Das Klimakterium als Herausforderung

The menopause is like puberty a period of life, which implies an interaction between hormonal changes and personal reorientation. In addition to the hormonal changes a variety of psychosocial changes occur. Complaints may indicate a lack of orientation in this phase. One third of German women experience a significant deterioration in life quality because of their complaints related to menopause. These women attribute their complaints mainly to their individual life-attitudes and the hormonal changes. The gynaecologist has, therefore, a high responsibility in counselling, since empirical studies have shown, that psychosocial factors like self-confidence, quality of partnership, job-satisfaction and family network substantially influence the occurrence of specific complaints and the life-quality during that time. Furthermore, social aspects are very important. The results of the German cohort study of women’s health, showing a generally better psychological well-being as compared to younger women, are remarkable in this context. The present generation of women perceive midlife positively as a period of life allowing a fresh start.     

Fokale psychodynamische Psychotherapie der Anorexia nervosa

The paper presents a manual for the focal psychodynamic psychotherapy of anorexia nervosa (AN). The manual was developed in the context of the largest randomized controlled trial of outpatient psychotherapy for AN so far [Anorexia Nervosa Treatment of OutPatients (ANTOP), n=234]. The study compares focal psychodynamic psychotherapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy and with a control group with free choice of therapy outside the study. The manual comprises instructions for the working through of typical focal emotional and interpersonal issues of AN. Also recommendations for anorexia-specific therapeutic difficulties in the course of treatment are given. First results concerning the efficacy of the therapies carried out based on the manual are expected after completion of the ANTOP study in the middle of the year 2010.     

Book reviews

Contemporary psychology Experiments: Adaptations for Laboratory. By John Jung and Joan Bailey. London and New York: Wiley. 1966 Pp. xiii + 155. 238.

A Textbook of Psychology. Second Edition. By D.O. Hebb. Philadelphia and London: W.B. Saunders & Co. 1966. Pp xvi + 353. Pound2.

Behaviour Therapy Techniques: A Guide to the Treatment of Neuroses. By Josweph Wolpe and Arnold A. Lazarus. Oxford and London: Pergamon Press. 1966. Pp. ix + 198. 21s.

Motivated Learning: a Developmental Study from Birth to the Senium. By Miriam E. Hebron. London: Methuen. Methuen's Manuals of Modern Psychology. 1966. Pp. 264. 35s.

Human Brain and Psychological Processes. By A.R. Luria. Translated by Basil Haigh. New York and London: Harper & Row. 1966. Pp.xix + 587. £5 $14.50.

Higher Cortical Functions in Man. By A. R. Luria. Translated by Basil Haigh. London: Tavistock Publications. 1966. Pp xvi + 513. £6 6s.

Productive Thinking. By Max Wertheimer. Edited by Michael Wertheimer. social science Paperbacks. London: Tavistock Publications. 1966. Pp xvi + 302. 30s.

Problem Solving: Research Method and Theory. Edited by B. Kleinmuntz. London and New York: Wiley. 1966. Pp. ix + 406. 53s.

Human Conceptual Behavior. By Lyle E. Bourne, Jr. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. 1966. Pp. viii + 139. $2.50.

Attraction and Hostility. An Experimental Analysis of Interpersonal and Self Evaluation. By albert Peptone. London: Tavistock Publications. 1966. Pp. ix + 234. 30s.

Ability Structure and subgroups in Mental Retardation. By John Clausen. London: Macmillan. Washington: spartan Books. 1966. Pp. viii + 208. 80s.

The Biologiv Basis of Schizophrenia. By Jon L. Karlsson. springfield. Illionois: Thomas. 1966. Pp.xi + 77. $4.75.

Psychology for Psychiatrists. By C.G. Costello. London: Commonwealth and Unversity Library, pergamon Press. 1966. Pp. 328. 25s.

Science and theory of Psychoanalysis. Edited by Irwin G. Sarason. London: Van Nostrand. Insight Book No. 26. 1965. Pp xiii + 205. 14s.

Aspects of Learning and Memory. Edited by D. Richter. London: heinemann. 1966. Pp. x + 185. 35s.

The Spiral After-Effect. By Harry C. Holland. London: pergamon. 1965. Pp.xii + 99. 35s.

Dynamics of Response. By J.M. Notterman and D.E. Mintz. London and New York: Wiley. 1965. Pp. 277. 70s.

Contrary Imaginations: A Psychological Study of the English Schoolboy. By Liam Hudson. London: Methuen. 1966. Pp. vii + 181. 25s.

The Structure of Association in Language and Thought. By James A. Deese. London: Oxford University Press: Johns Hopkin Press. 1960. Pp. xiii + 216. 52s.

A source Book in the History of Psychology. Edited by R. J. Herrnstein and E.J. boring. London: Oxford University Press; Harvard University Press. 1965. Pp. xvii + 636. £5.     

Effects of variation in the warning signal on reaction times of severe subnormals

Reaction times of normal and subnormal subjects were compared, when a warning stimulus varied in modality as well as in its temporal relation to the RT signal. When the warning stimulus was in a different modality from the RT signal, reaction times were shorter than when both were in the same modality. Mongols, in contrast to the other subjects, responded relatively faster to light than to sound.

The effect of varying the time interval between warning and signal was linearly related to response speed. The results are discussed in respect to the comparative alerting effects of temporal relations between stimuli and their different modalities.     

EVALUATION OF ATTITUDE SURVEY TRANSLATIONS: AN INVESTIGATION USING ITEM RESPONSE THEORY

The fidelity of a translated survey instrument used to measure attitudes toward mental health was evaluated using statistical methods based on item response theory. Data from French and German versions of the attitude survey were analyzed, and items that displayed differential item functioning (dif) were identified. Item characteristic curves (ICCs) were examined to determine whether the source of dif could be attributed to errors in translation or differences in cultural experiences or knowledge. The proposal by Humphreys and Hulin for using ICCs to determine the source of dif is evaluated.     

Approach/Avoidance Orientations Affect Self-Construal and Identification with In-group

Approach and avoidance are two basic motivational orientations. Their activation influences cognitive and perceptive processes: Previous work suggests that an approach orientation instigates a focus on larger units as compared to avoidance. Study 1 confirms this assumption using a paradigm that more directly taps a person's tendency to represent objects as belonging to small or large units than prior studies. It was further predicted that the self should also be represented as belonging to larger units, and hence be more interdependent under approach than under avoidance. Study 2 supports this prediction. As a consequence of this focus on belonging to larger units, it was finally predicted that approach results in a stronger identification with one's in-group than avoidance. Studies 3 and 4 support that prediction.