A comparison of multiple versus single examples of the correct stimulus on task acquisition and generalization by persons with developmental disabilities

In teaching discriminations to persons with retardation, we often presume we will improve acquisition and generalization if we use multiple examples of boththe correct and incorrect stimuli. Two experiments were conducted to test this hypothesis. In the first experiment, 7 persons with moderate retardation learned to discriminate between functional words under two conditions. In one condition, Multiple Example of S- Only,1 example of the correct stimulus (S+) and 10 examples of the incorrect stimulus (S-) were used during acquisition. In the other condition, Multiple Examples of S+ and S-,10 examples of the S+ and 10 examples of the S- were used. Results showed that the condition which presented only a single example of S+ was superior 16 times and inferior 4 times during acquisition, generalization, and maintenance. A second experiment was conducted to (a) replicate the methodology and procedures in Experiment 1 with different participants, (b) determine whether the results were replicable, and (c) obtain efficiency data. Results replicated the findings of the first experiment. The condition which presented only a single example of S+ was superior on measures of (a) trials to criterion, (b) percent correct during acquisition, and (c) minutes to criterion. On measures of generalization, the two conditions were relatively equal. Thus, the condition which presented only a single example of the correct stimulus was more efficient and was just as effective in generalization as the condition which presented multiple examples of both the S+ and S-. These surprising results were discussed in terms of stimulus control, why students performed just as well during generalization when only one example of the S+ was used, why acquisition was also poorer for this condition, and how future studies might address these points.     

Maintaining responding during stimulus generalization testing in extinction

Resistance to extinction and generalization gradients were studied following training with a long-adjusting-interval schedule. One large reinforcer occurred at the end of each daily training session. Sessions varied in length from 20 sec to 42.66 min, but were usually the latter. Repeated generalization tests were subsequently conducted for these subjects and subjects trained with a more conventional short-random-interval schedule. The long-adjusting-interval schedule produced generalization gradients that were not qualitatively different from those produced by the conventional procedure. However, the advantages of the long-adjusting-interval schedule are: (1) greater resistance to extinction both within and across generalization tests and (2) more stable gradient slopes within and across tests.     

A Windows program to assist in preparing reports of emergency psychiatry nursing assessments

The Emergency Psychiatry Nursing Assessment Report Framework (EP Nurse) is designed to guide the nurse through the interview-and-reporting process, and to produce a report of the nursing evaluation in emergency psychiatry in 5–10 min. Input includes identifying information, presenting complaints, substance-use history, medical history and vitals, psychiatric medications, treatment history, history of mental illness, last hospitalization, family history of mental illness, nursing diagnosis, and nursing intervention. EP Nurse is intended to be used by licensed nurses familiar with nursing assessment in emergency psychiatry. It is suitable for adult patients.     

Predictors of Symptom Outcome in Interpretation Bias Modification for Dysphoria

Interpretation Bias Modification (IBM) interventions have been effective in reducing negative interpretation biases theorized to underlie depressive psychopathology. Although these programs have been highlighted as potential short-term interventions for depression, mixed evidence has been found for their effects on depressive symptoms. There is a need to examine attitudes towards training as well as individual difference factors that may impact symptom outcomes for IBM depression interventions. Seventy-two dysphoric young adults were randomly assigned to receive either an IBM targeting negative interpretation bias in personal evaluations or interpersonal situations or a healthy video control (HVC) condition. Compared to those who received HVC, participants in the IBM condition reported lower negative interpretation bias at posttreatment. No differences between conditions were found for symptom outcomes. Greater perceived treatment credibility and expectancy were associated with better treatment outcomes for both the IBM and HVC groups. Within the IBM group, a greater tendency toward assimilation with treatment scenarios was significantly associated with better treatment outcomes for both depressive and anger symptoms. This effect was unique from treatment credibility and expectancy. Pretreatment psychological reactance did not predict treatment response for either condition. Implications and future research directions are discussed.     

支持型领导行为在工作压力模型中的作用机制研究

本研究调查了 1 3个企业共 2 1 8位员工 ,探讨了支持型领导行为在角色冲突、人际冲突、缺乏成就与发展 (压力源 )和工作满意感、工作焦虑 (压力反应 )之间的作用机制。研究发现 :(1 )支持型领导行为对工作满意感和工作焦虑有主效应 ,但是由于逆向缓冲的存在 ,支持型领导行为的主效应并不总是对的 ,我们必须在更大的范围中考虑领导行为的效应 ;(2 )缓冲效应的六个假设只有一个被证明 ,但是方向相反 ,即支持型领导行为加剧了由人际冲突造成的工作不满意感 ;(3)两个中介模型的部分关系被证明 ,但是我们很难确定是支持型领导行为的弱化效应还是评价作用。为了更好地说明因果关系 ,在将来的研究中纵向研究设计被认为更为恰当。     

Clarifying relationships among work and family social support, stressors, and work-family conflict

Although work and family social support predict role stressors and work-family conflict, there has been much ambiguity regarding the conceptual relationships among these constructs. Using path analysis on meta-analytically derived validity coefficients (528 effect sizes from 156 samples), we compare three models to address these concerns and clarify relationships. Results revealed that social support, controlling for role involvement, is best viewed as an antecedent of role stressors and subsequent work-family conflict. Controlling for work and family involvement, work and family social support were most related to same domain role conflict (β = −.46, p < .05; β = −.43, p < .05) and role ambiguity (β = −.28, p < .05; β = −.33, p < .05). Subsequently, work role conflict and time demands were most related to work-to-family conflict (β = .39, p < .05; β = .21, p < .05), while family role conflict and role ambiguity were most related to family-to-work conflict (β = .22, p < .05; β = .24, p < .05). Implications for research and practice, along with suggestions for theoretical advances, are discussed.     

原发灶切除在转移性乳腺癌治疗中的地位

无论是国内还是世界其他国家,乳腺癌近年来已成为女性常患恶性肿瘤之首。早期乳腺癌通过手术、化疗、放疗及内分泌治疗等综合治疗后可以达到长期生存。然而对于晚期乳腺癌,特别是伴有远处转移的乳腺癌,疗效却不尽如人意。对于转移性乳腺癌,目前治疗优先选择毒性尽可能小的全身系统性治疗方案;而对于需要缓解症状或避免即将发生并发症（如皮肤溃疡、出血、真菌感染以及疼痛等）的情况可于全身治疗后行相应手术。然而对于转移性乳腺癌是否手术切除原发灶以及是否可从手术中获益,仍然充满争议。