Tolerance for distorted faces: Challenges to a configural processing account of familiar face recognition

Face recognition is widely held to rely on ‘configural processing’, an analysis of spatial relations between facial features. We present three experiments in which viewers were shown distorted faces, and asked to resize these to their correct shape. Based on configural theories appealing to metric distances between features, we reason that this should be an easier task for familiar than unfamiliar faces (whose subtle arrangements of features are unknown). In fact, participants were inaccurate at this task, making between 8% and 13% errors across experiments. Importantly, we observed no advantage for familiar faces: in one experiment participants were more accurate with unfamiliars, and in two experiments there was no difference. These findings were not due to general task difficulty – participants were able to resize blocks of colour to target shapes (squares) more accurately. We also found an advantage of familiarity for resizing other stimuli (brand logos). If configural processing does underlie face recognition, these results place constraints on the definition of ‘configural’. Alternatively, familiar face recognition might rely on more complex criteria – based on tolerance to within-person variation rather than highly specific measurement.     

Digit ratio (2D:4D) and sensation seeking: New data and meta-analysis

Previously reported associations between low (male-typical) digit ratio (2D:4D), a putative pointer to prenatal testosterone exposure, and high (male-typical) sensation seeking have been inconsistent across studies (alternately present for men, women, either sex, or neither). Addressing this question again in three new studies (N = 198, 188, 1118) produced similarly erratic findings. Meta-analysis of the entire literature (13 studies with nearly 3000 individuals, including unpublished accounts) showed that the current cumulative evidence does not support any negative correlations between 2D:4D and sensation seeking traits. The only significant meta-analytical finding was for right-hand 2D:4D and the experience seeking facet of sensation seeking in both sexes, but this effect accounted for merely 0.4% attributable variance, and moreover was directionally opposite to expectation (i.e., a positive correlation). Discussed are inherent limitations of narrow-scoped approaches (such as via 2D:4D) for elucidating the biological bases of individual difference variables with evidentially intricate neurochemical underpinnings (such as sensation seeking).     

The mixed model for multivariate repeated measures: validity conditions and an approximate test

Repeated measures on multivariate responses can be analyzed according to either of two models: a doubly multivariate model (DMM) or a multivariate mixed model (MMM). This paper reviews both models and gives three new results concerning the MMM. The first result is, primarily, of theoretical interest; the second and third have implications for practice. First, it is shown that, given multivariate normality, a condition called multivariate sphericity of the covariance matrix is both necessary and sufficient for the validity of the MMM analysis. To test for departure from multivariate sphericity, the likelihood ratio test can be employed. The second result is an approximation to the null distribution of the likelihood ratio test statistic, useful for moderate sample sizes. Third, for situations satisfying multivariate normality, but not multivariate sphericity, a multivariate correction factor is derived. The correction factor generalizes Box's and can be used to construct an adjusted MMM test.I am grateful to an anonymous referee for carefully attending to the mathematical details of this paper.     

Reliability of heterosocial skills measurement with sex offenders

The heterosocial skills of 79 sex offenders were assessed using two self-report inventories, the Social Anxiety and Distress Scale (SAD) and the S-R Inventory of Anxiousness (SRI). In addition, staff members rated the offenders on modified versions of the SAD and the Heterosocial Skills Behavior Checklist for Males (HSB). Twenty-one offenders were also videotaped during a brief interaction with a female confederate. The tapes were rated using the HSB. All ratings and videotapings were conducted twice within a two-week period. The two self-report scales showed good test-retest reliability (r=.88) and correlatedr=.63 with each other. However, the SAD correlated significantly with the Crowne-Marlowe Social Desirability Scale and showed significant change from first to second administrations. The SRI showed less reactivity to social desirability and changed less over time. The staff ratings showed higher test-retest (r=.72–.76) than interrater (r=.36–.43) reliability. They correlatedr=–.56 with each other and did not show a significant relationship to the Crowne-Marlowe. However, both staff-ratings changed significantly from test to retest. Inspection of correlations between staff and self-report measures indicated that these instruments may be strongly affected by rater variance. Different measures completed by the same person correlated higher than the same measure completed by different persons. The HSB showed high levels of interrater agreement (90–100%) and split-half reliability (r=.95–.97). However, test-retest reliability was poor for the overall score and for the category measuring form of conversation. Categories measuring voice and affect were moderately reliable over time (r=.53–.74). However, the voice category scores changed substantially from first to second videotaping. On almost all measures used in this study, the sex offenders' scores were similar to those derived from normal populations. Only the category measuring affect on the HSB seemed to differentiate this group from normals.     

