Showing papers in "British Journal of Clinical Psychology in 1982"
TL;DR: A questionnaire measure of self-reported failures in perception, memory, and motor function, the most plausible view is that cognitive failure makes a person vulnerable to showing bad effects of stress, rather than itself resulting from stress.
Abstract: This paper describes a questionnaire measure of self-reported failures in perception, memory, and motor function. Responses to all questions tend to be positively correlated, and the whole questionnaire correlates with other recent measures of self-reported deficit in memory, absent-mindedness, or slips of action. The questionnaire is however only weakly correlated with indices of social desirability set or of neuroticism. It is significantly correlated with ratings of the respondent by his or her spouse, and accordingly does have some external significance rather than purely private opinion of the self. The score is reasonably stable over long periods, to about the same extent as traditional measures of trait rather than state. Furthermore, it has not thus far been found to change in persons exposed to life-stresses. However, it does frequently correlate with the number of current psychiatric symptoms reported by the same person on the MHQ; and in one study it has been found that CFQ predicts subsequent MHQ in persons who work at a stressful job in the interval. It does not do so in those who work in a less stressful environment. The most plausible view is that cognitive failure makes a person vulnerable to showing bad effects of stress, rather than itself resulting from stress.
2,491 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that initial dieting behaviour is triggered by apparently innocuous psychosocial stimuli, in the context of major setting conditions which predispose the individual towards self- and bodily control: an that successful dieting is then powerfully reinforced by its consequences, which rapidly lead to a downward spiralling into full-blown anorexia nervosa.
Abstract: This paper is concerned with the description of an aetiological model of anorexia nervosa and one form of bulimia nervosa. The model has been generated within the conceptual framework of 'functional analysis' and is based on a combination of research evidence and clinical observation. The model attempts to explain the development of anorexia nervosa in terms of a set of hypothesized antecedent events/variables and its maintenance/exacerbation in terms of both positive and negative reinforcers. Specifically it is suggested that initial dieting behaviour is triggered by apparently innocuous psychosocial stimuli, in the context of major setting conditions which predispose the individual towards self- and bodily control: an that successful dieting is then powerfully reinforced by its consequences, which rapidly lead to a downward spiralling into full-blown anorexia nervosa. In this formulation anorexia nervosa is viewed as an attempted adaptive strategy (which has functional value to the individual), given the major setting conditions of the individual's current life situation. Similarly, bulimia nervosa following on from anorexia nervosa is viewed as an attempted adaptive strategy given prevailing environmental and biological pressures towards increasing food intake. The model is presented in the form of diagrammatic formulations and its theoretical and therapeutic implications discussed in relation to the relevant literature..
494 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that dissatisfaction with communication remains widespread, as does lack of compliance with medical advice, and theoretical approaches to communication and compliance should be used to direct future research.
Abstract: The literature on communication, compliance, and patient satisfaction is selectively reviewed. As in earlier reviews, it is concluded that dissatisfaction with communication remains widespread, as does lack of compliance with medical advice. Related factors include poor transmission of information from patient to doctor, low understandability of communications addressed to the patient, and low levels of recall of information by patients. There does not appear to be any evidence that provision of additional information leads to adverse reactions by patients. Theoretical approaches to communication and compliance are described, and it is concluded that these should be used to direct future research.
446 citations
TL;DR: Cognitive coping methods seem to be an effective way of managing specific worries about the operation, and it is suggested that this underlies differences in patterns of recovery following surgery.
Abstract: Sixty hysterectomy patients were randomly assigned to one of three types of psychological preparation prior to surgery, while an additional 10 patients declined psychological help. Twenty patients received information about the surgical procedure and its effects, another 20 were instructed in a cognitive coping technique, and the remainder were given general information about the ward. Interventions were shown to have different effects on a number of pre- and post-surgical measures; notably on knowledge about hysterectomy, analgesic usage, reported days of pain after discharge, and belief in the usefulness of intervention methods. Whereas information about surgery enhanced knowledge and usefulness ratings, cognitive coping appeared to have most effect on indices of recovery. Patients declining preparation responded badly immediately after surgery, but made a satisfactory recovery after discharge. Cognitive coping methods seem to be an effective way of managing specific worries about the operation, and it is suggested that this underlies differences in patterns of recovery following surgery.
