CognitiveGenesis (CG): Assessing Academic Achievement and Cognitive Ability in Adventist Schools

CognitiveGenesis collected achievement and ability test data from 2006–2009 for all students in Seventh-day Adventist schools in North America. Students were above average in achievement compared to national norms and achieved above that predicted by their ability scores. The more years students attended Adventist schools, the higher they achieved, compared to the norm group. Change in students' achievement and ability over 1–3 years was greater than the change in the norm group for both males and females and students in all ethnic groups. Change in achievement and ability for students of all ability levels was equal to or greater than the change in the norm group.     

The Behn-Rorschach Inkblots: A Preliminary Comparison with the Original Rorschach Series

Abstract

Beck, Samuel J., The Rorschach Experiment, New York, New York; Grune and Stratton, 1960, Pp. 256, $6.50. Reviewed by John Gladfelter

Bohm, Ewald, Psychodiagnostisches Vademecum. Bern and Stuttgart: Verlag Hans Huber, 1960. 177 p. DM 22.80. Reviewed by Hans J. Priester

Hutt, M. L. &; Briskin, G. J. The Clinical Use of the Revised Bender-Gestalt Test. Grune &; Stratton, N.Y., 1960. Pp. 168. Price $5.00. Reviewed by S. Z. Dudek

Kataguchi, Yasufumi, Rorschachiana Japonica, 1960, Volume 3. Tokyo, Japan: Seishin Book Co. Reviewed by Walter G. Klopfer

Rabin, Albert I. and Haworth, Mary R. (Eds.), Projective Techniques with Children, New York: Grune &; Straton, Publisher. 1960, $11.75. Reviewed by Walter G. Klopfer

Ross, Allan O. Practice of Clinical Child Psychology. Grune and Stratton, New York, 1959. Reviewed by Bernice T. Eiduson

Walder, H. Drive Structure and Criminality. Criminobiologic Investigations. C. C. Thomas, Springfield, Ill., 1959, pp. XVII + 174, $7.50. Reviewed by F. Ferracuti

Wylie, Ruth C., The Self Concept. A Critical Survey of Pertinent Research Literature. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1961, pp. xiii and 370, $4.50. Reviewed by Wilson H. Guertin     

Effects of Dysphoria on Maternal Exchange Dispositions

Defining dysphoria as subclinical depression, we explored the extent to which maternal dysphoria influences the quality of relationships within the family and evaluated whether the effect of dysphoria on family relationships is selective or general and whether dysphoric effects on maternal behavior are similar or different when ratings of maternal behaviors are made by mothers versus observers. We expected that dysphoria would have general rather than selective effects on family relations rated by mothers and observers. In a sample of 40 American families at risk of child abuse or neglect, we found that maternal dysphoria did have significantly negative effects on mother-to-child and mother-to-parenting-partner relations, suggesting that maternal dysphoria has general rather than selective effects.     

Things we talk about, how frequently, and to whom: frequency of topics in everyday conversation as a function of gender, age, and marital status

The questionnaire "Things I Talk About, How Frequently, and to Whom" measured the frequency with which people discussed 27 topics in everyday conversation. Twenty-three topics were subdivided into the topic in which content concerned a spectator perspective or a participant perspective. Factor analyses of 515 people yielded 5 factors for each perspective. Among the topic factors were beauty, worldly issues, everyday issues, hobbies, and sports and partying. Gender and age differences were observed not only in frequency of talk but also with whom people conversed. A detailed analysis of the kinds of spectator sports people talk about was included.     

Reply to my Critics

In response to critical discussion of my book, A Tear Is an Intellectual Thing: The Meanings of Emotion, I clarify and develop various aspects of my analysis of jealousy in particular and affectivity in general. In relation to jealousy, I explore the nature of pathology, the role of fantasy and of the rival, and the place of examples and of evolutionary theory. In relation to affectivity, I emphasize the difference between distinguishing emotions from other psychological states and distinguishing among, within and between, particular emotions (where affectivity may not be central). In addition, I emphasize the dangers of a version of G.E. Moore's error in demanding a nonreductive analysis of good in parallel demands for a nonreductive analysis of affectivity.     

Ethical,and practical issues in applying functional imaging to the clinical management of Alzheimer's disease

This review outlines ethical, legal, and practical issues related to conducting functional imaging research with Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Imaging techniques, with an emphasis on functional MRI and positron emission tomography, are compared and contrasted with respect to the manner in which they can be applied to issues of clinical relevance to AD. Methodological difficulties are raised to assist with critical evaluation of current imaging results. Various potential clinical applications of functional imaging are briefly reviewed and discussed with respect to associated ethical conflicts.     

Cognitive ability, expertise, and age differences in following air-traffic control instructions

Differences in cognitive ability and domain-specific expertise may help explain age differences in pilot performance. Pilots heard air-traffic controller messages and then executed them while "flying" in a simulator. Messages varied in length and speech rate. Age was associated with lower accuracy, but the expected Age x Message Difficulty interactions were not obtained. Expertise, as indexed by pilot ratings, was associated with higher accuracy; yet expertise did not reduce age differences in accuracy. The effect of age on communication task accuracy was largely explainable as an age-associated decrease in working memory span, which in turn was explainable as decreases in both speed and interference control. Results are discussed within frameworks of deliberate practice and cognitive mediation of age differences.     

Physical activity-related well-being in older adults: social cognitive influences

In this study, the pattern and correlates of physical activity-related well-being in older adults (N = 174; men = 49, women = 125; mean age = 66 years) were examined across a 6-month exercise trial. Baseline levels of self-efficacy fitness, importance of physical activity, and social support and exercise participation across the trial were used as correlates of positive and negative feeling states. Psychological responses to physical activity were assessed on a bimonthly basis across the trial. Latent growth curve analyses indicated significant growth in positive well-being over the 6-month period, with increases reaching a threshold at 4 months. Self-efficacy was inversely related to change in positive well-being across the trial. Frequency of activity and increases in well-being over the trial were significant predictors of self-efficacy at program termination. Findings suggest the social cognitive context of the exercise experience may have influence on exercise-related well-being.