Showing papers in "Psychological Reports in 1982"

The Self-Efficacy Scale: Construction and Validation:

Abstract: Self-efficacy theory asserts that personal mastery expectations are the primary determinants of behavioral change. Further, it is suggested that individual differences in past experiences and attri...

Note on Reliability of the Life Events Checklist

Abstract: The Life Events Checklist is a recently published measure of child and adolescent life stress (1) listing 46 life events to which subjects respond by indicating events experienced within the past year, rating these events as positive or negative, and rating the impact of these events along a four-point scale (no effect to great effect). By summing the impact ratings of events rated as positive and negative it is possible to derive positive and negative life change scores, respectively. While validity indicated by correlations between these scores and measures of health and adjustment has been provided ( 1 ) , reliability has not been adequately assessed. The present report provides such data. A total of 50 subjects (23 male, 27 female), ranging in age from 10 to 17 yr. (M = 13), drawn from the university laboratory school, were given the checklist and subsequently retested after two weeks. Positive and negative life-change scores were obtained by summing the impact ratings of events judged as desirable and undesirable (Impact rating procedure) and also by simply summing the numbers of positive and negative events experienced, giving each event a weight of one (Unit rating procedure). Here the Impact rating procedure was employed only with children aged 13 to 17 yr. (n = 27). Pearson product-moment correlations assessed the relationships between scores obtained at the first and second testings. Using the simple Unit rating procedure (sum of + events; sum of - events) the test-retest correlations for positive and negative life-change scores were .69 (9 < ,001) and .72 (p < .001), respectively. Normative dam were obtained from each time of

Factors in students' dishonesty

Abstract: This paper summarizes the findings from surveys of faculty and students on academic dishonesty conducted at an American university. Two separate surveys administered to a sample of 364 engineering students and 80 faculty indicated the attitudes and occurrences of cheating. While 62% of the students admitted to copying homework or laboratory reports, only 51% of the faculty considered this cheating. Students (38%) and faculty (86%) believe “second-time” cheaters should be expelled from the university. Of students, 68% believe competition for grades is the major reason for cheating. Over 56% of the students admitted to cheating but methods of prevention or detection are not adequate as only 3% were caught. Monitoring during exams is a deterrent to cheating according to almost half the students. Surveys of students and faculty and a quiz for faculty on cheating have increased awareness about students' cheating and reduced its incidence.

Self-change processes, self-efficacy and self-concept in relapse and maintenance of cessation of smoking.

Abstract: The study compared 38 maintainers and 24 relapsers who had quit smoking on their own. The results suggest that successful self-changers relied more on inner-directed, experiential processes of change, while the relapsers relied more on environmental change processes. Successful changers experienced markedly higher levels of self-efficacy, while relapsers reported least confidence in coping with situations that evoke negative emotions. The maintainers experience high congruence between their basic self-concepts and their concepts of self as non-smokers. The relapsers see themselves as more anxious, dependent, and helpless in their role as smokers. The results are discussed in terms of how greater reliance on experiential processes of self-change can lead to more successful attempts at cessation of smoking than reliance on environmental processes of change.

A psychometric investigation of the standard and short form beck depression inventory

Abstract: The reliability, validity, and factor structure of the standard 21-item and short 13-item forms of the Beck Depression Inventory were investigated for 42 male and 143 female college students. The internal consistency reliability was .82 for the standard form and .78 for the short form. The correlation between the standard and short form was .94. Both forms also correlated significantly with scores on the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. The results support the use of the short form as a reliable and valid brief screening measure of depression.

Cardiovascular responding during anger and fear imagery.

Abstract: This study was designed to determine if visualization of anger- and fear-provoking scenes produced differential physiological patterns similar to those produced by in vivo manipulations. Normotensive college students were selected on the basis of their responses to newly developed Anger and Fear/Anxiety questionnaires and for their ability to construct arousing scenes during a screening interview. In a 2 × 2 design (intensity × emotion), four scenes (high and low anger, high and low fear) were constructed individually for each of 16 subjects to imagine. Diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate were monitored during visualization of each scene. Change in diastolic blood pressure was significantly greater for high anger than for high fear as predicted. Analysis of change in heart rate and systolic blood pressure showed significant effects for intensity only. These results provide further support for the concept of physiological differentiation in human emotion and suggest the utilit...

Psychological factors related to employees' theft in the convenience store industry.

