Phoneme monitoring and lexical processing: Evidence for associative context effects

In this paper, we propose a new version of the phoneme monitoring task that is well-suited for the study of lexical processing. The generalized phoneme monitoring (GPM) task, in which subjects detect target phonemes appearing anywhere in the test words, was shown to be sensitive to associative context effects. In Experiment 1, using the standard phoneme monitoring procedure in which subjects detect only word-initial targets, no effect of associative context was obtained. In contrast, clear context effects were observed in Experiment 2, which used the GPM task. Subjects responded faster to word-initial and word-medial targets when the target-bearing words were preceded by an associatively related word than when preceded by an unrelated one. The differential effect of context in the two versions of the phoneme monitoring task was interpreted with reference to task demands and their role in directing selective attention. Experiment 3 showed that the size of the context effect was unaffected by the proportion of related words in the experiment, suggesting that the observed effects were not due to subject strategies.     

Response to commentaries on “A neurobiological model for near-death experiences”

This work has received financial support from FONDECYT (Project 1111-88). The authors also acknowledge the helpful comments of Dr. Bruce Cassels.     

语意好恶度在人物观感研究中构成的系统性偏差

本研究要旨在探讨问卷中题目的语意好恶度在人物观感研究中所构成的系统性偏差效应。被试为87名大学生。他们需要评定如果要在某一项专业上有优良的表现,哪些性格特征会比较重要。我们把被试随机地分成三组,然后指示每一组被试分别就三种性质很不同的专业的其中一种评鉴121项性格特征的重要性。跟着我们采用每一性格特征的重要度评分与它的语意好恶值进行了一连串的相关分析。结果发现性格特征形容词的语意好恶度可能会对被试在人物观感研究中的评分构成系统性偏差的。最后笔者针对这研究结果引申出来的方法问题提出了一些建议。     

Backward walking: a simple reversal of forward walking?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether backward walking represented a simple temporal reversal of forward walking and, hence, could be controlled by a reversed cycling of the same group of neurons. Electromyographic (EMG), joint angle, joint moment, and joint muscle power patterns were compared for forward and backward walking, in 6 subjects. The joint angle patterns with the time-base of the backward walking reversed were similar, with the exception of the ankle. The moment patterns were similar except for the knee, whereas the joint muscle powers were almost reversed-polarity images of each other. This suggests that somewhat similar muscle activation patterns could be used to produce both modes of locomotion, but the temporal cycling of muscle contraction would be reversed: Concentric muscle activity in forward walking would become eccentric activity in backward walking, and visa versa. The EMG results generally supported these findings.     

Acupuncture and emotion: the influence of acupuncture anesthesia on the sensory and emotional components of pain

Objective indices (heart rate, perspiration quantity, finger plethysmograph curves, and facial expression) and subjective indices (sensory and emotional subject reports) were recorded for 25 young Chinese adults (16 men, 9 women) during and after the simultaneous application of a strong pain stimulus and either foot classical (alloneural points Tsusanli and Yanglingchuan) or hand classical (alloneural points Hegu and Neiguan) acupuncture. Both forms of acupuncture were equally effective, showing that stimulation of the same nerve is not essential for pain relief. Acupuncture assuaged the emotional, but not the sensory, response to the painful stimulation.     

汉字词笔划数对短时记忆容量的影响

短时记忆容量的测量有两种主要观点,即组块说和复诵回路说。本报告通过三项实验表明对汉字词短时记忆容量的测量应考虑字词的笔划复杂性。实验一使用频率相同的少笔划和多笔划汉字相比较,笔划少的字比笔划多的字记忆广度大;实验二用笔划数相近但音节长度不同的日本汉字相比较,发现音节长短对容量影响无显著差别;第三项实验是语音掩蔽对汉字词视听短时记忆的影响。结果表明视、听容量都下降,但视觉仍比听觉好。再一次指出汉字词短时记忆容量的测量应考虑其视觉特点。最后对汉字词笔划复杂性影响短时记忆容量的可能原因进行了讨论。     

关联负变化(CNV)与反应时的关系

本实验采用选择性叠加方法,研究了关联负变化(Contingent NegativVariation以下简称CNV)与反应时的关系。证明:最长、最短反应时差异显著时,相对应的CNV面积差异也显著。CNV的这种差异主要表现在CNV面积的后半部分。对形成这种现象的原因作了讨论。     

Multidimensional scaling reveals two dimensions of thermal pain

The Individual Differences Scaling (INDSCAL) model of multidimensional scaling was used to explore the dimensions of thermal pain. The observers made 66 similarity judgments to all pairs of 12 different thermal stimulus intensities ranging from zero to noxious. Analysis of the data revealed a two-dimensional group stimulus space. The major dimension ordered the stimuli with respect to their intensity. This quantitative, strength-of-sensation dimension may be interpreted as indicating how weak or strong a stimulus feels, apart from any secondary qualities of warmth or pain. The second dimension was related to the qualitative aspects of the stimuli. This bipolar dimension contained two attributes: a pain attribute ranging from just detectable warmth to painful, and a warm-hot attribute running from just detectable warmth to hot. This study demonstrates the utility of the INDSCAL approach to the understanding of pain and offers a new technique for answering the age-old question concerning the number and qualities of the dimensions underlying the pain experience.     

仪表显示器盘面的颜色对检察速度的影响

本文以心理物理实验为基础,从工程心理学角度寻求不同颜色(篮、黄、绿、灰)仪表盘面对检察速度的影响,为制定仪表显示器和集中控制室内的建筑和照明设计提供实验根据。