bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Questions for Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sohn David
Published: August 2011

In spite of an abundance of data, the empirical evidence as yet does not make clear whether meta-analysis will bring about progress in psychological science. Therefore, it is still useful and desirable to engage in rational analysis of the methodology. Such analysis is done in the present essay by posing five questions that go to the logical and conceptual foundation of meta-analysis. The questions are (a) What are the grounds for believing that the review of the literature, even a quantitative one, will bring about scientific discovery? (b) Why is the individual study devalued when the history of successful science seems largely the story of the success of the individual study? (c) What is the rationale for believing that data analysis by itself can markedly improve the fortunes of psychological science? (d) Is there a basis for claims made on behalf of meta-analysis that it is more accurate than either the traditional literature review or the individual study? (e) Is there justification for the claim that de facto meta-analysis has been used effectively in physical science?
Teachers' Ratings of Nursery Class Children's Behaviour before and after Availability of Television by Satellite
Authors: Charlton Tony , Coles David , Lovemore Tessa
Published: August 2011

Teachers rated children's behaviour in two nursery class cohorts on St. Helena, South Atlantic Ocean. Ratings were obtained for the 1993 cohort ( n = 54) prior to the availability of satellite television and the 1995 cohort ( n = 57) after the introduction of television. Analysis showed some reductions in ratings of children's adaptive behaviour after the availability of television.
Occupational Stress among Secretarial Personnel at the University of Transkei
Authors: Mwamwenda Tuntufye S.
Published: August 2011

The objective was to explore how much 22 secretarial personnel (M age = 36.0 yr., SD = 4.8 yr.) at the University of Transkei, 14 of whom were unmarried, experienced stress in their work. Scores on a 20-item questionnaire indicated no occupational stress.
Coping and Mood in HIV-Positive Women
Authors: Siegel Karolynn , Gluhoski Vicki L. , Karus Daniel
Published: August 2011

To date, little empirical research on the association of coping style with mood in HIV-positive women has been carried out. The extant literature on HIV-positive men suggests that active coping is related to diminished distress while avoidant coping is associated with elevated distress. Previous research with HIV-positive women has not consistently confirmed these relationships. To add to this literature, scores from a sample of 145 HIV-positive women who completed the Ways of Coping Questionnaire and the Mental Health Inventory were analyzed. Correlations indicated that an escape-avoidance strategy was associated with more negative emotions. Other strategies related to negative emotions included accepting responsibility and a self-controlling approach. These findings are consistent with those previously reported for HIV-positive men, suggesting that similar kinds of coping strategies may be associated with positive and negative moods among HIV-positive men and women.
Sex Differences on the MMPI-1 and MMPI-2
Authors: Gumbiner Jann , Flowers John
Published: August 2011

This study compared sex differences on the MMPI-2 to those previously found on the MMPI-1. Statistically significant differences were found with men (n = 66) showing higher mean raw scale scores on antisocial (men = 10.00, women = 7.15), authority problems (men = 4.58, women = 3.14), admission of addiction (men = 3.58, women = 2.74), amorality (men = 2.30, women = 1.61), and Type A (men = 8.24, women = 7.71). Women ( n= 132) showed higher mean raw scale scores on Hypochondriasis, Depression, Hysteria, Paranoia, Depression subscale, N affection, Health Concerns, and Somatic Complaints. With a few exceptions, these general patterns are consistent with previous research.
Self-Reinforcement, Gender-Role, and Sex of Participant in Prediction of Life Satisfaction
Authors: Seybolt Diana C. , Wagner Mervyn K.
Published: August 2011

There have been conflicting results regarding sex differences and gender role in predicting life satisfaction and no research assessing the relationship between life satisfaction and self-reinforcement. These relationships were evaluated by administering to 182 undergraduates the Bern Sex Role Inventory, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Frequency of Self-reinforcement Questionnaire. A regression analysis showed significant effects for self-reinforcement and gender role in the prediction of life satisfaction. No main effect was found for sex of participant and there were no significant interactions. Scores on measures of self-reinforcement and life satisfaction were moderately correlated.
Perceived Sources of Loneliness of Incarcerated Men
Authors: Rokach Ami , Koledin Spomenka
Published: August 2011

The present study examined the influence of incarceration on sources of loneliness. It was hypothesized that incarcerated offenders would perceive the causes of their loneliness differently than a general population sample. 145 male offenders and 112 men from the general population who were recruited on a voluntary basis, reported the sources of their loneliness on a 15-item (yes/no) questionnaire. Analysis indicated a significant difference in the perceived sources of loneliness amongst the two populations. Also duration of loneliness, i.e., chronic vs episodic, was associated with perception of its causes.
Social Drinking and Laughter
Authors: Lowe Geoff , Britton R. , Carpenter E. , Clayton H. Castle C. , Hulme C. , Mara D. , Ormerod J.
Published: August 2011

