Showing papers by "University of Nevada, Reno published in 1971"

Two-Way Communication with an Infant Chimpanzee

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses two-way communication with an infant chimpanzee. Language is the most important result of the evolutionary developments that distinguish human beings from other species. It is difficult to study language on the same objective terms as other types of behavior. The study of language has come to lose much of the mystique that it once had. If an animal, such as a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) is capable of developing a system of two-way communication of its own, the place to observe this can be in well-established wild bands. In choosing an appropriate medium for communication with a chimpanzee, one must first consider carefully why a medium based on vocalization cannot be appropriate. A chimpanzee can never communicate by speech because of anatomical defects in its vocal apparatus. Many human tools and mechanical devices are designed for the human hand, yet chimpanzees can learn to use these with great skill. To some extent, chimpanzees should be able to use a medium of communication designed for human vocal anatomy. Intelligible speech can be produced by human beings with the pathological defects of the vocal apparatus, and there are human languages that substitute whistles or clicks for speech.

Directional Confusion as a Sign of Dyslexia

Abstract: The concept of dyslexia is both important and ambiguous. In an effort to reduce the ambiguity of the concept, several hundred second-grade school children were tested for primary reading errors and...

Behavioral choice as a function of novelty-seeking and anxiety-avoidance motivations.

Abstract: It was hypothesized that the tendency of individuals to engage in an unknown, ambiguous activity would be a joint function of their needs for novelty and their levels of anxiety. Preliminary supporting data are presented.

High concentration of cobalt in wheat grasses.

Abstract: The concentration of cobalt in range wheat grasses (Agropyron spp.) in north-eastern Nevada was considerably in excess of that reported in other species grown on untreated soils. Concentrations of of 0–8 to 23 ppm (dry basis) were confirmed by three independent methods of analysis.

Evolution of a Plutonic Complex, Okanogan Range, Washington

Abstract: Plutonic events in the Toats Coulee Creek region of the Okanogan Range, Washington, are mainly determined by a textural and structural study of the rocks, although several genetic relationships between plutons are based on chemical data. Several isotopic dates have confirmed relative ages determined by geologic means and provide an approximate picture of the distribution of the periods of tectonism, metamorphism, plutonism, and erosion in the Mesozoic Era. Late Triassic major orogeny resulted in Barrovian (?) regional dynamotnermal metamorphism of Permian (?) eugeosynclinal sediments and volcanics to various quartzose, pelitic, and calcareous schists and amphibolites. The Chopaka gabbroic and ultramafic intrusives and the earliest member of the granitic Toats Coulee Magma Series were involved in this metamorphism at the present relative level with respect to the metamorphic unit, and were converted into a variety of gneisses. The mafic and ultramafic portions of the Chopaka Intrusive Complex were emplaced together sometime between the Permian and Late Triassic. Emplacement of large discordant members of the Toats Coulee Magma Series (new name) represents a loss of continuity in the regional metamorphic belt and a culmination of Late Triassic erogenic events. Following a period of major erosion, plutons of the Horseshoe Basin Magma Series were emplaced at much shallower depths in the Early to Middle Cretaceous. Widespread, but only locally intense, tectonic activity at this time resulted in deformation of the older rock assemblage, converting portions of some Toats Coulee series plutons into cataclastic gneisses and providing structural weaknesses into which members of the younger series intruded. Injection of some of these magmas into zones of active cataclasis and recrystallization produced hybrid gneisses that are partly migmatitic. The leucocratic gneiss member of the series, correlating with the Boulder Creek Gneiss, is characterized by schlieren-like distribution of mafic minerals and textures that are not typically magmatic, and may be a result of simultaneous intrusion and crystallization of magma nearing a “minimum” composition. Such a gneiss-forming process is believed to be consistent with shallow emplacement and with proximity to the unmetamorphosed Methow-Pasayten Cretaceous sedimentary rocks to the west. The Horseshoe Basin Magma Series, including the leucocratic gneisses, is Early to Middle Cretaceous, which points to a period of nearly simultaneous erosion, sedimentation, and pluton emplacement.

