Stephen---the nonparametric test is Wilcoxon, not Wilcox Joe Marrone, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology Siena College Loudonville, NY 12211 (518) 783-8747 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is." --Computer scientist Jan van de Snepscheut $-----Original Message----- $From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] $Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2006 4:30 PM $To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences $Subject: Amotivational syndrome, Dude $ $Does anyone remember the amotivational syndrome, which $allegedly afflicted heavy users of cannabis (see Cheech. M. & $Chong, T. (1978))? Well, according a recent paper, apparently $the US Department of Health does. It warns parent that $marijuana use may lead to "an apathetic approach to life, $fatigue, and poor academic and work performance", all $excellent reasons for applying brutal sanctions against $potheads in the US of A, presumably on the premise that $there's nothing like rotting in prison to motivate people again. $ $Anyway, all of this is preliminary to noting this new and $interesting study on the topic, freely available through open $access (although in double-spaced-out version, as befits a pot $paper, as the formatted version is not yet posted). $ $The paper is Barnwell, Earleywine, and Wilcox (2006). Wilcox $is well-known for his development of the Wilcox non-parametric $test and I can't help but notice that Earleywine is a fine $name for someone wno probably doesn't believe in the $progression theory of drug use. Anyway, they found nothing: $potheads don't differ significantly in motivation from non-users. $ $The study does have limitations. It's an Internet $self-selected sample, and the data consists of self-reports $(actual achievements of potheads would be better). Still, as $one would expect from a paper with Wilcox's name on it, it has $admirable statistics. It also has a fine literature review. $ $It's available at: $http://www.substanceabusepolicy.com/content/1/1/2/abstract $ $Now, um, what was I saying, Dude? $ $Barnwell, S., Earleywine, M., & Wilcox, R. (2006). Cannabis, $motivation, and life satisfaction in an internet sample. $_Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy, v. 1, 2. $ $Stephen $ $----------------------------------------------------------------- $Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. $Department of Psychology $Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] $Lennoxville, QC J1M 1Z7 $Canada $ $Dept web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy $TIPS discussion list for psychology teachers at $http://faculty.frostburg.edu/psyc/southerly/tips/index.htm $----------------------------------------------------------------------- $ $--- $You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] $To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] $ --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
