Role and group identity and adjustment to the possibility of running group disbandment

Role and group identities are distinct yet related constructs. Both identities may be relevant to exercise yet exercise identity research has focused mostly on exercise role identity.ObjectiveWe examined the relationship between role and group identity among runners. Further, the relationship of runner role and running group identity were examined relative to social cognitive and behavioural outcomes relative to running and the possibility of running group disbandment.DesignAn observational design was used.MethodRunning group members completed measures of runner role and running group identity, self-efficacy for running, and aspects of recent exercise and anticipated reactions to running group disbandment.ResultsRunner role and running group identity showed a small, positive correlation. Runner role identity was associated with self-efficacy for running, vigorous exercise, less group running and adaptive reactions to the possibility of group disbandment. Running group identity was associated with negative self-efficacy, greater percentage of runs being conducted with the group and maladaptive reactions to group disbandment. Runner role and running group identity did not interact in their relationship to exercise-related outcomes.ConclusionsIn the context of running, role and group identities are related but unique variables. Identification as a runner may not only be associated with exercise in the context of the group but may also have protective effects against disruptions to group running. Identification with the running group may compromise exercise in the face of group disbandment.     

Challenges in Disseminating Model Programs: A Qualitative Analysis of the Strengthening Washington DC Families Program

This article discusses the challenges faced when a popular model program, the Strengthening Families Program, which in the past has been implemented on a smaller scale in single organizations, moves to a larger, multiorganization endeavor. On the basis of 42 interviews conducted with program staff, the results highlight two main themes that address program and organizational characteristics. The themes relate to the cultural relevance of the program, the accessibility of program partners, the organization of program services, and the coordination of program activities. The article also offers a discussion of how to better prepare sites for program delivery. This discussion focuses explicitly on the need for good communication among program partners, extensive community outreach, and the ability to secure additional resources.     

Remote memory in a patient with circumscribed amnesia

It has been suggested that extensive and severe remote memory loss is not a component of a circumscribed amnesic syndrome but may be attributable to problem solving and retrieval deficiencies associated with the frontal lobe damage which is present in some amnesic patients. In order to assess this notion, retrograde amnesia was studied in a patient, W.H., who had no apparent cortical damage revealed by radiological examination, and who evidenced no major cognitive deficiency other than amnesia. Regardless of whether remote memory was measured by recall or recognition procedures, patient W.H. exhibited impaired memory for information from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, but was unimpaired in retrieving information from the 1940s and 1950s. These results demonstrate that retrograde amnesia can occur in patients who have a circumscribed memory deficit.     

Hurricane Andrew: Psychological distress among shelter victims

This study examined psychological distress and functioning among Hurricane Andrew victims who lost their homes and were living in shelters. Four and one-half weeks after Hurricane Andrew struck southern Florida, 89 (45 males, 44 females) Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites completed a questionnaire. The questionnaire asked for information about psychological and psychophysiological symptoms, use of mental health services, coping responses, and extent of preparation for the storm. The findings suggest that loss of home and property were related to distress and depression. About one-quarter of the sample were moderately depressed. Over one-third of the sample reported experiencing psychological and psychophysiological distress. Approximately one-half of the subjects did not take the hurricane warnings seriously. White subjects began preparing earlier for the storm, and evacuated their homes more frequently than did Black subjects. Implications of the findings and future research directions are discussed.     

Amphetamine disrupts both working and reference memories of rats trained in a radial maze

To assess the effects of amphetamine on working and reference memory rats were trained on a 12-arm radial maze with six arms baited and six arms unbaited until stable performance was achieved. Administration of 2.0 mg/kg d-amphetamine sulfate increased both working and reference memory errors, but only if a 5-min delay was imposed after three successful choices. With no delay this dose had no reliable effect on either working or reference memory. Lower doses (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg) were ineffective even when a delay was imposed during the test. We suggest that amphetamine heightens arousal, which disrupts accurate retention when the rat's attention to the relevant cues is interrupted, as during a brief delay. Alternative explanations are discussed.     

Using a laboratory computer for identification of nonlinear behavioral and electrophysiological systems

A system for mathematically identifying unknown nonlinear systems based upon Wiener kernels and G-functionals is presented as an example of the sophisticated analyses of electrophysiological and behavioral data made possible by the introduction of powerful digital computers to the laboratory environment. The applicability of these methods to a wide variety of systems is emphasized. By measuring the response of the unknown system to appropriate white noise stimulation, data may be obtained which are sufficient for the characterization of the system under test. The only restrictions upon the unknown system is that it be approximately stationary during the period of measurement and that its output depend upon its input in the finite past. Various pretests to evaluate the applicability of the method are presented. Simple FORTRAN programs that clarify the methods of computation are given for the preprocessing of data, the analysis of lower-order kernels, the synthesis of system response from the computed kernels, and the computation of the proportion of the variance in the systems output which is accounted for by the kernels zero, one, and two. These programs may be implemented on a digital laboratory computer of moderate size. Analysis may be performed either on-line or after data collection, depending upon the temporal characteristics of the system under test. This method represents one of the few analytical techniques presently available for the characterization of both linear and nonlinear systems. For this reason, it constitutes a uniquely powerful tool for many branches of psychology. Successful applications of this method to electrophysiological and behavioral data are mentioned. Limiting factors in the use of Wiener kernel analysis are also discussed.