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Mental-arithmetic tests were given to 117 undergraduate volunteers (40 men and 77 women) using three rates (between groups) of digit presentation (1 sec., 2 sec., and 3 sec.) under three (within-group) sizes of audience (2 observers, 1 observer, and alone condition). Subjects were instructed to sum mentally three sets of 25 numerals ranging from 1 to 5 in computer-generated random sequences, under each of the three audience conditions. A mixed 2×3×3 split-plot analysis of variance of correct scores showed a significant main effect for rate of digit presentation, and post hoc Scheffé tests of multiple comparisons showed significant differences between the 1-sec. rate and each of the other rates (2 sec. or 3 sec.), yet no significance between 2-sec. and 3-sec. rates indicating a “critical threshold” has been identified with implications for computer-scrolled numerical information. Also, there was a significant two-way interaction between gender and size of audience. Post hoc Newman-Keuls comparisons showed women scored higher than men in the one-observer condition while men scored higher than women in the two-observer condition. Interpretations regarding interpersonal relationships and social inhibition were offered.

Short-term memory tests were given to 101 undergraduate volunteers (33 men and 68 women) under three levels of audience size (2 observers, 1 observer, and alone condition) using different rates (1 sec. and 3 sec.) of computer-generated random numbers. Subjects were instructed to recall 25 random digits (presented sequentially on a computer screen) immediately after their display. A mixed 2 × 2 × 3 split-plot analysis of variance showed a significant effect for rate of digit presentation and Newman-Keuls post hoc pairwise comparisons showed differences between men and women with 2 observers present under the 3-sec. digit rate (men scored higher). Gender differences also occurred in the extent to which subjects profited from the 3-sec. (simpler) digit-rate condition as a function of the presence or absence of an audience (three-way interaction). Women profited in the “alone” condition and men did not, yet men profited in the audience-present conditions and women did not. “Social facilitation” interpretations in the context of gender analyses are discussed.

Aspirin is a widely used over-the-counter drug in our society which has wide therapeutic value, yet not all of the behavioralside effects have been studied. Different doses of aspirin solutions were administered (ip) prior to fixed-interval 2-min. schedules of microwave reinforcement in rats tested in a cold environment. Four Sprague-Dawley rats were conditioned to regulate their thermal environment with 5-sec. exposures of MW reinforcement. Friedman's nonparametric test showed significant differences among aspirin and saline-control doses. Post hoc sign tests showed that a moderate dose of aspirin increased operant behavior reinforced by MW radiation, yet lower and higher doses decreased and then increased the rate of responding which resulted in an inverted U-shaped trend. Possible multiple effects of aspirin in terms of its thermoregulatory as well as its pain-tolerance properties, and implications for hypothalamic “set point” are discussed.