Vocabulary Ability in Later Life

A group of young adults (17 to 20 years) was compared to a group of older adults (62 to 83 years) with respect to their vocabulary test responses scored qualitatively, after having been matched on the basis of their vocabulary test responses scored in the traditional “quantitative” way. The qualitative score analysis was based upon categories of response which differentiated among levels of good performances, levels of poor performances, and types of errors.

The results of this study cast doubt as to the validity of the generalization that vocabulary function is maintained throughout adult life. The best possible response—i.e., superior synonym—was seen to decline with age.

This decline, however, was compensated for by very satisfactory, although less good, performance. This made the overall level of correct response appear similar for the two age groups, which may account for the usual report of stability of function in the course of adult aging. The compensation also made for very high correlations between qualitative and quantitative scores. It may be reasonable to speculate that, if performances on other verbal tasks were analyzed for qualitative differences in response precision, the often reported aging pattern (verbal skills maintained but not perceptual integrative ones) would not be observed.     

Esther bick (1901 – 1983)

Abstract

Pearl King and Richardo Steiner, Eds. The Freud-Klein Controversies 1941-45. London, Routledge, 1991. λ100 (Hardback).

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Rolene Szur and Sheila Miller, Editors. Extending Horizons. Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy with Children, Adolescents and Families. Published by Karnac Books, 1991. Paperback λ24.95.     

Evaluating the Effects of Creative Journal Arts Therapy for Survivors of Domestic Violence

The authors implemented a small series (N = 3) single-case research design to assess the effectiveness of a 9-session creative arts therapy treatment program for adult survivors of domestic violence. Analysis of participants’ scores on the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45.2) and Brief Resilience Scale using the percentage of nonoverlapping data procedure yielded treatment effects indicating that a creative arts therapy treatment program may be effective for reducing mental health symptoms and improving resiliency. It is recommended that this body of research continue for other educational, work, and health settings.     

Re‐Imagining Theological Education for the Twenty‐First Century: “What Has Theological Ed to do with Higher Ed?”

Abstract : In re‐imagining theological education for the twenty‐first century, Stortz examines two late‐twentieth‐century proposals for seminary education: ecumenical consortia and “clustering,” or merging seminaries within the same communion. Given the relative failure of such proposals, she explores a “back to the future” move—a return of seminaries to the church‐related colleges from which many of them sprung. The move might prove mutually beneficial on three fronts: helping the respective institutions with twin emphases on formation and professionalization, sorting through mission and identity issues, and facilitating a greater awareness of the global context which both theological and higher education serve.     

Reinforcement of vocalizations through contingent vocal imitation

Maternal vocal imitation of infant vocalizations is highly prevalent during face-to-face interactions of infants and their caregivers. Although maternal vocal imitation has been associated with later verbal development, its potentially reinforcing effect on infant vocalizations has not been explored experimentally. This study examined the reinforcing effect of maternal vocal imitation of infant vocalizations using a reversal probe BAB design. Eleven 3- to 8-month-old infants at high risk for developmental delays experienced contingent maternal vocal imitation during reinforcement conditions. Differential reinforcement of other behavior served as the control condition. The behavior of 10 infants showed evidence of a reinforcement effect. Results indicated that vocal imitations can serve to reinforce early infant vocalizations.     

A Stairway to Heaven? Structure of the Religious Involvement Inventory and Spiritual Well-Being Scale

Being religious or having spiritual beliefs has been linked to improved health and well-being in several empirical studies. Potential underlying mechanisms can be suggested by psychometrically reliable and valid indices. Two self-report measures of religiosity/spirituality were completed by a cohort of older adults: the Religious Involvement Inventory and the Spiritual Well-being Scale. Both were analyzed using principal components analysis and the Mokken scaling procedure. The latter technique examines whether items can be described as having a hierarchical structure. The results across techniques were comparable and hierarchical structures were discovered in the scales. Analysis of the hierarchy in the RII items suggested the latent trait assesses the extent to which an individual’s belief in God influences their life. Examining scales with a range of psychometric techniques may give a better indication of the latent construct being assessed, particularly the hierarchies within these which may be of interest to those investigating religiosity-health associations.     

Discussing smart pills versus endorsing smart pills: reply to Swanson, Wigal, and Volkow (2011) and Elliott and Elliott (2011)

We find much of interest, and little to disagree with, in the commentaries on our article. We take issue only with the suggestion that our article was provocative and submit that the attempt to understand the use of stimulants as smart pills does not imply an endorsement of the practice.