Psychophysical scales of apparent heaviness and the size-weight illusion

The apparent heaviness of a set of 40 cylindrical objects was scaled by the method of magnitude estimation. The objects varied in weight, volume. and density. There were three main conclusions: (1) For any constant volume, heaviness grows as a power function of weight; the larger the volume. the larger the exponent of the power function. The family of such power functions converge at a common point in the vicinity of the heaviest weight that can be lifted. (2) For any constant density (i:e., weight proportional to volume), heaviness does not grow as a power function of weight. (3) For any constant weight, heaviness decreases approximately as a logarithmic function of volume; the constants of the log function depend systematically on the weight of the object. The outcome furnishes a broad quantitative picture of apparent heaviness and of the size-weight illusion (Charpentier’s illusion).     

Assessing the effects of factors that might underlie the differential perception of acquaintance and stranger rape

There is evidence to suggest that in an acquaintance rape the victim is perceived less favorably and there is more leniency toward the perpetrator than in a stranger rape. The purpose of the present study was to assess the perceptual effects of factors that might underlie this differential perception. Victim-perpetrator attraction and ambiguity in victim's desire for intercourse were varied since both are often perceived to occur at a much higher frequency in acquaintance rape than stranger rape. The design of the study was a 3 (victim-perpetrator attraction — minimal, moderate, maximal) × 2 (ambiguity in desire for intercourse — ambiguous, relatively unambiguous) × 2 (gender of subject — male, female) factorial. The results indicated that ambiguity had a significant effect on perceptions. More specifically, perception tended to be less favorable toward the victim and more lenient toward the defendant when there was ambiguity in the victim's desire for intercourse. Additionally, when compared to females, males' perception tended to be less favorable toward the victim and more lenient toward the perpetrator. There were no other significant main effects or interactions. The implications of these findings for the differential perception of acquaintance and stranger rape are discussed.     

Success estimations and performance in children as influenced by age,gender, and task

This study examined the effects of a manipulated sex association cue on the estimation of success as well as actual performance on a novel motor task. Boys and girls in the third and seventh grade (N=80) were randomly assigned by gender and grade to either a football-related or a dance-related group. The task was a simple reaction time test that was presented with instructions to indicate a sex association. Findings indicated that performance expectancies obtained prior to engaging in a novel motor task can be affected by the way a task is presented.     

DOMINANCE AND INEQUALITY IN X-RATED VIDEOCASSETTES

Feminists have been concerned about the debasement of women in sexually explicit material. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of domination and sexual inequality in x-rated videocassettes through a content analysis of 45 widely available x-rated videocassettes. The sample was randomly drawn from a list of 121 adult movie titles widely available in family videocassette rental stores in southern California. Over half of the explicitly sexual scenes were coded as predominantly concerned with domination or exploitation. Most of the domination and exploitation was directed by men toward women. Specific indicators of domination and sexual inequality, including physical violence, occurred frequently. The growth of the videocassette rental industry and the popularity of x-rated films, coupled with the messages these films convey, is a cause for concern.     

School Counselor and School Psychologist: Partners in Minority Family Outreach

This article is adapted from a presentation at the 1987 Convention of the American Association for Counseling and Development, New Orleans, LA.     

Measuring violence on television

Television violence has been measured in numerous studies. However the amounts reported vary considerably depending on the definitions provided of violence and the sampling periods adopted. Studies that have followed the methodology of Gerbner are more easily compared and point to rates of around 5-6 violents acts per hour on prime time television in most countries. The rate of violence on British television is considerably lower than this and evidence points to a recent decline. However, traditional content analyses are limited and provide little understanding of television as a narrative art.     

Systemic change in limited family therapy

Some families present with so many problems and disordered family processes that where and how to begin is an extremely important question. When premature termination of therapy also appears likely, a family therapist may simply attempt to initiate a structural change within the family system so that the family can continue on its own. This article describes the responses of a highly chaotic family to such a single therapeutic intent.     

Effects of duration and activity during the post-KR interval on motor learning

Summary The present experiment assessed a traditional assumption regarding the informational role of knowledge of results (KR) in motor learning. The assumption is that learning is facilitated to the degree that KR is used to reduce goal-directed error. To test the assumption we examined two specific predictions that have been made with respect to post-KR interval effects: that the interval should be long enough for action-planning operations to occur and that the interval be free from interpolated activities that might prevent action-planning operations. The present study used a factorial arrangement of post-KR interval durations and interpolated activities during the post-KR interval to test these predictions. Using a movement timing task, we found that, contrary to predictions, learning was not facilitated by lengthening the post-KR interval. Also, in opposition to existing theory, the data revealed that interpolated activities, when combined with longer post-KR durations, were not detrimental to learning and actually improved learning in some instances. These findings are discussed together with recent evidence regarding various KR effects that suggest that many theoretical assumptions about the role of KR need revision.