Addressing criticism of sex bias research on borderline personality disorder.

Replies to H. N. Garb's (see record 1996-08172-001) criticism that D. Becker and S. Lamb (see record 1994-29756-001) overlooked previous studies of sex bias in the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder and overinterpreted their findings. The authors address specific methodological criticisms and discuss their study's strengths (e.g., the inclusion of psychologists and social workers as well as psychiatrists) in the context of studies by M. R. Ford and T. A. Widiger (see record 1989-26071-001), K. A. Henry and C. I. Cohen (see record 1984-06917-001), and D. A. Adler et al (see record 1991-15353-001). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Levels of alcohol dependence in cocaine addicts: Some clinical implications.

Examined the severity of alcohol dependence in 268 primarily White male adult clients presenting themselves for residential treatment of cocaine addiction. Although previous research (e.g., M. Gold, 1984) has suggested that a majority of cocaine abusers also abuse alcohol, only a minority of these Ss (7%) could be classified in the substantial or severe categories of alcohol dependence. Results are discussed in light of previous findings (e.g., D. Smith; see record 1987-26330-001) which suggest that Ss in the low or moderate levels of alcohol dependence are most likely to reject abstinence-oriented treatment strategies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nature of priming effects in semantic matching.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 12(4) of Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition (see record 2008-10970-001). The Appendix table was constructed incorrectly. The correct table appears in the erratum.] Studied priming effects in a semantic matching task that distinguished visually based matching processes from nominally and semantically based matching processes, using 24 undergraduates. Ss judged semantic matches for 3 types of word pairs: identical (e.g., robin–robin), same category (e.g., robin–sparrow), and different category (e.g., robin–truck). Visual matching was isolated by comparing performance between physical identity (e.g., robin–robin) and nominal identity (e.g., robin–ROBIN) pairs. Physical identity pairs, which allowed visually based matching, exhibited an interaction between priming and the typicality of category exemplars that was absent in nominal identity and same-category pairs. Priming had no effect on nominal identity pairs. For same-category pairs, which required semantically based matching, priming produced facilitation at all levels of typicality. The results bring the semantic matching paradigm into agreement with other procedures that show that priming facilitates processing for all related targets. Categories and exemplars used as stimulus materials are appended. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Attention, similarity, and the identification–categorization relationship.

A unified quantitative approach to modeling Ss' identification and categorization of multidimensional perceptual stimuli is proposed and tested. Two Ss identified and categorized the same set of perceptually confusable stimuli varying on separable dimensions. The identification data were modeled using R. N. Shepard's (see record 1959-05134-001) multidimensional scaling-choice framework, which was then extended to model the Ss' categorization performance. The categorization model, which generalizes the context theory of classification developed by D. L. Medin and M. M. Schaffer (see record 1979-12633-001), assumes that Ss store category exemplars in memory. Classification decisions are based on the similarity of stimuli to the stored exemplars. It is assumed that the same multidimensional perceptual representation underlies performance in both the identification and categorization paradigms. However, because of the influence of selective attention, similarity relationships change systematically across the 2 paradigms. Findings provide some support for the hypothesis that Ss distribute attention among component dimensions so as to optimize categorization performance and that Ss may have augmented their category representations with inferred exemplars. Results demonstrate that excellent predictions of categorization performance can be made given knowledge of performance in an identification paradigm. (51 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Religiosity of psychotherapists: A national survey.

Explored the religiosity of 425 marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, psychiatrists, and clinical psychologists. Although 80% of the Ss indicated a religious preference, only 41% regularly attended religious services. According to the Religious Orientation Inventory, 230 of 425 Ss were classified as religious. This is consistent with findings of previous studies (e.g., A. E. Bergin; see record 1980-05877-001). The potential for change toward greater empathy for religious clients is underscored by the significant levels of unexpressed religiosity found among mental health professionals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social status of aggressive and aggressive/withdrawn boys: A replication across age and method.

Conducted a replication across age and method of R. Milich and S. Landau's (see record 1984-22852-001) findings that the relationship between aggressive child behavior and social status was clarified by classification of kindergarten males into aggressive vs aggressive/withdrawn (AW) groups. Ss were 238 3rd–6th grade males, and a group-administered sociometric procedure was used for classification instead of the individual interview used by Milich and Landau. Consistent with the previous findings, AW Ss were both highly rejected and unpopular; although rejected, aggressive Ss had no popularity problems. (1 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multidimensionality of internal-external locus of control: Some additional data bearing on the validity of self-control as a third dimension.

