Seating arrangement and leadership emergence.

Based on the proposition that seating position effects the flow of communication which, in turn, effects leadership emergence, 20 groups of 5 Ss performed a problem solving task and then rated the group members on exhibited leadership. The seats were arranged so that 2 Ss were opposite 3 Ss. A greater number of leaders than would be expected by chance emerged from the 2-seat side of the table, thus, lending support to the hypothesis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationship between a dimension of body image and two measures of conditioning.

Hypothesized that definiteness of the body image boundary is a variable related to differential ease of acquisition of autonomic conditioned responses. The barrier score, derived from Rorschach ink blots, served as the measure of body image definiteness. 29 High- and 20 low-barrier male undergraduates were subjected to a classical autonomic conditioning procedure. The autonomic responses measured were GSR and heart rate. Results indicate that low-barrier Ss are more susceptible than high-barrier Ss to the conditioned heart rate response while high-barrier Ss are more easily conditioned to the GSR response. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Distancing after group success and failure: Basking in reflected glory and cutting off reflected failure.

Two image-maintenance processes by which people manipulate their association with others were tested: the tendency to bask in reflected glory as a means of increasing one's association with successful others and the tendency to cut off reflected failure as a means of decreasing one's association with unsuccessful others. 102 undergraduates were initially involved in a group task and were then assigned to 1 of 3 group-performance feedback conditions: failure, no information, or success. Self-report and behavioral (taking and wearing of team badges) dependent measures of distancing showed that Ss in the failure group manifested less association with their group than did Ss in the no-information feedback and success groups; there was a tendency on behavioral but not self-report measures for Ss in the success group to manifest more association with their group than for Ss in the no-information feedback group. Therefore, more support was found for the cutting-off-reflected-failure process than for the basking-in-reflected-glory process as an image-maintenance tactic. Because Ss truly identified with their group's relative sense of failure or success, it is suggested that it was this identification process that appeared to have driven Ss' distancing behaviors in relation to their groups. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Between a rock and a hard place: Self-concept regulating and communicative properties of distancing behaviors.

Investigated 2 properties of distancing behaviors—a class of deliberate and inadvertent behaviors that insulate persons from the consequences of negative self-discrepant behavior and signal that they should not be associated with that behavior. In Phase 1, high-choice Ss in a multiple audience variation of the induced compliance paradigm who read counterattitudinal essays on affirmative action in the presence of a Black woman did not show typical dissonance-induced attitude change. Phase 2 found that this absence of attitude change was significantly related to the extent to which Ss distanced themselves from their essays before reading them. In Phase 3, distancing behaviors also served as discounting cues for naive observers and were significantly related to their ratings of Ss' attitudes. These results are discussed in terms of the self-regulatory and communicative roles of distancing behaviors in social interaction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavior in groups as a function of self-interaction, and task orientation.

To further the theoretical expectation that orientation would be associated with leadership and related group behavior, the Bass Orientation Inventory was correlated with rated performance in sensitivity training groups of 32 male supervisors and 25 female secretaries, in groups of 48 candidates for supervisory positions undergoing 3 days of assessment, and in reformed groups homogeneous in orientation. Task oriented Ss, particularly among men, were judged most favorably and interaction oriented Ss least favorably both by peers and outside assessors. However, homogeneous groupings for sensitivity training were most satisfying to interaction oriented Ss, whose leaders were most highly interaction oriented. Task oriented group leaders were highly task oriented, but leaders of self-oriented groups were relatively low in self-orientation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Identification of therapist differences in a group treatment for depression.

Examined therapist variables presumed to be related to outcome in a structured, cognitive-behavioral group treatment for depression. Each of 8 leaders conducted 2 consecutive psychoeducational treatment groups consisting of 5–8 Ss. Of the 106 Ss (aged 17–67 yrs) who participated in the study, 79 were clinically depressed; measures of depression included the Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and a measure of social adjustment. A broad multivariate assessment was conducted of pretreatment leader characteristics, leader behavior and style during treatment, group behavior and process, and depression outcome. Results indicate that leaders differed significantly on behavioral and group-process measures, but differences in depression outcome between leaders did not attain statistical significance. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Seating arrangement and leadership emergence": Ettatum.

