数学焦虑影响儿童的数量表征:认知抑制的调节作用

为了考察数学焦虑对儿童数量表征表现的可能影响及认知抑制的潜在调节作用,选取70名小学三年级儿童（高焦虑组36人,低焦虑组34人）为被试,在对抑制条件进行操控的情况下,要求其完成符号、非符号数量表征任务。结果发现,被试在两种数量表征任务中均出现距离效应,与符号数量比较任务相比,高焦虑组在非符号数量比较任务中的正确率显著低于低焦虑组,且高焦虑组表现出了更强的距离效应。鉴于非符号数量比较任务更能反映出个体近似数量系统（ANS）的敏锐性,上述结果意味着高数学焦虑儿童的数量表征更不精确,其在相对复杂问题上较差的表现或许源于基本数量能力缺陷。本研究还发现认知抑制能够调节数学焦虑对个体非符号数量表征的影响,抑制条件下高低焦虑组儿童在正确率指标上的差异大于非抑制条件,抑制条件的设置提高了个体对工作记忆资源的需求,此时焦虑情绪对认知资源的消耗会造成任务所需资源的不足,进而削弱高焦虑个体的认知效用。     

The Symbolic Racism 2000 Scale

The concept of symbolic racism was originally proposed 30 years ago. Much research has been done and the society itself has changed, yet many of the original items measuring symbolic racism remain in use. The primary objective of this paper is to present and evaluate an updated scale of symbolic racism. The scale proves to be reliable and internally coherent. It has discriminant validity, being distinctively different from both older forms of racial attitudes and political conservatism, although with a base in both. It has predictive validity, explaining whites' racial policy preferences considerably better than do traditional racial attitudes or political predispositions. Evidence is presented of its usefulness for both college student and general adult population samples, as well as for minority populations. Data using this scale contradict several critiques of the symbolic racism construct (most of which are speculative rather than based on new data) concerning the consistency of its conceptualization and measurement, the coherence of the symbolic racism belief system, possible artifacts in its influence over whites' racial policy preferences (due to content overlap between the measures of independent and dependent variables), and its differentiation from nonracial conservatism and old-fashioned racism.     

Biologically Plausible,Human‐Scale Knowledge Representation

Several approaches to implementing symbol‐like representations in neurally plausible models have been proposed. These approaches include binding through synchrony (Shastri & Ajjanagadde, 1993 ), “mesh” binding (van der Velde & de Kamps, 2006 ), and conjunctive binding (Smolensky, 1990 ). Recent theoretical work has suggested that most of these methods will not scale well, that is, that they cannot encode structured representations using any of the tens of thousands of terms in the adult lexicon without making implausible resource assumptions. Here, we empirically demonstrate that the biologically plausible structured representations employed in the Semantic Pointer Architecture (SPA) approach to modeling cognition (Eliasmith, 2013 ) do scale appropriately. Specifically, we construct a spiking neural network of about 2.5 million neurons that employs semantic pointers to successfully encode and decode the main lexical relations in WordNet, which has over 100,000 terms. In addition, we show that the same representations can be employed to construct recursively structured sentences consisting of arbitrary WordNet concepts, while preserving the original lexical structure. We argue that these results suggest that semantic pointers are uniquely well‐suited to providing a biologically plausible account of the structured representations that underwrite human cognition.     

The Symbolic Object

Abstract

The term “symbolic object” is introduced as a way to understand the moments between analyst and patient where “something” new and dynamic emerges within the dyadic relationship. The symbolic object is the bridge between the idealized, all-good object and symbolization proper. The intrapsychic atmosphere between self and object representations is in a relatively non-conflicted state during this process. By reformulating the Nirvana principle and the principle of constancy as ways in which the organism economically strives for the most organized and homoeostatic state possible, the infant or adult can be seen to be searching for the position of lowest unpleasure possible. This is the optimum balance between the libidinal and aggressive forces in the self and object representational field. These moments of “truce” between often highly conflicted phantasies usher in a more refined use of projective identification as a form of intrapsychic/interpersonal communication. This is a particular atmosphere from which both parties, within the projective/introjective, back-and-forth dyadic world, can begin to co-create and rediscover assorted amalgams of self and object functioning. This newly awakened psychic entity is the symbolic object. This outgrowth of something fresh to the dyadic orbit is a mutative moment that propels the relationship into a different direction. Within the pairing of minds, a novel and mutual understanding is produced. Both parties share this new symbolic object and each is shaped by it.     

