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Biomedical subjects

M W York

Publications and source records attributed to M W York.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Predicting perceptual defense.

Perceptual defense as a phenomenon was proposed by McGinnies in 1949. His findings were, in main, replicated by York, et al. in 1984 and extended by Perroncel, et al. in 1990. The present purpose was to assess whether four independent variables, one related to emotional arousal (GSR) and three, related to connotative word meaning (Evaluative, Potency, and Activity scores from Semantic Differential words used in the Perroncel, et al. study), could predict the perceptual defense phenomenon. The multiple correlation coefficient (R) was .19; however, the percent variance accounted for by the four independent variables was 3%. Clearly, further research is necessary to specify what factors predict the perceptual defense effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Perceptual defense, a replication.

McGinnies ' (1949) study on perceptual defense was replicated. No significant results were noted for galvanic skin responses. Threshold differences were significant; taboo words had higher thresholds than neutral words. Possibly "emotionality" and "threat" may require separate operational definitions if the effect, "perceptual defense," is to be clearly demonstrated.

Emotions↗
PubMed1975

Interviewer's role-playing and responses to sensory deprivation: a clinical demonstration.

10 Ss with a history of intransigent hypochondriacal personality disorder were subjected to 2-1/2 hr. of sensory deprivation preceded and followed by planned interviewing procedures. Each interview was designed to prestructure the interpersonal meaning of the experience of sensory deprivation and selectively reinforce social roles antithetical to S's characteristic, maladaptive interpersonal behavior. As predicted, Ss showed a significant (p smaller than .01) shift from passively hostile to an actively warm social role. The changes in social role were also reflected in a significant (p smaller than .01) reduction in number of medical clinic visits. These effects were still operative 30 days following the procedure, whereas an equated baseline group of 10 Ss showed no significant change in behavior over the same period of time.

Adult↗