An exploration of genetic g: Hierarchical factor analysis of cognitive data from the western reserve twin project

Hierarchical factor analyses involving Schmid-Leiman transformations (Schmid & Leiman, 1957) were conducted on specific cognitive abilities data collected in a sample of 148 identical (MZ) and 135 same-sex fraternal (DZ) twin pairs. Two main questions were addressed: First, are genetic influences on specific cognitive abilities simply a reflection of their g loading, or are different sets of genes affecting separate abilities? Second, to the extent that specific cognitive abilities are affected by common genetic variance, how similar is the common genetic factor to a phenotypic factor reflecting g? Model fitting results suggest that genetic influences on specific abilities are a reflection of both general intelligence and genetic influences specific to separate abilities and that loadings on the common genetic factor are more highly correlated with phenotypic g loadings than are common environmental factor loadings.     

EXPERIENCING AND INTERPRETING NATURE IN SCIENCE AND RELIGION

Abstract. I trace three paths from nature to religious interpretation. The first starts from religious experience in the context of nature; examples are drawn from nature poets, reflective scientists, and exponents of creation spirituality. The second,„Natural Theology”uses scientific findings concerning cosmology or evolution to develop an argument from design–or alternatively to defend evolutionary naturalism. The third,„Theology of Nature”starts from traditional religious beliefs about God and human nature and reformulates them in the light of current science. I point to examples of each of these paths in papers by other participants in this symposium, and suggest that all three paths can contribute to the task of relating science and religion today.     

The responses of African American men to dominant norms of masculinity within the United States

Sex Roles - In this study, responses of White/European American and African American men to dominant norms of masculinity within the United States were investigated. A general model for male...     

Apparatus as milestones in the history of comparative psychology

Significant apparatus developments from the history of comparative psychology are reviewed, including the contemporary trend toward computer use in research with nonhuman animals. It is argued that milestone apparatus served not only to open new lines of inquiry but also to shape or delimit the nature of the answers that were obtained.     

Introducing an existential-phenomenological approach Part 2—theory for practice

Part one of this paper concentrated on phenomenological theory and research. This second section seeks to describe how existential-phenomenological therapy developed, and how the concepts apply in sessions. This direction for therapy could be called making conscious the preconscious, in the production of new information by reinterpreting the same scenes and experiences. This approach is compared to the psychoanalytic style of working. The existential-phenomenological approaches of Binswanger, Boss and Sartre, three key existential writers, are briefly mentioned, each of which evolved from the work of Husserl, Heidegger and Freud. But much detail is omitted in the aim of providng a succinct overview. This paper shows part of the sources of counselling and humanistic psychotherapy in the existential critique of psychoanalysis.     

Not so F.A.S.T., Dr. Vickers!

Vickers and his co-workers have recently reported studies with a “frequency accrual speed test” (FAST) that was devised to assess individuals' speed or efficiency of sampling of sensory input. According to Vickers, the FAST overcomes some of the limitations of the inspection time (IT) task, a psychophysical measure that has moderate correlations with IQ scores. After several experiments, Vickers concluded that speed of sensory processing is unimportant in FAST (and IT) differences. After a critical review of the FAST's theoretical basis and empirical results, we argue that the FAST is not appropriately described as an equivalent or alternative to IT, and that results from FAST studies are not generalizable to IT. The FAST involves a substantial memory load. Moreover, no studies to date have used appropriate stimulus parameters to allow Vickers' claim that speed of processing is unimportant in FAST (and IT) variance. The FAST, we suggest, has moderate correlations with IQ-type test because it is a complex, high-level task that is poorly parameterized. Specific hypotheses are formulated based on our understanding of the nature of the FAST. For those who wish to understand the information processing bases of higher order abilities the IT task (also devised by Vickers) continues to afford a better focus of study.     

Unchartered lands in an age of “accountability”

Hallelujah! God Bless America! No one has these prices—Only Daniela High Fashion Dresses. High class merchandise at low low prices. 649 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Business card of a Manhattan dress shop. By associating welfare provisions and other (selected) government interventions with socialism/communism and conversely the free enterprise system with loyalty, patriotism, the American Dream, the American way of life, the propagandists are doing no more than manipulating the appropriate Satanic and Sacred symbols. A. Carey,Taking the Risk Out of Democracy. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness ... If the spirit of adventure beats within you, the Jeep Cherokee’s 4 liter, 6 cylinder engine and Selec-Trac 4WD are ready and willing to take you where you desire ... Happiness is not difficult to find in a Jeep Cherokee. Advertisement inThe Bulletin magazine. An early version of the paper was delivered at a joint seminar of the China University of Politics and Law, La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne, at La Trobe University, July 1996.     

Book reviews

A stor , J ames Michael Fordham; Innovations in Analytical Psychology
K ast , V erena . Joy, Inspiration, and Hope
K ugler , P aul (ed.). Jungian Perspectives on Clinical Supervision
R obertson , R obin . Jungian Archetypes: Jung, Gödel, and the History of Archetypes
R oss , L ena B, & R oy , M anisha (eds). Cast the First Stone: Ethics in Analytic Practice
H acking , I an . Rewriting the Soul: Multiple Personalities and the Sciences of Memory     

ON THE RELATIVE REINFORCING EFFECTS OF CHOICE AND DIFFERENTIAL CONSEQUENCES

Research on the reinforcing effects of providing choice-making opportunities to individuals with developmental disabilities (i.e., allowing them to choose reinforcers or tasks) has produced inconsistent results, perhaps because the mechanisms underlying such effects remain unclear. Choice may produce a reinforcement effect because it is correlated with differential consequences (i.e., choice may increase one's access to higher preference stimuli), or it may have reinforcement value independent of (or in addition to) the chosen stimulus. In Experiment 1, we used a concurrent-operants arrangement to assess preference for a choice condition (in which participants selected one of two available reinforcers) relative to a no-choice condition (in which the therapist selected the same reinforcers on a yoked schedule). All 3 participants preferred the choice option. In Experiment 2, we altered the schedules so that the participant selected one of two lower preference reinforcers in the choice condition, whereas the therapist selected a higher preference stimulus for the participant either half or all of the time in the no-choice condition. Participants typically allowed the therapist to select reinforcers for them (i.e., they allocated responding to the no-choice condition) when it resulted in greater access to higher preference stimuli.     

Computer controlled interactive video simulation for motor skills research

Researchers examining skilled performance in the laboratory must establish contextual relevance to the usual performance environment to ensure that the obtained data truly reflect expertise in the skill under investigation. Interactive video simulation is a viable method for providing such ecological validity. This paper describes the development to date of such a simulator and outlines two sports-performance studies which demonstrate the validity and reliability of the configuration in competitive situations. Further development of the simulator is possible through new technologies and through the assembly of specific interfaces for other motor skills. The paradigm also has potential as a training resource for teaching the specific knowledge necessary for expert levels of performance.