Time-out as a punishment for button pushing

Three normal-speaking adults were assigned the task of speaking spontaneously for fifteen 40-minute sessions. During baserate, the subjects simultaneously performed a motor task that consisted of depressing one or the other of two buttons on signal—one button push each seven seconds. During treatment sessions, each depression of the predetermined criterion button activated a red light. The light remained on for seven seconds, after which it was extinguished automatically until the next depression of the criterion button. Prior to each treatment session the subjects were told to stop speaking immediately when the red light came on and to remain silent for as long as the light was on.

For all three subjects, arranging the circumstances such that time-out from speaking for seven seconds was made contingent on pushing the criterion button resulted in a marked decrease in the frequency of criterion button pushes.

Social class, reported parental behavior and delinquency status

Earlier studies on the etiology of delinquents have been concerned with social delinquency (offenses committed with others) and solitary delinquency (offenses committed alone) as related to social class. Other studies have considered reported parental behavior as an influence on type of delinquency. The present study was designed to evaluate the influence of social class on reported parental behavior as a significant factor in social and solitary delinquency status. It was concluded, contrary to previous research, that social class cannot be considered a significant factor in differentiating social and solitary delinquents. Reported parental behavior of delinquents, as measured in this study, was also not highly related to social class. The findings do lend support to earlier research suggesting that solitary and social delinquents vary in etiology of their delinquency.

Some psychological effects of cosmetics

This study represents a pre-post design to determine the possible effects of cosmetics on self-concept in a group of 42 college girls with various degrees of facial blemishes which could not be improved by high standards of hygiene. The MMPI was given to all Ss who then received weekly instruction in the use of cosmetics by a qualified instructor. After 3 mo. use of these agents, the MMPI was again applied. The D scale (Depression) and the Pt scale (Psychasthenia) were selected as sensitive indicators of self-perception; comparison of pre- and post-treatment scores indicated improvement on both scales ( D scale, p = .001; Pt scale, p = .02) as a function of the cosmetic.

Observation on the birdlife in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park

Observation on the birdlife in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park

Fine structural alterations associated with venom action on squid giant nerve fibers

(1) Block of conduction and marked increase in permeability of the squid giant axon, when surrounded by adhering small nerve fibers, is caused by the venoms of cottonmouth, ringhals, and cobra snakes and by phospholipase A (PhA). This phenomenon is associated with a marked breakdown of the substructure of the Schwann sheath into masses of cytoplasmic globules. Low concentrations of these agents which render the axons sensitive to curare cause less marked changes in the structure of the sheath. (2) Rattlesnake venom, the direct lytic factor obtained from ringhals venom, and hyaluronidase caused few observable changes in structure, correlating with the inability of these agents to increase permeability. (3) Cottonmouth venom did not alter the structure of giant axons freed of all adhering small nerve fibers. This is in agreement with previous evidence that the venom effects are due to an action of lysophosphatides liberated as a result of PhA action. Cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, a cationic detergent, produces effects that resemble those of venom and PhA. (4) The results provide evidence that PhA is the component of the venoms that is responsible for their effects. It also appears that the Schwann cell and possibly the axonal membrane are the major permeability barriers in the squid giant axon.