Irreversibility of imprinting after active versus passive exposure to the object.

64 isolated Peking ducklings were reared for 4 days with a hanging colored object (passive training). Half of the Ss also received 3 1-hr following sessions with the object (active training). Findings indicate that both groups chose the imprinting object in a simultaneous choice test administered on Day 5, but the preference of active-trained Ss was more robust than of passive-trained Ss. Each S was then reared with an object of a different color and shape. The preference for the 1st object was maintained in active-trained Ss, but not in passive-trained Ss. These results were also found when the objects were removed from the cages for 4 days. Findings suggest that preferences established during the sensitive period for imprinting can be eliminated (but not necessarily reversed) in Ss that are prevented from following the original object, but they are resistant to change in Ss given the following experience. A hypothesis is presented that emphasizes the importance of reafference and activation of brain stem pathways involved in following the formation of specific affiliative bonds. (44 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Performance effects with repeated exposure to the diving environment.

Reports 2 studies conducted in a hyperbaric chamber to test for adaptation to narcosis with repeated exposure to pressures of almost 7 atmospheres absolute (185 feet sea water gage). Results from 10 males (aged 21–48 yrs) show that performance was degraded at maximum depth relative to that at lesser depths, and performance improved at all depths with repeated exposures. These findings, and the absence of change in susceptibility to narcosis, are discussed with reference to adaptation. (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinical choice points: Behavioral versus psychoanalytic interventions.

A point–counterpoint clinical dialog between a behavioral and a psychoanalytic practitioner illustrates fundamental differences as well as shared points of emphasis. In discussing the treatment of a 32-yr-old agoraphobic woman by the 1st author, the 2nd author selects "choice points" where he would have intervened differently, while also noting commonalities. Lazarus's rejoinders and Messer's rebuttals elucidate areas of divergence and convergence by focusing on practical rather than philosophical and theoretical issues. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Task complexity as a moderator of goal effects: A meta-analysis.

Much evidence exists that supports the use of goal setting as a motivational technique for enhancing task performance; however, little attention has been given to the role of task characteristics as potential moderating conditions of goal effects. Meta-analysis procedures were used to assess the moderator effects of task complexity for goal-setting studies conducted from 1966 to 1985 (n?=?125). The reliability of the task complexity ratings was .92. Three sets of analyses were conducted: for goal-difficulty results (hard vs. easy), for goal specificity–difficulty (specific difficult goals vs. do-best or no goal), and for all studies collapsed across goal difficulty and goal specificity–difficulty. It was generally found that goal-setting effects were strongest for easy tasks (reaction time, brainstorming), d?=?.76, and weakest for more complex tasks (business game simulations, scientific and engineering work, faculty research productivity), d?=?.42. Implications for future research on goal setting and the validity of generalizing results are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Task switching versus cue switching: Using transition cuing to disentangle sequential effects in task-switching performance.

Recent methodological advances have allowed researchers to address confounds in the measurement of task-switch costs in task-switching performance by dissociating cue switching from task switching. For example, in the transition-cuing procedure, which involves presenting cues for task transitions rather than for tasks, cue transitions (cue switches and cue repetitions) and task transitions (task switches and task repetitions) can be examined in a complete factorial design. Transition cuing removes the confound between cue transitions and first-order task transitions, but it introduces a confound between cue transitions and longer task sequences. In the present study, transition cuing was studied with two cues per transition (REPEAT and AGAIN for task repetitions; SWITCH and CHANGE for task switches), enabling a partial deconfounding of cue transitions and task sequences. Two experiments revealed robust sequential effects, with higher order task transitions affecting performance when cue transitions were held constant and with cue transitions affecting performance when task sequences were held constant. Methodological and theoretical implications of these findings for research on task switching are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral and attitudinal effects of large-scale variation in the physical environment of psychiatric wards.

Conducted extensive physical remodeling of a psychiatric admissions ward to investigate the relationship between ward design and patient behavior. An identical but unchanged ward functioned as an experimental control. Groups of 25 new patients were selected for study on each ward; experimental measures included behavioral observations and individual interviews. Experimental hypotheses generally were supported. Significantly more socializing and less passivity occurred on the remodeled than on the control ward, and Ss on the remodeled ward demonstrated more positive attitudes toward the physical environment. The relation between Ss' behavior scores and their interviews demonstrated important differences between the 2 wards. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral self-handicaps versus self-reported handicaps: A conceptual note.

An examination of the literature on self-handicapping reveals that the construct has been operationalized in two different ways. Some writers have regarded self-handicapping as a behavioral strategy that would be expected to make success on a task more difficult, thereby augmenting a nonability explanation for failure. Other writers have treated self-handicapping as a verbal claim that one's performance has been handicapped by factors beyond one's control. These two uses of the term are discussed, and recommendations are made regarding ways of resolving the conceptual confusion resulting from using a single term to refer to both phenomena. (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Heredity versus environment: An integrative analysis.

