bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factor Analysis of the Stern Activities Index
Authors: Stone Leroy A.
Published: September 2011

To provide published objective factor analytic information on the Activities Index (AI), data from 1568 freshmen at Kansas State University were used in two separate factor analyses (male and female). These analyses were based on the powered vector factor analysis method. Nine orthogonal factors emerged for male and 8 orthogonal for female Ss. Fairly large amounts of total common variance were accounted for by both analyses (63.5% for males and 56.9% for females). About half of Stern's factors (1963) reappeared in this study.
Effects of Food Deprivation and Methamphetamine on Fixed-Ratio Schedules of Intracranial Self-Stimulation
Authors: Elder S. Thomas , Montgomery Noel P. , Rye Merrill M.
Published: September 2011

Six rats were implanted with electrodes in the posterior medial forebrain area and trained to bar press for crf ICSS and then shifted to FR schedule of reinforcement. It was observed that Ss had to be “primed” on crf at the beginning of each session; FRs greater than 20 to 30 were not typical, but depriving S of food for 48 hr. increased the size of the terminal ratio; with injection of .3 mgm. methamphetamine, S would hold FR-110; and the contributing influence of long exposure co FR, food starvation, and methamphetamine are consistently reversible. It was concluded that the properties of FR ICSS controlled responding are in many respects unlike the behavioral characteristics of the same response class modified and sustained by FR application of more conventional rewards.
When Prophecy Pales: The Fate of Dissonance Theory
Authors: Weick Karl E.
Published: September 2011

This paper explored common objections to cognitive dissonance theory, propositions within the theory that have been neglected by critics, and issues within social psychology that have been sharpened by debate over dissonance theory. It is concluded that the theory elaborates one important class of quasi-logical constraints on thought processes, psychological implication, and that dissonance research is moving beyond demonstrations to more crucial issues such as exposure to information.
Environmentally Confined Groups on Semi-Starvation Diets
Authors: Hammes John A. , Watson James A. , Piercy Paul L. , Morgan H. C.
Published: September 2011

The nutritional adequacy of minimal food and water supplies stocked by the Office of Civil Defense in public fallout shelters was evaluated. For a 2-wk. confinement, blood tests and urine analysis were made on 30 healthy volunteers, men, women, and children, aged 9 to 67 yr. Results indicated the bulgur wafer was adequate in maintaining good physiological state under the conditions of the confinement test.
Sexual Appetite and Sexual Drive: A Reply
Authors: Hardy Kenneth R.
Published: September 2011

A reply is made to a critique of the author's previous paper, centering about two major issues: (1) theoretical precision and objectivity and (2) contamination of theory with values. Response is also given to a variety of specific criticisms.
Supra-Paragraph Prose Structure: Its Specification, Perception, and Effects on Learning
Authors: Lee Wayne
Published: September 2011

The problem of the specification of the molar, or supra-paragraph structure of a prose passage is discussed in terms of unity, sequence, and hierarchy. These ideas were used to generate passages having the same paragraph units but which were organized at different levels of structure. The method of specification was validated in terms of rated structure and effects on learning. The learning effects of level of structure depend on whether the test is for main parts abstraction, within paragraph detail, or rote; and on the mode of presentation, and part-whole level used.
Chance Success Due to Guessing and Non-Independence of True Scores and Error Scores in Multiple-Choice Tests: Computer Trials with Prepared Distributions
Authors: Zimmerman Donald W. , Williams Richard H.
Published: September 2011

The effect of chance success due to guessing upon the variance of multiple-choice test scores was estimated from prepared distributions of large numbers of scores. Each score consisted of an assumed “true score” component and an “error score” component generated by a computer. A large negative correlation was found between true scores and error scores and a positive correlation between error scores and error scores. The equation showing reliability in terms of components of variance was derived under the more restrictive assumption that there is a correlation between true scores and error scores, and the result [Formula: see text] was obtained. The fact that reliability can be positive even though error variance and observed variance are equal was discussed.
Subject Control of Reinforcement Density on an Interval Schedule
Authors: Meltzer Donald , Merkler Norman L. , Maxey George C.
Published: September 2011

Rats were trained on schedules in which the rate of responding in one inter-reinforcement time (ISRT) determined the minimum duration of the following ISRT. The durations of the four ISRTs which were used were related in a simple arithmetic ratio; T, 2T, 3T, and 4T sec. For one group high rates in the current ISRT shortened the following ISRT from the basic value of 4T sec. A high response rate lengthened the next ISRT from the basic value of T sec. in the other group. Ss in each group were able to approximate the response rate which would result in maximum reinforcement density.
Comparison of Empirical Learning Curves in Programmed Instruction at Different Ability Levels
Authors: Dingman Harvey F. , McIntyre Robert B. , Eyman Richard K.
Published: September 2011

Reanalysis of data for individual and group learning curves of mental retardates supported the relevance of intelligence and past experience in learning.
Social Class and Reaction to Physical Disability
Authors: Dow Thomas E.
Published: September 2011

