bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stability of the Professional Development Assessment
Authors: Kasar Jack
Published: August 2011

The Professional Development Assessment was constructed and pilot-tested with 76 students in three occupational therapy programs. A comparison of pretest and posttest scores yielded a significant correlation of .48, supporting the stability of responding over 1 to 2 years and suggesting usefulness of further development for evaluation of professional behaviors in students.
Context-Induced Paranormal Experiences: Support for Houran and Lange's Model of Haunting Phenomena
Authors: Lange Rense , Houran James
Published: August 2011

Houran and Lange's psychological model of haunting phenomena predicts that contextual variables alone are sufficient to induce poltergeist-like perceptions. 22 subjects individually visited five areas of a performance theater and were asked to notice the environment. 11 subjects in an informed condition were instructed that the location was haunted, while 11 in the control condition were told that the building was simply under renovation. Subjects' perceptions in both conditions were recorded via Green, et al.'s 1992 experiential questionnaire which contains 10 subscales related to psychological and physiological perceptions. Analysis yielded significantly more intense perceptual experiences on nine of the ten subscales in the informed condition, indicating that demand characteristics alone can stimulate paranormal-type experiences.
A Behavioral Measure of Selective Listening
Authors: Takahashi Masaharu
Published: August 2011

The present paper describes a behavioral measure of selective listening to one of simultaneously presented auditory stimuli. The subject sits on a chair with his head between two small panels. The subject is asked to choose one of the two texts presented from one of two speakers behind the panels and listen to it as attentively as possible. When the subject declines his head in the direction of the speaker which is playing the text he chose, the volume of the other speaker is decreased so that he can concentrate on the chosen text. The time the subject declines his head in the direction of each auditory stimulus is considered a gross measure of allocation of auditory attention.
Hallucinations That Comfort: Contextual Mediation of Deathbed Visions
Authors: Houran James , Lange Rense
Published: August 2011

A sample of 49 accounts of deathbed visions from Barrett's 1926 classic collection were analyzed using the classification scheme for contextual variables proposed recently by Lange, Houran, Harte, and Havens. Consistent with previous research, the contents of the contextual variables operating during these deathbed visions were consistent with the contents of the percipients' experiences. In addition, contextual variables were related to the modalities of the experiences, e.g., visual, auditory, and sensed presences, as well as the number of contents, e.g., deceased relatives, angelic beings, and the perception of symbolic borders or limits including water and heavenly gates, as perceived during the dying process. These findings are consistent with the interpretation that deathbed visions are comforting hallucinations and that contextual variables serve to structure these otherwise ambiguous experiences.
Speech-Sounds Perception Test: Analysis of Error Types in Normal and Diffusely Brain-Damaged Patients
Authors: Charter Richard A. , Dutra Robin L. , Lopez Michael N.
Published: August 2011

An analysis of the types of error (Initial, Terminal, and Both) made on the Speech-Sounds Perception Test was conducted on data collected from 104 normal controls and 56 diffusely brain-damaged patients. The brain-damaged group made more Terminal and Both errors than the normal group. A logistic regression analysis showed that knowing the types of error did not produce a higher percentage of correctly classified subjects than knowing only the total score.
Enhanced Spatial Performance following 10 Minutes Exposure to Music: A Replication
Authors: Rideout Bruce E. , Taylor Jennifer
Published: August 2011

Previous research has demonstrated that 10 min. exposure to classical music can influence performance on a spatial task. The effect, however, has not been robust, suggesting a sensitivity to individual differences and task operationalization. The present study involved a further replication of this effect. 16 female and 16 male undergraduates completed two equivalent spatial tests, one following a control procedure and one following the presentation of Mozart's Sonata for two pianos in D major. Performance showed a small but significant improvement immediately following presentation of the music.
Self-Recognition of Alcohol and Cigarette Dependency among High School Seniors
Authors: Daughton Joan M. , Daughton David M. , Patil Kashinath D.
Published: August 2011

A brief, anonymous survey of 284 high school seniors at one mid-western metropolitan public high school assessed current smoking, history of alcohol use, and students' beliefs in future risk of dependency. A major purpose was to assess students' self-recognition of alcohol and cigarette dependency. Of the seniors surveyed, 92 (32%) were current smokers, and 237 (84%) reported a previous history of alcohol use. 52% of current smokers indicated they were already “hooked” on cigarettes or anticipated a good chance of cigarette addiction five years later. In contrast, 94% of regular alcohol users indicated there was either no chance (71%) or only a mild chance (23%) of ever becoming an alcoholic. Six of every ten high school smokers surveyed reported that quitting cigarettes for three days would be difficult.
Emphasis on the Need for Timing of Autogenic Training
Authors: Watanabe Yoshihiko , Otsuka Kuniaki , Cornélissen Germaine , Halberg Franz
Published: August 2011

