How do children form impressions of persons? They average

The experiment reported was concerned with impression formation in children. Twelve subjects in each of Grades K, 2, 4, and 6 rated several sets of single trait words and trait pairs. The response scale consisted of a graded series of seven schematic faces which ranged from a deep frown to a happy smile. A basic question was whether children use an orderly integration rule in forming impressions of trait pairs. The answer was clear. At all grade levels a simple averaging model adequately accounted for pair ratings. A second question concerned how children resolve semantic inconsistencies. Responses to two highly inconsistent trait pairs suggested that subjects responded in the same fashion, essentially averaging the two traits in a pair. Overall, the data strongly supported an averaging model, and indicated that impression formation of children is similar to previous results obtained from adults.     

Attention decrement,temporal variation,and the primacy effect in impression formation

Three experiments which tested the attention decrement explanation of the primacy effect in impression formation are reported. A memory-crowding interpretation of attention decrement would predict a decrease in primacy as the interval between traits is increased. Mild support was obtained in Experiment I but not in II or III. Overall. the magnitude of the primacy effect was independent of intertrait temporal variation. Decrement in attention is the most attractive theoretical explanation for the commonly obtained primacy effect. However, the results of the present series of studies suggest that this explanation is not tenable and that other theoretical mechanisms will be required to account for primacy effects.     

Salience of similarity awareness and attraction: A comparison of balance vs reinforcement predictions

Reinforcement and balance theory are both viable explanatory contenders for attraction processes. Differential predictions were derived and tested. Ss rated their attraction toward five strangers who were .00, .25, .50, .75, or 1.00 similax in attitudes. Half of the Ss rated perceived similarity to the strangers prior to making the attraction ratings (similarity]then liking condition) and the other half rated attraction prior to similarity ratings (liking/then similarity condition). Balance theory would predict an interaction between order of rating conditions and proportion of similar attitudes in determining attraction. Results showed that the only significant effect was due to proportion of similar attitudes. Factor analyses of the rating data showed that attraction and similarity ratings loaded on different factors. This result indicates that perceived similarity does not necessarily mediate attraction. Trend analyses suggested that the reverse may hold to some extent; perception of attraction may partially determine perceived similarity. This result suggests that a restricted balance model may be viable. However, the preponderance of the evidence supported reinforcement theory.     

Effect of Musical Accompaniment on Attitude: The Guitar as a Prop for Persuasion

This study examined the effects on attitude, mood, and recall of embedding a communication in different musical art forms. Subjects listened to four folk songs, each of which either had or did not have guitar accompaniment, and which were either sung or dramatically spoken. Results indicated greater positive emotional arousal and greater persuasion with the presence of guitar accompaniment. The sung-spoken variation had few effects. The results were interpreted as supporting a conclusion of Dabbs and Janis (1965) that a pleasant activity such as eating creates a momentary mood of compliance toward a communication's recommendations. The present study generalized Dabbs and Janis' conclusion to a stimulus situation involving instrumental music. An alternative interpretation that the music inhibited counterargument production was discussed and rejected. The implications of the study for a more general arousal-persuasion model were noted.     

Differentiated perceptions of exertion: part I. mode of integration of regional signals

The mode of sensory integration of differentiated perceptions of exertion from the legs and chest was determined during sub-maximal cycle ergometer exercise. 50 male subjects performed three separate cycle ergometer tests. Power output was held constant at 840 kpm/min., while pedalling rate was randomly set at 40, 60, or 80 rpm. The over-all rating of perceived exertion was significantly lower than the rating for the legs and higher than that for the chest at each pedalling rate. Local signals from the legs dominated the sensory process. Central signals were less pronounced. The mean of the ratings for the legs and chest was slightly but significantly higher than the over-all rating at each pedalling rate. Therefore, the integration process at the superordinate level of sensory processing appeared as a weighted average of the involved regional signals.     

Genes, cognition and dyslexia: learning to read the genome

Studies of dyslexia provide vital insights into the cognitive architecture underpinning both disordered and normal reading. It is well established that inherited factors contribute to dyslexia susceptibility, but only very recently has evidence emerged to implicate specific candidate genes. In this article, we provide an accessible overview of four prominent examples--DYX1C1, KIAA0319, DCDC2 and ROBO1--and discuss their relevance for cognition. In each case correlations have been found between genetic variation and reading impairments, but precise risk variants remain elusive. Although none of these genes is specific to reading-related neuronal circuits, or even to the human brain, they have intriguing roles in neuronal migration or connectivity. Dissection of cognitive mechanisms that subserve reading will ultimately depend on an integrated approach, uniting data from genetic investigations, behavioural studies and neuroimaging.     

A criterion for significant common factor variance

Up to the present only empirical methods have been available for determining the number of factors to be extracted from a matrix of correlations. The problem has been confused by the implicit attitude that a matrix of intercorrelations between psychological variables has a rank which is determinable. A table of residuals always contains error variance and common factor variance. The extraction of successive factors increases the proportion of error variance remaining to common factor variance remaining, and a point is reached where the extraction of more dimensions would contain so much error variance that the common factor variance would be overshadowed. The critical value for this point is determined by probability theory and does not take into account the size of the residuals. Interpretation of the criterion is discussed.