FIT: An iterative parameter-estimation function in LISP

A nested parameter-estimation program (FIT), written in LISP, is described. FIT searches an n-dimensional parameter space for the set of parameter values associated with either a minimum or a maximum criterion score. The range of the parameters is cut in half on each iteration. Two versions of FIT, one suitable for use on large, mainframe systems and the other designed for small microprocessors, appear in the appendices.     

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 floppy disk operating system for the 8080 and Z80

Techniques for the design and implementation of a floppy disk operating system for the 8080A or Z80 microprocessors are described. Implementation details are illustrated through reference to SOS, a prototype Small Operating System which runs with a single IBM-format floppy drive on an 8080. Techniques for floppy disk communication, disk directory design, and system resource management are described and illustrated.     

METASTATS: Behavioral science statistics for Microsoft Windows and the HP49G programmable calculator

Metastats is an organized suite of approximately 150 programs designed for meta-analysis, power, effect sizes and their confidence intervals, significance test conversions, and other general statistics. This freeware works either on the HP49G calculator or preinstalled on a PC emulator under Windows. Many of the programs address gaps in commercially available software. The suite has a user-friendly interface: the screen prompts for input, and labels all output. Extensive documentation includes step-by-step examples, a fully annotated catalogue of the programs, and academic references for the formulas. Both versions of the programs (calculator and PC), documentation, and installation instructions are freely available from the author’s Web site, http://www.netaxs.com/~efoster/.     

1979 joint DEC and microprocessor users group report

A summary is provided of the format and results of a meeting involving users of microprocessors and of Digital Equipment Corporation computers.     

A microprocessor-based psychopathology laboratory: I. Why bother?

The greater than usual need for stimulus control, closed-loop design to control for organic state variables, and the acquisition of complex data on thought disorders makes on-line microprocessors especially important in psychopathology research.     

The emulation theory of representation: motor control, imagery, and perception

The emulation theory of representation is developed and explored as a framework that can revealingly synthesize a wide variety of representational functions of the brain. The framework is based on constructs from control theory (forward models) and signal processing (Kalman filters). The idea is that in addition to simply engaging with the body and environment, the brain constructs neural circuits that act as models of the body and environment. During overt sensorimotor engagement, these models are driven by efference copies in parallel with the body and environment, in order to provide expectations of the sensory feedback, and to enhance and process sensory information. These models can also be run off-line in order to produce imagery, estimate outcomes of different actions, and evaluate and develop motor plans. The framework is initially developed within the context of motor control, where it has been shown that inner models running in parallel with the body can reduce the effects of feedback delay problems. The same mechanisms can account for motor imagery as the off-line driving of the emulator via efference copies. The framework is extended to account for visual imagery as the off-line driving of an emulator of the motor-visual loop. I also show how such systems can provide for amodal spatial imagery. Perception, including visual perception, results from such models being used to form expectations of, and to interpret, sensory input. I close by briefly outlining other cognitive functions that might also be synthesized within this framework, including reasoning, theory of mind phenomena, and language.     

Developing a laboratory course using PASCAL on the Apple II

Several resources are available to the person seeking to develop a laboratory course that utilizes microprocessors. Several roles for such equipment are envisioned, and some of the issues regarding types of equipment and programming languages are addressed.     

Do people use language production to make predictions during comprehension?

We present the case that language comprehension involves making simultaneous predictions at different linguistic levels and that these predictions are generated by the language production system. Recent research suggests that ease of comprehending predictable elements is due to prediction rather than facilitated integration, and that comprehension is accompanied by covert imitation. We argue that comprehenders use prediction and imitation to construct an "emulator", using the production system, and combine predictions with the input dynamically. Such a process helps to explain the rapidity of comprehension and the robust interpretation of ambiguous or noisy input. This framework is in line with a general trend in cognitive science to incorporate action systems into perceptual systems and has broad implications for understanding the links between language production and comprehension.     

Computers in the training of inquiry

The era of microprocessors provides an opportunity for examination and restructuring of university-level education in psychology. Computers may aid in the development of environments based upon sustained and deepening inquiry on the part of students from their earliest contact with psychology. We have been developing a computerized system for the exercise of skills in psychological inquiry appropriate both as a teaching tool for beginning undergraduates and for the research of permanent and visiting professors. In this paper we discuss our philosophy, some aspects of the organizational and human factors problems involved, and issues of hardware and software design.     