132 citations
TL;DR: The advantages of meta-analysis are so substantial that the techniques deserve routine use as an aid to summarizing treatment literatures.
Abstract: Meta-analysis is an increasingly popular, objective method for summarizing a body of empirical findings. The standard meta-analysis package consists of methods for estimating the combined probability and average effect size for a set of studies, the stability of these results, and the factors associated with differential treatment outcomes. While meta-analysis is a powerful analytic technique, the procedure has limitations that should be carefully evaluated when it is applied to the psychotherapy — or any other — literature. These limitations include biased selection of studies; reporting inaccuracies, poor quality data, various sources of invalidity (conceptual, methodological, and statistical), and lack of independence in the studies reviewed; and variability in outcome produced by the meta-analytic techniques employed. Despite these potential problems, the advantages of meta-analysis are so substantial that the techniques deserve routine use as an aid to summarizing treatment literatures.
79 citations
TL;DR: Results obtained indicated differences across the anxiety groups on each of these sets of variables, which were interpreted as being consistent with a view that both cognitive and behavioural variables influence social anxiety.
Abstract: In order to assess the factors which influence the occurrence of social anxiety, 45 subjects (25 male and 20 female) were divided into high, moderate and low social anxiety groups on the basis of a self-report inventory. Their performance in a series of simulated social interactions was assessed on self-report measures of anxiety and social skill, cognitive self-statements and judge ratings of overt behaviours. Results obtained indicated differences across the anxiety groups on each of these sets of variables. This was interpreted as being consistent with a view that both cognitive and behavioural variables influence social anxiety.
77 citations
TL;DR: Whether other patients know more about surgical patients' worries than the nursing staff on the ward is examined, and other patients were more accurate than the nurses both in terms of overall accuracy and using signal detection theory estimates of sensitivity.
Abstract: Previous studies indicate that patients' worries may not be communicated very effectively to hospital staff. The current study examines whether other patients know more about surgical patients' worries than the nursing staff on the ward. For each patient, the patient, a nurse and a colleague-patient completed a checklist to describe the patients' worries. The results showed that the other patients were more accurate than the nurses both in terms of overall accuracy and, more tentatively, using signal detection theory estimates of sensitivity. As in a previous study, the nurses overestimated the number of worries; the overestimation did not appear to be related to the content of the items nor was it due to patients' underreporting of problems. Relationships between patients, both on the surgical ward and in self-help groups, are discussed.
69 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that behavioural treatments for pain are warranted in the clinic and that research dealing with effectiveness and subsequently with component analyses of treatments is badly needed.
Abstract: Studies of the effectiveness of operant, relaxation, cognitive, and multimodal behavioural approaches to the treatment of chronic benign pain other than headache were evaluated. In general, the quality of the studies was poor, and most investigations lacked appropriate and adequate control conditions, outcome measures, and/or follow-ups. While outcome reports for all four behavioural treatments have been mainly positive, few data were found which conclusively demonstrate that any of the approaches are effective or that they are the treatment of choice. The data do, however, imply that behavioural approaches may help patients lead more normal and productive lives. Specifically, the literature suggests that: (1) the operant method leads to increased activity levels and decreased pain and drug intake, (2) the relaxation approach results in decreased EMG levels and some pain reductions, (3) the cognitive techniques are speculative at this time, and (4) the multimodal method regularly produces a variety of improvements, but the diversity of the treatments makes general statements about utility impossible. It is concluded that behavioural treatments for pain are warranted in the clinic and that research dealing with effectiveness and subsequently with component analyses of treatments is badly needed.
