Performance of blacks and whites in computerized versus manual testing environments.

Discusses the problems of research on race and IQ, and describes a study which compared the results of manual and computer testing in judging the performance of blacks and whites. Ss were 10 white and 10 black male high school students. Performance by whites was the same under both procedures. Blacks performed significantly lower in manual tests, but in computerized tests their performance improved and was indistinguishable from that of whites. Theoretical reasons for these findings are discussed. It is felt that the computerized testing procedure circumvents many problems of earlier research. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of white authoritarianism in biracial work groups.

This study attempted to determine the effect on Negro Ss of interaction with high and low authoritarian white Ss under varying degrees of forced or voluntary cooperation. Though apparently more prejudiced against low status culture groups, the authoritarian (high F scale) white was more compliant to a biracial situation than nonauthoritarian whites. Among several other findings, the authors conclude: "These results indicate that even when Negroes are given objective evidence of equal mental ability in a relatively brief interracial contact they tend to feel inadequate and to orient compliantly toward whites." From Psyc Abstracts 36:02:2GD48K. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Crime and psychopathology.

"This study investigated the relations between type of crime, age, intelligence, and degree of psychopathology, as measured by the MMPI F score. MMPIs were available from 190 white male court referrals who were nearly all classified as low socioeconomic status. It should be noted that one crime class (i.e., lewd acts on children) would have been excluded from the analysis if the usual criteria for discarding MMPIs had been used. A definite relationship between type of crime and degree of psychopathology was found. Individuals who commit sexual crimes appear to be the most seriously emotionally disturbed. No difference in mean F score between Ss released to the courts vs. those retained in the hospital was found." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Single-group validity: Fact or fallacy?

13 studies, including 1,291 white and 1,308 black Ss, were examined with regard to single-group validity. Each study employed approximately equal sample sizes for both the black and the white samples. Results indicate that the significance of validity coefficients was independent of racial group membership for the entire sample of studies (p > .30). Further, the significance of the validity coefficients remained independent of racial group membership for studies employing only subjective criteria (p > .25) and for studies employing only objective criteria (p > .50). Findings provide clear and direct confirmation of the results of F. L. Schmidt et al (see record 1974-10042-001) demonstrating the nonexistence of true single-group validity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integrated versus segregated school attendance and immediate recall for standard and nonstandard English.

Examined imitative recall for sentences conforming to the grammatical rules of standard English vs those suggested for nonstandard (black) English. Ss were a total of 87 black and 51 white low- and middle-income children in Grades 3 and 4. Low-income blacks showed better recall than middle-income whites for nonstandard sentences and poorer recall for standard sentences. School integration influenced the performance of low-income blacks: Those who had attended an integrated school were both better on standard and poorer on nonstandard sentences than those who had attended a segregated school. For middle-income Ss, both black and white, there were no evident linguistic effects of integration. Although dialect clearly affected recall, results do not support a conception of black dialect as a separate linguistic system with totally consistent rules. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Methodological issues and racial (black-white) comparisons on the MMPI.

Compared the MMPI profiles of 160 white and 160 black psychiatric patients matched for sex, socioeconomic status (education and occupation), hospital status, age, and duration of illness. Phase 1 analysis used all profiles, while Phase 2 (n = 116) was limited to valid profiles. Results show that (a) race was a primary source of variance, (b) dependent measures were not entirely comparable, and (c) application of selection criteria was a powerful parameter influencing outcome. Blacks elevated Scales F, 1, 5, 8, 9, and the overall profile mean, elevated Scale 8 as the highest and Scale 1 as the 2nd-highest code, and produced more 8-6 and 2-4 codes than whites. Whites elevated Scale 3 and 7 as the highest and 2nd-highest point codes, and produced 2-7 and 4-7 codes more frequently. (18 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Race, economic class, and perceived outcomes of work and unemployment.

