bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Monitoring and at-Risk Middle School Students
Authors: Wood Susan J. , Murdock Jane Y. , Cronin Mary E.
Published: April 2003

Using a multiple baseline design across six academic settings, we found that teaching 4 at-risk middle school students to self-monitor markedly improved their academic performance as measured by their grades and related academic behaviors. Furthermore, these improvements generalized to settings where self-monitoring was never introduced, and they maintained the following school year. In this charter middle school setting, self-monitoring proved to be an extremely effective intervention. These findings suggest that it would be equally effective in a variety of settings.
The Parental Daily Diary
Authors: Peterson Lizette , Tremblay George , Ewigman Bernard , Popkey Connie
Published: April 2003

There is a substantial deficit of sensitive measures of parental discipline in the area of prevention, generally, and in child maltreatment prevention specifically, despite reports that over a million children experience maltreatment in the United States every year. Part of the challenge in locating such measures is the impossibility of obtaining accurate observational measures of the degree of harsh discipline, unless extremely large populations are used. The majority of studies on harsh discipline have dealt with this problem by using self-report instruments or proxy observation tasks (such as observing mother-child interactions in a compliance framework). The most well-known self-report instruments, such as the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (Milner, 1986), are constructed to measure parental pathology in maltreating parents rather than to identify parents who might benefit from preventive endeavors. In contrast, there are no well standardized measures of mother-child interaction that document a sensitivity to the presence of harsh discipline, possibly due to the clear pressure of social desirability problems. This paper outlines a daily self-observation measure of parental disciplinary behavior in the form of a diary. This selfmonitoring instrument offered data on the overall feelings and disciplinary behaviors used daily following each session on parenting group interventions. The study showed a gradual decrease in physical punishment and a gradual increase in planned ignoring across treatment, as these were introduced as part of an ongoing curriculum. The use of an explicit technique, such as timeout, increased abruptly rather than gradually and effects were seen only after specific instruction. Advantages and future applications of this kind of ongoing self-observation measure of treatment progress are described.
Predicting Outcomes of Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Patients with Affective and Neurotic Disorders
Authors: Hooke Geoffrey R. , Page Andrew C.
Published: April 2003

An attempt was made to predict outcomes following group Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for patients with affective and neurotic disorders.Agroup of 348 patients at a private psychiatric clinic, treated in a group CBT program, completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) before and after treatment. Prior to treatment, data from the Locus of Control of Behavior (LCB), a Global Assessment of Function (GAF), the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS), and the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSE) were also collected. Results indicated that posttreatment stress scores of all patients were predicted by pretreatment stress and selfesteem. Among patients with neurotic disorders, posttreatment anxiety was predicted by initial anxiety and self-esteem whereas among patients with affective disorders, posttreatment anxiety scores were predicted by initial anxiety and GAF. For patients with neurotic disorders, selfesteem did not predict variance in posttreatment depression in addition to that explained by pretreatment depression. In contrast, for patients with affective disorders, pretreatment depression and Locus of Control predicted posttreatment depression.
A Standardized Method of Diplomatically and Effectively Reporting Child Abuse to State Authorities
Authors: Donohue Brad , Carpin Kim , Alvarez Krisann M. , Ellwood Amy , Jones Richard W.
Published: April 2003

Although many studies have examined issues relevant to reporting child maltreatment to state authorities, empirical evaluation of intervention programs to assist professionals in reporting child abuse is lacking. In the present study, a medical student was taught to perform a standardized behavioral method of reporting child abuse that incorporates nonperpetrating caregivers of child abuse victims in the reporting process. A controlled multiple baseline across behaviors (i.e., initiating child abuse report, responding to upset) experimental design was utilized to evaluate skills acquisition. Improvements in interpersonal skills related to reporting child abuse were demonstrated consequent to intervention. Future directions are discussed in light of these results.
Behavior Analysis and Intervention for Adults with Autism
Authors: McClannahan Lynn E. , MacDuff Gregory S. , Krantz Patricia J.
Published: April 2003

This article describes a behavioral intervention program for adults with autism, suggests that preparation for adulthood should begin in early childhood, asserts that the curriculum should be just as comprehensive and evaluation criteria just as rigorous in programs for adults as in programs for children, and proposes that close examination of adults’ repertoires may lead to key modifications of services delivered to children. Along theway, the authors provide some data on the progress of 15 people who are now adults and whom they have known for 15 to 25 years. Finally, the authors argue that, because of the diversity of skills and skill deficits displayed by adults with autism, a program model that prevents “falling through the cracks” must provide an array of options—from training center to supported employment.
Training and Certifying Behavior Analysts
Authors: Shook Gerald L. , Ala’i-Rosales Shahla , Glenn Sigrid S.
Published: April 2003

