bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychology of Computer Use: XLII. Problem Solving and Humor as a Function of Computer Anxiety
Authors: Emanuele Susan , Dale J. Alexander , Klions Herbert L.
Published: August 2011

From a pool of 115 undergraduate women, 20 were placed in a Computer-anxious group and 20 in a Computer-nonanxious group based on their scores on the Computer Anxiety Scale. Half of the subjects were randomly assigned to a group to which the computer presented the problems first and half to a group to whom the computer presented the jokes first. Electromyograms from subjects' zygomatic muscles were monitored as well as palmar skin conductance. Behavioral measures were collected prior to and following the computer interaction. Although the electromyogram for zygomatic tension (smiles) was higher in the jokes condition, indicating that subjects responded to jokes as humorous, Computer-anxious subjects showed increased scores on anxiety and depression and relatively high skin conductance on the initial joke. Subjects with high computer-anxiety had less experience with computers, had lower scores on the Rosenberg Self-esteem test, and, likely not being familiar with computer humor, reacted anxiously.
Does Massage Decrease Laryngeal Tension in a Subject with Complete Tetraplegia?
Authors: Sullivan S. John , Blumberger Judith , Lachowicz Christina , Raymond Denis
Published: August 2011

This descriptive account indicated that massage applied to the laryngeal region gave some temporary benefit in reducing laryngeal tension as measured by the fundamental frequency of the acoustic signal recorded during a sustained vowel production in a subject with a complete tetraplegia.
Implications for the Use of Projective Techniques in Organizational Consulting: Some Findings from a German Survey Study
Authors: Fassbender Pantaleon
Published: August 2011

Relevance and scope of projective techniques for the purpose of organizational consulting are discussed. As an example, responses to a word-association task requiring each participant to visualize his company as an animal were compared with the rated appraisal for different values and qualifications as elements of corporate success. The sample consisted of 219 German managers (48% of them were CEOs or board members). Meaningful relationships between the choice of certain animals and value preferences were shown. Finally, widespread disapproval of projective techniques in management diagnosis and organizational consulting may be challenged.
Effects of Modeling Errors on the Acquisition and Retention of Sterile Hand Washing Task
Authors: Riolo Lisa
Published: August 2011

The learning effect of including errors in the instruction of a sterile hand washing task was studied. The numbers of errors made during task reproduction on acquisition and retention were analyzed. Subjects were assigned to one of four groups: observed task demonstration, observed task demonstration and five errors, observed task demonstration and the correct presentation of the five errors, and the Control group was told the clinical importance of hand washing. Two trials were videotaped for evaluation during each time of testing. Group differences were tested using a mixed-model analysis of variance. Instruction altered task performance, although no group difference existed. Scores were higher on acquisition tests than retention and on the second trial than the first.
An Exploratory Study on Contingent Verbal Feedback for Accuracy of Intonation in Musical Performance
Authors: Sogin David W.
Published: August 2011

The effect of contingent verbal feedback on accuracy of intonation of eight students in a course on string methods was compared. Analysis indicated that performed intonation was significantly better when using finger numbers than when referring to the pitch name.
Auditory Brainwave Stimulation in Treating Alcoholic Depression
Authors: Waldkoetter Raymond O. , Sanders Gilbert O.
Published: August 2011

An auditory technology is briefly examined describing brainwave patterns and use associated with lower mean MMPI-2 Depression reported by 9 alcoholics at posttest than 15 controls. An exploratory trial with Native Alaskans/Americans gave positive indications for some consideration as a further alternative treatment.
Self-Efficacy Perceptions and Outcome Expectations in the Prediction of Occupational Preferences
Authors: Kantas Aristotle
Published: August 2011

Outcome expectations, as conceptualized by expectancy-value theories, and self-efficacy perceptions have often been employed for the prediction of career-related behavior. The relationship, however, between these two cognitive mechanisms has not been adequately examined. On the basis of Bandura's 1986 and Lent, et al.'s 1994 formulations it was hypothesized that combining measures of these two variables in a single model would improve prediction of occupational preference. This hypothesis was supported in two studies with undergraduate students ( ns = 105 and 64) expressing occupational preferences. Employing a within-subjects analysis, a multiplicative combination of outcome expectations and self-efficacy perceptions gave better prediction of expressed occupational preferences than either self-efficacy or outcome expectations alone.
Vertical Impact Forces during Bench-Step Aerobics: Exercise Rate and Experience
Authors: Scharff-Olson M. , Williford H. N. , Blessing D. L. , Moses R. , Wang T.
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of two bench-step exercise speeds on vertical impact forces and to explore this variable between novices and instructors. 12 women (mean age 24 yr.) randomly performed 8-min. protocols of the “basic” bench-stepping technique and a more advanced “travel” technique at 30 and 33 cycles · min.−1. Analysis showed that the faster exercise rate yielded significantly higher vertical impact forces on a reference (B-8) step height (20.3 cm). At 33 cycles · min.−1, the instructors' and novices' responses were both higher than those at 30 cycles · min.−1. The mean peak vertical impact force ranged from 1.54 times the body weight for the novice group at 30 cycles · min.−1 to 1.87 times the body weight for instructors at 33 cycles · min.−1. A comparison of the groups' force curves showed a distinctive pattern in the loading of the impact forces. Specifically, the instructors consistently produced a transitory decrement in force prior to attaining peak force. In addition, the novices exhibited nonuniform increases in the production of vertical impact force across other step heights at the faster (33 cycles · min.−1) speed. Thus, experience with bench-step exercise may afford an ability to make uniform and force-absorbing adjustments in the resultant vertical impact forces at increased speeds.
A Multivariate Study of the Serial Color-Word Test
Authors: Rubino I. Alex , Fedeli Barbara , Zanna Valeria , Fortuna Enzo
Published: August 2011

