Showing papers in "Perceptual and Motor Skills in 1986"
TL;DR: No effect for sex and no interaction of group × sex were found, indicating that both male and female subjects gained equally from playing Zaxxon, supporting the hypothesis that spatial visualization test scores can be improved by video game playing.
Abstract: 70 undergraduate students, without any prior experience of video games playing, were given a pretest and a posttest on the Space Relations Test of the DAT, Forms A and B being, respectively, admini...
179 citations
TL;DR: The data suggest that the change in oxygen uptake associated with exercise in cold water does not add to the over-all perception of exertion, and this perception appears to be related to cardiopulmonary variables rather than thermal measures, whereas thermal sensation is related to thermal measures and not cardiopULmonary variables.
Abstract: This investigation examined the interaction of exposure to cold water stress with both perceived exertion and thermal sensation during exercise. Eight male volunteers performed arm, leg, and combined arm and leg exercise for 45 min. in water at 20 and 26 degrees C. Exercise was performed at a low (n = 7) and a high (n = 8) intensity relative to the ergometer specific peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak). In general, percent VO2 peak did not differ between types of exercise in either 20 or 26 degrees C water. During low intensity exercise when power output was matched across water temperatures (Tw), percent VO2 peak was greater in 20 degrees C water (52%) compared to 26 degrees C water (42%). Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) did not differ between Tw. During high intensity exercise when percent VO2 peak was matched across Tw, RPE was lower during exercise in 20 degrees C compared to 26 degrees C. Multiple correlation analyses comparing both final RPE and thermal sensation (TS) with physiological and thermal measures were performed across type of exercise and Tw. RPE was moderately correlated with heart rate (r = 0.68) and ventilation (r = 0.61), whereas very slight relationships were established with TS (r = 0.16), skin and rectal temperatures (r = 0.10 and r = 0.20). TS was moderately correlated with skin and rectal temperatures (r = 0.64 and r = 0.73), whereas low correlations existed between TS and both heart rate (r = 0.32) and ventilation (r = -0.12). These data suggest that the change in oxygen uptake associated with exercise in cold water does not add to the over-all perception of exertion. This perception appears to be related to cardiopulmonary variables rather than thermal measures, whereas thermal sensation is related to thermal measures and not cardiopulmonary variables.
150 citations
TL;DR: The 1984 Dictionary of Affect in Language by Sweeney and Whisseli includes more than 4,000 words which have been rated along the bipolar affective dimensions of Evaluation and Activation.
Abstract: The 1984 Dictionary of Affect in Language by Sweeney and Whisseli includes more than 4,000 words which have been rated along the bipolar affective dimensions of Evaluation and Activation. A series of three experiments was conducted to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Dictionary and to improve its reliability by the inclusion of additional ratings. Exp. I, II, and III demonstrate the reliability of the Dictionary values and provide evidence of concurrent validity. A further series of three experiments (IV, V, VI) was designed to apply the Dictionary as a tool for assessing or preselecting the affective tone of words. Success (as defined by significant effects) is associated with the use of the Dictionary in choosing words for a verbal learning experiment (IV) and its use to score freely produced self-descriptive word lists (V) and the description of famous media characters (VI).
122 citations
TL;DR: The present study shows the increased incidence of language-related disorders among family members of children with language disorders, with significantly more family members who reported speech, stuttering, reading, and language disorders than the normal control group.
Abstract: The present study shows the increased incidence of language-related disorders among family members of children with language disorders. The family histories of 74 children with developmental language disorders and 36 normal children were compared. The children with language disorders had significantly more family members who reported speech, stuttering, reading, and language disorders than the normal control group.
112 citations
TL;DR: The two spans examined held well up to the 60s, and only after this age did significant differences appear in the other age groups, and on both tests there were significant differences between the groups divided according to education.
Abstract: Spatial span (Corsi's block-tapping test) and verbal span (Wechsler Digits Forward) were measured in 1354 normal subjects, aged from 20 to 99 yr., who were subdivided into seven age groups, into three groups according to education, and according to sex. Analysis of variance showed that the three main factors were significant for the spatial span test, while only age and education were significant for the verbal span test. The two spans examined held well up to the 60s, and only after this age did significant differences appear in the other age groups. On both tests there were significant differences between the groups divided according to education.
