PSYCHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE.

Chair: Pamela Banks, University of Mississippi Medical Center 

Vicechair: Billy Barrios, University of Mississippi 

THURSDAY MORNING

Room 604

8:20 RACE, RECEPTIVITY, AND COMPROMISE

Jerome [Burt.sup.*] and Billy A. [Barrios.sup.*], University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677

The present study examined the modern face of racism as manifested through differences in receptivity, i.e., the display of openness and interest in others. Forty white male undergraduates were placed in a waiting-room situation with either a white male confederate posing as a fellow subject or a black male confederate posing as a fellow subject. The four-minute waiting period was monitored continuously via a hidden video camera and subsequently rated for the following response elements o[pound] the receptivity construct: interpersonal distance, openness of body posture, directed gaze, positive affect, and verbal engagement. High estimates of interrater reliability and moderate estimates of interrelationships among the response measures were obtained. As expected, the white male participants were more receptive to the presence of the white male confederate than they were to the presence of the black male confederate (i.e., more eye contact, more positive affect, greater openness of body posture, and greater levels of conversation to the white confederate than to the black confederate). Following the waiting room situation, a conflict situation was created in which the subject and confederate attempted to resolve. Their negotiations were monitored via a hidden video camera and later rated for the following response elements of the compromise construct: cooperation, appropriate assertiveness, active listening, and brainstorming. Small to moderate correlations were obtained between the receptivity measures and the compromise measures of the white subjects in the black confederate condition, suggesting the modern face of racism may find expression through both of these fundamental forms of social interaction.

8:40 AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS ATTENDIKG A PREDOMINANTLY WHITE INSTITUTION: A STUDY OF RACIAL IDENTITY AND ATTRITION

Bertha Langin-[Ealey.sup.*] and Billy A. [Barrios.sup.*], University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677

In recent years, predominantly white universities have been very successful in recruiting greater and greater numbers of African American students. They have not been so successful in graduating African-American students at rates equal to that of their white students. What is more, these institutions have directed far more attention to the matter of white student attrition than they have to the matter of black student attrition. The widely-researched and widely-accepted Tinto model of student persistence/attrition has been the focus of much of the former. In Tinto's model, dropping out of college before attaining a degree is seen as a function of three sets of variables: individual student characteristics, goals and commitments, and institution's academic and social systems. The present study tested the validity of the Tinto model in predicting attrition/persistence among African-American students attending The University of Mississippi. Seven core propositions of the model were tested on a sample of over on e hundred incoming African-American students: (1) the student entry characteristic of racial identity would be associated with commitment to graduation, (2) academic integration would be associated with commitment to graduation, (3) social integration would be associated with commitment to the institution, (4) commitment to graduation would be associated with persistence in college, (5) commitment to the institution would be associated with persistence in college, (6) pre-entry commitment to graduation would be associated with in-school commitment to graduation, and (7) pre-entry commitment to the institution would be associated with in-school commitment to the institution. Mixed support for the model was obtained, suggesting the need for refinements in order to enhance the generality of the model to minority populations.

9:00 HINDLIMB COORDINATION IN INFANT RATS

Gabriel [Haymon.sup.*] [1], Sarah Waller [1], Sheree Watson [1], and Scott Robinson [2], (1.) Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217 and (2.) University of Iowa, Ames, IA 52242

Fetal and neonatal mammals exhibit spontaneous movement as a normal aspect of early behavioral development. The importance of this spontaneous activity in the development of motor coordination has not been well characterized. If spontaneous limb activity influences the patterns of later motor behavior, interventions that impose specific motor patterns should increase rates of those patterns. In the present study, the hindlimbs of newborn rats were yoked such that the limb movements were constrained to an alternated stepping pattern. The rats that underwent yoke training demonstrated higher levels of the alternating stepping pattern than unyoked controls. These results imply the existence of a functional kinesthetic sense soon after birth and indicate that motor learning may provide an important contribution to early motor development. This research was supported by NIH grants 5T34GM07672-23 awarded to Richard Sullivan and HD33862MH50701 awarded to Scott Robinson.

