Male subjects (N=20) were exposed to a humorous or nonhumorous tape recording and subsequently given the opportunity to give money to a needy person. Results indicated humor subjects contributed significantly more than did nonhumor subjects. Humor subjects also evidenced more positive affective state. (Author)

This paper describes the mechanism of conceptual development by characterizing it as a cartooning process, which is a neurological mechanism which records a perceptual kind of sketch of the world in our brains. Its unique character, its biological basis, and its consequences for education are discussed. (Author/KC)

Psychological tests were administered to a crisis group undergoing surgery for cancer and to a comparison group on the night before surgery and thereafter at three-week intervals. Results indicated significant psychological changes only in the crisis group. Duration of crisis was greater than six weeks but less than seven months. (Author)

Assessed male alcoholics and nonalcoholics on self-report and behavioral tests of assertive behavior and discomfort. Alcoholics reported more assertive discomfort. Both groups were less assertive in negative situations and more assertive with familiar males than females. Findings suggest assertive training with alcoholics should focus on reducing…

This study investigated the anorectic's experience in daily living using the Experience Sampling Method. Results suggest that anorectics spend more time alone and experience lower average affect than other young single women. (Author/GK)

Cancer patients suffering from psychological distress underwent conventional verbal interaction and a single intensive drug-assisted therapy session employing dipropyltriptamine (DPT), a short-acting psychedelic drug. Analysis indicates quality of life was enhanced. Relative merits of DPT in comparison with LSD and needs to pursue controlled…

Social climate of residential alcoholism programs was assessed using Community-Oriented Programs Environment Scale (COPES). COPES perceptions were independent of patient background, psychosocial functioning, and alcohol-related characteristics. In conjunction with previous research, results indicate perceptions of social climate of treatment…

Examined the effects of the sex of both interviewer and subject on the reported content of dreams. No sex differences in sexual content of dreams were found, although dreams of males were more vivid, active, and aggressive. Opposite-sex pairing mobilized reports of conflict within dreams. Same-sex pairing increased sexual content. (Author/BEF)

Five assumptions embedded in the notion of principled morality are interpreted philosophically and psychologically, emphasizing the dynamic nature of principled moral judgment. The assumptions concern the purpose of morality, the place of reason, the autonomy of the moral agent, the autonomy of moral discourse, and principles in morality.…

The author hypothesizes that death anxiety varies with social status and age as well as structural variables and personality traits. Results indicate structural variables predict certain types of death anxiety as well as personality factors. Personality is a somewhat better predictor of death fear and reluctance to interact. (Author)

A careful review of methodological principles provides a reasonable framework for beginning to sort out the apparently contradictory studies of the psychological consequences of natural disasters. (Author)

Results lend support to the other research findings and point to the difficulties that many overweight individuals have during a weight-reduction endeavor because they also must deal with the numerous psychological and physiological problems involved in overcoming a history of being obese. (Author)

Analyzes "The Deer Hunter" in terms of a psychological/ritual model of criticism. Argues that the rhetorical force of the film is explained by men's participation in rituals, such as deer hunting, which affect the patterns of psychological change they experience during and after war. (JMF)

Constructs a hierarchy of defense mechanisms through the addition of the concepts of secondary and tertiary defenses to the already existing psychoanalytic defenses and increases the explanatory power of the concept of defense. Research generated from this theoretical model is presented. (Author/BEF)

Explored the relationships between the cognitive developmental level of preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational children (N=10) and their success in interpreting and explaining each of eight commonly described mechanisms of psychological defense. (JMB)