Used hierarchical factor analysis to test the D. W. Reid and E. E. Ware (see record 1974-32481-001) hypothesis that in addition to social system control (SSC) and fatalism, self-control represents a dimension of the J. B. Rotter (see record 2011-19211-001) construct of internal vs external locus of reinforcement control. The Reid and Ware 32-item forced choice internal-external questionnaire was administered to 107 undergraduates and 779 high school students. Results reveal that both high school and university Ss differentiated 3 scales (thereby replicating the Reid-Ware analysis), but for the university Ss, self-control was a dimension of a different kind from fatalism and SSC. All 3 scales were related to a more generalized control expectancy for the high school sample. A social learning interpretation is given to explain differences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Operational thought and the acquisition of taxonomic relations involving figurative dissimilarity.

Atypical exemplars of taxonomic categories (e.g., clothing, furniture) differ from more typical exemplars along figurative dimensions of perceptual and contextual similarity. The advent of operational thought might be expected to facilitate category acquisition because it engenders a competence to suppress figurative dissimilarities and focus on nonfigurative similarities (e.g., common function). Age- and grade-equivalent preoperational and concrete operational groups were given oddity, sort, and category membership tasks with pictorial stimuli. Concrete operational subjects showed a greater appreciation than preoperational subjects for taxonomic relations involving atypical exemplars. Subjects of both cognitive levels could appreciate taxonomic relations involving strictly typical or moderately typical exemplars of a category. Results are interpreted as supporting a contention that meanings become more general with the emergence of operational thought. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Controlled outcome research with paradoxical interventions: A review for clinicians.

Reviews paradoxical intervention (PI) research emphasizing the clinical, methodological, and qualitative aspects of the same studies in a review by K. A. Hill (see record 1988-01996-001). More than two-thirds of the outcome studies inspected were of questionable relevance to the clinician (e.g., undergraduates as Ss, atypical durations, overly restrictive field of disorders, and improper or inadequate follow-up). PI has thus not demonstrated its superiority over placebo or alternative treatments. Hill's strategy of using the average effect size per study as the unit of analysis may help to misrepresent the clinical facts in each study. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Congruity theory and linear models of attitude change.

Evaluated C. E. Osgood and P. H. Tannenbaum's (see record 1955-08361-001) congruity model of attitude change, a regression model derived from the Osgood and Tannenbaum model, and D. R. Heise's (see record 1969-08323-001) 3 general linear models of attitude change, using data obtained from 208 undergraduates. 104 Ss rated 8 3-word (subject, verb, object) sentences 1st, and then rated the individual words. The other Ss rated the individual words 1st. The mean ratings for the 2 groups were compared to obtain the attitude change for each element, and the models were used to predict the change which resulted from the combination of the words into a sentence. Sex differences were found in mean attitudinal evaluations, and the inclusion of higher-order interaction terms increased the predictability of attitude ratings for females more than for males. Heise's Model III was the best predictor of attitude change, followed by his Model II and the regression model derived from the Osgood and Tannenbaum model. The Osgood and Tannenbaum model gave poor prediction of the mean attitudinal changes obtained. (French summary) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Russell's (1975) norms for the Logical Memory and Visual Reproduction subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale.

Reviews and critiques the system for administering and scoring the Logical Memory and Visual Reproduction subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale presented by E. W. Russell (see record 1976-08657-001). Innovations (e.g., obtaining a delayed recall) are considered useful; however, impairment ratings for Logical Memory classify too many nonneurological Ss from other studies as impaired. A short-term alternative to Russell's scoring categories is suggested, using data from 3 studies. A long-term solution requires a more detailed system that can be reliably used between different locations so that more adequate norms will evolve. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Statistics as a second language? A model for predicting performance in psychology students.

Tested a model twice among 91 university students (Test 1) and 64 of the 91 Ss (Test 2) for predicting the performance of psychology students in statistics. Previous research (e.g., L. B. Feinberg and S. Halperin; see record 1980-22092-001) examined statistical performance in relation to 3 classes of variables: anxiety, attitudes, and ability. These variables were the essential components of an educational model developed by R. C. Gardner (see record 1985-10751-001) within the context of 2nd language learning. Measures assessing mathematical aptitude, math anxiety, and attitudinal and motivational variables were administered to Ss. A causal model linking these variables was proposed and tested, using a LISREL analysis. Results generally supported the model. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Biological versus social evolution.

Comments on the number of responses (e.g., L. G. Wispe and J. N. Thompson, Jr.; see record 1977-06633-001) to D. T. Campbell's (see record 1976-12046-001) American Psychological Association presidential address on the issue of biological vs social evolution. The author agrees with Wispe and Thompson on the link between evolutionary theory and political conservatism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sexual responsibility as a function of test administrator's gender.