语言线索对空间关系表征的影响及其机制

语言的获得会对空间认知产生深刻的影响。关于语言与空间认知,近些年来,不仅有大量的相关研究发现语言能力跟空间认知能力之间存在着密切的关联,还出现了实验研究,来试图直接揭示语言对空间关系表征的影响。研究发现,在一系列涉及不同空间关系的任务中,相较于非语言线索,语言线索提示的效果明显更好。在此基础上,从语言编码的特点和加工过程等方面进一步分析语言的作用机制,发现在空间表征中语言主要起到了选择和整合的作用,语言的作用过程是即时性的。建议未来研究在空间任务和语言表述形式上有更多的变式,从而更全面地来揭示语言的作用。     

The Ideational Foundations of Symbolic Ideology

Theories of symbolic ideology view it as an affective orientation untouched by ideational content. Drawing on Shalom Schwartz's theory of basic human values, we propose that four bedrock values—universalism, openness to change, conservation, and self-enhancement—shape symbolic ideology. We explore whether politically sophisticated and unsophisticated individuals ground symbolic ideological identities in cognitive values to a comparable degree. Using data from two nationally representative U.S. surveys, we find that universalism and conservation predict liberal-conservative attachments for people at all levels of sophistication. By contrast, openness to change and self-enhancement values appear to have little influence on symbolic ideology. The universalism and conservation effects hold controlling for multiple psychological and individual differences variables. These results suggest that ideational predispositions play a substantial role in shaping symbolic ideology.     

幼儿在地图任务中自我位置与自我朝向表征能力的发展

使用地图定向任务, 探讨了不同任务模式下, 4~6岁幼儿自我位置与自我朝向表征能力的发展特点。结果发现, 位置表征能力的获得先于朝向表征能力, 幼儿从4岁起即开始使用地图表征自我位置, 但到5岁才表现出对自我朝向的表征能力。此外, 对于年龄较小的儿童, 相比于空间–地图的任务模式, 地图–空间的任务模式更有利于完成任务。上述结果第一次从个体发展层面证明了位置与朝向表征的分离现象, 说明位置与朝向的表征能力在发展过程中具有一定的顺序性。     

心理表征哲学及其联结主义诠释

对心理表征问题进行自然的解释是至关重要的,但这方面的研究都是建立在有关概念和命题表征的预设的基础之上的,所以有必要弄清概念表征和命题表征的哲学解释;联结主义也对心理表征问题作了解释,根据被表征的是什么以及通过什么来表征的原则,联结主义网络主要通过四种方式对概念和命题进行表征。总的来说,联结主义对概念和命题的表征与它们的哲学解释并不是一一对应的,其方法论基础是费耶阿本德的多元方法论,即"怎么都行"。     

内隐序列学习的表征机制及年龄效应研究

该研究从年龄效应这一独特视角探讨了内隐序列学习的表征机制。结果表明:(1)内隐序列学习存在具体联结和抽象层级编码双重表征机制,且在该研究中以抽象编码为主;(2)老、青、幼三组被试的内隐序列学习无显著差异,间接支持了具体联结机制不起主要作用的结论。该研究的推论是:(1)内隐序列学习的表征是一个遵循“最优级编码”的动态过程;(2)该过程不涉及注意机制和短时记忆。     