Proper professional certification and training of behavior analysts who work with individuals with autism is critical in ensuring that those individuals receive the highest quality behavior analytic services. This article discusses the current issues surrounding certification of behavior analysts and describes the important features of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and its credentials. The article also reviews approaches to the training of professional behavior analyst practitioners and discusses appropriate training content for behavior analysts who work with persons with autism. The interrelationship between training and certification is explored.
Intensive Behavioral Treatment at School for 4- to 7-Year-Old Children with Autism
Authors: Eikeseth Svein , Smith Tristram , Jahr Erik , Eldevik Sigmund
Published: April 2003

This study was designed to evaluate 1 year of intensive treatment for 4- to 7-year-old children with autism. An independent clinician assigned children to either behavioral treatment (n = 13) or eclectic treatment (n = 12). Assignment was based on availability of personnel to supervise treatment and was not influenced by child characteristics or family preference.The two treatment groups received similar amounts of treatment (M = 28.52 hours per week at the child’s school). Children in the behavioral treatment group made significantly larger gains on standardized tests than did children in the eclectic treatment group. Results suggest that some 4- to 7-year-olds may make large gains with intensive behavioral treatment, that such treatment can be successfully implemented in school settings, and that specific aspects of behavioral treatment (not just its intensity) may account for favorable outcomes.
Intensive Behavioral Treatment for a Toddler at High Risk for Autism
Authors: Green Gina , Brennan Lynn C. , Fein Deborah
Published: April 2003

Intensive, comprehensive treatment using a variety of applied behavior analysis methods was provided to a toddler who was determined to be at high risk for autism at the age of about 1 year. Initially, treatmentwas delivered in a one-to-one adult-child format in the child’s home and other settings, with gradual transitions to group instruction in early intervention and preschool classrooms. Intensi ve treatment continued for 3 years; by the 4th year, the childwas spending most of her time in a regular preschool classroom, with minimal ongoing one-to-one instruction. Direct observational data and results of norm-referenced tests documented large increases in language, social, cognitive, and daily living skills over the course of treatment.After 4 years, the child demonstrated no behavioral or developmental abnormalities, performed above her chronological age level on norm-referenced tests of cognitive and language skills, and was functioning as a typical child in a regular public school kindergarten classroom.
The Feasibility of Using Internet Support for the Maintenance of Weight Loss
Authors: Harvey-Berino Jean , Pintauro Stephen J. , Gold Elizabeth Casey
Published: April 2003

This pilot study examined the acceptability and feasibility of conducting a weight loss maintenance intervention over the Internet. Obese adults participated in a 15-week behavioral weight control intervention and were then randomly assigned to one of the following three maintenance conditions: (a) in-person, therapist-led (TL); (b) Internet, therapist-led (I); and (c) control (C). Both maintenance interventions met biweekly for 22 weeks using the same program content. Results showed that TL participants were more likely to attend their meetings and feel more satisfied with their group assignment. Ho wever, there were no differences between the TL and I groups in overall attrition or number of peer support contacts made. There was also no significant difference in weight loss between the groups. Thus, the Internet may hold promise as a method for maintaining contact with patients to facilitate long-term behavior change.
The Effects of Delayed Rewards, Tokens, and Stimulant Medication on Sportsmanlike Behavior with Adhd-Diagnosed Children
Authors: Hupp Stephen D. A. , Reitman David , Northup John , O’Callaghan Patrick , LeBlanc Monique
Published: April 2003

Five children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder participated in a summer program designed to evaluate behavioral and pharmacological treatments in a recreational setting. The effect of a contingency for increased sportsmanlike behavior, with and without the use of tokens, was examined during kickball games. The influence of stimulant medication was also examined for 3 of the children.Amultiple-baseline, reversal design revealed that a delayed reward condition did not increase sportsmanlike behavior, whereas the addition of tokens (and praise) to the delayed reward increased sportsmanlike behavior for all 5 participants. Stimulant medication appeared to have very little influence on sportsmanlike behavior. Future directions for behavioral social skills interventions using a sports skills model are also discussed.
Home-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Chronic, Refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Can Be Effective
Authors: Rosqvist Johan , Thomas Jay C. , Egan Denise
Published: April 2003

Four patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) were referred for home-based cognitive-behavioral therapy. All patients had failed extensive trials of behavioral and cognitive therapy and pharmacotherapy in a variety of settings (e.g., outpatient, inpatient, and day program) and were generally considered chronic and refractory to treatment. Generalization from treatment sites to natural settings in which they lived did not occur. They were evaluated at baseline, after treatment, and at an 18-month follow-up using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. Conducting end-state functioning and reliable change assessment according to the methods specified by Jacobson and Truax, the authors found that 3 patients achieved clinically significant gains after treatment and 2 patients maintained those gains at the 18-month follow-up. Data suggested better overall adjustment for 3 of the patients at follow-up. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of home-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic, refractory OCD; implications for further, controlled trials are discussed.
The Relations of Anxiety Sensitivity, Experiential Avoidance, and Alexithymic Coping to Young Adults’ Motivations for Drinking
Authors: Stewart Sherry H. , Zvolensky Michael J. , Eifert Georg H.
Published: April 2003

