Iterative inverse factor analysis—A rapid method for clustering persons

By interchanging persons and items, iterative inverse factor analysis provides a relatively inexpensive way of clustering persons according to their patterns of response to the items. In addition to permitting the clustering of large numbers of persons, the technique enables one to determine the bases for such clustering. The items of behavior used can be heterogeneous in content and form.     

Effects of averaging data during stimulus generalization

Rats were trained to press two keys consecutively for reinforcement. During stimulus one (slow clicker) a 6-sec time delay was required between the two responses. During stimulus eight (fast clicker) no time delay was required between the two responses. When tested with intermediate stimuli (intermediate click rates) the median time delays emitted by the animals were intermediate between their performances on the original training stimuli, resulting in typical generalization gradients. Closer examination of the data revealed that the median values were not representative of the behavior of the animals.     

Frequency,characteristics, and perceived functions of emotional future thinking in daily life

While many thoughts and mental images that people form about their personal future refer to emotionally significant events, there is still little empirical data on the frequency and nature of emotional future-oriented thoughts (EmoFTs) that occur in natural settings. In the present study, participants recorded EmoFTs occurring in daily life and rated their characteristics, emotional properties, and perceived functions. The results showed that EmoFTs are frequent, occur in various contexts, and are perceived to fulfil important functions, mostly related to goal pursuit and emotion regulation. When distinguishing between anticipatory and anticipated emotions (i.e., emotions experienced in the present versus emotions expected to occur in the future), a positivity bias in the frequency of EmoFTs was found to be restricted to anticipated emotions. The representational format and perceived function of EmoFTs varied according to their affective valence, and the intensity of anticipatory and anticipated emotions were influenced by the personal importance and amount of visual imagery of EmoFTs. Mood states preceding EmoFTs influenced their emotional components, which, in turn, impacted ensuing mood states. Overall, these findings shed further light on the emotional properties of future-oriented thoughts that are experienced in daily life.     

Tool use in left brain damage and Alzheimer's disease: What about function and manipulation knowledge?

Tool use disorders are usually associated with difficulties in retrieving function and manipulation knowledge. Here, we investigate tool use (Real Tool Use, RTU), function (Functional Association, FA) and manipulation knowledge (Gesture Recognition, GR) in 17 left‐brain‐damaged (LBD) patients and 14 AD patients (Alzheimer disease). LBD group exhibited predicted deficit on RTU but not on FA and GR while AD patients showed deficits on GR and FA with preserved tool use skills. These findings question the role played by function and manipulation knowledge in actual tool use.     

The Future of Training and Credentialing in Group Psychotherapy

High-quality group psychotherapy training is seen as more important than ever in the current health care environment. The training opportunities available at present are assessed. It is argued that there is a body of knowledge about generic group psychotherapy that can and should be taught, and that there are appropriate people to teach it. Credentialing is discussed, and it is suggested that the assessment of actual work in clinical situations must be emphasized if such efforts are to be meaningful.     

Predicting Cognitive and Social Consequences of Emotional Episodes: The Contribution of Emotional Intensity, the Five Factor Model, and Alexithymia

Emotional events are followed by recurrent thoughts (rumination) and talking about the event (social sharing of emotion). Factors that can account for variations in these consequences were examined (emotional intensity, the Five Factor Model, and two factors of alexithymia). In two samples, participants reported the most negative emotional event of recent months and in one sample also reported the most positive one. Results indicated that emotional intensity predicted social sharing and rumination, while neuroticism was positively related to intrusive thoughts about negative events and extraversion to rumination and social sharing about positive events. Difficulty describing feelings was negatively related to social sharing for negative events and reduced fantasy to rumination for positive events.     

A comparison of self-report and interview diagnoses of DSM-III-R personality disorders

A total of 73 psychiatric inpatients, all of whom (but two) fulfilled criteria for at least one specific personality disorder (PD) on SCID-II PQ, were interviewed with the help of PDE. The self-report PD diagnosis was confirmed in 35 (48 per cent) patients. The diagnostic agreement between the two instruments was poor, yielding an overall weighted kappa of 0.22. Levelling off the PD base rates by increasing or decreasing the diagnostic threshold of SCID-II PQ and PDE respectively increased the overall weighted kappa to 0.38 in both instances. 70 per cent of SCID-II PQ but only 29 per cent of PDE personality disorders were of extensive type. Most frequent important co-occurrences occurred between individual PD types within cluster 2. On the whole, the results confirmed the relatively poor agreement between self-report and interview PD diagnoses. The utilization of self-report questionnaires in a clinical practice remains a controversial issue. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.