Lateral inhibition and echoic memory: Some comments on Crowder’s (1978) theory

Crowder (1978) has proposed a theory of the suffix effect based on lateral inhibition among echoic representations of the list and suffix items. The theory was prompted by, and derives its principal support from, the counterintuitive finding that the effect is smaller with multiple suffixes than with a conventional single suffix. In this paper, we describe four experiments, each of which fails to replicate this finding. In addition, we note a prediction of the theory and show that it is contrary to available evidence. It is argued that the details of the suffix effect are too complex to be captured by a theory of peripheral mechanism, even one as ingenious as Crowder’s.     

The joint effect of forward and backward visual masking: Some comments on Uttal’s “Character in the hole” experiment

The joint effect of forward and backward visual masking appears to be more extended in time than that predicted from an algebraic summation of individual forward and backward masking effects. It is suggested that this apparent extension of the temporal range of masking arises from the summation of forward and backward masking effects which in themselves are insufficient to influence observed performance. Such latent masking effects are possible if it is not assumed that when stimulus identification reaches the 100% level the mask has no effect at all on the stimulus.     

Form,matter and nominalism (or what is in a name): comments on Robert Pasnau’s “Metaphysical Themes”

Prof. Pasnau’s remarkable book offers an exciting integration of medieval and early modern philosophy. It begins, however, in mediis rebus and so downplays the role that a particularly Nominalist tradition plays in explaining the abandonment of substantial form rise of the mechanical philosophy. This paper attempts to sketch some of that role.     

What is it for a Life to go Well (or Badly)?: Some Critical Comments on Wayne Sumner’s Theory of Welfare

In an effort to construct a plausible theory of experience-based welfare, Wayne Sumner imposes two requirements on the relevant kind of experience: the information requirement and the autonomy requirement. I argue that both requirements are problematic. First, I argue (very briefly) that a well-know case like ‘the deceived businessman’ need not support the information requirement as Sumner believes. Second, I introduce a case designed to cast further doubt on the information requirement. Third, I attend to a shortcoming in Sumner’s theory of welfare, namely that it is unclear which of later and informed assessments are to be treated as authoritative when it comes to the evaluation of a person’s welfare. Finally, I suggest that, in combination with ‘welfarism’ (to which Sumner subscribes, and which has it that welfare is all that matters from a moral viewpoint), the information requirement entail morally troublesome conclusions: e.g. the conclusion that, from a moral point of view, we should, other things being equal, only to be concerned with the alternative that makes one person slightly better off in respect of welfare instead of also being morally concerned with the alternative that makes one person very happy.     

Understanding (in) Newton’s Argument for Universal Gravitation

In this essay, I attempt to assess Henk de Regt and Dennis Dieks recent pragmatic and contextual account of scientific understanding on the basis of an important historical case-study: understanding in Newton’s theory of universal gravitation and Huygens’ reception of universal gravitation. It will be shown that de Regt and Dieks’ Criterion for the Intelligibility of a Theory (CIT), which stipulates that the appropriate combination of scientists’ skills and intelligibility-enhancing theoretical virtues is a condition for scientific understanding, is too strong. On the basis of this case-study, it will be shown that scientists can understand each others’ positions qualitatively and quantitatively, despite their endorsement of different worldviews and despite their convictions as what counts as a proper explanation.     

A statistical decision model for sensory discrimination which predicts Weber’s law and other sensory laws: Some results of a computer simulation

A model for visual intensity threshold discrimination is described. Simplified assumptions represent the main features of the visual afferent paths. Discriminative responses are selected centrally by a statistical decision procedure, limited by the noise level. Noise arises from the irreducible physical variability of light, from spontaneous firing, and from variations in transmission in the afferent paths, These variations will tend to be positively correlated. The model was simulated on a computer: it correctly predicts the form of the Weber function (the relation between difference threshold and background intensity) and the features of spatial and temporal “summation”. It also shows that the function relating the central effect of a stimulus to its physical intensity is unlikely to be logarithmic or a power function with a small exponent.     

A statistical decision model for sensory discrimination which predicts Weber’s law and other sensory laws: Some results of a computer simulation

A model for visual intensity threshold discrimination is described. Simplified assumptions represent the main features of the visual afferent paths. Discriminative responses are selected centrally by a statistical decision procedure, limited by the noise level. Noise arises from the irreducible physical variability of light, from spontaneous firing, and from variations in transmission in the afferent paths. These variations will tend to be positively correlated, The model was simulated on a computer: it correctly predicts the form of the Weber function (the relation between difference threshold and background intensity) and the features of spatial and temporal “summation”, It also shows that the function relating the eentral effeet of a stimulus to its physical intensity is unlikely to be logarithmic or a power function with a small exponent.     

Reply to the comments on “Room-temperature precipitation in quenched Al–Cu–Mg alloys: a model for the reaction kinetics and yield-strength development”

We present transmission electron microscopy observations and a crystallographic analysis that show that the only significant report on the observation of {112} pseudotwins in B2 structures by Goo et al. (1985, Acta metall., 3, 1725) is a misidentification of the {114} true twins.     

On the importance of considering the signal’s frequency spectrum: Some comments on Macmillans “Detection and recognition of increments and decrements in auditory intensity” experiment

In a recent experiment on tonal masking, Macmillan (1971) reported that recognition of increments and decrements improves relative to detection performance as signal duration is increased. It is suggested that this result is largely artifactual, inasmuch as Macmillan’s Os undoubtedly detected brief-duration signals by virtue of energy splatter produced by gating the signal on and off rectangularly. Since energy splatter produced by an increment is identical to that produced by a decrement, Os listening off frequency could not have possibly distinguished a brief increment from a decrement.     

Commentary on Koons et al.’s (2013) “Negotiating for Improved Reimbursement for Dialectical Behavior Therapy: A Successful Project”

This paper provides a commentary of Koons, O’Rourke, Carter, and Erhardt (this issue), which takes an inspiring first step in bridging research and clinical practice. We encourage the field to take the following from this paper: (a) evidence-based treatment (EBT) can work in real-world settings; (b) publishable research can be accomplished in a purely clinical environment; (c) some insurance companies are willing to pay more for EBTs; and (d) getting sufficient pay for more time-consuming work has potential to help patients. Koons et al. found the crucial synthesis for all clinicians: In a purely clinical setting, research demonstrated that people got better and the providers were paid more for their work.     

Problems in the study of response timing: Comments on Reece's (1976) ‘A model of temporal tracking’

Reece's (1976) generalization of the Wing-Kristofferson model for the timing of interresponse intervals is critically examined. A correct analysis of the model is presented. The crucial parameter of the model which determines the degree of dependence between the time-keeper and motor-delay processes is shown to be non-identifiable. A statistical problem concerning the estimation of the autocovariance function is pointed out, and a solution is proposed.