Frank A. Donnelly

The Luscher Color Test: Reliability and Selection Preferences by College Students:

The reliability of selecting the colors used in the Luscher Color Test over a 45-day period is reported. First and last colors selected were most reliable. All other selections were lower but significantly correlated except the third and fourth selections which were not significant. Significant differences in percentage of color preferences for the first and seventh selections were found between those reported by Luscher for a large European sample of male college students and the present sample of 98 college students. Colors differing for samples were red, green, yellow and grey. Reliability, although somewhat low, appears comparable to that reported for other projective techniques. Interpretations based upon the descriptions by Luscher should, however, be carefully weighed considering the differences found for color preferences between the European and the present U.S. samples.

The Luscher Color Test: A Validity Study:

Concurrent validity of the Luschet Color Test was studied by correlating these scores and those on the Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis for 50 male and 48 female undergraduates. Specific relationships between the two tests were not found although general ones were. There was 81% agreement between the two tests as to the presence or absence of emotional problems for the 98 college students. The possibility of using the test to screen quickly is suggested.

Therapists' physiological activation and patient difficulty.

The differential effects of an easy and difficult-to-interview patient on therapist self-reported behavioral arousal and physiological activation were observed. Eighteen experienced white male psychiatrists each interviewed two patient simulators believing they were real patients. Each actress was programed to act the part of a difficult-to-interview patient and an easy-to-interview patient. Each randomly played either part as assigned and the order of patient and role was counterbalanced. Differences in patient roles were validated by the participating therapists and independent raters. Fifteen-minute rest periods with soft music preceded each therapy session such that a complete experimental session consisted of rest 1, therapy 1, rest 2, and therapy 2. Self-reported arousal was assessed during each of the four periods by Thayers factors from the Nowlis Mood Adjective List. Physiological activation was measured by electromyogram, heart rate, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), and skin conductance. Therapist self-reported behavioral arousal and measured physiological activation during therapy were significantly greater than during rest. The difficulty of the patient did not appear to affect either behavioral or physiological activation level of the therapists. Several explanations for this are explored.

Mental health courses as a facilitator for change in a rural community

This study documents a university effort to assist a rural community in developing a mental health educational program for primary interveners within the community. Program goals were established and evaluated on a pre- and postcourse basis and compared with a noncourse-taking group of similar professionals within the community. Results suggest some significant change in the desired direction in the course groups. The satisfaction of program participants, the request for and provision of further programs, and the substantive community changes occurring in association with the courses support the concept of community-university liaison in the development of acceptable and realistic mental health programs in rural communities.

Basic Science Knowledge and Clinical Applications in Psychiatry: Issue or Artifact?

Intercorrelations among paper-and-pencil test results of basic science knowledge, patient management questions, and ratings of actual clinical performance are repesented. The findings emphasize the complexity in evaluating students because the level of basic knowledge was not correlated with knowledge of clinical application, and neither were correlated with clinical performance ratings. Alternative explanations of these findings are discussed and corrective actions suggested.