A replication and extension of "Physical attractiveness and mental illness."

A. Farina et al (see record 1978-23202-001) investigated the relation between mental illness and physical attractiveness and found that female psychiatric inpatients were less attractive than normal controls. The current study extended this investigation in 2 ways. First, 28 psychiatric inpatients were compared to 3 separate control groups of 53 low, middle, and high socioeconomic status Ss. Mental patients were judged significantly less attractive than either middle- or high-income controls but were not significantly different from low-income controls. Second, to examine physical attractiveness prior to hospitalization, attractiveness ratings of the patients' high school yearbook pictures were compared with ratings of the adjacent same-sex photographs. Patients' photographs were judged significantly less attractive than their peers' even in high school. Findings suggest that being physically unattractive may predispose an individual to a number of negative social outcomes, one of which is mental illness. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A methodological critique of "Interventions for boys with conduct problems."

Reanalyzed G. R. Patterson's (see record 1974-32972-001) data on 27 conduct problem boys which showed moderate success of his behavioral intervention procedures in reducing noxious behaviors and the persistence of this improvement in a follow-up study. It is noted that, although posttreatment means were based on observations of all 27 Ss, the mean at 12-mo follow-up reflects data from only 16 Ss (59% of the original sample). A recomputation of means using only the 16 Ss for whom measures from baseline through the 12-mo follow-up were available revealed substantially diminished treatment effects. The absence of an appropriate control group is also cited as an inadequacy in Patterson's investigation. A comparison of the level of deviant behavior of Ss during baseline with that of dropouts and normal Ss also indicated that the 16 Ss who completed the study were significantly less deviant in the home during baseline than dropouts, but not significantly different from normals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Who's crazy in Manhattan: A reexamination of "Treatment of psychological disorders among urban children."

Reanalyzed data reported by T. S. Langner et al (see record 1974-28150-001) on the prevalence of psychological disturbances in children from welfare and cross-section homes. Results indicate that the data show no meaningful differences in means or skew and a paradoxical greater heterogeneity among welfare children. Some of the difference in variance is clearly attributable to the differential reliability of final scores, and perhaps the remaining difference is due to between-rater differences. Unless other factors were operating, 2 possible conclusions are tenable: Either welfare children manifest both more health and more disturbance than cross-section children or there are no differences in disorder between the populations. A 3rd conclusion is also offered: The populations do actually differ, but the manner in which the disturbance was viewed, rated, and compared necessarily obscured any differences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Previous experience disrupts atropine-induced stereotyped "trapping" in rats.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 100(2) of Behavioral Neuroscience (see record 2008-10952-001). Three lines were erroneously repeated. In the first paragraph on p. 1138, the third sentence should read as follows: "Further, at the high doses that result in stereotypic trapping there are reliable changes in both cortical and hippocampal activity (Schallert et al., 1980; Shoham, Chen, DeVietti, & Teitelbaum, 1985; Vanderwolf, 1975)."] Three experiments with 64 Long-Evans hooded rats investigated atropine-induced stereotypic trapping reported by T. Schallert et al (see record 1981-07548-001). Exps I–II showed that such trapping was disrupted by previous experience with the specific trapping task or the test context alone. Exp III showed that, in response to the test context, specific behaviors were altered in Ss that were experienced with the context. Inexperienced Ss treated with intraperitoneal atropine (60 mg/kg) moved slowly and showed a strong thigmotaxis to surfaces with the body, particularly the snout. The hindquarters did not cooperate well with the movements of the forequarters. In contrast, atropine-treated Ss familiar with the context moved with medium-speed, coordinated movements, and showed a reduced tendency for surface contact with body and snout. These reactions of drugged Ss were exaggerated forms of those of undrugged Ss to the unfamiliar and familiar context, respectively. Results indicate that stereotypic trapping develops as a consequence of an interaction between the adaptive responses of the rat to a novel environment and atropine. (37 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Comparing genuine and simulated suicide notes: A new perspective": Correction.

