A further look at tricuspid annuloplasty

Is it necessary to replace the tricuspid valve or insert a tricuspid ring for pure tricuspid insufficiency, or is repair satisfactory? In 96 of 113 patients with pure tricuspid insufficiency the tricuspid valve was repaired by converting the incompetent three-leaflet valve into a two-leaflet one. To avoid liver damage in these critically ill patients, the inferior caval tie was omitted during the open-heart procedure. There have been 5 deaths in the last 51 consecutive operations. Three patients developed recurrent tricuspid insufficiency secondary to failure of the mitral repair or replacement. It is concluded that tricuspid repair for pure tricuspid insufficiency is a simple and excellent method for treating severe, pure tricuspid insufficiency.     

A further look at the "language-as-fixed-effect fallacy".

The proper analysis of experiments using language materials has been a source of controversy and debate among researchers. We summarize the main issues and discuss the solutions that have been presented. Even though the major issues have been dealt with extensively in the literature, there still exists quite a bit of confusion about how to analyze the data from such experiments. We discuss a number of the most frequently voiced objections. In particular, we discuss the issue of what happens if in a counterbalanced design only some of the items show the treatment effect. Finally, a possible solution is discussed for the case where only partial matching of items between conditions is possible. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social self-esteem: A further look.

Investigated a possible ordering effect of the social self-esteem instrument developed by R. Ziller, J. Hagey, M. Smith, and B. Long (see pa, vol. 43:11315). The student form of the measure was administered to 50 6th and 52 10th graders. An alternative form identical in all respects except that the significant persons were presented in reversed order was administered to an equivalent group of 110 ss. Analysis of intraarray differences between means for each significant person on the 2 forms indicated that presentation order of the significant persons did affect the ultimate assignment of significant persons to circles. Other limitations of the instrument are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Right, but for the wrong reasons.

Comments on M. Domjan and J. E. Purdy's (see record 1995-45383-001) study of the representation of animal experimentation in 8 leading introductory psychology textbooks. While the author objects to the reasoning pursued by Domjan and Purdy, he agrees that there are strong grounds to suggest that animal research should enjoy a far higher profile in introductory psychology textbooks. There should be more discussion of animals in textbooks, but only when relevant to the pedagogical goals of such texts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitive cognitive dissonanace revisited: A further look at the dissonance self-perception controversy.

A. Arrowood, L. Wood and L. Ross (see record 1971-00611-001) found O-Ss unable to reproduce the beliefs of target persons in an anticipatory effort-justification paradigm. 2 experiments test the possibility that this finding is the result of an inappropriate instruction set and an experimental situation which gave Os indirect access to internal cues of the target persons. 177 undergraduates served as Ss. Using the Arrowood et al. instructions, O-Ss in Exp. I failed to reproduce targets' beliefs. When slightly altered instructions were employed, another group of O-Ss successfully reproduced targets' beliefs. In Exp. II, Os were given altered instructions but not allowed to participate as Ss in the experimental situation. These noninvolved Os failed to reproduce the beliefs of target persons. Implications of these procedural artifacts are discussed regarding the Arrowood et al. study and to simulations in general. (French summary) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A new look at psychological testing: Psychological testing from the standpoint of a behaviorist: Reply.

Suggests that J. Greenspoon and C. D. Gersten's (see record 1968-00067-001) critique of psychological testing emphasizes a behavioral perspective without regard to relevant realities. The communication of test results and their implications to allied hospital personnel, the behavioral vs psychodynamic orientation of practitioners, and the relation of test behaviors to extra-test situations are addressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A second look at psychotherapy integration.

Psychotherapy integration has been a formal approach since 1983 when the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (SEPI) was first formed. Initial concerns included defining the E in SEPI and understanding the relationship among theory, technique, and experience. More recent concerns have included the categorization of approaches to psychotherapy integration, the role of the client, and the relationship of psychotherapy integration to evidence-based practice. The E represents a continuing commitment to exploration, but the categories of integration have become fuzzy. Evidence-based practice is a central concern, but evidence must be defined broadly and the role of the client and of the relationship must be emphasized. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A look at today's behavior therapists.

Studied questionnaire responses of 45 members of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy in order to develop a profile of characteristics and practices of behavior therapists. Findings indicate that behavior therapists are apparently becoming more flexible in their attitudes and practices and more eclectic. Most Ss have not had personal therapy, use a variety of behavioral techniques, and treat a wide range of adjustment disorders and a diverse set of clients. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A closer look at Galbraith's "closer look."

Responds to comments by R. C. Galbraith (see record 1982-11821-001) on the mathematical properties and empirical basis of R. B. Zajonc and G. B. Markus's (see record 1975-09290-001) confluence model of sibling spacing and intellectual development. The present authors contest Galbraith's critique of the model's internal consistency and predictive validity, and state that if Galbraith's data on Mormon college students are analyzed properly, they may shed light on within- and between-families factors affecting intellectual development. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A new look at British graduate students.

Discusses findings of a survey of British graduate students in psychology conducted in late 1972 and 1973. Responses were obtained from 34 of the 89 British departments offering advanced courses or supervision for research leading to the PhD in psychology or one of its subspecialties. The total enrollment of all postbaccalaureate students in psychology was 1,112, but only 277 of these were in PhD programs; the number is almost 8 times higher in the US. UK postgraduate training in psychology seems to be conducted on a much smaller scale than in the US, the students enter doctoral training at an earlier age than American students, and females and non-White minority students are well represented in UK doctoral training programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A new look at vigilance and defense.

2 hypotheses were tested: (a) "Threatening tachistocopic stimuli are recognized at thresholds both higher and lower than thresholds for matched control words. The extent of deviation is related to degree of anxiety induced by the threat"; and (b) "When the associated anxiety is removed, then threshold deviations diminish. The degree of reduction is related to the decrease in anxiety." 22 adults of mixed sexes served as Ss. 2 matched lists of words were presented in an anagram-solving exercise. One list was constructed to produce failure. When all words were presented tachistoscopically for a second time, it was found that anxiety aroused by the failure correlated significantly with the absolute difference between recognition thresholds for failure and control words. This relationship persisted even after the artificial nature of the anxiety had been explained. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A closer look at confounding

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Confounding is one of the most common and important biases in primary care research. This article explains the genesis and effects of two common misconceptions of confounding: 1) Confounding can be assessed with a statistical test. 2) All covariates should be included in a multivariate model to control confounding. Assessment of confounding by testing the statistical significance of baseline differences or the significance of a potential confounding factor in a multivariate model can produce underestimates or overestimates of the true association between an exposure and an outcome. Inclusion of all covariates in a multivariate model may lead to controlling for variables that are not, in fact, confounders. This may produce underestimates or overestimates of the effect in question, as well as artificially widened confidence intervals. Both of these misconceptions can lead to profound misinterpretation of research results. To prevent problems resulting from these misunderstandings, researchers should consider drawing causal models prior to conducting the research and use the change-in-estimate criterion, rather than a statistical test, to detect confounding.     

Therapeutic death: A look at Oregon's law.

Oregon voters approved the first American statute authorizing physician-assisted suicide, the Oregon Death With Dignity Act, in 1994. The authors of this article identify some positive and negative psychological effects of laws such as Oregon's on patients. Generally, they conclude, on the basis of psychological theory and the available data, that laws such as Oregon's benefit patients psychologically. Undoubtedly, however, there exist important possible antitherapeutic effects on patients, and the authors hope that discussion of both therapeutic and antitherapeutic consequences will stimulate future research by social scientists in this area. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)