bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Prior Experience, Access to Information and Level of Performance on Individual and Group Performance Ratings
Authors: Hatfield Frederick C.
Published: September 2011

The effects of feedback, prior judging experience and the level of the performance being judged on individual and group ratings of the performances were determined. 36 experienced and 36 inexperienced gymnastic judges viewed a film containing 20 gymnastic performances of low, moderate and high caliber under conditions of complete, partial, and no feedback of information as to the ratings of the other judges in their respective groups. On the basis of conformity theory it was hypothesized that groups rating performances in an open system are more reliable and accurate in their ratings than are groups operating in partial or no-feedback conditions. Further, this tendency was hypothesized to become manifest more if performances are of low caliber as opposed to moderate or high caliber and if the observers are experienced at rating performances as opposed to inexperienced. While the data supported these hypotheses, only partial support was achieved for the hypothesis that intraindividual variability will be greatest among no-feedback and inexperienced groups. It was found that inexperienced judges were individually more variable in their ratings than experienced judges and that more intraindividual variability was displayed among ratings of low-level performances. Judges' ratings were compared to absolute criterion scores derived by a group of experts through various film analysis techniques.
An Improved Experimental Situation for Studying Visual Psychophysics in the Goldfish, with Data on Discrimination of the Vertical
Authors: Volkmann Frances C.
Published: September 2011

A technique similar to that used by Yager was developed which permits economical behavioral assessment of visual discriminations in the goldfish, Carassius auratus. 4 large goldfish ran approximately 50 trials per day on a horizontal-vertical discrimination using this technique. Investigation of the discrimination of single versus redundant stimuli confirmed earlier findings of Sutherland and extended those findings by showing good discrimination of small stimuli after hundreds of trials. A subsequent experiment in which stimulus size was varied systematically suggested that the length of the stimulus is more important than its width and that if the ratio of length to width is held constant, the discrimination is a function, within limits, of over-all stimulus size.
Responses of Protein Malnourished Rats to Novel Objects
Authors: Zimmermann Robert R. , Zimmermann Stephanie J.
Published: September 2011

Rats deprived of normal amounts of protein early in life and then rehabilitated were placed in an open field in the presence of either familiar or novel objects. In the presence of the familiar objects, the experimental animals did not differ from controls. In the presence of the novel object, animals with a history of early malnutrition were less active than controls. The data are consistent with other findings that indicate that the rat suffering early malnutrition reacts more emotionally to environmental stimulation.
Cataractogenesis in Infant Rats with Model Phenylketonuria
Authors: Gunter Ralph , Brown W. Jann , Schalock Robert
Published: September 2011

Parachlorophenylalanine was employed to produce phenylketonuria (PKU) in immature rats. Blood phenylalanine, liver phenylalanine hydroxylase and behavioral abnormalities were found. In addition, severe lenticular clouding was observed, a phenomenon not seen when model PKU was induced by means of L-phenylalanine. Surgical removal of the eyelids prior to normal eye opening (12 to 14 days) resulted in fulminating cataractous development in both treated and untreated rats as soon as light entered the eye. Animals allowed to open eyes at normal time differed in that the treated rats showed cataract while none was seen in untreated controls.
Development of Causal Connectives by Children
Authors: Sullivan Laraine
Published: September 2011

Children of 4, 6, 8, and 10 yr. of age were tested for development of linguistic connectives, attention to order of causally related events, and their ability to explain the order of these events. Ss were asked to tell stories relating the events shown in pairs of pictures. The degree of constraint of the connectives used was related to the age and sex of Ss, and age and type of relationship presented (Causal vs Arbitrary). The attention to order of causally related events increased linearly with age. Ability to explain the temporal order of causally related events increased with age.
Motor Assessment of the Developmentally Handicapped
Authors: Kerr B. A. , McKerracher D. W. , Neufeld M.
Published: September 2011

As a means of estimating the value of selected test items in assessing motor performance, 31 educable mentally retarded individuals were randomly selected to be tested on all items at one time and retested 7 days later. Test-retest reliability coefficients indicated that some items were inadequate due to low reliabilities while most could be considered to be adequate. Suggestions were made regarding allowing a greater number of trials for handgrip strength and fewer for the Standing Broad Jump. Factor analysis gave no loadings consistent with those reported in the literature. Significant learning occurred from one testing session to the next with three test items.
Form Discrimination Performance of Linguistically Retarded Children
Authors: De La Peña Augustin , Hirsh Richard , Eisenson Jon
Published: September 2011

Intra- and intermodal form-discrimination performance was studied in 9 linguistically retarded children. Stimuli were the blocks which comprise the Seguin Form Board. The main findings were that haptic intramodal discriminations were the most difficult of the various conditions and that visual-haptic intermodal discriminations were not significantly more difficult than visual intramodal ones. The first finding may be in part an artifact of simultaneous versus successive stimulation. The second finding was discussed in relation to dissimilar findings from previous studies of various other retarded groups. Methodological problems inherent in previous designs were described, and reasons for the disparity in experimental results were suggested.
Effect of Wavelength and Intensity of Eliciting and Test Stimuli upon Spiral Aftereffect
Authors: Karras Harry G. , Milligan W. Lloyd , Scott Thomas R.
Published: September 2011