Pairs of observers monitored drinking and laughter in groups of social drinkers ( N = 56). A significant correlation of .27 was found between units of alcohol consumed and laughter scores.
Gender and Marital Satisfaction: A Replication Using a Seven-Point Item Response Version of the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale
Authors: Schumm Walter R. , Bollman Stephan R. , Jurich Anthony P.
Published: August 2011

In a subsample of married individuals, 97 married men and 154 married women, who had participated in a larger study of retention of church members, an effect size of 0.28 was found between gender and marital satisfaction as measured by the standard 21-point, three-item Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale. The results are consistent with previous reports of a gender effect associated with marital satisfaction, including an analysis of another subsample of the same larger study in which a 15-point version of the scale was used.
A Short Scale of Economic Conservatism
Authors: Henningham J. P.
Published: August 2011

Previous measures of economic conservatism can be considered dated in the wake of the collapse of communist systems and the embrace of free market policies by social democrat political parties, arguably reflecting rejection of many left-Liberal positions. Testing of a traditionally worded 20-item scale of economic values on an Australian sample of 260 indicates poor reliability (alpha = .53), apparently because many items do not reflect contemporary ideological differences. Higher reliability (alpha = .65) is found in a two-factor eight-item scale involving attitudes to political action and social welfare. The short scale correlates significantly with other measures of conservatism (Pearson r with declared political leaning = .26, r with social conservatism .48).
Modern Astrology: A Critique
Authors: Kelly I. W.
Published: August 2011

Astrology, as presently practiced (in either its traditional or psychological form), has no relevance to understanding ourselves or our place in the cosmos. Modern advocates of astrology cannot account for the underlying basis of astrological associations with terrestrial affairs, have no plausible explanation for its claims, and have not contributed anything of cognitive value to any field of the social sciences. Further, astrology does not have the theoretical or conceptual resources to resolve its own internal problems adequately or external anomalies or to adjudicate among conflicting astrological claims or systems.
Concept MAP as Scaffolding for Authentic Assessment
Authors: Suen Hoi K. , Sonak Brian , Zimmaro Dawn , Roberts Dennis M.
Published: August 2011

We propose the use of concept maps in a 3-step assessment design to maximize the validity and generalizability of authentic assessments.
Patients' Task-Orientation and Perceived Benefit of Amplification in Hearing-Impaired Elderly Persons
Authors: Taylor Kenya S. , Jurma William E.
Published: August 2011

This study investigated the reported handicap of 50 elderly hearing-impaired patients who were classified as high or low in task-orientation. Measures of perceived handicap were taken when subjects were fitted with hearing aids and three months later. Analysis indicated that subjects classified as both high and low on task-orientation reported significant increases in their hearing impairment at 3 mo., but subjects classified as high on task-orientation reported significantly less handicap than subjects classified as low.
Dyskinesias Subside off All Medication in a Boy with Autistic Disorder and Severe Mental Retardation
Authors: Brasić James Robert , Barnett Jacqueline Y. , Aisemberg Patricia , Ahn Seok Cheol , Nadrich Robert H. , Kaplan Diana , Ahmad Raheela , Mendonça Maria DE Fatima
Published: August 2011

A boy with autistic disorder and severe mental retardation developed severe dyskinesias, including objective akathisia (probable) and tics, a month after discontinuation of at least two years of treatment with drugs that block dopamine receptors. These dyskinesias greatly subsided during a 17-wk. open-label nonblind clinical trial of clomipramine, and returned transiently when the parents abruptly discontinued clomipramine. However, the dyskinesias gradually subsided during two and a half years of follow-up with the boy being off all medication. A few stereotypies remain. We believe this suggests the hypothesis that movement disorders, such as withdrawal and tardive akathisia and tics, occurring in boys with autistic disorder treated with dopamine receptor-blocking drugs may subside months or years after discontinuation of the agents and that clomipramine may facilitate this process. We also hypothesize that some boys with autistic disorder and mental retardation exhibit fewer movement disorders, fewer psychiatric symptoms, and better over-all functioning after they have received no dopamine receptor-blocking drugs for several months, and this improvement continues years after the medication has ceased.
Achromatic Visual Backward Masking of Colored Stimuli in Type I Diabetes
Authors: Muise J. Gérard , Blanchard Lynne , Desrosiers Marc , Caissie David , Watier Christian , Pelletier Justin
Published: August 2011

On a visual backward masking task using color stimuli with an achromatic patterned mask, we compared the masking performances of 3 Type I diabetics with those of 9 participants in a control group. Analysis indicated that the diabetics show a marked decrement in performance with blue stimuli and a lesser decrement with red stimuli. Suggestions for further theoretical and parametric studies are discussed.
Locus of Control of Smokers, Nonsmokers, and Nonpractising Smokers
Authors: Molloy G. N. , Wolstencroft K. , King N.J. , Lowe A. R. , Gardner P. L. , Rowley G. L. , Molloy Elizabeth K. , Murphy G. C.
Published: August 2011

