Understanding the effects of moving visual stimuli on unilateral neglect following stroke

Moving visual stimuli have been shown to reduce unilateral neglect (ULN), however, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. This study compared lateralised and non-lateralised moving visual stimuli to investigate whether the spatial characteristics or general alerting properties of moving visual stimuli are responsible for reducing neglect. Post-stroke left neglect patients as well as healthy and patient control subjects were tested on a computerised line bisection task under six visual stimulus conditions. The key finding was that, relative to the no stimulus condition, leftward moving and left-sided moving visual stimuli shifted neglect patients' bisection errors leftward while the non-lateralised random moving visual stimuli did not reduce neglect patients' rightward bisection errors. The results provide evidence that spatial characteristics rather than general alerting properties of moving visual stimuli reduce rightward bisection errors in ULN. Moreover, the pattern of findings strongly supports the notion that moving visual stimuli reduce neglect by capturing attention and drawing it to a spatial location rather than by activating the attentional system via superior collicular neurons.     

Reliability and factor structure of the Finnish version of the Sport Imagery Questionnaire

The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and factor structure of the Finnish version of the Sport Imagery Questionnaire, a measure which examines cognitive and motivational functions of imagery. The final sample comprised 231 participants drawn from 34 sports and ranging in age from 14 to 49 years (M = 20.9, SD = 5.8). Internal consistency and confirmatory factor analyses were undertaken to evaluate the reliability and factorial validity of the scale. Fit indices and modification data generated from examining the 30-item five-factor model were equivocal, suggesting minor amendment and recategorization of several items rather than major adjustment to the proposed latent factor structure. Cronbach coefficients alpha indicated the scale is reliable. Overall, these results provide positive additional support for the claim that the Sport Imagery Questionnaire has a reproducible factor structure and is a reliable test for measuring imagery use in Finnish athletes.     

The Interpersonal Theory of Psychiatry by Harry Stack Sullivan

Charismatic relationships occur frequently in treatment of substance abusers because patients are regressed and have temporary needs for inspiration and guidance. The therapist who assesses patients' needs for charisma in the pregroup evaluation can avoid the twin pitfalls of placing patients in groups with insufficient or excessive charismatic leadership. Too little charismatic leadership is ineffective; patients remain regressed and the group does not come together. Too much charismatic leadership stifles patients' growth. As patients develop control over their addictive behavior, the need for charisma diminishes. A sensitive leader can recognize this from changes in patients' attitudes toward their addictions and from indicators of autonomy in the group process. The leader can then accept the need for adjustments in leadership style to avoid hindering patients' growth.     

The Love and Fear of Flying by Douglas D. Bond

A study of over 700 referrals for group therapy within a large university hospital setting revealed that such services were primarily provided for moderately to severely disturbed patients, mostly single white females from working and middle class backgrounds, university students, and unemployed, poorly educated minority group members. However, 41 percent of the patients initially referred never actually attended a therapy group. Among those who did begin group therapy, drop-outs occurred most frequently during early sessions. Over half the treated patients were seen for a total of twelve or fewer sessions. Data are interpreted as highlighting the importance of implementing careful referral and preparation procedures, and as underscoring the necessity for developing effective short-term group therapy approaches.     

A Szondi Study of Developmental and Cultural Factors in Personality: The Seven-Year-Old

Children's concepts of various social roles were examined in a task that required the child to indicate the similarity of two occupants of common social roles. Each occupant in the pair was described differently in terms of behaviors appropriate for a particular role. Children in the first, third, and sixth grades were studied. Findings indicated that children in the youngest group held role concepts based primarily on concrete actions, while role concepts of the older two groups were based on more abstract, general role functions. In addition, there is some suggestion that the level of role conceptualization is related to the relevance of the particular role.