PSI CHI Journal of Psychological Research
Volume 3.4 |
Winter 1998
RESEARCH ARTICLES
MRI Volumetric Analysis of the Amygdala and Hippocampus
Involving Verbal Memory in Parkinson's Patients
Christopher W. DeLisle, Mark A. Eckert, Tim H. Lucas, and Dawn
Bowers, Psychobiology Research Institute, University of Florida
ABSTRACT: This study attempted to determine if patients
with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have smaller hippocampi and amygdalae than
controls and if the size of these structures predicts verbal memory performance
in patients. The amygdalae, hippocampi, and total brain volumes of 7 patients
with PD were measured and compared with 7 controls. There were no significant
differences in the volume of the amygdala and hippocampus for the 2 groups. The
PD patients were also given the Hopkins Verbal Memory Test to determine the
relation between verbal memory performance and volume of brain structures.
Their scores were compared within the group for performance. A larger right
hippocampus was related to impaired performance on the false-positive portion
of the test. These results question the extent to which PD effects verbal
memory performance in patients.
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The Link Between Procrastination, Delay of Gratification, and
Life Satisfaction:
A Preliminary Analysis
Lauren M. Caldwell and Robert R. Mowrer, Angelo State University
ABSTRACT: A preliminary
study which attempted to address anxiety and regret as two intervening
variables that link procrastination, but not delay of gratification, to life
satisfaction is reported. Regression (path) analysis indicated that much of
procrastination’s effect on life satisfaction was mediated through anxiety and
regret. Delay of gratification did not have a significant effect on life
satisfaction via anxiety but did through regret. Results are discussed in terms
of when delay of gratification involves anxiety and when it does not.
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Regional Differences in Dendritic and Spine Complexity: A
Quantitative
Golgi Analysis of Human Cerebral Cortex
Melissa Prather and Bob Jacobs, The Colorado College; Matthew
Schall,
Global Business Intelligence Solutions
ABSTRACT: Regional
variation in dendritic and spine complexity was examined by quantifying the
basilar dendritic systems of supragranular pyramidal cells in 8 functionally
distinct regions of human cerebral cortex. Ten cells from each region were
quantified (N = 640) with a
Neurolucida computer–microscope interface system (Microbrightfield, Inc.).
Based on Benson’s (1994) functional hierarchy, regions were grouped as low
integration (primary and unimodal cortex) and high integration (heteromodal and
supramodal cortex). Low-integration regions included Brodmann’s area (BA)
3-1-2, BA 4, BA 22, and BA 44. High-integration regions included BA 6ß, BA 39,
BA 10, and BA 11. The effects of Brodmann’s areas and integration level were
evaluated using repeated-measures factorial designs. The results indicated that
dendritic complexity in high-integration regions was significantly greater than
in low-integration areas for all dependent measures. These findings further
support the relationship between dendritic complexity and regional processing
abilities, and help to establish a hierarchy of morphological complexity across
distinct cortical regions.
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Something in the Way She Moves: The Influence of Shoe-Altered
Gait on Motion
And Trait Impressions of Women
Kathy D. Walter, Sheila Brownlow, Sammi L. Ervin, and Nicole
Williamson,
Catawba College
ABSTRACT: Because
information about traits and characteristics is conveyed by physical motion,
the way people walk affects our judgments of others. This study examined how
women’s gaits are affected by high heels, and how subsequent impressions of
women change based on movement-altering footwear. To isolate motion from other
nonverbal cues, the point-light technique (Johansson, 1973) was used to film
women walking barefooted and in high heels. This procedure produced displays of
moving dots against a black background. Judgments of motion and traits revealed
that the gaits of women wearing high heels were stiffer and included less hip
sway and arm swing. More importantly, women in heels were perceived as more
submissive than when barefoot, although they were also judged as less sexy.
Perceived age of the walkers and knowledge of their sex did not alter these
perceptions. Thus, high heels make women appear to be physically passive and
seem more submissive.
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Hallucinogenic Drug Use and Personal Belief in Paranormal
Phenomena
Melissa Garthwaite and John Broida, University of Soutehrn
Maine;
Joe Miele, Easter Stroudsburg University
ABSTRACT:
Use of marijuana has been linked to belief in extrasensory perception
(ESP) and other paranormal phenomena. We examined the possibility that such
acceptance is characteristic of users of other types of hallucinogens. We also
explored acceptance of other paranormal phenomena in relation to drug use. In
Study 1, surveys were distributed to university students; in Study 2, a
snowball sample of acquaintances was used to diversify the group surveyed.
Results indicated there is no significant relationship between use of
serotonergic hallucinogens and acceptance of ESP. Furthermore, no link was
observed between marijuana use and belief in ESP. Belief in other paranormal
experiences, including telepathy and aura, was related to the use of hallucinogenic
agents. Factors other than use of hallucinogenic agents may be more important
in creating a belief in the paranormal.
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