Howard Hughes

Effects of preexisting and manipulated self-efficacy on weight loss in a self-control program

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of self-efficacy on weight loss utilizing self-control techniques. Subjects high and low in preexisting self-efficacy were randomly assigned to high or low manipulated self-efficacy groups in a 2 × 2 (preexisting self-efficacy × manipulated self-efficacy) factorial design. Preexisting self-efficacy was assessed using procedures employed byBandura and Adams (1977, Cognitive Therapy and Research, 1, 287–308). Selfefficacy was manipulated by having subjects attribute successful task performance to a previously unrecognized capacity for self-control. Subjects met in groups once a week for a total of 8 weeks and received a comprehensive weight control program within the context of self-control. Results indicated significant manipulated and preexisting × trials interactions with both the high manipulated and preexisting self-efficacy groups losing more weight over the 8 weeks than the low preexisting and manipulated groups. In addition, locus of control was predictive of weight loss, with internals tending to lose more weight than externals. Results are discussed in terms of Banduras (1977, Psychological Review, 84, 191–215) theory of self-efficacy.

Treatment of acne vulgaris by biofeedback relaxation and cognitive imagery

A multielement intervention involving biofeedback-assisted relaxation and cognitive imagery treatment of acne vulgaris was investigated in this study with 30 patients receiving medical dermatological treatment. Patients were matched on age, sex, and pre-treatment acne severity and randomly assigned to groups. Treatment consisted of 12 sessions over six weeks and resulted in a significant reduction in acne severity as compared to the attention-comparison and medical control groups. Treatment group patients continuing home practice until follow-up maintained their gains, whereas those who discontinued failed to maintain gains.

Biofeedback and Psychotherapeutic Treatment of Psoriasis: A Brief Report

The client was a 31-yr.-old white male evidencing multiple psoriatic plaques. The condition was considered severe and had been resistant to previous dermatological treatments. Following a baseline period of 3 wk., 30 treatment sessions were conducted over a 7-mo. period. Each treatment session consisted of 20 min. of skin temperature training at the target plaque site and 15 min. of supportive psychotherapy focused on personal adjustment problems. Photographs of the plaque area and skin temperature recordings were taken during each session. Ratings of the photographs indicated marked improvements of dermatological signs. Despite efforts to reduce skin temperature, small but consistent increases were obtained. It was not possible to assess the relative contribution of biofeedback training, psychotherapy, cognitive variables, or uncontrolled life events. It is hypothesized that a general stress-reduction model might be more useful in the development of an effective treatment of psoriasis. Follow-up checks are needed.

The effect of frontal EMG biofeedback training on the behavior of children with activity-level problems

N=1 withdrawal designs were employed with three children evidencing activity-level problems. Tutoring sessions occurred daily over a 2 1/2-month period. Each child was reinforced for decreasing frontalis muscle tension during auditory feedback while working arithmetic problems. Feedback was faded while tension reduction reinforcement was maintained. These procedures were repeated with reinforcement for increasing, rather than decreasing, muscle tension. Frontal EMG level, percent time on task, and motoric activity rate were obtained during sessions. Parent ratings of problem behavior in the home were recorded daily. Biofeedback with reinforcement was effective in both raising and lowering muscle tension. Effects were maintained by reinforcement. Results suggest a direct relationship between tension and activity levels. Academic performance and problem behavior improved significantly with reductions in EMG activity, although individual exceptions to these findings were present. Results lend support to the efficacy of frontal EMG biofeedback training in reducing activity, increasing attention to an academic task, and reducing problem behaviors.

Physiological Responsivity to a Socially Stressful Situation: The Effect of Level of Moral Development

The present study sought to determine whether or not a personality variable, the level of moral development, was related to the way in which individuals respond to socially taboo words. As a result of their responses to a moral judgment questionnaire based on Kohlberg’s theory of moral development, 28 participants were assigned to one of two groups: (a) the conventional level group (Stages 3 and 4), a level that is desirous of maintaining social mores for their own sake, and (b) the postconventional level group (Stage 6), a mentality that emphasizes one’s own autonomy with regard to the adherence to social rules. Participants’ galvanic skin responses were assessed while they viewed 18 socially taboo and neutral words presented sequentially via a memory drum. As expected, participants’ GSRs to taboo words were significantly greater than their responses to neutral words, p <.05. Additionally, as hypothesized, the conventional level participants demonstrated significantly greater GSRs to socially taboo words than did the more morally autonomous postconventional participants. These findings support Kohlberg’s theory. Some practical applications of the present study are also discussed.

Treatment of Handwriting Problems Utilizing EMG Biofeedback Training.

The effects of EMG biofeedback training on cursive handwriting were investigated for 4 girls and 5 boys in Grade 4. A significant reduction in EMG between the first baseline session and the last training session was obtained. Four of 5 characteristics of handwriting improved significantly. The need for carefully designed research comparing EMG biofeedback training and relaxation training was indicated. A self-control factor in handwriting was hypothesized.

Effects of relaxation training on cursive handwriting of fourth grade students.

A relaxation method for handwriting improvement was examined. The experimental and no-treatment control groups were composed of 10 students receiving a poor rating on handwriting characteristics and the normal control group of 10 was composed of students receiving average ratings. All three groups received nine trials of writing. Only the experimental group received relaxation training during each trial. The handwriting of the experimental group improved significantly while that of the no-treatment control group remained the same. Although the handwriting of the normal control group also improved significantly, at posttest they were no longer significantly different from the experimental group.

Dietary Treatment of Children with Problematic Activity Level

10 children presenting problems with activity levels were matched on their pretreatment activity rates, determined by an acrometer, and placed on either Feingolds (1975) K-P diet or a diet which reduced sugar intake but did not restrict the food substances in the K-P diet. After approximately 9 weeks, posttreatment activity rates for the two groups were compared. The mean activity rate for the group placed on the K-P diet was significantly lower than that of the other diet group. Implications for future research were discussed.

A behavioral seal: An apparatus alternative to behavioral observation of thumbsucking

An apparatus alternative to the behavioral observation of thumbsucking is offered which eliminates many of the problems inherent in the latter. A description of construction and procedural use is provided, in addition to specific research and intervention possibilities that allow for more reliable and efficient data collection and treatment of thumbsucking.

Cue-controlled relaxation: Its effect on EMG levels during aversive stimulation

Abstract The present study is concerned with establishing the effectiveness of cue-controlled relaxation as a technique for anxiety relief. The results of three single subject case studies suggest that cue-controlled relaxation was effective in reducing and maintaining low frontalis EMG during aversive stimulation.