MMPI and Rorschach indices of schizophrenic and depressive diagnoses among adolescent inpatients

Although adolescent norms have been developed for the MMPI (e.g., Marks, Seeman, & Haller, 1974) and Rorschach (e.g., Exner, 1986a), little is known regarding the discriminate diagnostic validity of these measures with adolescents. This study investigated the usefulness of these measures in the detection of depression and schizophrenia among adolescent inpatients. Subjects (mean age = 15.3) consisted of 134 adolescents who received Rorschach and MMPI administrations at hospital admission. Clinical diagnoses resulted in the following groupings for this sample: schizophrenia = 15, dysthymic disorder = 41, major depression = 26, conduct disorder = 28, personality disorder = 18. MMPI scale Sc elevation was found to be the most effective single predictor of schizophrenic diagnoses, with a hit rate of .76, sensitivity of .62, and specificity of .78. Neither MMPI scale D scores nor Rorschach DEPI scores were found to be significantly related to patients' diagnoses. Results were interpreted in terms of prior findings in adult psychiatric populations and in relation to implications for the clinical assessment of adolescents.     

Systemic change in limited family therapy

Some families present with so many problems and disordered family processes that where and how to begin is an extremely important question. When premature termination of therapy also appears likely, a family therapist may simply attempt to initiate a structural change within the family system so that the family can continue on its own. This article describes the responses of a highly chaotic family to such a single therapeutic intent.     

Stimulus-response compatibility in the programming of speech

Subjects chose between sequences of one syllable (e.g.,/gi/vs./bi/), two syllables (e.g.,/gibi/ vs./gubu/), and three syllables (e.g.,/gibidi/ vs. gubudu/), when/i/sequences were signaled by high-pitched tones and/u] sequences were signaled by low-pitched tones (high compatibility), or the reverse (low compatibility). Choice times were additively affected by sequence length and compatibility. A second experiment showed attenuated compatibility effects for sequences with different vowels in the first and second syllables. These results replicate previously reported results for choices between finger sequences, which suggests that the same programming methods are used in both output domains. Evidently, choices between response sequences can be achieved by selecting a distinguishing parameter and assigning it in a serial fashion to partially prepared motor subprograms.     

Effects of duration and activity during the post-KR interval on motor learning

Summary The present experiment assessed a traditional assumption regarding the informational role of knowledge of results (KR) in motor learning. The assumption is that learning is facilitated to the degree that KR is used to reduce goal-directed error. To test the assumption we examined two specific predictions that have been made with respect to post-KR interval effects: that the interval should be long enough for action-planning operations to occur and that the interval be free from interpolated activities that might prevent action-planning operations. The present study used a factorial arrangement of post-KR interval durations and interpolated activities during the post-KR interval to test these predictions. Using a movement timing task, we found that, contrary to predictions, learning was not facilitated by lengthening the post-KR interval. Also, in opposition to existing theory, the data revealed that interpolated activities, when combined with longer post-KR durations, were not detrimental to learning and actually improved learning in some instances. These findings are discussed together with recent evidence regarding various KR effects that suggest that many theoretical assumptions about the role of KR need revision.     

Parametric and bootstrap approaches to repeated measures designs

Recently, a nonparametric technique called bootstrapping has been recommended over the more well-known analysis of variance (ANOVA) for analyzing repeated measures data. Advocates cite as bootstrap’s advantages over ANOVA the fact that the former uses distributional information and is free of normal theory assumptions. The present study used a computer simulation to compare the two techniques calculated using data sampled from normal and nonnormal distributions. The parametric test had adequate control of Type I error rates; the nonparametric test had overly liberal Type I error rates and therefore is not recommended.     

Voluntariness of Association as a Moderator of the Importance of Procedural and Distributive Justice

Tyler (1986) proposed that procedural justice was a more important factor in the evaluation of institutions when an individual's association with same was forced or compelled than when the association was voluntary. Unfortunately, Tyler's induction of a moderator effect was based upon questionable interpretations of data, and no deductive attempt was made to explain the phenomenon in theoretical terms. The present study confirmed the moderator effect of voluntariness of association by examining the patterns of correlations between institutional evaluations and procedural justice under two conditions—for members and non-members of open shop (voluntary association) and agency shop (compelled association) unions. The concept of personal control was used to account for the moderator