bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex Differences in Early Bender-Gestalt Test Performance
Authors: Weinstein Elin S.
Published: September 2011

The relationship between sex differences and early visual-motor test performance was studied. Kindergarten children (30 girls and 30 boys) in a New York City public school were administered the Bender Visual-motor Gestalt Test. When scored by the Koppitz Developmental Scoring System, no significant differences were found. A more detailed qualitative analysis of the nature of the specific errors was also done. Using this approach, boys showed more difficulty with accurate copying of individual features of designs, e.g., angles of a diamond.
Importance of the Post-Knowledge Delay Interval on Transit Reaction
Authors: Ramella Reno J. , Wiegand Robert L.
Published: September 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine if transit reaction or anticipation of coincidence could be improved by allotting more processing time. 120 subjects were randomly assigned to one of six treatment groups. The groups were formed by changing the temporal location of knowledge of results within the research paradigm, specifically to control the possible confounding from the inter-response interval. Data were analyzed via a series of two 6 (treatment conditions) × 5 (trial blocks) factorial analyses of variance, with repeated measures on the last factor for absolute and variable errors. The post-knowledge delay interval was the most important time of the paradigm, and transit reaction was positively related to duration of processing.
Extent of Training and Mood Enhancement in Women Runners
Authors: Gondola Joan C. , Tuckman Bruce W.
Published: September 2011

Most research on the effects of exercise on mood and personality has been conducted with men. Increased women's participation, particularly in running, prompted this study of the reactions of 464 women to tunning. The findings supported the claim that vigorous but not exhaustive exercise is most beneficial for enhancement of mood. Females running an average of 24 miles a week had healthier profiles on McNair's Profile of Mood States than those running 52 or 15 miles a week.
Visual Exploratory Activity of Hemiplegic Patients Viewing the Motor-Free Visual Perception Test
Authors: Locher Paul J. , Bigelow Deborah Lee
Published: September 2011

Eye movements of adult hemiplegics (11 right- and 9 left-brain-damaged patients) and 11 nonimpaired controls were recorded as they viewed selected cards of the Motor-free Visual Perception Test. The major finding was that neither group of patients exhibited an asymmetry of visual exploration (unilateral visual neglect) as they viewed the cards. Their scanning strategies were, however, unsystematic and irregular. In addition, both groups of patients scanned the cards longer and made more errors than controls. Use of the Motor-free Visual Perception Test as an appropriate measure for the general assessment of visual-perceptual processing abilities of adult brain-damaged patients who lack severe clinical manifestations of neglect is discussed.
Neuropsychological Characteristics of College Males Who Show Attention Dysfunction
Authors: Huhtaniemi P. , Haier Richard J. , Fedio P. , Buchsbaum Monte S.
Published: September 2011

400 male college students were screened on a measure of vigilance, the Continuous Performance Test. A Good Attention Group (upper 5% of the CPT score distribution) and a Poor Attention Group (lower 5%) were selected and compared on a series of perceptual and motor tests. The Good Attention Group was superior to the Poor Attention Group on most of the measures. The largest differences were found on tests assessing perceptual-motor organization. Attention dysfunction in this non-patient sample seems to be associated with performance deficits. Over-all, the pattern of neuropsychological results seen in the Poor Attention Group is not similar to the pattern seen in patients with lateralized brain damage but appears more similar to that seen in those with bilateral and diffuse cortical damage.
Schizophrenia, Conduct Disorder and Depressive Disorder: Neuropsychological, Speech Sample and EEG Results
Authors: Selin Carole L. , Gottschalk Louis A.
Published: September 2011

The relationship between degree of schizophrenia and neuropsychological impairment was investigated in 24 adolescent and adult hospitalized and non-hospitalized psychiatric patients with diagnoses of depressive disorder, conduct disorder, and schizophrenia. Schizophrenic adults and conduct disordered adolescents showed greater cognitive impairment than depressed patients on a neuropsychological test of rhythm perception and attention and showed greater frequency of EEG abnormality. Schizophrenics were differentiated from other groups by their impaired abstraction ability on the Halstead-Reitan Category Test. Use of these tests for prediction of adolescents at high risk for schizophrenia was discussed.
Nonparametrics and Psychology: A Revitalized Alliance
Authors: Buckalew L. W.
Published: September 2011

It is suggested that nonparametric techniques deserve greater recognition and use in psychology. The appropriateness and benefits of these procedures are discussed and limitations acknowledged. Traditionally, nonparametric procedures seem portrayed as inferior to more popular parametric tests in both teaching and practice although much psychological data reflects less than interval measurement. Respecting the importance of precision and the need to develop questions allowing quantitative assessment, deterrents to greater interest in and use of nonparametrics are explored. The operational appropriateness, flexibility, computational simplicity, freedom from often untenable assumptions, and expanding interpretative possibilities of nonparametric procedures encourage greater consideration and use.
Tangible Self-Consequation and Arithmetical Problem-Solving: An Exploratory Comparison of Four Strategies
Authors: Jackson Henry J. , Molloy Geoffrey N.
Published: September 2011

