Stimulus motion and retrospective time judgments

The effect of stimulus motion on retrospective time judgments was investigated in four experiments. Subjects reproduced the duration of a 32-s interval which was filled by either a stationary or moving visual element presented on a computer monitor. In Experiments 1 and 4, the element moved horizontally back and forth, and in Experiments 2 and 3 it traced a circular pathway. In Experiments 1 and 2, the element moved at speeds of either 5 or 20 cm/s. In Experiment 3, it moved at a constant speed, alternating direction between clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation once every 1, 4, 8 or 16 s. In Experiment 4 the element moved at linear speeds of 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 cm/s back and forth along a 16 cm horizontal path thereby alternating between left- and rightward motion-directions once every 16, 8, 4, 2 and 1 s, respectively. Temporal reproductions were not systematically influenced by stimulus speed. Rather, the pattern of results indicated a nonmonotonic relationship between remembered duration and the frequency of motion-direction changes; whereas remembered duration was unaffected by either infrequent or very frequent rates of changes, moderate rates of motion-changes lengthens remembered duration. These findings are discussed in relation to the change models of retrospective timing, and the claim that stimulus speed, as distinct from changes in the direction of stimulus motion, is not an important determinant of retrospective timing.     

Psychoanalytic patients in the U.S., CANADA,and Australia: I. DSM-III-R disorders,indications, previous treatment,medications, and length of treatment

To determine the demographics, DSM-III-R disorders diagnosed, indications used in recommending psychoanalysis, previous treatment histories, use of medication, and length of treatment in patients in psychoanalysis in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, a mail survey of practice was sent to every other active member of the American Psychoanalytic Association and every member of the Australian Psychoanalytical Society. This supplemented an earlier survey sent to all Ontario psychoanalysts. The response rates were 40.1 % (n = 342) for the U.S., 67.2% (n = 117) for Canada, and 73.9% (n = 51) for Australia. Respondents supplied data on 1,718 patients. The employment rate for patients increases as analysis progresses (p < .0001). The mean number of concurrent categories of disorders (Axis I, Axis II, and Disorders First Evident in Childhood) per patient at the start of treatment is 5.01 (SD = 3.66; median = 4; mode = 3). There are no statistically significant differences across countries. Mood, anxiety, sexual dysfunction, and personality disorders are most common. American Psychiatric Association / American Psychoanalytic Association peer review criteria for indicating psychoanalysis are followed for 86.5% of patients. Over 80% of patients in all three countries had undergone previous treatments prior to analysis. In the U.S., 18.2% of analysands are on concurrent psychoactive medication; in Australia, 9.6%. The mean length of analyses conducted in the U.S. is 5.7 years, in Australia 6.6, and in Canada 4.8. Psychoanalytic patients in all three countries have similar rates of DSM-III-R psychopathology, and many indications of chronicity.     

Relationship between poverty and health among adolescents

Although the effect of low socioeconomic status on the health of adolescents has been documented, the mechanism by which this occurs is not well understood. Furthermore, improving adolescent health through public health policy typically requires the presence of one or more modifiable risk factors which can be targeted for intervention. In spite of the well-documented negative associations between poverty and health, few modifiable risk factors have been identified. This study used the Evans-Stoddart Model of Health and Well-Being as a framework to examine data on 1,759 adolescents, aged 12 to 19, collected as part of the 1994 National Population Health Survey. Results not only confirm the relationship between income and health, but suggest how the pathway operates through the social environment, lifestyle differences, access to health care, and a reduced sense of self-esteem and self-mastery. Bivariate and multivariate analyses found positive associations between physical activity levels and self-esteem and mastery. We interpret these findings as preliminary evidence that it might be possible to buffer the impact of poverty on health through policies which increase physical activity levels among those living in poverty. Such policies could also include a secondary goal of increasing the activity levels among inactive adolescents who are not living in poverty, as they will derive benefits from this increase, both psychologically and physiologically.     

Social neuroscience: understanding the pieces fosters understanding the whole and vice versa

Social science and neuroscience perspectives represent two ends of a continuum of levels of organization studied in psychology. Human behavior as a whole unfolds at social levels of organization, whereas much of the research in psychology has focused on cognitive and biological pieces of this whole. Recent evidence underscores the complementary nature of social, cognitive, and biological levels of analysis and how research integrating these levels can foster more comprehensive theories of the mechanisms underlying complex behavior and the mind. This research underscores the unity of psychology and the importance of retaining multilevel integrative research that spans molar and molecular levels of analysis.     

Encouraging research: make it collegial,enjoyable, and relevant

Researchers are too often trained under circumstances that discourage them from continuing research activities after they graduate. Three hypotheses are suggested that, if confirmed, would lead to a greater number of competent and enthusiastic researchers. (a) Arrange compatible peer groups. Allowing graduate students to form research teams to conduct dissertation studies would provide more social support than the individualistic environment traditionally required does. (b) Make the experience satisfying and enjoyable. Infuse a spirit of playfulness and puzzlement.