112 citations
TL;DR: In an initial survey of musical preferences, undergraduate groups of 22 extraverts and 26 introverts (defined on the basis of a median split of their scores on the Eysenck Personality Inventory) bo...
Abstract: In an initial survey of musical preferences, undergraduate groups of 22 extraverts and 26 introverts (defined on the basis of a median split of their scores on the Eysenck Personality Inventory) bo...
102 citations
TL;DR: Tests of psychomotor and motor speed at different levels of complexity were studied in random samples of men aged 31 to 35, 51 to 55, and 71 to 75 yr and indicated significantly slower responses among older men at all levels of test complexity.
Abstract: Tests of psychomotor and motor speed at different levels of complexity were studied in random samples of men aged 31 to 35, 51 to 55, and 71 to 75 yr. The study was performed as a part of a larger research project on health and functional aging. Analyses indicated significantly slower responses among older men at all levels of test complexity (maximal knee extension velocity, tapping rate, simple and choice reaction and movement times). There were marked differences both between the youngest and the middle-aged groups and between the middle-aged and the oldest groups. Within the age groups high psychomotor and motor speed were associated with a favourable functioning of certain senses (vibration sensitivity and postural balance), with a high isometric muscular force, and with a high directly assessed aerobic capacity. The most important covariants of the speed functions within the age groups were, however, cognitive performance, length of education, and perceived health.
99 citations
TL;DR: The results of two studies suggest that the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory has adequate reliability and validity in assessing alterations in phenomenological experience associated with stimulus conditions, such as eyes open and closed, sitting quietly, and an hypnotic induction as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The results of two studies suggest that the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory has adequate reliability and validity in assessing alterations in phenomenological experience associated with stimulus conditions, such as eyes open and closed, sitting quietly, and an hypnotic induction.
93 citations
TL;DR: A discussion of similarities and differences of the new measure and classical methods of discriminating between controlled search and automatic detection and the potential significance of this discrimination in clinical neuropsychological investigations is presented.
Abstract: A new measure of selective attention was presented to 259 normal volunteers. The test was derived from earlier work which emphasized the importance of controlling the distracting conditions using a...
89 citations
TL;DR: It is recommended that information pertaining to preexperimental practice requirements and stabilized reliabilities should be utilized in repeated-measures environmental studies.
Abstract: The goal of the Performance Evaluation Tests for Environmental Research (PETER) Program was to identify a set of measures of human capabilities for use in the study of environmental and other time-course effects. 114 measures studied in the PETER Program were evaluated and categorized into four groups based upon task stability and task definition. The Recommended category contained 30 measures that clearly obtained total stabilization and had an acceptable level of reliability efficiency. The Acceptable-But-Redundant category contained 15 measures. The 37 measures in the Marginal category, which included an inordinate number of slope and other derived measures, usually had desirable features which were outweighed by faults. The 32 measures in the Unacceptable category had either differential instability or weak reliability efficiency. It is our opinion that the 30 measures in the Recommended category should be given first consideration for environmental research applications. Further, it is recommended that information pertaining to preexperimental practice requirements and stabilized reliabilities should be utilized in repeated-measures environmental studies.
88 citations
TL;DR: The data suggest that under the influence of fatigue, an orienteer's ability to perceive visual information is greatly impaired.
Abstract: 6 experienced orienteers were subject to a Vo2max treadmill test, two days prior to undertaking two tests of visual perception. One test was conducted while the subjects were in a rested state while the other was conducted while they were under a state of fatigue. Fatigue was defined as a state in which the subjects were working at or above their anaerobic threshold which had been determined previously from their VO2max test. the tests in both the fatigue and rest condition were of a similar nature, that is, the subjects were presented slides of orienteering checkpoints at regular intervals followed by a slide showing a set of questions which the subjects had to answer verbally. Two sets of slides were employed and these were approximately counterbalanced between both subjects and conditions. Points were awarded for the correct answers and the two conditions were then compared. The Wilcoxon test for two correlated samples was used and showed a significant difference between the fatigue and rest scores at p < 0.05. The data suggest that under the influence of fatigue, an orienteer's ability to perceive visual information is greatly impaired.