In an exploratory investigation, 25 volunteer postgraduate students were exposed to a control and four self-consequation conditions of positive and negative reward and positive and negative punishment. The experimental tasks were arithmetic problems matched for difficulty. Generally, the results indicated that, when subjects were operating under the two self-reward conditions whereby they self-reinforced correct responses, they attempted more items and produced more correct responses. Conversely, as predicted, participants in the two self-punishment conditions were more accurate.
The MMPI's of Left- and Right-Handed Subjects
Authors: Watson Charles G. , Vassar Patricia
Published: September 2011

Previous research has suggested that left-handedness relates to delinquency and violence. In an effort to pinpoint the nature of this apparent relationship, we compared the MMPIs of 72 left- and 687 right-handed men 60 yr. old or less on an alcohol treatment ward. No significant differences appeared. The results are compared to earlier research and hypotheses for further research are suggested.
Stability of Magnitude-Production Scales for Lingual Vibrotactile Sensation
Authors: Fucci Donald , Harris Daniel , Petrosino Linda
Published: September 2011

The stability of lingual vibrotactile magnitude scales produced by the method of magnitude production was investigated for 10 adult subjects. These subjects produced highly stable magnitude scales across two test sessions separated by 1 wk. The subjects appeared to use absolute rather than ratio scales in the magnitude-production task. A discussion of the stability of the scales is conducted with reference to the likelihood of an internal, absolute mechanism for magnitude scaling.
Reliability and Item Analysis of the Seashore Rhythm Test
Authors: Bornstein R. A.
Published: September 2011

The internal reliability of the Seashore Rhythm Test was examined for a sample of 376 patients. Two different combinations of items yielded reliability coefficients of approximately .75. Repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated significant differences in the mean numbers of errors occurring on the three subtests. Item analysis showed considerable variability in the rate at which the items were passed. Items with low pass rates were identified among all three subtests which suggests that factors other than length of the patterns to be discriminated contribute to difficulty of items.
Relationship between the Thumin Test of Mental Dexterity and the WAIS
Authors: Thumin Frederick J. , Bois Philip H. Du , Stern Avner , Riley Douglas A.
Published: September 2011

The Thumin Test of Mental Dexterity and the WAIS were administered to 75 student volunteers and vocational/career counseling clients, using a counterbalanced order. The product-moment correlation between the tests was .84, suggesting that the Thumin Test may be used as a convenient substitute for the WAIS when time is limited, and subjects are of average or higher intelligence. A table was provided for converting Thumin raw scores to WAIS sums of scaled scores (Full Scale).
Sex and Profession as Determinants of Field Dependence
Authors: Windsor Ahuva
Published: September 2011

This study explored whether consistently found sex differences in field-dependence, showing males more field independent than females, would persist when members of both sex groups have high spatial ability. No such differences were found between 16 male and 11 female Design and Architecture students who took the Group Embedded Figures Test. Apparently biological sex alone does not determine field-dependence; this study calls for examination of the relationship between spatial ability and field dependence.
Rorschach-Based Indices of Visual Imagery Reactivity
Authors: Fogel Max L. , Yanovski Alexander
Published: September 2011

A method using a specially developed Rorschach-based procedure was applied in conjunction with a visual imagery technique in evaluating protocols of 40 outpatient subjects. The subjects were divided into Reactor and Nonreactor groups, according to how productive in clinically significant material their responses were in the imagery condition contrasted to a conventional administration of the Rorschach. A scoring method correctly classified 35 of the 40 subjects as being Reactors or Nonreactors. In addition to previously demonstrated utility as a research tool, the method may be used in clinical situations.
An Irish Psychometric Appraisal of the Group Embedded Figures Test
Authors: Moran Aidan P.
Published: September 2011

The objective of this paper is to provide a psychometric appraisal of the Group Embedded Figures Test for Irish industrial apprentices and university students. Items 1 and 9 in Section 2 and Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 in Section 3 appear to lack discriminative power. The internal consistency, stability, and concurrent validity of this test are satisfactory, however.
Olfactory Aversion Conditioning and Overeating: A Review and Some Data
Authors: Cole Anthony D. , Bond Nigel W.
Published: September 2011

