bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperament of Primary Caregivers and Development of Literacy
Authors: Calahan Charles A.
Published: August 2011

Parents can strongly influence the development of reading literacy in their children. Constructs such as parental attitude, parental style, reading technique, mother-child attachment, etc. influence the development of children's literacy. This study examined the relationship between the temperament of 55 primary maternal caregivers and readiness to involve their 3– to 5–yr.-old children in extracurricular reading activities. Mothers' temperament may foster activities that support reading.
Stimulus-Response Compatibility Effects in a Manual Tracking Task
Authors: Carey James R. , Bogard Connie L. , Youdas James W. , Suman Vera J.
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are stimulus-response (S-R) compatibility effects in a manual tracking task for male and female subjects of different ages. 20 healthy men and 20 healthy women in each of three different age groups (20 to 39, 40 to 59, and 60 to 79 years) participated (total N=120). Subjects performed extension and flexion movements of the index finger metacarpophalangeal joint to track a computer-screen cursor along a target sine wave. The hand and forearm were positioned so that the finger movement was either vertical or horizontal, and the computer monitor was positioned so that the voluntary cursor movement was either vertical or horizontal. Each subject performed four different tracking tests corresponding to the four different ensembles of hand-forearm position and monitor position. There were significant differences in tracking performance between test ensembles in both women and men aged 60 to 79 years, and the compatible ensembles showed the superior performance. The results suggest that S-R compatibility effects exist in elderly women and elderly men performing a finger-movement tracking task, and these effects are consistent with impaired information processing in elderly persons. More research is needed on how S-R compatibility affects performance in persons with cerebral lesions.
An Investigation of the Relationship between Color Choice and Depression Measured by the Beck Depression Inventory
Authors: Nolan Rebecca F. , Dai Yong , Stanley Patricia D.
Published: August 2011

The relationship between self-reported depression and color preference was investigated. It was proposed that a cognitive schema would be activated affecting negatively that pan of the environment selected for cognitive preference. When requested to select a series of preferred colors, the 72 undergraduates scoring above 10 on the Beck Depression Inventory tended to choose black or brown. It is believed that internal schema represented in 3 questions may be reflected in color choice(s).
Size of the Visual Field in Collegiate Fast-Pitch Softball Players and Nonathletes
Authors: Berg William P. , Killian Suzanne M.
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine whether visual-field size differed between female Division I collegiate fast-pitch Softball players and female college students who were nonathletes. The relationship between visual-field size and batting performance among the softball players was also examined. 24 female undergraduate students (12 varsity fast-pitch softball players and 12 nonathletes) participated. The size of the visual field was measured via manual kinetic perimetry, and batting performance was assessed using a batting-skill test as well as batting averages for an entire competitive season. Analyses indicated that the mean visual-field size of softball players was significantly larger than that of nonathletes. However, there was no relationship between visual-field size and batting performance among the softball players. Results are discussed with respect to the origin of the superiority of visual-field size of softball players.
Human Production of “Random” Numbers
Authors: Chapanis Alphonse
Published: August 2011

Six statistically naive and six statistically sophisticated subjects each wrote a string of 2,520 random numbers. Although subjects did not use the ten digits equally often, there was not much agreement among them about which digits they preferred and which they avoided. There is much more consistency in the way subjects used pairs of digits and triplets. Subjects avoided repeating digits even when they were separated by a different third digit, and they used consecutive increasing, consecutive decreasing, and permutations of consecutive digits much more frequently than one would expect by chance. The best single predictor of a digit that a subject will use is the digit which has just been produced. Significant sequential dependencies among digits can be demonstrated for strings as long as 7 for statistically naive and as long as 5 for the statistically sophisticated subjects. To a lesser extent the statistically sophisticated subjects exhibited the same kinds of preferences and avoidances as the unsophisticated ones. There is a small but statistically significant negative correlation between numbers preferred in randomization and their ease of recall in short-term memory.
A Case Study of Improved Performance in Archery Using Hypnosis
Authors: Robazza Claudio , Bortoli Laura
Published: August 2011

Active-alert hypnosis and traditional hypnosis procedures can be combined and applied in sport following the lines of an isomorphic model. A case study of improved shooting performance in an adult expert archer after 20 weeks of mental training is reported.
A New Method for Prescribing Exercise: Three-Point Ratings of Perceived Exertion
Authors: Dunbar Christopher C. , Kalinski Michael I. , Robertson Robert J.
Published: August 2011

