The role of learning experience on the perceptual organization of Chinese characters

The effect of learning experience on the perceived graphemic similarity of Chinese characters was examined by comparing results of the constrained (Experiment 1) and unconstrained (Experiment 2) shape-sorting tasks obtained from various groups of participants with different learning experiences and ages. The results from hierarchical cluster analysis showed that both Taiwanese and Japanese undergraduates classified characters in relation to their configurational structures, whereas American undergraduates, Taiwanese illiterate adults, and kindergartners categorized characters based on strokes or components. Although a trend of developmental changes from local details to more globally defined patterns was found, the identification of structure as consistently perceived by skilled readers has to be nourished by learning experience and cannot be obtained solely through maturation.     

Two Types of Strain Differences in Open-Field Behavior in Rats and their Mapping

Open-field behavior of three treatments for three strains of rats (SD, Long-Evans, Fischer-344) was plotted on a map by component scores that were derived from principal component analysis. The treatments consisted of electric shock, extensive stroking, or testing after habituation to the field. Five measures were used: ambulation, penetration into the inner square, rearing, defecation, and urination. There was a clear strain difference on the basis of a raw open-field test score. This was termed a raw-score strain difference. A treatment-effect strain difference, however, which is obtained by comparing treatment and control conditions, was not clear. Thus, the behavior of each treatment condition cohered clearly with each other on the map, regardless of raw-score strain differences. This indicates that the nature of emotional behavior caused by the present treatments is very similar among strains despite the clear raw-score strain difference.     

Effects of self-motion on attention in real 3D space

Human behavioral space is three-dimensional (3D), and when moving through 3D space individuals selectively allocate their attention to acquire necessary information. This study aimed to examine the characteristics of attention in real 3D space when observers were moving forward. In static and self-motion situations, relative and absolute cues were used. Results indicated that internal representation for allocation of attention in 3D space is in depth-aware mode whether in static or moving condition. Moreover, near superior asymmetrical switching of attention is more strongly manifested under moving than under static conditions. Our findings indicate that focusing of attention by relative and absolute cues is maintained in self-motion, and that allocation of attention during movement is more viewer-centered than when observers are static.     

Treatment of a biracial child with schizophreniform disorder: cultural formulation

Over the past several years, the field of psychiatry has shown a higher level of cultural sensitivity and an increasing interest in the role of cultural factors in mental health. This has been notably reflected in the incorporation of cultural considerations, such as an outline for cultural formulation and a glossary of culture-bound syndromes, in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994). This case report is illustrative of the significance of considering cultural elements in diagnosing and treating a psychiatric disorder. It is also the first-known detailed case report on fakamahaki, a culture-bound syndrome from the Kingdom of Tonga. The syndrome is described in a child from the perspective of a child psychiatry fellow. To serve as a teaching case for clinicians in training as well as those in practice, the DSM-IV outline for cultural formulation has been used. This case can be helpful in educating others in the mental health field about the utility of a more comprehensive approach to understanding clients in contrast to the growing trend of very focused approaches.     

Neuromagnetic signals associated with reading a kanji character formed by combining two kanji radicals

To find out which brain regions are responsible for the mental construction and recognition of a kanji character initiated by visually presented kanji radicals, rather than by information retained in the memory, a left hen radical and the corresponding right tsukuri radical were simultaneously presented randomly to either the left or right visual field of seven subjects. Thirty left hen radicals and the corresponding right tsukuri radicals were prepared as stimuli; this combination formed over 500 real or pseudo kanji characters. Instead of their usual left and right positions, the left hen radical was always presented above the right tsukuri radical. As quickly and correctly as possible, the subjects released a key when two kanji radicals constituted a single real kanji character and released another key otherwise. We recorded neuromagnetic responses as well as accuracy and reaction time. Left visual field superiority was observed as regards accuracy. This is in good agreement with previous neuropsychological results. Equivalent current dipoles were localized mainly in the left and/or right occipitotemporal regions (ventral visual pathways), the bilateral occipitoparietal regions (dorsal visual pathways) including the supramarginal region, and the areas surrounding the left superior temporal cortex. We suggest that these regions are related to reading and the mental construction of a kanji character from its radicals.     

Contrary effects of group cohesiveness in minority influence: Intergroup categorization of the source and levels of influence

The roles of group cohesiveness and intergroup categorization of the source in minority influence were studied in a 2 (high versus low cohesiveness) × 2 (ingroup versus outgroup source) × 3 (phases) factorial design. Six subjects forming a group were confronted with a confederate defending a minority position in a perceptual task. The results indicated a manifest influence effect (slide colour), accompanied by a latent polarization (afterimage) in the high cohesrveness/outgroup source condition, and a latent unfluence effect in the low cohesiveness/ingroup source condition.     

The experimental study of internal and external conformity on time perception

The purpose of this study is to examine how external conformity affect internal conformity in the conditions in which the degree of discrepancy between majority opinion and physical reality are different. The 106 subjects were divided into eight groups of 2 (male and female) × 2 (high external conformer and low one) × 2 (large discrepancy and small one). We found the effect of interaction between discrepancy condition and external conformity to internal conformity.     

Aggressive behaviors of the japanese brown bear

Film analysis and direct observation suggest that 2 very different types of intra-specific fights occur among Japanese brown bears maintained in large stable colonies. Disputes arising over food are short, and involve such activities as threatening, muzzling, chasing, and flight. Weapon use during feeding fights primarily involves slashing blows to the back or head areas of the opponent. In contrast, “spontaneous” fights are longer, and consist almost exclusively of wrestling, with bites and forepaw blows directed at the opponent's ruff area. These spontaneous fights occur primarily among the larger and higher-ranked male bears, especially among animals with closely adjacent rankings. It is suggested that such fights facilitate the establishment of dominance relationships by providing an opportunity for mutual assessment of strength and stamina without serious risk of injury.     

An empirical examination of the mechanisms mediating between high-performance work systems and the performance of Japanese organizations

The resource-based view of the firm and social exchange perspectives are invoked to hypothesize linkages among high-performance work systems, collective human capital, the degree of social exchange in an establishment, and establishment performance. The authors argue that high-performance work systems generate a high level of collective human capital and encourage a high degree of social exchange within an organization, and that these are positively related to the organization's overall performance. On the basis of a sample of Japanese establishments, the results provide support for the existence of these mediating mechanisms through which high-performance work systems affect overall establishment performance.     

Preliminary study of psychological factors affecting clinic attendance and glycemic control of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

We studied 50 Japanese patients who were first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Psychological functioning was assessed by using the Rorschach test and the Yatabe-Guilford Personality test. Analysis indicated that patients who discontinued clinic attendance during the 2-yr. study period had more depression, lower general activity and less extraversion, more negative self-attitudes, and more concern about being helpless than those who continued having regular followups. This study also found that patients who had worse glycemic control 2 yr. after being first diagnosed reported more inferiority feelings, lower general activity, more need for closeness to others, and more emotional demands than those who had better glycemic control. In conclusion, understanding the psychological functioning would be helpful in the management of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.