RWMODEL: A program in Turbo Pascal for simulating predictions based on the Rescorla-Wagner model of classical conditioning

A Turbo Pascal computer program is described that simulates the Rescorla-Wagner model of classical conditioning. The menu-driven program makes it possible to compute associative strengths for differential conditioning, conditioned inhibition, compound and contextual conditionings, trans-switching, and other designs.     

A procedure for obtaining young children’s reports of olfactory stimuli

Young children (ages 2 to 5) have proved to be difficult subjects for obtaining valid reports of their ratings of olfactory stimuli. Thirty-six preschoolers were tested on benzaldehyde (a pleasant odor) and on dimethyl disulfide (an unpleasant odor) using a smiling or frowning face as a response format. The results showed the ability of young children to discriminate between pleasant and unpleasant odors.     

The Effect of Residence Hall Judicial Pollcies on Attitudes toward Rule-Violating Behaviors1

As part of a longitudinal study of legal socialization (N= 507), a subset of the sample (n= 87) was chosen for an exploratory naturalistic experiment of the effect of manipulated residence hall judicial policies on attitudes toward rule-violating behavior. Freshman students who directly participated in the functioning of their dormitory judicial system (n= 26) expressed attitudes less tolerant of rule-violating behaviors than did freshman students (n= 12) who had no control over how rules were enforced. Students in both of these experimental conditions expressed attitudes less tolerant of rule-violating behavior than did those (n= 49) living in two control dormitories operating under the usual university policies. While noting the problem of confounds inherent in naturalistic designs, the results are interpreted as suggesting that while the imposition of strict rules by an external authority can result in attitudinal compliance, a stronger effect can be achieved by fostering shared values through active student participation in the judicial system. The implications of these findings are interpreted within the context of control theory.     

The detection of malingering in criminal forensic groups: MMPI validity scales

Despite the value of the MMPI to the forensic assessment of malingering (exaggeration) of psychopathology, few studies have assessed the accuracy of the MMPI validity scales in criminal forensic populations. We administered the MMPI to 35 insanity defendants undergoing evaluation for fitness to stand trial and/or sanity at the time of the crime, who stood to benefit from being assessed as psychologically disturbed, and 39 subjects previously found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI), who did not stand to gain from such an assessment, Insanity defendants showed significantly more malingering than NGRI subjects, p less than .05. Racial differences did not affect the data. These findings support the efficacy of MMPI validity scales in assessing malingering within criminal forensic groups, and support the generalizability of the scales across race.     

Problems in the psychiatric treatment of foreign patients

The contribution deals with problems encountered during the psychiatric treatment of foreign patients, particularly with those from developing countries. It has been found that scope for socio- and psychotherapeutic treatment is very restricted and that the frequent necessity of returning these patients to their native countries leads to not unconsiderable conflicts. Questions of transcultural psychiatry are regaining importance in connection with increasing migration.     

Experiences at a neurologico-psychiatric department in Ethiopia

On three separate occasions, the authors taught at Gondar School of Medicine, attached to the University of Addis Ababa. They found that the neurological group of patients was determined by geographical rather than specifically tropical conditions, and that the psychiatric syndromes resembled those here, considerably influenced, however, by traditional rural medicine. The paper makes observations on comparative psychopathology.     

The Conners Abbreviated Teacher Rating Scale: Development of norms in Brazil

Normative data for the Conners Abbreviated (10-item) Teacher Rating Scale (CATRS-10) derived from 1,068 children in Brazil are presented. Ratings of boys were higher than ratings of girls, and younger children had higher ratings than older children. Test-retest reliability data indicate that the CATRS-10 has acceptable reliability in Brazil but only when the same teacher rates the child at both test and retest (interval of 1 to 3 months). This study found that ratings at retest were significantly lower than ratings at first test whether or not the same teacher rated the child on both occasions. The CATRS-10 was shown to be a valid instrument in Brazil since children with behavioral problems requiring medical or psychological treatment were rated higher than children without such problems.