The present study evaluated the efficacy of olfactory aversion conditioning in the management of overeating problems. 42 overweight female subjects were assigned to one of three treatment conditions: olfactory aversion therapy, attention placebo control, and no-contact control. One experimenter administered the 8-wk. treatment phase. The aversion therapy procedure entailed the pairing of selected target foods (CSs) with noxious odors (UCSs). There were 25 pairings of the CS and UCSs during each weekly session. Four noxious odors were employed, one each week, to prevent habituation to the UCS. The attention-placebo control procedure was identical except that “air” was substituted for the putative UCS of the aversion therapy condition. At the end of the treatment period the aversion therapy group had lost 4.7 lb.; the attention placebo controls had lost 3.6 lb. and the no-contact controls 0.5 lb. The difference between the aversion therapy group and the no-contact controls was significant and that between the attention placebo group and the no-contact controls approached significance. At a follow-up 8 wk. after the end of the treatment period the weights of all groups had risen to pretreatment levels and there were no differences between them. These results indicate that olfactory aversion therapy is not an efficient technique in promoting weight-loss.
Contributions to the History of Psychology: XXXIV. Enrique O. Aragon, a Pioneer in Mexican Psychology
Authors: Colotla Victor A. , Jurado Samuel
Published: September 2011

Enrique O. Aragon (1880–1942) was a Mexican physician responsible, in great measure, for the development of academic psychology in Mexico in the first decades of the century. He wrote the first book devoted solely to psychology in Mexico, and his founding of the first psychological Wundtian-style laboratory at the National University of Mexico was instrumental in the development of sufficient academic interest in the discipline to lead to the establishment of a university program in psychology as a profession.
Effect of Orientation on Judgments of Line Length
Authors: Butler Darrell L.
Published: September 2011

This study investigated how the parameters of the power function of line judgments by 68 college undergraduates were affected by orientation of line. Exponents of the power functions did not vary as a function of orientation, but the scaling factors varied substantially. These results suggest that the horizontal-vertical illusion is best described as about a 12% illusion. Also, results are inconsistent with the hypothesis that the horizontal-vertical illusion affects the exponent of power functions for judgments of area and volume.
Use of Computerized Psychomotor Testing in Determining CNS Effects of Drugs
Authors: Berchou Richard , Block Robert I.
Published: September 2011

Two interactive, computer-controlled tests—critical flicker fusion and discriminant reaction time tasks—are described. These casks, and subjective sedation ratings using visual analogue scales, were shown to be sensitive in a dose-related fashion to the effects of CNS depressants (diazepam, 15 mg and lorazepam, 1 and 2 mg). Such brief, interactive, computerized tasks should be useful in screening new agents for CNS activity in humans.
Distinctions in Variability of Motor Output between Learning Disabled and Normal Children
Authors: Brunt Denis , Magill Richard A. , Eason Robert
Published: September 2011

This study measured the differences in motor output between groups of 8- and 10-yr.-old learning disabled and normal boys. Variability of motor output was investigated by having children learn an alternating tapping task to a criterion of a specified number of taps per minute and then having them transfer to more difficult tapping tasks with the same rhythmic beat but requiring more distance to move or more accuracy. Results suggest variability of motor output distinguishes normal and learning disabled boys.
Is Quiet Whisper Harmful to the Vocal Mechanism? A Research Note
Authors: Hufnagle Jon , Hufnagle Katy
Published: September 2011

Recent physiological studies of whisper indicate that quiet whisper may not, as implied in past literature, be harmful to the voice. The present study examined differences in judged vocal quality pre- and post-whisper in 10 dysphonic patients, mostly college students. Results showed a significant preference for the vocal quality following a week of quiet whisper. The results are discussed in relation to clinical implications as well as clinical application.
Picture Recognition Memory in Children: Effects of Homogeneous versus Heterogeneous Classes of Pictures
Authors: Franken R. E. , Diamond Diane C.
Published: September 2011

This study shows that, when homogeneous classes of pictures are used in a picture-recognition task, developmental trends do emerge whereas when a heterogeneous class of pictures is used such developmental trends are not found. These results are consistent with the view that as children get older (3–4 yr., 6–7 yr., 9–10 yr., adolescents, adults) they get better at organizing material that is more difficult to differentiate or remember.
Temporal Correlates of Discrimination Learning
Authors: Montare Alberto
Published: September 2011

The relationship between human temporal behavior and learning was investigated by means of an experimental design which measured temporal behavior using the methods of reproduction and production as possible correlates for a complex-form of discrimination-reversal learning. The results indicated that the method of reproduction is a temporal correlate of original learning and that the method of production is a temporal correlate of reversal learning. The theoretical explanations proposed for these results employed the mechanisms of conditioning, extinction, and stimulus generalization, the intervening variables of excitation and inhibition and the Pavlovian levels of behavioral organization of the first and second signalling systems.
Effects of Psychological Gender and Sex-Incongruent Behavior on Evaluations of Leadership
Authors: Remland Martin , Jacobson Carolyn , Jones Tricia
Published: September 2011