Abstract: Four studies are presented that examine various aspects of theft in the convenience store industry. Study 1 was a survey of both managers' (n = 24) and retail clerks' (n = 54) opinions on how and why convenience store employees steal. Results showed that the most frequently used theft techniques involved various ways of stealing cash from a register. Major reasons for employees' theft included financial need, low wages, revenge, and thrill-seeking. Major perceptions about why some employees never steal included fear of apprehension and personal honesty. Study 2 (N = 61) showed that convenience store employees with more tolerant attitudes toward theft and violence, as measured by a pre-employment psychological test, the Personnel Selection Inventory, were more likely to engage in theft and other types of counterproductive behavior. Study 3 showed that the use of the inventory for 19 months by a 30-unit convenience store chain, for the purpose of screening out potential employee thieves and other counterpro...

Cross-cultural application of the Revised-Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale: normative and reliability data for Nigerian primary school children

Abstract: The revised children's scale was administered to 291 Nigerian school children to develop reference group data for use of the scale in Nigeria and to provide data on the comparability of norms separately by sex. Alpha reliability estimates were .81 for boys and .84 for girls. Test-retest reliability coefficients were also determined and were all in the .90s.

Styles of creativity: Test-score correlations between Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

Abstract: A reading of the manual for the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator left it unclear whether it measures, inter alia, level or style of creativity, whereas the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory specifically purports to measure style but not level. Comparison of both manuals and instruments led the authors to the view that there were significant correspondences between the two tests. The present paper reports the results of the use of both Indicator and Inventory with a sample of experienced management students, yielding statistically significant moderate correlations between the Kirton Inventory and two of the four Myers-Briggs dimensions. It seems clear, therefore, that to the extent that the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator measures creativity, it is style rather than level that it is measuring.

Verbal and Nonverbal Behavior in Single-Sex and Mixed-Sex Groups: Are Traditional Sex Roles Changing?:

Abstract: The study examines the degree to which traditional sex differences in behavioral interaction in groups obtain even in a sample of very bright, career-oriented men and women who are similar in respect to a variety of personality attributes and personal aspirations. 21 experimental groups were studied, 7 all-male, 6 all-female, and 8 mixed-sex groups. Groups were composed of 5 or 6 members. Each group had 40 min. to discuss an ethical dilemma and come to a consensus decision. The data indicated that, while rates of interaction departed from traditional sex-role stereotypes, with females dominating the mixed groups verbally, interaction styles and nonverbal postures remained sex-role stereotypic. Males devoted a greater proportion of their interaction to task behavior, i.e., giving opinions, suggestions, and information, and the females to reactions, i.e., agreements and disagreements. Males exceeded females in displays of nonverbal postures associated with dominance. Most behavioral measures were not affect...

Relationship between Perceived Somatotype and Body Cathexis of College Males

Abstract: The primary purpose of this study was to determine if males grouped according to self-perceived somatotype differ significantly in body concept, while a subordinate purpose was to identify the perc...

Burnout and its relationship to teachers' somatic complaints and illnesses

Abstract: This study was designed to estimate the relationship between teachers' somatic complaints and illnesses and their self-reported job-related stresses. 79% of the secondary Catholic school teachers i...

Intentional and Accidental Behavior: A Control Theory Analysis:

Abstract: A procedure based on control theory was used to determine which of two simultaneous activities was the one performed intentionally by a subject. The procedure provides an objective means of discrim...

Qualitative and Quantitative Aspects of Adolescent Drug Use: Interplay of Personality, Family, and Peer Correlates:

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine domains of personality, family, and peer variables and their relationship to the qualitative (stage) and quantitative (frequency) aspects of adolescents' dr...

The Adaption-Innovation Continuum, Occupational Type, and Course Selection:

Abstract: Data on 2,375 subjects collected in 15 independent studies were cross-tabulated with reference to different occupational types and varying degrees of self-selection to courses. The results confirm the 1980 findings of Kirton and of Thomson that mean scores on the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory are more innovative for occupational groups which deal with more numerous and less rigid paradigms. The data also support the hypothesis that groups whose members have themselves taken the initiative to attend courses are on the average more innovative than groups sent by sponsoring organizations. The factors outlined above were additive and subtractive in regular and predictable increments.

Validity of the MMPI Narcissistic Personality Disorder Scale

Abstract: The MMPI Narcissistic Personality Disorder Scale, the Tennessee Self-concept Scale, and a Profile Questionnaire were administered to 100 undergraduate students in the Los Angeles area. The MMPI sca...

Pet-facilitated psychotherapy: a theoretical explanation via attention shifts.

