I. W. Kelly

Neuroticism, depression, and depression proneness

Abstract The relationship between EPQ dimensions, proneness to depression and severity of depressive symptoms was examined in a sample of university students. The results suggest that Neuroticism is related to mood variation reflecting current depressive symptoms and depression vulnerability within nonclinical groups.

The ‘Barnum Effect’ in Personality Assessment: A Review of the Literature

This review summarizes to date the research on the Barnum effect, the tendency for people to accept vague, ambiguous, and general statements as descriptive of their unique personalities. Studies examined address interpretation variables of the Barnum profiles in regard to generality and supposed relevance of the interpretation, favorability of interpretation, type of assessment procedure, and origin and format of interpretation. Also the role of personal factors such as characteristics of the subject and test administrator are examined. It is concluded that the level of acceptance of Barnum profiles depends on the relevance and favorability of the profile and to some extent on the type of assessment utilized. Directions for research on the Barnum effect are provided.

Suicide and Lunar Cycles: A Critical Review over 28 Years:

20 studies which have examined the relations between completed suicide or attempted suicide and suicide threats with the synodic lunar cycle are reviewed. Most studies indicated no relation between lunar phase and the measures of suicide. The positive findings conflicted, have not been replicated, or were confounded with variables such as season, weekday, weather, or holidays. It is concluded that there is insufficient evidence for assuming a relationship between the synodic lunar cycle and completed or attempted suicide.

Cyclical calendar and lunar patterns in automobile property accidents and injury accidents

Nine years of traffic accidents involving damage to property (n = 246,926 accidents) and involving nonfatal injury (n = 50,492) in Saskatchewan were examined by regression and spectral analyses. Both calendar and seasonal periodicities were found in both sets of data. After data were adjusted for calendar effects, no relationship was found with the total or half synodic and anomalistic lunar cycles or between the waxing and waning synodic cycle. No sudden change on the day of the full moon or surrounding days was found.

Geophysical Variables and Behavior: XLIX. Moon Mechanisms and Myths: A Critical Appraisal of Explanations of Purported Lunar Effects on Human Behavior

In this paper the explanations put forward by lunar advocates to account for a “lunar effect” on human behavior are critically appraised. The hypotheses considered are ozone, moonlight, gravity, tidal force, geomagnetism, electromagnetism, weather, ions, and ELF waves. It is concluded that none of these are sufficient to explain the alleged effects of the moon on human behavior. In view of (a) the lack of a satisfactory mechanism, (b) the lack of a reliable connection between lunar periodicities and human behavior, and (c) the generally negative results obtained in studies, it is suggested that the scientific community exercise great caution with regard to further studies claiming lunar effects on human behavior.

BULIMIC SYMPTOMATOLOGY AND COPING IN A NONCLINICAL SAMPLE

This study examined the relationship between bulimic symptomatology as measured by scores on the Bulimia Test—Revised and coping orientation as measured by Endler and Parkers Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations given to a nonclinical sample of 164 female college students. A relationship was obtained among emotionally oriented coping, task-oriented coping, and scores on the Bulimia Test.

A SCALE FOR ASSESSING BELIEF IN LUNAR EFFECTS: RELIABILITY AND CONCURRENT VALIDITY

Normative, reliability, and validity data for a short (9-item) scale that assesses belief in lunar effects are presented. As hypothesized, scores on this scale were correlated with those on instruments measuring belief in paranormal phenomena. It is suggested that the construct validity of belief in paranormal phenomena can be improved by including this brief scale in research on superstitious behavior.

Crisis Calls and Lunar Cycles: A Twenty-Year Review

12 studies are reviewed that have examined the relationships among crisis calls to police stations, poison centers, and crisis intervention centers and the synodic lunar cycle. On the basis of the studies considered it is concluded that no good foundation exists for the belief that lunar phase is related to the frequency of crisis calls. In addition, there is no evidence whatsoever for the contention that calls of a more emotional or “out-of-control” nature occur more often at the full moon.

Geophysical variables and behavior: XIII. Comment on "Lunar phase and accident injuries": the dark side of the moon and lunar research.

Templer, Veleber, and Brooner in 1982 claimed that an excess number of injuries occur on nights with a full of new moon. In this note, we show that their claim is based upon trivial differences, on overlapping observations, possible violations of statistical assumptions, a failure to consider confounding between phases of the moon and days of the week when data cover short (6 mo. and 1 yr.) periods of time, and the possibility of an effect due to darkness during new moon nights.

LUNAR PHASE AND BIRTHRATE: A 50-YEAR CRITICAL REVIEW

This review examines 21 studies for which data relating to lunar periodicities and birth have been analyzed. There is insufficient evidence to support such a relationship. Most studies have reported negative results, and the positive studies contradict each other.