bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors in Athletic Achievement: Reply to Van Rossum (2004)
Authors: Hyllegard Randy
Published: December 2005

Several lines of evidence have questioned the contribution of innate talents to achievement. Nonetheless, it is also apparent that belief in talent is still common and affects perceptions that athletes form about themselves and fellow competitors about different levels of achievement.
Effects of Choice on Performance in Two Cultures
Authors: Perlmuter Lawrence C.
Published: December 2005

Research in Japan and the United States has demonstrated that learning and memory may be improved when individuals are permitted to choose materials to be learned. In Japanese studies, the effects appear to be limited to the specific materials actually chosen, whereas in the United States, choice enhances recall of chosen as well as other materials that are later assigned. In the United States, personal choice has been hypothesized to affect both the learner's relationship to the chosen materials as well as motivation; in Japan personal choice affects the relationship between the learner and the chosen materials. Apparently the consequences of choice may vary in these cultures.
Effects of Self-Evaluation on the P300 Event-Related Potential
Authors: Alexander Joel E. , Crowson Ben , Machan Kelly , Lockwood Denesa , Alexander Ronald G. , Hall Carrie-Ann , Godinez Detre
Published: December 2005

The effects of self evaluation on the P300 event-related potential (ERP) were explored with 56 participants (16 men, 40 women; M age = 23.4 yr., SD = 1.2) across three conditions. The conditions included (1) a standard ERP auditory oddball discrimination between a random target (15% occurrence) and standard stimuli (85% occurrence), (2) the oddball task followed by the additional cognitive task of maintaining a mental count of the target tones, and (3) the oddball task followed by the additional cognitive task of self-evaluating whether they felt surprised by the current occurrence of the target tone. The added cognitive requirements for Conditions 2 and 3 required the subjects to maintain a cognitive readiness for the secondary stimulus-related task during their sensory discrimination response for the standard oddball task. During the self-evaluation condition, the P300 amplitude was significantly larger across all recording locations than the regular oddball condition and the cognitive count condition.
Choral Reading with Filtered Speech: Effect on Stuttering
Authors: Rami Manish K. , Kalinowski Joseph , Rastatter Michael P. , Holbert Donald , Allen Mark
Published: December 2005

This study investigated use of choral reading with filtered components of speech and whispered speech on the frequency of stuttering. Three passages read by a normal adult male were lowpass filtered with kneepoint frequencies at 100 Hz (approximate glottal source), 500 Hz (source and first formant), and 1 kHz (source and the first two formants). Along with a whispered passage, a normal passage, and a control condition, these stimuli were used in a repeated-measures design with 12 adult stutterers as they read passages while listening to one of the stimuli. Frequencies of stuttering in each condition were analyzed. The choral speech, the 500-Hz, the 1-kHz, and the whispered speech conditions all decreased the frequency of stuttering while the 100-Hz stimuli did not. It is suggested that articulatory events, chiefly the encoded speech output from the vocal tract, create effective cues and may induce fluent speech in people who stutter.
Inhibition of Return Using Location Discrimination in Two Age Groups
Authors: Tsuchida Noriaki
Published: December 2005

The present study investigated “inhibition of return” which refers to increased response latency when the target in a location discrimination task appears in the same location on consecutive trials. Research to date has suggested that this effect is little changed across age. However, this study, which compared 12 older adults in good health ( M = 73.0, SD = 5.3) with younger adults using the target-target paradigm to examine inhibition of return, suggests there is a strong and continuous effect in older adults in comparison to younger adults. Results indicate the possibility that the inhibitory function may become stronger at an older age.
In Search of Dominance: The Case of the Missing Dimension
Authors: Stamps Arthur E.
Published: December 2005

Some previous researchers have found that affect can be described in terms of two dimensions (pleasure and arousal), while others have noted three dimensions are needed (pleasure, arousal, and dominance). The competing claims were tested by creating stimuli with factors previously demonstrated to elicit responses of arousal or dominance, asking respondents to rate the stimuli, and contrasting correlations between ratings and the stimulus factors. Under the two-dimensional theory, the planned contrasts should be zero, while under the three-dimensional theory, the planned contrasts should be nonzero. Results supported the three-dimensional model.
Note on Consensual Assessment Technique in Creativity Research
Authors: Dollinger Stephen J. , Shafran Marina
Published: December 2005

Amabile's Consensual Assessment Technique is commonly used in research on creative products. This study evaluates a modification of that technique which may facilitate research on creative products by calibrating nonexpert judges to expert judges in previous studies. University students ( N = 200; 59% women, M = 22.3 yr. of age, SD = 5.5) devised drawings to the Test of Creative Thinking-Drawing Production stimulus. These drawing products were rated by five artist-judges using the CAT and five psychologist-judges who first viewed 16 examples of the range of drawings in a previous study, referred to here as the modified consensual assessment technique. The 20 ratings of product creativity loaded on a single principal component, and the mean ratings correlated .91. Finally, the correlations of these ratings with other measures of creativity were nearly identical. Thus, a slight modification of the technique may be useful in programmatic research when the creativity task is not modified across studies and participants are like the present sample rather than from groups with specialized training or artistic talent.
Accuracy of Visual Estimates of Joint Angle and Angular Velocity Using Criterion Movements
Authors: Morrison Craig S. , Clayburn Colby , Knudson Duane , Haywood Philip
Published: December 2005

