Psychological nosology and mnemonic reconstruction: Effects of diagnostic labels on observers' recall of positive and negative behavior frequencies

This field study examined possible effects of diagnostic labels on observers' memory for positive and negative behavior frequencies. In the context of an ongoing nonparticipant observation system at a residential treatment center for behaviorally disturbed children, seven undergraduates were trained to reliably (mean r =.83)observe and record frequencies of 10 positive and 10 negative interpersonal behaviors of behaviorally disturbed and normal preadolescents. After 8 weeks of observing and reporting frequencies of these behaviors for both the behaviorally disturbed and normal children, each observer was asked to estimate the average frequency that he or she had recorded for each behavior for each type of child. Observers accurately estimated frequencies of positive behaviors for both the behaviorally disturbed and normal children. However, observers significantly overestimated the frequencies they had recorded for negative behaviors of behaviorally disturbed children. Furthermore, the same observers significantly underestimated the frequencies they themselves had recorded for negative behaviors of normal children. Implications of these findings for diagnostic practices and directions for future research in this area are discussed. We are indebted to the observers of the Learning House Student Involvement System for their cooperation in this experiment.     

Illicit anabolic steroid use in athletes. A case series analysis

Because of recent anabolic steroid abuse scandals at all levels of athletic competition ranging from high school sports to the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea, the investigators closely examined the anabolic steroid use histories of 20 competitive and noncompetitive weight lifters. Steroid efficacy studies only examine the anabolic effects of individual drugs. However, these 20 steroid users consistently practiced polypharmacy. During steroid use cycles lasting between 7 and 14 weeks, athletes commonly used two or three oral agents and two long-acting injectable products. Dosages of oral preparations tended to be similar to those used in efficacy studies, whereas dosages of the long-acting injectable agents were approximately three to eight times greater than those used in controlled studies. Subjects reported significant increases in body weight and strength. In addition, mental status changes were reported that included symptoms of depression, hostility, aggression, and paranoia. Based on the pattern of anabolic steroid use currently being practiced in the United States, it is apparent that past efficacy and toxicology studies are of limited value in delineating the benefits and hazards of these drugs.     

Relation of axon membrane to myelin membrane in sciatic nerve during development: comparison of morphological and chemical parameters.

The relationship of axon circumference to myelin area on cross-section both for myelinated and total fibres has been estimated at a mid-point in the sciatic nerve of two rabbits, one newborn and the other 20 weeks old. The slopes of the regression lines relating myelin area to axon circumference for myelinated fibres were 0.72 (standard error 0.03) with a correlation coefficient of 0.81 in the newborn nerve and 2.96 (standard error 0.05) with correlation coefficient of 0.96 in the 20-week nerve. Using the above parameters, and assuming constant thickness of axolemma and constant packing density of myelin, a correlation was made of the change in relationship of axolemma volume of myelinated fibres to myelin volume in the nerve between the two ages with the changes in content of two membrane lipids, ganglioside and cerebroside. This revealed a constant relationship of morphological to chemical parameters at the two ages although the proportion of unmyelinated fibres was much greater in the newborn. If cerebroside is regarded as a marker for myelin membrane, this observation suggests an association of gangliosides with myelination in peripheral nerve.