Orality and depression: An empirical study.

Despite much theoretical speculation and some indirect evidence, no study has empirically assessed the relationship of orality to depression. In the present investigation, two separate samples of male college students (N? = 276; N? = 141) completed both the Rorschach test and the Depression Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ). More DEQ items correlated significantly with a Rorschach orality measure than would be expected by chance, but the magnitude of these correlations was small. Item analysis suggests that dependency is less a factor in depression than is a personality constellation marked by egocentrism, immaturity, fear of rejection, helplessness, and lack of integration. The results of this study are limited by its use of nonclinically disturbed male subjects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A qualitative study of six medical students in a problem-based curriculum: Toward a situated model of self-regulation.

The authors followed 6 first-year medical students through their first semester in a problem-based learning curriculum to understand how they self-regulated their learning. The study, using a situated research strategy, resulted in a grounded theory built around the central phenomenon of stance. In short, learners illustrated different types of stances-proactive, reactive, retroactive, interactive, and transactive-that served to govern their perceptions of themselves and the environment, their selection of goals, and their adoption of learning strategies. Furthermore, recursive patterns of stances were longitudinally described as either evolving or shifting. Findings indicated that more successful students demonstrate an evolving, interactive-transactive stance that affected the ways they participated in the learning environment and the professional identities they were beginning to develop. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predicting the curriculum mobility of engineering students: A comparison of discriminant procedures.

Investigated the efficiency of a system (including the Purdue Interest Questionnaire) containing aptitude, achievement, and noncognitive data, and a measure of college performance (1st-semester GPA) in predicting the long-range educational-vocational decisions of 904 engineering students. Analysis was made of the relevancy of predictors when academic status was defined according to (a) persisters in engineering, transfers from engineering, and university withdrawals; (b) engineering subfields; and (c) distinct major fields of study. Noncognitive data best predicted between intellectually homogeneous S groupings, whereas 1st-semester GPA dominated the predictor set relevant to more intellectually heterogeneous groupings. Data from the discriminant procedures were similar except for a decision rule that used sample proportions as estimates of prior probabilities. (20 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparison of three groups of vocationally indecisive students.

Three groups of college students with vocational problems (19 who sought professional counseling at a university counseling center, 52 who enrolled in a class in career planning, and 32 who sought no professional help) were compared on 5 measures: an attitudes toward counselors and counseling scale, a perceived usefulness of counseling item, an alternate sources of help question, the Career Decision Scale, and Rotter's Internal–External Locus of Control Scale. A discriminant analysis, followed by comparison of the 3 groups on each of the 5 measures, indicated that those who used the services of a counseling center had a significantly more positive attitude toward counseling and counselors. The higher scores on levels of career indecision, which were found among the nonseekers in comparison to the class takers, were ascribed to experimental conditions. Results suggest that some previous findings that indicate attitudes may not be important in predicting help-seeking behavior may not apply to those who have vocational problems. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An empirical study of reentry women.

A number of the most common hypotheses regarding reentry women were empirically tested, by comparing 76 reentry working women with 78 career women, on a number of demographic and personality variables. We found that the reentry women did indeed exhibit some of the characteristics commonly ascribed to them. For example, they held lower-level jobs and received lower mean scores on the measures of assertiveness and autonomy than did the career women. However, they did not receive the low scores on the self-esteem measures and the dominance measure that other researchers had predicted, nor did they receive significantly higher scores than the career women on either the conflict or the need for achievement scales. Furthermore, we found that both the reentry women and the career women could be described as being rather sure of their abilities, achievement oriented, dominant, and stable. We then discuss the implications of these findings and the limitations of our study. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dissociative states in eating disorders: An empirical Rorschach study.

The study explores the DSM-IV-TR classification of eating disorders that is constituted of four subtypes, two of them defined as anorexia (restricting and binge eating/purging) and two as bulimia (purging and non-purging). This classification is based on body weight as the distinguishing criterion. However, psychoanalytic thinking substantially distinguishes between restricting anorexia and the other three subtypes, all of them involving binge eating. Accordingly, binge eating patients are assumed to present different personality characteristics and different dynamics including dissociation proneness as a core component of the disturbance. The dissociative component of binge eating is examined by using the Rorschach Reality-Fantasy Scale (RFS; Tibon, Handelzalts, & Weinberger, 2005) and other Rorschach measures in a sample of 61 female adolescent inpatients diagnosed with eating disorders. This sample was divided into two groups by using the criterion of whether or not the symptoms involve binge eating behavior. The results support the view that dissociation between reality and fantasy is an important facet of binge eating disorders. A case study that demonstrates the utility of the RFS is presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The scientific study of groups: An editorial.

Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice seeks to revitalize the link between the scientific study of group dynamics and the application of that scientific understanding in applied settings—particularly those settings involving deliberate attempts to help individuals achieve desired personal and interpersonal change. To accomplish this goal, the editor plans to publish the highest quality theoretical, empirical, and practical articles dealing with groups in general and therapeutic groups in particular. Guidelines are provided for the types of articles being sought by the journal. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavior-based versus trait-oriented performance ratings: An empirical study.

23 US Navy officer raters evaluated the performance of subordinate officers using (a) behaviorally anchored scales, (b) scales containing the same dimensions and definitions but without behavioral anchors, and (c) a series of scales involving trait-oriented dimensions, also without anchors. Comparisons of the formats' psychometric properties indicated that the behaviorally anchored scale format was somewhat superior to the other 2 on 3 of 4 dependent variables (involving estimates of leniency, halo, interrater agreement, and degree of differentiation among ratees). However, the magnitudes of the differences due to formats were small, in no case exceeding more than 5% of the variance on the dependent variable. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Meta-analytic evaluation of an interpersonal skills curriculum for medical students: Synthesizing evidence over successive occasions.

Results of individual evaluations of 4 successive classes of medical students' (N?=?203) performance in a communication and interviewing skills curriculum were quantitatively synthesized using combined tests and measures of effect size typically used in literary meta-analytic reviews. Findings indicate that this curriculum produced large gains on 2 standardized measures. Larger effects were associated with earlier graduating classes. Sex and entry status did not mediate the effect of the training. Implications of the viability of pretest–posttest designs for evaluation research under certain conditions and of the synthesis of evaluation results over successive offerings of a program are discussed. As data for successive implementations of the program accumulate, trends in student performance may be noted that have implications for curricular planning and development. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An empirical comparison of two methods of test selection and weighting.

Based on data on 9 tests for 2 samples of Navy trainees (N = 184, 176) the Wherry-Doolittle Test Selection Technique was compared with a short-cut method proposed by Jenkins, using a table. The composite r between Grade Point Average and the predicted composite for the Wherry-Doolittle method was .648, while that for Jenkin's method was .646. Jenkin's method takes one-fifth to one-eighth less time than the Wherry-Doolittle. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An empirical study of Hedge's homogeneity test.

The behavior of the L. V. Hedges's (see record 1983-00213-001) Q test for the fixed-effects meta-analytic model was investigated for small and unequal study sample sizes paired with larger numbers of studies, nonnormal score distributions, and unequal variances. The results of a Monte Carlo study indicate that the hypothesis of equal effect sizes tends to be rejected less than expected if smaller study sample sizes are paired with larger numbers of studies; pairing smaller variances with larger sample sizes (or vice versa) leads to this hypothesis being rejected more than expected. The power of the Q test is also less than expected when small study sample sizes are paired with larger numbers of studies. These findings suggest conditions for which the Q test should be used cautiously. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mouse strain differences in apomorphine-induced behavior: An empirical and methodological study.

Evaluated the behavioral response to intraperitoneal apomorphine HCl (0.5–32 mg/kg) in BALB/cJ, CBA/J, and C57BL/6J male mice. Dose–response curves for each component of the drug-induced behavioral repertoire were derived, and effective dose-50 (the dose at which 50% of the Ss met or exceeded a given rating) and slope were calculated for each. This method of analysis allows for a more quantitative estimate of drug sensitivity. Behaviors assessed included grooming, sniffing, climbing, and gnawing. Although some strain differences were observed in the qualitative characteristics of the response, differences in actual drug sensitivity were significant only at the higher ratings. Findings are discussed in relation to methodological and analytical problems in previous strain-comparison experiments. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The study of intoxicant use and misuse in psychological and medical education: A basic curriculum.

Discusses factors responsible for the previous neglect of substance abuse by health care professions and describes changes that have made it possible to include this field in clinical education and training. Various factors contributed to the neglect of substance abuse, including the social, psychological, and political distance between clinicians and those with intoxicant problems; the disruptive impact of early psychoanalytic thinking; and clinicians' lack of faith in the efficacy of treatment. As a more treatment-oriented group developed intoxicant problems, treatment facilities and techniques improved, leading to a greater optimism about outcome among clinicians. These and other changes make further education in this field feasible and desirable. A sample curriculum is presented for a full year's course of 26 2-hr seminars on this topic. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An empirical study of some election systems.

