PUNISHMENT IN HUMAN CHOICE: DIRECT OR COMPETITIVE SUPPRESSION?

This investigation compared the predictions of two models describing the integration of reinforcement and punishment effects in operant choice. Deluty's (1976) competitive-suppression model (conceptually related to two-factor punishment theories) and de Villiers' (1980) direct-suppression model (conceptually related to one-factor punishment theories) have been tested previously in nonhumans but not at the individual level in humans. Mouse clicking by college students was maintained in a two-alternative concurrent schedule of variable-interval money reinforcement. Punishment consisted of variable-interval money losses. Experiment 1 verified that money loss was an effective punisher in this context. Experiment 2 consisted of qualitative model comparisons similar to those used in previous studies involving nonhumans. Following a no-punishment baseline, punishment was superimposed upon both response alternatives. Under schedule values for which the direct-suppression model, but not the competitive-suppression model, predicted distinct shifts from baseline performance, or vice versa, 12 of 14 individual-subject functions, generated by 7 subjects, supported the direct-suppression model. When the punishment models were converted to the form of the generalized matching law, least-squares linear regression fits for a direct-suppression model were superior to those of a competitive-suppression model for 6 of 7 subjects. In Experiment 3, a more thorough quantitative test of the modified models, fits for a direct-suppression model were superior in 11 of 13 cases. These results correspond well to those of investigations conducted with nonhumans and provide the first individual-subject evidence that a direct-suppression model, evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively, describes human punishment better than a competitive-suppression model. We discuss implications for developing better punishment models and future investigations of punishment in human choice.     

Subfactors of DSM-IV Conduct Disorder: Evidence and Connections with Syndromes from the Child Behavior Checklist

Is conduct disorder (CD) as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) a unitary entity, or do variants of CD exist? We addressed this question, using data collected from the parents of 1,669 Australian boys, aged 6–17. Parents were interviewed to assess DSM-IV Conduct Disorder (DSM-IV CD) criteria. Results revealed 2 subfactors of DSM-IV CD symptoms, made up of overt behaviors (e.g., initiating physical fights) and covert behaviors (e.g., stealing without confrontation). Ordinary least squares regressions showed the 2 CD subfactors to be significantly and uniquely predicted by Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; T. M. Achenbach, 1991a, 1991b) syndromes labeled Aggressive Behavior and Delinquent Behavior, respectively. The results are discussed in terms of the utility of differentiating these 2 variants of CD in future editions of the DSM.     

A note on the equivalence of the graded response model and the sequential model

This paper concerns items that consist of several item steps to be responded to sequentially. The item scoreX is defined as the number of correct responses until the first failure. Samejima's graded response model states that each steph=1,...,m is characterized by a parameterb _h , and, for a subject with ability, Pr(Xh; )=F(–b _h ). Tutz's general sequential model associates with each step a parameterdh, and it states that Pr(Xh;)= _r ^=1h G(–d _r ). Tutz's (1991, 1997) conjectures that the models are equivalent if and only ifF(x)=G(x) is an extreme value distribution. This paper presents a proof for this conjecture.     

时间记忆层次网络模型的实验检验

实验采用分类性实验材料,使被试在对词单项目加工时形成较清晰的群集,进而形成时间组块,目的在于对时间记忆层次网络进行直接检验。其中时序判断用反时间时和正确率两种反应指标,时距估计用再现和口头估计两种方法。结果发现,时间信息记忆既存在层次网络的特征,又存在线性结构的特征。     

初中词汇理解能力量表的编制

应用项目反应理论为初中各年级编制了词汇理解能力的测验,其中包含了１４３个多项选择的词汇项目,经过反复预测和大规模的正式测试,证关了这三个测验的量表拟全于２ＰＬ模型,项目特征曲线拟合度良好的项目占全体项目数９０％以上,能力的一维性也得以确认,经等值化后,各年级的区分度均值分别为０．６１（初一）,０．５９（初二）,０．５５（初三）难度均值分别为－１．６１,－１．３０,－０．５６。     

验证性因素分析:问卷题数及小样本应用策略

验证性因素分析在心理、教育等研究应用日广。本文引用三个模拟数据研究,提出一些在分析时的应用策略,包括用较多题目及强制同一因子的负荷相等。样本容量一般愈大愈好,但当资源等条件有限制时,上述两个技巧,可协助解决叠代收敛问题,并能更准确估计各重要参数。此外,一些方法如：每因子只得两题目、当样本只得约１００人时每因子用少於四题目、将题目合并以其平均数为指标,均可能导致不收敛、高标准误及偏差估计量等问题,不值得推荐。     

阅读保持的类比结构映射效应研究

探讨文章阅读过程中类比结构映射效应与共同元素效应对阅读信息保持的迁移作用,包括两个实验,实验Ｉ探讨前阅读的源文章与目标文章在结构上与命题上的共同性对目标文章信息保持的迁移效果,结果表明,前后阅读文献的结构共同目标文章的保持有显著的促进作用,命题共同的促进作用不显著,实验２进一步探讨在源文章与目标文章结构或命题有共同性的情况下,提示与否对目标文章的信息保持效果的影响作用,结果证明,有两种情况下,提示     

颜色知觉恒常理论的回顾

本文对早期颜色恒常理论、系数理论、计算理论和 Octant模型作了简要回顾 ,并结合已有的研究成果进行评述。对影响颜色恒常性机制的主要因素进行了探讨。强调了知觉经验、记忆、认知决策等高级意识活动对颜色恒常知觉的作用 ,并尝试性地提出了描述颜色恒常知觉过程的一般参照框架。     

A Systems/Dialectical Model of Supervision: A Symbolic Process

Although there has been a proliferation of models of supervision in the marriage and family therapy literature recently, most tend to focus on methods rather than on the process of supervision. The model presented here is grounded in developmental concepts and focuses on student learning through a dialectical process of cognitive and emotional growth and incorporates three stages: 1) developing relationships; 2) breaking impasses, and 3) orchestrating changes. Students discover that supervision becomes isomorphic with relationship issues that arise in their therapy sessions. Dialectical in nature in that each stage is characterized by the resolution of contradictory emotions, the supervision process helps supervisees experience emotional shifts in their interactions with others, referred to as emotional restructuring.