bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluational Set and Creativity
Authors: Warren Gayle Hamilton , Luria Zella
Published: September 2011

To test Wallach and Kogan's hypothesis that low creativity is associated with fear of evaluation, a set of creativity tests with instructions meant to induce low, high, and neutral evaluational sets was administered to 147 fifth and sixth graders. No effect of evaluational set was found. Girls performed significantly better than boys on all measures of creativity. Reading skill was strongly correlated with creativity scores for our conditions of test administration. Subtests were significantly intercorrelated.
A Device for Producing Two Serial Tone-Bursts of Different Loudness
Authors: Whittingham T. A.
Published: September 2011

A device is described which presents 2 serial tone-bursts to S. The duration of the tone bursts, the interval between tone bursts, and the intensity of the second relative to the first, may be changed at will by the operator. The device is capable of extension to allow other parameters, such as frequency or waveform, to be altered between tone bursts. The instrument is being used in a project to assess the effects of drugs on the latency of recovery from auditory stimulation.
Simulated Work Therapy in Improving Behavior of Regressed Schizophrenics
Authors: Ravensborg Milton R.
Published: September 2011

A “preoccupation” hypothesis of schizophrenic deficit was proposed and a psychomotor approach to treatment (Simulated Work Therapy) was tested. Results of this first study indicated that the treatment, through intensive interference with preoccupation, increased 12 chronic schizophrenics' responsiveness to hospital routines and reduced their irritability.
Short- and Long-Term Memory as a Function of Individual Differences in Arousal
Authors: Osborne John W.
Published: September 2011

In a paired-associate learning experiment employing 40 university students as Ss, the contribution of individual differences in arousal to short-and long-term retention was investigated using individual differences in salivary response to lemon juice stimulation as an index of arousal. Experimental Ss were pre-selected from 99 Ss on the basis of extreme arousal scores. The hypotheses were confirmed; low-arousal recall is greater than high-arousal recall on a test of short-term retention ( p < .08) and high-arousal recall is greater than low-arousal recall on a test of long-term retention ( p < .04).
Comparison of Redundancy of French and English through Use of a Regular Finite Markov Process
Authors: Muise J. Gérard , Leblanc Renaud S. , Jeffrey Clarence J.
Published: September 2011

Digram transitional probabilities were used to compare the uncertainty of the English and French languages. An equilibrium matrix ( A), an average information ( H) value and the redundancy ( C) were computed for both languages using a regular Markov process. Six exponentiations were required to reach an equilibrium with a maximum absolute deviation of 0.005. The value of H for English and French was 4.11 bits and 3.96 bits respectively. Redundancy C for English was 12.6% and for French 15.8%. Differences between languages were observed warranting caution in the use of sequential dependencies of letters in inter-language studies.
Developmental Relationships between Field Independence and Fixity-Mobility
Authors: Eisner Donald A.
Published: September 2011

The level of field independence (measured by the Embedded-figures Test) was intercorrelated for 20 males with the level of fixity-mobility (measured by the Stroop Color-Word Test) at five different age levels. The Pearson correlations suggested that with an increase in the level of field independence there is a tendency to be mobile, and with a decrease in the level of field dependence there is a tendency to be fixed.
Backward Visual Masking with Homogeneous and Patterned Stimuli: Comparison of Retarded and Nonretarded Subjects
Authors: Galbraith Gary C. , Gliddon Jack B.
Published: September 2011

10 mentally retarded and 10 age-matched nonretarded (normal) Ss were tested under two conditions of backward visual masking: with a homogeneous masking flash and with a pattern masking flash. The results showed that retardates had higher thresholds (impaired detection of the test flash) than nonretardates under both masking conditions, but especially with the pattern masking flash. These results are interpreted in light of published reports that masking with a homogeneous flash occurs peripherally, while masking with a pattern flash occurs centrally. Hence, the inferior performance of retardates under conditions of pattern masking implies primarily central perceptual deficits. In addition, evidence is presented that such deficits may be related to the actual degree of intellectual ability.
Effect of Reference Points and Masking on Tachistoscopic Pattern Perception
Authors: Monit Peter M.
Published: September 2011

4 experiments examined S's tendency to reproduce more accurately elements about reference points, i.e., fixation (fixation facilitation) and extreme positions (end-segregation), of binary patterns. Exp. I varied pattern length from 4 to 28 elements. As predicted, end-segregation was greatest for intermediate lengths, and absent for longer patterns. Unexpected results were an end-segregation effect for shortest patterns and no fixation facilitation. In Exp. II, pairs of elements at all eccentric positions were more accurately reproduced when presented alone. Exp. III found no fixation facilitation with 28-element patterns and fixation-reference markers on the responding templates. Exp. IV tested the hypothesis that the fixation marker had masked central elements in Exps. I and III. Fixation facilitation appeared with 28- and 12-element patterns when a smaller marker was used. These experiments show that mnemonic factors affect differential perceptual accuracy among elements in tachistoscopic patterns.
Influence of the Subject's Criterion on the Visual Resolution of a Grating
Authors: Millodot Michel
Published: September 2011