Patterns of adaptation to a conflict situation (the Stroop task) were assessed with the Serial Color-Word Test. A cluster analysis was performed on 859 protocols, adopting a six-cluster solution. A subsequent discriminant function analysis cross-validated the usefulness of the test's variables in predicting the cluster assignments. The distribution of 3 different diagnostic groups (psychotic, neurotic-psychosomatic, and general population) showed significant differences across the 6 clusters, thereby contributing to the external validation of the test. The 6 new complex patterns of adaptation described may now be employed in clinical research, alongside the traditional ones.
Home Field Advantage: Does Anxiety Contribute?
Authors: Duffy Linda J. , Hinwood Darren P.
Published: August 2011

The primary purpose was to assess whether scores on anxiety among professional soccer players differed when playing a match at home or away. The Illinois Self-evaluation Questionnaire was administered to 30 professional soccer players from the English league (mean age 25) one hour before a match at home and away. Analyses showed no significant differences between scores on anxiety measured before matches at home or away. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Comparing Scores on Spatial-Perception Tests for Intercollegiate Athletes and Nonathletes
Authors: Lord Thomas , Leonard Brian
Published: August 2011

Many researchers believe that the amount of testosterone in the blood is directly associated with visuospatial perception. If this is the case, men and women who participate in intercollegiate athletics (and have high androgen levels) should show significantly better spatial ability than nonathletes. Two paper-and-pencil tests to measure spatial ability were given to 200 men and women on university sport teams. Men's scores, compared to national norms, were significantly lower than those in the national sample but no difference was found between the women athletes and the national sample or between the male and female athletes.
Fundamental Movement Patterns in Tasmanian Primary School Children
Authors: Cooley Dean , Oakman Rebecca , McNaughton Lars , Ryska Todd
Published: August 2011

Gross motor development, using the Test of Gross Motor Development was investigated in 7– and 10-yr.-old Tasmanian school children ( N = 574) to provide normative data for primary school children. The effects of daily physical education, time spent on physical education per week, schools with and without a trained physical educator, motor skill training programs, and their effects upon development of fundamental movement patterns was also investigated. Time spent on physical education instruction per week, significantly influenced Gross Motor Development scores in that the more time spent on physical education, the higher the score. Having a motor skill training program in the school was significant for 10-yr.-olds. A review of daily physical education with perhaps a goal of greater emphasis on manipulative control skills such as kicking, throwing, and striking should take place especially for girls, as their scores were significantly lower than those of boys.
Corroborative Evidence for Difference in Arousability between Internal and External Scorers on Rotter's I-E Locus of Control Scale
Authors: De Brabander B. , Hellemans J.
Published: August 2011

Here we report data about the answers on the Hopkins Symptom Check List for 68 students who participated in an experiment. About random half of the subjects were submitted to sham physiological measurements, the others nor. Scores on Rotter's I-E Locus of Control Scale were also available. Analysis indicated that sham physiological measurement treatment is associated with more health complaints and more among external scorers on the Locus of Control Scale. These findings are interpreted as the result of increased arousal by the treatment and higher arousability among external scorers.
The Halo Effect and Student Evaluations of Instructors
Authors: Royalty Joel
Published: August 2011

High correlations between students' ratings ( n = 1,861) of the clarity of the instructors' voices, the instructors' interest in whether students learned and the availability of the instructor for extra help suggest that large reliability coefficients based on internal consistency may also reflect the operation of a halo effect.
Simon's Experiments and Stimulus-Response Compatibility: Hypothesis of Two Automatic Responses
Authors: Ghozlan Aline
Published: August 2011