A descriptive study to document undergraduate physical education majors' (22.8 ± 2.4 yr. old) estimates of sagittal plane elbow angle and angular velocity of elbow flexion visually was performed. 42 subjects rated videotape replays of 30 movements organized into three speeds of movement and two criterion elbow angles. Video images of the movements were analyzed with Peak Motus™ to measure actual values of elbow angles and peak angular velocity. Of the subjects 85.7% had speed ratings significantly correlated with true peak elbow angular velocity in all three angular velocity conditions. Few (16.7%) subjects' ratings of elbow angle correlated significantly with actual angles. Analysis of the subjects with good ratings showed the accuracy of visual ratings was significantly related to speed, with decreasing accuracy for slower speeds of movement. The use of criterion movements did not improve the small percentage of novice observers who could accurately estimate body angles during movement.
Relationship between Anaerobic Power and Jumping of Selected Male Volleyball Players of Different Ages
Authors: Kasabalis Athanasios , Douda Helen , Tokmakidis Savvas P.
Published: December 2005

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anaerobic power of elite male volleyball players, using the Wingate Anaerobic Test to examine the relationship between anaerobic power and jumping performance. Athletes ( n = 56) and Nonathletes ( n = 53) were divided into three age groups: Adults (18–25 yr.), Juniors (15–16 yr.), and Youth (10–11 yr.). Measurements of height, body mass, vertical jump and Wingate scores indicated higher values for athletes. The specific training effects of anaerobic power were more pronounced at the age of 10–11 years than for Nonathletes. A significant correlation coefficient between peak power and vertical jump was found for Athletes ( r = .86) and for the total group ( r = .82). These results indicated that vertical jump may predict the maximal anaerobic power and could be used by coaches as a practical and easy-to-apply field screening test for evaluation in volleyball training.
Sex Differences in Line Judgment: Relation to Mathematics Preparation and Strategy Use
Authors: Cherney Isabelle D. , Collaer Marcia L.
Published: December 2005

This study explored visuospatial ability using a new group-administered task, the Judgment of Line Angle and Position-15 test (JLAP–15). We investigated how this task relates to the Vandenberg Mental Rotation Test and whether the sex difference in performance could be explained by the number of prior mathematics courses or strategy used. Undergraduates ( n = 86 men and 112 women) completed the two tests and reported their strategies. Men had higher scores than women on both tests ( d = 1.04 for JLAP–15 and 1.10 for the Vandenberg Mental Rotation Test), with a significant intertask correlation of .41. Regression analyses indicated that strategy type, number of mathematics courses completed, and sex were significant predictors of performance on the JLAP–15 but only accounted for 21% of the variance.
Preliminary Validation of an Assessment for Evaluating Administration of a Structured Exercise Counseling Protocol
Authors: Annesi James J. , Unruh Jennifer L.
Published: December 2005

Preliminary testing suggested acceptable reliability and validity for a 10-item assessment used to rate the performance in 9 facilities of 59 exercise counselors' administration of a structured treatment protocol intended to improve maintenance of exercise.
Cerebral Lateralization of Global-Local Processing in Left- and Right-Handed People
Authors: Goodarzi Mohammad Ali , Taghavi Mohammad Reza , Zoughi Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2005

Cerebral lateralization of global-local processing of 70 left-handed and 70 right-handed students was compared using a computerized global-local task in a half-visual field paradigm. Analysis showed that left-handed individuals were slower than right-handed individuals in processing Globally Directed stimuli presented to the left visual field (right hemisphere). In addition, left-handed individuals showed smaller local superiority in the left hemisphere to the right-handed individuals. These findings are more consistent with Levy's prediction of spatial inferiority of left-handed individuals than Geschwind and Galaburda's or Annett's hypotheses.
Differences in Handedness and Scores of Aggressiveness and Interpersonal Relations of Soccer Players
Authors: Dane Şenol , Şekertekin Mehmet Ali
Published: December 2005

Handedness and differences in interpersonal relations and aggressiveness were studied in 33 right-handed ( M age = 22.9 yr., SD = 4.9) and 18 left-handed ( M age = 22.5 yr., SD = 2.4) male soccer players who played actively in professional soccer leagues of Turkey. Hand preference on the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory and scores for destructiveness, assertiveness, and passive aggressiveness on a Turkish Aggressiveness Inventory, plus scores for sociability, benevolence, tenderheartedness, tolerance, and insistence on the Turkish Interpersonal Relations Inventory were examined. Mean destructive aggressiveness was higher for the left- than the right-handed athletes. Means on tolerance and insistence were higher for the right- than the left-handed athletes. Higher aggressiveness and less tolerance and insistence in the left-handers may be associated with their higher sports performance.
Associations among Sick Building Syndrome, Psychosocial Factors, and Personality Traits
Authors: Runeson Roma , Norbäck Dan
Published: December 2005

