A Simple Solution to the Liar

Philosophical Studies -     

Approximate entropy and point correlation dimension of heart rate variability in healthy subjects

The contribution of nonlinear dynamics to heart rate variability in healthy humans was examined using surrogate data analysis. Several measures of heart rate variability were used and compared. Heart rates were recorded for three hours and original data sets of 8192 R-R intervals created. For each original data set (n=34), three surrogate data sets were made by shuffling the order of the R-R intervals while retaining their linear correlations. The difference in heart rate variability between the original and surrogate data sets reflects the amount of nonlinear structure in the original data set. Heart rate variability was analyzed by two different nonlinear methods, point correlation dimension and approximate entropy. Nonlinearity, though under 10 percent, could be detected with both types of heart rate variability measures. More importantly, not only were the correlations between these measures and the standard deviation of the R-R intervals weak, the correlation among the nonlinear measures themselves was also weak (generally less than 0.6). This suggests that in addition to standard linear measures of heart rate variability, the use of multiple nonlinear measures of heart rate variability might be useful in monitoring heart rate dynamics.     

Counseling with aliens

This paper addresses the issue of the semantic problem frequently found in cross denominational counseling in terms of the theological-psychological question of openness versus closure. It secondarily touches upon the issues of establishing and maintaining a level of trust in cross denominational counseling; suggestions of several tools for the counselor to use in such counseling situations; and the advantages of counselor tensions within the confines of a cross denomination counseling situation.     

An experimental test of three choice shift hypotheses*

The present experiment pitted three choice shift hypotheses against each other in an attempt to eliminate one or more of the hypotheses and find support for those remaining. Ss responded three times to the 12 CDQ items, once as a pretest and twice following presentation of homogeneous sets of three arguments which advocated either a risky or a cautious position. The risk-as-value, relevant arguments, and conformity/attitude change hypotheses generated three separate predictions for the Ss' responses. Results mirrored the prediction of the relevant arguments hypothesis: New information, whether contained in cautious or risky arguments, caused a shift toward the type of argument presented. The risk-as-value and the conformity/attitude change hypotheses could not explain the present data.     

On-line brain stimulation: Measurement of threshold of reinforcement

This program and interface for a small computer (PDP8/e) performs the following operations: generates and delivers constant current stimulation to the brain of an animal, monitors electrical resistance at the stimulating electrode, and calculates the threshold of reinforcement based upon the frequency of characteristic pauses in the animal’s responding.     

Social comparison,attraction, and choice of a comparison other

The effects of attitudinal similarity and task-relevant affiliative status, together with three situational factors (presence or absence of a monetary reward, choice of information source or work partner, and choice made before or after Ss completed preliminary work on the task), on the choice of comparison others were examined. The most significant determinant of the comparison other chosen was attitude similarity (p < .01). There was also a significant interaction between attitude similarity, task-relevant affifliative status, and time of choice (p < .05). The nature of the interaction suggested that general impressions such as conveyed by general attitudinal information may be more important in the selection of referent others than comparability on situation-specific factors.     

Effect of prior body experience on adaptation to visual displacement

The effect of proprioceptive adaptation to visual displacement is to produce a violation of the normal constraints on the relative position of body parts. In order to investigate the effect of this violation of constraints on the adaptation, the relative position of body parts for a group of dancers and a group of nondancers was determined after 5 and 15 min of adaptation. Empirical and theoretical support were provided for the propositions that (1) there is a tendency to resist the violation of constraints, and (2) the nature of the adaptation process is such as to minimize the amount of violation of constraints.     

A note on cross-modality matching

”Stevens' law”, that the psychophysical law is a power function, is often taken to be confirmed by results of cross-modality matching experiments, for it predicts both the fact that cross-modality matching experiments yield power functions, and the exponents of these power functions. Both these predictions, however, follow from a more general form of the psychophysical law, of which Fechner's law is a special case. In view of this, an interpretation of cross-modality matching based on stimulus discriminability rather than sensation magnitude is proposed.     

DISABILITIES TO EMPLOYMENT AMONG EX-ADDICTS

Are ex-addicts poor employment risks? To answer this question, the employment responses of male and female ex-addict clients serviced by a state narcotic aftercare program were studied. Comparison of the two groups found differences in their job-seeking behavior and their social and deviant behavior characteristics. The results support the view that ex-addicts are handicapped persons. Their varying potentials for obtaining legitimate employment are isolated and reported in this article.     

Development and control of licking in the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus)

Guinea pigs were taught to lick an electronic lickometer by successive approximations brought about by a gradually receding lickerandum-liquid feeder mounted in their home cage. All Ss learned to lick and obtain their total liquid intake by tongue licking. An optimum deprivation schedule was determined, and the response was brought under schedule control comparable to that of the rat.