Abstract: Pet animals are used as clinical adjuncts in pet-facilitated psychotherapy. It is proposed that the manner in which pets reduce emotional discomfort is theoretically explained through the competing-response theory of extinction via attention shifts. Using this model pets are seen as emotionally-laden distracting stimuli which allow for exposure to, instead of avoidance of, anxiety-generating stimuli. Therapist-directed alternative response patterns are then developed.

Coping with stress: does humor help

Abstract: Dixon (3) proposed that humor is a significant factor in helping one cope with stress. Various case reports also suggested that humor can help one deal with stress. Norman Cousins (5) claimed he survived a near fatal illness by checking out of a hospital and into a hotel where he viewed comedy films day after day. Although humor seems to have potential to help one put stressful situations into a less threatening perspective for the moment, it is an indirecf method of coping and by itself may not be effective in moderating the effects of siress over time. The present smdy determined whether two aspects of humor (use and appreciation) help moderate the effects of life stress. Subjects were 82 male and 79 female undergraduates from introductory psychology who were administered several measures: Sarason's Life Events Survey (4) which assesses the degree of life stress experienced during the past year. Angell's (1) Humor Use Inventory indicates how frequently and how funny a person tries to be in various sltuatlons. Subjects rated the degree of funniness (1 = not at all to 4 = very funny) of five categories of jokes: nonsense, sick, ridicule, hostile, and sexual (humor appreciation). Two examples of each category were rated and a toral score was the sum of all ratings. Two measures of psychological distress, Beck's Depression Inventory (2) and Spielberger's (6) State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, were administered. Pearson correlations indicated stress was significantly correlated with depression (males' r = 35; females' r = 22, p < .05), trait (males' r = .29; females' T = .22, p < .05) and wlth state anxiety (males' r = .28; females' r = .24, p < .05). To determine whether humor moderated the influence of stress, multiple regression was applied in an hypothesis-testing format (ex. Depression = Stress + Humor Use + interaction). A separate analysis was performed for humor use and stress and for humor appreciation and stress for each of the outcome measures, but none of the regression coefficients associated with the interaction terms was significant. Addition of the humor variables did not significantly improve predictive ability beyond that provided by life events alone. Humor appreciation was correlated with Life Events (.30, P < .01) and with scores on the Beck Depression Scale (.24, p < .05) for females but not males. This indicates some tendency for females to see the humorous side of things as stress and psychological distress increase. The over-all results indicate humor, at least by itself, does not moderate the effects of life stress. Perhaps humor may be effective in coping with some simations. As the present study focused on l~fe stress in general, no significant results were found. If a relarionshlp does exist between humor and stress, it certainly is more complex than Dixon (3) suggested. REFERENCES

A Spanish Translation of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Form G

Abstract: A Spanish version of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Form G is described. Over 2 weeks the reliabilities ranged from .79 to .89.

Psychological issues in the care of critically-ill respirator patients: differential perceptions of patients, relatives, and staff

Abstract: Using questionnaire rating scales, 21 ventilator patients, 17 family members, and 31 members of the medical staff who cared for the patients indicated their perceptions of the ventilator care situation with particular attention given to factors that may be sources of psychological stress for respirator patients. As expected, patients who reported problems in communicating with staff and family due to inability to talk and, in some cases, to write while on the respirator also reported strong feelings or negative emotions, e.g., anger, frustration, fear. The perceptions of staff, patients, and family differed significantly concerning problematic aspects of the respirator care situation. These results have implications for future research dealing with psychological issues of patients in critical care settings

Maximizing versus matching in people versus pigeons

Abstract: A single subject allocated behavior to several concurrent variable interval/fixed ratio reinforcement schedules and a series of fixed ratio schedules with no other alternative schedule present. The allocation of behavior to the real choices (concurrent schedules) and no choice (fixed ratio only) schedule situations conformed to those predicted by formal equations for maximization of reinforcements in each situation. The results suggest that, while matching may be a fundamental rule of behavioral choice in animals and people, there exist identifiable limitations to its applicability to human choice behavior. Humans with some training in economic income maximization are likely to maximize rather than match in concurrent choice situations.

The Biological Basis of Cross-Cultural Differences in Personality: Blood Group Antigens:

Abstract: The present study extends previous work on the relationship between personality and blood group antigens to the consideration of cross-cultural differences. It is shown that for both neuroticism and extraversion, correlations between frequency of blood group antigens and personality over different countries are in the predicted direction. This is in line with hypotheses implicating genetic factors in the causation of differences in personality. Data also are given for the personality dimension of psychoticism, but for this no predictions were made.

Treatment of Social Isolation and Loneliness in a Sample of Visually Impaired Elderly Persons

Abstract: An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an outreach program for 84 isolated elderly persons who had been legally blind for many years. Visual impairment and restriction...

