Job stressors,Type A behavior,coping responses,and psychological burnout among teachers

This study examined a research model developed to understand psychological burnout in work settings. Data were collected from 473 teachers and school administrators using questionnaires completed anonymously. Four groups of predictor variables identified in previous research were considered: individual demographic and situational variables, Type A behavior, job Stressors and coping responses. Type A behavior, job Stressors and coping responses were significantly and independently related to levels of psychological burnout.     

Models of burnout: Implications for interventions

Three process models of burnout are discussed, Cherniss' process model, Golembiewski's phase model and Leiter's process model. Empirical support for each model is reported. The models make different contributions to the problem of burnout and its development, and the kind of interventions that follow from each model seem to represent different targets. The strengths and weaknesses of the three models are assessed, and the relative merits of individual versus organizational level interventions are addressed. More model-driven research is necessary to reduce the problem of burnout for individuals and organizations.     

Reproduction and recognition in short-term visual memory

Reproduction and recognition in short-term visual memory was tested. In Experiment I, it was confirmed that the ability to reproduce visual figures in STM correlated with the ability to describe them. No such correlation was obtained when recall was by recognition. In Experiments II and III the mechanisms involved in the two types of recall were investigated by varying the character of the task interpolated in the retention interval. Results support the view that reproduction has a verbal component which is lacking in recognition.     

An automated multi-channel programming,data collection,and printout system for avoidance and stress conditioning of monkeys

A multichannel programming, data collection, and printout system is described for the investigation of avoidance and stress conditioning of monkeys, individually or yoked.     

Pupillary response as a general measure of activation

Pupil size was measured while 30 male college students undertook five tasks respectively concerning, (a) muscle tension induced by the lifting of weights, (b) fear induced by threat of a gunshot, (c) intense stimulation induced by loud pure tones, (d) heightened attention from viewing novel pictures, and (e) pleasantness and unpleasantness in reaction to pictures that differed in terms of their affect-inducing characteristics. Highly regular relationships were found between pupil size and degree of muscle strain and between pupil size and the temporal ordering of events during threat of a gunshot. Significant effects on pupil size also were found for the other three types of stimulation.     

Epidemics in perspective

Irrational responses to patient with AIDS, particularly in regards to the transmissibility of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) are examined from an historical and psychosocial perspective. Although these responses are similar to those reported from past epidemics such as plague and leprosy, they are in direct conflict with our current level of understanding regarding the transmission of this virus. Their genesis may relate to the human penchant to react to illness metaphorically. In order to allay effectively public concern about the transmissibility of AIDS, it is essential to recognize the metaphor associated with venereal disease in general and AIDS in particular.     

Psychopathology and response styles in the SCL-90 responses of acutely distressed persons

Using the responses of 197 suicidal and nonsuicidal patients of a crisis and short-term intervention unit, the item factor structure of the SCL-90 was examined. Results suggested a reduced dimensionality for the checklist rather than supporting the nine scales associated with the instrument's scoring key. The influence of various response styles on the SCL-90's dimensionality was also explored. Although a social desirability response style was strongly related to all SCL-90 subscales and factors, it did not offer a complete explanation for the checklist's apparent unidimensionality. Other explanations relating to methods of test construction and to patients' inability to differentiate symptoms were also preferred. Finally, although subscale scores may facilitate clinical interpretation, it was suggested that the SCL-90 might best be scored as a single index of general symptomatology.We wish to thank G. C. Fekken and R. N. MacLennan for their assistance with this project.This work was supported in part by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Grant 410-85-1043 and by an Ontario Ministry of Health Research Personnel Award.