Varied Input Stimuli and Motor Learning,

75 apparatus-naive undergraduate Ss were assigned to one of five groups differentiated according to training display associated with a modified rotary pursuit (RP) apparatus. Performance of two control groups, one practicing an unaided reference task and the other a pathmarked RP task, was compared with that of groups that received either path-marked or mechanically guided practice during training, and where path-marked and mechanical guidance display was removed during transfer. It was found that the path-marked display produced superior results only during initial stages of practice, and retarded improvement in performance after transfer to the reference task. Mechanical guidance resulted in better performance on the path-marked condition than the unaided RP task, but in both cases performance dropped upon transfer. The results are discussed in the light of hypothesized learning strategies influenced by different training conditions.     

A Case Illustrating the Concept of the Alpha Schizophrenic

The construct validity of the Academic Self-Concept Scale (Reynolds, in press) as a measure of an academic facet of general self-concept in college students was examined. Subjects were 589 undergraduate students from three colleges. Convergent validity was demonstrated in the form of correlations between the academic self-concept measure and subjects' grade point average (GPA), and scores on measures of general self-concept and locus of control. A multiple regression analysis of the Academic Self-Concept Scale produced a multiple correlation of .59 with GPA and general self-concept. Discriminant validity was shown via low correlations between academic self-concept and measures of mental ability and social desirability. As expected, differences in academic self-concept between year levels in college were also found. Factor analysis of the Academic Self-Concept Scale and subsequent oblique rotation resulted in seven interpretable factors. The results of this investigation lend support for the construct validity of the Academic Self-Concept Scale.     

Thematic Drive Expression and Self-Esteem

The responses of 91 undergraduate students to the TAT and the Tennessee Self Concept Scale were investigated using a psychoanalytically oriented system for rating the manifest drive content of the TAT stories. Five hypotheses were made relating self-esteem to TAT drive content. Results suggested that positive self-esteem is related to higher amounts of thematic drive content, higher levels of drive integration, higher proportions of socialized drive content and lower proportions of unsocialized drive material. Results were interpreted as pointing toward a functional relationship between the phenomenological self-representations and the more dynamic ego control operations.     

Society for Personality Assessment — Which Way to Go?

As a result of a mandate by the membership, the Society for Personality Assessment has emerged as an old association with a new name. The decision on this issue was made by the membership at the same time that the question of its future affiliation was voted upon. Approximately two-thirds of the membership expressed the desire to have our group affiliate in some manner with the American Psychological Association. However, the exact manner was not specified in the referendum. At the last meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Society for Personality Assessment, there was a division of opinion as to whether joining as a division or as a section of an already existing division was the better move. The two most articulate exponents, Drs. Little and Farberow, were asked to prepare the position paper below in order to give the membership some information about the issues involved. On a subsequent occasion the members will be asked to take a formal position on this issue. If anyone, after reading the material below, wishes to comment further, I would be happy to publish his views in subsequent issues of the Journal.

Walter G. Klopfer Executive Editor     

The Use of Sulfanilamide in the Treatment of “Sniffles” in Rats

A nonprojective measure of achievement motivation, the Lynn Questionnaire (7), was administered to 67 Western Samoans, 34 Cook Islanders, 84 Maoris, and 103 European New Zealanders in an urban work environment in New Zealand. Results indicated that Western Samoans had lower achievement motivation levels than the other three groups, Cook Islanders were lower than European New Zealanders and equivalent to Maoris, and Maoris did not vary from European New Zealanders. Findings were interpreted as supportive of previous New Zealand research and in accordance with cultural assimilation theory.     

Studies of Abnormal Behavior in the Rat: XVII. Guidance Versus Trial and Error in the Alteration of Habits and Fixations

Formation of a God concept, in accordance with the developmental hypothesis of object relations theory, includes the utilization of representations acquired within the context of significant relationships. Previous researchers have attempted to determine the comparative extent to which parent representations give rise to an individual's God image. In this study, we measured the similarities between subjects' composite parental ratings and their image of God. As predicted, the parental composite was significantly closer to the God rating than were the singular parent representations.     

Kansas Physician Assistants’ Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Spirituality and Religiosity in Patient Care

Research indicates patients want to discuss spirituality/religious (S/R) beliefs with their healthcare provider. This was a cross-sectional study of Kansas physician assistants (PA) regarding S/R in patient care. Surveys included questions about personal S/R beliefs and attitudes about S/R in patient care. Self-reported religious respondents agreed (92%) they should be aware of patient S/R; 82% agreed they should address it. Agreement with incorporating S/R increased significantly based on patient acuity. This research indicates Kansas PAs’ personal S/R beliefs influence their attitudes toward awareness and addressing patient S/R.