Stereopsis from reversible and irreversible patterns

Eight subjects reported stereoscopic depth as a function of the magnitude and direction of disparity carried by a reversible grid or an irreversible solid surface. The former alternated between a diamond seen against a grating or a uniform rectangular grid pattern with stereoscopic depth reported only when the diamond was perceived. Depth was attenuated for the grid compared to the solid surface patterns. Disparity can be defined by perceptually extracted forms with depth present only when those forms are bounded by visible contours.     

On the locus of visual dominance

A series of six experiments explored the dominance of vision over audition reported by Colavita (1974). We first confirmed the existence of visual dominance in a paradigm somewhat different from Colavita’s: Mean reaction time (RT) to a light was found to be faster than to a simultaneously presented tone, even though the stimuli were equated in subjective intensity and even though RT to the tone presented alone was faster than to the light presented alone. Additional experiments showed that when subjects did not have to respond to light, tone RT was equal or faster (intersensory facilitation) when a light was present than when it was not. These findings suggest that sensory or perceptual processing of the tone is not affected by the light, i.e., that visual dominance is nonsensory in locus and depends on the relevance of the light stimulus. This interpretation was reinforced by other findings which showed that the degree of visual dominance was sensitive to the probability of light, tone, and light-plus-tone trials and to instructions to attend to a specific modality, but was not sensitive to the intensity of the light.     

Response requirements and the contrast effect in loudness judgments

Ss responded to a series of soft tones via category judgments, reaction time responses, or simple nonquantitative discrimination judgments. An evaluation was then made of the contrast effects obtained in the category judgments of these same soft tones when subsequently presented along with a series of loud tones. A control group was also used which did not receive the initial trials with the soft tones. The results indicated: (1) equivalent contrast effects for all four groups for the soft tones and (2) significantly greater judgments of the loud tones in the group that had used category judgments on the initial trials with soft tones. These results, alonR with a trend analysis, were used to argue for a joint semantic shift and equalization of category usage process underlying the contrast effect when Ss are required to denote the stimuli initially by means of category judgments.     

Adolescents' time spent viewing television

This study examined the amount of time adolescents spend viewing television. Findings indicated that adolescents viewed television 147 minutes per day, or an average of 17 1/4 hours per week. Employment of mother significantly affected the time adolescents spend viewing television. Sex of adolescent, age of father, mother, and adolescent, education of father and mother, income of family, and day of week were not significant factors. Adolescents watched television with another family member 65% of the total viewing time, but were unlikely to engage in other activities at the same time.     

Measuring Social Status with Occupational Information: A Simple Method1

A measure of social status was devised: a multiple-choice question that obtains occupational information and is scalable with both the Duncan Socioeconomic Index and the Siegel Prestige Scale. The correlations of this device with other measures of social status and with tests of general ability were assessed in a study of white and black Navy recruits. The correlations were similar to those obtained with a conventional measure that relies on judges scaling occupational information elicited by an openended question. The present device may be a good prototype for a standardized, multiple-choice measure of social status.     

Multivariate statistics and three-dimensional graphics

This paper describes the process by which a system of three-dimensional computer-generated graphics was developed for use by students and researchers in analyzing multivariate psychological data. Examples of the application and use of the system in analyzing factor analytic and discriminant analysis data are presented. Details on the operation of the system are also included.     

Computer “personalities”: A new approach to understanding user compatibility

While many scholars have looked at computer processes as a means of better understanding how the brain functions, very few have explored the opposite perspective, that computers have personalities which may influence how they interact with people. This article describes a study which compared the personalities of two popular personal computers, then discusses the implications for computer development, documentation, marketing and training.John Penrose is a professor in the Information and Decision Systems Department at San Diego State University. Lawrence M. Seiford is Associate Professor at the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at the University of Massachusetts.     

The conflict cycle in families and therapy

Conflict is not an aberration but rather part of the structure of human relationships. It is defined in this paper as consisting of four stages. Once the first stage (the dispute) is triggered, there is a high likelihood that the second (blaming) will occur, and the third (shame, guilt, or denial), and then the fourth (reparation, reconciliation, or retaliation). Three case presentations illustrate the conflict cycle in various clinical and nonclinical situations. The family therapist should be readily able to identify the cycle in clinical situations, and knowledge of it should prove fruitful in identifying pathogenic relating and in planning interventions and their timing.