The linear perspective information in ground surface representation and distance judgment

Most ground surfaces contain various types of texture gradient information that serve as depth cues for space perception. We investigated how linear perspective, a type of texture gradient information on the ground, affects judged absolute distance and eye level. Phosphorescent elements were used to display linear perspective information on the floor in an otherwise dark room. We found that observers were remarkably receptive to such information. Changing the configuration of the linear perspective information from parallel to converging resulted in relatively larger judged distances and lower judged eye levels. These findings support the proposals that (1) the visual system has a bias for representing an image of converging lines as one of parallel lines on a downward-slanting surface and (2) the convergence point of a converging-lines image represents the eye level. Finally, we found that the visual system may be less sensitive to the manipulation of compression gradient information than of linear perspective information.     

Iconic gestures prime related concepts: An ERP study

To assess priming by iconic gestures, we recorded EEG (at 29 scalp sites) in two experiments while adults watched short, soundless videos of spontaneously produced, cospeech iconic gestures followed by related or unrelated probe words. In Experiment 1, participants classified the relatedness between gestures and words. In Experiment 2, they attended to stimuli, and performed an incidental recognition memory test on words presented during the EEG recording session. Event-related potentials (ERPs) time-locked to the onset of probe words were measured, along with response latencies and word recognition rates. Although word relatedness did not affect reaction times or recognition rates, contextually related probe words elicited less-negative ERPs than did unrelated ones between 300 and 500 msec after stimulus onset (N400) in both experiments. These findings demonstrate sensitivity to semantic relations between iconic gestures and words in brain activity engendered during word comprehension.     

Differences in inter-rater reliability and accuracy for a treatment adherence scale

Inter-rater reliability and accuracy are measures of rater performance. Inter-rater reliability is frequently used as a substitute for accuracy despite conceptual differences and literature suggesting important differences between them. The aims of this study were to compare inter-rater reliability and accuracy among a group of raters, using a treatment adherence scale, and to assess for factors affecting the reliability of these ratings. Paired undergraduate raters assessed therapist behavior by viewing videotapes of 4 therapists' cognitive behavioral therapy sessions. Ratings were compared with expert-generated criterion ratings and between raters using intraclass correlation (2,1). Inter-rater reliability was marginally higher than accuracy (p = 0.09). The specific therapist significantly affected inter-rater reliability and accuracy. The frequency and intensity of the therapists' ratable behaviors of criterion ratings correlated only with rater accuracy. Consensus ratings were more accurate than individual ratings, but composite ratings were not more accurate than consensus ratings. In conclusion, accuracy cannot be assumed to exceed inter-rater reliability or vice versa, and both are influenced by multiple factors. In this study, the subject of the ratings (i.e. the therapist and the intensity and frequency of rated behaviors) was shown to influence inter-rater reliability and accuracy. The additional resources needed for a composite rating, a rating based on the average score of paired raters, may be justified by improved accuracy over individual ratings. The additional time required to arrive at a consensus rating, a rating generated following discussion between 2 raters, may not be warranted. Further research is needed to determine whether these findings hold true with other raters and treatment adherence scales.     

自我复杂性模型研究述评

Linville的自我复杂性模型认为,高度分化的自我概念（自我维度数量少且维度间的相似性低）能够通过防止情绪扩散缓冲压力事件的消极影响。相关研究有的证实了这一假设,有的则未获得相关证据。研究者认为结果存在差异的主要原因在于对以下问题尚存分歧：自我复杂性反映的是整合还是分化、内容与结构的关系问题等等。研究者由此提出将自我复杂性的重叠成分单独研究,或者将内容和结构相结合的方法对模型做了一定的修正。作者在回顾上述文化的同时提出,未来研究需要清楚地进行概念界定,澄清其作用机制和选择有效的研究方法,由此促进自我复杂性理论的进一步发展完善     

有关运动的语言理解的知觉模拟

针对阅读理解是建构抽象命题网络的传统理论,知觉符号理论提出：阅读加工是建构语言所述事件的知觉模拟,并由此推论：有关运动的语言理解包括动态的知觉模拟。该动态模拟假设得到一些实证研究的支持。行为学上的研究证明了语言理解中动态知觉模拟的存在,还对这种模拟的机制进行了初步探讨。该假设也得到一些认知神经科学研究的支持。作为一种新兴的观点,动态模拟假设还需要深入的检验,以进一步充实知觉符号理论的语言理解模拟观     

“美德即知识”：苏格拉底还是柏拉图？

"美德"与"知识"的关系问题是苏格拉底、柏拉图和小苏格拉底学派哲学中的一个重要话题。人们通常认为"美德即知识"(αρετηειυαιγυωσκδ;virtue is knowledge)这一命题是苏格拉底提出的,这不仅不符合文本事实,而且抹煞了这一问题所具有的张力,造成了在解释苏格拉底与其弟子们的哲学的进展与嬗变方面的困难。苏格拉底虽然提出了"美德"与"知识"的关系这一问题,并提倡人们认识自己和"善"、"美德"的本质,但是他所说的认识(γυω-σιδ)不是知识论意义上的知识(επιστημη),还包含生存实践的层面。柏拉图认为"美德即知识",并力图在知识论层面上给与"善"和"美德"以明确的定义。而小苏格拉底学派则从另一侧面继承发展了苏格拉底哲学,试图从生存实践的层面来定义美德。     

不同运动经历人群的内隐序列学习能力

考察不同运动经历人群的内隐序列学习能力。被试为上海体育学院小球运动员和非运动员;实验结合PDP,采用序列学习任务,并测试操作智商与记忆广度。结果发现,运动员在15个组段上的平均反应时、内隐学习量、自动提取贡献率上显著大于非运动员;不同水平运动员在内隐学习量上差异显著。研究结论:运动员的内隐序列学习能力显著好于非运动员,与运动水平有关,与智商无显著相关;这种内隐序列学习能力可能是某种运动能力的表现形式。     

"语音意识与语音智力同质说"初证

以128名小学一、三年级的学生为被试,以英语语音意识测验和言语智力测验为工具,采用因素分析的技术,初步探讨了“语音意识与语音智力同质说”的合法性问题。结果表明:(1)围绕小学一、三年级的英语语音意识和言语智力测验数据而进行的探索性因素分析,都抽取了唯一的公因子;(2)围绕小学一、三年级的英语语音意识和言语智力测验数据而进行的验证性因素分析也发现,小学一、三年级的语音智力结构模型,都具有出色的拟合度。这些结果都说明:“语音意识与语音智力同质说”具有合法性。     

征兵用数字搜索测验的研制

基于信息加工速度理论自编征兵用数字搜索测验,使用该测验对全国15735名应征青年及190名新兵进行了测量,3个月新兵营训练结束时由228上级对1900名士兵的智力相关工作绩效情况进行了调查,通过对上述数据的分析确定了测验方法及划界分数,并进行了信、效度检验。结果表明:缺失不同数字对题目难度有影响;划界分数为197秒正确应答27题以上;该测验的内部一致性α系数为0.864;预测符合率为95.7%。     

情绪状态对大学生道德判断能力的影响

采用道德判断测验(MJT中文版),以300名大学生为被试,考察了情绪状态对大学生道德判断能力的影响。结果发现:(1)大学生道德判断能力的年级差异显著;(2)情绪状态对大学生道德判断能力具有显著影响,快乐状态下的道德判断能力高于悲伤状态,这与国外的研究结论正好相反;(3)道德判断任务的自我相关性对大学生道德判断能力的影响不显著。