Psychophysiology of analysis of connotative decodification: the role of thermic and somesthetic systems in decodification of chromatic stimuli

We hypothesized that in the decodification of connotative aspects of visual chromatic stimuli the periphery of the body plays an important role. In particular we hypothesized that the decodification process of so called "warm" and "cold" colours is related to a real modification of the temperature of the body which is the basis of the "subjective feeling" and of the attribution of the "emotional meaning" to the stimulus. So we have measured the temperature of the body of 36 female psychology students while they were looking at a luminous screen through spectacles in which filters (coloured lenses) of different colours were placed. Analysis indicated that during the perception of so called "warm" colours a statistically significant increase in the temperature of the body appeared. We observed an enhancement of temperature on the left side of the body during the perception with red and yellow filters and a small increase in temperature on the right side of the body with orange and yellow filters. In the discussion of the results we considered also the role of the cerebral dominance in decodification process of the connotative components of stimuli.     

Men and women in the clergy: Stresses,strains, and resources

This essay reports a program of research as the occupational and personal stress experienced by contemporary American clergy. Three studies are reported. In the first survey a group of largely Roman Catholic religious reported less stress than the general population. In a replication of this investigation on over 510 Protestant clergy this impression of less experienced stress and greater personal resources was confirmed. In the most recent study of clergy in Southern California, a mixed picture was observed. Although the impression of less overall stress was confirmed, great differences in layclery role expectations were observed.He is the coauthorof Clergy Malpractice: How to Care Carefully (Westminster Press, 1986) and is engaged in a variety of ministerial studies.Paper presented at the meeting of the International Council of Psychologists, Mexico City, September, 1984.     

Are indefinite descriptions ambiguous?

I have benefited greatly from discussing the issues addressed in this paper with Michael Liston, John Vickers and Mark Wilson.     

Fixation accuracy and perceptual asymmetry for consonants

Fixation accuracy was related to perception of laterally presented consonants. Small left-eye fixation inaccuracy influenced perceptual performance of 8 men and 8 women.