Motivational determinants of coalition formation

Coalition preferences of 300 male and female subjects were ascertained under varying motivational conditions. Two of the experimental conditions repeated the typical three-person coalition paradigm, with a monetary reward (extrinsic motivation) offered for the winning of a luck-determined game. In a third condition, skill rather than luck influenced the outcome and no monetary reward was given for winning (intrinsic motivation). Two additional conditions examined coalition preferences in a mixed-motive situation, with either a small or a large monetary reward offered for winning a skill-related game. In the extrinsic motivation condition, the low and the medium resource persons typically desired to coalesce, contrary to the wishes of the excluded, high resource player. In contrast, the coalition between the low and the medium resource persons also was preferred by the high resource player in the intrinsic motivation condition. Coalition conflict was intermediate in the mixed-motive conditions. In sum, it was demonstrated that coalition formation and interpersonal conflict are dependent upon the motivational determinants of group activity.     

Instructional control of human operant responding during extinction following fixed-ratio conditioning

When given pre-conditioning instructions correctly indicating the maximum number of reinforcements obtainable, subjects made few responses during extinction following FR 10 conditioning. More extinction responses occurred when the maximum-reinforcement instructions suggested that reinforcements were obtainable during extinction. The highest rates of responding during extinction were produced by subjects who had no maximum-reinforcement instructions.     

Modification of escape responding in humans by increasing the magnitude of an aversive event

Escape responding of humans on an avoidance-escape schedule was replaced by avoidance responding by increasing the magnitude of the aversive stimulus. The aversive stimulus consisted of a point loss period. The shift from escape to avoidance responding was effected under a condition of response cost.     

Conditioning history and human fixed-interval performance

The effects of two different conditioning histories upon human operant behavior under a FI 10-sec schedule of point reinforcements were investigated. Relatively high rates of continuous inter-reinforcement responding characterized the FI 10-sec performance of subjects with an FR 40 conditioning history. Low response rates with little or no inter-reinforcement responding were emitted by Ss with a DRL 20-sec conditioning history.     

Is the Rorschach welcome in the courtroom?

A survey of 7,934. recent federal and state court cases in which psychologists presented Rorschach testimony revealed only 6 in which the appropriateness of the Rorschach was challenged and just one in which the testimony was not admitted into evidence. There is accordingly good reason to believe that, despite occasionally voiced concerns to the contrary, the Rorschach is welcome in the courtroom.     

Observers' reactions to genetic testing: the role of hindsight bias and judgements of responsibility

In 3 studies, we examined the effect of birth outcome on observers' reactions to genetic testing. Participants read a scenario in which a woman declined to take a genetic screening test and subsequently gave birth to a child with a genetic disorder (negative outcome) or a healthy child (positive outcome). Retrospective judgments of the likelihood that the child would have a genetic disorder were higher given negative than positive outcome knowledge under conditions of high genetic risk. Moreover, the more likely a negative outcome was perceived to be, the more responsible the mother was held for not taking the genetic screening test. Consistent with Weiner's (1993) theory, responsibility judgments were linked to displeasure and sympathy, with sympathy in turn being related to help judgments.     

Relationships Between Trauma,Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms,Dissociative Symptoms,and Lifetime Heroin Use Among Individuals Who Abuse Substances in Residential Treatment

This study explored the relationships between trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, dissociation, and lifetime heroin use among inpatient clients who abused substances. Results indicate important implications for practice and directions for future research.     

Cognitive ability in virtual reality: Validity evidence for VR game‐based assessments

Virtual reality (VR) technology may provide unique benefits for assessing individual characteristics, in contrast with traditional assessments. This study examined validity evidence for the use of VR game (VRG) scores to indicate specific cognitive abilities. Participants completed three VRGs, three computer‐based assessments (CBAs), and additional scales. To evaluate convergent validity, VRG scores were compared with CBA scores. For divergent validity, VRG scores were compared with five factors of personality based on the Five Factor Model. For criterion‐related validity, VRG scores were compared with academic achievement (i.e., grade point average). Findings generally provided support that the VRG scores are related to certain spatial reasoning subdimensions of cognitive ability. However, further research is needed to examine the qualities of VRGs as assessment tools.