The authors examined whether motivations for drinking alcohol are associated with the anxietyrelated dispositional tendencies of anxiety sensitivity, experiential avoidance, and alexithymic coping. The authors administered the Anxiety Sensitivity Index, Experiential Avoidance Scale, 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Revised Drinking Motives Questionnaire, and a demographics questionnaire to 182 university drinkers. In multiple regressions, the dispositional factors significantly predicted the risky drinking motives of coping, enhancement, and conformity. Coping and enhancement motives were significantly predicted by experiential avoidance. Conformity motives were significantly and independently predicted by anxiety sensitivity and alexithymia. The process of experiential avoidance mediated the bivariate correlation between anxiety sensitivity and coping-motivated drinking to a greater extent than did the process of alexithymic coping. The authors discuss the observed relations in regard to the psychological functions of drinking behavior that may portend the development of heavy drinking and alcohol problems in dispositionally vulnerable individuals. They also review implications for refinements of behavior therapy for problem drinkers.
Use of the Timeout Ribbon Procedure during Community-Based Instruction
Authors: Alberto Paul , Heflin L. Juane , Andrews Donna
Published: April 2003

Involvement in community-based instruction can be adversely affected when students engage in behavior that interferes with participation in instruction.Amultiple probe across settings design with an embedded reversalwas used to investigate the effectiveness of the nonseclusionary timeout ribbon procedure for two middle-school students with moderate mental retardation in community and school settings. An athletic wristband served as the timeout ribbon, which functioned as the stimulus for the availability of reinforcement. When the student was wearing the wristband, he could earn reinforcers. On occurrence of inappropriate behavior, the wristband was removed and the student was placed in nonseclusionary timeout. Implementation of the timeout ribbon procedure resulted in target behaviors reduced to zero occurrences for both youths. This was maintained at a 2-week follow-up, even as the reinforcement schedule was thinned. The timeout ribbon procedure provided an efficient, effective, and socially valid means of supporting positive behavior across settings for these students.
Skin Picking in German Students
Authors: Bohne Antje , Wilhelm Sabine , Keuthen Nancy J. , Baer Lee , Jenike Michael A.
Published: April 2003

Severe skin picking (SP) is a repetitive, intentionally performed behavior that causes noticeable tissue damage and results in clinically significant distress or impairment. To date, SP has received little attentioninthe psychiatric literature. This study was conducted to further investigate SP and its characteristics in a German student population. The participants ( N = 133) completed various self-report questionnaires. More than 90% ( n = 122) reported occasional SP, with six students (4.6%) endorsing significant impairment from recurrent, self-injurious SP. SP was triggered by specific cutaneous stimuli, situations, and emotions. The students primarily squeezed (85%) and scratched (77.4%) the skin, with a primary focus on the face (94.7%) and cuticles (52.6%). About 20% ( n = 26) ate the picked tissue afterward. Results suggest SP is an underrecognized problem that occurs on a continuum ranging from mild to severe with generally stable clinical characteristics across cultures.
Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior Problems
Authors: Teng Ellen J. , Woods Douglas W. , Twohig Michael P. , Marcks Brook A.
Published: April 2003

Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) such as skin picking or scratching and nail biting can be physically and socially detrimental. Given the potential consequences associated with these behaviors, it is unfortunate this area has received relatively limited attention. The two purposes of the current study were (a) to determine the prevalence of BFRBs among typically developing persons and (b) to examine the contribution of reported somatic activity to the occurrence of BFRBs. Results indicated that 13.7% of the sample met criteria for at least one BFRB, of which the most common topographywas nail biting. Persons with aBFRBreported significantly more somatic activity than persons without a BFRB. Further analyses revealed consistent findings across three separate topographies in which persons with a BFRB for nail biting, mouth chewing, and/or skin picking reported significantly more somatic activity than did persons without a BFRB. Clinical implications and diagnostic considerations are discussed.
Acceptability of Treatments for Trichotillomania
Authors: Elliott Amy J. , Fuqua R. Wayne
Published: April 2003

