THE IMPORTANCE OF STRATEGY IN A COMPLEX LEARNING TASK

The predictive value of cognitive strategies on behaviour was investigated in a classification task. This was similar to usual concept learning tasks but a possibility to deductive solution was provided together with the customary possibility to inductive solution. The results showed that improvement was dependent on the efficiency of the strategy. The theoretical interpretation of the results was that the learning of complex tasks depends upon hypothesis testing activity in the subject rather than on automatic S-R-connections.     

THE IMPORTANCE OF TIME FOR THE INTROMISSION FREQUENCY IN THE MALE RAT MATING BEHAVIOUR

L arsson , K. The importance of time for the intromission frequency in the male rat mating behaviour. Scand. J. Psychol . 1961, 2 , 149–152.—A prolongation of the intervals separating the intromissions in the male rat mating pattern produces a decrease in the number of intromissions to ejaculate. By comparing the length of the interval effective in inducing a reduction of the response frequency in two groups of subjects, one composed of extremely 'slow' animals and another of extremely 'fast' ones, it was found that the appearance of the reduction effect was dependent on the length of the interco-pulatory interval characteristic of the individual. A reduction appeared in all animals when the interval of enforced rest was longer than the normal inter-copulatory interval.     

LEGAL CONCERNS IN THE USE OF WEIGHTED APPLICATIONS1

The use of the standard weighted application procedure relies on strictly empirically derived keys for validity. While weighted applications are generally valid in terms of the correlation between score on the application and position on the criterion, the empirical scheme may weight items that can not be shown to be relevant to the job for which they predict. To the extent that employment decisions are based on non-job-relevant weighted applications, such decisions may be contrary to the letter or the spirit of the Civil Rights Act. Alternative methods incorporating job relevance into the weighting procedure via job analysis inject the “hand of reason” into the process. Such rational-empirical approaches ensure job-relatedness as well as validity.     

COMPARING THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE:

Abstract— Recent research suggests that dynamic spatial reasoning tasks show more robust gender differences than static spatial reasoning tasks. These differences have implications for selection procedures based on aptitude test scores. Two experiments were therefore designed to examine the locus of such gender differences. In Experiment 1, 82 males and 82 females performed two separate tasks: judging the relative velocity of moving objects and judging their relative distances from target destinations. Significant gender differences occurred only for relative velocity judgments and were partially related to prior experience. A second experiment therefore tested the effects of practice and feedback on performance judging relative velocity. Male and female performance differences were again found, and performance improved equally as a result of feedback. Consistent with contemporary views of aptitude and assessment, the data suggest that equitable assessment of dynamic spatial abilities requires a determination of experiential history and learning rates as well as absolute performance levels.     

SCIENCE AND SCIENTISM: THE IMPORTANCE OF A DISTINCTION

Abstract. John Caiazza's interesting argument is an important one and deserves a close hearing. However, his article could be more forceful if he would distinguish more carefully between science on the one hand and “scientific secularism” and “materialism” on the other.     

THE IMPORTANCE OF OVERCOMING METAPHYSICS FOR THE LIFE OF FAITH

This essay proceeds, first, with an analysis of the theme of overcoming metaphysics in Kant and Heidegger to see just what it is that needs overcoming and how this might be of service to the life of biblical, ecclesial faith. This is followed by an account of how Jean‐Luc Marion sees the right kind of phenomenology as performing this task and of John Milbank's counterclaim that “only theology overcomes metaphysics”. Marion's position is then defended as a genuine, if partial overcoming that needs theology for its completion. Finally, a brief account is offered of the authentically metaphysical dimension of theology.     

DISCREPANCY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ATTITUDINAL FREEDOM

The present research varied threats to attitudinal freedom and initial receiver attitude at four discrepancy intervals from the position advocated in a persuasive communication: extreme agreement; moderate agreement; moderate disagreement; and extreme disagreement. Results indicated that receivers in moderate disagreement and extreme agreement shifted toward the recommended position, with no difference as a function of message threat level. In contrast, significant attitude change away from the position advocated in a threatening message occurred among receivers in moderate agreement and extreme disagreement. The significance of these results for the importance of the freedom to agree or disagree with a persuasive communication is discussed.     

THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLATIVE-AFFECTIVE AND INTENSIVE AROUSAL POTENTIAL IN STEREO-SCOPICALLY INDUCED PERCEPTUAL CONFLICT

In perceptual conflict of the binocular rivalry type the object field with the greatest collative-affective or intensive arousal potential will dominate. The interaction between these two factors is such that the brighter field will dominate over the fainter whether there is greater or equal collative-affective arousal potential in one of the object fields in relation to the other. Discussion is centered around the question of whether eventual eye dominance can be eliminated through relative changes in the light intensity of the two object fields.