Robert P. Markley

Remembering mnemonics: A three-year follow-up on the effects of mnemonics training in elderly adults

The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term impact of providing training in mnemonics to a small group of elderly adults. We wished to determine if such training could be utilized effectively some three years (34 months) after initial training. Nine of ten original subjects consented to take part in the retesting exercise. Ages ranged from 66 to 85 yrs (M = 73.5). Our results demonstrate that though loci generally were available for use in remembering a new word list, they usually were not effectively utilized to enhance recall. Our participants also agreed that the training they had received was useful. In spite of this, a majority of the respondents did not use the method of loci after training. However, adults of all ages often do not utilize mnemonics training once its effectiveness has been demonstrated. Therefore, creating effective cognitive interventions may require that we adopt techniques that have been shown to improve compliance in other areas of healthy living.

On Missing Links and Such: Interfaces between Cognitive Research and Everyday Problem-Solving.

In this article, based on a symposium presented at the Gerontological Society meeting in 1982, several reconceptualizations of adult cognitive development and its relations with everyday problem-solvi

Naive mnemonics: what the «do-nothing» control group does

In a series of experiments, undergraduates were asked to predict the number of words they could recall from a 15-word list. They were then given the list, and recall performance was recorded. Participants then reported the type of memory aids or mnemonic strategies they had used. The average recall performance of the group was consistently higher than the average recall performance that had been predicted. In all studies, a large number of individuals had perfect or near-perfect recall and reported using sophisticated mnemonic strategies. Strategies were codified into different levels of processing, and these levels were found to be related in a consistent way to recall performance. Individual differences in the effectiveness of strategy utilization were noted. The need to focus on intra-individual change in assessing the impact of training individuals to use mnemonics is discussed, along with the large potential for attenuated results when between groups designs are used in this research area.

Induced mood and curiosity

It has been suggested that a decline in curiosity is one characteristic manifested by depressed individuals. However, no experimental research has examined the relationship between depression and curiosity. In this study, the Velten mood induction procedure was utilized to examine the relationship between curiosity and affect, and to investigate the effects of induced mood on ratings of surprise, perceived value of information, and desire for additional knowledge. A total of 39 female and 21 male undergraduates were randomly assigned to one of three mood conditions: a depression mood condition, an elation mood condition, or a neutral mood condition. Results indicated that subjects made temporarily depressed reported significantly less state curiosity, perceived value of information, and desire for additional knowledge than elated or neutral subjects. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Measurement of Cognitive Structure in the Domain of Art History

This research represents the first known application of protocol analysis to a liberal arts knowledge domain. The purpose of this study was to capture differences in cognitive structure between experts and novices in the area of art history. A sorting task consisting of twenty-five reproductions of paintings and prints covering the 14th through the 20th centuries was used to elicit verbal protocol data from a sample of four experts and four novices. The protocols were then transcribed and scored using concept mapping and content analysis procedures. Three knowledge breadth measures, concept map propositions, concept map examples, and implicit propositions, were strongly correlated with membership in the expert or novice group. In addition, the knowledge depth measure, concept map hierarchy levels, was also strongly correlated with the group membership variable suggesting that, as predicted, experts produced a significantly greater number of concept map propositions, examples, hierarchy levels, and implicit propositions than novices. Subsequently, three discriminant analyses related to the three hypotheses of the study correctly classified 100 percent, 87.5 percent, and 100 percent of the grouped cases, respectively. Univariate F tests were statistically significant in all three analyses suggesting that the knowledge structures of experts evidence greater breadth and depth than those of novices and are related to particular elements of experience.

Necker Cube Reversals in Young, Middle-Aged, and Elderly Females

This research dealt with the reversing Necker cube illusion and its relationship to age in healthy, community-dwelling female adults. 36 respondents representing three age groups (20—39, 40—59, and 61—80 yr.) were tested. Age was unrelated to experiencing the Necker cube illusion, contrary to predictions based on previous research and stimulus persistence theory. The role of sampling effects in gerontological research outcomes is discussed.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY: XLV. ATTITUDE RESEARCH: GEORGE A. KELLY'S USE OF POLAR ADJECTIVES

This article presents information about Dr. George A. Kellys work in attitude measurement while he was at Fort Hays Kansas State College (1931–1943). The use of bipolar scales to measure the attitudes and the progress of clients supports Kellys Dichotomy Corollary, in addition to providing external validity for the use of the Semantic Differential.

Physical Attractiveness and Locus of Control in Elementary School Children

The relationship of physical attractiveness and locus of control in 126 elementary school children, Grades 3 through 6, was investigated. The study was an attempt to observe, with children, the phenomenon reported in 1978 by Anderson for college subjects, namely, a curvilinear relationship between physical attractiveness and locus of control. 10 independent adult observers rated yearbook pictures of children on physical attractiveness. The mean rating for each child was compared with the locus of control score on the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children. No significant association was found between physical attractiveness and locus of control or between locus of control and sex. However, mean locus of control scores became progressively more internal from Grades 3 to 6 for this sample.

Compatibility of Self-Actualization and Anxiety.

Dabrowskis (1972) theory of positive disintegration argues that anxiety appears to be the dynamic of self-actualization. A study to assess this hypothesis (Wilkins, Hjelle, & Thompson, 1977) reported that self-actualization was incompatible with chronic, debilitating or neurotic anxiety. The current study further examined the empirical and conceptual relation between anxiety and self-actualization. A measure of self-actualization (the POI) and two measures of anxiety were taken from Ss (N = 126). Thirty-three items from the POI were found to be measures of anxiety and were scored negatively for self-actualization. Removal of anxiety items and rescoring of the POI yielded self-actualization measures that were related positively to anxiety test scores. The results indicate that the POI theoretically is biased against anxiety, the conclusion of Wilkins et al. is not necessary, and Dabrowskis theory remains viable.

Evaluation of Psychology Training: A Goal Oriented Approach.

Abstract This paper reports a consumer-oriented program evaluation of a masters-level clinical psychology training program. A goal attainment model of evaluation was employed, requiring specification of program goals, development of goal-related objectives and hypotheses, and formulation of recommendations for program modification based on results achieved. Two consumer groups were surveyed: (a) Graduates completing training during the 11 year period covered by the study (1971–1981) and, (b) Supervisors of more recent graduates (1977–1981) in their initial post graduation employment. Design and methodology are emphasized, rather than results, for their generic value and potential application to other training programs.