An approach to geometry of visual space with no a priori mapping functions: Multidimensional mapping according to Riemannian metrics

A method of multidimensional mapping is described which constructs a configuration of points {P_i} in a Euclidean map of Riemannian space of constant curvature (hyperbolic, Euclidean, and elliptic) from the dissimilarity matrix (d_ij). The method was applied to the distance matrix in visual space where stimulus points Q_i were either small light points in the dark or small black points in the illuminated field surrounded by white curtains and d_ij represent scaled values of perceptual distances. Configuration of points {Q_i} were at intersections of parallel or distance alleys and horopters for the subject in the horizontal plane of the eye level. In contrast to the theoretical equations for {Q_i} by Luneburg and Blank, no a priori assumption on mapping functions between {Q_i} and {P_i} is necessary in this procedure to fit theoretical curves to {P_i} in the Euclidean map. The data were accounted for better by equations in the hyperbolic plane than by ones in the Euclidean plane. Discussions are made on robustness of Euclidean representation and on how to approach geometry of visual space as a dynamic entity under more natural conditions than the traditional frameless condition for alley and horopter experiments.     

The acquisition of prenominal modifier sequences

This paper presents a study of children's interpretations of prenominal modifier sequences like the one in ‘the second green ball’. In such phrases the modifier ‘second’ has scope over the rest of the phrase. It is shown that children misinterpret these phrases in such a way that it appears that they give ‘second’ scope only over the head noun of the phrase. A series of six experiments, all designed to test various hypotheses about the motivating factors behind this misinterpretation is described. Experiments 1 and 2 constitute a replication and extension of the work in this area originally done by Roeper (1972). Experiment 3 tests a set of hypotheses about the influence of certain syntactic variables in conditioning the children's misinterpretations. Experiment 4 is an attempt to check an hypothesis about the semantic complexity of phrases like ‘the second green ball’. Experiments 5 and 6 test the children's sensitivity to ordering constraints in different kinds of prenominal modifier sequences. The results are presented in Section 3 and discussed in Section 4. It is argued that the children's misinterpretations of the phrases come about because of their tendency to be conservative about the amount of hierarchically organized structure they will postulate in the absence of evidence that such structure is needed.     

Communicative gestures of the hand and arm when 4-year-old sons and their mothers interact

This study investigated a wide range of communicative hand/arm gestures of 4-year-old males when interacting with their mothers. The types of gesture categories observed were in keeping with the predicted encoding ability of this aged child. Pantomimic and deictic gestures were observed in significantly greater numbers than semantic modifying and relational gestures. Although it was found that the mothers' gestural usage reflected the type of gesture categories seen in the children's group, no correlation was found between gesture usage of individual mother-child pairs.     

Developmental differences in the role of detail in picture recognition memory

Two experiments assess the effect of the amount of physical detail in pictures on picture recognition memory. Children and adults were presented simple and complex line drawings. A “same-different” recognition test followed in which the distractor items were original pictures from the presentation phase with the amount of physical detail altered. For second- and fourth-grade subjects, recognition sensitivity, measured in terms of d′, was similar for pictures in the simple and complex presentation conditions. For adults, however, recognition sensitivity was greater for pictures in the simple than complex presentation condition. This finding with adults was replicated in Experiment 2. Interpretations of this age difference in picture memory processing are discussed, as well as the constraints imposed by various dependent measures used in picture memory studies.     

Individual needs as correlates of satisfaction and involvement with a modified Scanlon Plan company

This investigation examined individual need strengths as they relate to job satisfaction and job involvement with a company using a modified Scanlon Plan. Participants in the study were 78 production workers. The company utilized a unique management system which stressed employee participation, semi-autonomous work teams, individual pay incentives, and a plant-wide bonus system based on yearly profits. The study focused on four of H. A. Murray's (Explorations in personality, New York: Oxford Univ. Press, 1938) original needs: n Ach, n Aff, n Aut, and n Dom. Satisfaction and involvement were positively related to n Ach and n Dom, but negatively related to n Aut. Results pertaining to the n Aff scale could not be interpreted due to a low degree of internal consistency. Issues related to the internal consistency of the Manifest Needs Questionnaire (R. M. Steers & D. N. Braunstein, Journal of Vocational Behavior, 1976, 9, 251–266) are discussed along with the potential role of individual differences in understanding employee reactions to the Scanlon Plan process.     

Managerial aspirations of high school seniors: A comparison of males and females

Empirical research in the past has indicated that young people are generally not oriented toward managerial careers and that females are less so than are males. However, the greater career orientation of today's students, recent changes in societal values, persistent attempts by women to obtain equality, and federal legislation expressly forbidding discrimination may have changed this situation by the late 1970s. A survey of 2112 high school seniors in the state of Alabama was conducted to investigate these issues. Results indicate that few high school seniors aspire to management careers and that sex continues to be a major discriminator. The “male managerial model” continues to be reinforced by the values and attitudes of society as reflected in its young people.     

Reductions in anxiety and improvements in teaching associated with cue-controlled relaxation training

This study examined the efficacy of cue-controlled relaxation, taught in three 2-hour workshops, in reducing the anxiety of two elementary school teachers. Anxiety was measured using direct observation of external behavior and self-report of internal states; and the effects of anxiety reduction on selected teaching behaviors were also examined. Following training, both teachers exhibited significant reductions in motoric manifestations of anxiety and in some self-reported internal states. Both teachers showed significant increases in rewarding behavior, and they reduced disapproving behavior to zero on most days. Even though results were not maintained following the treatment program, this study demonstrated that training in the self-management of stress and tension can significantly affect the anxiety and teaching behaviors of teachers.     

An in depth, astute, comprehensive, and erudite attempt at categorization of stuttering theorists

The purpose of this paper is to make the reader aware of the various theoretical categories into which people who have been productive in the area of stuttering can be “slotted.” Readers are encouraged to read the characteristics, as I conceive of them, of each group of people and then see where their favorite “authorities” (which in many cases will undoubtedly include themselves) fit.     

Possible psychometric problems in a test for selective deficits of conceptualization

We administered a modified version of the test of Semenza, Denes, Lucchese, and Bisiacchi (Brain and Language, 10, 243-248 (1980)) for selective deficits in conceptualization to a group of normals and psychiatric patients. Analysis of the results obtained with the normal sample revealed several psychometric problems. The two components of the test (one for thematic and one for class relationships) each had poor internal consistency and were significantly different from each other on a measure of discriminating power. It is not clear if our results are related to difficulty in applying the test to an English-speaking population or reflect inherent psychometric problems.