Age differences in feeling-of-knowing and confidence judgements as a function of knowledge domain

For two semantic knowledge domains, general and computer-related, feeling-of-knowing (FOK) and confidence level (CL) ratings and their relative accuracy were assessed in young, middle-aged, and older adults, after test difficulty was equated across age groups. Global memory self-efficacy beliefs were also assessed for each domain. As expected, greater age was associated with poorer memory self-efficacy beliefs only in the computer domain. The oldest two groups were found to be more underconfident than young adults when rating their FOK but not their CL, for computer items but not for general items. Statistical control of age differences in memory self-efficacy beliefs in the relevant domain greatly reduced this age effect on computer-related FOK ratings. This finding suggests that absolute FOK judgments are more closely related to memory self-efficacy beliefs than are CL judgments. Gamma correlations between judgments and recognition performance revealed that all age groups were equally accurate in FOK and in CL judgments, in both domains.     

Variations in mood state as a function of a football season

Scores on the Profile of Mood States were collected from football players at a small university each week prior to a Saturday football contest. The scores were analyzed to assess whether mood varied as a function of the outcome of the previous week's game. Although the subjects' overall mood state was not influenced by the outcome of the games, scores on Tension, Vigor, Fatigue, and Confusion varied. Fatigue and Confusion were related to the outcomes of the games and gave partial support to the hypothesis that the players' mood would vary according to the outcome of the games played.     

Active regulation of altitude as a function of optical texture

Institute of Aviation, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois Two empirical studies are reported that examine active regulation of altitude as a function of the type of ground texture. Three ground textures were examined: lines perpendicular to the direction of motion, lines parallel to the direction of motion, and the combination (i.e., square or checkerboard texture). Although subjects only controlled altitude, disturbances were: introduced on three axes: vertical, lateral, and fore-aft. The re8ults show a clear advantage for texture parallel to the direction of motion. However, in considering these results in the context of previous research on altitude control, the argument is made that there is no compelling evidence that suggests either parallel (splay) or perpendicular (density) texture is privileged with regard to altitude control. Rather, the most effective display for altitude control will be the one t-hat best isolates the optical activity associated with changing altitude from the optical activity arising from other sources of disturbance (such as forward locomotion). Such a display will make it easier for the observer to distinguish and respond specifically to the disturbances of altitude.     

Polarization and moderation of person perception judgements as a function of group interaction style

Studied the effects of group discussion on the extremity of person perception judgements with a view towards (a) evaluating the role of alternative ‘modes of interaction’ in selectively inducing polarization or moderation of judgements, and (b) further extending the generality of the group polarization phenomenon. Two traditional theories of group shift (leadership theory, value theory) were also evaluated. Both the video-taped stimuli and the subject, object and situation-relevant measuring instrument were specially developed in a pilot study (N = 90) in order to approximate real-life conditions. The person stimuli were rated by subjects (N = 72) in a traditional repeated measures design, with a control group for familiarization effects. Free exchange of opinions in group discussion was either encouraged or discouraged. A significant polarization effect with marked postdiscussion recidivism was found when spontaneous interaction was encouraged, while group consensus judgements were more moderate in the more formalized group interaction condition. Neither of the traditional theories examined were supported by the data. The results are discussed in term of their potential relevance to real-life groups specializing in person perception judgements (juries, interviewing panels), and the connection between the mode of interaction formulation and other recent theories of the group shift are examined, with some suggestions for the further elaboration of the present model.     

Active regulation of altitude as a function of optical texture.

Two empirical studies are reported that examine active regulation of altitude as a function of the type of ground texture. Three ground textures were examined: lines perpendicular to the direction of motion, lines parallel to the direction of motion, and the combination (i.e., square or checkerboard texture). Although subjects only controlled altitude, disturbances were introduced on three axes: vertical, lateral, and fore-aft. The results show a clear advantage for texture parallel to the direction of motion. However, in considering these results in the context of previous research on altitude control, the argument is made that there is no compelling evidence that suggests either parallel (splay) or perpendicular (density) texture is privileged with regard to altitude control. Rather, the most effective display for altitude control will be the one that best isolates the optical activity associated with changing altitude from the optical activity arising from other sources of disturbance (such as forward locomotion). Such a display will make it easier for the observer to distinguish and respond specifically to the disturbances of altitude.     

Speed constancy as a function of size constancy

If perceived velocity were to be a function of phenomenal extent traversed per unit time, speed constancy would be derivable from size constancy. Experiments were performed to test this possibility in which visible frames of reference were eliminated. With cues to distance, judgments ofspeed approached constancy; without such cues, judgments of speed were in terms of rate ofimage displacement.     

Perceived numerosity as a function of item size

In a sample of 48 subjects, there was a significant inverse relation between item size and estimation of numerosity. This result was shown to be consistent with Gestalt theory. According to this approach, the components of good figures appear more numerous, and smaller items produce better figures.     

Variations in subject pool as a function of earlier or later participation

Data were obtained from 113 participants in a university subject pool during a 16-wk. semester. Without knowing the purpose of the study, participants self-selected to participate earlier (Weeks 3 and 4: n = 63) or later (Weeks 15 or 16) n = 50). Variations in scores on the NEO Personality Inventory--Revised, the Crowne-Marlowe Social Desirability Scale, the General Expectancy of Success Scale, the Shipley Institute of Living Scale, self-reported SATs and GPAs, and a measure of academic self-efficacy as a function of earlier or later participation were examined. Multivariate analysis of variance indicated that early participants differed significantly from later participants but not in predicted ways. Earlier participants scored higher on NEO PI-R Neuroticism; specifically men (n = 15) and women (n = 48) scored higher on Hostility, and women scored higher on Depression and Self-consciousness. An additional significant difference occurred for self-reported SAT Verbal scores for men, which were significantly higher for later participants. These temporal variations may represent confounds in research using university subject pools.     

