Relative sensitivity of the mutual exclusivity and novel-name-nameless category assumptions

The mutual exclusivity (ME) assumption states that children affix a novel label to only one unfamiliar object, while the novel-name-nameless category (N3C) assumption states that children affix a novel label to multiple unfamiliar objects. To compare the relative sensitivity of the two assumptions, two types of tasks, with two trials in each, were given to 5-year-olds. In the first trial of each task, all children selected only the unfamiliar object for a novel label, which was consistent with the ME assumption. For the task which did not have the same unfamiliar object in the two trials, 94% of the children selected the object with the same shape but black-white reversed image in the second trial, which was consistent with the N3C assumption. For the task which had the same unfamiliar object in the two trials, 43% of the children selected the same object in the second trial, which was consistent with the ME assumption, and 48% of them selected the object with the same shape but reversed image, which was consistent with the N3C assumption. The findings suggest that the ME and N3C assumptions can be flexibly applied to children's word learning.     

Color of computer display frame in work performance, mood, and physiological response

The effects of the color of a personal computer screen on work performance, psychological mood, and autonomic response were investigated. 24 subjects were asked to perform visual tasks presented on the computer display. Three types of computer monitor, which were colored red, blue, or beige, were employed to present visual cognitive tasks. The mood measure, the Japanese Stress Arousal Check List, and heart rate measurement were administered before and after work on each color of computer monitor. Analysis of a low-demand task (Exp. 1) showed that the red computer monitor reduced visual task performance compared to that with the blue, while the blue monitor decreased visual task performance on a high-demand task (Exp. 2). The color of the monitor did not affect mood or heart rate. Based on these findings, the effect of the color of environmental cues on work was discussed.     

Understanding bias in proportion production

The Stevens exponent (beta) can be obtained from proportion estimation judgments using the power model. In this article, the authors extend that model to proportion production, in which the relative magnitudes of 2 stimuli are adjusted to correspond to a numeric proportion (e.g., 1/4 or .25). The model predicts that when beta < 1, small proportions are underproduced, and large proportions are overproduced, but it predicts the reverse when beta > 1, which is the opposite of the predicted patterns for estimation. Eight participants estimated and produced magnitudes and proportions with spatial volume (beta < 1; Experiment 1) and color saturation (beta > 1; Experiment 2). The model's predictions were generally supported. An extension of the model using reference points can account for multicycle patterns shown by some participants.     

Spatial structure of quantitative representation of numbers: Evidence from the SNARC effect

Dehaene, Bossini, and Giraux (1993) revealed that subjects responded to large numbers faster with the choice on the right than with the choice on the left, whereas the reverse held true for small numbers (SNARC effect). According to Dehaene et al. (1993), the SNARC effect depends on the quantitative representation of number, such as a left-to-right-oriented analog number line. The main goal of the present study was twofold: first, to investigate whether the vertical SNARC effect could be observed, and, second, to verify whether Dehaene et al.'s (1993) explanation of the SNARC effect is correct. Experiments 2A and 2B showed the vertical SNARC effect in a parity judgment task. Subjects responded to large numbers faster with the top choice than with the bottom choice, whereas the reverse held true for small numbers. However, Experiment 3 failed to show the SNARC effect in a number magnitude judgment task, suggesting that the quantitative representation could be dissociated from the spatial code that produces the SNARC effect.     

How Do Creative Experts Practice New Skills? Exploratory Practice in Breakdancers

How do expert performers practice as they develop creatively? This study investigated the processes involved in the practice of new skills by expert breakdancers. A great deal of evidence supports the theory of “deliberate practice” (Ericsson, Krampe, & Tesch‐Römer, 1993, Psychological Review, 100, 363) in skill acquisition; however, expert creative performers may emphasize other forms of practice for skill development. Four case studies collected through fieldwork and laboratory observation were analyzed to evaluate expert dancers’ practice processes as they developed proficiency in new, specific skills. We focused on three aspects of learning: the degree of skill acquisition, the content of skills included in practice, and dancers’ stated purposes for practicing. The results showed that dancers’ practice improved skills (as suggested by deliberate practice) and engaged the exploration of new, original skills, along with coordinating skills within performance. In their practice, these dance experts went beyond deliberative practice to highly exploratory processes for skill development.     

