A Contribution to the Problem of the Role of Set and Attitude in Perceptual Processes

Different human beings perceive the same phenomena, events, and things in different ways. This fact, which we encounter at every step in our daily lives and in all spheres of our activity is one of the central problems in the psychology of perception. Observations and experiments have established, beyond question, that past experience is one of the circumstances involved. The first problem studied in this connection was the role of the personality factor in perception. After all, past experience is the property of the personality. The problem of the subjective factor also arose in connection with the fact that psychological activity is generally purposeful, and this is particularly true of the processes of thought and perception. As a matter of fact, it would be no exaggeration to state that the problem of the subjective factor faces all schools of perceptual psychology to one degree or another and in one form or another, no matter how widely their theoretical positions differ.     

A Contribution to the Problem of Systematized Delusions in Adolescents

As we know, rigorously systematized delusions of long duration are very rarely seen in children and adolescents. Sander (1) held that "original paranoia" may begin in early childhood. Krafft-Ebing (2) believed that "hereditary primary insanity," as distinguished from its late form, is encountered only in predisposed children— weak-willed, hypochondriac, pathologically quick to take offense — and is manifested in delusions of grandeur and ideas of reference and of special significance. G. E. Sukhareva, (3) describing systematized delusions in schizophrenic adolescents, expresses the opinion that within the framework of schizophrenia, such delusions occur primarily in psychopathic adolescents with schizoid traits: dominating, suspicious and inclined to fantasy. Stable delusions and delusive ideas against the background of a schizophrenic process in adolescents have also been described by certain other authors. (4-8)     

A Contribution to the Problem of Anorexia Nervosa (with Respect to One of the Causes of Secondary Anorexia)

Anorexia — refusal of food for various reasons — is not only a psychiatric problem, but also interests therapeutists, endocrinologists and pediatricians. The definition, "nervous anorexia" substantially narrows this affection to a rather distinctive clinical picture, in which young women (considerably less often, young men) are described who stubbornly refuse to eat, and not infrequently reach a stage of pronounced cachexia.     

The Development of the Sauropsid Integument: A Contribution to the Problem of the Origin and Evolution of Feathers

Developmental anatomical data are insufficient to discuss plausibleintermediates between an ancestral, scaled, reptilian skin andappendage-bearing, avian skin. We also review adult tissue replacementand ubiquitous mechanisms underlying skin morphogenesis. Combiningdevelopmental data sensu lato with consideration of necessarybiological roles permits evaluation of major form/function trendsin skin evolution. New data on feathers reveal retention ofthe sauropsid synapomorphy of vertical alteration of - and ß-keratogenesis.By identifying roles that were obligatorily maintained throughoutevolution, we demonstrate constraints on hypothetical skin morphologiesin preavian taxa. We analyze feather origins as a problem ofemergence of complex form via modulations of morphogenesis.While existing data do not permit presentation of sequential,hypothetical, intermediates culminating in a plumage, the analysis:(1) implies that a protofeather and its follicle are most easilyderived from isolated, flattened, elongate, reptilian scales;(2) explains diversification of feather morphs from a contour-like"basic" feather and the similarity between feather and hairfollicles; and thus (3) reveals several developmental constraintson structures proposed as antecedent to avian feathers, whetherhypothetical constructs or palaeontological interpretations.Although these conclusions do not depend on any previous scenario,they are consistent with Regal's (1975) model and the limited,fossil evidence, especially that of the "basal archosaur" Longisquama.     

A Contribution to the Phosphorus Loading Concept

For the application of the empirical model of Vollenweider and Dillon (1974). and Vollenweider (1976). to reservoirs, the critical phosphorus loading levels have been related to dissolved orthophosphate. 19 reservoirs and primary reservoirs are in optimum accordance with the extended model. To permit the use of the model also in the range of very short residence times, an extremely simple analytical model of phytoplankton growth has been introduced. The reliability of the resulting outwash limits has been checked by means of random sampling at two primary reservoirs. Among 17 samples only 1 does not fit into the model.