The need for an individualized assessment of the blood pressure response to autogenic training based on longitudinal monitoring is commented upon with separate emphasis on the need for testing the effect of timing administration of autogenic training by stage of circadian rhythms and other pertinent components of a broader chronome (time structure).
Age Differences in Using Precued Information to Preprogram Interception of a Ball
Authors: Olivier Isabelle , Ripoll Hubert , Audiffren Michel
Published: August 2011

The present experiment examined the development of programming interception of a ball's movement across three groups of children ages 6, 8, and 10 years, who were compared with adults. In an interception task we manipulated the subjects' preparation by using Rosenbaum's 1980 precuing procedure. Two levels of precued information were used concerning the effector specified (right or left arm) and the direction of the arm projection (outside or inside). We focused particularly on RT and response errors. Analysis indicated RT decreased across the age groups and errors decreased mainly in the nonprecued condition. A critical period in improvement might be at age 8 as children use precue information to program their movements as efficiently as adults. The duration of effector programming was similar for children and adults but was more precise for the older subjects. For children as well as for adults, the specification of direction occurs after movement initiation and not before.
Note on Reliability and Validity of the School-Entry Group Screening Measure
Authors: Foxcroft Cheryl D.
Published: August 2011

Psychometric data from subgroups of 1397 5- to 9-yr. old children on a nonverbal cognitive group-screening measure are reported.
Alexithymia in Patients with Eating Disorders: An Investigation Using a New Projective Technique
Authors: Smith Gudmund J. W. , Amnér Gunilla , Johnsson Per , Franck Annika
Published: August 2011

The concept of alexithymia was scrutinized in a group of female patients with eating disorders: 15 anorectics and 13 bulimics (mean age of 27 yr.), plus a control group of 21 (mean age 38 yr.). Subjects were interviewed and tested. In the main test an ambiguous face was flashed briefly on a screen opposite the viewer who had to describe her impressions. To enhance the ego-involvement, subliminal words (I, I ILL, I WELL) were presented before each exposure. Contrary to expectations the present patients used more emotional words than controls. Instead, they employed alternative strategies to avoid empathizing. The results were interpreted as indicating a pronounced incapacity for emotional understanding.
Beliefs in Parapsychological Events or Experiences among College Students in a Course in Experimental Parapsychology
Authors: Vitulli William F.
Published: August 2011

16 undergraduate students completed Crawford and Christensen's 1995 12-item Extrasensory Perception Survey about attitudes toward extrasensory perception events or experiences before and after taking a ‘special topics’ course in experimental parapsychology. There were no significant differences in scale values (1–5) (within subjects) between beliefs before versus after the course. Combined (pre- and posttest) mean scale values showed that belief in life after death, belief in the existence of extrasensory perception, and belief in precognitive experiences in dreams ranked highest in endorsement while beliefs in out-of-the-body experiences, auras, or psychokinesis, ranked lowest.
Seasonal Depression and Conception
Authors: Lester David
Published: August 2011

The monthly suicide race was associated with the estimated monthly conception rate in the United States of America in 1980, not with the monthly birth rate.
Symbolism of Basic Geometrical Shapes
Authors: Valenti Nicole L. , Schaefer Charles E.
Published: August 2011

This study indicated that a sample of undergraduates (87 women and 36 men) when presented the stimuli of a square, a triangle, and a circle were significantly more likely to associate their fathers with the square and themselves with the circle than otherwise.
Postural-Vestibular Integration and Forms of Dreaming: A Preliminary Report on the Effects of Brief T'ai Chi Chuan Training
Authors: Slater Jackson , Hunt Harry T.
Published: August 2011

Brief training in T'ai Chi Chuan was associated with reports of reduced nightmares in 11 undergraduate women but not for a control group given stretching exercises.
Perceptions of Motivational Climate, Perceived Competence, and Motivation of Students of Varying Age and Sport Experience
Authors: Papaioannou Athanasios
Published: August 2011

This study examined differences in students' motivation in Greek physical education classes depending on age and amount of experience in sport and the extent to which these differences reflected divergent perceptions of competence and classes' motivational climate. 1,393 students responded to questionnaires measuring motivational climate, perceived competence, preference for challenge, interest in the lesson, and perceived importance of the lesson. Students who were not involved in out-of-school sport activities had lower scores on perceived physical competence, perceived learning orientation of the class, preference for challenge, interest in the lesson, and perceived importance of the lesson than students who were involved in organized sport. These differences in students' motivations decreased when scores on perceived learning goals and perceived physical competence were adjusted. Senior high school students (16 yr. old) were much less motivated than junior students (13 yr. old), but these differences were decreased or eliminated when scores on perceived learning orientation were controlled. These results suggest that to increase all students' motivation in physical education, a strong emphasis on personal progress should be adopted.
Response Rates to Anonymous versus Confidential Surveys
Authors: Groves Bruce W. , Price James H. , Olsson Roy H. , King Keith A.
Published: August 2011

