Masked singleton effects

In the present study, we tested whether visual singletons remaining outside awareness are processed. Singletons differ by at least one feature from their more homogeneous neighbors. Here, we used backward masking to prevent awareness of shape singleton primes (Experiments 1-4) or color singleton primes (Experiment 5). Masked singleton primes nonetheless produced a congruence effect: Congruent singletons indicating the location of subsequent visible targets facilitated responses, in comparison with incongruent singletons at positions away from the targets. This congruence effect was found with singletons defined by feature presence or feature absence. It was at least partly due to attentional capture by singletons remaining outside of the participants' awareness. Results are discussed in light of theories pertaining to singleton effects and masked-priming effects.     

Development of a Brief Cognitive Screen for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Neurocognitive Disorder

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a brief cognitive screen for possible Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and other neurocognitive impairment in a sample of general medical patients. Two hundred community-dwelling general medical patients aged 65 or older participated in this study. Age and education corrected scores from the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and Mattis Dementia Rating Scale were used to classify participants into three groups: MCI, neurocognitive disorder, cognitively intact. Groups were then compared on an independent set of measures: the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) neuropsychological battery, Mini-Mental State Examination, and Clock Drawing Test. The MCI group constituted 9% of the sample, while 10.5% of the sample was classified into the neurocognitive disorder group. The CERAD Verbal Category Fluency and CERAD Word List Memory Test Delayed Recall measures were individually and collectively the most effective in differentiating cognitively intact elders from persons in both the MCI and neurocognitive disorder groups. We conclude that these two brief measures appear to be effective for detecting possible MCI or neurocognitive disorder, thereby facilitating identification of candidates who would benefit from more detailed neuropsychological assessment.     

Tracking the speech signal – Time-locked MEG signals during perception of ultra-fast and moderately fast speech in blind and in sighted listeners

Blind people can learn to understand speech at ultra-high syllable rates (ca. 20 syllables/s), a capability associated with hemodynamic activation of the central-visual system. To further elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying this skill, magnetoencephalographic (MEG) measurements during listening to sentence utterances were cross-correlated with time courses derived from the speech signal (envelope, syllable onsets and pitch periodicity) to capture phase-locked MEG components (14 blind, 12 sighted subjects; speech rate = 8 or 16 syllables/s, pre-defined source regions: auditory and visual cortex, inferior frontal gyrus). Blind individuals showed stronger phase locking in auditory cortex than sighted controls, and right-hemisphere visual cortex activity correlated with syllable onsets in case of ultra-fast speech. Furthermore, inferior-frontal MEG components time-locked to pitch periodicity displayed opposite lateralization effects in sighted (towards right hemisphere) and blind subjects (left). Thus, ultra-fast speech comprehension in blind individuals appears associated with changes in early signal-related processing mechanisms both within and outside the central-auditory terrain.     

Dimension‐specific intertrial facilitation in visual search for pop‐out targets: Evidence for a top‐down modulable visual short‐term memory effect

In visual search for pop‐out targets, target detection is expedited when the target‐defining dimension (e.g., colour) is repeated on consecutive trials, but not (or less) when the target feature (e.g., red) is repeated (Found & Müller, 1996). The present study examined whether this dimension‐specific intertrial facilitation (ITF) is mediated by an explicit or an implicit memory of the target on the previous trial. In Experiment 1, observers had no above‐chance knowledge of the target dimension (or feature) when this information was not to be encoded and retained explicitly; yet, they exhibited dimension‐specific ITF. In Experiment 2, the nature of the ITF effect was unaffected by whatever attribute of the target was to be explicitly encoded and memorized, its dimension or feature; however, ITF was increased compared to a no‐memory control condition. In Experiment 3, ITF was not increased when observers had to determine the target dimension, but without having to maintain a memory of it during the intertrial interval. These results suggest that, although an implicit memory is sufficient for producing dimension‐specific ITF, ITF is top‐down modulable by explicit memory instructions.     

The role of rigid motion in newborns' face recognition

The study investigated whether dynamic information promotes newborns' ability to recognize a face. After being habituated to a face undergoing an ordered sequential head rigid motion (Exp. 1), 1- to 3-day-old newborns fully recognized the familiar face shown in the profile pose, as documented by a preference for the profile pose of a novel face. When familiarized to an ordered sequence of different viewpoint static images of a face (Exp. 2), newborns failed to recognize the profile pose of the familiar face, their visual exploration of the familiar and novel faces being at chance. Habituation to a random head rigid motion (Exp. 3) allowed only a partial recognition of face identity, as newborns preferred the profile pose of the familiar, rather than the novel, face. Rigid head motion is an important source of information for newborns' face recognition, probably aiding the derivation of a three-dimensional face structure.     

Kriminologische Beiträge

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Kriminologischer Beitrag

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Depression

Patients with myocardial infarction who suffer from a depression are at increased risk of dying of a subsequent heart attack or some other complication of coronary artery disease (CAD). A considerable body of research has provided evidence that a major depression, which is found in 16 to 23 percent of patients with CAD, but also subliminal depressive symptoms are independent risk factors for an unfavourable outcome of CAD. However, it is not yet clear whether depression is a causal risk factor having impact on the course of the heart disease or merely a prognostic marker that allows predicting the outcomes of interest, without any causal influence on them. Several pathways between depression and CAD have been discussed. These include behavioral mechanisms such as low compliance with both medical treatment and life style recommendations as well as neurobiological links. Much attention has been paid to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical and sympathomedullary hyperactivity found in depression. Other possible links include diminished heart rate variability, stress-induced ischemia, platelet activation, and immunological dysregulation. To resolve the issue whether depression is a causal risk factor or only a prognostic marker, experimental studies are needed to evaluate interventions aimed at improving depression and test whether mortality is subsequently reduced. Such studies brought in the past mixed results. Whereas comprehensive intervention programs including risk factor management have produced a reduction in both coronary morbidity and mortality, a recent multicenter study providing either cognitive-behavioral therapy or usual care to depressed patients with CAD could not demonstrate a survival benefit among the participants of the intervention. Finally, results of evaluation studies regarding integrated disease management programs for patients with comorbid depression are presented.     

Fifty-odd years of inter-group contact: from hypothesis to integrated theory

We review 50-odd years of research on Allport's (1954)'contact hypothesis', to assess progress, problems, and prospects. We chart the progress that has been made in understanding two distinct forms of contact: direct and indirect. We highlight the progress made in understanding the effects of each type of contact, as well as both moderating and mediating factors, and emphasize the multiple impacts of direct contact, especially. We then consider some of the main critiques of inter-group contact, focusing on empirical issues and whether contact impedes social change, and provide a research agenda for the coming years. We conclude that this body of work no longer merits the modest title of 'hypothesis', but fully deserves acknowledgement as an integrated and influential theory.