C. S. Jencks's (1972) method of analysis of the heredity–environment data is presented, but with the important modification that cognizance is taken of the principle of genetic variation with age, that is, that the genotypic value (G) varies with age. As a result of this modification and a more critical examination of the IQ data, a solution is obtained that agrees with Jencks's figure for covariance, but supports C. Burt and M. Howard's (1956) and A. R. Jensen's (see record 1969-09740-001) emphasis on heredity in that it assigns 75% of the remaining variance to heredity and only 25% to environment. The present study can be regarded as integrative in that (a) it eliminates most of the discrepancies in the field and (b) it uses Jencks's approach, albeit modified, to produce what is essentially Burt's result. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral effects of ionizing radiations.

The effects of high-energy radiation on pre- and neonatal development, the adult nervous system, learning and performance, and sensory functions are described. Though the number of available studies are few, there is evidence to suggest that: (1) the adult nervous system is relatively radioresistant; (2) learning functions are relatively unaffected by lethal or sublethal dosages of radiation; (3) hearing acuity and thresholds to dark adaptation increase as a result of radiation; and (4) the fetal nervous system is relatively radiosensitive. There is a need for more studies assessing the behavioral effects of radiation. 70-item bibliography. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral effects of methylazoxymethanol-induced micrencephaly.

This study was prompted by reports of functionally normal humans with micrencephaly or cortical hypoplasia. Methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) treatment, which induces micrencephaly in rats, was administered by injection (20 mg/kg) on Gestational Day 14. Prior to weaning and into adulthood, offspring were assessed on many behavioral tests. There were 3 findings. First, MAM rats (forebrain weight less than two-thirds of controls) were not profoundly hyperactive. Increased activity was seen only on prolonged tests or after amphetamine administration. Second, MAM rats were hypoactive in some conditions. These rats were light shy and less likely to explore lighted areas. MAM rats appeared hyperreactive to environmental stimuli, but not hyperactive. Finally, no MAM effect on behavior was as large as that on brain weight. Thus, as with clinical findings, rat micrencephalics are more remarkable for functional sparing than for behavioral abnormalities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral expectation scales versus summated scales: A fairer comparison.

Compared the psychometric qualities of ratings from behavioral expectation scales (BES) to the qualities of ratings from 2 types of summated scales. 154 university students each rated 1 of 15 instructors using the 3 scales. The 1st set of summated scales was comprised of components of the dimension definitions generated in the BES procedure, and the 2nd set of scales was comprised of the behavioral expectation items that had survived all phases of the BES procedure. No significant differences were found between the 3 formats on interrater reliability, leniency error, halo effect, or discrimination across ratees. Results are discussed in terms of the general improvement of BES psychometric properties and the need for more research on behavioral and organizational effects of BES. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral effects of price changes in a token economy.

A total of 33 male psychiatric patients who participated in a token system were exposed to changes in the token price of available commodities in 2 experiments. In Exp I the price of cigarettes was first raised, then lowered. As predicted, consumption of cigarettes decreased during price increases and increased during price decreases. Contrary to expectations, Ss did not consume less of other commodities or increase their earnings in order to purchase cigarettes at the higher prices. In Exp II, which again raised and lowered the price of cigarettes, evidence was found for the notion that the proportional price change rather than the absolute price change governed cigarette consumption behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral and neurobiological effects of estrogen replacement therapy and a history of triphasic oral contraceptive exposure

The effects of contraceptive steroids and estrogen replacement therapy on behavior and neuroendocrine function were evaluated in adult female cynomolgus monkeys. During the 'premenopausal' phase of the experiment, the animals were assigned to either treatment with a triphasic oral contraceptive (OC) for 24 months or the untreated control group. The monkeys were then ovariectomized and half of each of the premenopausal groups were randomly assigned to either treatment with conjugated equine estrogens (ERT) or the untreated control group for 12 months (the 'postmenopausal' phase). All evaluations were completed during the postmenopausal phase of the experiment. Both types of exogenous steroid treatments appeared to increase cardiovascular and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal responses to stress in socially dominant but not socially subordinate females. A history of triphasic OC administration increased contact aggression received, and reduced the prolactin response to fenfluramine, suggesting reduced serotonergic activity, for at least a year following the cessation of triphasic OC treatment.     

Behavioral determinants of occupational exposure to chemical agents.

