Modular Semantics for Theories: An Approach to Paraconsistent Reasoning

Some scientific theories are inconsistent, yet non-trivial and meaningful. How is that possible? The present paper aims to show that we can analyse the inferential use of such theories in terms of consistent compositions of the applications of universal axioms. This technique will be represented by a preferred models semantics, which allows us to accept the instances of universal axioms selectively. For such a semantics to be developed, the framework of partial structures by da Costa and French will be extended by a few elements of the Sneed formalism, also known as the structuralist approach to science.     

Überwachung mittels „elektronischer Fußfessel“

For forensic expert witnesses the introduction of electronic surveillance to the German penal code system raised new questions, such as the effects on relapse prevention. This paper presents international experiences about the effects of electronic tagging, especially on relapse prevention, and lists the advantages and disadvantages of this procedure. Also the recommendations for electronic tagging concerning a sexual offender who was repeatedly convicted and released after 10 years of imprisonment are described.     

Regional accent variation in the shadowing task: Evidence for a loose perception–action coupling in speech

We investigated the relation between action and perception in speech processing, using the shadowing task, in which participants repeat words they hear. In support of a tight perception–action link, previous work has shown that phonetic details in the stimulus influence the shadowing response. On the other hand, latencies do not seem to suffer if stimulus and response differ in their articulatory properties. The present investigation tested how perception influences production when participants are confronted with regional variation. Results showed that participants often imitate a regional variation if it occurs in the stimulus set but tend to stick to their variant if the stimuli are consistent. Participants were forced or induced to correct by the experimental instructions. Articulatory stimulus–response differences do not lead to latency costs. These data indicate that speech perception does not necessarily recruit the production system.     

The recognition of phonologically assimilated words does not depend on specific language experience

In a series of 5 experiments, we investigated whether the processing of phonologically assimilated utterances is influenced by language learning. Previous experiments had shown that phonological assimilations, such as /lean#bacon/ → [leam bacon], are compensated for in perception. In this article, we investigated whether compensation for assimilation can occur without experience with an assimilation rule using automatic event-related potentials. Our first experiment indicated that Dutch listeners compensate for a Hungarian assimilation rule. Two subsequent experiments, however, failed to show compensation for assimilation by both Dutch and Hungarian listeners. Two additional experiments showed that this was due to the acoustic properties of the assimilated utterance, confirming earlier reports that phonetic detail is important in compensation for assimilation. Our data indicate that compensation for assimilation can occur without experience with an assimilation rule, in line with phonetic-phonological theories that assume that speech production is influenced by speech-perception abilities.     

How can we know what we need to know? Reflections on clinical judgment formation

What distinguishes a psychoanalyst from any other psychologically minded, empathic human being? This seemingly simple question goes to the heart of our profession, the way we see ourselves as competent clinicians. To understand a patient's material beyond ordinary empathy--that is, to come to a clinical judgment--we need to step out of the dyadic, countertransference situation and reflect what we've experienced in reference to our clinical theories. An analytic vignette shows how a theoretical background can be used to understand and interpret to a patient in a way that is deeply meaningful.     

The Ebbinghaus illusion modulates visual search for size-defined targets: evidence for preattentive processing of apparent object size

Five search experiments investigated whether the apparent size of objects is, like their retinal size, coded in preattentive vision. Observers searched for a target circle that was either larger or smaller than distractor circles, with both types of test circles surrounded by context circles modulating apparent size (i.e., the Ebbinghaus illusion). The size ratio between the test and the context circles was manipulated in such a way that the test circles were surrounded by, for example, smaller context circles (making the larger target appear even larger) or by larger context circles (making the smaller distractors appear even smaller). Under optimal conditions, the detection reaction times were independent of the number of test circles in the display, and the Ebbinghaus illusion facilitated the detection of the target even in comparison with control conditions without any context circles. This finding is consistent with preattentive, spatially parallel processing of apparent size.     

Changes in cognitive performance during a 216 kilometer, extreme endurance footrace: a descriptive and prospective study

Two subjects participated in a 216 km ultramarathon with outside temperatures above 50 degrees C while several physiological and psychological parameters (cognitive performance assessed by a mental calculation task and an attentional task, subjective bodily experience, and lactate level) were evaluated throughout the race. Severe stress from dehydration, sleep deprivation, and total physical exhaustion are combined in a unique manner, allowing evaluation of their effects in a range far outside that obtainable in a laboratory setting. During the race the subjects answered a questionnaire about their actual bodily experiences, underwent 8 medical examinations, and performed two cognitive tests approximately every 35 kilometers. Analysis showed cognitive performance did not decrease steadily in a simple and gradual way but reached a peak in the morning of Day 2 after a short sleeping period and then decreased. In the early morning of Day 3, in general cognitive performance exhibited the worst results but increased differentially between the subjects again in the last test 1 km before the finish line.     

The effects of prior knowledge on children's memory and suggestibility

In this study, 5- and 6-year-olds were read a story and asked to recall its details. Two independent factors-prestory knowledge and poststory suggestions-were crossed to examine the effects on children's story recall. The results indicated that prestory social knowledge about the story protagonist as well as academic knowledge relating to the content of the story influenced the accuracy of children's recall immediately after the story presentation. Following the suggestive interview, children reported interviewer-provided social and academic misinformation to a greater extent when the misinformation was consistent with their prior knowledge. In contrast, children were more likely to refute misinformation that contradicted their academic knowledge. These findings are discussed in terms of the mechanisms underlying the knowledge-memory and knowledge-suggestibility linkages.