In this study the relationship between social class membership and reaction to physical disability was examined. It was hypothesized that this reaction would be conditioned by the relative emphasis attached to physique, and that this emphasis varied inversely with social class level, that is, the lower class would be expected to react more severely to physical impairment than would the middle class. Information was obtained on the families' definition of the problem, their intellectual optimism or pessimism, their actual behavior under these circumstances, and the relative emphasis which they attached to physique. The results showed that the majority of parents and children were well informed and generally quite optimistic about the problem. On the behavioral level, however, some families were able to cope more effectively than others; larger families managing a more balanced adjustment than smaller families. Lastly, most parents attached little significance to physique, and this seemed to facilitate their optimism in the face of disability. Over-all, there was no significant class bias in any of the above positions.
Measurement of Intellectual Inefficiency
Authors: Hallenbeck Charles E. , Fink Stephen L. , Grossman Joel S.
Published: September 2011

The index of intellectual inefficiency described in this study was based upon a quantification of internal scatter on WAIS Vocabulary protocols. The index had a test-retest reliability of .70 in a sample of 42 multiple sclerosis out-patients, and a split-half reliability of .47 in a sample of 100 normal Ss. Significant differences were observed in the intellectual inefficiency, the vocabulary level, and the mean age of the following samples: (1) 77 psychiatric patients, (2) 57 traumatically disabled patients, (3) 55 gradually disabled patients, (4) 27 brain-injured patients, and (5), 100 normal Ss. The data for the group of 100 normals was obtained from Wechsler's original standardization sample for the WAIS and did not include the ages of Ss. The differences among these groups on intellectual inefficiency was independent of the differences in vocabulary level per se and closely resembled the differences in the mean ages of the groups. No correlation was observed between intellectual inefficiency and vocabulary level for any but the psychiatric patients. Intellectual inefficiency and age were uncorrelated in all groups where the measures were available. It was concluded that intellectual inefficiency is a reliably measurable aspect of intelligence, sufficiently independent of intellectual level to provide additional information about the functioning of both normal and clinical Ss.
Multiple S-R Apparatus for Individual and Social Learning
Authors: Cervin V. B. , Smith A. A. , Kabisch C. H.
Published: September 2011

An apparatus has been designed and constructed on which a variety of learning experiments can be performed, e.g., classical, operant, probability, discrimination, multiple and paired-associate, both individual and social with up to six Ss. The equipment almost eliminates response and stimulus learning. Electrically it consists of a simple logic circuitry and a programming circuitry. Independently programmed are four sets of stimuli and one set of correct responses giving a large number of sequential and/or associative patterns of stimulus lights and response buttons for 1 to 6 Ss, with possible intercommunication among them. Four time relations between stimuli and/or responses are also under E's control. Once the program is set, the operation and recording of stimuli and responses are completely automatic. The design of the apparatus schematizes temporal, order and associative relations among variables thought to have importance in general learning theory.
Effects of Two Sources of Uncertainty in Decision Making
Authors: Driscoll James M. , Lanzetta John T.
Published: September 2011

The effects of variation in the stimulus and response uncertainty of a decision task on the decision maker's subjective uncertainty, amount of information search, and information processing were examined. Results indicated that: (a) information search tended to continue until one bit of stimulus and/or response uncertainty remained, independent of the level of initial uncertainty; (b) the higher the stimulus uncertainty of the decision task, the faster S began seeking information; and (c) subjective uncertainty increased with both stimulus and response uncertainty. Unfortunately, the data precluded adequate examination of the possible relationship between subjective uncertainty and search behavior, but the latency of search was negatively correlated with the magnitude of subjective uncertainty across Ss, suggesting that a more extensive examination of the motivational effects of subjective uncertainty would be of value.
Optional Anonymity and Political Balloting
Authors: Strickland Lloyd H. , Cowan Frederic J.
Published: September 2011

Data from a student political poll were analyzed to test the hypothesis that those voters casting a ballot for the unpopular candidate would be more likely to do so anonymously than would those voting for the popular candidate. The data tended to support the hypothesis, but were rendered less definitive by the fact that affiliates of the political party allegedly represented by the unpopular candidate tended to cast anonymous ballots regardless of their candidate preference. Implications of this and previous findings were discussed with respect to both the experimental vs survey approach to the anonymity problem and the relative wisdom of studies focusing on the anonymous response as opposed to the public response in voting contexts.
Context Effects in Probability Learning and Decision-Making
Authors: Schipper Lowell M.
Published: September 2011

Separate groups of Ss were trained in multiple probability-learning situations where sets of probabilities were (a) .10, .20, .30, .40, .50, (b) .50, .60, .70, .80, .90, and (c) .10, .30, .50, .70, .90, respectively. Subsequent to the training session Ss received test trials on all combinations of the five probabilities. Differential training with equal probabilities in different contexts gave different learning curves. Ss' uses of these probabilities in the test situations also varied as a function of prior training.
Autistic Thinking and Psychosurgery: A Conceptual Suggestion
Authors: Stark Stanley
Published: September 2011