Used the passive-active dimension of the job demand–control model (T. Theorell and R. A. Karasek, see record 83:28881) to examine the impact of behavioral factors on the exposure to and actual uptake of airborne lead in 2 lead exposed populations of male workers (18 from an electric accumulator factors and 18 from a lead smeltery) and to ascertain work-related determinants of hygienic behavior. Environmental exposure was assessed by measurement of the concentration of lead dust in ambient air at the workplace, and the intake of lead was assessed by measurement of the lead in blood level. In the work environment of Ss in active jobs, lower concentrations of lead in air were measures, but higher levels of lead in blood were observed in these workers. The opposite was true of workers in passive jobs. Differences in hygienic behavior (e.g., use of protective equipment) at work may explain these results. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Discounting future green: Money versus the environment.

In 3 studies, participants made choices between hypothetical financial, environmental, and health gains and losses that took effect either immediately or with a delay of 1 or 10 years. In all 3 domains, choices indicated that gains were discounted more than losses. There were no significant differences in the discounting of monetary and environmental outcomes, but health gains were discounted more and health losses were discounted less than gains or losses in the other 2 domains. Correlations between implicit discount rates for these different choices suggest that discount rates are influenced more by the valence of outcomes (gains vs. losses) than by domain (money, environment, or health). Overall, results indicate that when controlling as many factors as possible, at short to medium delays, environmental outcomes are discounted in a similar way to financial outcomes, which is good news for researchers and policy makers alike. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Treating phobic children: Effects of EMDR versus exposure.

This study examined the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and exposure in the treatment of a specific phobia. Twenty-six spider phobic children were treated during 2 treatment phases. During the first phase, which lasted 2.5 hr, children were randomly assigned to either (a) an EMDR group (n?=?9), (b) an exposure in vivo group (n?=?9), or (c) a computerized exposure (control) group (n?=?8). During the 2nd phase, all groups received a 1.5-hr session of exposure in vivo. Therapy outcome measures (i.e., self-reported fear and behavioral avoidance) were obtained before treatment, after Treatment Phase 1, and after Treatment Phase 2. Results showed that the 2.5-hr exposure in vivo session produced significant improvement on all outcome measures. In contrast, EMDR yielded a significant improvement on only self-reported spider fear. Computerized exposure produced nonsignificant improvement. Furthermore, no evidence was found to suggest that EMDR potentiates the efficacy of a subsequent exposure in vivo treatment. Exposure in vivo remains the treatment of choice for childhood spider phobia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of behavioral problem analysis versus instructional environment information on teachers' perceptions.

Compared 2 types of problem analysis information for their effects on 48 regular education teachers' problem attributions, ratings of acceptability, and preferences for intervention alternatives. Ss were given problem analysis vignettes containing either behavioral or instructional environment information after watching a videotape of a 2nd-grade girl exhibiting classroom behavior problems. Instructional environment information led to more problem attributions involving conditions in the classroom. Behavioral information led to more problem attributions concerning student characteristics and behavior and remote contextual variables. Ss in both informational conditions preferred instructional modification as a means of responding to the student's problems. Ratings of the intervention categories correlated significantly with Ss' problem attributions, perceptions of problem severity, and perceived likelihood for resolution in the classroom. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral effects of ionizing radiations: 1955-61.

A review of the rapidly increasing literature. The conclusions included: (a) Mammals irradiated pre- or neonatally show relatively permanent deficits in several behavioral domains, such as learning, motor functions, mating, etc. (b) Some investigators report that even small doses affect neural functions and consequently CR acquisition while other find no effects even with large doses. (c) Radiation, however, may be an UCS in avoidance conditioning. Also, several motivational variables are affected. (d) Except for vision where the results are equivocal the data on sensory functions are scant. (e) There is little evidence for long-term human changes. (f) It is emphasized that radiation may be a potentially useful tool in several areas. (195 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of the family environment: Gene-environment interaction and passive gene-environment correlation.

The classical twin study provides a useful resource for testing hypotheses about how the family environment influences children's development, including how genes can influence sensitivity to environmental effects. However, existing statistical models do not account for the possibility that children can inherit exposure to family environments (i.e., passive gene-environment correlation). The authors introduce a method to simultaneously estimate the effects of passive gene- environment correlation and gene- environment interaction and use it to investigate the relationship between chaos in the home and verbal ability in a large sample of 4-year-old twins. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Altering misperception of sleep in insomnia: Behavioral experiment versus verbal feedback.

Forty-eight individuals with insomnia were asked to wear an actigraph and keep a sleep diary for 2 nights. On the following day, half were shown the discrepancy between the data recorded on the actigraph and their sleep diary via a behavioral experiment, whereas the other half were told of the discrepancy verbally. Participants were then asked to monitor their sleep for 2 further nights to index the effect of these interventions. Although both reduced sleep misperception, the behavioral experiment (effect size: 0.79 to 1.25) led to greater reduction in self-reported sleep impairment, insomnia symptoms, and sleep-related anxiety and distress compared with verbal feedback (effect size: -0.06 to 0.31). Further, the patients regarded the behavioral experiment as a more beneficial and acceptable intervention strategy than verbal feedback. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)