Timeout duration and the suppression of deviant behavior in children

The effects of three different timeout durations were investigated in a group of 20 retarded, institutionalized subjects. Each subject received 1, 15, and 30 min of timeout in a design that was counterbalanced in terms of the order in which timeout durations were presented. Displays of deviant behavior-such as aggression, tantrums, and self-destruction-were followed by periods of isolation in a timeout room. A reversal design was employed such that return-to-baseline periods were instituted after each timeout period. The overall effect of timeout was to reduce significantly the rate of deviant behavior. On the average, 15 and 30 min produced a 35% decrease in deviant behavior with little difference between the effectiveness of 15 and 30 min. The range of effects in all timeout conditions varied widely. The sequence in which the 1-min duration was presented effected the direction of its effect. When it preceded the use of longer durations, 1 min was most effective. As it came later in the sequence, its suppressive characteristics became less reliable.     

VISUAL AND TACTUAL EXPLORATION IN RATS REARED IN DIFFERENT DEGREES OF VISUAL AND TACTUAL STIMULATION

NIELSEN, T. C. Visual and tactual exploration in rats reared in different degrees of visual and tactual stimulation. Scand. J. Psychol. , 1971, 12, 53–61. – Four groups of eight rats each were reared in the four possible combinations of high and low visual and high and low tactual stimulation. Early tactual enrichment increased later tactual exploration regardless of visual stimulation. Visual enrichment did not influence exploration in the tactual enrichment groups, but in the tactual deprivation groups it seemed to produce more visual and less tactual exploration. The most deprived group exhibited a high locomotor activity which could not be explained in terms of an increased tendency to explore.     

Interhemispheric EEG coherence during sleep and wakefulness in left- and right-handed subjects

REM sleep is associated with the production of complex imagery sequences. Yet research is divided as to whether different brain regions are more or less coordinated in their functioning at this time. Some research suggests that there may occur a functional disconnection of the left and right cerebral hemispheres during REM sleep which is similar to the disconnection syndrome seen after corpus callosotomy. Other research suggests that an increase in interhemispheric coordination occurs. On the assumption that hemispheric coordination is reflected in the EEG coherence measure, we explored differences in interhemispheric coherence recorded in six left- and six right-handed normal subjects during periods of wakefulness, stage REM, stage 2, and stage 3/4 sleep. Strong evidence was found that mean EEG coherence values are larger during sleep than during waking and that they are approximately equal for the different stages of sleep. Frontal electrode placements demonstrated a slightly different pattern of coherence than central, parietal, or occipital placements. Furthermore, coherence values were larger for left-handed subjects over the occipital region during wakefulness, stage 2, and stage REM sleep, but not during stage 3/4 sleep. Coherence was not different for male and female subjects. These findings oppose the interpretation that a functional disconnection of hemispheres occurs during REM sleep and favor the interpretation that sleep in general is a state of heightened cortical coordination. Moreover, greater interhemispheric coherence over occipital brain regions in left-handed subjects suggests possible differences in the cognitive processes of these subjects during waking and dreaming states.     

Let's Suspend Suspensions: Consequences and Alternatives

National data dispute the value of school suspensions. This article describes specific alternatives to suspension, with special attention devoted to the creation of “in-school” suspension programs. It outlines the philosophies, benefits, essential components, and major difficulties of in-school suspension centers. The author discusses truancy prevention, contingency contracting, and corporal punishment, and provides sources for obtaining detailed information on each disciplinary technique.     

The force-driven harmonic oscillator model for energy-efficient locomotion in individuals with transtibial amputation

The force-driven harmonic oscillator (FDHO) model states that the driving force is minimum at the resonant period of an oscillator. By manipulating prosthetic mass, this study explored the compromise of resonant periods between the two legs in persons with unilateral traumatic transtibial amputation (TTA) at self-selected walking velocity (SSWV), with an aim to better understand the energy minimization mechanisms of walking. It was hypothesized that (1) SSWV was the most energy-efficient walking velocity (MEWV), (2) the stride period at SSWV (Ts) is a compromise between the resonant periods of the normal leg (Tn) and the prosthetic leg (Tp) when they are dissimilar. Eight subjects completed multiple-speed treadmill walking tests (at 53, 67, 80, 93, and 107 m/min) according to three mass conditions (60%, 80%, and 100% of the normal leg below-knee mass) in a random order. Oxygen consumption and stride period were measured, and SSWV was empirically determined. The MEWV, the speed with minimum energy expenditure per distance traveled, was derived from quadratic regression, and its stride period (Tm) was estimated. A theoretical compromise period (Tv) between Tn and Tp was predicted by a virtual single pendulum system based on Huygens' Law. Across different mass conditions, comparisons were made among: Ts, Tm, Tv, Tn, and Tp. Results showed that: (1) Ts was significantly different from Tm; (2) Ts was greater than both Tn and Tp; (3) no significant difference was found between Tm and Tn. Implications for amputee rehabilitation in terms of thigh muscle training and prosthesis development were discussed.     

Effects of sex and sex roles on the perceived maladaptiveness of DSM-IV personality disorder symptoms

This study investigated the influence of sex on the perceived maladaptiveness of DSM-IV personality disorder criteria based on previous findings that inconsistency of symptoms with sex roles affects the perception of personality disorder symptoms. The effects of rater characteristics (i.e., sex, sex role) were also examined. A total of 161 undergraduates (65 men, 96 women) rated the diagnostic criteria according to how maladaptive they were for males (male condition), females (female condition), or without regard to sex (neutral condition that served as a baseline) using a 7-point scale. Participants' sex role was determined using the Bem Sex Role (1981a) Inventory. Dependent and depressive personality disorder criteria (trend for borderline) were rated more maladaptive for females than males, whereas obsessive-compulsive personality disorder criteria were rated more maladaptive for males than females. Participant sex and sex role had little or no significant effects on the ratings. Results are compared with those of previous research. Methodological issues and implications for the diagnosis of personality disorders are discussed.