Based on the literature, trichotillomania (TTM, chronic hair pulling) in children and adults appears to be responsive to behavioral interventions such as habit reversal. However, some have questioned the generality and acceptability of such procedures. This study compared the acceptability ratings of four interventions targeting TTM (habit reversal, hypnosis, medication, and punishment). In the study, 233 college students read case vignettes in which the age of the analogue client and the severity of the hair pulling were manipulated. Results showed significant differences between the four treatment conditions, with hypnosis and habit reversal being rated most acceptable. Age of the analogue client and severity of TTM did not significantly influence acceptability ratings.
A Functional Analysis of Finger Sucking in Children
Authors: Stricker Jason M. , Miltenberger Raymond G. , Anderson Christopher F. , Tulloch Heather E. , Deaver Cristine M.
Published: April 2003

In this investigation, the authors experimentally assessed the functions of finger sucking for 3 typically developing children ages 6, 7, and 14. In Experiment 1, a parent-conducted functional analysis, completed in each child’s natural environment, showed that each of the childrens finger sucking was most likely to occur when the child was alone, suggesting that the behaviors were maintained by automatic reinforcement. Experiment 2 involved assessing the nature of the sensory stimulation that maintained finger sucking by attenuating the sensory stimulation to the fingers via the use of Band-Aids and attenuating the sensory stimulation to the mouth with a mild numbing agent for 2 of the 3 children. For the 3rd child, mouthing objects were made available noncontingently to determine whether access to such items would result in low levels of finger sucking, suggesting reinforcer substitutability. Results of these analyses suggested that finger sucking was maintained by both oral and digital stimulation for 2 children and by oral stimulation for the 3rd.
Assessment and Treatment of Vocal Tics Associated WithTourette’s Syndrome
Authors: Roane Henry S. , Piazza Cathleen C. , Cercone Jennifer J. , Grados Marco
Published: April 2003

A functional analysis suggested that a young man’s vocal tics were maintained by automatic reinforcement. A preference assessment was conducted to identify stimuli that effectively competed with the occurrence of vocal tics. When used as components of a reinforcement-based intervention, however, these stimuli were ineffective at reducing the occurrence of vocal tics. Observations conducted in a naturalistic context led to the hypothesis that variations in tics were associated with body positioning. Thus, an additional analysis was conducted to determine if vocal tics occurred less when the participantwas lying down versus when hewas seated upright. Results suggested that a combination of procedures might be useful in developing idiosyncratic interventions for automatically reinforced problem behavior, such as vocal tics.
The Effects of Training Parents in Functional Behavior Assessment on Problem Identification, Problem Analysis, and Intervention Design
Authors: McNeill Stephanie L. , Watson T. Steuart , Henington Carlen , Meeks Caroline
Published: April 2003

In this study, parents were trained in four sessions to identify problems, conduct a functional assessment, and design an appropriate intervention based on the function of the problem behavior. First, parents were trained to operationally define problem behaviors, given examples of consequences, and discussed the functions of behavior. Second, parents were given examples of antecedents and discussed replacement behaviors. Third, procedures to increase appropriate behaviors were discussed. Fourth, procedures to decrease inappropriate behaviors were discussed. Prior to the first session and after each session, parents watched a videotaped vignette of a child exhibiting a behavior problem and completed a Problem Identification Questionnaire, Problem Analysis Questionnaire, and Intervention Design Questionnaire. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to test for significant differences on each of the dependent variables. Results indicated that parents scores on each of the measures improved significantly. Limitations, future research ideas, and implications for school psychologists and other professionals are discussed.
The Efficacy of Using a Personal Stereo to Treat Auditory Hallucinations
Authors: Johnston Olwyn , Gallagher Anthony G. , Mcmahon Patrick J. , King David J.
Published: April 2003

This article presents preliminary findings from the first participant to complete an experiment assessing the efficacy of the personal stereo in treating auditory hallucinations. O.C., a 50-year old woman, took part in a controlled treatment trial in which 1-week baseline, personal stereo, and control treatment (nonfunctioning hearing aid) stages were alternated for 7 weeks. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Clinical Global Impression Scales, Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Topography of Voices Rating Scale were used. The personal stereo led to a decrease in the severity of O.C.’s auditory hallucinations. For example, she rated her voices as being fairly distressing during baseline and control treatment stages but neutral during personal stereo stages. As light decrease in other psychopathology also occurred during personal stereo stages. Use of the personal stereo did not lead to a decrease in self-esteem, contradicting suggestions that counterstimulation treatments for auditory hallucinations may be disempowering.
The Coolidge Personality and Neuropsychological Inventory for Children (CPNI)
Authors: Coolidge Frederick L. , Thede Linda L. , Stewart Sharon E. , Segal Daniel L.
Published: April 2003

