Linear Phase-Correction in Synchronization: Predictions, Parameter Estimation, and Simulations

A stochastic model for synchronization with a metronome is analyzed which generalizes Wing and Kristofferson's (1973a, 1973b) two-level model for tapping. The model includes a motor component, a timekeeper component, and a linear phase error correction mechanism. The model's predictions of the asymptotic dependence structure of the synchronization errors and interresponse intervals are derived. Problems of identifiability and estimation of parameters are discussed.     

Announcements

The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) has dominated research on narcissism in the field of social and personality psychology. Surprisingly, it is unclear whether the NPI is useful for identifying pathological narcissism in patients with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). The goal of this study was to close this research gap. We used an extreme-group approach by including NPD patients and healthy controls and comparing their narcissism scores. We further investigated whether explicit self-esteem (assessed with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) suppressed the relationship between group membership and NPI narcissism. According to our results, NPD patients do not score higher on the NPI in comparison to healthy controls. Analysis of indirect effects revealed that differences in NPI scores are suppressed by NPD patients’ low self-esteem. Our results indicate that the NPI is not a valid indicator of NPD, unless one controls for self-esteem. Implications for future research are discussed.     

The Knowledge,Skills, Abilities,and Other Characteristics Required for Face-to-Face Versus Computer-Mediated Communication: Similar or Distinct Constructs?

Purpose

This study investigated the convergence of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs) required for either face-to-face (FtF) or text-based computer-mediated (CM) communication, the latter being frequently mentioned as core twenty-first century competencies.

Design/Methodology/Approach

In a pilot study (n = 150, paired self- and peer reports), data were analyzed to develop a measurement model for the constructs of interest. In the main study, FtF and CM communication KSAOs were assessed via an online panel (n = 450, paired self- and peer reports). Correlated-trait-correlated-method minus one models were used to examine the convergence of FtF and CM communication KSAOs at the latent variable level. Finally, we applied structural equation modeling to examine the influence of communication KSAOs on communication outcomes within (e.g., CM KSAOs on CM outcomes) and across contexts (e.g., CM KSAOs on FtF outcomes).

Findings

Self-reported communication KSAOs showed only low to moderate convergence between FtF and CM contexts. Convergence was somewhat higher in peer reports, but still suggested that the contextualized KSAOs are separable. Communication KSAOs contributed significantly to communication outcomes; context-incongruent KSAOs explained less variance in outcomes than context-congruent KSAOs.

Implications

The results imply that FtF and CM communication KSAOs are distinct, thus speaking to the consideration of CM KSAOs as twenty-first century competencies and not just a derivative of FtF communication competencies.

Originality/Value

This study is the first to examine the convergence of context-specific communication KSAOs within a correlated-trait-correlated-method minus one framework using self- and peer reports.

     

The association between ruminative thinking and negative interpretation bias in social anxiety

Cognitive models propose that both, negative interpretations of ambiguous social situations and ruminative thoughts about social events contribute to the maintenance of social anxiety disorder. It has further been postulated that ruminative thoughts fuel biased negative interpretations, however, evidence is rare. The present study used a multi-method approach to assess ruminative processing following a social interaction (post-event processing by self-report questionnaire and social rumination by experience sampling method) and negative interpretation bias (via two separate tasks) in a student sample (n?=?51) screened for high (HSA) and low social anxiety (LSA). Results support the hypothesis that group differences in negative interpretations of ambiguous social situations in HSAs vs. LSAs are mediated by higher levels of post-event processing assessed in the questionnaire. Exploratory analyses highlight the potential role of comorbid depressive symptoms. The current findings help to advance the understanding of the association between two cognitive processes involved in social anxiety and stress the importance of ruminative post-event processing.     

Hypothetical and real consequences in experimental auctions for insurance against low-probability risks

Laboratory experiments have provided useful information about how people behave in risky situations. In particular, such experiments have allowed for the observation of many deviations from the predictions of expected utility theory. There is some dispute, however, over the effect of the use of real versus hypothetical money in these experiments and over the impact of experience. In this paper we describe auction experiments in which subjects faced a low-probability risk with either hypothetical or real-money consequences and varying amounts of experience. Using hypothetical payoffs resulted in behavior that provides a reasonable qualitative prediction of behavior with real consequences, but that seems to indicate a less diligent altitude toward spending the money as well as less concern about the risk.     

Psychiatry and psychotherapy in the many-sided contributions of Alexander Mette

Appreciating the personality and work of Alexander Mette, who founded together with Karl Bonhoeffer this journal, especially his psychiatric and psychotherapeutic inclinations as well as his influences on the development of our discipline are taken into consideration in the frame of his many-sided activities as a man of letters and cultural policy.     

Getting synchronized with the metronome: Comparisons between phase and period correction

Most studies of synchronization have focused on how an established phase relationship between self-produced events (e.g., finger taps) and the clicks of a metronome is maintained when the metronome is regular or subject to unpredictable perturbations. Here we study how synchronization is initially established, using an experimental paradigm in which the metronome is activated after the subject has executed a series of self-paced finger taps. In Exp. 1, the metronome period was constant and equal to the mean of the self-paced inter-response intervals, whereas the initial phase difference of the metronome from the taps varied across trials. The synchronization error patterns could be predicted by a linear phase correction model. Experiment 2 involved both period and phase correction. The initial phase difference was constant, whereas the metronome period varied across trials. The observed synchronization error patterns suggest that the subjects achieved synchronization either by reacting to the second metronome signal or by aiming at the third metronome signal. The pattern of the residual synchronization errors was consistent with the linear phase correction model. These results support the notion that period and phase correction mechanisms are called for by different task variables and contribute differently to sensorimotor synchronization. Received: 20 November 1996 / Accepted: 20 April 1997     

Course and form variations of cyclothymic phases in lithium therapy

The authors have attempted by means of a statistical survey to quantify changes in the course and, in particular the phase-related and non-phase-related form of cyclothymic phases during long-term lithium treatment.