In Simon, Hinrich, and Craft's (1970) experiments, two factors, Stimulus-Response Compatibility and Position of Hands, are manipulated. The effects of these factors are not additive. Effects of Stimulus-Response Compatibility are usually explained by the similarity between the sets of stimuli and responses. This similarity leads us to suggest that, in these particular experimental designs, two automatic responses will be triggered by the presentation of the stimulus and consequently will be associated with two Stimulus-automatic Response mappings. These two mappings are shown to be positively (both Compatible or both Incompatible) or negatively (one is Compatible whereas the other is Incompatible) correlated, depending on the treatment combination of the two factors, Stimulus-Response Compatibility and Position of Hands. Consequently, the effects of Stimulus-Response Compatibility and Position of Hands are suggested not to be additive. The predictions inferred from this model are consistent with experimental data and Simon's conclusion.
Effectiveness of a Structured Learning Strategy on Acquisition of Game-Related Gross Motor Tasks in School Settings
Authors: Lidor Ronnie
Published: August 2011

The effectiveness of learning strategies, e.g., the Five-step Approach, has been examined extensively under well-controlled laboratory conditions in the motor learning and physical education literature. This study examined the application of the Five-step Approach as an instructional technique in field settings. Two experiments were conducted in which a similar strategy was used in school settings. In Exp. 1, 40 third-grade children were randomly assigned to two groups, one to whom the Five-step Approach was explained (readying, imaging, focusing-attention, executing and evaluating), and a Control (Nonstrategy). Both then performed an activity similar to bowling. In Exp. 2, 33 seventh-grade children were assigned to the same learning conditions but performed a team-handball throwing task. Accuracy of performance was measured as a dependent variable in both experiments. Analysis of variance with repeated measures on the second factor indicated high values of accuracy for the Five-step Approach group in Exps. 1 and 2 compared with the Nonstrategy group. It was concluded that the Five-step Approach can enhance performance on motor tasks not only in laboratory settings but also in real-world environments such as physical education classes. Physical educators might consider the use of task-pertinent learning strategies during their practical work.
Attention and the Contextual Interference Effect for a Continuous Task
Authors: Smith Peter J. K.
Published: August 2011

Many studies have shown that practicing several motor tasks in a random (high contextual interference) order promotes motor learning relative to practicing the same tasks in a blocked order (low contextual interference). The facilitative effect of high contextual interference has been attributed to more frequent intertask comparisons, greater difficulty in recalling task solutions between trials, and the dissimilarity among the various tasks. Each of these explanations suggests that task difficulty is increased by high contextual interference. The hypothesis of this study was that this increase in task difficulty during practice would be associated with a higher attention load during practice. This hypothesis was supported; however, high contextual interference promoted only a transient increase in retention. The short-lived effect was attributed to the continuous nature of the task and was discussed in terms of the necessary conditions for contextual interference to emerge.
Spatial Coordination in a Bimanual Task Related to Regular Switching of Movement Vectors
Authors: Gutnik B. , Hyland B.
Published: August 2011

The spatial aspect of cooperation between the two upper extremities was investigated using a bimanual task involving drawing simultaneous zig-zag lines on a vertical surface. In 62 trials by 31 strongly right-handed subjects three performance types were identified; Type I involved alternation of dominance in sideways and vertical movement components, in Type II a constant vertical movement was superimposed upon sideways movement, and Type III showed no consistent pattern across the two hands. These performance types differed significantly on the measure of spatial coordination, with Type I having the best, and Type III the poorest. These results suggest that on this bimanual task better spatial symmetry in limb movement is achieved when both hands employ similar within-hand strategies, involving switching between vectors for all muscle groups.
Geophysical Variables and Behavior: LXXXII. A Strong Association between Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Increments of Global Geomagnetic Activity—Possible Support for the Melatonin Hypothesis
Authors: O'Connor R. P. , Persinger M. A.
Published: August 2011

A significant subpopulation of young infants who die suddenly (SIDS) often exhibit anomalies consistent with disruptions within the pineal-limbic system. We have hypothesized that sudden decreases in nocturnal melatonin by a specific range of geomagnetic activity would precipitate sudden infant death. A correlation of .90 was found between the numbers of cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome per month during the years 1960 and 1961 in Ontario and an increase (primarily) in numbers of days per month with average geomagnetic activity between 11 and 20 nT and 31 through 40 nT but a decrease in the numbers of days with values between 21 and 30 nT. This nonlinear sensitivity, presumably associated with specific ripple frequencies within the geomagnetic field, may explain the failure by other researchers to detect linear associations between the numbers of these types of deaths and gross, scalar indicators of geomagnetic activity.
Anhedonia and Alexithymia: Distinct or Overlapping Constructs
Authors: Loas Gwenolé , Fremaux Didier , Boyer Patrice
Published: August 2011

The aim was to examine the relationship between alexithymia, anhedonia, and capacity for displeasure in a group of 133 healthy subjects using principal components analysis. A correlation matrix comprised of items from both the Communication and Identification scale of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Physical Pleasure-Displeasure Scale yielded a four-factor solution (one Communication-Identification, two Pleasure, and one Displeasure factor) with no overlap of the significant factor loadings for the items from each scale. Moreover, there were no positive significant correlations between the Communication and Identification Scales and the Physical Anhedonia Scale. Our findings support the view that physical anhedonia is a construct distinct and separate from alexithymia.
Head Injury and Malingering: Current Research
Authors: Piotrowski Chris
Published: August 2011

