成年人词语流畅性的年龄差异和词语记忆

本文以自觉健康的青年、中年和老年人78例为被试,研究了成年人口语、阅读和书写流畅性的年龄差异及其和词语记忆的关系。结果:1.大多数词语流畅能力以及词语记忆均为中年以后衰退,Stroop测验的读色字及读字色作业则中年即开始减退。2.除年龄因素外,词语流畅性还受被试者文化程度和测验内容的影响,同时还表现有文化因素或测验和年龄的交互作用。文化程度越低,测验难度越大,年龄差异越显著。3.词语流畅性和词语记忆有显著相关。这可能是由于两者都有较多的记忆和注意过程的参与。4.在两项颜色命名测验及说同类词作业中都见到女性优于男性的现象。     

Converging evidence for the functional significance of imagery in problem solving

Two kinds of explanations have been offered for the process by which three-term series problems are solved, one in terms of linguistic principles and the other in terms of visual-spatial imagery. Two experiments are reported in which three different classes of operations are brought to bear on the problem: (1) Manipulation of stimulus attributes (characteristics of problems), (2) manipulation of variables that selectively encourage or inhibit the use of imagery (facilitating instructions; the suppression of visualization by reading), and (3) measurement of relevant individual differences (spatial-reasoning ability). All of the results indicate that imagery plays a functional but not a necessary role in the solution of three-term series problems; it is suggested that imaginal representation is functional because it reduces the load on memory. An adequate explanation of problem-solving will have to address certain general issues, such as the diversity of forms of cognitive representation and differences within and between individuals in the choice of problem-solving strategies.     

Levels of adult alcohol consumption induced by interactions with child confederates exhibiting normal versus externalizing behaviors

Investigated levels of distress and alcohol consumption in Ss interacting with problematic vs non-problematic child confederates. Social drinkers were randomly assigned to interact with boys trained to enact behaviors characteristic of either normal or attention-deficit disorder/conduct disorder (ADD/CD) children. Mood data were collected before and after the interaction. Ss engaged in ad lib beer consumption for 20 min, while anticipating another interaction with the same boy. Children in the ADD/CD role produced comparably distressed moods for both male and female Ss. However, only men drank to higher blood-alcohol levels in the ADD/CD vs. normal child condition. Results suggest that higher rates of drinking observed in fathers of ADD/CD children may be partly a function of their particular response to the distress associated with interactions with such children.     

Representation and processing of words in memory in a Sternberg type scanning experiment

Summary Sternberg's (1969) model of memory scanning processes is considered to be insufficient for verbal material. In Sternberg's model no considerations are given to coding and decoding processes which are relevant for verbal material. Usually Ss will represent letter strings of words as one unit with a specific meaning. If Sternberg's model should be valid for verbal material the time for coding and decoding of the memorized material has to be considered in addition to the time of coding the test stimulus, comparing the test item with the items of the memorized list and responding. Experimental data with different tasks to find a letter or a word in a list of words or a letter in a word can be explained adequately if coding and decoding processes for words are considered in the Sternberg model.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird davon ausgegangen, daß das Modell von Sternberg (1969) für Suchprozesse im Gedächtnis bei verbalem Material unzureichend ist. Die Besonderheit verbalen Materials besteht darin, daß es Vpn veranlaßt, physikalisch gegebene Buchstabensequenzen zu Wörtern zusammenzufassen, die als Bedeutungseinheiten codiert werden. Wenn man in dem Modell von Sternberg neben der Zeit für die Codierung des Testreizes, zum Vergleich des Testreizes mit einer memorierten Liste und zur Antwort zusätzlich die Zeit zur Codierung und Decodierung des memorierten verbalen Materials berücksichtigt, können experimentelle Daten zur Suche von Wörtern oder Buchstaben in Wortlisten adäquat erklärt werden.

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The experiments were conducted at the Yale University, USA.     

Psychological treatment of pedophiles

The main treatment problem of pedophilia is motivating the offender to change. Reasons for the perpetrator's resistance to therapy and strategies for motivating them to change are discussed. Current assumptions about the etiology of this sexual anomaly are examined. Results from a databank of sex offenders are reviewed to show that it is uncommon for pedophiles to be victims of sexual abuse, including incest, and few need pornography as stimulants. Therapeutic difficulties include the egocentric, egosyntonic, and erotically gratifying nature of pedophilia to the perpetrator, his unwillingness to give up his behavior, his tendency to rationalize his acts, and to see the child as consenting. Group therapy and a variety of clinical imagery procedures with case examples are discussed as ways of overcoming the poor motivational state of pedophiles for treatment.     

A Comparative Effectiveness Study of Two High-Frequency Word Interventions: Traditional Drill and WordSheets

Traditional drill and practice (TDP) has been shown to be both effective and efficient for increasing word recognition. WordSheets (WS) is a novel drill procedure similar to TDP with two key differences: (a) WS increases opportunities to respond, which may increase efficiency and (b) WS present instructional stimuli in a context that more closely resembles actual reading passages, which may enhance generalization to connected text. The study sought to compare the effectiveness and efficiency of TDP and WS in a sample of first-grade students (n = 27) identified by their teachers as struggling readers. Results indicated that, although WS led to significantly more opportunities to respond, it was both less effective and efficient than TDP with regard to cumulative retention. However, there were no significant differences across interventions in regard to the maintenance or generalization of treatment gains. Limitations and implications of the current study for school-based professionals are discussed.