A mailed questionnaire assessed personality traits of a cohort of 194 subjects followed from 1988 to 1998 measured by the Karolinska Scales of Personality and Sense of Coherence Scale, medical symptoms, and 3 VAS scales on Perceived Psychosocial Work Satisfaction. Subjects initially worked in 19 Swedish buildings with indoor environmental problems. There was a relatively high correlation between SOC scores and KSP scale scores ( R2 =.54 in men and .55 in women), and there was a sex-KSP interaction on the association between the two sets of scores. An increase of symptom score (SC difference) during the follow-up period was associated with higher psychic anxiety ( p<.01 for both men and women), higher socialization ( p<.01 for men) and lower inhibition of aggression ( p<.05 for men), in stepwise multiple linear regression models. Moreover, the perceived satisfaction scores were associated with personality scale scores, and subjects with a higher sense of coherence reported higher work satisfaction ( p<.01). In conclusion, personality aspects seem to play an important role for reporting medical symptoms, work satisfaction, work stress, and climate of cooperation at work, but different personality aspects could be important in men and women.
Relation of Eye Dominance with Performance and Subjective Ratings in Golf Putting
Authors: Sugiyama Yoshio , Lee Mi-Sook
Published: December 2005

Previous research has discussed the interaction of hand preference, eye dominance, and sport performance. In this study, the relation of eye dominance with performance and subjective ratings in golf putting was investigated. 47 right-handed Japanese students from a college of physical education putted 10 balls to a drawn circle 3 m away, each under right-handed and left-handed stance conditions. Putting performance was measured by the number of successful putts. After putting in each condition, they rated subjective visibility and feelings of hitting. Analyses indicated that right-eyed subjects had significantly better performance using the right-handed stance than the left-handed stance, whereas left-eyed subjects showed the opposite. Most subjective ratings were more positive with right-handed stance for both right-eyed and left-eyed subjects. These findings suggest that eye dominance could have some influence on putting performance of Japanese novice golfers.
Comparisons of Continuous and Discrete Methods for Combining Probability Values Associated with Matched-Pairs t-Test Data
Authors: Mielke Paul W. , Berry Kenneth J. , Johnston Janis E.
Published: December 2005

Fisher's well-known continuous method for combining independent probability values from continuous distributions is compared with an exact discrete analog of Fisher's continuous method for combining independent probability values from discrete distributions using matched-pairs t-test data. Fisher's continuous method is shown to be inadequate for combining probability values from many discrete distributions, given the continuity assumption when discrete distributions are considered. Although Fisher's continuous method does not detect a well-documented effect among distributions, the exact discrete analog method clearly detects the effect.
Examination of Hole-to-Hole Streakiness on the PGA Tour
Authors: Clark Russell D.
Published: December 2005

A study investigated streakiness among professional golfers. Hole-to-hole scores within 747 tournaments from a randomly chosen group of 35 players on the 1997 PGA Tour were analyzed. Contingency analyses gave no evidence for streakiness. Players were just as likely to score par or better following an above par hole as to make a par or better following a par or better hole. These results are consistent with those found for individual players in baseball and basketball.
Sources of Stress among Greek Team Handball Referees: Construction and Validation of the Handball Officials' Sources of Stress Survey
Authors: Tsorbatzoudis Haralambos , Kaissidis-Rodafinos Angelos , Partemian Stepan , Grouios George
Published: December 2005

Sports officials have recently received some attention in the academic literature. The aim of the present study was to examine sources of perceived psychological stress among certified Greek team handball referees. For this purpose, participants evaluated the intensity of 17 acutely stressful game situations on two occasions within a period of seven months. To explore the factor structure of the Handball Officials Sources of Stress Survey, 84 team handball officials completed the questionnaire. The analysis yielded a 4-factor structure (Evaluation, Fear of Physical Harm, Interpersonal Conflicts, and Fear of Appearing Incompetent), which accounted for 70% of the total variance. Age, education, rank, and years of experience as a handball player were unrelated to the referees' scores on the survey. To confirm the factor structure, 93 handball officials completed the survey seven months later. A confirmatory factor analysis supported the factorial structure of the scale. Sources and intensity of stress for handball referees are comparable to those identified in previous studies of referees' stress in other team sports.
Development of Measures from the Theory of Planned Behavior Applied to Leisure-Time Physical Activity
Authors: Kerner Matthew S.
Published: December 2005

