Richard David Young

The effects of private self-consciousness and perspective taking on satisfaction in close relationships.

We extended the scope of recent studies in which self-awareness and perspective taking have been used as predictors of social competence or adjustment: We analyzed their influence on the satisfaction experienced in monogamous, heterosexual relationships. Members of 131 couples answered questions concerning themselves and their relationships. We predicted that individual differences in private self-consciousness would be positively related to relationship satisfaction because of the greater self-disclosure resulting from that heightened self-attention. Second, we predicted that individual differences in perspective taking would foster relationship satisfaction, independent of any influence of self-disclosure. Both expectations were confirmed. Scores on the private self-consciousness scale were predictive of reported self-disclosure, and self-disclosure was predictive of satisfaction in the relationship. Furthermore, once the influence of self-disclosure was removed, no effect of self-consciousness on satisfaction remained. In contrast, after disclosure was controlled, perspective-taking scores were significantly related to satisfaction and were in fact unrelated to disclosure at all. These findings indicate that two personality characteristics having to do with habitual attention to behavioral tendencies, to emotions, and to motivations significantly enhance the quality of close heterosexual relationships in different ways. Results are discussed in terms of current theory in the related fields.

Applications of the self-awareness model of alcohol consumption: predicting patterns of use and abuse.

We conducted two studies to test the applicability of a recently proposed self-awareness model of alcohol consumption to patterns of alcohol use outside of the laboratory. In both studies, we predicted that alcohol use would be a joint function of private self-consciousness and personal success or failure. High self-conscious individuals were predicted to drink following personal failure and avoid drinking following personal success in an attempt to control their sensitivity to the self-relevant implications of such events. Consumption by low self-conscious individuals was predicted to be relatively independent of self-relevant events. These predictions were supported in a longitudinal study of relapse following alcoholic detoxification. They were then replicated in a study of adolescent alcohol use and shown to be relatively independent of other significant environmental and behavioral predictors of consumption. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for theories of self-awareness and alcohol use.

Influence of neonatal treatment on maternal behavior: A confounding variable

Postparturitional rats when given a choice of either an experimentally treated (hypothermia and rotated) or a control neonate, significantly preferred the control. Experimental treatment of one half the litter disrupted maternal retrieving scores for all offspring. The results suggest that early experience studies may have a serious confounding variable.

Attention styles of hyperactive and normal girls

Behavioral characteristics and cognitive skills of teacher-identified hyperactive (n=24) and normally active (n=24) first- and second-grade girls were investigated. Teachers rated subjects on the Conners Teacher Rating Scale (TRS). Subjects were given several tasks measuring attentional styles and motor skills. Results suggested that hyperactive girls, like hyperactive boys, have short attention spans and poor concentration when compared with normals. Unlike hyperactive boys, hyperactive girls did not show an impulsive response style, and presented few conduct problems to their teachers. TRS profile patterns of the hyperactive girls were similar to those of hyperactive boys, but cutoff scores currently used for males may not be applicable to females. A direct comparison of hyperactive females and males is advocated.

Determinants of self-esteem among labeled adolescents.

Previous research has suggested that deviant social labeling does not always result in lowered self-esteem. In fact, the conditions under which self-esteem is lowered are not well understood. The current study investigated three hypothesized determinants of self-esteem in a sample of labeled deviant adolescents. The self-esteem of the deviant group was not significantly different from a sample of their normal peers. However, within the deviant group, subjects who believed that the societal view of their group was similar to tfie self, and who had a negative evaluation of the deviant label, had lower self-esteem. The findings suggest that low self-esteem is not inevitable among labeled deviants. However, when the individual sees his or her label as similar to the self and also has a negative evaluation of that label, self-esteem is more likely to be lowered.

The Effects of Obedience/Disobedience and Obese/Nonobese Body Type on Social Acceptance by Peers

Summary One hundred eight male and female third, fourth, and fifth graders viewed videotapes of obese and average weight boys who were obedient or disobedient to a female adult. Afterwards the Ss assigned adjectives to the boys they had seen in the tapes and indicated which one they would prefer as a playmate. Disobedient boys were less preferred than obedient boys, and obese boys were less preferred than average weight boys. These results are consistent with the notion that obesity is viewed as an undesirable characteristic. However, an obedient boy was always more preferred than a disobedient boy regardless of appearance. Thus, behavior, as well as appearance, seems to be a salient factor in acceptance.

SCHOOL PHOBIA: A DISCUSSION OF AETIOLOGY, TREATMENT AND EVALUATION

A discussion of the literature dealing with childhood school phobia has been delineated into five main areas: definition of school phobia and its frequency, aetiology, treatment, follow-up, and methodological appraisal. Throughout the discussion critical comments are offered to illustrate both theoretical and research findings that need greater clarification. Though dynamic theory predominates aetiological concerns, principles of learning theory seem to contribute greatly toward treatment. The basis for both orientations, however, is largely clinical experiences based on case histories. The discussion emphasizes the need to go beyond hypothesis generation and to direct empirical validation.

Evaluations of treatment techniques by delinquent and disturbed adolescents 1

Abstract Delinquent and disturbed adolescent clients differed in their evaluations of treatment techniques. Disturbed adolescents saw their problems as psychological and familial and endorsed traditional “talking”; psychotherapy. Delinquent adolescents saw their problems as social and financial andprefer‐red an active, directive, concrete approach. The groups agreed in rejecting any “manipulative friendship”; elements in a helping relationship, condemning inauthenticity, violations of trust, and therapist attempts to be a peer. Adolescents’ evaluations of the causes and treatment of their problems may represent an important variable in avoiding problematic “mismatches”; in psychotherapy.

Effect of neonatal catecholamine administration on later behaviour in rats.

SummaryNeonatal rats were chronically given (days 2–10) injections of 3 catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine) and simultaneously exposed to a post-injection treatment of mechanical rotation or hypothermia. Later behavioral testing indicated a consistent deficit in learning scores for the amine subjects and differential effects for both the environmental treatments and the amines in terms of activity scores.

Effect of Tranquilization of Neonatal Rats on Later Behavior

The effects of neonatal experience can be influenced by treatment with chlorpromazine or reserpine. CPZ mitigated the effects of extra stimulation (mechanical rotation) procedures but had no effect upon non-stimulated neonates. High dosage levels of reserpine interacted with extra stimulation effects to produce neonatal mortality. Reserpine in lower dosage levels resulted in increased activity and defecation scores in both stimulated and non-stimulated Ss. Neither CPZ or reserpine affected the Ss’ responses to pressure stimulation of reflexogenous zones. Both drugs slowed the neonates’ response to “righting” themselves after being placed on their backs.