In this survey, score analyses of 123 male and female respondents, ages 21 to 33 years, yielded no significant differences between either sex and smokers versus nonsmokers on Rotter's locus of control scale. Of particular interest was that nonpractising smokers (quitters) scored more internal than either smokers or nonsmokers.
Comparison of Scores on the MMPI-A and MMPI-2 for Young Adults
Authors: Gumbiner Jann
Published: August 2011

Male college students' profiles look more pathological on the adult version of the MMPI than on the adolescent version. In the present study, men showed elevated scores on the F, Pa, and Sc scales on the MMPI-2. In contrast, women's profiles were more normal on the adult version. When designing the MMPI-A, the authors attempted to maintain correspondence with the original MMPI and the MMPI-2 so the scales could be interpreted similarly, This study compared scores on the MMPI-A and MMPI-2 by administering both tests to the same subjects (N = 43; 19 men and 24 women). Validity and standard scale scores were compared using Pearson product-moment correlations ( r), T-score means and standard deviations, and average profiles. Codetype comparisons were also made. In general, MMPI-A and MMPI-2 codetype analyses did not agree. The codetype approach is not recommended for interpretation of the MMPI-A. The finding that young college men show elevated scores on MMPI-2 scales is consistent with previous research and suggests that the MMPI-A may be a useful tool for 18-yr.-old men.
Alternative Family Structures: A Career Advantage?
Authors: Burke Ronald J.
Published: August 2011

This research examined the presence of homemakers among spouses of men and women at four hierarchical levels within a single large professional services firm. Men at the most senior level were significantly more likely to have spouses as homemakers than were men at lower levels and women at any hierarchical level. Men were generally more likely than women to have spouses as homemakers, thus family structures may create potential career disadvantages for women.
Loneliness and Sexual Risk Behavior in Gay Men
Authors: Martin James I. , Knox Jo
Published: August 2011

This study examined loneliness in a sample of gay men and its association with unprotected anal intercourse, social support, instability of self-esteem, intimacy, and coping. A sample of 470 urban gay men completed a self-administered questionnaire. Participants scored high on Loneliness in comparison to other samples. Measures of Intimacy, Social Support, Instability of Self-esteem, monogamous relationship status, and use of Avoidance Coping predicted 58.5% of the variance in Loneliness scores. Both social and psychological variables appear to be important for understanding loneliness in this population. Men who had unprotected anal intercourse with nonprimary partners during the previous six months scored higher on Loneliness than other participants, but those who did so with primary partners scored the lowest Episodes of unprotected anal intercourse with nonprimary partners might have been Avoidance strategies to help participants cope with loneliness or other negative affect.
Organizational Hierarchy and Cultural Values
Authors: Burke Ronald J.
Published: August 2011

This study examined the relationship of organizational hierarchy and aspects of cultural values within a single large professional services firm. Four levels were considered: partners, managers, professional field staff, and secretarial support staff. The importance, presence, and gap between importance and presence of ten cultural values served as dependent variables. The highest and lowest hierarchical levels had more favorable opinions on the importance and presence of these cultural values. Implications for service to clients are drawn.
Duty-Related Stressors and PTSD Symptoms in Suburban Police Officers
Authors: Robinson Holly M. , Sigman Melissa R. , Wilson John P.
Published: August 2011

This study examined the effects of duty-related stress on police officers. Using a sample of 100 suburban police officers, an anonymous questionnaire requested demographic information and included a measure of duty-related stressors, SCL-90–R, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder scale of the Impact of Events Scale-Revised, and a locus of control scale. Also assessed was whether Critical Incident Stress Debriefing was experienced. The results showed significant correlations between scores on duty-related stress, somatization, and symptoms of PTSD. 13% of the sample met the DSM-IV (1994) diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Results of the regression analysis showed the best predictors for the diagnosis of PTSD were associated with the factor of Exposure to Death and Life Threat, which corresponds to the DSM-IV AI criteria. Finally, 63% of the respondents stated that a critical incident debriefing would be beneficial following an extremely stressful event related to duty.
External Attributions for Success and Avoidance of Failure
Authors: Thompson Ted
Published: August 2011

This study investigated the attributions of failure-avoidant students in response to success and failure outcomes. Failure-avoidant students are those who strive to avoid the negative implications of failure in terms of damage to self-esteem. These students were identified on the basis of poor performance following failure and improved performance after being given a face-saving excuse. Failure-avoidant students were found to attribute success externally more than several other performance groups identified through the experimental manipulation used to identify failure-avoidant students. This finding points to a factor which may be involved in the development and maintenance of performance-limiting behaviours associated with fear of failure. This factor should be considered in intervention programs which assist these students in realising their potential for achievement.
Assessing Thinking Styles in the Theory of Mental Self-Government: A Hong Kong Validity Study
Authors: Zhang Li-Fang , Sachs John
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the appropriateness in a non-Western context of the Thinking Styles Inventory and Sternberg's underlying theory of mental self-government. The way to achieve this goal was through analyzing data collected from 88 Hong Kong postsecondary students. The results indicated that the scales were reasonably reliable, and factor analysis of the scales was fairly encouraging. The discrepancy found in the number of dimensions of thinking between the current study and what underlies the inventory may represent the participants being ‘tested’ in their second language. The theory's underlying assumptions that thinking styles are socialized and that developmental changes in stylistic preference should show significant effects of age and college class were supported by group differences in certain thinking styles on such variables as sex, college major, subject area taught, age, and college class.
Interactions of Intolerance of Ambiguity and of Contingent Liability on Auditors' Avoidance of Litigation
Authors: Majid Abdul , Pragasam John
Published: August 2011

