Oral and written discourse in adolescents with closed head injury

Analysis of oral and written discourse suggested differing cognitive demands for modes of expression. Verbal samples were provided by 8 adolescents with closed head injury (CHI) and 8 controls. A generation task using a picture stimulus was the basis for discourse. Eight measures [productivity, efficiency, semantic ties (lexical, incomplete, elliptical), maze use, coherence (global, local)] were utilized. A covariate model consisting of group membership (CHI vs control), executive functioning and working memory helps to explain variance in the discourse skills of adolescents with CHI.     

Form and movement in stereokinetic cycloids: motion lost and found

In exploring stereokinesis, we devised flat cycloidal display figures which, when rotated on a disc in the frontal plane, are perceived as illusory three-dimensional forms with movement in depth; the dominant percepts were of twisted loops with an internal writhing motion. These dominant forms could be convincingly represented by stereo pairs derived from the flat display; related forms, not seen in the illusion, could also be constructed, seeming to show a selectivity for preferred stereokinetic forms by the perceptual system. Models were made of the stereo forms; when rotated, they showed similar illusions and selectivity. We suggest that the illusions arise because some components of the real motion do not appear in the sensory field. The perceptual system accommodates for this by constructing percepts which are not necessarily veridical but do reconcile form and motion into a coherent unity. The results are discussed in relation to concepts of invariance and rigidity, and with regard to the creative response to sensory data by the perceptual system.     

临床诊断中现象与本质的辩证思维

在临床诊断中,疾病的症状、体征往往表现在外,成为现象。疾病本身及其病因,往往深藏于内,成为本质,二者是对立的,需要医师的认真分析、判断,才能辨别清楚。同时,二者又是统一的,要求医师研究大量的症状、体征,透过症状、体征发现准确的疾病及其病因。临床医师只有有效地把握住疾病性质及其病因,才能保证治疗的成功。在临床诊断中,症状、体征与疾病及其病因的关系,有的比较简单,分辨起来困难不大。有的比较复杂,分辨起来稍觉吃力,有的却峰回路转,一种疾病或病因在不同情况下表现出不同的症状,扑朔迷离,令人难以捉摸。疾病的轻重程度不同,有的…     

A conceptual and psychometric framework for distinguishing categories and dimensions

An important, sometimes controversial feature of all psychological phenomena is whether they are categorical or dimensional. A conceptual and psychometric framework is described for distinguishing whether the latent structure behind manifest categories (e.g., psychiatric diagnoses, attitude groups, or stages of development) is category-like or dimension-like. Being dimension-like requires (a) within-category heterogeneity and (b) between-category quantitative differences. Being category-like requires (a) within-category homogeneity and (b) between-category qualitative differences. The relation between this classification and abrupt versus smooth differences is discussed. Hybrid structures are possible. Being category-like is itself a matter of degree; the authors offer a formalized framework to determine this degree. Empirical applications to personality disorders, attitudes toward capital punishment, and stages of cognitive development illustrate the approach.