Arousal and the inverted-U hypothesis: A critique of Neiss's "Reconceptualizing arousal."

After reviewing the literature linking threat, incentive, and relaxation to motor performance, R. Neiss (see record 1989-14248-001) concluded that both the construct of arousal and the hypothesis of an inverted-U relationship between performance and arousal should be abandoned. These arguments were, however, based on research that does not permit clear evaluation of either the construct of arousal or the inverted-U hypothesis. Furthermore, some of Neiss's assumptions are questionable. This article reviews evidence that provides strong support for the inverted-U hypothesis. It is concluded that the concept of arousal is pragmatically useful in organizing a broad range of behavioral data. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Temperature, aggression, and the negative affect escape model.

Addresses P. A. Bell's (see record 1992-20144-001) comments on C. A. Anderson's (see record 1989-36724-001) review of the temperature–aggression literature. At a global level, all agree that geographic region studies and most time period studies do not cleanly address the question of the functional shape relating temperature to aggression. In addition, all agree that the negative affect escape model warrants additional empirical investigation. At a more specific level, however, numerous inaccuracies and misinterpretations are noted and corrected. The conclusions of the original review are confirmed. Suggestions for new research are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A response to "The relevance of Sigmund Freud for the 21st century."

The relevance of Freud's ideas for the 21st Century had been discussed (Reppen, 2006; see record 2006-05420-001). Although most of the contributors to that compendium believed that they were, I suggest that a 'yes' or 'no' answer is not possible with regard to the corpus of Freud's ideas as a whole; each idea has to be evaluated separately. Freud's theorizing is built on two different bases: a psychological and a biological one. Not only do these eventuate in two different kinds of formulations throughout this theory, but sometimes even with regard to the same construct at different times in his writing. As a consequence, the assessment of the relevance of Freud's ideas for the 21st Century must be made construct by construct. A sampling of Freud's ideas about motivation, psychopathology and treatment were examined as to their contemporary relevance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Two perspectives on the validation of developmental constructs: Psychometric and theoretical limitations in research on egocentrism.

Extends the present author's (see record 1980-05161-001) earlier analysis of the egocentrism construct and the psychometrically oriented reanalysis of H. S. Waters and V. S. Tinsley (see record 1985-22354-001) by offering a theoretically focused perspective on the validation of developmental constructs. It suggests that chronic psychometric problems in construct validation research can usually be attributed to underlying theoretical problems. Concrete examples of the limitations of cognitive-developmental theory in guiding research on egocentrism are provided and new theoretical directions are outlined. These alternative explanatory frameworks include, contextual theory developed by D. H. Feldman (1980), the cognitive-processing theory of M. Chapman (1981), and the living-systems theory of D. H. Ford (in press) and the present author (1984). (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Burnout, job setting, and self-evaluation among rehabilitation counselors.

Surveyed 38 rehabilitation counselors to investigate the relationship of experienced burnout to self-concept and job setting. Ss completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory and a questionnaire about their work. The emotional exhaustion component of burnout emerged as the key factor in the results. Emotional exhaustion was related to work overload and a perceived lack of control. It was also linked to dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the job. Findings are consistent with previous theorizing and research on burnout by J. Gaines and J. M. Jermier (see record 1984-10923-001) and C. Maslach and S. E. Jackson (see record 1985-24012-001) and underscore the relevance of this phenomenon for the rehabilitation profession. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A reconsideration of two-person inequity judgments: A reply to Anderson.

Replies to N. H. Anderson's (see record 1984-22881-001) argument that "two-operation logic," which was applied to N. H. Anderson and A. J. Farkas's (1975) experiment, supported the ratio model, established the linearity of the response scale, and refuted the subtractive model proposed by the present author (see record 1982-29568-001). A reanalysis shows that the data of Anderson and Farkas are more consistent with subtractive models than ratio models and illustrates problems with the two-operation logic that led Anderson to his conclusions. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Concepts: Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Comments on the article by D. L. Medin (see record 1990-09021-001) concerning the status of research and theorizing about conceptual processes. Two guidelines are suggested to enhance the possibility of positive outcomes of the conceptual differences described by Medin. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Physiological differences between transcendental meditation and rest.

Investigated points raised by D. S. Holmes (see record 1984-25288-001) and E. M. Morrell (see record 1986-26552-001) on the effect of meditation on reduction of somatic arousal, reviewing 31 studies. Results show that there is reduced somatic arousal during the transcendental meditation technique in comparison with rest, yet other physiological changes indicative of increased alertness are also present. This difference may be assessed by looking at the adaptive efficiency of physiological processes rather than reduction of somatic arousal during stress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recent psychological approaches to the free will versus determinism issue.