This study describes the preliminary psychometric characteristics of a newparent-as-respondent assessment tool, the Coolidge Personality and Neuropsychological Inventory for Children (CPNI). The CPNI contains 200 items answered on a 4-point Likert-type scale. The CPNI has a three-fold purpose: (a) to assess the 12 personality disorders according to the criteria on Axis II and Appendix B of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; (b) to assess neuropsychological dysfunction, including Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Mild Neurocognitive Disorder, executive function deficits, and other related symptoms; and (c) to measure some Axis I diagnoses including Separation Anxiety Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, depression, and general anxiety, as well as other clinical syndromes. The scale reliabilities and test-retest reliabilities were moderate to high, and construct validity was good, which supports further research with the inventory.
Assessing Depression in the Cardiac Patient
Authors: Poston Walker S. Carlos , Haddock C. Keith , Conard Mark W. , Jones Phillip , Spertus John
Published: April 2003

Depression is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease-related morbidity and mortality. It is common to screen for depression in patients undergoing coronary revascularization prior to revascularization; however, the validity of this assessment is unclear as some patients may experience transient, reactive depression rather than persistent depression. The authors evaluated whether an initial or 1-month postprocedure screen was optimal for identifying consistently depressed patients. Depression at 1-month postprocedurewas a stronger predictor of depression at months 2 to 6 than baseline depression. After adjusting potential confounding variables, there was a much stronger relationship between 1-month and 6-month depression status (OR = 28.7 if depressed at 1 month, p < .001) than between baseline and 6-month depression status (OR = 6.5 if depressed at baseline, p < .001). Screening for depression at the time of revascularization is not as predictive of depression at 6 months as it is 1 month postprocedure.
Program Participation and Physical Activity Maintenance after Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Bock Beth C. , Carmona-Barros Rosa E. , Esler Jeanne L. , Tilkemeier Peter L.
Published: April 2003

This study examined exercise maintenance among patients after completing cardiac rehabilitation. Subjects were men and women who had completed a Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation Program approximately 12 months previously. Subjects were classified according to whether they had (a) never participated in a Phase III program (G-I) (N = 37), (b) enrolled and completed a Phase III program (G-II) (N = 30), or (c) were currently enrolled in a Phase III maintenance program (G-III) (N = 33). Subjects were significantly more likely to be participating in regular exercise if they had participated in a Phase III program (p < .05). Individuals in G-II and G-III engaged in more minutes of physical activity per week and were more likely to meet recommended levels of physical activity compared to G-I subjects. G-I individuals who had longer Phase II programs were more likely to maintain their exercise habits following graduation (p < .05). Results suggest that Phase III maintenance programs and longer Phase II participation improved exercise maintenance following rehabilitation.
Socioeconomic Status Variables Predict Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Prospective Mortality Risk among Women with Chest Pain
Authors: Rutledge Thomas , Reis Steven E. , Olson Marian , Owens Jane , Kelsey Sheryl F. , Pepine Carl J. , Reichek Nathaniel , Rogers William J. , Bairey-Merz C. Noel , Sopko George , Cornell Carol E. , Matthews Karen A.
Published: April 2003

This study examined the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors, and all-cause mortality in a cohort of women with chest pain. A total of 743women (mean age = 59.6 years) with chest pain who were referred for coronary angiography completed a diagnostic protocol including CAD risk factor assessment, ischemic testing, psychosocial testing, and queries of SES. Patients were followed for about 2 years to track subsequent all-cause mortality. Results indicated that low SES was associated with CAD risk factors, including higher BMI andwaist-hip ratios, cigarette smoking, lower reported activity levels, and a greater probability of hypertension. Low income also predicted all-cause mortality (RR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.4, 5.2), including after adjusting for proposed psychosocial and behavioral variables (RR = 5.9, 95% CI 1.2-29.7). Future research will require a thorough a priori focus on potential mechanisms to better understand SES effects on health.
HIV Sexual Risk-Reduction Interventions for Youth: A Review and Methodological Critique of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Pedlow C. Teal , Carey Michael P.
Published: April 2003

The authors review and provide a methodological critique of randomized controlled studies of HIV risk reduction interventions that measured sexual risk behavior outcomes with adolescents. Studies conducted in school, community, and health care settings were reviewed. Overall, 13 of 23 interventions (57%) were effective in reducing sexual risk behavior. Methodological strengths of extant studies included an emphasis on a theoretical framework, evaluation of both individualized and group-intervention formats, use of multiple assessments of risk behavior (including biological outcomes), and inclusion of efficacy and effectiveness trials. Methodological limitations included limited evaluation of theoretical mediators of risk reduction, failure to report effect sizes, and lack of sustained findings. Inconsistencies were found in data analytic procedures and reporting, including how nested designs, skewed data, and attrition were addressed. Recommendations for designing methodologically rigorous interventions are provided.
Sequencing Instructional Tasks
Authors: Noell George H. , Whitmarsh Ernest L. , VanDerHeyden Amanda M. , Gatti Susan L. , Slider Natalie J.
Published: April 2003