A brightness matching procedure was used to measure the effect of wavelength and intensity of eliciting and test stimuli on spiral aftereffect. The results suggest that average rate of spiral aftereffect is a positive function of eliciting stimulus brightness and a negative function of test stimulus brightness. For 2 of 3 Ss, wavelength of the eliciting and test stimuli produced analogous results, with greater aftereffect resulting from a blue-eliciting stimulus than a red one. Conversely, less aftereffect resulted when a blue test stimulus was used. These results are interpreted within the framework of conventional physiological explanations of the effect.
“Apparent Behavior” Revisited
Authors: Greenberg A. Morley , Strickland Lloyd H.
Published: September 2011

Ss were asked to attribute characteristics to the geometrical objects in the film used by Heider and Simmel, using 3 clusters of adjectives taken from the activity, potency, and evaluative dimensions respectively of the semantic differential. The original, descriptive findings of Heider and Simmel received support from the results derived from the use of measurement “scales.” The implications of the use of movies of “interacting” physical stimuli in the study of social attribution processes were discussed, and hypotheses and methods for additional studies were ventured.
Effect of Age on Utilization of Prior and Subsequent Context in Expectancy Restoration
Authors: Middleton M. A. , Davenport W. G.
Published: September 2011

30 Ss ranging in age from six to seventy-two years were exposed to series of alternately high and low frequency tones. The tones were 500 Hz for a low tone and 4,000 Hz for a high tone, varying in duration from 300 to 700 msec. In each series a low tone was “buzzed” out with FM interference, Ss being requested to estimate on the basis of the alternating tones either prior to or subsequent to the buzzed out tone, what that tone should have been. The dependent variable was the number of correct responses over ten trials, utilizing prior or subsequent context. Three groups of 10 Ss each, aged 6 to 16 yr., 19 to 45 yr., and 46 to 72 yr., were employed. Results showed significant differences between the age groups in their utilization of information from prior and subsequent contexts. Prior to middle-age Ss obtained better performance scores employing a prior context condition than a subsequent context condition. For Ss past middle-age, performance utilizing the subsequent context was significantly better. The middle-aged group used both prior and subsequent contexts with approximately equal frequency. Suggestions for future research were presented.
Incidental Learning and Measures of Creative Potential
Authors: Dellas Marie , Lederman Edward
Published: September 2011

The relationship between incidental learning and creative potential was assessed by two measures of cognitive complexity (the Barron-Welsh Art Scale and the Asch-Barron inventory), and responses of 59 male and female undergraduate students showed that, while incidental learning had high positive correlations with intelligence and intentional learning, r with the creativity predictors was nonsignificant. Results indicate the functioning of independent motivational and cognitive processes, with differing outcomes for these variables.
Duration of Silent Interval as a Perceptual Cue of Speech Pauses
Authors: Ruder Kenneth F.
Published: September 2011

The effect of duration of silent interval on the perception of pauses in speech was investigated. The stimuli consisted of 5 recorded sentences within which the words “lost” and “contact” were manipulated so that their syntactic relation to one another varied in complexity from sentence to sentence. Ss, working individually, mechanically adjusted the silent interval duration between the words “lost” and “contact” within each sentence in order to make judgments of (1) the pause-detection threshold, (2) the optimal fluent pause, and (3) the minimal hesitation pause. Across the 5 sentences, the mean durations were 23 msec., 186 msec., and 505 msec. for the three types of pause, respectively. Statistical analysis, however, showed that durations of silent interval for these three types of pause differed significantly only when occurring between phrases. This was not true of within-phrase pauses. Thus, contrary to usual assumptions in the literature, these results suggest that for within-phrase pauses, at least, duration of silent interval is an insufficient perceptual cue for differentiation of fluent and hesitation pauses.
Reaction Time and Effect of Ritalin on Children with Learning Problems
Authors: Spring Carl , Greenberg Lawrence , Scott Jimmy , Hopwood John
Published: September 2011

In Exp. I, 22 poor readers and 22 normal readers of elementary-school age were matched on age, IQ, and sex and tested with a visual reaction-time task requiring same-different judgments. On initial trials poor readers were slower than normal readers. In addition, the performance of poor readers deteriorated faster than that of normal readers as testing progressed. In Exp. II, 20 hyperactive boys taking methylphenidate medication, 19 hyperactive boys whose medication was temporarily discontinued, and 19 normal boys were tested. Reaction time on early trials was not significantly different for boys in the on-medication and off-medication groups; however, both hyperactive groups were slower than the normal group. As testing progressed, reaction times of normal boys and boys taking medication remained fairly stable, while the performance of hyperactive boys not taking medication declined. The significance of these results to reading and spelling is discussed.
Intertrait Correlations as a Function of Amount of Judgmental Information about the Ratee
Authors: Ekehammar Bo , Magnusson David
Published: September 2011

