Visual field differences in the processing of numerical stimuli

Twenty-four right-handed subjects received random presentations of the numbers 1-6 in the form of words, digits, and dot patterns, to the left and right visual fields. Accuracy and reaction time were recorded for an odd-even judgment requiring a manual response. A significant stimulus type of visual field interaction was obtained, with words showing a left-hemisphere advantage and digits and dot patterns showing a right-hemisphere advantage. This pattern supports Coltheart's (1980, Deep dyslexia: A right hemisphere hypothesis, In M. Coltheart, K. Patterson, & J.C. Marshall (Eds.), Deep dyslexia, London: Routledge & Kegan Paul) right hemisphere reading hypothesis, which suggests that the left hemisphere's general advantage in processing linguistic material may be specific to stimuli which involve phonological processing. When phonological processing is not possible (e.g., for arabic digits and other ideographic orthographies), the right hemisphere may have an advantage because of its superior visuospatial processing capabilities.     

Web-based strategies to disseminate a sun safety curriculum to public elementary schools and state-licensed child-care facilities.

The Sunny Days, Healthy Ways curriculum, which has been effective in previous trials, was disseminated to public elementary schools (n=2,030) and state-licensed child-care facilities (n=3,755) in 4 states. Two Web sites were created, varying in the amount and type of information. Mailings referred principals and directors to the sites. Overall 117 unique users made 172 visits to the sites. More repeat visits were made to the enhanced than to the basic site (p=.04). In a survey, 20.0% of principals and directors recalled receiving the mailings and 80.9% of these read them. Web-based strategies were weak, but the low response rate may be typical for such marketing. They will require supplementation by more personal approaches.     

Persuasive communications to change actions: an analysis of behavioral and cognitive impact in HIV prevention.

This meta-analysis examined the validity of various theoretical assumptions about cognitive and behavioral change following a communication recommending condom use. The synthesis comprised 82 treatment and 29 control groups included in 46 longitudinal reports with measures of perceived severity and susceptibility, attitudes and expectancies, norms, perceptions of control, intentions, knowledge, behavioral skills, or condom use. Results indicated that across the sample of studies, communications taught recipients about facts related to HIV and also induced favorable attitudes and expectancies, greater control perceptions, and stronger intentions to use condoms in the future. Moreover, messages that presented attitudinal information and modeled behavioral skills led to increased condom use. Results are discussed in the context of theories of human behavior and change and in reference to HIV-prevention interventions.     

Introduction to the Special Issue on Migration Problems in the US and Their Implications for Group Work

Abstract

In this introduction I provide an overview of this Special Issue on migration problems at the southwestern border of the United States. These problems are framed against the rising world-wide tide of anti-immigrant rhetoric and the ascendance of right-wing nationalist leaders. I maintain that, from a group dynamic perspective, we in the US are witnessing the emergence of an authoritarian fight group leader (Bion, 1961) who has capitalized on the systematic arousal and manipulation of our most primitive fears, and who encourages the use of developmentally regressive projective mechanisms that permit us to disown, externalize and deposit into the “other” all that is bad or destructive. A series of critical interrelated questions is posed for group therapists to consider in order to respond effectively to the challenges we face. I explain the context in which this volume took shape and offer a set of guidelines for how to address these problems. In addition, I review more recent developments regarding how our government is responding to this situation, and explore the linkages between the “immigration crisis”, racism, White nationalism and violence. I then describe the articles that comprise this Special Issue, acknowledging that these contributions depart from the more typically neutral and “objective” pieces published in a professional journal, and represent an amalgam of both professional and more personal statements that emanate from deeply held ethical principles and humanitarian concerns. I conclude by inviting our readers to share their reactions to this volume and to the concept that is advanced of the group therapist as a potential social change advocate.