A FORTRAN program for lag sequential analysis of contingency and cyclicity in behavioral interaction data

One method for identifying contingency relationships in a sequence of observed behaviors studies occurrences of matching behaviors at successive event or time steps from a criterion event. This paper briefly summarizes the method and presents a computer program for generating lag conditional probabilities and associated measures for assessing statistical significance.     

Context and the motion aftereffect: occlusion cues in the test pattern alter perceived direction

A horizontally moving vertical grating viewed through a diamond-shaped aperture can be made to appear to move either upwards or downwards by introduction of appropriate depth-ordering cues at the boundaries of the aperture (Duncan et al. 2000 Journal of Neuroscience 20 5885-5897). The grating is perceived to move towards (and sliding under) occluding 'near' surfaces, and parallel to 'far' surfaces. Here we show that these depth-ordering cues affect the perceptual interpretation of the motion aftereffect (MAE) as well. After adaptation to unambiguous horizontal motion, the MAE direction deviates from horizontal towards near surfaces. However, the influence of depth-ordering cues on the illusory motion of the MAE is generally less than that seen for 'real' motion. Implications for theories of depth-motion and depth-MAE interactions are discussed.     

Relationships,not boundaries

The authors find it more useful to payattention to relationships than to boundaries.By focusing attention on bounded, individualpsychological issues, the metaphor ofboundaries can distract helping professionalsfrom thinking about inequities of power. Itoversimplifies a complex issue, inviting us toignore discourses around gender, race, class,culture, and the like that support injustice,abuse, and exploitation. Making boundaries acentral metaphor for ethical practice can keepus from critically examining the effects ofdistance, withdrawal, and non-participation.The authors describe how it is possible toexamine the practical, moral, and ethicaleffects of our participation in relationshipsby focusing on just relationships rather thanon boundaries. They give illustrations andclinical examples of relationally-focusedethical practices that derive from a narrativeapproach to therapy.     

Cognitive-behavioral treatment of high anger drivers

Relaxation and cognitive-relaxation interventions were compared to a no treatment control in the treatment of high anger drivers. The cognitive portion of the cognitive-relaxation condition adapted the style of Beck's cognitive therapy, particularly use of Socratic questions and behavioral experiments and tryouts, to driving anger reduction. Both interventions lowered indices of driving anger and hostile and aggressive forms of expressing driving anger and increased adaptive/constructive ways of expressing driving anger. The cognitive-relaxation intervention also lowered the frequency of risky behavior. Both interventions lowered trait anger as well. Limitations and implications for treatment and research were discussed.