Content filtering human speech: A simple electronic system

The use of electronic bandpass filtering for content-masking speech samples in studies on expressive aspects of vocal behavior is discussed. A simple electronic filtering system, which can be built easily and which can be adopted readily for a variety of applications, is described.     

Dissociation of visual functions by deprivation and rearrangement

Summary Deficiency in visually-guided behaviors is the dominant effect of rearing kittens from birth without patterned visual stimulation of the two eyes. Following such deprivation, form discrimination is found relatively intact when the effects of the deficient orienting behavior are eliminated from the testing procedure. Recent experimental analyses implicate visual feedback contingent upon movement in a normal environment as the condition responsible for the losses in visuallyguided behavior produced by deprivation of patterned stimulation. Using the techniques of these experiments, the two eyes may be dissociated with respect to their ability to control movement but not in their performance of shape discrimination. Related research on adaptation to optical rearrangement has shown a high degree of lability in visually-guided behavior but only limited modifiability in perception of shape. It is suggested that the modification of a shape that does occur results from altered localization of its parts in space. The measurable modification of shape is limited by the fixedness of the pattern analyzing system. Certain implications for the earliest development of shape discrimination are drawn.

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Zusammenfassung Werden Katzen von Geburt an ohne gestaltete visuelle Stimulation der beiden Augen aufgezogen, so ergibt sich eine Beeinträchtigung des visuell gesteuerten Verhaltens. Die Formunterscheidung zeigt sich nach einer solchen Deprivation dann als verhältnismäßig intakt, wenn die Prüfprozedur nicht durch das geschädigte Orientierungsverhalten beeinflußt wird. Experimentelle Analysen haben in jüngster Zeit ergeben, daß die bei Bewegung in normaler Umgebung entstehende visuelle Rückkoppelung die Komponente darstellt, deren Fehlen in den Deprivationsversuchen für die Beeinträchtigung des visuell gesteuerten Verhaltens verantwortlich ist. Diese Experimente gestatten es, die beiden Augen in bezug auf ihre Leistung bei der Bewegungskontrolle (aber nicht in bezug auf ihre Formunterscheidung) zu dissoziieren. Damit zusammenhängende Untersuchungen der Adaptation an veränderte optische Bedingungen haben eine starke Labilität des visuell gesteuerten Verhaltens, aber nur eine beschränkte Modifizierbarkeit der Formwahrnehmung ergeben. Jene Veränderungen der Formwahrnehmung, die sich zeigen, sind wohl aufzufassen als Folge einer Änderung der Lokalisation der Figurteile im Raum. Die Modifizierbarkeit der Formwahrnehmung ist begrenzt durch die Festgelegtheit des die Formanalyse durchführenden Systems. Einige Implikationen dieser Untersuchungen in bezug auf die Entwicklung der Formwahrnehmung werden diskutiert.

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The research of the author and collaborators has been supported by grant NIH MH-07642 and NASA grant NsG-496.     

A device for rapid recording of positioning responses in two dimensions

A device for rapid recording of positioning responses is described. It utilizes an extremely simple, low-cost position transducer and two digital voltmeters or their equivalent. The device has the advantages of rapid, accurate measurement, reliability, ease of reading, and the potential for automatic recording of positional data in two dimensions.     

Vocal cues to deception: A comparative channel approach

The study investigated the leakage potential of different voice and speech cues using a cue isolation and masking design. Speech samples taken from an earlier experiment were used in which 15 female students of nursing dissimulated negative affect produced by an unpleasant movie or told the truth about positive affect following a pleasant movie. Several groups of judges rated these speech samples in five conditions: (1) forward or clear, (2) electronic filtering, (3) random splicing, (4) backwards, (5) pitch inversion, (6) tone-silence sequences. The results show that vocal cues do indeed carry leakage information and that, as reflected in the differences among the conditions masking different types of cues respectively, voice quality cues may be centrally implicated. In addition, gender differences in decoding ability are discussed.     

The short-term storage as a buffer memory between long-term storage and the motor system: A simultaneous-processing model

It is assumed that in a free-recall task the short-term store serves as a memory buffer between the long-term store and a final motor stage of word production. Because of this the retrieval process in long-term store is not hindered by the final motor stage of word production since continued output from the long-term store queues in the buffer for motoric processing. Otherwise a time consuming communication between the two processes would be necessary. A stochastic model of this conceptualization is provided to predict the temporal course of free recall as well as a paradigm in which the contribution of the short-term store in free recall can be studied. The experimental results from this paradigm were used to test the model and to estimate short-term storage capacity on the basis of the time course of free recall. The model predictions were in good agreement with the data and the capacity estimate coincides well with estimates found by totally different methods reported in the literature.     

The indirect effects of emotion regulation on the association between attachment style,depression, and meaning made among undergraduates who experienced stressful events

Undergraduates frequently report exposure to stressful life events which may negatively impact mental health. The current study examined associations among attachment style, depression, and meaning made, and tested both direct effects and indirect effects through emotion regulation difficulties. Undergraduates (N?=?336) who reported having experienced stressful and/or potentially traumatic events completed measures through an online survey. More than half of participants (64%) were female, with a mean age of 19.26 years. In both models, higher attachment anxiety and higher attachment avoidance were significantly associated with greater difficulties with accessing emotion regulation strategies, which in turn were related to higher depression symptom severity and lower meaning made. Lack of emotional awareness also partially explained the associations between attachment avoidance and outcomes in both models. Difficulties in engaging in goal-directed behavior partially explained the associations between attachment anxiety and meaning made, but not depression symptom severity. Our results suggest certain emotion regulation strategies may be key mechanisms through which individuals with high attachment anxiety or avoidance may reduce the potential negative mental health impact that stressful life events may have.     

Coping Mechanisms for Psychosomatic Symptoms among Aging Roman Catholic German priests

To identify and investigate coping mechanisms and other factors which may impact upon the psychosomatic symptoms of aging German Roman Catholic priests. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 499 aging German Roman Catholic priests with standardized questionnaires: Brief Symptom Inventory, Coping Inventory Stressful Situations, and Religious Coping Scale. Task-Oriented Coping exhibited a significant difference between the two groups. Multiple regression analyses indicated that psychosomatic symptoms could be best predicted by means of Task-Oriented Coping mechanisms, identification with priesthood, and by a low Negative Religious Coping. The success of adaptive coping processes for older clergy may depend on how they employ strategies, strengthen their spiritual dimensions, and manage important psychosocial aspects of aging. In our sample, Depression and Somatization are explained best by Emotion-Oriented Coping. It is desirable for aging priests to be aware of protective factors like Role Identification, Task-Oriented Coping, and low Negative Religious Coping, which may be helpful in improving their psychological well-being.