Commentary on high-performance computing and its promises for the behavioral sciences

Even with the advent of magnetic resonance imaging and other sophisticated physiological research, we have not made a great leap forward in creating a physiological map relating each neuron to its activity involved in simple day-to-day psychological processes. In contrast to notable progress in human vision research, we have yet to model the simplest of our daily memory processes in memory research.     

NSF programs in the behavioral and neural sciences

The National Science Foundation’s new Division of Behavioral and Neural Sciences supports basic research and related activities in psychology, ethology, anthropology, linguistics, and the neurosciences. Research equipment and facilities can be provided either through a grant supporting a research project or through a separate grant. The scientific importance and soundness of the research to be conducted, as evaluated by reviewers from the research community, are the main criteria for support. Preparation of proposals is briefly discussed, and sources of further information are noted.     

High-performance computer applications in the behavioral sciences

This symposium revisited the 1985 conference on Advanced Computing for Psychology. That meeting examined the application of new supercomputers in the behavioral sciences. The present symposium reviewed high-performance computing as applied to psychological models, human vision, neuralphysiological processes, and statistical analysis. The recent past and the projected future of high-performance computing in the behavioral sciences were evaluated.     

Ethical and consultation issues in the behavioral sciences and terrorism

This paper briefly examines ethics as a process and as an element of philosophy with a long historical tradition. The paper then reviews elements of the professional ethics of a terrorist or hostage event, issues involved with consulting with an institution, and ethical issues for the clinician who chooses to become personally involved in a hostage event. Although reference is made particularly to psychiatrists, the principles discussed apply in large part to other mental health professionals as well. The paper concludes with the principles articulated by the American Psychiatric Association's Task Force on the Psychiatric Aspects of Terrorism and Its Victims as guidelines for psychiatric intervention in hostage or terrorist situations.     

Some recurrent issues in the history of behavioral sciences

Many issues seem to have appeared, disappeared, and reappeared in the behavioral sciences during the 20th century. Salient examples discussed in the present paper are consciousness, including the concept itself and consciousness in nonhuman animals; the method of introspection; and cognition, including the interpretation of mental imagery and the role of language in thinking. One possible explanation of the apparent cycles is consistent with a suggestion by John B. Watson: Important issues are found to be intractable and are abandoned, but they recur when newer theories and methods emerge.     

Automated problem solving for the behavioral sciences

In view of the obvious advantages of computers for the behavioral sciences, the question is raised as to how to make more effective use of computing capabilities. One idea is to require that fledgling behavioral scientists receive brief training in flowcharting and algorithm generation rather than a full course in computing skills. Such training would be an important adjunct for those who would go on for further instruction, especially in view of current deficiencies in many computer courses. One recurrent deficiency lies in the lack of specific guidelines for conceptualizing problems for computer implementation. Such guidelines are developed here, along with other suggestions designed to attenuate the difficulty in conceptualization.     

A framework for the unification of the behavioral sciences

The various behavioral disciplines model human behavior in distinct and incompatible ways. Yet, recent theoretical and empirical developments have created the conditions for rendering coherent the areas of overlap of the various behavioral disciplines. The analytical tools deployed in this task incorporate core principles from several behavioral disciplines. The proposed framework recognizes evolutionary theory, covering both genetic and cultural evolution, as the integrating principle of behavioral science. Moreover, if decision theory and game theory are broadened to encompass other-regarding preferences, they become capable of modeling all aspects of decision making, including those normally considered "psychological," "sociological," or "anthropological." The mind as a decision-making organ then becomes the organizing principle of psychology.     

Applications of multivariate visualization to behavioral sciences

The complexity of psychological science often requires the collection and analysis of multidimensional data. Such data bring about a corresponding cognitive load that has led scientists to develop techniques of scientific visualization to ease the burden. This paper provides an introduction to scientific visualization techniques, a framework for understanding those techniques, and an assessment of the suitability of this approach for psychology. The framework employed builds on the notion of balancingnoise andsmooth in statistical analysis.     

Algorithms for randomness in the behavioral sciences: A tutorial

Simulations and experiments frequently demand the generation of random numbers that have specific distributions. This article describes which distributions should be used for. the most common problems and gives algorithms to generate the numbers. It is also shown that a commonly used permutation algorithm (Nilsson, 1978) is deficient.     

Practical aspects of the use of radio telemetry in the behavioral sciences

This is a practical guide for the technologically unsophisticated behavioral researcher who wishes to use voice radio telemetry (RTel). Points discussed include how to determine suitability of RTel for a project, selection of consultants, suitable locales for RTel, costs, ethical/legal issues, and operating procedures.