Effects of Audio and Video Monitoring on Interviewer Discomfort

Several authors have suggested that the presence of recording equipment inhibits the performance of helping personnel. Videotaping is generally thought to be more discomforting than audiotaping. Findings of this study, using 39 Bureau of Employment Security interviews and coached clients, contraindicate previous research and speculation.     

Some observations on applications of microcomputers in teaching

Several useful and important observations appear in the papers in this symposium. This paper highlights some of those ideas and some of the underlying themes of the symposium papers. Finally, focusing on some of the problems of either selecting software or developing software, the paper suggests that the fundamental problems associated with developing a computer-based instructional laboratory are the same as those associated with developing any instructional laboratory: setting one’s instructional goals and then integrating the equipment and procedures into the instructional context.     

Bicycle helmets – A case of risk compensation?

Several studies have shown that bicycle helmets have the potential of reducing injuries from accidents. Yet, no studies have found good evidence of an injury reducing effect in countries that have introduced bicycle helmet legislation. Two of the most promising explanations for why helmet laws do not work as intended are risk compensation and shifts in the cycle population as a response to the law.The present article investigates whether the lack of effect of helmet wearing laws is due to risk compensation mechanisms or population shifts (i.e. discouraging cyclists with the lowest accident risk, and thereby increasing the overall average risk per cyclist). A random sample of 1504 bicycle owners in Norway responded to a questionnaire on among other things helmet use, bicycle equipment use, accident involvement, cycling behaviour and risk perception. Data were analysed by using structural equation model (SEM). The results show that the cyclist population in Norway can be divided into two sub-populations: one speed-happy group that cycle fast and have lots of cycle equipment including helmets, and one traditional kind of cyclist without much equipment, cycling slowly. With all the limitations that have to be placed on a cross sectional study such as this, the results indicate that at least part of the reason why helmet laws do not appear to be beneficial is that they disproportionately discourage the safest cyclists.     

Stimulus-governance and the hyperkinetic syndrome

The hypothesis that hyperkinetic children are stimulusgoverned was tested. In a sample of 39 nonmedicated hyperkinetic boys 26 were found to be stimulus-governed. In a control sample of 20 nonmedicated boys 6 were found to be stimulus-governed. An association was found between the hyperkinetic syndrome and stimulusgovernance. The hypothesis is raised that response to methylphenidate is related to stimulusgovernance. Several issues raised by the research are discussed.This research was supported in part by a grant from Bloemendaal Psychiatric Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands. The authors wish to thank Mr. E. M. Ockhorst, for constructing the KFA-testing equipment, and Mr. R. Reyneart, for helping with the computer analysis. An earlier draft of the paper was presented at the European Conference of Neuropsychology, sponsored by the International Neuropsychology Society, at Oxford University, England.     

Misperceptions of feedback in dynamic decision making

In recent years laboratory experiments have shed significant light on the behavior of economic agents in a variety of microeconomic and decision-theoretic contexts such as auction markets, portfolio choice, and preference elicitation. Despite the success of experimental techniques in the micro domain, there has been relatively little work linking the behavior of decision makers to the dynamics of larger organizations such as corporations, industries, or the macroeconomy. This paper presents a laboratory experiment in which subjects manage a simulated economy. Subjects must invest sufficient capital plant and equipment to satisfy demand. Subjects were given complete and perfect information regarding the structure of the simulated economy, the values of all variables, and the past history of the system. Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of the subjects generate significant and costly oscillations. A simple decision rule based on the anchoring and adjustment heuristic is shown to simulate the subjects' decisions quite well. Several distinct sources of the subjects' poor performance are identified and termed “misperceptions of feedback.” The decision rule is related to various models of economic fluctuations; implications for experimental investigation of dynamic decision making in aggregate systems are explored.     

Results of a preliminary survey of computer users in psychological laboratories

A short questionnaire was distributed to a subset of the computer users connected with the National Conference on the Use of On-Line Computers in Psychology to determine the type of computer equipment used by psychologists and the current uses of that equipment. The results of this pilot study are discussed in this paper.     