This study investigated the influence of psychological gender on evaluations of leadership performance by a male and a female manager described as using either supportive or nonsupportive nonverbal communication with a male subordinate in a problem-solving interview. The psychological gender of the evaluators was measured using Spence and Helmreich's Personal Attributes Questionnaire. Contrary to the finding of previous investigations, psychological gender did not affect evaluations of the nontraditional sex-role behaviors exhibited by the male and female managers. A main effect was found for the manager's nonverbal communication and for the sex of the subject. The results of the study provide qualified support for the expectation that supportive nonverbal communication would be judged as more considerate than nonsupportive nonverbal communication.
Student's Perception of Ability Scale: Development of a Short Form
Authors: Chapman James W. , Silva Phil A. , Boersma Frederic J.
Published: September 2011

A short form of the Student's Perception of Ability Scale was used with 800 9-yr.-old children. The results indicated that the short form has operating characteristics similar to those of the regular form.
Bridging Takes Time: A More Convincing Demonstration
Authors: Gold Ron
Published: September 2011

Previous studies have reported that “bridging” takes time to effect but included poor test items in their experiments. Employing better items, the present study of responses from 26 adults confirmed that bridging does indeed take time.
Effects of Sustained Continuous Performance on Subjects Working Alone and in Pairs
Authors: Mullaney Daniel J. , Kripke Daniel F. , Fleck Paul A. , Okudaira Nobuyuki
Published: September 2011

Sustained continuous performance for up to 42 hr. was studied with 30 male volunteers. During each 10 min., subjects performed a tracking task, a pattern-memory task, an addition task, and provided subjective ratings on sleepiness and attention-fantasy scales plus a brief written description summarizing their thoughts. Of the 10 subjects required to work alone, 4 did not complete the 42 hr. and 9 experienced “psychological events” such as hallucinations, visual illusions, and disorientation. Of the 20 subjects who began the 42-hr. task in pairs, 5 did not complete the 42 hr. and 13 experienced similar psychological events. The percentage who did not complete the 42 hr. of the study and the incidence of psychological events were not significantly different for subjects working alone and in pairs. Performance results were very similar. No significant relationship of psychological events to any of the performance measures was demonstrated. These results indicate that continuous sustained performance produces rapid deterioration of performance and psychological disturbances, regardless of the presence or absence of social contact.
Bilingual Recognition of Concrete and Abstract Sentences
Authors: O'Neill Ward , Dion Andre
Published: September 2011

Eight French-English bilinguals were presented two lists of sentences constructed from different scenarios. For some of the scenarios, the language of the sentences was constant but for others, varied. On a subsequent recognition test, subjects received three types of sentences: (a) some previously presented (literals), (b) some semantically related but not previously presented (recognitions), (c) some differing only in language of presentation (translations). For both abstract and concrete scenarios in which initial presentation was in one language subjects made significantly fewer false acceptances than correct acceptances. However, for concrete scenarios in which the initial language of presentation had varied subjects accepted as many translations as recognitions and as many recognitions as literals. With the abstract scenarios which varied in the language of initial presentation subjects accepted as many recognitions as literals and more translations than literals. The results were interpreted in terms of the principle of variability of encoding.
Geophysical Variables and Behavior: XII. The Weather Matrix Accommodates Large Portions of Variance of Measured Daily Mood
Authors: Persinger M. A. , Levesque B. F.
Published: September 2011

Multiple regression lag analyses demonstrated that four to five major components of the weather matrix accommodated approximately 30% to 60% of the variance in daily mood scores for 5 male and 5 female university students over either a 2- or 3-mo. period. Between 10% and 30% of this variance was also explained by day-of-the-week for 4 subjects. Optimal values from the weather matrix occurred about three days before mood measures. Two of the most frequent variables were geomagnetic variation and mean barometric pressure. Temperature, which was contaminated by serial correlations, could be substituted by other variables. Standard errors of the estimate for the equations ranged between 8% to 15% of the mean mood measures. However, equations for three of the subjects' predicted scores were significantly correlated with the observed scores for the 10 days and to a lesser extent the 20 days after the period used to generate the equations.
Effect of Specificity and Shaping Practice on the Acquisition of a Simple Motor Skill
Authors: Dunham Paul , Frens Gary
Published: September 2011

Specificity and shaping practice group were used to investigate the effect of practice procedures on the acquisition of a teaching task. Results indicated that the shaping procedures were most efficient.
Estimation of Time and the Subclassification of Schizophrenic Disorders
Authors: Tysk Lennart
Published: September 2011

Estimation of short time intervals by 60 healthy subjects, 50 patients with schizophrenic disorders, and 8 with schizotypal personality disorders, was investigated using the three different methods, adjusting a metronome, verbal estimation, and operative estimation (production). The schizophrenic patients tended to over-estimate time with all three methods. Over-estimation was also found when longer intervals were studied. Patients with different types of schizophrenic disorders, classified according to DSM-III criteria, over-estimated time about the same; no significant differences were found. Different courses of schizophrenia were also studied. Patients in remission over-estimated time to the same extent as chronic patients; the subchronic patients probably over-estimated less. Schizotypal personality disorders did not seem to be associated with a tendency to over-estimate short time intervals. The results were discussed in the context of perceptual disturbances in schizophrenic disorders.
Relationship between Locus of Control and Moral Judgments among College Students
Authors: Frost Taggart F. , Wilmesmeier James M.
Published: September 2011