The visual resolution of a grating depends upon the criterion chosen by the observer. Responding to the slightest change in appearance from a uniform unresolved grating leads to a low minimum angle of resolution but it is a false resolution. The results obtained when indicating the orientation of the grating and when the lines are just seen as parallel lines are significantly different from those arrived at with the criterion of a slightest change of appearance. It is concluded that the most valid criterion is to request S to indicate the orientation of the grating.
Hemifield Differences in Binocular Fusion
Authors: Carmon Amiram , Nachshon Israel
Published: September 2011

Laterality differences in binocular fusion of digits was examined using groups of Ss with either left to right or right to left reading habits. In hemifield presentation, opposing laterality differences were found between the groups when presentation was 8° 30' off center. English readers showed right visual-field preference, while Hebrew readers showed the opposite, but no laterality differences were observed at 3° presentation. In simultaneous presentation to both fields fusion was superior in the right visual field in both groups. The results obtained in hemifield presentation were in accordance with those obtained in conventional tachistoscopic perception of verbal material and can be explained by directional scanning tendencies. The results obtained in simultaneous presentation to both fields can be interpreted as demonstrating left cerebral dominance for perception of verbal stimuli. It is concluded that cerebral dominance in visual perception of verbal material can be demonstrated in situations where different inputs in crossed and uncrossed sensory projections are delivered to both hemispheres simultaneously.
Effect of Perceived Proximity to End of Task upon End-Spurt
Authors: Catalano John F.
Published: September 2011

2 experiments employing different types of tasks (vigilance and rotary pursuit tracking) were carried out to determine the relationship between S‘s perceived proximity to the end of the task and the occurrence of end-spurt (performance improvement as the end of a task is approached). In both experiments significant end-spurt occurred when Ss were led to believe that the task was 90% completed. This finding was difficult to explain since questionnaire data showed nothing unique about the meaning of “90%.” An arousal interpretation of the end-spurt phenomenon was offered but a distinction was made between end-spurt occurring in laboratory situations and industrial settings.
Visual and Haptic Dimensional Preference for Planometric Stimuli
Authors: Siegel Alexander W. , Barber John C.
Published: September 2011

108 children, 36 from each of the grade levels preschool, kindergarten, and first grade, were given tests of dimensional preference in both the visual and haptic modalities. Visual dimensions were form and color; haptic dimensions were form and texture. Previous research done with stereometric stimuli (three-dimensional objects) had indicated that the shift to form-dominance occurred at about the same time (5½ yr.) in both modalities. Stimuli in the present study were planometric (two-dimensional) rather than stereometric. In line with the predictions, visual form-dominance appeared earlier (4½ yr.) and the shift to haptic form-dominance occurred later (6½ yr.).
Cognitive Styles and Dramatic Acting Ability
Authors: Koenig Fredrick , Seaman Jerrol
Published: September 2011

Scores of cognitive complexity were derived from a version of the Role Repertory Test which was given to 20 drama students auditioning for parts in a play. The casting director for the play also rated each student on three different scales of acting ability. Correlations were made between scores of cognitive complexity and ratings of acting ability. No meaningful correlations were found.
Selective Attention and Cognitive Tempo of Low Achieving and High Achieving Sixth Grade Males
Authors: Hallahan Daniel P. , Kauffman James M. , Ball Donald W.
Published: September 2011

There is much clinical and subjective support for the notion that academic underachievers of normal intelligence (learning disabled children) exhibit both impulsivity and poor attention. This study compared high and low achieving children on two experimental tasks previously designed to measure impulsivity (Kagan's MFF) and selective attention (Hagen's Central-Incidental Task). Results generated empirical support for more impulsivity and less selective attention in low achievers than high achievers. Results indicated the 2 measures were correlated, suggesting a link between selective attention and cognitive tempo.
Employing Paraprofessional Teachers in a Group Language Training Program for Severely and Profoundly Retarded Children
Authors: Phillips Sheridan , Liebert Robert M. , Poulos Rita W.
Published: September 2011

A study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed language training program particularly suited for the severely retarded. Designed for use with non-professional staff acting as teachers, the program contains (1) a simplified introduction to operant and modeling procedures, (2) detailed lesson plans, (3) necessary materials, and (4) instructions for testing and evaluation. Institutionalized children classified as severely and profoundly retarded were pretested and assigned to four groups, based on pretest scores. Pairs of children were matched within each group according to pretest performance, language equivalence scores, mental classification, age, sex, race, and behavior problems. One member of each matched pair was then randomly designated an experimental or control child. The experimental groups received 2 mo. of language training (each group comprising one class), with two psychiatric aides conducting all activities. As training was completed, all children were posttested. Comparison of pre- and posttest performances indicated clear treatment effects, demonstrating the potential for wide-spread institutional use of such programs.
Quiet Sleep and Indices of Maturation in the Newborn
Authors: Emde Robert N. , Gaensbauer Theodore J. , Suzuki Bruce H.
Published: September 2011

