To determine optimal and least effective response modes of learning disabled children, the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities was used. Results suggest that learning disabled children may do poorly on academic tasks because they may not have enough optimal response modes, or are unable to select the appropriate one. (Author/SJL)

High school and college students solved problems differing in level of uncertainty; their expressed curiosity about the correct answer was gauged; and later recognition of correct answers tested. Both epistemic curiosity and recognition bore monotonically increasing relationships to degree of uncertainty. Systematic intersubject differences in…

This research examines further the hypothesis that subjects tend to allot figures to the negative poles of constructs approximately 38 percent of the time. Sixty Canadian undergraduates judged 20 nonsense words as if these were the names of persons on 20 bipolar constructs. Results clearly supported the hypothesis. (Author)

To ascertain if children assess experiences in terms of stress and if their perceptions generally agree with those of adults, fourth, fifth, and sixth graders rated 20 life events on a 7-point scale. (Author/MP)

Assessed the effects of two different kinds of blank-trial problems for hypotheses upon performance of normal and retarded children of mental age levels 5 1/2 and 7 1/2. The probes varied legitimate and illegitimate position-oriented response sets. (Author/SS)

An attempt was made to validate for sentence type items a mathematical model for inventory response. Data were gathered from subjects responding under candid and under faking sets. In the former case only limited support for the model was found, but in the latter it seemed highly relevant. (Author/RC)

Glickman, Gray, and Morales (this issue) propose a statistical model for measuring the unobserved latency of stimulus-controlled processes. The model accounts for both speed and accuracy and does so by assuming that participants set an internal deadline. If a stimulus-controlled response is not produced by the deadline, the participant then…

Domestic violence in intimate relationships is a ubiquitous social problem. This study addresses a gap in the research literature on batterers intervention programs with heterosexual male batterers by evaluating whether or not self-reported attitudes about partner abuse and sexist beliefs could be modified over time as a result of participation in…

This study examined multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) modeling to assess social desirability (SocD) influences on self-reported physical activity self-efficacy (PASE) and fruit and vegetable self-efficacy (FVSE). The observed sample included 473 Houston-area adolescent males (10-14 years). SocD (nine items), PASE (19 items) and FVSE (21…

Much has been written concerning the potential group differences in responding to multiple-choice achievement test items. This discussion has included references to possible disparities in tendency to omit such test items. When test scores are used for high-stakes decision making, even small differences in scores and rankings that arise from male…

The effects of answer changes on test scores of relatively non-test-sophisticated examinees was studied. Findings showed that a significantly greater number of changes were from wrong to right, thus increasing total test scores. Answer-changing behavior may reflect more than learned test-taking skill. (Author)

Four hypotheses regarding stability of response process and response in personality testing are tested and supported. (RC)

Research has shown that students who take notes remember more than do students who do not take notes, and that test performance is enhanced for students who are given an opportunity to review their notes compared to those who are not. However, research has not offered instructors and students specific guidelines regarding when review of notes in…

This study of journalist, public, and legislator responses to televised sessions of the Florida legislature is part of a symposium on legislative and judicial communications. (CH)

An application of social-psychological theories to studies in credibility and charisma. (CH)