Similarities derived from 3-d nonlinear psychophysics: Variance distributions

Many-one mappings between stimulus properties and pairwise generated similarities are intrinsic to definitions of similarity. This of itself is not sufficient as a basis for predicting the variance associated with any single similarity judgment. An extension to cover this has to be made either by making ancillary assumptions about noise, or by using nonlinear models. The derivation of the variance of similarity judgments is made from the 3 process in nonlinear psychophysics. The idea of separability of dimensions in metric space theories of similarity is replaced by one parameter which represents the degree of a form of interdimensional crosscoupling     

Are beliefs brain-states? And if they are what might that explain?

Philosophical Studies -     

Comparative evaluation of two superior stopping rules for hierarchical cluster analysis

A split-sample replication stopping rule for hierarchical cluster analysis is compared with the internal criterion previously found superior by Milligan and Cooper (1985) in their comparison of 30 different procedures. The number and extent of overlap of the latent population distributions was systematically varied in the present evaluation of stopping-rule validity. Equal and unequal population base rates were also considered. Both stopping rules correctly identified the actual number of populations when there was essentially no overlap and clusters occupied visually distinct regions of the measurement space. The replication criterion, which is evaluated by clustering of cluster means from preliminary analyses that are accomplished on random partitions of an original data set, was superior as the degree of overlap in population distributions increased. Neither method performed adequately when overlap obliterated visually discernible density nodes.This research was supported in part by NIMH grant 5R01 MH 32457 14.     

Response acquisition by Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) with delayed visual reinforcement

Male Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens, swam through a ring in an aquarium, breaking a photocell beam and initiating an unsignaled, resetting delay interval. Following delays of 0 s, 10 s, or 25 s, a 15-s mirror presentation released an aggressive display by the fish. Swimming through the ring increased in the absence of either a period of acclimatization to the reinforcer (analogous to magazine training when appetitive reinforcers are used) or explicit training of the response by the experimenters. Response rates were a decreasing function of delay duration. Other fish exposed to a schedule of response-independent mirror presentations failed to acquire and maintain the response. The results demonstrate the robustness and generality of the phenomenon of response acquisition with delayed reinforcement. They further qualify earlier observations about behavioral mechanisms involved in the phenomenon.     

Acceptance and commitment therapy: Altering the verbal support for experiential avoidance

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a behavior-analytically-based psychotherapy approach that attempts to undermine emotional avoidance and increase the capacity for behavior change. An overview of this approach is given, followed by several specific examples of the techniques used within ACT. In each instance the behavioral rationale of these techniques is described. A contemporary view of verbal relations provides the basis for new approaches to adult outpatient psychotherapy.     

Showing Clients What Their Profiles Mean

This article suggests that counselors might profitably investigate new graphic approaches to showing clients what their multivariate profiles mean. An illustration is given in terms of Holland's RIASEC (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional; 1985) model of vocational interests.     

Promotion and employee turnover: Critique,meta-analysis,and implications

Qualitative reviews of the withdrawal literature have reached inconsistent conclusions regarding the strength of the relationship between promotion and turnover. Several issues were addressed in this study which may account for these inconsistencies. First, we differentiate among three distinct operationalizations of promotion: (1) promotion satisfaction; (2) perceptions of promotional opportunity; and (3) actual promotion. We then conduct quantitative reviews using meta-analytic procedures on turnover and the three operationalizations of promotion. We found no significant relationships between promotion satisfaction and turnoveror between perceived promotional opportunities and turnover. However, a significant negative relationship was found between actual promotion and turnover. Theoretical implication of these findings are presented.     

The evaluation of stress management services by Canadian organizations

Although there is a recognition that evaluation plays an important role in organizational programs to manage stress in the workplace, the literature shows that few evaluations are conducted and that many suffer from serious methodological inadequacies. A mail survey was conducted with a random sample of 500 Canadian organizations having at least 500 employees. Results from the 210 responding organizations revealed that only about 16% of organizations evaluate such programs and services and even at that major methodological weaknesses are apparent. Results are also presented by industry group and organizational size. Finally, several recommendations are offered to enhance the evaluation role in organizations.This study was supported by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. An earlier version of the paper was presented at the annual conference of the Canadian Psychological Association in Calgary, June 1991.