Robert Deitchman

Evaluation of Feminine Professional Competence as a Function of Level of Accomplishment

This study extended prior work. 57 female and 39 male college students were given booklets containing articles from fields of traditional male, female, and neutral sexual association for evaluation. Authors of the articles were portrayed as either males or females, and as either students (attempting to accomplish) or holders of advanced degrees (accomplished). The main effect of traditional sexual association of the field and interaction between level of accomplishment and association of the field were significant. Female authors were evaluated more positively in female fields than in male fields, while male authors in female fields were evaluated more positively than males in male fields, by subjects of both sexes. In addition, contrary to the findings of Pheterson, et al. (1971), the work of females attempting to accomplish was evaluated more favorably than that of females who had accomplished.

Evaluation of early childhood programs: The role of parents

Recent literature indicates that parents have generally been overlooked as sources of information in preschool and day care program evaluations. The need for parent involvement in program evaluation is detailed and data are presented that highlight some of the problems which may be encountered when parents are included. Behavioral ratings from both parents and teachers of preschool and day care children were collected and differences were noted despite the high internal consistency of the scale used. Approaches toward interpreting such discrepancies are detailed and suggestions for future research and application are made.

Effects of prenatal crowding on behavior of rodent mothers and offspring.

Pregnant female rats lived in groups of 1, 2, 4, or 8 during the gestational period. Using a systematic analysis, maternal behaviors were observed from Days 2 through 16 postpartum. Both the crowded mothers and their offspring were later tested in a visual exploratory apparatus, and the offspring were also tested in social and open-field situations. The mothers were rebred shortly after termination of testing. The results indicated that the prenatal crowding affected a variety of behaviors in both the mothers and their offspring and that the effects of crowding were not transient.

Maternal Behavior in Handled and Nonhandled Mice and its Relation to Later Pup's Behavior:

12 C31 female mice were either handled or nonhandled during 21 days of pregnancy, and the offspring fostered or cross-fostered to mothers of the same or opposite treatment condition. Maternal behaviors of Lying Alone, Lying with Pups, Grooming, Sustenance Behavior, Nesting, Locomotion, and Neonatal Grooming were recorded for the first 3 wk. postpartum. Both prenatal treatment and postnatal maternal care altered open-field behavior of the offspring at 30 days. Neonatal grooming is considered a possible mediating mechanism because of its importance for infant physiological development and later sexual behavior.

Observing behavior in the albino rat: a within-subjects' comparison of increasing levels of visual complexity.

54 male CD strain Charles River albino rats were tested for complexity preference using a non-locomotor response. Each subject was presented an array of photographic slides containing an incremental series of complexity elements, i.e., 1, 2, 5 and 25 elements. All photographic slides were randomized both within and across subjects. Each photographic slide of each level of complexity was repeated three times. Results of an analysis of covariance, with luminance as the covariate, showed that cumulative viewing time increased with an increase in stimulus complexity. The relationship between looking and level of complexity was shown to be different when covariance procedures were used than without them.

Litter size, emotionality, learning, and social interaction in C57BL/6J mice.

Activity in the open field, weight, escape learning, and social interaction were assessed as a function of amount of stimulation during the preweaning period in C57BL/6J mice. The results showed that subjects in small litters (5 pups) were more active and had shorter latencies to cross the first square in the open field than subjects in large litters (10 pups). The social-interaction task indicated that subjects in large litters had shorter latencies to initiate body contact. However, no differences in weight or escape learning were reported. Competition for nipple sites, the amount of maternal behavior, and expectancy of contact were described as possible variables affecting the performance of subjects reared in large and small litters.

Litter Size: A Latent Social Behavior Effect Exhibited by Charles River Rats

Measures of open-field social behavior were devised and the results assessed as a function of pre-weaning rearing practices. Rat pups were raised in large (12 pups per mother) and small litters (6 pups per mother). An analysis of variance indicated sex effects during social interaction at 21 days of age. The female vs female pairs and the male vs female pairs, each exhibited a significantly greater social interaction score than the male vs male pairs although there were no significant differences between the female and mixed-pair groups. However, a latent litter effect was observed when the subjects were tested at sexual maturity, 64 days of age. The results indicated that subjects raised in larger litters exhibited a longer duration of body contact and a significantly higher social interaction score than those subjects reared in small litters. The investigators discuss the point that social behavior is of the utmost importance to sexually mature animals. Thus, the effects of previous rearing conditions may have been delayed until social behavior becomes a mechanism for enhancing the reproductive behavior of that species.

Visual Observing Behavior in the Albino Rat: Effects of Nature and Complexity of Visual Stimuli and Stage of Estrus

The effect of varying levels of complexity within two types of visual stimuli on observing behavior of albino rats (60 females, 30 males, CD Strain, Charles River) was examined. Measures of frequency and duration of looking, as well as measures of general activity, were recorded. Differences in duration of observing as a function of group membership and type of stimuli were obtained. Activity was affected by the level of complexity. A re-examination of the concept of complexity is suggested. Further delineation of variables affecting observing behavior is also needed.

Factors Affecting Perceptual Functioning and Activity in Albino Rats

The effects of crowding and estrus cycling upon visual observing behavior and general activity level in the albino rat were investigated. Experimental groups were composed of non-estrus or estrus females and were subjected to one of three different crowding conditions. Measures of the frequency and duration of observing of photographic slides were taken as well as a measure of general activity. Slides were composed of either geometric patterns or color photographs depicting rats in various social postures. Contrary to previous reports, observing measures did not vary with levels of crowding or stage of estrus. There were, however, differences among the various crowded conditions on a measure of general activity. Relatively short-term crowding was shown to affect estrus based cyclical variation in activity and observing.