Showing papers on "Poison control published in 1975"

The Relaxation Response

Abstract: When Dr. Herbert Benson introduced this simple, effective, mind/body approach to relieving stress twenty-five years ag, his book became an instant national bestseller. Since that time, millions of people have learned the secret--without high-priced lectures or prescription medicines. The Relaxation Response has become the classic reference recommended by most health care professionals and authorities to treat the harmful effects of stress.Discovered by Dr. Benson and his colleagues in the laboratories of Harvard Medical School and its teaching hospitals, this revitalizing, therapeutic approach is now routinely recommended to treat patients suffering from heart conditions, high blood pressure, chronic pain, insomnia, and many other physical ailments. It requires only minutes to learn, and just ten to twenty minutes of practice twice a day.

Intervention Analysis with Applications to Economic and Environmental Problems

Abstract: This article discusses the effect of interventions on a given response variable in the presence of dependent noise structure. Difference equation models are employed to represent the possible dynamic characteristics of both the interventions and the noise. Some properties of the maximum likelihood estimators of parameters measuring level changes are discussed. Two applications, one dealing with the photochemical smog data in Los Angeles and the other with changes in the consumer price index, are presented.

Ghosts in the Nursery: A Psychoanalytic Approach to the Problems of Impaired Infant-Mother Relationships

Abstract: In every nursery there are ghosts. They are the visitors from the unremembered past of the parents, the uninvited guests at the christening. Under favorable circumstances, these unfriendly and unbidden spirits are banished from the nursery and return to their subterranean dwelling place. Even among families where the love bonds are stable and strong, the intruders from the parental past may break through the magic circle in an unguarded moment, and a parent and his child may find themselves reenacting a moment or a scene from another time with another set of characters. In still other families there may be more troublesome events in the nursery caused by intruders from the past. There are, it appears, a number of transient ghosts who take up residence in the nursery on a selective basis. Ghosts who have established their residence privileges for three or more generations may not, in fact, be identified as representatives of the parental past.

The Effects of Automobile Safety Regulation

Abstract: Technological studies imply that annual highway deaths would be 20 percent greater without legally mandated installation of various safety devices on automobiles. However, this literature ignores o...

The epidemiology of epilepsy in Rochester, Minnesota, 1935 through 1967.

Abstract: SUMMARY Other demographic studies of epilepsy have revealed mean annual incidence rates ranging from 17/100,000 (Sato, 1964) to 70/100,000 (Pond et al., 1960) and prevalence rates from 2.8/S, OOO to as high as 15/1,000. Comprehensive review of their methods indicates that, although rates may indeed differ among different populations, a major problem is the wide variation in the completeness of case ascertainment and the definitions of epilepsy used.

On the conflicts between biological and social evolution and between psychology and moral tradition.

Abstract: Reports the APA Presidential address delivered at the Chicago convention, August 1975. Urban humanity is considered as a product of both biological and social evolution. Evolutionary genetics shows that when there is genetic competition among the cooperators (as for humans but not for the social insects), great limitations are placed upon the degree of socially useful, individually self-sacrificial altruism that biological evolution can produce. Human urban social complexity is a product of social evolution and has had to counter with inhibitory moral norms the biological selfishness which genetic competition has continually selected. Because the issues are so complex and the available data are so uncompelling, all of this should be interpreted more as a challenge to an important new area for psychological research than as established conclusions. It is emphasized, however, that these are important issues to which psychology should give much greater attention, and that scientific reasons exist for believing that there can be profound system wisdom in the belief systems our social tradition has provided us with. (31/2 p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

Consequences of commitment to and disengagement from incentives.

Abstract: Proposes an integrative theoretical framework for studying psychological aspects of incentive relationships. During the time that an incentive is behaviorally salient, an organism is especially responsive to incentive-related cues. This sustained sensitivity requires postulating a continuing state (denoted by a construct, current concern) with a definite onset (commitment) and offset (consummation or disengagement). Disengagement follows frustration, accompanies the behavioral process of extinction, and involves an incentive-disengagement cycle of invigoration, aggression, depression, and recovery. Depression is thus a normal part of disengagement that may be either adaptive or maladaptive for the individual but is probably adaptive for the species. Implications for motivation; etiology, symptomatology, and treatment of depression; drug use; and other social problem areas are discussed. (41/2 p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

