Dissociating prelexical and postlexical processing of affective information in the two hemispheres: effects of the stimulus presentation format

Using a lexical decision task, the authors investigated whether brain asymmetries in the detection of emotionally negative semantic associations arise only at a perceptually discriminative stage at which lexical analysis is accurate or can already be found at crude and incomplete levels of perceptual representation at which word-nonword discrimination is based solely on guessing. Emotionally negative and neutral items were presented near perceptual threshold in the left and right visual hemifields. Word-nonword discrimination performance as well as the bias to classify a stimulus as a "word" (whether or not it actually is a word) were assessed for a normal, horizontal stimulus presentation format (Experiment 1) and for an unusual, vertical presentation format (Experiment 2). Results show that while the two hemispheres are equally able to detect affective semantic associations at a prelexical processing stage (both experiments), the right hemisphere is superior at a postlexical, perceptually discriminative stage (Experiment 2). Moreover, the findings suggest that only an unusual, nonoverlearned stimulus presentation format allows adequate assessment of the right hemisphere's lexical-semantic skills.     

Representation and misrepresentation: Tufte and the Morton Thiokol engineers on the Challenger

This paper examines the role of the Morton Thiokol engineers in the decisions surrounding the launch of the Challenger, particularly with reference to an analysis of this event by Edward Tufte. The engineers at Morton Thiokol recommended against the launch of Challenger because the projected launch temperature between 26°F to 29°F was far outside their field database of successful launches. The engineers had asked for, but not received, data necessary to determine the cause of massive blow-by on the launch the previous January, and they had informed their managers and NASA that continuing flights could be catastrophic if the cause of the problems with the launches was not discovered. The authors conclude that the engineers thus did what they were ethically as well as professionally obligated to do. This paper came about as a result of an experimental class called ‘The Challenger’ at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) which drew faculty from four different disciplines, teaching about various aspects of the Challenger disaster. Wade Robison was one of those professors, and David Hoeker and Stefan Young were members of the class in their freshman year as engineering students. We all owe thanks to the other professors in the class—Dominique LePoutre (Language and Interpreting Education, National Technical Institute for the Deaf), Erhan Mergen (College of Business), and Rose Marie Toscano (Liberal Arts Support, National Technical Institute for the Deaf). We also need to thank Stan McKenzie, Provost at RIT, and Kit Mayberry, Associate Provost, for their conceiving of the program that supported the class and for their financial and moral support. The paper has been presented at three conferences and circulated widely. We want to thank those who forced us to rework the paper because of their cogent queries, especially Michael Pritchard, David Suits, Steve Warshaw, and an anonymous reviewer.     

The bilateral effect: callosal inhibition or intrahemispheric competition?

The magnification of visual field asymmetry observed with bilateral compared to unilateral tachistoscopic presentation of homologous stimuli (bilateral effect) can be explained by two hypothetical processes: homologous activation with subsequent inhibition of callosal information transfer or intrahemispheric competition for processing resources. A lexical decision task with unilateral and bilateral stimulation and response with the right or left hand was used in an attempt to decide between these hypotheses. Analysis of response time data revealed a bilateral effect, superimposed on a right visual field advantage, and no interaction between visual field and response hand. Results are consistent with the hypothesis of intrahemispheric competition in the left hemisphere.     

Do Brief Lab-Based Interventions Decrease Coercive Conflict Within Couples and Parent–Child Dyads?

Coercive conflicts between parents and children and between couples are implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of psychological and physical health problems. Despite its seeming importance to population health, there are no widely available, easy-to-use methods with demonstrated efficacy to engage coercive conflict and reduce it. Identifying and testing potentially efficacious and disseminable micro-interventions (i.e., interventions that can be delivered in under 15 minutes via computer or paraprofessional) for targets with cross-cutting health implications, such as coercive conflict, is the focus of the National Institutes of Health Science of Behavior Change initiative. We experimentally tested four micro-interventions targeting coercive conflict in couple and parent–child dyads in a within-between design. There were mixed but supportive findings for the efficacy of most of the micro-interventions. Attributional reframing, implementation intentions, and evaluative conditioning all reduced coercive conflict as assessed by some but not all measures of observed coercion. No findings indicated any iatrogenic effects. Interpretation bias modification treatment improved at least one measure of coercive conflict for couples, but not for parents and children; additionally, it increased self-reported coercive conflict. Overall, these results are encouraging and suggest that very brief and highly disseminable micro-interventions for coercive conflict are a fruitful direction for inquiry. Optimizing micro-interventions and deploying them across the health care infrastructure could tremendously enhance family functioning and, in turn, health behaviors and health (ClinicalTrials.gov IDs: NCT03163082, NCT03162822).     

