Prenatal gonadal hormones and sex differences in human behavior.

Summarizes the literature on perinatal hormone influences in infrahuman mammals, reviews in detail studies on perinatal hormone influences on human behavior, and summarizes methodological procedures that have been used to compensate for problems inherent in research on clinical populations. Several studies provide evidence suggesting that some sex differences in human behavior may be related to prenatal hormone levels. In light of methodological advances and the growing number of studies in this area, it may soon be possible to define human hormone–behavior relations in sufficient detail to allow strong links to research on perinatal hormone effects in other species. Given recent identification of neural sex differences that may underlie behavioral sex differences in infrahuman mammals, such links could lead to greater understanding of the neural basis of sexually dimorphic behaviors in humans. (4 p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sexual behavior and nonsexual deviance: A sibling study of their relationship.

Analyzed the correlation of nonsexual deviance and physical, sexual behavior using a sibling design. Hypothesized that both types of behavior are partly determined by a latent trait of deviance proneness, d. In two separate studies—one based on an Oklahoma dataset of college students and their siblings, and the other, on the Adolescent Sexuality Project ({adsex}) dataset of high-school students and their siblings in Tallahassee, Florida—found a strong relationship between relatively early sexual intimacy and nonsexual forms of deviance. Siblings were more alike than chance in deviance and in physical sexual behavior. Most critical for the model, there was also an association between one sibling's sexual intimacy with a partner and the other's deviance. Using {lisrel}, tested the latent-trait model statistically and accepted it as consistent with the obtained correlations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of gonadal hormones and sexual behavior on ultrasonic vocalization in rats: II. Treatment of males.

Male Long-Evans rats were tested with estrous female rats in a divided cage to determine whether ultrasonic vocalizing varies as a function of recent sexual behavior or hormonal condition. In Exp I, when males were tested after 3 intromissions, a short latency to vocalization and a high rate of 50-kHz pulses occurred. 40% of the males changed their vocalization to 22-kHz pulses. With sexually fatigued males, long vocalization latencies and low vocalization rates were observed, and no males shifted to 22 kHz. Rates were intermediate with control males. In Exp II, a decline in vocalization rate occurred following castration of male rats compared with sham-operated controls. In both experiments the male nosed the screen divider during high-rate ultrasound production, maximizing contact with the female. Darting by females appeared only when ultrasonic pulse rates were high. The abrupt shift from 50- to 22-kHz vocalizing was characteristic of males with short intromission latencies. Data suggest that gradation of vocalization is correlated with the sexual readiness of the male and that vocalization may facilitate female darting behavior. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of gonadal hormones and sexual behavior on ultrasonic vocalization in rats: I. Treatment of females.

Ultrasonic vocalizations were measured when male Long-Evans rats were placed with ovariectomized females that had experienced various hormonal and behavioral treatment. In Exp I, 18 males were tested with females in each of the following conditions: nonestrous (OVX), estrogen treated (E), estrogen and progesterone treated (EP), and estrogen and progesterone treated and given 2 intromissions from a stud male prior to testing (EPI). Control conditions included clean cage (CL) and cage soiled by an estrous female (SOI). The treatments differed in effect on rate and maintenance of vocalization, in the order of greatest to least: EP, E, EPI, and OVX (equal), SOI, and CL. In tests in which males produced a high rate of vocalization, some males with short intromission latencies shifted from the normal 50-kHz pulse to a 22-kHz pulse. In Exp II, the effect of the female's vocalization and movement on the rate of and latency to vocalization was measured. 21 males were presented with each of the following stimulus conditions: estrous female with red light (EP), estrous female without red light (EP dark), estrous anesthetized female (EP anes), and nonestrous anesthetized female (OVX anes). Effects on vocalization of various treatments were in descending order: EP and EP-dark (equal), EP anes, and OVX anes. Data suggest that the 50-kHz vocalizations constitute a graded response influenced by the female's hormonal and sexual condition. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Generation of random sequences by human subjects: A critical survey of literature.

Notes that the subjective concept of randomness is used in many areas of psychological research to explain a variety of experimental results. 1 method of studying randomness is to have ss generate random series. Few results of experiments using this method, however, lend themselves to comparison and synthesis because investigators employ such a variety of experimental conditions and definitions of mathematical randomness. (24 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multidimensional assessment of coping: A critical evaluation.