This study examined return rates for a survey on perceived professional preparation by Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists, examining whether surveys identified as anonymous or confidential would yield a higher return rate. Of the 384 surveys sent to anonymous recipients 257 (66.9%) were returned at a cost of $3.32 per respondent. Of the 384 surveys sent as confidential 274 responses (71.3%) were returned at a cost of $2.19 per respondent, indicating that, while there was no significant difference in return rates the confidential form of survey was more cost-effective than the anonymous format.
Experimental Induction of the “Sensed Presence” in Normal Subjects and an Exceptional Subject
Authors: Cook C. M. , Persinger M. A.
Published: August 2011

9 of the 15 volunteers who were exposed to successive 3-min. durations of bursts of different types of weak (1 microT) complex magnetic fields or sham-fields reported the sense of a presence as indicated by a button press at the time of the experience. Reports of subjective experiences indicated that attempts to “focus” cognitively upon the location of the presence altered its location or induced its “movement.” An exceptional subject who had a history of experiencing within his upper left peripheral visual field “flashing images” concerning the health and history of people [when handling their photographs] was also exposed to the burst sequences. Numbers of button presses associated with the experiences of a mystical presence, to whom the subject attributed his capacity, increased when the complex magnetic fields were applied without the subject's knowledge. The results support the hypothesis that the sense of a presence, which may be the common phenomenological base from which experiences of gods, spirits, angels, and other entities are derived, is a right hemispheric homologue of the left hemispheric sense of self.
Affect Identification Bias Demonstrated with Individual Chimeric Faces
Authors: Drebing Charles E. , Federman Edward J. , Edington Pamela , Terzian Mary A.
Published: August 2011

The current study extends previous findings of a left visual-field bias in chimeric face tasks, by using a new procedure which incorporates chimeric stimuli depicting both positive and negative target affects and requires the identification of affect in individually presented faces. This new procedure is more representative of the types of judgements made in daily social interaction. Results with this new procedure are consistent with previous findings, indicating a significant left visual-field bias for both positive and negative affects in the majority of subjects. Handedness was significantly related to lateralization scores, with dextrals showing greater left visual-field biases than sinistrals. Among sinistrals, a left visual-field bias was noted only for happy chimera.
Brain Hemisphere Dominance and Personality
Authors: McLaughlin Maureen , Lestes David
Published: August 2011

A self-report measure of brain-hemisphere dominance was predicted by Psychoticism and Lie scale scores and sex in a sample of 76 undergraduates.
Speech and Language Characteristics of Children with Strokes Due to Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Davis Priscilla , Landers Allison , Gentry Betholyn , Montague Jim , Dancer Jess , Jackson Jacquelyn , Williams Laura
Published: August 2011

The receptive and expressive language skills of 10 children with strokes due to sickle cell disease were significantly poorer than those of their matched controls. The children with strokes had greatest difficulty in following oral directions and formulating sentences.
Of Time and Preference: Temporal Stability of Environmental Preferences
Authors: Stamps Arthur E.
Published: August 2011

Time is a central issue in discussions about art and in Berlyne's aesthetic theory. This article reports on the temporal stabilities of preferences for a novel and controversial building at three times after construction (2 years, 18 years, 23 years), and public preferences for 20 ordinary and noncontroversial buildings at three times over nine years. In all there were 5543 respondents. Analyses suggested that the initial response to the novel building was stable over the next 23 years, and the public responses for the 20 nonnovel buildings were stable over nine years. Implications for research are discussed.
Alexithymic Characteristics in Responses to the Synthetic House-Tree-Person (Htp) Drawing Test
Authors: Fukunishi Isao , Mirami Naoko , Kikuchi Michiko
Published: August 2011

This study examined the association of certain complex personality traits assessed by the Synthetic House-Tree-Person Drawing Test and alexithymic characteristics assessed by the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale for a sample of 589 Japanese college students. Alexithymic students who scored over 61 points on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 exhibited two characteristics relative to the test: poor relationships between figures and additional written explanations. These two characteristics projected on the Synthetic House-Tree-Person Drawing Test may be related to alexithymic characteristics and related factors.
A Modified Step Test Based on a Function of Subjects' Stature
Authors: Ashley Candi D. , Smith Joe F. , Reneau Paul D.
Published: August 2011

A number of submaximal step tests have been developed to predict maximal aerobic capacity. Because step height may influence biomechanical efficiency and heart rate, step tests based on subjects' stature may more accurately predict maximal aerobic capacity. Eighteen women performed the Queens College step test and a modified Queens College step test. The modified step test was performed with the height of the bench set even with the height of the foot at a knee angle of 90°. Analysis of the data indicated a lower recovery heart rate following this test ( p<.05). Further, correlations between maximal aerobic capacity and recovery heart rate for both tests were moderate ( r = −.80 and −.75, respectively). Our results suggest that step tests based on subjects' stature do not more accurately predict aerobic capacity than those using a standardized bench height.
Task-Specific Sex Differences in Vigilance Performance: Subjective Workload and Boredom
Authors: Prinzel Lawrence J. , Freeman Frederick G.
Published: August 2011

