Development of an on-line problem-oriented system for the evaluation of mental health treatment services

Current on-line assessment applications are limited to mimicking instruments designed for paper and pencil. The development of an instrument designed specifically for on-line technology is described. The instrument provides research data on treatment effectiveness, clinical information for treatment planning, and management information for resource allocation.     

Processing of empty categories in Japanese

Recent experimental research on the processing of empty categories (EC) in English points to the general conclusion that during on-line processing of a sentence, not only is the presence of an EC detected but its linguistically legitimate antecedents are also computed. In this paper, it is argued that, in Japanese, ECs pose serious problems for on-line processing if they are to be processed in a manner similar to English. Initial experimental data indicates that, in Japanese, the processor may not recognize an EC during initial on-line processing of a sentence. It is tentatively suggested that processing of an EC in Japanese may be delayed until after the on-line processing of the structure of a sentence.     

Development of an on-line management information system for community mental health centers

An on-line computerized management information system has been developed at the Salt Lake City VA Hospital and is currently being implemented at Salt Lake Community Mental Health Center. An introduction to this system, including systems design and procedures for development, are presented. The advantages of on-line technology as compared to batch processing technology are also discussed.     

地区层面上的心理学国际合作：以欧洲为例

根据需要,心理学的国际合作能够且需要在不同的层面上进行,包括全球层面、地区层面甚至局部地区层面。在回顾国际化心理学的主要功能之后,以欧洲为例阐述了心理学在地区层面上跨国合作的近期进展情况。在介绍“欧洲的各个侧面”部分,通过数据比较说明了欧洲传统文化的多样性,教育领域亦如此。为了欧洲一体化,欧盟大力支持各种形式的学术培训及科学研究的合作交流,在心理学领域也有明显的效果。本文通过欧洲地区性的课程创新、原创性的研究、新出现的心理学跨国组织对心理学领域的合作进行了说明。如果要与欧洲各心理学研究机构进行合作交流,本文可能会有所帮助。本文也会激发世界其他地方思考地区性合作的可能性和实际需要     

Utah Virtual Lab: JAVA interactivity for teaching science and statistics on line

The Utah on-line Virtual Lab is a JAVA program run dynamically off a database. It is embedded in Stat-Center (www.psych.utah.edu/learn/statsampler.html), an on-line collection of tools and text for teaching and learning statistics. Instructors author a statistical virtual reality that simulates theories and data in a specific research focus area by defining independent, predictor, and dependent variables and the relations among them. Students work in an on-line virtual environment to discover the principles of this simulated reality: They go to a library, read theoretical overviews and scientific puzzles, and then go to a lab, design a study, collect and analyze data, and write a report. Each student’s design and data analysis decisions are computer-graded and recorded in a database; the written research report can be read by the instructor or by other students in peer groups simulating scientific conventions.     

Q’Hand: A fully automated apparatus for studying haptic processing of spatially distributed inputs

Q’Hand is an electromechanical system that permits fully automated preparation and presentation of spatially distributed stimulus displays, as well as on-line data acquisition, all under software control. Selected inputs may be presented to any one or combination of the middle three fingertips of both hands. Both accuracy and reaction times are collected on line. Q’Hand was specifically designed to investigate tactile/haptic preattentive and attentive processing of single and multidimensional stimuli. However, it may also be used to study a variety of other research topics, such as pattern recognition, psychophysical issues, and lateralization of somatosensory function. Further, it may be adapted relatively easily for use in clinical settings. For example, with this apparatus, automated psychophysical tests may be designed for the evaluation of the extent of sensory impairment due to peripheral nerve damage otheihander to cortical dysfunction.     

The Minnesota interactive statistical system

The Minnesota Interactive Statistical System (MISS) is reviewed as a successful application of on-line minicomputing in an instructional and research context. The MISS system is described with regard to (1) the instructional and research needs which prompted its development, (2) its programming design, (3) its operating system, (4) its computer hardware requirements, and (5) the continued innovative minicomputing development that it has inspired.     

BASIC subroutines for on-line experiments using Hewlett-Packard computers

Modifications of the Hewlett-Packard version of the BASIC language to permit its use in data acquisition and control of on-line experiments are described. The resulting software system is an easy-to-use interpretative compiler.     

Expectations of consistency about the self: Consequences for self-concept formation

This study proposes that the on-line versus memory-based judgment distinction has important implications for understanding self-concept formation and content. Past research has shown that perceivers form on-line judgments of targets who are expected to display a great deal of behavioral consistency (e.g., individuals) but form memory-based judgments of targets who are expected to display less behavioral consistency (e.g., groups). Experiment 1 found that perceptions of behavioral consistency for the self were strong and closer to perceptions of consistency for individuals than for groups. Thus, we predicted that self-concepts should, by default, be formed on-line. Experiment 2 supported this prediction. Experiment 3 manipulated participants’ expectations of behavior consistency and found that those expecting greater consistency in their behaviors formed on-line self-concepts. Experiment 4 used a different methodology and behavioral domain, and it collected more direct process data that further supported the importance of the on-line versus memory-based distinction for the self. Implications for understanding self-concepts and for comparing self-knowledge to how people understand other types of social entities are discussed.     

Automated psychophysiology laboratory

A laboratory has recently been established in University Hospital based on a PDP-11 /40 processor running a real-time Executive (RSX-ll/D) which has storage and data acquisition peripherals to handle on-line processing of psychophysiological data from patients receiving biofeedback. A data acquisition program has been written which permits the sampling of eight simultaneous channels of data coming from a Hewlett-Packard 7700 electrophysiological recorder system. Input from the patient includes switch closures and variable resistors, thermistors, GSR, electrocardiogram, respiration rate, and a variety of others. Feedback to the patient includes a variety of types of lights, a cathode ray tube storage screen, a character-oriented CRT monitor, and a variety of audio signals. Developers are presently involved in writing the biofeedback section of the programs and an on-line decision-making dependent upon patient response. Simultaneously with laboratory operation, a number of other users are served. These include the Admitting Department and Respiratory Function Laboratory. A rat laboratory will be served also by this facility in the near future via a front-end microprocessor.     