TL;DR: Nideffer's theory of attention and interpersonal style is based upon Easterbrook's 1959 postulates that psychological stress has predictable and sequential effects on attention, i.e., loss of atten...
Abstract: Nideffer's theory of attention and interpersonal style is based upon Easterbrook's 1959 postulates that psychological stress has predictable and sequential effects on attention, i.e., loss of atten...
TL;DR: Relaxation training gave better results in reducing EMG and pain, and in increasing relaxation and activity than either EMG biofeedback alone or a placebo condition, and the nature of the differences among the three conditions was identified.
Abstract: 24 patients with chronic low back pain were randomly assigned to three treatment conditions: EMG biofeedback, relaxation training, and a placebo condition. Patients were seen for eight sessions and were evaluated before Session 1 and after Session 8. Eight analyses of covariance which were adjusted for age and pretest scores were computed on the final scores to find which variables could detect significant difference between treatments. Age was included as a covariate because the differences in age between conditions were significant. Four variables with significant and nearly significant differences were chosen for analysis. The second set of analyses identified the nature of the differences among the three conditions. These included a priori planned comparisons among conditions, and paired t tests. Relaxation-trained subjects were significantly superior to subjects in the placebo condition, in decreasing pain during the function test, increasing relaxation, and decreasing Upper Trapezius EMG. They were superior to EMG Biofeedback training in increasing reported activity. Both Relaxation and EMG trained subjects were able to reduce Upper Trapezius EMG by Session 8. Relaxation-trained subjects showed significant change on eight of the 14 possible comparisons for each treatment condition. EMG biofeedback training showed significant favorable results in only one condition; the placebo condition showed no significant results. Relaxation training gave better results in reducing EMG and pain, and in increasing relaxation and activity than either EMG biofeedback alone or a placebo condition.
TL;DR: In a multiple regression analysis, none of the personality measures correlated significantly with body-image distortion; however, sex of subject accounted for 25% of its variance, and body dissatisfaction was significantly associated with low self-esteem, externality, depression, and distortion.
Abstract: The present study investigated body-image distortion and body-image dissatisfaction for a sample of 75 male and 75 female university students, in relation to personality variables implicated in the literature, such as sex-role orientation, self-esteem, locus of control, and depression. Women perceived their weight deviation from the norm at over 15% above their actual deviation, whereas men distorted less than 1%. In a multiple regression analysis, none of the personality measures correlated significantly with body-image distortion; however, sex of subject accounted for 25% of its variance. Body dissatisfaction was significantly associated with low self-esteem, externality, depression, and distortion. The relationship between body-image distortion and dissatisfaction, although significant, was surprisingly small. Apparently, these two aspects of body-image disturbance represent quite distinct constructs.
TL;DR: It is suggested that studies examining effects of menstrual cycle on spatial ability consider an information-processing approach in measuring spatial performance and an application of signal-detection theory to separate components (strategy vs aptitude) of problem solving.
Abstract: The present study examined effects of menstrual cycle (i.e., ovulatory vs menstrual phase) on performance on spatial information-processes. Participants included 20 spontaneously cycling women (with regular 28- to 30-day menstrual cycles) who were tested on a reaction-time task developed to assess specific spatial information-processes and the Spatial Relations subtest of the PMA battery. For the spatial information-processing task, women responded faster and applied relatively less stringent criteria in the decision process during the ovulatory phase. No effects of cycle changes were found for accuracy of performance on either of the spatial tasks. It is suggested that studies examining effects of menstrual cycle on spatial ability consider an information-processing approach in measuring spatial performance and an application of signal-detection theory to separate components (strategy vs aptitude) of problem solving.
TL;DR: In this paper, male and female students of beginning golf participated in a "preshot routine" study, where 8 men and 7 women learned and practiced a specific routine of actions prior to performing a full swing while 9...
Abstract: Male and female students of beginning golf participated in a “preshot routine” study. 8 men and 7 women learned and practiced a specific routine of actions prior to performing a full swing while 9 ...
TL;DR: The ability of black American and black African men to recognize previously seen white male faces was assessed and relationships between recognition, performance scores and quality of interracial experience were examined.