Intrajudge intertrait correlations were studied as a function of amount of information (interview length). The trait ratings were based on interviews of 4 different lengths and made by 6 observers of 160 Ss with respect to 4 personality variables. Inrertrait correlations were unaffected by amount of information and fluctuated around the same high level of magnitude.
Recruitment, Loudness and the Stapedial Reflex Threshold under Hypnosis
Authors: Schoenfeld Lawrence S. , Cooper J. C. , Martin Frederick N.
Published: September 2011

Stapedial reflex thresolds were established for two normal hearing female adults to assess the effect of hypnotic suggestion on that threshold. Hypnotic suggestions that the test stimulus was either “very loud” or “very soft” did not alter the reflex threshold, although the suggestions of loudness and softness did alter Ss' experience. Use of the word “loudness” in discussions of recruitment is called into question.
Nature of Rest Pauses in a Simple Tapping Task
Authors: Frith C. D.
Published: September 2011

The rest pauses in a tapping task are abnormally long gaps in performance about double the normal intertap interval. Recording of muscle action potentials during tapping performance showed that the rest pauses occurred when a tap was attempted but the movement and force of the finger was too small to produce a contact.
Perception of Instructor in Relation to Self and Evaluation of Instructor's Performance
Authors: Davison Dewitt C.
Published: September 2011

68 college juniors rated themselves and the instructor on the 49 trait adjectives in Bills' Index of Adjustment and Values. They were then asked to rate the instructor's teaching performance on a different questionnaire. The correspondence between the average rating given self and the average given the instructor across the 49 adjectives was taken as an index of assumed-similarity of student to instructor. The 34 students who perceived the instructor as being most superior to themselves on the trait adjectives rated his teaching performance higher than the 34 who perceived him as being more similar to themselves. The findings suggest a halo effect in student ratings of instructor performance.
On Non-Equivalence of Equivalence Range Measures
Authors: Huckabee Malcom W.
Published: September 2011

Measures of equivalence range were intercorrelated in three studies in order to determine the equivalence of the measures and constructs from which the measures were derived. In none of the studies were the intercorrelations significant. Thus, the ability to generalize from results obtained with any one measure is limited, and the meaning of the constructs of equivalence range or category width is viewed as being unclear.
Learning Priorities in a Paired-Associate Task with Polygons and Numbers as a Function of Polygon-Set Variability
Authors: Mavrides Cynthia
Published: September 2011

Ss performed a paired-associate task with polygons and numbers, where polygon sets satisfied four different combinations of feature variability. Two groups of Ss working with two sets where forms were highly variable on the Jaggedness feature (HH, HL) consistently selected certain polygons for early pairing. These polygons were assumed to have high primacy, and their selection was independent of all feature measures of forms and their derivatives. Two groups of Ss working with two sets where forms were not highly variable on the Jaggedness feature (LL, LH) formed pairings at a slower rate. Within these groups, selection of individual polygons for early learning was dependent on several measures reflecting their extremity on both Jaggedness and Area measures. No such differences were obvious with groups differing in Area variability. Results are interpreted in terms of a hierarchy of response bases for early pairing where “Gestalts” are used in conditions of high Jaggedness variability and “extremes” in conditions of low Jaggedness variability.
Cognitive Control in Recall of Similar Visual Designs Vs Nonsimilar Thematic Materials
Authors: Lohrenz Leander J. , Gardner Riley W.
Published: September 2011

3 experiments were performed to clarify the relationship of two principles of cognitive control to the recall of different types of stimulus material. Exp. I shows that there is little or no relationship between leveling-sharpening and recall of thematic material and no relationship to recall of sequentially presented, highly similar designs. Exps. II and III show that, as predicted, field-articulation or field-dependence is related to the recall of similar visual designs but not to the recall of thematic material.
Introversion-Extraversion and Neuroticism in Gifted and Ungifted Art Students
Authors: GÖtz Karl Otto , GÖtz Karin
Published: September 2011

It is generally assumed that artists are mostly introverted. In order to find out if they are also neurotic 50 gifted and 50 ungifted art students were tested with the Maudsley Personality Inventory. The results showed a clear tendency toward introversion and neuroticism for the gifted group. The mean scores of the ungifted group, on the contrary, were in the vicinity of normality. Next, out of the gifted group 15 highly gifted Ss were selected. Their mean scores on introversion and neuroricism were markedly higher than those of the 35 less gifted Ss.
Effects of Brightness Differences on the Panum Phenomenon
Authors: Pandina R. J. , Lawson R. B.
Published: September 2011

The Panum phenomenon requires presentation of 2 laterally displaced vertical parallel lines to one eye and a single vertical line to the other eye which gives rise to only 2 lines in the stereoscopic field with one of the lines appearing closer to the observer. The purpose of our experiment was to determine if stereoscopic depth perception would arise from spatially disparate Panum targets when the lines differed in brightness from each other. The present findings indicate that Panum targets which carry both a spatial disparity and a brightness difference give rise to stereoscopic depth perception.
Modification of Performance on the Rod-and-Frame Test
Authors: Small Maurice M.
Published: September 2011

