Past research has associated ABO blood type and mental stress with cardiovascular risk. We studied the effects of blood type (A vs. O) coupled with a mirror drawing stressor on very low density lipoprotein toxicity-preventing activity (TxPA) and plasma cortisol levels. Exposure to the stressor significantly decreased TxPA and increased cortisol for the total group of 25 older adult males. However, the stress response patterns of the 15 blood type A males were different from those of the 10 type O subjects. The blood type A group had higher initial levels of TxPA and cortisol as well as quicker stress recovery rates than the type O group. ABO blood type may be an important behavioral hematologic variable to assess in studies concerning biochemical stress response or cardiovascular risk.
The literature concerning personal values and professional practice is briefly reviewed. This project explored the relationship of values to nonclinical professional decisions in a nationwide survey of doctoral level psychologists. Respondents were sent a set of three vignettes (a Veterans Administration inservice summary, a state society presentation summary, and a publication abstract) and were asked to rate their approval of the vignette activities. The two sets were alike, except that one included statements inserted to reflect Christian values and the other included statements reflecting Humanist values. Humanist vignettes received significantly greater approval for all questions for all vignettes than did Christian vignettes. Overall, the publication abstract was rated as most approved and the inservice as least approved. Differential response patterns were much more apparent in the Christian vignettes and among several self-labeled groups. Methodological issues, the separation of church and state issue, the slippery slope hypothesis, as well as several specific professional implications are discussed. A structural pluralism is encouraged to avoid the apparent nontheistic basis in the nonclinical, professional decisions of psychologists.
Professional groups have generally endorsed “liberal” or nontheistic values or beliefs. However, some studies with academics suggest that professionals in physical science areas may be more “conservative” than those in social science disciplines. This project examined the relationship of values to nonclinical professional decisions of a nationwide sample of radiologists and psychiatrists. Respondents were sent a vignette which described a professional inservice summary and reflected either humanistic, liberal Christian or evangelical Christian values. Humanist vignettes were significantly and consistently rated as most approved on all three approval questions while Christian vignettes were rated as least approved. Professional group was not a significant factor, although psychiatrists tended to be more approving of all vignettes and expressed significantly more personal interest in the proposed inservice. Personal interest was significantly and positively correlated with approval ratings. Methodological issues, controversial topic effects on publication, government and Christian faith, pre-therapy value information, and other professional/health care issues were discussed.
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