Visual correction of a rapid goal-directed response

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of dynamic and static visual cues in improvement of accuracy during a pointing movement. In the experiment, subjects were required to point finger rapidly at visual targets as accurately as possible. Movement amplitude was 15 cm, and movement times ranged from 100 to 190 msec. Three visual feedback conditions were applied: no feedback, dynamic ongoing feedback on the complete hand trajectory, and static error feedback on the movement end-point. Two spatial movement outcomes were considered, mean constant error and intraindividual dispersion of pointings. Data were analyzed with regard to effects of feedback and speed. Under the no-feedback condition, accuracy was lowest; constant error was not speed-dependent, whereas dispersion increased with speed of movement. Accuracy was highest under the complete feedback condition and was speed-dependent, as shown by both constant error and dispersion. Under error feedback, accuracy was intermediate and was also speed-dependent. The results are discussed in terms of the interchange between correcting mechanisms vs delayed control within the motor regulatory processes.     

WAGE SURVEYS: DISPELLING SOME MYTHS ABOUT THE "MARKET WAGE"

The comparable worth controversy has generated much discussion about the appropriate valuation of job worth. To date, academic inquiries into the measurement of job worth have focused primarily on job evaluation; however, recent court decisions suggest that market wages are a more compelling indicator of job worth than are job evaluation results. This paper examines the construct of "market wage" and the process by which it is measured (wage surveys). It is argued that both the construct and the measurement of the market wage have not been sufficiently examined by either academics or the courts. Implications for pay administration and future research are noted.     

VALIDITY GENERALIZATION RESULTS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OCCUPATIONS

The Schmidt-Hunter interactive validity generalization procedure was applied to validity data for cognitive abilities tests for law enforcement occupations. Both assumed artifact distributions, and distributions of artifacts constructed from information contained in the current sample of studies were used to test the hypothesis of situational specificity and to estimate validity generalizability. Results for studies using a criterion of performance in training programs showed that validities ranged from .41 to .71, and for four test types the hypothesis of situational specificity could be rejected using the 75% decision rule. For the remaining test types, validity was generalizable, based on 90% credibility values ranging from .37 to .71. Results for studies using a criterion of performance on the job indicated that the hypothesis of situational specificity was not tenable for three test types, which had validities between .17 and .31. For the remaining test types, estimated mean true validities ranged from .10 to .26 and were generalizable to a majority of situations. Results for both groups of studies were essentially identical for the two types of artifact distribution. Possible reasons for the apparently lower validities and lesser generalizability for job performance criteria are discussed, including possible low validity of the criterion (due to lack of opportunity by supervisors to observe behavior) and the potential role of noncognitive factors in the determination of law enforcement job success. Suggestions for specifically targeted additional research are made.     

INFLUENCE OF ASSESSMENT CENTER METHODS ON ASSESSORS'RATINGS

Recently a number of authors have argued persuasively that performance ratings are influenced to a large extent by the way the rater selects, organizes, stores, and recalls information. Although the influence of the rater's cognitive processes on the obtained ratings has been considered in the job-performance evaluation literature, this issue has not been considered in the assessment center literature. The purpose of the present study was to examine how assessment center methods affect the way assessors organize and process assessment center information and affect the ratings they make. Independent groups of assessors underwent one of two methods for evaluating candidates in an assessment center. Data indicated differences in the convergent and discriminant validities and differences in the factor structures of the ratings for the two methods. The pattern of results suggested that the two methods for evaluating assessment center candidates affected the way the assessors organized the assessment center information and affected the obtained ratings. Future research should consider assessment center methods and assessors as sources of variation in assessment center ratings.     

Some problems of genetic counseling in schizophrenic psychoses

The authors sum up the most important basic principles of diagnostics and genetics of the schizophrenic psychoses from the viewpoint of genetic counseling for the practising psychiatrist and medical geneticist. Regarding genetic counselling strategy, in addition to nosological considerations, they stress the importance of socio-cultural and social psychological factors and of the emotional atmosphere in the family, which should all be taken into account together. Because of the special situation of schizophrenic (and in general, psychiatric) patients and their families, they regard it as advisable to set up a separate psychiatric genetic counselling service.     

Arthur Kronfeld (1886-1941)--a psychiatrist in the service of psychotherapy

The psychotherapeutic life-work of psychiatrist Arthur Kronfeld has almost fallen into oblivion. Against the background of the 100th anniversary of his birth the author traces Kronfeld's psychotherapeutic career, pointing out his activity at the Berliner "Institute of Sexual Research" under Magnus Hirschfeld, and his psychotherapeutic concept--the psychagogic guidance of the patient--and its connection with the individual psychology of Alfred Adler. Kronfeld translated his theoretical positions into activities directed towards socialization and the teachability of psychotherapy which are still worthy of note by those engaged in the field.     

Significance of psychopathological findings for early detection and prognosis of intracranial tumors

Psychic findings of 266 patients suffering from cerebral tumor have been analysed. Psychopathological findings, therefore, were among the most frequent symptoms, at the same time being the second most frequent primary symptom after headache. Disturbance of consciousness and orientation were primarily an indication of malign tumors with increase in cerebral pressure whereas disturbance of motive and cognitive functions were more an indication of slowly growing tumors. Despite the same kind of tumors, same localisation and same duration of anamnesis psychic primary symptoms and disturbance of consciousness and orientation have been found considerably more frequently in older patients than in younger patients.     

Results of neurophysiologic studies in ophthalmic migraine

The influence in 8 of our patients with ophthalmic migraine of photic driving with sine-like flashing lights on EEG background activity was checked and the visually evoked potentials following the application of diffused simple light stimuli were analyzed using the recovery cycle technique. The results indicate a slightly increased tonic activity of the structures of the mesencephalic formatio reticularis, such as may be produced by slight functional disturbances. Some vegetative secondary symptoms of migraine attacks and some of the changes in EEG observed in patients with ophthalmic migraine are explicable by such an abnormality.     

Chronification of neuroses--on the critical phase of the inpatient-ambulatory care transition

The contribution deals with the critical transition from ward treatment and follow-up care as an outpatient. Patients with primary psychic maldevelopment are compared with those of a secondary psychic development. Changes in symptoms and personality were measured with a battery of tests during a pre-post follow-up study (intervals of eight weeks between tests). Special attention is paid to changes after discharge from hospital and deterioration, which was common among the patients with secondary psychic maldevelopment, is discussed.