A Scanpath Analysis of the Risky Decision‐Making Process

In the field of eye tracking, scanpath analysis can reflect the sequential and temporal properties of the cognitive process. However, the advantages of scanpath analysis have not yet been utilized in the study of risky decision making. We explored the methodological applicability of scanpath analysis to test models of risky decision making by analyzing published data from the eye‐tracking studies of Su et al. (2013); Wang and Li (2012), and Sun, Rao, Zhou, and Li (2014). These studies used a proportion task, an outcome‐matched presentation condition, and a multiple‐play condition as the baseline for comparison with information search and processing in the risky decision‐making condition. We found that (i) the similarity scores of the intra‐conditions were significantly higher than those of the inter‐condition; (ii) the scanpaths of the two conditions were separable; and (iii) based on an inspection of typical trials, the patterns of the scanpaths differed between the two conditions. These findings suggest that scanpath analysis is reliable and valid for examining the process of risky decision making. In line with the findings of the three original studies, our results indicate that risky decision making is unlikely to be based on a weighting and summing process, as hypothesized by the family of expectation models. The findings highlight a new methodological direction for research on decision making. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modulation of taxonomic (versus thematic) similarity judgments and product choices by inducing local and global processing

Perceived similarity is influenced by both taxonomic and thematic relations. Assessing taxonomic relations requires comparing individual features of objects whereas assessing thematic relations requires exploring how objects functionally interact. These processes appear to relate to different thinking styles: abstract thinking and a global focus may be required to explore functional interactions whereas attention to detail and a local focus may be required to compare specific features. In four experiments we explored this idea by assessing whether a preference for taxonomic or thematic relations could be created by inducing a local or global perceptual processing style. Experiments 1–3 primed processing style via a perceptual task and used a choice task to examine preference for taxonomic (versus thematic) relations. Experiment 4 induced processing style and examined the effect on similarity ratings for pairs of taxonomic and thematically related items. In all cases processing style influenced preference for taxonomic/thematic relations.     

Contributions to Estimation of Polychoric Correlations

This research concerns the estimation of polychoric correlations in the context of fitting structural equation models to observed ordinal variables by multistage estimation. The first main contribution of this research is to propose and evaluate a Monte Carlo estimator for the asymptotic covariance matrix (ACM) of the polychoric correlation estimates. In multistage estimation, the ACM plays a prominent role, as overall test statistics, derived fit indices, and parameter standard errors all depend on this quantity. The ACM, however, must itself be estimated. Established approaches to estimating the ACM use a sample-based version, which can yield poor estimates with small samples. A simulation study demonstrates that the proposed Monte Carlo estimator can be more efficient than its sample-based counterpart. This leads to better calibration for established test statistics, in particular with small samples. The second main contribution of this research is a further exploration of the consequences of violating the normality assumption for the underlying response variables. We show the consequences depend on the type of nonnormality, and the number and location of thresholds. The simulation study also demonstrates that overall test statistics have little power to detect the studied forms of nonnormality, regardless of the ACM estimator.     

Problem Behavior and Romantic Relationships: Assortative Mating,Behavior Contagion,and Desistance

Antisocial behavior and substance misuse are forms of problem behavior demonstrating considerable continuity over time. Accordingly, problem behavior influences interpersonal contexts across the life course, which may result in the replication of coercive interactions and a problem behavior lifestyle within romantic relationships. Furthermore, theories of self-selection, and associated research, suggest that individuals pick companions compatible with, and supportive of, their behavior, leading to high levels of similarity between romantic partners and the potential reinforcement of problem behavior over time. However, some research suggests that romantic relationships may play a positive role and facilitate desistance from problem behavior. The purpose of this paper is to explore how antisocial behavior and substance use both influence and are influenced by romantic relationships in late adolescence and early adulthood. We first review research regarding the extent of, and processes underlying, partner similarity in problem behavior. Next, we examine how romantic relationships may promote the desistance of problem behavior. Finally, we discuss possible moderators of the association between problem behavior and romantic relationships, as well as limitations, intergenerational implications, and recommended future directions of the reviewed research.     