This study compared two strategies for increasing accurate responding on a low-preference academic task by interspersing presentations of a preferred academic task. Five children attending a preschool program for children with delayed language development participated in this study. Preferred and nonpreferred tasks were identified through a multiple-stimulus, free-operant preference assessment. Contingent access to a preferred academic task was associated with improved response accuracy when compared to noncontingent access to that activity for 3 students. For 1 student, noncontingent access to the preferred activity led to improved response accuracy, and 1 student’s analysis suggested the importance of procedural variety. The implications of these findings for use of preference assessments to devise instructional sequences that improve student responding are discussed.
Observational Assessment of Toy Preferences Among Young Children With Disabilities in Inclusive Settings
Authors: Reid Dennis H. , DiCarlo Cynthia F. , Schepis Maureen M. , Hawkins Jamie , Stricklin Sarintha B.
Published: April 2003

Numerous investigations have demonstrated means of assessing preferences among students and adults with disabilities. In contrast, there has been little attention on preference identification among young children. We evaluated a preference assessment with 7 toddlers and preschoolers with disabilities in inclusive programs. First, identification of toy-play preferences was compared across three assessments that varied in amount of toy-play behavior sampled and time required for implementation (5-, 10-, and 15-session assessments). Second, results of the assessments were compared to staff opinion. Results indicated the most efficient assessment identified preferences that generally were consistent with preferences identified with the less time-efficient assessments. Results also indicated staff reports did not consistently indicate which toys were played with most frequently. Overall, results demonstrate an efficient means of determining preferences among young children with disabilities in inclusive settings. Results also suggest that staff opinion should not be relied on exclusively to determine preferences.
Modifying Behavioral Variability in Moderately Depressed Students
Authors: Hopkinson Jennifer , Neuringer Allen
Published: April 2003

This study asked whether response sequences generated by moderately depressed students are more repetitive than those generated by nondepressed students and whether sequence variability can be increased in those identified as depressed. Seventy-five undergraduate students completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and were divided into moderately depressed and nondepressed groups. Some of the students had received class instruction concerning behavioral variability; others did not. All students participated in a two-phase, computer-game procedure in which response-sequence variability was measured. When reinforcement was provided independently of sequence variability, the depressed participants responded more repetitively than did the nondepressed. When high sequence variability was required for reinforcement, variability increased significantly in all participants, with the depressed achieving the same high levels as the nondepressed. The students who had been instructed about variability responded more variably throughout than the noninstructed. Therefore, both direct reinforcement and instruction increased behavioral variability of depressed individuals, a goal of some therapies for depression.
Remembering Everyday Experience Through the Prism of Self-Esteem
Authors: Christensen Tamlin Conner , Wood Joanne V. , Barrett Lisa Feldman
Published: April 2003

Two studies examined whether global self-esteem was associated with bias in memory for autobiographical experience. For 7 days, participants described specific events and made ratings of their experience (i.e., state self-esteem, positive and negative emotion, and perceived valence of the event) in response to each event. Later, participants were presented with their event descriptions and were asked to recall their experience ratings from memory. As hypothesized, higher global self-esteem predicted positive shifts in memory for experience, whereas lower global self-esteem predicted negative shifts in memory for experience. Patterns of bias were strongest for remembered state self-esteem, moderate for positive emotion, and minimal for event valence. Self-esteem did not predict bias for negative emotion. Mood at the time of recall (measured in Study 2) generally did not account for the patterns. These findings strengthen the view that self-esteem is a rich source of knowledge about the self that can influence memory for some kinds of autobiographical experience.
The Vulnerability of Values to Attack: Inoculation of Values and Value-Relevant Attitudes
Authors: Bernard Mark M. , Maio Gregory R. , Olson James M.
Published: April 2003

Based on the values-as-truisms hypothesis and inoculation theory, two experiments tested whether providing cognitive defenses for the value of equality induces resistance against a message attacking this value. Experiment 1 found that participants who generated cognitive support in an active-supportive or an active-refutational defense were less persuaded by a subsequent message attacking equality than were participants who engaged in no prior defense. Experiment 2 examined the effects of an active-refutational defense and a passive-refutational defense, which simply asked participants to read reasons supporting or opposing equality. Results indicated additive effects of the active and passive defenses, such that participants were most resistant to the anti-equality message when they were given both defenses. Mediational analysis across both experiments revealed that the defenses increased counterargumentation of the anti-equality message, which led to increased post-attack importance of equality and predicted more favorable equality-relevant attitudes and values.
Can’t Quite Commit: Rumination and Uncertainty
Authors: Ward Andrew , Lyubomirsky Sonja , Sousa Lorie , Nolen-Hoeksema Susan
Published: April 2003