Opportunities of online analysis1

The question of whether tele-analysis is an acceptable way of conducting analysis has been discussed since it has become available. Merchant (2016) and others concluded that ‘the essentials of a genuine analytic process are not necessarily precluded’ (p. 1). In this paper, the author goes a step further and examines potential advantages of tele-analysis. There may be benefits for patients with a history of physical or sexual abuse who value the distance. The potential for a ‘safe place’ for work with erotic transference is also examined. In a further section the author is interested in allowing the analyst the freedom to practise in an authentic way, congruent with their personality. Also explored is the concept of the interactive field including the technological medium, which is subject to synchronistic events. Finally, the author gives examples of a deep connection between patient and analyst which came about despite the physical distance.     

THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN PANNENBERG'S THEOGICAL THINKING

Abstract. Employing categories derived from the philosopher of science Imre Lakatos, this essay analyzes the theological thought of Wolfhart Pannenberg, with the aim of showing that he is engaged in a research program that takes seriously the various sciences and their understanding of the world on the one hand and the traditions of Christian faith and theology on the other. The course of the argument demonstrates that Pannenberg's thought extends comprehensively to provide a conceptuality that centers on the phenomena of contingency and field and encompasses nearly every realm of science and the breadth of biblical and theological traditions.     

Does the philosophy of medicine exist? A commentary on Caplan

Caplan has argued that the philosophy of medicine does not exist. Although I will not deny the points he makes, I will argue that the philosophy of medicine has characteristics of a developing field with the potential to meet all of Caplan's criteria. The argument is based on Dewey's established views on logical development for a field of inquiry, as well as pointing out how other criteria Caplan imposes can be fulfilled.The U.S. Government right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty free licence in and to any copyright is acknowledged.     

认知研究的新技术——一套图形标准化资料和计算机实验软件

本工作是建立一套适合我国特点并有利于开展跨文化研究的图形加工实验的技术资料。工作包括两部分:1.建立一套图形标准化常模。2.建立相应的图库及图一词实验计算机软件,其中包括识别、启动、同时匹配和Stroop四个实验程序。为保证实验的精度,程序编制中解决了图形的即时呈现、即时消失、刺激的随机呈现、反应时精度1毫秒等问题。     

大脑两半球对McCollough效应敏感性的比较研究

本实验通过对大脑两半球对McCollough效应敏感性的比较研究,探索了心理科学的最新发展之一——大脑两半球不对称性研究的新途径。 实验以正常右利手人为被试。采用单侧视野呈现技术,在控制眼动的情况下,探索了大脑两半球在McCollough效应形成过程中的差异问题及有关问题,并取得了较为可靠的实验材料。实验结果表明:1.大脑两半球对McCollo-ugh效应的敏感性是不同的,大脑右半球对McCollough效应的敏感性高于左半球。2.在双眼适应与单眼适应条件下的比较,被试两侧视野所见的McColl-ough效应彩度值的差值有显著差异。3.男性被试两侧视野所见的McCollou-gh效应彩度值的差值略高于女性被试。4.在同等条件下,女性被试较之于男性被试容易产生更大的McCollough效应。     

汉字分解组合的表象操作与汉字字形学习的关系

该研究的目的,在于探讨影响汉字字形学习效果的主要汉字形体因素和心理因素以及两者之间的关系。实验结果表明:(1)汉字分解组合的视觉表象操作速度和准确性与汉字字形学习水平具有密切关系,学习水平优良者明显优于低水平者,且上、中、下三个学习水平组别之间具有显著性差别;(2)并非任何汉字字形学习水平的不同都可以造成相应表象操作速度方面的显著性差别,只有当其前者达到一个相当程度的差异状况时才会如此;(3)不同汉字字形学习水平者在汉字分解组合的表象操作错误类型方面不尽相同:低学习水平者以顺序错误为主,中、上学习水平者则以部首替换错误较多。对此,应当注重培养学习者汉字视觉表象的操作能力,从而改善汉字教学和学习效果。