Several existing self-report measures of coping and the relevant research using these instruments are reviewed. Many of these coping measures suffer from a variety of psychometric weaknesses. A self-report instrument, the Multidimensional Coping Inventory (MCI), was constructed that identifies 3 types of coping styles: task-oriented, emotion-oriented, and avoidance-oriented coping. Support for the multidimensional nature of the MCI is presented, along with support for the reliability of the MCI coping scales. Two studies are presented that assessed the validity of the MCI. The 1st study assessed the construct validity of the MCI by comparing it with the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. The 2nd study also assessed the criterion validity of the MCI by comparing it with measures of depression, anxiety, Type A behavior, neuroticism, and extraversion. Overall, the results suggest that the MCI is a valid and highly reliable multidimensional measure of coping styles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Smoking following myocardial infarction: A critical review of the literature.

Reviews studies on the effects of quitting smoking following acute myocardial infarction (MI). Topics discussed include definitions of abstinence used in the literature, reliance on patient self-reports, and personality and environment variables. Findings indicate that a significant number of MI patients quit smoking without receiving formal training and that those who quit suffer less subsequent mortality from coronary heart disease. It is argued that studies have overestimated cessation rates and underestimated negative effects of continued smoking due to their methodology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Pupil size and affect: A critical review of the literature since 1960.

An attempt is made to review all of the relevant research since 1960 on the relationship between pupil size and positive and negative affect It is judged that Hess' (1965) notion of dilation to pleasant stimuli and constriction to unpleasant stimuli is not substantially supported in the literature. The most consistent finding relates greater dilation to increases in the intensity of stimulation, whether positive or negative; that is, pupillary activity is linearly related to the intensity continuum of affective stimulation, but curvilinearly related to the valence (positive-negative) continuum. The suggestion is made that results of studies using visual stimuli may be artifactual due to contrast effects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nonromantic, nonsexual posttherapy relationships between psychologists and former clients: An exploratory study of critical incidents.

The authors asked 320 psychologists to participate in a nonrandom, exploratory study by providing incidents of nonromantic, nonsexual relationships with former clients. In addition, these psychologists were asked to discuss whether they saw these relationships as ethically problematic. A total of 91 useable incidents (from a final sample size of 63 respondents) were sorted into eight relationships categories. The results of this study highlight several issues: (a) Psychologists are dealing with a variety of nonromantic, nonsexual relationships with former clients, (b) there is little consensus about the ethicality of these contracts, and (c) future revisions of the Ethics Code (American Psychological Association, 1992) may need to consider nonsexual and nonromantic relationships with former clients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of perinatal gonadal secretions on parameters of receptivity and weight gain in hamsters.

Examined the influence of ovarian and testicular secretions on lordosis in 64 female golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) ovariectomized when 1 or 43 days old and in 80 males castrated when 1, 3, 5, or 43 days old. The 1st of 8 weekly 10-min mating tests was initiated at 57 or 113 days. Receptivity was not different among female groups except for higher initial scores for those with ovaries through puberty. Initial and maximum receptivity in males was inversely proportional to castration age. Rate of decrease from maximum appeared higher in males castrated at Days 3 and 5 than at Day 1. Age of initial test was significant for males; older Ss had lower initial and maximum receptivity scores. Gonadal secretions decreased weights in both sexes. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A critical assessment of the efficacy of women's groups.

Critiques L. S. Walker's (see record 1982-20866-001) review of the literature on women's psychotherapy groups and asserts that research has not yet offered sufficient data to conclude that women's groups are different in any way other than their all-female compositions and stated philosophy. Walker's findings of the differences between women's groups and other groups are discussed in terms of 4 areas: structure and goals, leadership, communication issues and patterns, and group development. Other literature on women's groups is considered, focusing on groups with special populations and investigations of the uniqueness of women's groups. Findings indicate that, while the structure and goals of women's groups appear to be unique, conclusions about how women's groups differ from mixed-sex groups in terms of process and outcome cannot be drawn. It is concluded that researchers concerned with women's groups need to move from a currently well-developed theoretical base to empirical validation regarding the efficacy of women's groups. (35 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Face scales for the assessment of pediatric pain: A critical review.

Reviews self-report instruments in current pediatric pain research noting their limitations and advantages. Early instruments are examined and face scales in current use discussed. Specifically, the work of J. E. Beyer (1984); L. Kuttner and T. LePage (1983); and P. A. McGrath et al (1985) was highlighted as indicative of the trend toward more reliable and valid instruments that also have psychometric sophistication. The trend toward face scales with more complex stimuli and possessing greater empathic value is noted. Suggestions are offered toward resolving research problems across developmental ages by the creation of different instruments for different ages. Areas for future research are discussed and the role of face scales in the further development of pain research in children is underlined. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender and aggressive behavior: A meta-analytic review of the social psychological literature.

