Reaction time methods in the study of motor programming: the precuing of hand, digit, and duration

Recent reaction time analysis of motor programming has utilized a precue stimulus that provides advance information about some or all of the attributes for the upcoming motor response. This kind of precue typically confounds the number of remaining stimuli with the motoric processes under investigation (Zelaznik, 1978). In Experiments 1 and 2 the precuing of hand, digit, and duration of a key press response was manipulated. A new precuing procedure was utilized that does not confound the number of stimuli with the motoric processes under investigation. The findings of Experiments 1 and 2 demonstrate that none of the advance information was helpful in reducing reaction time and as such, suggest that these features of movement are not selected in any particular order. Experiment 3 compared this new method of precuing to the other, traditional method. The results of this experiment suggested that there is parallel processing of the perceptual and motor mental operations in this reaction-time task, since there was an underadditive interaction between the number of stimulus response alternatives and the non-precued movement dimensions. This paper highlights problems inherent in the utilization of precursing methods to understand motor programming processes. It appears that a better understanding about the variables involved in movement control is necessary before examining the order of selection of those variables.     

A factor analytic investigation of children's nighttime fear and coping responses

Checklists of children's nighttime fears and nighttime coping responses, completed by 178 8- to 13-year-old children and one of their parents, were factor analyzed. The resulting factors from each checklist were comparable for children and parents. The nighttime fear categories consisted of content around security either for one's personal life, loss, or safety or for others' safety and continued presence; imaginal-numinous concerns; and characteristics inherent in a nighttime situation. The coping categories consisted of responses related to internal self-control, social support, support from inanimate objects, prayer, and avoidance or escape either by controlling the inanimate environment or by controlling others.     

Personality variables and metabolic control in children with diabetes

Insulin-dependent diabetic children and a group of their nondiabetic peers were compared on measures of self-concept, locus of control and health locus of control. A metabolic measure of long term diabetes control was also obtained on the children with diabetes. Data analyses revealed that metabolic control was not related to any of the personality measures in the diabetic sample. Diabetic and non-diabetic children did not differ on measures of locus of control and self-concept, but diabetics exhibited a health locus of control which was significantly more internal than that of control subjects. A possible explanation for these results was discussed and practical implications for health care providers working with young diabetics were presented.     

A note on real measurement structures of scale type (m,m + 1)

Real relational structures of scale type (1, 2) can be represented in the reals in such a way that the induced automorphism group is properly contained in the affine group and itself properly contains the group of translations. There are no real relational structures of scale type (m, m + 1), m ≥ 2.     

Response pattern analysis of the Hand Test: age differences

Extended the literature on age differences on the Hand Test using a multivariate model to examine absolute and relative differences in response. Participants were 47 adults (M age = 22.47 yrs.), 24 males and 23 females; and 45 older adults (M age = 64.87 yrs.), 21 males and 24 females. Data were analyzed in terms of percentage of response and absolute frequency of specific responses, between the age groups. Results indicated similar findings to those previously reported for the Hand Test, though magnitude of personality deterioration or withdrawal was lessened, for the percentage analysis. Results indicated the importance of using both absolute frequency of response and percentage of response in the interpretation of projective test data, especially for older adults.     

Measurement and structure of pathological gambling behavior

The serious effects of pathological gambling on both gamblers and their families warrants research on the disorder. This study aimed at identifying components of pathological gambling with the goal of developing methods for early detection and preventive strategies. A factor analysis of behaviors hypothesized to relate to pathological gambling resulted in a multidimensional model of the disorder. Eight factors were identified, including distinct neurotic, psychopathic, and impulsive components, and used in a comparative analysis of 83 admitted compulsive gamblers and 61 nongamblers. Five of the factors differentiated the two groups even when sex, age, and education were controlled. Implications of these findings are discussed.     

Amount of information about the attitude object and attitude-behavior consistency

The synthesis of two separate lines of inquiry--research on information integration and longitudinal studies of attitudes--prompted the hypothesis that the degree of consistency between attitudes and behavior will increase as a function of the amount of information available about the attitude object. The hypothesis was tested in three separate longitudinal studies, ranging in length from 4 days to 4 months, that investigated the following behaviors: voting for candidates for political office, voting for two social policy election initiatives, and having an influenza vaccination. In support of the hypothesis, in each study, amount of information moderated the consistency between attitudes and behavior; and the significance of this relation remained even after controlling for the effects of a number of other potential moderators, including prior direct behavioral experience with the attitude object and attitude certainty. Consistent with previous research, direct behavioral experience was also a determinant of attitude-behavior consistency, and for the behavior of having an influenza vaccination, this relation was independent of the effect of amount of information. The discussion focuses on the interrelation among moderators of attitude-behavior consistency and on the theoretical implications of the findings.     

Type A behavior pattern and the judgment of noncontingency: mediating roles of mood and perspective

Past research indicates that Type A's and B's differ in their behavioral responses to lack of control. The present study examined perceptual judgments of noncontingency in an attempt to clarify further the role of a control dynamic in Type A-B differences. Type A's and B's assumed the role of either an actor or an observer on a standard contingency judgment task. Consistent with previous research, both Type A's and B's exhibited an illusion of control when in the role of actor. Only Type B's exhibited an illusion of control when observing another person perform the task. Additional analyses indicated that the absence of an illusion of control by Type A observers reflected accuracy rather than a motivational distortion. Mood was also found to mediate control judgments, but only for actors. The plausibility of a memory-based interpretation for the mood effects is discussed.