Discusses the finding of T. Schill, et al. (see record 1970-20959-001) on the effect of E gender on the sexual responsivity of Ss. 40 male and female undergraduates were assigned to groups with either a male or female E. Ss were given a word association test with 20 neutral and 30 double-entendre words (e.g., cherry). No significant differences were found between the frequency and flagrancy of male and female sexual responses when the E was of the same gender. Males showed significant inhibition when tested by a female E (p     

Performance impairment after failure: Mechanism and sex differences.

Conducted 2 experiments in which 120 male and 120 female 7th graders completed 10 solvable or unsolvable matching-figures tasks and then tried to solve 15 anagrams described as highly or moderately difficult. In Exp I, 120 Ss did not have the option to give up on an anagram before the allotted time had elapsed. No performance impairment in response to failure was found. In Exp II with another 120 Ss, Ss were able to give up and choose to move on to the next anagram. Boys performed significantly worse after failure when anagrams were described as moderately difficult. They performed as well as Ss who completed solvable matching figures, however, when the 2nd task was described as very difficult. These data for the boys were consistent with M. Zuckerman's (see record 1980-28101-001) ego-threat hypothesis. Girls followed the pattern associated with learned helplessness (e.g., C. S. Dweck and N. D. Reppucci; see record 1973-26160-001), performing less well when the 2nd task was described as very difficult. The presence or absence of an observer had no effect. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Nature of priming effects in semantic matching": Correction to Whitlow.

Reports an error in "Nature of priming effects in semantic matching" by J. W. Whitlow (Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 1986[Jul], Vol 12[3], 353-360). The Appendix table was constructed incorrectly. The correct table appears in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 1986-29114-001.) Studied priming effects in a semantic matching task that distinguished visually based matching processes from nominally and semantically based matching processes, using 24 undergraduates. Ss judged semantic matches for 3 types of word pairs: identical (e.g., robin-robin), same category (e.g., robin-sparrow), and different category (e.g., robin-truck). Visual matching was isolated by comparing performance between physical identity (e.g., robin-robin) and nominal identity (e.g., robin-ROBIN) pairs. Physical identity pairs, which allowed visually based matching, exhibited an interaction between priming and the typicality of category exemplars that was absent in nominal identity and same-category pairs. Priming had no effect on nominal identity pairs. For same-category pairs, which required semantically based matching, priming produced facilitation at all levels of typicality. The results bring the semantic matching paradigm into agreement with other procedures that show that priming facilitates processing for all related targets. Categories and exemplars used as stimulus materials are appended. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

When are social judgments made? Evidence for the spontaneousness of trait inferences.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 50(2) of Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (see record 2008-10962-001). There are errors in the labeling of Figure 1 on p. 244. The ordinate percentages should be three times greater than indicated. In addition, the algebraic formula in the note for Table 2 on p. 245 is incorrect. The correct ordinate percentages and the correct algebraic formula are provided in the erratum.] Adapted E. Tulving and D. M. Thomson's (see record 2005-09647-002) encoding specificity paradigm for 2 recall experiments with 153 undergraduates to investigate whether Ss would make trait inferences without intentions or instructions at the encoding stage of processing behavioral information. Under memory instructions only, Ss read sentences describing people performing actions that implied traits. Later, Ss recalled each sentence under 1 of 3 cuing conditions: a dispositional cue (e.g., generous); a strong, nondispositional semantic associate to an important sentence word; or no cue. Results show that recall was best when cued by the disposition words. Ss were unaware of having made trait inferences. Interpreted in terms of encoding specificity, findings indicate that Ss unintentionally made trait inferences at encoding. It is suggested that attributions are made spontaneously, as part of the routine comprehension of social events. (39 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sphere-specific measures of perceived control.

Proposes that individual differences in perceived control be partitioned into components associated with 3 primary spheres of behavior: (a) personal efficacy (control over the nonsocial environment as in personal achievement), (b) interpersonal control (control over other people in dyads and groups), and (c) sociopolitical control (control over social and political events and institutions). Assessment instruments are presented for measuring perceived control in each of these 3 spheres. Using data from 87 undergraduates, a 3-factor structural model was tested using confirmatory factor analysis, and the results are strongly supportive. The scales have impressive convergent and discriminant validity in relation to other individual difference measures. Evidence from several laboratory and field studies by the author and colleagues (e.g., see record 1981-01340-001) is reviewed to support the predictive validity of the 3 scales. (43 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)