A microcomputer-based laboratory for psychopathology research in rural settings

An Apple-based computer system for research use in rural mental health settings is described. Hardware and software modifications are detailed. Techniques to aid in the acceptance of psychopathology research programs in these rural settings are discussed.     

An inexpensive real-time microcomputer-based cognitive laboratory system

A computer system, based on the Radio Shack Color Computer, for running experiments in cognitive psychology is described. The system was designed according to the following principles: first, all of the equipment should consist of inexpensive, off-the-shelf components; second, the language used to implement experiments should have real-time commands embedded within the character strings to be displayed, and these real-time commands should be interpreted at run time; third, the system should serve multiple subjects, yet one host should be able to run display terminals for several subjects on independent experiments; and fourth, the system should be able to interface to other display devices and other response-recording devices. Two examples of other devices are discussed: an oscilloscope for rapid visual display and an Apple Macintosh for display of pictures.     

A microcomputer-based visual stimulator

A microcomputer-based instrument is described that provides visual stimuli for a CRT display and collects and processes response data. The system produces a variety of visual patterns to facilitate the study of the properties of visual neurons of several different animals. The visual patterns include drifting sinusoidal or bar gratings, contrast reversal gratings, and diffuse light. By means of a keypad, the experimenter can select the visual pattern and its parameters, such as depth of modulation, spatial frequency, initial spatial phase, temporal frequency, and rotation angle.     

An Apple microcomputer-based laboratory system for the study of visual-motor behavior

An apparatus for studying motor control and visual-motor coordination is described. The system consists of an Apple II+ with two expansions boards installed. One board provides advanced graphics capabilities; the other interfaces the Apple with a digitizing tablet and also provides a real-time clock. Target stimulus and visual feedback concerning self-produced movement (i.e., a cursor) are displayed on a standard video monitor, and movement data are sampled by the digitizing tablet. Software consists of about 3K bytes of assembled 6502 code and a 2K byte Applesoft BASIC program. The system is inexpensive, versatile, and particularly well suited for developmental research. It has been used with human subjects as young as 3 years of age.     

A versatile microcomputer-based multiple-field tachistoscope

A newly introduced microcomputer in its most basic form provides a wide variety of stimulus display capabilities at an extremely low price. Several simple illustrative programs demonstrate its ability to present any number of visual stimuli in sequence and record response latencies, thus duplicating the functions of a multiple-field tachistoscope and associated response-recording instrumentation.     

A microcomputer-based cardiotachometer with video display

A KIM-1 single board microcomputer implementation of a cardiotachometer that provides a low-cost versatile heart-rate data acquisition system is described. Unique features include telemetry, a composite video output signal of a video frame displaying elapsed time and heart-rate, and a TV camera signal of the behavior. Data is videotape- and/or audiotape-recorded for further analysis with a larger computer.     

A microcomputer-based software package for eye monitoring research

A software package is described that collects and reduces eye behavior (eye position and pupil size) data using an IBM-compatible personal computer. Written in the C language for speed and portability, the package includes several unique features: data can be collected simultaneously from other sources (e.g., EEG, EMG), logically defined events can be detected in real time on any data channel, and either of two types of data matrix can be produced. Data reduction algorithms and data structures are described.     

A microcomputer-based system for evoked-potential augmenting/reducing measurements

Evoked-potential measurements can readily be implemented on a microcomputer. We present as an example a system for obtaining an evoked-potential augmenting/reducing measure using the Apple II microcomputer. Specialized features of the PASCAL program and peripheral equipment are described.     

A microcomputer-based technique for measuring response times in written protocols

We describe a computer system that can be used to collect response times simultaneously with written protocols. It is applicable to tasks in which written protocols and associated response times are of interest.     

A microcomputer-controlled laboratory: Hardware

A microcomputer-controlled laboratory designed to incorporate the Motorola 6800 microprocessor unit is described. The microcomputer system is reliable, flexible, and expandable, as well as adaptable to the next generation of Motorola microprocessor components. A modular system design utilizes multiprocessing with separate microprocessor units dedicated to specific functions. This computer, when used with powerful, high-level software, provides a general-purpose psychology laboratory computer system that is easy to use.     

An inexpensive microcomputer-based image digitizer

An inexpensive (under $600) microcomputer-controlled image analysis system that uses commercially available components is described. Both programming and construction details are provided, as well as a discussion of the utility of the apparatus in studies of animal behavior. The system has been used to record position preferences and activity in animal groupings of various size. Simply by changing the distance between the target and the camera, animals and/or arenas of differing size can be monitored.     

A microcomputer-controlled laboratory: Software

The software used in a microcomputer-controlled laboratory is described. Primary emphasis is placed upon describing the capabilities of a powerful, easy-to-use programming language appropriate for controlling research in a wide variety of applications. It is particularly appropriate for physiological and operant laboratories. Design of the language and accompanying operating system follow a rigorous modular, structured approach, with most coding done in high-level languages. As a result, the code is easy to maintain and expand. In addition, it is not difficult to adapt the programs to other microprocessors to take advantage of a rapidly improving technology.     

A microcomputer-based system for continuous measurement of rodent food intake

A microcomputer-based system is described for the automatic acquisition, storage, and analysis of rodent food intakes. The feed-o-meter provides reliable, valid measurements of consumption, with minute-by-minute accuracy of ?.03 g.     

A microcomputer-based plotter system for the TRS-80 and HP 7225

A software package, MICROPLOT, was developed to run on a TRS-80 Model I microcomputer in conjunction with the Hewlett-Packard (HP) 7226 or similiar HP plotter. Capabilities include XY plotting of up to 10 data sets and curve plotting of an nth-degree polynomial. The package operates under the NEWDOS 80 Version 2.0 disk operating system but, with appropriate modification, can be run under any operating system that has dynamic program line merge and delete functions in BASIC. This report describes the structure of the system, hardware configuration, plotting capabilities, and applications in the behavioral laboratory.     

Real-world inpatient programs: Shedding some light-A critique

This critique is a response to an article by Morisse, Batra, Hess, Silverman, and Corrigan (1996), in which “a token economy for the real world” is promulgated as an alternative to the comprehensive social-learning program and assessment technology presented by Paul and Lentz (1977). The article misrepresents the treatment-and-assessment procedures that have been empirically validated as the most effective and cost-efficient for inpatient programs. The article also inappropriately cites the results of prior reports as support for an oversimplified approach to the development and implementation of inpatient programs. The promoted approach is in direct opposition to the widely recognized need for empirically validated interventions and evaluations in mental health services. Not only are data lacking to support assertions of effectiveness for the resulting program but illustrative examples demonstrate technically unsound procedures as well as an ethically questionable emphasis on staff desires to the exclusion of patient needs. We attempt to correct Morisse et al.'s inaccuracies and misconceptions regarding the work of Paul and colleagues, note the major problems with their perfunctory approach, and provide recommendations for implementation and maintenance of empirically validated procedures for inpatients.     

The presentation of visual stimuli: An inexpensive microcomputer-based system

The presentation of visual stimuli and subject response recording are integral to many experimental paradigms. A microcomputer-based video display system is described that is extremely versatile and less expensive than slide projector systems.     

Counseling: A conversion experience

In this article, the experience of conversion, which is usually delegated to the realm of spiritual studies, is applied to the counseling experience. It is posited that a person who goes through a successful counseling process will experience a turning around, will cease leading life in a dysfunctional way, and will move forward in a manner by which the person experiences life in a new perspective. This new perspective brings the person wholeness and balance.