This research assessed the importance of locus of control in explaining the moral judgments people make with reference to moral situations. It was hypothesized that an individual whose locus of control was internal, when presented with moral situations, would make different moral judgments with regards to “right” and “wrong” than an external locus of control individual. 185 college students completed a questionnaire consisting of Rotter's I-E Scale and the Rettig and Pasamanick moral judgment scale. A weak relationship between locus of control and moral judgments was noted. Those moral statements for which locus of control appears relevant have four common characteristics: (1) the student can personally relate to the moral statement, (2) the moral statement contains personal accountability, (3) the immediacy of the moral situation, i.e., whether the individual is directly experiencing or being exposed to the moral situation described in the statement is relevant, and (4) no consensus of society on the Tightness or wrongness of the action is apparent.
Analysis of WISC-R Coding Performance of Normal and Dyslexic Readers
Authors: Whitehouse Catherine C.
Published: September 2011

WISC-R scores were examined for 25 normal readers and 25 dyslexic readers, with particular emphasis on the groups' performance on the Coding subtest. Subjects were also administered a series of experimental tasks assessing writing speed, copying speed, and recognition memory for the number/symbol associates of the Coding subtest. Dyslexics performed significantly more poorly than the normal readers on the Coding subtest and the writing speed task but showed no evidence of impaired memory for the number/symbol associates. These results are discussed in terms of their implication for profile analysis in general and in terms of their contribution to understanding the significance of the low Coding scores frequently observed among dyslexic readers.
Interrupting Visual Feedback in Writing
Authors: Hull Glynda A. , Smith William L.
Published: September 2011

To test the effects of interrupting visual feedback on writing, two groups of subjects—9 experienced and 9 inexperienced writers—were prevented from re-reading as they produced written texts. Their texts were then analyzed for error, syntax, over-all quality, and sentence connectedness. While both groups of writers were able to produce relatively well-formed sentences when they could not re-read, both were nonetheless hindered at the level of discourse production. Each group, however, reacted to that hinderance with different linguistic strategies.
Field-Dependence and Color Discrimination Ability in Females
Authors: Fine Bernard J.
Published: September 2011

Previous research has shown that field-independent males are very superior to field-dependent males in ability to discriminate colors. The research reported here examined the same relationship with females. 30 females were tested twice on the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Test. As predicted, field-independent females, as a group, performed significantly better on the task than did field-dependent females.
Training in Spatial Ability: A Test of Sherman's Hypothesis
Authors: Blatter Patricia
Published: September 2011

This study examined the hypothesis that differential experience is an explanation of sex differences in spatial ability. The results yielded unclear conclusions concerning training. Both the experimental and the control groups showed significant improvement between pre- and posttests, as measured on the Differential Aptitude Tests. In both groups, however, the girls improved significantly more than the boys, which clearly supports Sherman's hypothesis about differential experience.
Geophysical Variables and Behavior: XIV. Lunar Phase and Crime: Fact or Artifact
Authors: Templer Donald I. , Brooner Robert K. , Corgiat Mark D.
Published: September 2011

No relationship was found between lunar phase and number of calls for police assistance when controls for day of week, holiday, and year were made.
Area of Depictions versus Insufficient Transformations in Volume Judgments
Authors: Butler Darrell L.
Published: September 2011

Two hypotheses about judgments of apparent volume of depicted objects were compared. One hypothesis was that the area of the depiction influences judgments. The alternative was that volume judgments are based on an incomplete transformation from the two-dimensional stimulus to the object “implied” by the drawing. 38 college undergraduates ranked 24 drawings of rectangular boxes according to apparent volume. Results strongly supported the incomplete transformation hypothesis.
Three Recurring Electromyographic Biofeedback Research Problems and a Laboratory Model
Authors: Connally Roy E. , Nelesen Richard A. , Dieter John N. , Uliano Kevin C.
Published: September 2011

Exp. I investigated three recurring problems in electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback research. (1) Pre-knowledge that research involved biofeedback resulted in a selective bias on the part of students asked to volunteer as subjects. (2) EMG readings were not affected by repeated use of the word relax in verbal instructions. (3) The forearm extensor was the only muscle group which showed a statistically significant effect after one 20-min. training session. Exp. II challenged and clarified results of Exp. I and concluded the study with an empirically derived laboratory model for EMG biofeedback research.
Effect of Middle Ear Pathology on Selected Psychoeducational Measures following Surgical Treatment
Authors: Hutton Jerry B.
Published: September 2011