90 practicing auditors were given identical sets of financial statements except for the amount of contingent liability which was varied independently over three amounts of $50,000, $500,000, and $1 million Based on this information, they were to indicate on a 7-point rating scale anchored by 1 (little likelihood) to 7 (great likelihood), their likelihood of issuing an unqualified, i.e., clean, report. 65 useable responses were received. In accordance with the theory of tolerance for ambiguity, it was hypothesized that auditors who were rated on the MacDonald AT-20 scale as being intolerant of ambiguity would have less preference for an unqualified audit report at higher amounts of contingent liability than auditors who were rated as being tolerant of ambiguity. A between-subjects analysis of variance showed that the auditors' tolerance for ambiguity interacted with different amounts of contingent liability to affect the likelihood of their issuing an unqualified report. Implications in terms of auditors' avoidance of litigation by the client are also discussed.
Perceptions of Organizational Politics and Subsequent Behaviors
Authors: Valle Matthew
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that increases in perceptions of organizational politics are associated with increases in the frequency and type of subsequent political behaviors. Regression analysis using data from 260 full-time employees indicated that the frequency of proactive and reactive political behaviors would increase for those individuals who perceived greater politics in their organization.
Psychology of Computer Use: XLVIII: Relation between Playfulness and Computer Anxiety
Authors: Bozionelos Nicholas , Bozionelos George
Published: August 2011

Correlations between scores for computer anxiety and for playfulness were investigated ( N = 265). Scores on computer anxiety correlated negatively with overall scores on the playfulness scale and the factors, Fun and Creative. Only the correlation with scores on Creative remained significant when control for computer experience was imposed. The results imply that playfulness relates to computer anxiety indirectly through its relation with computer experience. The implications of the results for the validity of the Adult Playfulness Scale are briefly discussed.
Domestic Integration and Suicide Rates in the Provinces of Canada
Authors: Lester David
Published: August 2011

In the Canadian provinces from 1960 to 1985, the over-all Canadian divorce rate was a strong predictor of the provincial time-series suicide rates, while marriage, birth and unemployment rates were not.
Parental Bonding and Religiosity in Young Adulthood
Authors: Gnaulati Enrico , Heine Barbara J.
Published: August 2011

85 male and 122 female college students completed the Parental Bonding Instrument, provided written descriptions of both parents, and rated themselves on two religiosity questions. The descriptions were assessed for level of acceptance of parental imperfections using the scoring criteria from the De-illusionment subscale of the Thematic Patterning Scale of Object Representations. Participants scoring low in maternal De-illusionment as well as high in maternal Care and Overprotection tended to perceive God as an omnipotent protector and provider. There were no significant effects for any of the paternal bonding variables. Results suggest that religiosity in young adulthood may arise out of variations in maternal bonding.
An Exploratory Study of Task Order in Computer Test Batteries
Authors: Czarnolewski Mark , Eliot John , Rinehart Jennifer
Published: August 2011

Two of four possible tasks requiring judgments of Same or Different and which previously were administered in a between-subjects design were presented in a balanced incomplete block design to 48 undergraduate women. The relative difficulty among the four tasks was similar; however, task orders, i.e., subjects being administered one RT task before or after another, produced dissimilar decision strategies by subjects for the four tasks. Results suggest differential effects of task order in computer tests.
Holistic Stress Test: Stress and Coping Correlates of Age, Education, and Sex
Authors: Short Gola James
Published: August 2011

The Holistic Stress Test has subscales reflecting sources of stress and coping styles identified in the literature. This study presents associations of demographic variables with measures of stress and coping style in univariate fashion for 191 men and 61 women.
Preferred Interaction Styles of Managers of Different Status
Authors: Shouksmith George
Published: August 2011

Members of three levels of management from a major New Zealand manufacturing organization rated their preferred participative or decision-making styles: Tough Battler, Friendly Helper or Logical Thinker. A two-way analysis of variance indicated a significant simple effect establishing logical thinking as the over-all preferred style and an interactive effect between selected style and the status of the manager. When major problems or conflicts have to be dealt with, top management become tough battlers, whereas junior managers respond by being friendly helpers
Media Messages and Alcohol Education: A School-Based Study
Authors: Guild Tracy , Lowe Geoff
Published: August 2011