Using the theory of planned behavior as a conceptual framework, scales assessing Attitude to Leisure-time Physical Activity, Expectations of Others, Perceived Control, and Intention to Engage in Leisure-time Physical Activity were developed for use among middle-school students. The study sample included 349 boys and 400 girls, 10 to 14 years of age ( M = 11.9 yr., SD = .9). Unipolar and bipolar scales with seven response choices were developed, with each scale item phrased in a Likerttype format. Following revisions, 22 items were retained in the Attitude to Leisure-time Physical Activity Scale, 10 items in the Expectations of Others Scale, 3 items in the Perceived Control Scale, and 17 items in the Intention to Engage in Leisure-time Physical Activity Scale. Adequate internal consistency was indicated by standardized coefficients alpha ranging from .75 to .89. Current results must be extended to assess discriminant and predictive validities and to check various reliabilities with new samples, then evaluation of intervention techniques for promotion of positive attitudes about leisure-time physical activity, including perception of control and intentions to engage in leisure-time physical activity.
Relationships between Spatial Activities and Scores on the Mental Rotation Test as a Function of Sex
Authors: Ginn Sheryl R. , Pickens Stefanie J.
Published: December 2005

Previous results suggested that female college students' scores on the Mental Rotations Test might be related to their prior experience with spatial tasks. For example, women who played video games scored better on the test than their non-game-playing peers, whereas playing video games was not related to men's scores. The present study examined whether participation in different types of spatial activities would be related to women's performance on the Mental Rotations Test. 31 men and 59 women enrolled at a small, private church-affiliated university and majoring in art or music as well as students who participated in intercollegiate athletics completed the Mental Rotations Test. Women's scores on the Mental Rotations Test benefitted from experience with spatial activities; the more types of experience the women had, the better their scores. Thus women who were athletes, musicians, or artists scored better than those women who had no experience with these activities. The opposite results were found for the men. Efforts are currently underway to assess how length of experience and which types of experience are related to scores.
Paranormal Belief, Schizotypy, and Body Mass Index
Authors: Hergovich Andreas , Willinger Ulrike , Arendasy Martin
Published: December 2005

There are indications that subjects with schizotypal personality have a lower Body Mass Index. Also schizotypal personality is linked to a higher incidence of paranormal belief. In this study we examined whether low Body Mass Index is also linked to paranormal belief. In a pilot study 48 students of psychology (85.4% women) between the ages of 20 and 27 years were administered a questionnaire assessing weight, height, and paranormal belief. Analysis suggested an association between belief in paranormal phenomena and low Body Mass Index. In a follow-up study with 300 subjects and equal sex distribution, the relationship was examined under control of schizotypy. The results for Body Mass Index could not be confirmed; however, paranormal belief was heavily associated with the cognitive-perceptual component of schizotypy.
A Microswitch Cluster to Enhance Arm-Lifting Responses without Dystonic Head Tilting by a Child with Multiple Disabilities
Authors: Lancioni G. E. , Comes M. L. , Stasolla F. , Manfredi F. , O'Reilly M. F. , Singh N. N.
Published: December 2005

This study assessed whether a microswitch cluster with favorite stimulation could help a 9.1-yr.-old child with multiple disabilities increase arm-lifting responses without dystonic, sideways head tilting. The microswitch cluster involved two microswitches, one at the child's arm to monitor the lifting response, and the other at the child's head to monitor whether it was tilted during arm lifting. Analysis showed that the percentage of arm-lifting responses occurring without head tilting increased most visibly when favorite stimulation focused on those (appropriate) responses.
Competitive Martial Arts and Aggressiveness: A 2-yr. Longitudinal Study among Young Boys
Authors: Reynes Eric , Lorant Jean
Published: December 2005

This study is a follow-up study of Reynes and Lorant's studies assessing the effect of one year of judo and karate training on aggressiveness scores among young boys. The data reported here were obtained after a second year of practice, 14 judoka, 9 karateka, and 20 control participants who filled out the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire three times, 1 year apart. At the first assessment, all participants, born the same year, were 8 yr. old and at the third they were 10 yr. old. Analysis indicated that after two years of practice, karate training seemed to have neither positive nor negative effects on aggressiveness scores, while judo training seemed to have a negative effect on anger scores. However, the results suggested the importance of kata or meditation in training sessions on self-control acquisition for such young boys.
Pain Perception in Patients Undergoing Bone Marrow Puncture—A Pilot Study
Authors: Naumann R. , Einsle F. , Ehninger G. , Köllner V. , Schneider E. , Joraschky P. , Kugler J.
Published: December 2005

The objective of this study was to establish the relationship between the perception of pain, anxiety, and depressive tendency in performance of bone marrow puncture. 93 consecutive patients (62% men, 38% women) from a hematological oncology outpatient department ages 20 to 85 years ( M age = 53.7, SD = 15.1) were questioned. On average, the patients had undergone 2.5 (±2.6) punctures. The underlying disease was leukemia in 49%, malignant lymphoma in 41%, another malignant disease in 2%, and there was a benign condition in 8%. Depression and general anxiety were measured using the Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS-D). Fear of puncture and perception of pain were registered with visual analog scales. Patients with increased scores of anxiety or depressive tendency on the HADS-D suffered significantly more severely from fear of puncture and pain than patients with normal scores. However, the puncture-related fear in the group as a whole correlated markedly more closely with the intensity and tolerability of pain than did general fear and depressive tendency. This finding must be considered when planning psychological interventions in this group of patients.
Self-Control in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca Mulatta): Controlling for Differential Stimulus Exposure
Authors: Szalda-Petree Allen D. , Craft Baine B. , Martin Lori M. , Deditius-Island Heide K.
Published: December 2005