This paper suggests that one kind of thinking Freeman and Watts found impaired by prefrontal lobotomy is essentially the same kind that Bleuler called autistic and that Rorschach called inner creation.
Effect of Bilateral Spreading Depression and Scopolamine on Motor Activity in Rats
Authors: Meyers Barton , Stern Warren C.
Published: September 2011

Rats ( N = 40) were surgically prepared to receive bilateral cortical spreading depression. Approximately 24 hr. postoperatively their level of motor activity was measured after administration of scopolamine or saline in the presence or absence of spreading depression (2 × 2 design). Although the data seemed to reflect a slight activating effect of scopolamine, they clearly indicated a significant depressant effect of spreading depression on motor activity which suggests that spreading depression may impair learning tasks by reducing motor activity.
Avoidance Behavior of the Cat as a Function of Shock Intensity and Training Schedule
Authors: Wolfe James W. , Kavanagh Albert J. , Lubar Joel F.
Published: September 2011

A shuttle-box avoidance of shock was acquired and extinguished in 38 cats, distributed in five treatment groups according to US level (1, 2, 4 ma.) and trials per day (5, 10, 20 trials). Performance on six behavioral measures indicated that 2 ma. was the optimal current level and five shock-trials per day the optimal training schedule. The group trained at both preferred values was superior in acquisition speed, extinction speed, trial of first avoidance and trials to criterion acquisition. Emotionality ratings were highest for Ss trained at 4 ma. Body weight correlated .45 with trials to acquisition. Intercorrelations between the behavioral measures are discussed, along with the shock-trials schedule and methodological problems associated with shock-avoidance technique.
Self-Control and Tolerance of Noxious Stimulation
Authors: Kanfer Frederick H. , Goldfoot David A.
Published: September 2011

This study investigated the effects of several behaviors as potential self-controlling devices in the tolerance of a noxious stimulus. In a cold-pressor test, experimental groups were instructed: (1) to expect severe pain; (2) to verbalize aloud their momentary experiences; (3) to use a clock for setting a goal for tolerance; or (4) to view and describe slides, in order to enhance tolerance of the ice water. Duration of tolerance differed significantly, with a descending order of mean tolerance in groups (4), (3), (1), control, (2). Posttest questionnaires revealed varying use of other self-controlling mechanisms in the groups. The utility of Skinner's paradigm for the study of self-control was discussed.
Deprivation Level, Competing Responses, and the Pre
Authors: Mikulka Peter J. , Pavlik William B.
Published: September 2011

Rats were given 60 acquisition and 32 extinction trials in a straight runway. A 3 × 2 factorial design was employed, combining 3 levels of food deprivation with continuous and partial reinforcement schedules. The principal results were: (a) The magnitude of the partial reinforcement effect during extinction increased with increased food deprivation. (b) The major effects of deprivation during extinction were upon the performance of Ss on partial reinforcement; there was relatively little effect on the performance of continuous reinforcement Ss. (c) The frequency of competing responses differed among the experimental groups during both acquisition and extinction and generally was inversely related to running speed.
Mice Reared with Rats: Effects of Mother on Adult Behavior Patterns
Authors: Denenberg Victor H. , Hudgens Gerald A. , Zarrow M. X.
Published: September 2011

Litters of four male and two female mice were fostered, at four days of age, to lactating rat mothers whose own litters (two to six days of age) were removed at the time of fostering. Control mouse litters (four males, two females) remained with their natural mothers. Rat-reared mice had a higher mortality rate between birth and weaning but the survivors weighed more at weaning than did mouse-reared mice. Rat-reared mice were less active in an open field on the first day of testing and were less aggressive than mice reared by mouse mothers. The data definitely implicate the mother as a critical determiner of adult behavioral patterns.
Short-Term Recognition Memory
Authors: Schwartz Fred , Perkins Patricia M.
Published: September 2011

The role of unit structure was investigated in three experiments on short-term recognition memory. The findings indicate that unit structure is a determinant of short-term forgetting. The findings were discussed in terms of decay and interference theory.
Some Sex Differences in Personality Correlates of “Autonomic Feedback”
Authors: Mordkoff Arnold M.
Published: September 2011

Item and scale personality correlates of somatic sensitivity, as measured by the Autonomic Perception Questionnaire, were investigated. The frequency of items from the CPI-MMPI item pools which differentiated among the APQ groups did not exceed chance levels. Scale correlates of somatic sensitivity were found only for the males (high APQ scores associated with maladjustment) who also scored significantly lower than the females on the APQ. The results were discussed with respect to various hypotheses which might account for this type of sex difference in mean level and differential relationship to psychopathology.
A Comparative Study of Two Tests of Supervisory Knowledge
Authors: Thumin F. J. , Page D. S.
Published: September 2011

