To Be or Not to Be…Greek: A Study of Theory of Mind, Moral Reasoning, and Moral Development in Affiliated and Non-Affiliated Students

Since college is an important time in emotional and moral development, understanding factors that affect emotional intelligence and morality during these years (i.e., participation in Greek organizations) is critical. While past studies have investigated theory of mind and moral development in Greek and non-Greek college students, the research is limited. Thus, in this study, I explored theory of mind (ToM), moral development (MD), and moral reasoning (MR) in Greek members (n = 54) and their non-affiliated peers (n = 50) across their college years. Results indicated that Greek and non-Greek students differed in theory of mind and moral reasoning, but not in moral development. Greek men and women demonstrated equivalent theory of mind abilities across class years, whereas non-Greek students’ theory of mind abilities differed depending upon their gender and class year. Specifically, non-Greek men showed a pattern of decreased theory of mind across the college years, whereas non-Greek women’s theory of mind improved from sophomores to juniors to seniors. Additionally, non-Greek students tended to consider the feelings of others more than themselves when reaching moral decisions, whereas Greek students’ moral reasoning focused more on following rules and social norms. Taken together, these results suggest that involvement in Greek life during college may impact both emotional intelligence and moral reasoning without directly affecting the levels of moral development reached by students

Acute-Onset Bilateral Myopia and Ciliochoroidal Effusion Induced by Hydrochlorothiazide

The authors experienced two cases of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)-induced acute-onset bilateral myopia and shallowing of the anterior chambers. Two middle-aged women taking HCTZ, a sulfa derivative, visited our clinic complaining of acute bilateral visual deterioration. Both had good visual acuity without corrective lenses before taking HCTZ. A complete ophthalmologic examination revealed bilateral myopic shift, intraocular pressure elevation, shallowing of the anterior chambers, choroidal effusions, radiating retinal folds, and conjunctival chemosis. Approximately one week after HCTZ discontinuance, all ocular changes disappeared completely. Physicians should be aware of the adverse ocular effects of HCTZ and should manage patients accordingly

“Siri, Write This Down.” Or “Where Did I Leave That Post-It Note?” Young Versus Older Adults’ Perceptions of Memory Strategies

Hertzog et al. (2010) found that, although memory decline is inevitable with age, it can be minimized by utilizing certain memory strategies. However, the specific strategies young versus older adults use to maximize their memory vary across the lifespan (Horhota et al., 2012). Past studies have not yet addressed whether adults perceive different strategies as being more or less effective at different points in the life span or whether these memory strategy beliefs depend on participant age. In a computerized survey designed to address these questions, 85 young adults and 44 older adults rated the effectiveness of five sets of memory strategies (i.e., maintaining physical health, maintaining cognitive health, having a positive attitude, using internal memory strategies, and using external memory strategies) on ten everyday tasks (such as remembering names, faces, grocery lists) performed by adults aged 20, 50, and 80. Our results indicated that adults of all ages hold complex beliefs about how specific memory strategies affect memory across the life span. Specifically, both young adults and older adults generally expected memory strategies to increase in effectiveness across the life span. However, young adults and older adults differed in their specific expectations of how the five different strategy types change in effectiveness with age. These findings are important because they have implications for the specific strategies young adults and older adults may elect to use in their everyday lives for improving their memory