Nature of chromosome aberrations induced in pre-DNA- synthesis period in human leukocytes by daunomycin

Abstract: Chromosomes from human leukocytes cultured in vitro were exposed to anti- leukemic antibiotic daunomycin during G 0 and G 1 periods of interphase. Chromosomal aberrations were rare or absent in cells treated with up to 0.15 μg/ml of the drug during the first 12 h of culture initiations indicating the relative insensitivity of the cells during early part of G 1 to the concentrations studied. All types of aberrations (chromosome and chromatid types of breaks and exchanges) were observed in cells treated between 12–16 h of culture and later. The data indicate that reunions take place in absence of detectable DNA synthesis and thus perhaps depend upon protein synthesis. The presence of chromatid types of exchanges in cells treated before initiation of S phase is explained on the basis of chromosome aberrations being translated into chromatid-type aberrations or resolution of unreplicated G 1 structure of chromosomes into functional two-stranded by “loosening” of the bonds holding the two sister structures together. A new type of chromosome aberration, monocentric triradials—apparently originating by the manipulation of a single chromosome—is described in relation to chromosome-type aberrations being translated into chromatid- type aberrations.

Strain effects of nuclear explosions in Nevada

Abstract: The University of Nevada9s three-component quartz-rod strain meter installation at Round Mountain, Nevada (38°42.1′N, 117°04.6′W) has recorded a number of underground nuclear explosions at the Nevada Test Site, beginning with the megaton-sized JORUM event September 16 1969. Both that explosion and the larger HANDLEY event on March 26 1970 produced static strain offsets of a few parts in 10 9 at Round Mountain. These offsets did not decay within the first few hours after the explosions. In both cases, the strain offsets were in the sense of ground extension radial to the shot point, which is inconsistent with the assumption of a pure compressive source of strain. The strain-change ellipse for the HANDLEY event was found to have a major strain axis of 11 × 10 −9 extensional, oriented N 34°W, and a minor axis of 7.4 × 10 −9 compressional. A single-component strain meter at Mina, Nevada, (38°26.3′N, 118°9.3′W) was operated for the HANDLEY event, and recorded a strain offset of 2.6 × 10 −9 in the direction N 74°E. Strain offsets at the time of the largest collapse events following HANDLEY were observed at Round Mountain. These offsets had the same sense on each component as those following the explosion itself. This is interpreted as support for the hypothesis that the strain changes are tectonic in origin, and the explosion initiates the strain release. Small offsets were observed for three smaller explosions out of a total of 13 studied. The relationship between body-wave magnitude m b and maximum dynamic strains at Round Mountain may be described empirically by the equation Log S = − 13.4 + 1.10 m b . Because of its high sensitivity and stability, the Round Mountain strain meter is capable of obtaining useful measurements of dynamic and static strain effects of intermediate- to large-sized explosions, at distances ranging from 160 to 200 km.

Birth Order and Virginity

Abstract: Despite the existence of a fairly extensive body of literature dealing with the correlates of birth order, little is known about whether this variable influences sexual behavior. The work of Schachter (1959) and others suggests the possibility that greater need for affiliation might increase the incidence of sexual behavior among firstborns. On the other hand, a study by Nisbett (1968) shows that firstborns are less adventuresome and more cautious than later borns. This conservatism, in turn, might reduce the incidence of premarital sexual behavior among firstborns. The present study employed anonymous selfreport of birth order and sexual experience in order to determine the nature of the relationship between the two variables. Ss were undergraduates (78 males, 96 females) enrolled in introductory psychology classes at Western Washington State College. Prior to the collection of the data, birthorder research had not been discussed nor did it appear in the assigned readings. Each S was asked to circle the appropriate sex designation on the first line of a data slip. The question in the second line was whether S was a virgin and the alternatives Yes and N o were provided for circling. When it appeared chat both items had been completed, Ss were asked to write at the bottom of the slip whether they were firstborn or laterborn. The data slips were folded and handed in without any additional information. The results were analyzed separately for each sex. For female Ss, 48% (46/96) reported themselves as firstborns and 39% (37/96) reported having had intercourse. Firstborn females, however, reported a 52% incidence (24/46) of intercourse, but only 26% (13/50) of the later born females. Thus, firstborn females were more likely than later born females to report a history of intercourse (xa = 6.98, p < .01) . For the male Ss, 51% (40/78) reported themselves as firstborns, and 59% (46/78) claimed a history of sexual intercourse. The relationship between birth order and incidence of intercourse followed the same pattern as for the female Ss, but less markedly. Among firstborn males, 70% (28/40) reported intercourse. For the later born males the corresponding probability was 47% (18/38) . This difference was significant ( X 2 = 4.11, p < .05) but at a lower level of confidence than the relationship for female Ss. Two aspects of the data suggest that these Ss are not atypical of college undergraduate populations. For the entire sample, 49% (86/174) of the Ss reported first birth position. The finding accords with other studies of birth order among college undergraduates in which it is reported that approximately half of the Ss are firstborn. Second, the incidence of reported virginity is not appreciably lower for this age group than has been reported elsewhere. Although there are numerous explanations of these findings, the author prefers interpretation that points to earlier adoption of adult roles among firstborns. Douvan and Adelson (1966) call atcention to the finding that firstborn adolescents are strongly motivated to assume the rights and responsibilities of adult roles. It seems probable, then, that these findings indicate a more rapid assumption of adult rights and privileges by firstborn Ss. REFERENCES