The objective of the present study was to obtain a comparative assessment of two supervisory knowledge tests (the Supervisory Practices Inventory and the Supervisory Inventory on Human Relations) in terms of face and concurrent validity, time required for administration—and correlation with age, supervisory experience, and college education. Both tests were administered to 55 supervisors with the Emerson Electric Company, after which they were asked to indicate which test, in their opinion, would do the better job of measuring a man's knowledge of supervisory procedure, and which would yield, for them, the better score. Statistical analysis revealed that neither test had a significant correlation with supervisory effectiveness, using Personnel Department rankings as the criterion. In terms of relative face validity (i.e., acceptance by supervisors) the Supervisory Inventory on Human Relations was superior. This test also had a significant relationship with college training, although neither test was significantly related to age of employee or supervisory experience. The tests were equivalent in time required for administration.
Postcriterion Insertion of a Second Relevant Dimension in a Simple Discrimination Problem
Authors: Hergenhahn B. R. , Myers Charles , Capehart Jack
Published: September 2011

Thirty-one human Ss participated in a discrimination problem having three stages. Stage I involved one relevant dimension and one irrelevant dimension. Ss were trained to a criterion of eight successive correct responses. After reaching criterion on Stage I, Ss began Stage II, in which both the relevant and irrelevant cues from Stage I were maintained, and one more relevant and one more irrelevant dimension were added. At this point, it was possible for Ss to solve the problem by responding to the “old” relevant cue, the new cue, or both. Certain theories predict a sampling of the inserted cues; others predict they will not be sampled. In Stage III, the relevant and irrelevant cues from Stage I were dropped out. Solution of the problem could be gained only by responding to the cues inserted in Stage II. A control group was overtrained on Stage I and then went directly to Stage III. The data supported theories predicting sampling of all cues in Stage II.
Long-Term Effects of Total Social Isolation Upon Behavior of Rhesus Monkeys
Authors: Mitchell G. D. , Raymond E. J. , Ruppenthal G. C. , Harlow H. F.
Published: September 2011

8 isolate monkeys were compared in a follow-up study to 8 sophisticated controls in brief cross-sectional pairings with 12 stimulus strangers: 4 adults, 4 age-mates, and 4 juveniles. The isolates were characterized by infantile disturbance, less environmental orality, more fear, more aggression, less sex, less play, and bizarre ritualistic movements. 12-mo. isolates were fearful and nonaggressive but threatened many attacks. 6-mo. isolates were fearful and physically aggressive. The 12-mo. isolates demonstrated practically no positive social behavior. Conclusions are: (a) 6 mo. of social isolation during the first year has negative effects on social behavior up to puberty, (b) abnormal aggression appears in 3-yr.-old 6-mo. isolates, and (c) 12 mo. of isolation suppress or delay this aggression.
Conflict and Number of Choice Alternatives
Authors: Kiesler Charles A.
Published: September 2011

A comparison was made between the degree of conflict (decision time) with two choice alternatives and that with four choice alternatives. Data were presented utilizing an index of conflict which did not include simple reaction time or scanning time. Evidence was obtained supporting the use of the index. The author concluded that there was greater conflict (longer decision time) with two alternatives than with four, contrary to current theory on this topic. In addition, reducing the attractiveness of two of the alternatives in the four alternative case had the effect of increasing conflict.
Electric Shock and Approach Learning
Authors: Cunning Charles J.
Published: September 2011

36 Sprague-Dawley, male rats were used to test the effectiveness of mild shock as a cue as to which branch of a simple Y-maze was “correct.” Frequency of correct responses indicated that 12 v at .08 ma. did not function as a stimulus cue, but running speeds of shock groups were significantly faster than those of the non-shcck group. The results suggest that while mild shock does not effect learning per se, it does introduce a motivational factor.
Trial Spacing in Instrumental Running
Authors: Fozard James L.
Published: September 2011

Trial spacing was studied over 120 acquisition trials and 20 each of extinction, reacquisition, and re-extinction, using five intertrial intervals from 40 sec. to 120 min. in between four daily trials. Throughout acquisition, performance of the 120-min. group increased throughout the course of a daily block, while the others first increased, then decreased. Spontaneous regression persisted throughout acquisition. Extinction performance was not systematically related to trial spacing, and no evidence for spontaneous recovery was found. Changes in measured spatial variability in the alley indexed learning but did not differentiate trial spacing effects. The results generally failed to confirm qualitative hypotheses about trial spacing derived from statistical learning theory.
Development of a Stimulus-Variation Seeking Scale for Adults
Authors: Penney Ronald K. , Reinehr Robert C.
Published: September 2011

The development of a Stimulus Variation Seeking Scale (SVSS) which purportedly measures the amount of exteroceptive stimulus variation seeking customarily sought by an individual is described. The SVSS had high test-retest reliability and some discriminant validity in that it showed little or no relationship to manifest anxiety, authoritarianism, or scholastic aptitude. However, the scale correlated positively with perceived movement in the autokinetic situation, sensation seeking as measured by the Sensation Seeking Scale and originality as measured by a modified version of Guilford's Unusual Uses Test, indicating that the scale possesses some convergent validity.
Area and Stimulus Specificity in the Transfer of Responses Conditioned to Intracranial Stimulation: A Replication
Authors: Schuckman Harold
Published: September 2011

