The lexical decision list task: A research note

The lexical decision list task, a paper-and-pencil version of the standard lexical decision task, is introduced and described. Data are reported demonstrating that subjects' responses to manipulations of phonological confusability, stimulus difficulty, and case presentation are analogous to those obtained with the use of the standard task.     

Influence Tactics in Combination: The Interactive Effects of Soft Versus Hard Tactics and Rational Exchange

The effects of multiple influence tactics in dyadic compliance-gaining situations are underexplored. In a laboratory experiment, we exposed subjects to a scenario-based influence attempt within which tactics that convey a rational exchange of benefits were juxtaposed with soft tactics that project friendliness and flattery. We found support for the prediction that soft tactics would heighten compliance more in the absence, rather than presence, of an offered exchange. Implications and limitations are discussed.     

TEACHING SOCIAL SKILLS TO STUDENTS WITH AUTISM TO INCREASE PEER INTERACTIONS IN AN INTEGRATED FIRST-GRADE CLASSROOM

We investigated the use of social skills groups to facilitate increased social interactions for students with autism and their nonhandicapped peers in an integrated first-grade classroom. Social skills groups consisted of training students and peers in initiating, responding, and keeping interactions going; greeting others and conversing on a variety of topics; giving and accepting compliments; taking turns and sharing; asking for help and helping others; and including others in activities. Training occurred during the first 10 min of 20-min play groups, four times per week. Using a multiple baseline across subjects design, results demonstrated increases in the frequency of, time engaged in, and duration of social interactions, as well as the responsivity of students and peers to each other. Results were maintained when students were monitored and given feedback on social performance in play groups and during follow-up.     

Belief systems and coping styles as mediating variables in the relationship between hostility and illness

The present study investigated the relationship between hostility, belief systems, coping styles, and illness. Hostility is of interest when considering the stress-illness relationship because it has been associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease as well as general mortality. The results suggest that individuals prone toward hostility are more likely to succumb to illness and adhere to irrational beliefs than individuals not so oriented. In addition, hostile individuals were found to employ different, and perhaps less adaptive, coping styles than their low hostility counterparts. It was concluded that the belief systems and coping styles typically employed by individuals prone toward hostility may be important mediating variables in the relationship between hostility and illness. These factors may also be important to take into account in treatment programs designed to reduce illness risks for such individuals. Finally, this study suggests that stress-induced impairment of health for hostility-prone individuals may begin much earlier than the vast majority of the literature currently suggests.     

Constructing a Tree for Community Leaders: Contexts and Processes in Collaborative Inquiry

This paper presents collaborative research between a university-based team and a grass roots community organization on the south side of Chicago. The purpose of the work is to document the nature of community leadership as expressed by members of the host organization. Using a semistructured interview, 77 community members nominated by the host organization were asked about various aspects of their community work. Qualitative analyses of interview text generated a set of 56 codes concerning different aspects of community leadership as reported by grassroots leaders. These codes were subsequently grouped together into five conceptually linked dimensions of community leadership. A leadership tree that simultaneously analyzes and visually displays each of these five dimensions of community leadership was created. Implications of the methodology used to create the leadership tree are discussed for the salience of qualitative methods in community research.     

GRIDLAT: Toward a constructivist methodology to investigate brain lateralization

Verbal conceptual processes and emotional experience (in general, as well as positive vs. negative) are phenomena that appear to have lateralized correlates. A general method is herein put forth by which researchers can investigate the lateralization of various constructive processes in the brain. The technique, called GRIDLAT, is a computerized repertory grid protocol that displays element and construct information to a single hemisphere (vis à vis visual field) at a time during grid elicitation. GRIDLAT is described in detail. Then some preliminary findings are described, and several dependent variables possible in studies employing methods such as GRIDLAT are discussed.