Contrary to a previous report, data from separate behavioral and polygraphic studies of newborns do not support the inference of a negative correlation between birth weight and duration of quiet sleep. Correlations of gestational age and quiet sleep were weakly positive or non-significant.
Aspects of Inner Experience: Autokinesis, Daydreaming, Dream Recall and Cognitive Style
Authors: Starker Steven
Published: September 2011

Voth and Mayman have reported two pervasive styles of relating to the external environment which are best measured by the autokinetic effect, and have related autokinesis to broad aspects of inner life. The concern of this study is whether autokinetic perception is a meaningful measure of inner experience and how it relates to daydreaming, dream recall, and psychological differentiation. Patterns of inner experience are sought. Results show little correlational support for the hypothesized relatedness of autokinesis with diverse aspects of inner experience. Factor analysis yields an autokinetic factor independent of the other measures. Styles of daydreaming reported by Singer and Antrobus are replicated and some qualitative similarities are noted between waking and sleeping fantasy lives.
Oral Stereognosis in Predicting Speech Performance: Preliminary Report
Authors: Schliesser Herbert F. , Cary Marilynn H.
Published: September 2011

From 50 third grade public school students given an oral form-identification test 11 were chosen as their scores constituted a range of inferior performance. Scores on oral form-discrimination test and samples of connected, spontaneous speech were recorded and scaled by the method of equal-appearing intervals. Performance on the oral form-discrimination task was not significantly related to speech performance. It was concluded that, while some parameters of speech performance, such as articulatory deviations in persons identified as having such, may be associated with poorer oral stereognostic skills, the opposite may not necessarily hold true. Poorer oral stereognostic skills may not be indicative of poor speech performance. As performance on the oral form-identification task was statistically related to that on the oral form-discrimination task these tests measure similar oral stereognostic skills.
Multiple Regression Analysis of Complex Judgments
Authors: Steane Douglas A. , Hoge Robert D.
Published: September 2011

An experiment dealing with behavior within a complex decision situation is described. The independent variables were level of information and instructional set. Two levels of information differed in terms of the number of attributes used to describe the stimuli, while two sets of instructions differed with respect to the presence or absence of a rule regarding the processing of the information. Data were analyzed in terms of the Judgment Analysis technique. Both consistency of judgments and the nature of policies were significantly affected by the level of information and instructional set. Utilization of amount of information was affected only by level of information. The Judgment Analysis technique proved successful as an aid in analyzing judgments within the complex decision situation.
Relationships among Self, other, and Consensual Personal Space
Authors: Pedersen Darhl M.
Published: September 2011

Measures of self, other, and consensual personal space in relation to a target person were administered to 170 male Ss. No significant mean differences and high intercorrelations were found among the personal space measures. It was concluded that the personal space of a person is affected by the personal space of another person, and both the personal space of the self and the other determine the personal space between them that is consensually obtained.
Field Dependence and Self-Disclosure
Authors: Sousa-Poza Joaquin F. , Rohrberg Robert , Shulman Ernest
Published: September 2011

Some characteristics of the social behavior of field-dependents as well as their superior recognition of ambiguous social stimuli led to the hypothesis that they would show greater self-disclosure than field-independents. This hypothesis was tested by administering the 60-item Jourard Self-disclosure Questionnaire (JSDQ) to 13 field-dependent and 13 field-independent Ss. In terms of total self-disclosure scores, field-dependents showed significantly (.025) higher levels than field-independents. Results are discussed in light of personality theories which emphasize the role of self-conceptual transactions in the development of the self.
Performance Profiles of Hospitalized Psychiatric Patients
Authors: Kopfstein Joan Held , Neale John M.
Published: September 2011

60 schizophrenic and 60 nonschizophrenic male psychiatric patients were administered five laboratory tasks. Individual difference measures were also made. The hierarchical grouping procedure was used to form groups of patients with similar performance profiles on the laboratory tasks. The covariation of performance profiles and individual difference variables was examined. The groups which emerged were highly specific; constructs like schizophrenia, premorbid adjustment, paranoia, and chronicity were too global to describe performance profiles accurately.
Cognitive Styles in Reflective, Impulsive, and Hyperactive Boys and Their Mothers
Authors: Campbell Susan B.
Published: September 2011