A 2-phase investigation (10 preconditioning trials followed by 10 conditioning trials) was performed in which operant conditioning techniques were used to increase the absolute magnitude of the average error on the rod-and-frame test (RFT) for one group and to decrease it for a second group of 10 undergraduates. A third group was given the same number of trials without reinforcement ( E saying “very good”) in order to control for practice effects. The RFT performances of the experimental groups were significantly modified in the predicted directions and remained consistent over 1 mo. Although the RFT performance of the control group improved significantly during the initial testing, this improvement did not carry over 1 mo.
Observations on the Flexed-Arm Hang Test for Women
Authors: Little Mildred J.
Published: September 2011

The AAHPER and an experimental flexed-arm hang test were both significantly related to dynamic arm and shoulder girdle endurance for 43 college women, while little relationship existed between either flexed-arm hang test and grip strength.
Stimulus Identifiability and Perceptual Ability in Paired-Associate Learning of Retardates
Authors: Parnes Jay S. , Muller Douglas
Published: September 2011

The paired-associate learning by educable mental retardates as a function of perceptual ability (Bender-Gestalt) and stimulus identifiability was examined. Ss of high and low perceptual ability learned a paired-associate task employing stimuli which were hard and easy to identify. Control groups were CA-matched normals and MA-matched normals. The results suggest that performances of retardates of high and low perceptual ability do not differ when easily identified stimuli are used but do when stimuli are difficult to identify.
Two-Flash Threshold in Normal and Subclassified Schizophrenic Groups
Authors: Borinsky Mark , Fox Robert , Neale John M. , Cromwell Rue L.
Published: September 2011

A normal and various subclassified schizophrenic groups ( ns = 10) were compared on two-flash threshold by a brief double staircase method and by an extensive yes-no procedure with signal-detection analytic techniques. For all groups the two techniques correlated moderately. Contrary to predictions made by Venables' arousal theory, the data obtained from the yes-no procedure showed that these schizophrenic groups performed similarly and at a lower sensitivity than the normal group.
Role of Task Interest in Learning from Prose Passages
Authors: Howe Michael J. A. , Evans Linda
Published: September 2011

Although it is generally assumed that interest has considerable importance in human learning, there is very little empirical evidence on the role of interest. It is suggested that the lack of evidence is largely due to difficulties in defining and manipulating interest in experimental research designs. In the present study Ss were required to read three prose passages of widely differing content. It was found that the contents of each passage were retained more accurately by learners who ranked them high in degree of interest than by Ss who ranked the same passage lower.
Note on Applicability of the Kaufman Formula for Abbreviating the WPPSI
Authors: Woo-Sam J. , Zimmerman I. L.
Published: September 2011

The Kaufman formula for abbreviating the WPPSI was applied to two groups of 20 referrals, 5- to 6-yr.-old. 20 were potentially gifted, 20 had behavior/learning problems. While the Kaufman formula provided mean scores very close to the actual Full Scale scores, the standard error of estimate in each instance was too large to predict individual Full Scale scores. Simple proration of the four subtests gave equivalent outcome.
Arithmetic Achievement and Creativity: Explorations with Elementary School Children
Authors: Kaltsounis Bill , Stephens Howard G.
Published: September 2011

Comparison of scores obtained from 184 Ss in Grades 4 through 6 on Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking, Verbal and Nonverbal, Form A and Seeing Through Arithmetic Tests produced significant correlations of small to moderate magnitude between verbal originality and mathematics ( rs = .23 to .43, df = 183).
Signal Intensity and Reinforcement Effects on Reaction Time in Brain-Damaged and Familial Retardates
Authors: Hasazi Joseph E. , Allen Robert M.
Published: September 2011

The effects of attentional and motivational variables on reaction time in brain-damaged and familial retardates were investigated. Reaction time was functionally related to 2 intensities of an auditory reaction signal under conditions of contingent, noncontingent, or no reinforcement over 5 30-trial sessions for both etiologic groups. While no significant differences between brain-damaged and familial Ss were found, reaction time decreased as signal intensity increased and decreased over sessions as a function of contingent reinforcement. Likewise, differences in reaction times to each signal intensity became smaller over sessions as a function of contingent reinforcement. Results were discussed in relation to previous research and in relation to the relative effect of attentional and motivational factors in the reaction-time performance of the retarded.
The Stroop Phenomenon: Some Critical Tests of the Response Competition Hypothesis
Authors: Nealis Perry M.
Published: September 2011

