Adaptive memory: Animacy effects persist in paired-associate learning

Recent evidence suggests that animate stimuli are remembered better than matched inanimate stimuli. Two experiments tested whether this animacy effect persists in paired-associate learning of foreign words. Experiment 1 randomly paired Swahili words with matched animate and inanimate English words. Participants were told simply to learn the English “translations” for a later test. Replicating earlier findings using free recall, a strong animacy advantage was found in this cued-recall task. Concerned that the effect might be due to enhanced accessibility of the individual responses (e.g., animates represent a more accessible category), Experiment 2 selected animate and inanimate English words from two more constrained categories (four-legged animals and furniture). Once again, an advantage was found for pairs using animate targets. These results argue against organisational accounts of the animacy effect and potentially have implications for foreign language vocabulary learning.     

Impasse and Resonance Across Multiple Relational Realms: Reply to Commentaries

In my response to the commentaries by Anthony Bass, Irwin Hirsch, and Margaret Crastnopol, I focus on conscious and unconscious factors that open or close potential space across relational realms, including that of analyst and patient, parent and child. I then extend these notions to the supervisory relationship. I describe how these issues affected the writing process for me, and explore the impact that writing has had on the ongoing treatment with my patient. I consider too the ways in which shame travels intersubjectively, shutting down transitional space and interfering with aliveness, authenticity, and creativity.     

Relational Spirituality and Dealing With Transgressions: Development of the Relational Engagement of the Sacred for a Transgression (REST) Scale

In the study of spirituality and forgiveness, researchers have begun to look at how dynamic spiritual experiences influence forgiveness. In three studies, we develop the Relational Engagement of the Sacred for a Transgression (REST) Scale, which assesses the extent to which victims actively engage a relationship with the Sacred to deal with a specific transgression. In Study 1, exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the factor structure of the REST. In Study 2, the factor structure was replicated using confirmatory factory analysis. The REST was correlated with religious commitment and negatively related to avoidant attachment to God. In Study 3, evidence supporting the scale's construct validity was adduced. REST scores were correlated with other appraisals of relational spirituality. Structural equation modeling was used to compare theoretical models. REST scores were related to dedication to the Sacred and viewing the transgression as a desecration. In addition, REST scores were positively related to empathy, which was positively related to forgiveness. Furthermore, REST scores predicted forgiveness above and beyond other appraisals of relational spirituality.     

The Effects of a Teacher–Child Play Intervention on Classroom Compliance in Young Children in Child Care Settings

The current study evaluated the effects of a teacher-conducted play intervention on preschool-aged children’s compliance in child care settings. Study participants included 8 children ranging in age from 3 to 5 years and 5 early childhood education teachers within 5 classrooms across 5 child care centers. A combination ABAB and multiple baseline design was used to demonstrate the effects of the play intervention. Pretreatment observations revealed varying degrees of child compliance difficulties. The play intervention was associated with improved rates of compliance for each participant child. The intervention is discussed with regard to its potential as a proactive, nonintrusive strategy for improving young children’s classroom compliance.