10 reflective and 10 impulsive boys were compared with 10 hyperactive boys on measures of reflection-impulsivity and field dependence-independence. These reflective boys were more field-independent than the impulsive and hyperactive ones. However, the hyperactive and impulsive Ss did not differ on either cognitive style measure, suggesting that the school problems of this hyperactive group cannot be explained in terms of inefficient cognitive strategies. Mothers' cognitive styles were also assessed. Although there were no group differences, mothers with low error scores on the measure of reflection-impulsivity were more field-independent, suggesting that these styles may be related in adults.
Serial Search Performance with Stimulus Coding and Positional Change
Authors: Hunt Lester J.
Published: September 2011

72 college men and 72 women were given a serial search task called the Tsai-Partington Numbers Test. The design employed 3 kinds of stimulus coding and 3 forms of the test. The results indicated that no coding produced significantly better performance over coding which was either relevant or irrelevant to the task. The constant form of the test was superior to both the half-variation and total-variation forms of the test. Half and total variations were conditions in which the position of the numbers in the numerical display changed position over trials. It was suggested that coding the stimuli in these visual displays increased the difficulty of the search task regardless of the form of the test.
Acquisition and Retention of a Motor Skill by Normal and Retarded Students
Authors: Simensen Richard J.
Published: September 2011

Acquisition and retention of pursuit rotor performance for 100 EMR and normal Ss under the conditions of equal practice and learning to an equated mean level of performance with and without immediate feedback was investigated. (a) Immediate feedback had no effect on performance, (b) EMRs with additional practice performed as well as the normals, and (c) retention by EMRs having learned to an equated mean level of performance was superior to that of normals. The effects of sex and race were reported. Possible explanations were discussed.
Imagery and Verbalization as Mediators in Tactual-Visual Information Processing
Authors: Ford Marguerite P.
Published: September 2011

The use of imagery and verbalization as mediators in a tactual-visual (TV) matching task was studied by means of Ss' reports and correlations with independent measures of imagery and verbal ability. Ss' reports indicated that 80% of the sample of 50 4th-grade boys used imagery, 62% used verbalization, and 58% used both mediators in performing the TV task. The correlation between the TV test and an Imagery Index was low but significant, whereas no relationship was found with a Verbal Index. Ss' reports indicated that both imagery and language are involved in “cross-modal equivalence” and that which process predominates depends on stimulus and task characteristics.
Inferotemporal Evoked Potentials after Visual Discrimination Training in Squirrel Monkey
Authors: Carran Archie B.
Published: September 2011

A squirrel monkey was trained to close a switch activating a photo stimulator set for a single flash. The color of the light signalled the availability or unavailability of a raisin reward. Evoked potentials were recorded across the inferotemporal cortex and adjacent white matter, after original training and after each of 3 reversals. In each case there was a greater negative deflection in response to the SD. The difference in potentials was much less for the last 2 reversals.
Analysis of the McCarthy Scales in Terms of Guilford's Structure of Intellect Model
Authors: Kaufman Alan S.
Published: September 2011

The new McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities were analyzed in terms of Guilford's structure of intellect model to evaluate the consonance of this model with the structure of McCarthy's scales. The motor tests were analyzed in terms of Guilford's psychomotor matrix. These analyses showed a great deal of consonance between Guilford's systems and McCarthy's scales. A comparison of the abilities assessed by the McCarthy scales, Stanford-Binet, WPPSI, and WISC indicated that the McCarthy and Stanford-Binet measure similar percentages of the various structure of intellect operations, contents, and products but that both batteries assess the operation of evaluation to a lesser degree than the Wechsler scales.
Characteristics of Matrices Items
Authors: Ward J. , Fitzpatrick T. F.
Published: September 2011

A range of self-completion matrices items is analyzed in terms of the general characteristics of the matrix, its cell attributes, and operations required upon cell attributes. Symmetrical items include purely symmetrical, identity and Latin square arrangements. Non-symmetrical items are evolved by summation of cell attributes or by various operations upon cell contents. A notation scheme for matrix items is appended.
Experienced Lengthening and Shortening of a Straight Line Fixated in the Middle and Briefly Exposed
Authors: Holt-Hansen Kristian
Published: September 2011

The stimulus was a vertical, straight, red line, 17 cm. long and about 2 mm. wide, which for 60 msec. was projected onto a medium grey screen 2 m. from S. Fixating the midpoint of the line S reported that the line lengthened upwards and downwards from the point of fixation to full length and then shortened to the point of fixation. The measured time of lengthening-shortening with fixation of the midpoint was identical with that of fixation of the nethermost point of the same line.
Relationship of Attitudes and Locus of Control to Exercise and Physical Fitness
Authors: Sonstroem Robert J. , Walker Maxwell I.
Published: September 2011

Locus of control and attitudes toward physical activity specifying direction for the control construct were related to cardiovascular fitness and to measures of voluntary physical exercise in 102 male upperclassmen. Comparing dependent variable scores for internals and externals within attitude score quartiles produced significant attitude, control, and interaction effects on the fitness variable. Only the attitude effect was significant on voluntary exercise reports. Internal Ss with more favorable attitudes toward physical activity obtained significantly better fitness scores and reported significantly greater amounts of voluntary physical exercise than the rest of the sample.
Sex Differences in Short-Term Time Estimation
Authors: Strang Harold R. , Rust James O. , Garrison Geraldine
Published: September 2011