Reports an error in the original article by S. T. Black (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1993[Aug], Vol 61[4], 669–702). On page 701, the 4th column heading in Table 2 appears as "Dunnett's t test probability.' The correct column heading is "Dunn's t test probability.' (The following abstract of this article appeared in record 1993-45704-001.) E. S. Shneidman and N. L. Farberow (1957) preselected writers of simulated suicide notes to eliminate vulnerable Ss. Subsequent comparisons of genuine and simulated notes have perpetuated the methodological misstep of the original study. In this study, a new set of genuine notes were selected from completed suicides by men and women who left at least one note, who were White, and who were older than 18 yrs of age. The simulated note writers (SNWs) were unpreselected, unpaid community volunteers. Genuine note writers in the current and the 1957 samples were not found to differ; SNWs from the samples did differ. Problems with the interpretation of differences between genuine and simulated notes are discussed, with a focus on the role-playing nature of simulated notes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"The distressed psychologist: Prevalence and treatment considerations": Correction.

Reports an error in the original article by R. W. Thoreson et al (Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 1989[June], Vol 20[3], 153–258). On page 156, a variable was left out of Table 2. A corrected table is given. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1989-34534-001.) Investigated the level and types of distress in a sample of 379 psychologists, using survey methodology. Overall, Ss were healthy and satisfied with work and interpersonal relationships. 10% of Ss experienced distress in the areas of depression, marital/relationship, physical illness, alcohol use, and loneliness. A distress band was calculated and ranged from 9% for multiple categories to 19% for single categories of distress. A subsample of Ss in distress from alcohol use was characterized by use of controlled drinking strategies… (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Lifetime prevalence of "amotivational syndrome" among users and non-users of hashish.

Assessed the lifetime prevalence of amotivational syndrome (AMS) in 237 students at a Central European sports training facility using the criterion for AMS formulated by J. A. Halikas et al (1982). The group was regarded as being highly unlikely to have experienced an AMS. The criterion for AMS was met by 5.9% of the Ss compared to 5.2% of the Ss in the study by Halikas et al who were regular marihuana users. AMS as measured by this criterion was not significantly associated with history of marihuana use. Results cast doubt on the validity of the findings reported by Halikas et al. The AMS hypothesis was not supported. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Separation-individuation and adjustment to college: A longitudinal study": Correction.

Reports an error in the original article by K. G. Rice (Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1992, Vol 39[2], 203–213). A corrected version of Table 7 is presented. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1992-25243-001.) Aimed to (1) chart late-adolescent individuation from freshman to junior year in college, (2) further examine previously reported sex differences in separation–individuation and college adjustment, and (3) assess the within-year and across-year association between individuation and adjustment. As part of an ongoing longitudinal project, 130 students completed measures of separation–individuation and college adjustment early in their freshman year (D. K. Lapsely et al, 1989). In the present follow-up study, 81 of those original Ss completed measures in their junior year. The results indicated significant increases in individuation from parents over time along most but not all dimensions of individuation for both men and women. Gender specific patterns of individuation/adjustment emerged in freshman and junior year. In general, independence from parents in freshman year did not predict junior year college adjustment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Slowness and the preceding preparatory interval effect in schizophrenia": Correction.

Reports an error in the original article by M. B. Miller et al (Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1993[Feb], Vol 102[1], 145–251). Three "hats' were left out of the equations on page 150. The corrected passage is presented. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1993-25729-001.) Measured the reaction times (RTs) of 25 schizophrenic (SCZ), 69 matched normal, and 14 bipolar Ss to a tone preceded by a preparatory interval (PI) of varying length. RTs increase when the PI for the immediately preceding trial (PPI) is longer than the PI for the current trial. Several studies have shown that this PPI effect is heightened in schizophrenia. The authors replicated this finding. However, they found that the size of the PPI effect within groups increased with overall slowness and that the least squares regression line relating the PPI effect difference score to overall slowness did not differ between groups, nor did SCZ Ss' regression line differ from that of normal Ss. Group differences on the PPI effect were also analyzed by taking residuals for members of all groups from the normal Ss' regression line of the PPI effect difference score on overall slowness.… (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Perceptions of parental relationships in the eating disorders: The relevance of depressed mood": Correction.

Reports errors in the original article by S. A. Wonderlich and W. J. Swift (Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1990[Nov], Vol 99[4], 353–360). The Intrapsychic surface in Figure 1 was incorrectly labeled on Clusters 6 and 8, and the coefficients in Table 2 for "Father controls me" ought to be –0.6 for the bulimic–anorexic diagnostic group and .15 for the bulimic diagnostic group. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in PA, Vol 78:10468.) Recent studies (e.g., D. M. Garner et al; see record 1985-22960-001) have suggested that subtypes of eating-disordered persons differ in their perceptions of their family environments. This study used the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior to examine how depressed mood influenced eating-disordered Ss' ratings of their parental relationships. The results indicated that when level of mood disturbance was statistically controlled, there were no significant differences in parent ratings among 11 restricting anorexics, 11 bulimic anorexics, 26 bulimics, and 29 normal control Ss. The results are discussed in terms of the possible relations of mood, eating disorder, and perception of family relationships. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Suicide among gifted women: A prospective study.

