A simple technique for delivering liquids directly to the mouth of an unrestrained rat

A simple surgical procedure is described that makes it possible to deliver liquids directly into the mouth of a freely mobile rat. Data presented show that an 8% sucrose solution delivered by this technique is an effective reinforcer in a variety of simple and discriminative schedules of reinforcement.     

A comparative study of scales constructed by three psychophysical methods

A comparison is made between the scales constructed by the Method of Paired Comparison, Rank Order, and the Method of Successive Intervals. Application of the three psychophysical methods to handwriting specimens and to nationality preferences results in mutually linear scales. Choice of scaling methods becomes, then, a matter of practical convenience rather than of relative validity.The writer is very much indebted to Professor L. L. Thurstone for the suggestion of this problem and for supervision in carrying out the study.     

Gender and Sex as Determinants of Hireability of Applicants for Gender-Typed Jobs

The effects of gender and sex of applicants for gender-typed jobs were investigated in the context of a simulation of a post-interview decision. Student subjects (N=102) rated eight applicants for one of three gender-typed jobs. Results indicated that, in general, masculine applicants (of both sexes) were preferred over androgynous applicants who were preferred over feminine applicants. For the neutral job, androgynous applicants were preferred over masculine applicants who were preferred over feminine applicants. Male and female students did not differ in their ratings of the applicants. The results were interpreted as indicating raters' preference for masculine characteristics in any job applicant.     

Case Groups: An In-Service Education Technique

An elementary public school utilized Case Groups as part of a comprehensive in-service education program for its staff. The Case Group was designed as a paced learning experience incorporating elements from discussion, case study, and sensitivity training groups in the attempt to facilitate both cognitive and experiential aspects of the teachers' continuing professional growth. The kinds of growth experienced by the participants are described and subjectively evaluated to the conclusion that the Case Group, or modifications thereof, has high potential for the in-service education of teachers.     

Some further tests of the constant-ratio rule

Five experiments sought to test the constant-ratio rule (CRR) with single dimensional ensembles composed of 2, 4, or 8 stimulus objects. Each S attempted to identify stimuli which varied in weight or in visual size or brightness. The results demonstrated: (a) The CRR predicts equally well the response proportions of single dimensional visual, kinesthetic, and auditory stimulus ensembles, but less well than those for multidimensional auditory stimuli. (b) Better predictions are obtained with four than with two stimulus objects.(c) The CRR is sensitive to variations in the spacing and range of the stimulus ensembles and to practice on the task. It is concluded that the rule tends to fail whenever stimulus conditions elicit differential amounts of stimulus and response confusion.     

Individual response patterns in binary choice tasks with nondiscriminable stimuli

The present experiment sought to determine whether individual Ss tend to employ repeatedly the same response patterns in binary choice tasks containing nondiscriminable stimuli and, if so, whether the response sequences when used to construct stimulus sequences improve the performance of other choice tasks. Information and frequency analyses of the response sequences of 48 Ss showed moderate consistency of patterning within a light and within a tone task. Performance of a card task following the light and tone tasks was closely related to the task (light or tone) from which the stimulus sequence was obtained. The frequency analysis showed that repetition patterns were preferred by most Ss but at the expense of alternation responses. The presentation of reinforcement in the card task did not improve performance over that observed in the light and tone tasks.     

Dissociable learning processes,associative theory,and testimonial reviews: A comment on Smith and Church (2018)

Psychonomic Bulletin & Review - Smith and Church (Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 25, 1565–1584 2018) present a “testimonial” review of dissociable learning processes...     

Altered emotional decision-making in prisoners with borderline personality disorder

Previous studies have identified neuropsychological deficits in individuals with antisocial personality disorder and/or psychopathy. Few studies have examined neuropsychological functioning in individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), and no studies have yet investigated cognitive and emotional function in male prisoners with BPD. In this study, we compared the risky decision-making of 17 participants with a history of serious violent or sexual offenses and a diagnosis of DSM-IV BPD with that of 17 participants with similar offending histories but personality disorders other than BPD. Those with BPD exhibited altered processing of information about potential losses (punishment) when the probability of gains (reward) was high; they also increased their choice of risky options even in circumstances where this was clearly avoidable. These data suggest that individuals with a diagnosis of BPD and a history of serious offenses have problems integrating different reinforcement signals when choosing between risky actions, perhaps reflecting corticolimbic dysfunction as an underlying mechanism in BPD.