The influence of sex upon short-period time estimation was investigated. In a 10-estimate session, male Ss were significantly more accurate in producing 10-sec. intervals and showed significantly less across- and intra-subject variability than female Ss.
Speed Functions, Vocabulary Ability, and Age
Authors: Botwinick Jack , Storandt Martha
Published: September 2011

The present study investigated the relationship between verbal ability (as exemplified by Vocabulary test performance) and the ability to perform quickly (as exemplified by three tests varied in how important perceptual-integrative skills were thought to be involved in successful performance). In addition, the influence of Ss age on this relationship was examined. The WAIS Vocabulary, WAIS Digit Symbol, a pencil-and-paper Crossing-off test, plus a reaction-time procedure were given to Ss aged about 19 and about 71 yr. As the importance of speed relative to perceptual-integrative ability increased in successful performance, correlations with Vocabulary decreased. Principal component analyses suggested that Digit Symbol and Vocabulary performances shared equal variance in Cognition. Digit Symbol performance was also associated with Speed. While older age was associated with poorer performances, correlations among test scores were similar for old and young Ss.
Experiments with the Stutter-Aid
Authors: Trotter William D. , Silverman Franklin H.
Published: September 2011

4 studies concerned with the impact of a miniature low-frequency noise generator (Stutter-Aid) on stuttering are summarized.
Effects of Time Constraint on Closed-Loop Tracking Performance and Change in Heart Rate
Authors: Huchingson Richard D.
Published: September 2011

This study investigated the effects of 2 levels of time constraint upon task completion performance and mean heart-rate changes during testing. The pursuit-tracking task involved a cathode ray oscilloscope in closed loop with a control stick. The success criterion was 10 target lock-ons within predetermined time limits. The time limits were 100%, 60%, and 40% of each of 20 Ss' self-paced time requirements at the end of training. The results indicate that task-completion performance did not degrade with time constraint at the levels investigated. Mean change in heart rate was significantly greater on those tasks where success was in doubt until the end than on tasks where success or failure was a likely conclusion.
Visual and Auditory Autokinesis
Authors: Simpson W. E. , Vaught Glen M.
Published: September 2011

Two experiments demonstrate continuity in autokinetic movement of visual and auditory stimuli. In one experiment, the trial-to-trial correlations of duration of autokinetic movement were almost as large between modalities (correlating responses to the auditory stimulus with those to the visual) as they were within a given modality. In the second experiment, manipulation of instructions produced equivalent effects upon autokinesis in the two modalities. Introducing extraneous asymmetric stimulation had no effect in either modality. Current theories about autokinesis are largely mode specific; the results of these experiments suggest that central determinants also contribute strongly to the effect.
Sequential Effects Analysis of Choice Reaction Error Data
Authors: Remington Robert J.
Published: September 2011

Results of several analyses of error data from four different discrete-choice reaction experimental conditions (an equiprobable two-choice condition, a two-choice condition in which one of the stimulus events appeared with a probability of .70, an equiprobable four-choice condition, and a four-choice condition in which one signal appeared on 20% of the trials) indicate salient characteristics of error data which an adequate model should predict, as well as some clues as to the information processing microstructure which determine error responses. In general, the second and third-order sequential effects observed for the error probability data closely parallel the often reported sequential effects associated with choice reaction time (CRT) data. However, findings concerning CRTs associated with error and posterror responses are reported which raise a number of questions regarding adequacy of current theoretical formulations which assume that errors are generated by premature exit from an invariant sequence of additive and stochastically independent processing stages. In addition, several methodological implications of results are delineated and discussed.
Perceived Duration of Brief Sensory Signals
Authors: Berglund Birgitta , Berglund Ulf
Published: September 2011

From experimental data on temporal integration of sensory signals and perception of time it was shown that perceived duration of brief signals may depend on perceived intensity. Findings support the ‘activation level hypothesis’ for time perception.
The Peabody as a Substitute Measure of Oral Reading
Authors: Heriot James T. , Tavormina Joseph B. , Vautrain Robert L.
Published: September 2011

The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test correlates significantly with language ability (Teasdale, 1969) and reading achievement of children of lower socio-economic status (Hall, 1970). The need to develop measures of reading achievement for children with severe difficulties in spoken language (deaf and aphasics) suggested to us the possibility of modifying the Peabody to assess reading recognition of single words by such children. To obtain an estimate of the correlation between the Peabody as a reading test and the Wide Range Achievement Test (Jastak, 1965) 38 children with a MCA of 9 yr., 5 mo. and a MIQ of 103.9 were tested. They had been referred for evaluation of suspected learning disabilities. Target words from the Peabody were reprinted in enlarged type and presented visually to Ss who indicated their knowledge of each word by pointing to the appropriate picture. Standard Peabody basal and ceiling scoring criteria were used. The Wide Range Achievement Test was administered in standard form as an oral word-recognition test.
Production of Original Verbal Images by College Adults to Variable Time Intervals
Authors: Khatena Joe
Published: September 2011