64 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a replication of the construction of the McGill Pain Questionnaire through the use of maximally dissimilar methodology and statistical techniques is presented, where a similarity matrix was constructed in terms of the number of times each word was associated with each of the other 78 words.
Abstract: The McGill Pain Questionnaire is in widespread use as a means of understanding the pain patient and monitoring treatment response. The current study consists of a replication of the construction of the questionnaire through the use of maximally dissimilar methodology and statistical techniques. The study comprised two stages: (a) an attempt to replicate the grouping of words within the questionnaire; and (b) an investigation of the intensity relationships of words within each subgroup. A direct grouping technique was used for stage (a), whereby 90 subjects sorted the words into semantically similar groups. A similarity matrix was constructed in terms of the number of times each word was associated with each of the other 78 words and subjected to cluster analysis. Inspection of the 20-group solution revealed considerable similarity with the original questionnaire. The intensity relationships were examined by asking a further group of 20 subjects to rate words on analogue scales. The results suggest a unidimensional solution to be inappropriate for a proportion of the subgroups. While there was a close resemblance with the MPQ, there was evidence for reducing the number of subgroups, as a 16-group solution offered a sensible and statistically parsimonious amalgamation. The implications of this work for the use of questionnaire methods are discussed.
61 citations
TL;DR: A behavioural view of chronic pain is outlined, in which pain behaviours are considered as operants, and studies show that tolerance can be increased by verbal reinforcement, and that pain ratings are influenced by the presence or absence of a patient's spouse.
Abstract: This review outlines a behavioural view of chronic pain, in which pain behaviours are considered as operants. This view is supported by experiments in which pain behaviour is shown to be under the influence of environmental factors. The number of exercises performed by pain patients working to tolerance tend to be in multiples of five, rather than following a chance distribution. The exercise deficit seen in pain patients under conditions where exercises are counted does not occur when feedback is removed, and under these circumstances pain patients do not differ from normals. Other studies show that tolerance can be increased by verbal reinforcement, and that pain ratings are influenced by the presence or absence of a patient's spouse. Implications of these findings for the maintenance or reduction of chronic pain are discussed.
60 citations
TL;DR: It appears that the use of functional analyses transcends, at least to some extent, the type of problem or client (in being applicable to institutional or individual problems) and in particular it provides a potential common ground for workers of different orientations.
Abstract: Various clinical problems in recent years have been described under the general heading of 'functional analyses'. The present paper considers the background to the notion of a functional analysis and some of the differences between functional analysis and more traditional approaches. The processes involved in producing such analyses of the origin and maintenance of clinical problems are outlined, using a clinical case as an illustration. It is suggested that, amongst the features highlighted by such analyses, feedback loops will often be apparent, and that these may provide particularly valuable targets for intervention. Moreover it appears that the use of such analyses transcends, at least to some extent, the type of problem or client (in being applicable to institutional or individual problems) and in particular that the use of functional analyses transcends theoretical biases of the clinician. In this respect it provides a potential common ground for workers of different orientations.
TL;DR: It was found that greater changes occurred for the vivid imagers than for the weak imagers, and the importance of taking into account individual differences in imagery abilities when planning imagery based treatment was discussed.
Abstract: Previous research has shown that people who can voluntarily form vivid images are able to exert more control over some of their cognitive and affective functions than people who can voluntarily form only weak images. This study was designed to extend this line of research to the control of mood states. From a sample of first-year psychology students four groups were formed: vivid imagery/elated, vivid imagery/depressed, weak imagery/elated, weak imagery/depressed. Mood change induction procedures were employed in an attempt to produce reversals in the initial mood states. It was found that greater changes occurred for the vivid imagers than for the weak imagers. These results were discussed in relation to the differential effectiveness of the mood induction procedures, the problem of measuring mood and the importance of taking into account individual differences in imagery abilities when planning imagery based treatment.
TL;DR: It was found that class attendance was associated with enhanced perception of personal and staff control but not with decreased anxiety, and perception of staff control was the single best predictor of reported discomfort.
