Studies in taste aversion learning are typically of the following designs An animal is made to consume a novel tasting substance (the conditioned stimulus) such as saccharin diluted in water. Following a specified length of time, the animal is then subjected to a gastrointestinal insult (the unconditioned stimulus) from such independent sources as X-ray overdose or poison injection. After the subject is allowed to recover from will made the ensuing illness, it can be observed that the animal avoid consuming the flavored substance if it available.

The effects of extrinsic rewards upon an individual's intrinsic motivation were examine'.; in this paper. Initially, four tasks (computer, geometric, letter erasure, and verbal) which have been used in past studies were evaluated for their degree of intrinsic motivation. The two tasks with the highest level of intrinsic motivation (computer and verbal) as identified by significant differences on attitudinal measures of task satisfaction and competency were selected for the second experiment. Manipulation of the extrinsic rewards (contingent, noncontingent, and no-reward) provided a test of the additivity notion of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Results indicated by analysis of attitudinal measures that the effects cf extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation are interactive rather than additive for an intrinsically motivating task (verbal). That is, contingent rewards have a detrimental effect on intrinsic motivation. However, for a highly intrinsically motivating task (computer), as indicated by significant differences on a behavioral measure and an attitudinal measure, the results indicated that the effects of extrinsic rewards nay in fact be additive. The discussion considered the theoretical and practical significance of the findings.

This research investigated the reliability and validity of the Psychological Research Survey (PRS). Naive introductory psychology students who had not previously participated in psychological experimentation served as Ss for the reliability assessment. Split-half and test-retest coefficients indicated high reliability. Construct validity was estimated with the use of developmental and situational tests. The PRS was expected to discriminate a more positive attitude toward psychology and psychological research as students progressed from introductory to more advanced courses in psychology. A simple analysis of variance of Ss' PRS scores failed to indicate a significant re-ult. A situation was designed whereby Ss behavior indicated their attitudes. A chi-square comparison of the behavioral measure and PRS scores failed to indicate a significant discrepancy. Criterion validity was estimated by comparing PRS scores with final course grades in an introductory psychology class. No relationship was indicated between the PRS scores and course grades. Although apparently consistent over time and internally, the PRS does not appear to measure the construct, "attitude toward psychology and psychological research."

The present research attempted to modify Rest's Defining Issues Test (DIT) in order to better differentiate stage 6 moral reasoners from stage 5 reasoners. A review of the literature showed that the DIT seems to be both reliable and valid, yet it is unable to clearly differentiate between the stages of principled moral reasoning. After three pilot tests, newly developed stage 6 items were added to the DIT. The revised DIT was then administered to people believed to be stage 6 reasoners. Of the 30 respondents, three made the stage 6 cutoff. No stage 6 items were shown to clearly differentiate between stages 5 and 6.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of task complexity on mental imagery and work decrement. A total of 180 right-handed undergraduates from Western Kentucky University were tested on the rotor pursuit apparatus. Task complexity was manipulated by eccentricity on the tracking target of the rotor pursuit (i.e., the more eccentric, the more complex). Three shapes of increasing eccentricity were used, and there were three practice conditions: rest, no-rest and control. Thus, nine treatment conditions existed. The rest group had a 5-min rest between practice and performance, the no-rest group went right from practice to performance without rest, and the control group received no practice. Performance was measured across nine trials which were averaged into three trial blocks for analysis. An analysis of variance was used to determine significant differences between the groups on the performance measure (i.e., percent time-on-target). The results of the analysis revealed that effective mental imagery and work decrement did not occur. Previous research has demonstrated both of these phenomena. Therefore, the outcome of this study is deemed unreliable due to these findings. However, a significant difference between performance on the various elliptical shapes was found. This information may be valuable in future research.

The purpose of this study was to show that the degree of consistency that people demonstrate on personality measures is positively related to the degree to which behaviors representing the personality domains can be predicted. Thirty five female consistent personality scale respondents and Thirty eight female inconsistent scale respondents participated in small group discussions. The results showed that for all females, scale scores on the California Psychological Inventory subscaJe of dominance were predictive of three measures of dominance behaviors in the discussion group. Consistent personality scale respondents had no measures that were significantly correlated with the dominance scale score, whereas three measures were correlated with scale scores for female inconsistent scale respondents. Fischer's Z-transformations revealed no significant differences between the zero-order correlations for inconsistent and consistent groups and no significant differences were found between multiple correlations for the two groups. The results replicate past research on the prediction of behavior in single sex discussion groups, but fall to provide evidence that consistent scale respondents are more predictable than inconsistent scale respondents in the social dominance domain.

