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STUDIA PSYCHOLOGICA

 

Volume 43 / No. 1 / 2001

 


MEMORY AND ARITHMETIC AS LABORATORY STRESSORS FOR ANALYSES OF CARDIOVASCULAR REACTIVITY: A CURSORY ASSESSMENT

Brian M. HUGHES
Department of Psychology, LSB College, Balfe Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

Abstract: Continued progress in laboratory stress research will require further refinement and standardization of research paradigms. This paper reports briefly on the development of a new computer program for the presentation of laboratory stressors in studies of cardiovascular reactivity. At present, most researchers monitor physiological responses to stressors that fail to demand continuous mental effort, require a level of physical exertion, or are not amenable to standardized presentation. Consequently, research in the area has yielded mixed results. The program described here is interactive and involves a mental arithmetic task presented to participants on a VDU. Standardization studies demonstrate the program's relative efficiency compared to a traditional mathematical stressor and a short-term memory task in eliciting useful physiological responses. It would appear that the program has the qualities of elevating both pulse and blood pressure. Other stressors examined tended to act on one or the other (or neither). As such, the findings may elucidate the nature of hemodynamic patterns observed in the body's response to stress.

Key words: cardiovascular reactivity, stress, laboratory studies, mental arithmetic
pp. 3-11

 


IMPACT OF A MEDIATOR, MUTUAL REPRESENTATION OF THE NEGOTIATORS AND DECISION MAKING IN A DYAD: EVALUATION IN THE CASE OF COMPUTER-MEDIATED-COMMUNICATION

Jacques FISCHER-LOKOU, Nicolas GUEGUEN
Laboratoire GRESICO, Universite de Bretagne Sud - IUT de Vannes 8, rue Montaigne, B.P 561 56017 VANNES CEDEX, France

Abstract: An experiment was carried out to examine the effects of 2 means of communication (computer-mediated communication or CMC Versus face to face or FtF) on the representation developed by the negotiators with regards to their opponents as well as on their mutual decision-making in a negotiation situation with mediator intervention. It is assumed that, on the one hand, the negotiators will reciprocally rate each other more negatively in CMC than in FtF mode and, on the other hand, that the outcome of the negotiation will be less dependent on the social status of the mediators in CMC mode than in FtF. As a whole, the results support the hypothesis.

Key-words: negotiation, group decision, computer-mediated-communication
pp. 13-21

 


COPING WITH STRESS AS A DETERMINANT OF REDUCING OVERWEIGHT IN WOMEN

Nina OGINSKA-BULIK, Zygfryd JUCZYNSKI
Department of Health Psychology, University of Lodz, Smugowa 10/12, 91-433 Lodz, Poland

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to investigate if coping with stress and other psychological variables contribute to the prediction of reducing overweight in women, and to compare the level of these predictors before and after the program of reducing overweight based on psychological actions. 70 overweight women aged 35-55 years, (BMI = 31.2) were examined twice, before and after the program. Eight methods were used in the study: Stress Perceived Scale, Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, Life Orientation Test, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, State-Trait Personality and Kuhl's Action Control Scale. Our study revealed that coping with stress is a determinant of reducing overweight in women, task and avoidance oriented strategies, in particular. Perceiving stress, self-efficacy beliefs and level of optimism also appeared as predictors of reducing excessive weight in women.

Key words: overweight, women, stress, coping, predictors
pp. 23-31

 


SELF-IDEAL AND MASCULINE-FEMININE POLARITY IN ADOLESCENT BOYS AND GIRLS

Daniela KUSA
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The paper is focused on masculine-feminine ideal viewed as a potential source of frustration in mental health in adolescence. Self-ideal and opposite-sex ideal in 17-year old boys and girls were under study. Masculine, feminine, and gender-neutral adjectives from Bem Sex Role Inventory were used in the form of semantic differential (13 bipolar 6-point scales). Significant differences and correlations were found for boys' and girls' self- and opposite-sex ideals profiles, with higher desirability of masculine than feminine attributes in both boys and girls.