The longitudinal data from the Terman Genetic Studies of Genius (L. M. Terman, 1925; Terman and M. Oden, 1947, 1959) were used to predict suicide in 40 women: 8 suicides, 15 Ss who were matched with the suicides on age of death, and 17 Ss who were still living in 1964. The Terman studies covered 60 yrs and followed 1,528 gifted individuals (IQs over 135) from childhood into the retirement years. Seven variables from the Ss' files were assessed as possible predictors of suicide: S's physical health, early loss of the father, stress in the family of origin, problems with alcohol, and 3 indices of mental health ("signatures" [e.g., suicide attempts, alcohol abuse, depression]; self-reports of temperament; and a cumulative mental health rating developed by Terman). A discriminant function analysis was able to differentiate the women who committed suicide from the 2 control groups. A 7-variable function predicted 100% of the suicides. A 4-variable function predicted 75% of the suicides. It is concluded that suicide risk factors can be identified in women and that certain signatures of suicide are as useful in predicting female suicide as male suicide. (49 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Previous experience disrupts atropine-induced stereotyped 'trapping' in rats": Correction to DeVietti et al.

Reports an error in "Previous experience disrupts atropine-induced stereotyped 'trapping' in rats" by Terry L. DeVietti, Sergio M. Pellis, Vivien C. Pellis and Philip Teitelbaum (Behavioral Neuroscience, 1985[Dec], Vol 99[6], 1128-1141). Three lines were erroneously repeated. In the first paragraph on p. 1138, the third sentence should read as follows: "Further, at the high doses that result in stereotypic trapping there are reliable changes in both cortical and hippocampal activity (Schallert et al., 1980; Shoham, Chen, DeVietti, & Teitelbaum, 1985; Vanderwolf, 1975)." (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 1986-13974-001.) Three experiments with 64 Long-Evans hooded rats investigated atropine-induced stereotypic trapping reported by T. Schallert et al (see record 1981-07548-001). Exps I-II showed that such trapping was disrupted by previous experience with the specific trapping task or the test context alone. Exp III showed that, in response to the test context, specific behaviors were altered in Ss that were experienced with the context. Inexperienced Ss treated with intraperitoneal atropine (60 mg/kg) moved slowly and showed a strong thigmotaxis to surfaces with the body, particularly the snout. The hindquarters did not cooperate well with the movements of the forequarters. In contrast, atropine-treated Ss familiar with the context moved with medium-speed, coordinated movements, and showed a reduced tendency for surface contact with body and snout. These reactions of drugged Ss were exaggerated forms of those of undrugged Ss to the unfamiliar and familiar context, respectively. Results indicate that stereotypic trapping develops as a consequence of an interaction between the adaptive responses of the rat to a novel environment and atropine. (37 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Extrapolation from attempted suicides to completed suicides.

Used D. Lester's (see record 1971-10261-001) methodology for analyzing data from suicide attempters to make extrapolations to completed suicides. A sample of 246 suicide attempters was divided into 3 groups on the basis of their intent to die. When 56 possible correlates of suicidal intent were examined, a number of significant monotonic differences between the groups were found, from which predictions concerning completed suicides were made. Many of the particular findings supported previous observations on suicide, but some deviations from expectations were noted. Results demonstrate that it is possible to make inferences about completed suicides from studies of attempted suicides. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

McCollough effect to "form": A local phenomenon.

S. Siegel et al (see record 1992-22207-001) recently reported a McCollough effect (ME) to "form" using a square and a tic-tac-toe grid. It is possible that the effect they reported could be the result of local adaptation to colored contours presented to different retinal areas, rather than a color aftereffect contingent on form. Three induction conditions (with the same 6 Ss) tested this hypothesis. In Condition 1, Ss fixated on the center of the pattern during testing and induction. In Condition 2, Ss fixated on a corner of the pattern during testing and in the center of the pattern during induction. The Ss fixated on the 4 corners of the pattern during induction in Condition 3. An ME was observed in Condition 1 but not in the other conditions. These results support the hypothesis that the ME to form is a product of local color and contour pairing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Span of apprehension deficits in children vulnerable to psychopathology: A failure to replicate": Comment.