Previous research on self-control using macaques ( Macaca fascicularis) showed these animals have a strong bias for a delayed, larger reinforcer (Self-control) over an immediate, smaller reinforcer (Impulsive). Typical studies of self-control have used a discrete trials methodology with a secondary discriminative stimulus during the delay periods. This results in a greater exposure to the stimulus representing the self-controlled option and may account for some of the early exclusive preference for self-control observed. The present experiment examined self-control bias in three rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta) while controlling for differential durations of stimulus exposure. Subjects were presented stimuli via a computer monitor and made choices by touching the stimulus at which point both stimuli were removed for the delay periods. All three subjects displayed a nearly exclusive bias for the delayed, larger reinforcer (self-control). These results are consistent with previous studies, despite the variations in methodology and species.
Performance of Able-Bodied Subjects on a Text-Typing Task Using a Head-Operated Device and Expanded Membrane Cursor Keys
Authors: Capilouto Gilson J. , McClenaghan Bruce , Williams Harriet G. , Dickerson John , Hussey James R.
Published: December 2005

Children and adults with disabilities frequently rely on computers to complete written tasks. Those with significant motor limitations typically use alternative computer-input devices since the traditional keyboard and mouse are insufficient to accommodate their abilities. For persons unable to isolate their fingers, input devices controlled by movements of the head or whole hand or arm movements may be among the options considered. This study investigated the performance of a head-operated device and expanded membrane cursor keys for text entry. Data from 24 young adults indicated the head-operated device performed significantly faster given reduced cognitive demands for device operation, increased stimulus–response compatibility, and simplicity of movement. Use of the expanded membrane cursor keys resulted in significantly lower error rates. No significant differences in comfort or ease of use were reported for the two devices. The relative performance of device options for users sharing similar motor challenges provides rehabilitation specialists with important clinical information.
Stepnicka's Modification of the Brace Test: An Investigation of Dimensionality
Authors: Cepicka Ladislav
Published: December 2005

Stepnicka's modification of the Brace Test is used to assess body coordination of athletes in the Czech Republic. This test has 10 tasks and indicates physical proficiencies, i.e., flexibility, balance, and kinesthetic perception. The purpose of this study was to examine the structure of Stepnicka's modifications of the Brace Test through Rasch analysis. The structure of physical proficiency was investigated as well. Volunteers included 62 men and 42 women (19 to 24 years old) who were undergraduate students in physical education and sport science. For Rasch analysis, the dichotomous model was employed. Analysis confirmed unidimensionality of the test, and this dimension was named Neuromuscular Ability. On the basis of this Rasch analysis, changes to Stepnicka's modification of the Brace Test were suggested.
Comparative Research on Response Stereotypes for Daily Operation Tasks of Chinese and American Engineering Students
Authors: Yu Rui-Feng , Chan Alan H. S.
Published: December 2005

A group of Mainland Chinese engineering students were asked to respond to 12 questions by indicating their design conventions and expectations about operations, directions-of-motion, and descriptions of movement for items such as doors, keys, taps, and knobs. Chi-square tests demonstrated strong response stereotypes for tasks of all 12 questions. A comparison of the stereotype strengths found here with that of Hong Kong Chinese and American engineering students reported earlier indicated that stereotype strengths of engineering students from the three regions were generally different. For some cases stereotype characteristics of two regions were more alike than the other, and also for some subjects in the three regions performed similarly. The Mainland and Hong Kong Chinese were more alike in making their choices on questions of conceptual compatibility, while more consistent preferences on movement compatibility and spatial compatibility were noted between the Mainland Chinese and American students than Hong Kong Chinese.
Levels-of-Processing Effects on a Task of Olfactory Naming
Authors: Royet Jean-Pierre , Koenig Olivier , Paugam-Moisy Helene , Puzenat Didier , Chasse Jean-Luc
Published: December 2005

The effects of odor processing were investigated at various analytical levels, from simple sensory analysis to deep or semantic analysis, on a subsequent task of odor naming. Students (106 women, 23.6 ± 5.5 yr. old; 65 men, 25.1 ± 7.1 yr. old) were tested. The experimental procedure included two successive sessions, a first session to characterize a set of 30 odors with criteria that used various depths of processing and a second session to name the odors as quickly as possible. Four processing conditions rated the odors using descriptors before naming the odor. The control condition did not rate the odors before naming. The processing conditions were based on lower-level olfactory judgments (superficial processing), higher-level olfactory-gustatory-somesthetic judgments (deep processing), and higher-level nonolfactory judgments (Deep-Control processing, with subjects rating odors with auditory and visual descriptors). One experimental condition successively grouped lower- and higher-level olfactory judgments (Superficial-Deep processing). A naming index which depended on response accuracy and the subjects' response time were calculated. Odor naming was modified for 18 out of 30 odorants as a function of the level of processing required. For 94.5% of significant variations, the scores for odor naming were higher following those tasks for which it was hypothesized that the necessary olfactory processing was carried out at a deeper level. Performance in the naming task was progressively improved as follows: no rating of odors, then superficial, deep-control, deep, and superficial-deep processings. These data show that the deepest olfactory encoding was later associated with progressively higher performance in naming.
A Microswitch Program Including Words and Choice Opportunities for Students with Multiple Disabilities
Authors: Lancioni Giulio E. , O'Reilly Mark F. , Singh Nirbhay N. , Oliva Doretta
Published: December 2005