Participants (24 men, 24 women) were asked to perform either a spatial or temporal vigilance task. Task-related Boredom and NASA-Task Load Index scores were collected. The results replicate Dittmar, Warm, Dember, and Ricks' 1993 finding of task-specific sex differences in vigilance performance and subjective workload. The present study also showed task-specific sex differences for boredom ratings. These results suggest that two explanations may account for the sex differences. More accurate perceptual discriminations may account for some of the differences in performance; however, sex differences in perceived boredom may more likely be responsible for the task-specific sex differences in vigilance performance and subjective workload.
Factor Structure Stability of the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory across Sex and Various Students' Majors
Authors: Walsh Catherine M. , Hardy Robert C.
Published: August 2011

The factor structure of the 1992 California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory and its stability across sex and different types of college majors were examined in this exploratory study. Participants were 499 undergraduate students (151 men, 342 women, missing data = 6) at a four-year mid-Atlantic public university, ranging in age from 18 to 54 years ( M = 23.3). Students were enrolled in majors classified as practice disciplines (nursing, education, and business) and nonpractice disciplines (English, history, and psychology). The inventory, a 75-item, forced-choice adjective checklist scale, yields seven subscores and a total score assessing the disposition toward critical thinking. Analysis indicated that, despite the small sample, the generated factor structure of the inventory was highly stable or similar for men and women for Factors I (Facione, et al. Truth-seeking) and II (Facione, et al. Open-mindedness) and was moderately stable for Factors IV (Facione, et al. Systematicity) and V (Facione, et al. Confidence). Factors III (Analyticity), VI (Inquisitiveness), and VII (Maturity) were not stable. For practice and nonpractice disciplines and for major, only Factor I was stable. The findings suggest further refinement of the inventory.
Sex Differences in Phonetic Processing: Speed of Identification of Alphabetical Sequences
Authors: Majeres Raymond L.
Published: August 2011

Research on the sex difference in speed of matching strings of letters or digits has suggested that the difference is associated with the speed of the comparison and decision processes rather than with symbol recognition. In addition, the size of the difference is affected by whether the code used for the comparisons is figural or verbal. Given recent evidence on both the critical role of phonological processing in reading and sex differences in the lateralization of phonological processes in the brain, it was hypothesized that on a speeded task with high demands for phonological efficiency sex differences might be found even though no perceptual comparisons were required. In a study with 57 male and 60 female college students, the women were significantly faster in identifying alphabetical sequences and were more accurate than men. There were no significant sex differences on a perceptual matching condition. The results suggest that the verbal processes implicated in earlier work on sex differences in speed of symbol matching may be primarily due to sex differences in the efficiency of phonological processing.
How Early Can Children Understand Some Form of ‘Scientific Reasoning’?
Authors: Niaz Mansoor
Published: August 2011

Recent findings show that children as young as 6 years of age understand some form of hypothetico-deductive reasoning. Perhaps scientific reasoning is based on complex processes that require considerable cognitive development before children can understand.
Anxiety, Self-Confidence and Performance in Tae Kwon-Do
Authors: Chapman Chris , Lane Andrew M. , Brierley John H. , Terry Peter C.
Published: August 2011

142 male Tae Kwon-do competitors completed the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory–2 about 1 hr. before competition. Multivariate analysis of variance showed that the players who won reported lower cognitive and somatic anxiety and higher self-confidence than those who lost. Discriminant function analysis indicated that 89 (62.68%) participants could be correctly classified as winners or losers on the basis of their precompetition Competitive State Anxiety Inventory–2 scores. The findings concur with previous research in karate.
Athletes and Rape: Is There a Connection?
Authors: Caron Sandra L. , Halteman William A. , Stacy Cheri
Published: August 2011

The present study builds upon previous research examining variables related to sexual assault. Previous studies have linked sexual aggression with attitudes toward rape as well as hostility toward women. Recent high-profile cases involving athletes and sexual assault have raised questions about the link with athletes. In fact, recent research has suggested that athletes may be more prone to commit rape; however, no study has examined competitiveness. This characteristic, associated with athletes, may predict sexual aggression and help assess why rape is reportedly perpetrated by athletes significantly more frequently than by nonathletes. It may be that individuals with high competitiveness may be more likely to be involved in sexual assaults. Scores on Competitiveness in 104 college men were significantly correlated with reported sexual aggression and athletic participation; however, there was no significant difference between athletes and nonathletes on aggressive sexual behavior. These findings suggest that characteristics of athletes rather than athletic participation alone must be considered further in examining the presumed link between athletes and sexual assault.
Knowledge of Sickle Cell Disease among Specialists in Communicative Disorders in Medical Settings
Authors: Gentry Betholyn , Goodwin Ann , Dancer Jess
Published: August 2011