Why do some individuals persist in self-destructive rumination? Two studies investigated the relation between a ruminative response style and the reluctance to initiate instrumental behavior. In Study 1, ruminators were compared to nonruminators regarding their evaluation of a self-generated plan to revise their university housing system and, in Study 2, concerning their plan to redesign the undergraduate curriculum. In both studies, on relevant composite measures, ruminators expressed less satisfaction and confidence with regard to their plans than did nonruminators. They were also less likely to commit to the plans they generated. The findings suggest that in addition to its documented detrimental effects on thinking and problem solving, self-focused rumination may inhibit instrumental behavior by increasing uncertainty, resulting in further rumination and behavioral paralysis.
Perceptions of Trait Typicality in Gender Stereotypes: Examining the Role of Attribution and Categorization Processes
Authors: Krueger Joachim I. , Hasman Julie F. , Acevedo Melissa , Villano Paola
Published: April 2003

Gender stereotypes are understood as the ascription of different personality traits to men and women. Data from American and Italian samples showed that consistent with the attribution hypothesis, the estimated prevalence of a trait in a target group predicted perceptions of trait typicality well. In contrast, there was no support for the categorization hypothesis, according to which perceived differences in trait prevalence between groups should independently predict trait typicality. Nevertheless, participants overestimated gender differences in personality as predicted by the principle of intercategory accentuation. The implications of these findings for the rationality and accuracy of gender stereotyping are discussed.
White Guilt and Racial Compensation: The Benefits and Limits of Self-Focus
Authors: Iyer Aarti , Leach Colin Wayne , Crosby Faye J.
Published: April 2003

In two studies, the authors investigated guilt as a response to group-based advantage. Consistent with its conceptualization as a self-focused emotion, White guilt was based in self-focused beliefs in racial inequality. Thus, guilt was associated with belief in White privilege (Study 1) and resulted from seeing European Americans as perpetrators of racial discrimination (Study 2). Just as personal guilt is associated with efforts at restitution, White guilt was predictive of support for affirmative action programs aimed at compensating African Americans. White guilt was not, however, predictive of support for noncompensatory efforts at promoting equality, such as affirmative action programs that increase opportunities (Study 2). In contrast, the other-focused emotion of group-based sympathy was a more general predictor of support for different affirmative action policies. Our findings demonstrate the benefits and limits of group-based guilt as a basis of support for social equality and highlight the value of understanding the specific emotions elicited in intergroup contexts.
Predicting the Paths of Peripherals: The Interaction of Identification and Future Possibilities
Authors: Jetten Jolanda , Branscombe Nyla R. , Spears Russell , McKimmie Blake M.
Published: April 2003

Two studies investigated how both degree of identification and the individual’s position within the group influence aspects of group loyalty. The authors considered ingroup position in terms of both the individual’s current position within a group and expectations concerning the likelihood that one’s position might change in the future. Peripheral group members learned that their acceptance by other group members would improve in the future or that they could expect rejection by other group members. Various indices of group loyalty (ingroup homogeneity, motivation to work for the group, and evaluation of a motivated group member) showed that when group members anticipated future rejection, the lower the identification the less loyal they were. In contrast, those who expected future acceptance were more loyal (more motivated to work for the group) the lower their identification. Current group behavior depends on both intragroup future expectations and level of identification.
Synergistic Person × Situation Interaction in Distributive Justice Behavior
Authors: Schmitt Manfred , Eid Michael , Maes Jürgen
Published: April 2003

A person × situation interaction is synergistic when a personality trait amplifies the effect of a situational factor. The present study tested how individuals’ justice attitudes and situational factors jointly affect the allocation of financial burdens. Six insurance cases were described to 80 participants. Economic status of client (high, low) and responsibility of client for damage of the insured (high, low) were manipulated between subjects. Participants suggested a percentage of the total costs that they considered a fair contribution by the client. In accordance with the synergistic model, justice attitude (person factor) and responsibility for damage (situation factor) interacted and explained 5% of the variance of the dependent variable. With increasing negativity of attitude toward equality, the effect of responsibility was larger. Several cognitive mechanisms, such as motivated perception, selective attention, and the availability of attitude congruent situation schemas, that may account for synergistic interactions in justice behavior and in other domains were discussed.
Self-Guide Framing and Persuasion: Responsibly Increasing Message Processing to Ideal Levels
Authors: Evans Lisa M. , Petty Richard E.
Published: April 2003

The current research examines the effect that framing persuasive messages in terms of self-guides (ideal vs. ought) has on the attitudes and cognitive responses of individuals with chronic ideal versus ought self-guides. The strength of participants’ ideal and ought self-guides and the magnitude of participants’ ideal and ought self-discrepancies were measured using a computerized reaction time program. One week later, participants read a persuasive message about a fictional breakfast product, framed in terms of either ideals or oughts. Matching framing to stronger self-guide led to enhanced message processing activity, especially among individuals who were low in need for cognition. Individuals who read messages framed to match their stronger self-guides paid more attention to argument quality, as reflected in their attitudes and cognitive responses. Messages with self-guide framing that matched individuals’ stronger self-discrepancies did not have this effect on processing.
Sex Differences in Judgments of Physical Attractiveness: A Social Relations Analysis
Authors: Marcus David K. , Miller Rowland S.
Published: April 2003

