The double standard in age-discrepant relationships

If a double standard of aging exists, the relationship in which the female is older should be seen more negatively than the more traditional male-older relationship. This study examined the effects of both degree of age discrepancy and sex of the older person on attributions of success for relationships in both adult and adolescent samples. Both samples rated the highly discrepant female-older relationship (18 years difference) least probable of success. Level of discrepancy and sex of older person were significant factors for both groups. Surprisingly, both adult and adolescent males, in contrast to females, did not show the double standard in evaluating moderately discrepant relationship (7 years).     

The onset of stuttering following drug overdose

Recently, some attention has been focused on acquired stuttering, disfluencies that begin in adulthood. The nature of acquired stuttering differs in several respects from developmental stuttering. A case of acquired stuttering following drug overdose is presented and contrasted with previously reported cases. The case is noteworthy in that, while many characteristics of acquired stuttering are evidenced, several symptoms associated with developmental stuttering are also observed. The findings are discussed in terms of a possible link between developmental and acquired forms of stuttering.     

A note on interobserver reliability for sequential data

It is well accepted that reliability measures based on simple frequency counts of designated codes are inappropriate for sequential analysis. The stricter point-by-point method, however, is problematic, particularly because it is too strict. It is suggested that a less strict reliability measure based on the number of transitions be used. This method also avoids problems encountered with the point-by-point method and another less stringent method.     

Leading questions and the eyewitness report

A total of 490 subjects, in four experiments, saw films of complex, fast-moving events, such as automobile accidents or classroom disruptions. The purpose of these experiments was to investigate how the wording of questions asked immediately after an event may influence responses to questions asked considerably later. It is shown that when the initial question contains either true presuppositions (e.g., it postulates the existence of an object that did exist in the scene) or false presuppositions (e.g., postulates the existence of an object that did not exist), the likelihood is increased that subjects will later report having seen the presupposed object. The results suggest that questions asked immediately after an event can introduce new—not necessarily correct—information, which is then added to the memorial representation of the event, thereby causing its reconstruction or alteration.     

DOMINANCE AND INEQUALITY IN X-RATED VIDEOCASSETTES

Feminists have been concerned about the debasement of women in sexually explicit material. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of domination and sexual inequality in x-rated videocassettes through a content analysis of 45 widely available x-rated videocassettes. The sample was randomly drawn from a list of 121 adult movie titles widely available in family videocassette rental stores in southern California. Over half of the explicitly sexual scenes were coded as predominantly concerned with domination or exploitation. Most of the domination and exploitation was directed by men toward women. Specific indicators of domination and sexual inequality, including physical violence, occurred frequently. The growth of the videocassette rental industry and the popularity of x-rated films, coupled with the messages these films convey, is a cause for concern.     

The effects of therapist turnover in a training clinic: The core group phenomenon

Group psychotherapy conducted in training settings presents the membership with a unique opportunity to experience and work through loss. This paper describes the potentially problematic influence of predictable therapist turnover in these clinical settings. The core group phenomenon which emerges as a function of this anticipatory grief is described, as are the dynamics of core group members who are particularly vulnerable to the comings and goings of therapists in training. Finally, the importance of therapist attention to the impact of the turnover process in group psychotherapy training programs is underscored.     

Couples psychotherapy group: Treatment of the married alcoholic

As part of an intramural research program of the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism focused on the psychobiogenetics of familial alcoholism, a psychodynamically oriented married couples psychotherapy group was formed. Its purpose was to determine whether this modality could be utilized as an outpatient treatment approach to identify and modify interpersonal interactions that affect both drinking behavior and the quality of family and marital life. This paper, a clinical case report, presents follow-up data and disusses both themes that emerged in the therapy process and the usefulness of this modality in the treatment of the married alcoholic.She was formerly Chief, Unit of Family Studies, Laboratory of Clinical Studies, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).At the time this paper was written, she was a Research Social Worker, Laboratory, of Clinical Studies, NIAAA, Bethesda, Maryland.