Tested 2 hypotheses derived from locus-of-control and expectancy theory: (a) black and/or unemployed men will perceive weaker relationships between working and positive and negative outcomes than white and/or working class men, and (b) black and/or unemployed men will perceive stronger relationships connecting not working with the same set of outcomes. Instrumentality ratings were gathered from 200 black and white working-class and unemployed men as part of a larger interview. Significant multivariate race, economic class, and interaction effects occurred for both types of ratings, but the direction of effects was not as predicted. Black Ss saw stronger relationships between working and various outcomes than whites, and positive-compared to whites' negative-instrumentalities of unemployment. The economic-class main effects were opposite in direction for blacks and whites, and the largest differences occurred between the black and white working class. Results are discussed in terms of experiential differences and shifts in levels of adaptation. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Race and social class as factors in the orientation toward psychotherapy.

Examined the relationship of race-ethnicity and social class to attitudes toward help seeking, race of therapist, self-disclosure, and self-reported treatment outcomes. Ss were 69 female undergraduates, including 3 subgroups-black middle class, black lower class, and white middle class. Findings indicate race alone was not related to attitudes toward psychotherapy, but social class was. However, lower- and middle-class blacks manifested lower self-disclosure scores than did middle-class whites. Blacks preferred black therapists and were more dissatisfied with treatment than whites. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The geometric relationship between Holland's personality typology and the Vocational Preference Inventory for blacks.

Administered Holland's Vocational Preference Inventory to 115 black undergraduates. The 1st 6 scales of the inventory were tested for correspondence to J. L. Holland's personality theory using a method recently presented by J. A. Wakefield and E. B. Doughtie (see record 1974-08049-001). The scales for the black Ss corresponded generally to Holland's model but not as well as they do for white Ss. 3 weaknesses in the correspondence between the scales of black students and Holland's model were identified. The Realistic and Intellectual scales were not as closely associated to Holland's model for blacks as for whites; the Social and Enterprising scales were not as closely associated; and the Conventional and Intellectual scales were not as closely associated as they are in Holland's model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using the Megargee MMPI-based classification system with the MMPI-2s of female prison inmates.

This study extends Megargee's Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)-based classification system to female offenders. MMPI-2s of 400 women in state and federal prisons were rescored and reconfigured to estimate their original MMPI profiles. Their MMPIs and MMPI-2s were classified according to the rules devised for the original MMPI. Next, the MMPI-2s were reclassified using new rules for classifying the MMPI-2s of male offenders. Neither approach led to satisfactory agreement between MMPI and MMPI-2. A major problem was that Scale 5 was more prominent in the women's MMPI-2 profiles than on their MMPIs. Using revised rules for classifying the original MMPIs and the MMPI-2s of female offenders, 386 of the 400 women (97%) could be classified on both versions of the MMPI, of whom 336 (87%) were classified identically. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Seasonal changes in plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations of young American black and white women

Seasonal changes in 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were studied in 51 black and 39 white women aged 20-40 y from Boston. Individual measurements were made in February or March (February-March), June or July (June-July), October or November (October-November), and the following February or March (February-March). Samples from the four visits were analyzed in batches at the end of the study. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D was substantially lower in black than in white women at all the time points, including February-March when values were lowest (30.2 +/- 19.7 nmol/L in black and 60.0 +/- 21.4 nmol/L in white women) and June-July when they were highest (41.0 +/- 16.4 nmol/L in black and 85.4 +/- 33.0 nmol/L in white women). Although both groups showed seasonal variation in 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, the mean increase between February-March and June-July was smaller in black women (10.8 +/- 14.0 nmol/L compared with 25.4 +/- 29.8 nmol/L in white women, P = 0.006) and their overall amplitude of seasonal change was lower (P = 0.001). Concentrations of serum parathyroid hormone in February-March were significantly higher (P < 0.005) in black women (5.29 +/- 2.32 pmol/L) than in white women (4.08 +/- 1.41 pmol/L) and were significantly inversely correlated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D in blacks (r = -0.42, P = 0.002) but not in whites (r = -0.19, P = 0.246). Although it is well established that blacks have denser bones and lower fracture rates than whites, elevated parathyroid hormone concentrations resulting from low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations may have negative skeletal consequences within black populations.     