This study investigated the effects of varying time intervals on the production of original verbal responses of 90 college men and women, divided into high, moderate and low creative groups. Their responses to 10 onomatopoeic word stimuli presented at intervals of 5, 10, 15 sec. and as much time as needed indicated that highly creative Ss showed greater gains in mean originality scores than their less creative peers when given a 15-sec. deadline, with highly creative men maintaining this superiority even when given as much time as needed.
Interest and Participation in High School Activities by College Freshmen
Authors: Fletcher Raymond
Published: September 2011

This study attempts to determine interest and participation in high school activities. For 950 male college freshmen physical education students participation in activity was determined by an Information Check List. The results indicated that high school students tended to participate in team activities, but when asked what they were interested in learning as new activities, they preferred the individual activities that could be participated in during later years.
Effects of Rewarded Pretraining and Partial Reinforcement on Lever Pulling by Retarded and Nonretarded Children
Authors: Hayes Charles S. , Routh Donald K.
Published: September 2011

The task of pulling 2 levers for marble rewards was given to 72 retarded and 72 nonretarded children matched for mental age (approximately 7 yr.). Half of the children were given a pretraining task on which they experienced success and the other half a control pretraining procedure. On the lever pulling task half the Ss received 50% reward on the first lever and the other half 100% reward on the first lever, both groups being always rewarded after pulling the second lever. Rewarded pretraining led to a slowing down of starting speeds on both levers which was more marked in retarded than in nonretarded children. For nonretarded Ss the 50% reinforcement condition led to consistently faster responding on both levers, but this partial reward superiority was seen in retarded Ss only on the early trials. Interpretations of these effects in terms of Amsel's theory of frustrative nonreward and Zigler's concept of a retardate negative reaction tendency were offered.
Instruction Effects and Relation between Extraversion and the Spiral Aftereffect
Authors: Kristjansson M. , Brown R. I. F.
Published: September 2011

The relation between extraversion (EPI) and length of aftereffect was investigated when spiral aftereffect was measured on the same Ss under three instructions: (a) normal— S is told to report “When the aftereffect appears to stop” and after Ss had been informed of two phases in the decay of the aftereffect and told to (b) report the end of the first, faster, phase of decay, or (c) report when “they were absolutely sure that the second phase of decay had ended.” Near zero correlations were obtained between E and SAE under conditions (a) and (c) but E and SAE were negatively and significantly correlated under condition (b). It is suggested that failure to differentiate these instruction conditions could account for many of the previous contradictory findings on the relation between E and SAE duration.
Field Dependence and Differences between Visual and Verbal Learning Tasks
Authors: Berent Stanley , Silverman Albert J.
Published: September 2011

50 female undergraduate students were administered 2 paired-associate learning tasks (verbal and visual) and assigned on the basis of their scores on the rod-and-frame test to extreme field-dependent and field-independent groups. No significant difference was found between the two groups on the visuo-perceptive paired-associate tests. Compared to the field-independent Ss, however, the field-dependent Ss showed significant impairment on the verbal task ( U = 18, p < .01). These findings are discussed in terms of possible dominant (left) cerebral hemisphere involvement in field dependency.
Primary Visual Experience and Secondary Cognitive Elaboration in Stage Rem: A Modest Confirmation and an Extension
Authors: Foulkes David , Pope Richard
Published: September 2011

The finding by Molinari and Foulkes (1969) that REM-burst sleep mentation is more sensory and less conceptual than that occurring during episodes of ocular quiescence within EEG stage REM was confirmed, but at a reduced level of absolute discriminability and only when spontaneous portions of S's dream interview were considered. Evidence was gathered to suggest that bursts of EEG sawtooth waves which often precede REMs are phasic events with mentation correlates comparable to those of REM bursts themselves and that sawtooth activity may, in fact, mark the point at which the most discontinuity is experienced in S's train of sleep thought. Implications of these findings for tonic-phasic and scanning-hypothesis models are discussed, and the possibility is presented of extending them to studies of non-REM sleep mentation.
Application of Harmonic Analysis to Residual Brightness Flicker
Authors: Swisher Charles W. , Mandes Evans J.
Published: September 2011

Harmonic analysis has in recent years contributed significantly to the understanding of flicker fusion phenomena, including the areas of heterochromatic flicker where critical flicker frequency is viewed as a function of pulse-to-cycle fraction. In this context, modifications of selected values of variables in previous harmonic analytic functions for describing changes in heterochromatic critical flicker frequency were considered. These modifications allow the luminance aspect of heterochromatic flicker to be viewed in clear relation to conventional luminance flicker rather than in terms of the chromatic aspects of the heterochromatic flicker situation.
Reward, Punishment and Reversal on a Mirror-Tracing Task
Authors: Borresen C. Robert
Published: September 2011