An accurate exercise prescription for ratings of perceived exertion has previously depended on data from a maximal graded exercise test during which RPE was measured. In many clinical settings RPE is not measured; in many fitness settings maximal testing is not feasible. A new method using treadmill speed or power output of a cycle ergometer at an RPE of 13 from a submaximal test which can be used in these situations is described. We evaluated the accuracy of this method at 50%, 60%, 70%, and 85% VO2max. A total of 160 target RPEs were developed using traditional procedures and the new method. No significant differences between RPEs obtained with the two techniques were found. The mean difference was less than one unit of RPE. It appears that the new method is valid for intensities of 50% to 85% VO2max and that data from either the cycle ergometer or the treadmill can be used to prepare exercise prescriptions.
Alexithymia and Locus of Control
Authors: Loas Gwenolé , Dhee-Perot Pascale , Gayant Christine , Fremaux Didier
Published: August 2011

In a sample of 132 healthy subjects, alexithymia scores were negatively associated with scores on internality.
Motor Performance of Schizophrenics after Mellow and Frenetic Antecedent Music
Authors: Chambliss Catherine , McMichael Heidi , Tyson Karen , Monaco Catherine , Tracy Joseph
Published: August 2011

Previous research has yielded an inconclusive picture of the effects of music on motor performance. Using a 3-factor within-subjects design [mellow/(4:4 time), frenetic/(2:8 time), and white noise music conditions], each of 19 schizophrenic inpatient volunteers performed a Purdue Pegboard and Finger Oscillation (Tapping) Test following 1-min. presentations of 3 types of music. Pegboard performance was higher after frenetic music but unaffected by mellow music; there was no effect on tapping.
Comparing Putters with a Conventional Blade and a Cylindrically Shaped Clubhead
Authors: Gwyn Robert G. , Ormond Frank , Patch Charles E.
Published: August 2011

A putter with a cylindrically shaped clubhead was tested and scores of 107 students (80 men and 27 women) in six college golf classes compared with those made with a putter having a conventional blade clubhead. A nine-hole Bermuda grass putting green, with holes ranging in distance from 4 to 25 ft., was used. An analysis of variance of mean total putting scores showed that there was no significant difference in putting scores with the two styles of putters on short, medium, or long putts, or on over-all scores.
Male Nurturing: Older Men Don't Want to Share Their Views; Young Women Do
Authors: Draper Thomas W.
Published: August 2011

When compared to men ( n = 46) and women under 30 years of age ( n = 30) or women over 60 ( n = 68), men over 60 years of age ( n = 41) showed an extreme reluctance to answer questions about their perceptions of other men who nurture children. Women under 30 were comparatively willing to share their views.
Handedness Distributions in Nine Professional Groups
Authors: Schachter Steven C. , Ransil Bernard J.
Published: August 2011

The relationships between profession and handedness were studied in approximately equal numbers of accountants, architects, dentists, lawyers, librarians, mathematicians, orthodontists, orthopedic surgeons, and psychiatrists ( ns = 133+36; N = 1196). Handedness was estimated using laterality scores derived from the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory and self-reported global handedness preference scores. Architects and lawyers had the most lefthanded average laterality scores. Orthopedic surgeons, mathematicians, and librarians had the most righthanded average laterality scores. Psychiatrists and lawyers had the most ambilateral laterality scores, mathematicians and librarians the least. These findings are discussed in relation to theories of handedness and cerebral localization of visuospatial and language function.
A Cross-Cultural Study of Creative Perceptions
Authors: Palaniappan Ananda Kumar
Published: August 2011

Creative perception scores of 107 Malaysians on Something About Myself were compared with those of 912 American, 87 Indian, and 227 Hungarian students while creative perception scores of Malaysians on What Kind Of Person Are You? were compared with those of 671 Americans. Malaysians scored higher than other groups on Something About Myself while the Americans scored higher than the Malaysians on What Kind Of Person Are You? Cultural influences on performance may be inferred although markedly uneven group sizes restrict interpretation.
Human Memory for Odour following Monorhinal Presentation with and without Verbal Elaboration
Authors: Annett Judith M. , Ford Lindsay , Gifford Mervyn
Published: August 2011

With 14 target odours, 7 via each nostril, 20 subjects' correct recognition was lower for the right nostril than for the left with verbal elaboration, but nonsignificant without verbal elaboration.
Note on the Underrepresentation of the Split-Half Reliability Formula for Unequal Standard Deviations
Authors: Charter Richard A.
Published: August 2011

