Influence of mapping complexity on negative priming for incompatible spatial mappings

For tasks with an incompatible stimulus-response mapping, whether the compatible response must be inhibited paradigm for four-choice tasks with three different incompatible spatial mappings. For a mapping that did not follow a simple rule, reaction time was lengthened when the corresponding response on the preceding trial became the required response on the current trial, as compared with when it did not, showing a negative priming effect. However, for mappings that followed a simple rule, negative priming was not evident. The present study extends this research to a more complex mapping. On the basis of a two-process model adopted from the negative priming literature, we hypothesized that high mapping complexity should also diminish the negative priming effect for incompatible mappings, because the balance of cognitive resources is allocated to identification of the correct response. Two experiments are reported in which mappings of different complexity were used in six-choice spatial tasks. Analyses of reaction times showed that negative priming diminished with increased mapping complexity, apparently due to increased dominance of response identification processes, rather than inhibition of the corresponding response.     

The mechanist and the snail

Conclusion Using an example drawn from evolutionary biology, I have shown that distinct, competing explanations may nonetheless postulate identical networks of causal processes and interactions. It follows from this that to provide a causal explanation is to do more than describe a network of causal processes and interactions. In the example given, it seems that the proffered explanations also purport to describe probabilistic causal relations of the sort rejected by Salmon.     

7. The Hero's Return

ABSTRACT Chapter 7 discusses the synthesis of the five-factor and life-story models into an integrative model that is applied to the case study of Dodge Morgan. Such integration allows new ways of thinking, considers multiple levels of analysis, and solves problems that cannot be approached by either model individually. Through the combined lenses of these trait and phenomenological models, one can not only view an individual personality at a higher level of abstraction, but also achieve a different understanding of the models themselves. We discuss the impact of the voyage on Morgan's psychological development; we also analyze post-voyage assessments and personal documents with reference to consistency and change, personal meaning, and the balancing of agentic and communal motivations.     

8. Reflections on the Journey

ABSTRACT In the context of the Dodge Morgan case study, we discuss holistic analysis of personality. In such analysis, apparently separate, even contradictory, approaches can be integrated to produce a metalevel understanding. In our analysis, a trait and a phenomenological model worked effectively in concert; qualitative and quantitative analyses produced a fruitful synergy. We consider the implications of multilevel understanding of personality for future investigations. We also consider the limitations of personality theory with respect to the construct of personality change, as well as the changes in the investigators' perspectives that occurred over the period of study of the Morgan data.     

1. Introduction

ABSTRACT In this article, we introduce the case study of Dodge Morgan, who, at the age of 54, completed a nonstop, solo circumnavigation of the earth in his boat American Promise. Our investigation builds upon a unique foundation of qualitative and quantitative data, which includes extensive formal assessments, content analysis of Morgan's voyage log, additional autobiographical material, and diverse collateral biographical sources. We describe our intent of applying two theoretical models of personality, the five-factor model and the life-story model, to the data, and present an overview of their differing perspectives and predictions. We discuss technical challenges of methodology and integration, and introduce the subsequent chapters comprising the full case study.     

3. The Voyager and the Voyage

ABSTRACT Chapter 3 presents the biography of Dodge Morgan from childhood through the end of his remarkable voyage. Derived from biographical and autobiographical sources, his life narrative is presented chronologically as basic data for our case study. The importance of his male role models, his early love of sailing, and his later adventures on boats, in Alaska, and in the business world are illustrated. We describe the context of his voyage and his intense, thorough voyage preparations, both external and internal. We also delineate his successful circumnavigation in detail.     

4. Personality Profiles

ABSTRACT Chapter 4 discusses the origins of the Dodge Morgan case study and the circumstances of his assessments. We present findings in the contexts of both the five-factor model (FFM) and the life-story model (LSM). We interpret Personality Research Form scale scores within the five-factor structure in order to create Morgan's FFM personality profile, which is supplemented with Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) data. We structure his LSM profile from multiple evaluations, including his TAT protocol and his earliest memories; from autobiographical data, including his published writings; and from additional biographical sources. Finally, we discuss the strengths and limitations of each theory and profile construction method.     

Internalizing and Externalizing Problem Behavior: a Test of a Latent Variable Interaction Predicting a Two-Part Growth Model of Adolescent Substance Use

Externalizing symptoms robustly predict adolescent substance use (SU); however, findings regarding internalizing symptoms have been mixed, suggesting that there may be important moderators of the relationship between internalizing problems and SU. The present study used a longitudinal community sample (N?=?387, 55% female, 83% White) to test whether externalizing symptoms moderated the relationship between internalizing symptoms and trajectories of alcohol and marijuana use from early (age 11–12 years old) to late (age 18–19 years old) adolescence. Two-part latent growth models were used to distinguish trajectories of probability of use from trajectories of amount of use among users. Results suggested that externalizing symptoms moderated the association between internalizing symptoms and probability of alcohol, but not marijuana use. The highest probability of alcohol use was observed at high levels of externalizing symptoms and low levels of internalizing symptoms. A negative protective effect of internalizing symptoms on probability of alcohol use was strongest in early adolescence for youth high on externalizing symptoms. Although moderation was not supported for amount of use among users, both domains of symptomology were associated with amount of alcohol and marijuana use as first-order effects. High levels of externalizing symptoms and low levels of internalizing symptoms were associated with high levels of amount of use among users. These findings suggest that developmental models of substance use that incorporate internalizing symptomology should consider the context of externalizing problems and distinguish probability and amount of use.