Reports an error in the original article by L. T. Howells and S. W. Becker (Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 1962, 64[2], 148-150). On page 148 of the article, the last sentence of Paragraph 2, Column 1, should read: However, Steinzor did not investigate the present program, namely, the relationship between seating distance and leadership emergence. The original sentence implied that Steinzor had reached conclusions about seating arrangement and leadership, and this implication is incorrect. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1964-02596-001): Based on the proposition that seating position effects the flow of communication which, in turn, effects leadership emergence, 20 groups of 5 Ss performed a problem solving task and then rated the group members on exhibited leadership. The seats were arranged so that 2 Ss were opposite 3 Ss. A greater number of leaders than would be expected by chance emerged from the 2-seat side of the table, thus, lending support to the hypothesis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stimulus condition self-selection by males in the interaction of locus of control and skill–chance situations.

Divided 218 undergraduates into 3 groups on the basis of their scores on Rotter's Internal–External Locus of Control Scale. Ss completed 2 achievement-type tests (the stimulus conditions), the 1st described as a test of skill, the 2nd as a test of chance. Ss then selected which type of test they would prefer for their 3rd test (stimulus condition self-selection). Thereafter, Ss had an opportunity to cheat by changing test answers. As predicted, Ss with an external locus of control were more likely to select a test of chance, whereas middles and internals were more likely to select a test of skill. Ss who selected a test of skill were more likely to cheat on a test of skill, whereas Ss who selected a test of chance were more likely to cheat on a test of chance. Results imply that behavior is both a function of self-selecting stimulus conditions and a function of personal factors. A distinction is drawn between the fundamental attributionist error (failure to consider stimulus condition self-selection) and the complementary fundamental attribution error. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Visual experience, unilateral cortical lesions, and lateralization of function in rats.

Measured the effects of early visual experience and later unilateral neocortical lesions on the behavior of 30 male hooded Long-Evans rats in an open-field, 17-arm spatial maze and on a visual field or perimetry test. 30 Ss were formed into 6 groups—3 light-reared (LR) and 3 dark-reared (DR)—of 5 Ss each in order to receive right-, left-hemisphere, or sham neocortical lesions. The comparison of behavior observed in the open field revealed that LR Ss with right-hemispheric lesions were more active and reared more than any of the other Ss. On the radial-maze task, in which 8 of 17 arms were baited, all Ss with lesions performed less effectively than did sham-operated Ss. The effect of the lesions was significantly greater for LR than for DR Ss. Perimetry testing revealed that, although the lesioned Ss did react to stimuli throughout their visual field, some contralateral neglect was evident in both LR and DR Ss; the lesions had a greater impact on orientation behavior of LR Ss, however. No evidence emerged of any functional asymmetry following the unilateral cortical lesions. Findings are discussed in terms of V. H. Denenberg's (1981) hypothesis about cerebral and functional asymmetry in the rat. (37 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Culture conflict in the treatment of "mental illness" and the central role of patient leader.

Describes new treatment programs which emphasized patients' responsibility and problem-solving action and heightened the conflict with patients' expectations that they be held unaccountable for their deviant behavior and excused from taking corrective action. Results from 50 patients showed Ss' attitudes were markedly less favorable toward a new program than toward a more traditional one. Patient leaders played an important role by organizing Ss to produce an active program, thereby encouraging staff tolerance for a nonrestrictive, continuous hospital stay for all interested Ss. Leaders were evaluated more favorably than nonleaders by both Ss and staff, with the exception of behaviors related solely to staff goals. The stalemate, successfully negotiated by the leaders, was broken only after the staff imposed a time limit on hospital stay. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predicting the emergence of leaders using Fiedler's contingency model of leadership effectiveness.

