Sylvia L. Kahgee’s research while affiliated with McMaster University and other places

Normal subjects typically categorize acquaintances on bipolar dimensions consisting of pairs of contrasting descriptive adjectives by using positive adjectives in the golden section ratio, i.e. 62 percent cent of the time. This study compared the performance of thought-disordered and non-thought-disordered schizophrenics on a similar task, using acquaintances and inanimate objects. Subjects generated six evaluatively positive figures (three acquaintances and three objects) and six negative figures (three acquaintances and three objects) and categorized them and themselves using either pole of 12 pairs of contrasting descriptive adjectives. Positive adjectives were assigned to objects 59.2 per cent and to acquaintances 62.8 per cent of the time. Overall, positive adjectives were assigned 61.0 per cent of the time. There were no differences between TD and NTD subjects. Subjects rated acquaintances positively (62.0 per cent) significantly more often than objects (P less than 0.05). Results supported the fundamental nature of the GS in interpersonal relations and the idea that schizophrenics identify with and differentiate themselves from others in the same way as normals.

Investigated the ability of 7 MMPI items to identify schizoid-taxon membership as identified by R. R. Golden and P. E. Meehl . 113 schizophrenics (mean age 26.9 yrs), 24 acute depressives (mean age 40 yrs), and 43 remitted depressives (mean age 45.4 yrs) participated. With a cutting score of 4 or more items answered in the schizoid direction, 53.1% of schizophrenics were identified as taxon members, whereas 70.9% of acutely depressed Ss were so identified. In contrast, 9.3% of remitted depressives were identified as taxon members. Only 33.3% of a subgroup of the schizophrenics were consistently identified as taxon members on 2 testings, whereas 37.8% of this group were consistently identified as nontaxon members. The correlation of the scores from Test 1 to Test 2 was .54. The sum of the standard scores for the depression (D), Psychasthenia (Pt), Schizophrenia (Sc), and Social Introversion (Si) scales was also unsuccessful in identifying taxon members regardless of the cutting score used, although it did differentiate the 2 groups of depressives. The 7 items and the sum of the D, Pt, Sc, and Si scales may be reasonable indicators of current psychopathology and emotional distress. (4 ref)

• Investigated the ability of 7 MMPI items to identify schizoid-taxon membership as identified by R. R. Golden and P. E. Meehl (see record 1979-25088-001 ). 113 schizophrenics (mean age 26.9 yrs), 24 acute depressives (mean age 40 yrs), and 43 remitted depressives (mean age 45.4 yrs) participated. With a cutting score of 4 or more items answered in the schizoid direction, 53.1% of schizophrenics were identified as taxon members, whereas 70.9% of acutely depressed Ss were so identified. In contrast, 9.3% of remitted depressives were identified as taxon members. Only 33.3% of a subgroup of the schizophrenics were consistently identified as taxon members on 2 testings, whereas 37.8% of this group were consistently identified as nontaxon members. The correlation of the scores from Test 1 to Test 2 was .54. The sum of the standard scores for the depression (D), Psychasthenia (Pt), Schizophrenia (Sc), and Social Introversion (Si) scales was also unsuccessful in identifying taxon members regardless of the cutting score used, although it did differentiate the 2 groups of depressives. The 7 items and the sum of the D, Pt, Sc, and Si scales may be reasonable indicators of current psychopathology and emotional distress. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved) • Investigated the ability of 7 MMPI items to identify schizoid-taxon membership as identified by R. R. Golden and P. E. Meehl (see record 1979-25088-001 ). 113 schizophrenics (mean age 26.9 yrs), 24 acute depressives (mean age 40 yrs), and 43 remitted depressives (mean age 45.4 yrs) participated. With a cutting score of 4 or more items answered in the schizoid direction, 53.1% of schizophrenics were identified as taxon members, whereas 70.9% of acutely depressed Ss were so identified. In contrast, 9.3% of remitted depressives were identified as taxon members. Only 33.3% of a subgroup of the schizophrenics were consistently identified as taxon members on 2 testings, whereas 37.8% of this group were consistently identified as nontaxon members. The correlation of the scores from Test 1 to Test 2 was .54. The sum of the standard scores for the depression (D), Psychasthenia (Pt), Schizophrenia (Sc), and Social Introversion (Si) scales was also unsuccessful in identifying taxon members regardless of the cutting score used, although it did differentiate the 2 groups of depressives. The 7 items and the sum of the D, Pt, Sc, and Si scales may be reasonable indicators of current psychopathology and emotional distress. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

This study examined leadership structure and processes in one reserve community. Forty Native subjects (21 males and 19 females) volunteered to participate in the study. Their mean age was 33.45 years (S.D. = 16.70 years), and ranged from 16-72 years. Three groups were studied: 1) Formal leaders, who currently held elected positions of chief or councilor. 2) Informal leaders, identified by community members as those people, excluding formal leaders, who help others in the community. 3) Community members presently living on the reserve. The chief and three councilors (all males) were the formal leaders. There were two male and two female informal leaders. The community members consisted of fifteen men and 17 females. Individual interviews were obtained from all participants over a one-month period, and the responses were content analyzed. Results indicate that the three groups are more interested in local issues than national ones but they disagree about the effectiveness of reserve leadership. Community members consistently identified problems of local leadership and made suggestions for its improvement. The council is seen as fragmented and not functioning as a team. The chief is perceived as lacking political power because he cannot vote in council. Overall, there is an increased degree of band autonomy, without interference from the Department of Indian Affairs. All three groups lack involvement in community activities. Implications are discussed and recommendations are suggested.