Note

A circuit that interfaces an Osborne I microcomputer to a capacitance-operated subject touch panel is described     

SOME EFFECTS OF REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULES IN TEACHING PICTURE NAMES TO RETARDED CHILDREN1

The effects of several different schedules of primary reinforcement were compared in a picture-naming task with retarded children. In Experiment I, number of correct responses and learning rate were higher under fixed-ratio schedules than under continuous reinforcement. In Experiment II, number of correct responses and learning rate tended to be greater under intermediate than under low or high fixed-ratio schedules. In Experiment III, number of correct responses was higher under interlocking schedules, in which the response requirement increased with time following the previous reinforcement, than under comparable fixed-ratio schedules. Learning rates were generally low and, perhaps because of this, not very different under the two types of schedules in this experiment. Accuracy (i.e., proportion of trials on which correct responses occurred) was typically high and insensitive to variations in schedule and schedule parameter throughout each experiment.     

Effect of conflict between the body parts on perceptual adaptation

Two groups of subjects adapted to prismatic displacement. One adapted in a visual target condition, in which they pointed to an external visual target with their right index fingers. The other adapted in a body target condition, in which they pointed to their left index fingers with their right index fingers. The visual target group showed more adaptation of the right hand and less adaptation of the left hand than did the body target group. These results are consistent with an assimilation tendency within the proprioceptive modality, namely that body parts that are in contact tend to be perceived as occupying the same spatial position.     

The detection and treatment of artifacts in computer-controlled neurophysiological experiments

Pattern recognition algorithms may be employed on time-series data obtained in electrophysiological experiments to detect particular artifacts that would otherwise contaminate the experimental data. Such algorithms may be classified by the statistical properties of the data they test. Four representative algorithms are presented that, on the basis of prior experiments in our laboratory, perform satisfactorily to improve the quality of electrophysiological measurement.     

Models for the analysis of alternative sources of growth in correlated stochastic variables

An approach to the analysis of multivariate time series is presented in which linear structural relationships among multiple stochastic variables are investigated. A number of alternative structural models are considered for the case of two stochastic variables. Each model represents a possible hypothesis concerning the relationship of growth in one variable to growth in the second. Both symmetric and asymmetric models are considered. Extensions of two of the models to three variables are illustrated by means of a numerical example. Implications of the models for the problem of detecting change in multivariate time series are discussed.This paper is based in part on a paper read at the Psychometric Society Meetings, Princeton, N. J., Mar. 30–31, 1972. The research was supported by the Committe on Basic Research in Education, National Academy of Sciences, Grant No. OEG-0-9-140396-4497(010), Project No. 9-0396.     

Evidence for all-or-none preperceptual processing in perceptual set

“Set” is known to improve the accuracy of report of the stimulus attributes for which Ss are set to respond. The set may produce this effect by acting on either preperceptual or postperceptual processes, or both. To elucidate the manner by which set produces its effect, this paper explores the consequences of two assumptions concerning set (1) On any given trial, a S is either “set” or “not set”: (2) if “set” by the stimulus information. S’s perception of the stimulus actually improves, whereas, if “not set” by the stimulus reformation, the S’s report correctness is improved by an independent interaction of stimulus and set information on a response process. Evidence is provided for both these assumptions. In addition. It is argued that only set given before stimulation can affect a perceptual process.