Simultaneous and successive processing and narrative speech.

To assess the relationships between simultaneous and successive processing and narrative speech, 60 3rd graders were administered measures of story recall and marker tests for simultaneous and successive processing. Two indices of complexity of syntactical organization loaded on the successive factor, while speed of speech output loaded on the simultaneous factor. The relationship between successive processing and syntactical complexity is consistent with predictions derived from A. R. Luria's (1966, 1973) psychological findings. The relationship between speed of speech output and simultaneous processing suggests that fluent story recall may be dependent upon the formation of a unifying gestalt embodying the relationships between different parts of the story. (French summary) (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An attempt at validation of The Empathy Test.

Seventy-two college students who took The Empathy Test were organized into 12 6-man leaderless discussion groups, and after interaction each rated the others and predicted the group average. The correlation between the ratings and the test scores was not significantly different from zero. "This attempt at validating The Empathy Test was not successful." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Simultaneous and successive processes, language and mental abilities.

Recent research on simultaneous and successive processing is reviewed as these processes relate to certain linguistic functions and mental abilities. In comprehending ambiguous sentences, successive processing appears to be involved in surface structure and underlying structure ambiguities, whereas simultaneous processing is related to lexical ambiguity. Successive processing is also involved in the syntactic organization of expressive speech. Several studies reported here suggest that in reading, successive processing is important for the development of elementary decoding skills, whereas simultaneous processing is related to the development of advanced levels of comprehensive skills. In terms of abilities, simultaneous processing was significantly related to spatial ability, inductive reasoning, and associative memory, while successive processing was significantly related to associative memory. (French summary) (42 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Simultaneous temporal processing.

Seven studies assessed the ability of 36 male albino Norway rats to process temporal information from 2 internal clocks simultaneously and independently. In the 1st 6 experiments, a light stimulus signaled an overall interval (OI) between the beginning of a trial and the availability of food reinforcement; a sound stimulus was used to signal shorter intervals that divided the OIs into equal segments. When there was a fixed temporal relation between the final segment signal and the availability of reinforcement, there was a double-scallop pattern of responding throughout the segmented OI; the function relating response rate (FRRR) to time during the segment intervals was similar to the FRRR to time in unsegmented OIs; a change in response rate occurred at the time that a normally presented segment signal was omitted. Results show that Ss timed the OI and the segment intervals simultaneously and independently without interference. In Exp VII, a light stimulus was used on some trials and a sound stimulus was used on others to signal a discrete-trial 50-sec peak procedure. When these 2 signals were presented in compound, there was a leftward shift of the response function that suggested that Ss timed both signals simultaneously. (81 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Varieties of simultaneous and successive processing in children.

Studied the patterns of cognitive abilities of Grade 1 and Grade 4 children. A battery of tasks including those indicative of simultaneous and successive processing was administered to 60 boys in each grade; their IQs were in the dull normal range. Test scores of each grade were submitted to a principal component analysis that yielded 3 common factors: Simultaneous, Successive, and Speed. Some disparities between the 2 grades were noted. A battery of 10 tests was obtained for measuring the 3 abilities. Reading achievement was orthogonal to other factors. Results indicate that simultaneous and successive processing and the speed of processing are viable individual difference variables. Their implications in terms of Aptitude * Treatment interaction are considered. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of auditory deprivation on successive processing.

Reviews the literature on sequential memory in hearing impaired Ss, focusing on successivity and successive processing using the model of cognitive processing proposed by J. Das et al (1979, see also PA, Vol 53:8767). Results suggest that the syntactic processing of English is so difficult for deaf students because, while deaf individuals are able to use successive processing, the processing of linguistic information may be different in deaf children and adults than in the hearing. The spatial bias of deaf individuals seems to result in a decreased emphasis on temporal ordering. Implications for the development of speech and reading English by prelingual profoundly deaf students are discussed. (French abstract) (65 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prison inmate characteristics and suicide attempt lethality: An exploratory study.

Working with suicidal inmates is among the most demanding elements of clinical practice in corrections, yet few studies regarding the characteristics of prison inmate suicide attempters or their attempts exist. This represents a significant gap as the method of attempt, the prison context, and the resulting lethality of these incidents may be different from attempts made outside of prison. This exploratory study is the first to apply a continuous scale rating of suicide attempt lethality to incidents where an inmate survived a suicide attempt. It describes the attempt incident dynamics and resulting range of lethality scores found within the study sample. It also examines the inmate adjustment and mental health characteristics that were associated with the lethality rating. Preliminary findings suggest that increases in suicide attempt lethality are associated with the presence of Axis II disorders, favorable staff interactions, and the decreased use of drugs other than marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, or depressants. A call for research to extend this exploration through replication is made and recommendations for clinical practice are considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recidivism and self-cure of smoking and obesity: An attempt to replicate.

Conducted a partial replication of S. Schachter's (see record 1982-30809-001) findings on obesity and smoking, particularly that smoking and being overweight may be self-cured in many individuals. Interviews were conducted with 92 22–80 yr old faculty members, graduate students, and support staff of a university psychology department. Results generally support Schachter's data. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conservation of resources: A new attempt at conceptualizing stress.

