The relation of rational and experiential information processing styles to personality, basic beliefs, and the ratio-bias phenomenon.

A new version of the Rational-Experiential Inventory (REI), which measures rational and experiential thinking styles and includes subscales of self-reported ability and engagement, was examined in two studies. In Study 1, the two main scales were independent, and they and their subscales exhibited discriminant validity and contributed to the prediction of a variety of measures beyond the contribution of the Big Five scales. A rational thinking style was most strongly and directly related to ego strength, openness, conscientiousness, and favorable basic beliefs about the self and the world, and it was most strongly inversely related to Neuroticism and Conservatism. An experiential thinking style was most strongly directly related to Extraversion, Agreeableness, Favorable Relationships Beliefs, and Emotional Expressivity, and it was most strongly inversely related to Categorical Thinking, Distrust of Others, and Intolerance. In Study 2, a rational thinking style was inversely related and an experiential thinking style was unrelated to nonoptimal responses in a game of chance. It was concluded that the new REI is a significant improvement over the previous version and measures unique aspects of personality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Short-term reliability of a brief hazard perception test

Hazard perception tests (HPTs) have been successfully implemented in some countries as a part of the driver licensing process and, while their validity has been evaluated, their short-term stability is unknown. This study examined the short-term reliability of a brief, dynamic version of the HPT. Fifty-five young adults (M_age = 21 yrs) with at least two years of post-licensing driving experience completed parallel, 21-scene HPTs with a one-month interval separating each test. Minimal practice effects (∼0.1 s) were manifested. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) averaged 0.73 for the two forms. The correlation between the two tests was 0.55 (p < 0.001) and correcting for lack of reliability increased the correlation to 0.72. Thus, a brief form of the HPT demonstrates acceptable short-term reliability in drivers whose hazard perception should be stable, an important feature for implementation and consumer acceptance. One implication of these results is that valid HPT scores should predict future crash risk, a desirable property for user acceptance of such tests. However, short-term stability should be assessed over longer periods and in other driver groups, particularly novices and older adults, in whom inter-individual differences in the development of hazard perception skill may render HPT tests unstable, even over short intervals.     

Development of films based on blends of gelatin and poly(vinyl alcohol) cross linked with glutaraldehyde

Both gelatin and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) can be cross linked with glutaraldehyde (GLU). In the case of gelatin, the GLU reacts with each ε-NH2 functional group of adjacent lysine residues, while for PVA, the GLU reacts with two adjacent hydroxyl groups, forming acetal bridges. Thus it can be considered possible to cross link adjacent macromolecules of gelatin and PVA using GLU. In this context, the aims of this work were the development of biodegradable films based on blends of gelatin and poly(vinyl alcohol) cross linked with GLU, and the characterization of some of their main physical and functional properties. All the films were produced from film-forming solutions (FFS) containing 2 g macromolecules (PVA + gelatin)/100 g FFS, 25 g glycerol/100 g macromolecules, and 4 g GLU (25% solution)/100 g FFS. The FFS were prepared with two concentrations of PVA (20 or 50 g PVA/100 g macromolecules) and two reaction temperatures: 90 or 55 °C, applied for 30 min. The films were obtained after drying (30 °C/24 h) and conditioning at 25 °C and 58% of relative humidity for 7 days, and were then characterized. The results for the color parameters, mechanical properties, phase transitions and infrared spectra showed that some chemical modifications occurred, principally for the gelatin. However, in general, all the characteristics of the films were either typical of films based on blends of these macromolecules without cross linking, or slightly higher. A greater improvement in the properties of this material was probably not observed due to the crystallinity of the PVA, which has a melting point above 90 °C. The presence of microcrystals in the polymer chain probably reduced macromolecular mobility, hindering the reaction. Thus more research is necessary to produce biodegradable films with improved properties.     

Efficacy of a computerized abuse and safety assessment intervention for women with disabilities: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a computerized disability-specific abuse assessment intervention on abuse awareness, safety self-efficacy, and safety promoting behaviors of women with diverse disabilities. Research Design: A randomized control group design was used, with the intervention group completing the assessment intervention both at Time 1 (T1) and 3 months later at Time 2 (T2) and control participants completing it for the first time at T2. Analyses compared intervention and control groups at T2 and evaluated change over time in intervention group participants. The relationship between outcome variables (abuse awareness, safety self-efficacy, safety behaviors) was also explored. Results: The intervention group had greater abuse awareness than the control group at T2, and abuse awareness increased from T1 to T2 among women in the intervention group, particularly among women who had experienced little or no abuse in the past year. Both abuse awareness and safety self-efficacy were significantly related to safety behaviors. Conclusions: The computerized program offers promise as a nonthreatening method of conducting abuse assessments among women with disabilities while also serving as an intervention to enhance abuse awareness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reconstruction and the Self-help Housing Movement: The French Experience