Abstract: This study investigated the relationship between women's expectations of control during labour and the experience of childbirth. The women's expectations about their personal ability and about the ability of the staff to exercise control over, labour were examined. It was predicted that women who attended childbirth preparation classes would be less anxious about, and anticipate more control over, labour than non-attenders. Among the attenders, perceived personal control was expected to be related to self-reports of a more satisfying and less painful birth, while among the non-attenders beneficial effects were expected to be associated with greater perceived staff control. It was found that class attendance was associated with enhanced perception of personal and staff control but not with decreased anxiety. Class attendance and perceptions of personal and staff control predicted less painful (but not more satisfying) labour. A multiple regression analysis indicated that in the sample as a whole, perception of staff control was the single best predictor of reported discomfort. As expected, this was not equally true of attenders and non-attenders. Perceived staff control was a better predictor of reported discomfort in non-attenders while among class attenders perceptions of personal control were closely associated with the later reported experience of discomfort.
TL;DR: Examination of blood pressure variations and psychological factors on a longitudinal basis may be valuable, particularly in the development of self-management procedures for essential hypertensives, according to the results of this study.
Abstract: This study was designed to examine the links between psychological characteristics and mild essential hypertension Hypertensives were identified through mass screening of industrial populations Sixteen men under the age of 56 whose blood pressure remained above 145/90 (145/95 for the 45-55 age group) on three separate occasions were compared with 13 age-matched normotensives from the same population Participants completed a series of personality questionnaires, and carried out concurrent mood ratings and blood pressure self-monitoring four times daily for 14 days Subjects remained unaware of their diagnostic status until the procedure was completed No differences between groups were found on measures of trait anxiety, total hostility or direction of hostility State anxiety and Type A (coronary-prone) scores were significantly higher in normotensives than in hypertensives Analysis of mood and self-monitored blood pressure revealed consistent correlations between negative mood and higher pressure in both groups Comparison of correlations between blood pressure, tension and anger with the correlations of pressure with a control mood scale permitted spurious associations based on expectancies or reporting biases to be distinguished from genuine effects Only the correlation between tension and systolic pressure in the hypertensive group exceeded the correlation with the control mood scale Self-monitored pressure also correlated with pressure levels recorded in the laboratory These results suggest that examination of blood pressure variations and psychological factors on a longitudinal basis may be valuable, particularly in the development of self-management procedures for essential hypertensives
TL;DR: Cross-lagged correlation analysis was employed to test the hypothesis that attributions for symptoms and life-events would exercise a causal influence on the recovery of depressed patients, and the dimensions of stability and uncontrollability appeared to play a causal role in determining level of depression six weeks later.
Abstract: Cross-lagged correlation analysis was employed to test the hypothesis that attributions for symptoms and life-events would exercise a causal influence on the recovery of depressed patients. Patients rated their symptoms and their three most upsetting recent life-events on the dimensions of internality, stability, globality and uncontrollability. These ratings were significantly more global and uncontrollable than those of controls. Among female depressed patients the dimensions of stability and uncontrollability appeared in addition to play a causal role in determining level of depression six weeks later.
TL;DR: The results constitute a validation of Nelson & McKenna's formula for estimating Premorbid IQ, and in addition provide new normative data which may be used for estimating premorbid Verbal or Performance IQ, or score on the RSPM.
Abstract: The Schonell Graded Word Reading Test (SGWRT), the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM) were administered to 78 healthy subjects aged between 18 and 84 years. Regression equations were derived for predicting Verbal, Performance and Full-Scale IQs measured with the WAIS on the basis of a subject's score on the SGWRT, and for predicting total score on the RSPM on the basis of age and score on the SGWRT. Discrepancies between obtained and predicted scores were approximately normally distributed; z scores are presented for these discrepancies for each of the predicted variables. The equation derived for predicting Full-Scale IQ was in good agreement with the equation derived by Nelson & McKenna (1973), and the dispersion of the discrepancies was similar to that found in Nelson & McKenna's sample. ‘Significant’ discrepancies (z score greater than 1·645) between obtained and predicted Full-Scale IQs were found in approximately half of a group of patients with confirmed organic cortical damage. These results constitute a validation of Nelson & McKenna's formula for estimating premorbid IQ, and in addition provide new normative data which may be used for estimating premorbid Verbal or Performance IQ, or score on the RSPM.
