Perceiving heading with different retinal regions and types of optic flow

We examined the ability to use optic flow to judge heading when different parts of the retina are stimulated and when the specified heading is in different directions relative to the display. To do so, we manipulated retinal eccentricity (the angle between the fovea and the center of the stimulus) and heading eccentricity (the angle between the specified heading and the center of the stimulus) independently. Observers viewed two sequences of moving dots that simulated translation through a random cloud of dots. They reported whether the direction of translation—the heading—in the second sequence was to the left or right of the direction in the first sequence. The results revealed a large and consistent effect of heading eccentricity: Judgments were much more accurate with radial flow fields (small heading eccentricities) than with lamellar fields (large heading eccentricities), regardless of the part of the retina being stimulated. The results also revealeda smaller and less consistent effect of retinal eccentricity: With radial flow (small heading eccentricities), judgments were more accurate when the stimulus was presented near the fovea. The variation of heading thresholds from radial to lamellar flow fields is predicted by a simple model of two-dimensional motion discrimination. The fact that the predictions are accurate implies that the human visual system is equally efficient at processing radial and lamellar flow fields. In addition, efficiency is reasonably constant no matter what part of the retina is being stimulated.     

A psychological laboratory based on a PDP-11/10 with graphics

This article describes a laboratory computer system that uses a PDP-11/10 CPU and a graphics processor to simulate a multifield tachistoscope and to run a great number of psychological experiments. The potential of the hardware is discussed, and two useful programs are presented.     

Study Preregistration: An Evaluation of a Method for Transparent Reporting

Study preregistration promotes transparency in scientific research by making a clear distinction between a priori and post hoc procedures or analyses. Management and applied psychology have not embraced preregistration in the way other closely related social science fields have. There may be concerns that preregistration does not add value and prevents exploratory data analyses. Using a mixed-method approach, in Study 1, we compared published preregistered samples against published non-preregistered samples. We found that preregistration effectively facilitated more transparent reporting based on criteria (i.e., confirmed hypotheses and a priori analysis plans). Moreover, consistent with concerns that the published literature contains elevated type I error rates, preregistered samples had fewer statistically significant results (48%) than non-preregistered samples (66%). To learn about the perceived advantages, disadvantages, and misconceptions of study preregistration, in Study 2, we surveyed authors of preregistered studies and authors who had never preregistered a study. Participants in both samples had positive inclinations towards preregistration yet expressed concerns about the process. We conclude with a review of best practices for management and applied psychology stakeholders.

     

Parenting Behavior and Cognitions in a Community Sample of Mothers with and without Symptoms of Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Although attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults has recently emerged as an important area of research, little attention has been given to the family functioning of women with ADHD, particularly in their role as mothers. We examined parenting self-esteem, locus of control, and disciplinary styles in a community sample of mothers with varying levels of ADHD symptoms. Women with high levels of ADHD symptoms reported more occupational and psychiatric problems than women with lower levels of ADHD symptoms. They also reported lower parenting self-esteem, a more external parenting locus of control, and less effective disciplinary styles. The findings suggest that women with ADHD symptoms may face a number of difficulties within the parenting domain.     

Selective Exposure in the Internet Age: The Interaction between Anxiety and Information Utility

The rise of the Internet forces scholars to reevaluate the frequency and nature of political information seeking in the contemporary period. The functionality of the Internet makes passive exposure more difficult, and selective information seeking easier, than in the past. However, people may also use the Internet in a new and directed way—to arm themselves with information to express and defend their views either online or in the real world. The central question we explore in this paper is what explains balanced versus biased information seeking in the era of the Internet? We combine insights from Sears and Freedman (1967 ) with newer work on emotion to predict motivated selectivity: focusing specifically on the interaction between anxiety and information utility. Our central theoretical claim is that anxiety does not simply boost any information seeking; it triggers information seeking that is useful for addressing the problem at hand. Anxiety alone, therefore, does not guarantee a balanced information search. When counterattitudinal information is useful for some reason—for example, to defend their own opinions to others who may disagree—anxious citizens should seek it out. As a consequence, these subjects should learn more specific information about where each candidate stands on the issues. In an experiment we find support for these hypotheses. We conclude that while today's flexible Internet environment may permit selectivity, balanced seeking should still occur under a fairly common set of circumstances.     

Behavioral and physiological correlates of aggressive dominance in male brown lemmings (Lemmus sibiricus)

Naive male brown lemmings were paired with the same opponent for 10 min/day for 11 consecutive days. Males of a control group were placed in an empty arena for the same period. There was no decrement in the incidence of attack and chase by dominant males in pairs showing stable dominant-subordinate relations. Subsequently, seminal vesicles of dominant animals were heavier than those of subordinate, control and “no rank” (pairs in which no clear-cut dominance relations were established) animals. Dominant animals also had greater mean testis weights and higher plasma testosterone levels than subordinates. Adrenal weights did not differ significantly between the various groups. Among dominant males there were significant positive correlations between plasma testosterone levels, testis and seminal vesicle weights, and attack and chase scores. These results suggest that many of the physiological correlates of dominance status reported in previous studies in which subjects were group housed are also observed when contact between naive individuals is limited to brief encounters.