The Great Wood vs. Plastic Pegboard Controversy: A Definitive Answer

This study was performed to resolve the question of comparability of manual dexterity scores obtained on wooden and plastic versions of the USES pegboard. Three types of boards (new wooden, worn wooden, and plastic) were used in testing 456 individuals, 152 with each type. The results showed that there were no significant differences in mean scores on either Part 9 or Part 10 of the USES pegboard. Therefore, we concluded that currently authorized equipment, either plastic or wooden, may be used with the confidence that scores are not affected by the type of equipment used. Users of plastic equipment should make certain that only the newer hard plastic pegs are used, however.     

基于中国文化的人格与动机理论——中国人格模型与关键需要理论

以邓小平等29位中外杰出人物为研究对象,以他们的32本传记为编码材料,以《论语管理素质编码手册》为工具,针对中外杰出人物儒家心理资产和债务的结构与发展,进行了一系列实证研究。结果发现,在中外杰出人物的儒家心理资产结构中,明、语、功、友、劳、政和变的品质为七种关键品质;在中外杰出人物儒家心理债务的结构中,恶见、疑、瞋、慢、痴和贪的品质为六种核心品质。前者与道家智慧存在神秘的对应关系,后者与佛家智慧存在神秘的对应关系。基于该系列研究,修正了西方心理学家提出的人格五因素理论,提出了具有中国文化特色的人格理论——中国人格模型,提出了具有中国文化特色的动机理论——关键需要理论。     

Systematic application and removal of protective equipment in the assessment of multiple topographies of self-injury

We evaluated the effects of systematic application and removal of protective equipment on three topographies of self-injurious behavior (SIB) exhibited by a girl who had been diagnosed with autism. Results showed that when protective equipment was applied, SIB decreased to near-zero levels. In addition, withdrawal of protective equipment for specific topographies of SIB (by removing only the corresponding padding) increased rates of SIB only for that topography of SIB. Next, a functional analysis of hand SIB showed that protective equipment suppressed this behavior in all conditions and that the behavior was maintained by automatic reinforcement when padding was removed. Results are discussed in terms of sensory extinction as a possible mechanism responsible for response suppression.     

Could millisecond timing errors in commonly used equipment be a cause of replication failure in some neuroscience studies?

Neuroscience is a rapidly expanding field in which complex studies and equipment setups are the norm. Often these push boundaries in terms of what technology can offer, and increasingly they make use of a wide range of stimulus materials and interconnected equipment (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, magnetoencephalography, eyetrackers, biofeedback, etc.). The software that bonds the various constituent parts together itself allows for ever more elaborate investigations to be carried out with apparent ease. However, research over the last decade has suggested a growing, yet underacknowledged, problem with obtaining millisecond-accurate timing in some computer-based studies. Crucially, timing inaccuracies can affect not just response time measurements, but also stimulus presentation and the synchronization between equipment. This is not a new problem, but rather one that researchers may have assumed had been solved with the advent of faster computers, state-of-the-art equipment, and more advanced software. In this article, we highlight the potential sources of error, their causes, and their likely impact on replication. Unfortunately, in many applications, inaccurate timing is not easily resolved by utilizing ever-faster computers, newer equipment, or post-hoc statistical manipulation. To ensure consistency across the field, we advocate that researchers self-validate the timing accuracy of their own equipment whilst running the actual paradigm in situ.     

Conceptual Models in Organizational Consultation

Human organizations are potentially very complex systems operating in even more complex environments. Fundamental to the consultant's effectiveness is his or her ability to conceptualize among these complexities. Several general conceptual models that facilitate the consultant's conceptual work are reviewed. Also, fundamental to the effectiveness of consultation is the consultant's ability to empower consultees conceptually. Several principles related to achieving this objective are presented and discussed. The authors conclude with a discussion targeted to the objective of integrating conceptual models in consultation practice.     

Direct linking of autonomic activity with typed text: The CARMEN machine

A technique that allows researchers to simultaneously record typed text and link each typed word with up to four channels of autonomic nervous system activity is described. The computer-based system is useful for studying the biological correlates of language production. The system, which works with J&J biofeedback equipment, can be adapted to virtually any monitoring equipment that can provide A/D conversion. Suggestions for data analyses are included.     

