An automated system for primate instruction for behavioral neurophysiology

This paper describes a flexible hardware/software system developed for use with a PDP-8I computer for conducting research in behavioral neurophysiology. A real time monitor was designed to facilitate development, debugging, and modification of programs to run experiments. It relieves the programmer of the burden of dealing with hardware dependent functions such as interrupt handling and input/output. In addition, it provides the user with a large library of callable routines to perform functions commonly needed for conducting experiments. The monitor is modular in design and could be expanded or modified for use with many configurations of the PDP-8 family of computers.     

Parental Relationship and Value Orientation as Factors in Academic Achievement

The study applies a theory of group functioning to the family structure and identifies 2 variables hypothesized to bear a functional relationship to achievement—perceived strength of the parent-child relationship and perceived parental valuing of achievement. Grades earned in school provide the criterion. In the examination of these variables, the findings for males and females are contrasted. The resulting data reveal marked differences in male and female achievement orientations. In general, the findings for females conform to the predictions made, while those for males do not. Several interesting interactions are reported in which levels of intelligence are found in special combination with the other independent variables studied. The relationships identified are regarded as evidence particularly relevant to female achievement motivation.     

The additive constant problem in multidimensional scaling

The problem of choosing the correct additive constant to convert relative interstimulus distances to absolute interstimulus distances in multidimensional scaling is investigated. An artificial numerical example is constructed, and various trial values of the constant are inserted to demonstrate the effect on the multidimensional map of making a variety of incorrect choices. Finally, a general solution to the problem, suggested by Dr. Ledyard R Tucker, is presented; each of the computational steps in this solution is set down for easy reference.This study was supported in part by Office of Naval Research Contract N6onr-270-20 and by National Science Foundation Grant G-642 to Princeton University.