A re-examination of alpha feedback training: Operant conditioning or perceptual differentiation?

Assessed the role of contingent feedback in an alpha feedback training procedure with 40 undergraduates. Group 1 received auditory feedback whenever alpha activity was present in their EEG record. Group 2 (controls) heard a tape recording of feedback which had been produced by an experimental S. Although the groups did not differ significantly in alpha production, both showed significant increases in alpha activity during training with eyes closed. Experimental Ss differed from controls in reports of perceived ability to control feedback. Results indicate that contingent feedback does not necessarily function as reinforcement for operant control of EEG activity, but rather may only serve as a cue which aids in the identification of internal events. (French summary) (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Metaphorical interpretation: An investigation of the salience imbalance hypothesis.

Investigated the validity of one aspect of the similarity theory of metaphorical processing, the salience imbalance hypothesis. This hypothesis states that metaphorical interpretation is related to the relative salience of attributes shared within and across the domains of the topic and vehicle. Exp I, with 54 6th graders and 22 university students, established that salience imbalance was directly related to metaphorical interpretation. Exp II, with 24 undergraduates, sought to determine whether salience imbalance was critical to metaphorical interpretation. Data indicate that salience imbalance generally enhanced metaphorical interpretation but was not a necessity. Examples of such instances are provided. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social networks and aggressive behavior: Peer support or peer rejection?

Studied social networks and aggressive behavior in school in 2 cohorts of boys and girls in the 4th and 7th grades (N?=?695). Measures of social networks yielded convergent findings. Highly aggressive subjects (both boys and girls) did not differ from matched control subjects in terms of social cluster membership or in being isolated or rejected within the social network. Peer cluster analysis and reciprocal "best friend" selections indicated that aggressive subjects tended to affiliate with aggressive peers. Even though highly aggressive children and adolescents were less popular than control subjects in the social network at large, they were equally often identified as being nuclear members of social clusters. Aggressive subjects did not differ from matched control subjects in the number of times they were named by peers as "best friend," nor did the two groups differ in the probability of having friendship choices reciprocated by peers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Building therapeutic relationships with couples.

Contends that the ultimate goal for couples' work in therapy is not the salvation of the marriage but the fullest possible life for each individual. Couples are viewed as systems, and the contributions of general systems theory to couples treatment are illustrated in 4 clinical vignettes. It is suggested that the concept of projective identification is central to understanding and working with couples. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Characteristics and perceptions of beginning doctoral students in school psychology.

A national sample of 251 1st- and 2nd-yr doctoral students in school psychology responded to a questionnaire measuring demographic characteristics, preferences among applied specialties in professional psychology, graduate program applications, anticipated internship setting, preferred client population, personal interests, professional goals, and satisfaction with current training. Survey responses showed a clear preference for working directly with children and adolescents following graduation, a high degree of correspondence between training program emphases and student interests and goals, and a moderate degree of student satisfaction with training experiences. Results are interpreted with respect to training trends and standards in school psychology, the relationship between school and clinical psychology, satisfaction of students in clinical and counseling psychology programs, and methodology limitations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

When primary and secondary caregivers disagree: Predictors and psychosocial consequences.

The purpose of this study was to investigate primary caregiving spouses' and their lay helpers' divergent opinions about the caregiving environment. Through parallel assessments, both primary and secondary caregivers of a patient with Alzheimer's disease were asked to rate the degree of patient problem behaviors; the degree of strain the primary caregiver was experiencing; and primary caregiver efficacy, or perceived ability to cope with caregiving demands. Analyses concentrated on the general levels of disagreement in these domains, as well as on potential predictors and consequences of such disagreement. Results revealed a substantial divergence in perceptions across caregiving domains, with relatively less disagreement about patient problem behaviors and primary caregiver strain than about primary caregiver coping efficacy. Primary caregivers with relatively pessimistic secondary caregivers experienced relatively less psychosocial distress than primary caregivers with more optimistic helpers. These findings were strongest among female–female caregiving dyads. Theoretical implications and methodological limitations of the study are discussed, along with suggestions for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Trials and tribulations of vascular surgical benchmarking

The purpose of this study was to review the efficacy of a protracted venous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (PVI 5-FU)-based chemotherapy in advanced small bowel adenocarcinoma. Data on all patients with small bowel malignancy who were seen at a single institution over a 5-year period were retrieved from the gastrointestinal unit and hospital databases, and these cases were reviewed. Eight patients with advanced small bowel adenocarcinoma received PVI 5FU-based chemotherapy. The overall response rate in assessable patients was 37.5% (3/8). The median overall survival was 13 months (range 1-28), and progression-free survival was 7.8 months (range 0-15). Overall, the treatment was well tolerated and symptomatic benefit was seen. In conclusion, PVI 5-FU has activity in this disease. This should be assessed either as a single agent or as part of a combination regimen such as epirubicin/cisplatin/PVI FU (ECF) in a multicentre randomized study.     

Prevention of marital distress: A longitudinal investigation.

This study examines the impact of an intervention designed to prevent divorce and marital distress. Both short- and long-term effects of a cognitive-behavioral marital distress prevention program were assessed. Forty-two couples planning marriage were matched and randomly assigned to intervention (n?=?21) and control (n?=?21) conditions. Couples participated in pre- and postintervention assessment sessions and in similar assessment sessions 1? years and 3 years later. The intervention emphasized communication and problem-solving skills, clarifying and sharing expectations, and sensual/sexual enhancement. Although postintervention results indicated that couples learned the skills taught in the program, no group differences emerged on self-report measures of relationship quality. At 1? years, intervention couples showed higher levels of relationship satisfaction than control couples. At 3 years, intervention couples showed higher levels of both relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction and lower levels of problem intensity. These data support cost-effective prevention programs for attacking the major social problem of divorce. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)