The problem of empty names and Russellian Plenitude

‘Ahab is a whaler’ and ‘Holmes is a whaler’ express different propositions, even though neither ‘Ahab’ nor ‘Holmes’ has a referent. This seems to constitute a theoretical puzzle for the Russellian view of propositions. In this paper, I develop a variant of the Russellian view, Plenitudinous Russellianism. I claim that ‘Ahab is a whaler’ and ‘Holmes is a whaler’ express distinct gappy propositions. I discuss key metaphysical and semantic differences between Plenitudinous Russellianism and Traditional Russellianism and respond to objections that stem from those differences.     

Mechanisms of forgetting in short-term memory

This paper introduces a technique applicable to the question: Does information in short-term memory disappear with time? The technique appears to eliminate Ss' rehearsal in the retention interval without introducing potentially interfering material. In the experiment, Ss read aloud three words, then engaged in a difficult auditory signal detection task intended to keep them from rehearsing for 15 sec, and then attempted to recall the three words. The results provide no support for the principle of loss with time as an explanation of forgetting in short-term memory.     

Reexamining the acquisition of sex roles: A social interactionist approach

Recent empirical information has challenged existing theories of early sex-role acquisition and stimulated theoretical interest in this process. A social interactionist theory of early sex-role development is outlined, which incorporates the insights of existing theories while moving beyond their limitations. This theory stresses the influence of sex labels on social interactions, social interactional experience on the acquisition of gender identity, and the active participation of the child in his or her own sex-role development. The differences and similarities between the social interactionist and other theories of sex-role development are noted. The necessity for observational studies of naturally occurring interactions and theoretical responsiveness to the findings of such studies is also noted.     

Response cost in mainstreamed settings

This study illustrates the use of a response cost token system to decrease inappropriate behaviors of mainstreamed students in the regular classroom milieu. Data were taken on a student's inappropriate request for teacher attention and another student's inappropriate verbalizations. A reversal design was employed. Results showed that a response cost token system was a viable and effective method for decreasing inappropriate behaviors of mainstreamed students in the regular classroom. Reasons for the effectiveness of this technique were discussed.     

Follow-up survey of pregnancies with diagnoses of chromosomal abnormality

A small clinical survey was undertaken at East Carolina University School of Medicine to examine the factors which influenced the decisions of five families to continue pregnancies after a chromosomal abnormality was detected. Little has been published concerning the psychosocial effects after continuing pregnancies in which the fetus was diagnosed with a chromosome abnormality by amniocentesis. In order to identify the factors that influenced their decisions, an interview with each couple was undertaken using a 25-part questionnaire. This paper addresses the method of interviewing, case material, and background concerning each couple and the summary of the results.     

A study of cardiac conditioning in man

Conditioning procedures for EEG, ECG, and PGR responses were evaluated in 23 male and female human Ss. A 5 sec. 310 cps tone served as the CS+; a 130 cps 5 sec. tone served as the CS?. The US was a 10 msec. 6 ma shock to the finger. After orienting responses had extinguished, conditioning trials were initiated and continued until the S showed conditional responses on 5 consecutive occasions. PGR and ECG results were in accord with the findings of other authors working on animals. The significance of the responses studied was discussed in terms of data recorded by other investigators.