with a 17-yr. history of nightmares was treated with a variety of behavioral and self-regulatory techniques. The nightmares were unusual in that they did not have an obviously common theme as in most published reports, and, therefore, did not readily lend themselves to several frequently used techniques. Although previous treatment episodes had not affected the incidence of the nightmares, a combination of relaxation procedures, a mnemonic to increase lucid dreaming, and dream rehearsal upon waking from a nightmare resulted in a sharp decrease in the frequency of nightmares in four sessions. Further improvement was reported over the next nine months as additional techniques were introduced and other problems treated, and was maintained during a 9-mo. follow-up.
Participation Motives in Physical Education: An Expectancy-Value Approach
Authors: Goudas Marios , Dermitzaki Irini
Published: September 2010

This study applied an expectancy-value approach in examining participation motives of students in physical education. As predicted outcome expectancy, a variable formed by the combination of outcome value and outcome likelihood correlated significantly higher with motivational indices than these two factors.