Application of Sustainable Habitat: What is the Appropriation and Utilisation of Equipment After Energy‐Saving Renovations in Social Housing?

To reduce energy consumption, technical equipment alone is not sufficient. Adjustment of behaviours so that equipment is used appropriately is also necessary. Numerous studies have shown how difficult it is to change behaviours and how many factors are involved. The aim of this study is to identify the psychosocial factors facilitating or inhibiting energy‐saving behaviours in the appropriation of energy‐saving equipment by residents. Forty‐one semi‐directive interviews were conducted with tenants of terraced houses (12 people) and flats (29 people) located in the same residential area in a French city. The blocks of flats and terraced houses are managed by a proprietor of social housing. The results of a categorical content analysis highlight the importance of the relationship between tenants and proprietor and tenants' low motivation concerning the energy‐saving renovations. Consequently, we argue for the importance of favouring active participation by tenants in order to promote acceptance and appropriation of the new equipment. Furthermore, both the social and physical contexts of residents must be taken into account and energy saving must be integrated into other types of environmental behaviours in the neighbourhood in order to improve coherence and credibility. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Low-cost equipment for schedule generation III: Variable ratio and ancillary equipment

Circuits are described that extend earlier designs for schedule-generating equipment using complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) logic. Specifically, the circuits consist of a variable-ratio generator and a series of circuits providing ancillary equipment, including a simple elapsed-timer meter, a logic probe, a variety of logic functions, a pulse generator, and circuits for interfacing. All circuits are compatible with those previously described.     

Constructs and Construct Validation: Definitions and issues

This article presents a definition of constructs, construct validity, and wn- struct validation and traces some of the historical treatments of the terms. It is argued that construct validity and validation procedures can be particularly useful in personnel-testing contexts, where jobrelatedness is required. Several examples are presented using sophisticated modeling procedures along with other kinds of data to illustrate how evidence to show job relatedness through construct validation might be developed. Several cautions are extended re- garding the use of these statistical modeling procedures.     

Review of controlled psychotherapy treatment trials for binge eating disorder

This paper reviews investigations of psychotherapy outcome studies for binge eating disorder, which has recently been intensively studied as several researchers have undertaken the task of delineating which treatment options are the most effective. Several randomized, controlled clinical trials have provided important findings. A current debate concerns what the initial course of treatment should be, reducing binge eating patterns or reducing weight. Several limitations to this literature are mentioned, including the dearth of studies investigating treatment for men and boys with binge eating disorder.     

2006年大同市大型医疗设备利用状况调查

为全面掌握大同市大型医疗设备的拥有量、分布、使用率等资料,为编制大同市大型医疗设备配置规划提供科学依据,本文采用普查法,对大同市大型医疗设备的相关资料进行调查。调查发现大同市大型医疗设备配置过量,分布不合理,利用率普遍较低,空转现象较为突出,且市区医院与县郊区医院大型医疗设备的利用率差异较大。     

The wide-angle reflection eye camera for visual choice and pupil size

A new equipment has been devised to photograph the reflection of the stimulus scene in the eye. The resulting motion pictures show the pupil encircling the area of the scene which was being fixated by the gaze; they also show the pupil size. Both measurements are simplified by providing a calibrated edge to the scene. No bite bar is required, and the equipment is quick and easy to use, being especially suitable for young children and also for monkeys.     

Building a cyber-museum of early instruments and procedures with the 1903 Eduard Zimmermann Catalog as an example

The rationale and methodology for the construction of a Web site using images from a 1903 German (Leipzig) equipment manufacturer, Eduard Zimmermann, are presented. Many of the illustrations cite Wundt’s work. Topics in the construction of such a site are integrated through the proposal for a database standard for sites displaying older equipment. Methods for the efficient construction of such a site, including translation problems and a database catalog for images and captions to permit easier creation of HTML files, are included. Present and future uses of the site, including evaluation of the historical importance of the catalog and relation to other sites concerned with the history of experimentation, are presented.