Construct validity of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory in a correctional sample

The relations between the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI; Lilienfeld & Andrews, 1996) and 4 theoretically related constructs (empathy, aggression, work ethic, and borderline personality disorder) were examined. Additionally, the relation between the PPI and heroism was explored. One hundred male inmates were administered the PPI, the Questionnaire Measure of Emotional Empathy (Mehrabian & Epstein, 1972), the Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992), the Protestant Ethic Scale (Mirels & Garrett, 1971), the Self-Report for Borderline Personality Scale (Oldham et al., 1985), and the Activity Frequency Inventory (Lilienfeld, 1998). As predicted, the PPI was significantly negatively correlated with empathy and significantly positively related to aggression and borderline personality. Contrary to prediction, the correlation between the PPI and work ethic was not significant. Eight of 11 hypotheses regarding the relations of the PPI subscales to these 4 constructs were corroborated. Results support the construct validity of the PPI in a correctional sample. The exploratory analysis of the relation between the PPI and heroism revealed no significant relations.     

Neuropsychiatry of hypersexuality

Relatively few studies of the psychobiology of hypersexuality have been undertaken. Nevertheless, the literature does suggest the possibility of a neurobiology of hypersexuality. Three cases of hypersexual behavior are presented in the context of neuropsychiatric disorders, and the literature on this phenomenon is briefly reviewed. These case studies and the literature provide evidence that different brain systems may play a role in this disorder. Frontal lesions may be accompanied by disinhibition, including impulsive hypersexual response to external cues, while striatal lesions may be accompanied by repetitive triggering of internally generated response patterns. Temporal-limbic lesions may be accompanied by disturbances in sexual appetite itself, including change in the direction of sexual drive. These case studies demonstrate that a neurobiology of hypersexuality may prove of some heuristic value in the clinic. However, further research is required to consolidate the literature in this area.     

Behavior analysis in college classrooms: A scoping review

We conducted a scoping review of interventions that have been implemented classroom-wide in college classroom settings. We searched nine behavior-analytic journals from 2000 through 2020. We identified 59 studies that met our inclusion criteria and organized them into 13 categories: acceptance and commitment therapy (n = 1), equivalence-based instruction (n = 1), SAFMEDS (n = 4), guided notes (n = 4), response cards (n = 5), group contingencies (n = 5), interteaching (n = 6), programmed instruction, PSI, computer-aided (CA)PSI (n = 7), contingency arrangements (n = 15), feedback (n = 4), online delivery techniques (n = 4), game study sessions (n = 2), and peer-generated examples (n = 1). The interventions have been used with undergraduate and graduate students across various course topics and modalities. Most interventions produced positive results, commonly assessed via quiz and exam scores. This review presents the scope of interventions, their characteristics, and recommendations for future research.     

Signal-detection analysis of recognition memory of obese subjects

Obese and normal-weight subjects were run on a series of recognition-memory tasks with low and high meaningful CVC trigrams. Subjects received feedback or no feedback regarding the appropriateness of their answers during testing for recognition memory. A signal-detection analysis was used to examine a relatively pure index of memory (d') as compared to response-bias factors [Ln (beta)]. No significant main effect on memory of obese and control subjects was noted although a significant interaction indicated that obese subjects' memory increases over trials in a differential fashion from normal-weight individuals with poorer performance among the obese after 3 trials. Feedback facilitated memory for both groups. Analysis of response criteria [Ln (beta)] showed no significant difference between groups. Highly meaningful trigrams had a significantly lower response criterion than low meaningful trigrams and there was a significant interaction of meaningfulness by trials. An interaction of feedback by meaningfulness was also present. Advantages of using a signal-detection analysis in memory studies comparing obese and normal weight subjects are discussed. Ramifications of the present data for the internality/externality hypothesis of obesity are also discussed.     

