On the Piliavin & Piliavin Model of Helping Behavior: Costs Are in the Eye of the Beholder

Two field experiments tested the Piliavin and Piliavin cost-reward model of helping. The model predicts that the most helping should occur when the costs for helping are low and when the costs for not helping are high. The results of Experiment 1 provided partial support for this prediction, and the results of Experiment 2 were completely consistent with the model.     

Specificity and savings of behavioural habituation over a series of intra- and inter-modal stimuli

A series of four tone stimuli, differing either in tonal frequency or in melody, was presented at the rate of one presentation per day to a group of rats. Habituation was specific to the frequency of simple auditory stimuli and to the melody of patterned stimuli, as shown both by the distraction to stimulus change, and by the trials to habituate to the new stimulus. Savings in habituation occurred when a series of tone stimuli was presented, but was not found for a series of inter-modal stimuli.     

A posterior region for parallel profile differentials

A simple Bayesian solution for the joint estimation of several parallel profile differentials for multivariate normal populations is obtained. This generalizes a previous result for a single profile differential.This research was supported by NIGMS-NIH Grant GM14031.     

The prediction of “shows” and “no-shows” to a crisis center

The relationship between measures of worker effectiveness in a therapeutic telephone intervention and whether a caller shows for a scheduled appointment can be used to assess the variables that contribute to "successful" telephone counseling. This study replicated the findings of a previous investigation in showing that the motivation of a caller in response to the question of a referral was positively correlated with "showing" for the appointment. Futher, the identification of a specific problem related negatively to the caller's response to the referral. However, the concreteness of the phone worker was not correlated with whither the scheduled appointment was kept by the caller.     

Complexity-simplicity,symmetry-asymmetry,and sociometric choice

In order to study the interrelationships associated with shape preference, 30 undergraduate Ss made complexity-simplicity and symmetry-asymmetry choices, and also made sociometric choices of others as well as predicting the sociometric choices of others. Ss who preferred complexity tended to choose Ss who preferred symmetry, which was interpreted as complementary choice. Other findings suggest that complexity and asymmetry are not identical, although there is some relationship between the two.     

Stimulus overselectivity in autistic,trainable mentally retarded,and non-handicapped children: Comparative research controlling chronological (rather than mental) age

Much of the comparative research on stimulus overselectivity has been flawed by either failure to control for chronological age and language ability of the subjects or reliance on the controversial technique of matching on mental age. The present study investigated the prevalence of overselectivity in autistic, trainable mentally retarded, and non-handicapped children demonstrating some expressive speech. The ages of the children were between 6 years-6 months and 9 years-3 months. Thus, chronological age and language ability were controlled, rather than allowed to vary unsystematically. Results indicated no significant differences between the autistic and TMR samples, but significant differences between the handicapped samples and the non-handicapped group. Some, but not all, of the handicapped children displayed overselectivity.     

Moral judgment in relation to behavioral and cognitive disorders in adolescents

The capacity for formulating moral judgments shown by 20 emotionally disturbed, cognitively delayed adolescents was related to their social behaviors as observed in a classroom situation. Adolescents reported by their teachers to be shy and submissive were less capable of reasoning about moral issues than were adolescents who were seen as more assertive and socially engaged. The level of moral judgment was not a function of intelligence or ability to understand concrete operations. The implication that social engagement is a critical determinant of moral judgment for these adolescents is discussed.