Visual search at different spatial scales

Treisman and Gelade's (1980) feature-integration model claims that the search for separate ("primitive") stimulus features is parallel, but that the conjunctions of those features require serial scan. Recently, evidence has accumulated that parallel processing is not limited to these "primitive" stimulus features, but that combinations of features can also produce parallel search. In the experiments reported here, the processing of feature conjunctions was studied when the stimulus features of a combination were at different spatial scales. The patterns in the search array were composed of three cross-shaped or T-shaped (local) elements, which formed an oblique bar (the global pattern) 45 deg or 135 deg in orientation. When the target and distractors differed from each other at one spatial scale only (either in the bar orientation or in the shape of the local elements), target detection was independent of the number of distractors, i.e., the search was parallel. In the conjunction task, in which the target and distractors were defined as the combinations of the bar orientation and the element shape, i.e., both spatial scales were relevant, the detection of the target required slow serial scrutiny of the search array. It is possible that the conjunction search could not be performed in parallel because switches between the two scales (or spatial frequency channels) are linked to attention and the task required the use of both scales in order to find the target.     

Strategies or similarities—what determines mastery of figurative language?

Six experiments examined different determinants of metaphor performance. Special focus was placed on tenor-vehicle similarities and on visual-verbal strategy operations. The results showed that use of specified strategy operations tended to favour verbal operations, whereas previous research demonstrated that unspecified visual strategies improve metaphor comprehension. The deviating observations were interpreted as due to differences in levels of strategy specification. In the new experiments metaphors were shown to be less easily transformed under visual than under verbal processing conditions. The number of detected similarities between tenor and vehicle terms are shown to be only modestly related to metaphor performance. Findings suggested that similarities are more easily found with visually encoded metaphors, whereas an alternative tenor term is easier to find with the metaphor verbally encoded.     

刺激结构对视觉定位的影响

本实验采用多点定位作业,结合部分报告法,研究视觉刺激的整体结构对定位成绩的影响。所呈现的刺激为1、2、3或4个颜色点。其中2、3、4点刺激分别是直线、正三角形和正方形。结果发现,当呈现时间较长时,1点和2、3、4点的定位误差无显著差异。但是1点的定位反应时却显著少于2、3、4点。这提示出现视觉定位的结构效应。而当呈现时间较短时,却没有这种结构效应。实验还发现,这种结构效应并不因刺激结构的不同而有区别。     

Recognition of color-form compounds by 4-month-old infants

In two studies, a paired-comparison procedure was used to investigate whether 4-month-old infants can perceive and remember correlations of color and form. In Study 1, infants were shown simultaneous presentations of two different colored shapes until two criteria for familiarization had been met. They were then offered a simultaneous choice between a colored form that they had already seen and one that was a new combination of a familiar color and a familiar shape. The infants looked significantly longer at the new combination than at the familiar combination on the test trial. In Study 2, the same procedure was used, except that the familiarization criteria were less stringent and additional analyses of the infants' test trial behavior were conducted. Infants again exhibited a significant preference for the new combination, both when looking time accumulated during the entire test-trial was analyzed and when looking just up to the “first look away” was considered. These findings that 4-months-olds can perceive and remember compounds of visual attributes conflict with the results of several studies in which the habituation and test stimuli were presented sequentially rather than simultaneously. Differences in the nature of the information processing that may be evoked by the two methods are discussed.     

不同类型自恋者对自我相关信息的认知加工偏好

以姓名和形容词为材料,采用自恋人格量表测评被试的自恋水平,通过视觉搜索任务和记忆测试任务考察个体对相关信息的注意和记忆程度,探讨不同类型自恋者对自我相关信息的认知加工偏好。结果显示,高水平自恋者比低水平自恋者有更明显的认知加工偏好;高显性自恋者比低显性自恋者对积极词具有记忆偏好,高隐性自恋者比低隐性自恋者对消极词具有记忆偏好。被试对与自己相关密切的信息具有更高的认知加工偏好,且对自己信息的这一优势更为明显;高显性自恋者比低显性自恋者对自己相关、熟悉人相关的积极信息具有认知加工偏好,高隐性自恋者较低隐性自恋者对自己相关的消极信息具有认知加工偏好。结果表明,不同类型自恋者对自我相关信息具有不同的认知加工偏好,不同类型的自恋对自我相关信息的认知加工过程和结果具有影响。     

The Effect of Prominence and Cue Association on Retrieval Processes: A Computational Account

We present a comprehensive empirical evaluation of the ACT‐R–based model of sentence processing developed by Lewis and Vasishth (2005) (LV05). The predictions of the model are compared with the results of a recent meta‐analysis of published reading studies on retrieval interference in reflexive‐/reciprocal‐antecedent and subject–verb dependencies (Jäger, Engelmann, & Vasishth, 2017). The comparison shows that the model has only partial success in explaining the data; and we propose that its prediction space is restricted by oversimplifying assumptions. We then implement a revised model that takes into account differences between individual experimental designs in terms of the prominence of the target and the distractor in memory‐ and context‐dependent cue‐feature associations. The predictions of the original and the revised model are quantitatively compared with the results of the meta‐analysis. Our simulations show that, compared to the original LV05 model, the revised model accounts for the data better. The results suggest that effects of prominence and variable cue‐feature associations need to be considered in the interpretation of existing empirical results and in the design and planning of future experiments. With regard to retrieval interference in sentence processing and to the broader field of psycholinguistic studies, we conclude that well‐specified models in tandem with high‐powered experiments are needed in order to uncover the underlying cognitive processes.     

当前阅读眼动研究的几个主要问题

当前阅读眼动研究主要想解决以下几个问题：（1）阅读中的眼动主要受语言的低水平因素影响还是受语言的高水平因素影响;（2）眼跳过程中信息加工是完全被抑制还是部分被抑制;（3）眼动过程中词义的加工方式是平行的还是系列的。     

ERP与语言研究

语言加工是连续的、具有多个分析层次的复杂过程。而新近发展起来的ERP技术具有精确的时间分辨率和多维探测指标,可以对语言进行连续的测量,同时对不同层次的分析有不同的敏感指标。该文着重介绍了与语音层次加工有关的ERP成分N200,与语义加工相关的RP和N400,以及与句法加工有关的LAN和P600,以期为语言领域的ERP研究提供启发和帮助作用。     

数字工作记忆广度的毕生发展及其作用因素

以10~90岁的1993名自愿者为被试完成该实验研究。结果表明：（1）在最简单的心算加工负荷下,数字工作记忆广度约为6±2;（2）在10至90岁范围内,测验的最高成绩在16~19岁组（即高中生组）,回归分析表明数字工作记忆广度随年龄的对数呈抛物线变化;（3）教育因素对成年人数字工作记忆广度的随龄化过程有重要作用;（4）与我们过去的研究结果相比较,发现数字工作记忆广度受心算加工负荷的影响显著