A neuroscience model of stuttering

Using motor control systems analysis and a reductionist approach, we provide a unified model of stuttering. This model views stuttering as a momentary instability in a complex multiloop control system. The model predicts the temporal conditions under which this instability will occur. Furthermore, these temporal conditions account for the efficacy of fluency-evoking maneuvers, therapy, and the variability of speech output in stutterers.     

Regional cerebral blood flow for singers and nonsingers while speaking, singing, and humming a rote passage

Two groups of singers (n = 12,13) and a group of nonsingers (n = 12) each produced the national anthem by (1) speaking and (2) singing the words and by (3) humming the melody. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured at rest and during each phonation task from seven areas in each hemisphere by the 133Xe-inhalation method. Intrahemisphere, interhemisphere, and global rCBF were generally similar across phonation tasks and did not yield appreciable differences among the nonsingers and the singers.     

The nature of prolonged word search

Two alternative hypotheses were considered concerning the process of prolonged search for an uncommon word in response to hearing its definition. One alternative is that a conscious retrieval effort brings the target progressively closer to threshold. The second is that the retrieval process is a random neural exploration outside of conscious control. A tachistoscopic probe was devised to compare word recognition thresholds after 10 sec versus 30 sec of presumed search time. Results failed to show a difference between the two delay conditions and were interpreted as inconsistent with the first alternative but consistent with the second.     

Neuropsychological functioning in hemiparkinsonism

A standardized neuropsychological battery including measures of intellectual cognitive, memory, attention-concentration, language, abstraction and mental flexibility, and sensory and motor functions was administered to 21 hemiparkinsonian patients (14 with right side and 7 with left side symptoms) and 17 controls matched for age and education. Patients were impaired in all functions except sensory. For motor functions, impairment was ipsilateral to the side of symptoms. For cognitive functions, right side symptoms were associated with verbal deficits whereas left side symptoms were associated with spatial deficits. Thus, a pattern of neuropsychological deficits consistent with the lateralization of motor symptoms may appear in the early stages of the disease.     

The relationship between variability of intertap intervals and interval duration

Summary Subjects tracked intervals in a synchronization paradigm at interval durations of 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, and 1,000 ms. The variability of intertap intervals (ITIs) shows a sudden increase near 300 ms. This increase is interpreted as indicating the transition from automatic to controlled movement. It is suggested that the sudden change in the variability of ITIs does not reflect the operation of different timing mechanisms at short and long intervals, but differences in the way in which attentional processes come to bear on movement initiation for different interval durations. In contrast to previous findings reported in the literature, a U-shaped function between interval duration and variability in the 300-to-1,000-ms range was not observed.     

Introduction to Special Issue. Counselors Be Aware: Clients Come in Every Size,Shape, Color,and Sexual Orientation

In order to guarantee that each individual is free to pursue his/her potential, each member of AACD is charged to (a) engage in ongoing examination of his/her own attitudes, feelings, stereotypic views, perceptions and behaviors that might have prejudicial or limiting impact on women, ethnic, minorities, elderly persons, gay/lesbian persons and persons with handicapping conditions; (b) contribute to an increased sensitivity on the part of other individuals, groups or institutions to the barriers to opportunity imposed by discrimination; (c) advocate equal rights for all individuals through concerted personal, professional and political activity. (Position paper of the Human Rights Committee of the American Association for Counseling and Development, 1987, p.1)     

Assessing the relationship of Type A beliefs to cardiovascular disease risk and psychosocial distress

Investigators have begun to take a multimodal approach to the assessment and treatment of psychosocial risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). For instance, cognitive responses have become the focus of contemporary research along with continued examination of overt Type A behaviors. Price (1982) has outlined a set of beliefs purportedly associated with Type A behavior and subsequent CVD risk. The current study examines the validity of this belief set as represented by a newly developed measure, the Type A Cognitive Questionnaire (TACQ). Subjects were 221 employed adults participating in a worksite CVD risk reduction program. They completed the TACQ as part of a pretreatment CVD risk screening protocol. As hypothesized, TACQ scores were significantly associated with Type A behavior, hostility, physiological mediators of CVD, and psychosocial distress. Discussion addresses continued refinement of the Type A belief construct.     

A Student Development Theory to Practice Workshop

This article describes a workshop designed to introduce Chickering's theory to paraprofessional staff.     

Forecasting the impact of the federal sentencing guidelines

The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, which created the U.S. Sentencing Commission, required that the commisson consider prison capacity in drafting sentencing guidelines. As part of the commission's efforts to meet this requirement, we developed a computer simulation capable of projecting the impact of the commission's guidelines on future sentences and prison populations. According to our projections, “straight” probation sentences will be reduced significantly under the guidelines. However, reducing the use of probation will generate only modest demands on the prisons, and then mostly for community corrections phased in over the course of 5 years. We also project that, while average time served for violent offenses will increase substantially, average time served for most property crimes will remain largely the same. Finally, while we forecast that federal prison populations will grow markedly by the end of this century, this is more a result of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 and the career offender provision of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 than a result of the guidelines.