Halloysite Deposits in the Terraced Hills Washoe County, Nevada

Abstract: Large hydrothermal deposits of halloysite clay occur in the Terraced Hills, Washoe County, Nevada and similar bodies probably are present elsewhere in the Basin and Range province. The host rock, an andesitic tuff, is underlain and overlain by volcanic flows; all these rocks are late Miocene to Pliocene in age. The clay bodies are composed mostly of halloysite with some iron oxides, variable amounts of feldspar and quartz, and locally some montmorillonite. Commonly all the pyroclastic unit is altered to halloysite material. In one locality, however, the halloysite body is restricted to the upper part and it is in sharp contact with underlying, partly montmorillonitized tuff. The contact of a clay body with the overlying basalt is distinct. Generally some halloysite is present in the lower part of the basalt and montmorillonite occurs in both materials near their contact. The solutions that altered the tuff were generated during volcanism, rose along high-angle faults, and were restricted to the permeable and otherwise favorable vitric tuff by the capping of relatively impermeable basalt.

Hymenolepis diminuta (order Cyclophyllidea): histochemical localization of glycogen, neutral lipid, and alkaline phosphatase in developing worms.

Abstract: The distribution and concentration of glycogen, neutral lipid and alkaline phosphatase were studied histochemically in developmental stages of the tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta. Examination of immature, mature and gravid proglottids from worms of selected ages showed a general trend of increasing concentration of glycogen, neutral lipid and alkaline phosphatase from the anterior to the posterior of the worm. However, no significant difference was observed in the concentration of these substances in individual proglottid types from worms of various ages.

A Symbolic Interactionist Approach to Self-Referent Behavior:

Abstract: Summary.-A preliminary study designed to illustrate the determinants of accurate self-referent behavior was conducted. Ss oredicted their individual verformances on arithmetic, verbal, and clerical tasks. After the prediction each task was performed for 3 min. Findings were: (1) Ss predicted their verbal task performance with moderate accuracy (r. = .55, p < .01), (2) the arithmetic task was less accurately predicted (r = .29, fi < .05), and (3) the clerical task was not predicted. Ss employed consistent estimates and were consistently accurate across verbal and arithmetic tasks but not over either one of these rwo tasks and the clerical task. Absolute accuracy of prediction was not correlated across any task pairs. The findings are interpreted as functions of differential access to the symbolic acts required to predict one's own behavior accurately. A recurring issue in social psychology concerns the extent to which individuals can predict their own behavior. While the resolution to this question has implications for a broad range of research methods and laboratory practices, the issue typically reappears in the context of a particular methodological problem. A recent controversy dealing with the possibility of substituting role playing for deception manipulations, for example, largely reflects differing positions on this issue. Bem (1967, 1968) has reported a number of experiments which suggest that Ss can accurately predict their own behavior and the behavior of others. In one such study, for example, the well known findings of the Festinger and Carlsmith (1959) forced-compliance experiment were predicted by Bem's Ss. A recent report by Jones, Linder, Kiesler, Zanna, and Brehm (1968), however, describes possible Jimitations to Bem's methods, and a critical review by Freedman (1969) has questioned the utility of role-playing as a research tool. Unfortunately, these brief flurries of dispute about a particular innovation, role playing, in this case, have served to obscure rather than clarify the fundamental problems of self-prediction. The basic issue is not whether individuals predict their behavior accurately but how they predict their behavior at all. Mead's (1934, 1938) theory of symbolic interaction offers the most comprehensive statement of the processes used to predict behavior. According to Mead, individuals attribute meanings to the acts of others by the process of role taking. Accurate role taking, in turn, depends on the significant symbols which are available to evoke similar responses in both observer and the actor. Since the individual can also indicate the meaning of his own actions to himself, self-prediction is but a specific instance of the capacity to predict the actions of others. That individuals interact with themselves is often used to 'The author would like to thank Dr. Gerald P. Ginsburg for his helpful comments on an earlier draft of the manuscript.