The split-half reliability formula used when the standard deviations from the test halves are unequal should be applied routinely instead of the Spearman-Brown formula.
Perceived Exertion during Physical Exercise among Individuals High and Low in Fitness
Authors: Travlos Antonios K. , Marisi Daniel Q.
Published: August 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of fitness level and gradually increased amounts of exercise on individuals' ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). 20 men served as paid subjects. They were divided into groups of high (>56 ml/kg/min.) and low fitness (<46 ml/kg/min.) according to their maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max). Participants were required to pedal on a cycle ergometer at a progressively increased workload (every 10 min.) corresponding to 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80% of individual VO2 max values. Heart rates, RPE, and core temperatures were recorded every 5th minute after the initiation of exercising at a specific workload. Analysis indicated that, when controlling for VO2 max values, elevations of heart rate and core temperature were not affected by fitness. However, highly fit individuals perceived themselves under less exertion than did the group low in fitness. Correlations showed that, taking into consideration fitness, there is a stronger relationship between RPE and heart rate and RPE and core temperature for the highly fit individuals than for the less fit.
Analysis of Position of Trial Sequence and Type of Diluent on the Detection Threshold for Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol Using a Single Staircase Method
Authors: Pierce John D. , Doty Richard L. , Amoore John E.
Published: August 2011

Although detection thresholds for odors are commonly measured in academic and medical settings, the influences of procedural factors on threshold values are poorly understood. The present study evaluated the influences of (i) trial sequence position and (ii) diluent type on the threshold value for the rose-like odorant phenyl ethyl alcohol. In Exp. 1, detection thresholds were measured in 24 subjects on two occasions in which different diluents were used in the concentration series, propylene glycol and light mineral oil. The thresholds were estimated using a 7-reversal initially ascending single-staircase procedure. Threshold values were significantly influenced by the type of diluent (lower for mineral oil) and trial sequence (lower for later threshold reversals). In Exp. 2, 24 subjects were administered a staircase threshold test which continued through 15 staircase reversals. Continued testing resulted in a significant lowering of the threshold measure. These findings demonstrate the importance of both diluent and test length on detection threshold values measured by a single staircase procedure and emphasize the need for standardization of procedures for threshold testing.
Influences of Aging, Gender, and Handedness on Motor Performance of Upper and Lower Extremities
Authors: Kauranen Kari , Vanharanta Heikki
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to collect reference data on different aspects of performance, including reaction time, speed of movement, tapping speed, and coordination of hands and feet using Human Performance Measurement/Basic Elements of Performance equipment and reports of reference data findings. Also, the reliability of the measurements is presented. 200 healthy, randomly selected subjects (100 men, 100 women; aged 21–70 years) were categorized by gender and by age decade into ten groups. The test battery consisted of six tests for both hands and feet. In general, the performance decreased clearly after 50 years in both genders. There were statistically significant differences between hands and feet, dominant and non-dominant sides, age groups, and number of choices, and especially between men and women.
Effects of Background Stimulation upon Eye-Movement Information
Authors: Nakamura Shinji
Published: August 2011

To investigate the effects of background stimulation upon eye-movement information (EMI), the perceived deceleration of the target motion during pursuit eye movement (Aubert-Fleishl paradox) was analyzed. In the experiment, a striped pattern was used as a background stimulus with various brightness contrasts and spatial frequencies for serially manipulating the attributions of the background stimulus. Analysis showed that the retinal-image motion of the background stimulus (optic flow) affected eye-movement information and that the effects of optic flow became stronger when high contrast and low spatial frequency stripes were presented as the background stimulus. In conclusion, optic flow is one source of eye-movement information in determining real object motion, and the effectiveness of optic flow depends on the attributes of the background stimulus.
Keirsey's Temperament Types and Religious Preference for a Conservative Church Setting
Authors: Calahan Charles A.
Published: August 2011

Significant differences were found between the expected frequencies of Keirsey's temperament types expected in the general population and the observed frequencies of Keirsey's temperament types found in a midwestern, conservative church sample of 113 married couples. These results suggested there may be a possible relationship between Keirseyan temperament typology and the religious preference for a conservative church setting.
The Role of Background in Mediating Apparent Movement
Authors: Petersik J. Timothy
Published: August 2011

The spatial structure of the background upon which figures engage in apparent movement has been a neglected variable in research. In this pilot study, the presence of a sine-wave-grating as background had a strong influence on the quality of apparent movement that was perceived by 3 observers.
The Internal/External Dimension in Psychoepistemic Orientation and Measures of Ability
Authors: Hill Oliver W.
Published: August 2011

