Sensitivity and decisional factors in the psychological refractory period

Three trained Ss responded to a pair of events presented at fixed interstimulus intervals (ISIs) of 33, 67, and 100 msec. Each event was the independent presence of a visual stimulus (S-P) or its absence (S-A), to which Ss were to respond or not, with a set for speed over accuracy. The probabilities of Sop occurrence [P(S)] to each of the events were varied. Pretrial verbal reports or behavioral hypotheses (BHs) werealso obtained. P(S), ISI, BH, and order (first vs second event) were all generally determinants of both RT to Sop and inhibition probability to S-A. However, when the RT data were corrected for inhibition probability, order was the only systematic effect that remained. The results were discussed in terms of approaches to the psychological refractory period derived from signal detection theory involving differential sensitivity as opposed to criterion.     

Free operant avoidance as a function of the response-shock=shock-shock interval

Two temporal parameters of free operant or Sidman avoidance behavior are the interval by which responses postpone shocks (Response-Shock interval) and the interval between shocks when no responses occur (Shock-Shock interval). Avoidance behavior was examined in three white rats under conditions where the Response-Shock and Shock-Shock intervals were always equal. With intervals from 10 to 60 sec response rates and shock rates were similar, decreasing, negatively accelerated functions of increasing Response-Shock=Shock-Shock interval. Over this range, response and shock rates were linearly related to the reciprocal of the Response-Shock=Shock-Shock interval. It was shown, however, that this relation cannot hold at extremely long intervals. Both the ratio of responses emitted to shocks received and the percentage of shocks possible which were avoided increased at long Response-Shock=Shock-Shock intervals. These findings may be related to the fact that long intervals provide optimal conditions for conditioning avoidance behavior in the rat.     

The treatment of hysterical spasm and agoraphobia by behaviour therapy

A case of muscular spasm and agoraphobia is described and the techniques of treatment by behaviour therapy outlined. A particular plea is made for the accommodation within the conceptual framework of learning theory, of practices more akin to traditional psychotherapy and it is shown how this may support more specific symptom orientated approaches, such as reciprocal inhibition and systematic desensitization.     

The social sources of the current religious revival

Conclusion It has been contended that the current revival of interest in religion cannot be explained only in terms of the search for meaning and security in the face of the anxieties associated with social disruption. Other social forces of our time seem also to have stimulated the current revival and seem to be operative in its maintenance. Four of these forces have been specified, examined, and analyzed in this paper. It has not been intended through the drawing of these interpretations to suggest that, in his rediscovery of religion, the individual may not also be influenced by more universal and, depending upon one's values, possibly more appealing motives.     

MATERNITY LEAVE, ROLE QUALITY, WORK INVOLVEMENT, AND MENTAL HEALTH ONE YEAR AFTER DELIVERY

Employment status, maternity leave, and role quality were investigated as predictors of women's mental health one year after delivery. Homemakers and part-time and full-time employees did not differ on measures of depression, anxiety, anger, or self-esteem. There were no main effects of leave length. Distress was associated with job overload, role restriction, and infant distress. Leave length interacted with the relative salience of work and family, and employment status interacted with employment preference to predict distress. Depression was greatest among women relatively high in work salience when leaves were long. Anxiety and anger were greatest among women whose employment status was not congruent with their preferences. These interactions underscore the importance of individual differences in responses to leave and work.     

Implications of Mothers' Personality for Their Parenting and Their Young Children's Developmental Outcomes

ABSTRACT Using.a recent model (Watson, Clark, & Harkness, 1994), we examined implications of mothers' personality ( N = 103) for parenting and children's developmental outcomes, using multiple personality self-reports, lengthy, repeated naturalistic observations, and mothers' reports about-parenting and their child. Mothers high in negative emotionality and disagreeable-ness showed more negative affect and their chidren were more defiant and angry; they also reported more power assertive and less nurturant parenting, as well as less secure attachment, more behavioral problems, and.lower internalizatton of rules in their children. Mothers high in constraint and California Psychological Inventory (CPI) socialization reported more secure attachment and better internalization of rules; CPI socialization also correlated negatively with observed maternal verbal power assertion and children's defiance and anger, and positively with compliance. Regression analyses indicated that mothers' personality, particularly negative emotionality and socialization, influenced broadly conceptualized adaptive child outcomes, even after the influence of parenting was controlled.