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doi: 10.2466/pr0.1989.64.1.23pmid: 2928434
The purpose of this study was to examine sex differences in behavioral reactions to provocation of anger. In a field study, 72 subjects recorded all anger-arousing incidents for a 2-wk. period. Physical and Verbal Antagonism were found in more reports by men while Passive Consent was noted in more reports by women. For a laboratory study, 101 subjects responded to self-report scales of behavioral responses after exposure to an insulting letter. No sex differences were noted in subjects' self-reports of behavioral reactions. Variations in design are brought to bear in interpreting the findings.
doi: 10.2466/pr0.1989.64.1.35pmid: 2928452
The present study was designed to examine Holland's hypothesis that person-environment congruence relates positively to academic achievement. The sample of 157 nontraditional premedical students completed Holland's Self-directed Search interest inventory. The students were enrolled in the Medical/Dental Education Preparatory Program, which is designed to increase the number of qualified applicants who are underrepresented in the medical profession. Using scores on Holland's inventory students were classified as congruent or incongruent. A cumulative grade point average and a science grade point average were calculated for each student. An analysis of variance supported Holland's Congruence-achievement hypothesis. Congruent students did in fact achieve significantly higher cumulative GPA and science GPA than did incongruent students. Implications for counseling and academic advisement as well as further research are discussed.
doi: 10.2466/pr0.1989.64.1.51pmid: 2648447
With the aim of assessing four forms of therapy with adjustment-disordered outpatients, we randomly assigned 70 subjects to the following treatments: supportive psychotherapy (psychoanalytically oriented), viloxazine (an antidepressant), lormetazepam (a benzodiazepine), and S-adenosylmethionine (a methyl donor with antidepressive properties). A further group of 15 subjects received a placebo, orally administered. The trial lasted 4 wk. None of the treatments had clearly superior effects over others on scores on the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale. All produced a significant improvement. However, groups given S-adenosylmethionine and supportive psychotherapy had the highest mean scores.
McCann, Joseph T. ;Biaggio, Mary Kay
doi: 10.2466/pr0.1989.64.1.55pmid: 2928453
The relationship between anger and narcissistic personality characteristics was examined for 91 students in introductory psychology courses. 35 individuals high in narcissism reported greater verbally expressed anger. Males high in narcissism were more likely to express anger physically. Results are discussed in terms of DSM-III—R criteria for narcissistic personality disorder.
Little, Gregory L. ;Robinson, Kenneth D.
doi: 10.2466/pr0.1989.64.1.83pmid: 2928455
40 incarcerated DWI offenders and 62 drug offenders who were treated with Moral Reconation Therapy were assessed with respect to levels of moral reasoning, their perceived purpose in life, and subsequent recidivism. Analysis showed that, as clients progress in the program, levels of moral reasoning and purpose in life increase significantly. Level of moral reasoning appears to increase with clients' completion of therapeutic steps. Preliminary recidivism data on 103 male and female inmate-clients who have participated in an aftercare program using the therapy appear encouraging.
Miller, Duane I. ;Topping, Jeff S. ;Wells-Parker, Elisabeth N.
doi: 10.2466/pr0.1989.64.1.163
Using some of the principles of cognitive dissonance theory, a theoretical corollary to Barker's 1968 ecological theory was developed. The result, referred to as ecological dissonance, was proposed as a theoretical explanation for several of the phenomena associated with the concept of organizational climate. The theory was also offered as an explanation of behaviors that can result from the introduction of stringent penalties for such offenses as driving-under-the-influence.
doi: 10.2466/pr0.1989.64.1.189pmid: 2564688
A physiological basis for Eysenck's theory of personality is proposed which is different from those bases suggested by Eysenck himself. Psychoticism, neuroticism and extraversion are associated with varying levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, respectively.