Major perspectives concerning stress are presented with the goal of clarifying the nature of what has proved to be a heuristic but vague construct. Current conceptualizations of stress are challenged as being too phenomenological and ambiguous, and consequently, not given to direct empirical testing. Indeed, it is argued that researchers have tended to avoid the problem of defining stress, choosing to study stress without reference to a clear framework. A new stress model called the model of conservation of resources is presented as an alternative. This resource-oriented model is based on the supposition that people strive to retain, protect, and build resources and that what is threatening to them is the potential or actual loss of these valued resources. Implications of the model of conservation of resources for new research directions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social desirability in children: An extension and replication.

Administered a children's social desirability scale (CSD) to 1008 children 7-14 yr. old. Ss' camp counselors also rated each S on friendliness, leadership, social awareness, and seeking adult and peer approval. Results supported the V.C. Crandall, V. G. Crandall, and K. Katkovsky (see 39:3) finding with respect to age and sex. Age 11 was noted to be critical because the CSD score appears to stabilize at that age which suggests that adult approval motivations correlate in Ss as young as 11. Contrary to predictions CSD was not related to the counselor's perception of Ss. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reading and language processing: An introduction.

Introduces this special issue of the Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, which is devoted to reading and language processing, an area that has been central to the study of human cognition since the inception of modern cognitive psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Texturing and polishing. The final attempt at value control

This article reviews methods for developing surface texture and controlling the luster of ceramic restorations. The authors discuss the characteristics of embryology and age, and profile characteristics of teeth that are vital in creating natural, anatomic restorations. A technique is proposed to enhance the scattering of light and the amount of luster desired in the restoration. The authors recommend hand polishing over autoglazing as a more efficient way to obtain the desired luster. The combination of developing the proper texture and luster is important for the overall value of the restoration.     

The farmer and the cowman should be friends: An attempt at reconciliation with Batson, Coke, and Pych.

R. L. Archer et al (see record 1982-05783-001) suggested that high dispositional empathy and socially evaluative circumstances be added to the 2-stage model of empathically-mediated helping of J. S. Coke et al (see record 1980-00984-001). C. D. Batson et al (1983) responded with 2 lines of argument against this. To the 1st of their arguments, that the original model will apply to Ss low as well as high in dispositional empathy, the present author replies that both hypotheses (theirs and his) await an adequate test. To the 2nd, that the success of the model in experimental contexts lacking in social evaluation is well-demonstrated, the author replies that those experimental paradigms may also have socially evaluative aspects. A reconciliation based on shared beliefs that the 2-stage model has potential and deserves more investigation is also explored. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Identification of multiple sclerosis using double discrimination scales derived from the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery: An attempt at cross-validation.

Administered the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery to 3 groups of matched Ss: 14 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients (mean age 35 yrs), 14 normals, and 14 brain-damaged (BD) Ss. The 76 items comprising the double-discrimination scales were derived from all Ss, and statistical comparisons were performed. Neither of the 2 scales were effective in discriminating MS from BD Ss, and no MS S was correctly diagnosed by either scale. Failure to cross-validate the scales is discussed in terms of the differences between the C. J. Golden's (1979) and the present sample. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perceived numerosity: An information processing analysis.

Presented 3 university students with matrices of from 1 to 16 dots and asked them to count the dots they could see. In Condition 1 a visual noise pattern followed the display of dots by one of several intervals in order to control the time available to process them. In Condition 2 no mask was used, but the exposure duration was varied. In the processing time condition, dots were counted at a rate of 4 msec/dot when less than 6 dots were presented, and at a rate of 60 msec/dot for all dots in excess of 6. If enough time was given to process all the dots presented, virtually all were reported, whereas, if enough time was given to count only some of the dots, virtually none of the excess were counted. In the duration condition, in which processing time was not restricted, counting appeared to be a function of the visibility of the dots, as shown by a family of more linear functions between number of dots presented and number counted, with the slope determined by the duration of exposure. Data are consistent with a serial processing interpretation of dot counting occurring at a very early stage of information extraction, in which there is a serial scanning mechanism which extracts information from an initial brief store and transfers it to a 2nd store for actual counting. (French summary) (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Labeling sexual harassment in the military: An extension and replication.

Research conducted by V. Magley, C. Hulin, L. F. Fitzgerald, and M. DeNardo (1999) has suggested that women who experience sexual harassment report worse outcomes independent of the labeling process. This study replicates and extends that work. Discriminant analyses were conducted on a sample of approximately 28,000 men and women from the military. The authors included variables similar to those used by V. Magley et al., as well as a variety of antecedent variables. Two significant functions were obtained from the discriminant analysis. The 1st function ordered groups according to the frequency of harassment and accounted for substantially more variance than did the 2nd function, which ordered groups according to whether they labeled their experiences as sexual harassment. The overall results from these analyses demonstrate that labeling incidents as sexual harassment is of marginal meaningfulness in terms of job outcomes and antecedents of harassment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)