Uses presidential election data of the American Psychological Association for 5 yrs to compare a number of election systems in frequency of selecting Condorcet winners, consistency over subslates, and the effect of relevant and irrelevant candidates. The results from each system could be scaled in 1 dimension for each of the 5 elections, using the Kemeny metric. These scales were closely related to the weighting given to the variance of the candidates' rankings. An interpretation is given in terms of the polarizing effect of a candidate on an electorate. Election systems are discussed as strategies for the accumulation of subelectorates to reach a decisive set of voters. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Job applicant training and work experience evaluation: An empirical comparison of four methods.

Assessed the reliability, quasi validity, and scoring time required for each of 4 training and experience (TAE) evaluation methods for 1st-line supervisory positions in 3 substantially different occupational areas. The TAE scoring procedures were applied to application forms by 4 undergraduates who received formal training regarding TAE methods. Ss were assigned to pairs, and application packets for each of 3 target jobs (TJs) were randomly split into 2 groups of equal size and distributed to Ss, so that each pair rated half the application forms from each of the TJs. Results indicate that the greatest amount of variation was obtained for the behavioral consistency method, the 2nd most for the task-based method (TBM), the 3rd most for the point method, and the least for the grouping method (GM). The TBM yielded significantly higher reliability coefficients, as compared with the other 3 methods, and the GM yielded significantly lower reliability coefficients. However, the TBM indicated high interrater reliability coefficients due to the straightforward nature of the scoring procedure. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nonverbal communication and physician–patient rapport: An empirical study.

Studied 71 medical residents and approximately 400 patients to examine the relationship between patients' satisfaction with the medical care they received from their physicians and the nonverbal skills of those physicians. Various aspects of the physicians' personalities were assessed with the Personality Research Form, and their nonverbal decoding skills were measured with the Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity scale. Patients rated their physicians on caring and sensitivity, indicated the extent to which the physicians listened to what they had to say and cared about them as people, and indicated whether they felt they could call the doctor if necessary. Results support the hypothesis that the socioemotional dimension of the physician–patient relationship depends, to a moderate degree at least, on the physician's ability to understand the patient's nonverbal cues of affect and on the physician's ability to intentionally communicate affect through nonverbal channels. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An empirical comparison of methods of sampling aggression and victimization in school settings.

Methods of identifying aggressive/bullying and victimized youngsters in a middle school sample were compared. First, the authors compared teachers' and research associates' ratings of students' aggression and found that the 2 measures were significantly correlated. Second, direct observations of youngsters' aggression and victimization were compared with indirect, diary measures kept by youngsters of the same behaviors. The measures were not interrelated, but the diary measures were related to the peer and self-report measures, whereas the direct observations were related to peer and teacher measures. Third, the authors compared the ability of different peer and self-report measures to identify youngsters at different levels of aggression and victimization severity. All measures were associated, even at low levels of severity. Results are discussed in terms of different instruments that provide information on public and private behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Global marital satisfaction versus marital adjustment: An empirical comparison of three measures.

Two measures of marital satisfaction, the Quality of Marriage Index (R. Norton; see record 1983-27053-001) and the Relationship Satisfaction Questionnaire (D. D. Burns and S. L. Sayers, 1992) were compared to a measure of marital adjustment, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (G. B. Spanier; see record 1977-00122-001). The measures showed excellent convergent validity (high correlations among each other and with other measures of marital functioning) and discriminant validity (low or nonsignificant correlations with psychopathology subscales). However, spouses' ratings of frequency of disagreements differed significantly from their ratings of satisfaction in the same areas. Formulas for converting scores among the measures are given, and the measures were found to have modest classification powers. The relative advantages and disadvantages of adjustment and satisfaction measures are discussed, and recommendations are made for when to use each type of measure. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Individuals without jobs: An empirical study of job-seeking behavior and reemployment.

The purpose of this study was to test a longitudinal model of the demographic, person, and situational variables predictive of job-seeking behavior and reemployment. Participants completed surveys 2 months and 5 months following a layoff. Multiple regression analysis revealed gender, conscientiousness, and job-seeking support as significant predictors of job-seeking behavior. Logistic regression analysis showed age and job-seeking support to be significant predictors of reemployment. Post hoc analyses highlighted an Age?X?Job-Seeking Frequency interaction as a predictor of reemployment. This interaction suggests that older individuals who engaged in frequent job seeking were less likely to find work than younger individuals who engaged in frequent job seeking. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)