New insights into the impact of digital signage as a retail atmospheric tool

This article investigates the previously little‐researched role of digital signage (DS) in retail atmospherics, using an environmental psychology framework, drawing support from the Limited Capacity Model of Mediated Message Processing (LCM). DS consists of screen displays in public spaces showing video. The method consisted of a structured questionnaires quasi‐experiment (n = 357), comparing before and after DS installation against an unchanged control mall. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of DS, which has a positive effect on shoppers' approach behaviors such as spending, mediated by perceptions of the retail environment and positive affect. Results are limited as the DS screens content was information based, whereas according to LCM, people pay more attention to emotion‐eliciting communications. The results have practical implications as DS appeals to employed shoppers. This study contributes to theory by providing a rare longitudinal environmental psychology study of the effects of an atmospheric stimulus on real shoppers in a real retail context. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Toward an Integration of Interpersonal Risk Models of Depression and Cognitive‐Behaviour Therapy

Empirical research has increasingly focused on interpersonal variables associated with the development and maintenance of depression. This article outlines some key interpersonal risk factors for depression, including anxious attachment, sociotropy, excessive reassurance seeking, interpersonal stress generation, reduced social support, social skills deficits, and social avoidance. Recommendations are made for how cognitive‐behavioural therapy may be adapted to address such factors. Specifically, suggestions are offered for how cognitive and behavioural interventions, such as cognitive restructuring, behavioural activation, behavioural experiments, and skills training, may be used with depressed clients to promote positive relationships and reduce maladaptive interpersonal behaviours.     

Temporal structure of letter groups and span of perception

The span of perception for letter groups depends on number of letters presented, length of presentation and structure of the groups. The experiment reported varied the temporal structure of the groups, leaving the total number of letters constant. Groups of 12 letters were presented as a whole or in two or more successive “units.” The total time of presentation was 1-5 sec. In the first experiment each unit was visible until the next appeared, in the second experiment units were visible only during 1/4 sec., although intervals between successive units were kept constant.

The following conclusions emerged:

(a) The visual presence of units did not affect the reproduction for durations over 0.25 sec., except in the 12-letter presentations.

(b) 2×6 letters gave better results than either simultaneous presentation or other divisions; temporal separation was 0.75 sec.

(c) Higher order approximations to Dutch have more influence on 3 × 4, 2 × 6 and 1 × 12 letters than on 4 × 3 and 6 × 2 letters.

(d) A serial order effect exists: central units are reproduced less well than first and last units.

It is suggested that handling a fixed amount of information within a fixed period is limited on the one hand by confusion between simultaneous elements and on the other hand by the interaction between successive units presented too rapidly to allow for proper operation of immediate memory.

The difference between span of perception and span of memory is stressed.     

Note on the generalized form of Weber’s Law

Institute for Perception, Soesterberg, Netherlands In this note it is argued that Δ I = k (I + I_n)P as an expression for the generalized Law of Weber (Treisman, 1964) is confusing. The expression ΔI = kIP + i_n should be preferred in the light of the evidence available.     

Effects of item concreteness on temporal coding

Recently several authors have suggested that coding of serial position in a word list is an automatic process. This contention is questioned in the present paper: two experiments explore the concrete-abstract distinction and show that temporal order retention is higher with concrete than with abstract lists. An alternative view that temporal coding is influenced by either selective attention and/or the selective strategies used by the subjects to meet the requirements set by the memory task is put forward.     

A model of some temporal relations in human behavior

Summary The temporal structure of synchronization behavior is studied in a quantitative way, and an information processing model is described which provides a common frame of reference for research on timing, as well as a conceptualization of the human time sense.Several experimental results are discussed, among others the way in which subjects follow a sudden change in the rate of presentation of stimuli. The interrelations between temporal and non-temporal information is touched upon.

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Zusammenfassung In dieser Arbeit wird eine quantitative Methode zur Analyse der zeitlichen Struktur des menschlichen Benehmens beschrieben. Es wird ein Modell entwickelt mit welchem es möglich ist, die Ergebnisse verschiedenartiger Untersuchungen der Zeitsinn in einem gemeinschaftlichen Begriffsraum zu formulieren.Einige experimentelle Ergebnisse werden beschrieben, u.a. die Weise worauf rhythmisch taktierende Versuchspersonen eine plötzliche Veränderung folgen in der Darbietungsgeschwindigkeit einer Reihe von akustischen Reizen.Schließlieh werden die Beziehungen zwischen zeitlicher und symbolischer Information besprochen.

     

Note on the generalized form of Weber’s Law

In this note it is argued that ΔI=k(I + I_n)P as an expression for the generalized Law of Weber (Treisman, 1964) is confusing, The expression ΔI=kIP + i_n should be preferred in the light of the evidence available.     

Collective Apologies and Their Effects on Forgiveness: Pessimistic Evidence but Constructive Implications

In the last three decades, there has been an explosion in the frequency with which leaders of groups have issued official apologies for collective transgressions. These apologies are commonly assumed to lay a pathway to forgiveness and reconciliation, but empirical examination of the downstream consequences of collective apologies is still in its infancy. In this article, we review a series of studies—including interview studies, survey studies, and experiments—that question the assumed wisdom that collective apologies lead to intergroup forgiveness. Reasons for the muted evidence of an apology–forgiveness link at the intergroup level are elaborated, and implications for how best to issue gestures of reconciliation and remorse are discussed.