Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R P Markley

Publications and source records attributed to R P Markley.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Age and living conditions as related to perceptions of ambiguous figures.

For ambiguous figures, reversing and embedded/hidden subfigures, data were obtained from four groups of 20 subjects each varying in age (young or elderly) and living environments (in college, in the community, and in nursing homes or confined to an institution). 10 men and 10 women were tested in each of the four groups. Dependent measures were the number of reversals passively reported for the Necker cube, the Mach book, the Schroeder staircase within 90 sec. on each task, and the number of embedded/hidden figures located. Younger subjects generally saw more reversals and found more embedded figures than elderly ones. The subjects' living situation, education, and verbal ability also were correlated with perceptual performance. These results suggest generalization of age associations with scores in 90 sec. must be tempered by consideration of other factors which affect intactness, basic competence, and how competence is measured.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Remembering mnemonics: a three-year follow-up on the effects of mnemonics training in elderly adults.

The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term impact of providing training in mnemonics to a small group of elderly adults. We wished to determine if such training could be utilized effectively some three years (34 months) after initial training. Nine of ten original subjects consented to take part in the retesting exercise. Ages ranged from 66 to 85 yrs (M = 73.5). Our results demonstrate that though loci generally were available for use in remembering a new word list, they usually were not effectively utilized to enhance recall. Our participants also agreed that the training they had received was useful. In spite of this, a majority of the respondents did not use the method of loci after training. However, adults of all ages often do not utilize mnemonics training once its effectiveness has been demonstrated. Therefore, creating effective cognitive interventions may require that we adopt techniques that have been shown to improve compliance in other areas of healthy living.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

Compatibility of self-actualization and anxiety.

Dabrowski's (1972) theory of positive disintegration argues that anxiety appears to be the dynamic of self-actualization. A study to assess this hypothesis (Wilkins, Hjelle, & Thompson, 1977) reported that self-actualization was incompatible with chronic, debilitating or neurotic anxiety. The current study further examined the empirical and conceptual relation between anxiety and self-actualization. A measure of self-actualization (the POI) and two measures of anxiety were taken from Ss (N = 126). Thirty-three items from the POI were found to be measures of anxiety and were scored negatively for self-actualization. Removal of anxiety items and rescoring of the POI yielded self-actualization measures that were related positively to anxiety test scores. The results indicate that the POI theoretically is biased against anxiety, the conclusion of Wilkins et al. is not necessary, and Dabrowski's theory remains viable.

Achievement↗
PubMed1982

Necker cube reversals in young, middle-aged, and elderly females.

This research dealt with the reversing Necker cube illusion and its relationship to age in healthy, community-dwelling female adults. 36 respondents representing three age groups (20-39, 40-59, and 61-80 yr.) were tested. Age was unrelated to experiencing the Necker cube illusion contrary to predictions based on previous research and stimulus persistence theory. The role of sampling effects in gerontological research outcomes is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Memory for random shapes and eidetic ability.

A measure of eidetic imagery (memory for random shapes) was evaluated with a group of 56 third grade subjects. No relationship was found between the memory task and a standard eidetic imagery task. The memory task did correlate .44 with Otis-Lennon IQ, .33 reading ability, and .23 teachers' ratings of reading ability.

Achievement↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Maintenance and generalization of mnemonics for grocery shopping by older adults.

This study was designed to assess the impact and generalization of mnemonics training in older adults. We attempted to maximize the task's ecological validity and the motivation of participants. Ten older adults were initially tested in a standard free recall task. All participants were next trained to use the method of loci. This technique was then used to remember a grocery list while purchasing groceries. Four weeks later, a second grocery shopping test was conducted. After another four weeks, a second free recall test was given. Participants' memory performance was recorded in each activity and they reported mnemonic strategies they had used. Participants exhibited near perfect performance in the grocery shopping tasks, but many modified their strategies before the second shopping session. Participants who did not modify their strategies were more likely to exhibit long term maintenance of training (retention of strategy and improved performance) in the final free recall task. Factors associated with changes in a training program's impact over time, and the need to survey participants' reported strategy utilization, are discussed.

Activities of Daily Living↗