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Biomedical subjects

H E Adams

Publications and source records attributed to H E Adams.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Homophobia and physical aggression toward homosexual and heterosexual individuals.

This study examined the relationship between homophobia (defined as self-reported negative affect, avoidance, and aggression toward homosexuals) and homosexual aggression. Self-identified heterosexual college men were assigned to homophobic (n = 26) and nonhomophobic (n = 26) groups on the basis of their scores on the Homophobia Scale (HS; L. W. Wright, H. E. Adams, & J. A. Bernat, 1999). Physical aggression was examined by having participants administer shocks to a fictitious opponent during a competitive reaction time (RT) task under the impression that the study was examining the relationship between sexually explicit material and RT. Participants were exposed to a male homosexual erotic videotape, their affective reactions were assessed, and they then competed in the RT task against either a heterosexual or a homosexual opponent. The homophobic group reported significantly more negative affect, anxiety, and anger-hostility after watching the homosexual erotic videotape than did the nonhomophobic group. Additionally, the homophobic group was significantly more aggressive toward the homosexual opponent, but the groups did not differ in aggression toward the heterosexual opponent.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Sexually aggressive and nonaggressive men: sexual arousal and judgments in response to acquaintance rape and consensual analogues.

Self-identified sexually aggressive (SA) and nonaggressive (NA) college men listened to audiotape analogues of consensual sexual intercourse and acquaintance rape. Phallometric and decision-latency methodology was used to examine sexual arousal and decisions to stop sexual advances in each scenario. Both groups showed increases in penile response to the consensual scenario. Consistent with the inhibition model of sexual aggression, the SA group showed greater sexual arousal and failed to inhibit responding when force was introduced in the rape, whereas the NA group exhibited less arousal and greater inhibition to force. The SA group allowed the rape to continue significantly longer than the NA group. These effects were greatly magnified in SA men who endorsed high calloused sexual beliefs, implying that a cognitive set that justifies sexual aggression and lacks victim empathy may disinhibit sexual arousal and potentiate coercive decision making.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The effect of alcohol on the responses of sexually coercive and noncoercive men to an experimental rape analogue.

This study examined the impact of the psychological and pharmacological effects of alcohol on the ability of sexually coercive and noncoercive men to discriminate when a female wants a partner to stop sexual advances. In a 2 (alcohol vs. no alcohol) x 2 (expectancy vs. no expectancy) x 2 (sexually coercive vs. noncoercive status) randomized factorial design, male college students were exposed to an audiotape of a date rape. Participants who consumed, or expected to consume, alcohol took significantly longer to determine that the man should refrain from attempting further sexual contact. In addition, nonsexually coercive participants assigned to conditions in which they expected to consume alcohol responded similarly to their sexually coercive counterparts in their responses. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Sexual arousal to erotic and aggressive stimuli in sexually coercive and noncoercive men.

Sexual arousal to erotic stimuli depicting various levels of force were examined among college men. Study 1 used phallometric indices to measure penile circumferential change during combined audio-tape and slide presentations varying in degree of force. The results indicated that the sexually coercive group exhibited more penile tumescence than controls to scenes involving verbal pressure and verbal threats. Analyses across time blocks suggested that control participants inhibited sexual arousal with the introduction of force cues but that the sexually coercive group did not. Study 2 was a replication of Study 1 without slides. Both groups showed increases in penile tumescence in response to the consent scenario. Only the sexually coercive men demonstrated significant tumescence in response to force scenarios. The results indicated that the sexually coercive males had a lower threshold for arousal to sexual cues and did not inhibit sexual arousal when force cues were introduced.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Is homophobia associated with homosexual arousal?

