Cross-language computational investigation of the length effect in reading aloud

The authors examined whether 2 computational models of reading, the dual-route cascaded model (M. Coltheart, K. Rastle, C. Perry, R. Langdon, & J. C. Ziegler, 2001) and the connectionist 2-layer model (M. Zorzi, G. Houghton, & B. Butterworth, 1998), were able to predict the pattern that the length effect found in reading aloud is larger in German than in English (J. C. Ziegler, C. Perry, A. M. Jacobs, & M. Braun, 2001). The results showed that the dual-route cascaded model, which uses a serial mechanism for assembling phonology, successfully predicted this cross-language difference. In contrast, the connectionist model of Zorzi et al. (1998) predicted the opposite: a larger length effect in English than in German. Both the success of one model and the failure of the other highlight fundamental differences between 2 major classes of computational models.     

Task-related factors in oral motor control: speech and oral diadochokinesis in dysarthria and apraxia of speech

This study was focused on the potential influence of task-related factors on oral motor performance in patients with speech disorders. Sentence production was compared with a nonspeech oral motor task, i.e., oral diadochokinesis. Perceptual and acoustic measures of speech impairment were used as dependent variables. Between-task comparisons were made for subsamples of a population of 140 patients with different motor speech syndromes, including apraxia of speech and cerebellar dysarthria. In a further analysis subgroups were matched for speaking rate. Overall, dysdiadochokinesis was correlated with the degree of speech impairment, but there was a strong interaction between task type and motor speech syndrome. In particular, cerebellar pathology affected DDK to a relatively greater extent than sentence production, while apraxic pathology spared the ability of repeating syllables at maximum speed.     

Linguistic difficulties in language and reading development constrain skilled adult reading

This study investigated whether the quality and specification of phonological representations in early language development would predict later skilled reading. Two perceptual identification experiments were performed with skilled readers. In Experiment 1, spelling difficulties in Grade 1 were used as a proxy measure for poorly specified representations in early language development. In Experiment 2, difficulties in perceiving and representing liquid and nasalized phonemes in final consonant clusters were used for the same purpose. Both experiments showed that words that were more likely to develop underspecified lexical representations in early language development remained more difficult in skilled reading. This finding suggests that early linguistic difficulties in speech perception and structuring of lexical representations may constrain the long-term organization and dynamics of the skilled adult reading system. The present data thus challenge the assumption that skilled reading can be fully understood without taking into account linguistic constraints acting upon the beginning reader.     

Affects, agency, and self-regulation: complexity theory in the treatment of children with anxiety and disruptive behavior disorders

In an increasingly unsettled and violent world, with swelling numbers of children who are abused, abandoned, or neglected, emotionally if not physically, and an increasing population of aggressive preschool children with anxiety and disruptive behavior disorders who cannot be contained in ordinary settings, psychoanalysts can make a contribution. Early intervention is essential. In very early childhood, new procedural memories for interacting with others and for regulating affects can be formed more easily than they can ever be again. Intervention should aim toward helping the child develop a sense of agency, establish moral standards, assume self-responsibility, and attain the capacity for emotional regulation. The principles of complex dynamic systems can inform psychoanalytic treatment strategies, as demonstrated with five children whose cases are presented.     

Visual short-term memory during smooth pursuit eye movements

Visual short-term memory (VSTM) was probed while observers performed smooth pursuit eye movements. Smooth pursuit keeps a moving object stabilized in the fovea. VSTM capacity for position was reduced during smooth pursuit compared with a condition with eye fixation. There was no difference between a condition in which the items were approximately stabilized on the retina because they moved with the pursuit target and a condition in which the items moved across the retina because they were stationary in space. The reduction of capacity for position was eliminated when miniature items were presented on the pursuit target. Similarly, VSTM capacity for color did not differ between smooth pursuit and fixation. The results suggest that visuospatial attention is tied to the target during smooth pursuit, which impairs VSTM for the position of peripheral objects. Sensory memory during smooth pursuit was only slightly impaired.     

Differences in Individual Approaches: Communication in the Familial Breast Cancer Consultation and the Effect on Patient Outcomes

This multicenter study aimed to assess (i) whether individual clinical geneticists and genetic counselors vary in their communication skills and (ii) whether this variation in communication impacts on patient outcomes, such as anxiety, depression, genetics knowledge, and satisfaction. One hundred and fifty women from high-risk breast cancer families attending their first genetic counseling consultation completed pre and post-consultation self-report questionnaires. The consultations were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Univariate analyses showed highly significant differences between individual clinical geneticists and genetic counselors in: facilitating understanding (p 0.001); facilitating active involvement (p 0.001); facilitating partnership building (p = 0.003); addressing emotional concerns (p 0.001); and discussing prophylactic mastectomy (p = 0.017). Multivariate linear regressions showed that this variation in communication resulted in a greater change in patients depression 4 weeks after the counseling session (p = 0.017). These findings suggest clinical geneticists and genetic counselors have achieved some standardization in communicating information, but showed diversity in their facilitation skills. Communication skills may be a useful area to explore further in this field.     

Heart Follows Head: Influencing Violence-related Attitudes in the Classroom

We examined whether an undergraduate course on violence would influence students’ violence-related attitudes and beliefs. Students (N=145) completed the Violence-Related Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (V-RABS) at the beginning (Time 1) and end (Time 2) of the semester-long course. As expected, support for the death penalty, punishment, and catharsis decreased significantly, as did belief in an association between mental illness and violence. Acceptance of environmental influences on violent behavior increased significantly, although belief in biological influences did not change. Support for violence prevention efforts was high at both Times 1 and 2, and did not change significantly. Consistent with previous research, the results of this study confirm that college curricula may influence students’ attitudes and beliefs in addition to imparting knowledge.     

Analyzing the Process and Content of Genetic Counseling in Familial Breast Cancer Consultations

A detailed examination of the process of genetic counseling has been identified as a priority area for research by previous authors. This multicenter longitudinal study examined the process and content of genetic counseling in initial consultations with women from high-risk breast cancer families. One hundred and fifty-eight consultations with women unaffected and affected with breast cancer were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. A detailed coding system was developed. Clinical geneticists and genetic counselors demonstrated consistently good practice in giving detailed information on essential aspects related to familial breast cancer such as screening and management, genetic testing, breast cancer genetics, and prophylactic surgery. Eliciting emotional concerns and facilitating communication were found to be inconsistently present. As clinical practice guidelines and the general communication literature emphasize the importance of these factors, this is an area where training in or self-monitoring of such behaviors may assist consultants to further develop these skills.