An easily built and inexpensive apparatus for generating electroconvulsive shock

An easily constructed and inexpensive apparatus for generating electroconvulsive shock is described. The wide range of shock level adjustment and reliability of operation make it an excellent piece of equipment to have in laboratories using electroconvulsive shock as an experimental tool for research on memory and memory storage processes.     

Consolidation and interference in the perceptual memory system

Previous verbal/memory studies have indicated that perceptual processes continue to occur after the stimulus is terminated. The present study investigated whether a blank period after a nonverbal stimulus would function to strengthen or consolidate the sensory trace in memory. A “delayed-comparison task” of recognition memory for pitch was employed in two experiments. The results indicated that a blank interval after the tone to be remembered increased the memory strength of that tone when the tone’s duration was brief (.2 sec). However, an empty interval after a tone with a longer duration (.5 sec) did not affect memory performance. Memory strength also decreased over time during a retroactive interval tone. A storage-interference model described the quantitative results accurately.     

Cross-octave masking of single tones and musical sequences: The effects of structure on auditory recognition

A series of experiments explored the role of structural information in the auditory recognition process, within the context of a backward recognition masking paradigm. A masking tone presented after a test tone has been found to interfere with the perceptual processing of the test tone, the degree of interference decreasing with increased durations of the silent intertone interval between the test and masking tones. In the current studies, the task was modified to utilize three-tone sequences as the test stimuli. Six test sequences were employed (LMH, LHM, MLH, MHL, HLM, HML), where L, M, and H represent the lowest, middle, and highest frequencies in the melody. The observers identified these six possible sequences when the three tones of the test sequence were interleaved with three presentations of a single masking tone. All three tones of the test sequence were drawn from the same octave, while the masking tones could be drawn from any of three octaves, symmetrical around the octave containing the test tones. Under these conditions, interference occurred primarily from masking tones drawn from the same octave as the test tones. Masking tones drawn from other octaves were found to produce little, if any, interference with perception of the test tones. This effect was found to occur only for the identification of tonal sequences. Substantial masking of single-tone targets occurred with masking tones drawn from octaves other than that containing the targets. The results make apparent the use of structural information during auditory recognition. A theoretical interpretation was advanced which suggests that, while single tones are perceived on the basis of absolute pitch, the presence of auditory structure may allow relational information, such as exact pitch intervals or melodic contour, to facilitate perception of the tonal sequence.     

Political distinctiveness: An identity optimising approach

According to Optimal Distinctiveness Theory and Self-Categorization Theory possible self-definition as a member of contextually moderately distinctive social categories should be more central to identity than association with very general or with highly unique social categories. Data from a large scale cohort survey of 4156 18–21-year-olds were analysed to test this hypothesis. Respondents self-reported political affiliations were classified according to the social popularity (size and support) accorded each party The data are consistent with the hypothesis that minority political parties should provide more central and important bases of social identity Supporters of minority parties showed greatest commitment, perceived their parties to be more representative of themselves, and were less likely to simply conform to parental political views. Minority supporters were also significantly more likely to discuss politics with their friends. Additional data from Scotland confirmed that identification with Scotland was more strongly associated with support for the Scottish Nationalist Party than with support for other minority or majority parties. These data provide convergent evidence that minority parties may attract members through their capacity to provide a meaningful social identity.     

Imagination,Illusion and Experience in Film

Philosophical Studies -     

Synthesis of visible speech

We have implemented a facial animation system to carry out visible speech synthesis. Using this system, it is possible to manipulate control parameters to synthesize a sequence of speech articulations. In addition, it is possible to synthesize novel articulations, such as one that is half way between /ba/ and /da/.