Used 18 4-person groups of male undergraduates to test F. E. Fiedler's contingency model of leadership effectiveness. Predictions were generated from the model regarding (a) the leadership style of emergent leaders, as measured by scores on the least preferred co-worker (LPC) scale, and (b) the leadership effectiveness of emergent leaders. The attempt to predict leadership style of emergent leaders was unsuccessful. The predictions of leadership effectiveness were accurate and provided support for the model. Sociometric data indicate that low LPC Ss were perceived as more popular and valuable group members than were high LPC Ss. (19 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Preoptic area and substantia nigra interact in the control of maternal behavior in the rat.

Investigated the influence of the lateral connections of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) on maternal behavior via the substantia nigra (SN). In Exp I, conducted with 45 postpartum lactating Charles River CD rats, the effects of large and small bilateral electrolytic lesions of SN were investigated. Large lesions severely disrupted maternal behavior and caused stereotyped activity in Ss. A 2nd experiment employed an asymmetrical lesion design and 37 Ss. Ss that received a unilateral knife cut severing the lateral connections of the MPOA and a contralateral lesion of the SN showed larger deficits in maternal behavior than either sham Ss or Ss that received a unilateral preoptic cut paired with an ipsilateral SN lesion. Measurements of body weights, body temperatures, and stereotyped behavior indicated that the differences in maternal behavior between the ipsilateral and contralateral groups could not be explained on the basis of nonspecific effects. (57 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A multivariate approach to the analysis of genetic and septal lesion effects on maze performance in mice.

Reports univariate and multivariate analyses concerning spatial discrimination behavior of Binghamton heterogeneous (HET), C57BL/6J, and RF/J mice that had received either septal lesions or control surgery (N?=?80). In acquisition of an appetitively motivated T-maze task, lesions impaired HET but improved RF performance relative to their respective controls. When Ss with lesions were reversed on a spatial discrimination acquired in a 17°C water maze, their performance was worse than control Ss; the magnitude of the deficit was strain-specific. Measures of reactivity to handling suggested that HET and RF Ss with lesions were more reactive than their controls; there was no such difference in C57 Ss. Multivariate approaches broadly corroborated the importance of complex Gene?×?Environment interactions that mold experience and thus behavior. They appeared to give some potentially important insights into the differential "behavioral profiles" of Ss with lesions and control Ss of the 3 genotypes; for instance, reactivity to handling and repeated error measurements were important variables in discriminating among the groups in both learning tasks. Thus, multivariate techniques should be considered as useful, additional tools for the development and evaluation of explanatory theories regarding functions of CNS regions. (34 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Body image, physical attractiveness, and depression.

224 17–63 yr olds completed measures of self-perceived physical attractiveness and depression, and static full-body videotapes of Ss were assessed by objective raters, to investigate the relationship between Ss' body image, rated physical attractiveness, and depression. Measures included the Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), a body parts satisfaction scale, and a self-labeling depression scale. Ss were classified as depressed (n?=?35) or nondepressed (n?=?42) on the basis of conjunctive criteria of self-labeling and extreme groups on the CES-D. It was hypothesized that (1) depressed Ss would report being less satisfied with their body parts and physical appearance and would regard themselves as less physically attractive than would nondepressed Ss, (2) objective raters would perceive depressed Ss as less physically attractive than nondepressed Ss, and (3) depressed Ss would distort their degree of physical attractiveness and perceive themselves to be less attractive than objective raters regarded them. Results indicate that, as hypothesized, depressed Ss were less satisfied with their bodies and saw themselves as less physically attractive than nondepressed Ss. These groups did not differ with respect to observer-rated physical attractiveness. Support was obtained for A. T. Beck's (1973, 1976) cognitive hypothesis that depressed persons negatively distort their body images; however, results also indicate substantial positive distortion among nondepressed Ss. (40 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Classroom seating and hypnotic susceptibility.

