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News & Trends

Reports on developments related to psychology as of August 1996. Includes observance of the National Factoid Month; Effectiveness of sex education; Panic attack experienced by scuba divers.

In observance of national factoid month, we offer the following randomstatistics. . . . No wonder they say sex education isn't working. A recent study of 13-to-15-year-olds in Atlanta revealed that only 2.4 percent of the boys could correctly define "ovulation," while 26 percent managed to get "ejaculation" right. Girls did a bit better, at 26 and 31 percent, respectively. . . . More than half of recreational scuba divers have had a panic attack while underwater, reports University of Wisconsin sports psychologist William E Morgan, Ed.D. Highly anxious folks, he suggests, might be wise to choose another hobby . . . . Women physicians are more likely than their male peers to treat female obesity, says an Indiana psychologist. Male doctors tend to feel that such treatment has little chance of success. . . . Only a third of newly graduated high school seniors believe that people enjoy happier, fuller lives if they marry, according to a University of Michigan study But nine out of ten say that marriage and family are important to them anyway