The destruction during the Second World War made the city a crisis of looming proportions throughout Europe. In the case of France, over three-quartersof the country was struck by the war. Cities and towns were in ruins. Over 2 million buildings, a quarter of the housing stock, was destroyed or damaged (Croize, 1991, pp. 253-257). A million families were left homeless. Millions of others lived in temporary shelters and run-down apartments without access to basic services. This tragic situation made the housing crisis-that is finding a place of live-one of the most serious and explosive post-war domestic issues in France, as it was all over Europe. One way the crisis was addressed was for men and women to build their own homes, or to simply occupy vacant buildings. This paper looks at the role of the organised self-help housing movement within the massive effort of reconstruction and building after the Second World War, from 1945-1954. The movement comprised three phases: the squatter movement; the mouvement Castors or Beavers movement, which became a limited effort at auto-construction; and lastly, the housing campaign launched by the Abbe Pierre.     

Social support, support groups, and the cancer patient.

Surveys the literature on social support and cancer and reports results from an empirical investigation of the factors that led cancer patients to join social support groups. Questionnaire data from 666 21–89 yr old cancer patients show that although most Ss received high levels of social support following cancer, some experienced isolated instances of rejection or did not receive the type of support they wanted from family, friends, and medical caregivers. This appeared to be 1 impetus for joining cancer support groups, although Ss reporting a lack of social support were not generally more likely to join support groups than were other Ss. The Profile of Mood States suggested that attenders were somewhat less likely to be depressed than were nonattenders. In addition, cancer support group attenders were more likely to be White middle-class females, to report having more problems, and to use social support resources of all kinds than were nonattenders. Implications for outreach to cancer patients are discussed, and it is concluded that while support groups may be beneficial for many cancer patients, current programs tend to be used largely by the same segment of the population that uses traditional mental health services. (81 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Determinants of serum polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) levels among pregnant women in the CHAMACOS cohort

We measured levels of 10 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners in serum collected during pregnancy and at delivery from 416 pregnant, predominantly immigrant, women living in Monterey County, CA. The most frequently detected congeners were BDE-47, -99, -100, and -153, all components of the penta mixture, detected in >97% of samples. We used multivariable regression models to examine factors associated with exposure to individual PBDE congeners as well as their total summed concentration (ng/g lipid). Prenatal and delivery total PBDE levels were correlated between sampling times (n = 21; Pearson r = 0.99, p < 0.001). In multivariable models, total PBDE levels increased significantly with time residing in the U.S. (p < 0.001) and among women with ≥3 pieces of stuffed furniture in their homes (p < 0.05). Women's total PBDE levels increased 4.0% (95% CI = 2.8, 5.3) for each additional year residing in the U.S., after adjustment for prepregnancy BMI, weight gain during pregnancy, and SES. Having ≥3 pieces of stuffed furniture in the home was associated with a 26.8% (95% CI = 2.0, 57.5) increase in women's serum PBDE levels. Findings suggest PBDE indoor contamination in California homes is contributing to human exposures in a population of recent immigrants.     

A critique of Bem's "Exotic Becomes Erotic" theory of sexual orientation.

Two critiques of D. J. Bem's (see record 1996-01742-006) "Exotic Becomes Erotic" (EBE) theory of sexual orientation are presented. First, the core proposition of EBE theory is considered; that is, the idea that adults are erotically attracted to the gender-based class of peers (males or females) who were dissimilar or unfamiliar to them in childhood. Studies cited by Bem and additional research show that EBE theory is not supported by scientific evidence. Second, Bem's claim that his theory applies equally to both sexes is questioned; instead the argument that it neglects and misrepresents women's experiences is made. Bem's conceptualization of erotic desire and his analysis of gender nonconformity illustrate this problem. It is suggested that different theories may be needed to explain the development of men's and women's sexual orientation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clients Who Stalk Psychologists: Prevalence, Methods, and Motives.

There is emerging recognition that psychologists are susceptible to various forms of intrusiveness by clients, including stalking. Information regarding the contexts in which stalking emerges and the behaviors to which clinicians are subjected is limited. A random sample of Australian psychologists (N = 1,750) was surveyed to ascertain the prevalence, nature, and occupational impact of stalking by clients. Of the 830 respondents, 19.5% had been stalked for 2 weeks or more. Psychologists typically perceived the stalking to be motivated by resentment (42%) or infatuation (19%). Most practitioners altered their professional practice as a consequence of the harassment and 29% considered leaving the profession. Stalking by clients is a salient professional issue that requires greater attention to better manage conduct that is potentially damaging to both therapists and clients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)