A Convergent Validity Study of Six Jealousy Scales

Abstract: To determine the convergent validity of 6 measures of jealousy, these measures along with two measures of neuroticism, two measures of romantic love, and a measure of extraversion were factor analy...

Effects of authoritarian, anti-authoritarian, and egalitarian legal attitudes on mock juror and jury decisions.

Abstract: The effects of authoritarian, anti-authoritarian, and egalitarian legal attitudes on verdicts by simulated jurors and juries were investigated. 360 undergraduate students in introductory psychology...

Effects of induced mood on retrieval of personal episodic and semantic memories

Abstract: Two experiments examined the effects of induced moods on memory retrieval. In the first experiment, subjects read statements which induce temporary elation or depression and then recalled specific personal memories. Subjects in the elated condition rated their memories significantly more pleasant than subjects experiencing a depressed mood. In a second experiment, subjects who had read elated or depressed statements gave single-word associates to each of 15 stimulus words. The mean ratings for the associate words produced by subjects in the elated condition were significantly more pleasant than those from depressed subjects.

Patterns of Attribution of Control and Individual Psychosocial Competence

Abstract: This study examined the relationships among a variety of loci of control and individual psychosocial competence measures through nomothetic and idiographic methods 133 congregation members drawn from 12 suburban congregations participated in the study Correlational analyses pointed to considerable independence among the loci of control However, through a cluster analysis, groups of members manifesting different patterns of attribution of control were identified The patterns themselves were conceptually meaningful Furthermore, members of the clusters held significantly different characteristics of psychosocial competence Yet, as elements of the cluster, neither internal nor external loci themselves had consistently positive or negative implications for members' competence Rather the significance of the loci appeared to lie in their configuration with each other Thus, this study highlights the relevance of examining individual frameworks of causal attribution whose elements operate interactively as

Beliefs about Obesity: Effects of Age, Ethnicity, Sex and Weight

Abstract: To find out if subjects' knowledge of the complex nature of obesity increases with age, 447 nursery school, first grade, fifth grade, and adult subjects were asked if they knew anyone fat and, if so, who; what the causes of obesity are; and whose fault it is if someone is fat. Older subjects were increasingly likely to know people who were fat and to give complex causal explanations for obesity; moreover, adults were less likely than children to see the fat individual as responsible for his obesity. Female subjects were more likely than males to know someone fat and to give complex explanations of obesity. Anglo, Hispanic, Native American and black subjects did not differ on any measure. Children who were underweight, of average weight or overweight also did not differ in knowledge or beliefs. The results suggest that, although accuracy of knowledge increases with age, education about obesity at all age levels may be needed to reduce incorrect beliefs and accompanying negative attitudes toward obesity.

Incest and the multiple personality

Abstract: Surnmry.-This paper describes six cases of multiple personaliry occurring as scquelae to incest. These clinical findings and a review of the relevant literacure suggest a high incidence of incest among persons with multiple personalities. A theoretical framework and treatment plan are given for the psychotherapy of the multiple personality. The impact of incest has been a neglected topic in the literature on multiple personality. The clinical entity of multiple personality was first discovered and defined in 1815, and approximately 125 cases of the syndrome have since been reported in the literature up to 1980. The majority of published cases had incestuous backgrounds, yet discussion is scarce regarding the relationship between multiple personality and incest. In the proceeding discussion we describe considerations for the multiple personality. Much of the diagnostic information presented in this paper is based upon the authors' clinical experience with over 20 cases of multiple personality. A theoretical framework for understanding incest's etiological relevance to the multiple personality syndrome will be outlined. The authors then describe six cases of multiple personality involving incest. All six cases are drawn from the experience of the authors and have not been previously published. Finally, we recommend guidelines for the psychotherapeutic treatment of these patients. "She" and "her" will be used to refer to the patient, since persons with multiple personality are predominantly female. ( 1980, p. 257), multiple persona!ity "is the existence within the individual of two or more distinct personalities, each of which is dominant at a particular time. Each personality is a fully integrated and complex unit with unique memories, behavior patterns, and social relationships that determine the nature of the individual's act when that personality is dominant." The degree of awareness which the personalities have of each other can vary dramatically from one case to another. The personalities may be mutually cognizant of each other, mutually amnestic of each other, or one-way amnestic (Ellenberger, 1970). Such diversity creates diagnostic difficulties. Therapists should be aware of the signs which indicate a diagnosis of multiple personality, as the disorder is probably not as rare as is generally believed (Greaves, 1980; Rosenbaum & Weaver, 1980). Attention to the