Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

Milberg, William; Greiffenstein, Manfred; Lewis, Ronald; Rourke, Daniel

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.48.1.39pmid: N/A

Previous research findings and clinical experience suggest a pattern of WAIS subtests (Information, Vocabulary, and Similarities) that differentiate temporal lobe and generalized seizure patients. Application of a discriminant function analysis to this index (Vocabulary + Information/ 2 – Similarities) resulted in a hit rate of 77% for the initial sample (n = 39; cutting score = 0). For the cross-validation sample (n = 39), the hit rate was 79%. Findings suggest a language-related memory deficit in temporal lobe epileptics, which further research may delineate. (16 ref)

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.48.1.113pmid: N/A

In an article on blood nicotine levels produced by rapid smoking, M. A. Russell et al critiqued a distorted representation of the present authors' point of view. This reply addresses 6 sequential criticisms they leveled. (5 ref)

Leavitt, Frank; Garron, David C.; Bieliauskas, Linas A.

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.48.1.115pmid: N/A

Social Readjustment Rating Scale life event scores were measured in 115 low back pain patients who were classified as to the presence or absence of organic findings and psychological disturbance on the basis of objective evaluation. Ss with psychological disturbance had significantly higher life event scores, regardless of the presence or absence of organic pathology. (10 ref)

Houts, Arthur C.; Krasner, Leonard

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.48.1.8pmid: N/A

Replies to R. F. Kitchener's argument that behavior therapists have adopted ethical relativism. The problem of ethical relativism is traced to a philosophy of science that creates a logical paradox between facts and values. Radical naturalism is one solution to the paradox and does not necessarily lead to relativism. Other possible solutions to the paradox are reviewed, and a position labeled "critical dualism" is suggested. (21 ref)

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.48.1.126pmid: N/A

Examined the diagnostic and clinical features of depression in 34 students who scored as moderately depressed on the Beck Depression Inventory. Clinical interviews based on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Affective Disorders indicate that although depression was transitory for half of the Ss over 2–3 wks, many of the others had diagnosable major or minor depressive disorders. (4 ref)

Sterling, F. E.

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.48.1.58pmid: N/A

Suggests that discrepant findings on the effect of nursing personnel attire on the social behavior of psychiatric inpatients may be the result of methodological flaws. An ABBA design experiment with statistical controls for relevant variables was conducted on a 28-bed inpatient psychiatric ward for adolescents and young adults to assess the effects of nursing staff attire (uniforms vs street clothing) on net positive social approaches directed toward nursing personnel by patients. Net positive social approaches of 6 male and 6 female patients directed toward uniform-biased and street-clothing-biased nursing staff were greater when staff were in street clothing than when they were in uniforms. (13 ref)

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.48.1.51pmid: N/A

Used 21 21–62 yr old patients to compare the efficiency of cephalic blood volume pulse (BVP) feedback, EMG frontalis feedback, and a waiting list control in the modification of migraine headaches. Seven Ss received 10 sessions of BVP feedback, 6 received 10 sessions of EMG feedback, and 6 waited for treatment. All Ss recorded headache activity and medication intake for 4 wks before treatment and during a 6-wk follow-up. The BVP group also received a 3-mo follow-up. Results indicate that both the BVP and the EMG biofeedback groups acquired voluntary control of the targeted responses. The acquisition of voluntary control of both cephalic BVP and frontalis EMG was associated with a decrease in headache activity and medication intake as compared with the control condition. Cephalic BVP feedback was superior to frontalis EMG feedback. (17 ref)

Dobson, Deborah J.; Neufeld, Richard W.

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.48.1.92pmid: N/A

20 paranoid schizophrenics, 20 nonparanoid schizophrenics, and 20 normal Ss were administered the Whitaker Index of Schizophrenic Thinking (WIST) and the WAIS-Clarke vocabulary test (a multiple-choice version of the WAIS Vocabulary subtest). Ss were aged 18–65 yrs and had an IQ of at least 85. Chlorpromazine equivalencies were also calculated. Results indicate that there was an inverse correlation between the WIST and intelligence for all groups regardless of drug dosage but that no significant differences exist between paranoid and nonparanoid schizophrenics on degree of thought pathology. (10 ref)

Adams, Henry E.; Webster, Jeffrey S.; Carson, Tracey P.

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.48.1.106pmid: N/A

Biosyntonic therapy was recently introduced by J. D. Nolan and C. Sandman ; it involves the identification and modification of physiological systems that are associated with an individual's psychopathological response patterns. The present paper argues that the application of this approach to pedophilia is problematical in many respects and reflects relative inattention to the relevant psychophysiological and clinical literature. (16 ref)

Bergin, Allen E.

doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.48.1.11pmid: N/A

Argues that R. F. Kitchener's critique of behavior therapists' value judgments correctly reveals inconsistencies and probable deceptions in the way therapists define and implement values. Neither ethical relativism nor scientism is adequate to complex value issues. Transcendental, spiritual, and Kantian perspectives are needed additions to empiricism and reason. (13 ref)