The effect of visual search efficiency on response preparation: neurophysiological evidence for discrete flow

Most models assume that response time (RT) comprises the time required for successive processing stages, but they disagree about whether information is transmitted continuously or discretely between stages. We tested these alternative hypotheses by measuring when movement-related activity began in the frontal eye field (FEF) of macaque monkeys performing visual search. Previous work showed that RT was longer when visual neurons in FEF took longer to select the target, a finding consistent with prolonged perceptual processing during less efficient search. We now report that the buildup of saccadic movement-related activity in FEF is delayed in inefficient visual search. Variability in the delay of movement-related activity accounted for the difference in RT between search conditions and for the variability of RT within conditions. These findings provide neurophysiological support for the hypothesis that information is transmitted discretely between perceptual and response stages of processing during visual search.     

If I'm not hot, are you hot or not? Physical attractiveness evaluations and dating preferences as a function of one's own attractiveness

Prior research has established that people's own physical attractiveness affects their selection of romantic partners. This article provides further support for this effect and also examines a different, yet related, question: When less attractive people accept less attractive dates, do they persuade themselves that the people they choose to date are more physically attractive than others perceive them to be? Our analysis of data from the popular Web site http://HOTorNOT.com suggests that this is not the case: Less attractive people do not delude themselves into thinking that their dates are more physically attractive than others perceive them to be. Furthermore, the results also show that males, compared with females, are less affected by their own attractiveness when choosing whom to date.     

Cultural differences in estimation of other people's self-construals: Comparison of Korea and USA

The current study examined cultural differences in the relationship between individuals' self-ratings and their estimation of others on independent and interdependent self-construals. With data from undergraduates in the USA and Korea, findings showed that, in both USA and Korea, participants rated themselves higher than others on independent self-construal. For interdependent self-construal, however, Korean participants rated themselves higher than others, whereas American participants rated themselves lower than others. The positive relationship between self-esteem and the extent to which self-ratings exceeded ratings of others on independent self-construal was stronger for Korean than for American participants.     

Field operational test of a seatbelt reminder system: Effects on driver behaviour and acceptance

The long-term effects on driver behaviour and acceptance of a seatbelt reminder system were examined in an on-road study. The system was capable of detecting seatbelt use in all seating positions and produced a two-stage visual and auditory warning if occupants were unrestrained. The effects of this system were evaluated alone and in combination with two other intelligent transport systems: intelligent speed adaptation and a following distance warning system. Twenty-three fleet car drivers drove an instrumented vehicle (SafeCar) for at least 16,500 km as part of their everyday driving. The results revealed that driver and passenger interaction with the seatbelt reminder system led to large and significant decreases in the percentage of trips where occupants were unbelted, in the percentage of total driving time spent unbelted, and in the time taken to fasten a seatbelt in response to system warnings. The seatbelt reminder system was rated by drivers as being useful, effective and socially acceptable, and led to a decrease in drivers’ subjective workload. These results were found even though the baseline pre-exposure seatbelt wearing compliance rates among participants were high.     

Extending the technology acceptance model to mobile telecommunication innovation: The existence of network externalities

• Consumer acceptance of technological innovations is crucial to marketing new products. According to the most influential model in this area, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) determine users' behavioural intentions to use or purchase a system or product. In the specific context of network externalities, a sense of utility that arises from the number of users (NOU) is considered as important as technology‐specific valuation. This study conducted an empirical survey to examine the effects of TAM and network externalities on the acceptance of Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS), an innovation in the field of mobile telecommunications. The results confirm the effectiveness of the TAM and find that network externalities effect affects users' acceptance to this mobile innovations. Accordingly, the TAM can be applied to predict consumer's acceptance to the mobile telecommunication innovations in the presence of network externalities.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Restating the role of phenomenal experience in the formation and maintenance of the Capgras delusion

In recent times, explanations of the Capgras delusion have tended to emphasise the cognitive dysfunction that is believed to occur at the second stage of two-stage models. This is generally viewed as a response to the inadequacies of the one-stage account. Whilst accepting that some form of cognitive disruption is a necessary part of the aetiology of the Capgras delusion, I nevertheless argue that the emphasis placed on this second-stage is to the detriment of the important role played by the phenomenology underlying the disorder, both in terms of the formation and maintenance of the delusional belief. This paper therefore proposes an interactionist two-stage model in which the phenomenal experience of the Capgras patient is examined, emphasised, and its relation to top-down processing discussed.

How Does Residents’ Satisfaction with Community Services Influence Quality of Life (QOL) Outcomes?

Grzeskowiak et al. [Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy 33(2):1–36, 2003] conducted a study that empirically tested a model that integrates the relationships among determinants and outcomes of residents’ satisfaction with community services. We build on their model in attempt to explain how residents’ satisfaction with community services influence satisfaction with the community at large (community well-being) and satisfaction with life (quality of life). Specifically, we hypothesized and empirically demonstrated for the most part that satisfaction with a variety of community services (e.g., services related to housing, education, government, healthcare, employment, religion, public safety, retailing, transportation, and leisure) affect satisfaction with the community and life overall through satisfaction in a variety of life domains (e.g., family, social, leisure, health, financial, cultural, consumer, work, spiritual, and environmental domains).     

基于fMRI的自上而下字母加工神经机制的研究

人们在识别自己所熟悉的物体时, 不仅依赖于对输入信息的感知而且还会受到自上而下调节机制的影响。研究者基于功能磁共振成像(fMRI), 利用虚幻探测范式对自上而下字母加工的神经网络进行研究。该研究要求被试从纯噪声(实际没有任何字母)中探测字母。通过对fMRI数据进行心理生理交互效应分析, 发现当被试从纯噪声图片中“看”到字母时, 多个脑区的活动由于受到来自于右侧梭状回的影响而加强。该发现表明自上而下的字母加工网络不但包含负责字母形状和语音加工的脑区, 还涉及一些负责高级认知加工的区域。     

ADHD children grown up: An empirical review

Little is known about ADHD in adulthood. It has commonly been believed to be restricted to a problem of childhood, however the literature review revealed that long-term adjustment difficulties are in store for a high percentage of children. Hyperactivity was a risk for continuing symptomatology, antisocial and criminal behaviour, educational and occupational failure, social maladjustment and personality problems. It is concluded that psychological interventions are a necessary adjunct to stimulant medication to address the negative aspects associated with the ADHD syndrome.