A microcomputer-based software package for eye monitoring research

A software package is described that collects and reduces eye behavior (eye position and pupil size) data using an IBM-compatible personal computer. Written in the C language for speed and portability, the package includes several unique features: data can be collected simultaneously from other sources (e.g., EEG, EMG), logically defined events can be detected in real time on any data channel, and either of two types of data matrix can be produced. Data reduction algorithms and data structures are described.     

False Consensus and False Uniqueness in Estimating the Prevalence of Health-Protective Behaviors

The degree to which people perceive that their health-relevant behaviors are also performed by their peers may influence whether they continue these practices or are susceptible to change. The present paper examined estimates of social consensus for health-relevant behaviors. It was hypothesized that respondents would perceive their own behaviors to be relatively more common than do people not performing them, the so-called False Consensus Effect. However, in terms of the accuracy of consensus estimates, people who behave in undesirable ways will tend to overestimate the actual number of others who behave similarly. In contrast, people who behave in desirable ways will underestimate the actual number of people who behave like themselves (false uniqueness). A group of college-aged males were asked to report about their performance of a series of health-relevant behaviors and to estimate the frequency of each behavior among their peers. The findings strongly supported the first two hypotheses and provided some support for the third. One practical implication of the results is that persons with unhealthy practices may resist public health campaigns and other interventions by overestimating consensus for their own behaviors. Also, individuals who think their undesirable health behaviors are relatively common may believe that they involve few health risks for them. The research suggests the need for further research on social cognitions about health, illness, and health-protective behaviors.     

Desire for Control and the Use of Attribution Processes

ABSTRACT The hypothesis that people engage in attribution processes to obtain a sense of control was tested In each of three experiments, subjects identified on an individual difference measure as high in a general desire for control (DC) were found to engage in attnbution processes more than subjects low in desire for control In Experiment 1, high-DC subjects were more likely to utilize attributionally relevant information when describing the cause of a writer's behavior than were low-DC subjects High-DC subjects in Experiment 2 were more likely to ask attribution questions about hypothetical events than were low-DC subjects In Expenment 3, high-DC subjects gave more attributions for their performance on a test than did low-DC subjects The findings are interpreted as support for the control motivation explanation for why people engage in attribution processes     

Assertive community treatment for frequent users of psychiatric hospitals in a large city: A controlled study

Evaluated a large-city adaptation of the assertive community treatment (ACT) model (Stein & Test, 1980). Outcomes were examined after 1 year for 82 clients, averaging over 17 lifetime psychiatric hospitalizations, randomly assigned either to ACT or to a drop-in (DI) center. After 1 year, 76% of the ACT clients and only 7% of DI clients were involved in the respective programs. The ACT team averaged 2 home and community visits per week to each client. ACT clients averaged significantly fewer state hospital admissions and state hospital days than did DI clients. ACT clients reported greater satisfaction with program services, fewer contacts with the police, and less difficulty with practical problems associated with psychiatric readmission. More ACT clients were known to have stable community housing. Annual per-client treatment costs for ACT were estimated to be $1,500 less than for DI.     

A pilot study of a Scripture-based trauma healing model for adults in Nicaragua

With the rising attention to global trauma, there is increased interest in utilising effective trauma healing (TH) models, especially those that integrate a spiritual component. This paper examines the effectiveness of a Scripture-based TH model developed by the Trauma Healing Institute utilised in a pilot study with Nicaraguan adults who experienced non-sexualised-related crime, disaster-related trauma, and/or interpersonal violence. An additional focus of this study was on whether increased spiritual well-being would result from this healing model. In this first empirical study on the TH model, initial results indicated that participants (N?=?23) experienced both a reduction in trauma-related symptoms as well as an upward trend in spiritual well-being from pre-test to six-month follow-up. Spearman results also showed an inverse relationship between trauma symptoms and spiritual well-being. Factors that may have impacted results, limitations to this pilot study, and considerations for future studies are discussed.     

Circumnavigating Dodge Morgan's Interpersonal Style

ABSTRACT The Interpersonal Circumplex Model provides a third perspective on Dodge Morgan's personality that clarifies and extends the perspectives provided by the five-factor and life-story models. Classification of Morgan as a prototypical autonomous personality “type” allows for nomothetic interpretations based on an extensive empirical literature. An explicit structural representation of agency and communion served to reveal the diversity of substantive interpretations that have been made with respect to these metaconcepts. Agreement on a structural representation of agency and communion might lead to more uniform interpretations of their dynamic relations with each another.     

Differential diagnosis of steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome with psychosis: Practical and ethical issues

The present case illustrates practical and ethical issues that can be encountered by clinical psychologists providing consultation services in medical settings. The neuropsychological consultation service was asked to evaluate a 22-year-old male with psychosis, steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome, and a family history of schizophrenia. MRI revealedmarked cortical atrophy. Clinical findings were consistent with (1) steroid inducedapparent atrophy, which has been shown to be reversible with withdrawal of steroids; (2) uremia secondary to steroid withdrawal; (3) cortical atrophy, found in some schizophrenics; or (4) an atypical, diffuse degenerative disorder. Clinical interview and psychological testing revealed significant thought disorder, prominent delusions, somatic hallucinations, and mood disturbance. Deterioration in social and academic functioning was also present. Except for impaired attention and concentration, neuropsychological evaluation showed no clear evidence of brain-based dysfunction. Further, neuropsychological results effectively ruled out a degenerative process and were not consistent with a steroid effects profile. A conclusive differential diagnosis of steroid induced psychosis versus severe psychopathology would require withdrawal from steroids and antipsychotics. In addition to the practical and ethical issues of withholding antipsychotics, steroid withdrawal would require either dialysis or renal transplant surgery. Decision making regarding dialysis dependency and the possibility of postsurgical psychosis secondary to true psychopathology were salient issues to both the patient and the treatment team.     

Dec users’ group report: Fifth annual meeting of the National Conference on the Use of On-Line Computers in Psychology,November 5, 1975

The PDP-8, -11, and -12 Psychology Users’ Groups met jointly to discuss two topics. First, future computer applications were considered in terms of both hardware and software needs. Psychology users specified their needs and DEC representatives described the directions their R&D program is currently taking, and how it will meet many of those needs. Second, the group discussed communication problems among the users, and between the users and DEC. Suggestions were made for improved information exchange. With this goal, a new PDP-11 Users Group was formed and Jerry C. Forshee, Indiana University, was elected Chairman.