On the Nature of Auditory Neglect: A Reply to Hugdahl and Wester

We respond to the points raised by Hugdahl and Wester (1994) and argue that a definition of auditory neglect must be based not on consideration of lesion location and extension but on a theoretical understanding of the mechanisms held to underlie neglect in the auditory modality. A first requirement is to describe the phenomenon that has to be explained. An ear extinction effect in dichotic listening, even considered along with the site of brain damage, does not provide sufficient justification for the effect to be attributed to "neglect."     

Love It or Leave It: A Look at Women in Clerical Occupations1

This study was conducted among female clerical workers to examine factors associated with attitudes toward bridging programs. These programs facilitate women's transition from traditional to nontraditional careers. In a proposed model, 2 paths linking masculine and feminine traits of the self‐concept to personal relative deprivation were tested. Whereas feminine traits were expected to correlate with masculine traits, the former was predicted to yield feelings of relative satisfaction and the latter to evoke relative deprivation. Relative deprivation was predicted to increase intention to endorse bridging program activities. Results support the model, albeit analyses suggested an additional path from masculine traits to bridging program activities. Implications of this reality test of the relations between self‐concept, relative deprivation, and career mobility are discussed.     

Facilitation of receptive and productive foreign vocabulary learning using the keyword method: The role of image quality

Ellis and Beaton (1993a) reported that the keyword method of learning enhanced memory of foreign vocabulary items when receptive learning was measured. However, for productive learning, rote repetition was superior to the keyword method. The first two experiments reported here show that, in comparison with rote repetition, both receptive and productive learning can be enhanced by the keyword method, provided that the quality of the keyword images is adequate. In a third experiment using a subset of words from Ellis and Beaton (1993a), the finding they reported, that for productive learning rote repetition was superior to the keyword method, was reversed. The quality of keyword images will vary from study to study and any generalisation regarding the efficacy of the keyword method must take this into account.     

Thought suppression,intelligence, and working memory capacity

The importance of individual differences in intelligence and working memory capacity in predicting the ability to intentionally suppress thoughts was investigated. Sixty participants completed a thought suppression task, and measures of working memory capacity (OSPAN), fluid intelligence (Raven's Matrices), and crystallised intelligence (the National Adult Reading Test). As predicted, the results indicated that more effective thought suppression was independently related to higher working memory capacity and greater fluid intelligence, but was unrelated to crystallised intelligence. The findings have theoretical implications for understanding the mechanisms underlying a failure to inhibit unwanted intrusions and clinical implications for disorders involving high levels of intrusive thoughts and memories.     

Policewomen acting in self-defense: can psychological disengagement protect self-esteem from the negative outcomes of relative deprivation?

The role of 2 components of psychological disengagement (discounting and devaluing) in the relation between personal relative deprivation and self-esteem was explored in 3 samples of policewomen. Path analyses conducted with the 3 samples revealed that stronger feelings of personal relative deprivation resulted in stronger discounting of work evaluations, which in turn led to devaluing the importance of police work. A negative relation between discounting and self-esteem was observed in all samples. Other related outcomes of disengagement, professional withdrawal and stress, were also evaluated.     

Factors affecting the learning of foreign language vocabulary: Imagery keyword mediators and phonological short-term memory

In order to investigate the cognitive processes involved in learning Foreign Language (FL) vocabulary, this study evaluates different methods of instruction. It demonstrates that keyword techniques are effective for receptive learning but that repetition is a superior strategy for learning to produce the foreign word. Performance is optimal when learners combine both strategies. The nature of the keyword is crucial--whereas imageable noun keywords promote learning, verb keywords actually impede it. A theoretical analysis of the roles of phonological short-term memory, imagery, and lexical factors in FL vocabulary learning is presented.     

Helping the Less Fortunate: A Predictive Model of Collective Action

A model of factors that lead members of an advantaged group to perform collective action intended to help a disadvantaged out-group is tested. A distinction is made between easy and demanding collective activities. Two different routes are expected to lead to collective action. First, an indirect link is proposed between a common in-group identity and collective action. This link is believed to be mediated by perceived mobilization resources. Second, the link between relative deprivation on behalf of others (RDBO) and collective action will vary according to the type of behavior considered. While, RDBO is expected to be directly associated with easy collective behavior, the link between RDBO and demanding collective activities is mediated through perceived mobilization resources. In turn, perceived resources are linked to both forms of collective behaviors. The predicted model is tested among 273 undergraduate respondents. Findings point to the relevance of all factors considered and the pivotal role of perceived mobilization resources on collective action.     

A functional analysis and treatment of the irrational and rational statements of an elderly woman with Alzheimer's disease

Speech problems are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Although often attributed to neurological damage common to the disease speech problems have been successfully treated through the use of behavior analytic techniques. This study was a replication and extension of that line of research. The participant in this study was an elderly woman diagnosed with Alzheimer's who was referred for services due to frequent irrational statements and infrequent rational statements. Both standard functional analysis and modified functional analysis conditions were conducted. It appeared the irrational statements were controlled by social reinforcement. Several treatment packages consisting of differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors and extinction components were implemented in an ABCDEAE treatment design. Results of the study suggest the intervention successfully increased rational statements but had no effect on irrational statements. These results indicate the need for further research on the conditions under which behavior analysis techniques will be most effective. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.