A monkey, conditioned to make avoidance responses to flickering light, failed to show any transfer of this response to auditory clicks, a steady light, or electrical stimulation of the frontal granular or occipital cortices. After reinforced electrical stimulation of the left occipital cortex, transfer was found to result from stimulation of the contralateral occipital cortex. Again, no transfer resulted from stimulation of the frontal granular cortex. These findings replicate those of an earlier study and suggest that under certain conditions inter-hemispheric transfer of a response learned to electrical stimulation of the cerebral cortex can be elicited only by stimulation of approximately homotopic cerebral loci.
Stability of Factor Structure of the WISC for Normal Negro Children from Pre-School Level to First Grade
Authors: Osborne R. T.
Published: September 2011

In order to determine the changes in mental factor structure with increasing age and educational maturity, two analytic studies were made. In 1961, 111 Negro pre-school children were examined with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and 4 reference tests. This battery was repeated 1 yr. later with 103 of the same children. The 10 standard WISC subtests, except Coding, were split into 2, 3, or 4 parts to yield as many variables as possible. Kaiser's varimax rotation was applied to the 30 by 30 matrix. Evidence is presented supporting 9 statistically significant uncorrelated factors at both the pre-school level and after 1 yr. of school. At least 8 factors are readily identified by WISC subtests or by combinations of WISC subtests. By age 6 differential mental abilities are clearly discernible. Between pre-school and the end of the first grade WISC mental factors are not appreciably altered by age, education or training. Eight factors extracted at the pre-school level are stable and congruent with those found after 1 yr. of school.
CPI Factors and Success of Seminary Students
Authors: Query William T.
Published: September 2011

CPI profiles of 25 “successful,” “fair,” and “unsuccessful” seminary candidates were analyzed. All “unsuccessful” candidates had been advised to cease their course of study and all “successful” candidates were ordained. Five scales (Cs, Sy, Sa, To and Fx) significantly differentiated between these groups. Higher standard scores were obtained by those rated “successful” on capacity for status, permissiveness, and flexibility. The results were discussed from the point of view of training the seminarian to work with the mentally ill.
Bartletts Retention Revisited
Authors: Papageorgis Demetrios , Tyler Carol
Published: September 2011

A replication of some of Bartlett's (1932) major findings of qualitative memory changes over time, with significant methodological variation. Changes in memory, over a 6-wk. period, along culturally predictable lines are shown with the story “The War of the Ghosts” and a method that measures retention through recognition and restricts measurement to a single occasion for each S. Some implications for personality theories are also discussed.
Reaction to a Communication as a Function of Attitude-Communication Discrepancy
Authors: Diab Lutfy N.
Published: September 2011

235 undergraduate Arab students at the American University of Beirut were administered a questionnaire through which Ss' latitudes of acceptance and rejection towards Arab unity were assessed. Then, Ss' reactions to a moderately anti-Arab unity “communication” were obtained. The results showed that, as the discrepancy between Ss' own stands and the position advocated increased, “contrast effect” occurred. However, little evidence for an “assimilation effect” was found. Consideration of Ss' latitudes of acceptance and rejection, rather than the “most acceptable” position alone, was shown to account much more meaningfully for the results.
Teachers' Expectancies: Determinants of Pupils' IQ Gains
Authors: Rosenthal Robert , Jacobson Lenore
Published: September 2011

Within each of 18 classrooms, an average of 20% of the children were reported to classroom teachers as showing unusual potential for intellectual gains. Eight months later these “unusual” children (who had actually been selected at random) showed significantly greater gains in IQ than did the remaining children in the control group. These effects of teachers' expectancies operated primarily among the younger children.
Test of the Concept of “Availability of Functions” in Problem Solving
Authors: Maier Norman R. F. , Burke Ronald J.
Published: September 2011

135 male college students solved Maier's Hatrack Problem (Maier, 1945) in an experiment designed to evaluate Saugstad's “availability of functions” concept. Saugstad has stated that Ss will solve any problem if they have the necessary functions available. The data indicated that: (1) Ss failing to solve the problem had the necessary or relevant experiences, (2) Ss who solved and those who did not solve the problem had very similar experiences, and (3) selecting the relevant experience resulted in the immediate solution of the problem by a majority of Ss. Contrary to Saugstad's contention, Ss will not necessarily solve a problem if they have the essential functions or past experiences. Recognizing experiences as relevant to a problem's requirements, selecting experiences from a given repertoire, fragmenting experiences into parts, and recombining parts of experiences into solutions are functions that seem essential, yet are excluded when problem solving is regarded as a form of generalized learning. Three groups of problem solvers, differing in their degrees of success with the Hatrack Problem, had strikingly similar available functions, but differed in the way they selected from their past experiences when confronted with the problem of finding uses for the pole structure.
Stability of Schizophrenic Affect and Values
Authors: Tolor Alexander , Mabli Jerome
Published: September 2011