In an attempt to “equate” punishment and reward, a situation was devised where the informational content, intensity and method of delivery were the same. On a mirror-tracing task both punishment and reward affected Ss' performance. The initial effect of punishment was more pronounced than the initial effect of reward. When Ss were told to reverse the direction of tracing, degradation of performance was less for the punished group than for the reward group.
Wisc and Reading Achievement of Children Referred Back to the Regular Classroom or to a Special Education Class after Psychological Evaluation
Authors: Jansen David G.
Published: September 2011

WISC and Wide Range Achievement Test reading patterns of 165 elementary school children referred back to the regular classroom, to classes for the educable mentally retarded, and to classes for the minimally brain-damaged after psychological evaluation were compared. Brain-injured children of both sexes did not differ significantly from their educable retarded counterparts on some of the WISC Performance subtests. On the other hand, brain-injured boys and girls did not differ from boys and girls returned to the regular classroom after evaluation on some WISC Verbal subtests. Children returned to the regular classroom were, on the average, reading at grade level on the WRAT. Brain-damaged and retarded children averaged well below grade level on the reading subtest of the WRAT.
Primacy-Recency Effects in Impression Formation and Congruity-Incongruity of Stimulus Material
Authors: Labbie Stephen
Published: September 2011

To assess the effects of congruity of stimulus material upon subsequent impression formations 120 students in introductory psychology were tested in either a congruent, incongruent or a comparison condition, while order of presentation was controlled. Predictions based on the congruity-incongruity dimension were supported by these results: Ss responded differentially to an impression-formation task as a function of the congruity or incongruity of the stimulus material, primacy effects in impression formation occurred when stimulus material was congruent and negative followed by congruent and positive, and negative material was more influential in establishing an impression in general, and, in particular, when material was incongruent. These findings were discussed with regard to previous research and implications.
Effects of Environmental Color on Two Psychomotor Tasks
Authors: Goodfellow R. A. H. , Smith Patricia Cain
Published: September 2011

A popular viewpoint holds that various hues will have differential effects on activation level and psychomotor performance. To test the performance hypothesis 125 Ss performed two psychomotor tasks (pursuit rotor and the Crawford Small Parts Dexterity Task) in one of five booths painted red, green, blue, yellow, or gray. Colors were matched for brightness and saturation and ambient light level was equated for each booth. Ss also gave preference rankings of the five colors. Results show high agreement in preference rankings of the colors ( p < .001); there were no significant differences in performance, however, between groups on any task.
A Shaping Procedure for Heart-Rate Control in Chronic Tachycardia
Authors: Scott Robert W. , Blanchard Edward B. , Edmunson Eileen D. , Young Larry D.
Published: September 2011

6 experiments of single-subject design are presented in which an operant conditioning paradigm, utilizing a variable criterion shaping procedure with commercial television programs or money as reinforcement, was employed to accelerate or decelerate heart rate (HR). In the four analogue experiments in which the HR of normal Ss was accelerated, changes of 16 to 35 BPM above a stable baseline were obtained. In the two clinical experiments, involving patients with chronic tachycardia and anxiety, decelerations of HR to the normal range were obtained and other clinical improvements noted. In all cases these changes in HR were maintained over at least three successive trials (days). The results are discussed in terms of the applicability of this shaping procedure to the treatment of chronic tachycardia.
Cognitions and “Placebos” in Behavioral Research on Ambient Noise
Authors: Harcum E. Rae , Monti Peter M.
Published: September 2011

A first experiment, using visual and card-sorting tasks, found no effects of 100-db ambient noise per se, although cognitive variables in the testing situation affected both performance and ratings of disturbance. In two subsequent experiments some of the Ss were told that a noise was extraneous to their task of reproducing tachistoscopic patterns, and others were told that effects of the noise were being studied. Control Ss received no noise. Although group membership did not affect over-all perceptual accuracy, it did interact with other variables, indicating some influence on Ss' distribution of attention. The “relevant” noise was rated generally less disturbing, as predicted, but with greater variance in ratings; correlations with interview data suggest that some Ss had “cooperated” with E by judging the noise to be disturbing. Thus, in the absence of any other adequate “placebo” to control for cognitive factors, deceptive instructions may always be necessary in studies of ambient noise.
Assessment of Short-Term Visual Memory and its Educational Implications
Authors: Carroll James L.
Published: September 2011

