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Biomedical subjects

R M Ryan

Publications and source records attributed to R M Ryan.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Perceived locus of causality and internalization: examining reasons for acting in two domains.

Theories of internalization typically suggest that self-perceptions of the "causes" of (i.e. reasons for) behavior are differentiated along a continuum of autonomy that contains identifiable gradations. A model of perceived locus of causality (PLOC) is developed, using children's self-reported reasons for acting. In Project 1, external, introjected, identified, and intrinsic types of reasons for achievement-related behaviors are shown to conform to a simplex-like (ordered correlation) structure in four samples. These reason categories are then related to existing measures of PLOC and to motivation. A second project examines 3 reason categories (external, introject, and identification) within the domain of prosocial behavior. Relations with measures of empathy, moral judgement and positive interpersonal relatedness are presented. Finally, the proposed model and conceptualization of PLOC are discussed with regard to intrapersonal versus interpersonal perception, internalization, cause-reason distinctions, and the significance of perceived autonomy in human behavior.

Achievement↗
PubMed1989

Emotional autonomy versus detachment: revisiting the vicissitudes of adolescence and young adulthood.

3 studies reexamine Steinberg and Silverberg's construct of "emotional autonomy" (EA) in adolescent and young adult samples. We argue that rather than measuring either autonomy or independence, EA represents emotional detachment from parents. In Study 1, EA is shown to be negatively associated with early adolescents' (n = 148) reported quality of attachment to parents, but not to friends. In Study 2, EA is shown to be positively related to experienced parental rejection but largely unrelated to perceived independence-support in a high school sample (n = 193). In Study 3, EA in young adults (n = 104) is inversely related to measures of family cohesion, parental acceptance, independence support, and self-perceived lovability. Finally, a projective measure of parental nurturance taken by a subsample of subjects (n = 58) was associated negatively with EA but positively with perceived lovability. Discussion concerns the conceptualization of attachment versus detachment, dependence, and autonomy in theories of adolescence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Binding and uptake of pulmonary surfactant protein (SP-A) by pulmonary type II epithelial cells.

A glycoprotein of Mr 26-36,000 (SP-A) is an abundant phospholipid-associated protein in pulmonary surfactant. SP-A enhances phospholipid reuptake and inhibits secretion by Type II epithelial cells in vitro. We have used two electron microscopic cytochemical methods to demonstrate selective binding and uptake of SP-A by rat pulmonary Type II epithelial cells. Using an immunogold bridging technique, we showed that SP-A binding was selective for Type II cell surfaces. Binding was dose dependent and saturable, reaching maximal binding at approximately 10 ng/ml. On warming to 23 degrees C, SP-A binding sites were clustered in coated pits on the cell surface. To characterize the internalization and intracellular routing of SP-A, we used the biotinyl ligand-avidin-gold technique. Biotinyl SP-A was bound by rat Type II epithelial cells as described above. On warming, biotinyl SP-A was seen in association with coated vesicles and was subsequently located in endosomes and multivesicular bodies. Biotinyl SP-A-gold complexes were seen in close approximation to lamellar bodies 10-60 min after warming. Binding of biotinyl SP-A was inhibited by competition with unlabeled SP-A. These results support the concept that Type II epithelial cells bind and internalize SP-A by receptor-mediated endocytosis. This newly described uptake system may play a role in the recycling of surfactant components or mediate the actions of SP-A on surfactant phospholipid secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Pre-operative cochlear implant assessment using a round window ball electrode.

Placement of a round window electrode allows far superior electrical assessment of a cochlear implant candidate than promontory stimulation. The approach to the round window necessitates either a tympanomeatal flap, which requires a certain amount of time and nursing support, or a myringotomy which may raise worries about possible iatrogenic perforations as well as about technical difficulties of access to the round window. We have used a myringotomy incision in 20 cases. The technique and results are discussed, both in terms of electrical data obtained and of access to the round window. There were no cases of persistent perforation.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1988

The innervated trapezius flap in facial paralysis.

The use of an innervated lateral trapezius flap to allow movement of the paralysed face is described. Five cases are presented, all of whom achieved some facial movement postoperatively. The place of this technique in the armamentarium of procedures for facial reanimation is discussed.

Accessory Nerve↗
PubMed1988

Object relations and ego development: comparison and correlates in middle childhood.

The significance of ego development and object relations for adaptation and adjustment in middle childhood was examined in a study of 92 nine- to twelve-year-old children. Subjects completed the Sentence Completion Test (SCT) and the Blatt Object Relations Scale (BORS) in individual sessions. BORS ratings were factor analyzed and a predominant factor of parental nurturance emerged. This factor was positively related to children's self-reported perceptions of parental involvement and autonomy support but was unrelated to the SCT. SCT findings revealed an expected pattern for middle childhood with the preponderance of children falling into impulsive, self-protective, and conformist stages of ego development. Both the SCT and BORS were examined in relation to aspects of children's cognitive and social functioning, assessed via teacher ratings, peer sociometrics, self-evaluations, and academic achievement records. Results showed that the SCT was primarily related to cognitive complexity variables, while the object relations measure was associated with both peer and self-evaluations. These nonoverlapping relations with varied child outcomes are discussed both in terms of methodological limitations and theoretical significance.

