Psychological Bulletin

Widom, Cathy Spatz

doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.106.1.3pmid: 2667008

Critically examines the “violence breeds violence” hypothesis broadly defined. Organized into seven sections, the literature review includes (a) the abuse breeds abuse hypothesis; (b) reports of small numbers of violent/homicidal offenders; (c) studies examining the relationship of abuse and neglect to delinquency, (d) to violent behavior, and (e) to aggressive behavior in infants and young children; (f) abuse, withdrawal, and self-destructive behavior; and (g) studies of the impact of witnessing or observing violent behavior. A detailed discussion of methodological considerations and shortcomings precedes the review. The author concludes that existing knowledge of the long-term consequences of abusive home environments is limited and suggests that conclusions about the strength of the cycle of violence be tempered by the dearth of convincing empirical evidence. Recommendations are made for further research.

Holden, George W.; Edwards, Lee A.

doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.106.1.29pmid: N/A

Describes historical use of surveys to assess parents' global child-rearing attitudes and reviews the structure and content of the 83 parent attitude questionnaires published from 1899 through 1986 designed to quantify variations in parental attitudes and, presumably, parental behavior. Inspection of the surveys' psychometric properties reveals marginally acceptable levels of reliability and questionable validity. One suspected source of problems with the instruments, the use of vague and ambiguous items, was confirmed in a study of mothers' reactions to one survey. In addition to instrument errors, conceptual problems associated with assumptions about the structure of parental attitudes and how attitudes relate to parental behavior are discussed. Alternative methods for assessing parental social cognitions and individual differences in parents are advocated.

Berkowitz, Leonard

doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.106.1.59pmid: 2667009

Examines the Dollard et al. (1939) frustration–aggression hypothesis. The original formulation's main proposition is limited to interference with an expected attainment of a desired goal on hostile (emotional) aggression. Although some studies have yielded negative results, others support the core proposition. Frustrations can create aggressive inclinations even when they are not arbitrary or aimed at the subject personally. Interpretations and attributions can be understood partly in terms of the original analysis but they can also influence the unpleasantness of the thwarting. A proposed revision of the 1939 model holds that frustrations generate aggressive inclinations to the degree that they arouse negative affect. Evidence regarding the aggressive consequences of aversive events is reviewed, and Berkowitz's cognitive–neoassociationistic model is summarized.

Anderson, Craig A.

doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.106.1.74pmid: 2667010

Outlines 5 models of the temperature–aggression hypothesis: negative affect escape, simple negative affect, excitation transfer/misattribution, cognitive neoassociation, and physiological–thermoregulatory. Reviews relevant studies. Aggression measures include violent crime, spouse abuse, horn-honking, and delivery of electric shock. Analysis levels include geographic regional, seasonal, monthly, and daily variations in aggression, and concomitant temperature–aggression effects in field and laboratory settings. Field studies clearly show that heat increases aggression. Laboratory studies show inconsistencies, possibly because of several artifacts. Specific models have not been adequately tested, but the excitation transfer/misattribution and cognitive neoassociation approaches appear most promising, whereas the negative affect escape appears the least viable. Suggestions for future work are made.

Dush, David M.; Hirt, Michael L.; Schroeder, Harold E.

doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.106.1.97pmid: 2667011

Reviews 48 outcome studies that applied self-statement modification (SSM) to childhood behavior disorders. Selection criteria restricted the review to controlled experimental studies and to children with disorders of clinically relevant severity. Meta-analysis was used to provide summary information about the observed effects of SSM. Collectively, SSM outcomes surpassed no treatment and placebo treatment by roughly a half of a standard deviation, on the average. Efficacy varied considerably with length of follow-up, experience level of therapists, age of children, outcome content area, and a number of other clinical and methodological differences among the studies. These qualifiers of observed efficacy are summarized and discussed in terms of implications for further research and application of SSM in child psychotherapy.

Petersik, J. Timothy

doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.106.1.107pmid: 2667006

Traces the historical development of the notion that two processes mediate apparent motion percepts, examines evidence regarding their existence, and summarizes associated characteristics. The short-range process is assumed to reflect the activity of low-level directionally selective motion detectors, have a relatively small spatial integration range, and be favored by short stimulus durations and interstimulus intervals. The long-range process is thought to reflect higher order perceptual activity, match stimulus elements over relatively large retinal distances, and be favored by longer stimulus durations and interstimulus intervals. Criteria for associating different percepts with functionally different processes are advanced and applied. The theoretical status of the two-process distinction is examined, and a heuristic model of motion perception is presented.

Ellis, Ronald J.; Oscar-Berman, Marlene

doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.106.1.128pmid: 2667007

Reviews research concerning the possible relationship between cognitive decline and abnormal hemispheric asymmetries in alcoholic and aging individuals. Because the deteriorative effects of alcoholism on the central nervous system have suggested greater visuospatial than language-related functional impairments, numerous investigators had hypothesized that right-hemisphere integrity may be selectively disrupted (rather than the left hemisphere). Furthermore, performance on diverse perceptual and cognitive tests used to measure right-hemisphere functions in alcoholics had been observed to decline with normal chronological aging as well, thereby raising the possibility that certain neuropsychological deficits associated with alcoholism (presumably related to right-hemispheric decline) are identical to those associated with aging. However, an extensive review of empirical research findings on cerebral asymmetries both in alcoholics and in aging individuals suggested that their patterns of functional laterality are similar to those of normal controls.

Snook, Steven C.; Gorsuch, Richard L.

doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.106.1.148pmid: N/A

Compares component and common factor analysis using 3 levels of population factor pattern loadings (.40,.60,.80) for each of the 3 levels of variables (9, 18, 36). Common factor analysis was significantly more accurate than components in reproducing the population pattern in each of the conditions examined. The differences decreased as the number of variables and the size of the population pattern loadings increased. The common factor analysis loadings were unbiased, had a smaller standard error than component loadings, and presented no boundary problems. Component loadings were significantly and systematically inflated even with 36 variables and loadings of.80.

Folger, Robert

doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.106.1.155pmid: N/A

Presents a logical justification for the following statements and discusses their implications: It is duplicitous (misleading) to use significance tests for making binary (either/or) decisions regarding the validity of a theory; the binary choice between calling results significant or not significant should not govern the confidence placed in a theory, because such confidence cannot be gained in the either/or fashion characterizing deductive certainty. The implications include grounds for describing ways that effect size estimates become useful in making judgments about the value of theories.

Chow, Siu L.

doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.106.1.161pmid: N/A

Shows that agreeing with Folger's (1989) methodological observations does not mean that it is incorrect to use significance tests. This contention is based on the dynamics of theory corroboration, with reference to which the following distinctions are illustrated, namely, the distinctions between (a) statistical hypothesis testing, theory corroboration, and syllogistic argument, (b) a responsible experimenter and a cynical experimenter, (c) logical validity and methodological correctness, and (d) warranted assertability and truth.