Standard errors for procrustes solutions

The asymptotic standard errors for the procrustes solutions are derived for orthogonal rotation, direct oblique rotation and indirect oblique rotation. The standard errors for the first two rotations are obtained using the augmented information matrices. For the indirect oblique solution, the standard errors of rotated parameters are derived from the information matrix of unrotated loadings using the chain rule for information matrices. For all three types of rotation, the standard errors of rotated parameters are presented for unstandardized and standardized manifest variables. Numerical examples show the similarity of theoretical and simulated values.     

Expressing the Nature and Meaning of DNA: Six Books for Teachers and Students

DNA is an important agent not only in chemistry and biology but also in technology and modern culture. A number of books approach the double helix from different angles. These perspectives include (1) the science of DNA and genetics; (2) genetic engineering; (3) the ethics of manipulating genetic material; and (4) DNA in culture and religion. Various views of DNAprovide insights into human nature beyond its molecular composition.     

Closeness or compassion? Relatedness and causal control influence helping via distinct pathways

ABSTRACT

Why do people feel compassion? Two largely separate research literatures – one driven by evolutionary psychology and one driven by attribution theory – have shown that feelings of compassion for needy individuals and subsequent helping are predicted by both genetic relatedness and causal control. Research also suggests that emotional closeness, rather than compassion, motivates help for family. In two studies, we tested the role of genetic relatedness and control on cognitive and emotional mediators of helping. Results revealed that relatedness and control had distinct and independent effects on willingness to help needy individuals that were mediated by emotional closeness and compassion, respectively. These results provide a unique bridging of disparate literatures and suggest that emotional closeness and compassion serve distinct functions in facilitating prosocial behavior.     

Teaching children with autism spectrum disorder to ask “where” questions using a speech-generating device

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have limited speech are often taught to communicate using a speech-generating device (SGD). We evaluated procedures for teaching a mand for information (i.e., Where is [item]?) using an interrupted behavior chain procedure. In Experiment 1, all participants (3 children with ASD who communicated using an SGD) acquired the target mand but transfer to a novel stimulus did not occur. In the second experiment, 2 participants were taught to approach alternative communication partners when the first partner did not provide the information. The second experiment also included procedures to test whether the responses were under the control of appropriate motivating operations (MOs). Generalization across communication partners occurred with both participants, but transfer across behavior chains with only 1 participant. The results of both experiments suggest that teaching multiple behavior chains and evaluating MO control may be necessary to establish generalized manding for information.