Conditional discrimination learning: A critique and amplification

Carter and Werner recently reviewed the literature on conditional discrimination learning by pigeons, which consists of studies of matching-to-sample and oddity-from-sample. They also discussed three models of such learning: the “multiple-rule” model (learning of stimulus-specific relations), the “configuration” model, and the “single-rule” model (concept learning). Although their treatment of the multiple-rule model, which seems most applicable to the pigeon data, is generally excellent, their discussion of the other two models is incomplete and sometimes inaccurate. Potential problems of terminology are discussed in the present paper, as are additional lines of research that deserve consideration by those interested in further work in this area. The issue of response versus stimulus selection (configuration versus compound-cue learning) is discussed in connection with the configuration model. Particular attention is given to Carter and Werner's criticism of the application, in studies with other species, of the learning set procedure in testing for single-rule learning. Some of the important related issues are: the bias for improvement on new problems in a series, the adequacy of a multiple-rule model to explain learning set formation, and evidence in favor of the single-rule model, at least in primates. Consideration of these additional contributions to the study of conditional discrimination learning emphasizes the usefulness of this task in the comparative study of cognitive processes.     

Formation of the sameness-difference concept by Japanese monkeys from a small number of color stimuli

Japanese monkeys were trained to form the sameness-difference concept. In Experiment 1, four monkeys were trained with two colors to discriminate matching stimulus pairs from nonmatching pairs by reinforcing only lever-pressing responses to matching pairs with a variable-interval schedule. Three monkeys showed successful transfer of this discrimination to two new colors, thus demonstrating that some Japanese monkeys are able to form this relational concept from a minimum number of stimuli. In Experiment 2, two monkeys were trained, in a Yes/No procedure with three colors, to press one lever under matching pairs and another lever under nonmatching pairs. Poor transfer performances to three new colors suggest that simultaneously establishing two different response patterns to matching and nonmatching pairs is ineffective in forming the concept. In Experiment 3, the amount of transfer to three new colors after mastering a standard three-color matching-to-sample task was compared with that of a modified task in which correct responses were reinforced with a within-trial variable-interval schedule. All three monkeys showed greater transfer with the modified procedure. The results suggest that the variable-interval schedule adopted within trials is effective in forming the sameness-difference concept.     

Using the simultaneous protocol to study equivalence class formation: the facilitating effects of nodal number and size of previously established equivalence classes

The emergence of equivalence classes in college students is unlikely when all baseline relations are trained concurrently and all probes for emergent relations are then introduced concurrently (the simultaneous protocol). This experiment showed how the number of nodes and the size of previously established equivalence classes enhanced the emergence of new equivalence classes under the simultaneous protocol. First, one-node three-, five-, or seven-member classes or three-node five- or seven-member classes were established with college students. A sixth group received no pretraining. Then, the simultaneous protocol was used to establish new three-node five-member equivalence classes with all students. The speed and variability with which the baseline relations were established in the simultaneous protocol were inverse functions of number of nodes in the previously established classes, but not of their size. The percentage of subjects who showed the emergence of new equivalence classes under the simultaneous protocol was a direct function of number of nodes and size of pretrained classes. The additional time spent for pretraining greatly reduced the total training time needed to produce individuals who showed the emergence of classes under the simultaneous protocol. The total time saved was a direct function of number of nodes and number of stimuli in the pretrained classes.     

轻工企业组织行为与经济绩效的实证研究

为了探索中国轻工企业组织行为与经济绩效的因果关系和操作模式,我们参考英、荷、日三国有关企业组织行为的态度量表,设计了一套涵盖企业对市场竞争、文化理念和管理情景的“三模块”总量表,在轻工行业抽取八个样本企业,实施现场实验,采集有关企业组织行为的态度指数,然后与其经济绩效进行关联分析．结果表明,轻工企业组织行为的态度指数与其经济绩效总体趋势呈正相关,但个案分析提示两者间关系复杂,不仅有正相关,也有负相关现象;究其规律尚须扩大样本行纵贯式追踪研究．     

科学研究中的非预期事件与态度改变

本文针对高新技术迅猛发展过程中出现的非预期事件 ,围绕潜在的负面效应及其影响范围展开系统分析 ,同时以态度干扰技术穿插于原始态度测量与结果态度测量 (SD方法 )之间 ,探讨、分析科学研究中的重大突发性事件 (克隆绵羊 )对大学生科技态度的负面影响。分析结果发现各类被试对生物技术的态度均出现显著性的变化 ,由较积极、赞同的方向向较消极、中立方向发生态度改变。论文在借鉴同类研究的基础上 ,尝试应用免疫理论等作为对策性建议。     

Philosophical conceptions of identity and culture

Identity and culture as the main concepts of INPE '94 were analyzed from philosophical perspectives that questioned their implications for our era of globalization. The formation of identities in a cultural context and their relationships with education gave focus to discussion. In other words, the effects of culture upon the individual and the role of education in strengthening or degrading these effects afforded the main concerns of our topical group.     

荷包牡丹碱对受低强度训练的小鸡的记忆形成的影响

在小鸡一次性被动回避行为中,低强度训练的动物其长时记忆保持不良,而训练前１０或２０分钟注射γ－氨基丁酸能颉颃剂荷包牡丹碱,可明显提高长时记忆的保持水平,这一作用可被激动剂蝇蕈碱反转。记忆保持曲线进一步显示,受低强度训练的动物其记忆仅能保持至训练后２０分钟,而注射荷包牡丹碱可使记忆至少延长至训练后１２０分钟。上述结果提示：小鸡的记忆形成受γ－氨基丁酸能系统的调节;γ－氨基丁酸能系统虽然直接参与中时记忆,但对长时记忆的形成似乎也是必需的。     

Use of number by crows: investigation by matching and oddity learning

Hooded crows were trained in two-alternative simultaneous matching and oddity tasks with stimulus sets of three different categories: color (black and white), shape (Arabic Numerals 1 and 2, which were used as visual shapes only), and number of elements (arrays of one and two items). These three sets were used for training successively and repeatedly; the stimulus set was changed to the next one after the criterion (80% correct or better over 30 consecutive trials) was reached with the previous one. Training was continued until the criterion could be reached within the first 30 to 50 trials for each of the three training sets. During partial transfer tests, familiar stimuli (numerals and arrays in the range from 1 to 2) were paired with novel ones (numerals and arrays in the range from 3 to 4). At the final stage of testing only novel stimuli were presented (numerals and arrays in the range from 5 to 8). Four of 6 birds were able to transfer in these tests, and their performance was significantly above chance. Moreover, performance of the birds on the array stimuli did not differ from their performance on the color or shape stimuli. They were capable of recognizing the number of elements in arrays and comparing the stimuli by this attribute. It was concluded that crows were able to apply the matching (or oddity) concept to stimuli of numerical category.     

影响中学生自我价值感形成的诸因素研究

本研究采用<青少年学生自我价值感量表>对重点中学一所、普通中学一所和职业中学一所共774名学生进行调查,问卷的表头加入年级、学习成绩、家庭经济、居住环境等10多项需要了解的学生生活环境类型,测验结果发现学习和年级因素对价值感影响最大,作用非常显著,在初二和高三年级,价值感发展最快.学习成绩越好,价值感越高.其次是家庭居住环境、家庭经济状况、父母职业、家庭结构等因素.家庭居住环境是学校居住区最有利于学生价值感的发展,家庭经济状况是经济一般的学生价值感最好,其次是富裕家庭的,贫困的最差.父母职业是教师最高,其次是军人、干部、医生等.家庭结构是健全的发展最好,其次是离异的,再次是分居的,最差的是死亡的.