The stability over time of schizophrenics' personal values and emotional responses was studied using an especially devised Preference Schedule and the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List. Daily testing of 50 hospitalized schizophrenics and 22 controls over 2 wk. revealed greater variability of preference, but no greater fluctuation in affect, for schizophrenics. The schizophrenics, however, scored higher in Anxiety and Depression than normals. It was suggested that the emotions of schizophrenics represent fairly stable and enduring systems whereas personal values and preferences are part of more fluctuating processes. Some of these findings are consistent with Shakow's theory of the schizophrenic's impaired integrating ability that interferes with the maintenance of major sets.
Comparative Reliability of the Dogmatism Scale with 2 and 6 Scale Points
Authors: Shupe Donald R. , Wolfer John A.
Published: September 2011

Previous research has shown that the variance in Rokeach's Dogmatism Scale is primarily associated with the direction of the response (agree vs disagree) resulting in a high correlation between the original 6-point weighted scoring and a simple count of the number of agree responses. These findings suggest that the Dogmatism Scale could be cast into a 2-point (agree-disagree) format. A 2-point Dogmatism Scale, with instructions to Ss to agree or disagree with each statement, and Rokeach's original 6-point scale were given in a test-retest situation to introductory psychology students. The results indicate that the 2-point scale is as reliable as the original 6-point scale and that the two scales are highly correlated. The 2-point scale offers the additional bonus of convenience and simplicity in administration and scoring.
Logical Relationships of Questions to Issues in Verbal Conditioning Studies
Authors: Locke Edwin A.
Published: September 2011

Previous reviews of the literature on verbal learning have not shown the relevance of type of question asked Ss to the theoretical issues involved. The present paper classifies commonly used questions into four major types: purpose of the experiment, response-reinforcement contingency, intention to get the reinforcement or to give the correct response, and recall of behavior. It is argued that only the second and third types of questions are directly relevant to the automatic Law of Effect issue. It is pointed out, however, that many Es have used only the first and fourth types. Measurement of S's intention has been particularly neglected in verbal conditioning studies. The importance of specifying level of awareness, referent, and context when dealing with abstract concepts is emphasized.
Obedience: Submission to Destructive Orders as Related to Hostility
Authors: Haas Kurt
Published: September 2011

The purpose of this research was to assess the proportion of absolute obedience in a realistic situation and to demonstrate that obedience is related to hostility. Forty-four managers were ordered to recommend which of their superiors were to be fired. It was demonstrated that only one-seventh of Ss obeyed directly and that the degree of obedience was positively related to hostility. The difficulties of contriving realistic obedience situations and of measuring this personality trait were pointed out.
On the Ambivalence of Death: The Case of the Missing Harlequin
Authors: Papageorgis Demetrios
Published: September 2011

Various descriptions of death were rated in terms of appropriateness by 30 male and 45 female undergraduate students. The results failed to support McClelland's Harlequin hypothesis but did provide some suggestive evidence consistent with the more traditional punishment/mutilation approach to death.
Thematic Productions of Children in Foster Homes
Authors: North George E. , Keiffer Robert S.
Published: September 2011

The TAT productions of 12 school-age, non-handicapped, but repeatedly placed foster home children in a semi-rural area were compared with those of a control group closely matched for age, sex, race, and grade. It was expected that foster children would be more concerned with affiliation, with death and departure, and with damaged and handicapped persons. Ample evidence was found that our foster children are concerned with affiliation, and some evidence found suggests that they are more depressed. No support was found for the expectation of concern with handicap. Foster children were clearly more productive in terms of quantity of verbalization.
Comparison of Training Methods, Type of Problem, and Apparatus in Acquisition and Extinction
Authors: Towart Eileen M. , Smith W. A. S.
Published: September 2011

In a 4 × 2 × 2 × 2 randomized groups design, the effects of the independent variables method of training (correction, rerun-correction, noncorrection, and rerun-noncorrection), type of apparatus (parallel alley maze and T-maze), position preference (preference and nonpreference), and type of problem (position response and brightness discrimination), on the dependent variables of trials, errors, correct responses, and runs, during acquisition and extinction were studied. In acquisition, training methods, tasks, and preferences showed significant effects on all dependent variables. There were no significant results in the extinction data. Since Ss run under noncorrection procedures required fewer reinforcements to reach criterion, this seems the most efficient training technique. These data are interpreted as underscoring the importance of careful consideration of experimental procedure and definition of variables when comparing results from different studies in animal learning.
Two Failures to Prevent Avoidance Decrement
Authors: Anderson Norman H. , Rollins Howard A.
Published: September 2011

Two experiments were performed in attempts to prevent avoidance decrement (disappearance of an initially learned avoidance response with continued acquisition training). In Exp. 1, widely distributed practice appeared to lower initial performance but did not otherwise prevent the decrement. In Exp. 2, the decrement was found with weak shock, strong shock, and with pulsed strong shock.
Some Behavioral Differences in Mice Genetically Selected for High and Low Brain Weight
Authors: Wimer Cynthia , Prater Lee
Published: September 2011