This study examined the associations of scores on the internal/external dimension of psychoepistemic style and measures of ability. Subjects were assessed using the portable rod and frame test, the Psycho-Epistemological Profile, and Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices. The grade point averages of the subjects were also recorded. A principal components factor analysis indicated that, while GPA was significantly loaded on both the internal and external orientation factors, the measure of analogical reasoning was significantly loaded on the internal orientation factor only. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Anticipation of Professional Soccer Goalkeepers When Facing Right-and Left-Footed Penalty Kicks
Authors: McMorris Terry , Colenso Sion
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the anticipation of professional soccer goalkeepers when facing right- and left-footed penalty kicks. Subjects were shown a videotape of 10 right-footed and 10 left-footed penalty kicks. A standard temporal occlusion paradigm was used, with each penalty being presented at 3 occlusion points, 2 frames before foot-ball contact, at the moment of foot-ball contact, and 2 frames after foot-ball contact. A 2-way (foot X occlusion point) analysis of variance (with repeated measures) indicated that anticipation to right-footed kicks was significantly better than that to left-footed kicks. There were no other significant results. Post hoc interviews indicated that the subjects claimed to use angle of approach to the ball, foot position at contact, and hip position at the time of foot-ball contact as the main cues to aid anticipation.
Trait Sport Confidence, Goal Orientation and Competitive Experience of Female Collegiate Volleyball Players
Authors: Mills Brett D.
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine associations among 66 volleyball players' trait sport confidence, goal orientation, i.e., task or ego, age, upper (junior, senior) or lower (sophomore, freshman) class standing, years of NCAA Division II collegiate volleyball experience, and total years of competitive volleyball experience. Athletes who scored task-oriented and of upper-class standing, i.e., junior or senior in college, had a greater total number of years of competitive volleyball experience than ego-oriented, upper-class standing athletes. Athletes who scored ego-oriented were more likely to have a lower class standing and be younger, and have fewer years of NCAA Division II experience than the task-oriented athletes. Athletes who scored task-oriented had more years of competitive volleyball experience and scored higher on trait sport confidence than ego-oriented athletes.
Comparison in Three Chinese Cultures of Scores on the Self-Perception Profile for Children
Authors: Wang Aimin , Meredith William H. , Tsai Rita
Published: August 2011

Responses to a Chinese version of Harter's Self-perception Profile for Children were examined in three Chinese populations of sixth graders in China, Macao, and Taiwan. The reliabilities for the mainland Chinese sample were much lower than for the Macao and Taiwan samples. A factor analysis showed the same factors for American children as for the more westernized populations in Macao and Taiwan; however, a different pattern existed for the mainland Chinese children. Issues related to item construction of self-perception measures for Chinese children are discussed.
Contemporary Norms for the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory-Adult Form
Authors: Lall Rakesh , Jain Vijay K. , Johnson W. Brad
Published: August 2011

422 medical personnel employed by the United States Navy were administered the Adult Form of the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory. In comparison to Coopersmith's 1981 normative sample, the current sample was substantially larger, geographically heterogeneous, and more reflective of the current national population. Analysis suggests small but consistent increases in mean self-esteem scores across all subgroups. Nonetheless, data from the current study are quite consistent with the findings from Coopersmith's 1981 normative sample.
Factors Affecting Assumptions about Mutual Exclusivity and Novel Name-Nameless Category
Authors: Sugimura Takeshi , Sato Noriko
Published: August 2011

48 five-yr.-old girls and boys were given the first set for a task which had three familiar and one unfamiliar drawings and were asked to select one drawing for the novel word. Then they were given the second set for the task which had four different familiar and four types of unfamiliar drawings and were asked to select the drawings for the novel word under the labeling or the inclusion instructions. These selections were repeated four times successively. Based on the selection patterns in the second set, children whose selecting was consistent with the assumption of mutual exclusivity and those whose selecting was consistent with the novel name-nameless assumption were identified. Children were more sensitive to the former assumption for the labeling than for the inclusion instructions. Children who were sensitive to the latter assumption extended the novel word mainly to the shape category for the labeling instruction, although they could extend the novel word to the unnamed and broader category for the inclusion instruction. The findings suggest that children show flexibility in applying the two assumptions.
Category Width and Sharpening versus Leveling Cognitive Styles of Chinese and American University Students
Authors: Huang Jianyi , Chao Li
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to compare the category width and the sharpening versus leveling cognitive styles of Chinese and American students. Two measures, the Category Width Scale and the Square Lag Test, of the two styles were given to 150 Chinese and American students. Analysis showed a significant difference between the Chinese and American groups on the cognitive style of category width. The Chinese subjects scored as broader than their American peers in categorization. In addition, a significant difference was found between the 96 men and 54 women on the sharpening versus leveling style. The men scored as sharper than the women in size distinction. These results were compared with previous findings.
Hierarchical Menu Design: Breadth, Depth, and Task Complexity
Authors: Jacko Julie A. , Salvendy Gavriel
Published: August 2011

In this research a relationship between an hierarchical menu's depth and the perceived complexity of a task involving menu retrieval was proposed and validated. 12 subjects were asked to use six different hierarchical menus of varying breadth and depth. The dependent variables were response time and accuracy. The independent variables were depth and breadth of the hierarchy. Subsequent to experimentation, the subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire on users' perceptions of the complexity of the different menu structures. As depth increased, perceived complexity of the menus increased significantly. These phenomena are linked to an existing theory of task complexity. We suggest that the cognitive component influencing users' perceptions of task complexity was short-term memory load.
Visual Memory Skills in Japanese and Caucasians
Authors: Flaherty Mary , Connolly Martin
Published: August 2011

