Previous research and theory suggest that a person's anxiety level plays a functional role in determining his responsiveness to and appreciation of humor. Based upon the theoretical view that humor serves to dissipate anxiety, it was proposed that highly anxious individuals would respond more favourably to a therapist's use of humor than low trait-anxiety individuals. To test the hypothesis 87 undergraduate students in psychology were classified according to their measured level of trait anxiety (high or low, on the Spielberger Trait-Anxiety Inventory). Subjects evaluated a therapist who used humor in a written therapist-client dialogue. Results were contrary to prediction; an inverse relation between anxiety and appreciation of humor obtained.

To discover potential sources of difficulty associated with retirement and aging, a questionnaire was devised and administered to a sample of 32 retirees ( M age of 691 yr.) who had worked full time for at least ten years and were now working less than fifteen hours per week. Relationships between lack of satisfaction with post-retirement life and about half of various suggested sources of difficulty pertaining to retirement and aging were established by chi squared.

Pre-menstrual tension has been studied intensively for many years. A review of relevant literature was undertaken to try to clarify the admixture of fact and fiction which has accumulated. The bulk of research noted has been done using self-reporting scales of physiological and psychological discomfort. This research has been criticized on methodological grounds. There seems little question that mood changes do occur during the menstrual cycle. It would appear that, irrespective of personality factors and psychopatholoy, such changes can be correlated with levels of progesterone and estrogen. Gonadal hormones affect cerebral MAO levels and catecholamine metabolism. High levels of estrogen have been related to increased feelings of well-being and low levels of depression. Studies have attempted to explain differences in menstrual mood changes to the psychological impact this process may have. While this cannot be discounted, it is likely that there is an interaction between psychological and physiological factors. Clarification of this is an important challenge for future research.

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