9:20 EFFECTS OF PARITY ON SEXUAL RECEPTIVITY IN FEMALE BUSHBABIES

Sheree [Watson.sup.*], Aarion Gray, Ronda Stavisky, Kenchetta Collins, LaTarsha Henderson, and Natalie Herndon, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217

Bushbabies are prosimian primates which exhibit consistent sex ratio biases in favor of male offspring. There is a birth order effect with the sex ratio bias most pronounced for the offspring of primiparous females. Several physiological variables have been suggested as mechanisms influencing sex ratio, but the successful influence of physiological variables may depend on interaction with behavioral mediators. The present study examined sexual behavior and vaginal epithelialization in 5 nulliparous and 5 multiparous female bushbabies. The duration of vaginal epithelialization was compared for nulliparous and multiparous females for a two year period. When the reliability of the sexual cycle was established for each female, it was placed with a mate. Behavior was videotaped through courtship and first copulation. First day of copulation within the receptive period was recorded. Male bushbabies successfully mated with nulliparous females earlier in the receptive period than with multiparous females (p = .03). Nulliparous females tended to have longer maximum periods of epithelialization than multiparous females (p = .1). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that behavioral factors interact with physiological factors to produce sex ratio bias. The differences in timing of mating with nulliparous and multiparous females may result from prior mating experiences, changing hormone levels associated with bearing and rearing young, or a combination of experiential and physiological factors. This research was supported by NSF Grant 9874475.

9:40 Break

9:50 ALTERATIONS OF DENDRITIC LENGTH AND CONNECTIVITY IN SCHIZOPHRENIC CORTEX

Lathen [Hardy.sup.*] [1], Sheree Watson [1], and William Greenough [2], (1.) Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, and (2.) University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820

Schizophrenia is a severe chronic mental illness that affects approximately 1% of the world population. Structural anomalies have been consistently noted in the brains of schizophrenics. These anomalies include ventricular enlargement and reduced cortical thickness coupled with increased cellular density in prefrontal cortex. The present study compared Golgi stained brain tissue from schizophrenic and control cases for evidence of differential number of synapses per neuron and differential size of synaptic components in cortical Areas 10 and 17. Results indicated that neural connections are impoverished and dendritic length of neurons is reduced in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenics compared to those of normal controls. The differences, however, were less pronounced in Area 17 than in Area 10. These results are consistent with the results of previous studies which found diminished neuronal material and impoverished neural connectivity in the schizophrenic cortex. This research was supported by NIH grant ST34GM07672-23 awarded to Richard Sullivan.

10:10 MIGHT FALSE CONSENSUS EFFECTS INFLUENCE PERCEPTIONS ABOUT SOCIAL BEHAVIOR?

Pamela G. [Banks.sup.*], Sheree Watson, and Carmenita Jiles, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217

There has been substantial research examining gender differences in agreement with stereotypes about sexual behavior. We investigated gender differences in agreement with statements about sexual stereotypes usually attributed to women, but we applied them to males. Ninety-three male and 168 female undergraduates responded to a survey assessing attitudes about male sexual behavior. Respondents were asked to indicate on a S-point scale the extent of agreement with statements such as "Men tend to prefer lovers who are aggressive, forceful, and dominant." Internal consistency of the survey instrument was verified by a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.77. Men were more likely than women to agree with statements indicating that men are less than forthright about underlying sexual motives. Men were more likely to endorse such statements as "Most men are shy about expressing their sexual interests or desires to women" (p [less than] .001), "When men say no, they usually mean yes" (p = .04), "Most men play hard to g et when it comes to sex" (p [less than] .004), "If a man has several female friends, he is probably promiscuous" (p = .04), and "Men are being seductive when they are polite" (p [less than] .001). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that male belief sex stereotypes about women result from a false consensus effect. These findings suggest that sexual harassment workshops might be more effective if they address gender differences in perception of male-female interactions.

