Instructional control of generalized relational matching to sample in children.

Three experiments examined the performance of 4-year-old children in matching geometric stimuli. Performance was developed as a simulation in which all components of the behavior were overt and directly measured. A correct match depended on the state of an instructional stimulus: the background color of the display. In the first two experiments, on nonidentity trials (signified by a green background) the next longer length, larger size, or greater distance was correct. With a blue background, a comparison identical to the sample was correct. In Experiment 3, red was added for which shorter, smaller, or nearer was correct. Also here, on nonidentity trials, if a comparison of the correct length was not presented, the children adjusted their search target to the comparison of the next succeeding size (larger or smaller) so as to maintain a constant matching relation. Subsequently, when exposure to the instructional stimulus was reduced to presentation only at the beginning of each trial, performance simulated matching based on instructions about abstract relations. In all experiments, accurate matching generalized across novel stimuli and reduced exposure to the instructional stimuli.     

Teaching Respect in the Classroom: An Instructional Approach

Teachers frequently are asked to address misbehavior in the classroom. To minimize the negative effects of reactive, punishment-based classroom management strategies, proactive instructional approaches are recommended. The Cool Tool is a social skills strategy designed to teach and encourage prosocial behaviors in the classroom and larger school environment. This case study utilized the Cool Tool with 26 middle school students across two classroom settings to teach Respect to Adults and Respect to Peers. A decrease in inappropriate behaviors was observed across both settings when the Cool Tool was initiated. Decreased rates of inappropriate behavior maintained for two months. Implications, limitations, and recommendations are discussed.     

情绪效价对趋避反应的作用

刺激的情绪信息通常可帮助人类快速地做出相应的趋近或回避反应。实验室情境下研究者对趋避的操作性定义不尽相同, 但以往绝大部分研究证实了趋利避害的相容效应：正性情绪引起趋近反应, 负性情绪引起回避反应。动机定向理论认为, 这种促进作用是自动的, 而事件编码理论认为, 这种促进作用依赖于外显的效价判断。未来研究应进一步明确界定趋近和回避的操作性定义, 采用更敏感的实验范式解决两种理论的纷争, 以深入阐释相容效应的心理机制。     

基于客体的空间一致性效应:功能可见性或空间位置编码?

采用空间Simon任务范式,考察基于客体空间一致性效应到底是手柄的功能可见性引起,还是其空间位置编码导致。实验1采用Pellicano等(2010)研究中的带手柄电筒,要求被试完成与抓握功能相关的形状判断任务,结果表明,唯有当电筒开时,被试产生了基于客体的空间一致性效应。实验2去除电筒可抓握的手柄,发现无论电筒开或关,均出现了更大的基于客体空间一致性效应。上述结果与空间编码假说一致,表明空间位置编码是产生基于客体空间一致性效应的原因。     

伤害性躯体感觉的中枢网络动态编码过程

痛觉是感受躯体所受伤害性刺激的保护性感觉;慢性痛则是耗费巨额医疗费用的顽固性疾病。近年来的研究表明,疼痛感知觉的形成是一个大规模的中枢网络编码过程,包括了感觉、情绪、认知等若干不同的维度,牵涉到脊髓、脑干、边缘系统、皮层等多个相关结构。慢性痛则是一种由神经网络编码异常所导致的中枢性疾患。上述编码过程的任何异常都可能导致慢性痛。认识痛觉的中枢网络编码机制,将促进人们对感觉与情绪形成过程的深入理解,并有助于寻求新的临床疼痛治疗措施     

小学儿童空间物体位置编码(I)

采用找物范式研究小学 7、9、11岁儿童利用点与点之间的关系对目标物位置进行编码的认知发展。结果表明 :两点距离编码和三点共线编码认知成绩的年龄效应显著 ,9岁组和 11岁组儿童的认知成绩显著好于 7岁组儿童的认知成绩。两个不同实验任务对儿童认知成绩的影响不同 ,7岁组儿童两点距离编码认知成绩显著好于三点共线编码认知成绩 ,9岁组和 11岁组两个任务的认知成绩差异不显著。提供编码线索后 ,认知成绩有了较大的改善。     

Generalization of delayed identity matching in retarded children.

In an extension of prior research, four retarded children were trained under an identity matching-to-sample procedure containing features previously shown to produce controlled generalization to novel stimuli. They first were taught to relate a particular handsign to the sample shape, then to maintain the handsign over a delay interval, and then to select from an array the comparison shape that permitted the handsign to be maintained (i.e., the shape identical to the sample). An initial test revealed little generalization of matching to novel stimuli, but after handsigns were trained to these stimuli, accurate generalized matching appeared immediately. The results replicated prior findings and demonstrated particular features of stimulus control sufficient to enable generalized matching. A behavioral account of relational matching was supported. The technique used in this study was shown to be effective in teaching abstract relations to nonverbal retarded children.