The use of isolated vowels as auditory stimuli in eliciting the verbal transformation effect.

Determined the effectiveness of single isolated vowels as auditory stimuli in eliciting perceptual illusory changes in ss, a phenomenon referred to by R. M. Warren (see pa, vol. 36:3gh49w) as the "verbal transformation effect." 3 vowels, /i/, /ae/, and /u/, were individually presented to a group of 24 19-24 yr. Old normal listeners in a single experimental session. Each vowel was repeatedly presented by means of headphones for a period of 5 min. Results indicate that single isolated vowels are capable of eliciting verbal transformations in normal listeners. However, the transformations reported often differed from those obtained in previous studies which used more phonetically complex auditory stimuli. The nature of the verbal transformations, average number of alternate forms perceived and transitions employed, and average number of repetitions of the stimuli prior to the onset of the ss' 1st verbal transformations are discussed. Comparisons with findings of previous investigations are provided. (french summary) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Desaturation of saturated fatty acids by rat liver microsomes

A method was developed for the rapid determination of the initial velocity of the desaturation of saturated fatty acids. In the reaction, DPNH was a more efficient electron donor than TPNH. Fatdeficient rats have a 2.5-fold greater level of acyl desaturase per milligram of liver microsomal protein than did animals fed lab chow. Increasing the chain length of the acyl substrate from 10∶0 to 18∶0 increases the rate of monoene formation, but 19∶0 is desaturated at a rate lower than that for 15∶0. The energy of activation (Ea) for the overall desaturation reaction has been determined for 12∶0 through 19∶0. The Ea values for desaturation of 13∶0 and 16∶0 are markedly lowr than for the other acids. An interaction between the alkyl chain of the substrate and polyunsaturated acids of the microsomal membrane-bound phospholipids is postulated to explain the recurring 3-carbon pattern of the relative reaction rates of the various acyl substrates.     

Dimensions of subjective adjustment.

"A representative sample of the resident population of adults in the United States was interviewed about their feelings of distress in different life areas: perceptions of the self; symptoms of distress; adjustment in marriage parenthood, and work." Factor analysis of these data revealed the presence of 5 separate dimensions through which distress may be expressed: anxiety, unhappiness, sense of social inadequacy, lack of identity, and physical ill health. Men and women were distinguished by distress being expressed through physical ill health for men, psychological symptoms for women. The study indicates that psychological adjustment is multi-rather than unidimensional. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A factor analysis of the Wesley Rigidity Inventory: Its relationship to age and nonverbal intelligence.

The present research involved an item analysis of the Wesley Rigidity Inventory (1953) to determine its unidimensionality and the effect of age and intelligence. Factor analysis revealed orthogonally-related factors: rigidity in intellectual thinking, liking for established routine which was highly loaded with the factor of age, and a factor of appreciation of methodical behavior and details. From Psyc Abstracts 36:02:2HF91C. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dear Sheila: An experimental study of the effectiveness of written communication as a form of psychotherapy.

42 college students who responded to an announcement for a writing therapy study were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups. The writing therapy group wrote letters describing their problems to a psychotherapist whose written replies contained behaviorally oriented responses. Reassuring responses were written to the problem letters of Ss in a reassurance control group. A 2nd control group was asked to count the frequency of occurrence of specific problem behaviors and mail them to the therapist, who did not reply. 10 Ss in the writing therapy group and 8 in each of the control groups completed the 4-mo treatment period. The decrease in the number of problems (as measured by the Mooney Problem Check List) was significantly greater in the writing therapy group than in the 2 control groups. Analysis of demographic data revealed that more males than females dropped out of the study, and a significantly greater proportion of the dropouts were from lower-class families. It is concluded that writing therapy may be useful and appeal to students who do not feel able to use traditional student counseling services. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rebuttals Needed.

Comments on the S. C. Ericksen article (see record 1964-01620-001), which summarizes the "rationale which both justifies and demands that psychologists address themselves to the broad matter of social control". The present author argues that Ericksen did not see fit to address himself to the very serious problems which legislation affecting psychology has raised in the eyes of academic psychologists, but chose, instead, to write a baseless attack upon the motives of those who have questioned the wisdom of these laws. It is noted that a desire for legislation is by no means a necessary indication of social responsibility. Bad laws have been passed before, and may be again if care is not taken. All psychologists have the right, indeed the obligation, to take a good hard look at laws proposed to regulate their field, and to object to them if they seem undesirable. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anxiety sensitivity and depression: How are they related?

Anxiety sensitivity is the fear of anxiety-related bodily sensations, which arises from beliefs that the sensations have harmful somatic, psychological, or social consequences. Elevated anxiety sensitivity, as assessed by the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), is associated with panic disorder. The present study investigated the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and depression. Participants were people with panic disorder (n?=?52 ), major depression (n?=?46), or both (n?=?37 ). Mean ASI scores of each group were elevated, compared to published norms. Principal components analysis revealed 3 factors of anxiety sensitivity: (a) fear of publicly observable symptoms, (b) fear of loss of cognitive control, and (c) fear of bodily sensations. Factors 1 and 3 were correlated with anxiety-related measures but not with depression-related measures. Conversely, factor 2 was correlated with depression related measures but not with anxiety-related measures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Randomized trial of contingent prizes versus vouchers in cocaine-using methadone patients.

Contingency management (CM) interventions frequently utilize vouchers as reinforcers, but a prize-based system is also efficacious. This study compared these approaches. Seventy-four cocaine-dependent methadone outpatients were randomly assigned to standard treatment (ST), ST plus a maximum of $585 in contingent vouchers, or ST plus an expected average maximum of $300 in contingent prizes for 12 weeks. CM participants achieved longer durations of abstinence (LDA) than ST participants, and CM conditions did not differ significantly in outcomes or amount of reinforcement earned. Although long-term abstinence did not differ by group, LDA during treatment was the best predictor of abstinence at 9 months. Thus, reinforcement with prizes was similar to voucher CM in promoting LDA, which is associated with posttreatment benefits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)