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Papers by Michael Merbaum

Research paper thumbnail of Merbaum 2024 Progressive Quote Application and ID Cards

Research paper thumbnail of Coping and Anxiety in Women Recalled for Additional Diagnostic Procedures Following an Abnormal Screening Mammogram

Health Psychology, 2004

This study characterized women&am... more This study characterized women's concurrent and subsequent levels of emotional distress associated with a questionable mammogram screening and relationships between women's coping and psychosocial adjustment. State anxiety was assessed in 98 women 1 day after receiving a mammogram screening (Time 1), after notification of a questionable screening result that necessitated additional testing (Time 2), and after being informed of their breast-cancer-free status (Time 3). Key findings include (a) women reported a significant increase in anxiety following notification of the need to return for follow-up testing; (b) significant and positive associations were found between anxiety and behavioral approach, behavioral avoidance, cognitive approach, and cognitive avoidance coping in cross-sectional analyses; and (c) cognitive avoidance coping was a strong predictor of final levels of state anxiety in women. Findings suggest that cognitive avoidance coping plays an important role in reducing anxiety in women recalled to clarify an initially ambiguous screening procedure.

Research paper thumbnail of The clinical study of social behavior

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, Sep 1, 1973

Research paper thumbnail of Personality: readings in theory and research

Research paper thumbnail of Relaxation and assertive training as automated adjunct behaviour therapy administered in a self-control orientation with psychiatric patients

British Journal of Clinical Psychology, Nov 1, 1984

The present study evaluated the efficacy of two automated behavioural treatment modalities used a... more The present study evaluated the efficacy of two automated behavioural treatment modalities used as a self‐control strategy (deep muscle relaxation and assertive training) as compared to two control groups (attention/placebo and no behavioural treatment) in a psychiatric out‐patient population. Results indicate that, as compared to the other groups, the relaxation group achieved a clinically substantial and statistically significant change. Furthermore, the efficacy of automated relaxation used as a self‐control strategy is sufficient to warrant its introduction as an adjunct psychiatric therapy in out‐patient psychiatric settings. More research is needed before automated assertive training as a self‐control strategy can be introduced to the clinic as an adjunct therapy.

Research paper thumbnail of Modification and Generalization of Verbal Behavior as a Function of Direct Verbal Intervention

Psychological Reports, Jun 1, 1975

The generalization of verbal conditioning within a personal interview context for 24 male and 24 ... more The generalization of verbal conditioning within a personal interview context for 24 male and 24 female college students was studied. During training, subjects were reinforced and directed to produce positive self-references in one group and negative self-references in another. The latter showed generalization but positive self-references did not change. These data suggest that this positive affect resists transfer and may account for the poor to mixed results of conventional psychotherapeutic situations where talking prevails.

Research paper thumbnail of The conditioning of affective self-references by three classes of generalized reinforcers1

Journal of Personality, Jun 1, 1963

Research paper thumbnail of The interaction between subject characteristics and self-control procedures in the treatment of interpersonal anxiety

Cognitive Therapy and Research, Jun 1, 1981

Research paper thumbnail of How to control yourself

Research paper thumbnail of Mediating factors in the modification of smoking behavior

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, Dec 1, 1983

This study was designed to investigate two personality variables that may influence the effective... more This study was designed to investigate two personality variables that may influence the effectiveness of covert sensitization in reducing smoking behavior. These are GSR reactivity to stressors and GSR adaptation to repeated stressors. It was predicted that both high reactivity and nonadaptivity to stressors would facilitate covert sensitization therapy. Fiftynine subjects underwent treatment and were followed up at 3,6 and 12 week intervals. Subjects were distributed among four groups: A. High reactors, nonadaptive (15); B. High reactors, adaptive (14); C. Low reactors, nonadaptive (9); D. Low reactors, adaptive (21). The results demonstrate that the measure of reactivity to stressors is significantly related to the success of the treatment, but the relevance of the measure of adaptivity factor was not demonstrated.

