Conception and dream material during psychoanalysis

A dream announcing her conception and describing in symbolic terms physiological processes associated with the early stages of pregnancy was reported by a female analysand 4 days after she and her husband had engaged in intercourse for the purpose of procreation. The manifest content of the dream and the associations to it are described. The assumption that conception, ordinarily a subliminal stimulus, was a somatic stimulus in this situation is explored. It is suggested that three special factors—the patient's exceptional sensitivity to internal sensations, her strong motivation to conceive, and a contributory awakening stimulus— may have made it possible for her to perceive her conception.     

The “lag effect” in dichoptic viewing

Ten subjects were asked to report both of two different consonant-vowels (CVs) presented to the same foveal area, but in different eyes (“dichoptically”). Stimuli were presented at stimulus-onset asynchronies (SOAs) ranging from 0 to 150 msec in 25-msec steps. Correct identifications were significantly depressed for the eye receiving the leading stimulus at SOAs of 25 to 75 msec. Monoptic data from three subjects indicated no significant reductions in correct identification as a function of SOA. The dichoptic results can be understood in terms of current theories of visual backward masking and are similar to the “lag effect” observed with dichotic listening to speech stimuli. Similarity of results for the two modalities suggests a similar “two-process” explanation may underlie both phenomena.     

Is "Blank" a suitable neutral prime for event-related potential experiments?

We report an experiment that evaluates whether BLANK or an unrelated prime is a more suitable baseline for assessing priming for an ERP study. Sixteen subjects performed a lexical decision task with a 1 s prime-target stimulus onset asynchrony. Increased amplitude for the N400 was observed for targets in the unrelated prime condition whereas targets in the BLANK prime condition evoked activity that was more like that in the related prime condition. Theoretically, we conclude that the N400 reflects semantic integration. Pragmatically, we conclude that the BLANK prime is a better neutral prime but that unrelated primes yield stronger N400 effects.     

Who has to act? A qualitative exploration of emerging adults' critical consciousness during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and violence against people of Color during 2020 brought troubling racial inequities to the forefront of American discourse. In line with the Critical Consciousness (CC) and Social Justice Youth Development (SJYD) frameworks, emerging adults may have developed their capacity for critical reflection, motivation, and action against systemic inequities. We drew from interviews with 27 emerging adults (ages 18–23) across the US, and used thematic analysis to explore differences in their reflections, motivations to act, and actions based on their racial/ethnic identification. We found nuanced variability in their critical reflections based on self, social, or global awareness and experiences of marginalization. White and Asian emerging adults used vague language or expressed feeling their reflections were insufficient. Black and Latinx emerging adults emphasized the importance of education and raising awareness. Although all emerging adults took action based on a sense of duty, few engaged in critical action; decisions to take in-person action varied based on whether they viewed racism or COVID-19 as a greater threat. Findings demonstrate that emerging adults' experiences of racialization may have related to their CC development. We share implications for community psychologists conducting antiracist research addressing White fragility and dismantling racial hierarchy.     

Pitfalls in computing and interpreting randomization testp values: A commentary on Chen and Dunlap

Chen and Dunlap (1993) added to the growing list of papers promoting the use of randomization tests in statistical testing. Their particular contribution was an SAS program that could bring computation of these tests to a wider audience. The present paper points to several problems with the presentation of Chen and Dunlap and provides solutions to these problems. It is concluded that randomization tests deserve more attention, but that they are best computed by programs written in a low-level programming language or, if using SAS on a mainframe, by using the MULTTEST procedure.     

Lay understanding of genetic disease: A British study of families attending a genetic counseling service

Although lay people know that various diseases can be inherited, the idea that unhealthy life styles are the crucial cause of ill health has been promoted by health education policy in the United Kingdom. However, a new paradigm seems to be developing. The medical profession is increasingly using genetics to explain ill health, and people are being referred to geneticists for information and counseling. Lay conceptions of genetic disease emerged during this qualitative study of the process of genetic counseling. The results reported in this paper suggest that many lay people lack knowledge of genetics and inheritance, and that there is considerable stigma attached to genetic disease. Misconceptions and fears may not always be recognized or resolved during the process of genetic counseling. The implications of such misunderstandings and beliefs are considered in this paper.