50 speech-language pathologists and 50 audiologists working in medical settings were surveyed on 17 items of knowledge about sickle cell disease. Their lack of specific knowledge, especially in relation to the disease's effects on communication, is cause for concern and calls for further education.
Motor Actions in Retrieval of Valenced Information: A Motor Congruence Effect
Authors: Förster Jens , Strack Fritz
Published: August 2011

To study the influence of overt behavior on the generation of valenced information participants were induced to perform either approach (arm flexion) or avoidance (arm extension) behaviors while generating the names of celebrities towards whom they had positive, negative, or neutral attitudes. Participants performing arm flexion generated more names of positively evaluated persons while participants performing arm extension tended to generate more names of negatively evaluated persons. Both self-perception and mood are discussed as potential bases for the obtained effect. In the light of our previous results, we suggest an alternative mechanism of compatibility between motor actions and information which implies that fewer cognitive resources are needed for “compatibility” than for “incompatibility.”
An Unobtrusive System for Helping a Person with Blindness and Intellectual Disability Travel in Indoor Areas
Authors: Lancioni G. E. , Oliva D. , Serenelli S. , Pirani P.
Published: August 2011

A system causing no environmental disturbance was employed for helping a woman with blindness and intellectual disability travel in indoor areas. The system provided encouragement and praise while the woman moved in the correct direction and a buzzer sound in the case of incorrect direction through earpieces. The results showed that the woman learned to use the system and traveled successfully.
No Respite during Sleep: Heart-Rate Hyperreactivity to Rapid Eye Movement Sleep in Angry Men Classified as Type A
Authors: Madigan Michael F. , Dale J. Alexander , Cross Jeffrey D.
Published: August 2011

9 men scoring as Type A and Angry and 9 men scoring as Type B and Nonangry on the Jenkins Activity Survey and Spielberger's Trait Anger Expression completed a 1-min. mental arithmetic task and slept through 1 period of rapid eye movement. The Angry Type A scorers showed greater heart-rate increases from baseline to that during mental arithmetic and from nonrapid eye movements to periods of REM than the Nonangry Type B scorers. While the former showed equivalent reactivity to stressors while awake and asleep, the latter group showed less heart-rate reactivity during the period of REM than during mental arithmetic. Neither group yielded clear descriptions of their dreams, and no differences between groups were noted for ratings on aggressivity in dreams. It appears that Angry Type A scorers show cardiovascular hyperreactivity even when asleep in the lab.
Randomness: The Error of the Equal-Entry Matrix
Authors: Ginsburg N.
Published: August 2011

An error in some of the literature on random sequences in regard to expected value for random is described, and correct values are indicated.
A Mediational Model of Social Physique Anxiety and Eating Disordered Behaviors
Authors: Frederick Christina M. , Morrison Craig S.
Published: August 2011

In the present study correlations among scores on social physique anxiety, social behavior inhibition, and eating disordered behaviors and traits were hypothesized on the basis that social physique anxiety would be correlated with personality disturbances associated with eating disorders and mediated by social inhibition and eating disordered behaviors. Subjects were 79 college-aged women ( M age=19.5 yr.), who completed the Garner's Eating Disorders Inventory, the Social Physique Anxiety Scale, and a measure of social behavior inhibition developed for this study. A mediational path analysis showed scores on social physique anxiety significantly moderately related to scores for eating disordered traits, mediated by scores on eating disordered behavior. These correlations account for 14 to 31% of the common variance, and with clinical research, support the assumption that eating-disordered behavior may begin with milder symptomatology such as high scores on social physique anxiety. Longitudinal research is required to assess the proposed causal relationship between identification of early symptoms and later eating disorders; however, present research suggests early intervention with women at risk may be useful.
Development of Psychological Aspect in Pursuit Eye Movements among Preschoolers
Authors: Haishi Kouichi , Kokubun Mitsuru
Published: August 2011

This paper is a reply Co LeGare (1996) who affirmed all characteristics in the development of pursuit eye movements in preschoolers should be ascribed only to the immaturity of the visual system's structure.
Immediate versus Remote Judgements: Delay of Response and Rate of Stimulus Presentation in Time Estimation
Authors: Vitulli William F. , Crimmins Kathleen A.
Published: August 2011