2 experiments were conducted, involving individual and serial list presentation of Stroop stimuli, to provide a critical test of the response competition hypothesis, and some response processes which have been attributed to the color-word interference phenomenon. It was found that interference in the naming of colors could be generated by congruous, as well as incongruous, color-word stimulus combinations. The experimental results supported the traditional notion of competition between two responses for a single response channel.
Perceived Dimensions for Combinations of Drug Substances
Authors: Stone Le Roy A. , Sinnett E. Robert , Coles Gary J.
Published: September 2011

8 experienced users of “street-drugs” estimated the over-all similarity of 11 drug-substance combinations based on their own experiences with such combinations. Their similarity estimations were analyzed using multidimensional scaling procedures (namely, the Stone-Coles method). Four judgmental factor-dimensions were extracted and identified (tentative labels: I. Psychedelic drugs in combination with other substances vs pot in combination with downers; II. stimulant-depressant; III. psychedelic drugs vs other drugs, IV. LSD in combination with other substances) which accounted for 92% of the variance of the averaged similarity estimates. These particular judgmental factor-dimensions were similar to those extracted from judgments pertaining to single drugs as stimuli.
Neuro-Ethics of “Walking” in the Newborn
Authors: Pontius Anneliese A.
Published: September 2011

The newborn has protective mechanisms against most overstimulation through the special sense modalities. By contrast, he is forced to react with stereotyped motion when his reflexes, e.g., the “walking” and placing reflexes, are elicited through “exercises” and at times even beyond the normal prevalence of the “walking” reflex (until 8 wk. of age). This interferes with the normal newborn's phases of motor quiescence and of reflex inhibition probably due to cortical inhibition. Questions are raised about long-range neurological implications of such an overemphasis on the lowest level of motor integration at a time when not even the pyramidal tracts have matured sufficiently to make voluntary walking possible. Clinical observations by Simpkiss and Raikes pointed to detrimental effects of too early use of “baby-walkers” even at 3 mo. of age.
Perceptual Rigidity in Paranoid Schizophrenia: Use of Projective Animal Drawings
Authors: Simmonds David W. , Koocher Gerald P.
Published: September 2011

The animal and opposite technique, a projective drawing device, was used objectively to show that paranoid schizophrenics ( n = 20) exhibit more rigidity in perceptions than nonparanoid psychiatric inpatients ( n = 17). Data from a sample of 37 and a cross-validation sample of 133 are described. The paranoid schizophrenics performed with more rigidity as predicted in both samples. The results show the potential utility of the technique in clinical diagnosis and illustrate perceptual rigidity in paranoid schizophrenics.
Decrease in Stroop Effect by Reducing Semantic Interference
Authors: Liu An-Yen
Published: September 2011

Ss were instructed to hold the incongruous color words upside down while naming the color in which the word was printed. The color-naming time was significantly shorter than that of the conventional naming situation. This result seems to confirm the claim that reducing the distracting inadvertent word-reading involved in the task of color naming will decrease the interference in the Stroop test. This implies that the involuntary word-reading which introduces semantic interference to the required response is a source of the Stroop effect.
Effects of Practice and Alcohol on Selected Skills: Implications for an Automobile Alcohol Ignition Interlock
Authors: Sturgis Samuel P. , Mortimer Rudolf G.
Published: September 2011

A stylus-tracking task and a task devised by the General Motors Corporation were examined for their prospective value as alcohol ignition interlock systems. 16 Ss were extensively practiced on the 2 tasks before being tested during the absorption, peak, and elimination phases of the blood alcohol cycle at BACs of 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.05%. While significant decrements in performance were found in both tasks at 0.10% BAC, only the stylus-tracking task showed useful test discrimination between Ss at BACs of 0% and 0.10%.
Differential Effects of Viewing Four Patterns of Figure Movement on Performance of a Dynamic Balance Task
Authors: Suttie Sandra J.
Published: September 2011

To investigate the differential effects of viewing four patterns of figure movement on the performance of a dynamic balance task, 48 male Ss watched a visual figure moving in a horizontal, vertical, circular clockwise, or circular counterclockwise pattern while performing on a Dynabalometer. A two-way analysis of variance showed there was a significant difference among the balance scores while performing the visual tasks. Scheffé tests indicated that the differences occurred between the vertical versus horizontal and between the vertical and counterclockwise conditions. Balance was best while viewing the vertical pattern, followed by the clockwise and horizontal patterns, and poorest with the counterclockwise pattern.
Body-Build Stereotypes in Cross-Cultural Perspective
Authors: Hopkins Brian
Published: September 2011

The socio-ecological approach to cross-cultural psychology has been discussed in terms of research completed within the model. At present there exists a void in the model, that is, relationships between biological variables and socialization. One approach would be a cross-cultural study of stereotypical reactions to body-builds.
Vibrotactile Thresholds and Oral Stereognosis in Children
Authors: Lonegan Dorothy Shannon
Published: September 2011

