The Efficiency of the Group Rorschach Test in the Psychiatric Screening of Marine Corps Recruits

In a study to extend the theory of cognitive dissonance into the area of person perception, 108 male freshmen dormitory students were led to believe that they either would or would not be sharing a room in the future with a negative other. They were also informed that they were either low, moderate, or high in similarity to this negative other. The major response measure was the extent to which the negative first impression changed in a more positive direction. A 2 × 3 ANOVA showed that both the proximity and similarity manipulations had the predicted effect. However, the trend in similarity was not linear, as hypothesized. Similarity was also found to be a more salient source of dissonance than proximity.     

背景线索对视觉客体连续性表征的影响

该研究考察了背景线索连续性对客体心理表征连续性的作用。采用2（目标客体运动形式：连续和不连续）×2（引导线索运动形式：连续和不连续）两因素被试内设计,12名被试参加实验。结果发现,目标客体在时空上不连续时,连续线索条件下对颜色变化检测反应时小于线索不连续条件;目标客体在时空上连续运动时,不连续线索条件下对目标颜色变化的检测反应时高于线索连续条件。因此,不连续背景线索对物理层面上连续运动客体的表征有干扰影响：连续背景线索对物理层面上不连续运动客体的表征有促进作用。这说明特殊的时空条件如背景线索引导会对客体表征连续性产生重要影响。     

New Developments in Understanding Skilled Performance

ABSTRACT— Skilled performance, whether it involves rapid and accurate motor movements (such as playing a video game or using a scalpel in the operating room) or a high degree of domain knowledge (such as finding a small tumor in an X-ray or writing a journal article) typically involves learning and practice over an extended period of time. In light of recent theory and empirical research, I consider two enduring issues associated with skill acquisition: whether individuals become more alike in performance or more different over the course of skill acquisition, and what the determinants of individual differences in skilled performance are. Two broad classes of tasks are considered: tasks that involve speed and accuracy of motor movements and tasks that primarily involve domain knowledge. Issues of practice, ability, and other determinants of skilled performance such as gender and aging are discussed.     

来源记忆提取的情境线索效应

探索当存在多维来源信息时,对一个维度的来源信息的再现是否会促进对另一个维度的来源记忆的提取,即出现情境线索效应。以汉字词语作为项目刺激,以背景颜色作为情境线索,通过两个实验分别考察对呈现位置和背景形状的提取是否会出现情境线索效应。结果发现：只在对背景形状的提取中出现了情境线索效应,并且线索负载越高,效应越小。该结果表明对来源记忆提取时,来源信息间的高可结合性是引发情境线索效应的重要因素。     

预期对注意的影响受制于被预期主体是目标还是分心物

以往研究表明, 预期机制和注意机制都能促进感知行为, 但两者以何种方式共同作用于感知行为仍然存在争议, 特别是, 对于预期主体在其中的作用尚不清楚。本研究采用空间提示以及视觉搜索相结合的范式, 通过4个实验, 考察了当被试对目标进行预期以及对分心物进行预期时, 空间预期对空间注意效应的不同影响。结果显示：(1)当目标为预期主体时, 预期对注意效应具有调节作用; (2)当分心物为预期主体时, 预期与注意的作用独立; (3)当目标为预期主体时, 通过刺激数增加而导致的任务难度变化不影响预期和注意之间的关系。这表明, 空间预期是否影响空间注意效应受制于预期主体——当预期主体为目标时, 预期和注意两者交互式地影响感知行为; 当预期主体为分心物时, 预期和注意独立地影响感知行为; 而且, 预期和注意之间的关系不受任务难度影响。     

Individual differences in echocardiography: Visual object recognition ability predicts cue utilization

Echocardiographers are highly specialised, skilled practitioners who play a critical role in medical imaging diagnostics. Yet, little is known about the cognitive and perceptual attributes of experts within this domain. This study was designed to examine the role of individual differences in expertise. Specifically, the contribution of a domain general visual expertise and pattern recognition, or cue utilization. Data were collected from 42 echocardiographers and 43 naïve participants. All of the participants competed the Novel Object Memory Test (NOMT). When compared, the echocardiographers were more accurate than the naïve participants. The echocardiographers also completed an echocardiography edition of the Expert Intensive Skills Evaluation 2.0, to establish behavioral indicators of context-related cue utilization. Those with relatively higher cue utilization performed more accurately on the NOMT, controlling for exposure. These results suggest that a general perceptual ability contributes to echocardiography potential and a sensitivity to cue-based learning may contribute to expertise.     

Toward A Process-Oriented Theory of Human Skilled Performance

Skilled perceptual-motor performance should be approached from a point of view of the processing operations performed by S in a skilled task. This perspective is emphasized in recent attempts to develop analytic or computer-simulation models of tracking tasks. These models are illustrated, and it is argued that a model that has a discrete correction compensatory path and a continuously programmed pursuit path may form one starting point for a more general representation. This representation needs to incorporate as yet undefined processing and storage units to handle coherence prediction, memorized movement patterns, and compensation for external system dynamics.     

