Computerized adaptive testing: the capitalization on chance problem

This paper describes several simulation studies that examine the effects of capitalization on chance in the selection of items and the ability estimation in CAT, employing the 3-parameter logistic model. In order to generate different estimation errors for the item parameters, the calibration sample size was manipulated (N = 500, 1000 and 2000 subjects) as was the ratio of item bank size to test length (banks of 197 and 788 items, test lengths of 20 and 40 items), both in a CAT and in a random test. Results show that capitalization on chance is particularly serious in CAT, as revealed by the large positive bias found in the small sample calibration conditions. For broad ranges of theta, the overestimation of the precision (asymptotic Se) reaches levels of 40%, something that does not occur with the RMSE (theta). The problem is greater as the item bank size to test length ratio increases. Potential solutions were tested in a second study, where two exposure control methods were incorporated into the item selection algorithm. Some alternative solutions are discussed.     

Working memory capacity and individual differences in the making of reinstatement and elaborative inferences

This study investigated the role of working memory capacity on the making of reinstatement and causal elaborative inferences during the reading of natural texts. In order to determine participants' working memory capacity, they were asked to take the reading span task before they took part in the study. Those participants that were identified as high or low working memory capacity readers were asked to perform a lexical decision task in two conditions: pre-inference and inference. In the pre-inference condition, target words representing reinstatement or causal elaborative inferences were presented immediately before the sentences that were predicted to prompt them. In the inference condition, the target words were presented immediately after the sentences that were predicted to prompt the inferences. Results indicated that, for the high working memory capacity readers, lexical decision times were faster at the inference compared to the pre-inference locations for both types of inferences. In the case of low working capacity readers, lexical decision times were faster at the inference compared to the pre-inference locations only for reinstatement inferences. These findings suggest that working memory capacity plays a role in the making of causal inferences during the comprehension of natural texts.     

Different recognition cues reveal the decision rules used for egg rejection by hosts of a variably mimetic avian brood parasite

Brood parasitism imposes several fitness costs on the host species. To reduce these costs, hosts of avian brood parasites have evolved various defenses, of which egg rejection is the most prevalent. In the face of variable host-parasite mimicry and the costs of egg discrimination itself, many hosts reject only some foreign eggs. Here, we experimentally varied the recognition cues to study the underlying cognitive mechanisms used by the Chalk-browed Mockingbird (Mimus saturninus) to reject the white immaculate eggs laid by the parasitic Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis). Immaculate eggs are the only parasite eggs rejected by this host, as it accepts all polymorphic, spotted eggs laid by cowbirds. Using a within-breeding pair experimental design, we tested for the salience of spotting, UV reflectance, and brightness in eliciting rejection. We found that the presence of spotting significantly decreased the probability of rejection while increments in brightness significantly increased rejection frequencies. The cognitive rules underlying mockingbird rejection behavior can be explained by a decision-making model which predicts changes in the levels of rejection in direct relation to the number of relevant attributes shared between host and parasite eggs.     

时间人格的结构与功能

时间人格是个体对时间情境稳定的适应倾向及能力特征, 其主要功能是适应时间情境并影响身心健康。已有的研究从时间洞察力、时间定向、时间管理、时间紧迫感、拖延性等方面对时间人格进行了探讨, 最近的研究则转向构建综合的时间人格结构模型。本文针对时间概念、时间人格概念和研究范式的争论, 提出未来的研究应继续完善时间人格结构模型, 加强外部影响因素研究, 补充过程研究、质性研究和跨文化研究, 并在进化论、文化学和脑科学方面获取支持。     

不同自尊者在赌博情境下的风险规避行为

为了考察不同自尊水平的个体在赌博情境下的风险规避行为,263名大学生被试同时完成外显Rosenberg量表、内隐联想测验和21点赌博游戏。实验结果发现,(1)随着风险的增加,所有被试都表现出风险规避;(2)在高外显自尊水平的个体中,低内隐自尊水平个体比高内隐自尊水平个体表现出更多的风险规避行为;在低内隐自尊的个体中,高外显自尊个体比低外显自尊个体表现出更多的风险规避行为。风险规避行为间接地反映出个体的防御倾向,结果提示,在风险情境中,高外显低内隐自尊个体表现出较高的自我防御倾向。     

结合东巴文学习汉字对幼儿汉字字形记忆的影响

采用任务分离范式考察汉字学习的三种方式—只学习汉字、结合图画学习汉字、结合东巴文学习汉字对幼儿汉字字形记忆的影响。实验1采用再认任务考察学习方式对汉字字形外显记忆的影响, 分为学习、干扰、即时测试和延迟测试4个阶段。80名幼儿被分配进汉字组、东巴文组、东巴文-汉字组和图画-汉字组, 并接受统一的教学指导语。结果表明, 无论是即时测试还是延迟测试, 东巴文-汉字组的再认成绩均显著好于图画-汉字组和汉字组; 即时测试的再认成绩均好于延迟测试; 名词的再认成绩均好于动词。实验2采用偏好判断任务考察学习方式对汉字字形内隐记忆的影响。结果表明, 无论是即时测试 还是延时测试, 东巴文-汉字组的内隐启动量均显著大于其他各组; 即时测试与延迟测试的内隐启动量无显著差异; 名词的内隐启动量显著大于动词。整个研究表明, 东巴文对幼儿的汉字字形记忆具有明显的促进作用。所以如此, 既与东巴文的象形和表意性质有关, 也与东巴文与汉字的结构相似有关, 还与幼儿的认知特点有关。     

抑郁症患者的自传体记忆特征及其应用自传体记忆测验的元分析

研究目的在于探讨抑郁症患者自传体记忆的特征以及自传体记忆测验(the autobiographical memory test, AMT)在该领域的应用情况。通过文献检索, 搜集了18篇应用AMT作为测评工具的抑郁症自传体记忆研究, 抑郁症患者566人, 正常对照组457人。元分析研究发现, 和正常对照组比较, 抑郁症组的具体性记忆减少, 概括化记忆增多, 反应迟缓。目前对这种现象的解释主要有功能性回避模型、认知执行受损模型和沉思模型; 年龄、抑郁情绪以及AMT测试程序对测试结果有明显影响; 发表偏倚和敏感性分析显示存在发表偏倚, 但稳定性较好。AMT在抑郁症研究存在灵敏度不足等局限, 作者从AMT程序、研究设计等方面提出了改善建议。     

网络聊天情境大学生人际知觉准确性与知觉过程

本研究基于Funder现实精确性模型,考查了网络聊天情境中大学生人际知觉的准确性,影响准确性的因素,以及人际知觉的过程。研究发现：（1）网络情境中与陌生人进行极短时间的初次接触时,对16种人格特质知觉的准确性较低。（2）大学生对知觉对象的性别判断,会在一定程度上影响对被知觉者的人格特质的判断。（3）16种特质只凭言语推断的难易程度对人际知觉的准确性有影响。（4）人际关系的深度与自我表露的程度有关,并且自我表露程度随时间增加而逐步深入。