Short-term visual memory has attracted the attention of psychologists and educators for years. The present review examines some of the most widely used tests of short-term memory for visual form in relation to academic achievement. While a number of studies report significant relationships between short-term visual memory and reading ability, some data are equivocal. The paucity of hard data on the effectiveness of remediation is discussed; suggestions for testing memory functions in very young children are offered.
Accuracy of Perception and Cooperative Game Behavior
Authors: Hogan James L. , Fisher Roger H. , Morrison Bruce John
Published: September 2011

The present study examined the effects of opponent's cooperation and honesty on the cooperation of 80 like-sexed pairs who played 40 trials of a Prisoner's Dilemma Game. Ss faced an opponent programmed by E to be either Honest-Cooperative, Honest-Competitive, Dishonest-Cooperative, or Dishonest-Competitive. Post-game ratings indicated that a majority of Ss perceived the opponent as competitive and honest regardless of the opponent's actual behavior. Ss' perception was significantly associated with their cooperative behavior, with accurate perceivers being less cooperative than inaccurate perceivers. The greater competitiveness of accurate perceivers was tentatively explained as a function of their more extensive use of the cues generated directly by the experimental context.
Tachistoscopic Detection as a Function of Varying Degrees of Physical Exercise
Authors: Goldwater B. , Zirul G.
Published: September 2011

The effect of variations in activation upon sensory sensitivity was assessed in a tachistoscopic detection task. Activation was manipulated by means of physical exercise tasks and tachistoscopic detection was measured using a forced-choice procedure. The results supported the inverted-U hypothesis.
Sociometric Status and Cognitive Style in Kindergarten Children
Authors: Dreyer Albert S. , Mc Intire Walter G. , Dreyer Cecily A.
Published: September 2011

The sociometric status and cognitive style of 113 male and female kindergarten children were investigated using a free-play and a school-related task. Analyses of variance indicated that field-dependent girls and field-independent boys had significantly higher sociometric status in the free-play situation; boys had significantly higher social status in the task-situation. Other analyses showed field-dependent girls have higher sociometric status and are more varied in their sociometric choices. The educational implications of these findings are discussed.
Effect of Perceived Looking Time on Evaluation of Paintings
Authors: Kleinke Chris L. , Gitlin Karen S. , Segal Hope A.
Published: September 2011

Female Ss operated a projector to look at 12 slides of paintings. False information was given so Ss believed they had chosen to look at a particular painting for a significantly longer time than other participants, for an average length of time, or for a significantly shorter period of time. Ss' ratings of paintings were not affected by the false feedback in the first viewing session. In Session 2 1 wk. later, Ss rated the longer than average paintings more favorably than before and rated the average and shorter-than-average paintings less favorably than before. The results were interpreted as supporting Bern's hypothesis that attitudes are a function of behavior.
“Functional Race Membership” and Recognition of Faces
Authors: Galper Ruth Ellen
Published: September 2011

White students enrolled in a black studies course displayed better recognition accuracy for black faces than for white faces. All other groups (white and black) displayed better accuracy for faces of their own respective races than for other-race faces. Results suggest that for some perceptual performances, “objective” race membership may be less important than allegiance and interest. “Functional race membership” is suggested as a descriptive concept. For black and “functionally black” perceivers, differential recognition accuracy as a function of race is minimized when black faces are in the majority. There is weak evidence that the dependence of differential recognition accuracy on proportional representation of the races is enhanced when race membership is salient.
An Analysis of Stimulus Dimensions Which Define Children's Encapsulating Play Objects
Authors: Gramza Anthony F.
Published: September 2011

Preschool children were systematically exposed to enterable boxes made of transparent, translucent and opaque Plexiglas presented within the context of a playroom setting. Measurement of responses to these boxes indicated that children at play prefer encapsulating objects which offer visual cut-off and darkness more than those providing tactile enclosure alone. This investigation constitutes part of an ongoing program which is exploring the manner in which specific stimulus parameters of the physical environment modulate children's play behavior.
Daydreaming as a Function of Cueing and Task Difficulty
Authors: Filler Mark S. , Giambra Leonard M.
Published: September 2011

The effects of demand characteristics and task difficulty upon the reported frequency of daydreaming were investigated. 71 Ss who performed 2 memory tasks of varying difficulty served in one of two control groups and an experimental group. Contrary to expectation, a suppression of daydreams occurred when Ss were cued that a report of daydreams was to be investigated. However, in line with our hypothesis a more difficult memory task resulted in a reduction in the amounts of reported daydreaming.
Absolute Judgment Method in Categorical Response-Production Tasks
Authors: Hupet Michel M.
Published: September 2011

An absolute production technique is described which may be used for investigating the operating characteristics of the response production system in any free category-rating production task, Ss being asked to generate categorical motor responses as well as perceptual signals of appropriate magnitudes. Instead of S assigning a numerical response to a given perceptual stimulus according to a prespecified arrangement, he must use his own system of responses by generating a motor response to a numerical stimulus varying from 1 to N. A description of what is expected from S is given using the concrete example of vocal pitch production.