Subjective equality and just noticeable differences in body-size judgments by obese persons

Body-size estimates by obese and normal-weight subjects were compared using two different procedures with a TV-video methodology. In the continuous method subjects adjusted an image larger or smaller until they judged a correct TV-image had been achieved. In the second procedure the method of constant stimuli was used wherein values corresponding to the point of subjective equality (PSE) and difference threshold (DL) were determined. No differences between obese and normal-weight subjects were obtained with these procedures. On the continuous task subjects slightly underestimated body size and were more accurate on descending trials where they adjusted the size of the image downwards. With the second procedure, an average PSE of -.62% was obtained, with an average DL = 7.27%. Different PSE values were obtained when subjects were judging whether their image was distorted too wide or too thin. Data from the two procedures are compared and ramifications for the study of body size are discussed.     

The influence of power and reason on young Maya children's endorsement of testimony

Two important parenting strategies are to impose one's power and to use reasoning. The effect of these strategies on children's evaluation of testimony has received very little attention. Using the epistemic vigilance framework, we predict that when the reasoning cue is strong enough it should overcome the power cue. We test this prediction in a population for which anthropological data suggest that power is the prominent strategy while reasoning is rarely relied on in the interactions with children. In Experiment 1, 4‐ to 6‐year‐old children from a traditional Maya population are shown to endorse the testimony supported by a strong argument over that supported by a weak argument. In Experiment 2, the same participants are shown to follow the testimony of a dominant over that of a subordinate. The participants are then shown to endorse the testimony of a subordinate who provides a strong argument over that of a dominant who provides either a weak argument (Experiment 3) or no argument (Experiment 4). Thus, when the power and reasoning cues conflict, reasoning completely trumps power.     

Different aspects of anxiety as predictors of post-operative anxiety and physical complaints

Previous studies have suggested that pre-operative anxiety consists of different aspects each with its own specific influence on post-operative state. This study investigated the influence of different aspects of transient anxiety i.e. state anxiety, specific anxiety, tension, observed anxiety and the amount of thinking about surgery, on post-operative anxiety and physical complaints in 126 patients undergoing lumbar surgery. Results showed that pre-operative state anxiety, specific anxiety, tension and observed anxiety each contributed uniquely to the prediction of post-operative anxiety after control for age, sex and medical variables. Tension showed a negative contribution, indicating that, when the effects of other anxiety aspects were removed, patients with high tension showed less post-operative anxiety than patients with low tension. The three other anxiety variables showed a positive contribution. Regarding postoperative physical complaints, only specific anxiety showed a positive significant contribution to the prediction. Results will be discussed in relation to the adaptation to surgery and to Janis' theory that experiencing moderate levels of anxiety is beneficial for recovery.     

Format effects in two teacher rating scales of hyperactivity

The object of this study was to investigate the effect of differences in format on the precision of teacher ratings and thus on the reliability and validity of two teacher rating scales of children's hyperactive behavior. Teachers (N=242) rated a sample of children in their classrooms using rating scales assessing similar attributes with different formats. For a sub-sample the rating scales were readministered after 2 weeks. The results indicated that improvement can be made in the precision of teacher ratings that may be reflected in improved reliability and validity.This research was supported by grants from the Spencer Foundation and the National Institute of Mental Health (MH 29495). A somewhat different version of this paper was presented at the annual convention of the American Educational Research Association, Toronto, Canada, March 1978. The author thanks Nadine Lambert and Leonard Marascuilo for their assistance in the preparation of this paper.     

School psychology and limited-English-proficient (LEP) children: New competencies

Children with limited-English-proficiency (LEP) and special education needs will be more numerous in the public schools of certain states. This article presents a set of competencies that are relevant to the practice of school psychology with LEP special pupils. Although the focus is on Hispanic children, the competencies apply to bilingual special education in general. They cover the following areas: second-language proficiency of the psychologist, cross-cultural awareness, assessment, knowledge of language development, skill in working with interpreters, and knowledge of bilingual education curriculum.