Expert witnesses and attorneys, involved in head injury cases wherein malingering is suspected, rely on current research findings from the scholarly literature. This article presents a multidatabase search strategy for a successful review of research articles in this area.
Antecedents of State Anxiety in Rugby
Authors: Lane Andrew M. , Rodger Jody S. E. , Karageorghis Costas I.
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to extend research investigating the antecedents of multidimensional state anxiety into the sport of rugby. Participants ( N = 86; age: M = 23.7 yr., SD = 4.8 yr.) completed a 10-item Prematch Questionnaire developed to assess the antecedents of anxiety and the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 1 hr. prior to competition. Factor analysis of intercorrelations of scores on the Prematch Questionnaire indicated that three factors accounted for 63.3% of the variance. These were labelled Perceived Readiness, Match Conditions, and Coach Influence. Stepwise multiple regression indicated that Perceived Readiness predicted rated Self-confidence and Somatic Anxiety. Game conditions also predicted Self-confidence. Collectively, these factors accounted for 30% of Self-confidence and 11% of Somatic Anxiety. No factor predicted Cognitive Anxiety. Findings support the notion that each sport has unique stressors and that researchers should seek sport-specific measures of the antecedents of anxiety.
Dichotic Listening to Temporal Tonal Stimuli by Good and Poor Readers
Authors: Harel Sarah , Nachson Israel
Published: August 2011

The hypothesis that reading disability is associated with impairment in the lateralization of temporal stimuli was tested by presenting 123 good- and poor-reading boys (Grades 4 through 6) with dichotic sets of temporal and nontemporal tonal stimuli for recognition. Reading ability was assessed by measuring proficiency in reading consonants, vowels, words, sentences and short stories. On the tone test, good readers showed a right-ear advantage in reporting the temporal stimuli, and a left-ear advantage in reporting the nontemporal stimuli. Poor readers showed the reversed pattern of response. Since right-ear advantage in report of given stimuli indicates left-hemispheric dominance for processing those stimuli, the data seem to suggest a link between reading disability and left-hemispheric dysfunction in processing temporal stimuli.
Laterality of Writing Hand in East German Samples
Authors: Reiß Michael
Published: August 2011

Analyses of distributions of individuals' writing with the left hand and the correlation with handedness in several East German samples (202 children, 299 pupils, 356 students, and 606 adults) indicated the largest correlation for writing hand and handedness was for children. So the writing hand is measurable in children but not in older groups in East Germany.
Language and Motor Skills of Preschool Children with Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Gentry Betholyn , Hayes Beverly Tolbert , Dancer Jess , Davis Priscilla
Published: August 2011

Language skills of 9 African-American preschool children with sickle cell disease were not significantly different from those of nondiseased children but gross and fine motor skills were.
Perception of Faces with and without Spectacles
Authors: McKelvie Stuart J.
Published: August 2011

For 20 faces, 85 subjects selected either a distinctive feature or a distinctive trait. For faces with spectacles, the eyes were judged to be most prominent, and the people were judged to be dull and intelligent. Results are discussed in terms of the physical attractiveness stereotype.
Comparison of Postural Control of Children with down Syndrome and Those with other Forms of Mental Retardation
Authors: Kokubun Mitsuru , Shinmyo Takashi , Ogita Mizue , Morita Keiichi , Furuta Masaki , Haishi Koichi , Okuzumi Hideyuki , Koike Toshihide
Published: August 2011

To confirm the 1994 findings of Okuzumi, Haishi, and Kokubun, the displacement of the center of foot pressure, one-foot balance and bead sway were measured in children with Down syndrome ( n = 11) compared to those with other types of mental retardation ( n = 17). The magnitudes of the displacement of the center of foot pressure and head sway were not significantly different between the Down group and other forms of mental retardation, whereas the performance of one-foot balance was significantly lower in the Down group. The mean frequencies of sway waves were generally higher in the Down group, and the differences between the two groups were significant except for sagittal head sway. The results generally supported the prior findings. We proposed that it was not the magnitude of the displacement of the center of foot pressure but rather the manner of the whole body's sway which might be related to postural control.
Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia in Blood Phobic Subjects
Authors: Angrilli Alessandro , Sarlo Michela , Palomba Daniela , Schincaglia Micaela , Stegagno Luciano
Published: August 2011

12 blood-phobic subjects, selected according to the Feat Survey Schedule and the Mutilation Questionnaire, and 50 control subjects performed a paced respiration task during which heart rate and respiration were recorded. Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA) was analyzed as an autonomic index of vagal influence on the heart. Analysis showed a larger RSA in the blood-phobic group than the controls and points to a difference in vagal activity at rest between the groups.
Depression and Suicide in the Dark Months
Authors: Kunz Phillip R. , Kunz Jenifer
Published: August 2011