Interview etiquette and hiring outcomes

Despite the presumed importance of interview etiquette, research examining its relationship with hiring outcomes has been relatively limited. As a step toward validating its importance, two studies were conducted to assess the influence of interview etiquette on hiring outcomes relative to other predictors. In the first study, the impact of interview etiquette was demonstrated to be similar to that of interview answer quality in influencing recruiters’ perceptions of employment suitability. Moreover, a significant interaction was found, whereby interview etiquette mattered more when interview answer quality was also high. In the second study, interview etiquette was demonstrated to explain incremental variance in job offers beyond other impression management strategies (i.e., ingratiation and self-promotion) and biographical data (i.e., work experience, academic achievement, and extracurricular involvement). Overall, these findings provide evidence that interview etiquette bears a significant relationship with hiring outcomes, signaling its value beyond other credentials and impression management tactics.     

Intuitive inventory management: An experimental system

The way people intuitively manage inventories is both an important issue in its own right and a context for research on various basic theoretical questions. The subject has not yet been systematically studied, owing partially to the lack of appropriate research tools. This paper presents some of the key concepts in formal inventory theory and describes an experimental system for the study of intuitive inventory management. This system is a computer program that allows subjects to interact with a simulated inventory system. Numerous system parameters can be manipulated, including demand functions, prices, costs, and the display of data. The usefulness of the system is demonstrated via the study of the effects of three parameters on intuitive inventory management in an illustrative experiment. Possible future uses of the system in basic and applied research and in training are indicated.     

Comprehensive course management and delivery using POISE-CIS

At SUNY-Plattsburgh, we are using the POISE-CIS course management and delivery software to teach one section of introductory psychology each semester. Although this course uses a traditional textbook and covers the same material as most introductory psychology courses, it uses a self-paced mastery-based approach to learning and is managed and delivered over the Plattsburgh computer network. Students receive assignments, take on-line diagnostic assessments, receive feedback, and communicate with the instructor over the campus network. In a departmental laboratory facility, students also work with a computerized tutorial, complete computerized learning activities, take supervised on-line exams, and consult with teaching assistants. The present paper describes the overall design of the course as well as the specific characteristics of the course as it was offered in the spring of 1995, at which time data were collected on student attitudes toward computers.     

Psychological systems questionnaire: An objective personality test designed for on-line computer presentation,scoring, and interpretation

Previous research efforts to use on-line computer systems for personality assessment are briefly reviewed. Shortcomings in the conversion of paper-and-pencil testing forms to computer media are noted. Construction of a new instrument, specifically designed for use with an on-line computer system, is described. Advantages of this approach are noted.     

A multifunctional on-line brain stimulation system

A flexible on-line electrical brain stimulation system designed for brain stimulation reward (BSR) research is described. A Cromemco Z-2D microcomputer is interfaced with a constant-current stimulator and a standard operant chamber. The system programs, written substantially in BASIC, calculate BSR threshold by two rate-independent methods, measure rate of operant responding, and determine resistance of the brain. Other software programs are used for training rats on complex schedules of reinforcement, for system hardware calibration, and for sophisticated statistical data analyses.     

INCORPORATING THE BUDDHA’S THREEFOLD TRAINING WITH MANAGEMENT SCIENCE THEORIES

ABSTRACT

The acceleration of the evolution of economic culture through scientific development affords the opportunity to re-examine cross-domain dialogue and research in Buddhism and other disciplines. The concepts of threefold training in Buddhism (i.e. precepts, samadhi, and wisdom) were used as data items to generate data values and thereby convey the semantic nature of these terms. A systems analysis approach that can adequately incorporate hermeneutics into management science was employed to present the research topic. This study illustrates the relationship between a management activity (i.e. its effectiveness and efficiency, and the mechanism used) and a Buddhist activity (i.e. threefold training). This relationship was used to establish a body- and mind-transcending system comprising two subsystems: a service subsystem that adopts the perspective of management science by emphasising the ‘way of things’ and a submission subsystem that adopts a Buddhist perspective by stressing the ‘way of people’. The main finding of this study is that the two subsystems are characterised by identical Buddhist concepts.     

PROCTOR: An on-line student evaluation and monitoring system for use with PSI format courses

PROCTOR, an on-line interactive system for student evaluation and monitoring in courses employing the PSI format, is described. This system involves a tester module that assumes many of the routine managerial duties traditionally assigned to the student proctor, such as quiz administration and scoring, performance feedback, and complete record keeping. Also, PROCTOR includes a multipurpose editor that allows an instructor to enter, examine, or modify any information in the disk files accessed by the tester. Factors related to the implementation and use of this system are considered, and its advantages for management, quality control, and staffing in PSI courses are discussed.     

APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS AND STATISTICAL PROCESS CONTROL?

This paper examines Pfadt and Wheeler's (1995) suggestions that the methods of statistical process control (SPC) be incorporated into applied behavior analysis. The research strategies of SPC are examined and compared to those of applied behavior analysis. I argue that the statistical methods that are a part of SPC would likely reduce applied behavior analysts' intimate contacts with the problems with which they deal and would, therefore, likely yield poor treatment and research decisions. Examples of these kinds of results and decisions are drawn from the cases and data Pfadt and Wheeler present. This paper also describes and clarifies many common misconceptions about SPC, including W. Edwards Deming's involvement in its development, its relationship to total quality management, and its confusion with various other methods designed to detect sources of unwanted variability.