MMPI evaluation of 5-year methadone treatment status.

Evaluated treatment outcome over a 5-yr period for 148 1st admissions (mean age, 27.14 yrs) to a methadone treatment program. Eleven Ss (7%) were successful treatment completions, 16 Ss (11%) transferred to other methadone programs, 38 Ss (26%) remained in continuous treatment, and 83 Ss (56%) were unsuccessful treatment terminations. Discriminant analysis using the MMPI suggested that the more stable Ss at admission had the best treatment outcome. For the patients in continuous treatment, MMPIs administered at 6-wk, 6-mo, and 5-yr intervals indicated that this group of Ss did not change on the personality dimension. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Efficacy of the Mini-Mult validity scales with prisoners

The authors studied the ability of the Kincannon Mini-Mult validity scales to detect invalid standard MMPI protocols of adult male prisoners. The original MMPI records of 1407 Ss were rescored by use of Kincannon's items for the L, F, and K Scales. Analysis consisted of examining the frequency with which the Mini-Mult would detect an invalid protocol when at least one of the original MMPI validity scales also was elevated and invalid. Results indicate that the Mini-Mult failed to detect nearly 75% of the profiles that were invalid due to an elevated F scale on the parent MMPI. Similarly, over 50% of the profiles invalid due to elevated L and/or K scales were not detected by the Mini-Mult. Despite the appealing brevity of this 71-item short form of the MMPI, caution is advised with regard to its use in penal settings.     

Counselor race and experience effects on black clients.

Investigated how black freshmen Ss rated counselor effectiveness and if these ratings reflected the race or experience level of the counselors. 17 Ss participated in initial interviews with 4 counselors, 2 black counselors, 1 experienced and 1 inexperienced, and 2 white counselors, with the same experience differences as the black counselors. Upon completion of the 4 interviews, Ss rated each of the counselors on 3 counselor dimensions and indicated those counselors they would be willing to return to for future counseling. Unlike previous research findings, Ss did not show a preference for the counselors as a function of race but did show a preference as a function of the counselors' experience level. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Blacks supervising whites: A study of interracial difficulties in working together in a simulated organization.

Investigated interracial difficulties of blacks and whites working together, when blacks are in a supervisory position over whites. 45 groups of male undergraduates were supervised by blacks, and 45 were supervised by whites. In each group, 2 subordinates played a business game with either a black or a white supervisor and were observed by 2 white Os. Results indicate that (a) the performance ratings of black supervisors were significantly poorer than those of white supervisors; (b) subordinates supervised by blacks behaved differently than subordinates supervised by whites, and some of these behaviors appeared to hinder the effectiveness of the black supervisor; and (c) subordinates with negative racial bias gave poorer ratings to black supervisors than subordinates with liberal racial attitudes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Language differences between black children and white children.

Examined 48 black and 48 white children, matched for social class and nonverbal intelligence, in a free-recall situation on vocabulary words and sentences presented in black dialect and standard English. On standard English sentences, both groups performed equally well. On sentences in black dialect, the white Ss performed significantly worse. Findings are interpreted as support for bilingual language development in black ghetto children and emphasize the importance of social class and intelligence when comparing black and white Ss on language tasks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Racial disparity in the association of p53 gene alterations with breast cancer survival

A significant black/white difference in breast cancer prognosis has been observed in the United States. Alterations of p53 tumor suppressor gene in breast cancer have been associated with poor prognosis. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that p53 gene alterations are related to the difference in prognosis between black and white breast cancer patients. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast tissue blocks were available from 45 black and 47 white patients for PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing. The types of p53 gene alterations were compared between blacks and whites. Associations between p53 gene alterations and survival were also evaluated. Three missense, 2 nonsense, 1 microdeletion, 1 intron, and 4 silent mutations were detected in blacks, while 7 missense, 1 microdeletion, 1 silent mutation, and 3 polymorphisms were observed in whites. Among the point mutations, G:C to A:T transitions at non-CpG sites were found in 80.0% of blacks (8 of 10) and 62.5% of whites (5 of 8). Significantly poorer survival associated with p53 gene alterations was observed for blacks (P = 0.012), but not for whites. Black patients with p53 alterations had a significant 4-5-fold excess risk of death from breast cancer than those without p53 alterations. Adjustment for stage, age, tumor histopathology, receptor status, and adjuvant treatment did not change the excess risk. The findings suggest that the types of p53 gene alterations may contribute to the racial difference in breast cancer survival.     