Abstract: The ability of black American and black African men to recognize previously seen white male faces was assessed. Relationships between recognition, performance scores and quality of interracial experience were also examined. Black American participants (n = 10) performed significantly better and made fewer false responses than the Nigerian participants (n = 10). Significant positive relationships were found between performance scores and interracial experience. Differential use of cues for discriminating white male faces by both groups was also found.
TL;DR: The difference in frequency of handwashing between the two groups was clearly significant and the effects of the presence or absence of an observer upon the likelihood of hand washing were clearly significant.
Abstract: Women were observed after elimination in a public restroom to determine the effects of the presence or absence of an observer upon the likelihood of handwashing. 18 of 20 subjects in the presence of another and 3 of 19 who were not observed washed. The difference in frequency of handwashing between the two groups was clearly significant.
TL;DR: In this paper, the relation between handedness and footedness was examined for 32 righthanders and 32 lefthanders on a speed-tapping task and it was shown that the right-hand and right-foot advantage of lefstanders is more robust than the left-hand advantage.
Abstract: The relation between handedness and footedness was examined for 32 righthanders and 32 lefthanders. On a speed-tapping task, righthanders showed a significant right-hand and right-foot advantage. Lefthanders showed a significant left-hand advantage and a significant right-foot advantage. This appears to support previous work. However, while the right-foot advantage of righthanders proves robust over different replications, the right-foot advantage of lefthanders does not show such robustness. Results show tacit agreement with Annett's 1972 model which suggests an inherent right-shift bias for righthanders and no inherent directional bias for lefthanders.
TL;DR: 18 normal, self-reported dextral subjects were assessed with a Halstead Manual Finger Tapping device, with 10 trials per hand for 10 consecutive wk, with no statistically significant effects of increases in performance over sessions or effects of fatigue over trials for either sex or hand.
Abstract: 18 normal, self-reported dextral subjects (9 men, 9 women) were assessed with a Halstead Manual Finger Tapping device, with 10 trials per hand for 10 consecutive wk. The test-retest reliability of the 10-trial average between the 10 sessions averaged .94 for men and .86 for women, for both preferred and nonpreferred hands. There were DO statistically significant effects of increases in performance over sessions or effects of fatigue over trials for either sex or hand. There were, however, significant increases over trials for men for both preferred and nonpreferred hands.
TL;DR: In this paper, competitive racquetball players were asked to rate, during a 2-min. break between the first and second games, their perceived likelihood of winning the second game, their personal ability in relation to the opponent's, and their confidence in their ability and experience to win the second games.
Abstract: To test the hypothesis that psychological momentum changes performers' self-perceptions and perceptions of the opponent, competitive racquetball players were asked to rate, during a 2-min. break between the first and second games, their perceived likelihood of winning the second game, their personal ability in relation to the opponent's, and their confidence in their ability and experience to win the second game. As predicted, the perceived likelihood of winning was significantly greater for winners than losers; winners rated themselves as better players ability-wise than did losers, and winners were significantly more confident than losers that their ability and experience would be sufficient for winning the next game. Unobtrusive data collected from the same tournament and another tournament indicated that over 70% of all the second-game winners won the first game. This finding replicated Iso-Ahola and Mobily's earlier findings and taken together with present results, supports the hypothesis that early ...
TL;DR: Amount of training significantly influenced swimming, and training effects were task-specific when data were interpreted in terms of specific movement characteristics.
Abstract: This research investigated the effects of aquatic training on the swimming performance of 126 children, ages 2.5 to 5.5 yr., over 8 mo. Two groups of children were enrolled in an aquatic training program. Group 1 were returning program participants at the beginning of this study, and Group 2 were new participants. The control children (Group 3) received no aquatic training during the research. Subjects performed six categories of swimming tasks at three points in time--1st mo., 4th mo., and 8th mo. The categories were Locomotion: Front, Locomotion: Back, Kicking, Entry: Jump, Diving, and Ring Pick-up. A 2 X 3 X 2 X 3 (sex X group X age X time) repeated-measures analysis of variance procedure showed that returning participants performed each category of swimming tasks at a more advanced level than the other groups at each time of measurement. New participants after training performed five of the categories of tasks at a more advanced level than the control group. Amount of training significantly influenced swimming, and training effects were task-specific when data were interpreted in terms of specific movement characteristics.
TL;DR: In this article, 50 college students practicing the Transcendental meditation and TM-Sidhi program were administered the Culture Fair Intelligence Test and Group Embedded Figures Test and significant longitudinal incr...
