Spontaneous alternation behavior.

Research concerned with spontaneous alternation behavior in rats is examined and related to learning theory. It is concluded that alternation behavior can no longer be adequately interpreted in terms of Hull's concept of reactive inhibition. The notion of stimulus satiation as an explanation of alternation behavior has received general support from the research literature, but some data seem to require a more general theoretical explanation. Motivational concepts such as curiosity are suggested. 47 references. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multiple comparison in psychological research.

In testing the significance of differences involving more than 2 groups, the F-test permits statements concerning the overall null hypothesis but does not provide a technique for comparing specific means. This paper discusses the logic and basic assumptions underlying several techniques for making multiple comparisons. Tukey's method for multiple comparisons is briefly outlined. 23 refs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Government support of psychological research: fiscal year 1954.

A second annual summary of government support of research in psychology showing sums spent by government bureaus, fields of psychology, and geographic regions. Data for 1953 and 1954 are given. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The California F scale in psychological research: 1950-1955.

The purpose of this paper is to present a review of those studies using the F scale in substantially its original form which appeared in the literature between 1950 and 1955. The studies were grouped into five major categories: (a) ideology; (b) personality correlates; (c) interpersonal behavior; (d) cultural and sub-cultural variations; and (e) studies of the instrument. It was concluded that "many questions still remain to be answered before its (the F scale) use would have much meaning in terms of predicting human behavior." 64-item bibliography. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Variability Discrimination in Humans and Animals: Implications for Adaptive Action.

Both humans and animals live in a rich world of events. Some events repeat themselves, whereas others constantly change. The authors propose that discriminating this stability, sameness, and uniformity from change, differentness, and diversity is fundamental to adaptive action. Evidence from many areas of behavioral science indicates that the discrimination of and preference for stimulus variability affects both human and animal action. Recent comparative research with humans and animals illustrates a promising approach to the study of these issues. Discovering and understanding the behavioral and neural processes related to stimulus variability and its consequences for behavior offer distinctive challenges and important new opportunities for psychologists and neuroscientists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reinforced Variability in Animals and People: Implications for Adaptive Action.

Although reinforcement often leads to repetitive, even stereotyped responding, that is not a necessary outcome. When it depends on variations, reinforcement results in responding that is diverse, novel, indeed unpredictable, with distributions sometimes approaching those of a random process. This article reviews evidence for the powerful and precise control by reinforcement over behavioral variability, evidence obtained from human and animal-model studies, and implications of such control. For example, reinforcement of variability facilitates learning of complex new responses, aids problem solving, and may contribute to creativity. Depression and autism are characterized by abnormally repetitive behaviors, but individuals afflicted with such psychopathologies can learn to vary their behaviors when reinforced for so doing. And reinforced variability may help to solve a basic puzzle concerning the nature of voluntary action. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

International cooperation in psychological research.

"The United Nations Assembly has designated 1965, the 20th anniversary of the UN, as International Cooperation Year (ICY)." A 3 man subcommittee of the APA Committee on Psychology in National and International Affairs met with Eugene Jacobson representing the APA Committee on International Relations in Psychology and suggested "4 distinctive categories of projects on which psychologists could work." (1) Cross-National Involvement in General Psychological Problems. (2) Comparative Cross-National Research. (3) Psychological Research on Universal Human Problems. (4) Research on International Tensions. "The APA will play an active facilitating role by maintaining a directory of projects and by providing information concerning work instigated by the ICY." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Understanding psychological research: An introduction to methods.

Reviews the book, Understanding psychological research: An introduction to methods by Richard St. Jean (2001). Richard St. Jean's book has the stated goal to be a brief text that presents essential concepts in a concise but interesting format. In this the author succeeds admirably. The nine short chapters and three appendices present the basic content that any method course needs to cover. The chapters are centred around lively research examples, often from the author's own work. Each chapter is followed by a brief summary and a glossary of key terms. The examples are used to introduce the methodological question and to illustrate various solutions. If the book suffers from a drawback, it is that it is too good at what it wants to be: an easily accessible, succinct introduction. The author visibly aims to make the issues as clear and understandable as possible, even if this implies glossing over details and leaving out more difficult aspects. The book does not want to be, nor is it, a manual for people who actual want to do research. In sum, this book will be most useful for those who teach introductory methods courses aimed at students who want to "consume" research rather than pursue it themselves. For these students, the book will be a valuable resource to better understand pertinent issues and to be alert towards methodological problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Government support of psychological research: Fiscal year 1958.

"In fiscal year 1958 (ending June 30, 1958), approximately $23,900,000 were obligated by some 12 departments and subdivisions of the federal government for the conduct of research in psychology and closely related areas. This is an increase of about $8,000,000 over the support reported for fiscal year 1957, and about $13,000,000 over that for fiscal year 1956." 4 tables indicate: (a) expenditure by agency, (b) research areas in psychology supported, (c) expenditure by geographic region, (d) obligations of federal government for research by scientific fields. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Government support of extramural psychological research: fiscal year 1955.

