Perceptual and Motor Skills

Lambrecht, Jeanne L.; Cuevas, Jacqueline L.

doi: 10.2466/pms.104.4.1076-1078pmid: 17879640

Abstract To estimate association between field dependence-independence measured by scores on the Group Embedded Figures Test and young women's participation in sports activity. Participants were 37 undergraduate college women between the ages of 18 and 25 years (M = 21). Participants were categorized into two groups, one high in participation in sports activity and one low. A one-tailed independent samples t test yielded no significant difference. Correlations of .36 and .18 were significant but account for little common variance. An ad hoc analysis performed without participants who reported softball activity but who were highly involved in sport activities was significant.

Oxyzoglou, Nikolaos; Kanioglou, Aggelos; Rizos, Stelios; Mavridis, George; Kabitsis, Christos

doi: 10.2466/pms.104.4.1282-1288pmid: 17879662

Abstract The purpose was to compare a 6-mo. specific handball training program and a typical physical education program on various strength and jumping skills. The participants (M age = 13.7 yr., SD = 1.5) were divided into the Handball Group (n = 51) and the Physical Education Group (n = 70). The latter performed 3 sessions/week (60 min.) including ball-handling drills, horizontal and vertical jump shots, fast break, and several defensive skills. The former performed the program provided by the Ministry of Education including track and field and other team sport drills. Analyses of covariance showed that the handball group displayed greater improvement in explosive strength of upper limbs, jumping performance, maximum isometric force of right grip, and 10-m running velocity. Handball training can significantly improve pre-adolescent performance with upper and lower limbs. Inclusion of specific handball drills in the physical education program is recommended.

Vinci, Debra M.; Philipp, Steven F.

doi: 10.2466/pms.104.4.1088-1096pmid: 17879642

Abstract This descriptive study compares African Americans' and Euro-Americans' perceived value of food selection pertaining to cost, portion size, and meal satisfaction when eating away from home. A stratified sample was drawn from a southern U.S. metropolitan area (N = 1,011; 486 African American, 525 Euro-American). Analysis showed no difference between African-American and Euro-American adults by sex or how often they dined out. These two groups significantly differed across years of education, age, and answering 14 of 18 rated statements on value perceptions. African-Americans' value perceptions were influenced more by lower cost foods and larger portion sizes than those of Euro-Americans. For meal satisfaction, African Americans were more likely to agree with statements that indicate preferring foods high in energy and low in essential micronutrient density. This study supports the need for more investigation.

Utter, Alan C.; Nieman, David C.; Dumke, Charles L.; McAnulty, Steven R.; Kang, Jie; McAnulty, Lisa S.

doi: 10.2466/pms.104.4.1079-1087pmid: 17879641

Abstract This investigation characterized the acute differentiated and undifferentiated perceptual responses to a prolonged intermittent and continuous stationary cycle exercise session. Throughout two 2.0-hr. test sessions, 12 subjects cycled at 64% Wattsmax and 73% VO2 peak continuously or with 3-min. rest intervals interspersed every 10 min. During both trials, oxygen uptake (VO2), ventilation (VE), respiratory rate, respiratory exchange ratio, heart rate, and three ratings of perceived exertion (OMNI) measurements were made every 30 min. During the intermittent protocol, the perceived exertion measures were taken during Min. 10 of every 10-min. interval. OMNI RPE–Overall body did not differ significantly between conditions. No significant differences were reported for OMNI RPE–Legs between conditions; however, a significant interaction was reported for OMNI RPE–Chest, which was significantly lower in the continuous condition at Min. 120. These data indicate that perception of exertion is similar during prolonged intermittent and continuous exercise when performed at the same relative intensities throughout 90 min. of exercise.

Stich, Christine; Eisermann, Jens; Knäuper, Bärbel; Leder, Helmut

doi: 10.2466/pms.104.4.1139-1168pmid: 17879648

Abstract This research addresses whether one underlying concept of appreciation exists across different classes of objects. Three studies were done. To identify aesthetic properties relevant for the aesthetic judgment of everyday objects and paintings, in Study 1 expert interviews were conducted with 12 interior designers, object-oriented designers and architects, and 12 students of art history. In Study 2, multidimensional unfolding (MDU) was used to examine whether common judgment criteria can be identified for the objects of the different classes. A sample of 217 German subjects participated. 2- or 3-dimensional MDU solutions resulted for each object class. The identified dimensions were labeled using the aesthetic properties derived from the expert interviews (Study 1). These dimensions represent relevant dimensions of aesthetic judgment on which object properties vary. Study 2 suggested that people use different dimensions of aesthetic judgment for different object classes. The identified dimensions were then used to construct three sets of systematically varied everyday objects and one set of systematically varied paintings. Using this stimulus material in Study 3, conjoint analysis indicated these dimensions are differentially important for the overall aesthetic judgment.