Total and standard suicide rates in Finland by month of year for 15 years (1980–1994) show the same pattern as rates in the USA and do not support the notion that dark months are associated with depression that may lead to suicide.
Effects of Wellness, Fitness, and Sport Skills Programs on Body Image and Lifestyle Behaviors
Authors: Koff Elissa , Bauman Connie L.
Published: August 2011

140 college women participating in one of three types of physical education classes (wellness, fitness, sport skills) responded to questions about body image, body-self relations, and lifestyle behaviors at the onset and conclusion of a 6-wk. program. Pre-post changes for the wellness classes involved the largest number of domains and included increased satisfaction with body and physical appearance, more positive assessment of physical fitness and health, higher orientation toward fitness and health, and reports of positive changes in lifestyle behaviors Pre-post changes for the fitness classes were mainly in the fitness domain, including a more positive assessment of fitness, a higher orientation toward fitness, and an increase in fitness-oriented activities; increased satisfaction with body and physical appearance was also reported. Participation in sport-skills classes produced only one pre-post change, an increase in fitness-oriented activities. Possible reasons for the success of the wellness classes are discussed. Results suggest that participation in wellness classes provides students with a positive, proactive, empowered attitude toward their own health and well-being.
Accuracy and Variability of Leg Velocities during Concentric and Eccentric Actions of the Quadriceps Femoris Muscles
Authors: Gajdosik Richard L. , Faris David W. , Kato Teri K. , Roosa Pat F. , Matsumoto Tamaki
Published: August 2011

This study examined the ability to control leg velocities during concentric and eccentric actions of the right quadriceps muscles. Ten healthy women ( M age = 25.9 ± 3.5 yr.) were tested using the Isotonic Program of the KIN-COM II 500H dynamometer. They attempted to match velocity tracings of 10°, 20°, and 40°/sec. through 70° of knee range of motion at a load equal to 10% of their maximal mean concentric force. The actual mean velocities, mean percent deviation from the target velocities, and the coefficient of variation for both actions were calculated for 15°–75° (full range of motion), 15°—45° (shorter range of motion), and 46°–;75° (longer range of motion). Separate one-way analyses of variance with two trial factors (action x velocity) showed faster concentric velocities through the full and longer ranges of motion, and faster eccentric velocities through the shorter range of motion. Mean percent deviations indicated that the eccentric velocities were generally more accurate within all ranges of motion. Larger concentric coefficients of variation were found within the full and longer ranges of motion, and the coefficients of variation for both actions decreased as the velocities increased. An exaggerated ‘velocity overshoot’ at the onset of both actions probably contributed to differences in the velocities and coefficients of variation. The results indicated differences between the concentric and eccentric actions, explained in part by the testing methodology used and by the known mechanical and physiological characteristics of the two muscle actions.
Sleep Complaints in Chronic Postconcussion Syndrome
Authors: Perlis Michael L. , Artiola Lydia , Giles Donna E.
Published: August 2011

This study was designed to identify the incidence of sleep complaints in 39 patients with chronic postconcussion syndrome compared to those of a control group of 27 patients with orthopedic injuries. Patients with orthopedic injuries were selected as a comparison group to control for the effects of traumatic injury or chronic pain. There were no differences in age, sex distribution, or time from injury between the patient groups. Type and frequency of sleep disturbances in a mean two-year postinjury period were evaluated. Patients with chronic postconcussion syndrome reported more difficulty in initiating and maintaining sleep at night and greater difficulty with sleepiness during the day.
Judgments of Grammaticality as Related to Judgments of Meaningfulness and Ordinariness
Authors: Nagata Hiroshi
Published: August 2011

44 students judged two types of ungrammatical sentences, Kuno's and Chomsky's, for their grammaticality, meaningfulness, and ordinariness. Whether judgments of grammaticality were predicted by the remaining two judgments was explored. Analysis showed that judged grammaticality of Kuno's items was predicted significantly by judged meaningfulness and ordinariness while that of Chomsky's items was predicted only by judged meaningfulness. This indicates that the relative contribution by judged meaningfulness and ordinariness toward predicting judged grammaticality depends on the type of ungrammaticality of the sentences judged.
Brief Aikido Training versus Karate and Golf Training and University Students' Scores on Self-Esteem, Anxiety, and Expression of Anger
Authors: Foster Yumi Akuzawa
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this research was to investigate if aikido training for 10 weeks for 69 beginning students is effective in improving selected aspects of personality. The hypothesis was that subjects' scores would significantly increase on self-esteem but decrease on anxiety and anger expression. Change in means from pre- to posttest did not support the hypothesis.
Effect of Visual Detail on Scene Recognition: Some Unexpected Sex Differences
Authors: Hamel Cheryl J. , Ryan-Jones David L.
Published: August 2011