10:30 SUN PROTECTION BEHAVIORS IN BLACKS AND WHITES

Richisa [Johnson.sup.*] and Kim Lochner, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115

According to the National Cancer Institute SEER Program, the skin cancer incidence rate for whites from 1988-1992 was 24.6% and 1.7% for blacks (1993). However, the mortality rate for whites with skin cancer was only 5.1% and 0.9% for blacks. The Healthy People 2000 skin cancer prevention goals are to increase the percent of people who engage in sun protection behaviors to at least 60%. The present study investigated sun protection behaviors in whites and blacks using the 1992 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Cancer Control Supplement (N = 9,267). The investigators also conducted a review of skin cancer awareness/prevention materials and campaigns. It was found that some variation existed among blacks and whites for sun protection behaviors. While the percentage of blacks and whites that reported being unlikely to wear protective clothing was almost equal (51% and 50% respectively), 45% of blacks and 32% of whites reported being unlikely to avoid the sun. Eighty-one percent of blacks and 45% of whites reported being unlikely to wear sun block. Of the twelve skin cancer awareness/prevention materials and campaigns, only two included a photograph or an illustration of a black person. Moreover, only three of the campaign ads made reference that people of various ethnicities are at risk for skin cancer. Given the variation in sun protection behaviors and the scarcity of blacks in campaign ads, the researchers recommend that all ads and campaigns make reference to and target people of all ethnicities. Emphasis on the seriousness of skin cancer, prevalence and mortality rates across ethnicities, and increased sun protection behaviors for all ethnic cultures should be advocated in skin cancer prevention materials.

10:50 PARAMETER VARIATION OF A LONGITUDINAL STRUCTURAL MODEL OF ALCOHOL USE AND ABUSE WITH AGE

Shaila Khan, Tougaloo College, Ridgeland, MS 39157

This study investigated the effect of age on alcohol use and abuse in a longitudinal random sample, stratified by age and gender, drawn by Winnipeg Health and Drinking Survey, Canada in 1989 and 1991. The data set contains complete records of 865 cases (433 males and 432 females). Alcohol abuse was measured in three ways: alcohol use, alcohol problems and alcohol dependence. Volume of ethanol per day was derived from quantity and frequency questions asked separately about wine, beer and liquor used over the past 30 days. Two different pattern indicators of alcohol use were considered. Items measuring alcohol problems included: binge drinking, symptomatic drinking, loss of control, spouse's complains about drinking, problems at work, problems with police, health problems, and accidents. Alcohol Dependency was measured by three scales: DIS-III-R, SADD, and SMAST. Structural Equation Modeling was used to analyze the dependence and causal structure among the observed variables. Comparisons were made by simultane ous evaluations of three models (younger, middle, and older age group) with constraints imposed on parameters for testing equality. The three groups were found to behave differently in terms of alcohol abuse. The younger age group was observed to have higher symptomatic problems, higher occurrence of problems with police and higher involvement with accidents. It was also found that the means of alcohol use, alcohol problems, and alcohol dependence for age group 1 were the highest.

11:10 Divisional Poster Session

SCREENING PIPER METHYSTICUM AND ITS COMPOUNDS FOR ANXIOLYTIC PROPERTIES

Matt W. [Feltenstein.sup.*] [1], H.R. Dharmaratne [1,2], K.K. Smith [1], S.L. Broom [1], J.T. Roach [1], N.P.D. Nanyakkara [1], I.A. Khan [1], and K.J. Sufka [1], (1.) University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677 and (2.) Institute of Fundemental Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Piper methysticum extract (kava kava) possesses numerous therapeutic properties, but it is unknown which of its principle constituents (kavalactones) subserve such effects. This experiment sought to characterize the putative anxiolytic properties of Piper methysticum extract and its six principle kavalactones in the chick social separation-stress paradigm. Eight-day-old chicks received intraperitoneal injections of either vehicle, chlordiazepoxide (5.0mg/ml/kg), Piper methysticum extract (containing 30% kavalactones), kavain, dihydrokavain, methysticin, dihydromethysticin, yangonin, or desmethoxyyangonin, (30mg/ml/kg for kava compounds) 30 minutes prior to being tested in the presence of two conspecifics or in isolation for a three minute observation period. Latency to adopt a ventral recumbent posture to index sedation, number of vocalizations to index separation distress, and a composite pain score (in response to .05 ml of 0.10% formalin injection into the plantar surface of the foot) to index stress-induc ed analgesia, served as dependent measures. Both chlordiazepoxide and Piper methysticum extract attenuated separation-induced distress vocalizations and stress-induced analgesia. Dihydrokavain attenuated separation-induced distress vocalizations. These findings suggest that the auxiolytics effects of Piper methysticum extract may be mediated, in part, by dihydrokavain.