24 children surgically treated for pathology of the middle ear and 24 matched control children having histories without problems with ears or school were compared on the Slosson Intelligence Test, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, the Block Design subtest of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Form R, the Spelling subtest of the Wide Range Achievement Test, the Spelling and Reading Recognition subtests of the Peabody Individual Achievement Test, and the Goldman-Fristoe-Woodcock Test of Auditory Discrimination. The surgical group scored similarly to the control children on six of the eight tests, but significantly lower on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and the Block Design subtest of the Wechsler scale. Longitudinal research comparing similar groups of children is recommended.
Study of Horizontal Line-Mazes
Authors: Burlingame Kenneth , Hardy Robert Charles , Eliot John
Published: September 2011

Data from 240 right-handed children, 24 of each sex from each of Grades K to 4, were tested to examine relationships between their performance on four horizontal line-maze tasks, the Children's Embedded Figures Test, the Left-Right Identification Scale, and their total reading score from the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Results from a stepwise multiple linear regression indicated that, at Grade 4, the line-maze task requiring Left hand tracing from right-to-left contributed significantly to the multiple correlation predicting reading achievement and that the combination of this task with the Children's Embedded Figures score predicts reading achievement better than they do individually. Results from a 2 × 5 factorial analysis between sex and grade for each line-maze task indicated an increasing developmental progression for all line-maze tasks.
Sensitivity to Proprioceptive Feedback in Obese Subjects
Authors: Gardner Rick M. , Salaz Veronica , Reyes Beth , Brake Shirley J.
Published: September 2011

40 subjects, 20 obese and 20 normal, were run on a weight-discrimination task requiring judgments dependent on proprioceptive feedback. A signal-detection analysis was used to separate sensory factors from non-sensory, response-bias factors in the analysis of the discriminations. Obese subjects were inferior to normals in ability to make sensory discriminations; the largest differences occurred between obese and normal males. Obese subjects also adopted a more strict criterion (β); the largest differences again occurred for male subjects. Obese subjects showed more variability in their sensory judgments, although there was a significant difference on only one of the 5 discrimination tasks. Results are discussed in terms of the internal-external explanation of obesity.
Some Cognitive Aspects of Meditation Practice
Authors: Delmonte M. M.
Published: September 2011

This article reviews the role of some cognitive factors in practice of meditation. It is suggested that more attention should be given to such covert aspects of meditation as expectations, attitudes, and imagery, etc. Non-observable subjective experiences during meditation have not been adequately researched.
Reported Nightmare Frequency in Swiss University Students
Authors: Cernovsky Zack Zdenek
Published: September 2011

Collected data on nightmare recall in 60 Swiss university students (51 men; 9 women; mean age 25.8 yr.; SD = 2.9 yr.). 50% reported having experienced at least one nightmare in the last two years, 36.7% no nightmare within this time span, and 13-3% were unable to remember.
Effects of Hand Preference on the Sex Difference in Psychomotor Reminiscence
Authors: Wild Heather M. , Payne R. B.
Published: September 2011

Psychomotor reminiscence was investigated in 80 young adults as a function of sex, handedness, and hand employed in practice. Women reminisced more than men when practice was conducted with the preferred hand but not when it was conducted with the other hand. Hand preference was not a significant factor in men's reminiscence. Results were discussed within the context of reactive inhibition theory.
Comparison of Headlamp Visibility Distance and Stopping Distance
Authors: Olson Paul L. , Sivak Michael
Published: September 2011

This report compares experimentally-obtained headlamp visibility distances with stopping distances from 88 km/hr. The results indicate that low-beam headlamps are inadequate for safely revealing low-contrast objects at legal driving speeds.
Visual Perceptions and Observations of an Aphakic Surgeon
Authors: Anderson Robert M.
Published: September 2011

A surgeon analyzes his perception following removal of cataracts and repair of a retinal detachment. His conclusions are: aphakic eyes perceive ultraviolet light, the optic disc is perceived as a point rather than a space the size of the disc, a certain minimal similarity of light intensity on the two retinas is necessary for fusion of images, reduction telescopes can be made by a combination of contact lenses and trifocals which balance the image size in unilateral aphakia, the visual angle of cataract glasses may be only 56° but is perceived as 90° with a 22° blind sector, a patient can observe the progress of his own cataract by looking through a pinhole, and the optimal prescription for contact lenses in aphakia is with acute vision provided at 75 cm. rather than at 5 or 6 m.
Development of Use of Vision between 8 and 16 yr. of Age on Performance of Slow Continuous and Fast Discrete Motor Tasks
Authors: Sugden David A. , Cannell Angela J. , Cholewa John P. , Walder Peter J.
Published: September 2011