Research paper thumbnail of Whither The Self?

contemporary Psychology, Mar 1, 1988

Research paper thumbnail of Therapists' liking of their psychotherapy patients: Some issues related to severity of disorder and treatability

Psychotherapy, 1982

This study revealed various factors which appeared to differentiate "easy" from "difficult" psych... more This study revealed various factors which appeared to differentiate "easy" from "difficult" psychotherapy patients. The general characteristics of the "easy" as compared to the " difficult" patients indicated significantly less pathology on the MMPI, a more favorable psychotherapy prognosis, greater physical attractiveness if female and less of a tendency to be labeled" personality disorder." Of particular interest was the highly significant affective preference or "liking" for the "easy" patients. The very positive "liking" ratings of the experienced therapists toward their "easy" patients appeared to override all ideological differences in therapeutic orientation. Speculations about the impact of "liking" versus "disliking" of patients in psychotherapy are offered.

Research paper thumbnail of The relationship between aversion, group training and vomiting in the reduction of smoking behavior

Addictive Behaviors, 1979

The effectiveness of strong aversion joined with various group training procedures was compared w... more The effectiveness of strong aversion joined with various group training procedures was compared with strong aversion and mild aversion treatments in the reduction of smoking behavior. Fifty-two male and female smokers were assigned to strong aversion plus self-control group, strong aversion plus temptation-control group, strong aversion and mild aversion groups. In addition, the effect of vomiting during the aversive training was related to follow-up cigarette consumption rates. In general, these data suggest that strong aversion alone is as effective as a combination of strong aversion plus self-control training. Vomiting during treatment appears to be related to lowered cigarette consumption.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of therapist contact and a self-control manual on nailbiting reduction

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of instructions, elicitations, and reinforcements in the manipulation of affective verbal behavior

Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1968

This study has concerned itself with the comparative efficiency of instructions, elicitations, an... more This study has concerned itself with the comparative efficiency of instructions, elicitations, and reinforcements in the manipulation of affective verbal behavior. Bandura has suggested that simple instructions to emit a verbal operant would be superior to the usual reinforcement contingency procedure in increasing verbal response rate. The results indicate that the instruction groups achieved significantly higher rates for both positive and negative emotional words than the reinforcement groups supporting Bandura's prediction. The elicitation group also exceeded the reinforcement group in the emission of negative affect words. It is suggested that verbal behavior can be successfully manipulated by procedures other than the usual verbal conditioning methods.

Research paper thumbnail of An Eclectic's Feast

contemporary Psychology, Apr 1, 1992

Research paper thumbnail of Reports of emotional experience by sensitizers and repressors during an interview transaction

Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1967

Research paper thumbnail of Simulation of normal MMPI profiles by repressors and sensitizers

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1972

Research paper thumbnail of Some personality characteristics of soldiers exposed to extreme war stress

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1976

A group of 24 hospitalized soldier psychiatric casualties and a comparison group of 12 wounded me... more A group of 24 hospitalized soldier psychiatric casualties and a comparison group of 12 wounded medical casualties were the subjects. The purpose of this study was to compare the personality characteristics of two groups of soldiers confronted with substantial war stress and to examine the similarities between the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profiles of Israeli and American soldier psychiatric casualties and a comparable group of medical controls. The mean profiles of Israeli and American medical and psychiatric groups showed no scale overlap. Twenty-one of 24 subjects in the Israeli psychiatric sample had four or more scales above a T score 70, whereas only 1 of the 12 medical subjects had two clinical scales above a T score 70.

Research paper thumbnail of Some personality characteristics of soldiers exposed to extreme war stress: A follow-up study of post-hospital adjustment

Journal of Clinical Psychology, Apr 1, 1977

A group of 24 hospitalized soldier psychiatric casualties and a comparison group of 12 wounded me... more A group of 24 hospitalized soldier psychiatric casualties and a comparison group of 12 wounded medical casualties were the subjects. The purpose of this study was to compare the personality characteristics of two groups of soldiers confronted with substantial war stress and to examine the similarities between the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profiles of Israeli and American soldier psychiatric casualties and a comparable group of medical controls. The mean profiles of Israeli and American medical and psychiatric groups showed no scale overlap. Twenty-one of 24 subjects in the Israeli psychiatric sample had four or more scales above a T score 70, whereas only 1 of the 12 medical subjects had two clinical scales above a T score 70.