The immediate effects of a media intervention on attitudes toward alcohol were investigated with 134 secondary school pupils (aged 13 to 17 years) who completed a drinking and smoking questionnaire and expressed strength of agreement or disagreement with 13 statements about alcohol, drinking and health. Pupils then read news cuttings from popular magazines. One group read a negative message about alcohol, another group a positive message. Other groups read both positive and negative messages, and a control group had no media intervention. Immediately afterwards, all pupils responded to the same 13 statements again. Those pupils who received only a negative message became significantly more negative in their attitudes towards alcohol. Those receiving only a positive message were significantly more positive afterwards. The control group and those receiving both positive and negative messages showed little change. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for alcohol education programs at school.
Irrational Beliefs and Marital Conflict
Authors: Mouller André T. , De Beer Z. C.
Published: August 2011

To test the hypothesis that the major irrational evaluative beliefs postulated by Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy are related to marital conflict, 15 married couples participated in a thought-listing procedure. During this procedure, three idiosyncratic scenes portraying marital conflict and three control scenes free of conflict were identified for and presented to each member of the dyad. Analysis indicated that the conflict-portraying scenes were associated with significantly more irrational evaluative beliefs and significantly fewer rational cognitions than the control scenes.
Role-Play Gamers and National Guardsmen Compared
Authors: Rosenthal Gary T. , Soper Barlow , Folse Earl J. , Whipple Gary J.
Published: August 2011

Scores of 54 fantasy role-game players and 64 National Guardsmen were compared on a neuroticism scale and demographic variables. While the Role-gamers reported daydreaming and sleeping more than the Guardsmen, the popular stereotype that game players are withdrawn, emotionally immature adolescents was not confirmed. The typical game player was male with as many close friends as the guardsmen. Mean neuroticism scores did not appear to differ between the two groups and were not high enough to be considered clinically significant.
Personification of Death in Ghanaian Death Notices
Authors: Alali A. Odasuo , Adjaye Sophia A.
Published: August 2011

Analysis of content of death notices (obituaries, in memoriams, and funeral announcements) may offer some explanation of how Ghanaians express their feelings about the death of loved ones and the meanings they assign to death and dying. Analysis of 371 death notices selected from two widely read Ghanaian newspapers, the Daily Graphic and the Ghanaian Times yielded six thematic expressions about death and dying: death is personified as cold and unfeeling and described as an ongoing painful experience; the deceased is described as beloved, devoted, and valued. Death notices indicate impending restructured roles and social relationships survivors face; the image and personality of the deceased are included; and the availability and proximity of the deceased's next of kin can be inferred. The findings add to the literature on (1) cultural attitudes toward death and (2) how death is managed and feelings about death and dying are expressed.
Symptomatology and Insight in Schizophrenia
Authors: Schwartz Robert C.
Published: August 2011

The phenomenon of poor insight of clients with schizophrenia has recently received a great deal of attention; however, the relationship of the symptoms of illness and of poor insight is not fully understood. This study examined the relationship between ratings of symptomatology and ratings of insight deficits for 64 clients with schizophrenia. Symptomatology and insight were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Over-all functioning was evaluated using the Global Assessment of Functioning scale. Ratings on positive symptomatology were significantly related to ratings of poor insight. As ratings of poor insight increased, ratings on severity of positive symptoms, for example, delusions and hallucinations, also increased. Implications of this finding are discussed.
Silencing the Self and Sex as Predictors of Achievement Motivation
Authors: Spratt Christina L. , Sherman Martin F. , Gilroy Faith D.
Published: August 2011

This study was conducted to provide further validation for the Silencing the Self Scale and to assess the relationship between scores on self-silencing, sex, and achievement motivation. In addition the present study tested whether sex would moderate the relationship between self-silencing and achievement motivation. For the sample of 113 community college participants, 85 women and 28 men, a significant relationship between scores on self-silencing and achievement motivation was found for both men and women. Sex did not moderate the relationship, nor were differences found between men and women on self-silencing or on achievement motivation.
Internal Consistency of an Arabic Adaptation of the Beck Depression Inventory in Four Arab Countries
Authors: Abdel-Khalek Ahmed M.
Published: August 2011

An Arabic version of the revised edition of the Beck Depression Inventory in its complete form was developed. Back translation indicated the translation into modern standard Arabic was adequate. The cross-language equivalence of scores on the Arabic and English forms was .96, denoting high equivalence in meaning. Coefficients alpha were computed for samples of male and female undergraduates recruited from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Lebanon ( ns = 100, 80, 100, 100, respectively). Values of alpha were .77, .82, .89, and .67, respectively. By and large, the inventory seems viable in the Arabic context so its use in cross-cultural research may be explored.
Evidence of Reliability and Validity for Wise's Attitude toward Statistics Scale
Authors: Shultz Kenneth S. , Koshino Hideya
Published: August 2011