This investigation was designed to compare oral vibrotactile thresholds and oral form identification measurements on 10 normal-speaking children and 10 children with sibilant articulation defects. The two measures employed included the NIDR 20 oral stereognostic forms and tongue-tip vibrotactile thresholds at 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 Hz. The results of oral stereognostic testing were not useful in predicting sensitivity to lingual vibrotactile stimuli for either normal-speaking or articulatory-defective Ss. Children with normal and defective articulation did not differ in their responses either to oral stereognosis or to vibrotactile stimulation. There were differences in vibrotactile thresholds at different frequencies for both groups.
Effects of Signal Probability on Vibrotactile Signal Recognition
Authors: Gescheider George A.
Published: September 2011

When signal intensity was set at either 20 or 21 dB SL, O was required to report whether the 60-Hz vibration on his fingertip was strong or weak. If trial-by-trial feedback was given, increasing the probability of a strong signal led to an increase in the probability of a “strong” response. The shape of receiver-operating-characteristic curves was consistent with the assumption of the theory of signal detection that performance optimization is accomplished by O making an appropriate change in the location of his decision criterion. When O was not told the signal probability or given trial-by-trial feedback the proportion of strong responses decreased as signal probability was increased. The performance optimization that occurred when feedback was given was facilitated by also telling O the signal probabiliry. When signal-probability information but no feedback is given, performance is likely to be unaffected by changes in signal probability.
Hand Efficiency and Right-Left Discrimination
Authors: Rigal Robert A.
Published: September 2011

The results obtained from 40 right-handed 10-yr.-old boys on hand efficiency and right-left discrimination tests were compared to the results from 40 left-handed boys of the same age. Relationships between hand efficiency and right-left discrimination were analysed. No significant differences were found between the two groups in either the right-left discrimination test or in the hand-efficiency tests for the preferred hand. However, a significant difference was found between the non-preferred-hand performances of the right-handed and left-handed children on the hand-efficiency tests. No significant relationship was found between hand efficiency and right-left discrimination with these 10-yr.-old boys.
Empirical Approach to Testing Equal-Interval Assumption of Equal-Appearing-Interval Scales
Authors: Silverman Franklin H. , Berry Richard C.
Published: September 2011

The method of equal-appearing intervals offers no direct check of the assumption that the intervals between points on equal-appearing-interval scales are, in fact, equal appearing. An approach is described for checking this assumption that has much in common with Stevens' method of direct magnitude-estimation.
Multidimensional Scaling of Elementary Teachers' Impressions regarding a Set of Student Behavior Problems
Authors: Langhorne John E. , Stone Leroy A. , Coles Gary J.
Published: September 2011

A recently proposed multidimensional similarity analysis methodology was used to analyze the dimensionality of a set of selected behavior problems sometimes exhibited by elementary students in classroom situations. Judges were elementary school teachers who frequently encountered such behavior problems. The three extracted evaluation dimensions, accounting for 82% of the judgmental variance, were all readily interpretable. The success of this exploratory application of a multidimensional scaling procedure to educational concerns suggested further uses for such investigative methodologies with regard to other forms of educational judgment-evaluation.
The Basic Emotional Impact of Environments
Authors: Mehrabian Albert , Russell James A.
Published: September 2011

Available literature provides ample evidence that there are basic responses which are elicited by stimuli but which are independent of sense-modality distinctions. Everyday observations of intermodality associations, studies of synesthesia and of physiological reactions to different stimuli, and semantic differential studies all showed evidence of such primary responses. Semantic differential studies, in particular, have shown that human judgments of diverse samples of stimuli can be characterized in terms of three dimensions: evaluation, activity, and potency. We have termed the corresponding emotional responses pleasure, arousal, and dominance. Simple self-report measures of these emotional reactions were developed by using questionnaire studies in which Ss described a variety of situations using semantic-differential type scales.
Does Post-Exposural Directional Scanning Offer a Sufficient Explanation for Lateral Differences in Tachistoscopic Recognition?
Authors: McKeever Walter F.
Published: September 2011

White's recent criticisms of experiments by McKeever and Huling are discussed. The points are made that, contrary to White's claim, McKeever and Huling never attributed all obtainable lateral recognition differences to effects of cerebral dominance and that White's criticisms in no way establish a directional scanning hypothesis as compatible with the results obtained under the conditions of the McKeever and Huling experiments. That the scanning hypothesis also fails to account for many other results obtained in recognition and recognition reaction time studies is indicated.
Protein Deprivation in Primates: III. Cage Activities and Chain-Pulling Behavior of Adult Rhesus Monkeys Maintained on Low-Protein Diets
Authors: Hill Charles W. , Riopelle Arthur J.
Published: September 2011

Three groups of adult female rhesus monkeys, maintained on low-protein diets (.5-gm, 1-gm, and 2-gm protein per kg body weight) were compared with a control group (4-gm protein per kg body weight) on a number of spontaneous cage activities and chain-pulling behavior. Although the deprived animals lost body weight and muscle tissue and they became deficient in essential amino acids and plasma albumin, they maintained their normal posture and continued to move about, vocalize, eat, drink, etc., as such monkeys usually do in their home cages. However, several specific behavioral deficiencies were revealed: reduced face and head movements, fewer eye contacts, and less chain pulling. It was concluded that the level of protein deprivation induced in this study depletes the animals' energy resources and produces a lowered anxiety threshold, so that certain additional behavioral demands cannot be supported even though routine cage activities are not impaired.
Motion Parallax and Distance Estimation Underwater
Authors: Ferris Steven H.
Published: September 2011

