Modification of children's gender-stereotyped behavior: General issues and research considerations

This paper reviews some recent studies that have attempted to change gender-stereotyped behavior or attitudes in children. While such efforts have often been successful, at least on a short-term basis, enough inconsistency exists to suggest that more detailed theoretical analyses are required to increase the efficacy of such modification attempts. The review suggested at least four factors that needed additional empirical and theoretical attention as factors in susceptibility to counterstereotyping manipulations. These included: (a) the child's developmental level, (b) the relationship between sex role cognitions and behavior, (c) the degree of situational consistency of gender-stereotyped behavior, and (d) the role of individual initial differences in determining modification outcomes. The importance of these factors are discussed in the context of the existing literature.     

Spinal and locus coeruleus noradrenergic lesions abolish the analgesic effects of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine

Two experiments were performed on Sprague-Dawley rats to study the effects of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine depletion upon the antinociceptive effects of acute 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeODMT) administration. 6-Hydroxydopamine-induced lesions following microinjections to either the locus coeruleus or the spinal cord (lumbar) abolished completely 5-MeODMT-induced analgesia in the tail-flick, hot-plate, and shock titration tests whereas 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine-induced lesions of the nucleus raphe magnus and the lumbar spinal cord attenuated 5-MeODMT analgesia in the tail-flick and shock titration tests. Thus, the experiments serve to demonstrate an important interaction between descending noradrenergic and serotonergic pathways, possibly at a spinal locus.     

Accuracy and adaptation of reaching and pointing in pitched visual environments

Visually perceived eye level (VPEL) and the ability of subjects to reach with an unseen limb to targets placed at VPEL were measured in a statically pitched visual surround (pitchroom). VPEL was shifted upward and downward by upward and downward room pitch, respectively. Accuracy in reaching to VPEL represented a compromise between VPEL and actual eye level. This indicates that VPEL shifts reflect in part a change in perceived location of objects. When subjects were provided with terminal visual feedback about their reaching, accuracy improved rapidly. Subsequent reaching, with the room vertical, revealed a negative aftereffect (i.e., reaching errors that were opposite those made initially in the pitched room). In a second study, pointing accuracy was assessed for targets located both at VPEL and at other positions. Errors were similar for targets whether located at VPEL or elsewhere. Additionally, pointing responses were restricted to a narrower range than that of the actual target locations. The small size of reaching and pointing errors in both studies suggests that factors other than a change in perceived location are also involved in VPEL shifts.     

Therapeutic approaches to inhibited sexual desire in lesbians

Traditional approaches to inhibited sexual hire (ISD)—which may be exclusively heterosexist, erotophobic, sexist, and homophobic—fail to adequately address ISD within the lesbian population, in which incest and substance abuse occur commonly. Successful treatment of ISD among lesbians requires awareness of sexual minority customs, lesbian psychologies, and recovery agendas.     

Psychosocial Adjustment of Adult Cancer Survivors: Their Needs and Counselor Interventions

The author presents an overview of the literature on the psychosocial adjustment of cancer survivors, identifying 4 areas that may pose difficulties for cancer survivors as they learn to live with a life-threatening chronic illness: coping with the late physical effects of treatment; living with the uncertainty of long-term survival; resolving problems related to intimacy, marriage, and reproduction; and combating employment discrimination. Counseling interventions are proposed for counselors working with cancer survivors on these issues.