Two visual memory tasks were administered to 80 subjects, 48 Japanese and 32 Caucasian, 49 female and 31 male. Japanese subjects were divided into 2 groups, those brought up in Japan with knowledge of kanji and Americans of Japanese ancestry with no kanji experience. The Caucasian subjects were subdivided into two groups, those who had learned kanji as adults, and others without knowledge of kanji. The purpose of the experiment was to examine the possible influence of kanji on the finding that Japanese children and adults score higher than their Caucasian peers in tests of visual ability. A knowledge of kanji did not appear to influence the scoring pattern.
The Temporal Distribution of Suicides in Baton Rouge
Authors: Campbell Frank , Lester David
Published: August 2011

451 suicides in East Baton Rouge Parish in Louisiana from 1984 to 1994 did not show a Monday or Spring peak in incidence.
Smooth Pursuit Eye Movements and Stimulus Predictability in Children: A Reply to Haishi and Kokubun
Authors: LeGare Miriam
Published: August 2011

This reply to Haishi and Kokubun's study of smooth pursuit in young children points out that the quality of pursuit as it pertains to predictability is confounded with the immaturity of visual system structure. Two possible solutions to the confounding are discussed.
Perception of Self, Attitude toward One's College Class, Cohesion, and Grade
Authors: Slavin Roberta L.
Published: August 2011

Relationships between measures of self-perception, attitude within a particular class, cohesion, and final grade were examined. College students completed Self-perception scales (forced and free-choice), Attitude-Toward-Class scale, and a cohesion scale, scores on which correlated with final grades. Analysis indicated that students clearly differentiated themselves into the three designated self-perceived types; however, the perceptive types were not significantly differentiated from each other, with the exception of the Objective Thinker for Category 5 (Evaluation of Others). Subjects were not different in their perceptions of the class-setting except for the Objective Thinker on the Danger/Safety subscale. Each self-perceived type also perceived different scores on cohesion. Self-perception, attitude toward class, and cohesion did not significantly affect class grade. Although there was little direct relationship among these three variables with final grade, the data encourage further exploration of self-perception and class climate.
Elevation of Core Temperature and Mental Functioning
Authors: Travlos Antonios K. , Marisi Daniel Q.
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether raised core temperature due to gradually increased amounts of exercise affects concentration and speed of information processing. 20 paid men, separated into groups of high (>56 ml/kg/min.) and low fitness (<46 ml/kg/min.) according to their maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), participated in two experimental conditions (exercise and control). Concentration was measured by the Random Number Generation test of attentional deployment given every 10 min. of cycling at workloads calculated as 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80% of individual VO2max values and 10 min. after exercise cessation (exhaustion). Speed of information processing was estimated by an eight-choice reaction time/ movement time task given before and after exercise and 15 min. after exercise cessation. Core temperature was recorded at the same time individuals were administered the psychological tests. Analyses indicated that core temperatures increased significantly as a function of exercise intensity for high and low fitness groups. Correlations among the psychophysiological factors indicated that increases in core temperature were not associated with mental functioning. However, at certain core temperatures, core temperature and average choice reaction time/movement time were associated with participants' fitness.
Learning Test on Expressive Phonetic Symbolism
Authors: Langenmayr Arnold , Schmitz Harald
Published: August 2011

We asked 249 students to learn three different vocabulary lists, each containing 19 word-pairs (Indonesian, Suaheli, and one mixed list composed of items from 13 different languages) in three versions: “normal” (factual classification), “reversed” (opposite classification), and “disarranged” (word meaning imputed in a completely different dimension). That those word-pairs with “normal” classification would lead to best learning was not generally confirmed but was corroborated for favourable learning conditions (items at the top of the list, items at the beginning of the questioning, easy to learn items), whereas the effect of phonetic symbolism combined with “normal” presentation proved rather abstruse. We assume that in the latter cases encoding worked rather automatically, and additional information used energy. The encoding process uses so much energy that further information is not useful under unfavourable learning conditions. We found a relation between performance on each mode of presentation and sex. Independent of presentation mode, learning depends on age, sex, membership in a seminar, and subject matter studied. Therefore, we examined the distribution of these in our nine groups (three languages by three versions). Since no statistically relevant differences in distribution arose, our results do not have to be qualified.
Voice and Advertising: Effects of Intonation and Intensity of Voice on Source Credibility, Attitudes toward the Advertised Service and the Intent to Buy
Authors: Gélinas-Chebat Claire , Chebat Jean-Charles , Vaninsky Alexander
Published: August 2011