Two students with multiple disabilities were provided with two or three request microswitches and one choice microswitch. Activation of a request microswitch triggered the verbal announcement of one of the stimulus events related to it. The student could choose such an event through the choice microswitch or bypass it. The request microswitches were introduced individually and made available simultaneously by the end of the intervention and the postintervention period. Analysis showed that both students learned to use the microswitches. Transfer of the microswitch program into the students' home was very successful with one student and presented some difficulties with the other. Implications of the findings and new possible developments were discussed.
Lateralized Regular Spatial Patterns in Oscillating Drawing Arm Movements of Right-Handed Young Women
Authors: Gutnik B. J. , Corballis M. C. , Nicholson J.
Published: December 2005

There is a lacuna in literature with reference to the spatial lateral difference in fast rhythmical movements produced by the whole dominant and nondominant whole arm, where spinal regulation has a significant role. Based on a fast oscillating zigzag drawing task, this study focused on (a) creation of a specific model of the task based on the intermittencies of coupled vectors of the fast motion, (b) identification of the spatial patterns that triggered these vectors, and (c) identification of quantified lateral differences between the spatial rhythmical patterns. 12 strongly right-handed young women performed 9 to 11 trials drawing zigzag lines. Each participant was required to extend her arm and perform this task using the left and right arm selectively on a frontally positioned graphic design system. The spatial patterns produced on each trial were identified in terms of five constant combinations of horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) projections of each line on the zigzag drawings. The dominant arm differed from the nondominant arm in preferred patterns. Because the duration of each line in the zigzag was highly restricted in time, the appearance of the patterns with different block schemes of movement could be explained as being associated with lower levels of the central nervous system. Initiation of fast movement of the total upper arm is probably associated with selection of the block scheme of motor control appropriate to each arm. Each block scheme is grounded on the coupled vectors of motion organised with particular muscle groups. Some block schemes seemed linked specifically to the dominant arm.
A Measure of Effect Size for Experimental Designs with Heterogeneous Variances
Authors: Johnston Janis E. , Berry Kenneth J. , Mielke Paul W.
Published: December 2005

A recent trend in the psychological literature has been to include measures of effect size when reporting probability values. The several measures of effect size associated with the Student t test for two independent samples are appropriate only when the variances are homogeneous. In this paper, commonly used measures of effect size are considered and compared, using four data sets. A chance-corrected measure of effect size is provided for two or more treatment groups characterized by either homogeneous or heterogeneous variances.
Effects of the Periodic Administration of Odor or Vibration on a 3-hr. Vigilance Task
Authors: McBride Sharon A. , Johnson Richard F. , Merullo Donna J. , Bartow Ronald E.
Published: December 2005

The present study examined performance during 3 hr. of simulated sentry duty with and without the intermittent administration of low-level sensory stimuli (odor or vibration). For odor and control conditions, target-detection latency increased steadily over the course of the 3-hr. session. Administration of a tactile stimulus reduced the increase in detection latency compared to that found in odor and control conditions. For all conditions, there were no significant differences in target-detection frequency, shot accuracy, or friend–foe discrimination. Across all conditions, restlessness (motor activity) increased significantly the first hour and remained elevated for the rest of the session. Subjective measures of workload (NASA-TLX) indicated that the 3-hr. task rated high on physical demand, mental demand, frustration, and overall workload. These findings suggest that the intermittent delivery of a clearly detectable tactile stimulus can reduce reaction-time decrements that occur as time on task increases.
Death Anxiety and Death Obsession in Spanish Students
Authors: Tomás-Sábado Joaquín , Gómez-Benito Juana
Published: December 2005

This study examined the dimensional structure of Templer's Death Anxiety Scale and Abdel-Khalek's Death Obsession Scale. The responses of 289 Spanish students to the Spanish forms of both scales were evaluated by means of a principal components analysis with varimax rotation. Three significant factors were identified: Death Obsession, Cognitive-Affective, and Death Anxiety. The distribution of the factor loadings for the items of both scales on Factors 1 and 3 supported the discriminant validity of the constructs specific to each of the scales, while Factor 2 showed a common component in both scales characterized by cognitive and affective aspects in relation to the idea of death.
Preferred Perceptual Tempo for Sound Sequences: Comparison of Adults, Children, and Infants
Authors: Baruch C. , Panissal-Vieu N. , Drake C.
Published: December 2005

