Biochemical correlates of personality traits in normals: An exploratory study

This study attempted to identify biochemical systems associated with the personality dimensions of Extraversion (E), Neuroticism (N), Psychoticism (P), Sensation Seeking (SS) and Impulsivity (Imp). The subjects were 43 normal volunteers who volunteered to take a battery of psychological tests and allow investigators to obtain samples of blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for biochemical assessment.Substantial positive correlations were found between CSF norepinephrine (NE), MHPG (the principal metabolite of NE), DBH (an enzyme involved in the production of NE) and plasma MHPG and DBH; all of these are regarded, in some part, as putative indicators of central noradrenergic activity. After partialling out the influences of age, height and weight, a number of significant relationships were found between psychological traits and biochemical variables. Extraversion correlated positively and introversion and neuroticism correlated negatively with CSF Ca. Neuroticism also correlated negatively with plasma MHPG. Ego Strength (inversely related to Neurotic Introversion), P and Disinhibitory SS correlated negatively with CSF cort. General SS correlated negatively with CSF NE and plasma DBH, and these correlations were significant in both males and females, as well as in the total group. The results are consistent with some biological models of personality, but suggest the need for modification in others.     

Timing the Selection of Information During Rhythmic Catching

Catching a ball requires that information be available close to the catch but early enough for prospective or corrective control. In the present experiment, 6 participants were asked to throw and catch a ball continuously for 1 min while wearing liquid-crystal goggles that restricted viewing to specific amounts of time at specific intervals. Participants were free to select the information by varying the frequency and phasing of throwing relative to the goggles. Video analysis revealed that they elected a frequency of throwing that matched the goggle frequency and chose to view the ball at or around its zenith. Earlier portions of the ball's trajectory were viewed as the goggle frequency increased. Despite variations in the viewing location, participants elected to view the ball on average 365 ms before the catch. Analysis of the hand's trajectory further revealed that the time interval (M = 82 ms) between the ball's zenith and the initiation of the final motion of the hand toward the catch did not vary as a function of the frequency of throwing. The authors conclude that the timing constraints imposed by the hand's movement are the basis for the selection of information for catching.     

Observations on the adaptation of induced motion

Induced motion (IM) was measured before and after a 10-min adaptation period during which subjects viewed the IM display without judging IM magnitude. The inducing stimulus was a rectangle, which contains both horizontal and vertical reference detail. The magnitude of IM was significantly lower following the adaptation period. This result is inconsistent with the hypothesis that adaptation of IM represents an instance of perceptual learning wherein the contribution of relative motion to motion perception is reduced. In a separate study, similar results were obtained when the inducing stimulus was a single vertical bar presented either to the left or to the right of the fixation stimulus. In addition, adaptation was obtained when the location of the inducing bar was changed during test measures, demonstrating that this effect is not specific to the retinal locus of the adaptation stimulus.     

An ethical perspective on caregiving in the family

The emphasis on intra-family caregiving that prevailed from ancient until relatively recent times, in both philosophy and practice, was substantially displaced under the influence of the Eighteenth Century Enlightenment by an emphasis on individual independence. The ethics of familial relationships ceased to be at the center of philosophical interest. A consequence was growing inattention to the social conditions and practical arrangements needed to support family efforts to take care of the very young, the very old, the physically or mentally ill or disabled, and others in need of care. The myth of the self-sufficient family must be exploded to permit the development of a public policy that will make such support possible.     

MMPI predictors of mania among psychiatric inpatients

MMPI data from 64 patients with a diagnosis of manic-depressive illness, manic type, were compared with MMPI data from patients in two comparison groups--64 patients with a psychotic diagnosis other than manic-depressive illness, and 64 patients with a variety of psychiatric diagnoses. Manic patients had higher Ma scale scores for MMPI scales that assess personal distress and interpersonal difficulties (e.g., D and Si). Discriminant analysis, with the Ma, D, and Si scales as predictors, correctly classified as manic or not manic 82.5% of the patients in the derivation sample and 74.2% of the patients in the cross-validation sample. Two high-point pairs, Sc-Ma/Ma-Sc and Pa-Ma/Ma-Pa, occurred in the MMPI profiles of almost half of the manic patients but were rarely found among the profiles of other patients. The results of this study support the use of the MMPI in identifying manic patients, particularly when discriminating between mania and other types of psychosis.     

Evaluation of male and female applicants for sex-congruent and sex-incongruent jobs

The present study was designed to assess whether applicants for a sex-incongruent position would be evaluated less favorably by personnel administrators than applicants for a sex-congruent position. It was predicted that negative evaluations of sex-incongruent applicants would increase as a function of participants' reliance on sex-role stereotypes. Forty-four personnel administrators were asked to review the qualifications and evaluate one of four job applicants. Sex of the applicant and sex-orientation of the position were systematically varied. Participants were presented with credentials of a male or female applicant for a traditionally male- or female-oriented position. While results did not support Cohen and Bunker's contention that sex-incongruent job applicants would be viewed less favorably, the data did suggest that evaluations of the sex-incongruent applicants (especially the female applicant) varied as a function of sex-role stereotyping.The authors wish to gratefully acknowledge the assistance provided by Thom Hurlburt, Joan Van Tassel, and Amy Post.     

Roll vection analysis of suggestion-induced visual field narrowing

Instructions to simulate visual field narrowing resulted in apparently narrow visual fields when these were evaluated by means of conventional perimetry. However, when a pattern of stripes moving around the visual axis was viewed, the magnitude of the induced change in the subjective horizontal or vertical (roll vection) was unaffected. These results demonstrate that conventional perimetric techniques may in some instances be inadequate to demonstrate functional peripheral vision. Evaluation of the peripheral visual field in perimetry, the role of peripheral vision in visually guided behavior, and the effect of stressors on peripheral visual functions are discussed.     

The use of antiepileptic drugs in bipolar disorders: a review based on evidence from controlled trials

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have diverse psychotropic profiles. Some AEDs have proven to be efficacious in the treatment of mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder. Others are ineffective as primary treatments but may be useful adjuncts for mood disorders or comorbid conditions. Valproate (acute mania and mixed episodes), carbamazepine (acute mania and mixed episodes), and lamotrigine (maintenance to delay recurrence) have United States Food and Drug Administration indications for the treatment of bipolar disorder. This article provides an overview of data on the use of AEDs in bipolar disorder, including acute mania and depression, prophylaxis, and rapid cycling.     

Dual adaptation of apparent concomitant motion contingent on head rotation frequency

Perceived movement of a stationary visual stimulus during head motion was measured before and after adaptation intervals during which participants performed voluntary head oscillations while viewing a moving spot. During these intervals, participants viewed the spot stimulus moving alternately in the same direction as the head was moving during either .25- or 2.0-Hz oscillations, and then in the opposite direction as the head at the other of the two frequencies. Postadaptation measures indicated that the visual stimuli were perceived as stationary only if traveling in the same direction as that viewed during adaptation at the same frequency of head motion. Thus, opposite directions of spot motion were perceived as stationary following adaptation depending on head movement frequency. The results provide an example of the ability to establish dual (or “context-specific”) adaptations to altered visual—vestibular feedback.     

Alzheimer disease and the "then" self

The authority of the intact self over the future severely demented self is based on notions of integrity and precedent autonomy. Despite criticism of this authority, the principle of precedent autonomy in the care of people with Alzheimer disease or other progressive and irreversible dementias retains its moral significance.