Key words: masculine/feminine ideal, adolescence, gender standards, psychological androgyny
pp. 33-39

 


STRESS AND COPING IN PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Judora J. SPANGENBERG, Johanna C. THERON
Department of Psychology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, 7602 Matieland, South Africa

Abstract: Down Syndrome, the most common chromosome disorder associated with mental retardation, not only impedes the development of the child involved, but also threatens the psychological well-being of all other family members, especially the parents. To investigate the relationships between the coping strategies used by parents of children with Down Syndrome and, respectively, anxiety and depression as manifestations of stress, 60 parents completed a biographical questionnaire, Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and State-Trait Inventory (STAI). The results indicated that depression was present in 23.3% of the sample according to their BDI scores, while 48.33% demonstrated above average anxiety on the STAI. Significant positive correlations were found between avoidant coping strategy scores and depression as well as anxiety scores, indicating the ineffectiveness of avoidance to cope with the stress involved in parenting a Down Syndrome child. Mothers used a social support-seeking coping strategy significantly more than fathers did. The most important implication of this study is the necessity of training in effective coping strategies for parents of children with Down Syndrome.

Key words: stress, coping, Down Syndrome
pp. 41-48

 


PAIN AND TIME IN RHEUMATIC PATIENTS: CHANGES OF PAIN THRESHOLD, PAIN, AFFECTS AND STRESS IN FAMILY

Petr KNOTEK
Center for Pain Management and Research, Department of Neurology, 2nd Medical Faculty, University Hospital V Motole, V Uvalu 84, 150 18 Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract: Time-dependent changes in pain threshold, pain, affects, fatigue and conflicts in family were analyzed. It was supposed that pain, negative affects, fatigue and conflicts in family increase with time, and pain threshold remains unchanged. 108 rheumatic inpatients (AGE: M = 49.57, SD = 15.60 years, LASTING of pain: 7.67, SD = 7.68 years) were investigated by Visual Analogue Scales (Intensity and Unpleasantness of Pain, Suffering), Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Pain Beliefs and Perception Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory - Short Form, ACTIVITY 5 (home and family stress) and Paintester (pain threshold). The oblique factors Pain Feeling, Affective Processes, Home and Family, and Threshold of Pain were isolated. The factor score was the dependent, the LASTING of pain, AGE and SEX were the independents in the stepwise regression analysis. Pain Feeling, most of all factors, increases with the LASTING of pain, in older patients especially (R2 = .131, p < .001). The Affective Processes (Anxiety, Anger, Depression) increase with the LASTING too (R2 = .028, p < .05), the increase is steeper in older patients and women. The Home and Family (Fatigue and Worry, Relations) also grow with the LASTING of pain (R2 = .028, p < .05), but more in women. The threshold does not depend on the LASTING of pain. The correlations show increasing pain, negative affects, fatigue and family conflicts during the long lasting rheumatic disease.

Key words: chronic pain, rheumatic pain, pain threshold, affects, family, multivariate analysis
pp. 49-58

 


TRAIT-STATE ANXIETY IN TOP ATHLETIC COMPETITION

František MAN, Emil REPKA
University of South Bohemia, Jeronymova 10, 371 15 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

Abstract: Spielberger's trait-state anxiety theory suggests that individuals high in trait anxiety (A-trait) have a grater tendency to perceive ego-involving situations as threatening, and hence, they expected to respond to this situation with elevated state-anxiety (A-state). To test this hypothesis measurements of A-trait (low vs. high) as a between-subjects factor, measurement of stress level (low vs. high) as a within-subjects factor, and measurements of state anxiety as a dependent variable were taken in 24 to p-level female handball players. Statistical analysis revealed a marginally significant (p < .08) person-situation interaction. To explain the numerous inconsistencies in the findings, both in literature and in our previous studies we suggest the approach of the reversal theory. We are aware of the fact that this finding could be sample specific and is open for further research.

Key words: state-trait theory of anxiety, reversal theory, female top sport
pp. 59-67

 


AGING PECULIARITIES OF INFORMATION PROCESSING ORGANIZATION

Georgiy V. KOROBEYNIKOV
Laboratory of Occupational Rehabilitation, Institute of Gerontology, Vyshgorodskaya St. 67, 04114, Kiev, Ukraine

Abstract: The aim of the investigation was to study the aging peculiarities of information processing organization. 60 men and 90 women in four age groups: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-60 were examined. The information processing was modeled by a special computer test with working algorithm changes. The time and accuracy of each assignment were registered for each person. The psychophysiological mechanisms of information processing were studied by informative mathematical methods. The results show that there is an aging reduction of perception, processing and speed of reaction in older people. As a result of the negative influence of aging the mental activity efficiency declines. The decrease of mental capability due to aging provokes a compensation of psychophysiological mechanisms of adaptation. The main mechanism improves the psychophysiological stochastic organization and changes the type of organization in information processing to a self-finishing quest response.

Key words: aging, information processing, psychophysiological mechanisms
pp. 69-75

 


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