Psychological Bulletin

Zeigler, H. Phillip

doi: 10.1037/h0044307pmid: 14147564

Behaviors occurring out of their characteristic motivational context and in the midst of conflict and thwarting situations have been called "displacement activities." Such behaviors were originally explained by reference to energy models of motivation. It is now known that the nature and intensity of such activities are primarily a function of 3 sets of variables: type and intensity of peripheral stimulation, the existence of behaviors incompatible with the activity in question, and the existence and duration of states of motivational equilibrium with respect to such incompatible behaviors. The implications of these findings for motivational theory are discussed and it is suggested that drive and energy concepts no longer serve any useful function in the study of species-specific behavior. (80 ref.)

Heilbrun, Alfred B.

doi: 10.1037/h0048620pmid: 14146340

Recent factor analytic interpretations of the MMPI have emphasized response sets as sources of variance, and the tendency to answer items in socially desirable or undesirable ways has been interpreted as the primary factor. It is contended that the primary factor is better interpreted as degree of psychopathology and both social-learning theory and empirical data are presented to support this view. In brief, socially desirable behaviors are typically those which conform to group standards, and the deviant behaviors which define psychopathology are usually socially undesirable. Accordingly, the tendency for MMPI scales to load inversely to social desirability on the primary factor is a consequent of the actual inverse relationship between deviancy and social acceptability of behavior. (61 ref.)

Jarvik, Lissy F.; Falek, Arthur; Pierson, W. Phillip

doi: 10.1037/h0045883pmid: 14146341

Striking technological advances in the study of human chromosomes have revealed an excess of genetic material in the cells of patients with Down's syndrome. Both the trisomic and translation forms of mongolism are discussed, as is the assessment of morbidity risks in relatives of a given patient. The origin of the chromosomal abnormalities, and the mechanisms by which they generate the clinical picture of Down's syndrome, constitute questions for further research. When this etiological enigma is resolved optional management of patients and their relatives will depend, even more than at present, upon the active collaboration of psychologists and psychiatrists with human geneticists. (100 ref.)

Steisel, Ira M.

doi: 10.1037/h0048695pmid: 14146342

Some criticisms of an article by Cerbus and Nichols (1963) relating to their report of author's work.

Cerbus, George; Nichols, Robert C.

doi: 10.1037/h0042308pmid: N/A

Reply to criticisms of author's report to Steisel's (1952) work.