Positive and negative social ties among older adults: Measurement models and the prediction of psychological distress and well-being

The factor structure of positive and negative social ties was studied among 246 older adults who were either recently physically disabled, recently conjugally bereaved, or matched controls. Covariance structure analyses were carried out on a network measure to determine whether positive and negative social ties represent independent domains of social experience, and to assess the degree to which their structure is invariant across groups undergoing major loss transitions. Positive and negative social ties were found to be independent and there was substantial similarity in their factor structure across the three groups. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that, whereas positive social ties were related to psychological well-being, negative social ties were predictive of both psychological well-being and distress. These results demonstrate the importance of assessing both positive and negative ties in explaining the psychological adjustment of older adults.     

Pavlovian theory of dreaming

Pavlovian theory provides a conceptual scheme for the examination of recent empirical data on dreaming. Consistencies are examined between these data and Pavlovian theory of the general properties of the nervous system. An equation is made between Pavlov’s excitation-inhibition continuum, the REM-NREM cycle, and the basic rest-activity cycle. Speculations, based on this equation, are made about the inter-relation between waking and sleeping behaviors. Testable hypotheses are suggested throughout the paper.     

Type and frequency of praise as determinants of favorability of self-image: an experiment in a field setting

An experiment was conducted in a skills training center with a sample of 28 Black female trainees The effects of variations in type (person- vs. achievement-oriented) and frequency (75% vs. 25%) of praise were ascertained on favorableness of selfimage and task performance. It was found that, in general, lower frequencies of praise produced more positive self-evaluations than high frequencies of praise, and that person-oriented praise was more effective than achievement-oriented praise in enhancing self-evaluation A significant interaction found for “myself as male friends see me” demonstrated that (a) at a 75 percent frequency of reinforcement, person-oriented praise was significantly more effective than performance-oriented praise, and (b) performance-focused praise delivered at a 25 percent frequency enhanced subjects' self-image significantly more than performance-oriented praise given at a 75 percent level. No significant effects were found for the accuracy-type tasks (work recognition, visual perceptiveness) On the task which involved a simple, speeded response (manual dexterity) there were significant effects (a) achievement-oriented praise was more effective than person-oriented praise, (b) a significant interaction between type and frequency of praise occurred, indicating that performance-oriented praise is most effective when given at a 25 percent level     

Evidence of acoustic coding in long-term memory

Contrary to previous indications, retroactive interference in long-term paired associate learning was found to be a function of acoustic similarity. Experimental groups were exposed to the A-B, A'-C paradigm where corresponding stimuli were homophones. Their retention scores were substantially and significantly lower than control groups run with an A-B, C-D paradigm. The failure of previous studies to reveal effects of acoustic similarity in this way is attributed to the use of an insufficiently high degree of similarity.     

Negative ions and behavior: impact on mood, memory, and aggression among type A and type B persons

Individuals scoring high (Type As), intermediate, or low (Type Bs) on the Jenkins Activity Survey were given an opportunity to aggress against a stranger who, previously, had either provoked or not provoked them. The opportunity to aggress (as well as all other aspects of the study) took place in the presence of (a) a high concentration, (b) a moderate concentration, or (c) a low (ambient) concentration of negative air ions. Results indicated that exposure to moderate or high levels of negative ions significantly enhanced aggression by Type A subjects, but not by other participants. In addition, we found that negative ions produced positive shifts in subjects' reported moods in the absence of provocation, but negative shifts in moods in the presence of provocation. These findings suggest that moderate or high concentrations of negative ions serve as a source of heightened activation, thus enhancing individuals' dominant reactions or tendencies in a given situation.