Reliability and validity evidence as well as normative data are provided for Wise's 1985 Attitudes Toward Statistics scale for 36 undergraduate and 38 graduate psychology students. In general, the two subscales of Field and Course appear to be reliable and valid measures of these students' attitudes toward statistics. In addition, normative data suggest different norms should be used for graduate and undergraduate students. Replication is needed.
Relations among Mock Jurors' Attitudes, Trial Evidence, and Their Selections of an Insanity Defense Verdict: A Path Analytic Approach
Authors: Poulson Ronald L. , Brown Henry , Brondino Michael J. , Braithwaite Ronald L.
Published: August 2011

This study examined an important question relevant to the domain of the insanity defense: What are the interrelationships among important evidential and attitudinal factors which influence how jurors decide their final verdicts? To answer this question, a mock trial in which the insanity defense was argued was presented to 224 college undergraduates by means of an audiotape and slide show. Following the presentation, participants were asked to answer a series of questions regarding the trial. A path model was specified with four evidential factors as endogenous variables, i.e., evaluation of the defendant's mental status, belief that the defendant could be rehabilitated, beliefs regarding the accuracy of the expert witnesses, and mock-jurors' predeliberation verdicts. In addition, three attitudinal factors were specified as exogenous variables, i.e., attitudes toward the insanity defense, attitudes towards due process vs crime control, and attitudes towards the death penalty. The path model was consistent with previous literature, suggesting that jurors' attitudes toward the death penalty and the insanity defense had a direct effect on how they evaluated the accuracy of the expert testimony and their evaluation of the defendant's over-all mental status. In turn, mock jurors' evaluations of the defendant's mental status had a direct effect on their selections of verdict. Importantly, mock jurors' evaluations of the evidential factors, particularly the mental status of the defendant, were a stronger predictor of their selections of verdict than were their initial attitudes.
Age, Sex, Marital Status and Suicide: An Empirical Study of East and West
Authors: Yip Paul S. F.
Published: August 2011

The relationships among age, sex, marital status and suicidal behaviour in Australia and Hong Kong showed disparity in age-specific suicide rates among the four marital status groups, never married, married, widowed and divorced, for both sexes in the two locations. Examining the coefficients of preservation suggested the coefficient for never married to married in all cases was larger than 1, except for the groups of teenagers aged 15–19 years for both sexes and of elderly women aged 60 years or over in Hong Kong. The widowed or divorced groups have lower suicide rates than the married women among the elderly in Hong Kong. Hong Kong women seem not to have been benefited in marriage as much as men. Responsibility and workload in married life rather than low social status are the likely reasons for the relative high female suicide rate in Hong Kong. Possible cultural and environmental factors which are somewhat speculative (yet to be confirmed) are discussed.
General Attitudes toward and Knowledge about the Importance of Ocean Life
Authors: Kidd Aline H. , Kidd Robert M.
Published: August 2011

To evaluate the amount of awareness and quality of knowledge about ocean life the average American possesses 100 men and 100 women were asked what they knew about the importance of the oceans, their attitudes toward protection of marine life and oceanic ecology, and their sources of information regarding oceans. 98% believed that oceans are necessary for human survival and 92% believed that marine life was essential to the over-all ecology. 89% believed that dumping and toxic pollution almost irreparably harm marine life and that such practices must be stopped. 48% obtained their information about the oceans from formal educational programs and 95% from popular movies and documentary video programs. These data indicate that adults are quite aware of the continuing problems which threaten the survival of ocean life, although few have any suggestions about solving such problems.
Depressive Experience and Romantic Relationships in Young Adulthood
Authors: Morrison Thomas L. , Urquiza Anthony J. , Goodlin-Jones Beth L.
Published: August 2011

This study examined the associations between two factors of depressive experience (dependency and self-criticism) and satisfaction in adult romantic relationships. The Depressive Experiences Questionnaire, along with measures of attachment and relationship satisfaction, were administered to 107 men and 140 women attending local community colleges. Self-criticism was associated with global relationship distress and sexual dissatisfaction. In a combined regression equation, measures of self-criticism, attachment security, and attachment activation all contributed to predicting general relationship distress. Only scores on self-criticism predicted sexual dissatisfaction. The relationship dissatisfaction reported by those with high scores on self-criticism appears to be a relational aspect of the “destructiveness of perfectionism” described by Blatt.
Suicide in Singapore by Ethnic Group, 1955–1984
Authors: Lester David
Published: August 2011

The association between measures of domestic integration and suicide rates for Singapore for 1955–1984 was found for Indians and “others'” but not for Chinese and Malays.
Development of the Alexithymia Scale for Children: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Fukunishi Isao , Yoshida Hiromichi , Wogan James
Published: August 2011