Achievement↗
PubMed1987

Autonomy in children's learning: an experimental and individual difference investigation.

Ninety-one fifth-grade children participated in a study that assessed the effects of motivationally relevant conditions and individual differences on emotional experience and performance on a learning task. Two directed-learning conditions, one controlling and one noncontrolling, were contrasted with each other and with a third nondirected, spontaneous-learning context. Both directed sets resulted in greater rote learning compared with the nondirected-learning condition. However, both the nondirected and the noncontrolling directed-learning sets resulted in greater interest and conceptual learning compared with the controlling set, presumably because they were more conducive to autonomy or an internal perceived locus of causality. Furthermore, children in the controlling condition experienced more pressure and evidenced a greater deterioration in rote learning over an 8-(+/- 1) day follow-up. Individual differences in children's autonomy for school-related activities as measured by the Self-Regulation Questionnaire (Connell & Ryan, 1985) also related to outcomes, with more self-determined styles predicting greater conceptual learning. Results are discussed in terms of the role of autonomy in learning and development and the issue of directed versus nondirected learning.

Child↗
PubMed1987

The support of autonomy and the control of behavior.

In this article we suggest that events and contexts relevant to the initiation and regulation of intentional behavior can function either to support autonomy (i.e., to promote choice) or to control behavior (i.e., to pressure one toward specific outcomes). Research herein reviewed indicates that this distinction is relevant to specific external events and to general interpersonal contexts as well as to specific internal events and to general personality orientations. That is, the distinction is relevant whether one's analysis focuses on social psychological variables or on personality variables. The research review details those contextual and person factors that tend to promote autonomy and those that tend to control. Furthermore, it shows that autonomy support has generally been associated with more intrinsic motivation, greater interest, less pressure and tension, more creativity, more cognitive flexibility, better conceptual learning, a more positive emotional tone, higher self-esteem, more trust, greater persistence of behavior change, and better physical and psychological health than has control. Also, these results have converged across different assessment procedures, different research methods, and different subject populations. On the basis of these results, we present an organismic perspective in which we argue that the regulation of intentional behavior varies along a continuum from autonomous (i.e., self-determined) to controlled. The relation of this organismic perspective to historical developments in empirical psychology is discussed, with a particular emphasis on its implications for the study of social psychology and personality.

Emotions↗
PubMed1987

Survival of the weakest. Improving prospects for surgery in infants of birthweight less than 1,200 grams.

Over a six-year period seventeen infants of birthweight less than 1,200 grams (including nine of birthweight less than 1,000 grams) underwent major gastrointestinal surgery. Fourteen of the seventeen (82%) survived, a higher rate than previously reported. Nine infants had necrotising enterocolitis, three had oesophageal atresia and five had other types of intestinal obstruction. Six infants who were unfit to be transferred to the operating theatre underwent surgery on the neonatal unit: of these, four survived. We feel the outlook is optimised by conservative surgical intervention and by maximal medical support with intensive care monitoring, post-operative mechanical ventilation and intravenous alimentation. Survival after surgery is now very much the rule in the extremely low birthweight infant, even in those who are too sick to be transferred to the operating theatre.

Gastrointestinal Diseases↗
PubMed1985

A Rorschach assessment of children's mutuality of autonomy.

Explored the construct validity of the Mutuality of Autonomy Scale (Urist, 1977), which assesses the developmental level of object relations based upon Rorschach percepts, within a nonclinical child population. Mutuality of Autonomy was found to be related to teacher ratings of interpersonal functioning in the classroom, and to academic grades but not to either standardized achievement or intelligence. In addition, the Mutuality of Autonomy Scale demonstrated predicted correlations with children's perceived control. Children with developmentally lower object relations scores were more likely to perceive "powerful others" or "unknown" sources as controlling outcomes, particularly within the social domain. The results are discussed in terms of the utility of the Mutuality of Autonomy Scale, and the significance of object relations for personality functioning.

Achievement↗
PubMed1981

Effect of methylphenidate on young adult's vigilance and event-related potentials.

Two studies were conducted on the effects of methylphenidate (20 mg) on young adults' event-related potentials. Although this stimulant elevated heart rate in study 1 (n = 14), it failed to affect either performance or amplitude of the late positive component (LPC) obtained from two versions of the continuous performance test (CPT). Because performance on these tasks was nearly error-free, we conducted study 2 (n = 23) to test the hypothesis that methylphenidate enlarges LPC amplitude only in more challenging tests than those used in study 1. In study 2, although heart rate was again elevated by the 20 mg dose of methylphenidate, LPC amplitude and performance were again unaffected in the two tasks employed in study 1 or in an easy tone discrimination procedure. However, in a more difficult version of CPT (10% errors of omission), both accuracy and amplitude of the concurrently obtained LPC were increased by methylphenidate. Similarly, in a choice-reaction time test, the stimulant increased speed as well as CNV amplitude. Our interpretation of the results is based on the view that LPC reflects the number of attentional resources committed to a stimulus during the evaluation stage. Thus, increases in LPC amplitude by methylphenidate are obtained only in tasks in which the subject may profit from the recruitment of additional attentional resources.

Adult↗