A note on the estimation of the level of predictive precision of a fitted linear equation

A procedure that utilizes the sample multiple correlation to form a lower bound for the level of predictive precision of a fitted regression equation is suggested. The procedure is shown to yield probability statements which are true at least 100(1–)% of the time.     

Book reviews

Hamilton, Vernon and Veronon, Magdalen D. (Eds). The Development of Cognitive Processes. London and New York: Academic Press. 1976. Pp. 772. £21.00. ISBN 0 12 321750 4.

Miller, G. A, and Johnson-Laird, P. N. Language and Perception. Cambridge University Press. 1976. Pp. viii + 760. £12.50. ISBN 0 521 21242.

Neisser, U. Cognition and Reality. San Francisco: Freeman. 1976. pp. 230. Hardback $11.00; paperback $4.95. ISBN 0 7167 04781.

Norman, D. A. Memory and Attention. Second edition. New York: Wiley. 1976. Pp. 262. £8.45.

Hammond, K. R. and Joyce, C. R. B. (eds). Psychoactive Drugs and Social Judgment: Theory and Research. New York and London: Wiley. 1975. Pp. 278. £9.25. ISBN

Fodor, J. D. Semantics : Theories of Meaning in Generative Grammer. Sussex: Harvester Press. 1977. Pp. 225. £12.95. ISBN 0 85527 500 6.

Plomp, R. Aspects of Tone Sensation. London: Academic Press. 1976. Pp. id + 167. £6.50. ISBN 0 12 558350 8.

Fite, K. V. The Amphibian Visual System. London: Academic Press. 1977. Pp. 374. £20.95. ISBN 0 12 257450 8.

Eliot, J. and Salkind, N. J. Children's Spatial Development. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 1975. $23.50. Pp. 296. ISBN 0398 03210 6.

Wong, R. Motiviation : A Biobehavioral Analysis of consummatory Activities. London: Collier-Macmillan. 1976. Pp. 326. £ 4.95. ISBN 0 0242 9400 4.     

A biphasic 60-Hz synchronizer circuit for the recording of visually evoked responses in high-noise environments

A simple synchronizer clock circuit is described that aids in the rejection of 60-Hz noise from evoked potential measurements.     

Minicomputer presentation of speech stimuli

A brief introduction to minicomputer control of speech stimuli is presented. Several techniques that have proven useful in this area are described.     

Clock-driven FORTRAN task scheduling in a multiprogramming environment

The existing ISA-standard FORTRAN task-scheduling calls require careful programming to provide timing accuracy even in a single-user system, and do not explicitly provide a mechanism for resolving task conflicts in a multiprogramming system. A simple assignment of priorities to tasks can guarantee timing accuracy to one task, but the risks generating maximum, unnecessary interference with other tasks. An alternative to such a standard priority scheme, not known to be available on common commercial systems, guarantees timing for one task while minimizing interference among tasks.     

Fixation and the stereokinetic phenomenon

One of two circles on a rotating disk appears to execute a planetary motion about the other circle. It is shown that the fixated circle serves as the center of rotation for the nonfixated circle. The effect of fixation is absent when polygons replace the circles. However, when one corner of an isolated square is fixated, the remaining corners rotated about the fixated corner. These planetary effects are consistent with the retinal paths followed by the elements of a display during fixation. This is not unlike the failure of position constancy associated with smooth pursuit of linearly moving targets in environments lacking a stationary visual frame of reference. In the present instance, however, the “retinal” responses occur during tracking of circularly moving targets, even in the presence of a visual frame of reference. These results are discussed in relation to the stereokinetic phenomenon. It is also shown that there is a strong interaction between the effects of fixation and the configurational features of the display. When a circle and a square are overlapping on a rotating disk, fixation of the square does not produce the perception of planetary motion. However, when the circle is fixated, the square is readily perceived as executing a planetary path about the circle. The possibility that position constancy in general is attributable to the geometry of the scene rather than to a “discounting” of information about eye movements is mentioned.     

Influence of temporal masking on click-pair discriminability

When temporal auditory acuity is estimated using time-reversed click pairs, the asymmetry of temporal masking may influence the results. To investigate this hypothesis, we first established normal-hearing listeners’ psychometric functions for the discrimination of time-reversed click pairs. An attempt to relate listeners’ performances in click-pair discrimination to their performances in forward and backward masking tasks was unsuccessful, probably due to the presence of spectral artifact in the temporal masking paradigms. We then investigated listeners’ abilities to discriminate time-reversed click pairs in which the intensity of the lower level click in one pair was altered. This alteration was introduced at random in order to minimize the influence of spectral artifact. Our results suggest that the course of temporal masking influenced the discriminability of the modified click pairs. Thus, the discrimination of time-reversed click pairs may yield a biased estimate of auditory temporal acuity.     

A theory of intelligence: I. span and the complexity of stimulus control

A theory of intelligence is couched in stimulus-response terms, bridging the gap between S-R and cognitive psychology. The chief theoretical concepts are span ability (a capacity notion), response string (sequentially cued responses), and complexity of stimulus control (task complexity). Span is equated with the ability to respond appropriately when several cues are conjunctively relevant for correct performance (complex stimulus control). So defined, span is consistently and broadly related to many aspects of intelligent behavior.     

Low-cost equipment for schedule generation I: Fixed- and random-ratio schedules

The use of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology to produce fixed-ratio and random-ratio schedules is described. Such a technology implies several advantages over traditional methods of construction, especially with respect to cost and complexity. Suitable interfaces for linking with everyday laboratory equipment are also described.