Book reviews

Livesey, P. J. (1986). Learning and emotion: A biological synthesis. Volume 1: Evolutionary processes. Hillsdale, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Pp. 312. ISBN 0-89859-552-5. £17.95

Fletcher, D. J. C. & Michener, C. D. (Eds.). Kin recognition in animals. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons. 1987. Pp. 465. ISBN 0-471-91199-2. £37.50.

Horn, G. Memory, imprinting, and the brain: An inquiry into mechanisms. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 1985. Pp. xiv + 315. Hardback, ISBN 0-19-8521 57-X, £25 ($45). Paperpack, 0-19-8521 56-1, £15 ($24.95).     

The effects of desire for control and extrinsic rewards on the illusion of control and gambling

The role of individual differences in the desire to control events in an illusion of control situation was examined. Subjects high and low in the desire for control played several trials of a gambling game under conditions either facilitating or not facilitating the perception that the subject had control over the outcome of the game. Half of the subjects were allowed to trade their winnings in on prizes at the end of the experiment. The other half played the game without extrinsic incentives. It was found that high desire-for-control subjects were more susceptible to the illusion of control, but only when the winnings could be traded in on prizes. Desire for control level and illusion of control manipulations did not appear to affect betting behavior in the absence of extrinsic rewards.     

Zoo Visitors' Affective Responses to Observing Animal Behaviors

ABSTRACT

The opportunity to observe or interact with animals in a zoo is often vital in influencing visitors' positive feelings towards animals and ultimately their conservation behavior. This study explores the relationship between observed animal behavior and zoo visitors' responses. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 717 visitors across four exhibits (giraffe, lion, cheetah, and red panda) at three zoos (Brookfield Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and Central Park Zoo). The questionnaire measured observed animal behaviors and visitors' predispositions, affective responses, and meaning-making at animal exhibits. Multivariate path analyses indicated that up-close encounters with zoo animals, along with observable active animal behaviors, predicted visitors' reported positive affective responses which, in turn, predicted their meaning-making. These findings lend support to the role of positive affect as a mediator between observable animal behaviors and visitor meaning-making. Implications are discussed in relation to achieving both conservation education and animal welfare outcomes.     

Application of the MMPI in Differentiating A.W.O.L. Recidivists from Non-Recidivists

Forty Ss were required to learn two lists of paired associates (an “easy” list and a “difficult” list). A modified anticipation method allowed measures of short-term and long-term retention to be taken. Item difficulty had no effect on STR, but had a large effect upon LTR. The data were interpreted to indicate that two distinct memory mechanisms are involved in the two retention durations.     

Operant control of preening in pigeons

Preening in four pigeons was observed and recorded during operant level determinations, continuous and variable interval reinforcement, and extinction. The rate at which preening responses occur seems to be controlled by reinforcement in the same way as other operant behavior. Preening during VI reinforcement and extinction appeared to be similar to preening in many natural situations. With respect to the part of the body preened, considerable stereotypy of responding was shown by all birds, particularly during VI training; there was, however, a conspicuous absence of consistency in the development of stereotypy both within and between individual birds, perhaps due to the nature of the response.     

Exploring relational regulation in computer-mediated (collaborative) learning interaction: a developmental perspective.

This article presents a qualitative analysis showing the dependency of effective collaborative argumentation on interpersonal relational aspects that develop during synchronous interaction. Four regulatory principles are proposed as propelling the interaction, and of these, autoregulation, or the conservative restraints within the existing relation, appears to be the dominant force. When using a structured dialogue system (SDS), instead of free chat, via roles and sentence-openers, the social dimension of the relation between participants disappears from the surface interaction. Even though using the SDS seems to foster a more focused and task-functional approach, argumentation appears to affect the relations between participants in a negative way, since after an argumentative sequence, repair of the relationship takes place. It might even be argued that, because of relational stress, in many cases, argumentation is momentarily suspended.     

A Decade of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings: The Short Longer View

The progress and accomplishments of psychology in medical settings over the past decade since the publication of the Handbook of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings (J. J. Sweet, R. H. Rozensky, & S. M. Tovian, 1991) and the subsequent founding of the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings (JCPMS) in 1994 are highlighted. Areas of progress and accomplishments reviewed include professional developments with our field, roles and services provided by psychologists, education, training and research issues, and program administration in medical settings. The current status of, and possible changes in, medical settings is identified. Future challenges and opportunities for the profession are discussed.     

Confirmation: The Stewardship of Baptism

What is confirmation ministry? Confirmation has changed from being understood as a sacrament, marking the time at which a person receives his or her first communion, to a rite, a ritual in which the baptized is reminded of his or her baptismal vows and initiated into the community of discipleship. This articles explores confirmation as the stewardship of baptism among Batak Christians and Asian Lutherans.     

The Choice of Weapons: A Study of Methods of Suicide by Sex,Race, and Region

ABSTRACT: The relationship of sex, race and region to methods of suicide are used to test the validity of two theories which attempt to explain the choice of methods among suicide victims. The two theories, lethality of intent and differential socialization with firearms, are briefly discussed. Data are collected from official death certificates in five cities during a three year period, 1969 through 1971. The findings provide little support for the lethality of intent theory. Although the differential socialization theory receives partial support, one can argue for a broader sociocultural perspective on methods of suicide which includes location in the social structure as well as regional socialization.