Differential runway performance using goal box placement and running trials as discriminative stimuli

Two experiments compared the effects of reinforced, partially reinforced and nonreinforced intertrial goal box placements (ITR, ITP, and ITN respectively) on runway performance. In Experiment I differential responding (animals running slower on nonreinforced (N) trials than on reinforced (R) trials) was observed during acquisition for subjects receiving ITP preceding N trials or subjects receiving ITP before R trials, and also for subjects receiving ITR preceding N trials. No differential responding was observed in subjects receiving ITP prior to both N and R trials or ITN prior to N trials. In extinction, the subjects which had responded differentially during acquisition demonstrated reduced resistance to extinction in comparison to the subjects which had not. In Experiment II, a 2 × 2 factorial design was utilized with placement schedule (ITN and ITP) and type of trial predicted by placement (N and R) serving as the factors. Differential responding was observed in all four groups. The apparent contradiction between the results and the discrimination hypothesis proposed by Capaldi and Olivier (1967) to explain the attenuation of ITR and ITN effects on resistance to extinction is discussed.     

Some observations on the preference deficits produced by lateral preoptic lesions in the rat.

Following water drprivation, rats with lateral preoptic (LPO) damage lose the normal preference for glucose solutions. Food deprivation reinstates the preference. This dependency is specific to sweet-tasting fluids, and the deficit persists even if thirst is alleviated prior to the preference test. Such rats will drink sweet solutions in response to intravascular fluid depletion, but they are deficient in response to sweet solutions under nondeprived conditions. This last finding in particular suggests that hunger and palatability, as determinants of the response to sweet solutions, may be dissociated by LPO damage.     

Relationship of non-verbal rigidity and creative perceptions.

The relationship of rigidity and creative perceptions of 214 Hungarian adolescent males and females was explored using a non-verbal test of rigidity (Breskin Rigidity Test) and a measure of creative perceptions (Something About Myself). Males and females were divided into Moderately Rigid and Low Rigid groups. An analysis of variance of the data showed no significant differences in creative perceptions relative to rigidity level, sex, or interaction of rigidity level and sex.     

The architect as person: a Rorschach image

Analysis of the Rorschachs of 40 eminent male architects collected in 1959 revealed a highly consistent personality profile. The picture that emerges is of a person who appears to be ambitious, highly sensitive, intellectually and emotionally energetic, and reasonably well adjusted socially. His thinking is well oriented in reality. He prefers large scale conceptualizing to mundane 'concerns. There is evidence of conflict, tension, and a concern with emotional control. Feminine and exhibitionistic interests are exceptionally high and sources of inspiration appear to reside in unresolved sexual conflicts. The attitude toward the world is positive. The eminent male American architect at the turn of the Sixties believed in his own ability to create a truly superior environment. His conscious concerns were with creation rather than with self-confrontation.     

Dynamic balance: A learning strategy

Learning of a motor task, which consists of frontal balancing on a tilting platform, is analyzed, using a multiparameter approach. Findings point to spatiotemporal symmetry throughout the process, with a significant increase in the time on-balance score. The time course of variation of others parameters during the learning process as well as a consideration of which of these should be employed in future studies of dynamic balance, is discussed.     

Rapid visual feedback processing in single-aiming movements

A major line of behavioral support for motor-program theory derives from evidence indicating that feedback does not influence the execution and control of limited duration movements. Since feedback cannot be utilized, the motor-program is assumed to act as the controlling agent. in a classic study, Keele and Posner observed that visual feedback had no effect on the accuracy of 190-msec single-aiming movements. Therefore visual feedback processing time is greater than 190 msec, and, more importantly, limited duration movements are governed by motor programs. In the present paper, we observed that visual feedback can affect the spatial accuracy of movement with durations much less than 190 msec. We hypothesize that visual feedback can aid motor control via processes not associated with intermittent error corrections.     

Transients in “constant-current” generators

Some shock-generator circuits may deliver large transient surges at onset and termination. The sources of these surges are derivable from electromagnetic analysis of the circuits employed. Virtual elimination of the surges may be accomplished by a simple rearrangement of the switching portion of the circuit.