Parameterizations of Markov models for two-stage learning

Alternative parameterizations of Greeno's representation of two-stage learning are developed for general and restricted cases. Boundaries of the parameter space are exhibited in both cases.     

Image and anti-image covariance matrices from a correlation matrix that may be singular

Following the work of Tucker, Cooper, and Meredith, image and anti-image covariance matrices from a correlation matrix that may be singular are derived.     

Polynomial psychophysics of group risk perception

The Coombs and Huang (1970) distributive theory of perceived risk is reinterpreted as a more robust statistical hypothesis to describe central tendencies of noisy replicates drawn from a homogeneous population. Barron's (1976) sample of 13 business faculty rank-order responses are pooled to obtain a replicated complete 3 × 3 × 3 design which is analyzed by a new stochastic conjoint measurement (SCJM) approach to axiomatic data analysis. SCJM implements statistical analogues of the deterministic Krantz and Tversky (1971) diagnostics for error-free data. SCJM diagnosis based on a series of one-sided nonparametric two-cell comparisons at the α = 0.04 level supports the hypothesis of interaction between the expected-value and number-of-plays attributes of gambles yet contradicts Barron's odd-even effects hypothesis. SCJM diagnosis with two-cell α < 0.04 supports an additive statistical model.     

MODIFICATION OF COMBINED MIGRAINE-MUSCLE CONTRACTION HEADACHES USING BVP AND EMG FEEDBACK

The effect of blood volume pulse (BVP) and frontalis muscle action potential (EMG) feedback on control of vasoconstriction of the temporal artery and frontalis muscle activity in combined migraine-muscle tension subjects was investigated in a multiple baseline design (across subjects and responses). The data indicated: (a) both subjects obtained an ability to control BVP during BVP feedback and EMG during EMG feedback; (b) there were decreases in frequency of migraine headaches during BVP feedback and decreases in muscle contraction headaches during EMG feedback. The results of this study supported the theoretical explanation of two pain mechanisms involved in combined muscle contraction-migraine headaches as well as the effectiveness of biofeedback procedures that target directly the specific pain mechanism in the elimination of the two types of head pain.     

Auditory similarities associated with genetic and experimental acoustic deprivation.

Susceptibility to audiogenic seizures has been produced in otherwise non-susceptible mice by acoustic stress and by conductive hearing loss. Both procedures temporarily elevate the absolute threshold of the auditory evoked potential (AEP) and are maximally effective during a circumscribed period of early development. In the genetically SUSCEPTIBLE DBA/2J mouse, AEP thresholds indicated that its auditory system is functionally less mature during this early period than that of the nonsusceptible C57BL/6Jmouse. It was proposed that innate susceptibility found in the DBA/2J mouse results from auditory disuse supersensitivity during a critical developmental period, in support of Saunders' hypothesis for acoustically primed mice. The increased peak-to-peak AEP amplitudes, however, were not believed to be causally related to the audiogenic seizures.     

The effects of temporal waveform upon temporal darkness enhancement

Temporal darkness enhancement refers to the finding that decremental flashes of 50–140 msec appear darker than longer flash decrements. The present experiment determined the effects of temporal waveform upon darkness enhancement by obtaining darkness judgments for flashes that had abrupt onset/abrupt offset, abrupt onset/gradual offset, gradual onset/abrupt offset, and gradual onset/gradual offset. Temporal darkness enhancement was found only for flashes that had abrupt onsets regardless of offset waveform. These results are discussed in terms of the role of transients in the coding of perceived darkness.     

Population psychology in perspective(1)

Many aspects of population, from fertility regulation to migration, may be viewed as examples of human behavior occurring within a particular socio-economic and environmental context, and thus appropriate for psychological research. Especially considered in this paper are (1) the current status of population growth and the importance of population processes as research topics for psychologists; (2) basic assumptions concerning the complementarity of behavioral and biomedical sciences in population research; (3) behavioral science contributions, specifically from psychology; and (4) recommendations for cooperative multidisciplinary efforts.