Some differences among figural aftereffects,apparent motion,and paracontrast*

It has been suggested that figural aftereffects, apparent motion, and paracontrast may be produced by very similar or equivalent processes. The empirical functions relating figural aftereffect to the duration of the inspection figure and the interfigural distance are significantly different from the corresponding apparent motion and paracontrast functions. The functions relating paracontrast to the interstimulus interval are significantly different from the corresponding figural-aftereffect and apparent-motion functions. Thus, it is unlikely that the processes underlying the three phenomena are the same. Researchers who attempt to study feature analyzers in the human visual system should consider using more than one dependent variable, since none of the three phenomena contains all of the available information. Within-Ss designs should be avoided because a strong response bias exists between figural-aftereffect and apparent-motion tasks.     

Schedule control of the vocal behavior of Cebus monkeys

The vocal behavior of three Cebus monkeys was maintained by fixed-ratio schedules of response dependent reinforcement at values between fixed-ratio 1 and fixed-ratio 15. In one monkey that was exposed to variable-interval, fixed-interval, and conjunctive fixed-ratio fixed-interval schedules of reinforcement, vocal responding occurred at a low rate, but schedule-appropriate patterns were maintained. The rates and patterns of responding engendered indicated that the vocal operant can be brought under schedule control in the monkey by the use of response-dependent reinforcement.     

Social validation of an objective measure of dominance in captive monkeys

The validity of a primate dominance hierarchy was examined in terms of its relationship to social interactions. Twelve social behaviors associated with dominance and aggression were recorded during 61 h of observation of six pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina). Of the 1,462 interactions recorded, 94.7% were oriented in the water dominance hierarchy in the direction that would be predicted on the basis of their ascribed functions.     

Counselor or change agent: support from the profession

This article supplements the ideas on counseling and the social revolution which appeared in the May 1971 P&G—especially regarding the common behavior models of the counselor and the change agent. Because adherence to a model often places a counselor in jeopardy, the authors call on the profession to offer support and leadership on a national level to those counselors who wish to act as change agents.     

A primate restraint and handling system for auditory research

A set of devices is described that enables daily handling and restraint of large primates. The animals live in cages and wear a special collar that fits into a modified primate restraining chair. A chain and pole arrangement simplifies the daily chairing procedure. A method of head restraint and earphone mounting is also described.     

A NOTE ON THE POSSIBLE DETERMINANT OF “SPLIT REPRESENTATION” AS AN ARTISTIC STYLE

L'A. fait L'hypothèse que le dédoublement de la représentation, qui est caractéristique du style graphique de certaines cultures, provient d'une préférence universelle pour ce type de dessin chez les tout jeunes enfants de toutes cultures; mais dans la plupart des cultures, cette préférence serait supprimée parce que, paradoxalement, les dessins doubles ne permettent pas de reconnaître les objets dessinés aussi facilement que les dessins conventionnels qui sont plus proches de la projection rétinienne des objets. Les dessins avec enchaînement ou dédoublement de la représentation seraient conservés chaque fois qu'ils sont appréciés en tant que code utilisé à d'autres fins que L'information sur les objets peints et pour leur valeur esthétique.