Seeking Perfection: A Kantian Look at Human Genetic Engineering

It is tempting to argue that Kantian moral philosophy justifies prohibiting both human germ-line genetic engineering and non-therapeutic genetic engineering because they fail to respect human dignity. There are, however, good reasons for resisting this temptation. In fact, Kant’s moral philosophy provides reasons that support genetic engineering—even germ-line and non-therapeutic. This is true of Kant’s imperfect duties to seek one’s own perfection and the happiness of others. It is also true of the categorical imperative. Kant’s moral philosophy does, however, provide limits to justifiable genetic engineering.     

类似性比较对3～5岁儿童内隐推理的影响

本研究以三个实验探讨了3～5岁儿童词汇学习的内隐推理过程。实验1首先让被试者看一个熟悉物体的标准图片,分别以熟悉的或者不熟悉的名词命名,然后要求从两个选项中选择一个图片与标准图片匹配。结果表明3～4岁儿童可以不熟悉名词完成词汇扩展作业,但是只有5岁儿童可以熟悉名词完成词汇扩展作业,这表明5岁儿童可能有一个内隐推理加工过程。实验2以不熟悉物体作为标准图片,以熟悉名词与指代词分别作为指导语进一步测试5岁儿童的内隐推理过程,结果表明这个年龄阶段儿童的类概念形成有一种自上而下加工的内隐推理过程。实验3呈现基本概念的图片检验什么因素影响3～5岁儿童词汇学习的内隐推理过程,结果表明在类似性比较条件下与3～4岁儿童相比,5岁儿童更加明显地表现了内隐推理的加工过程。最后以类似性理论讨论了本研究的结果。     

知觉信息先期呈现下两可图的命名和相似判断

在实物图片或轮廓图先期呈现的条件下研究了6岁、9岁、12岁及成人被试对两可图形的命名或相似判断。结果表明：（1）命名项目或相似判断与线索项目有关时,各年龄被试对判断项的命名或相似判断均表现出与线索项目一致的倾向。（2）轮廓图作为线索项目时．命名或相似判断反应时较长;实物作为线索项目时,命名或相似判断反应时较短。无关项目作为为线索项目时．被试命名或相似判断的反应时居中;命名项目或相似判断项目均与线索项目一致时反应时较短;命名项目或相似判断项目均与线索项目不一致时反应时延长。（3）被试命名或相似判断的反应时随其年龄的增长而下降,6岁和9岁儿童的反应时较长;12岁儿童的反应时较短;成人的反应时最短。     

图形的相似性与差异性判断的关系及机制的研究

本研究采用与标准刺激特征相似和关系相似的图形组成的图片,让80名大学生被试选择与标准刺激更相似的和差异更大的图形,分析相似性和差异性判断的关系以及两种判断过程的机制。结果发现：相似性判断和差异性判断不是镜像关系;差异性判断的时间长于相似性判断的时间;在特征与关系共存的时候,特征和关系在相似性判断和差异性判断中起着不同的作用,相似性判断更多地考虑关系,差异性判断更多地考虑特征。     

4～6岁幼儿相似性判断与类别判断的知识效应

采用类别知识的分类学习模式,选取72名4-6岁幼儿作为被试,对相似性判断和类别判断的知识效应进行实验研究。结果表明：（1）相似性判断和类别判断存在知识效应。（2）相似性判断的知识效应存在显著的年龄差异,类别判断的知识效应不存在显著的年龄差异;5岁是知识学习对幼儿相似性判断产生影响的关键时期。（3）相似性判断知识效应的性别差异不显著,类别判断知识效应的性别差异极其显著,男孩更倾向于依据学习概念所强调的属性进行类别判断。     

Predictive and postdictive mechanisms jointly contribute to visual awareness

One of the fundamental issues in visual awareness is how we are able to perceive the scene in front of our eyes on time despite the delay in processing visual information. The prediction theory postulates that our visual system predicts the future to compensate for such delays. On the other hand, the postdiction theory postulates that our visual awareness is inevitably a delayed product. In the present study we used flash-lag paradigms in motion and color domains and examined how the perception of visual information at the time of flash is influenced by prior and subsequent visual events. We found that both types of event additively influence the perception of the present visual image, suggesting that our visual awareness results from joint contribution of predictive and postdictive mechanisms.