Charles E. Moan

Septal stimulation for the initiation of heterosexual behavior in a homosexual male

Abstract A 24-year-old male, overt homosexual, repeatedly hospitalized for chronic suicidal depression and found to have temporal lobe epilepsy, underwent a program of septal stimulation which resulted in subjectively reported and behaviorally observed states of pleasure, euphoria, relaxation, confidence, and sexual motivation. These responses were subsequently used to initiate heterosexual arousal and behavior. The findings have important implications for the treatment of some psychological disorders.

MMPI subtypes and antisocial behaviors in adolescent alcohol and drug abusers

Relationships between psychopathology and alcohol, drug abuse, and other deviant behaviors were studied in a sample of 60 adolescents with exaggerated drug use patterns. Modal Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) profile subtypes were identified using multivariate analyses, and adolescents defined by profile type were compared on background and antisocial history variables derived from retrospective self-reports. Data were collected reflecting a variety of drug categories, including alcohol and opiates. Three distinct patterns were found, with 97% of adolescents meeting criteria for profile type assignment. Adolescent subtypes were characterized by significant differences in degree and type of psychopathology but not in antisocial features. Adolescent alcohol and illicit drug use were associated with marked antisocial features, but the more exclusively antisocial drug-using adolescents tended to be involved in earlier and more extensive types of alcohol and drug activities.

Addict Attitudes toward Methadone Maintenance: A Preliminary Report

In the past several years it has become obvious that methadone maintenance is a popular, if not necessary, treatment approach to the problem of heroin addiction. Indeed, many addicts unable to function on a drug-abstinent basis are required, encouraged, or voluntarily request methadone maintenance as a relatively long-term situation. Proponents of this treatment modality point to a reduction in crimes committed, a significant decrease in heroin use, and a rise in steady employment among methadone clients as evidence of its success (Dole, Nyswander, and Warner, 1968; Dole, Robinson, Orraca, Towns, Searcy, and Caine, 1969; Dole, 1971). On the other hand, Brown and his colleagues (1972) sampled staff and client attitudes toward methadone maintenance using the Adjective Check List (Gough and Heilbrun, 1965) and noted that addict-clients may not share the enthusiasm for methadone exhibited by program administrators. Specifically, ratings of client psychological effectiveness and general maturity were found to ...

Assessment of cognitive control in psychopathic and normal prisoners

It has been suggested that psychopaths exhibit specific deficits in cognitive processes associated with frontal lobe functioning. There is also evidence which indicates that level of intelligence may influence expression of impulse control among psychopaths. The present study investigated these hypotheses by comparing groups of 44 psychopaths and 14 normal controls selected from a sample of incarcerated male felons using Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)-defined criteria. Dependent variables included several measures of cognitive flexibility, perseveration, and impulsiveness. Compared to normal controls, psychopaths showed no greater tendencies to persist in incorrect responding, disregard cues suggesting the need to modify behaviors, or proceed impulsively in problem solving. Level of intelligence was found to be a moderator variable influencing performance for psychopaths and normal controls. Results suggest that deficits in cognitive functioning are not necessarily characteristic of psychopaths across situations.

SEPTAL STIMULATION FOR THE INITIATION OF HETEROSEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN A HOMOSEXUAL MALE

A 24-year-old male, overt homosexual, repeatedly hospitalized for chronic suicidal depression and found to have temporal lobe epilepsy, underwent a program of septal stimulation which resulted in subjectively reported and behaviorally observed states of pleasure, euphoria, relaxation, confidence, and sexual motivation. These responses were subsequently used to initiate heterosexual arousal and behavior. The findings have important implications for the treatment of some psychological disorders.

Frustration Tolerance and College Grade Point Average

44 university undergraduate students, 22 males and 22 females, were presented an insoluble finger maze as a measure of frustration tolerance. Simple and multiple correlations of frustration tolerance, School and College Achievement Test (SCAT) scores, and grade point average showed frustration tolerance to be a relevant factor in the prediction of college grade point average for males but not for females and when in combination with SCAT Quantitative scores for both sexes.