Perceptual adaptation to facial asymmetries

Humans and other animals are highly sensitive to deviations from bilateral symmetry and prefer symmetric mates. Fluctuating asymmetries (FAs) are random deviations from perfect symmetry that can result from developmental instability. Human perceptions of facial asymmetry are driven by FAs and insensitive to directional asymmetries (DAs), which have a consistent direction of bias (e.g., left side always larger) across the population and are unrelated to developmental stability. We hypothesized that perceptual adaptation may filter out DAs and provide a proximate mechanism for this perceptual focus on FAs. We created a small population of faces with DAs by applying a unilateral distortion to the same side of each face. After 5 min of adaptation, (new) faces with these DAs looked less asymmetric and the most symmetric-looking distortion shifted toward the adapting asymmetry level. Parallel changes occurred for attractiveness. We suggest that perceptual adaptation may provide the proximate mechanism for an evolutionarily adaptive focus on FAs.     

Consultation to a professional network: reflections of a would-be consultant

This paper discusses some of the dilemmas encountered in beginning consultancy using ideas drawn from Milan-systemic family therapy. An example of consultancy to the professional network working with an adolescent client, involving both authors (as trainee and supervisor), is described and some of the important training issues arising from the case are highlighted.     

Personality correlates of success in total quality manufacturing

This study examined the relation of the Big Five factors of normal personality to individual performance in total quality manufacturing. One hundred thirty-six automobile plastic-part injection molding machine operators completed the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI). Criteria included behaviorally-based performance ratings. Successful employees had significantly lower scores on Openness (HPI: Intellectance) and Extraversion (HPI: Sociability) than less successful employees, but higher Conscientiousness scores (HPI: Prudence). A new HPI scale was developed to predict performance in this environment.We would like to thank Robert Hogan, Maryalice Citera, and Bob Gordon for their comments on earlier drafts. Please send comments about this report to Ted Hayes, Department of Psychology, 309 Oelman Hall, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, 45435     

Sources of variation in moral judgment: Toward a model of real-life morality

To evaluate the extent to which the models of moral judgment advanced by Kohlberg (1984) and by Gilligan (1982, 1988) are able to account for real-life moral judgment, we investigated the relation of sex and type of moral dilemma to moral stage and moral orientation. Eighty young adult men and women made moral judgments about two hypothetical Kohlberg dilemmas, two real-life antisocial dilemmas, and two real-life prosocial dilemmas. We failed to find any sex differences in moral judgment. Moral stage and moral orientation varied across the three types of dilemma. Kohlberg's dilemmas pulled for justice-oriented Stage 4 moral judgments, real-life prosocial dilemmas pulled for care-oriented Stage 3 moral judgments, and real-life antisocial dilemmas pulled for justice-oriented Stage 2 moral judgments. The content of moral judgments was related to their structure. There was a positive relation between stage of moral judgment on Kohlberg dilemmas and on real-life dilemmas. The implications of these findings for a new, more interactional, model of real-life moral judgment are discussed.     

Are Average Facial Configurations Attractive Only Because of Their Symmetry?

Abstract—Several commentators have suggested that the attractiveness of average facial configurations could be due solely to associated changes in symmetry. If this symmetry hypothesis is correct, then averageness should not account for significant variance in attractiveness ratings when the effect of symmetry is partialed out. Furthermore, changes in attractiveness produced by manipulating the averageness of individual faces should disappear when all the images are made perfectly symmetric. The experiments reported support neither prediction. Symmetry and averageness (or distinctiveness, the converse of averageness) made independent contributions to attractiveness (Experiments 1 and 2), and changes in attractiveness resulting from changes in averageness remained when the images were made perfectly symmetric (Experiment 2). These results allow us to reject the symmetry hypothesis, and strengthen the evidence that facial averageness is attractive.     

Adolescents' problems and their relationship to self-esteem.

The Mooney Problem Check List and Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale were administered to 201 adolescents, ages 14 to 16 years. Sex differences in the number and nature of problems reported, and their relationship to self-esteem, were examined. Results indicated that, overall, girls reported significantly more problems and lower levels of self-esteem than did boys. Girls had more problems with interpersonal relationships, personal adjustment, health, and family issues. There were no significant differences between girls and boys in the areas of educational and vocational future. Surprisingly, neither boys nor girls were particularly concerned about their vocational/educational future. Relative to other areas, adjustment to schoolwork was identified as being of considerable concern for both sexes. There was a significant relationship between self-esteem and reported problems, and different problem areas were related to self-esteem for girls and boys. The findings of this study support previous research and provide further information concerning relationships between self-esteem and problems.     

Changes in critical flicker frequency during prolonged visual deprivation

Subjects were tested on the critical flicker frequency during a 1-week period of visual deprivation (either homogeneous illumination or darkness). Deprived subjects showed no significant differences from a confined control group. Results were discussed in relation to previous research, Schultz’s theory of “sensoristasis” and Sharpless’ revision of the “law of denervation.”     

The locus of maximum weighting within attentive fields: An empirical investigation

Fixation within a modified Poggendorff display was used to assess Pressey's hypothesized construct of attentive fields. In Experiment I the results for fixating near the bottom of the display supported the predictions based on Pressey's construct; however, results from fixating near the top of the display were more easily explained by a tilt effect noted by Zajac (1957).

Experiment II and III replicated the first experiment and obtained independent measures of the tilt effect. After the tilt effect was subtracted from the Poggendorff scores, the prediction based upon the attentive field construct was supported in the top fixation condition; however, only Experiment II provided support for the prediction in the bottom fixation condition.     

Effects of teaching an introductory psychology laboratory using a computerized research tool

In the introductory psychology laboratory at Drexel University, we employ courseware modules that transform the computer into various pieces of psychological research equipment. Students enrolled in this course use the courseware modules in a series of experiments that investigate motor learning, perception, memory, and other psychological phenomena. In choosing this form of computerization, we have encountered challenges to our methods of instruction, both in the laboratory and in the lecture hall. Opportunities, in the form of financial and programming assistance, have also resulted from our computerization efforts.