TL;DR: Although some women experience adverse psychological sequelae after abortion the great majority do not, and refused abortion often results in psychological distress for the mother and an impoverished environment for the ensuing offspring.
Abstract: The literature concerning psychosocial aspects of induced abortion is reviewed. Key areas discussed are: the legal context of abortion in Britain, psychological characteristics of abortion-seekers, pre- and post-abortion contraceptive use, pre- and post-abortion counselling, the actual abortion and the effects of termination versus refused abortion. Women seeking termination are found to demonstrate more psychological disturbance than other women, however this is probably temporary and related to the short-term stresses of abortion. Inadequate contraception is frequent prior to abortion but improves afterwards. Few women find the decision to terminate easy and most welcome opportunities for non-judgemental counselling. Although some women experience adverse psychological sequelae after abortion the great majority do not. In contrast, refused abortion often results in psychological distress for the mother and an impoverished environment for the ensuing offspring.
TL;DR: Both in the frequency and intensity of worry girls scored higher than boys in the areas of family, social and imagination, but no significant differences occurred for personal adequacy, health, animal or economic factors.
Abstract: This investigation sought data concerning sex differences in the worry patterns of children. The sample comprised 182 comprehensive school pupils, 91 boys and 91 girls, between the ages of 12 years 1 month and 13 years 7 months. The Simon-Ward Worry Survey (1976) was administered in order to ascertain the frequency and intensity of worry experienced in the following areas; family, school, economic, social, personal adequacy, health, imagination and animals. Both in the frequency and intensity of worry girls scored higher than boys in the areas of family, social and imagination, but no significant differences occurred for personal adequacy, health, animal or economic factors. For both sexes the category order, from highest to lowest, was the same--family, social, school, imagination, personal adequacy, health, economic and animals.
TL;DR: Data are reported on 160 children aged 6 to 12 years which allow scores on reading, spelling, spelling and mathematics to be predicted from WISC-R full scale IQ and chronological age.
Abstract: Data are reported on 160 children aged 6 to 12 years which allow scores on reading (Neale), spelling (Vernon) and mathematics (Vernon) to be predicted from WISC-R full scale IQ and chronological age.
TL;DR: A follow-up is described of 116 couples attending a sexual problems clinic and it is suggested that 42 per cent of treated couples improved during treatment and maintained these gains during the follow- up period.
Abstract: A follow-up is described of 116 couples attending a sexual problems clinic. Information was obtained concerning only 53 per cent of couples. Follow-up data suggested that 42 per cent of treated couples improved during treatment and maintained these gains; and that 35 per cent of couples had separated or divorced during the follow-up period.
TL;DR: By modifying the social reinforcement contingencies associated with treatment protocols, the frequency of psychosomatic symptoms can be reduced without changing the quality of medical/nursing care and social interaction.
Abstract: During the course of cancer treatment behavioural symptoms such as gagging, coughing and vomiting often develop in the absence of apparent tissue damage. Moreover, symptoms whose onsets are clearly related to disease processes often continue after the disease has been eliminated. The reported research incorporated time-series analyses of patients' behavioural symptoms and assessments of behavioural interventions involving the modification of nurse--patient and family--patient interactions. Results showed that: (1) inadvertent social reinforcement by hospital staff and family members fosters the development of behavioural symptoms; (2) personnel associated with treatment can become discriminative stimuli for social attention and thereby evoke symptom behaviours; and (3) by modifying the social reinforcement contingencies associated with treatment protocols, the frequency of psychosomatic symptoms can be reduced without changing the quality of medical/nursing care and social interaction.
