A note on a paper by Rumelhart and Greeno

The parameters of the models described by Rumelhart and Greeno in this journal (1971) are constrained in certain ways. Neglect of this fact in their paper leads them to an inadmissible set of parameter values, and an invalid argument and statement concerning the equivalence of two models. However, their conclusion that the Restle model fits their data better than the Luce model remains unchanged.     

The effect of insulin-induced hypoglycemia on NaCl hunger in the adrenalectomized rat

Rats that have developed a polydipsia for a saccharinglucose solution (S-G) are less likely after ADX to drink quantities of NaCl which are necessary for adequate body maintenance. Their appetite for the S-G interferes with the more regulatory NaCl appetite. It was hypothesized, then, that a need-related, S-G polydipsia established via insulin administration prior to ADX would result in an even greater dysfunction after ADX when S-G and NaCl were available as drinking fluids. And,a fortiori, rats with simultaneous adrenal insufficiency (via ADX) and an insulin-induced hypoglycemia would be so maximally responsive to S-G that they would be maximally resistant to NaCl regulation. Anda fortiori, rats with simultaneous adrenal insufficiency (via ADX) and an insulin-induced hypoglycemia would show maximum inertia to reverse a preoperatively-established S-G preference to a NaCl preference. The results were mixed. Preference for NaCl was equal in all ADX animals regardless of experimental condition. However, while ADX rats with a previous need-related S-G polydipsia sustain considerably long periods of weight loss (indicating poor adaptation), the insulin-injected, ADX rats manifest markedly more adaptive weight gains. The results are discussed in light of hierarchies and cross-linkages in behavioral and physiochemical homeostasis.     

Saccades in Neal’s “Square o f Three”

A contact-lens optical lever was used to measure saccades during maintained fixation of an “op art” painting that produces striking perceptual effects. Saccade frequency was not affected, but saccade vector magnitude was slightly, but reliably, larger with the painting than with a control stimulus. The perceptual effects, however, do not depend on saccades because saccades could be suppressed and the perceptual effects remained.     

Holland's personality constructs as predictors of stability of choice

It was the purpose of this study to test Holland's assertion that stability of vocational choice can be predicted from: (a) congruence of personality with chosen career, (b) differentiation of personality, and (c) internal consistency of personality characteristics. The relationship of each of the three constructs to stability of choice of college major was studied among 167 university students. It was hypothesized that prediction could be improved by combining congruence, differentiation, and consistency in a multiple relationship. The relative importance of the three constructs was examined. Findings supported Holland's contention that congruence and consistency are positively related to stability. No significant relationship was found between differentiation and stability. When combined, all three constructs predict stability, but the efficiency of prediction is not improved by adding differentiation and/or consistency to congruence. As hypothesized, congruence was found to be the most important predictor, followed in importance by differentiation and consistency, respectively.     

Strong Vocational Interest Blank basic interest clusters and occupational satisfaction

A Q-factor analytic technique applied to the Strong Vocational Interest Blank (SVIB) basic interest scales of 156 males yielded three bipolar factors described as conceptual (applied vs theoretical thinking); interpersonal (people vs things); and volitional (autonomy vs structure). From these results the investigators constructed a model for categorizing occupations into corresponding vocational areas: managerial vs academic, social vs physical sciences, and professional vs technical. Each individual's primary interest area and occupational status relative to the six corresponding areas was then determined. The degree of fit between interests and job categorization related significantly to ratings of job satisfaction (p < .001). Those findings are complementary to Holland's notion that interests are expressions of psychological needs and to Lofquist and Dawis' perception of interests and jobs as needs and need reinforcers.     

Signal frequency and shock probability as determinants of prolonged vigilance performance in rhesus monkeys

The effects of changing signal frequency on a prolonged vigilance task were investigated by systematically increasing the average inter-trial interval between successive signals. During a 6-hr watch, vigilance performance remained constant when the rate of signal presentation was 40, 20, and 10 per hour. When the rate of signal presentation was reduced to 7 or 4 per hour, marked decrements in detection performance were observed. Similar vigilance decrements occurred when the average rate of signals per hour was kept constant (10 per hour) and the probability of receiving a shock for missing a signal was systematically varied. The results of this study indicate the importance of reinforcement factors in the control and maintenance of vigilance performance.     

On the development of national attitudes in children

The present study consists of three related experiments which are concerned with the development of national attitudes in children between the ages of seven and twelve. It was predicted on the basis of a structural interpretation of Allport's three-stage developmental theory of prejudice that national attitudes will increase at first due to increasing consistency of judgment and decrease afterwards due to cognitive differentiation. The hypothesis is partially confirmed with respect to the attitudes of children towards other countries but not confirmed with respect to the attitudes of children towards people who are perceived as foreigners. A tentative explanation is offered for the last finding. It was shown moreover that the attitudes of older children display more cognitive balance than those of younger children. In connection with the last problem, a quantified modification Bf Heider's theory of balanced states was introduced.     

Potassium chloride preference in normal,sodium—and sodium—potassium—deficient rats

KCl water preference was examined in diet-replete, sodium-and sodium—potassium-deficient postpubertal rats of different ages. While diet-replete rats displayed a KCl preference-aversion profile similar to that found using other salts, when retested 30 days later, these same animals had no KCl preference. Na-and Na—K-deficient rats preferred KCl over a broad range of concentrations when tested in early postpuberty and the Na—K-deficient group had a markedly reduced KCl preference threshold (0.12%) when compared to all other groups in the study. But Na-and Na—K-deficient rats older by 2 1/2 months did not prefer KCl. The notion of specific food hungers can be invoked to account for some of the preferences. But hedonics, age and KCl experience must also be considered based on (1) the quantities of KCl consumed, (2) the preference reversals within animals, as well as (3) the significantly increased heart—and kidney—body weight ratios in the rats with the greatest KCl preference.