Voice has been neglected in research on advertising and attitude change. In an experiment with 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design ( N = 279), several hypodieses derived from the Elaboration Likelihood Model and from phonetic literature were tested: 2 linguistically similar advertising messages on financial services of high (student loan) versus low (Automatic Teller Machine cards) involvement are recorded by a professional actor using 4 types of voice (2 levels of intonation of voice × 2 levels of intensity). Analysis by a system of simultaneous equations indicated that the effects of voice are different under low and high involvement. Intensity of voice affects credibility of the source significantly more under low than high involvement; intonation of voice affects credibility more under high than low involvement. Unexpectedly, characteristics of voice affect attitudes toward the advertised service and intent to buy.
An Increase in Cortical Excitability with No Change in Spinal Excitability during Motor Imagery
Authors: Yahagi Susumu , Shimura Kuniyoshi , Kasai Tatsuya
Published: August 2011

During motor imagery, to estimate changes in excitability of flexor carpi radialis muscle motoneurons of the spinal and cortical levels, electrical stimuli for recording H-reflex and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for recording motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were used. In the absence of movement or detectable EMG activity during motor magery, there was an increase in cortical excitability with no change in spinal excitability
Alexithymia and Visual Perception
Authors: Duchesneau André P.
Published: August 2011

60 subjects were administered the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, a screening test for alexithymia, and categorized by the usual scoring procedure. Each subject was then given the six Performance subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised which address aspects of visual perception, organization, and construction. Analysis indicated that the alexithymic group scored significantly lower on two tests of visual perception, Picture Completion and Digit Symbol of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Revised.
Social Class and Perceived Competence of U.S. Presidents
Authors: Young Thomas J. , French Laurence A.
Published: August 2011

U.S. Presidents from the upper class ( n = 14) were more likely to be ranked as “above average” on the Murray-Blessing Poll than Presidents from middle or working classes ( n = 22), supporting previous findings on status and perceived leadership.
Lucid Dreaming and the Mind-Body Relationship: A Model for the Cognitive and Physiological Variations in Rapid Eye Movement Sleep
Authors: Lequerica Anthony
Published: August 2011

The psychophysiological properties of the lucid dream state were examined to evaluate the relationship between lucid and nonlucid dreaming, emphasizing the fact that the components of self-reflectiveness and other cognitive features commonly associated with lucid dreams occur in all dreams to various extents. Although lucid dreams are clearly toward one end of the continuum, they still share many of the characteristics present in most dreams. In this respect, exploration of lucid dreams may not necessarily be a misguided path toward the understanding of dreaming in general. A simple model was described to illustrate the mind-body relationship in various forms of REM dreaming.
Is Interhemispheric Connectivity Reduced after Callosotomy? A Critique
Authors: Nielsen T. A. , Montplaisir J.
Published: August 2011

A recent case report of interhemispheric correlational measures in a callosotomized patient by Corsi-Cabrera, Trias, Guevara, Haro and Hernández in 1995 provided evidence taken by the authors of the study to suggest that the corpus callosum may not be crucial to interhemispheric coupling. This conclusion was proposed even though (1) presurgical correlation measures necessary for evaluating coherence changes produced by surgery were not available for this subject and (2) previous studies presenting evidence inconsistent with their conclusions were not discussed. In view of these two shortcomings, the authors' conclusion concerning callosal function may be premature.
Selective Impairment of Auditory Processing in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Comparison with Multiple Sclerosis and Healthy Controls
Authors: Johnson Susan K. , DeLuca John , Diamond Bruce J. , Natelson Benjamin H.
Published: August 2011

The most consistent deficit observed in individuals with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has been in efficiency of information processing. To examine the possibility of a modality-specific impairment, the present study examined subjects with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and healthy controls on an auditory-versus visual-paced serial-addition test. 20 subjects with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 20 subjects with clinically definite Multiple Sclerosis, and 20 sedentary healthy controls were compared. One-half of the subjects in each group were administered the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test and the other half were administered the Paced Visual Serial Addition Test. The group with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was differentially impaired on the auditory relative to the visual processing task. The group with Multiple Sclerosis was equally impaired on both versions of the task. The results are discussed within the framework of Baddeley's model of working memory.
Individual Differences in Body Temperature Assessed by a Two-Term Function
Authors: Almirall Helena , Marcet Consol
Published: August 2011

A new approximation, an alternative to the cosine function, was used to analyze body temperature throughout the day. The model studied is a two-term function characterized by three parameters that describe the temperature rise and fall. In contrast to other cyclic functions, this function can easily model complete cycles as well as segments of a cycle. This function has been applied to temperature series validating the dimension of morningness-eveningness throughout the day and also to studies that include body temperature, personality factors, and the dimension of morningness throughout a complete circadian period.
Teaching Students with Mental Retardation and other Disabilities to Make Simple Drawings through a Computer System and Special Cards
Authors: Lancioni G. E. , Boelens H.
Published: August 2011

3 students with mental retardation and other disabilities were trained to make simple drawings on a computer screen (with a light-pen) following the color sequence used for the same drawings on special cards. The screen provided immediate feedback on the students' drawing accuracy. Teachers rated the students' posttraining drawings much higher than the pretraining ones.
Facially Impaired Man versus Chimpanzee: A Within-Primate Differentiation Effect
Authors: Wion Frédérique
Published: August 2011

66 women, French students enrolled in a course, evaluated the presumed behavioural identity of a man whose face was severely deformed as observed in a photograph and evaluated the presumed behavioural identity of a chimpanzee whose face was also observed in a photograph. The behavioural targets referred to five areas of sexuality, to copulate, to masturbate, and to experience sexual pleasure with another; technology: to garden, to prepare a meal, and to scavenge for plants; physiology: to digest food, to form hormones, and to perspire; social interactions: to converse with another, to do a favour for another, and to imitate; and cognition: to count up to ten, to remember recent events, and to use a stick as a lever. The experiment had a 2 (entity: human's face versus chimpanzee's face) × 2 (presentation-order: man then chimpanzee versus the opposite order) experimental design with 33 subjects per cell. As predicted, the main effect of the presentation-order factor and the two-way interaction were significant for three target behaviors (to converse with another, to prepare a meal, and to copulate). The within-primate differentiation effect was explained in terms of motivation to preserve the identity of both the man and the chimpanzee.
Perceptual and Acoustical Analysis of Alaryngeal Speech: Determinants of Intelligibility
Authors: Drummond Sakina , Krueger Kathy , Dancer Jess , Spring Gretchen
Published: August 2011

The speech productions of 8 male alaryngeal speakers were used to identify four perceptual measures and five durational measures which were significant for identifying intelligibility of alaryngeal speech. The acoustic variable of duration was a key factor in relating perceptual and acoustic measures.
Sex Differences on an Adaptation of the Digit Symbol Subtest of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–III
Authors: Kelly T. P. , Britton P. G.
Published: August 2011

To make the Digit Symbol subtest of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–III more useful in neuropsychological assessment, the measurement and influence of motor speed and incidental learning on subjects' performance was examined. Analysis indicated that motor speed but not incidental learning were significant influences on scores. Statistically significant differences between 150 males ( M age 12.3 yr., SD = 2.8) and 150 females ( M age 12.1 yr., SD = 2.7) were obtained for both raw and scaled scores on the Digit Symbol subtest. The implications of these gender differences are discussed as a possible example of differences in executive function.
Training Profoundly Retarded Adults to Communicate Using Handguiding
Authors: Summers Ronald K. , Vincent Virginia
Published: August 2011

Four multiply disabled, profoundly retarded young adults received two series of instructional activities designed to teach them to use handguiding to communicate basic needs and intents. All had failed in previous attempts to learn to communicate using augmentative devices and strategies. Caregivers and staff served as partners in communication. Three of the four subjects were successful in learning some basic communication skills using the strategy of having a partner and handguiding as a technique.
Self-Perceptions of Physical Attractiveness
Authors: Garcia Stella D. , Khersonsky Diana , Stacey Sarah
Published: August 2011

The main purpose of the study was to examine the experiences and self-perceptions of physical attractiveness among college students. Men and women responded to items on a 1– to 10-point scale for whether each item was characteristic of their experiences. Items pertained to different categories of experiences such as social interactions and physical health. Results reinforced some facets of the physical attractiveness stereotype and also clarified self-perceptions of attractiveness.
Effect of Long Flights on the Cognitive Performance of Air Crew
Authors: Beh Helen C. , McLaughlin Peter
Published: August 2011

The cognitive performance of groups of subjects was tested after flights lasting between 7.5–9.5 hours to the north, east and west of Sydney ( ns = 10, 12, and 12) and compared with the performance of a ground-based control group ( n = 12). Analysis showed an impairment in performance of the flight groups following the flights. The analysis suggests that part of the performance change following transzonal flights may result from stress induced during the flight rather than adjustment to new time zones.
Comparison of the Predictive Validity of the Aptitude Test for School Beginners and of the Metropolitan Readiness Tests
Authors: Oosthuizen Stanley , Van Rensburg Esmé , Jordaan Christine
Published: August 2011

Although preschool testing has received considerable attention recently, the validities of some preschool tests have often been questioned. In this study the predictive validity of scores on the Metropolitan Readiness Tests and on the Aptitude Test for School Beginners was compared for a random sample of 120 children in Grade 1. The former scores had sufficient predictive validity and an advantage over the latter test; however, the predictive validity of the Aptitude Test for School Beginners can be regarded as satisfactory from a psychometric and educational point of view.
Lateralized Spatial Strategies in Oscillating Drawing Movements
Authors: Gutnik B. J. , Hyland B.
Published: August 2011

