The biological function of Pavlovian conditioning: Learned inhibition of aggressive behavior in territorial fish

Following Pavlovian discrimination training, stimuli predicting the appearance of a territory intruder (an excitatory conditional stimulus, CS+) or the absence of that event (an inhibitory conditional stimulus, CS−) were presented to pairs of territorial male fish immediately before their first aggressive interaction. Pairmates that both received excitatory stimuli prior to the confrontation were significantly more aggressive than a control group which received the same training but which received neither a CS+ nor a CS− in the test. Pairmates in which both received a CS− were significantly less aggressive than the control group. In these three groups, no differences in aggression were observed between the individual members of a single pair. Two additional groups were composed of pairs whose members received different stimuli prior to the test. Although no differences were found between pairmates in the group in which one member received a pretest CS− while the other member received no stimulus presentation, large differences in aggressive behavior were obtained when one fish received a CS+ and its pairmate received a CS−. We discuss the behavioral ecology of terriorial behavior in fish and attempt to show the potential importance of these results in this naturalistic context. In addition, we discuss the implications of an ecological approach for causal analyses of inhibitory learning.     

Proofreading for word errors

Proofreading (i.e., reading text for the purpose of detecting and correcting typographical errors) is viewed as a component of the activity of revising text and thus is a necessary (albeit not sufficient) procedural step for enhancing the quality of a written product. The purpose of the present research was to test competing accounts of word-error detection which predict factors that may influence reading and proofreading differently. Word errors, which change a word into another word (e.g., from --> form), were selected for examination because they are unlikely to be detected by automatic spell-checking functions. Consequently, their detection still rests mostly in the hands of the human proofreader. Findings highlighted the weaknesses of existing accounts of proofreading and identified factors, such as length and frequency of the error in the English language relative to frequency of the correct word, which might play a key role in detection of word errors.     

Cognitive and affective correlates of decisional balance regarding screening mammography in older women

Participation in screening mammography remains suboptimal. This research aimed to improve understanding of ways to facilitate screening mammography attendance. One hundred and forty-two women from Gold Coast, Australia, aged 50-75, participated in the study. Social cognitive variables were assessed as potential predictors of mammography attendance. Most participants (79%) were maintaining regular screening mammography. Greater knowledge of breast cancer was the strongest predictor of decisional balance in favor of attending screening. Women who had relapsed from screening had significantly lower breast cancer worry than those contemplating attending for the first time. The results were consistent with previous research and point to factors screening services could consider to increase uptake.     

Implicit chaining in cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) with elements equated for probability of reinforcement

Three experiments examined the implicit learning of sequences under conditions in which the elements comprising a sequence were equated in terms of reinforcement probability. In Experiment 1 cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) experienced a five-element sequence displayed serially on a touch screen in which reinforcement probability was equated across elements at .16 per element. Tamarins demonstrated learning of this sequence with higher latencies during a random test as compared to baseline sequence training. In Experiments 2 and 3, manipulations of the procedure used in the first experiment were undertaken to rule out a confound owing to the fact that the elements in Experiment 1 bore different temporal relations to the intertrial interval (ITI), an inhibitory period. The results of Experiments 2 and 3 indicated that the implicit learning observed in Experiment 1 was not due to temporal proximity between some elements and the inhibitory ITI. The results taken together support two conclusion: First that tamarins engaged in sequence learning whether or not there was contingent reinforcement for learning the sequence, and second that this learning was not due to subtle differences in associative strength between the elements of the sequence.     

Visual symmetry perception in early onset monocular blindness

Symmetry detection is impaired by abnormal binocular vision development such as in amblyopia. However, the detection of symmetry has never been investigated in cases where input from one eye is profoundly compromised. Testing monocularly blind (MB) individuals represents a unique opportunity to investigate whether symmetry salience relies on a normally developed binocular visual system. In a visual symmetry detection task using dot patterns, congenitally MB showed comparable accuracy to normally sighted individuals viewing monocularly. This included better detection of vertically than horizontally symmetric patterns. However, the MB were slower than controls in detecting a symmetrical pattern. In a control target-detection task, no significant differences in performance were observed between these groups. Overall, normal developing binocular vision does not appear necessary for the visual system to detect the presence of visual symmetry. However, optimal detection mechanisms may be dependent on binocular summation or other processes dependent on input from both eyes.     

Relative Importance and Utility of Positive Worker States: A Review and Empirical Examination

Our purpose was to identity the unique contribution, relative importance, and utility of positive worker states. Using Luthans et al.'s (2007) five positive organizational behavior criteria, a variety of positive worker states were reviewed and then empirically tested to establish if they met these criteria. Data were collected from 724 restaurant employees. Positive worker states included: job involvement, perceived organizational support, engagement, and vigor. Criteria were self-reported performance, customer service, turnover intention, satisfaction, and quality of life. Our review indicated consistency between predictor adequacy of meeting the criteria and their empirical relationship with key outcomes. This research found the positive worker states to be independent constructs that had differential effects depending on the focused outcome. Regression and relative weights analyses showed involvement was a weak predictor of outcomes, while perceived organizational support was the most consistent predictor. Vigor was most useful when predicting job performance. Quality of life was poorly explained.     

Examining attitudes,beliefs, and intentions regarding the use of exercise as punishment in physical education and sport: an application of the theory of reasoned action

Although the use of exercise as punishment appears to be pervasive among physical education teachers and coaches, it has not been systematically examined. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences, attitudes, intentions, and beliefs of college physical education majors regarding the use of exercise as punishment, using the framework of the theory of reasoned action. Surveys were completed by 345 students enrolled in 35 physical education classes. More than 90% of the study participants reported that their coaches used exercise as punishment, and 43% indicated their physical education teachers used exercise to punish or manage behavior. The constructs of the theory of reasoned action explained nearly 70% of the variance in participants' intentions to use exercise as punishment.     

Measurement of Psychological Hardiness in Adolescents

Twelve pregnant women and their spouses who had undergone ultrasonography and knew their child's gender were compared with 12 pregnant women and their spouses who had undergone ultrasonography but did not know their child's gender. Parents were interviewed (a) prior to receiving the ultrasound, (b) immediately after the ultrasound, and (c) following their infant's birth. Using the adjectives rating scales, and replicating the procedures developed by Rubin, Provenzano, and Luria (1974), parents' perceptions of their infants were measured. ANOVA results indicated that parents viewed their infants to be softer, finer, littler, cuddlier, easier, calmer, more inactive, more beautiful, more awkward, quieter, weaker, and somewhat more delicate following birth than during the preceding measurement period(s). Mothers viewed their infants to be softer, more nervous, more fussy, more excitable, and more noisy than did fathers. Supporting Rubin et al.'s (1974) findings, several differences emerged between parents' perceptions of boys and girls, particularly by the time the infants were born. Following birth, parents perceived girls to be finer, smaller, less coordinated, quieter, weaker, and more delicate than boys. No differences were found as a result of parents being informed of their infants' gender prior to birth.