RELIEVING ANXIETY IN CLASSROOM EXAMINATIONS.

"The present experiment attempted to influence student scores on classroom tests by setting up conditions which would permit reduction or dissipation of anxiety. The results showed that students who were encouraged to write comments about their questions made higher scores than students who had conventional answer sheets." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Experimental analysis of a film used as a threatening stimulus.

In an effort to identify sources of stress reaction, a threatening film depicting a primitive genital operation was analyzed experimentally by dividing it into 3 sections of different contents. Impact of the sections was compared on physiological and psychological measures of stress reaction. The threat value of the film depended not only on the genital operation scenes, interpreted by previous investigators as producing castration anxiety, but also upon other types of contents, such as nudity. Moreover, in addition to differing in degree of disturbance produced, the film sections resulted in variation in the pattern of affects. Such patterns cannot be studied at the physiological level of analysis. Personality factors also determined reactions to the film threats. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Intimacy maturity and its correlates in young married couples.

Intimate relationships, like the individuals who participate in them, are conceived of as following developmental processes. Five dimensions of intimacy—relationship orientation, caring–concern, commitment, sexuality, and communication—are identified, and an approach to assessing relationship maturity on each of these dimensions is described. In a study of 31 young married couples, scores on each dimension of intimacy maturity were analyzed in relation to gender, gender role (as assessed through an adaptation of the Bem Sex Role Inventory), and scores of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. There were no significant differences between husbands and wives on any of the intimacy or marital adjustment scales and only a marginal difference on 1 gender role scale (agency). Patterns of correlations among intimacy, marital adjustment, and gender role scores varied by gender. Not only do there appear to be 2 marriages (his and hers) in every marriage (as suggested by J. Bernard [1982]), but the correlates of these marriages also vary. (58 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Experimental reduction of stress based on ego-defense theory.

Previous research had shown that a silent film showing primitive adolescent "subincision" rites produced marked stress reactions. 3 sound tracks were created for the film and compared in impact with the silent version. 1, called the trauma track, pointed up the threatening aspect of the film. The other 2, based upon the theory of ego defense, were designed to encourage defensive interpretations of the film's contents so as to reduce threat. One consisted of denial and reaction formation statements about the film, the other was based on intellectualization. The trauma track increased evidences of stress response especially with respect to continuous recordings of skin conductance during the film. The defensive sound tracks reduced skin conductance evidence of stress response. The effectiveness of the defensive sound tracks interacted with the 2 S groups. Intellectualization was effective for the students and may have been also for the air executives, but denial was not as effective, at least for the student group. The findings supported the importance of the process of cognitive appraisal of threat in producing stress reactions, permitting the conclusion that the same visual stimulus varies in the amount of stress produced depending upon the nature of the cognitive appraisal the person makes regarding its significance for him. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Distribution of psychologists in universities and colleges.

Presents information on the existing distribution of positions occupied by psychologists, obtained from a sample of 800 entries in the 1970 Biographical Directory of the American Psychological Association by means of a random number table. Total distribution as well as percentages of the total, academic, and nonacademic positions are included with the objective of describing or labeling the positions. Comparisons are made with similar 1962 and 1966 surveys. Data show that psychology is a field which is broad in both substance and in categories of employment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)