Auditory localization: The importance of eye movements and a textured visual environment

Two experiments were designed to investigate the factors involved in the visual facilitation of auditory localization. In both experiments, adult human Ss pointed to targets in a variety of visual conditions. The results of the first experiment showed that target-directed eye movements were important. In the second experiment, eye localization was assessed, along with pointing localization. Both eye and hand localization of the hidden auditory targets were better when target-directed eye movements were made in a lighted environment than when made in the dark. Data also suggested that Ss have better knowledge of their eye position in the light. Possible mechanisms for the involvement of eye movements were suggested, and the theoretical importance of the results was discussed.     

Family environment, affect, ambivalence and decisions about unplanned adolescent pregnancy

This study investigated the relationships among family environment, demographic measures, the decisions made by unintentionally pregnant adolescents regarding postdelivery plans and the certainty with which these decisions were made. Subjects were 175 pregnant adolescents, ages 14 through 22, who intended to carry their pregnancies to term. Greater uncertainty was associated with living with both natural parents or with mother only. Higher levels of negative affect were related to lower levels of perceived family cohesion, independence, expressiveness, and intellectual-cultural orientation. Age, trimester of pregnancy, and family constellation also were related to levels of negative affect. Discriminant analysis revealed that subjects choosing adoption were more likely to be older and to be white than were those choosing to keep the child. They also tended to perceive higher levels of expressiveness and independence in their families. The implications of these findings for the delivery of services and for future research efforts in this area are discussed.