The authors investigated the role of homosexual arousal in exclusively heterosexual men who admitted negative affect toward homosexual individuals. Participants consisted of a group of homophobic men (n = 35) and a group of nonhomophobic men (n = 29); they were assigned to groups on the basis of their scores on the Index of Homophobia (W. W. Hudson & W. A. Ricketts, 1980). The men were exposed to sexually explicit erotic stimuli consisting of heterosexual, male homosexual, and lesbian videotapes, and changes in penile circumference were monitored. They also completed an Aggression Questionnaire (A. H. Buss & M. Perry, 1992). Both groups exhibited increases in penile circumference to the heterosexual and female homosexual videos. Only the homophobic men showed an increase in penile erection to male homosexual stimuli. The groups did not differ in aggression. Homophobia is apparently associated with homosexual arousal that the homophobic individual is either unaware of or denies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Validity and ethics of penile circumference measures of sexual arousal: a reply to McConaghy.

McConaghy (1989) argued that the validity of penile circumference responses (PCRs) is at best unestablished and that penile volume responses (PVRs) have been demonstrated to be clearly superior indices of sexual arousal and orientation. In his critique, McConaghy stated that (i) penile erection has been incorrectly identified with sexual arousal, (ii) that PCRs have not been shown to accurately discriminate between divergent patterns of sexual arousal (including paraphilias), (iii) that the methodologies used to compare the two types of transducers are inappropriate, and (iv) that PCRs should not be used for diagnostic and treatment decisions. In this paper, McConaghy's criticisms are reviewed in the context of the existing literature on the subject. Although PCRs and PVRs involve different methodologies, they generally yield results that bear more similarities than differences. Furthermore, there is an extensive and growing literature on the use of PCR measures with various paraphilias. Several of McConaghy's arguments should be considered tentative while others are clearly unsubstantiated. Most of McConaghy's concerns over the validity and uses of PCR measures are empirical questions. Suggestions for future research are offered.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Voluntary control of penile tumescence among homosexual and heterosexual subjects.

Voluntary control of erectile responses represents a major threat to the validity of penile plethysmography. This study was designed to determine whether individuals can mimic a sexual orientation that differs from their actual sexual orientation. Since the presumed mechanism underlying voluntary control of penile tumescence involves a shift in attentional focus, a recall test was employed to assess the relationship between the ability to influence erectile responses and recall of critical test stimuli. Homosexual and heterosexual subjects were exposed to sexual materials under standard and "faking" instructions. The faking instructions consisted of asking subjects to suppress erectile responses to preferred stimuli and to enhance penile tumescence in the presence of nonpreferred stimuli. Across groups, results revealed some degree of suppression of erections but no significant enhancement of erections. Self-reported cognitive arousal under both conditions was consistent with erectile data. However, subjects' perceived control over erectile responses tended to be greater than their actual performance. No significant differences in recall were obtained. The recall procedure appears to interfere with subjects' ability to control erectile responses. Implications for clinical applications of penile plethysmography are summarized with suggestions for future research.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Patterns of sexual arousal of accused child molesters involved in custody disputes.

Penile plethysmography was used to examine sexual preferences of individuals accused of child molestation in the course of custody conflicts. Information regarding the alleged offenders, victims, and sex offense was gathered. In comparison to accused offenders who are not engaged in custody disputes, the subjects were more often accused of sexually abusing a younger child who was a biological relative. The source of accusations was usually the mother. Additionally, the custody-dispute subjects were less likely to have a prior criminal history. Penile tumescence data suggested that the subjects involved in custody disputes were less sexually aroused by children than those subjects who were not involved in custody conflicts. However, the results revealed that in both groups a substantial number of subjects responded equally or more to the child stimuli. In sum, the alleged offenders involved in custody disputes appeared less deviant on several measures.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Detection of noncontingent feedback in EMG biofeedback.

Noncontingent feedback is frequently used as a placebo control procedure in biofeedback research. Researchers, however, have criticized this procedure for lacking credibility because of easy detection. The present study examined detection of false feedback in biofeedback with EMG. Contingent feedback (CF), truly random false feedback (FF), and controlled false feedback (CFF) groups were compared for changes in EMG levels, report of inaccurate feedback, and report of learning muscle activity reduction. The results indicated that FF procedures are easily detected; therefore, difference found between the FF and CF groups may be influenced by extraneous variables. The CFF group did not detect false feedback, but subjects reported some suspicions in later trials. With more trials, CFF may have also been detected. These results indicate a need for more attention to appropriate placebo control procedures in evaluating the parameters and efficacy of biofeedback.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Autonomic arousal and pain sensitivity in women with premenstrual syndrome at different phases of the menstrual cycle.