Motion parallax judgements of depth as a function of the direction and type of head movement

We compared the relative effectiveness of rotating or translating the head, either horizontally or vertically, on the perception of depth resulting from motion parallax. Using Rogers and Graham's (1979) paradigm, we yoked the movement of random dots on a screen to movements of the head, simulating a corrugated surface. In two experiments, subjects nulled the apparent depth or motion seen in the display. Horizontal head movements yielded the most precise depth judgements, irrespective of whether the head translated or rotated. Motion thresholds were higher than those for depth and were independent of direction of head movement. In a third experiment, suprathreshold stimuli that simulated differing amounts of depth were used, and the subjects' perception of depth was virtually the same for all types and directions of head movement. In our stimulus situation, rotating or translating the head either vertically or horizontally produced motion parallax cues for depth that were equally effective. Our results also showed that, within a range, retinal image motion from head movement is converted into a depth signal and that above that range location constancy breaks down and motion is seen.     

The influence of visual texture density gradients on relative distance judgements

A hypothesis derived from J. J. Gibson's psychophysical theory of space perception was tested. Subjects made monocular relative distance judgements by moving a marker to the apparent physical mid-point between two other fixed markers which were placed on a surface along the subjects' line of sight. Judgements were significantly influenced by the texture density gradients of stimulation derived from the surface over which they were made.     

Retrieval time as a function of memory ensemble size

A direct test was performed of Oldfield's (1966) derivation of the relationship between naming response latency and memory ensemble size. The results confirmed Oldfield in every particular. Further, the results support Sperling's (1967) suggestion of a recognition buffer-memory mechanism between the initial stimulus-encoding stage and the long-term memory stage of human information processing.     

Accuracy of estimations of body-frame size as a function of sex and actual frame size

Body-frame size is an important factor in determining an optimal body weight for a given height. Previous studies have indicated that many individuals incorrectly estimate their body-frame size, and, as a result, incorrectly assess their ideal weight. The present study investigated the accuracy of estimation of body-frame size as a function of sex and actual frame size. The subjects were 66 men and 52 women participating in a community adult fitness program. Data indicated that medium-framed individuals were the most accurate in their estimations of body-frame size. Also, women were twice as likely to be accurate as were men. These results are interpreted to mean that most people assume they are medium-framed and that there is a sex difference in the way body-frame size is estimated.     

Teacher perceptions of student behavior as a function of class size

In an attempt to describe class size effects on student behavior that might be predictable from one setting to the next, the author proposes a social psychology framework. He hypothesizes that social loafing, deindividuation, and social facilitation can explain patterns of student participation, off-task behavior, and in-class performance, respectively, as a function of the size of the class. Data from interviews with eight middle-school teachers suggest that these concepts are marginally applicable to the behaviors in question. At the same time, other class size effects on student behavior are described which may be inherent in class size and thus be reasonably predictable. Josh Englehart is a recent PhD receipient from Cleveland State University. He is currently a public school Physical Education teacher in Painesville, Ohio. His research to date has included class size effects on various outcome variables, teacher perceptions of student intelligence, and student motivation.     

Orientation illusions vary in size and direction as a function of task-dependent attention

Adding an upright inner square frame to an outer tilted square frame causes a central rod's perceived orientation to be directionally opposite the usual rod-and-frame illusion (RFI). Zoccolotti, Antonucci, Daini, Martelli, and Spinelli (1997) attributed this double RFI (DRFI) to Rock's (1990) hierarchical organization principle. In Experiment 1, this explanation predicted results for small (11 degrees ) but not larger (22 degrees and 33 degrees ) outer frame orientations. In two experiments with the DRFI, bottom-up, goal-driven attention was varied and direct and indirect measures of the framework's influence were compared. In Experiment 2, the RFI angular function was compared with two other DRFI conditions: a direct measure of perceived rod orientation and an indirect measure of the inner frame. These conditions induced directionally opposite effects. In Experiment 3, direct and indirect measures of the inner frame's perceived tilt were compared. Angular functions differing in size and direction were obtained. Experiment 4 replicated the previous results, using a different psychophysical procedure. All the results were consistent with the hierarchical organization mechanism but suggested different processing strategies due to different attentional weights. They were also consistent with other recent findings based on the Bayesian approach to accounts of illusory phenomena (e.g., Jazayeri & Movshon, 2006, 2007; Weiss, Simoncelli, & Adelson, 2002).     

Variations in watch keeping performance as a function of the rate and duration of visual signals

This study was designed to assess the relative effects on watch keeping performance of five signal durations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0sec) combined factorially with five signal rates (6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 sig/h). A visual display consisting of a red and green light mounted on a vertical vector was used; red-onset and green-offset were critical signals. The probability of correct detections increased monotonically with increases in signal duration; a stable rate of nearly 100% detection was approached at signal durations of 4.0 and 8.0 sec, independently of signal rates. The likelihood of detection was enhanced by increases in signal rates only at the 0.5-sec duration with the green-offset critical signal. Response time to correct detections increased with time on watch, independently of signal rates and durations.