Cienki, Scott J. ;Brooks, Charles I.
doi: 10.2466/pr0.1989.64.1.191
Rosenberg's global measure of self-esteem was given to freshman and senior high school boys and girls enrolled in schools emphasizing different curricula, vocational-technical or college orientation (ns = 46 and 56). In the former, boys' self-esteem scores were higher for seniors than for freshmen; in the latter school, however, boys' mean self-esteem was lower for seniors than for freshmen. Girls' means were lower for freshmen than seniors in the vocational school but were similar in the college-oriented school.
Jr., H. Thomas Ford,;Puckett, John R. ;Blessing, Daniel L. ;Tucker, Larry A.
doi: 10.2466/pr0.1989.64.1.203pmid: 2928431
To determine the effects of participation in selected physical activities on scores of self-concept, body-cathexis and four items of health-related fitness, 88 women in university physical education service classes participated 3 hr. per week for 8 wk. in one of five activities (aerobic dance, jogging for fitness, swimming for fitness, life saving, and weight training). A total of 108 subjects participated in the study, with 20 students in health science classes serving as the controls. Few differences were noted between the activity groups and the controls on the posttest with pretest scores controlled. Specifically, loggers and aerobic dancers performed significantly more situps than did the controls, and joggers, aerobic dancers, weight trainers, and those in the lifesaving group displayed significantly greater flexibility on the sit and reach test than did the controls on the posttest. None of the activity groups differed from the controls regarding self-esteem, body cathexis, body fat, or the step test scores at posttest.
Riggio, Ronald E. ;Sotoodeh, Yass
doi: 10.2466/pr0.1989.64.1.211
This study examined differences in bask dimensions of social skill among birth orders. 205 undergraduate students completed a questionnaire that asked about family sibling structure and family income along with a standardized, self-report measure of social skills/social competence, the Social Skills Inventory. Analyses indicated no significant birth-order effects on any of the social skills dimensions, even when controlling for factors of age spacing, subjects' sex, family income, and family size.
Henderson, Douglas A. ;Denison, Daniel R.
doi: 10.2466/pr0.1989.64.1.251
Researchers often invoke stepwise ordinary least squares regression to explain, predict or classify practical problems or theoretical constructs in psychological and social research. Unfortunately, this statistical technique is used without proper consideration for its inherent theoretical and practical limitations, a problem expected to grow even more serious with the proliferation of statistical packages for use on personal computers. Use of stepwise regression in social and psychological research is reconsidered here. Explanations of forward selection, backward elimination and combination stepwise procedures are provided; limitations of the technique, statistical and practical, are then addressed. Analysis shows that most of the current applications of stepwise regression should be rejected, or at least tempered with strong qualification to inference.
Martelli, Theresa A. ;Waters, L. K. ;Martelli, Josephine
doi: 10.2466/pr0.1989.64.1.267pmid: 2928440
The 1981 Police Stress Survey of Spielberger, Westbury, Grier, and Greenfield was administered to 99 metropolitan and suburban police officers. Internal consistency reliabilities were in the .90s for both the total scale and two subscales which measure administrative/organizational and physical/psychological stressors. The administrative/organizational, but not the physical/psychological, subscale was significantly related to measures of job satisfaction and organizational commitment.
Weinberg, Warren A. ;McLean, Anne ;Snider, Robert L. ;Nuckols, Anne S. ;Rintelmann, Jeanne W. ;Erwin, Paul R. ;Brumback, Roger A.
doi: 10.2466/pr0.1989.64.1.275pmid: 2928443
It is possible that recurrent depression (primary affective illness) is the most significant variable related to school problems of a behavioral nature in children manifesting developmental specific learning disabilities. The association of school problems and depression was investigated at a private school for children with developmental specific learning disabilities. These children were of normal intelligence and were free of primary conduct or thought disturbances. Prior to entering school, 95% of the students fulfilled criteria for developmental specific learning disabilities and 64% for depression with or without hyperactivity. Students manifesting no diagnosable behavioral condition prior to entrance continued to be relatively free of behavioral problems during their stay at school. Students with both depression and hyperactivity showed the most problematic behavior followed by students with depression without hyperactivity.