Patients' preferences for pain treatment modalities in a multidisciplinary pain clinic.

44 male and 74 female patients (aged 22–78 yrs) in a multidisciplinary pain clinic rated their preferences for 9 pain treatment modalities: ice, transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation (TENS), relaxation, group therapy, social work, physical therapy, massage, heat, and lectures. Relaxation, physical therapy, and ice were most liked; TENS, heat, and social work were least liked. Multiple regression analyses indicated that preference for relaxation was the best predictor of decreased pain ratings, while preference for heat was correlated with increased pain ratings. Liking for physical therapy predicted self-ratings at discharge of positive well-being and minor life disruption. Liking for heat predicted self-ratings of major life disruption and nurses' ratings of pain behavior at discharge. Results suggest that treatment regimens should take into account patients' moods and personality styles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of self-generated facial expressions on mood.

Two experiments were conducted in which participants looked at photographs (Experiment 1, n?=?129) or slides (Experiment 2, n?=?90) of people engaging in positive or negative facial expressions. Participants attempted to communicate these facial expressions as accurately as they could to a video camera while viewing themselves in a mirror or without viewing themselves in a mirror. Participants in a control group maintained neutral facial expressions. Participants experienced increased positive moods when they engaged in positive facial expressions and decreased positive moods when they engaged in negative facial expressions. These effects were enhanced when participants viewed themselves in a mirror. The effects of facial expressions on positive affect were stronger for participants with high private self-consciousness. Results were integrated with research identifying individuals who are responsive to self-produced versus situational cues and with theory and research on self-awareness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gaze and eye contact: A research review.

A review of research on gaze and eye contact, organized within the framework of M. L. Patterson's (see record 1982-23533-001) sequential functional model of nonverbal exchange, shows how gaze functions to provide information, regulate interaction, express intimacy, exercise social control, and facilitate service and task goals. Personal, experiential, relational, and situational antecedents of gaze and reactions to gaze are summarized, and a means of analyzing the relation between gaze and physiological responses is described. Attribution theories are integrated into the sequential model for making predictions about people's perceptions of their own gazing behavior and the gazing behavior of others. Data on people's accuracy in reporting their own and others' gaze are presented and integrated with related findings in attribution research. The sequential model is then used to analyze research studies measuring the interaction between gaze and personal and contextual variables. Methodological and measurement issues are discussed. (7 p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of reinforced smiling on affective responses in an interview.

48 female undergraduates participated in an interview study under 1 of 4 conditions; Ss were reinforced for smiling during the interview with a "biofeedback" light, given noncontingent biofeedback, given noncontingent biofeedback and instructed to smile whenever a signal light was illuminated, or asked to simulate affective responses after hearing the same instructions given to participants in the smile-instructed group. Smile-reinforced Ss smiled significantly more than control and smile-instructed Ss and reported significantly more positive feelings with buttonpresses and on a rating form. Results are interpreted as supporting facial feedback theories of emotion. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

New Ternary Arsenides for High-Temperature Thermoelectric Applications

Two isostructural materials Mo₃(Sb,Te)₇ and Re₃(Ge,As)₇ were synthesized and characterized in our laboratories during the past decade. Both crystallize in the Ir₃Ge₇ type, possessing the space group . They show excellent potential for thermoelectric energy conversion at high temperatures. Our recent physical properties measurements revealed a higher Seebeck coefficient for the new ternary Re₃Sn_0.2As_6.8, as compared with Re₃(Ge,As)₇, while the power factors are comparable. Rietveld refinements indicate an increasing unit cell volume with increasing Sn content. It has also been found that intercalation of an additional transition-metal atom (Co, Ni) into the cubic void of Re₃(Ge,As)₇ can significantly alter the Seebeck coefficient.     

Responsibility attributions for men and women giving sane versus crazy explanations for good and bad deeds

We conducted two studies in which participants evaluated men and women who committed good or bad deeds and afterward gave crazy or sane explanations for their actions. In line with arguments of Thomas Szasz, people were evaluated as more mentally ill, having less intent, and taking little responsibility when they committed deeds that were bad rather than good; those giving crazy explanations for their actions were similarly judged. However, recommended prison sentences did not differ for people who gave crazy or sane explanations for their crimes. Data were integrated into a growing body of research investigating evaluations of criminal responsibility for people with psychological disorders.     

MMPI scales as predictors of pain-coping strategies preferred by patients with chronic pain.

Correlated pain-coping strategies preferred by 300 patients with chronic pain with their MMPI scores. Data from 2 samples of patients indicated that self-management and social support were related to good adjustment and that helplessness and medical remedies were related to poor adjustment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)