Biofeedback-assisted EMG reduction and subsequent self-disclosure.

A male E and a female E each conducted a single session of EMG biofeedback training with 24 male and 24 female Ss (N =96) under one of three conditions: verbal reinforcement presented contingently on EMG reduction, yoked noncontingent verbal reinforcement, and no verbal reinforcement. After the biofeedback session, all Ss completed a Journard Self-disclosure Scale. Sex of S and verbal reinforcement conditions did not affect EMG biofeedback performance, but Ss treated by the male E decreased EMG mean and standard deviation more than Ss treated by the female E (p less than .01). Ss who received noncontingent verbal reinforcement reported being least willing to disclose to the E (p less than .05). These results are discussed in terms of the interpersonal influences that may affect biofeedback performance and self-disclosure.

Baseline variability as a predictor of EMG biofeedback performance.

Data from two studies are presented which indicate a consistent negative correlation between EMG-baseline variability and subsequent biofeedback-assisted EMG reduction. The implications and utility of this finding are discussed.

Demand characteristic effects on the subtle and obvious subscales of the MMPI.

The MMPI was administered to 40 undergraduate students with 20 subjects asked to imagine that they were applying for a job and 20 subjects asked to imagine that they were applying for psychotherapy. Subjects in the job group dissimulated (faked good) and those in the therapy group malingered (faked bad) as evidenced by differences between the subtle and obvious scores. The combined subtle and obvious score was higher for the psychotherapy group. It was concluded that the subtle, obvious, and combined subtle and obvious scores on the MMPI were a function of the demand characteristics of the testing situation.