TL;DR: Although almost all the GPs were sympathetic towards the wish of some clinical psychologists to work at the primary health care level, almost half the doctors would not want a psychologist within their practice, even if finance and accommodation were not problematic.
Abstract: Structured interviews were carried out with 30 randomly selected general practitioners, to discover how they perceived and handled psychological problems in their patients. In addition, the doctors' perceptions and expectations of other professionals who might assist in the management of such problems were examined. Much of the previously published work was confirmed by the present investigation, but some new information was also uncovered. Thus, although almost all the GPs were sympathetic towards the wish of some clinical psychologists to work at the primary health care level, almost half the doctors would not want a psychologist within their practice, even if finance and accommodation were not problematic. Clinical psychologists were viewed, primarily, as therapists and, as such, were mostly expected to provide a regular part-time service to the practice. Only a minority of GPs wished to acquire skills from clinical psychology, but a large majority were in favour of direct referrals. The results of this study are discussed in terms of their implications for clinical psychology services.
TL;DR: Since group procedures were accepted both by the doctors and the patients involved, they should be included to a great extent in the basic care of hypertensive patients in the future.
Abstract: One hundred and seven obese patients with essential hypertension from eight general practices received one of the following psychological group therapy procedures: (1) modification of nutritional patterns; (2) modification of nutritional patterns plus self-monitoring of blood pressure and training in social competence; (3) modification of nutritional patterns plus Jacobson's relaxation training; (4) information about the causes and consequences of high blood pressure. An approximately equal number of patients served as a waiting-control group. All patients had received pharmacological treatment for at least a year. Each procedure was administered by a psychologist with groups of up to 15 patients in 12 weekly sessions. The blood pressure values measured before and after intervention showed a clear reduction; this fall is greatest when the initial values were high. Even when the magnitude of the initial values was statistically controlled there was a distinctly greater reduction in blood pressure in the treatment groups than in the waiting-control group. No differential effect between the various therapy procedures could be demonstrated, however. The changes in general health behaviour of the treatment groups was statistically confirmed. In addition, there was a distinct reduction in body weight. Medication compliance also improved in the treatment groups. Since group procedures were accepted both by the doctors and the patients involved, they should be included to a great extent in the basic care of hypertensive patients in the future.
TL;DR: There is preliminary evidence that the alteration of Type A behaviour is possible and that such alteration is associated with a reduction in the risk of recurrence of myocardial infarction and reductions in blood pressure can be achieved using behavioural techniques.
Abstract: The literature on direct behavioural interventions to reduce two coronary risk factors, Type A behaviour and essential hypertension, is reviewed. It is concluded that there is preliminary evidence that the alteration of Type A behaviour is possible and that such alteration is associated with a reduction in the risk of recurrence of myocardial infarction. It is also concluded that reductions in blood pressure can be achieved using behavioural techniques and that such reductions persist for at least 12 months. The exact components of an effective treatment package for essential hypertension are not yet fully established but it is suggested that live relaxation training and stress management techniques are an important part of effective therapy. The positive therapeutic effects obtained in the behavioural treatment of essential hypertension are unlikely to be due to either non-specific effects of therapy or to altered compliance with pharmacological treatment. Reductions in blood pressure of the order obtained in the relaxation and stress management studies could be expected to lead to significant gains in health, including reductions in cardiovascular morbidity, if they are sustained for long periods.
TL;DR: High negative self-statement subjects reported more anxiety during assertion role plays than did low negative self -statement subjects and were rated by judges as exhibiting more non-verbal anxiety and performing less assertively than low negativeSelf- statement subjects.
Abstract: Subjects were divided into high and low negative self-statement and high and low positive self-statement groups on the basis of the assertiveness self-statement test (Schwartz & Gottman, 1976). High negative self-statement subjects reported more anxiety during assertion role plays than did low negative self-statement subjects and were rated by judges as exhibiting more non-verbal anxiety and performing less assertively than low negative self-statement subjects. Judges rated high positive self-statement subjects as more irritable and brusque than low positive self-statement subjects. Theoretical implications are discussed.
