Psychophysiological adaptation: An investigation of multiple parameters

Heart rate (EKG), digital skin resistance level (SRL), and frontalis electromyography (EMG) of 20 undergraduate volunteers were monitored in three 30-min sessions to chart the course and magnitude of adaptation. As a group, 7, 13, and 13 min of adaptation were required for SRL, EMG, and EKG, respectively. High arousal levels in any of these measures at the session's outset resulted in longer adaptation times compared to low initial arousal. EMG showed the strongest variance across sessions. Females required longer adaptation periods than males in SRL and EKG. Self-reported trait anxiety levels bore little relationship to adaptation course. Methods were outlined for setting individualized adaptation periods by either the min 1 EMG level or regression equations for the initial values of each of the measures. Overall, psychophysiological adaptation proved to be an influential variable requiring experimental management to avoid confoundment with treatment effects.Portions of this research were presented at the meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Washington, D.C., March 1980. We gratefully acknowledge statistical consultation given by Virginia Weymouth, Memphis State University Department of Computer Services, and Dr. Michael Lupfer.     

Discrete-trial choice in pigeons: Effects of reinforcer magnitude

The preference of pigeons for large reinforcers which occasionally followed a response versus small reinforcers which invariably followed a response was studied in a discrete-trial situation. Two differently colored keys were associated with the two reinforcement alternatives, and preference was measured as the proportion of choice trials on which the key associated with uncertain reinforcement was pecked. A combination of choice and guidance trials insured that received distributions of reinforcement equalled the scheduled distributions. For five of six subjects, preference for the uncertain reinforcer appeared to be a linear function of the magnitude of the certain reinforcer. In addition, there was greater preference for the response alternative associated with uncertain reinforcement than would be expected on the basis of net reinforcer value.     

Peer popularity and peer communication patterns: Hyperactive versus active but normal boys

Classroom peer perceptions of 18 teacher-nominated hyperactive and 18 teacher-nominated active but normal elementary school-age boys, as revealed in two sociometric measures (Bower's Class Play, like-dislike nomination), were compared. Results indicated that hyperactives were significantly different from actives on all sociometric measures in that they were perceived more negatively. Peer communication patterns also were assessed. The communicative content, communicative quality, and attention to task instructions of hyperactive boys were compared to those of comparison boys. Limited support was found for the earlier finding that hyperactive boys were less likely than comparison boys to modulate behavior in response to changing external cues and to respond to subtle social learning opportunities. The communication task was found to be highly engaging for both groups of boys, and results suggest that hyperactive children may not lack the interpersonal skills necessary for referential communication, although they may be unable to use them consistently in all settings. The need to continue the study of peer relations of hyperactive children in naturalistic settings is stressed.     

The treatment of childhood encopresis by conditioned gastro-ileal reflex training

The indications for conditioned gastro-ileal reflex training are discussed and the method of treatment for childhood encopresis is described. Twenty-four children were treated by this method. Nineteen were successfully treated in less than 1 year (mean = 5 months), three were successfully treated in more than 1 year (mean = 17 months) and two children made no response. During a follow-up period ranging from 6 months to 6 years (mean = 29 months) the symptom had recurred in 4 children.