Evaluated 40 low back pain patients by a multidisciplinary team to identify the behavioral characteristics associated with functional and organic determinants of pain. Results indicated that behavioral observations of the orthopedists and the nursing staff revealed contrasting patterns of behavior for those patients classified as organic or…

Discusses use of reward and punishment as reinforcers, then considers when reward-punishment model does not seem to elicit predictable results. Discusses need to go beyond simple explanation of reward and punishment and to consider other, more subtle forms of motivation. Specifically addresses issues of identity and conformity. (NB)

Administered the Bem Sex Role Inventory and Jenkins Activity Survey to 80 college students. Results confirmed the main effect hypothesis; high-masculinity individuals obtained significantly higher Type A scores than feminine or undifferentiated subjects. (JAC)

Tested the discrimination of the MMPI Beall-Panton escape index by applying it to a sample of minimum security incarcerated female felons. The index did not differentiate significantly between escapees and nonescapees. Differentiation between the groups did occur when MMPI clinical and validity scales were considered separately. (Author)

A new approach to psychopathology based on the psychology of integration as applied to psychological states is outlined. Because all raw behavior occurs only in the form of psychological states, all formulations of psychopathology must refer to integrative disorders that are postulated to underlie all pathological or defective behaviors. (Editor)

Evaluated the role of intelligence in the selection of a coping strategy by undergraduate students in test situations (N=50). Results showed that intelligence was related to the selection of a predominant coping strategy and that identification of patterns of coping styles was more useful than one predominant style. (LLL)

Investigated the active components of covert positive reinforcement that consisted of an S-R modality, a reinforcement procedure, and a demand for expectancy of success. Results of the behavioral avoidance test indicated that subjects in the overt S-R modality groups approached closer to the rat. (Author)

Examined self-control concerns of 104 men and women who evaluated areas of their life in terms of perceived use of various dimensions of self-control. Results indicated that, depending on the specific area of clinical concern, there were significant differences in the kinds of self-control strategies subjects tended to employ. (LLL)

Assessed the relative predictive validity of obvious (O), neutral (N), and subtle (S) items of the MMPI MA scale for 86 males. Subtle-obvious ratings were compared to criteria in questionnaire, life-history, and objective tests. Correlations among the criteria were generally insignificant, suggesting that hypomania is not a homogeneous construct.…

Examined the aggressive response style of delinquents. Based on the interaction of perceptual, behavioral, and physiological factors, distinct aggression styles emerged. Positive aggression coping patterns were identified for each simulation task. The specificity of the present assessment techniques offers greater specificity in interventions for…

Investigated assertive behavior among Black male patients (N=48) under White vs. Black interpersonal partner conditions. Responses to familiar and unfamiliar interpersonal stimuli in role play and in vivo were rated. Responses were more assertive in the unfamiliar-White prompter condition. (Author/JAC)

Demonstrated a set of research techniques that combine multidimensional scaling, a quantitative cognitive procedure, and a cost-outcome analysis to study subgroup behavior of obsessive-compulsives (N=12). Results indicated that obsessive-compulsives are underinclusive in their evaluation of stimuli during judgment task. (LLL)

Tested the validity of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) with accused murderers (N=96) undergoing pre-trial evaluations. Results indicated four predictors of MMPI elevated scores: low intelligence, history of drug abuse, suspiciousness observed on the ward, and the fact that the accused was a stranger to the victim. (LLL)

Compared 25 postpartum depressed mothers and controls with respect to the stimulation they provided for their infants during feeding. Results indicated no differences in levels of stimulation. However, depressed mothers provided significantly lower levels of unconditional positive regard. No relationship was demonstrated between marital adjustment…

Studied adults who requested outpatient psychotherapy. Questionnaire items concerned the client's situation, past behavior in fulfilling commitments, self-prediction of session attendance, and reaction to the initial interview. A critical response scale proved highly predictive of the number of treatment sessions attended in both initial and…