Reviewed sex differences in aggressive behavior, using 63 studies (appended) reported in the social psychological literature, and found that although men were somewhat more aggressive than women on the average, sex differences were inconsistent across studies. The magnitude of the sex differences was significantly related to various attributes of the studies. In particular, the tendency for men to aggress more than women was more pronounced for aggression that produced pain or physical injury than for aggression that produced psychological or social harm. In addition, sex differences in aggressive behavior were larger to the extent that women, more than men, perceived that enacting a behavior would produce harm to the target, guilt and anxiety in oneself, as well as danger to oneself. It is suggested that aggression sex differences are a function of perceived consequences of aggression that are learned as aspects of gender roles and other social roles. (96 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender and helping behavior: A meta-analytic review of the social psychological literature.

Contends, on the basis of posited social-role theory of gender and helping, that the male gender role fosters helping that is heroic and chivalrous, whereas the female gender role fosters helping that is nurturant and caring. In social psychological studies, helping behavior has mainly been examined in the context of short-term encounters with strangers. This focus has tended to exclude from the research literature those helping behaviors prescribed by the female gender role, because they are displayed primarily in long-term, close relationships. In contrast, the helping behaviors prescribed by the male gender role have been generously represented in research findings because they are displayed in relationships with strangers as well as in close relationships. Results from a meta-analytic review of sex differences in 172 studies (appended) in helping behavior indicate that in general men helped more than women and women received more help than men. Nevertheless, sex differences in helping were inconsistent across studies and were successfully predicted by various attributes of the studies and the helping behaviors. (96 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-schematic representation of the Type A and B behavior patterns.

Two studies with 68 undergraduates who were identified as Type A (coronary prone) or Type B (noncoronary prone), based on their scores on the Jenkins Activity Survey—Form T, investigated the existence of Type A and Type B self-schemata, using 2 tasks designed to measure the influence of these hypothetical structures on speed of processing and memory interference. During an initial task, Type A's and B's made self-relevant decisions (like me, not like me) in response to trait adjectives previously scaled as Type A, Type B, or neutral in content. Reactions times (RTs) for the decisions were measured. Results indicate that both Type A's and B's made faster decisions for schema-compatible responses than for schema-incompatible responses. On a 2nd task, Type A's and B's were tested for recognition memory after they attempted to memorize half of the aforementioned trait list. Memory errors were examined and showed that Type A's and B's made more errors that were compatible with their respective self-schemata. Overall findings indicate that a Type A and Type B distinction forms a reliable organizing framework for the self-definitions of Type A's and B's. The existence of stable cognitive structures that parallel the behavioral differences between Type A's and B's has implications for both theory and application, such as the importance of examining how Type A and Type B self-schemata influence judgments of others in the achievement and performance domains. (57 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Projective assessment of object relations: A review of the empirical literature.

This article reviews the empirical literature on the projective assessment of object relations. Most of the significant research is reviewed, with reliability and validity issues critiqued for each instrument or approach. General comments on the state of assessing object relations phenomena are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role conflict and role ambiguity: A critical assessment of construct validity.

This article appraises the construct validity of role conflict and role ambiguity in organizational psychology research by tracing the process of validation from initial theory introduction to the present. Although the theoretical bases for the constructs were relatively well explicated, some conceptual shortcomings have carried over into empirical work. There are problems with the content validity of measures, a lack of convergent and discriminant evidence, and inattention to the full nomological network of hypothesized relationships. Recommendations for future role-conflict and role-ambiguity research are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A curriculum for the teaching of behavior assessment.

Describes a curriculum for the teaching of behavior assessment to graduate students of clinical psychology in which an attempt was made to integrate, within the single-S research strategy, both experimental psychopathology and the observational methods employed in behavior modification. Various psychological assessment issues are discussed in the context of the organization of the required readings for the course. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perineal dermatitis in the elderly. A critical review of the literature

The review of literature revealed a significant lack of research on the pathogenesis of perineal dermatitis in the elderly. The majority of what is known about this condition stems from the pediatric population. The differences between TEWL and skin surface pH levels in pediatric and geriatric skin raises questions about the further generalizability of the pediatric studies. There appears to be some controversy in the literature regarding whether baseline TEWL is increased or decreased in cutaneous aging. The literature did reveal some data indicating that skin surface pH increases with age; however, no data on the perineum was found. No studies examining the role of TEWL and skin surface pH and its association in the development of perineal dermatitis in the elderly were found. Additionally, no studies were found that examine the nursing variables identified in the literature search. The paucity of scientific data on this serious and costly condition warrants additional research in this area.