A COMPARISON OF HELPFUL AND UNHELPFUL COMMENTS FOR BEREAVED AND NON-BREAVED INDIVIDUALS

Richisa [Johnson.sup.*] and Pamela G. Banks, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217

To identify helpful and unhelpful comments and responses to bereaved persons who have lost a loved one to death, 120 college students completed a four-part questionnaire developed by the researchers. Participants were asked to report whether or not they had experienced bereavement in the past five years, identify statements they felt would be most helpful in grief situations, describe what they would want people to say or do if they lost a loved one, and respond to items that assessed their comfort levels when speaking to bereaved individuals.. It was hypothesized that differences exist between individuals who have lost a loved one to death and those who have not when identifying helpful and unhelpful comments. Seventy-eight percent of the subjects reported that they had experienced the loss of a loved one within the past five years. Comments that persuaded the person to express emotions about their loss and that reminded the person of the qualities of their loved ones were perceived as most helpful in grief situations. Conversations that allow a person to talk about their loss were also regarded as being helpful. These findings were consistent with helpful comments and responses in grief situations found in previous studies (Johnson, 1999; Range, Walston, & Pollard, 1992). In a forced-choice format regarding preference for social support versus rationalization of death, ninety-two percent of the respondents reported that they would want people to "be there when needed" if they lost a loved one to death, implying the significance of social support in grief situations. This research was supported by NIMH-COR Grant MH-16926.

IMAGING NORADRENERGIC AND NON-ADRENERGIC BINDING OF [2H]CLONIDINE IN BRAINS FROM PSYCHIATRICALLY CHARACTERIZED HUMANS

S. [Swilley.sup.*], John E. Piletz, G. Rajkowska, He Zhu, B.J. Duncan, C.A. Stockmeier, G. Dilley, L. Konick, H.Y. Meltzer, J.C. Overholser, A. Halaris, and G.A. Ordway, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216

Clonidine is a partial agonist at brain [[alpha].sub.2]-adrenoceptors ([[alpha].sub.2]AR), and also has high affinity in homogenate binding assays for non-adrenergic imidazoline-binding sites (I-sites). This study utilized receptor autoradiography to compare the density distributions of binding of [[H.sup.3]]clonidine to [[alpha].sub.2]AR and I-sites and in sections of human brain. The [[alpha].sub.2]-AR component of [[H.sup.3]]clonidine binding was masked with either norepinephrine ([[alpha].sub.2]AR agonist) or with methoxyidazoxan (selective [[alpha].sub.2]AR antagonist) and the remaining I-sites were displaced with the imidazoline compound, cirazoline. Densities of [[H.sup.3]]clonidine binding to [[alpha].sub.2]AR and I-sites, determined in adjacent tissue sections, were positively correlated across 27 brain regions (p = 0.0003; [r.sup.2] = 0.385). Despite this significant correlation, closer inspection within the hippocampus, using quantitative transepts drawn across hippocampal imag es, revealed [[alpha].sub.2]AR enrichments in the CA-l and inner molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, areas not enriched in I-sites. Competition curves were generated for I-sites in caudate sections using 10 ligands reported to distinguish between [I.sub.1] and [I.sub.2] subtypes. The rank-order of affinities was cirazoline [greater than] harmane [greater than] BDF6143[greater than] idazoxan = tizanidine (affinities of agmatine, efaroxan, moxonidine, norepinephrine, and oxymetazoline were too low to be reliable). The low affinity of moxonidine for I-site binding was confirmed using [[H.sup.3]]moxonidine as the radioligand. [[H.sup.3]]Moxonidine selectively labeled [[alpha].sub.2]-AR in the human brain. [[H.sup.3]]Clonidine binding to [[alpha].sub.2]AR and to I-sites in 6 layers of the left, rostral orbitofrontal cortex (area 47) were measured in 11 psychiatrically normal control subjects and 11 subjects with major depression, of whom diagnoses were confirmed by retrospective psychiatric autopsy.