Research paper thumbnail of Merbaum 2024 Progressive Quote Application and ID Cards

Research paper thumbnail of Coping and Anxiety in Women Recalled for Additional Diagnostic Procedures Following an Abnormal Screening Mammogram

Health Psychology, 2004

This study characterized women&am... more This study characterized women's concurrent and subsequent levels of emotional distress associated with a questionable mammogram screening and relationships between women's coping and psychosocial adjustment. State anxiety was assessed in 98 women 1 day after receiving a mammogram screening (Time 1), after notification of a questionable screening result that necessitated additional testing (Time 2), and after being informed of their breast-cancer-free status (Time 3). Key findings include (a) women reported a significant increase in anxiety following notification of the need to return for follow-up testing; (b) significant and positive associations were found between anxiety and behavioral approach, behavioral avoidance, cognitive approach, and cognitive avoidance coping in cross-sectional analyses; and (c) cognitive avoidance coping was a strong predictor of final levels of state anxiety in women. Findings suggest that cognitive avoidance coping plays an important role in reducing anxiety in women recalled to clarify an initially ambiguous screening procedure.

Research paper thumbnail of The clinical study of social behavior

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, Sep 1, 1973

Research paper thumbnail of Personality: readings in theory and research

Research paper thumbnail of Relaxation and assertive training as automated adjunct behaviour therapy administered in a self-control orientation with psychiatric patients

British Journal of Clinical Psychology, Nov 1, 1984

The present study evaluated the efficacy of two automated behavioural treatment modalities used a... more The present study evaluated the efficacy of two automated behavioural treatment modalities used as a self‐control strategy (deep muscle relaxation and assertive training) as compared to two control groups (attention/placebo and no behavioural treatment) in a psychiatric out‐patient population. Results indicate that, as compared to the other groups, the relaxation group achieved a clinically substantial and statistically significant change. Furthermore, the efficacy of automated relaxation used as a self‐control strategy is sufficient to warrant its introduction as an adjunct psychiatric therapy in out‐patient psychiatric settings. More research is needed before automated assertive training as a self‐control strategy can be introduced to the clinic as an adjunct therapy.

Research paper thumbnail of Modification and Generalization of Verbal Behavior as a Function of Direct Verbal Intervention

Psychological Reports, Jun 1, 1975

The generalization of verbal conditioning within a personal interview context for 24 male and 24 ... more The generalization of verbal conditioning within a personal interview context for 24 male and 24 female college students was studied. During training, subjects were reinforced and directed to produce positive self-references in one group and negative self-references in another. The latter showed generalization but positive self-references did not change. These data suggest that this positive affect resists transfer and may account for the poor to mixed results of conventional psychotherapeutic situations where talking prevails.

Research paper thumbnail of The conditioning of affective self-references by three classes of generalized reinforcers1

Journal of Personality, Jun 1, 1963

Research paper thumbnail of The interaction between subject characteristics and self-control procedures in the treatment of interpersonal anxiety

Cognitive Therapy and Research, Jun 1, 1981

Research paper thumbnail of How to control yourself

Research paper thumbnail of Mediating factors in the modification of smoking behavior

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, Dec 1, 1983

This study was designed to investigate two personality variables that may influence the effective... more This study was designed to investigate two personality variables that may influence the effectiveness of covert sensitization in reducing smoking behavior. These are GSR reactivity to stressors and GSR adaptation to repeated stressors. It was predicted that both high reactivity and nonadaptivity to stressors would facilitate covert sensitization therapy. Fiftynine subjects underwent treatment and were followed up at 3,6 and 12 week intervals. Subjects were distributed among four groups: A. High reactors, nonadaptive (15); B. High reactors, adaptive (14); C. Low reactors, nonadaptive (9); D. Low reactors, adaptive (21). The results demonstrate that the measure of reactivity to stressors is significantly related to the success of the treatment, but the relevance of the measure of adaptivity factor was not demonstrated.

