Working memory and fluid intelligence in young children

The present study investigates how working memory and fluid intelligence are related in young children and how these links develop over time. The major aim is to determine which aspect of the working memory system—short-term storage or cognitive control—drives the relationship with fluid intelligence. A sample of 119 children was followed from kindergarten to second grade and completed multiple assessments of working memory, short-term memory, and fluid intelligence. The data showed that working memory, short-term memory, and fluid intelligence were highly related but separate constructs in young children. The results further showed that when the common variance between working memory and short-term memory was controlled, the residual working memory factor manifested significant links with fluid intelligence whereas the residual short-term memory factor did not. These findings suggest that in young children cognitive control mechanisms rather than the storage component of working memory span tasks are the source of their link with fluid intelligence.     

Emotional states preceding and following acts of non-suicidal self-injury in bulimia nervosa patients

Bulimia nervosa and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) co-occur at high rates, and both have been conceptualized as maladaptive emotion regulation strategies. Treatments focusing on emotion regulation have been designed for both problem behaviors, yet, there exists very little research examining the temporal emotional states surrounding acts of NSSI. Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodology, the current study examined the temporal association between positive and negative emotional states prior to and consequent to acts of NSSI within a subset of bulimia nervosa patients. Results indicate significant increases in negative affect, and decreases in positive affect, prior to an NSSI act. Post-NSSI, positive affect significantly increased while negative affect remained unchanged. The findings offer partial support for an emotion regulation paradigm to understanding NSSI within bulimic populations and implications for treatment are discussed.     

INCREASING DISTANCE AND INDEPENDENCE OF AMBULATION IN ELDERLY NURSING HOME RESIDENTS

We tested the effectiveness of a prompt-and-praise procedure for increasing walking distance and independence in eight nursing home residents. Walking distance and method of ambulation were observed just prior to mealtimes; in addition, mobility and social interaction were time-sampled in the living areas throughout the day. Treatment was lagged in a multiple baseline design across lunch and dinner meals within subjects, and across subjects within each of three units. In the mealtime setting, two subjects began walking the maximum scored distance during baseline; the other six subjects showed a marked increase in walking beginning with the first meal in which the intervention was applied. Six of the eight subjects also progressed to more independent means of ambulation. Generalization of walking to the second meal was observed in all four of the subjects in whom this could be assessed. Generalization across subjects was not observed nor was generalization to the living areas. Staff successfully implemented the procedures in the mealtime settings and the effects were maintained at the 4-month follow-up.     

Attitude of mothers towards physical punishment as a counseling problem in small children with developmental disorders]

Using the questionnaire that has been specifically developed to obtain data on parental educational behavior, 294 mothers of 2-year-old children were studied and their attitudes towards corporal punishment correlated with characteristics and symptoms of children as well as with psychosocial factors. Low level of education and lack of domestic happiness proved to be essential conditions for acceptance of corporal punishment. Children with developmental disorders are especially endangered only because of their particular liability to disorders, but on account of the fact that they do not receive the same amount of clemency as do children who are liable to infections. Problems of maleducation should receive greater attention in the elimination of environmental dangers to healthy development of children as well as in counseling.     

Die rhythmischen Schwankungen der Reaktionszeit beim Menschen

Zusammenfassung Die Reaktionszeit des Menschen unterliegt spontanen Schwankungen im Jahresrhythmus, im Menstruationszyklus der Frau sowie im Tagesrhythmus. Darüber hinaus wird die Reaktionszeit vom zentralen Atemrhythmus, von kardio-vaskulären Afferenzen im Herzrhythmus sowie von bestimmten Phasen des Alpha-Rhythmus im Elektroenzephalogramm beeinflußt. Auch die vegetativen Gesamtumstellungen, wie sie als sog. reaktive Perioden unter chronischer Reizbelastung auftreten, gehen mit periodischen Schwankungen der Reaktionszeit einher.

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Rhythmical variations of the reaction time in man

Summary The reaction time in man shows spontaneous variations in annual rhythm, in the menstrual cycle, and in diurnal rhythm. The reaction time is also influenced by the central respiratory rhythm, by cardiovascular afferent patterns of the heart rhythm, and by certain phases of the alpha rhythm in the EEG. Moreover, the periodic oscillations of the vegetative system (reactive periods) caused by chronic stress are accompanied by periodic changes of the reaction time.

     

An investigation of visual responses to brief stereoscopic stimuli

An analytic model of the temporal properties of visual responses to brief stimuli is described. The model is based on the notion that visual responses persist for some time after the occurrence of brief stimuli. The model is quantified from data on stereopsis obtained with alternating brief monocular presentations of disparate stimuli. The relevance of the analysis for the data of experiments using tachistiscopic techniques is discussed.