The Memory Evolutive Systems as a Model of Rosen’s Organisms – (Metabolic,Replication) Systems

Robert Rosen has proposed several characteristics to distinguish “simple” physical systems (or “mechanisms”) from “complex” systems, such as living systems, which he calls “organisms”. The Memory Evolutive Systems (MES) introduced by the authors in preceding papers are shown to provide a mathematical model, based on category theory, which satisfies his characteristics of organisms, in particular the merger of the Aristotelian causes. Moreover they identify the condition for the emergence of objects and systems of increasing complexity. As an application, the cognitive system of an animal is modeled by the “MES of cat-neurons” obtained by successive complexifications of his neural system, in which the emergence of higher order cognitive processes gives support to Mario Bunge’s “emergentist monism.” Dedicated to the memory of Robert Rosen who kindly accepted to come to Amiens while he was very ill.     

Modeling Dependence Structures for Response Times in a Bayesian Framework

A multivariate generalization of the log-normal model for response times is proposed within an innovative Bayesian modeling framework. A novel Bayesian Covariance Structure Model (BCSM) is proposed, where the inclusion of random-effect variables is avoided, while their implied dependencies are modeled directly through an additive covariance structure. This makes it possible to jointly model complex dependencies due to for instance the test format (e.g., testlets, complex constructs), time limits, or features of digitally based assessments. A class of conjugate priors is proposed for the random-effect variance parameters in the BCSM framework. They give support to testing the presence of random effects, reduce boundary effects by allowing non-positive (co)variance parameters, and support accurate estimation even for very small true variance parameters. The conjugate priors under the BCSM lead to efficient posterior computation. Bayes factors and the Bayesian Information Criterion are discussed for the purpose of model selection in the new framework. In two simulation studies, a satisfying performance of the MCMC algorithm and of the Bayes factor is shown. In comparison with parameter expansion through a half-Cauchy prior, estimates of variance parameters close to zero show no bias and undercoverage of credible intervals is avoided. An empirical example showcases the utility of the BCSM for response times to test the influence of item presentation formats on the test performance of students in a Latin square experimental design.

     

Identité et performances scolaires. Les élèves issus de groupes minoritaires au québec,leurs points de vue

This article examines the disparities in school performance within the broader minority community of Quebec, itself made up of various immigrant subgroups. It compares academic achievement among students from Sub-Saharan Africa and the West Indies with outcomes for students born in Quebec, Canada, and elsewhere. Interviews have revealed that factors such as ethnic origin, social origin, and the time spent in the new country, in addition to the influence exerted by the immigrant milieu itself, work together to affect minority groups in different ways as they encounter what they perceive to be discrimination in Quebec society, and how the distinct individual identities that emerge as a result determine students' school success or failure.     

On the so-called ‘superior conformity of the self’ behavior: Twenty experimental investigations

In comparison processes between the self and others within a given social set, a marked tendency has been frequently observed for each person to present himself as more in conformity with the social norms prevailing in the set under consideration than others participating in this set generally are. This type of behavior has been designated here as ‘superior conformity of the self behavior’ (also called ‘PIP effect’). This article sets out to synthesize twenty experimental investigations in which it was attempted to delimit and explain this behavior. A first set of experiments deals with the observed scope of the superior conformity of the self behavior. For this purpose, variations are systematically introduced in the characteristics of comparative situations: Types of sets of individuals (for instance, real groups or abstract sets — social categories); types of norms under consideration (for instance, norms dealing with the concrete execution of a task, norms relating to forms of behavior — personality characteristics, etc.); manners of comparing oneself with others (for instance, a specifically defined other or generalized others; comparisons on past, present or future behavior, etc.). Having tested the scope of the superior conformity of the self behavior in various ways, we proceed to explain it theoretically and experimentally. Our explanation here is based on the existence of a fundamental conflict between two simultaneous processes that are both complementary and contradictory: The individual's need, on the one hand, for social conformity, which tends toward standardization and de-individualization; on the other hand, his simultaneous search for social differentiation and individualization. This explanation is tested in a second set of experiments. Our final purpose is to show the practical and theoretical importance of the study of the superior conformity of the self behavior in social psychology. In this connection we have shown, in a third set of experiments, how such a behavior can play a role in many phenomena studied by social psychology.     

Genre et performance scolaire en milieu minoritaire au Quebec. Les élèves originaires d’Afrique subsaharienne

This article analyzes the differences in academic performance due to gender within the minority group from Sub-Saharan Africa. Using the statistical data from Quebec’s Ministry of Education on the June 1996, 1999 and 2000 standardized tests, the 1996 census data on the education level of the primary ethnocultural groups in Quebec and interviews, the article shows that girls perform better than boys in this group in Quebec. The higher academic results achieved by the girls and the fact that the boys are falling back is not however a continuum, it is the result of identity shift. Devalued and disadvantaged in their countries of origin, the academic performance of girls is low compared to that of boys in the same conditions. Emancipated in Quebec, the transition is remarkable in the Quebec school system: they have the upper hand on the boys in this academic environment side by side. That success is incumbent on an identity shift upon contact with a universe that is based on the principle of equality under the law with its derivatives: equality of opportunities, dignity, etc. One might say that the performance of each is attributable to the identity path in which socialization and gender referents play a significant role. Among the boys, the splintered male referent gives rise to fragmented identity paths, while the consistent and inclusive female referent generates a common and motivating female model.     

Views on Quality of Life Differ Between Alcohol Related Brain Damaged Individuals and Their Healthcare Professionals

Measuring quality of life (QoL) in alcohol related brain damaged individuals (ARBDs) is challenging, mostly because patients are characterized by important cognitive impairments and are generally unaware of their defects. However, quality of life assessments are essential to help inform care and rehabilitative settings; thus introducing and including views from healthcare professionals on ARBDs’ quality of life is a reasonable approach. We examine QoL and the perception of cognitive defects among ARBDs and compare them to expert appraisals by acquainted healthcare professionals. We hypothesize that ARBDs self-assessments outscore QoL expert-ratings by professionals and demonstrate an unawareness of their cognitive deficits, with anosognosia being related to the QoL domains of interest. Six domains of QoL and the occurrence of cognitive problems in 14 detoxified alcoholics are investigated by means of self-ratings and expert-ratings from two acquainted healthcare professionals. Anosognosia is assessed by using difference scores between self- and expert-ratings on the manifestation of everyday executive dysfunctions. We find that ARBDs experience anosognosia (ps?<?.001) and outscore systematically expert-ratings on the investigated QoL domains (ps?<?.03). Complex patterns of relationships between self-/expert-rated QoL relate mostly negatively and moderately with anosognosia, confirming some of our assumptions and informing others. ARBDs are characterized by anosognosia and differ largely from expert’s views on patient QoL. Professionals relate compromised patient QoL to the inability of the patient to have insight of his/her dysfunctions; whereas among patients, QoL relates less strongly to anosognosia. Remaining doubts on the validity of QoL self-/expert-ratings in ARBDs are discussed.     

Defending a possibilist insight in consequentialist thought

There is a heated dispute among consequentialists concerning the following deontic principle: