"Input capability and speed of processing in mental retardation": A reply to Stanovich and Purcell.

Contrary to the claims of K. E. Stanovich and D. G. Purcell (see PA, Vol 66:00000), the present author argues that he and his colleagues (see record 1979-33941-001) did not claim to have demonstrated specific deficits in iconic storage in mental retardation but specifically noted that the precise nature of the input limitation could not be specified. Stanovich and Purcell's basic criticism is that the Saccuzzo et al design does not rule out nonspecific factors that might have contributed to performance differences. Their specific criticisms of the experimental method are discussed; some are shown to be speculative and others incorrect. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Backward masking as a measure of slow processing in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Three groups of hospitalized adolescents (mean age 15.1 yrs; schizophrenics, schizotypal personalities, and borderline personality adolescent adjustment reactions) with 10 Ss in each group were compared for their ability to identify masked and unmasked stimuli. Results reveal that the schizophrenics required longer minimum exposure durations for criterion identification of unmasked stimuli. Under conditions of visual backward masking, however, schizotypal personalities as well as schizophrenics showed a relative deficit. Results support L. L. Heston's (see record 1971-10373-001) notion that schizophrenia spectrum disorders may be different degrees of expression of the same underlying defect. Previous results with visual backward masking in adults are also extended to adolescents. Findings are consistent with a slow information processing hypothesis for schizophrenia spectrum disorders. (43 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Backward masking as a measure of attention in schizophrenia.

Compared backward-masking functions for 2 groups of 16 schizophrenics with the masking functions for 2 control groups (8 undergraduates and 8 nonschizophrenic psychiatric patients). Masking functions were obtained for both single-letter and 8-letter visual displays. The procedure involved a forced-choice letter recognition method analogous to signal detection methodology. Both schizophrenic groups produced longer masking functions, under all conditions, than the 2 control groups whose functions were highly similar. Consistent with "attention" theories of schizophrenia, results indicate that some deficit occurs in schizophrenia at a very early stage of information-processing in the visual system. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Verbal versus performance IQs for gifted African-American, Caucasian, Filipino, and Hispanic children.

Verbal and performance IQ (VIQ–PIQ) discrepancies were evaluated in 4,546 gifted African-American, Caucasian, Filipino, and Hispanic children in Grades 1–9. Results, which were cross-validated on an independent sample, showed that the VIQ–PIQ pattern depended on ethnic background, the interaction of ethnicity and risk, and the size of the individual VIQ–PIQ discrepancy. Gifted African-American and Caucasian children showed significantly higher VIQs than PIQs; there were no significant VIQ–PIQ differences in the Filipino or Hispanic groups. Language risk was associated with a low VIQ in African-American children. Among large VIQ–PIQ discrepancies, PIQs were higher than VIQs for Filipino children; the other 3 groups showed the reverse pattern. Implications of the results and the importance of considering ethnic background and risk as well as IQ level in evaluating test indices are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of African-American acculturation on neuropsychological test performance in normal and HIV-positive individuals. The HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC) Group

The development of a novel class of nonsteroidal human progesterone receptor (hPR) agonists, 5-aryl-1,2-dihydro-5H-chromeno[3,4-f]quinolines 2, is described. The introduction of a 5-aryl group into the 1,2-dihydrocoumarino[3,4-f]quinoline core 1 is the key for progestational activities. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of the 5-aryl substituents generated a series of potent hPR agonists, which exhibited similar biological activity (EC50 = 8-30 nM) to the natural hormone progesterone (EC50 = 2.9 nM) in cell-based assays with efficacies ranging from 28% to 96%. Most of the analogues displayed similar or greater binding affinity (Ki = 0.41-3.6 nM) than progesterone (Ki = 3.5 nM). Three representative analogues (13, 15, and 24) demonstrated in vivo activities in mammary gland morphology/uterine wet weight assay in ovariectomized rats.     