视觉工作记忆负载对听觉偏差干扰效应的调控：来自不同外周提示线索的证据

采用线索提示和视听Oddball结合的实验设计, 通过四个实验探讨了外周视线索下视觉工作记忆负载对听觉偏差干扰效应的调控作用。结果表明：(1)操作外周视线索有效性为50%的条件下, 视觉工作记忆负载的增加使得原本抑制无关声音的过程失败, 因此出现了显著的听觉偏差干扰效应; (2)操作外周视线索有效性为80%的条件下, 发现有策略性的注意定向消耗了注意资源, 无视觉工作记忆负载的情况下同样出现听觉偏差干扰, 并且随着工作记忆负载增加偏差干扰效应增强。研究说明视觉工作记忆负载对听觉偏差干扰的调控是有条件性的, 当来自不同感觉通道的无关刺激与目标的加工过程存在重叠时, 视觉工作记忆负载的增加使得听觉偏差干扰效应增强而不是减弱。     

Effects of Attentional Focus on Skilled Performance in Golf

Wulf and colleagues (e.g., Wulf, Lauterbach, & Toole, 1999 Wulf, G., Lauterbach, B. and Toole, T. 1999. The learning advantages of an external focus of attention in golf. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 70: 1219–126.  [Google Scholar]) have demonstrated that the adoption of an external focus of attention is preferable for the learning of complex motor tasks. The present investigation extends the attention focus literature in two ways: (a) it compared the effectiveness of three different foci (internal, proximal external, and distal external) in a sample of skilled performers in a naturalistic environment, and (b) it examined the use of attentional foci under conditions of anxiety. Thirty-three skilled male golfers were assigned to one of three attentional focus groups and completed five blocks of ten pitch shots, three in neutral conditions and two in anxiety conditions. Results from two separate mixed model analyses of variance (ANOVAs) indicated that regardless of anxiety condition, those assigned to a distal external focus of attention performed most accurately (p < 0.05), whereas assignment to an internal focus of attention was associated with the least accurate performance (p < 0.05). Findings offer support for the constrained action hypothesis and point to the importance of skilled performers adopting a distal external focus, especially in competition.     

照明环境与LCD显示界面背景饱和度的交互效应对视觉绩效的影响

摘 要 采用E-prime编排认知实验研究照明环境与TFT-LCD视觉显示终端界面背景饱和度的交互效应对视觉绩效的影响。依据字母视力表设计原理制作认知材料,以认知速度与准确率为视觉绩效评价指标。结果发现,照度与饱和度的交互效应对视觉绩效存在显著影响,色温与饱和度的交互效应仅对准确率存在显著影响,三因素交互作用对准确率存在显著影响。结果表明,不同照度、色温下,通过调节显示终端界面背景饱和度可改善视觉绩效。     

不同语言理解能力中学生的语篇连贯推理

该研究使用移动视窗技术考察了初二和高一年级中的高低语言理解能力被试语篇阅读过程中将当前信息与背景信息之间建立联系,建构语篇连贯表征的连贯推理加工特点。结果表明：(1)不同语言理解能力个体对语篇中明确提及信息的记忆无差异,但在阅读过程中进行连贯推理上存在差异。(2)个体进行连贯推理的速度和准确度会随年龄增加有所提高。     

The transmission of attachment across generations: The state of art and new theoretical perspectives

The paper reviews the body of research testing the intergenerational transmission of attachment and the theoretical shift from the linear or mediation model (van IJzendoorn, 1995), according to which parental sensitivity is the main factor responsible for the correspondence between maternal and infant's attachment, to the ecological model of the transmission of attachment (van IJzendoorn & Bakermans‐Kranenburg, 1997). This latter model has prompted researchers, over time, to identify potential mediators, other than caregiver's sensitivity, of the established association between parental representations regarding attachment and infant's attachment, as well as the potential moderators of the transmission process. Each of these two research domains will be carefully explored; lastly new perspectives on the intergenerational transmission of attachment and relevant areas of research needing more investigation are highlighted.     

Postural Stability and Hand Preference as Constraints on One-Handed Catching Performance in Children

Effects of postural state and hand preference as constraints on 1-handed catching performance were investigated in different ability groups of children aged 9-10 years. On the basis of pretest data, the authors classified 48 participants into groups of good, intermediate, and poor catchers (n = 16 in each) and asked them to perform 1-handed catches with their preferred and nonpreferred hands while standing and sitting. The good catchers' performance was not affected by the imposed postural constraints but did improve when they used the preferred hand. A similar effect of hand preference was evident in the intermediate and poor catchers, but there was also an effect of postural constraint. Independent of hand preference, intermediate catchers' performance while seated improved significantly compared with that during standing. For poor catchers, there was an interaction between hand preference and posture; significant improvement was evident only when they used the preferred hand in the sitting condition. The finding that manipulation of posture and hand preference affected performance outcomes indicates that perceptual skill is not the only influence on catching performance in children. Manipulation of those key constraints may facilitate the acquisition of catching skill, but more research is needed to determine the permanence of those effects.     

