What you cannot see can help you: the effect of exposure to unreportable stimuli on approach behavior

We examined effects of exposure to unreportable images of spiders on approach towards a tarantula. Pretests revealed awareness of the stimuli was at chance. Participants high or low (top and bottom 15%) on fear of spiders were randomly assigned to receive computer-generated exposure to unreportable pictures of spiders or outdoor scenes. They then engaged in a Behavioral Approach Task (BAT) with a live tarantula. Non-fearful participants completed more BAT items than spider-fearful individuals. Additionally, as predicted, a significant interaction (F(1,48)=5.12, p<.03) between fear of spiders and stimulus demonstrated that spider-fearful participants exposed to spiders completed more BAT items than spider-fearful participants exposed to control stimuli (but not as many as non-fearful participants). The findings support the hypothesis that exposure to unreportable feared stimuli promotes approach towards the feared object. Future research and clinical implications were discussed.     

Integrating information from two pictorial animations: Complexity and cognitive prerequisites influence performance

Dividing visual attention between spatially distinct sources of information could either be beneficial (if there is too much information for a single visualization) or detrimental (if interrelated information has to be mentally re‐integrated) for learning. We present a new display technology allowing for the presentation of two distinct animations by avoiding split foci of visual attention: learners are able to switch between animations by moving their head. We examined how 84 naïve learners integrated information in three presentation modes: the ‘vexing‐image’ mode displaying two animations, participants being able to switch between them without shifting the visual focus, a classical ‘split‐screen’ and an ‘overlaid’ condition. Results showed that reduced complexity led to higher performance. Further, we showed that participants with high mental rotation abilities were best in the ‘split‐screen’ mode, whereas participants with low mental rotation abilities benefited most from the ‘vexing‐image’. Theoretical and instructional consequences of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

经验合作教学对教师课堂教学影响的实验研究

以"经验合作教学"的校本教师培训的新思路为依据,采用实验组、控制组前后测实验设计,选取初中语文和数学教师共33人,以年级学科组为单位施以为期8个月的经验合作教学干预,运用教育实验法考察经验合作教学对教师课堂教学(包括教学效能感、课堂情绪体验、教学效果)的影响。研究表明:(1)实验学校教师在一般教育效能感和教学效能感两个维度上的得分均较实验前有所提高,且个人教学效能感的提高量大于一般教育效能感;(2)实验学校教师轻松、愉快、满意的积极情绪体验的出现频率提高,失望的消极情绪出现频率降低;(3)实验学校教师在学生评价的课堂教学策略与互动、教学信息的总体把握与反馈两个维度的得分较实验前有所提高。     

Evidence-based mental health interventions for traumatized youth: a statewide dissemination project

Psychological trauma in childhood has been shown to increase a variety of psychological disturbances and psychiatric disorders. Although evidence-based treatments for children who have been traumatized exist, they are infrequently used by clinicians treating children. The present paper describes the creation of the Treatment Collaborative for Traumatized Youth (TCTY) which is a statewide partnership in North Dakota designed to disseminate efficacious treatments for traumatized children and monitor outcomes across a broad, rural, geographic expanse. The paper reviews the dissemination strategy developed by the TCTY, reports outcomes regarding both clinicians and child participants, and highlights problems identified in the project and solutions that were generated.     

处于生存极限的低出生体重儿该如何决策救治

我国极低及超低出生体重儿的出生比例已接近发达国家。但因为经济、文化、技术及社会保障制度等原因,相当多的患儿得不到合理救治。这与发达国家相比有很大差距。让医护人员做到合理评估和告知,适时放弃治疗,完善社会保障制度,加强社会舆论监督和教育,加快相关制度、法规的建立等措施有望改变这一现状。     

ANIMALS AS KIN: THE RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE OF MARC BEKOFF'S WORK

Abstract. Although the disciplines of religion and science often may seem to be at cross purposes with each other, some individuals are attempting to bridge the gap, particularly with regard to animals. Cognitive ethologist Marc Bekoff, who studies animals in their natural habitat, has addressed in his work the implications of the findings of animal study for religion and ethics. I provide here an overview of some of his most important ideas for the study of religion and animals. Bekoff argues that the differences between humans and animals are primarily ones of degree rather than kind and that our similarities are greater than our differences‐and that this reality should influence our actions. I explore three issues in particular. First, Bekoff's work, with his view of evolution, challenges the traditional Christian hierarchy of beings. Second, this evolutionary connection needs to move us in the direction of modifying our treatment of animals to make it more ethical. Third, our understanding of and relationship with animals can deepen our own spirituality. Applying some of Bekoff's findings to our religious and ethical understandings of and treatment of animals can move us closer to the peaceable kingdom toward which we all strive.     

NEO-FFI scores in college men and women: A view from McDonald’s unified treatment of test theory

There is a need for more detailed psychometric data in describing and evaluating the NEO-FFI (Costa & McCrae, 1992), especially in samples of men and women enrolled in Introductory Psychology classes. This article meets that need and in so doing introduces to a new and wide audience procedures recently advocated by McDonald (1999) in his unified treatment of test theory. Results reveal a wide range of strengths and weaknesses in the NEO-FFI at both the item and sum-score levels, as well as sources of concordance and discordance between men and women at both levels.     

Assessing Couple Therapy as a Treatment for Individual Distress: When is Referral to Couple Therapy Contraindicated?

In order to better understand the effects of initial level of psychological disturbance on treatment outcome, a retrospective case control study of 95 couples who received couple therapy was conducted by sorting couples into one of four groups based on the degree of distress reported by individuals at intake: Neither distressed; both distressed; male distressed, female not distressed; female distressed, male not distressed. When partners started treatment with similar levels of disturbance both responded well in couple therapy. However, if the female reported clinical levels of disturbance at intake but her partner did not, outcome for the female was especially poor in contrast to outcomes for females receiving individual therapy. Clinically disturbed males showed significant gains in treatment even when their partners were not disturbed. These suggestive results argue for the possible value of conducting controlled studies of treatment assignment decisions that maximize positive outcomes.     

从指南看冠心病降脂治疗的现状及分析

层出不穷的试验研究和不断更新的指南使人们对冠心病防治的认识不断加深,但指南的实施和普及却不理想,大多数冠心病患者并未真正受益于降脂治疗。现就NCEP-ATP指南的更新和目前冠心病患者降脂治疗的现状、主要影响因素(患者的依从性、医务工作者的医疗质量、药物有效性以及效价比与经济条件)及可能的改善措施做一综述。     

正确对待胸腔镜在肿瘤手术中的应用

以胸腔镜为代表的微创胸外科迅速发展并取得了良好的临床效果。胸腔镜手术治疗肺癌和食管癌存在较大争议,全盘否定或盲目应用都会影响胸外科的发展。胸腔镜肺癌、食管癌切除术都有其适应证,对医生提出了更高的技术要求。