30 adults received two learning trials on which they viewed computer images of urban scenes followed by a recognition test to assess the effect of visual detail on scene recognition. The scenes were shown in either high detail (photographic) or reduced detail. Analysis showed no main effect of detail on scene recognition; however, analysis of the interaction for sex X detail indicated that women recognized significantly more scenes in the photographic condition than in the two with reduced detail. Men showed no differences. The unexpected sex differences suggest the relevance of subjects' strategies during visual processing.
Variables That Influence the Generation of Random Sequences: An Update
Authors: Brugger Peter
Published: August 2011

This article updates Tune's 1964 review of variables influencing human subjects' attempts at generating random sequences of alternatives. It also covers aspects not included in the original review such as randomization behavior by patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders. Relevant work from animal research (spontaneous alternation paradigm) is considered as well. It is conjectured that Tune's explanation of sequential nonrandomness in terms of a limited capacity of short-term memory can no longer be maintained. Rather, interdependence among consecutive choices is considered a consequence of an organism's natural susceptibility to interference. Random generation is thus a complex action which demands complete suppression of any rule-governed behavior. It possibly relies on functions of the frontal lobes but cannot otherwise be “localized” to restricted regions of the brain. Possible developments in the field are briefly discussed, both with respect to basic experiments regarding the nature of behavioral nonrandomness and to potential applications of random-generation tasks.
Long Lasting Blindness, Availability of Resources, and Early Aging
Authors: Bachar Eytan , Shanan Joel
Published: August 2011

The present paper studied the influence of long lasting blindness on processes of aging. It addressed the broader issue of the effects of familiarity with and earlier experience of stress on the capacity of individuals to deal successfully with similar stressful situations at a later point of development. 75 chronically blind men and women, aged 45 to 65, were compared with 75 sighted individuals (matched by age, sex, and cultural origin) on scores on the Shanan Sentence Completion Technique, an interview designed to assess perception of change in various areas of everyday living, and on scores on the Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Test. Blind subjects showed less psychological and less social engagement with the outer world. Availability of resources, education, and assistance considerably reduced differences between the non-sighted and sighted subjects. These findings were interpreted as pointing to a potentially preventable process of premature aging.
Predicting Anomalous Effects on Film: An Empirical Test
Authors: Houran James
Published: August 2011

This research tested the hypothesis that anomalous images on film can be attributed to the specific recording medium. Using five different film media, a total of 96 photogtaphs and 8 min. of 8-mm motion picture film were obtained during a field study of a reported haunting. Multiple covariates were also recorded including electromagnetic field fluctuations, time of day, and geographic position. No anomalous images were obtained, although approximately half of the frames on both the infrared and black and white films were unexposed. The results are discussed in terms of ambiguous events being interpreted as meaningful due to paranormal contexts.
Effect of Visual Cuing on Synthetic Speech Intelligibility: A Comparison of Native and Nonnative Speakers of English
Authors: Reynolds Mary E. , Fucci Donald , Bond Z. S.
Published: August 2011

This study compared the effect of visual cuing on the intelligibility of DECtalk for native and nonnative speakers of English in both ideal listening conditions and in the presence of background noise at a signal to noise (S/N) ratio of + 10dB. Visual cuing improved DECtalk's intelligibility for normative speakers more than for native speakers, especially in the background noise condition. Implications of these findings and the need for further research are discussed.
Variability of Facilitation and Inhibition as a Function of Cue Validity and Cue-Stimulus Intervals in the Orienting of Sustained Attention
Authors: Bahri Toufik
Published: August 2011

45 subjects performed a cued vigilance task in which location cues were presented at intervals of 150, 350, or 550 msec. before the display of the stimulus, that is, three cue-stimulus intervals. Targets preceded by valid location cues led to a normal decrement in vigilance over time, whereas targets preceded by invalid location cues produced an increment in sensitivity ( d'). The results suggested that under certain conditions shifts of attention may enhance vigilance.
How Effective are Brakes on Infant Walkers?
Authors: Ridenour Marcella V.
Published: August 2011

62 children, between the ages of 9 and 18 months old, were observed in an instrumented walker to measure the peak horizontal pull forces. These pull forces were later used to evaluate an infant walker with a braking system that would stop on the top step of the stairs before falling down the stairs. This brake system is activated when part of the walker crosses over the edge of the top step. Using the range of horizontal pull forces generated by the 62 children, the horizontal brake system for walkers would not always prevent the walker from falling down the stairs. Four floor surfaces were compared: carpet, vinyl, glossy wood, and unfinished wood. The walker brake system did not always stop the walkers on these floor surfaces. Using the measured weights and horizontal forces of the 21 nonwalking children between 9 and 13 months old who represent children who typically fall down the stairs in a walker, a simulation procedure was completed to represent the worst possible force condition, the peak horizontal force, for each of the 21 children. During this simulation, brakes would have failed all the time for 18 of the 21 children, and at least half the time for the remaining 3 children. These brake systems may provide false security to parents who use these walkers, since there are no published standards regarding the performance of brake systems for infant walkers as a safety device.
Responses to Descriptions of Bias against African Americans among Euro-American Students Enrolled in Colleges of Education and Journalism
Authors: Carroll Jane J.
Published: August 2011