Two experiments, one involving walking, the other throwing, were conducted with boys 8, 12, and 16 yr. of age. The tasks involved viewing a distance to walk or throw, and then having to remember that distance before acting. The slow walking task showed no age effects; viewing and delay variables were constant across ages. The throwing task showed 16-yr.-olds to be superior to the other two age groups; different viewing and delay times had little effect on this older group. The 8- and 12-yr.-olds were affected by the viewing and delay conditions. The results are discussed with respect to task selection for developmental research.
Perceived Task Quality and Estimated Interval: Foundation for Temporal Attributions
Authors: Troutwine Robert
Published: September 2011

48 subjects listened to both a boring and an interesting tape. After listening, subjects rated each tape and estimated the duration of each—the order of the evaluation was manipulated. Choice was also varied regarding task involvement by assigning subjects to either with or without volition group. Altered temporal judgments did not independently reduce dissonance. A distinctive relationship between the subjective duration of the task and its perceived quality also affected subjects' attributions regarding a task.
Effect of Subliminal Visual Material on an Auditory Signal Detection Task
Authors: Moroney Elaine , Bross Michael
Published: September 2011

An experiment assessed the effect of subliminally embedded, visual material on an auditory detection task. 22 women and 19 men were presented tachistoscopically with words designated as “emotional” or “neutral” on the basis of prior GSRs and a Word Rating List under four conditions: (a) Unembedded Neutral, (b) Embedded Neutral, (c) Unembedded Emotional, and (d) Embedded Emotional. On each trial subjects made forced choices concerning the presence or absence of an auditory tone (1000 Hz) at threshold level; hits and false alarm rates were used to compute non-parametric indices for sensitivity (A′) and response bias (B″). While over-all analyses of variance yielded no significant differences, further examination of the data suggests the presence of subliminally “receptive” and “non-receptive” subpopulations.
Model of Ecological (Cultural) Evolutionary Neuropsychiatry
Authors: Pontius Anneliese A.
Published: September 2011

A new model posits that there are specific patterns of groupings of several delayed human cognitive functions or dysfunctions in certain ecological circumstances which characterize a significant portion of a cultural group. It is further posited that such patterns (“ecological syndromes”) are primarily based on as yet unknown neurophysiological givens. This deduction is based on the occurrence of several specific groupings of delayed cognitive functions or dysfunctions that have been identified in diverse time periods and cultural groups where no brain pathology can reasonably be expected. The “ecological syndromes” were, however, noted to be analogous to those found in neuropathology. The main factor contributing to such an “ecological syndrome” appears to be a specifically limited under-use of certain functions not needed for the survival of certain populations without implying any general cultural deprivation. Some examples of “ecological syndromes” are mentioned: low arithmetic skills linked with quantitatively inaccurate pictorial (and implied mental) representation of fingers, low literacy skills linked with specifically inaccurate pictorial (and implied mental) representation of the subtle spatial relations of the configuration of the human face, and an “ecological apractognosia” observed among wigmen of New Guinea.
The Pedometer: A Reassessment of its Usefulness in the Measurement of Activity Level
Authors: Edelman Barbara , Smits Gerard
Published: September 2011

The feasibility of using the pedometer to measure activity level was investigated. 35 male and 49 female subjects wore a pedometer and kept an activity diary for five consecutive days. The correlation between the two measures and the day-to-day reliability were examined. The pedometer showed high reliability and was strongly correlated ( r = .72) with the diary. It was suggested that the pedometer particularly when combined with a descriptive tool, such as a diary, can be useful in research on the relationship of activity level to overweight and other health-related behaviors.
Relationships among Self-Concept and School Achievement, Maternal Self-Esteem and Sensory Integration Abilities for Learning Disabled Children, Ages 7 to 12 Years
Authors: Doyle Beverly A. , Higginson David C.
Published: September 2011

52 learning disabled students were assessed to evaluate the relationships among self-concept and (a) school achievement, (b) maternal self-esteem, and (c) sensory integration abilities. Of these variables, perceptual motor abilities as measured by the Southern California Sensory Integration Tests contributed to reported self-concept of learning disabled students.
Personality Characteristics of Extreme Scorers on the Self-Monitoring Scale
Authors: Stewart Angela , Carley Lynn
Published: September 2011

Extreme high and extreme low self-monitors rated themselves and were rated by four close acquaintances on Gough's Adjective Check List and Cattell's 16 PF Profile Sheet. The theory of Snyder implies that high self-monitors ought to use more adjectives in describing themselves and that their acquaintances ought to use more adjectives in describing them. The observed differences were in the right direction but were nonsignificant. Another implication is that there should be greater self-other and other-other agreement in ratings of low self-monitors; results did not support these predictions either. Snyder's theory implies a direct relationship between self-monitoring and social desirability. In this study, high and low self-monitors did not differ in reliance on likability of adjectives used in self-descriptions. Although the construct and the scale may be useful in some contexts, self-monitoring as measured by Snyder's Self-monitoring Scale seems to have little relationship to cross-situational consistency.
Lateralization of Bilingual Digit Span Functions
Authors: Hoosain Rumjahn
Published: September 2011

