DataVision: A computer-based system for generating and reading digital information accompanying video images on videotape

An Apple IIe-based system is described that generates both machine-readable and human-readable numbers for recording with visual information on videotape. Hardware and software components of the encoding system are detailed. An automatic decoding system that reads the numbers from videotape into computer memory is also described. Current applications of the system are briefly discussed.     

Robot-resident neural networks: A step beyond computer simulation

A simple, commercially available robot platform is presented in this paper with suggested modifications for adding a neural network controller and a better sensory system. The robot, called HexWalker, is a six-legged, servo-driven, battery-powered platform. We found this platform easy to modify with both hardware and software changes. The software changes can be programmed from a standard PC and downloaded into the EEROMS of the robot. This robot provides a tangible model of sensory/motor integration which is useful in both teaching and research.     

Deterministic blockmodelling of signed and two-mode networks: A tutorial with software and psychological examples

Deterministic blockmodelling is a well-established clustering method for both exploratory and confirmatory social network analysis seeking partitions of a set of actors so that actors within each cluster are similar with respect to their patterns of ties to other actors (or, in some cases, other objects when considering two-mode networks). Even though some of the historical foundations for certain types of blockmodelling stem from the psychological literature, applications of deterministic blockmodelling in psychological research are relatively rare. This scarcity is potentially attributable to three factors: a general unfamiliarity with relevant blockmodelling methods and applications; a lack of awareness of the value of partitioning network data for understanding group structures and processes; and the unavailability of such methods on software platforms familiar to most psychological researchers. To tackle the first two items, we provide a tutorial presenting a general framework for blockmodelling and describe two of the most important types of deterministic blockmodelling applications relevant to psychological research: structural balance partitioning and two-mode partitioning based on structural equivalence. To address the third problem, we developed a suite of software programs that are available as both Fortran executable files and compiled Fortran dynamic-link libraries that can be implemented in the R software system. We demonstrate these software programs using networks from the literature.     

A microprocessor-(Heath ET-3400) based backup control system for laboratory experiments

This paper describes a psychology laboratory experimental control system that utilizes a PDP-11/10 minicomputer to perform both instrument control and data acquisition functions. The minicomputer is backed up by a Heath ET-3400 microprocessor trainer system which performs control functions only. Major components of the hardware and software comprising This system are described.     

An intelligent experimental station controller for human experimental psychology

The purpose of this paper is to describe the intelligent experimental station controller used in the extensible multiprogramming system for experimental psychology (EMPP) at the University of Washington. The EMPP system is an integrated hardware and software system designed to simplify the development of on-line psychological experiments. An intelligent graphics control system is one of the most important aspects of the system. The controller oversees the operation of eight independent experimental stations, each containing a cathode ray tube (CRT) terminal and a keyboard console. In addition to conventional computer interface functions, the controller contains an extensible hardware character generator which allows dynamic selection of the display character set. This paper describes both the hardware and software features of the system.     

Multimedia in the classroom

This paper focuses on setting up a system for developing and displaying multimedia classroom presentations that is both economical and easy to learn. Four separate aspects of the process are considered: (1) a hardware configuration to serve both the development and display processes, (2) selecting authoring software and learning to use it, (3) presentation development including locating and acquiring multimedia resources appropriate to psychology, and (4) some of the problems that can be expected to arise in both development and use of multimedia presentations. Some discussion of interactive courseware is included.     

Computer control of memory experiments on a large-scale timesharing system

This paper describes a computer system for running verbal learning and memory experiments using a large-scale timesharing computer. Its application is illustrated by control programs used to set up, execute, and analyze a series of interactive free recall experiments. While limitations of timesharing systems for experimental control surely exist, they can often be removed by simple hardware or software. Further, a large machine can provide significant advantages in cost and software development over dedicated laboratory minicomputers. It is possible to obtain the advantages of both types of systems by introducing local intelligence to provide more precise timing and flexible control of experimental devices, while retaining the power and hardware and software resources of the large machine.     

An introduction to the PLATO CAI system

The PLATO interactive computer system is discussed as a fully developed large-scale CAI system. Both the hardware and software aspects of the system are discussed. The discussion of hardware includes the necessary equipment to operate a PLATO system and the flow of control during an interactive session on that system. The discussion of the software on the PLATO system focuses on the TUTOR lesson-authoring language. The aspects of the TUTOR language that facilitate display of material, student input and judging of input, and either student-initiated or author-initiated branching in the program are discussed.     

CAMERA: A system for fast and reliable acquisition of multiple ethological records

CAMERA is a system for collecting and editing ethological data. The hardware and software enable easy coding of complex behavioral interactions from video recordings. It is especially designed to improve accuracy, reliability, and training standards in coding behavior. The system also supports several basic analyses of collected data. CAMERA operates with both North American and European video signals.     

A behavioral systems approach to adaptive computerized instructional design

A computerized multimedia instructional system has been developed that adheres to behavioral systems principles for presenting both adaptive programmed instructional materials and laboratory simulations. This instructional software system, called MediaMatrix, is both an authoring environment and a presentation vehicle that adapts the complexity of presentations in real time to changes in a student’s current rate of progress. It incorporates an automated knowledge-generation system that tracks all interactions between the user and any instructional objects within the system. Such knowledge is used both for a research database and for an artificial-intelligence engine that constructs an estimate ofconcept association networks (Verplanck, 1992a). Such networks reflect a learner’s developing knowledge and skill base, and may be used for tutorial advising during student use.     

Microcomputers in social psychophysiological research: An overview

Microcomputer systems have become commonplace in the psychophysiological laboratory during the past 5 years and are currently used in all phases of data acquisition, experimental control, and data analysis. In the past year, however, advances in microprocessor technology and scientific software have greatly extended the capabilities of these desk-top systems. Small laboratories now can afford an integrated laboratory microcomputer system and both the high-fidelity data acquisition hardware and the sophisticated analysis capabilities traditionally found in large minicomputers. We briefly describe the demands that social psychophysiological research can place on computer systems, the system presently employed in our laboratory, and a system being installed to overcome limitations on sampling rate, sampling periods, and waveform analysis.     

A decentralized computer network for supervision of multiple psychological laboratories

The computer network described was designed to optimize the use of a number of independent minicomputers as a single integrated system for process control of several research laboratories. The implementation of the network required both the development of a special purpose interprocessor interface and the design of a software support system to direct network operations. The network was designed according to the familiar “star” configuration, with the exception that the central computer in the star does not exercise exclusive supervisory control over the system. Rather, each computer on the system “sees” the central computer as a peripheral similar in characteristics to a medium speed I/O device. This design allows each computer to serve not only as a node in the network, but also as an entirely independent process controller.     

What is Apple-Psych?

Apple Psych, a system of software subroutines written in Apple Pascal and 6502 assembly language, was designed to run real-time psychological experiments on the Apple II, II+, and IIe microcomputers. This paper describes the minimum system requirements necessary to run Apple-Psych, the capabilities of the basic system, and the advantages and disadvantages of using Apple-Psych. Because the utility of a system to a researcher is often linked to its flexibility and expandability, this paper includes a brief discussion of hardware expansions already supported by the Apple Psych software and hardware expansions that would require additional software support.     

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.     

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 machine-level software program for the generation of aversive conditioning schedules using the KIM-1 microprocessor

A microprocessor system can be used both to control aversive conditioning (classical, signaled and Sidman avoidance, and conflict) experiments and to acquire behavioral data in multiple subjects at a fraction of the cost of solid state systems. The software described in this paper can be used to program tones and shocks and count responses, independently, in up to 12 animals simultaneously.