Responses to descriptions of racial bias toward African Americans by 84 Euro-Americans did not differ among Euro-American upper level students enrolled in Colleges of Education and Journalism.
Role of Practice and Stimulus-Onset-Asynchrony in Modulating Effects of Stimulus Repetition, Category Relation, and Response Compatibility in the Eriksen Flanker Task
Authors: Zhang Huazhong
Published: August 2011

In the Eriksen flanker task, irrelevant information influences reaction time based on three types of relationships between target and flanker, Stimulus Repetition, Category Relation, and Response Compatibility. The effects of Stimulus Repetition and Category Relation refer to the finding that reaction time is faster when the target and flankers are the same or belong to the same category, respectively. The effect of Response Compatibility refers to the finding that reaction time is faster when the target and flankers are assigned to the same response than to different responses. Two experiments were designed to examine whether these effects vary with practice and stimulus-onset-asynchrony. It was shown that the effects of Stimulus Repetition and Category Relation occurred only when the flankers preceded the target by 200 msec. The effect of Response Compatibility, however, occurred regardless of stimulus-onset-asynchrony. Furthermore, limited practice seems necessary for the occurrence of response facilitation.
Effects of Dimenhydrinate on Electroencephalographic Activity
Authors: Hu Senqi
Published: August 2011

Spontaneous EEGs of 10 undergraduates showed no changes within 90 min. for peak frequency (Hz) of alpha band or for percentage distribution of alpha band between dimenhydrinate and placebo conditions.
The Inclination of Artists to Partition Line Sections in the Golden Ratio
Authors: Macrosson W. D. K. , Stewart P. E.
Published: August 2011

A sample of 51 mature, established, and successful artists and sculptors were invited to partition line segments with a pencil mark so that the resulting two line segments formed the most pleasing proportion. It was anticipated that this particular group of subjects would choose the golden section. However, the proportion of 1:2 and not the golden section was the over-all ratio of choice. These data were contrasted with those obtained in similar but earlier work conducted by another researcher who tested psychology students as subjects.
An Examination of the Relationship between Accountants' Scores on Field Independence and Use of and Attitude toward Computers
Authors: Mills Tina Y.
Published: August 2011

This study examined the performance of 127 accountants on the Group Embedded Figures Test and assessed the accountants' use of and attitude toward using computers to complete job-related tasks. The data support Bernardi's (1993) finding that there has been a shift over time in scores on field independence among accountants. Comparison of field-independence scores by computer use and attitudes support Bernardi's (1993) hypothesis of an association between the shift in field independence and accountant's use of and attitude toward computers.
Perception of a Border Defined by Rapidly Reversing Luminance Contrast
Authors: Lee Kyoungmin , Hirsch Joy
Published: August 2011

We report a new visual illusion of a perceptual boundary visible between two contiguous regions of equal luminance when the intensity is modulated with a temporal frequency that is higher than the critical fusion rate. Measurements of the luminance threshold of the perceptual border with various slopes of the luminance gradient yielded a function suggestive of the range of ocular instability. These findings raise the possibility that this new border illusion may be influenced by involuntary ocular motion during fixation.
An Assimilation Effect in Judging the Grammaticality of Sentences Violating the Subjacency Condition
Authors: Nagata Hiroshi
Published: August 2011

Two experiments explored the anchoring effect, particularly an assimilation effect, in judging the grammaticality of sentences violating the subjacency condition. Subjects judged two types of sentences similar on the surface but differing in judged acceptability. One sentence type included an embedded clause expressing the subjective experience of a matrix noun phrase (Subjective sentence) while the other sentence type did not include such a clause (Nonsubjective sentence). Exp. 1 showed the assimilation effect only for Subjective target sentences paired with Nonsubjective anchor sentences. Exp. 2, in which speakers' field-dependence was manipulated, showed a clear assimilation effect for field-dependent speakers. Thus, regardless of the type of target sentences judged, the judgments for field-dependent speakers approximated those made on the anchors, while such was not the case for field-independent speakers. Findings indicate that even the pattern of judgments between the two types of sentences was affected by an extragrammatical factor such as field-dependence.
Effectiveness of a Training Program with Physical Education Students and Experienced Physical Education Teachers in Scoring the Test of Gross Motor Development
Authors: Suomi Rory , Suomi Joanne
Published: August 2011

Recently there has been an increase in the need for instruction and assessment of motor skills of students with disabilities for the regular physical education teacher; however, research has indicated that training of physical educators in assessment of motor skills for students with disabilities is often inadequate. Models of teaching preparation such as the infusion approach stress the need to integrate teaching and assessment techniques applicable to students with and without disabilities. In this study, the effectiveness of assessment training on the accuracy of scoring the Test of Gross Motor Development was investigated. Two students (one special education, one nonspecial education) were filmed and evaluated by three experts in the field of adapted physical education. The expert raters' scores were then compared to scores obtained by 26 physical education students and 26 experienced physical education teachers. Results of the study indicate that the instruction received in an assessment course enables undergraduate physical education students to assess accurately the motor skill performance of students with and without disabilities.
The Transfer Paradox: Effects of Contextual Interference on Retention and Transfer Performance of a Complex Cognitive Skill
Authors: van Merriënboer Jeroen J. G. , de Croock Marcel B. M. , Jelsma Otto
Published: August 2011