36 Chinese-English bilingual undergraduates were tested on forward and backward digit spans in both Chinese and English in monaural listening tests. There was a significant right-ear advantage for forward digit span in Chinese but not in English, suggesting different hemispheric involvement.
The Zeigarnik Phenomenon Revisited: Implications for Enhancement of Morale
Authors: Weybrew Benjamin B.
Published: September 2011

Zeigarnik's notion of need tension following task interruption was reexamined by comparing the time estimates of task-interrupted and task-completed groups ( n = 15 each). Overestimation characterized the former and underestimation the latter group. Tasks with clear endpoints are thought to be associated with high morale.
Hand Test and the High School Personality Questionnaire: Structural Analysis
Authors: Giboney Garry Wade Mc , Carter Clifford , Jones Wayne
Published: September 2011

The Hand Test and the High School Personality Questionnaire were administered to 15 boys and 15 girls in Grades 9 and 10 transferred to an alternative school for acting-out behavior. They were of average intelligence. Several significant correlations between Hand Test and High School Personality Questionnaire variables were noted. Results are discussed in reference to Structural Analysis.
Life Stress Measures and Reported Frequency of Sleep Disorders
Authors: Cernovsky Zack Zdenek
Published: September 2011

Scales to assess nightmare recall frequency and recalled frequency of insomnia-related disorders (sleep onset, sleep-maintenance problems, unrefreshing sleep, and restless sleep) were administered, together with the Social Readjustment Rating Scale of Holmes and Rahe to 170 part-time undergraduate students (mean age 27.4 yr., 97 men, 73 women), and together with the Life Events Inventory of Tennant and Andrews to another sample of 91 part-time undergraduates (mean age 26 yr., 53 men, 37 women). The time span for which life events and sleep disorders were to be assessed was the previous 6 mo. Pearson rs suggested that the relationships of different types of scores for life events (scores for change, for distress, for amount of control over events, weighted and unweighted scores for negative and positive events) to reports of sleep disorders were mostly weak (the largest coefficient was .29) and nonsignificant. Of all life events measures, negative life events listed on the Readjustment Scale were the most closely associated with reports of sleep disorders; all 14 coefficients involving negative events were significant and in the clinically expected direction. Further research is needed to examine whether the size of correlations between events and sleep disorders is related to factors such as readiness to recall and report negative personal experiences.
Cognitive Discrimination in Brain-Damaged Adults: Color vs Form Preference
Authors: Goldfarb Robert , Balant-Campbell Anne C.
Published: September 2011

The relative preference of color, form, and other dimensions as the basis for discrimination between stimuli has been investigated in a variety of normal and language-impaired populations. In aphasic adults, previous studies have been contradictory, and no studies of non-aphasic, brain-damaged adults have been reported. In this study color vs form preference was examined in 20 left brain-damaged, aphasic adults, 20 right brain-damaged non-aphasic adults, and 20 control subjects. Significant differences were found among all groups, with preference of color over form greatest for left brain-damaged subjects, followed by right-damaged and control subjects.
Anxiety, Pain Experience, and Pain Report: A Signal-Detection Study
Authors: Schumacher Ruth , Velden Manfred
Published: September 2011

The effect of experimentally induced anxiety on pain perception was examined using a signal detection discrimination experiment. The experimental condition consisted in unsignalled application of very painful stimuli which substantially raised state anxiety. The discrimination task included the total range of painful stimuli. The results indicated a range-specific effect of anxiety on pain, particularly on increased sensitivity in the upper range of intensities. The importance of testing the effect of anxiety over the whole range of intensities is stressed. That prior work considered only one intensity level may be the main reason why previous signal detection studies about pain and anxiety showed contradictory results.
Effects of Cognitive and Exemplar Modeling on Field Dependence-Independence
Authors: Welkowitz Lawrence A. , Calkins Roderick P.
Published: September 2011

This study examined the effects of two modeling procedures on subjects' performance of cognitive tasks. 57 female and 14 male participants were exposed to one of three conditions. A Cognitive Modeling group viewed a videotape in which examples of embedded figures were presented, accompanied by verbalization of strategies relevant to task performance. An Exemplar Modeling group observed the same examples without verbalization of strategies. A Control group did not view a videotape. The Cognitive Modeling group subsequently outperformed the Exemplar Modeling group which in turn outperformed the Control group on the Embedded Figures Test (a measure of field dependence-independence). Subjects in the Cognitive Modeling group were also able to identify more task-relevant strategies than either the Exemplar or Control groups on a post-experimental questionnaire. These gains did not generalize to performance on Progressive Matrices.