The relative contribution of profile body shape and weight to judgements of women's physical attractiveness in Britain and Malaysia

Ninety-six Malaysian and British men rated for physical attractiveness a set of photographs of real women in profile, with known body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Results showed that BMI accounted for the greater amount of variance in all settings. There were also significant differences in preferences for body weight, with low resource, low socioeconomic status (SES) raters preferring a significantly heavier partner than high resource, high SES raters. The disparity with previous findings using line drawings of women in profile was discussed in terms of the weaknesses of line-drawn stimuli.     

Cultural significance of leg‐to‐body ratio preferences? Evidence from Britain and rural Malaysia

The leg-to-body ratio (LBR) has been suggested as an under-researched aesthetic criterion in humans. In the present study, 54 rural Malaysians and 80 Britons rated for physical attractiveness a set of line drawings that varied in five levels of LBR. The results showed that, for British participants, a higher LBR was preferred in women but a lower LBR was preferred in men. Malaysian participants, in contrast, rated medium female LBR and low male LBR as the most attractive. These results are discussed in terms of cross-cultural differences in media exposure, which may moderate judgements of attractiveness of various body components.     

Confirmation Bias and the Sexual Double Standard

In contemporary Western societies it is widely believed that there is a sexual double standard such that men are rewarded for sexual activity, whereas women are derogated for sexual activity. This pervasive belief may result in a confirmation bias such that people tend to notice information that confirms the double standard and fail to notice information that refutes it. Two studies were conducted to test this hypothesis. In both studies, participants read vignettes about a target man or a woman that contained an equal number of positive and negative comments regarding the target's sexuality. Participants recalled more information consistent with the double standard than inconsistent with it.     

大连地区健康人群体重指数分布状况的调查分析

调查分析大连地区健康人群中体重指数(BMI)、腰臀围比(WHR)的分布状况。对630例长期居住大连地区的21岁～60岁汉族健康成人的BMI、WHR进行调查分析,检测受检者身高、体重、腰围、臀围,按不同年龄段、不同性别分析BMI、WHR的性别及年龄分布。大连地区健康人群总体的平均BMI为(23.66±3.12)kg/m~2,其中男性为(24.66±2.88)kg/m~2。女性为(22.41±2.97)kg/m~2,经t检验有显著差异(t=11.85,P＜0.001)。BMI≥25的人群比例为24.1%,BMI≥30的为3.0%。BMI随年龄变化的曲线为斜线,从21岁～60岁,随着年龄的增长而显著升高,51岁～60岁达到最高峰;WHR随年龄变化的曲线为斜线,随着年龄的增长而显著升高,51岁～60岁达到最高峰。随着社会生活水平的提高,人群中BMI、WHR结构发生了明显的变化,肥胖者日趋增多,应重视超重和肥胖的防治工作。     

血液透析患者在线血流量与Kt／V及尿素清除率因果关系分析

通过测定维持性透析患者血管通路血流量、Kt/V及尿素清除率(URR),利用自然辨证法中因果关系的复杂性探讨血流量与透析充分性之间的因果关系。选择维持性血液透析患者80例。设定血液透析开始后在线血流量,根据血流量不同分为三组,I组血流量300ml/min,Ⅱ组血流量250ml/min,Ⅲ组血流量200ml/min,计算各组Kt/V值与尿素减少率,观察血流量与Kt/V及尿素减少率之间的相关关系。三组之间Kt/V、URR比较P<0.001,差异均具有显著性;血流量与Kt/V、URR之间呈正相关(r1=0.448,P<0.001;r2=0.413,P<0.001;)随着血流量从300ml/min降到200ml/min,Kt/V、URR分别从1.33±0.33、(68.19±8.86)%降到0.99±0.31、(58.59±13.19)%。血液透析患者的血流量与Kt/V、URR密切相关,两者之间存在因果关系,较高的在线血流量是保证透析充分性的一项重要指标。     

Growth of white matter in the adolescent brain: Myelin or axon?

White matter occupies almost half of the human brain. It contains axons connecting spatially segregated modules and, as such, it is essential for the smooth flow of information in functional networks. Structural maturation of white matter continues during adolescence, as reflected in age-related changes in its volume, as well as in its microstructure. Here I review recent observations obtained with magnetic resonance imaging in typically developing adolescents and point out some of the known variations in structural properties of white matter vis-à-vis brain function in health and disease. I conclude by re-focusing the interpretations of MR-based studies of white matter from myelin to axon.