The possible value of monocular motion parallax for improving distance perception underwater was investigated. Submerged Ss either kept their heads stationary or rotated their heads about a vertical axis while judging the distance of objects placed 4 to 15 ft. away. Both before and after training with feedback to increase accuracy of judgment, head movement did not significantly improve performance. Water turbidity and loss of position constancy are two probable reasons for the failure to replicate the positive results previously obtained in air.
Role of Visual Acuity in Tachistoscopic Recognition of Three-Letter Words
Authors: Curcio Frank , Mackavey William , Rosen Jeffrey
Published: September 2011

It has been suggested that a correlation between word recognition and visual acuity would constitute a confounding influence in word-recognition studies within a laterality paradigm. 20 Ss made binary judgments concerning the presence or absence of a spatial gap in a tachistoscopically presented line target positioned at .75°, 1.5°, 3.0°, and 6.0° in either visual field. Gap detection was superior in the right visual field ( p = .02) at the 6.0° position. Word recognition was determined for tachistoscopically presented three-letter words positioned along a 6.0° vertical meridian in either visual field. Visual acuity performance was not related to word recognition either for the group or for individual Ss. The data therefore do not encourage the view that normal variations in acuity significantly affect word recognition in laterality studies.
Measuring the Stimulation-Seeking Motive by Global Self-Rating
Authors: Farley Frank H.
Published: September 2011

The global self-rating measurement of the stimulation-seeking motive was found to correlate at low but significant levels with an inventory-type measure of this motive for 69 females ( r = .35) and 65 males ( r = .32). Suggestions for improving the global measure were made, and the possible usefulness of this approach for certain classes of research was discussed.
Projective Test Data from Two Contrasted Groups of Exhibitionists
Authors: Wagner Edwin E.
Published: September 2011

Comparisons were made among 7 female strippers, 12 male exhibitionists, and assorted groups of matched male and female controls ( n = 33), using indices derived from the Rorschach and Hand tests. Results were analyzed and discussed in terms of the relative roles of exhibitionistic, voyeuristic, sexual and aggressive tendencies in producing 2 contrasting types of exhibitionistic behavior.
Effects of Semantic Organization on Encoding and Retrieval in Recognition
Authors: Da Polito Frank J. , Struhar William J.
Published: September 2011

Hierarchical study triplets, e.g., canary, bird, animal, were followed by a recognition test of one word from each triplet. The test word was presented either in its original study context, with the context deleted, in a context of new unrelated words, or in a context of words taken from a dictionary definition of the original context words, i.e., properties contexts. Recognition in the original and remote properties contexts was superior to all other test contexts. These results support a hypothesis of semantic memory organization proposed by Collins and Quillian (1969).
A Measure of Verbal Aggression
Authors: Epstein Norman , Krakower Sonora
Published: September 2011

To provide a set of noxious verbal stimuli for use in studies of aggressive behavior, 71 criticisms of a male were scaled for degree of hostility. Undergraduate males each selected and delivered 10 criticisms to an insulting or a neutral peer. Ss reported significantly greater liking for the neutral than for the insulting peer, but actual and self-perceived verbal aggression did not differ between treatment groups. However, the measure's validity was partly supported by significant ( p < .001) correlations with reported dislike of the partner ( r = .54) and with perceived strength of criticisms sent ( r = .47). Also, self-perceived aggression was related to dislike of partner ( r = .31, p < .05). Lack of an insult-aggression effect was interpreted in terms of individual differences in Ss' perceptions of “insulting” and “neutral” messages they received. Further tests of the sensitivity of this aggression measure are needed.
The Maitland Graves Design Judgment Test Judged by 22 Experts
Authors: Götz Karl Otto , Götz Karin
Published: September 2011

In recent studies it was argued that the Maitland Graves Design Judgment Test does not succeed in measuring what it purports to measure. 22 experts (designers, painters, and sculptors) were asked to examine critically the test items consisting of pairs or triads of designs. The results indicate that most of the designs were “badly constructed” and unsuitable for the evaluation of the degree to which S perceives and responds to basic principles of aesthetic order. The agreement of experts was .92. It was conluded that the test could not be used for the selection of students for courses in the visual arts.
Lateral Displacement of Pictures and Best View: Is there an Artist-Specific Effect?
Authors: Swartz Paul , Collier Gary , Swartz Shirley
Published: September 2011

University Ss, 22 men and 28 women, moved pictures along the lateral axis to locate the optimum viewing position for each. The results did not support Schlesinger's claim that the effect of lateral displacement on picture unification is artist-specific.
Comparative Validity of Harris' and Koppitz' Scoring Systems for Human-Figure Drawings
Authors: Gayton William F. , Tavormina Joseph , Evans H. Eugene , Schuh James
Published: September 2011