Birth Order and Mate Selection

Abstract: While studies of personality and behavioral correlates of birth order have increased, the possibility that this variable may affect mate selection has not been considered The present study employed a brief on-the-street interview to examine the relationship between Ss' birth order and the birth order of their spouses Ss were 100 male and 100 female pedestrians who passed the principal business corner of a large city in the Pacific Northwest Prospective Ss were approached by a well-dressed 25-yr-old white male who asked if they would answer a few questions for a survey Refusals to participate were fewer than 8% and a small number of unmarried Ss were also excluded Among other information, married Ss reported their ordinal birth position and that of their spouses Respondents and spouses were classified as first and/or only born or later born in a 2 X 2 contingency table For 200 respondents the relationship between S's birch position and birth position of the spouse was not significant (x2 = 644) Separate analyses of the reports of male and female Ss were also nonsignificant Although the present sample is noc large, first and only born Ss accounted for 36% of the respondents, suggesting a fairly representative sampling of the larger population Given this assumption and finding that previous studies have not reported birth order as a determinant of mate selection, it appears unlikely that further snldy will identify a direct relationship between the two variables However, birth order may indirectly affect mate selection if suitable moderator variables are selected A recent study by Touhey ( 1971 ), for example, showed that firstborn male and female undergraduates reported more premarital sexual behavior than later born college students More comprehensive findings reported by Schachter (1959) and Douvan and Adelson (1966) have also identified a number of behavioral and personality correlates of birth order To the extent, then, that established birth-order correlates, such as premarital sexual activity and need for affiliation, are determinants of mate selection, they might be profitably employed as moderator variables to study birth order and mate selection

Personality correlates of accurate time perception.

Abstract: The relationship between four Myers-Briggs personality indices and accuracy of autokinetic time perception was examined for 41 undergraduate Ss. Accurate perceivers scored significantly higher on the personality measures of extraversion and perceiving than inaccurate perceivers.

Machiavellians and social mobility.

Abstract: Christie and Geis (1970) have reported that Machiavellianism correlates with the successful use of deceitful strategies in mixed-motive matrix games but not with upward social mobility. One interpretation of this discrepancy suggests that the deceitful behaviors which characterize Machiavellian Ss in the laboratory may not be necessary for the attainment of upward social mobility. A second explanation, however, might involve another set of behaviors, also correlated with Machiavellianism but dysfunctional for upward mobility. Gutterman (1970) has reported that the child-rearing antecedents of Machiavellianism comprise a pattern of parental behaviors which Sears, Rau, and Alpert (1965) identify as low parental strictness combined with high parental punitiveness. Since the behaviors associated with this pattern of child rearing point to difficulties i n the inhibition of aggression and the development of self-control, these studies raise the possibility that adult Machiavellians may experience difficulties in the control of aggression and behaviors of self-management. Gutterman's adapted version of Christie's Machiavellianism Scale was administered to 46 male and 36 female college students. Self-reported difficulties with aggression and self-control were measured on two 30-point scales labeled at 5-point intervals from 0, \"very little difficulty\" to 1 5 \"average difficulty\" through 30 \"very much difficulty.\" A final item asked Ss whether they felt that problems with aggression and self-control \"have hindered your attempt to get ahead in life.\" Ss indicated a yes or no response for this item. Data were analyzed separately for each sex. For men, Machiavellianism correlated significantly (.48, p < .01) with reported difficulties in self-control. The corresponding coefficient for Machiavellianism and reported aggression (.41, p < .01) was also significant. For women, Machiavellianism correlated significantly with difficulties in selfcontrol ( T = .59, p < .01) but not for reported difficulties with aggression ( T = .13). For the dichotomous dependent variable each S was classified high or low Machiavellian by a median split. High-scoring males were more likely than low-scoring males co report that problems with aggression and self-control have impeded upward social mobility (xa = 8.02, p < ,005). For women the corresponding X 2 of 1.78 was not significant. The findings suggest that problems with aggressive behaviors and self-control among Machiavellian males may offset their capacity to manipulate others as an avenue to upward social mobility. Since occupational advancement and its prerequisite educational attainments are the principal means for upward mobility, further studies might examine the behaviors of Machiavellian Ss in these settings.