TL;DR: Although schizophrenics are sensitive to syntactic structure, their ability to organize verbal messages into meaningful grammatical units may be relatively fragile and subject to disruption by auditory distraction.
Abstract: This study was designed to determine whether the presence of a distracting message would interfere with schizophrenics' ability to utilize syntactic structure in processing information from a relevant sentence. Seventeen schizophrenics, 17 patients with affective disorders, and 16 normals were given a word recognition task in both the presence and absence of auditory distraction. None of the patients was hospitalized at the time of testing. Subjects listened to a sequence of sentences which consisted of two clauses. Immediately following each sentence, the subject heard a probe word and was required to indicate whether it had been part of the preceding sentence. In the neutral condition, the recognition latencies of subjects in all three groups were shorter if the word came just after, rather than just before, the clausal boundary of the preceding sentence. In the presence of a distracting message, the normals and affective patients continued to exhibit this same effect. The schizophrenics did not. The latency of their responses in the distractor condition was not influenced by the location of the target word relative to the clausal boundary. This result indicates that although schizophrenics are sensitive to syntactic structure, their ability to organize verbal messages into meaningful grammatical units may be relatively fragile and subject to disruption by auditory distraction.
TL;DR: The author suggests alternative approaches using an ordering strategy from descriptive studies, through associational or correlational designs, before entering into contrast group studies.
Abstract: The design, and especially the sequential organization of psychotherapy research depends not only on the questions asked, but on the standards presented as values to clinician investigators as they get their training. This paper suggests that the socialization of these values has led to a misalignment of preferred design strategies with the questions that must be addressed for progress to be made in psychotherapy research. The author suggests alternative approaches using an ordering strategy from descriptive studies, through associational or correlational designs, before entering into contrast group studies.
TL;DR: Four major areas of research: the early detection of Alzheimer's disease; the psychological side-effects of anticholinergic drugs; the significance of late onset depression; and the relationship between physical activity, ageing and cognitive status, are discussed with reference to the problem of improving the quality of life in the aged.
Abstract: Four major areas of research: the early detection of Alzheimer's disease; the psychological side-effects of anticholinergic drugs; the significance of late onset depression; and the relationship between physical activity, ageing and cognitive status, are discussed with reference to the problem of improving the quality of life in the aged. The four areas of research are unified by discussing two aspects of information processing: speed of performance and memory. The significance of and need for the assessment of cognitive status in the elderly are also discussed, as well as the notion that tests for the elderly should fit into their ecology.
TL;DR: Treatment was shown to be effective in the long term in eliminating most stuttering behaviour and those clients who attributed positive treatment effects to their own efforts or control also maintained their improvement in the behaviours acquired during therapy.
Abstract: Thirty stutterers were treated in an intensive behavioural therapy programme in which speech and behavioural skills are taught. Treatment was shown to be effective in the long term in eliminating most stuttering behaviour. The effect of therapy on the stutterer's long-term perceptions of self-control was investigated. Those clients who attributed positive treatment effects to their own efforts or control also maintained their improvement in the behaviours acquired during therapy. Further planned research is needed to clarify whether attributions of self-control contribute to the client's ability to maintain therapy skills.
TL;DR: In this article, the target detection performance of normals, chronic schizophrenics with positive symptoms and those with negative symptoms was compared in focused and divided attention conditions, and it was found that while the overall performance of both schizophrenic groups was lower than that of the normals.
Abstract: The target detection performance of normals, chronic schizophrenics with positive symptoms and those with negative symptoms was compared in focused and divided attention conditions. The focused condition involved the monitoring of one, and the divided condition the monitoring of both, of the dichotically presented word lists. The amount and rate of list presentations were held constant across the conditions in an attempt to separate attentional from difficulty and capacity factors. Results showed that while the overall performance of both schizophrenic groups was lower than that of the normals, their performance change from the focused to the divided attention condition did not differ from that of the normals. These results do not support a schizophrenic selective attention deficit hypothesis.