Why are some texts good and others not? Relationship between text quality and management of the writing processes.

Two experiments examined whether text quality is related to online management of the writing processes. Experiment 1 focused on the relationship between online management and text quality in narrative and argumentative texts. Experiment 2 investigated how this relationship might be affected by a goal emphasizing text quality. In both experiments, psychology students were instructed to think aloud while composing their texts. Reaction times to auditory probes were also collected to reflect writers' cognitive effort. Two sets of variables were measured: general temporal indicators (fluency, prewriting pause) and online management of writing processes (number, mean length of episodes). Finally, text quality was assessed. As expected, results confirmed that narrative and argumentative texts are composed using different strategies. Students also composed better texts when a quality-based goal had been set. The main reliable indicator of text quality was an increase of the prewriting pause and of planning processes. These findings indicate that writers tailor their writing behavior to match the type and quality of the text they are asked to produce. These results are discussed in the light of interventions and recommendations in the classroom. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factor structure and validity of the Therapeutic Factors Inventory–Short Form.

Clinical group practice is commonly guided by the assumption that 11 distinct therapeutic factors operate in psychotherapy groups. This assumption should be closely examined due to the emerging evidence of fewer, more global therapeutic factors. The present study was conducted to continue the development of the Therapeutic Factors Inventory–Short Form (TFI–S) and focused on confirming its factor structure and evaluating aspects of its concurrent, discriminant, and predictive validity. A sample comprising a total of 435 clients from 52 distinct therapy groups at eight different clinical sites in the U.S. and Canada was obtained. Structural equation modeling analyses indicated that a four-factor model had a reasonably good fit to the TFI–S rating data, and it provided indications for further refinement of the constituent items. The analyses resulted in a revised, 19-item measure, the Therapeutic Factors Inventory–19 (TFI–19). Three-level HLM analyses demonstrated that the four factors were sensitive to change in member perceptions over time. Significant and meaningful relationships between the TFI–19 factors and subscales of the Group Climate Questionnaire-Short Form provided support for the concurrent validity of the TFI–19. Two-level HLM analyses identified significant relationships between the TFI–19 factors and posttreatment status on symptomatic and interpersonal distress, thereby supporting the predictive validity of the TFI–19. The findings suggest that the TFI–19 may be a useful instrument to assess group members' perceptions of more global therapeutic factors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Examining the construct validity of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory–Revised: Preferential correlates of fearless dominance and self-centered impulsivity.

Although the construct of psychopathy is frequently construed as a unitary syndrome, the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI; Lilienfeld & Andrews, 1996) and its revision, the PPI-R (Lilienfeld & Widows, 2005), are composed of 2 scales, termed Fearless Dominance (FD) and Self-Centered Impulsivity (SCI), which appear to reflect orthogonal dimensions. In this study, we examined the construct validity of the FD and SCI scales of the PPI-R as markers of these constructs with a range of theoretically relevant correlates assessed across multiple domains in a sample of 200 forensic psychiatric inpatients. Results were generally, though not uniformly, consistent with hypothesized relationships: The SCI scale positively and selectively predicted anger and hostility, impulsivity, total psychiatric symptoms, drug abuse or dependence, antisocial behavior, and violence risk, whereas FD predicted anger, depression, anxiety symptoms (negatively), and alcohol abuse or dependence (positively). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Neuropsychological evidence for visual- and motor-based affordance: Effects of reference frame and object–hand congruence.

Two experiments are reported that use patients with visual extinction to examine how visual attention is influenced by action information in images. In Experiment 1 patients saw images of objects that were either correctly or incorrectly colocated for action, with the objects held by hands that were congruent or incongruent with those used premorbidly by the patients. The images were also shown from a 1st- and 3rd-person perspective. There was an overall reduction in extinction for objects colocated for action. In addition, there was an extra benefit when the objects were held in hands congruent with those used by the patients and when the objects were seen from a 1st-person perspective. This last result fits with an effect of motor simulation, over and above a purely visual effect based on positioning objects correctly for action. Experiment 2 showed that effects of hand congruence could emerge with images depicted from a 3rd-person perspective when patients saw themselves holding the objects. The data indicate 2 effects of action information on extinction: (a) an effect of colocating objects for action, which does not depend on a self-reference frame (a visual effect), and (b) an effect sensitive to object–hand congruence, which does depend on a self-reference frame (a motor-based effect). The self-reference frame is induced when stimuli are viewed from a 1st-person perspective and when an image of the self is seen from a 3rd-person perspective. Both visual and motor-based effects of action information facilitate the spread of attention across objects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of the validity of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Third edition comprehension and picture arrangement subtests as measures of social intelligence.