Learning ability, exploratory behavior, and emotionality were measured in mice genetically selected for high and low total brain weight. The high selection lines scored significantly higher than the low lines in locomotor activity in the open field and discrimination learning performance in a water maze, and these findings were supported by correlations between brain weight and behavioral scores within unselected control lines. There is some evidence that these behavioral differences are associated with general changes in brain size produced by genetic selection.
Employment Status of 53 Handicapped College Graduates
Authors: Reed Alice E. , Cantoni Louis J.
Published: September 2011

Of 57 students who graduated between November, 1961, and June, 1965, and who were also served by the University's Disabled Student's Office, 53 or 93% responded in a follow-up. Of the 53, 52 or 98% were engaged in various occupations. The 19 handicapped graduates of the 1964–65 class moved directly into employment with no time lapse, but the 33 earlier graduates (one was still unemployed) required a mean of 2.5 mo. to find jobs. Two principal reasons probably accounted for this difference. First, the 1964–65 class graduated at a time when the national and state economies were booming. And second, the 1964–65 graduates had had the full benefit of the university's vocational planning and personal counseling.
Production, Service, and Productivity
Authors: Ferguson Leonard W.
Published: September 2011

The author shows how, via a linear-programming approach, a life-insurance company can determine objectively minimum and maximum limits for optimum debit size. The requirements are two policy decisions (the minimum allowable compensation and the minimum allowable productivity level) and the determination of the functional relation between sales performance (as measured by new-business commissions) and debit size (as measured by service commissions). Given the foregoing, there can be developed the proper straight-line equations that permit algebraic solution and yield the desired maximum-limit and minimum-limit values.
Relation of the Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices to Two Measures of Verbal Ability in a Sample of Mildly Retarded Hospital Patients
Authors: Kilburn Kent L. , Sanderson Robert E. , Melton Kyle
Published: September 2011

100 mildly mentally retarded patients (50 male and 50 female) were given the Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices, the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, and the Vocabulary subtest from the Stanford-Binet, Form L-M. There were no significant correlations between the Raven and the other tests. A significant correlation of .70 obtained between the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and the Stanford-Binet Vocabulary subtest. Possible reasons for lack of the usual correlation of the Matrices with tests of verbal ability for this sample are discussed.
Antecedents of the Fear of the Dead
Authors: Lester David
Published: September 2011

It was predicted that, if the fear of the dead results from ambivalent feelings which are projected onto the dead person, then societies which favor love-oriented techniques of punishment should manifest a greater fear of the dead than those favoring physical techniques. An analysis of data provided by Whiting and Child supported this prediction.
The Virginia Opossum in Psychological Research
Authors: Herring Fred H. , Mason Donald J. , Doolittle John H. , Starrett David E.
Published: September 2011

The Virginia opossum ( Didelphis virginiana) has certain characteristics by which it can make unique contributions to psychological research, namely, an exposed embryological development suitable for developmental studies, and a characteristic marsupial brain suitable for “split-brain” studies of relationships between the two cerebral hemispheres and comparative learning. Disadvantages to using opossums, such as their low resistance to parasites and disease, viciousness, and nocturnal habits, have largely been overcome as the result of recent interdisciplinary efforts.
Factors Underlying Emotionality Produced by Infantile Stimulation and Septal Lesion
Authors: Singh Devendra
Published: September 2011

Emotionality in the rats was produced either by septal lesion or by placing the animals under different infantile living conditions. A factor analysis of the data shows that the emotionalities produced by the two treatments are different. Since four independent factors underlie emotionality, emotionality appears to be multi-dimensional; different indices used to measure emotionality do not assess the same dimensions.
Effect of Simultaneous List Presentation on Paired-Associate Learning
Authors: Brown Sam C. , Read J. D.
Published: September 2011

Difficulty of learning a list of 12 CVC pairs increased monotonically as a function of number of list items (1, 3, 6, and 12) grouped together for simultaneous exposure. Contrary to expectation, the difficulty was not affected by locus of grouping, i.e., whether grouping occurred on the study part, test part, or on both parts of each trial. Subsequent free recall also failed to show significant differences between conditions. The over-all grouping decrement was interpreted in terms of a strengthening of multiple associations among list members.
Individual Differences in Anagram-Solving Ability
Authors: Mendelsohn Gerald A. , Griswold Barbara B. , Anderson Milton L.
Published: September 2011

Anagram solution was, as expected, significantly correlated with level of vocabulary ( r = .29), but, while high anagram scores are associated with high vocabulary, low anagram scores are as often associated with high as with low vocabulary. MMPI measures of Anxiety and Repression were unrelated to anagram solution. In a second study, as predicted, Mednick's RAT, the Gottschaldt Figures Test and an incidental recall measure were significantly correlated with anagram solution ( r = .43, .40, and .31, respectively, multiple R = .55), but the Stroop test, an incidental recognition measure and digit span measures were not. Two factors apparently underlie anagram solving ability—an adequate level of familiarity with words and the ability to shift attention in a directed but flexible manner.
Schedule-Induced Polydipsia in the Rhesus Monkey
Authors: Schuster Charles R. , Woods James H.
Published: September 2011