A systematic replication of Vitulli and Shepard's 1996 study showed that a change in response requirements (verbal estimation) from circling time intervals on a scoring sheet in the older study to writing subjective time estimates in the present study did not alter the robust effects of a delay in retrospective judgement. A complete 2×2×2 factorial analysis of variance showed main effects for rate (fast versus slow) of stimulus (random digits, 1–5) presentation and delay of estimate (immediate versus remote), yet there were no interactions among rate, delay, or sex. The interpolation of “filler tasks” between the end of the target interval and subjective estimate of the duration of the target interval significantly increased perceived time compared to estimates made immediately after the target interval.
Scratch Density Differentiates Microsmic from Normosmic and Anosmic Subjects on the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test
Authors: Doty Richard L. , Genow Alexandra , Hummel Thomas
Published: August 2011

During assessment of smell function using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test, we observed that some persons with diminished smell perception seemed to perserverate in their attempts to release the odorant from the microencapsulated odorant strips. In this study we quantified the marked area of 1680 such strips from tests administered to 42 anosmics, normosmics, and microsmics. The density of pixels on the microencapsulated labels from the microsmic patients was greater than that from the other two groups, which did not differ significantly from one another. These data suggest (i) that persons with diminished olfactory ability attempt to increase the perceived intensity of the stimulus by marking the test's scent strips more vigorously and (ii) that the density of such marking may prove useful in detecting malingerers attempting to feign microsmia.
Rehabilitation of Visuomotor Skills in Poststroke Patients Using the Dynavision Apparatus
Authors: Klavora Peter , Warren Mary
Published: August 2011

The Dynavision is a new apparatus that may help address some of the limitations inherent in conventional approaches to rehabilitation of visual skills of persons suffering from neurological dysfunction. Here the basic features of the apparatus are described, an overview of preliminary experimental evidence for its effectiveness in rehabilitation presented and application in the training of compensatory scanning strategies for visual inattention and visual-field deficits and in the increasing of oculomotor control outlined.
Projected Animal Preferences in Incarcerated and Nonincarcerated Men
Authors: McFeeters Angelita N. , Smith Edward W. L. , Nielsen Michael E. , Wilson Janie H.
Published: August 2011

Consistent with Bender and Rapoport's suggestion and clinical experience, the present study of 93 inmates and 106 college men supports that the wish for freedom, to “take flight,” may be symbolized in projective material by a bird.
The 24-Hour Variation of Mood Differs between Morning- and Evening-Type Individuals
Authors: Kerkhof Gerard A.
Published: August 2011

This study investigated a 24-hour variation of subjective mood in 16 healthy Morning-type and 13 Evening-type subjects as defined by the time of day at which their oral temperature curve reached its maximum. The subjects were instructed to use a sleep-wake logbook, in which they kept daily records of the ratings of their mood and alertness for a period of two consecutive weeks. For mood as well as for alertness analysis of variance indicated significant interactions between Morning-and Evening-types and time of day. It is concluded that a pronounced diurnal variation of mood can be observed in healthy individuals, which differs between Morning-type and Evening-type subjects.
Moving around Objects and Recognizing Them
Authors: Giusberti F. , Iachini T. , Pavani F.
Published: August 2011

This research concerned the use of mental rotation in recognizing rotated objects. Instead of the classic Shepard's paradigm in which subjects were still while observing rotated objects, here subjects had to move (or imagine moving) around stationary three-dimensional objects put in the middle of the trajectory. Thus, depending on the viewing positions, such objects were seen under six different perspectives (from 30° to 180°). The latter task has been thought to be closer to everyday life in which we obtain information regarding objects from their spatial properties. The results do not follow the classic rules of mental rotation of an object predicting a linear increase of the time needed to recognize distorted objects as a function of their angular displacement. They also differ from data in the Literature about spatial imagery showing that access to spatial information is facilitated more when people actually move through a path than when they imagine moving. A probable explanation of this difference from the literature is discussed in relation to the particular involvement of the body in the experimental task.
An Exploratory Study of Perceptual-Motor Abilities of Women: Novice and Skilled Players of Team Handball
Authors: Lidor Ronnie , Argov Ester , Daniel Sharon
Published: August 2011

Comparisons of ability between skilled performers and novices have been made for activities such as basketball, volleyball, tennis, squash, and badminton, but there is little work on team-handball which is not a well-recognized sport in North America. To examine a variety of perceptual, e.g., anticipation time, reaction time, and motor, e.g., throwing tasks, abilities of skilled and novice female team-handball players 13 First Division (skilled) and 10 recreational (novice) players ( M age = 25.3 yr.) performed 2 laboratory activities (for measurement of anticipation time, reaction time and movement time) and 3 field tasks (for measurement of accuracy and speed of throwing abilities) in random order. Reaction time and movement time were collected during a unique team-handball motor activity. Analyses of variance with repeated measures on trial blocks indicated high mean proficiency for the skilled participants in reaction time and all field-throwing tests compared with the novice participants. These reliable differences in team-handball activities further support superiority in sport settings gained by physical achievements and psychomotor excellence. In other words, skilled female team-handball players threw faster and more accurately and responded more rapidly than novice players.
Synchronization, Decrease in Strength of Pattern, Illusory Contours, and Neon-Color Effect
Authors: Sohmiya Tamotsu , Sohmiya Kazuko
Published: August 2011