This article examines the scientific utility of the concept of free will. Distinctions are drawn between the concepts of hard determinism, soft determinism, libertarianism, conscious choice, beliefs about conscious control, volitional behavior, and actual personal control. Relevant theories reviewed include R. Zavolloni's (1962) feedback theory, J. E. Rychlak's (1981) telospouse theory, C. W. Tageson's (1982) 3-dimensional model, R. W. Sperry's (see record 1989-00022-001) theory of supervenient control, A. Bandura's (see record 1990-01275-001) theory of agency, and the chaos concept. Data relevant to these theories are reviewed. It is concluded that theories of free will can be compatible with the scientific tasks of prediction and control. However, the free will vs. determinism issue is unlikely to be resolved conclusively by using scientific data. Nevertheless, the concept of free will can play a useful role in scientific theorizing by serving as a meta-assumption. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Emotional effects of false automatic feedback.

Examines the theory of the effects of arousal information in emotion proposed by S. Valins (see record 1966-12940-001) and reviews subsequent research using the false autonomic feedback procedure that offers evidence concerning the validity of Valins's analysis. Alternative interpretations of these findings are considered that involve artefacts related to demand characteristics and inappropriate control procedures or cognitive and physiological mediation. Potential limitations to the generality of the false-feedback effect are discussed in terms of target strength and type. It is argued that feedback changes are perceived as credible in conjunction with only a limited range of emotional stimuli and that reactions to stimuli outside this range cannot be modified by provision or arousal information. It is concluded that Valins's model of affective processes has only restricted application to real-life emotional phenomena. (57 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reification in Sampson's paper.

Comments on E. E. Sampson's (see record 1982-04617-001) use of the term reification and questions his use of the phrase "objective reality" in a paper that speaks clearly about the dangers of reification. The author agrees that fresh approaches to research can result from questioning the value assumptions of one's theorizing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Selected views of family assessment: A commentary.

Comments on articles concerning family assessment by H. D. Grotevant (see record 1990-12120-001); R. B. Hampson et al (see record 1990-12122-001); D. C. Bell and L. G. Bell (see record 1990-12106-001); C. I. Carlson (see record 1990-12110-001); and T. L. Huston and J. K. Rempel (see record 1990-12126-001). It is suggested that theory needs to be related to research and practice more consistently. It would be useful to identify the principle theories in family science and critically examine the unique assessment issues raised by each perspective. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On sending artifact in search of artifact: Reply to McDonald, Harris, and Maher.

Two studies are reported that show the P. J. McDonald et al (see record 1983-25674-001) critique of the present authors' (see record 1981-25503-001) earlier explanation for the arousal–self-awareness link to be mistaken. In Study 1 with 57 Ss, arousal-induced attention to self was demonstrated in a field setting devoid of any of the artifactual covariates of arousal induction suggested by McDonald et al. In Study 2, a replication of the McDonald et al experiment was conducted in which a crucial manipulation check was included; their study was burdened by the very artifact they claimed might exist in the present authors'. Slow running created self-focus through unusualness and embarrassment, whereas fast running led to self-focus via arousal. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Meditation and somatic arousal reduction.

Challenges D. S. Holmes's (see record 1984-25288-001) conclusion that the effects of meditation cannot be due to effects of meditation on somatic arousal and suggests that further research is needed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Omissions and errors in "Media violence and the American public."

Comments on an article by Bushman and Anderson (see record 2001-17729-001). We are concerned that Bushman and Anderson's article on media violence contains data that are incorrect or irreproducible. This is a serious issue; the article has already been referenced by numerous other formal papers according to a Google scholarly article search as well as in a statement to the U.S. Senate, in legal proceedings, and in California State law (Assembly Bill 1179 in 2005). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Practice, working memory, and the ACT* theory of skill acquisition: A comment on Carlson, Sullivan, and Schneider (1989).

The major results reported by R. A. Carlson et al (see record 1989-24864-001) confirm predictions of J. R. Anderson's (1983) ACT* theory. In particular, ACT* predicts the detrimental effects of the transition to randomized practice because of the need to learn new productions, the complexity effect of gate and judgment type because of more complex production conditions, the effects of practice and its interaction with complexity because of the strengthening mechanisms, and the effects of memory load because of the need to hold information active in working memory so that it can be matched by production conditions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

From agency/empowerment to embodied empowerment.

Comments on the agency papers by B. D. Slife (see record 1995-13451-001), M. Gergen (see record 1995-14294-001), R. N. Williams (see record 1995-12851-001), and G. S. Howard (see record 1995-13446-001). In response to these papers, M. S. Richardson states that the construct of agency/empowerment is replaced with embodied empowerment, the idea of which needs to be developed in a moral concept. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)