Ontogeny of classical and operant learning behaviors in zebrafish

The performance of developing zebrafish in both classical and operant conditioning assays was tested with a particular focus on the emergence of these learning behaviors during development. Strategically positioned visual cues paired with electroshocks were used in two fully automated assays to investigate both learning paradigms. These allow the evaluation of the behavioral performance of zebrafish continuously throughout development, from larva to adult. We found that learning improves throughout development, starts reliably around week 3, and reaches adult performance levels at week 6. Adult fish quickly learned to perform perfectly, and the expression of the learned behavior is manifestly controlled by vision. The memory is behaviorally expressed in adults for at least 6 h and retrievable for at least 12 h.     

Exploring the effect of therapists' treatment practices on client attendance in community-based care for children

Sustained treatment attendance has been reported to be poor in publicly funded community-based clinic settings serving children and families. Several child and family characteristics have been shown to predict attendance in community-based care, but virtually no research has been conducted to examine how experiences in care, including psychotherapists' within-session practices, influence client attendance. The goal of this exploratory study was to examine how observed practice within sessions, in particular the extent to which therapists delivered elements consistent with evidence-based practices, impacts total number of sessions attended, while accounting for an array of other potential predictors. Participants include 181 children ages 4-13 and their parents entering a new episode of care for disruptive behavior problems in publicly funded clinics. Data sources include administrative billing records on treatment attendance; coded videotaped treatment sessions; and self-reports from children, parents, and therapists. Results indicate that parent education, service funding source, parent alliance with therapist, and therapist experience predicted number of sessions attended; intensity of evidence-based treatment techniques delivered to children was marginally associated with attendance (p = .059). Implications for improving engagement in community-based care are discussed.     

Characteristics of serial order learning in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

We investigated the characteristics of serial order learning in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Five marmosets were trained in a sequential responding task in which they were required to touch four graphic patterns in a given order (A→B→C→D) to obtain a reward. All five marmosets learned the task with over 65% accuracy. Shuffling the positions of B, C, and D immediately after the marmoset had correctly identified and selected the first stimulus (A) either decreased accuracy or lengthened response latency for the second stimulus (B). These results suggest that the marmosets planned the response to the second stimulus before they touched the first stimulus. In addition, when we presented a pair of stimuli (AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, and CD pairs), the marmosets responded to the stimuli in the pair in the appropriate order, according to the learned order (A→B→C→D). The analyses of first and second response latencies clearly demonstrated both the first-item and missing-item effects in task performance. Our data provide direct evidence that marmosets can learn the relative order of the four stimuli in a sequential responding task. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).     

MMPI-2-RF characteristics of custody evaluation litigants

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is a 338-item objective self-report measure drawn from the 567 items of the MMPI-2. Although there is a substantial MMPI-2 literature regarding child custody litigants, there has been only one previously published study using MMPI-2-RF data in this population that focused on Validity scales L-r and K-r. The current study evaluated the MMPI-2-RF results of 344 child custody litigants and showed substantial consistency between T-score elevations typically found on MMPI-2 Validity scales L and K, and comparable elevations for MMPI-2-RF validity scales L-r and K-r. Mean T-scores well within normal limits characterized results for clinical scales on both instruments. The RC scale intercorrelation patterns, and alpha coefficient values found for MMPI-2-RF scales in a custody population, were also found to be very similar to those reported for other populations. Directions for future research are presented.     

Microblogging, online expression, and political efficacy among young chinese citizens: the moderating role of information and entertainment needs in the use of weibo

In 2011, China's Internet population reached over half a billion users and the popular Twitter-like social networking service, Weibo, has been adopted by half of the users since its launch in August 2009. Given the potential of the Internet to facilitate a civic culture in the authoritarian state, the use of Weibo and its effects on citizens' political attitudes and behaviors are of important concern. A survey of 499 Weibo users found that intensity of use was related to increased willingness to express opinions about government and politics, the perception that one has the ability to participate in politics, and feelings that the government is not responsive to the demands of citizens. Moreover, the above relationships were moderated by the motivations of Weibo use, such that information motives strengthened the relationships while entertainment motives weakened the relationships.     

战胜传统:海德格尔和杜威

一、钦羡科学家的哲学家们认为,哲学只应处理用中性术语所阐述的问题——这些术语能使那些为寻求完满的解答而争论不休的所有的人满意。然而,既没有了共同的问题,争论也已平息,这看起来,似乎我们就既缺少专业的准则,甚至也没有一个方法去规范我们的思想。准则消失了,我们大概只拥有玄想、诗意和灵感——不管怎样,这些都是允许我们逃避理智责任的东西。海德格尔也经常受到这种指责。但他的追随者们为之辩解说,他所回避     

Amniocentesis in sociocultural perspective

This article reports on an anthropological investigation of the social impact and cultural meaning of amniocentesis conducted in New York City, illustrating how class differences, as well as sociocultural diversity, deeply affect pregnant women's acceptance, rejection, and interpretation of prenatal testing. The article also suggests the importance of recognizing how counselors' cultural backgrounds and styles affect patient-counselor communications.