In an exploratory study, the effects of contextual interference on retention and transfer performance were studied for learning a complex cognitive skill, namely, troubleshooting a computer-based simulation of a chemical process plant. Support was found for the “transfer paradox”: high contextual interference had negative effects on performance during practice and none on number of retention problems solved after the training but positive effects on number of new problems solved (transfer). Implications for the design of training are discussed.
Test-Retest Reliability of a Battery of Sensory, Motor and Physiological Measures of Aging
Authors: Anstey Kaarin J. , Smith Glen A. , Lord Stephen
Published: August 2011

We report test-retest reliabilities for a battery of tests (vision, hearing, vibration sense, proprioception, forced expiratory volume, blood pressure, grip strength, and sway) shown previously to predict functional age. Fifty women aged 60 to 86 were retested on the battery after 3 months. All tests except proprioception and blood pressure had reliabilities between .70 and .94. We conclude that the battery provides reliable measures of sensory, motor, and physiological variables which may be used as markers of biological aging in psychological research.
Sleep Characteristics of Japanese Working Men Who Score Alexithymic on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale
Authors: Fukunishi Isao , Kawamura Noriyuki , Ishikawa Toshio , Ago Yukihiro , Yamasaki Yasuo , Sei Hiroyoshi , Morita Yusuke , Fukui Toshio , Tatemichi Masayuki , Horiguchi Etsuko , Rahe Richard H.
Published: August 2011

This study examined the relationship of sleep characteristics including insomnia with scores on alexithymia in a sample of 171 Japanese working men. Levels of nonrestorative sleep and daytime sleepiness reported on a sleep questionnaire were significantly associated with scores on Depression and Confusion on the Profile of Mood States for Japanese men who had a high mean score on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale.
Fundamental Gross Motor Skill Performance by Girls and Boys with Learning Disabilities
Authors: Woodard Rebecca J. , Surburg Paul R.
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of fundamental gross motor skills by 10 girls and 10 boys, 7 yr. old, with learning disabilities. Their skills were assessed on the Test of Gross Motor Development. The boys achieved significantly higher mean scores than the girls on the subtests of Locomotor Skills and Object Control Skills, and on the Gross Motor Development Quotient.
Factors Associated with Regular Exercise
Authors: Hurrell Rose Marie
Published: August 2011

Using a telephone survey, this study investigated participation in exercise, the reasons for exercising, and the role of health and fitness facilities in promoting regular exercise. For the sample of 450 adults living in southern New York State and having an annual household income of at least $50,000, in contrast to estimates indicating that a majority of Americans do not exercise regularly, results from this telephone survey indicated that 62.7% of the respondents engaged in regular exercise. Staying in shape was given by 34.9% of the respondents as their major reason. Another 31.7% reported that they exercise to keep healthy. Use of a health club was associated with regular exercise. A lack of time emerged as the major impediment to exercising regularly. Apart from the high percentage of regular exercisers in the sample under study, these results generally confirm previous research on participation in regular exercise and the factors supporting it.
Parental Representation of Children during the First Year of Life: A Longitudinal Comparison of Mothers' and Fathers' Responses on Semantic Differential Scales
Authors: Zennaro Alessandro , Lis Adriana
Published: August 2011

The aim of this paper was to investigate parental representation over time using a specially devised Semantic Differential Scale, developed in the context of longitudinal research, carried out during children's first two years of life. 42 parent-couples, during their first experience of parenthood were asked separately to rate the concept of “my child” in specific periods of their child's first year of life. The analysis highlighted the complexity of parental representation of babies.
Twins under Shift Work: A Case Study of Sleep Log Data
Authors: Fukuda Kazuhiko
Published: August 2011

Two pairs of female twins (one pair monozygotic (MZ) and one pair dizygotic (DZ)) attended an evening class at the same college and worked at the same factory under a rotating shift schedule. All the subjects agreed to keep sleep logs for 30 days. Values for rising time were quite similar within each pair especially during the morning-shift schedule, while during afternoon shift and holidays, rising time appeared more similar in the MZ pair, but their bedtime seemed rather different. Morningness-Eveningness score and the amplitude of the circadian sleep and wakefulness (based on an autocorrelation of the data) seemed more similar in the MZ pair. Morningness-Eveningness score is known to be closely correlated with the phase position of subjects endogenous biological rhythms, e.g., body core temperature. Characteristics of genetic control in phase and amplitude of circadian rhythm measured by the above-mentioned procedure might possibly be detectable even under the constraints of shift-work schedule.