Clustering of disfluency in nonstuttering childrens' early utterances

The clustering of disfluency within early utterances in the speech of four nonstuttering children was examined. During the developmental period their mean length of utterance was between 2.25 and 3.0 morphemes. The frequency and characteristics of the clustered disfluencies are described and compared with single disfluent moments. Clusters of two disfluencies were analyzed for interactive effects of positional preference and type. Results were similar to those found in older preschool nonstuttering speakers, demonstrating the normal developmental nature of clustering in early sentences. Implications for using this temporal measure to differentially diagnose normal from abnormal disfluency are discussed.     

THE EFFECT OF INFORMATIONAL FEEDBACK ON FOOD INTAKE OF ADULT BURN PATIENTS

The effect of informational feedback on the protein and caloric consumption of burn patients was investigated using a multiple-baseline across subjects. The patients were four severely burned adult males who failed to consume sufficient foods to achieve prescribed levels of protein or kilocalories via standard burn unit procedures during recovery. Feedback consisted of informing patients of (a) their prescribed levels of protein and kilocalories, (b) the protein and kilocalorie content of hospital foods and beverages, and (c) their actual intake of protein and kilocalories. Following the provision of feedback, there was an increase in protein and kilocalorie intakes and in the number of days during which prescribed levels for protein and kilocalories were achieved. These results suggest that the informational feedback was effective for improving the oral caloric intake of burn patients.     

Gender role socialization in toy play situations: Mothers and fathers with their sons and daughters

This study examined the interaction within and between 20 intact families. As in past research, when parents were separated and not influenced by their child (i.e., completing a toy desirability scale), traditional findings were supported; neutral toys are not specific to the gender of the child while feminine toys were preferred for girls and masculine toys were preferred for boys. However, when parents were actively engaged in play with their child this traditional pattern was not supported. In general, parents spent the least amount of time with feminine toys. Children eagerly accepted most of the toys presented by their parents and their enthusiasm was equal for the toys in all three categories. This research suggests a change in parents' perceptions of what is acceptable gender-typing behavior.     

The Superwoman ideal and other risk factors for eating disturbances in adolescent girls

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between disordered eating, the Superwoman ideal, competitiveness, and achievement motivation. The EAT-26, Personality Research Form (Achievement scale), and Self-Roles Inventory were administered to 69 10–12th-grade girls (69.6% White, 11.6% Hispanic, 5.8% Black, 5.8% Asian, 7.2% no information on ethnicity). EAT-26 scores were not significantly associated with attending an academically competitive high school, having a high achievement motivation, or considering a number of roles as important to one's sense of self (adherence to the Superwoman ideal). EAT-26 scores were significantly higher among the girls attending the average high school. It is important to conduct further investigations of the Superwoman ideal since it has been posited as a risk factor for eating disorders, but has been the focus of only a few empirical studies.     

The World-Wide Web as a medium for psychoacoustical demonstrations and experiments: Experience and results

The World-Wide Web provides an inviting opportunity to reach large numbers of people, both as an audience for psychoacoustical discussions and demonstrations and as subjects for psychoacoustical experiments. Such use of the Web poses a unique set of challenges. We present the methodologies used to prepare a multimedia primer in auditory perception at McGill University. As well as instructional material, this primer includes acoustical experiments conducted over the Web. We discuss the response and experiences with this site in general and in a particular class situation at Hanover College.     

An exploration of leadership in a medical mutual help organization

Studied 45 current leaders of local chapters of a medical mutual help organization. Cluster analysis of variables depicting routes to leadership produced six clusters: Health Professionals with a Mission, Connected Health Professionals, Career Leaders, Grass-roots Founders, Connected Grass-roots Leaders, and Obligated Veterans. These clusters differed on criterion measures of burnout, hardiness, and perceived obligation to continue as a leader, e.g., Connected Health Professionals and Career Leaders were less burned out, more hardy, and perceived less of an obligation to continue in the leadership role than Health Professionals with a Mission. In terms of leadership activities, Help Provision and Advocacy constituted less than one fifth of all activities but were rated as most rewarding. In contrast, the activities that made up the bulk of leaders' work--building membership, system maintenance, and organizational growth--were not rated as particularly rewarding. Results are discussed in the context of research directions and practice.     

From prespeech to language: The influence of caregiver-child interaction

Communication is considered a function based on reciprocity and communicativeness with a human partner, the child's participation and capacity, and the adult's adaptiveness and interpreting enable differentiation of messages and meanings. Major precursors of pre-speech communication acts of infants, as suggested by Bruner, are presented, taking into consideration caregiver's mode of interpreting the infant's communication intent, joint referential devices, and strategies for enlisting in joint activity.     

Factorial validity and internal reliability of Honey and Mumford's Learning Styles Questionnaire

Honey and Mumford's Learning Styles Questionnaire was derived from the same conceptual basis as Kolb's Learning Style Inventory and may provide a more reliable and valid measure of Kolb's learning style constructs. The Learning Styles Questionnaire has not been psychometrically evaluated as extensively as the Learning Style Inventory. Since there is no published information on how the Learning Styles Questionnaire scales were derived, an attempt was made to factor analyze the responses to the questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis of 284 psychology undergraduates' responses identified a four-factor oblimin solution as the most satisfactory model investigated. Implications for interpretation and use within higher education are discussed.