Clinical lore suggests that the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Third Edition (D. M. Wechsler, 1991) Comprehension and Picture Arrangement scores may be used as indices of social intelligence. This study evaluated this supposition by comparing these subtest scores with mother- and teacher-reported social functioning in 142 children with ADHD and 30 control children. After general intelligence was partialled out, the Comprehension subtest related to some aspects of social functioning, but the clinical significance of this was limited. The Picture Arrangement subtest was unrelated to social functioning, once general intelligence was controlled. These findings were consistent across study groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Global similarity predicts dissociation of classification and recognition: Evidence questioning the implicit–explicit learning distinction in amnesia.

Dissociation of classification and recognition in amnesia is widely taken to imply 2 functional systems: an implicit procedural-learning system that is spared in amnesia and an explicit episodic-learning system that is compromised. We argue that both tasks reflect the global similarity of probes to memory. In classification, subjects sort unstudied grammatical exemplars from lures, whereas in recognition, they sort studied grammatical exemplars from lures. Hence, global similarity is necessarily greater in recognition than in classification. Moreover, a grammatical exemplar's similarity to studied exemplars is a nonlinear function of the integrity of the data in memory. Assuming that data integrity is better for control subjects than for subjects with amnesia, the nonlinear relation combined with the advantage for recognition over classification predicts the dissociation of recognition and classification. To illustrate the dissociation of recognition and classification in healthy undergraduates, we manipulated study time to vary the integrity of the data in memory and brought the dissociation under experimental control. We argue that the dissociation reflects a general cost in memory rather than a selective impairment of separate procedural and episodic systems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Empirical analysis of the intrinsic–extrinsic distinction of judgments of learning (JOLs): Effects of relatedness and serial position on JOLs.

A. Koriat's (1997) cue-utilization framework provided a significant advance in understanding how people make judgments of learning (JOLs). A major distinction is made between intrinsic and extrinsic cues. JOLs are predicted to be sensitive to intrinsic cues (e.g., item relatedness) and less sensitive to extrinsic cues (e.g., serial position) because JOLs are comparative across items in a list. The authors evaluated predictions by having people make JOLs after studying either related (poker flush) or unrelated (dog-spoon) items. Although some outcomes confirmed these predictions, others could not be readily explained by the framework. Namely, relatedness influenced JOLs even when manipulated between participants, primacy effects were evident on JOLs, and the order in which blocks of items were presented (either all related items first or all unrelated items first) influenced JOLs. The authors discuss the framework in relation to these and other outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Application of physical–empirical models to calculate a fragment of the phase diagram and the physical properties of bcc Fe–Cr alloys: II. Calculation of phase boundaries,spinodal, and the temperature dependence of the heat capacity of an alloy

The contributions at a temperature of 500 and 600 K of the chemical, elastic, vibrational, magnetic, electronic, and configurational energies to the Gibbs energy of mixing of bcc alloys without regard for the contribution of a short-range order are calculated as functions of composition and temperature using physical–empirical models. The temperature dependences of the heat capacity of an alloy in both one- and twophase states are calculated. The heat capacity jumps calculated for alloys of various compositions can be used to estimate the equilibrium solubility boundaries of Fe–Cr alloys, which can hardly be found from experimental data because of the slow diffusion processes that occur when an equilibrium state is reached. The calculated solubility boundary of bcc solid solutions and the spinodal and the heat capacity of Fe–Cr alloys are compared with the experimental data and the calculation results obtained in other works. The agreement and discrepancy between these data are discussed.     

Disconnection of the anterior cingulate cortex and nucleus accumbens core impairs Pavlovian approach behavior: Further evidence for limbic cortical–ventral striatopallidal systems.

The nucleus accumbens (NAcc) has been implicated in a variety of forms of reward-related learning, reflecting its anatomical connections with limbic cortical structures. After confirming that excitotoxic lesions of the anterior cingulate cortex (Ant Cing) impaired the acquisition of appetitive Pavlovian conditioning in an autoshaping procedure, the effects of excitotoxic lesions to the NAcc core or shell on autoshaping were also assessed. Only selective core lesions impaired Pavlovian approach. A subsequent experiment studied the effects of a disconnection of the Ant Cing and NAcc core, using an asymmetric lesion procedure, to determine whether these structures interact sequentially as part of a limbic corticostriatal system. Such lesioned rats were also significantly impaired relative to controls at autoshaping. These results demonstrate that the NAcc core and Ant Cing are "nodes" of a corticostriatal circuit involved in stimulus-reward learning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Building an evidence base for DSM–5 conceptualizations of oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder: Introduction to the special section.

