Intelligence scales for the blind: A review with implications for research

The verbal section of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) has become a frequently used assessment device and research tool with blind children. This article reviews and critiques studies involving the WISC with samples of blind subjects. Discussion focuses on reliability, validity, and research strategy. Recommendations and suggestions for further research place emphasis upon experimental analysis of behavior.     

Standing's power function in long-term memory

Summary Standing (1973) and Murray (1975) have both found that the number of items retrieved from long-term memory is a power function of the number of items presented. The present research reports three further experiments designed to validate this power function: the law was found to be upheld in paired associates recognition (for four levels of meaningfulness); for free recall (with or without retrieval cues at presentation and/or recall); and for incidental and intentional free recall and recognition. Some data of Roberts (1972) were also found to be fitted by a power function. The discussion deals with power functions as compared with linear functions and also with the relationships between slopes and intercepts of power functions.This research was supported by National Research Council of Canada Grant AO-126 to D.J. Murray. W.E. Hockley served as research assistant for Experiments 1 and 2; Experiment 3 was an Honours Thesis project carried out by Carol Pye.     

An analysis of mutual assistance

Why should community psychology be interested in mutual assistance? Mutual assistance organizations represent not an alternative to professional care by an addition to resources in the community of a kind that makes for a more competent community (Iscoe, 1974). Mutual assistance also reflects the values of empowerment that many community psychologists accept as primary (Rappaport, 1981). For those persons who suffer with conditions that may be attributed to oppressive social environments, there is no alternative to collective political and social action to produce change. The developing mutual assistance movement provides an unparalleled opportunity to enhance our understanding of the meaning and significance of social support and the conditions under which people change. Those of us in the field have every reason to embrace this movement for it is truly in keeping with the vision of community psychology.     

Anxiety and aspects of health behavior among adolescents in Northern Ireland

A sample of 238 15- to 16-year-old secondary school students from Northern Ireland answered a questionnaire in their schools about the level of anxiety and some aspects of their health behavior. Analysis of the findings showed that these teenagers had no higher anxiety than a Northern American sample of teenagers. In addition, anxiety was clearly correlated with a variety of health complaints and with use of the health service. The findings are discussed with reference to previous research on adolescent health and on stress in Northern Ireland.     

Psychopharmacological therapy of deviant sexual behavior

Psychopharmacological approaches to controlling male deviant sexual behavior, especially sexual recidivism and sexual deviants on probation, have been reported in psychiatric literature. In Europe, the drug cyproterone acetate, and in the United States, medroxyprogesterone acetate, Provera, and in the long-acting form, Depo-Provera, have all benefitted exhibitionists and pedophiliacs, and reduced sex drive in sexual deviants. The combination of pharmacotherapy and either psychotherapy or behavioral therapy has been the most effective approach to reducing the sex drive of sexual deviants.     

The Importance of Contraceptive Attributes Among College Students

This study assessed how ratings of the importance of contraceptive attributes varied with gender, age, relationship status, and contraceptive method usually used. In a classroom setting, 210 male and 217 female university students completed the 55-item Contraceptive Attribute Questionnaire (CAQ). Significant differences on importance ratings were found between women and men, age groups, women using barrier methods and women using the pill, and by relationship status. The underlying dimensions of the CAQ were investigated through factor analysis, and somewhat different factors emerged for men and women. Implications for the provision of family planning services to college students are discussed.