A microcomputer-controlled solid-state dark adaptometer

A low-cost microprocessor-controlled light-emitting diode (LED) dark adaptometer is described. The apparent intensities of red and green stimuli are controlled by changing the duty cycles of LED display elements which are operated at constant pulse repetition rates. The psychophysical method of limits is used to obtain threshold data. Stimulus parameters and test procedures are under software control. The design utilizes programmable integrated circuitry that may be used with a variety of microprocessors.     

Timing accuracy under Microsoft Windows revealed through external chronometry

Recent studies by Myors (1998, 1999) have concluded that the Microsoft Windows operating system is unable to support sufficient timing precision and resolution for use in psychological research. In the present study, we reexamined the timing accuracy of Windows 95/98, using (1) external chronometry, (2) methods to maximize the system priority of timing software, and (3) timing functions with a theoretical resolution of 1 msec or better. The suitability of various peripheral response devices and the relative timing accuracy of computers with microprocessors with different speeds were also explored. The results indicate that if software is properly controlled, submillisecond timing resolution is achievable under Windows with both old and new computers alike. Of the computer input devices tested, the standard parallel port was revealed as the most precise, and the serial mouse also exhibited sufficient timing precision for use in single-interval reaction time experiments.     

Joint DEC and microprocessor users’ groups report

The results of a joint meeting of users of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) computers and various microprocessors are reported. The meeting included a review and a discussion of Unix and of recent hardware and software products from DEC.     

The use of microprocessors in a timeshared computer facility for research,development, and teaching

The use of microprocessors in a timeshared computer facility at the Learning Research and Development Center, University of Pittsburgh, is described for applications in research, development, and teaching. Modes of usage are described, as are the advantages of microprocessor interfaces for on-line experimentation.     

Microprocessor uses in a timeshared facility

A number of topics are discussed that are related to developing computer-controlled laboratories in which microprocessors and host machines interact. Experiences are derived from work at the Learning Research and Development Center, University of Pittsburgh.     

On-line computers in psychology: The last 10 years,the next 10 years—The challenge and the promise

1980 marks the 10th anniversary of the National Conference on the Use of On-Line Computers in Psychology. There have been dramatic changes in the applications of computers to psychology during that time, with even more dramatic developments in theory and methodology. Current advances in distributed processing and the rapid dissemination of inexpensive microprocessors portends even greater change over the next decade.     

Microcomputer Technology and Related Services

Innovations in microcomputer technology in the area of related services (e.g., communication therapy, counseling, occupational and physical therapy) are appearing in ever-increasing numbers. This paper describes several of these innovations and attempts to analyze their potential contribution in helping the handicapped to function more independently. The innovations are discussed according to a cost/benefit appraoch. Costs associated with these innovations include those for conducting studies to determine the efficacy of the innovation; purchasing new or modified hardware (microprocessors, peripheral devices) and software; training personnel to modify software for unique needs and to instruct potential clients on the uses of the innovations; and devoting storage space for hardware and software as well as providing for their maintenance. Potential benefits include the number of handicapped individuals to be served; number of functions and tasks to be performed and the efficienct in performing them; and the perceived degree of independence to be achieved by students and clients.     

Input and output for microprocessors

Several alternative strategies for input and output for microprocessors are described, with examples for 8080 machines and the S-100 bus. The strategies are compared in terms of cost, complexity, flexibility, and speed in typical psychology laboratory tasks. Flag testing, interrupt processing, and direct memory access are considered in both parallel and serial modes.     

Work and the Human Essence

ABSTRACT Jenkins and Sherman hold that belief in the value of work is artificially inculcated and that a 'leisure society' is desirable and possible, as well as being necessitated by the introduction of microprocessors. After distinguishing between meaningful work and labour (first section), I reply obliquely to their case by contending that meaningful work affords most people their best chance of the necessary good of self-respect (second section), and that it constitutes the exercise of an essential human capacity, the development of which is necessary to human wellbeing (third section). Because of the contingent connections between employment on the one hand and meaningful work and self-respect on the other, we should recognise the value of work and plan for full employment (fourth section).