Encoding, maintenance, and retrieval processes in the lag effect: a multinomial processing tree analysis

Short-term studies on repeated learning of verbatim material have typically revealed an overall benefit of long lags compared to short lags between repetitions. This has been referred to as the lag effect. On educationally relevant time scales, however, an inverted-U-shaped relation between lag and memory performance is often observed. Recently, Cepeda et al. (2009) showed that the optimal lag for relearning depends heavily on the time interval between the last learning session and the final memory test (i.e., the retention interval; RI). In order to explore the cognitive mechanisms underlying this result in more detail we independently manipulated both the lag and the RI in a 3×2 experimental design and analysed our data using a multinomial processing tree model for free-then-cued-recall data. Our results reveal that the lag effect trends are mainly driven by encoding and maintenance processes rather than by retrieval mechanisms. Our findings have important implications for theories of the lag effect.     

Book reviews

>P. P. KIRSCHENMANN. Information and Reflection. D. Reidel Publishing Company, 1970. Pp. xv, 225. Indexed. $14.00.

HUBERT L. DREYFUS, What Computers Can't Do: A Critique of Artificial Reason. New York: Harper and Row, 1972. Pp. xxxv, 259. Indexed.

DONALD M. MACKAY, Information, Mechanism and Meaning. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 1969. Pp. ix, 196. Indexed. $2.95 (paper).

YORICK ALEXANDER WILKS, Grammar, Meaning and the Machine Analysis of Language. London : Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1972. Pp. 1–198. Indexed. $10.00.     

Direction and Extent Uncertainty in Step-Input Tracking

In 3 experiments, Ss controlled a horizontal lever to track a step input where the degrees of choice of direction and extent of movement were varied systematically. The experiments differed in the way the trials were presented and in the conditions under which these 2 sources of response choice were compared. Increasing choice of direction of movement from 1 to 2 led to an increase in RT of between 34 and 40 msec. No significant increase in RT was found as choice of extent of movement was raised from 1 to 4. Considered with other evidence the results indicate the necessity to distinguish 2 types or levels of decisions associated with response factors. It is suggested that at one level the sequencing of muscle activity is established and at another the fine details of this activity are controlled.     

Individual and Community in Early Heidegger: Situating das Man,the Man-self,and Self-ownership in Dasein's Ontological Structure

In Sein und Zeit, Heidegger claims that (1) das Manis an 'existential' i.e. a necessary feature of Dasein's Being; and (2) Dasein need not always exist in the mode of the Man-self, but can also be eigentlich, which I translate as 'self-owningly'. These apparently contradictory statements have prompted a debate between Hubert Dreyfus, who recommends abandoning (2), and Frederick Olafson, who favors jettisoning (1). I offer an interpretation of the structure of Dasein's Being compatible with both (1) and (2), thus resolving the Dreyfus-Olafson debate. Central to this resolution is the distinction between das Manand the Man-self. Das Manis one of three existential 'horizons', or fields of possibilities; the other two horizons are the world and death. At any time, Dasein encounters entities in one of two basic modes: either by 'expressly seizing' possibilities of the horizon, or by occluding these possibilities. These modes are 'existentiell', i.e. features of Dasein's Being that are possible, but not essential. Self-ownership and the Man-self are the two basic existentiell modes of being oneself, i.e. projecting everyday possibilities of oneself appropriated from the horizon of das Man. What differentiates these two modes is the stance one takes to the possibility of death, the existential horizon of being oneself.     

Perspective-taking differences between high- and low-adjustment marriages: Implications for those in intervention

Abstract

Perspective-taking is defined as the cognitive ability to understand the point of view of another. Recent studies have demonstrated that perspective-taking is an important component of a satisfying marriage, and therapists have spoken of the need for perspective-taking training. The present study examined perspective-taking differences among a sample of 259 individuals in high- and 43 individuals in low-adjustment marriages. Four hypotheses were tested that demonstrated that females in high- and low-adjustment marriages did not differ in their perspective-taking ability with others in general. However, males and females in high- and low-adjustment groups did differ in their perspective-taking with their spouses (dyadic perspective-taking). Males and females in high-adjustment relationships perceived their spouses to be better at dyadic perspective-taking than individuals in low-adjustment marriages. Implications for family therapists include the need not merely to teach perspective-taking skills but to focus upon characteristics of the relationship and motivational factors that may either increase or decrease perspective-taking with a spouse.     

Family Relational Values in the Parent‐Adolescent Relationship

This study measured the relational family values system of upper‐middle‐class mothers, fathers, and adolescents in the United States. Results revealed that participants shared common family values that mainly reflected the importance of individualism, equality in family relationships, family member interdependence, and parental guidance. Parent‐adolescent relational values agreement patterns in families with early, middle, and late adolescents demonstrated high levels of agreement. The authors explore how this sample provides a basis by which to compare relational family values in other subcultures in future research and how using this measure can enhance culturally competent counseling.     

Psychological intervention in the management and rehabilitation of neuropsychological impairments

Neuropsychological impairments can be extremely handicapping and present a considerable clinical problem. The possible goals and general principles for using psychological intervention with such problems are described. There is also a discussion of published attempts to rehabilitate a number of impairments. This work is at an early stage and it would be premature to expect proof of clinical effectiveness whilst techniques are still in an early stage of development. The degree of encouragement that can be derived from work carried out so far in modest but some promising results have been obtained.     

Religion and space in colonial South America: a technology of geo-political rule and terrestrial-spatial subjectivity in the Jesuit missions of the Banda Oriental

ABSTRACT

Based on a genealogical analysis of documentary evidence, this paper explores the comprehensive technology of geo-political rule that was applied in the missions established and governed by the Society of Jesus in the territories of the Banda Oriental in South America, from the early 17th century to the second half of the 18th century. The interdependent knowledges and practices of the technology – its contested logics of universal conversion, its hard and soft geo-political techniques, its terrestrial-spatial subjectivities – as well as the resistances that opposed the technology’s operation are discussed and conceptualized. These conceptualizations are presented as contributions to the studies on colonial religious governmentalities. The conclusions highlight the relevance of governmentality approaches and meta-institutional analytical perspectives for the study of religions and space and religious geo-politics in past and contemporary societies.     

A Multinomial Model to Assess Fluency and Recollection in a Sequence Learning Task

We suggest that well-formedness judgements in conjunction with L.L. Jacoby's (1991) process dissociation procedure and an appropriate measurement model can be used to obtain measures of implicit and explicit sequence knowledge. We introduce a new measurement model designed specifically for the sequence learning task. The model assumes that sequence identification is based on recollection, perceptual or motor fluency, systematicity detection, and guessing. The model and the application of the process dissociation procedure were empirically evaluatedusing auditory eventsequences. In Experiment 1, the parameterreflecting recollection was higher in an intentional than in an incidental learning condition. Experiment 2 showed that random sequences interspersed among the systematic sequences during the acquisition phase may change this pattern of results. A manipulation of processing fluency in Experiment 3 was reflected in the appropriate model parameter. In sum, the new measurement model and the application of the process dissociation procedure appear to be useful tools in sequence learning research.