The Alexithymia Scale for Children-Teacher Form was developed with a sample of 286 elementary schoolchildren. The validity and reliability of the measure were supported by factor analytic structure, relatively high internal consistency, test-retest correlation over 2 mo., and correlations of .24 to .39 with scores on the Yatabe-Guilford Personality Test. Factor analysis yielded two factors related to alexithymia, Difficulty in Describing Feelings and Difficulty Relating to Others. Alexithymia constructs such as a paucity of fantasy life and externally oriented thinking were not recorded.
Differences in Crisis-Management Strategies in Tourism in the United States and Spain
Authors: González-Herrero Alfonso , Pratt Cornelius B.
Published: August 2011

This study compared strategies used by communications and marketing directors in the tourism industries of the United States and Spain to avert or to respond to crises. Analysis indicated that the 88 U.S. directors were significantly better prepared to manage crises than were their 70 Spanish peers.
Alcohol Consumption and Sexual Victimization among College Women
Authors: Gross William C. , Billingham Robert E.
Published: August 2011

842 women enrolled in large health classes offered at a midwestern university completed a health survey from which report of both the women's drinking behavior and their experience with sexual victimization could be excerpted. Both correlations and analysis of variance indicated an association between the amount of alcohol the women reported drinking each week and their over-all experiences with sexual coercion.
Undergraduate Men's and Women's Responses to Positive and Negative Feedback about Academic Performance
Authors: Lundgren David C. , Sampson Elaine Byram , Cahoon Melissa Berry
Published: August 2011

Similarities and differences between the sexes in response to evaluative feedback about academic performance were examined from a symbolic interactionist standpoint. Undergraduate men's and women's ( ns = 117 and 123) affective reactions and tendencies to accept high and low course grades were compared Women and men were similar in assimilation of positive feedback and rejection of negative feedback. Only women showed significant relationships of scores on self-esteem with positive affective responses and rated acceptance of positive feedback.
Nonsense Syllables in Associative Recognition Tasks: Implications for Global Memory Models
Authors: Kaschak Michael P. , Charnetski Carl J.
Published: August 2011

Recent research into global memory models has focused on gaining empirical support for the predictions these models make. Clark and his colleagues produced no conditions in which a test item and a distractor shared a common component within a number of experiments using an associative recognition task and have reasoned that recall might play a role in the task. This experiment used nonsense syllables to reduce further the role of recall in the associative recognition task and produce the predicted advantage from overlap. The manipulations produced equal performance between test conditions (overlapping vs nonoverlapping) and superior performance on a long list versus a short list, i.e., a negative list-length effect. The implications of these findings for various global memory models are discussed.
Descriptions of Sexual Content and Ratings of Movie Preference
Authors: Bahk C. Mo
Published: August 2011

A total of 109 college students read one of the two versions of a movie guide with brief narrative descriptions of 12 movies. Sexual content was manipulated by having only one version of the movie guide contain a categorical rating of ‘nudity’ or ‘sexuality’ for each movie. Analysis indicated that simply announcing the presence of sexual content in R-rated movies may increase the preferences of college students, particularly of female students.
A Fortran Program for Permutation Covariate Analyses of Residuals Based on Euclidean Distance
Authors: Berry Kenneth J. , Mielke Paul W.
Published: August 2011

A FORTRAN program is presented to analyze the results of experimental designs. A Euclidean distance permutation procedure is used to evaluate residuals obtained from least sum of absolute deviations regression. Applications include completely randomized and randomized block configurations including one-way, factorial, split plot, and Latin square designs, with or without covariates.
Helplessness and Depression
Authors: Ozment John M. , Lester David
Published: August 2011

In a sample of 45 undergraduates, depression scores were strongly associated with feelings of helplessness.
Gender Differences in Love, Sex, and Motivation for Sex
Authors: Murstein Bernard I , Tuerkheimer Alan
Published: August 2011

In 1989 Sprague and Quadagno reported a significant interaction between sex and age for “motive for sexual intercourse” (affection-closeness vs physical release). Young men exceeded women in physical release as primary motive for sex, but women exceeded men in this choice at an older age. We conducted a modified replication, and we also studied Rubin's Love Scale, sexual interest, frequency of sexual arousal, and sexual enjoyment. Analysis did not confirm the earlier findings. For 60 men and 60 women differences were found for sexual interest, frequency of sexual arousal, and sexual enjoyment, with men scoring higher. Scores on Rubin's Love Scale did not differentiate the sexes.
Relationship between Private Self-Consciousness and Indices of Reliability and Homogeneity
Authors: Scandell Donald J.
Published: August 2011

Previous research has shown that scores on private self-consciousness were related to increased test-retest reliability and internal consistency of responses. To extend these findings to other measures, split-half reliability and Cronbach alpha 84 women and 27 men completed the Self-consciousness Scale and the NEO-Five Factor Inventory. It was hypothesized that subjects scoring high in private self-consciousness would show greater split-half reliability and homogeneity. The results did not support the hypotheses as scores for private self-consciousness were not significantly related to split-half reliability or homogeneity on the NEO-Five Factor Inventory. The present results, combined with previous findings, suggest that private self-consciousness is related to temporal stability of test scores but not to estimates of reliability associated with parallel forms of a test or to internal consistency.
Dependence on Computer Games by Adolescents
Authors: Griffiths Mark D. , Hunt Nigel
Published: August 2011

