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Biomedical subjects

W F Vitulli

Publications and source records attributed to W F Vitulli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Perception of time: variations in verbal content and delay of estimation.

Delay of time estimation results in consistently longer judgments than immediate estimation, yet confirmatory studies have relied primarily on numerical digits for interpolated material as shown, for example, by Vitulli and Rowe in 1999. The present study used three paragraphs audiotaped from a 1998 textbook in general psychology by Baron as stimuli presented for judgment of the passage of time. Among 218 undergraduate volunteers delay of estimation produced significantly longer judgments regardless of the verbal passage, and short-term memory scores varied as a function of content.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Ibuprofen effects on behavioral thermoregulation with microwave radiation in albino rats.

This study determined whether ibuprofen causes a disruptive behavior pattern similar to aspirin yet contrary to acetaminophen regarding thermoregulatory effects. 8 Sprague-Dawley rats (3 males and 5 females) were drawn from a population of rats which had been conditioned to press a lever for food reinforcement in an undergraduate course in operant conditioning. Animals were conditioned in a refrigerated Skinner Box on a fixed-interval 2-min. (FI-2 min.) schedule of microwave radiation (5 sec. of radiation per exposure occasion) in a repeated-measures reversal (within-subjects) design. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with doses of ibuprofen in amounts of 10-50 mg/kg or methyl-cellulose control vehicle of equal volume over 8-hr. daily sessions. A multivariate analysis of variance showed significant differences due to doses (mg/kg) of ibuprofen for number of microwave heat reinforcers per hour and rate of responding (ns) both measures of which were significantly higher during the first 2 hours of the session. Comparative differences in behavioral thermoregulation in humans reflect the likelihood of underlying biochemical mechanisms based on research by Murphy, Badia, Myers, Boecker, and Wright in 1994.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic↗
PubMed1999

Acetaminophen effects on behavioral thermoregulation in albino rats.

Acetaminophen (N-Acetyl-p-aminophenol) was administered intraperitoneally to 15 Sprague-Dawley rats partitioned into 3 studies (5 rats per study) using a within subjects, repeated-measures reversal design. Behavioral thermoregulation was assessed in a cold Skinner Box using 5-sec. exposures of microwave radiation [Specific Absorption Rate = 0.34 Watts/kg/(mW/cm2)] as reinforcing stimuli under a fixed-interval 2-min. schedule of positive reinforcement. Doses of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/kg (in solutions of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) acetaminophen showed stable rates of operant responding for heat compared with significant changes in rates for comparable doses of aspirin in a 1993 study by Vitulli, et al. Weight reductions and temperature increases varied significantly with before-session and after-session measures, respectively. 1994-95 biochemical data of Murphy, et al. from humans following aspirin or acetaminophen ingestion which affect thermoregulation and sleep patterns are discussed in conjunction with behavioral data from rats.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1999

An experiment in time perception: separating rate of presentation from type of estimation.

An experiment was conducted to distinguish between studies which show main effects versus interaction effects regarding estimations of time as a function of the rate (fast or slow) of digit presentation and the type (immediate or delayed) of time estimation. Undergraduate volunteers (36 men and 103 women) gave retrospective estimates of time following a short-term memory filler task consisting of memorizing a series of random digits (1-5) which varied in length (25 or 50 digits). Rate was manipulated by altering the interstimulus interval between digits (100 msec. or 1,300 msec.) or by varying the length of the list. A multivariate analysis of variance showed significant main effects for type of time estimation (delayed estimates were longer than immediate), length of list (estimates for 50 digits were longer than for 25), and interstimulus interval (estimates for 1,300 msec. were longer than for 100 msec.) yet, contrary to Pedri and Hesketh in 1993, there were no significant interactions among the variables. Each of the independent variables was associated with effects on time estimation and short-term memory which were the same at all levels of the other variables. Task variables were discussed as a potential source of variance among past studies.

Attention↗
PubMed1999

Perception of time: delay of estimation under auditory and visual tasks with type-A measures.

The perception of time is likely to be lengthened when estimates of duration are delayed rather than given immediately as reported by Vitulli and Crimmins in 1999. The present study sought boundary conditions for this robust effect. A multivariate analysis of variance showed a reliable main effect for delay of estimation, yet comparisons between auditory versus visual short-term memory tasks showed no differences in time estimations. The analysis showed weak interactions between sex and delay of estimation and between sex and delay of estimation on Jenkins Activity Survey-Job Involvement scores.

Auditory Perception↗
PubMed1999

Beliefs in the paranormal: age and sex differences among elderly persons and undergraduate students.

