Hierarchical resurgence

In resurgence, conventionally a target response is trained and then extinguished while some alternative response is reinforced. In the most common procedure, when the latter is extinguished, the former resurges. The present experiments examined resurgence after two responses were trained sequentially and subsequently extinguished. In Experiments 1 and 2, keypecking to one key was trained and then extinguished as keypecking to a different key was trained then later extinguished. In both experiments, regardless of the spatial location of the different keys, the last‐trained response resurged before the first‐trained one. The results were replicated in Experiment 3 where reinforcement rate of the first‐trained response was four times that of the second‐trained response. The results in conjunction with earlier experiments suggest that resurgence occurs hierarchically, although whether more or less recently trained target responses resurge first or later may depend on both current and historical variables. The results also raise questions about the interpretation of responding on a control key that sometimes is included in resurgence experiments to isolate resurgence from extinction‐induced responding.     

情绪影响认知加工策略内隐机制的实验研究

大量研究表明情绪可以影响加工策略：积极情绪与简单的启发式加工相联系,而消极情绪与系统的精细加工相联系。本研究运用信号检测论的方法,将被试的判定标准与加工能力分离开来,结果发现,虽然对两组被试（积极情绪组、消极情绪组）的回忆任务均提出相同的明确要求,但积极情绪组仍然运用了较为宽松的判定标准,反映了情绪对认知加工策略的无意识影响。另外,d＇值在两组间没有差异表明积极情绪组并不缺少加工能力。在此基础上,认为应该放弃从能力的角度看待情绪与加工方式之间的关系,注重研究情绪与具体加工特点之间的关系。     

The effects of frequency of social interaction and relationship closeness on reward allocation

In this study of how the frequency of interaction affects decisions on reward allocation, 320 Chinese adults were randomly assigned to 8 conditions and instructed to read a scenario describing 2 co-workers completing a task and obtaining a bonus. The 8 conditions differed in the type of relationships, the frequency of past interaction between co-workers, and the possibility of future interaction. Each participant was instructed to act as the allocator and to hypothetically allocate a monetary reward to the co-worker. The results indicated that both past interaction and future interaction between the co-workers significantly influenced the allocation decision. These results also suggested that the frequency of 2 individuals' past interaction can be predictive of the closeness of their relationship.     

Physical activity-related well-being in older adults: social cognitive influences

In this study, the pattern and correlates of physical activity-related well-being in older adults (N = 174; men = 49, women = 125; mean age = 66 years) were examined across a 6-month exercise trial. Baseline levels of self-efficacy fitness, importance of physical activity, and social support and exercise participation across the trial were used as correlates of positive and negative feeling states. Psychological responses to physical activity were assessed on a bimonthly basis across the trial. Latent growth curve analyses indicated significant growth in positive well-being over the 6-month period, with increases reaching a threshold at 4 months. Self-efficacy was inversely related to change in positive well-being across the trial. Frequency of activity and increases in well-being over the trial were significant predictors of self-efficacy at program termination. Findings suggest the social cognitive context of the exercise experience may have influence on exercise-related well-being.     

School related stress in early adolescence and academic performance three years later: the conditional influence of self expectations

The hypothesis was tested that educational expectations of junior high school students in interaction with school-related stress during early adolescence would adversely affect grades during high school. Multiple regression analyses of data from home interviews of 1034 students during junior high school and 3 years later during high school supported the hypothesis that early adolescent school-related stress both independently and in interaction with high academic expectations negatively affected academic performance 3 years later. These results suggest that for students in high stress school environments, an increase in academic expectations may serve to increase their school-related stress and impede their academic performance.     

Different effects of eyelid blinks and target blanking on saccadic suppression of displacement

Displacements of visual stimuli during saccadic eye movements are often not noticed. We have demonstrated that saccadic suppression of image displacement can be eliminated by blanking the stimulus for a short period during and after the saccade (Deubel, Schneider, & Bridgeman, 1996). Here we report an experiment in which target visibility was interrupted after the saccade, either by distal target blanking or by voluntary eyeblink. The data show that the effect of blinking is different from blanking; interruption of vision due to a blink did not enable subjects to detect target displacements any better than they had done in the no-blank condition. The results provide evidence for an extraretinal signal that distinguishes between endogenous and exogenous sources of temporary object disappearance after the saccade.     

The influence of 17beta-oestradiol on corticotrophin-releasing hormone induced suppression of luteinising hormone pulses and the role of CRH in hypoglycaemic stress-induced suppression of pulsatile LH secretion in the female rat

Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) released during stress has been implicated in the disruption of the reproductive neuroendocrine axis, and 17beta-oestradiol (E2) has been shown to enhance stress-induced suppression of pulsatile gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinising hormone (LH) release. The aims of the present study were to examine the role of CRH in hypoglycaemic stress-induced suppression of LH pulses, and to investigate the influence of E2 on the inhibitory effect of CRH on pulsatile LH secretion in the female rat. Suppression of LH pulses by insulin-induced hypoglycaemic (IIH) stress was completely prevented by intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of a CRH antagonist. Central administration of CRH (5 microg) resulted in an interruption of LH pulses in E2 treated animals, but had little or no effect in the absence of this gonadal steroid. These results provide evidence of a pivotal role for CRH in mediating the suppressive effect of IIH stress on pulsatile LH secretion in the female rat, and highlight a sensitising role for E2 in CRH-induced suppression of LH pulses.     

Pharmacological suppression of corticosterone secretion in response to a physical stressor does not prevent the delayed persistent increase in circulating basal corticosterone concentration

Elevated basal plasma corticosterone concentrations have been observed for several days after the cessation of severe stress. In the present study, we examined whether or not the acute plasma corticosterone response to stress is necessary to elicit increased basal plasma corticosterone concentrations the following day. Pretreatment with metyrapone (100 m a g , intraperitoneal)1 h before inescapable stress (40 2mA tail shocks delivered over a 1-h period) (IS)blocked the acute plasma corticosterone response to IS. However, elevated basal plasma corticosterone concentrations still emerged the next day. These results suggest that the corticosterone response to stress, and its attendant feedback, are not necessary to produce persistent hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) activation.     

The psychology of the Monty Hall problem: discovering psychological mechanisms for solving a tenacious brain teaser

The Monty Hall problem (or three-door problem) is a famous example of a "cognitive illusion," often used to demonstrate people's resistance and deficiency in dealing with uncertainty. The authors formulated the problem using manipulations in 4 cognitive aspects, namely, natural frequencies, mental models, perspective change, and the less-is-more effect. These manipulations combined led to a significant increase in the proportion of correct answers given by novice participants, largely because of the synergy of frequency-based formulation and perspective change (Experiments 1, 2). In a raining study (Experiment 3) frequency formulation and mental models, but not Bayes's rule training, showed significant positive transfer in solving related problems.     

Why young people do not kill themselves: the reasons for living inventory for adolescents

Assessed the reliability, validity, and predictive power of a new measure, the Reasons for Living Inventory for Adolescents (RFL-A; Osman et al., 1998). A group of 206 (101 boys and 105 girls) adolescent psychiatric inpatients completed the RFL-A, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for Adolescents (Butcher et al., 1992), and a packet of self-report measures. Additional information about the patients including diagnosis and suicide status were obtained from their medical records. It was determined that the RFL-A is a valid and reliable measure of adolescent suicide risk potential. Additionally, the RFL-A possesses better predictive power than the Beck Hopelessness Scale (Beck, Weissman, Lester, & Trexler, 1974). A discussion of the clinical and research utility of the RFL-A is included along with suggestions for future research.