两种数量表征系统

数量表征是人类数学能力的基础,数量表征研究中的一个争论焦点在于是否存在两种不同的数量表征系统：对小数的精确表征系统和对大数的近似表征系统。通过综述不同研究领域对数量表征的研究,总结了支持两种表征系统分离的证据：对1~3范围内小数的表征受数量大小的限制,基于指向物体本身的注意,更依赖于物体的知觉特征,对物体及其数量进行精确表征;而对4以上的数量的近似表征系统则受韦伯定律的限制,基于指向数量的模拟幅度的表征,而不依赖单个物体的知觉特征,是对数量的近似的、心理的表征。fMRI、PET和ERP的脑成像研究结果迄今尚无定论,但认知神经科学研究的深入开展将最终阐明数量表征的机制     

Symbolic objects and the analytic frame

With reference to two patients who brought material objects to their sessions (previously discussed in Colman 2010a, 2010b), this paper reconsiders the pre-eminent role of verbal communication in analysis. I suggest that the privileging of words over action derives from Freud's view of the mind in which only that which can be put into words can become conscious. Following Stephen Mitchell (1993), I discuss the way that this view has become relativized by the shift away from an instinctual drive model to a more relational, meaning-making view of the mind. This is then linked to Jung's emphasis on the importance of symbols and the transcendent function and Milner's view of the therapeutic frame as a space for symbolic meaning. Drawing the boundaries of the therapeutic frame in this way allows for symbolic actions within the frame rather than as boundary-crossing deviations from a more narrowly defined frame which allows only for verbal communications.     

3~5岁儿童理解和使用空间表征的特点

以96名3~5儿童为被试,采用自编的儿童空间表征实验任务,在语言表征、模型表征和图画表征三种空间表征形式上,考察了儿童理解和使用空间表征的发展特点。结果表明:(1)总体上,3~5岁儿童理解空间表征的发展水平均显著高于使用空间表征的发展水平。(2)3~5岁儿童理解和使用空间表征的发展表现出显著的年龄效应。(3)从不同的空间表证形式来看,3岁儿童理解语言表征的能力与理解模型表征的能力之间差异显著,4岁儿童使用语言表征的能力与使用模型表征的能力之间的差异、使用语言表征的能力与使用图画表征的能力之间的差异、以及使用模型表征的能力与使用图画表征的能力之间的差异都显著,其余形式的空间表征理解之间的差异或空间表征使用之间的差异在各年龄段中均不显著。     

内隐学习中表征与意识的关系

近年来研究者分别从表征的质量和表征的外显等级两个方面探讨了内隐学习中表征与意识的关系。有关表征质量与意识的研究,清晰地揭示了影响表征进入意识的因素;而有关表征外显等级与意识的研究,则明确地阐明了什么样的表征才是有意识的。但表征与意识的关系是一个十分复杂的问题,目前仍存在着很大的争议,还有待于进一步的探讨     

数量表征的符号特异性和符号非特异性

数量表征(numerical representation)指与特定数量相联系的心理表征。长期以来抽象的数量表征假说占据主导地位, 但随着自动化加工范式和脑成像技术的发展, 数量表征存在符号特异性的证据已不断涌现。其中, 最近有两个理论认为数量表征可能同时存在符号特异性和符号非特异性。计算的模型假说提出非符号数量和符号数字在总和编码阶段具有符号特异性, 而在之后的位置编码阶段具有符号非特异性。双重编码的延伸假说则认为数量表征在自动编码阶段具有符号特异性, 然后在有意编码阶段, 受任务要求影响, 数量表征向实时的抽象表征过渡。已有大量行为和神经基础研究为以上假说提供了证据, 但数量表征动态变化的内在机制和脑区还有待探索, 未来应该在发展、跨文化、自动加工范式与神经成像相结合、单细胞记录技术等方向继续开展数量表征研究。     

Symbolic Filtering: Selectively Permeable Evangelical Boundaries in an Age of Religious Pluralism