Eleven women with a clinical diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and ten non-PMS control women were compared on physiological measures in the intermenstrual and premenstrual phases of their menstrual cycle. Heart rate (HR) and skin conductance level (SCL) were monitored during baseline conditions and in response to a stressful laboratory procedure. Analyses for HR revealed a three-way interaction (groups X phase X tests) which approached significance indicating that the PMS group was generally lower during the intermenstrual testing but was higher in the premenstrual phase. No significant differences were observed on behavioral measures (pain threshold, pain tolerance) between the groups. Pain intensity ratings were found to be overall higher in the PMS group irrespective of menstrual cycle phase. The role of cognitive-perceptual processes is discussed in the context of the acquisition and maintenance of PMS symptomatology.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Pain responsivity in women with premenstrual syndrome across the menstrual cycle.

11 women with a clinical diagnosis of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and 10 control women with no such diagnosis were compared on pain threshold and pain-tolerance measures in the intermenstrual and premenstrual phases of their menstrual cycles. No significant differences were found between the groups for behavioral measures of pain sensitivity. Ratings of pain intensity, however, were higher in both phases for the PMS group.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Modification of disease phobia using a multifaceted exposure program.

By the use of a multifaceted exposure program that lasted 16 weeks, a 27-year-old male was treated for debilitating and irrational fears of having a heart attack. The subject reported reductions in daily anxiety ratings and Valium intake at midtreatment and further reductions at the conclusion of treatment. These changes were maintained at 6- and 12-month followup assessments. The subject's reports were confirmed by his spouse. The results are discussed in terms of the behavioral characteristics and etiology of disease phobia.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Can migraine headaches be modified by operant pain techniques?

Migraine headaches are a common problem with many individuals and are usually treated by drug and/or biofeedback therapies. The following case history discussed the implementation of an operant approach to the modification of migraine headache, assumed to be associated with secondary gain and unresponsive to other treatment procedures. The operant program described below resulted in the elimination of head pain behaviors and a correlated increase in prosocial and well behaviors.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Jealousy: loss of relationship rewards, loss of self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and anger.

White's (1981) theory of romantic jealousy states that the loss (or anticipated loss) of a romantic partner to a rival causes two kinds of suffering: loss (or anticipated loss) of relationship rewards and loss (or anticipated loss) of self-esteem. Elaborating this theory, we proposed that loss of relationship rewards causes depression, whereas loss of self-esteem causes anxiety and anger. General support was found for White's theory and the elaborations, but not for the hypothesis that the loss of self-esteem causes anxiety. Anxiety may be a product of both loss of self-esteem and loss of relationship rewards.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1984

Physiological reactions to stress in subjects with and without myofascial pain dysfunction symptoms.

Myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction syndrome have been suggested as resulting from masticatory muscle hyperactivity. Furthermore, this hyperactivity has been viewed as a response-specific reaction to stress. The present study was designed to assess the effects of laboratory-induced stress (i.e., startle stimulus, buzzer series, serial sevens tasks, and pain threshold/tolerance tests) on physiological responses (i.e. bilateral masseter EMG, skin conductance level, and heart rate) of ten patients (TMJ pain) with a history of facial pain and TMJ sounds. The two control groups, one with TMJ sounds only (TMJ sound) and the other with no history of these symptoms (non-TMJ), were matched for sex and age. The results indicated that the TMJ pain group did not exhibit different masseter EMG levels when comparing symptomatic versus asymptomatic sides. Few significant differences were noted in the masseter EMG recordings of the TMJ pain and non-TMJ group, while no difference occurred between the EMG levels of the TMJ pain and TMJ sound group. Little support was found for the assertion that TMJ pain subjects show greater EMG reactivity and less adaptation than do non-TMJ subjects. Finally, no differences were found among groups in relation to the latency to ischaemic pain onset or tolerance. The discussion focuses on reasons for the findings of the present study being discrepant from previously reported research.

Adult↗