A functional interpretation of the modality effect

A functional conceptualization of the modality effect is presented, i. e. of the empirical finding showing a superior short-term retention of auditorily as opposed to visually presented verbal information. This theoretical view proposes that memory performance should be regarded as a function of an interaction between specific demands of the memory task and available cognitive capabilities. This notion is contrasted with two existing interpretations of the modality effect stating larger processing or storage capacities for a hypothetical memory system when information is auditorily as opposed to visually presented. Four experiments are reported, which all demonstrate the viability of the present view: The nature of the recall difference between modalities varies as a function of the interaction between task demands and cognitive capabilities and not as a function of certain properties of a hypothetical memory system.     

A grouping interpretation of the modality effect in immediate probed recognition

In a series of experiments on immediate probed recognition for eight 3-digit numbers, it was shown that if the target modality involved auditory components and the effect of the similarity of the modality of the probe to that of the targets was controlled, unequivocal evidence was obtained for an auditory superiority effect (modality effect) for hit rates for the final items of the list. Moreover, false-alarm rates were significantly lower following targets with an auditory component than they were following silently seen targets. It is argued that this pattern of hits and false alarms is consistent with the idea that targets that have an auditory component yield memory representations that are better grouped as units than are those for targets that are only silently seen; in particular, if a new probe has a first digit that accidentally matches the first digit of a target item, it is more likely that the subject will mistakenly identify this new probe as old (give a false alarm) if the target has only been partially encoded because it was only silently seen.     

关于克里普克模态性的一个自然主义解释

The Kripkean metaphysical modality (i.e. possibility and necessity) is one of the most important concepts in contemporary analytic philosophy and is the basis of many metaphysical speculations. These metaphysical speculations frequently commit to entities that do not belong to this physical universe, such as merely possible entities, abstract entities, mental entities or qualities not realizable by the physical, which seems to contradict naturalism or physicalism. This paper proposes a naturalistic interpretation of the Kripkean modality, as a naturalist’s response to these metaphysical speculations. It will show that naturalism can accommodate the Kripkean metaphysical modality. In particular, it will show that naturalism can help to resolve the puzzles surrounding Kripke’s a posteriori necessary propositions and a priori contingent propositions. __________ Translated from Zhexue yanjiu 哲学研究 (Philosophical Researches), 2008, (1): 18–26     

Rorschach content interpretation in post-traumatic stress disorders: a reply to Carr

In traumatized patients, Rorschach responses draw from a variety of sources, including the traumatic event itself, past and current experiences, and internal fantasy. As complex and highly condensed mental constructions, these responses often serve to reveal the meaning of the trauma in terms of the patient's prevailing personality conflicts. In many cases, this meaning may be hidden in the response's distortion of or elaboration on images drawn from the actual event.     

A hyperventilation interpretation of the termination of panic attacks: a reply to van den Hout, de Jong, Zandbergen and Merckelbach.

This paper summarizes the brief publication history of how a hyperventilatory positive-feed-back-loop theory of panic attacks explains the termination of panic attacks. A cautionary note is suggested when interpreting generalizations pertaining to panic attacks in panic-disorder sufferers in the everyday world made from laboratory findings based on healthy asymptomatic subjects.     

The preembryo as potential: a reply to John A. Robertson.

...In conclusion, let me agree with Robertson that reasonable persons may indeed disagree on concrete conclusions touching preembryo freezing, discard, research, and diagnosis. But it is one of the challenges to reasonable people to give reasons for their conclusions. When Robertson notes that preembryo research "has been found acceptable by most bodies that have examined the subject," he leaves unstated the fact that many of these bodies have not given reasons for their conclusions. This is especially true of the Warnock Committee. It is definitely not true of John Robertson. He has attempted to give analytic support for his rather permissive positions. I find this support too fragile for its assigned task, though I hasten to say that this does not mean that only a totally prohibitive position is defensible or is mine. Prima facie still means prima facie.     

A reply to Mr. Dowling

This paper examines the interpretation of Hobbes as a political formalist which is developed by F. S. McNeilly in The Anatomy of Leviathan. McNeilly argues that Hobbes's demonstration of the necessity of political society is independent of Hobbes's particular view of man as an egotist bent at all costs on his own preservation. The first part of the argument of the paper uses techniques of decision theory and game theory to show that this argument which McNeilly ascribes to Hobbes is not valid. However, the argument which Hobbes is traditionally supposed to put forward is shown to be valid. The second part of the paper examines McNeilly's interpretation of the text of Leviathan and shows that he has insufficient grounds for supposing that Hobbes attempted to construct a purely formal science of politics.     

On the assessment of sexual orientation: a reply to Anderson.

In response to Anderson's (1975) objections to Stone and Schneider's validation study of the Wheeler signs of homosexuality in the Rorschach, both the scientific and ethical-moral grounds for assessing sexual orientation were discussed. With respect to these two issues, it was argued that (a) an individual's sexual behaviors and attitudes, which includes sexual object preference, exert a significant influence on major portions of an individual's life and thus requires clinical assessment, and (b) only by gathering knowledge about human functioning in all domains can we effectively combat inappropriate stereotyping and prejudice, such as that which still exists towards homosexuals today.