Consumer price comparisons of retail products: The role of packaging and pricing practices and the implications for consumer legislation.

Examined whether conditions in the American marketplace permit accurate consumer comparisons of the prices of packaged retail products. 499 customers of an inner-city supermarket and 526 customers of a suburban supermarket were tested on 6 sets of price-comparison problems. A 2 * 3 factorial design was utilized to explore packaging and pricing variables that were hypothesized to affect problem difficulty. Results support the hypotheses and suggest that adoption by supermarkets of a new information display, called dual-price labels, would yield substantial reductions in difficulty level for many price-comparison problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Variability associated with testing corn for aflatoxin

The sampling, subsampling (both coarse and fine ground meal), and analytical variances associated with testing shelled corn for aflatoxin were estimated by the use of 500 g samples, 50 g subsamples, and the CB method of analysis. The magnitudes of the variance components increased with an increase in the aflatoxin concentration. Functional relationships were developed to predict the variance for a given aflatoxin concentration and any size sample, subsample, and number of analyses. At 20 ppb total aflatoxin, the coefficient of variantion associated with a 4.54 kg sample, 1 kg subsample of coarsely ground meal (passes a #14 screen), a 50 g subsample of finely ground meal (passes a #20 screen) and one analysis were 21, 8, 11, and 26%, respectively.     

Childhood depression: A 6-month follow-up study.

Examined the stability of depressive symptoms in 436 4th and 5th graders as measured by peer, self, and teacher ratings over a 6-mo period. The stability of the contemporaneous relationships between depression and certain variables (e.g., self-esteem, locus of control, and popularity) shown to be concomitants of depression were also examined. Tests administered included a modification of the Children's Depression Inventory, the Children's Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale, and the Self-Esteem Inventory. The three measures of depression were significantly correlated over 6 mo, and the pattern of contemporaneous relationships was stable over time. Depressive symptoms, as measured by peer nominations, were shown to be quite stable over time. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationships of cognitive components of test anxiety to test performance: Implications for assessment and treatment.

Assessed the degree to which components of test-taking strategies, covert self-statements, and subjective anxiety during an exam provide increments in prediction of test performance over characteristics of ability and gender. Compared to previous research, the study assessed the effectiveness of any test-taking strategies employed on specific questions during an exam in order to directly evaluate the relationship of this problem-solving skill to test performance. 72 college students differing in dispositional test anxiety and college experience studied for and then completed several simulated classroom tests. Test-taking strategies were assessed with the Test Tactics Probe; the Covert Thought Questionnaire was developed to assess self-statements; and subjective anxiety was measured with the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale. Only test-taking strategies provided a significant increment to multiple-choice and essay test performance but not math test score. Components reflecting internal dialog were more strongly related to each other than to performance, suggesting that these factors may be indirectly related to performance decrements. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of conceptual complexity on assertive behavior.

Postulated that information-processing style is an important cognitive skill for effective assertive behavior and identified conceptual complexity (CC) as the variable that defined Ss' information-processing approach. In 2 studies, 146 undergraduates differing in CC were compared in their performance on various measures relevant to competent assertive behavior (e.g., Assertiveness Knowledge Inventory, the Hypothetical Behavior Role-Playing Assertion Test, and the Assertiveness Self-Statement Test). In Exp I, high CC Ss (e.g., those who possessed abstract schema for processing social information) demonstrated greater content knowledge, direct delivery skill, and fewer negative self-statements that inhibit assertiveness. Exp II involved the testing of various hypotheses about the specific role of CC in assertive encounters. High vs low CC females were more assertive in difficult situations (e.g., interaction with close friends) but did not differ in simple situations. High CC Ss were more assertive in extended interaction tests, expressed consideration of the needs of others, and were more flexible in sex-role orientation. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A plea to professional psychologists.

Monroe H. Freeman is Chairman of the National Capital Area Civil Liberties Union, consultant to the Educational Testing Service, and a member of the Test Development and Research Committee of the Law School Admission Test. His plea to psychologists ist that each psychologist bring to bear their professional training and their special insights to evaluate, or reevaluate, the proper role and the unique responsibilities of the psychologist with respect to people who are not voluntarily seeking psychological counseling, but who are compelled to be tested as a condition to employment. He discusses three elements of the problem: the sociopolitical aspects, the impact on individuals, and the question of professional responsibility. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Childhood depression: A critique of the concept.

Examines the concept of early childhood depression as an independent constellation of symptoms. Opposed to this concept is the view that putative symptoms of depression observed clinically are merely transitory developmental phenomena that dissipate as a function of time. Examination of the published clinical literature indicates that childhood depression is diagnosed and treated as a distinct syndrome; some reports suggest that the condition may even be underdiagnosed. Data adduced from longitudinal and epidemiological studies, however, show marked variations of such symptoms with children's age: symptoms are less frequent in older children. Moreover, the prevalence of many of these symptoms in normal children is great enough to suggest that clinical manifestations are neither statistically atypical nor psychopathologic. Pertinent epidemiological reasearch has not, however, been undertaken. It is concluded that no reliable and valid method for assessing this presumed condition in children has been developed, and diagnosis is based largely on surmise. It is suggested that the question of iatrogenic effects of treatment needs to be studied. (56 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

CBS-KNXT Hollywood Television Broadcasting Center

The new television broadcasting center for the Los Angeles area incorporates many new engineering developments to improve technical quality, increase reliability and simplify operation. Equipment includes a digital computer, for automatic control of switching of audio and video program material, and highly stable vidicon film cameras which require a minimum of operating adjustment. The facilities employ many innovations in plant layout, system design and installation practices. The video and audio facilities are described and the philosophy which led to the designs is set forth, with emphasis on the methods and features which are new.     

Variability associated with testing cottonseed for aflatoxin

The sampling, subsampling, and analytical variance associated with testing cottonseed for aflatoxin were estimated by use of 4.54 kg samples, 100 g subsamples, and the Velasco method of analysis. Regression analysis indicated that each of the above variance components is a function of the concentration of aflatoxin in the populations tested. Functional relationships are presented to determine the sampling, subsampling, and analytical variance for any size sample, subsample, and number of analyses. Paper 4821 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh, NC 27607.     

Correlates of adolescent poor sleepers.

From a nationwide study by P. A. Marks et al (1974) of 831 White, emotionally disturbed adolescents (aged 12-18 yrs), 53 poor sleepers were identified to study personality and psychosocial characteristics associated with sleep disturbance. Psychotherapist ratings of 680 variables were examined by comparing the endorsement rates of the poor-sleep criterion group with the remaining 778 adolescents using a split-sample procedure. The results yielded 31 significant, cross-validated characteristics that differentiate poor sleepers. Among those characteristics which emerged were anxiety, tension, obsession, depression, sensitivity, somatic concerns, and multiple neurotic manifestations. The findings have significance for the understanding and clinical treatment of poor sleepers or insomniacs and emphasize the need for a more integrated psychological approach in contrast to the current search for the physiological and biochemical bases for classifying and altering sleep disturbances. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)