Discusses the differences in task and sample characteristics that might explain why significant group differences in span of apprehension performance were found by the present 1st author and colleagues (see record 1978-05788-001) and those found by P. D. Harvey et al (see record 1985-01308-001). It is suggested that the procedure used in the latter study (Procedure A) places greater demands on sustained attention and/or orientation to the stimuli than did the former procedure (Procedure B). Procedure B (particularly on complex arrays) appears to make greater demands on those processes involved in visual search than did Procedure A. Possible differences in the characteristics of the schizophrenic parents of the high-risk children and in the characteristics of the normal control children studied in the 2 projects are also discussed. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Sex bias in psychological research: Progress or complacency?": Response.

Responds to the L. Gannon et al (see record 1992-23274-001) comments on the F. L. Denmark et al (see record 1988-34553-001) paper, "Guidelines for Avoiding Sexism in Psychological Research." The authors note that the intent of Denmark et al was to point out common examples of sex bias in psychological research and offer scientifically sound recommendations to prevent or reduce sex bias. However, the authors reaffirm the scientific need to analyze and report sex differences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Reactivity to Positive and Negative Behavior in Distressed and Nondistressed Married Couples": Correction.

Reports an error in the original article by N. S. Jacobson et al ( Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 1982[Oct], Vol 50[5], 706-714). The zs were incorrectly printed as 2s on pages 710 and 711. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1983-00931-001.) Tested the reactivity hypothesis that distressed married couples react more to recent, high-valence events (positive or negative) than their nondistressed counterparts. 21 happily married couples and 20 couples seeking marital therapy collected nightly data in the home for 2 wks, recording both the frequency of positive, negative, and neutral events and global daily satisfaction ratings. Ss also completed the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. As in past studies, and consistent with a behavioral model of marital distress, distressed couples reported lower rates of positive behavior and higher rates of negative behavior than did nondistressed. Consistent with the hypothesis, distressed spouses were more reactive to recent events than were nondistressed. Their subjective satisfaction with the relationship depended to a greater degree on the frequency of recent positive or negative events than was the case for happily married couples. Evidence is provided that these reactivity differences were not simply a function of differences in behavioral frequencies and that the process reactivity is separable--both experimentally and statistically--from the frequency of positive and negative exchanges. The relationship between reactivity and other variables of interest is examined. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"A Brief Version of the Geriatric Depression Scale for the Chinese": Correction.

Reports an error in the original article by S.-T. Cheng and A. C. M. Chan (Psychological Assessment, 2004, Vol. 16(1), pp. 182-186). An error appeared in Footnote 3 of the article. As a result of a recoding error, the diagnosis of depressive disorder not otherwise specified was mistakenly lumped together with that of major depressive disorder in reporting the diagnostic distribution. The correct distribution for the different depression-related diagnoses is published here. The conclusion that self-report depression scores did not differ across these diagnostic categories remained unchanged. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 2004-15398-008.) Elderly persons (N=310) attending outpatient psychiatric clinics were given an interview on the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (T. L. Brink et al., 1982; J. A. Yesavage et al., 1983) and received an independent psychiatric evaluation. A 3-step binary logistic regression showed that 2 items measuring positive affect and 2 others measuring negative affect combined to produce diagnostic performance comparable with the full scale. This result was cross-validated on a different sample (N=134). A hierarchical measurement model in which the 4 items tapped 2 first-order factors (positive and negative affect), which in turn tapped a higher order construct of depression, provided excellent fit to the data. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychosocial and behavioral predictors of longevity: The aging and death of the "Termites."

Impulsive, undercontrolled personalities and major family stresses are known predictors of impaired adjustment, but long-term health effects are unclear. In an archival prospective cohort design, we followed up on L. M. Terman's (Terman & M. H. Oden, 1947) sample of gifted children by collecting and coding death certificates for the half of the sample that is now dead. Statistical survival analyses were used to predict longevity and cause of death as a function of parental divorce during childhood, unstable marriage patterns in adulthood, childhood personality, adult adjustment, and possible mediating health behaviors. Psychosocial factors emerged as important risks for premature mortality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)