Responses to Uncontrollable Outcomes: An Integration of Reactance Theory and the Learned Helplessness Model

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter investigates how individuals react when they are unable to exert control over their environment—when they are unable to have options or reach goals that are important to them, or when they are forced to endure outcomes that they would not voluntarily choose. It reviews a number of theories that have focused on the importance of control over one's environment. Some investigators have suggested that the perception of inability to exert control over one's environment can even result in sudden death from coronary disease or other factors. Furthermore, feelings of lack of control have also been viewed as a cause of many types of antisocial behaviors. There are two theories that make rather specific predictions concerning reactions to lack or loss of control: Brehm's theory of psychological reactance and Seligman's learned helplessness model. The chapter discusses these theoretical orientations in some detail. Because these two formulations appear to make contradictory predictions, it attempts to integrate them into a single theoretical statement. The chapter also reviews the relevant evidence, and discusses a number of unresolved theoretical problems.

Hopelessness and suicidal behavior. An overview.

Abstract: The relation of hopelessness to levels of depression and suicidal intent was explored both psychometrically and clinically. The results of an investigation of 384 suicide attempters support previous reports that hopelessness is the key variable linking depression to suicidal behavior. This finding has direct implications for the therapy of suicidal individuals. By focusing on reducing the sources of a patient's hopelessness, the professional may be able to alleviate suicidal crises more effectively than in the past. ( JAMA 234:1146-1149, 1975)

Sex differences in depression: The effects of occupation and marital status

Abstract: The role of housewife has been hypothesized as the source of excess mental illness among married women as compared with married men. The present study found both housewives and working wives significantly more depressed than working husbands. Although working wives report that they do more housework than husbands, this factor was not significantly related to depression for either wives or husbands. It is suggested that the risk factors for depression, including marriage for women, may be better understood in the context of clinical theories of depression, especially the “learned helplessness” model.

Active and passive euthanasia.

Abstract: The distinction between active and passive euthanasia is thought to be crucial for medical ethics. The idea is that it is permissible, at least in some cases, to withhold treatment and allow a patient to die, but it is never permissible to take any direct action designed to kill the patient. This doctrine seems to be accepted by most doctors, and is endorsed in a statement adopted by the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association on December 4, 1973: The intentional termination of the life of one human being by another—mercy killing—is contrary to that for which the medical profession stands and is contrary to the policy of the American Medical Association. The cessation of the employment of extraordinary means to prolong the life of the body when there is irrefutable evidence that biological death is imminent is the decision of the patient and/or his immediate family. The advice and judgment of the physician should be freely available to the patient and/or his immediate family.

Acetaminophen poisoning and toxicity.

Abstract: Acetaminophen (paracetamol in British literature) is a metabolite of phenacetin which has become increasingly popular as a substitute for salicylates.1 The popularity of acetaminophen has been encouraged by the medical profession because it is allegedly safer than aspirin.2 However, experience in Britain indicates that acute acetaminophen overdosage is both common and significantly more toxic than of salicylates.3-7 Although it is widely used in the United States, only one report describing a single American patient has appeared in the literature.8 This is a puzzling situation. It is axiomatic that if you do not look for something you will not diagnose it. This may provide the answer as there is apparently a general lack of knowledge in the United States concerning the toxicity of acetaminophen. Indeed, one of us (B.H.R.) contacted nine American University poison services in the spring of 1973 and discovered that none had clinical experience or analytical methods in operation. During the past year, however, with a high index of suspicion in Denver, 156 ingestions with four fatalities have been recorded. Because of the nonspecific initial features of acute overdosage, the lack of coma, the delay in onset of jaundice and the rapid fall in detectable plasma levels of acetaminophen, the cause-and-effect relationship may be missed in even a floridly ill or dying patient. Hepatoxicity is the most remarkable feature and the question must be raised as to how many cases of "jaundice of unknown etiology" are actually due to this drug. This review is intended to provide an understanding of the current knowledge of this drug. It should be noted that although toxicity and fatalities have occurred in the adolescent age group, only one death in younger children has been recorded.

Social interaction, social competence, and friendship in children.