The Influence of Bloomfield's Linguistics on Skinner

Bloomfield''s “Linguistics as a Science” (1930/1970), Language (1933/1961), and “Language or Ideas?” (1936a/1970), and Skinner''s Verbal Behavior (1957) and Science and Human Behavior (1953) were analyzed in regard to their respective perspectives on science and scientific method, the verbal episode, meaning, and subject matter. Similarities between the two authors were found. In particular both asserted that (a) the study of language must be carried out through the methods of science; (b) the main function of language is to produce practical effects on the world through the mediation of a listener; and (c) a physicalist conception of meaning. Their differences concern the subject matter of their disciplines and their use of different models for the analysis of behavior. Bloomfield''s linguistics and Skinner''s functional analysis of verbal behavior are complementary approaches to language.     

不同语言理解能力中学生的主题推理特点

该研究使用移动视窗技术考察了初二和高一年级中的高低语言理解能力学生的主题推理加工特点。结果发现:(1)所有学生在无时间限制情况下,都能顺利完成语篇主题相似度判断,较低语言理解能力学生在阅读过程中不能进行有效主题推理;(2)较低语言理解能力被试在主题推理加工上的困难可能是由认知加工系统实时加工能力较差造成。     

The PDQ-8: Development and validation of a short-form parkinson's disease questionnaire

Abstract

The Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) is a disease specific measure of health status which covers eight dimensions of ill-health, and contains 39 questions. The development of the questionnaire has been outlined in full elsewhere and is briefly outlined in this paper. Psychometric techniques are used here to derive a single index figure from the PDQ-39, transformed to a score range from 0 (good health) to 100 (poor health). A sub-set of items is then selected from the PDQ-39 to create a shorter form version, the PDQ-8. Each item selected is the one most highly correlated with the overall domain score to which it contributes: in cases where more than one item correlated equally strongly with the total then the item which received the highest completion rate was selected. The items were summed together and transformed onto a score from 0 to 100. The results gained from the single index gained from the PDQ-39 are compared with that gained from the PDQ-8, and are found to be remarkably similar. The use of the PDQ-8 is recommended over the PDQ-39 where a shorter form measure is required and where a single index measure of overall health status is acceptable or desirable.     

Anxiety and Performance: The Processing Efficiency Theory

Abstract

Anxiety often impairs performance of “difficult” tasks (especially under test conditions), but there are numerous exceptions. Theories of anxiety and performance need to address at least two major issues: (1) the complexity and apparent inconsistency of the findings; and (2) the conceptual definition of task difficulty. Some theorists (e.g. Humphreys & Revelle, 1984; Sarason, 1988) argue that anxiety causes worry, and worry always impairs performance on tasks with high attentional or short-term memory demands. According to the processing efficiency theory, worry has two main effects: (1) a reduction in the storage and processing capacity of the working memory system available for a concurrent task; and (2) an increment in on-task effort and activities designed to improve performance. There is a crucial distinction within the theory between performance effectiveness (= quality of performance) and processing efficiency (= performance effectiveness divided by effort). Anxiety characteristically impairs efficiency more than effectiveness.     

绩效反馈研究的回顾与展望

绩效反馈是组织中鼓励先进、鞭策落后、激发员工潜能的很重要的管理手段。该概要回顾了有关反馈的研究,分析了反馈研究的发展趋势,认为不同反馈来源中上级反馈的影响越来越重要;表扬还是批评的信息对员工的影响值得进一步探讨;反馈接受者本人的特点对反馈效果的影响研究应更加深入。     

Anticipatory versus reactive spatial attentional bias to threat

Dot‐probe or visual probe tasks (VPTs) are used extensively to measure attentional biases. A novel variant termed the cued VPT (cVPT) was developed to focus on the anticipatory component of attentional bias. This study aimed to establish an anticipatory attentional bias to threat using the cVPT and compare its split‐half reliability with a typical dot‐probe task. A total of 120 students performed the cVPT task and dot‐probe tasks. Essentially, the cVPT uses cues that predict the location of pictorial threatening stimuli, but on trials on which probe stimuli are presented the pictures do not appear. Hence, actual presentation of emotional stimuli did not affect responses. The reliability of the cVPT was higher at most cue–stimulus intervals and was .56 overall. A clear anticipatory attentional bias was found. In conclusion, the cVPT may be of methodological and theoretical interest. Using visually neutral predictive cues may remove sources of noise that negatively impact reliability. Predictive cues are able to bias response selection, suggesting a role of predicted outcomes in automatic processes.