INFLUENCE OF LEAD ON NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE ACTIVITY IN THE DEVELOPING RAT BRAIN

R. Bell, V. [Hinton.sup.*], K. Cornelius, S. Rajanna, and B. Rajanna, Alcorn State University, Alcorn State, MS 39096

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is a class of enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of L-arginine to L-citrulline. Lead (Pb) affects physiological, biochemical and neurochemical junctions in the rat brain. The present study is designed to determine the effects of Pb on NOS activity in the developing rat brain. Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats in their 5th day of gestation were treated with 0.1% and 0.2% Pb Acetate through distilled, deionized drinking water only. Treatments continued during pregnancy and until 21 postnatal days (PND). The pups were sacrificed at PND 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, and 60. The whole brain tissues were excised and separated into four regions: the cerebellum, the frontal cortex, the hippocampus, and the brain stem. Nitric oxide synthase activity was assessed by quantifying the release of [[H.sup.3]H]-citrulline from [[H.sup.3]]-arginine. The effects of Pb on the NOS activity were dose and age dependent and region specific. Pb decreased the NOS activity in the cerebellum, the fronta l cortex, and the brainstem at all ages except PND 60. However, in the hippocampus, the NOS activity was decreased at all ages. These results suggest that Pb reduce NOS activity in different regions of the rat brain leading to a decreased NO production. (Supported by NIH/NIGMS/MBRS GM#55356).

THURSDAY AFTERNOON

Room 604

1:00 AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF SPIRITUALITY ON ALCOHOL ABUSE

Jennifer L. [Broom.sup.*] and John C. Koeppel, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Although the scientific community recognizes spirituality as a useful factor in recovery from alcohol addiction, very little research has been specifically directed toward this relationship. Past research has indicated that a person's spiritual involvement or religious affiliation may lend protection against alcohol abuse. This research provides data on the relationship between spirituality and alcohol use in a college student sample. A group of 167 undergraduate psychology students (121 females, 45 males) participated in the study. A questionnaire incorporating the Allport and Ross Religious Orientation Scales, Schaler's Spiritual Beliefs Scales, and an adapted form of Buelow and Koeppel's Alcohol Abuse Blackout Scales was used. Participants also responded to one question assessing a religious or non-religious perception of themselves. The overall drinking patterns of this sample represent differences between drinkers and non-drinkers when compared by gender, race, intrinsic religious orientation, and spiri tual beliefs. These differences are also upheld when compared to the religious or non-religious self-perception. No significant differences were found between drinkers and non-drinkers on extrinsic religious orientation. These results suggest that cultivating spirituality as a preventive mechanism might be an additional aid in lowering the incidence of alcohol abuse. Due to the relatively small sample size, future studies are suggested using larger more diverse groups of college students.