Abstract: 50 college students practicing the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program were administered the Culture Fair Intelligence Test and Group Embedded Figures Test. Significant longitudinal incr...
TL;DR: Women obtained significantly higher scores than men on Digit Symbol and word fluency tests, while the opposite sex difference was found for Block Design and Finger Tapping tests, and performance did not vary with trait anxiety.
Abstract: The relationships between sex, personality differences, task difficulty, and the performance on neuropsychological tests were investigated. On the basis of trait anxiety and defensiveness, 120 college students were divided into three groups by coping style: high anxious, true low anxious, and repressor groups. As predicted, women obtained significantly higher scores than men on Digit Symbol and word fluency tests, while the opposite sex difference was found for Block Design and Finger Tapping tests. Performance did not vary with trait anxiety. However, on Block Design and one-word fluency test, rated by subjects as the most difficult tests, high state anxiety was associated with significantly poorer performance.
TL;DR: An experiment was performed with 11 voluntary male subjects to test the effects of moderate doses of alcohol on simple auditory RT in a vigilance setting and indicated that absolute means increased as a function of alcohol dose.
Abstract: An experiment was performed with 11 voluntary male subjects to test the effects of moderate doses of alcohol on simple auditory RT in a vigilance setting. Subjects were tested during a 30-min. session, during which signals were presented with an average intersignal interval of 3.75 sec. Subjects responded by pressing a microswitch held in the preferred hand. Analysis indicated that absolute means increased as a function of alcohol dose. With time-on-task alcohol produced a faster increase in RT and especially affected the longest RTs. Number of extreme long reactions (blockings) and mean duration of these reactions increased under alcohol and were directly related to time on task; alcohol produced a much faster increase in number of blockings with time on task. Results were discussed in terms of attentional processes and habituation theory. Some practical implications of the results were pointed out.
TL;DR: In this paper, the validity of the self-efficacy scale as a predictor of marathon running performance was examined using data from 33 marathon runners (22 men, 11 women) and found that both total selfefficacy scores and perceived physical ability scores were significantly correlated with both predicted and actual finishing times.
Abstract: Data from 33 marathon runners (22 men, 11 women) were used to examine the validity of the Physical Self-efficacy scale as a predictor of marathon running performance. Both total Physical Self-efficacy scores and Perceived Physical Ability scores were significantly correlated with both predicted and actual finishing times.
TL;DR: Aspects of Silverman's subliminal psychodynamic activation (SPA) method are critically evaluated and SPA results are discussed within the context of information processing as mentioned in this paper, and the results of SPA are discussed in detail.
Abstract: Aspects of Silverman's subliminal psychodynamic activation (SPA) method are critically evaluated and SPA results are discussed within the context of information processing. Silverman's method has q...
TL;DR: In this article, four recent theories concerning the superiority of pictures in memory were reviewed, that is, the basic assumptions and problems of dual-coding theory, levels-of-processing view, the sensory-semantic model, and propositional theories.
Abstract: 4 recent theories concerning the superiority of pictures in memory were reviewed, that is, the basic assumptions and problems of dual-coding theory, levels-of-processing view, the sensory-semantic model, and propositional theories were discussed and evaluations made. Then problems and further tasks in memory for pictures were discussed and suggestions for theoretical development were offered.
TL;DR: 31 short-sleeping college students tended to eat more small meals or snacks than 37 long sleepers, all of whom were satisfied with their sleep, which disrupted pattern of larger meals.
Abstract: 31 short-sleeping college students tended to eat more small meals or snacks than 37 long sleepers, all of whom were satisfied with their sleep. This disrupted pattern of larger meals was predicted from work of Elomaa and Johansson with rats who were partially REM-sleep deprived.
TL;DR: It was concluded that in many applied situations this effect of small alcohol doses may be critical.
Abstract: This study explored whether a small dose of alcohol (067 ml/kg) would affect simple auditory RT as developed with time on task in a vigilance setting Analysis indicated that absolute levels were not affected and no interaction with time on task was evident Alcohol did, however, increase both number and mean duration of the extreme long reactions but this effect was not related to time on task It was concluded that in many applied situations this effect of small alcohol doses may be critical