Conducted 2 experiments to investigate the relations among hypnotic susceptibility (Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale), lateralization of actual seating behavior, and seating preference. In Exp I, it was found that females who sat on the right side of a classroom were more hypnotically susceptible than females who sat on the left. Males who preferred right-side seating were more susceptible than males with left-side preferences. In Exp II, 55 Ss were randomly assigned to seats to determine whether seating location itself affected responsiveness to hypnosis. No association between lateralization of actual seating and hypnotic susceptibility was found. Replicating Exp I, males who preferred right-side seating were more hypnotically susceptible than males with left-side preferences. Lateralization of seating behavior has been found previously to be a function of hemisphericity. The results of both experiments indicate that lateralization of seating behavior may be used to investigate the relation between hemisphericity and hypnotic susceptibility. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Modeling and group discussion in the rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents.

Compared the relative effectiveness of 2 group methods of communicating information relevant to the social, vocational, and educational adjustment of 15-18 yr old institutionalized male juvenile delinquents (N = 192). One method relied on modeling procedures and required Ss to imitate roles which they had observed models perform. The other method employed structured discussions of the same material but without modeling or imitation. Both groups were attended by 2 models or discussion leaders and 4 or 5 Ss. A control group did not participate in any meetings and received no special condition. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated through changes on a number of attitude, self-concept, and behavior ratings, obtained on a repeated-measures basis, and through follow-up interviews and indices of recidivism. Both treatment conditions prompted more positive attitudes, behavior change, and less recidivism among participants than did the control condition. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Size overestimation among anorexics: Much ado about very little?

Research on size overestimation among anorexics has failed to control for the effects of actual body size on estimated size. We obtained estimates of the size of 3 body sites from 3 groups: 13 anorexic women; 13 non-eating disordered women matched with the anorexics on actual body size; and 13 non-eating disordered women of average size. The anorexic and size-matched normal Ss did not differ in the extent to which they overestimated their body size, but both displayed significantly greater overestimation than did the Ss of average size. Both groups also estimated the actual size of their body sites to be larger than did average-size normal Ss. These findings illustrate the need for appropriate control procedures when considering body image disturbances among persons with eating disorders, and they raise questions about the psychological significance of disturbances in the perceptual component of body image. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The process of brainstorming: An analysis with individual and group vocal parameters.

Examined the relation of vocal behavior to leadership, group structure, and the production of ideas in 20 5-person brainstorming groups, totaling 100 undergraduates. On–off patterns of vocalization were recorded continuously from each group member and were coded via a system similar to that of J. Jaffe and S. Feldstein (1970). Ss completed background questionnaires and personality measures such as the Jenkins Activity Survey and the Eysenck Personality Inventory. Findings show that leaders talked more than others and, even when the amount of talk was controlled, leaders spent more time in turns and in the pauses before and after their turns. Ideas tended to follow periods of increased pausing between speakers rather than periods of increased talk. The information statistics H and T were used to characterize the structure of each group's transitional matrix of turn taking. The present data management system preserves all observations on their original time base, making it possible to analyze various time patterns in group interaction. (34 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Variation of early social experience and environmental preference in rats.

32 male Long-Evans rats were raised from the time of weaning either as isolates or in groups. Physical environments consisted of horizontally or vertically striped cage walls. After 15 days Ss were tested for preference of the familiar or a novel environment. The hypothesis that isolates would prefer the familiar physical environment and grouped Ss would prefer the novel physical environment was confirmed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social support as an individual difference variable: Its stability, origins, and relational aspects.

Investigated the stability of social support indices, the relation between these indices and measures of parental bonding, and the relation between the indices and ratings of social behavior. In Exp I, 76 undergraduates responded to a social support questionnaire (SSQ) several times at 5- and 36-mo follow-ups. Exp II partially replicated Exp I with 251 Ss, and it investigated the relation between the SSQ and a parental bonding instrument. In Exp III, 160 Ss rated videotapes of persons with different levels of social support and scored them with regard to indices of personal effectiveness. The studies demonstrate that social support levels are stable over periods up to 3 yrs. They also showed that Ss high in social support reported having received more parental care (affection, interest, empathy) than did those low in social support. High social support Ss were judged by observers to be more competent leaders and problem solvers than were low-support Ss. Female Ss were judged to be more considerate and friendly than male Ss. Results suggest the value of conceptualizing social support as an individual difference variable as well as an environmental provision. (29 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)