An interview on energy,Christian theology,and ethics with Larry Rasmussen

An interview with Larry Rasmussen on his and others' work on Christian energy ethics. The introduction to the interview gives a brief outline of Christian energy ethics. Rasmussen then reflects on this body of scholarship, where it has been, where it needs to go, and what perspectives or methods it should draw on.     

An analysis of individual differences in similarity judgments about complex random forms

A variation of the method of graded dichotomies was used to obtain judgments of interstimulus similarity for all pairings of 21 12-turn random shapes. Using the Tucker-Messick procedure, a six-dimensional spatial model, representing individual variation in performance on the task, was derived. Six “idealized individuals” (IIs) were isolated. A five-dimensional Euclidean spatial model was obtained for each II using the Shepard-Kruskal scaling technique. The resulting psychological dimensions of perceived form were related to two sets of physical measures on the forms: the factor space suggested by Brown and Owen and a set of more basic physical measures. These basic measures allowed interpretation of most of the psychological dimensions and revealed differences between IIs in patterns of cue utilization.     

Error patterns in a chord keyboard response task

Errors in a serial choice-reaction time experiment employing two-finger chord responses to alphabetic stimuli are shown to be distributed in a significantly non-random fashion. Two factors are postulated which are relevant to prediction of the error response. These are the presence or absence of a common finger, and the difference in finger separation, between the actual and the required response. It is suggested that the chord response is coded in terms of a pattern (the distance between the two response components). Responses which mirror the correct response about the centre of the hand are also shown to be significantly more frequent.     

Looking time: Experimenter and instruction effects

A 2 by 3 factorial design was used to investigate the effects of the instructions and the presence of E on looking time. Two hundred thirty-nine college students viewed 30 colored stimuli of landscapes, single objects, and arrays of objects under three different sets of instructions, with E either present or absent while S viewed the stimuli. The results demonstrated that E’s presence depressed the time spent looking at the stimuli Evidence was also found suggesting that ambiguity in the typical instructions given Ss in looking-time experiments may result in artifactually long looking times. It was concluded that a more appropriate situation to investigate looking time would (1) utilize sham GSR instructions to reduce S’s uncertainty concerning the experiment’s purpose, and (2) arrange for E’s absence while S is viewing the stimuli     

Some physical determinants of viewing time under three instructional sets

One-hundred fifty human Ss viewed 32 patterns under neutral (N), pleasingness (P), or interestingness (l) instructional sets. An analysis of variance indicated that patterns with larger areas were viewed longer than patterns with smaller areas under all conditions; however, this effect was more pronounced under the P and I conditions than under the N condition. Patterns containing 9-sided shapes were viewed longer than those containing 3-sided shapes under the N and I conditions, while the reverse was true for the P condition.     

Factor structure of the mobility inventory for agoraphobia: A validational study with australian samples of agoraphobic patients

This study examines the factor structure of the Mobility Inventory for Agoraphobia and attempts to validate the inventory, using an Australian sample of agoraphobic patients, by comparison with other scales. One hundred twentyfour panic disorder with agoraphobia patients were studied. Factor analysis showed that a two-factor solution was the most suitable both when subjects were accompanied (accompanied condition) and when alone (alone condition). Factor I represented public, crowded, or social situations including department stores, supermarkets, restaurants, theaters, and panics and social gatherings. Factor II reflected enclosed or riding situations such as elevators, parking garages, enclosed spaces, and riding in subways or airplanes. These two factors accounted for 46.6% and 44.3% of the variance on the accompanied condition and the alone condition, respectively. The Mobility Inventory was significantly correlated with the Agoraphobia factor of the Fear Questionnaire and the Social Avoidance and Distress scale. These results indicated that the Mobility Inventory is a valid instrument to measure agoraphobic behavior.     

Sequential Analysis: Monitoring counselling sessions via skin resistance

Very little has been published on the application of the galvanic skin response (GSR) to counselling and psychotherapy, since research has concentrated on applications to lie detection and biofeedback. Dr Ian N. Marshall developed Sequential Analysis in 1968-69, as a system of psychotherapeutic procedures monitored by GSR, but most of his work remains unpublished. Certain meter techniques are described. It is suggested that the ‘paradoxial’ phenomena would be explained by correlating high/low resistance with withdrawal/involvement rather than with relaxation/arousal. The procedures of Sequential Analysis are described briefly. Finally it is suggested that giving oneself sessions is an effective method for training as a counsellor or psychotherapist, because of the experiential understanding of the processes so obtained.     

Tachistoscopic exposure of real objects for measurement of reaction time and movement time

In this paper, we describe an apparatus for measuring reaction times and movement times involved in reaching for real objects. Subjects view an object through a liquid crystal window, which serves as a shutter that can be made clear or opaque quickly (10 msec from opaque to clear, 30 msec from clear to opaque). The subject’s hand rests on a microswitch-equipped home key, and the object sits on a force-sensitive platform so that initiation of reach and time of contact with the object can be marked accurately. The apparatus interfaces with an IBM PC/AT through a digital I/O parallel port, so that reaction times and movement times are recorded automatically.     

Maladjustment in statistical minorities within ethnically unbalanced classrooms

Ascertained if being a member of a statistical minority influences children's adjustment in school, as measured by the AML, a teacher-administered adjustment rating scale. Teachers from a southwest school district evaluated elementary students on aggressive, acting-out behaviors, moody-internalized behaviors, and learning difficulties. Analyses conducted on 376 students revealed significant effects of statistical minority status on certain dimensions of adjustment ratings for both Hispanic and Anglo students. Hispanic students in the statistical minority received poorer ratings on the moodiness dimension of the AML than nonminority Hispanic students. Anglo students in the statistical minority received poorer ratings on the aggression dimension of the AML than nonminority Anglo students. These results were interpreted in terms of cultural differences in coping with statistical minority status. Traits commonly exhibited within a culture may intensify and be perceived as maladaptive when stress resulting from being a minority occurs. Implications of the finding that statistical minority status within the school environment influences adjustment are discussed.     

Jung's Conception of the Holy Ghost

Carl Jung saw the Holy Ghost as the crowning figure in God's revelation of Himself. For Jung, the Holy Ghost is that mysterious force which unites opposites and allows the transcendent to enter space and time. Through a process called “continuing incarnation”, the Holy Ghost makes it possible for ordinary people to participate in “the sonship of God”.