Gender differences in autonomous and social achievement orientations

This research examined gender differences in orientations toward autonomous and social achievement. Three independent samples of subjects (total N= 359 males and 574 females) completed measures of achievement orientation (including Strumpfer's [1975] Autonomous Achievement Values and Social Achievement Values scales) and relevant cognitive, affective, and behavioral variables. Correlational and factor analyses clearly identified distinct autonomous and social achievement factors for both men and women in each of the samples. Examination of the correlates of achievement orientation indicated that whereas an autonomous achievement orientation is similarly expressed in males and females, there are considerable sex differences in the expression of an orientation toward social achievement. In particular, a social achievement orientation was associated with concerns over social approval and responsiveness to social influence among males, but was generally unrelated to these factors among females. Findings are discussed in terms of several recent hypotheses concerning the effects of sex role norms on the development and expression of achievement needs in men and women.     

Evidence that a factor besides progesterone, prolactin, or plasma-estradiol-binding protein inhibits estrogen-induced sexual receptivity in pregnant rats.

Daily administration of estradiol benzoate stimulated significantly less lordotic behavior in rats during the second half of pregnancy than in ovariectomized females that received subcutaneous progesterone implants, pituitary grafts that raised plasma prolactin, or both treatments combined. Following an initial facilitation of receptivity, females with progesterone implants showed only moderate reductions in lordosis quotients over 3 test days. The capacity of plasma from pregnant rats to bind estradiol was found to increase significantly during the second half of pregnancy. However, daily administration to pregnant rats of a synthetic estrogen, R 2858, which is not bound by plasma protein, was no more effective than estradiol benzoate in stimulating receptive behavior. Administration of estradiol benzoate also stimulated significantly lower levels of sexual behavior in pregnant females than in females in which pseudopregnancy had been prolonged by previous hysterectomy or induction of uterine decidualization. These findings suggest that some endocrine factor other than progesterone, prolactin, or estradiol-binding protein is primarily responsible for the potent suppression of behavioral responsiveness to estrogen which occurs in pregnant rats. It is suggested that 5 alpha-reduced androgens may cause these behavioral effects.     

Demonstration of an aftereffect occurring in the tactile-kinesthetic domain

Summary The aim of this work is the demonstration of a tactile-kinesthetic aftereffect. A sequence of stimuli was offered to adult subjects whose task was to compare two weights presented simultaneously to both hands by means of a Piéron gravimeter. In Experiment 1 the inspection stimuli consisted of two successive presentations of unequal weights for a period of 2 × 10 s. The test stimuli consisted of two equal weights rapidly following an inspection stimulus. Control stimuli consisting of two equal weights not preceded by an inspection stimulus were interspersed in the sequence. The results obtained confirm the existence of a contrast effect after presentation of an inspection stimulus. In Experiment 2 the inspection stimuli consisted of a single presentation of two unequal weights for a period of 20 s. The results confirm those of the first experiment and provide data enabling the contrast effect obtained to be interpreted as a Köhler-type aftereffect. In order to avoid confusion with the kinesthetic-figural aftereffect, we propose to call the effect demonstrated here the Gravimetric Aftereffect.     

Correctness of Kruskal's algorithms for monotone regression with ties

Kruskal has proposed two modifications of monotone regression that can be applied if there are ties in nonmetric scaling data. In this note we prove Kruskal's conjecture that his algorithms give the optimal least squares solution of these modified monotone regression problems. We also propose another (third) approach for dealing with ties.Comments by Dr. J. B. Kruskal have been most helpful.     

Complementary assessments of executive function in preterm and full-term preschoolers

Executive functions (EFs) are interrelated cognitive processes that have been studied in relation to behavior, attention, academic achievement, and developmental disorders. Studies of EF skills assessed through parent report and performance-based measures show correlations between them ranging from none to modest. Few studies have examined the relationship between EF skills measured through parent report and performance-based measures in relation to adaptive function. The present study included preschool children born preterm as a population at high risk for EF impairments. Preschool children (N = 149) completed a battery of EF tasks that assess working memory, response inhibition, idea generation, and attention shifting or cognitive flexibility. Parents reported on children’s EF and adaptive skills. Preterm children showed more parent-rated and performance-based EF impairments than did full-term children. The combined use of either parent report or performance-based measures resulted in the identification of a large number of children at risk for EF impairment, especially in the preterm group. Both parent report and performance-based EF measures were associated with children’s adaptive function. EF skills are measurable in young child'ren, and we suggest that EF skills may serve as targets for intervention to improve functional outcomes. We recommend the use of both parent report and performance-based measures to characterize children’s EF profiles and to customize treatment.     

Evaluating a dual‐process model of risk: affect and cognition as determinants of risky choice

In three studies we addressed the impact of perceived risk and negative affect on risky choice. In Study 1, we tested a model that included both perceived risk and negative affect as predictors of risky choice. Study 2 and Study 3 replicated these findings and examined the impact of affective versus cognitive processing modes. In all the three studies, both perceived risk and negative affect were shown to be significant predictors of risky choice. Furthermore, Study 2 and Study 3 showed that an affective processing mode strengthened the relation between negative affect and risky choice and that a cognitive processing mode strengthened the relation between perceived risk and risky choice. Together, these findings show support for the idea of a dual‐process model of risky choice. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.