"This is the third in a series of annual reports on the Federal Government's support of research in psychology and closely related areas by means of contracts and grants with colleges, universities, and other nongovernment agencies." It endeavors "… to provide systematic information on the amount and sources of funds which are available from the Federal Government for the support of psychological research." Four tables summarizing expenditures are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Spontaneous cognition and HIV risk behavior.

Theories of cognitive processes and risk behavior have not usually addressed spontaneous forms of cognition that may co-occur with, or possibly influence, behavior. This study evaluated whether measures of spontaneous cognition independently predict HIV risk behavior tendencies. Whereas a trait-centered theory suggests that spontaneous cognitions are a by-product of personality, a cognitive view hypothesizes that spontaneous cognitions should predict behavior independently of personality. The results revealed that spontaneous cognition was an independent predictor of behavior tendencies in cross-sectional analyses. Its predictive effect was stronger than drug use, a frequently emphasized correlate of HIV risk behavior in the literature, and comparable with sensation seeking in magnitude. The results suggested that a relatively spontaneous form of cognition may affect HIV risk behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Government support of psychological research: Fiscal year 1959.

"The report presents information on the amount and sources of funds for the support of psychological research and reflects the relative emphasis being placed on specific areas of psychology… . In the fiscal year 1959 (ending June 30, 1959) there was a substantial increase over the preceding year in federal support of psychological research. Approximately $31,300,000 was obligated by some 12 departments and subdivisions of the federal government for the conduct of research in psychology and closely related areas." 4 tables indicating annual rate of support of extramural research in psychology and related fields are provided; a 5th table indicates obligations by scientific fields for fiscal years 1958, 1959, and 1960. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Sell decision: Implications for psychological assessment and treatment.

This article describes 2 important practice considerations affirmed in the U.S. Supreme Court's Sell v. United States (2002) decision: (a) the importance of providing least restrictive services prior to interventions that violate patients' liberty interests, and (b) contextual and environmental factors may be considered in clinical determinations of dangerousness. The psychological treatment of behavior disorders fall within the purview of least restrictive or intrusive interventions compared with the involuntary administration of psychoactive medications. To legitimately comply with the least restrictive criterion, the provision of psychological services is essential. This long-held criterion is rarely acknowledged today as providers use restricted service arrays and attempt to resolve complex and co-occurring behavior problems with medications and restraints. Less restrictive psychological interventions are required for effective treatment of challenging behaviors. A 2nd significant implication lies in the court's affirmation that it is legitimate to consider contextual factors such as history and current environmental conditions in determining dangerousness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The use of human subjects in psychological research.

A discussion of the ethics involved in using human subjects for psychological research. Emphasis is placed on the principles of consent, confidentiality, and standard or acceptable procedures. The 10 basic principles governing medical research laid down by the Nuremburg tribunal are quoted in full. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The test of significance in psychological research.

The test of significance does not provide the information concerning psychological phenomena characteristically attributed to it; and a great deal of mischief has been associated with its use. The basic logic associated with the test of significance is reviewed. The null hypothesis is characteristically false under any circumstances. Publication practices foster the reporting of small effects in populations. Psychologists have "adjusted" by misinterpretation, taking the p value as a "measure," assuming that the test of significance provides automaticity of inference, and confusing the aggregate with the general. The difficulties are illuminated by bringing to bear the contributions from the decision-theory school on the Fisher approach. The Bayesian approach is suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The state of psychological ownership: Integrating and extending a century of research.

People develop feelings of ownership for a variety of objects, material and immaterial in nature. We refer to this state as psychological ownership. Building on and extending previous scholarship, the authors offer a conceptual examination of this construct. After defining psychological ownership, they address "why" it exists and "how" it comes into being. They propose that this state finds its roots in a set of intraindividual motives (efficacy and effectance, self-identity, and having a place to dwell). In addition, they discuss the experiences that give rise to psychological ownership and propose several positive and negative consequences of this state. The authors' work provides a foundation for the development of a comprehensive theory of psychological ownership and the conceptual underpinnings for empirical testing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A unique regional program of psychological research and training in the south.

"The Council on Psychological Resources in the South was appointed by the Southern Regional Education Board and met for the first time on July 16-17, 1953 in Atlanta, Georgia… . The Southern Regional Education Board has made a real contribution to the development of psychology as a science and as a profession… ." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Computer science and the enrichment of psychological research.

An analysis is made of the impact of computer science on research method and theory construction in psychology. The influence is roughly divided into what is described as the Level of Application and the Level of Conceptual Enrichment. At the first level the new discipline is used as a tool to extend the facilities available to the psychologist. In spite of this, it is argued, the simple increase in technical power has led to important differences in the kind of research that can be considered and has been the determining factor in the direction and the extent of the development of various research areas in psychology. At the second level computer science has contributed a wealth of conceptual resources. It has been the source of many theoretical constructs and, even more significantly, has contributed an alternative language for the expression of psychological theory--the language of a computer algorithm which simulates the relevant behaviour. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)