Abstract: The relationship between social skills, social interaction, and popularity was examined. The subjects were 198 children in third and fourth grades in middle- and low-income schools. The relationships between number of friends, socioeconomic status, and grade level were studied in a 2 times 2 times 2 factorial design with 2 sets of dependent measures: (1) social skills were assessed by an experimenter testing each child individually on a set of tasks which included measures of the ability to label emotions in facial expressions, knowledge of how to make friends, giving help, and role-taking ability; and (2) social interaction in the classroom was assessed using a naturalistic observational system. Popular and unpopular children differed in their knowledge of how to make friends and on the referential-communication task. In the classroom, popular children distributed and received more positive reinforcement than unpopular children and spent less time daydreaming. Both grade and social class factors were significant. However, different patterns of results contributed to the main effect of friends and the grade-level main effect. The importance of assessing social skills which are first validated by reference to a criterion such as sociometric position was noted.

Sequence and stages in patterns of adolescent drug use.

Abstract: Two prospective longitudinal surveys based on New York State high school students indicate well-defined steps underlying adolescent progression and regression in drug use. At least four stages of involvement with drugs can be identified: (1) beer or wine; (2) cigarettes or hard liquor; (3) marijuana; and (4) other illicit drugs. Two stages of legal drugs are necessary intermediates between nonuse and marijuana. Very few youths progress to other illicit drugs without prior experience with marijuana. This sequence is found in- each year of high school and in- the year following graduation. Progression to a higher-ranked drug is directly related to intensity of use at the prior stage. The identification of stages in drug behavior has implications regarding the optimum strategy for studying factors that predict, differentiate, or result from drug use.

Classification of suicidal behaviors: I. Quantifying intent and medical lethality.

Abstract: Previous studies of attempted suicide have cast doubt on the value of assessing psychological intent. By identifying a moderating variable, namely, the attempter's preconceptions about the lethality of his act, the authors were able to solve the puzzle of the low correlations between intent and lethality. Suicidal intent correlates highly with medical lethality when the attempter has sufficient knowledge to assess properly the probable outcome of his attempt. The authors conclude that suicidal intent and medical lethality are useful dimensions in classifying suicidal behavior.

Depression in Medical In-Patients

Abstract: Occurrence and features of depression were studied in 150 medical in-patients At initial interview within a week of admission a total of 24 per cent met a criterion for depression based on the Beck Depression Inventory Although they showed the usual clinical features, few were recognized or referred to psychiatrists Depression was commoner in those with more severe medical illness, more concomitant stress, and more previous depressions In most cases the occurrence and course appeared closely bound up with the medical illness When comparisons were made with depressives in psychiatric treatment, the medical depressives were less severely depressed With severity equated, medical depressives more often showed feelings of pessimism, helplessness, anxiety and self pity, but less often suicidal feelings In general their state appeared more appropriate to the life situation, suggesting some characteristics of a borderline between normal and pathological depressed mood

Suicide attempts and recent life events. A controlled comparison.

Abstract: Life events experienced in the six months before a suicide attempt were compared with events for two matched control groups. Suicide attempters reported four times as many events as were reported by subjects from the general population and 11/2 times as many as were reported by depressed patients prior to depressive onset. A substantial peaking of events occurred in the month before the attempt. The excess over general population controls spanned most types of event. That over depressive onset was more selective, and it involved events with threatening implications, including undesirable events, those rated as stressful, and those outside the respondent's control. Unlike depression, suicide attempts were preceded equally by entrances and exits in the social field. Overall, the findings indicate a strong and immediate relationship between suicide attempts and life events.

Adolescent development and the onset of drinking. A longitudinal study.

Abstract: Junior and senior high-school students were studied over a 4-year period. The likelihood of drinking was directly related to the degree of transition- or problem-proneness, and a developmental relationship between onset of drinking and other socipsychological attributes was found. It is concluded that becoming a drinker is an integral aspect of the process of adolscent development.

Wife battering: a preliminary survey of 100 cases.

Abstract: One hundred battered wives were interviewed. All had bruising, often together with other injuries, such as lacerations and fractures, There was a high incidence of violence in the family histories of both partners, and of drunkeness and previous imprisonment among the husbands. Netherless, both husbands and wives had wide range of educational achievements. Mmost wives were subjected to repeated violence because they had no alternative but to return to the marital home; There was an association between wife battering and child abuse. Places of sanctuary are needed where a woman can take her children when violence is out of control.

