Effect of visuomotor calibration and uncertainty on the perception of peripersonal space

Target selection for action depends not only on the egocentric location of objects estimated from retinal and extraretinal variables, but also on the assessment of current action possibilities. In the present study, we investigated the effect of altering sensorimotor anticipation processes on subsequent perceptual estimates of reachability. To do so, we conducted two experiments in which we changed the relation between visual distance and movement amplitude. Experiment 1 showed that iterative visuomotor adaptation to distorted visual feedback (in steps of ±15?mm, up to a total adaptation of ±75?mm) led to a congruent variation of perceived reachable space, although the first introduction of the shifted visual feedback produced a reduction of perceived reachable space whatever the direction of the feedback shift. Experiment 2 showed that increasing uncertainty about visuomotor performances, by providing a visual feedback randomly shifted in depth (±7.5?mm), produced the same reduction of perceived reachable space in the absence of visuomotor adaptation. Taken together, these data suggest that the visual perception of reachable space depends on a motor-related perceptual system, which is affected by both visuomotor recalibration and reliability of the visuomotor system.     

El proceso de contar: una perspectiva cognitiva

Resumen

Durante la pasada década la psicología cognitiva ha estudiado profunda y extensamente los conocimientos matemáticos tempranos, especialmente la habilidad de contar debido a su papel en el desarrollo de habilidades numéricas más sofisticadas. Esta investigación se ha enfocado desde distintas perspectivas aunque todas ellas pueden enmarcarse en la teoría general del desarrollo de integración de habilidades. En este trabajo se analizan los modelos de contar aparecidos en la literatura, agrupados en dos categorías: 1) modelos de ejecución, centrados en el aspecto procesual y 2) modelos de competencia, con mayor énfasis en el conocimiento conceptual subyacente a los procedimientos de contar.

Los diferentes enfoques en el estudio de esta habilidad cognitiva han contribuido a que se produzca un cambio importante en el área de los conocimientos numéricos tempranos así como una nueva orientación en la instrucción temprana. No obstante, existen todavía limitaciones tales como dificultades en la formalización del cambio de un nivel de la habilidad a otro, el limitarse a tareas específicas o la no inclusión de componentes perceptuales y creativos en los modelos de simulación de la tarea de contar.     

Visuokinesthetic Realignment in a Video-Controlled Reaching Task

The authors investigated the accuracy of horizontal pointing movements toward a visual target viewed on a vertical video monitor; the view included a directional distortion between perceptual and action spaces. Although accurate coding of the movement vector in a relative (visual) system of coordinates has been found to occur when there is a prismatic perturbation, provided that the hand and the target are continuously visible, such accurate performance has never been reported for video-controlled situations with larger deviations. To evaluate whether visual relative coding is task specific or depends on the magnitude of the induced misalignment, the authors manipulated the intensity of directional perturbation (10° or 40°) in a video-controlled task. Whatever the directional bias, participants (N = 40) were initially inaccurate but adapted quickly within a few trial rehearsals, with a concomitant recalibration of segmental proprioception. In contrast with prism studies, relative coding of the hand-to-target vector seemed not to be operative in video-controlled situations, suggesting that target location is specified in an egocentric system of reference that includes hand-related proprioceptive signals, despite the presence of a (consciously) detected misalignment between visual and kinesthetic systems.     

Costs and benefits of tool-use on the perception of reachable space

Previous studies have shown that using a tool modifies in a short time-scale both near-body space perception and arm-length representation in the body schema. However, to date no research has specifically investigated the effect of tool-use on an action-related perceptual task. We report here a study assessing the effect of tool-use on the perception of reachable space for perceptual estimates made in reference to either the tool or the hand. Using the tool on distal objects resulted in an extension of perceived reachable space with the tool and reduced the variability of reachability estimates. Tool use also extended perceived reachable space with the hand, but with a concomitant increase of the variability of reachability estimates. These findings suggest that tool incorporation into the represented arm following tool-use improves the anticipation of action possibilities with the tool, while hand representation becomes less accurate.     

