Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) and other instruments administered to 365 students, both undecided and in various interest fields, revealed several differences in cognitive style. No differences regarding cognitive style variations and VPI high-point codes or ease of vocational selection were observed. (Author/CJ)

The focus of the present experiments was to examine the effect of adapting the context of a presentation to a student's background. The results showed familiarity of context to be an influential factor in learning quantitative material. (Author/PN)

Rated the audio portions of videotaped segments of 32 dyadic interviews between A-type and B-type undergraduate males for accurate empathy using Truax's AE-Scale. Results indicated B-types elicited higher levels of empathy when they interacted with other B-types, while any dyad that contained an A-type resulted in less empathy. (JAC)

Surveyed 93 female college students and identified 32 (34%) as self-induced vomiters. Comparisons between the two groups showed considerable differences in feelings about eating habits, health habits, self, parents, and relationships with others. Vomiters had stronger feelings of being dominated by others. (JAC)

Tested two hypotheses derived from Korman's consistency model of work behavior using a sample of administrators (N=112). As predicted, those with high self-esteem experienced significantly greater need gratification. Self-esteem also significantly and positively moderated the relationship between need gratification and work satisfaction.…

Explored methodological limitations confronted by researchers who test theoretical statements using suicide data generated by public officials. Data pertaining to socioeconomic characteristics, religious preference, and factors influencing behavior are reported. The social worth criterion of the victim may influence the recording of suicide data.…

Results of a statistical study of language in 30 infants suggest that two acquisition styles (nominal/pronominal and referential/expressive) are developing in parallel. Only for children heavily emphasizing one strategy can a distinctive style be determined. Results at 20 months were only partially predictive of performance at 28 months. (MSE)

Described a 50-item, self-administered neuropsychological screening test with test results correlating with three reference measures for three participant groupings--Normals (N=22), Psychiatric Patients (N=21) and Neurological Patients (N=14). Results suggested that neuropsychological self-description can correlate with performance measures that…

Constructed three new scales (neurotic, psychotic, and maladjustment overlap scales) to test the hypothesis that overlapping items of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory scales measure factors common to the criterion groups associated with the scales. Results support the hypothesis and the validity of the three new scales. (WAS)

Three paired-associate learning studies were designed to test the hypothesis that individual differences in learning speed are determined by the types of elaborative strategies used by learners during acquisition. Slow learners generate fewer elaborators and produce less effective elaborators, even when using the same strategy as fast learners.…

Describes the development of the Reasons for Living Inventory (RFL), an instrument to measure beliefs potentially important as reasons for not committing suicide. Factor analyses indicated six primary reasons for living. The RFL was given to Seattle shoppers (N=197) and psychiatric inpatients (N=195) and differentiated suicidal from nonsuicidal…

Explores particulars that may partially account for the remedial influence on development of interactions between infants and caregivers. Videotaped interactions between 20 prematurely born toddlers and their mothers were described in terms of dyadic joint attention to features of the environment. (Author/RH)

Field-dependent and independent subjects sorted geometric and verbal material according to category exemplars, forcing active learning, and then recalled the category locations. Field-independent individuals generally performed better on learning and memory tasks with a more active approach. Active versus passive learning styles are discussed.…

Reports two studies in which 12- to 13-year-old girls, half of whom were premenarcheal and half postmenarcheal, responded to pictures of infants. Concurrent assessments of interest in motherhood, cognitive sophistication about the relationship between menarche and childbearing, attitudes toward menarche, and sex-role self-image did not…