The DSM–5 ADHD and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Work Group recently outlined a research agenda designed to support possible revisions to the diagnostic criteria for oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD). Some of the areas in need of further investigation include (a) examining the clinical utility of the current diagnostic system in girls, (b) further clarifying the developmental progression from ODD to CD, (c) determining whether facets of ODD symptoms can help explain heterotypic continuity and enhance predictive validity, (d) evaluating the clinical utility of a new subtyping scheme for CD on the basis of the presence of callous–unemotional traits, and (e) comparing the clinical utility of dimensional versus categorical conceptualizations of ODD and CD. This special section was organized in an attempt to provide data on these issues using a diverse array of longitudinal data sets consisting of both epidemiological and clinic-based samples that collectively cover a large developmental span ranging from childhood through early adulthood. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some evidence for multidimensional biculturalism: Confirmatory factor analysis and measurement invariance analysis on the Bicultural Involvement Questionnaire–Short Version.

In the present study, the authors empirically investigated a multidimensional conceptualization of acculturation using the Bicultural Involvement Questionnaire–Short Version (BIQ-S; J. Szapocznik, W. M. Kurtines, & T. Fernandez, 1980). Baseline data from four prevention trials, representing a total of 893 adolescent and 880 guardian participants of Hispanic descent, were used to examine the factor structure of BIQ-S scores. Results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a four-factor solution. The factors were labeled as follows: (a) Comfort With Use of Spanish Language, (b) Comfort With Use of English Language, (c) Enjoyment of Hispanic Cultural Activities, and (d) Enjoyment of American Cultural Activities. The findings support an expansion of the theoretical conceptualization of biculturalism and suggest that within both the heritage and the receiving cultures, comfort with language and enjoyment of other cultural components represent different factors. Measurement invariance analyses revealed stability of the factor structure, as well as some measurement differences, between adolescents and their guardians. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Changing patterns of inpatient care for children and adolescents at the Menninger Clinic, 1988–1994.

The authors describe trends in inpatient psychiatric length of stay (LOS) and admissions for the population of children and adolescents (N?=?784) at the Menninger Clinic from 1988 to 1994. During this period, median LOS declined dramatically from 7 months to 3 weeks, whereas admissions increased 4-fold. The diagnostic case mix changed substantially, with a crossover in modal principal diagnosis from personality disorder to affective disorder. Use of medications became almost universal. Diagnosis and medication use became less important determinants of LOS over time. The practical implications of these patterns include higher patient turnover, fewer inpatient clinical contact hours, and heightened importance of continuity with outpatient care. Research should center on the impact of declining LOS on clinical and functional outcomes for children and adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A psychometric analysis of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children–Parent Version in a school sample.

The current study was the 1st to examine the psychometric properties of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children–Parent Version (PANAS-C-P) using a large school-based sample of children and adolescents ages 8 to 18 (N = 606). Confirmatory factor analysis supported a 2-factor (correlated) model of positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA). The PANAS-C-P scale scores also demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and convergent and divergent validity. The PANAS-C-P PA and NA scale scores also related to measures of anxiety and depression in a manner consistent with the tripartite model. Scale means and standard deviations were reported by grade and sex to provide normative data for the PANAS-C-P scales. Results from the present study provide initial support for the PANAS-C-P as a parent-reported perspective of youth PA and NA among school-based youths. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Value attainment: An explanation for the negative effects of work–family conflict on job and life satisfaction.

Perceptions of work interfering with family life and family issues interfering with work are examined as 2 distinct constructs representing work–family conflict. Experienced work–family conflict is argued to reduce one's value attainment which, in turn, lowers both job and life satisfaction. This study examines value attainment as a mediating variable in the work–family conflict and satisfaction relationship. Responses from 270 hotel managers indicate that value attainment either partially or fully mediates the relationship between work interference with family and family interference with work and both job and life satisfaction. Value attainment is argued to be a meaningful explanatory variable for the negative relationship between work–family conflict and job–life satisfaction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of Recovery and Recrystallization on the Hall–Petch Relation Parameters in Submicrocrystalline Metals: II. Model for Calculating the Hall–Petch Relation Parameters

A model is developed to calculate the Hall–Petch relation parameters for the submicrocrystalline (SMC) metals fabricated by severe plastic deformation (SPD) methods. The model is based on the assumption that the flow stress in SMC metals includes both conventional contributions (caused by lattice dislocations, impurity atoms, etc.) and a contribution related to the long-range internal stress fields created by the SPD-induced defects distributed over grain boundaries. Equations are derived to calculate the Hall–Petch relation parameters as functions of the strain and the strain rate. The results calculated by the derived equations agree well with the experimental data. The low resistance of grain boundaries to the motion of grain boundaries in SMC materials (see part I of this work) is found to be related to a violation of the Hall–Petch relation in SMC metals.     

