A longitudinal study of the performance of hypertensive and normotensive subjects on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

Performance on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale was followed over two 5- to 6-year intervals for essential hypertensive Ss (EH; n = 22) free from medical complications and for normotensive Ss (N; n = 20). EH were treated with adrenergic beta-blocking drugs, diuretics, or both. Mean age was 46 years (SD = 12.6 years), initially (Time 1). Results were unaltered by adjustment for initial age. N improved modestly on the Verbal scale, from Time 1 to Time 2 only. EH neither improved nor declined on the Verbal scale. Scores remained unchanged for both EH and N Ss for the Performance scale. Overall, and at Times 2 and 3, Verbal scores were lower for the EH group. It was concluded that neither decline nor improvement in cognitive function over time are necessary outcomes of modest, carefully treated, uncomplicated hypertension in the middle years.     

Sous un même toit: Canada's Functional-Structural Approach to the Unity of Psychology

Among the factors which may be useful to an assessment of unity/diversity, several are germane to the historic and contemporary evolution of psychology in Canada. Culture-based variables, economic and political factors, and the emergence of clearly scientific and professional streams are all pertinent to Canadian psychology. Within this context, Rosenzweig's (this issue) conceptualization of internal/external unifying/diversifying forces facilitates a better understanding of the realities which confront Canadian psychologists. By adopting a collaborative, collegially oriented approach with diverse groups spawning the full spectrum of psychological science and practice, the groundwork has been laid for a confederal system of functionally based cooperation which may be sufficient to maintain cohesion within the Canadian context.     

A new method of monitoring motor activity in baboons

Movement activity of a normal baboon and of a baboon with induced Parkinsonism by unilateral administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) was recorded by the Walter Reed Activity Monitor (or actigraph). Mean activity in the lesioned baboon was 41% less than that of the nonlesioned baboon measured over a 14-day period. In addition, the daily maximum activity value was significantly less in the MPTP-treated baboon. Moreover, resting and sleeping periods were 30% greater in the lesioned animal. The akinesia and resting and sleeping periods were displayed by the lesioned baboon throughout the day, whereas the control baboon showed them only at night. The data representing summarized movement activity are in accordance with observations of bradykinesia, hypokinesia, and akinesia of the MPTP-treated baboon. The actigraph was well tolerated by the animal because its small size and weight made it largely unobtrusive. We suggest that the actigraph is an appropriate device for measuring motor activity in nonhuman primates.     

When plausibility judgments supersede fact retrieval: The example of the odd-even effect on product verification

In the present study, we examined the conditions that favor the plausibility judgment strategy over the retrieval strategy when we verify some statements. In particular, we examined the effect of odd-even status of numbers on subjects' verification of single-digit arithmetic problems. In Experiment 1, we explored how factors such as problem difficulty and stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) influence this effect in adults. In Experiment 2, we present evidence that this odd-even effect is also present in elementary school children, although it varies with the age of the children, the difficulty of the problems, and the SOA. We argue that the odd-even information is helpful in arithmetic verification tasks with difficult problems early in the verification processes and that the time course of these effects differs across ages. The present results are consistent with the view that the plausibility strategy is preferred over the retrieval strategy at an early stage of processing and with information that is not quickly accessible. Finally, we discuss the implications of the present experiments for understanding of single-digit arithmetic and for understanding the more general issue of how people coordinate use of multiple strategies.     

Psychometric properties of the Wolpe-Lazarus assertiveness scale with community-dwelling older adults

The psychometric properties of the Wolpe-Lazarus Assertiveness Scale (WLAS) were examined with an older community-dwelling, nonclinical, adult population. Three hundred twenty-seven older adults (ages, 57–96; mean, 75.68) who were not psychiatrically impaired completed a demographic questionnaire and the WLAS. Fifty-seven of the 327 subjects also filled out the WLAS on a repeated basis after 3 or 4 weeks in order to determine the test-retest reliability. Results indicate that the WLAS has an adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's=.75) and test-retest reliability (r=.81). WLAS cutoff scores of 14 and under identify unassertiveness. Older adults who are (1) African-American or (2) of lower SES tend to be significantly less assertive. Also, five factors emerged from a principal-components analysis accounting for 34.7% of the total variance.This research is based on the senior author's doctoral dissertation in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. under the direction of the second, third, and fourth authors.     

Social and religious factors affecting Muslim‐Christian relations

The question of Christian‐Muslim relations can be approached in various ways. Historical studies have traced the shifts and changes in the place in society of Christians and other minority groups in the Middle East and Asia in general and in specific countries. Other studies have treated diplomatic relations between the Vatican and predominantly Muslim states or have analyzed, compared, and contrasted the policies of the churches on political issues such as the Palestine question and the state of Israel. Still other works have treated polemical and theological controversies between Muslims and Christians as well as efforts at dialogue and mutual understanding.

In this paper, the focus is on the factors and issues that have affected Christian‐Muslim relations in the twentieth century, particularly in the Middle East and in Asia. I intend to approach the subject from the viewpoint of the religious and human relations between the communities of Christians and Muslims, outlining both the factors that favour positive living and working relations between the two communities, those that have raised tensions in the recent and more distant past, and those which present challenges yet to be resolved.