Lloyd Silverman (1929-1986).

Memorializes Lloyd Silverman. His work in the field of psychoanalysis is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A note on "Color-Word Test performance and drive regulation in three vocational groups" by Levine.

Disputes the conclusion of F. J. Levine (see record 1969-04002-001) that there was a lack of support for the concept of constricted vs. flexible cognitive control measured by the Color Word Task. It is suggested that this conclusion is misleading in view of issues concerning the logic of the derived predictions and the statistical power of the study. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Vocal isolation: Effects of occluding auditory feedback from one's own voice.

Investigated the effects of vocal masking on the associative structure and content of ideas elicited in an imagery task, using 16 college graduates as Ss. When Ss were unable to hear their own voices, their images showed significantly greater indications of overall drive expression (unweighted drive), more intense drive expression (weighted drive), and a significant increase in morality references. The degree of drive expression was positively correlated with speech editing behaviors (aborted sentences, incomplete words, etc.), and negatively correlated with language editing behaviors (e.g., use of qualifying expressions). Findings are discussed in terms of the reciprocal activity of speech and language editing in relation to (a) drive expression, (b) the functional significance of hearing one's own voice, and (c) the contribution of the total experimental situation (e.g., the masking noise) to the effects obtained. (15 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An experimental study of aspects of the psychoanalytic theory of male homosexuality.

Tested psychoanalytic dynamic propositions through the subliminal exposure of drive-related stimuli, using 2 groups of 36 male homosexuals and heterosexuals (mean age = 30 yrs). On the basis of both psychoanalytic clinical reports and the results of preliminary investigation, it was hypothesized that male homosexuals would show an intensification of homosexual-related reactions after the subliminal presentation of an "incest stimulus," and a decrease in such reactions after the subliminal exposure of a "symbiosis stimulus." It was found that for homosexuals, on a "sexual feelings assessment," the incest stimulus intensified "homosexual orientation." On a Rorschach-type task, the symbiosis condition led to a decrease in a "threat index." Neither of these results was found for heterosexuals. Findings lend support to (a) psychoanalytic propositions linking homosexuality in males to conflict over incestuous wishes and (b) the proposition supported by a number of earlier experimental studies that the stimulation of a fantasy of symbiotic gratification has a "therapeutic effect" on individuals in various psychiatric syndrome groupings. (31 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of a self-analytic exercise on clinical judgment.

The authors examined some effects of a self-analytic exercise on clinical judgment. Clinicians listened to audiotaped segments of a patient interview with instructions to focus on the feelings aroused in them. Control subjects were asked to attend to the patient's defensive style and affect. All subjects completed questionnaires tapping their feelings toward the patient and their assessment of the patient's mental health, prognosis, and treatability. Subjects completed the same questionnaires after listening to the same taped segments again and a new segment and were asked what interpretation they might offer. Those who engaged in the self-analytic exercise, particularly those who did it well, showed an increase in empathy and positive feelings toward the patient. Discussion centered on self-analysis and countertransference. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitive controls and mental retardation.

Devised a color-digit interference task and 2 sorting tasks as variants of the Stroop Color-Word Test and R. Gardner, et al. (see record 1961-02266-001) sorting tasks, respectively. These tasks proved applicable to a mentally retarded sample (n = 39) and provided reliable measures of 2 cognitive control dimensions (constricted-flexible control and equivalence range). As predicted, the main test scores were significantly more variable in retarded Ss than in normals (n = 32). Analyses of performance on the color-digit interference task indicated that retarded Ss were significantly slower than the normals on all parts of the task, particularly under conditions of distraction (whether inherent in the task or externally imposed). Low IQ retarded Ss were significantly slower than high IQ retarded Ss on all parts of the task. The extreme cognitive control test scores of the retarded Ss, the nature of the attentional deficit among these Ss, and the relevance of a cognitive control approach for the training of retarded persons are discussed. (16 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)