Subject-matter specificity of self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, interests, and goals: Implications for the social–cognitive model.

This study was designed to investigate the academic-subject-matter domain specificity of self-efficacy, interests, outcome expectations, and goals. Four major subject-matter domains were selected to investigate this issue: math/science, art, social studies, and English. To examine this question, 16 instruments were constructed to measure the 4 concepts across the 4 subject domains. An analytical strategy similar to that used in multitrait multimethod studies was used. Using this strategy, a series of factor models was tested for fit to the data using confirmatory factor analytic procedures. Results indicated that a factor solution that accommodated both distinct subject matters and distinct constructs provided the best fit to the data, supporting the existence of the constructs of academic self-efficacy, interests, outcome expectancies, and goals that are specific to each subject-matter domain. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A multitrait (ADHD–IN, ADHD–HI, ODD toward adults, academic and social competence) by multisource (mothers and fathers) evaluation of the invariance and convergent/discriminant validity of the Child and Adolescent Disruptive Behavior Inventory with Thai adolescents.

Confirmatory factor analysis was used with a multitrait (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder—inattention, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder—hyperactivity/impulsivity, oppositional defiant disorder toward adults, academic competence, and social competence) by multisource (mothers and fathers) matrix to test the invariance and convergent/discriminant validity of the 5-factor model between mothers’ and fathers’ ratings of Thai adolescents (Year 1: n = 872; Year 2: n = 903; Year 3: n = 700; Year 4: n = 984) with the Child and Adolescent Disruptive Behavior Inventory (G. L. Burns, T. Taylor, & J. Rusby, 2001). The results showed equality of like-item loadings, intercepts, and residuals, as well as like-factor variances, covariances, and means between mothers’ and fathers’ ratings within each of the 4 yearly samples. In addition, the between-parent factor correlations showed convergent and discriminant validity with the within-parent factor correlations, showing discriminant validity for each year as well. These results for Thai adolescents and similar results (G. L. Burns et al., 2008) for mothers’ and fathers’ ratings of Brazilian, Thai, and American children provide broader support for the construct validity of the scale. The confirmatory factor analysis invariance and convergent/discriminant validity procedure with multiple sources is considered to provide a much more sophisticated procedure to evaluate the construct validity of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder rating scales than a single-source approach. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Getting in and getting money: A comparative analysis of admission standards, acceptance rates, and financial assistance across the research–practice continuum in clinical psychology programs.

The diversification and proliferation of doctoral programs in clinical psychology call for their periodic comparative analysis to inform prospective applicants, their advisors, and the entire field. The authors surveyed directors of the 232 American Psychological Association (APA)–accredited doctoral programs in clinical psychology (98% response) regarding application numbers, acceptance rates, financial assistance, and credentials of incoming students. Results are summarized for all clinical programs and then separately for 6 types of programs along the practice–research continuum: freestanding PsyD, university professional school PsyD, university department PsyD, practice-oriented PhD, equal-emphasis PhD, and research-oriented PhD. Lower acceptance rates and higher Graduate Record Examination scores were strongly associated with programs oriented toward more research training; for example, research-oriented PhD programs admitted far fewer applicants (7% vs. 50%) than did freestanding PsyD programs. Freestanding PsyD programs awarded significantly less full financial assistance to incoming students (1% vs. 89%) and required 1 less year to complete than did PhD programs. Overall, PhD-level students were more likely to secure an APA or Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers internship than were PsyD students. The authors conclude with observations about the historical changes and heightened differentiation of doctoral training in clinical psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Proceedings of the American Psychological Association, Incorporated, for the Legislative Year 1998: Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council of Representatives February 20–22, 1998, Washington, DC, and August 13 and 16, 1998, San Francisco, CA, and Minutes of the February, June, August, and December 1998. Meetings of the Board of Directors.

These minutes are the official record of the actions of the American Psychological Association taken during the year by both the Board of Directors and the Council of Representatives. Reference is made in there minutes to various reports, some of which will be published elsewhere. Copies of the reports are distributed to Council and are on file in the Central Office. The minutes are arranged in topical, rather than chronological, order, and subheading are used when appropriate. The main topical headings are I. Minutes of Meetings; II. Elections, Awards, Membership, and Human Resources; III. Ethics; IV. Board of Directors; V. Divisions and State and Provincial Associations; VI. Organization of the APA; VII. Publications and Communications; VIII. Convention Affairs; IX. Educational Affairs; X. Professional Affairs; XI. Scientific Affairs; XII. Public Interest; XIII. Ethnic Minority Affairs; XIV. International Affairs; XV. Central Office; XVI. Financial Affairs; and XVII. Communications Concerning Outside Organizations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)