认知资源：解释社会助长效应的新视角

Zajonc和Baron分别提出社会唤醒理论和分心-冲突理论对社会助长效应进行解释,但仍存在一定的不足。研究在两种理论的基础上提出一种基于认知资源的解释观点。通过行为实验和脑电实验对这一观点进行验证,结果发现： （1）行为数据符合社会唤醒理论假设（2）简单任务组比复杂任务组诱发更高的N1波幅。（3）简单任务下,有人在场诱发更高的N1波幅;复杂任务下,有人在与无人组诱发的N1无显著差异。结果提示：他人在场通过改变个体的注意力投入来影响任务的完成效果。研究很好的解释了社会唤醒理论和分心-冲突理论无法解释的盲区,为社会助长效应的研究提供了一个新的视角。     

Mechanical behaviour versus structure of Al 63.6 Cu 24.0 Fe 12.4

A series of polyquasicrystalline ingots with the nominal composition Al 63.6 Cu 24.0 Fe 12.4 has been prepared by conventional drop casting and subsequent annealing at 1088K for 24h. Compression specimens prepared from the different ingots have been deformed at temperatures ranging from 750 to 1050K. The details of the structure and microstructure of the as-cast, annealed and deformed materials have been investigated by optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Whatever their initial structure (i.e. pure icosahedral, modulated or relevant to approximant phases) and their defect microstructure (dislocations and crystalline platelets), all the specimens, which have been compression tested, exhibit similar mechanical behaviours.     

Many-body potential for nitrogen in α-iron

N atom is one of the most frequent foreign interstitial atoms in α-iron along with C atoms. The Fe–C potential has been well-developed and can reproduce many significant interactions of C with point defects present in α-iron. However, there exists no satisfactory Fe–N potential to describe the interactions of N with point defects. Here, we develop a many-body potential for N in α-iron. The potential parameters are determined by fitting to ab initio data, which includes energetics, configurations, and relaxations of Fe atoms close to N atom. This potential successfully describes the interactions of Fe–N across a wide range of defect environments. The potential employs the embedded atom method form and hence is appropriate for large-scale molecular dynamics simulation.     

Learning potential and anxious tendency: Test anxiety as a bias factor in educational testing

Abstract

Contrary to conventional educational testing, in so-called dynamic assessment subjects are allowed to consult help during testing or are offered prior training. The differential results of both testing procedures are sometimes ascribed to the idea that dynamic tests reflect the breadth of the zone of proximal development on top of independent achievement. Alternative explanations claim that conventional tests are more strongly biased towards various characteristics of persons, which have a negative influence on performance, when compared to dynamic tests. In this study, it was hypothesised that static as well as dynamic assessment is biased towards anxious tendencies of subjects, but the former more strongly than the latter. In order to investigate this supposition, the performance of subjects on dynamic and static tests was systematically compared and related to measures of test anxiety in a longitudinal experiment. In the experiment, repeated measures of independent mathematics achievement as well as mathematics learning potential were gathered among students of secondary education in the Netherlands. Prior to every mathematics test, subjects filled out a test anxiety questionnaire. After every mathematics test, subjects filled out a general state anxiety questionnaire. The participating subjects were students from secondary education, either preparing for higher vocational training or university, aged approximately 15 years on average.

The results of the experiment showed that lack of self-confidence is an important constituent factor of test anxiety, apart from worry and emotionality. The data supported the assumption that such testing procedures are less biased towards anxiety than conventional tests, but it was not established that dynamic testing procedures render results that are not biased by test anxious tendencies.     

ERP的神经机制：诱发模型还是相位重排模型?

ERP的神经机制问题一直存在争议。诱发模型认为, ERP产生于触发事件诱发的确定性响应电位, 该诱发电位与背景脑电振荡相互独立。相位重排模型认为, 触发事件并不会诱发出一个独立于脑电信号的诱发电位, ERP产生于背景脑电节律振荡的部分相位重排。已有研究提供了各种实验证据以支持诱发模型或/和相位重排模型, 同时也引发了相关学者的诸多质疑。实验记录方式、数据处理及分析方法等方面的提高有利于进一步澄清ERP的神经机制。     

Motor timing and the preparation for sequential actions

Motor timing is essential for performing self-initiated movement sequences. Here, we investigated how sequence rhythm, or the timing for co-ordinating movements within a sequence, contributes to action preparation, compared with other processes occurring during sequence planning. First, we recorded the readiness potential (RP) in a condition of complex sequence rhythm and in condition of high demand on the timing for sequence initiation. We found that sequence rhythm and sequence initiation are independent processes, with sequence initiation contributing to early RP. Second, we compared the RP recorded in a condition of complex sequence rhythm and in a condition of complex sequence order, in which a complex combination of finger sub-movements had to be correctly ordered within a sequence. We found that sequence rhythm and sequence order share common processes occurring late RP. We suggest that the preparation for movement involves independent processes devoted to different aspects of motor timing and sequencing.     