1:20 ADOLESCENT SOCIAL AVOIDANCE PERSONALITY (ASAP) CHARACTERISTICS IN UNDERGRADUATES

Paige [Havens.sup.*] and Reid Jones, Delta State University, Cleveland, MS 38733

While the Freshman Year serves as a 'Rite of Passage' for many undergraduates, many others still are anxious in social situations. That anxiety often creates problems in social and/or academic activities. A questionnaire was developed in a first step for research on this issue. The survey asked the respondent to report the frequency of anxious experiences in situations encountered by most college students. Likert-type response alternatives were used, ranging from a score of 5 ("Always") down to a score of 1 ("Never"). Additionally, subjects rated themselves on nine personality and emotional variables. Results from a preliminary sample of 30 subjects showed that the ASAP survey had a very high reliability (Chronbach's alpha = .903748). Nineteen of the 20 items showed a significant item-to-total correlation (Pearsonr's ranging from .37 to .84). Preliminary evidence of concurrent validity was also suggested by significant Pearsonr's between the ASAP total score and the self ratings on personality and emotional variables. Persons with a high ASAP score had significantly (p[less than].05) higher self ratings on "Introversion" and "Emotional Unhappiness." Subjects with high ASAP scores had significantly (p[less than].05) lower self ratings on "Openness" and "Self Esteem." It was argued that the ASAP questionnaire could be useful to college counselors since the situations selected for items occurred more frequently to college students than the situations described in similar questionnaires designed for adults.

1:40 INTROVERSION-EXTRAVERSION (I-E) IN COLLEGE ATHLETES

Jason R. [Keen.sup.*] and Reid Jones, Delta State University, Cleveland, MS 38733

College athletes must forego many social activities available to other college students. Long hours of practice, strength training, and curfew cut into the time available for social gatherings, dating, and spending time with friends. The present study had two goals: 1) to determine if college athletes were more or less extraverted than non-athletes; and 2) to determine if strongly extraverted athletes were more dissatisfied by the loss of social opportunities than were strongly introverted athletes. Twenty items measuring I-E were constructed and tested on a sample of 30 undergraduates. Each item described one activity that would be preferred by an introvert and similar activity that would be preferred by an extravert. Respondents had to choose which of the activities they would prefer. The total number of extraverted choices served as that respondent's I-E score. Chronbach's alpha on the first version of the I-E Survey was only moderate (.5851). Five items were removed, based on low item to total correlatio ns, improving Chronbach's alpha to .6436. Subject self ratings on nine personality traits were used to predict I-E score in a significant regression model (R=.7164; p [less than].05). The resulting tool was administered to a sample of student athletes and non-athletes. Initial indications were that extraverted athletes were not significantly more dissatisfied with the loss of social opportunities.

2:00 Joint Divisional Business Meeting of Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience and Social Sciences

2:30-3:10 Joint Program with Social Sciences

3:30 Invited Speaker

EFFECT OF POSTMORTEM DELAY ON IMIDAZOLINE RECEPTOR-BINDING PROTEINS (IRBP) IN THE MOUSE BRAIN

John K. [Ma.sup.*] [1], He Zhu [2], and John E. Piletz [2], (1.) University of Mississippi, Universtiy, MS 38677 and (2.) University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216

Depression is a dreadful illness with unknown pathogenesis. Recent studies suggest a role for imidazoline receptors in depression. Two immunoreactive IRBP bands, [I.sub.2] and [I.sub.1], have been identified in the human cerebral cortex. In cortical membranes of depressed suicide victims, density of the more abundant 29/30-kD [I.sub.2] protein decreases, whereas that of 45-kD [I.sub.1] protein increases over controls (Garcia-Sevilla et al., 1998). We reasoned that changes of the two IRBP immunoreactive bands as observed in postmortem-delayed brain from suicide victims might be due to degradation of a larger protein. Alternatively, this might reflect a different expression pattern of IRBP in depression. In the present study, we determined the effect of postmortem delay on IRBP in the brain of C57B1/6J mice. Thirty mice were divided into 6 equal groups and killed by decapitation. Their remains were processed to mimic the typical way cadavers are handled after death at the coroner's office. Brains were then rem oved and frozen (-80[degrees]C). IRBP levels in the brains were determined by electrophoresis and western blotting. The results indicate that IRBP exists as mostly high MW (85 kD) and some lower MW bands in fresh mouse brain. The higher MW bands were significantly decreased such that after 30 hrs the pattern was comparable to human cortex after 30 hrs postmortem (i.e., bands of 70 and 85 kDa were almost completely gone whereas bands of 30 and 45 kDa became prominent.) Hence, opposing changes in IRBP bands reported earlier in studies of suicide victims compared to sudden-death controls may owe to differences in protein degradation of a precursor IRBP. (Supported by R01 MH 49248).