Kinematic characteristics and lateral differences between two upper extremities were investigated in a unimanual graphic task involving fast and precise oscillating movements on the vertical plane. The spatial locations of sequential reversal points were used to calculate the pairs of angles, relative to the horizontal axis. The point biserial coefficient of correlation was used to analyze the difference between big and large angles and their sequence in each pair. Three main groups (A, B, and C) of performance models were distinguished in 132 tests by 33 strongly right-handed male subjects. Group A showed strong variation in vertical movement, Group B covariation in vertical and horizontal vectors, while Group C reflected independent variation of both vertical and horizontal directions. It is suggested that the movement strategies might reflect three different models of motor control involving coupling of an oscillator controlling pools of motoneurons which regulate horizontal movements with an oscillator controlling vertical movement (Groups A + B) or with nonoscillating control signal (Group B). It is argued that Group A represents the simplest strategy and only performance Type A met by the left hand.
The Projected Performance Model: Relating Cognitive and Performance Antecedents of Psychological Momentum
Authors: Cornelius Allen , Silva John M. , Conroy David E. , Petersen Greg
Published: August 2011

Psychological momentum has been an elusive phenomenon in sport psychology research. The present study utilized a two-round free-throw shooting contest between pairs of participants to examine factors which influenced participants' perceptions of momentum and subsequent changes in performance. Factors hypothesized to contribute to perceptions of momentum were divided into three categories of Personal Variables, Situational Variables, and Self-ratings of Performance. Perceptions of momentum could be significantly predicted by both Situational Variables and Self-ratings of Performance. Changes in performance, however, were only significantly predicted by Situational Variables. These findings support the notion that attributions of positive and negative psychological momentum function simply as a labeling process in the evaluation of performance, with little or no effect on subsequent performance. Based on these findings and other research on psychological momentum, a theoretical model (Projected Performance Model) is proposed to conceptualize more clearly fluctuations in performance and their relationship to the construct of psychological momentum.
Misconceptions about Classical Psychophysics and the Measurement of Response Bias
Authors: Gardner Rick M.
Published: August 2011

Misconceptions exist about the ability of classical psychophysical techniques to measure separately the sensory and nonsensory (response bias) factors in a discrimination task. The views of the early researchers in psychophysics are reviewed. The manner in which the method of constant stimuli gives separate measures of sensory sensitivity and response bias is illustrated. Modern derivatives of classical psychophysical techniques which estimate both sensory and nonsensory components are described. Finally, data indicating a correspondence between sensory and nonsensory factors obtained with various psychophysical techniques are reviewed.
Individual Differences in Circadian Variations of Consumers' Emotional State
Authors: Chebat Jean-Charles , Dubé Laurette , Marquis Marie
Published: August 2011

A laboratory study investigated the effect of circadian orientation on consumers' emotional state at different times of day. Subjects' emotional state was measured using the Pleasure-Arousal-Dominance scale in the morning and in the evening. Individual circadian orientation (morningness-eveningness) was also assessed. Analyses showed that changes in consumers' emotional state as a function of the time of the day is moderated by individual differences in circadian orientation. Morning-types were in a more pleasurable emotional state in the morning than in the evening. The predicted reversed pattern for the evening-types did not reach significance. Null effects were reported for the arousal and submissive/dominance dimensions of emotional state. Morning-types rated themselves as more awake than evening-types. Morning-types were more awake in the morning than in the evening and vice-versa for evening-types. The magnitude of the differences between evening-type and morning-type individuals was significant in the morning. Findings are discussed from methodological, theoretical, and marketing perspectives.
Effects of Aging and Reduced Relative Frequency of Knowledge of Results on Learning a Motor Skill
Authors: Wishart Laurie R. , Lee Timothy D.
Published: August 2011

Although there is evidence for age-related changes in both cognition and motor control, very little is known about the effect of age on learning of new motor skills. The present experiment addressed the interaction between aging and the role of knowledge of results (KR) on a motor learning task. Using a three-segment task on which each segment had specific timing goals, three different manipulations of relative frequency of information about performance were compared in younger and older adults. The three conditions were (a) 100% KR in which information about performance on each segment was provided after every trial, (b) 67% KR in which the performance information was faded over trials, and (c) 67% KR in which the performance information was faded over the segments within each trial. Following 90 acquisition trials, all subjects performed retention, transfer, and reacquisition tests. There were age-related differences for movement accuracy and consistency on acquisition and on the retention tests but not on the transfer test. However, none of these differences interacted with the frequency of KR manipulations. Surprisingly, there was no effect due to the fading schedules of KR. In general, these results indicated that younger and older adults use KR in a similar way to learn a motor skill.