Men and women rated the physical attractiveness of other men and women who were sitting nearby and were rated by them in return. They also provided meta-perceptions of how they thought those others rated them. Attractiveness ratings were partly a function of both the target being rated and the perceiver providing the ratings regardless of the sex of the perceiver or target, but the highest levels of consensus occurred when men judged the attractiveness of women and the highest levels of idiosyncrasy occurred when men rated other men. Meta-perceptions were also idiosyncratic; some believed that they were consistently considered attractive, whereas others thought they were seen as unattractive. People were aware of what others thought of them and, in particular, women’s meta-perceptions were highly related to men’s judgments of them. People agree about others’ attractiveness, and those who are attractive to others know they are pretty or handsome.
Confusions of Self With Close Others
Authors: Mashek Debra J. , Aron Arthur , Boncimino Maria
Published: April 2003

This article explores the cognitive underpinnings of interpersonal closeness in the theoretical context of “including other in the self” and, specifically, the notion of overlap between cognitive representations of self and close others. In each of three studies, participants first rated different traits for self, close others (e.g., romantic partner, best friend), and less close others (e.g., media personalities), followed by a surprise source recognition task (who was each trait rated for?). As predicted, in each study, there were more source confusions between traits rated for self and close others (e.g., a trait rated for self recalled as having been rated for the close other) than between self (or close others) and non-close others. Furthermore, several results suggest that the greater confusions between self and close others are due specifically to interpersonal closeness and not to greater familiarity or similarity with close others
Procedural Justice and Social Regulation Across Group Boundaries: Does Subgroup Identity Undermine Relationship-Based Governance?
Authors: Huo Yuen J.
Published: April 2003

The relational model of authority suggests that people are inclined to accept the decisions of ethnic outgroup authorities when they identify with a superordinate category they share with the authority, and when the authority satisfies their relational justice concerns. Using responses from a random sample of African Americans, Latinos, and Whites about their cross-ethnic interactions with legal authorities, the findings indicated that those who are highly identified with the superordinate category of America indicate greater reliance on relational concerns and less on instrumental concerns when evaluating the authority’s decision. In contrast, identification with one’s ethnic subgroup did not moderate the linkage between relational concerns and acceptance. Across all ethnic groups, there were positive rather than negative correlations between measures of American and ethnic identity. Together, these findings indicate that subgroup identity does not undermine the relational basis of social regulation and that relationship-based governance is compatible with multiculturalism.
Tactical Differences in Coping With Rejection Sensitivity: The Role of Prevention Pride
Authors: Ayduk Ozlem , May Danielle , Downey Geraldine , Higgins E. Tory
Published: April 2003

Prevention pride reflects a person’s subjective history of success in preventing negative outcomes, leading to a strategic avoidance of errors of commission (e.g., explicit mistakes) in new situations. Two studies examined the impact of prevention pride on the strategies that highly rejection sensitive (HRS) people use to cope with the anxiety of anticipated rejection and the negative feelings elicited by perceived rejection. It was hypothesized that prevention pride orientation would lead HRS people toward covert and passive rather than overt and active forms of negative coping. Results indicated that HRS individuals who were also high in prevention pride reported increased use of self-silencing, presumably to prevent rejection. When rejection was perceived, however, they expressed hostility passively, by reducing positive behavior (e.g., withdrawing love and support) while inhibiting direct, active acts of hostility (e.g., yelling).
The Ingroup as Pars Pro Toto: Projection From the Ingroup Onto the Inclusive Category as a Precursor to Social Discrimination
Authors: Wenzel Michael , Mummendey Amélie , Weber Ulrike , Waldzus Sven
Published: April 2003

In an approach to intergroup discrimination and tolerance, it is assumed that the outgroup’s difference from the ingroup is evaluated with reference to the prototype of the higher-order category that includes both groups. Two correlational studies yielded evidence that (a) group members tend to perceive their ingroup as relatively prototypical for the inclusive category (projection), (b) members highly identified with both ingroup and inclusive category (dual identity) tend to project most, and (c) relative prototypicality is related to negative attitudes toward the outgroup. The latter relation was further specified in Study 3, manipulating the valence of the inclusive category. Projection was related to more negative attitudes toward the outgroup when the inclusive category was primed positively but to more positive attitudes when it was primed negatively. The meaning of dual identities for intergroup relations is discussed.