Four rhesus monkeys were allowed water, which was continuously available on a fixed-ratio 1 (FR-1) schedule of reinforcement, and food, which was available on differing reinforcement schedules. In Exp. 1, water intake greatly increased when the food schedule was changed from continuous reinforcement to a variable-interval schedule. In Exp. 2, when the same schedule change was employed but the number of food reinforcements was held constant, the water intake increased as in Exp. 1. In Exp. 3, a fixed-ratio 25 (FR-25) schedule of food reinforcement was employed in which a total of approximately 80 food pellets were divided among 4, 8, 16, or 24 periods per 24-hr. session. Water intake was related linearly to the increase in the number of food periods. Since water responding took place only after the FR-25 food periods, it was argued that the schedule-induced polydipsia observed was not due to accidental chaining.
Relation of Reduction in Compensation to Rehospitalization
Authors: Carlton M. Gant
Published: September 2011

Utilizing data from claims files, a sample of 97 schizophrenic veterans who had a reduction in disability compensation was studied over a 10-yr. follow-up period. Rehospitalizations were noted and compared against compensation reductions. It was assumed that, if reduction of compensation were a factor in rehospitalization, the veteran would return to the hospital around the effective date of reduction. Only 10 veterans were found to have any hospitalization within 3 mo. of the effective date of reduction. Contrary to expectation, it was further found that veterans who had received a notice of compensation reduction stayed out of the hospital significantly longer than those not so notified. Also, veterans who appealed the impending reduction of their compensation were less frequently rehospitalized than veterans who did not appeal. No significant relationships were found between rehospitalization within 3 mo. of reduction and per cent or dollar amount of reduction, age, marital status, or person with whom the veteran was living when compensation was reduced.
Reinforcer Acquisition in Discrimination Learning
Authors: Offenbach Stuart I.
Published: September 2011

This experiment extended an earlier study in which a buzzer sound was combined in pretraining with “Right” or “Wrong.” A two-choice discrimination learning task was presented immediately following the pretraining. Children learned that the buzz had meaning (in a direction opposite the verbal statement with which it was combined). In the present experiment, Nothing (N, E's silence) wa5 examined instead of the buzz. The data indicated that Nothing, when combined with “Right” (R) or “Wrong” (W) in the verbal reinforcement combinations NW and RN, also acquired reinforcement value opposite that of the verbal statement.
Two Kinds of Set in Problem Solving
Authors: Anderson Barry , Johnson William
Published: September 2011

A number of findings suggest that there are important differences between functional fixedness (FF) and Einstellung (E), though the significance of these findings seems to have gone unrecognized. The results of the present study suggest that FF and E (a) display different forgetting curves ( p < .001) and (b) respond differently to distribution of practice ( p < .05). Interpretations of the results are discussed.
Preference for Familiar Stimuli in the Rat
Authors: McAllister Dorothy E. , McAllister Wallace R. , Zellner Donald K.
Published: September 2011

An initial preference for a white box with a grid floor over a gray box with a solid floor was shown by two groups of rats. For both groups, this preference increased with time. One group having 1 hr. of familiarization with a similar, white, grid box exhibited a significantly stronger preference than the other group having no previous experience with the apparatus. An interpretation based on fear of novel stimuli and the similarity of the grid box and the home cage was offered.
Critique of the “Bradley Center Mental Health Assessment Kit” or “Personal Data Kit”
Authors: Crumbaugh James C.
Published: September 2011

This is a critical evaluation of the method employed by the Bradley Center, Inc., of Columbus, Georgia, to train ministers and general physicians (and more recently public health nurses and social workers) to assess the nature and intensity of parishioners' or patients' emotional problems. It is concluded that the use of the Bradley Center “Personal Data Kit” or “Mental Health Assessment Kit” without an adequate validation study constitutes a potential hazard to the welfare of counselees. Suggestions are made whereby many of the errors and dangers inherent in the kit could be corrected.
Social Desirability and “Acquiescence Response Set”
Authors: Miklich Donald Robert
Published: September 2011

This study showed that the frequently found negative correlation between social desirability (SD) and the so-called “acquiescence response set” (ARS) is not an artifact of contaminated scales as its presence in two unconcaminated instruments was demonstrated. A theoretically consistent explanation of this relationship based on a reinterpretation of the ARS variable is suggested.
Plasma 17-Hydroxycorticosteroid Levels following Intra-Cranial Self-Stimulation in Rats
Authors: Uretsky Ella , Kling Arthur , Orbach J.
Published: September 2011

An elevated plasma 17-OHCS was observed in rats self-stimulating for 1 hr., especially those implanted in the region of the medial forebrain bundle in the hypothalamus. This is interpreted to mean that ACTH was released and thus a stress response occurred despite the fact that intracranial shock in these brain sites has reinforcing properties.