The influence of relative frequencies of pure and mixed stimuli on mixture suppression in taste

In experiments on saltiness suppression in NaCL-sucrose mixtures, the amount of suppression depends not only on the suppressing sucrose component in the mixture, but also on the relative frequencies of pure NaCL stimuli and mixed stimuli in the series. The observed variation of mixture suppression as a function of these frequencies can be explained by Helson’s adaptation level theory.     

A study of orientation errors in response to Kohs-type figures(1)

In order to elucidate the nature of the orientation errors encountered when subjects are required to reproduce Kohs-type figures, subjects drawn from a culture where such errors are reported to be relatively common were required to reproduce orientation of simple figures. It was found that the responses made in the case of square figures showed a definite drift towards a “stable” orientation; the drift observed in the case of circular stimuli was too weak to permit an unambiguous interpretation. The relevance of these data to previous data on cross-cultural differences in responses to Kohs-type stimuli is briefly examined.     

Correctness of Kruskal's algorithms for monotone regression with ties

Kruskal has proposed two modifications of monotone regression that can be applied if there are ties in nonmetric scaling data. In this note we prove Kruskal's conjecture that his algorithms give the optimal least squares solution of these modified monotone regression problems. We also propose another (third) approach for dealing with ties.Comments by Dr. J. B. Kruskal have been most helpful.     

Interactive effects of social network centrality and social identification on stress

The present study aimed to integrate the social identity approach to health and well-being with social network analysis. Previous research on the effects of social network centrality on stress has yielded mixed results. Building on the social identity approach, we argued that these mixed results can be explained, in part, by taking into account the degree to which individuals identify with the social network. We hence hypothesized that the effects of social network centrality on stress are moderated by social identification. Using a full roster method, we assessed the social network of first-year psychology students right after the start of their study programme and three months later. The effects of network centrality (betweenness, closeness, eigenvector centrality) and social identification on stress were examined using structural equation models. As predicted, our results revealed a significant interaction between network centrality and social identification on stress: For weakly or moderately identified students, network centrality was positively related to stress. By contrast, for strongly identified students, network centrality was unrelated to stress. In conclusion, our results point to the perils of being well-connected yet not feeling like one belongs to a group.     

Reflections on the role of the analytic setting in the light of COVID-19

There have been many reflections, both individual and collective within our Institutes, on the effects on our work with patients caused by COVID-19 and the requirement to move suddenly from the setting of our own consulting rooms to working with patients online (see also, the previous issue of this Journal). This paper focuses on what we have learned from these experiences that can add to our knowledge about the role of the setting in analytic work. Drawing on Bleger’s (1967) seminal paper highlighting the usual setting as a mute projection carrier for primitive wishes and affects, the paper explores how different patients have reacted to the loss of the analyst as the guardian of the setting and in particular as an embodied presence. Some key questions and challenges for both patients and analysts during the pandemic, when ‘the setting begins to weep’, are explored.     

Ageing- and dementia-friendly design: theory and evidence from cognitive psychology,neuropsychology and environmental psychology can contribute to design guidelines that minimise spatial disorientation

Cognitive Processing - Many older people, both with and without dementia, eventually move from their familiar home environments into unfamiliar surroundings, such as sheltered housing or care...