As computer game playing is a popular activity among adolescents, a questionnaire study was undertaken with 387 adolescents (12–16 years of age) to establish their “dependence” using a scale adapted from the DSM-III-R criteria for pathological gambling. Analysis indicated that one in five adolescents were currently “dependent” upon computer games. Boys played significantly more regularly than girls and were more likely to be classified as “dependent.” The earlier children began playing computer games it appeared the more likely they were to be playing at “dependent” levels. These and other results are discussed in relation to research on other gaming dependencies.
Self-Defeating Personality and Social Intimacy
Authors: McCutcheon Lynn E.
Published: August 2011

The Self-defeating Personality Scale and a modified version of the Miller Social Intimacy Scale were given to 98 men ( Mage = 403) and 104 ( Mage = 40.0) women to validate criterion seven (rejects people who consistently treat him/her well) of the former. Both the correlation between the full scale scores and those for the Miller scale and the correlation between Muller scores and scores on criterion seven of the Self-defeating Scale were nonsignificant Cronbach α was .51.
Validation Study of the Motivation for Occupational Choice Scale
Authors: Davis Tammy J. , Schwarz Andrew , Carraher S.
Published: August 2011

With a sample of 332 employed adults we tested the factor structure of a 29-item scale proposed by Davis in 1987 to measure seven factors. While Davis's work did not support that structure, with the use of confirmatory factor analysis we found support for a seven-factor structure over that of a six-factor structure
Modus Operandi of Female Serial Killers
Authors: Wilson Wayne , Hilton Tonya
Published: August 2011

The modus operandi of female serial killers was examined from a chronology of 58 cases in America and 47 cases in 17 other countries, compiled over 25-year intervals. Female serial killers in other countries accounted for a disproportionately greater number of victims, but those in America managed a longer killing career when associated with a low profile modus operandi.
Effects of a Course in Ethics on Self-Rated and Actual Knowledge of Undergraduate Psychology Majors
Authors: LaCour Jean , Lewis Diane M.
Published: August 2011

99 undergraduates from a large public university who had ( n = 47) and had not ( n = 52) completed a course in ethics were compared on self-ratings of knowledge of ethics in psychology as well as actual knowledge. The group that had taken a prior class obtained significantly higher mean total scores on both tests. Both groups obtained significantly higher mean scores on self-ratings than on actual knowledge. The findings suggested that undergraduate training in ethical issues for psychology majors is useful but the tendency for students to believe that they knew more than they actually did was cause for concern.
MMPI Diagnostic Classification of Substance Abusers of the 1970s
Authors: Patalano Frank
Published: August 2011

Retrospective analysis of the MMPI profiles of 160 substance abusers tested in the 1970s showed that 54% were classified as showing signs of characterological disorder, 32% thinking disturbance, and 9% emotional disturbance. Four percent of the profiles were asymptomatic. These findings are presented both to confirm the wider variety of psychopathology in substance abusers of the 1970s than earlier and to provide current researchers with comparative data.
Contributions to the History of Psychology: CX. Joseph Addison's Observations on Animal Behavior
Authors: Standing Lionel G.
Published: August 2011

Extracts from the eighteenth century writings of Joseph Addison are presented to show his empirical, deductive approach to the study of animal behavior. The topics examined by Addison include the experimental distinction between instinctive and learned behavior, internal and external control of behavior, the survival value of instinct, parental behavior, animal societies, communication, the relationship between behavior patterns and body structures, species-specific releasing mechanisms, the ethogram, and the existence of a comprehensive phylogenetic scale. Addison's conceptual framework, save that it does not recognize evolutionary change, includes many major concepts of mid-twentieth century ethology
Reports of Husband Battering from an Undergraduate Sample in Umtata
Authors: Mwamwenda Tuntufye S.
Published: August 2011

The objective of the present study was to explore the extent to which husband battering is practised among Xhosa-speaking women ( n = 138) and men ( n = 81) in Transkei. Analysis showed that husband battering is not an unknown sociological practice as a small number of women do in fact beat up their husbands. Contrary to conventional and cultural knowledge wife battering is not a one-way phenomenon although it is practised more widely.
Why Astrology Doesn't Work
Authors: Kelly I. W.
Published: August 2011

The survival and longevity of astrology has been dependent on an astrological community that will, under no circumstances, allow it to fail. Consequently, a large array of ad hoc hypotheses (escape routes) have been marshaled over the years to prevent contrary evidence from being used to confront central tenets of astrology. The result is a closed system with little, if any, empirical grounding. It is further argued that the fit of people to birth charts (horoscopes) lies in several unremarkable, lax rules of astrological interpretation.