Research paper thumbnail of Whither The Self?

contemporary Psychology, Mar 1, 1988

Research paper thumbnail of Therapists' liking of their psychotherapy patients: Some issues related to severity of disorder and treatability

Psychotherapy, 1982

This study revealed various factors which appeared to differentiate "easy" from "difficult" psych... more This study revealed various factors which appeared to differentiate "easy" from "difficult" psychotherapy patients. The general characteristics of the "easy" as compared to the " difficult" patients indicated significantly less pathology on the MMPI, a more favorable psychotherapy prognosis, greater physical attractiveness if female and less of a tendency to be labeled" personality disorder." Of particular interest was the highly significant affective preference or "liking" for the "easy" patients. The very positive "liking" ratings of the experienced therapists toward their "easy" patients appeared to override all ideological differences in therapeutic orientation. Speculations about the impact of "liking" versus "disliking" of patients in psychotherapy are offered.

Research paper thumbnail of The relationship between aversion, group training and vomiting in the reduction of smoking behavior

Addictive Behaviors, 1979

The effectiveness of strong aversion joined with various group training procedures was compared w... more The effectiveness of strong aversion joined with various group training procedures was compared with strong aversion and mild aversion treatments in the reduction of smoking behavior. Fifty-two male and female smokers were assigned to strong aversion plus self-control group, strong aversion plus temptation-control group, strong aversion and mild aversion groups. In addition, the effect of vomiting during the aversive training was related to follow-up cigarette consumption rates. In general, these data suggest that strong aversion alone is as effective as a combination of strong aversion plus self-control training. Vomiting during treatment appears to be related to lowered cigarette consumption.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of therapist contact and a self-control manual on nailbiting reduction

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of instructions, elicitations, and reinforcements in the manipulation of affective verbal behavior

Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1968

This study has concerned itself with the comparative efficiency of instructions, elicitations, an... more This study has concerned itself with the comparative efficiency of instructions, elicitations, and reinforcements in the manipulation of affective verbal behavior. Bandura has suggested that simple instructions to emit a verbal operant would be superior to the usual reinforcement contingency procedure in increasing verbal response rate. The results indicate that the instruction groups achieved significantly higher rates for both positive and negative emotional words than the reinforcement groups supporting Bandura's prediction. The elicitation group also exceeded the reinforcement group in the emission of negative affect words. It is suggested that verbal behavior can be successfully manipulated by procedures other than the usual verbal conditioning methods.

Research paper thumbnail of An Eclectic's Feast

contemporary Psychology, Apr 1, 1992

Research paper thumbnail of Reports of emotional experience by sensitizers and repressors during an interview transaction

Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1967

Research paper thumbnail of Simulation of normal MMPI profiles by repressors and sensitizers

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1972

Research paper thumbnail of Some personality characteristics of soldiers exposed to extreme war stress

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1976

A group of 24 hospitalized soldier psychiatric casualties and a comparison group of 12 wounded me... more A group of 24 hospitalized soldier psychiatric casualties and a comparison group of 12 wounded medical casualties were the subjects. The purpose of this study was to compare the personality characteristics of two groups of soldiers confronted with substantial war stress and to examine the similarities between the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profiles of Israeli and American soldier psychiatric casualties and a comparable group of medical controls. The mean profiles of Israeli and American medical and psychiatric groups showed no scale overlap. Twenty-one of 24 subjects in the Israeli psychiatric sample had four or more scales above a T score 70, whereas only 1 of the 12 medical subjects had two clinical scales above a T score 70.

Research paper thumbnail of Some personality characteristics of soldiers exposed to extreme war stress: A follow-up study of post-hospital adjustment

Journal of Clinical Psychology, Apr 1, 1977

A group of 24 hospitalized soldier psychiatric casualties and a comparison group of 12 wounded me... more A group of 24 hospitalized soldier psychiatric casualties and a comparison group of 12 wounded medical casualties were the subjects. The purpose of this study was to compare the personality characteristics of two groups of soldiers confronted with substantial war stress and to examine the similarities between the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profiles of Israeli and American soldier psychiatric casualties and a comparable group of medical controls. The mean profiles of Israeli and American medical and psychiatric groups showed no scale overlap. Twenty-one of 24 subjects in the Israeli psychiatric sample had four or more scales above a T score 70, whereas only 1 of the 12 medical subjects had two clinical scales above a T score 70.