Cognitive systems struggling for word order

We argue that the grammatical diversity observed among the world’s languages emerges from the struggle between individual cognitive systems trying to impose their preferred structure on human language. We investigate the cognitive bases of the two most common word orders in the world’s languages: SOV (Subject–Object–Verb) and SVO. Evidence from language change, grammaticalization, stability of order, and theoretical arguments, indicates a syntactic preference for SVO. The reason for the prominence of SOV languages is not as clear. In two gesture-production experiments and one gesture comprehension experiment, we show that SOV emerges as the preferred constituent configuration in participants whose native languages (Italian and Turkish) have different word orders. We propose that improvised communication does not rely on the computational system of grammar. The results of a fourth experiment, where participants comprehended strings of prosodically flat words in their native language, shows that the computational system of grammar prefers the orthogonal Verb–Object orders.     

不同概念范畴和特征类别对儿童归纳推理多样性效应的影响

为探讨概念范畴和特征类别对归纳推理多样性效应的影响, 采用2(概念范畴: 生物类别与非生物类别)´2(特征类别: 不可见的隐蔽特征和可见的外显特征)的实验设计, 设计了四组任务来考察5~6岁、8~9岁儿童归纳推理多样性效应的表现水平。结果显示: 在非生物类别范畴材料上, 5~6岁儿童在两种特征类别上均未表现出多样性效应, 8~9岁儿童在隐蔽特征类别上表现出多样性效应; 在生物类别材料上, 5~6岁、8~9岁儿童在外显特征和隐蔽特征上均未表现出多样性效应。概念范畴和特征类别对8~9岁儿童的归纳判断力有显著影响: 在概念范畴上, 儿童在非生物范畴材料上的表现显著高于生物范畴; 在特征类别上, 儿童在隐蔽特征上的表现高于外显特征。     

“GOING TO THE DOGS”: CANID ETHOLOGY AND THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION

Abstract. Theological reflection often treats animals in the very broadest terms and establishes a dramatic difference between humans and animals. Empirical observations, however, describe animals and their relationship to humans in more nuanced ways. Marc Bekoff's science, which integrates ethology and ecology, generates a view of the complex social behaviors of animals and entails observations about difference. Dialogue with Bekoff's sensitive awareness of animal behavior is the occasion to construct a theology of nature that is better informed about diversity among animals and differences within and among species.     

Detection of Feigned Psychosis with the Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS): A Study of Coached and Uncoached Simulators

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of the Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS) to detect feigned psychosis in naïve, informed, and coached participants. Sixty undergraduate students were administered the SIMS and a number of filler questionnaires and asked to fill out the questionnaire honestly (controls; n = 15) or instructed to malinger psychosis because they were standing trial for a serious offense. Before they completed the SIMS, instructed malingerers either received no further information (naïve malingerers; n = 15), some information about psychotic symptoms (informed malingerers; n = 15), or some information about psychosis and a warning not to exaggerate symptoms (coached malingerers; n = 15). Even in the group of coached malingerers, the SIMS had acceptable sensitivity and specificity rates. These findings suggest that the SIMS may be of value in forensic assessments.     

自我增强偏向的文化差异

个人主义和集体主义两种文化下个体的自我增强行为是否有差异,一直以来都是一个争论的焦点。文章回顾了西方心理学家在个人主义文化背景下自我增强的研究成果,对近年来国内外证明东方文化中存在自我增强的研究进行了综述,并提出中国人的自我增强具有人际性和隐蔽性的特点,展望了中国人自我增强的研究方向。     

Heroes on the Hill: A qualitative study of the psychosocial benefits of an intercultural arts programme for youth in Northern Ireland

The current study investigates the psychosocial benefits of a cross‐community, intercultural dance programme for youth in Northern Ireland. Psychological theories, including contact theory and the ecology of childhood development, underpin the study, and results are discussed in relation to the programme's aims. The present study used qualitative, inductive methods; data consisted of interviews before and after the programme with facilitators (n = 2) and 10 (n = 10) programme participants (11–15 years old) of diverse races and nationalities. Latent themes were identified using thematic analysis. Findings reveal that participants have complex senses of identity. Worryingly, they also reported many instances of bullying, relating both to themselves and others. Results reveal three main psychosocial benefits of the programme, all of which promote positive mental health in adolescents. The benefits are increased self‐confidence, the formation of new cross‐community friendships, and improved intercultural awareness and pride. It is argued that the programme is an exemplar of how the arts can promote peace as well as resilience in the face of adversity. Recommendations for future research are included.     

Addressing the spiritual domain in a plural society: what is the best mode of integrating spiritual care into healthcare?

This study aims to rethink the integration of spiritual care into healthcare in spiritually plural societies. Based on a systematic review of the theoretical literature, we analysed 74 studies and distinguish four positions regarding the integration of spiritual care into healthcare: generalist-particularists who see the spiritual domain as a field to be addressed by all professional caregivers and in which caregivers’ own spiritual orientations play a vital role; generalist-universalists who advocate for all caregivers to provide spiritual care regardless of their spiritual orientations; specialist-particularists who argue that experts should address the spiritual domain in light of their own spiritual orientations; and specialist-universalists who call for experts to provide spiritual care regardless of their spiritual orientations. We argue that these four positions give different weight to the professional, personal, and confessional roles of the spiritual caregiver. Acknowledging these positions is a prerequisite for future scenarios of integrating spiritual care into healthcare.     

Transformational leadership,diversity climate,and job satisfaction in selected South African companies

This study investigated the relationship between transformational leadership, diversity climate, and job satisfaction in a selection of South African companies. Participants were a convenience sample of 263 employees from the Gauteng Province (white?=?69.3%). They completed measures for transformational leadership, diversity climate, and job satisfaction. Structural Equation Modelling analysis revealed transformational leadership to directly predict job satisfaction and diversity climate, and to mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and job satisfaction. Moreover, transformational leadership directly and positively predicted quality of workplace diversity climate. Future leaders and managers should leverage an organisation’s diversity climate for job satisfaction applying transformational leadership strategies.     

Can a Connection to Culture Reduce Mental Illness Symptoms and Risk for Future Violence?

Recent policy initiatives and service provider strategic frameworks from the state of Victoria have highlighted intentions to invest in culturally safe practices for justice-involved Indigenous individuals. However, the culturally themed frameworks and protocols presented by health and justice organisations appear to be largely underpinned by theoretical and/or anecdotal evidence. This commentary summarises findings from the first Australian program of research to investigate the influence of cultural identity and cultural engagement on mental health symptoms and violence for Indigenous people in custody. Implications for correctional policy and forensic clinical practice are discussed in this article.