David Wechsler

THE PROBLEM OF AXIAL ROTATION IN READING DISABILITY.

The problem of axial rotations in reading was investigated by the use of the Lamb Chop Test. Comparisons of reading readiness scores, levels of reading achievement, and scores on the Lamb Chop Test for first and third grade Ss indicate significant association between these factors and incidence of rotational errors. Frequency of rotational errors was not found to be greater among left-handed than among right-handed Ss. Analysis of types of rotational errors showed a decrease in both vertical and depth rotations when data for first and third grade samples were compared. The persistence of horizontal rotations among poorer readers in the third grade suggests that (1) the hitherto predominant emphasis upon vertical (Left-Right) rotations may have been misplaced and (2) consideration of all types of axial rotations, rather than any single one, is necessary in the diagnosis of reading disability.

The clinical measurement of anxiety; an experimental approach.

Summary1.A simple and objective method and apparatus are described for the detection and the measurement of anxiety.2.This method consists in a simplified form of mirror drawing and the consequent interpretation of the subjects motor performances.3.The interpretation of the data is based on the disintegration concept of anxiety.4.A number of cases are presented to illustrate the practical application of the method and its possibilities in diagnostic work. Department of Psychiatry

Personality and Psychosomatic Disturbances in Patients on Medical and Surgical Wards: A Survey of 450 Admissions*

&NA; By means of psychiatric interview a survey was made of 450 admissions to medical and surgical wards. Twenty per cent were classified as having mild and ten per cent as having severe, neuroses. These disturbances were grouped as follows: A. Pre‐existing personality problems aggravated by infection or trauma (30%). B. Personality disturbances precipitated by or first becoming evident in association with infection or trauma (37%). C. Personality disturbances with serious defects in structure or function (20%). D. Personality disturbances in patients without gross structural defect but with excessive complaints and disturbances of function (8%). E. Trauma resulting from personality disturbances (4%). The patients difficulties arose in connection with the threat to bodily safety, frustration of dependency needs, hostility, sexual problems and the failure to live up to high standards of achievement. All patients had conflict between group ideals and desire for protection. In some instances the individual was aware of it, in others he was not. In psychopathic individuals feelings of frustration and guilt expressed themselves in diffuse hostility and in defiance of accepted social ideals.

THE CORNELL INDICES AND THE CORNELL WORD FORM: 2. RESULTS

The purpose of the Cornell Selectee Index was to furnish a quick, reliable means of detecting, a t induction, individuals who are likely to develop psychoneuroses and psychosomatic disturbances. The Cornell Selectee Index was first given to lo00 persons falling into the following four categories : those accepted by neuropsychiatric interview a t induction in New York (450) and in Boston (450) ; those rejected after neuropsychiatric interview a t induction in New York (50) and in Boston (50). TABLE 4 presents the three correlations determining reliability for three cut-off points. The 1000 cases gathered a t induction stations were used for these correlations. The table reveals that all tetrachoric correlations7 are significantly high, indicating the reliability of the Cornell Selectee Index. The usual technique of splitting a questionnaire into two forms (odd-even) was the method used in ascertaining reliability measures.