Agreement Between Descriptive and Experimental Analyses of Behavior under Naturalistic Test Conditions

We compared the results of a contingency space analysis (CSA) of behavior-consequence recordings to the results of functional analysis (FA) test conditions involving antecedent stimuli and verbal statements that both differed from and mimicked those in the natural environment. Three preschool children with autism spectrum disorder participated. During Phase I, we identified teacher-delivered consequences that were contingent on problem behavior from observational data. During Phase II, each child participated in FA test conditions conducted by their teacher or a same-sex experimenter in an ABA reversal design. Two Experimenter FA conditions were identical to the Teacher FA, with an additional condition involving a different task, demands, and verbal statements. Teacher FAs revealed a clear function for problem behavior for two children, whereas the Experimenter FA was undifferentiated. The reverse pattern was observed for the third child. Results of the CSAs were consistent with the Teacher FAs for two children. Implications for generalizing the outcomes of analog FA test conditions are discussed.     

INCREASING TREATMENT ACCEPTABILITY THROUGH VIDEO

The effects of a video vignette on the treatment acceptability ratings of four behavioral interventions were evaluated. Two interventions involved positive reinforcement (DRO and DRI) and two negative consequences (contingent physical restraint and contingent electric shock). Seventy-four undergraduate psychology students were randomly assigned into two groups. The experimental group (n=36) viewed a video vignette of a self-abusive individual whereas the control group (n=38) did not. Acceptability ratings prior to the video showed no differences between the experimental and control groups. The post video ratings indicated significant acceptability increases for physical restraint for the experimental group. There also was a significant group by testing effect because the means for the experimental group rose whereas the control group's means were stable. These results replicated and extended Foxx, McHenry and Bremer (in press) who showed that treatment acceptability is alterable through video.     

Survey return rates for multiple-authored versus single-authored covering letters

Differences in response rates to a three-wave mail survey were assessed when the covering letters were signed by three versus one researcher. 375 surveys including covering letters signed by three researchers and 375 surveys including covering letters signed by one researcher were sent. A follow-up mailing was used to increase the response rate. 199 surveys were returned (53.5%) in which the covering letter had three researchers, and 218 when the covering letter had one researcher (58.7%), not a significantly different distribution.     

American and Chinese College Students' Predictions of People's Occupations,Housework Responsibilities,and Hobbies as a Function of Cultural and Gender Influences

Predictions of people's occupations, housework responsibilities, and hobbies by American and Chinese college students reflected their sensitivity to the sex and gender information embedded in metaphors. Specific gender information, even when implicit, weighed more than general sex information, even when explicit, in the formation of social predictions. The gender-stereotyped prediction patterns were similar in the 2 countries, although the American students made more gender-typed predictions than did their Chinese counterparts, whereas the latter produced more gender-neutral predictions than did the former. The Chinese students' data were somewhat paradoxical, which might suggest the influence of mixed gender messages in their daily life. These cultural differences were true of all 3 domains of occupation, housework, and leisure activities. The evolutionary perspective and the sociocultural perspective were applied to explain the prediction patterns.     

Family Unpredictability and Psychological Distress in Early Adulthood: The Role of Family Closeness and Coping Mechanisms

Unpredictability within the family environment has been consistently linked to anxiety and depressive symptomology in early adulthood. The current investigation sought to examine how individual and family factors may serve to protect college students from the potentially detrimental effects of growing up with family chaos. A multi-dimensional survey, including measures assessing family unpredictability, coping behavior, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, was administered to 260 (68% female) undergraduate college students. A series of regression models found mediating and moderating effects: the relationship between family unpredictability and psychological distress was explained in part by less family closeness, and this was especially true among students who engaged in more emotion-focused coping. Individuals who used less emotion-focused coping did not appear to suffer from psychological distress associated with family unpredictability. Conversely, task-focused coping did not moderate the association between family unpredictability and psychological distress; yet, individuals who used more task-focused coping, in general, experienced less distress. These findings could be used to inform intervention efforts targeted at improving parenting and caregiving practices as well as the development of campus programs aimed at improving students’ coping strategies.     

Scientific Meetings of the Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis-Passion in Girls and Women: Toward a Bridge Between Critical Relational Theory of Gender and Modern Conflict Theory

The American Journal of Psychoanalysis -