Quieting the Ego Through Group Activities: A Thematic Analysis of Romanian and Japanese Students’ Positive Group Experiences

Research suggests that quieting the ego (reducing excessive self-focus) can foster well-being. Two exploratory qualitative studies were carried out to investigate the features of ego-quieting group activities. Romanian (N = 140) and Japanese participants (N = 99) read a definition of “self-detachment” and answered several open-ended questions asking them to describe a group situation in which they had experienced a similar state. Thematic analysis showed numerous similarities between the responses of the two samples, as well as cultural-specific features. Participants recalled moments of enjoyment in the company of friends, or challenging group work. For the Romanian sample, the experience was characterized by present-oriented attention, valuing others, positivity, disinhibition and altered perceptions, while for the Japanese sample, valuing others, stress relief, matching challenge and skill and merging self with exterior world were its prevalent features. Both samples identified similar eliciting factors (individual receptiveness, acceptant group, captivating activity, appropriate environment) and similar consequences of the experience (increased closeness, relaxation and self-development). While supporting the existing literature on the importance of communal activities in reducing self-focus and promoting individual well-being, the paper provides new in-depth insights into participants’ subjective experiences and the cultural specifics of positive group activities.     

Beware of friends: The cultural psychology of relational mobility and cautious intimacy

Previous research has contrasted patterns of cautious or prevention‐oriented relationality in various West African settings with patterns of growth or promotion‐oriented relationality in many North American settings. The present research draws upon the concept of relational mobility to test the hypothesis that different patterns of relationality have their source in respective affordances for embedded interdependence or abstracted independence. Study 1 investigated the relationship between cautious intimacy and perception of relational mobility among a sample of Hong Kong students. Study 2 compared students in Hong Kong and North American settings to test whether differences in perception of relational mobility mediated the hypothesized differences in caution about friends. Study 3 used an experimental manipulation among a sample of Hong Kong students to test the hypothesis that increased perception of relational mobility reduces caution about friends. Results reveal broad support for the hypotheses. Whether as a measured variable or as an experimental treatment, the perception of relational mobility was negatively related to caution about friends. Moreover, this relationship mediated hypothesized cross‐national differences in caution about friendship. A discussion of the results considers intersections of cultural and ecological approaches to psychology and implications for theoretical conceptions of interdependence.     

EFFECTS OF PERCEPTUAL QUALITY AND TASK DIFFERENCE ON THE HEMISPHERIC PROCESSING OF WORD STIMULI

Three experiments were conducted to examine the effects of stimulus exposure duration, retinal eccentricity, visual noise and task differences (physical classification and semantic classification) on the processing of Kana (Japanese phonetic symbol) words presented to the left and right visual fields. The primary findings of the three experiments were as follows. The right visual field advantage was found in the shorter exposure duration but no visual field difference was shown in the longer exposure duration condition (experiment 1). Stimulus presentation to large and small retinal eccentricity conditions revealed similar visual field difference (experiment 2). No significant visual field difference was shown in both clear and blurred stimulus presentation conditions (experiment 3). Semantic classification task revealed a right visual field advantage in all experiments whereas no visual field difference was shown in physical classification task in experiments 2 and 3. These results were discussed in terms of spatial frequency hypothesis and levels of processing hypothesis.     

LEVEL OF PROCESSING EFFECTS ON HEMISPHERIC ASYMMETRIES WITH KANA (JAPANESE PHONETIC SYMBOLS) WORDS

Two experiments were conducted to examine the role of levels and types of higher-order processing to which the stimulus was subjected. In the experiment 1, two different physical identity matches with Kana (Japanese phonetic symbols) words, one involving two operations while the other involves one operation, were required, and no visual field difference was found though two operations task yielded longer RTs than in one operation task. Experiment 2, where two different name identity matches, one involving linguistic and spatial operations while the other involves linguistic operation, revealed that (1) a significant right visual field advantage is found in the linguistic operation task; however, this tendency disappears in the two operation task, (2) the two operation task yields longer RTs than the one operation task does. These results suggest that the levels of information processing and types of higher-order processing (spatial operation in this study) are important factors in determining hemispheric asymmetry effects.     

EAR DIFFERENCES IN EVALUATING EMOTIONAL OVERTONES OF UNFAMILIAR SPEECH BY JAPANESE AND ISRAELIS

Forty Japanese and 31 Israeli students evaluated the intensity of positive and negative emotional overtones of unfamiliar speech passages delivered to one ear, while hearing white noise in the other ear. The results indicated that (1) the Israelis evaluated as more intense the negative overtones, while the Japanese evaluated both positive and negative overtones as being about equally intense; (2) that the emotional overtones were evaluated as more intense in the left ear by the Japanese, and in the right ear by the Israelis; and (3) that females evaluated as relatively more intense the negative overtones, while males evaluated both overtones as being equally intense. The findings are discussed in terms of possible cultural effects on cerebral function.