Visual novelty preference as a measure of recognition memory in moderately, severely, and profoundly retarded persons

A novelty preference method was used to examine memory processes in profoundly, severely, and moderately retarded persons. After viewing a photograph of a face for 30 seconds, subjects were shown the study face and a new one after intervals ranging up to 3 minutes. Data were obtained from 30 of 56 subjects with this method. Of the 30 subjects, 20 showed significant preference for looking at the new face in the test. Recognition memory as indexed by novel looking declined over the retention interval. Memory was stronger but decayed more rapidly for higher memorable (distinctive) faces. With refinement, the novelty preference method holds promise for the study of cognitive processes in nonverbal persons. But, since memory is being inferred from response preferences which reflect an induced motivational state, satiation, the relationship between this state and memory must be established.     

Analysis of the AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale: public school version

Many state agencies have ruled that assignment of students to special education classes for the mentally retarded must be determined by assessment of verbal, performance, and adaptive behaviors. The AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale: Public School Version was subjected to a normative and validation study using 291 subjects from the southcentral area of Texas. Data were collected from groups of regular and special education students, both white and nonwhite, at 8, 10, and 12 yr. of age. Results were compared to the original normative data provided in the AAMD manual and indicated that (1) the instrument is effective in discriminating between regular and special education groups; (2) a shortened version may be feasible and more practical; and (3) the derived total score may be useful and effective when used as a cut-off score for placement in special education for the mentally retarded.     

The Preschool Behavior Questionnaire

Summary In summary, the Preschool Behavior Questionnaire was developed as a screening instrument for use by preschool teachers, providing norms for children, ages 3–6. During the 34-month period since its publication in late 1974, the scale has been used to a considerable extent in the screening of young children. Those who have used the scale evaluate it highly. However, the variations in the application of the scale provide clear indications that additional normative data are needed, as well as additional research in the area of the relationship between behavior rating scales and behavior observation techniques.Requests for copies of the Preschool Behavior Questionnaire should be sent to The Learning Institute of North Carolina, 1006 Lamond Avenue, Durham, North Carolina 27701.     

Neutralizing sexist titles in Holland's Self-Directed Search: What difference does it make?

Sex-role stereotyping in the linguistic structure of Holland's Self-Directed Search (SDS) was examined. A revised SDS was constructed involving the removal of all masculine-toned terminology from the items and test-taking instructions, as well as the affixing of the letters M/F and F/M to all occupational titles and terms commonly perceived as gender specific. Subjects were 266 lower division female students at a large state university; 133 subjects completed the standard SDS and 133 completed the revised form. Following SDS assessment, subjects rated their inventory with respect to perceived sexual equality. Comparison variables included: daydreams, occupations' scores, summary codes, and subsequent occupational choices. Occupational choices at each stage of the assessment process were classified as nontraditional or traditional choices for women. Results indicated that across all indices derived from the standard and revised versions of the SDS, there were no significant differences in these subjects' performance. The subjects did perceive the two inventories differently, with subjects completing the standard SDS viewing it as slightly less equitable.     

Irrelevant‐action imitation is short‐term and contextual: Evidence from two under‐studied populations

Across the lifespan and across populations, humans ‘overimitate’ causally unnecessary behaviors. Such irrelevant‐action imitation facilitates faithful cultural transmission, but its immediate benefits to the imitator are controversial. Over short time scales, irrelevant‐action imitation may bootstrap artifact exploration or interpersonal affiliation, and over longer time scales it may facilitate acquisition of either causal models or social conventions. To investigate these putative functions, we recruited community samples from two under‐studied populations: Yasawa, Fiji, and Huatasani, Peru. We use a two‐action puzzle box: first after a video demonstration, and again one month later. Treating age as a continuous variable, we reveal divergent developmental trajectories across sites. Yasawans (44 adults, M = 39.9 years, 23 women; 42 children, M = 9.8 years, 26 girls) resemble documented patterns, with irrelevant‐action imitation increasing across childhood and plateauing in adulthood. In contrast, Huatasaneños (48 adults, M = 37.6 years, 33 women; 47 children, M = 9.3 years, 13 girls) evince a parabolic trajectory: adults at the site show the lowest irrelevant‐action imitation of any demographic set in our sample. In addition, all age sets in both populations reduce their irrelevant actions at Time 2, but do not reduce their relevant‐action imitation or goal attainment. Taken together, and considering the local cultural contexts, our results suggest that irrelevant‐action imitation serves a short‐term function and is sensitive to the social context of the demonstration.     

Sex differences in depression

The role of housewife has been hypothesized as the source of excess mental illness among married women as compared with married men. The present study found both housewives and working wives significantly more depressed than working husbands. Although working wives report that they do more housework than husbands, this factor was not significantly related to depression for either wives or husbands. It is suggested that the risk factors for depression, including marriage for women, may be better understood in the context of clinical theories of depression, especially the learned helplessness model.