The author discusses several organizational and individual factors that lead to loss of motivation and explains how the psychological contract between employer and employee which is made during the initial interview is a critical factor. The demotivation process is more specifically examined as a sequential process including confusion, anger,…

This study investigated reactions to the death of a similar or dissimilar person. Results of a viewing time measure indicated that people spent less time viewing the victim's pictures when he was dead and similar. The limitations of the paradigm were discussed. (Author)

This study investigated the effect of marital roles by comparing sex differences in death anxiety scores of married persons with and without children, and of single persons. Marital status was not significantly related to death anxiety. (Author)

In general, the present study finds cross-cultural agreement between American children and Baganda children and adults on the recognition of happy and sad expressions. The happy expression is more easily identified by young children than the sad expression. (Author/AM)

Illustrates the stimulus addiction chain experienced by a substance addicted person and recommends that substance abuse treatment agencies provide low-stimulus activity by controlling their use of high-stimulus structure and high-level recreational stimulus producers. Suggests quiet activities to help regulate stimulus and reinforce reflectiveness…

Children 5 to 15 years old answered questions on causal attributions of their own and their mothers' emotions, and methods for inferring and changing maternal emotion. Parents were asked reciprocal questions. (PCB)

Discusses the interactive nature of adult illiteracy and emotional maladjustment. Specific emphasis is placed on describing a series of psychological barriers to learning: ambivalence about success; fear of risk taking; overdependence on authority figures; tension; defensive dominance; and intrusive memories of poor learning experiences. A group…

Presents patterns of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) to aid counselors in identifying and intervening in this chronic, cyclical disorder, which can be life-threatening to adolescents. Describes barriers to identifying adolescent PMS, explains how to recognize PMS in adolescents, and gives reasons that adolescents with PMS need mental health…

Examines Kubler-Ross' five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) as they are experienced not by terminally ill persons, but by 20 criminal offenders and their families during incarceration. Concludes that shock of arrest and incarceration stimulates reactions similar to those of persons coping with terminal diagnosis.…

A recent article by Nicholls on achievement motivation is criticized on three points: (1) definitions of achievement motives are ambiguous; (2) behavioral consequences predicted do not follow from explicit theoretical assumptions; and (3) Nicholls's account of the relation between his theory and other achievement theories is factually incorrect.…

The author replies to criticism of his interpretation of achievement motivation. A distinction between goals of demonstrating and developing ability cannot be made in task involvement. Attempts to extend the author's theory by adding this distinction suffer from a failure to predict when these different goals will predominate. (Author/LMO)

Explored the benefits of creative drama as an arts activity for older adults in a 17-session drama workshop. Verbal samples from participants after each midweek session were content-analyzed to examine changes over time in four psychological states. Results showed downward trends in anxiety and one measure of hostility. (Author/NRB)

Addresses the problem of cruelty to animals from a research perspective. Studies of possible causes of childhood cruelty to animals are reviewed and common contributing environmental factors are identified. Implications for educators are discussed and directives for detection and prevention of cruelty are suggested. (ML)

Agoraphobia is a complex phobia in which individuals react with intense anxiety to certain stress situations. Basically, agoraphobics live in fear of becoming afraid. Describes the psychotherapeutic treatment that helps agoraphobics to become more self-sufficient and to face their fears by understanding themselves better. (CS)

Suggests that goal setting and goal achievement are important predictors of success. Some of the necessary ingredients are desire, imagination, concentration, and discipline. Goals must be identified, categorized into short-range and long-range goals, and backed by contingency plans. (JAC)