Issues in Professional Training to Implement Evidence‐based Parenting Programs: The Preferences of Indigenous Practitioners

Indigenous children have elevated risk for poor health, behavioural, emotional, and social outcomes. Significant evidence exists that parenting programs can reduce family risk factors and improve outcomes for children and families; however, mainstream programs have had slower uptake in Indigenous communities than other communities. Culturally sensitive delivery of evidence‐based programs can enhance engagement of parents, yet the development of a workforce to deliver programs to Indigenous parents faces many obstacles. This project seeks to identify professional training processes that enhance Indigenous practitioners’ skills and confidence in delivering an evidence‐based parenting program. A survey of trained parenting practitioners via an online practitioner network assessed their views of the training and post‐training support processes they had experienced. Respondents were 57 Indigenous and 720 non‐Indigenous practitioners from 15 countries. Most training processes were rated equally helpful by Indigenous and non‐Indigenous practitioners. However, several training processes were identified as important for the delivery of culturally competent training, such as tailoring the pace of training and simplifying the language in teaching resources. Practitioners with higher ratings of the helpfulness of peer support following training reported higher program uptake and implementation. Qualitative themes also focused on the helpfulness of program resources, and having a peer support network and mentoring. Increasing access to appropriate, flexibly delivered training and post‐training support for Indigenous professionals will support the development of a skilled workforce with local knowledge and connections, and further increase the reach of evidence‐based services in Indigenous communities.     

Attitude towards women of gender schematic vs aschematic individuals

After the fourfold gender typology (1970s), a dual model--gender schematic versus aschematic individuals--emerged in the 1980s. In this research, the relationship between gender schemas and attitudes towards women's rights were tested. Two studies were carried out (2001 and 2009) with adolescents (boys and girls) from 12 to 14 years old, with 359 participants in 2001 and 224 in 2009, using two instruments: the Bem Sex Role Inventory and the Attitudes Towards Women Scale. Factor analysis and ANOVAs were carried out. The results of both studies supported the hypothesis that girls maintain more favourable attitudes about themselves than boys do. Both studies supported the hypothesis that feminine and androgynous individuals display similar attitudes towards women, but they differ from the other gender categories. Masculine boys and feminine girls did not show differences in attitudes towards women in comparison to aschematic or cross-gendered adolescents. Inconsistent results were found between studies regarding the hypothesized differences between typical and atypical schematics in attitudes towards women, as well as between undifferentiated and gender schematic individuals. The implications of these results for the instruments used, as well as for theories, are considered.     

Teaching teenagers with autism to seek assistance when lost

Three teenagers with autism were taught to respond to a vibrating pager to seek assistance in community settings when physically separated from their parents or teachers. A multiple baseline probe design across participants demonstrated that, upon being paged, participants successfully handed a communication card to a community member indicating that they were lost. Generalization was assessed in nontraining community sites and on outings with the participants' parents.     

Relation between perception of differences and intergroup anxiety: moderator and mediator variables

This research has two aims: first, to determine the relationship between the intergroup differences perceived and the anxiety experienced by ingroup members in their contact with members of the outgroup. Second, to examine the moderator and/or mediator role of a series of variables considered relevant in the literature on intergroup prejudice, take into account Baron and Kenny's (1986) requeriments. This analysis is carried out from the perspective of the minority group, in this case Moroccan inmigrants to Almería. The results confirm the moderating role of the variables pressure to assimilate and perception of xenophobia and the mediating role of inmigrants' attitude towards local people and social paranoia.     

Visuokinesthetic realignment in a video-controlled reaching task

The authors investigated the accuracy of horizontal pointing movements toward a visual target viewed on a vertical video monitor; the view included a directional distortion between perceptual and action spaces. Although accurate coding of the movement vector in a relative (visual) system of coordinates has been found to occur when there is a prismatic perturbation, provided that the hand and the target are continuously visible, such accurate performance has never been reported for video-controlled situations with larger deviations. To evaluate whether visual relative coding is task specific or depends on the magnitude of the induced misalignment, the authors manipulated the intensity of directional perturbation (10 degrees or 40 degrees) in a video-controlled task. Whatever the directional bias, participants (N = 40) were initially inaccurate but adapted quickly within a few trial rehearsals, with a concomitant recalibration of segmental proprioception. In contrast with prism studies, relative coding of the hand-to-target vector seemed not to be operative in video-controlled situations, suggesting that target location is specified in an egocentric system of reference that includes hand-related proprioceptive signals, despite the presence of a (consciously) detected misalignment between visual and kinesthetic systems.