Beliefs in the paranormal were rated stronger in younger as compared to elderly adults by Emmons and Sobal in 1981, and sex correlates of paranormal beliefs appeared to be stronger in women than in men by Irwin in 1994. This research studied possible linkages between age and sex with a comparative analysis between results of Vitulli and Luper's 1998 survey among undergraduate students and data from elderly men (M = 72 yr., SD = 9.2, n = 21) and women (M = 69.3 yr., SD = 7.7, n = 55). Crawford and Christensen's 1995 12-item Extrasensory Perception Survey was administered to elderly persons living in apartment complexes and private homes, participating in activities in a recreation center, or attending a continuing-education seminar. A 2 x 2 multivariate analysis of variance from responses on the 12-item survey showed that undergraduate men and elderly women had the highest ratings on paranormal beliefs. The self-selecting characteristics of a segment of the elderly sample led to a post hoc univariate analysis of variance by partitioning that sample into those who were attending a continuing-education seminar versus all other elderly persons. Summated ratings (total scores) for this survey showed main effects for these subsamples and for sex. Sex and age differences were discussed in the context of the hypothesis of social marginality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Immediate versus remote judgements: delay of response and rate of stimulus presentation in time estimation.

A systematic replication of Vitulli and Shepard's 1996 study showed that a change in response requirements (verbal estimation) from circling time intervals on a scoring sheet in the older study to writing subjective time estimates in the present study did not alter the robust effects of a delay in retrospective judgement. A complete 2 x 2 x 2 factorial analysis of variance showed main effects for rate (fast versus slow) of stimulus (random digits, 1-5) presentation and delay of estimate (immediate versus remote), yet there were no interactions among rate, delay, or sex. The interpolation of "filler tasks" between the end of the target interval and subjective estimate of the duration of the target interval significantly increased perceived time compared to estimates made immediately after the target interval.

Feedback↗
PubMed1997

Assumptions about fitness and exercise among elderly persons.

There may be differential benefits from regular exercise for elderly persons, and their rationales about exercise can influence the likelihood that they will do it. 98 elderly persons (29 men, M age = 66.3 yr., SD = 9.1, Range = 51-90 and 69 women, M age = 72.7 yr., SD = 10.3, Range = 53-94) were given two self-report surveys of 13 items each consisting of statements about jogging, not jogging, or engaging in other forms of exercise. Only one man and one woman completed the "reasons for jogging" form, while 96 elderly persons completed the "reasons for not jogging" form. A two-way (repeated-measures) analysis of variance indicated a significant main effect for differences among 10 items dealing with "reasons for not jogging." These reasons included engaging in another form of aerobic activity (such as walking), having a health condition that prevented jogging, and jogging as too uncomfortable.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Beliefs in parapsychological events or experiences among college students in a course in experimental parapsychology.

16 undergraduate students completed Crawford and Christensen's 1995 12-item Extrasensory Perception Survey about attitudes toward extrasensory perception events or experiences before and after taking a 'special topics' course in experimental parapsychology. There were no significant differences in scale values (1-5) (within subjects) between beliefs before versus after the course. Combined (pre- and posttest) mean scale values showed that belief in life after death, belief in the existence of extrasensory perception, and belief in precognitive experiences in dreams ranked highest in endorsement while beliefs in out-of-the-body experiences, auras, or psychokinesis, ranked lowest.

Attitude↗
PubMed1997

Narcissism and causal attribution.

This study examined the relationship between scores on narcissistic personality traits and causal attributions to positive and negative events. 119 undergraduate students in psychology as participants completed the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-40, the Attributional Style Questionnaire, and several Self-referencing Closed-ended Vignettes. Analyses indicated that men who scored higher on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-40 made more internal and stable attributions to positive events and more external and unstable attributions to negative events than did men who scored lower on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-40. Also scores on the Self-referencing Closed-ended Vignettes correlated significantly and positively with the Attributional Style Questionnaire, providing evidence for the validity of the vignettes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Ganzfeld perceptual field and gender effects on short-term memory as a function of rate of digit presentation.

Efforts to enhance short term memory for digit span (in serial recall) included the Ganzfeld perceptual field and variation in the rate (interstimulus interval: 1 sec., 2 sec., 3 sec.) of 25 auditorily presented computer-generated random numbers (1 to 5). Undergraduate volunteers (52 men and 91 women) wore goggles consisting of halves of translucent ping-pong balls while viewing a red lamp and listening to 60 decibels of white noise. Control subjects wore goggles with clear plastic lenses. Participants were instructed to recall 25 random digits in the correct series (vocalized sequentially through headphones worn by the subjects) immediately after their presentations. A mixed 2 x 2 x 3 split plot analysis of variance yielded a significant effect for digit rates, and post hoc Scheffe tests of multiple comparisons showed differences in recall between interstimulus intervals of 1 and 2 sec., 1 and 3 sec., and 2 and 3 sec. Other Scheffe comparisons showed that men scored higher than women with the 3-sec. interstimulus interval and with the "clear" perceptual field. Ganzfeld may have reduced distractibility for women as compared with recall following the "clear" perceptual field. Serial-position effects favored "primacy," yet the "recency effect" was seen within the last 5 serial positions.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Aspartame's effects on behavioral thermoregulation in albino rats.