Since Peter Berger's (1967, The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion, Garden City, NY: Doublday) early work on the sacred canopy, scholars have debated the effects of increased diversity on religious belief and vitality. Smith (1998, American Evangelicalism: Embattled and Thriving, Chicago: University of Chicago Press), in particular, has suggested that subcultures like American evangelicalism can thrive in a religiously pluralistic environment by both engaging with the world while remaining symbolically distinct from it. This article builds on this work as well as recent scholarship on boundary permeability by exploring the mechanisms by which American evangelicals negotiate their boundaries as they adapt to their surroundings. Based on a qualitative content analysis of 109 articles from two evangelical missionary periodicals published over a period of over 20 years, I examine the use of both boundary‐strengthening and boundary‐weakening processes employed by evangelical missionaries and missiologists (or “boundary agents”). I find that almost every instance of boundary weakening is also accompanied by boundary strengthening, suggesting that symbolic boundaries are becoming selectively permeable through a process I identify as “symbolic filtering.” In conclusion, the article briefly considers the implications of these findings for the broader discussion of symbolic boundaries and religious pluralism.     

Class-consistent Differential Reinforcement And Stimulus Class Formation In Pigeons

Match-to-sample training clusters of A1 (sample): B1/B2 (comparisons), A2: B2/B1, B1: A1/A2, B2: A2/A1, B1: C1/C2, B2: C2/C1, C1: B1/B2, and C2: B2/B1 were presented to pigeons with class-consistent differential reinforcement using two dissimilar types of food reinforcers. Distinctive class-consistent response patterns occurred to the samples during the fixed-ratio 5 sample observing response requirement. Subsequent tests, modeled from the equivalence class paradigm demonstrated the emergence (80% class consistent) of the transitive-like A-C and C-A relations for 4 and 2 of 12 pigeons, respectively, and a strong trend (over 70%) for 7 and 6 others, respectively; the emergence of the reflexive-like identity relation when the nonidentical comparison was from the other class; and the disruption of the trained within-class relation with the addition of a reflexive comparison. After directional training of C1: D1/D2 and C2: D2/D1, tests indicated no emergence of the symmetric-like D-C relation or the composite D-B and D-A relations, but the B-D and A-D transitive-like relation occurred with some pigeons. Off-baseline training with class-consistent differential reinforcement contingent on responding to the D stimuli alone produced distinctive responding and, in turn, a trend to D-C symmetric-like control in 4 of 12 pigeons, as well as a shift toward class-consistent control on D-B and D-A test trials. Class-consistent differential reinforcement that produced distinctive sample behavior promoted stimulus control relations like those that circumscribe equivalence class formation. Respondent—operant interactions permit an analysis of the possible enrollment of stimulus values of distinctive responding to the discriminative stimuli forming the stimulus classes via processes corresponding to naming in humans.     

统计概要表征的内容与机制

人类能够快速提取集合刺激中的统计信息, 并形成以集中趋势和变异性为主要内容的统计概要表征。根据注意资源的使用, 统计概要表征的加工方式可分为分布式注意下的整体加工和聚焦注意下的个体加工。两种加工在工作记忆中相互影响, 共同构建了对集合刺激的表征。统计概要表征适用于多种刺激类型, 发生在低水平和高水平加工中, 因而可能是一种普遍的知觉加工方式。未来研究可关注统计概要表征的神经基础及其对决策的影响。     

预期推理在长时记忆中的表征形式

该研究采用移动窗口技术,通过两个实验研究探讨在高低不同竞争条件下预期推理结果在长时记忆中的表征形式。实验结果表明,预期推理在长时记忆中的表征形式依赖于文本中预期推理的引发语境,在不同竞争强度的预期语境中,预期推理的结果在长时记忆会以不同的形式进行表征。在低竞争条件下,预期推理的结果以确定的形式表征;只有在高竞争条件下,预期推理的结果才会以假定的形式进行表征。