This study examined the comparative validity of the Harris and Koppitz scoring systems for human-figure drawings by 50 boys who were administered these tests as part of a regular psychological evaluation. No differences were found between the Harris Point Scale and the Koppitz system in terms of interscorer reliability and concurrent validity. The validity coefficients obtained with the Quality Scale were significantly lower than those of the Point Scale and Koppitz system in relation to both Verbal and Full Scale IQ.
First-Grade Readiness Predicted by Teachers' Perception of Students' Maturity and Students' Perception of Self
Authors: White William F. , Simmons Margaret
Published: September 2011

To test the hypothesis that affective responses obtained from instruments measuring teachers' perception of students' maturity and students' own self-perceptions are correlated with scores on highly cognitive achievement tests, a step-wise regression analysis was applied to the scores obtained by beginning first graders on the Metropolitan Readiness Test, the Behavioral Maturity Scale, and the I Feel—Me Feel test. Only the teachers' perception of academic maturity as measured by the Behavioral Maturity Scale was a significant predictor ( p < .001).
Reliability of Two Measures of Visual Imagery
Authors: Mc Kelvie Stuart J. , Gingras Pierre Paul
Published: September 2011

Test-retest, split-half, and parallel-form reliability estimates were obtained for the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire and the Gordon Test of Visual Imagery Control. Although the Vividness of Imagery questionnaire was internally consistent, its reliability over time and form was unsatisfactory. In contrast, the Gordon scale lacked internal consistency but was reliable over time and form.
Effect of Task Demands on Relationship between Eye Movements and Sentence Complexity
Authors: Klein Gary A. , Kurkowski Frank
Published: September 2011

Eye movements were recorded while 8 Ss scanned self-embedded or right-branching sentences. On half the trials, Ss were forewarned that questions would follow sentence presentation. There were significantly more eye movements for the self-embedded than for the right-branching sentences, and this difference was much greater in the question condition than the non-question condition. The importance of task demands for scanning behavior was discussed.
Eyemovements as a Function of Attention and Rate of Change in thought Content
Authors: Ruth Judy Straughan , Giambra Leonard M.
Published: September 2011

Previous investigators have inferred that increased rate of eyemovement was due to increased attention or increased rate of change in thought content. Studies testing one position were interpretable in terms of the other. This study was carried out to end this methodological confound. Two groups ( n = 12) at normal and high attention performed mental tasks involving both a low and a high rate of change of thought content. The results indicated that increased rate of eyemovement occurred with an increase in attention regardless of rate of change of thought content and with an increase in rate of change of thought content only when the attention level was high.
An Exploratory Direct-Estimation Approach to Location of Observers in Percept Space
Authors: Coles Gary J. , Stone Leroy A.
Published: September 2011

A least squares technique for estimating the loadings that additional/new variables might receive on factors derived in an analysis of a different set of variables was adopted for use with a recently proposed methodological revision of Ekman's “content” model of multidimensional similarity analysis. An experiment was then conducted in which psychologist-judges directly estimated the degree of perceived similarity between their particular viewpoints with respect to “personality” and 15 well-known personality theories. The procedure was used to locate the psychologists in the four-dimensional space previously constructed to account for the rated similarities among the same theories.
Validity and Reliability of the Hooper Visual Organization Test
Authors: Gerson Allan
Published: September 2011

To assess the validity and reliability of the Hooper Visual Organization Test, 68 Ss, of whom 16 were clinically and psychometrically determined to be suffering from organic brain damage, 19 had functional disorders, and 33 were without organic or functional disorders (normal), were given the test. The instrument was shown to be reliable ( r = .80), however, clear-cut discriminations between groups were not achieved. There were significant differences in scores of normal and damaged groups, functional and damaged Ss, but not functional and normal Ss. The qualitative signs said to aid in differentiations were totally absent from all protocols. Performance was affected in part by IQ and other aspects of recognition of meaning. There was a 19% false negative rate for the functionals and a 51% false positive rate for normals. The conclusion was that this device is of dubious clinical value.
End-Spurt following Simple Repetitive Muscular Movement
Authors: Catalano John F.
Published: September 2011

An experiment was carried out to study the nature of end-spurt in a task requiring pure muscular activity (tapping a telegraph key) and to compare the findings to those which studied end-spurt in tasks requiring other types of activities. Here, as was found in other tasks, significant end-spurt occurred when Ss believed they were 90% completed. However, in contrast to other tasks, performance improved on the critical trial for all conditions. This was interpreted as being due to arousal resulting from onset of a signal light rather than to any significance the light might have had. It was proposed that a variable influencing end-spurt might be the length of time spent at a task. It was also pointed out that in this type of task the amount of recovery from decrement which occurs through end-spurt is only a small portion of the total decrement which has previously occurred. Optimization of performance level could probably best be achieved through distributed work periods where rest would be introduced prior to the occurrence of decrement.