Negative and positive cognition in depressed and nondepressed chronic-pain patients.

Examined negative and positive automatic thoughts and attributional style in 60 men (aged 21–64 yrs) who were depressed chronic-low-back-pain (CLBP) patients, nondepressed CLBP patients, or healthy controls. Ss completed measures that included the Attribution Style Questionnaire and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (S. D. Hollon and P. C. Kendall; see record 1981-20180-001). Depressed Ss exhibited significantly more negative automatic thoughts than nondepressed Ss and controls. Nondepressed Ss reported significantly more positive automatic thoughts than did depressed Ss and controls. No significant differences were found for attributional style. Different cognitive-behavioral interventions might be considered for depressed and nondepressed CLBP Ss. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correction to Saccuzzo and Schubert.

Reports an error in "Backward Masking as a Measure of Slow Processing in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders" by Dennis P. Saccuzzo and Donald L. Schubert (Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1981, Vol. 90, No. 4, 305-312). There are several errors on page 307. The schizotypal personalities met the criteria identified by Spitzer, Endicott, and Gibbon (1979), not those of Spitzer, Endicott, and Robins (1977). The borderline personalities met the criteria identified by Spitzer et al. (1979) for unstable personalities, not those of Spitzer et al. (1977) for borderline personalities. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1981-28173-001.) Three groups of hospitalized adolescents (mean age 15.1 yrs; schizophrenics, schizotypal personalities, and borderline personality adolescent adjustment reactions) with 10 Ss in each group were compared for their ability to identify masked and unmasked stimuli. Results reveal that the schizophrenics required longer minimum exposure durations for criterion identification of unmasked stimuli. Under conditions of visual backward masking, however, schizotypal personalities as well as schizophrenics showed a relative deficit. Results support L. L. Heston's notion that schizophrenia spectrum disorders may be different degrees of expression of the same underlying defect. Previous results with visual backward masking in adults are also extended to adolescents. Findings are consistent with a slow information processing hypothesis for schizophrenia spectrum disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Traditional psychometric tests and proportionate representation: An intervention and program evaluation study.

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Revised (WISC—R) and Standard Raven Progressive Matrices (SPM) Test were evaluated in the context of an intervention/program evaluation study and in terms of a proportionate representation model of test bias. A total of 26,300 boys and girls from 8 different ethnic backgrounds were evaluated over a 9-year period. An intervention based on monitoring of and feedback to referral sources proved effective in improving proportionate representation in the referral process. Moreover, the WISC—R and SPM showed approximately equal predictive validity and no evidence of differential validity. Significant differences were found as a function of ethnic background between those referred and those certified as gifted, as well as between those referred and those who scored in the 98th percentile on either test. Implications for traditional tests are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Input capability and speed of processing in mental retardation.

The minimum stimulus duration for criterion accuracy and the minimum interval between presentation of a test and presentation of a masking stimulus for criterion accuracy were determined for mildly (mean IQ 55.25) and moderately (mean IQ 47.25) retarded adults and normal controls of the same MA and CA. Five groups of 8 Ss were tested: All adult Ss were in their 20s, and 2 groups of children whose mean CAs were 9.1 and 7.7 yrs served as MA controls for the milds and moderates, respectively. The procedure was replicated 3 times in 3 separate sessions. Both retarded groups required longer stimulus durations as well as longer masking intervals for criterion accuracy than did both the MA and the CA control groups. Results are consistent with deficiencies in both iconic storage and speed of information processing in mental retardation. These deficiencies, furthermore, cannot be accounted for on the basis of low MA. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The value of a terminal master's degree for PhD-pursuing students in psychology.

Presents results of a survey of graduate programs in psychology that support the conclusions of R. J. Howell and M. L. Murdock (see record 1973-05428-001), who found that, on average, BA/BS students appear to have more to lose than to gain by obtaining a master's degree in psychology as a primary strategy in seeking the ultimate goal of a doctoral degree. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)