In the past decade, much has been written about the possibility that stratification hierarchies of industrial societies are being transformed from traditional pyramid-like structures into diamond-shaped structures which have a large "middle mass." It has been hypothesized and/or assumed that this transformation and blurring of class lines is occurring through the embourgeoisement of skilled blue collar workers and/or the proletarianization of lower-level white collar workers. This thesis provides an empirical test for the hypothesis that if embourgeoisement and/or proletarianization are occurring, these processes in actuality are affecting additional strata diversification and possible relative realignment of the strata to each other rather than affecting some form of "massification." Data was obtained from the combined 1974 and 1975 General Social Surveys conducted by the National Opinion Research Center. A total sample of 323 white males who were either skilled blue collar workers or lower white collar workers and who identified themselves subjectively as either middle class or working class was used as the basis of the analysis. Twenty-three variables were used for assessing differences across economic, normative, relational, and party dimensions of stratification. In general, the findings indicate strong support across economic aspects and moderate support across normative, relational, and party aspects for the hypothesized additional strata diversification being caused by both embourgeoisement and proletarianization. New, distinct strata have emerged from within the skilled blue collar stratum and from within the lower white collar stratum. Very little support was found supporting the hypothesis that embourgeoisement is affecting realignment of the strata. There is an emergent stratum of embourgeoisefied skilled blue collar workers, but this stratum is generally still most similar to its blue collar counterpart. However, strong to moderate support was found supporting the hypothesis that proletarianization is affecting strata realignment. Not only has a proletarianized stratum of lower white collar workers emerged which Is distinct from other lower white collar strata, but the emergent stratum is also more like blue collar workers on over two-thirds of the variables used as opposed to remaining most similar to their white collar counterparts. Thus, overall, embourgeoisement was found to be affecting only additional strata diversification while proletarianization was found to be affecting both strata diversification and realignment within the middle sector of the stratification hierarchy.

The basic theoretical concepts of Rational-Emotive and Rational-Behavior Therapy were discussed along with a psychometric study of an inventory measuring irrational tendencies. The revised Irrational Personality Traits Inventory Scale (IPTIS), an inventory reported to measure how an individual thinks, feels, and acts, was investigated as to the soundness of its psychometric characteristics. More specifically, the purpose of this study was to: (a) determine the reliability of the revised IPTIS with a new sample from an older population, i.e., college students, (b) assess its concurrent validity with a measure of neuroticism, and (c) evaluate the possible effects of a socially desirable response set on the revised IPTIS measure. The subjects in this study were volunteers ranging in age from 18 to 28. The total sample of 207 was composed of 92 males and 115 females. All subjects were group administered the revised IPTIS followed by the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI). The reliability of the revised IPTIS was determined by a Guttman split-half reliability procedure. Concurrent validity and the influence of social desirability was assessed by employing a Pearson product moment correlation between the revised IPTIS and the criterion scales of the EPI. The results suggested that the revised IPTIS was a sound psychometric inventory with a wide range of variability and was sensitive to varying degrees of rational and/or irrational tendencies. The inventory demonstrated adequate reliability with strong internal consistency (r = .90, p < .01). The revised IPTIS demonstrated good concurrent validity with neuroticism (r = .68, p < .01) and was not significantly influenced by social desirability (r = -.23, p > .01). It was concluded that the revised IPTIS appeared to be a reliable and valid measure of irrational and/or neurotic tendencies. It did generalize and extend quite well to a new sample from another population and maintained sound psychometric characteristics. The results supported and extended the conclusions of Ross (1976) and also the ABC theory of emotional disturbance as presented by Ellis (1962). It was suggested that the revised IPTIS appeared to provide a useful tool both for future research and clinical practice.

The phenomena of an organism's preference to perform an operant task for a reinforcer rather than obtain the same reinforcer from a freely available source in a choice situation is referred to as the Protestant Ethic Effect (PEE). The present study hypothesized that different strains of rats would demonstrate different levels of work activity when placed in a work versus freeload choice situation. Three strains of rats (Hooded, Sprague Dawley, and Wistar) were utilized. Each strain consisted of three male and three female animals, 100 to 110 days of age at the beginning of training. All subjects were trained to barpress for a single 45 mg Noyes food pellet and then presented with the choice between barpressing for food or eating freely accessible Noyes food pellets. The results of the present study indicated general, but not strong support for strain differences in work preference. Over the four test days, the Hooded, the Wistar, and the Sprague-Dawley strains respectively earned 54 percent, 45 percent, and 23 percent of their total food consumed in the choice situation. Thus, the results would suggest the PEE would more likely be demonstrated if Hooded rats were employed as subjects rather than the other strains. A possible explanation for the difference in strains may be due to the general activity levels characteristic of the respective strain.

Seventh grade males were trained as peer facilitators ;or a group of sixth grade males (peers) as part of an experimental guidance program. Training of peer facilitators was implemented through a modified short term human relations development model. Measures of personal, social, and overall adjustment, as assessed by the California Test of Personality, were obtained for the facilitators and group members before and after the peer facilitator program. No significant pre- and post-test differences were obtained on the select personality variables for either group. A method for assessing facilitative responsiveness was developed using written peer stimulus statements. In comparison to a control group and to the peers, the peer facilitators demonstrated continuous increases in level of facilitative responsiveness. The peers increased in level of facilitative responsiveness during the time in which they participated in peer-led groups. Due to the small sample size, the statistical significance of these increases was not determined.