Androgen receptor gene CAG repeat length varies in a race-specific fashion in men without prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES: Preliminary studies suggest that black men have shorter androgen receptor CAG repeat length compared with non-Hispanic whites. Because decreased CAG repeat length (in particular less than 20 repeats) may be associated with increased prostate cancer risk, these findings are potentially important in providing a hypothesis to explain the increased risk of prostate cancer in black men. METHODS: CAG repeat length in the androgen receptor (exon one) was determined by a polymerase chain reaction method in 130 non-Hispanic white and 65 black men. All men had prostate-specific antigen levels less than 4 ng/mL and normal digital rectal examinations. Men self-classified themselves into racial categories by a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: For whites, the mean +/- SD, median, and range of CAG repeat length were 21.0+/-3.0, 21, and 9 to 28, respectively. For blacks, the mean +/- SD, median, and range of CAG repeat length were 19.0+/-3.0, 19, and 13 to 26, respectively. The mean and median CAG repeat length in blacks were statistically significantly shorter than in whites. Black men were twice as likely as whites to have fewer than 20 CAG repeats (56.9% versus 28.5%, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These data unequivocally demonstrate that androgen receptor gene CAG repeat length varies in a race-specific manner in men without evidence of prostate cancer.     

Authoritarianism and interpersonal perception.

This study is a replication of research concerning the relationship between authoritarianism, as measured by the California F scale and accuracy of interpersonal perception. Ss were students at Kansas State College, and the method was similar to that used previously by Scodel and Mussen and by Scodel and Freedman. Pairs of Ss discussed for 20 minutes an assigned topic after taking the F scale. After the discussion they were asked to fill out the F scale as they felt their partners in the discussion would respond to it. The previous findings were duplicated by this study. The mean estimate by high F Ss was very similar to the mean of the high F Ss' own scores, regardless of the partners' actual positions on the F scale. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prevalence and identification of abnormal lipoprotein levels in a biracial population aged 23 to 35 years (the CARDIA Study). The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study

This study examines the prevalence of abnormal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels in young adults to determine the ability of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) guidelines to identify persons with elevated LDL cholesterol, to compare other algorithms with those of the ATP, and to determine the contributions of race, gender, and other coronary artery disease risk factors to identifying patients with elevated LDL and low HDL cholesterol. The cohort was population-based, aged 23 to 35 years, and included relatively equal numbers of blacks and whites, and men and women. The prevalence of LDL cholesterol > or = 160 mg/dl (> 4.1 mmol/L) was 5% in black women, 4% in white women, 10% in black men, and 9% in white men. ATP identified most participants with elevated LDL cholesterol (range: 58.8% of white men to 70.7% of black women). Lipoprotein panels would have been required in 6% to 7% of women and to 15% to 18% of men. Algorithms that used nonlipid risk factors required more lipoprotein panels and identified fewer additional participants at risk. The prevalence of HDL cholesterol < 35 mg/dl (0.9 mmol/L) was 3% in women, 7% in black men, and 13% in white men. Algorithms that used nonlipid risk factors before measuring HDL cholesterol would require HDL cholesterol measurements in 35% of whites and 56% of blacks, but reduced sensitivity for identifying low HDL cholesterol (range: 58% in white men to 93% in black women). In young adults, algorithms based on nonlipid risk factors and family history have lower sensitivity, and increase rather than decrease the number of fasting lipoprotein panels required when compared with ATP levels.