General guidelines for conducting behavior modification programs in public school settings

Tentative guidelines for initiating behavior modification programs are presented. Discussion focuses on the importance of initial introduction of these procedures to teachers, the relation of teacher personality variables to technique selection, factors to consider when evaluating children for modification, and suggestions for on-going participation and withdrawal of the psychologist as an active agent in such programs.     

Order of scale administration and concurrent validity of the Anxiety Rating Scale

The Anxiety Rating Scale-2 and the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 were administered to 100 male university intramural volleyball players 15 min. before a match began. For 50 participants, the above order of presentation was used; for the other 50 the order was reversed. Correlations for cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence between the two inventories were .47, .63, and .67, respectively, for scores from Order 1 and .56, .75, and .84 for Order 2.     

Basic and applied research in developing countries: The search for an evaluation strategy

Although activities in basic and applied research in developing countries (DCs) are guided by universal scientific principles, there are important differences in the way in which science is practiced from that of the industrialized world. Isolation from the mainstream of scientific activity, the need for the development of an indigenous scientific capacity, the lack of a critical mass of researchers with respect to most fields of knowledge, and the urgency of developing better and more efficient communication channels, are some of the aspects that set apart the scientific activity of the developing world. In particular, the need to develop local "new" science aimed at solving pressing problems of a local nature suggests the existence of a different set of conditions from those found in scientifically-advanced countries. In the present article we look at the ways the special circumstances of science in DCs will affect the application of evaluation criteria, using bibliometric data on research in Mexico as an example.     

A GENERALIZED CONCEPTION OF TEXT APPLIED TO BOTH SCIENTIFIC AND RELIGIOUS OBJECTS

Abstract. The idea of a text is reviewed and reconstructed to facilitate the application of concepts of interpretation to the objects analyzed in the natural sciences, as well as to objects analyzed in religion and literature. Four criteria—-readability, formality, material transcendence, and retrievability—-are proposed as the basis for a generalized conception of text. Objects in both religion and science, not previously thought to be texts, are shown to be included in the new definition and therefore to be potential subjects of developing methods of interpretation.     

A microcomputer-controlled system for measuring reactivity in small animals

A microcomputer-controlled system has been designed for measuring reactivity in small laboratory animals. This system uses a microcomputer to trigger an acoustic signal, which is fed to a loudspeaker through an audio power amplifier. An animal’s acoustic startle response is recorded using a moving-coil loudspeaker as a movement transducer. The transducer output is coupled to a peak-hold circuit that records the maximum voltage generated by the animal’s response. After conversion to digital form, the data for each stimulus presentation are stored and then printed when all trials have been completed.     

Predicting the Performance of Dental Hygiene Behaviors: An Examination of the Fishbein and Ajzen Model and Self-Efficacy Expectations1

This study examined the value of the Fishbein and Ajzen model of behavioral intentions and Bandura's concept of self-efficacy expectations as prospective predictors of the dental hygiene behaviors of young adults. All participants (73 males and 58 females) completed self-report measures of the predictor variables and 60% of that group (N = 77) then recorded brushing and flossing behaviors over a four-week period. The Fishbein and Ajzen model accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in intentions to brush (R²= .32) and intentions to floss (R²= .30). Intentions were in turn related to self-monitoring records of brushing and flossing frequency (rs= .52 and .61). Introducing self-efficacy expectations into the Fishbein and Ajzen model failed to improve the prediction of brushing and flossing frequency. However, self-efficacy was predictive of behavioral intentions, adding significantly to the variance accounted for by the attitudinal and subjective norm components of the Fishbein and Ajzen model. These data suggest that self-efficacy expectations are important in understanding protective health behaviors and that the inclusion of a self-efficacy component in the Fishbein and Ajzen model deserves consideration.     

Martin Buber's relevance to institutional mental health care

A Buberian perspective on problems related to the establishment of therapeutic environments on mental hospital wards is offered. Depersonalization and over-reliance on a medical treatment orientation in human relationships are identified as central problem areas in mental hospitals. The therapeutic community is identified as a major alternative model to respond to these problem areas. Difficulties in applying the therapeutic community model are identified. Buber's social philosophy, especially his interpretations of spiritual crisis, cultural crisis, structural renewal, and genuine dialogue, are identified as useful tools to clarify and resolve those difficulties.     

The role of individual bargaining behavior in the pay setting process: A pilot study

A model of initial salary detemination for professional and managerial employees is developed. That part of the model which concentrates on the role of employee salary negotiation behaviors and attitudes was investigated using a sample of 117 individuals. Significant variance in salary bargaining attitudes and behaviors was found; attitudinal and demographic differences between negotiators and non-negotiators were determined. Additionally, negotiating behavior was found to be positively related to salary, but only slightly related to salary growth.