The effect of additional variables on factor indeterminacy in models with a single common factor

Determinate solutions for the indeterminate common factor ofp variables satisfying the single common factor model are not unique. Therefore an infinite sequence of additional variables that conform jointly with the originalp variables to the original single common factor model does not determine a unique solution for the indeterminate factor of thep variables (although the solution is unique for the factor of the infinite sequence). Other infinite sequences may be found to determine different solutions for the factor of the originalp variables. The paper discusses a number of theorems about the effects of additional variables on factor indeterminacy in a model with a single common factor and draws conclusions from them for factor theory in general.     

The box alignment illusion: An orientation illusion induced by pictorial depth

In four experiments, observers attempted to align two sets of oblique edges to parallel. The contexts for these alignments included lines in isolation (2-D control), lines embedded in orthogonal drawings of same-oriented and different-oriented boxes (3-D objects), and each of these viewed against backgrounds depicting strong linear perspective (3-D backgrounds). A consistent distortion was observed in the alignments of different-oriented boxes relative to control lines, indicating that the parallel lines in these stimuli appeared to diverge toward the top of the picture. Furthermore, thisbox alignment illusion decreased with interstimulus distance, whereas alignment distortions in control lines and same-oriented boxes increased with distance. Viewing the stimuli against 3-D backgrounds produced a dramatic reversal of the illusion, with control lines now appearing to converge more than the boxes. These results suggest that the illusion reflects basic processes involved in pictorial depth perception.     

c-fos mRNA induction in acute and chronic audiogenic stress: possible role of the orbitofrontal cortex in habituation

To study putative brain circuits involved in habituation to stress, rats were exposed daily (30 min for 15 days) to an environment in the presence (Chronic) or absence (Acute) of loud noise (105 dB sound pressure level--SPL A Scale). Behavioral and endocrine measures of stress were taken throughout this habituation period, and both measures displayed strong habituation in the Chronic group. All rats were killed immediately after the day 16 exposure, constituting an acute stressor for the Acute group, and regional brain activity was assessed using c-fos mRNA induction with in situ hybridization. Hearing damage could not easily explain these results because additional rats exposed to a similar stress protocol exhibited no changes in auditory brainstem evoked potentials. c-fos mRNA induction in the central auditory system was similar between the Acute and Chronic groups, particularly at lower auditory processing levels, also arguing against a simple reduction in auditory processing in the chronically stressed rats. However, c-fos mRNA expression was reduced in chronically, as compared to acutely, stressed rats in several regions previously implicated in audiogenic stress (lateral septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, some preoptic areas, and the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus). Interestingly, the orbitofrontal cortex was the only region displaying higher c-fos mRNA induction in the chronically as compared to acutely stressed rats. This region has connections to several stress-responsive areas and may thus be a critical region actively inhibiting stress.     

Subjective Social Standing and Conflict Tactics Among Young Kenyan Men

Efforts to reduce intimate partner violence in sub‐Saharan Africa generally approach the issue through the lens of women's empowerment. These efforts include foci on women's relative power in the relationship, educational background, and earning potential. The social status of men has largely been ignored, reducing the potential to involve them in efforts to demote intimate partner violence. In this study we consider whether a man's perceived social status predicts conflict tactics, and whether these tactics are mediated by loneliness and collective self‐esteem from a community‐based sample in semi‐rural Kenya (n = 263). We find that men who reported lower perceived social status also reported significantly more frequent violent conflicts with their intimate partners. This association was significantly, and completely, mediated by lower collective self‐esteem and higher loneliness. There was no direct association between subjective social status and negotiation‐based conflict tactics, although there was an indirect association. Men with higher perceived social status reported higher collective self‐esteem, and men with higher collective self‐esteem reported more negotiation‐based conflict tactics. These findings inform efforts to reduce intimate partner violence by involving men, showing potential to reduce violence by building self‐esteem among men—particularly those with lower perceived social status.