Aspartame (L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester) was administered intraperitoneally to 9 Sprague-Dawley rats partitioned into 2 studies (4 in Study 1 and 5 for a replication in Study 2) over a two-year period using a within-subjects, repeated-measures reversal design. Behavioral thermoregulation was assessed in a cold Skinner Box using 5-sec. exposures of microwave radiation [Specific Absorption Rate = 0.34 Watts/kg/(mW/cm2)] as reinforcing stimuli under a fixed-interval 2-min. schedule of positive reinforcement. Two factorial analyses of variance [5 (doses) x 8 (hours)] indicated that the main effect for the doses of aspartame (2, 4, 8, 16 mg/kg, and saline control) was not significant; yet, the interaction (dose x hours) was significant (p < .05). Tentatively, aspartame should not cause an uncomfortable rise in body temperature (as sugar can do) when consumed in common substances such as soft drinks, yogurt, tea, coffee, etc., in doses commensurate with "hedonic" sweetness.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Time estimation: effects of cognitive task, presentation rate, and delay.

The variables of which subjective time is a function extend throughout a myriad of "people, places, and things." This study measured subjective estimations of time as a function of complexity of cognitive task including arithmetic and recall (within subjects), the rate of stimulus (digit span) information (between subjects), and the delay between stimulus presentation and estimations of time (between subjects). A mixed analysis of variance 2 x 2 x 3 (repeated-measures) factorial design showed that retrospective time estimations were significantly different as a function of the main effects of rate of digit presentation and delay. Men and women showed no differences with no significant interactions so their data were pooled. Quotient values for ratios of delayed versus immediate estimates and slow versus fast rates showed overestimates of "real time." Explanations based on the "storage-size model," the "attention-allocation" model, and comparisons with Pedri and Hesketh's 1993 data are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Elderly persons' perceptions of humor as a gender-linked characteristic.

Attitudes toward the role that humor is supposed to play in the repertoires of men and women may explain the extent to which elderly people avail themselves of humor's potential benefits. 96 volunteers consisting of 24 men (ages 59-90 years) and 72 women (ages 51-93 years) responded to Vitulli's Humor Rating Scale. The rating scale measured attitudes toward male-oriented humor, female-oriented humor, general humor values, and an index of "differentiation of humor by gender." A 2 x 2 factorial (split-plot) analysis of variance suggested a possible interaction between gender of participant and gender-oriented scales. Elderly men and women agreed on "general humor values," and they both rated humor as an important quality for men on the male-oriented rating scale, yet a post hoc Scheffé test showed a significant gender effect on the female-oriented rating scale. Elderly women perceived humor as an important quality for women, whereas elderly men did not. Cohort effects and social situations in senior citizens' living complexes may account for some of the findings.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Salty solutions: their effects on thermal set points in behavioral repertoires of albino rats.

Salt (sodium chloride) has been linked to increased blood pressure and a rise in core body temperature. The objective of this study was to investigate the role played by salt in altering behavioral thermoregulation in albino rats. Different doses of sodium chloride were administered (ip) prior to fixed-interval 2-min. schedules of microwave reinforcement in rats tested in a cold Skinner Box. Three Sprague-Dawley rats were conditioned to regulate their thermal environment with 5-sec. exposures of MW reinforcement in a repeated-measures reversal design. Friedman's non-parametric test showed significant differences among sodium chloride doses and physiologically normal saline. Post hoc sign tests showed that all doses of NaCl suppressed operant behavior for heat except 60 mg/kg. The hypothesis that sodium chloride lowers hypothalamic set point for heat was partially supported.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) effects on behavioral thermoregulation with microwave radiation.

Aspirin is a widely used over-the-counter drug in our society which has wide therapeutic value, yet not all of the behavioral side effects have been studied. Different doses of aspirin solutions were administered (ip) prior to fixed-interval 2-min. schedules of microwave reinforcement in rats tested in a cold environment. Four Sprague-Dawley rats were conditioned to regulate their thermal environment with 5-sec. exposures of MW reinforcement. Friedman's nonparametric test showed significant differences among aspirin and saline-control doses. Post hoc sign tests showed that a moderate dose of aspirin increased operant behavior reinforced by MW radiation, yet lower and higher doses decreased and then increased the rate of responding which resulted in an inverted U-shaped trend. Possible multiple effects of aspirin in terms of its thermoregulatory as well as its pain-tolerance properties, and implications for hypothalamic "set point" are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Aerobic exercise in the psychological treatment of adolescents.

A small group of psychiatrically institutionalized adolescents (16 boys, 11 girls) were assigned to a three-day-per-week running/aerobic exercise program or a regular physical activity class. The complete program continued over 9 weeks, with 11 subjects remaining throughout the program. Dependent measures of body-mass index, timed performance on a one-mile run, resting, exercise, and recovery heart rates, and measures of depression, mood-states, and self-efficacy were assessed pre-, mid-, and post-9-wk. treatment and at a 4-wk. follow-up. Improvements in depression, anxiety, hostility, confused thinking, and fatigue were shown in treated girls, with increases in vigor and self-efficacy for all treated subjects.

Adolescent↗