Distortion of self-ascribed characteristics

Abstract: While a number of studies of attribution theory have reported that Ss may distort the social and physical characteristics which they ascribe to others, few have considered the possibility that individuals may misperceive their own characteristics on the same dimensions along which they misjudge others. A recent experiment reported by Wilson (1968), for example, has shown that Ss consistently ascribe greater height to academic persons of higher status. For the two extreme status manipulations, Wilson found that the same individual was judged to be nearly 3 in. taller when he appeared as a full professor rather than as a visiting student. Perceptual distortions need not, however, be limited to the effects of social attributions on judgments of physical characteristics. Secord (1958) also reports data which demonstrate that physical characteristics may determine the traits ascribed to others, a common finding in studies of stereotyping. The present experiment, then, determined whether the relationships between status and ascribed height, observed in interpersonal perception, will generalize to self-perception. Twenty male Ss estimated their heights and "future success in life" on two 100-point scales labeled at 10-point intervals. Rather than making an absolute estimate, each S indicated the number of men out of 100 that he believed to be shorter and less successful in life than himself. These percentile judgments are shown in the top row of Table 1. To determine whether Ss hold an implicit hypothesis linking height to success, a productmoment correlation was computed between the two measures. An r of .36 (p < .lo, df = 19) was small but of sufficient magnitude to suggest an experimental test of the hypothesis. A second group of 20 males listened to a brief talk designed to raise estimations of their success in life. The speech stressed the financial, occupational, marital and health benefits associated with the acquisition of a college degree and concluded that college graduates might expect to win considerable success in life. Ss then filled out the height-estimation scale as the dependent variable and the success in life measure as the check on the manipulation. A third group of 20 Ss listened to a brief lecture designed to convey the idea that the average college man tended to be substantially taller than the average height for the non-college male population. For these Ss, the success in life measure was scored as the dependent variable and the height estimation as the manipulative check. The effectiveness of the manipulations was checked by comparing the average score of each experimental group on the manipulated scale to the corresponding measure for the nonexperimental Ss. Experimental Ss who were led to expect success in life rated themselves as more successful (p < .OO1) and Ss who listened to the speech concerning the height of college men also rated themselves as taller (p < .001) than the control Ss. The second row of Table 1 shows the average self-ascribed height ratings for Ss who received the success manipulation and the relative success rating for Ss who received height treatment. As hypothesized, Ss who expect success in life attribute significantly greater height to themselves (t = 2.26, p < ,051 than control Ss. The stature treatment, however, did not exert a converse effect on estimations of success in life (t = 1.01).

Sex and Affective Determinants of Lecture Content Retention.

Abstract: Numerous studies have shown that Ss are able to identify emotions from the vocal cues provided by teachers and lecturers, but little is known about the effects of emotional presentation on the performance of intellecual tasks. Izard (1964), for example, found that Ss earned higher scores on a variecy of intellectual tasks when an experimental accomplice played her role with positive affect. The present study employed a more comprehensive design to examine the relationship between affect, sex of speaker, and sex of S on the retention of lecture material. Ss (47 male, 46 female) were drawn from introductory psychology classes at the University of Nevada, Reno. The lecture material consisted of a 1700-word encyclopedia entry dealing with the history of the country of Zanzibar. Each S listened to a tape-recorded lecture delivered by either a male or a female speaker. In addition, each speaker portrayed one of three moods: anger, depression, or elation. At the conclusion of the lecture Ss took a sentence completion examination of 32 items. Total item recall scores were analyzed in a 2 x 2 x 3 analysis of variance (Male speaker vs Female speaker X Male Ss vs Female Ss x Anger vs Elation vs Depression). One significant main effect was obtained; male Ss recalled more items than female Ss (F = 4.81, df = 1/84, p < .O5). Male speakers were also associated with somewhat higher recall scores than female speakers, but this finding was not significant (p < .12). The main effect for Mood and all four interactions were nonsignificant. That male Ss remember more items than female Ss is consistent with previous research into sex differences (Goldhaber & Weaver, 1968). However, the generalizabilicy of this finding may be limited by the content of the present lecture. Milton (1957, 1959), for example, has shown that sex-appropriate stimulus materials facilitate problem solving for female Ss, a finding which may explain these results. Further smdies which examine the sex-appropriateness of lecmre content on recall scores of male and female Ss appear to be in order.

Anyos jedlik, an inventor of the dynamo-electric principle

Abstract: Simultaneous discoveries by independent workers are not uncommon, but the work of Anyos Jedlik has not been as widely acclaimed as that of Wheatstone and Siemens, despite evidence that his discovery of the dynamo-electric principle predates those of his illustrious contemporaries.