Previous motor and perceptual tasks have found optimal processing for sound sequences of a rate of around 600 msec. IOI (Interonset Interval). This zone of optimal processing (the rate at which discrimination is optimal) slows with age and is also found with infants. The current work investigated whether listeners “prefer” sequences at the rate for which they demonstrate optimal processing. In the present study, three experiments were done. Exp. 1 measured tempo preferences in adults who listened to pairs of isochronous sound sequences varying in tempo (from 100- to 1500-msec. IOI) and were required to indicate which they preferred. As expected, highest preferences were expressed for the intermediate tempi, supporting the hypothesis of a zone of preferred tempi comparable to the zone of optimal processing. Moreover, this preference for intermediate tempi was not affected by the temporal context (absence of differences between a fast, a slow, and a wide set of tempi). In Exp. 2, the same procedure was applied to 6- and 10-yr.-olds. Children in both groups had systematic preferences for the fastest tempi within a set, and the older children generally preferred slower sequences. Exp. 3 used a preference paradigm for sound sequences with 4-mo.-old infants, comparing sequences of 100- vs 300-msec. IOI, 300- vs 900-msec. IOI, and 100- vs 900-msec. IOI. No systematic tempo preferences were observed. We conclude that tempo discrimination and tempo preference may have some commonality (perhaps related to a zone of optimal processing), especially in adults, but that they also involve quite distinct processes which undergo different developmental sequences. Whereas adults prefer what they process the best, children prefer what is fastest (and therefore more attention-getting), and we have not been able to detect preferences in infants.
Heart Rate and Ratings of Perceived Exertion during Treadmill and Elliptical Exercise Training
Authors: Green James M. , Crews Thad R. , Pritchett Robert C. , Mathfield Chaye , Hall Laura
Published: December 2005

Elliptical exercise has recently increased in popularity. However, little is known regarding heart rate and perceptual responses during this exercise mode even though such information is important with respect to prescribing and regulating exercise intensity. In the current study, heart rate and perceived exertion were compared between treadmill and elliptical exercise. During treadmill exercise (TMEST) participants estimated RPE-Overall as well as RPE-Legs and RPE-Chest. Two elliptical sessions followed: (1) RPE estimation during elliptical exercise (ELEST): HR (b/min.) from TMEST was achieved during elliptical exercise, with participants estimating RPE-Overall, RPE-Legs, and RPE-Chest. (2) RPE production during elliptical exercise (ELPROD): RPE-Overall from TMEST was produced during elliptical exercise. There were no significant differences between modes for RPE-Overall (TMEST: 11.2 ± 2.2 vs ELEST: 11.9 ± 3.2) or RPE-Chest (TMEST: 11.0 ± 2.4 vs ELEST: 11.7 ± 3.2). Mean RPE-Legs was significantly different (TMEST: 11.2 ± 2.4 vs ELEST: 12.5 ± 3.1). Heart rate was not significantly different between TMEST (163 ± 16.6) and ELPROD (159 ± 20.0). Analysis indicated elliptical exercise is perceived as more intense with respect to leg (RPE-Legs) exertion. Further, RPE-Overall appears effective for regulating heart rate during elliptical exercise.
Bilateral Symmetry in Coincident Timing: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Coker Cheryl A.
Published: December 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the coincident timing accuracy of the preferred and nonpreferred limbs in a ballistic striking task. A secondary purpose was to examine subjects' perception of their performance proficiency with each limb. 30 right-hand preferred subjects performed a 60-cm horizontal arm motion to displace a wooden barrier in coincidence with the final light in a series that traveled down a runway. Interestingly, while both the preferred and nonpreferred limbs were equally proficient in temporal accuracy, 80% of subjects perceived a bilateral asymmetry in performance. The influence of this perception on bilateral skill performance and acquisition remains in question.
Influence of the Poggendorff Illusion on Manual Pointing
Authors: Predebon John
Published: December 2005

The results of recent studies indicate that certain visuomotor actions, such as grasping and pointing, are unaffected by visual size illusions. The present study investigated whether the Poggendorff illusion of alignment influences pointing to a target's location. 15 subjects pointed with their unseen hands to the apparent location of the extension of the oblique line onto the target line of a version of the Poggendorff illusion. Analysis indicated the pointing action was influenced by the Poggendorff illusion. The implications of this finding for the claim that different cortical streams of visual processing subserve visuomotor actions and conscious visual perception are discussed.
Numerical Stroop Effect
Authors: Wolach Allen H. , McHale Maureen A. , Tarlea Alina
Published: December 2005

2 male and 2 female students from an undergraduate class in experimental psychology were participants in a numerical Stroop effect experiment. Mean age for the students was 19.5 yr., with a SD of 2.4. The Stroop effect was investigated with a numerical, as opposed to a color, task. The four conditions were Symbols (-, + + +, ===, ::, :::), versus Alphabetic Characters (C, AAA, DD, BBB, DDD), versus Matched Digits and Number of Digits (1, 4444, 333, 22, 4444), versus Mismatched Digits and Number of Digits (2, 1111, 444, 33, 3333). Participants took longer to count Mismatched Digits than Symbols or Alphabetic Characters (analogous to the color Stroop effect). Participants took longer to read Mismatched Digits than Alphabetic Characters (analogous to the color reverse Stroop effect). Participants took less time to read or count Matched Digits than Alphabetic Characters (facilitation effect).
Weak-To-Moderate Correlations between Global Geomagnetic Activity and Reports of Diminished Pleasantness: A Nonspecific Source for Multiple Behavioral Correlates?
Authors: Persinger M. A.
Published: December 2005