人名相关自我加工的时间过程——事件相关电位研究提供的电生理证据

本研究采用事件相关电位技术（ERP）探讨了自我名字加工的神经机制。实验中向被试随机呈现大圆、小圆及名字,被试的任务是辨别大圆和小圆,名字是任务无关刺激。实验结果表明,被试自己的名字引发的P2及P3波幅都显著高于名人的名字及陌生人的名字。 与以往研究结果不同,本研究发现了P2波幅上的“自我名字效应”,即,人名相关的自我加工不仅表现在晚期成分P3上,同时还表现在早期成分P2上。所以,人名相关的自我加工过程分为早期和晚期两个加工阶段,前一个阶段可能是自动化加工,不需要意识参与,后一个阶段是意识加工。     

Tattoo and taboo: on the meaning of tattoos in the analytic process

Tattooing projects a visual image in transference to form a backdrop for the most salient unconscious inner conflicts arising during an ongoing analytic process. Like a snapshot, the tattoo is a dialectic record of the mother-father relationship, of desires for closeness and distance, commonality and difference, identification and individuation. As Walter Benjamin famously stated about the nature of visual images in his Arcades Project, the tattoo represents "dialectics at a standstill." What seems paramount to the patient who participates in the act of tattooing is the need for stasis and immutability, as if bringing unconscious conflicts to "standstill" were to deliver a sense of stability. Unconsciously, the need is triggered by a threat to the inner stability resulting from fear of violating a taboo escalating to the point that fears of abandonment and fusion become unbearable. On the one hand, the tattoo is a visual symbolization of a taboo transgression; on the other hand, it activates the same through an act of self-injury that resembles the magical ritual acts of indigenous peoples' use of tattoos. The taboo thus serves as an ersatz for the actual violation of the taboo in real life, so that the tattoo may be ascribed a magical significance or totemic function. And yet the tattoo's success as a vehicle for constructing a transitional object is always contingent on the tangible manipulation of the skin conjoined with the creation of a symbolizing visual image. The image then acts like a "patch" to repair holes blown into Winnicott's "potential space" and to reconstruct it.     

Neural correlates of feigned memory impairment are distinguishable from answering randomly and answering incorrectly: an fMRI and behavioral study

Previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have identified activation in the prefrontal-parietal-sub-cortical circuit during feigned memory impairment when comparing with truthful telling. Here, we used fMRI to determine whether neural activity can differentiate between answering correctly, answering randomly, answering incorrectly, and feigned memory impairment. In this study, 12 healthy subjects underwent block-design fMRI while they performed digit task of forced-choice format under four conditions: answering correctly, answering randomly, answering incorrectly, and simulated feigned memory impairment. There were three main results. First, six areas, including the left prefrontal cortex, the left superior temporal lobe, the right postcentral gyrus, the right superior parietal cortex, the right superior occipital cortex, and the right putamen, were significantly modulated by condition type. Second, for some areas, including the right superior parietal cortex, the right postcentral gyrus, the right superior occipital cortex, and the right putamen, brain activity was significantly greater in feigned memory impairment than answering randomly. Third, for the areas including the left prefrontal cortex and the right putamen, brain activity was significantly greater in feigned memory impairment than answering incorrectly. In contrast, for the left superior temporal lobe, brain activity was significantly greater in answering incorrectly than feigned memory impairment. The results suggest that neural correlates of feigned memory impairment are distinguishable from answering randomly and answering incorrectly in healthy subjects.     

Values as Predictors of Anticipated Socio‐cultural Adaptation Among Potential Migrants from Russia to Finland

This study examined the role of value patterns of potential migrants from Russia to Finland (N = 229) in predicting expectations of post‐migration socio‐cultural adaptation. Furthermore, the fit between migrants' personal values and the values they expect to encounter in the new home country (i.e. perceived value congruence) was hypothesized to predict anticipated socio‐cultural adaptation (ASCA). The study took into account perceived cultural distance variables as well as socio‐demographic controls traditionally related to adaptation outcomes among migrants. According to the results, familiarity with the host country (i.e., the number of Finnish friends/relatives in Finland), the openness to change value and perceived value congruence significantly predicted potential migrants' ASCA. When using four sub‐scales (interpersonal relations, cognitive understanding, impersonal perils and bureaucracy) of the ASCA‐scale, a more complex picture emerged. The results suggest that future work should include values, particularly perceived value congruence, in the analysis of the cultural fit hypothesis, as well as find better means of supporting immigrant adjustment starting at the pre‐migration stage. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.