Wiig, Elisabeth H.; Nielsen, Niels Peter; Jacobson, James M.

doi: 10.2466/pms.104.4.1067-1075pmid: 17879639

Abstract A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed color, form, and color-form naming were administered to 300 normal participants (ages 15–95 years) to explore the effects of age on perceptual (single-dimension naming) and cognitive speed (dual-dimension naming). Naming time means (sec.) were consistent with previous findings. Correlations between age and naming time were low, but significant. Linear regression with age as a factor indicated time increases of 1 sec. per decade for colors and color-form combination naming and of 6 sec. per decade for form naming. Participants were divided into age cohorts, each covering a decade, and naming times were transformed to normalized z scores. The normalized means were similar for color, form, and color-form naming and increased by about 1 SD between ages 15–25 and 75–85 years. The ranges were similar across cohorts, about 2 SD. The findings concur with age patterns for visual-pattern comparison speed, fluid intelligence, and working memory reported by Salthouse in 2004.

Jaeger, Ted

doi: 10.2466/pms.104.4.1116-1118pmid: 17879645

Abstract Pairs of complex shapes, for example, two golf holes or two hands making a peace sign, were printed on cards with one of the two shapes surrounded by a circle. 20 participants judged the size of the unenclosed shapes relative to the size of the enclosed ones. For 12 pairs in which there were physical differences in size of the two shapes, participants made veridical judgments. More importantly, for the six pairs in which the unenclosed and circumscribed shapes were the same size, the unenclosed shapes were judged smaller than the circumscribed ones. Thus, a novel illusion in which surrounding circles perceptually enlarge a variety of interior shapes is demonstrated.

Yukawa, Shintaro; Tokuda, Hideji; Sato, Jun

doi: 10.2466/pms.104.4.1255-1261pmid: 17879658

Abstract The relationships among attachment style, self-concealment, and interpersonal distance were studied with 71 Japanese undergraduates (33 men and 38 women, ages 18 to 20 years, M = 18.7, SD = .6). Participants completed a questionnaire about Self-concealment and Attachment Styles (Secure, Anxious, and Avoidant). One week later, Interpersonal Distance, which individuals maintain between themselves and others, was measured by the stop-distance paradigm. Analysis showed that scores for more Anxious and Avoidant Attachment Styles were positively correlated with those for greater Self-concealment. Scores for greater Self-concealment and more Anxious Attachment Style were also correlated with longer Interpersonal Distance.

Lopata, Christopher; Volker, Martin A.; Hamm, Ellen M.; Sowinski, Jill E.; Thomeer, Marcus L.

doi: 10.2466/pms.104.4.1183-1192pmid: 17879650

Abstract While motor clumsiness is frequently described as an associated feature of Asperger's Disorder, little research has examined specific motor skills and the relation among aspects of motor performance in this population. The present purpose was to present preliminary findings for three aspects of Asperger's: the presence and magnitude of gross motor and fine motor deficits, the presence and magnitude of visuomotor deficits, and the relation between motor functioning and visuomotor skills. 17 boys, 6 to 13 years old, with Asperger's were tested using standardized measures of gross, fine, and visuomotor skills. Statistically significant deficits were found for the sample's scores compared with values for the general population (using one-sample t tests), but none for fine motor vs gross motor skills (using a dependent sample t test). Significant positive correlations were found for gross motor skills with visuomotor skills (.73) and for fine motor skills with visuomotor skills (.71). Tentative suggestions for clinical assessment were proposed.

Yoon, Jina S.; Carcamo, Amy

doi: 10.2466/pms.104.4.1119-1122pmid: 17879646

Abstract This study examined the relationship between support by parents and teachers and school attachment and involvement in the first year of middle school for 157 sixth graders in a predominantly African-American urban middle school. Results suggested the importance of parental support in school attachment and involvement during early adolescence. Teachers' support was a significant predictor of overall school attachment (R2 = .03) beyond the variance explained by parental support (R2 = .11).