In two previous experiments the ratings of the pleasantness of the experiences for a total of 45 subjects tested within a specific experimental setting were negatively correlated ( rhos about −.35 to −.40) with the global geomagnetic activity on the days of the ratings. In the present analysis, subjective ratings from a comparable experiment completed 13 years ago were also negatively correlated ( rho = −.50) with the global geomagnetic activity on the days of the experiences. The consistency of these results suggests a common neurophysiological process that generates hedonistic affect with which the multiple types of behaviors, such as aggression, homicide, traffic fatalities, epileptic seizures, and industrial accidents, are correlated. Consequently these apparently “divergent” behaviors are correlated with geomagnetic activity because they are correlated with a central neurophysiological process which may be sensitive to increases in geomagnetic activity.
Combined Effect of Goal Setting and Self-Talk in Performance of a Soccer-Shooting Task
Authors: Papaioannou Athanasios , Theodorakis Yannis , Ballon Frederik , Auwelle Yves Vanden
Published: December 2005

To examine the combined effect of goal setting and self-talk, 41 professional and semiprofessional soccer players from four different teams were tested on a soccer-shooting task. Teams were assigned to one of four conditions: (a) self-talk, (b) goal setting, (c) goal setting plus self-talk, and (d) do your best control. Subjects performed one baseline measurement and three experimental sessions. Analysis showed that performance, compared to the do your best condition, in the combined condition is immediately enhanced, whereas self-talk and goal-setting effects were significant from Session 3. No significant differences in performance were observed among experimental groups, except in Session 2, during which the combined group scored significantly better than the goal-setting group. It seems that, whereas both goal setting and self-talk are effective in enhancing performance, some advantage may be derived from a combined intervention. Findings are discussed in the perspective of past research efforts on goal setting and self-talk.
Expertise and Peripheral Autonomic Activity during the Preparation Phase in Shooting Events
Authors: Guillot Aymeric , Collet Christian , Molinaro Corinne , Dittmar André
Published: December 2005

This study compared effectiveness of the concentration period in two groups of shooters to evaluate the influence of their expertise while concentrating on the target. Marksmen (pistol shooters, 10 men and 5 women) and pentathletes (6 men and 7 women) took part in a shooting competition in keeping with the rules of each event. Participants were then asked to imagine themselves shooting, at the laboratory. Five variables representing the activity of the autonomic nervous system were continuously recorded (skin resistance and potential, skin blood flow, skin temperature, instantaneous heart rate). Autonomic responses recorded during concentration, actual shooting, and mental imagery were compared by calculating the ratios concentration/shooting and imagery/shooting. The resultant mean ratio was used to characterize each participant. The same autonomic nervous system pattern was observed during concentrating on the target, mental imagery, and actual shooting. However, marksmen showed ratios closer to 1.0 than pentathletes, absolute mean differences being .06 and .3, respectively. Shorter duration and weakest amplitude responses were recorded during the concentration phase in the Pentathlete group, suggesting that they have more difficulty in using mental imagery during competition than marksmen. When subjects performed well, a specific response pattern was observed in the Marksman group, but not in the Pentathlete group, except in skin potential. In both Marksman and Pentathlete groups, a majority of negative skin potential responses were found in the concentration and shooting phases for the best shots.
The Mozart Effect: Questions about the Seminal Findings of Rauscher, Shaw, and Colleagues
Authors: Fudin Robert , Lembessis Elizabeth
Published: December 2005

Seminal evidence for the Mozart effect was presented by Rauscher, Shaw, and colleagues in 1993 and 1994. A critical evaluation of their methodologies and interpretation of findings raises questions that must be answered before this evidence can be regarded as valid. We discuss issues such as their scoring of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, the experimental design used in their 1993 study, the validity of their 1993 IQ measure, the duration of the Mozart effect, their choice of experimental tasks in relation to predictions of the trion model of neural functioning, and the statistical analyses and interpretation of results in the 1993 and 1994 studies.
Unipodal Performance and Leg Muscle Mass in Jumping Skills among Ballet Dancers
Authors: Golomer Eveline , Keller Jean , Féry Yves-André , Testa Marc
Published: December 2005

We examined the vertical jump performance of each leg among 10 right-footed female ballet dancers with 1 yr. of international professional experience ( quadrilles: Opera ballerinas). Their mean age was 17.5 yr. ( SD = 03). The maximal height of the unilateral jump was recorded, and muscle mass was evaluated by biphotonic absorptiometry method. Muscle mass and maximal jump height were similar for the two legs. A strong inverse relation was found between the muscle mass of the right leg (67%) and maximal jump height ( r = −.81, p < .01) but not for the left leg. These results highlight a functional asymmetry and the effect of motor laterality in dance.