When certain elements in a pattern are replaced by colored lines, a spreading of neon-like color can be seen around the lines. Using a variety of neon displaying patterns, we hypothesize that two conditions are critical to the neon effect. One is the occurrence of illusory contours and another a decrease in strength of pattern of the colored lines. On the basis of the two conditions, various phenomena of the neon effect are discussed. Finally, examining the striking characteristics of the neon effect, the vagueness of the colored lines and the spreading of the color of the colored lines over an illusory area wherein the color stimulus does not exist, we conclude that the neon effect is caused by synchronization of strength of pattern.
Preference for Musical Tempo Involving Systematic Variations of Presented Tempi for Known and Unknown Musical Excerpts
Authors: Iwanaga Makoto , Tsukamoto Maki
Published: August 2011

Previous studies have indicated inconsistently that preferred tempo was moderate or fast. The basis for inconsistency might be differences in methods, i.e., differences in tempo operation and subjects' experience of listening to musical pieces. The present study examined the preference for tempo using known and unknown melodies which were presented at varied tempi systematically. 119 undergraduates not majoring in music were subjects, divided into three subgroups, slow, medium, and fast music groups according to tempi designated by composers. Subjects rated items about Perceived Activity and affect for each stimulus presented at varied tempi. Subjects evaluated fast tempi as active regardless of differences in the designated tempi and prior listening experience. Affect (including preference) showed an inverted-U shape relationship to variations in tempo. The most preferred tempo was the designated tempo for known melodies, while moderate tempi (109 to 130 in metronome measure) were preferred for unknown melodies.
Assessment of Children and Youth from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds with Mental Chronometric Techniques
Authors: Kranzler John H.
Published: August 2011

Reviewed research supported a promising approach for the assessment of children and youth from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Effect of Threatening Feedback on Expected Grade, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation
Authors: Stubblebine Patrick C.
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of perceived threat on expecred course grade, self-efficacy, and motivation. The study required college students to decide whether they perceived their most recent examination grade in a statistics course to be threatening to achievement of their over-all expected course grade and, based on that assessment of threat, subsequently place themselves into one of three feedback categories (positive nonthreatening, negative nonthreatening, or negative outcome-threatening). Expected course grade, self-efficacy, and motivation (intended effort) were assessed before the examination and after feedback had been delivered. Ratings of expected course grade, self-efficacy, and motivation significantly changed from pre- to posttest for subjects who perceived that their goals were threatened.
Assimilation and Contrast in Awareness
Authors: King Donald L.
Published: August 2011

Assimilation and contrast (context-produced increases and decreases in sensed similarity) in awareness may be basic to understanding vision, audition, cognition, and memory. Key considerations follow.
A Study of Reflectivity and Impulsivity of Chinese and American University Students
Authors: Huang Jianyi , Chao Li
Published: August 2011

This research compared the cognitive styles of reflectivity and impulsivity between 75 Chinese and 75 American students, using Kagan's Matching Familiar Figures Test. Analyses showed differences and similarities related to country of origin. age and fields of study. For example, the Chinese subjects spent more time reflecting than the American subjects, while both the Chinese and American subjects achieved similar accuracy.
A Contrast Effect in Judging the Grammatically of Sentences Violating the Subjacency Condition
Authors: Nagata Hiroshi
Published: August 2011

This study explored the anchoring effect in judging the grammaticality of sentences violating the subjacency condition. The sentences included either a noun phrase (NP-Extracted) or an adverbial phrase (AP-Extracted), each extracted from a subordinate clause. Anchor sentences had a surface structure similar either to the NP-Extracted targets (NP-Preposed) or to the AP-Extracted targets (AP-Pre-posed). 42 speakers classified as field-dependent judged the two types of target sentences given together with either the NP-Preposed anchors, the AP-Preposed anchors, or no anchors. Regardless of the targets judged, findings showed the contrast effect for speakers given the AP-Preposed anchors. This effect was also found when the speakers given the NP-Preposed anchors judged the AP-Extracted targets. Two factors, over-all rated grammaticality of sentences and surface similarity between anchors and targets, likely operated to produce the outcome.
Effects of Text and Feedback Variants on Spatial Inferencing
Authors: Langer Philip , Keenan Verne , Diesel Kristin
Published: August 2011

