Experimental Tests of Normative Group Influence and Representation Effects in Computer‐Mediated Communication

Two experiments addressed the questions of if and how normative social influence operates in anonymous computer‐mediated communication (CMC) and human‐computer interaction (HCI). In Experiment 1, a 2 (public response vs. private response) × 2 (one interactant vs. four interactants) × 3 (textbox vs. stick figure vs. animated character) mixed‐design experiment (N = 72), we investigated how conformity pressure operates in a simulated CMC setting. Each participant was asked to make a decision in hypothetical social dilemmas after being presented with a unanimous opinion by other (ostensible) participants. The experiment examined how the visual representation of interaction partners on the screen moderates this social influence process. Group conformity effects were shown to be more salient when the participant's responses were allegedly seen by others, compared to when the responses were given in private. In addition, participants attributed greater competence, social attractiveness, and trustworthiness to partners represented by anthropomorphic characters than those represented by textboxes or stick figures. Experiment 2 replicated Experiment 1, replacing interaction with a computer(s) rather than (ostensible) people, to create an interaction setting in which no normative pressure was expected to occur. The perception of interaction partner (human vs. computer) moderated the group conformity effect such that people expressed greater public agreement with human partners than with computers. No such difference was found for the private expression of opinion. As expected, the number of computer agents did not affect participants' opinions whether the responses were given in private or in public, while visual representation had a significant impact on both conformity measures and source perception variables.     

A performance comparison between the two language versions of the Affective Go/No‐Go test: A randomised crossover study

The purpose of this randomised crossover study is to validate the Korean version of the Affective Go/No‐go (AGN) test. The Korean words for the AGN test were selected after careful evaluation of emotional valences, word length and frequency. Fifteen Korean advanced learners of English were administered both Korean and English versions, yielding 30 data points. The performance of both language versions was compared for each of the AGN test parameters (response latency, commission error and omission error) using two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were estimated to evaluate associations between the two versions. The ICCs were high for response latencies of all valences and commission errors of positive and neutral words, but not for that of negative words and omission errors of all valences. A similar pattern of test results, as revealed by the high ICCs and non‐significant interaction effects between language and word valence, suggests that the psychometric properties of the AGN test may be comparable over different language versions.     

“和而不同”：中西文化下人际互动和谐相容模型比较

孔子提出“君子和而不同,小人同而不和”的和谐伦理观。“和”是中国传统文化的一个核心概念,在中国古代哲学思想中,“同”与“和”是一对相互联系又相互区别的概念。现代心理学从人际理论和社会认知理论都阐述了同与和的关系。人际理论家分别从特质、情境和行为互动层面提出互补匹配与和谐的关系,而社会认知理论家以自我和他人相似特质为起点,建构了以感知水平和情感为中介的相似性和谐模式。本文结合以往实证研究结果,提出了中国传统文化下,“和而不同”的思想贯穿于整个人际互动的过程中,同时关系层面是影响互动双方评价互动和谐的一个重要因素．     

Maternal perceptions of the sleep patterns of premature infants at seven months corrected age compared to full-term infants

It has been reported that 83%–87% of full-term infants regularly sleep through the night (from midnight to 5 a.m.) by 6 months of age, but there is little information about the sleep patterns of premature infants. The purpose of the current study was to identify maternal perceptions of the sleep patterns of premature infants. Parents of 32 premature infants with birth weight below 1,750 gm and of 13 full-term infants completed a 24-hour sleep record in 30-minute epochs for 1 week at 7 months of chronological (term) or corrected age (premature). Mean birth weight of premature infants was 1,278 ± 340 gm, with a gestational age of 30.4 ± 2.7 weeks. The daily total sleep time, longest sleep segment, frequency of sleep-wake transitions, and percentage of night sleep (8 p.m.–8 a.m.), averaged from the 1-week sleep record and number of night wakenings per week, were used as indicators of sleep patterns. The longest reported sleep segments of premature infants were significantly shorter than those of full-term infants (8.2 ± 2 hours versus 9.6 ± 1 hour, p < 0.01) and the number of night wakenings per week was significantly greater (3.13 ± 3 versus 0.54 ± 7, p < 0.005). Total reported sleep time, percentage of night sleep, and sleep-wake transitions did not differ significantly between premature and full-term infants. However, analysis of feeding events revealed that premature infants received significantly more feedings between midnight and 5 a.m. (M = 0.31 + 3 versus M = 0.06 + 1, p < 0.001). We conclude that sleep pattern diaries kept by parents indicate that premature infants have developed a diurnal sleep rhythm by 7 months corrected age, but they still have shorter sleep segments and they awaken more during the night than term infants.     

Consumer preference for bio‐based batteries

Growing concern about the degradation of the environment and public health has called into question the use of conventional household batteries that are consumed and then typically discarded. Because most conventional batteries are not recycled, they end up in landfills where they decompose, potentially leaching harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil. Bio‐based batteries, which are made from agricultural by‐products, have been designed to help meet the need for household batteries while using sustainable, safe technology. This research examines the links between consumer willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) for bio‐based batteries and consumer characteristics and preferences for certain product attributes and environmentally‐friendly practices. We designed a nationwide survey and analyzed the survey data using the dichotomous‐choice contingent valuation method. The results show an increase in the estimated WTP in the Midwest and South in response to an information treatment about bio‐based batteries. Overall, U.S. consumers concerned about green production and recycling practices are willing to pay a premium for bio‐based batteries. Our results provide essential information for quantitatively assessing the potential market impact of bio‐based batteries, for developing effective management and marketing strategies to reach various consumer groups, and for efficiently establishing sustainable policies and regulations.     

合作数学问题解决与心理模型建构关系研究

合作学习研究者很早就开始关注合作互动中解释的作用。Chi关于自我解释的研究表明解释是一种非常有效果的学习现象,能够起到修补和建立学习者的心理模型的作用。本研究以28名高一学生为被试,采取了两种程序的合作学习任务,研究中虽然没有发现两种程序在问题解决结果上的显著差异,但是却表现出在心理模型建构方面互动效果上的差异,或表现为同等效果下的互动次数有显著性差异。     

Minority Representation in Special Education: 5-Year Trends

The disproportionate representation of minority students in special education has been a concern for decades. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandates states to have policies and procedures in place to prevent inappropriate over identification or disproportionate representation by race and ethnicity of students with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of minority representation in special education given the mandate and related efforts to reduce overrepresentation and to identify trends for the 5-year period from 2004 to 2008. Growth models were used to analyze trends in national data collected from the 50 states and the District of Columbia for these 5 years. Findings indicate some improvements from 10 years ago, especially noteworthy are a significant decrease in the number of African American students and a moderate decrease in the number of Hispanic students categorized as having intellectual disabilities. However, during the same period, the number of Hispanic students in learning disabilities increased. Otherwise, the trend of racial/ethnic representation in special education remains the same as it was a decade ago.     

Effect of Acceptance Expectations on the Employment Development of Individuals With Disabilities: The Self‐Fulfilling Prophecy Applied

The author examined what and how factors affect the employment status of Taiwanese college students with disabilities in the 1st year after graduation. The results demonstrated that (a) perceived acceptance by society and the employment market (ASEM) was the major factor affecting the employment status of individuals with disabilities (IWDs); (b) perceived ASEM influenced IWDs' psychological states, attitudes, and life‐planning styles, as well as their attitudes and strategies in job searching; and (c) the effect of IWDs' acceptance expectations on their employment development can be explained by the self‐fulfilling prophecy.