Effects of alcohol on aggression in male social drinkers.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of alcohol on aggressive behavior in male social drinkers. Ninety-six subjects were randomly assigned to one of eight groups in a 2X2X2 factorial design. To fully control for expectation effects, half of the subjects were led .to believe that they would be drinking alcohol (vodka and tonic), and half believed they would be drinking only tonic water. Within each of these two groups, half of the subjects actually received alcohol, but half were given only tonic. Following the beverage administration, half of the subjects were provoked to aggress by exposing them to an insulting confederate, whereas control subjects experienced a neutral interaction. Aggression was assessed by the intensity and duration of shocks administered to the confederate on a modified Buss aggression apparatus. The only significant determinant of aggression was the expectation factor: Subjects who believed they had consumed alcohol were more aggressive than subjects who believed they had consumed a nonalcoholic beverage, regardless of the actual alcohol content of the drinks administered. Subjects receiving alcohol, however, showed a significant increase in a reaction time measure, regardless of the expectation condition. Provocation to aggress was also a significant determinant of aggression, but it did not interact with the beverage conditions.

Moral internalization, parental power, and the nature of parent-child interaction.

Abstract: The following arguments are offered for the view that the frequent correlation between discipline and internalization reflects parental influence: (a) Since parental discipline exerts more constraint on the child than the child exerts on the parent, child attributes like internalization that probably derived from behaviors and inner states associated with compliance are more apt to be consequents than antecedents of discipline. (b) Congenital and other factors that may affect discipline do not negate its effects on internalization. It is also hypothesized that discipline is important because it gives children the experience, necessary for internalization, of achieving balance between expressing and controlling desires. The parent-child relation is conceptualized so as to fit the facts of both everyday interaction and long-term effects, especially on the child. (42 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

A review of psychologically oriented treatment of alcoholism. II. The relative effectiveness of different treatment approaches and the effectiveness of treatment versus no treatment.

Abstract: A review of 384 studies of psychologically oriented alcoholism treatment showed that differences in treatment methods did not significantly affect long-term outcome. Mean abstinence rates did not differ between treated and untreated alcoholics, but more treated than nontreated alcoholics improved, suggesting that formal treatment at least increases an alcoholic's chances of reducing his drinking problem.

Differential hemispheric mediation of nonverbal visual stimuli

Abstract: Studies employing schematic faces of three features explored the role of the left hemisphere as an analytic processor in difficult discriminations and the role of the right hemisphere in easy gestalt matches. In a discrimination task, the successively presented members of a stimulus pair differed in all three features. When both stimuli went to the same visual field there was a Visual Field X Judgments interaction; judgments same were processed faster in the left visual field. When a test stimulus differing on all three features from a previously memorized target face was matched to the latter, both judgments same and different were made faster for stimuli in the left visual field. However, when the test stimulus and the memory items differed on only one feature the right field proved superior for both judgments same and different. Language: en

Effects of chronic exposure to stressors on avoidance-escape behavior and on brain norepinephrine.

Abstract: A single exposure to a severe stressor (either cold swim or inescapable shock) impairs subsequent performance in a shuttle avoidance-escape task (1), a deficit attributed to reduction in brain noradrenergic activity produced by these stressors. In the present paper, two experiments are described which examine how repeated exposure to such stressors affects (a) shuttle avoidance-escape performance (Experiment 1), and (b) aspects of brain norepinephrine metabolism (Experiment 2). Experiment 1 showed that, whereas subjects receiving the single exposure to cold swim or shock showed a large avoidance-escape deficit, subjects that received repeated exposure to these stressors for 14 days performed similarly to the control group that received no stressor. Experiment 2 showed that, whereas subjects that received one session of the inescapable shock stressor showed a lower level of norepinephrine in hypothalamus and cortex than did subjects that received no shock, subjects that received repeated exposure to inescapable shock or cold swim showed neurochemical "habituation." Subjects that received repeated shock showed elevated tyrosine hydroxylase activity and no depletion of norepinephrine level, and both repeated shock and cold swim caused a decrease in uptake of 3H-norepinephrine by slices of cortex in vitro. Thus, it is concluded that the behavioral and neurochemical changes that were observed after the stressful conditions studied are consistent with the hypothesis that changes in avoidance-escape responding following exposure to these stressful events are due to changes in brain noradrenergic activity. Language: en