Two versions of a fictitious recreational park were developed. One described the location and order of 25 park landmarks as might be encountered by a driver (route version). The other (survey version) presented the same 25 landmarks using spatial or geographic referents. Both versions were 25 sentences in length. Subjects read either the route or survey version first, one sentence at a time. After reading the text, subjects were given 1 min. access to a map of the park. The route subjects were given a label map. which showed the location of park landmarks by name. The survey readers were given an icon map, which designated the same landmarks using pictures. After viewing the map, both groups were given a set of 20 inferential questions regarding the landmarks. Subjects then read the same text version again; however, half the subjects for each text version viewed the same map, while the other half received the alternate map form. All groups then answered the same set of inferential questions. A control group received no feedback on either reading. Analysis showed that, compared to the control group, the subjects with feedback showed greater gains in scores across trials. Survey text readers showed greater gains than route version readers. For both versions, readers given access to the alternate map showed greater gains than those who viewed the same map twice. Moreover, the survey readers benefited more from the map change than the route readers. The data support prior research which suggests that the survey text base appears more flexible in terms of making greater use of available feedback, even if different from the original.
Information-Processing Characteristics of Explicit Time Estimation by Patients with Schizophrenia and Normal Controls
Authors: Tracy Joseph I. , Monaco Catherine , McMichael Heidi , Tyson Karen , Chambliss Cathy , Christensen Heather L. , Celenza Mary Anne
Published: August 2011

The information-processing characteristics of time estimation have not been well-documented. This research investigated explicit time estimation to test whether (1) it can occur “automatically” and (2) the cognitive function generally known as “working memory” predicts accuracy of time estimation. Data on two tasks requiring explicit time judgement (time interval estimation and production) are reported for a sample of 43 normal, healthy controls and 19 inpatients with chronic schizophrenia. Each task was given in a standard (passing time interval is unfilled) and dual-task format (interval is filled by oral reading). Multivariate analysis of variance suggested that for both patients' and the normal controls' time estimation accuracy was (1) highly sensitive to whether a passing interval was filled with a concurrent activity such as reading and (2) predictable on the basis of age, education, and working memory skills. Also, the effect of the dual-task manipulation did vary as a function of psychosis for the Time Interval Production task. The data suggest that procedures for explicit time judgements do not occur automatically and utilize controlled processes such as working memory.
Conversational Usage of “Integrity”: An Informal Look
Authors: Trinkaus John
Published: August 2011

Use of the noun “integrity” may be fading from social conversation. A counting of its employment during 67 half-hour television talk shows showed 7 instances.
Adolescents' Perceptions of Psychosocial Factors Related to Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Gentry Betholyn F. , Varlik Lesley , Dancer Jess
Published: August 2011

12 adolescents with sickle cell disease raced psychosocial reactions to their disease. They had positive social and family relationships but had concerns about body development, self-confidence, being a burden on their families, and death.
Writing History and Accident Reports: A Metaphorical Analysis
Authors: Webb Wilse B.
Published: August 2011

This paper takes the writing of an accident report as a metaphor for the writing of history in general. Accident reports are telic analyses in which the consequences determine the antecedents. Such analyses are subject to the purposes and expertise of the observer. The causes of accidents may be infinite in number and regress into infinity. The focussing of the search is dependent upon the definition of the event and the focussing schema used may contain gaps or distractions. The methods for causal selection are poorly developed and the methods of verification lack objectivity. The report often fails the recipient. The extent to which the writing of the history of an accident is analogous to the writing of history in general determines the extent of these problems for all historians.
Chapman-Cook Speed of Reading Test: Performance of College Students
Authors: Holtzer Roee , McGuire Lynanne M. , Burright Richard G. , Donovick Peter J.
Published: August 2011

The performance of 116 college students on the Chapman-Cook Speed of Reading Test on three different occasions was investigated. Descriptive statistics, test-retest reliability measures, and correlations with other tests of reading and verbal ability are provided. Analyses suggest that the Chapman Cook test provides some information not available from tests currently used to assess reading and verbal ability.
Redundancy Gain in Discrimination of Colored Lights: Effects of Complexity and Eccentricity
Authors: Nakajima Yoshiaki , Kawamura Satoru
Published: August 2011

The present study investigated the redundancy gain in discrimination of colored lights. Subjects were requested to discriminate a target from 34 nontarget lights differing from the target in luminance, hue, or both, and RTs were recorded. Experimental variables were the complexity of stimulus pattern and the eccentricity of the target in visual angle. The 35 lights were arranged regularly on an imaginary grid in the low-complexity condition and were arranged randomly in the high-complexity condition. The eccentricity of target was varied from 0° to 16°. Only when the stimulus pattern was highly complex and eccentricity was large, the combination of luminance and hue made the subject's discrimination faster than when luminance or hue individually operated as a cue for discrimination. That is, a redundant target effect was found only for a highly complex stimulus pattern and in peripheral vision.
A Signal-Detection Theory Based Perspective on Design of Warning
Authors: Lehto Mark R. , Papastavrou Jason D.
Published: August 2011

The effects of warnings are analyzed using a distributed signal-detection theory model. It is established that selectivity always increases effectiveness. The implications to optimal warning design for intermittent versus continuous hazards are discussed. The changes in the behavior of the 6 human subjects in response to changes in the warning levels are consistent with the predictions of the model.