The OWL: Software support for a model of argumentation

The OWL is an “idea cruncher” designed to assist in constructing, analyzing, and comparing debates and arguments. The design philosophy of OWL and the pragmatics of representing argument structures are explained, and applications are presented in three different areas: a 2-year open forum on state revenue issues, an analysis of the cohesiveness of a published argument, and a personalized learning system. The presentation concludes with a prognosis and a discussion of future plans.     

The components of love: Romantic attraction and sex role orientation

Hypotheses derived from both Erich Fromm and the feminist literature linking sex role orientation to type of love experienced were tested in a sample of 123 heterosexual dating couples Five components of love were identified through factor analysis romantic dependency, communicative intimacy, physical arousal, respect, and romantic compatibility Type of love was related to sex role orientation (p 01), with traditionals characterized by romantic dependency and romantic compatibility, while nontraditionals emphasized communicative intimacy Sex differences showed females being more emotionally expressive in then love than males and scoring higher on communicative intimacy (p's < 01)     

Item Variances and Median Splits: Some Discouraging and Disquieting Findings

ABSTRACT In his response to our article, Baumeister argued that in real data, the confound between interitem variance and trait extremity is small (typically in the range of 0 and –.2), and that the danger of artifact associated with the application of median splits to interitem variance is not as serious as our first simulation study would lead one to believe. When we examined a large body of actual personality data, employing personality scales of average reliability and relatively large samples, we found that the average magnitude of the confound was –.15. However, we also found that even a confound as small as –.03 could be associated with significant differential range restriction of the trait scores within subsamples produced by the median split (MS) technique. We note that several factors, not just the magnitude of the interitem variance/trait extremity confound, must be considered when assessing the danger of artifact associated with the MS technique. We again conclude that researchers should use the moderated multiple regression (MMR) technique in preference to the MS technique when testing for moderating effects in personality research.     

The etiology of schizophrenia as perceived by psychiatrists in Europe and the United States

This paper compares and contrasts statements made by American and European psychiatrists on the etiology of schizophrenia. In the U.S., leading figures in psychiatry hold increasingly to the view that the disorder is physiogenic at source—from which it seems to follow that the appropriate treatments should similarly focus on physiological and pharmacological therapies. In contrast, European psychiatrists seem to be divided in support for organic and psychodynamic explanations. Some European writers have pointedly warned against over-interpreting recent studies which seem to point to specific organic dysfunctions and deficits as schizophrenogenic. This paper was presented at the Second Annual Convention of the American Psychological Society, Dallas, Texas, June 7–10, 1990.     

An experiment control computer system time shared by several laboratories

An experiment control computer system, operational for more than 2 years, is discussed. The system is multiprogammed, using a vendor supplied real-time operating system. Individual experiments employ multitasking—fast response functions are implemented in core resident tasks while interactive and other slow response functions are implemented in tasks that operate under time sharing. The areas of psychological research currently supported are concept formation studies, EEG evoked response studies, monitoring the autonomic nervous system, perception studies, and family interaction studies.     

Medical diagnostics with nonparametric allocation rules

Some nonparametric allocation methods are proposed for use in computer-aided medical diagnostics. It may be expected that the replacement of the widely employed parametric models by these methods leads to more realistic results, because the assumptions which are used by parametric models and which are never fulfilled in practice become unnecessary. The overestimation of the discriminating power arising from the non-fulfillment of parametric assumptions are avoided.     

A two-dimensional computer-controlled visual stimulator

A computer-controlled instrument that creates complex two-dimensional patterns on a CRT monitor is described. These patterns are used to elicit visual evoked responses. Patterns are produced on a raster that is rotatable about its center. It is possible to assign to arbitrary regions in the raster any of four independent one-dimensional spatial-temporal functions. For each spatial-temporal function, the experimenter can select an arbitrary spatial profile, the spatial frequency of the profile, the starting phase of the profile, the temporal function, and the depth of modulation.     

Pastoral care in a trauma center

The pastoral staff of the Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a vital participant in the advanced trauma-care team. The staff of professionally certified chaplains take an active role in ministering to the unique temporal, psychological, and spiritual needs of both patients and patients' families. These professionals serve as hosts, counselors, confidants, and friends to people who have been suddenly thrown into chaos. The pastoral staff at a trauma center also ministers to the emotional and spiritual needs of the various medical and nursing staffs.