Perceptual constraints and the learnability of simple grammars

Cognitive processes are often attributed to statistical or symbolic general-purpose mechanisms. Here we show that some spontaneous generalizations are driven by specialized, highly constrained symbolic operations. We explore how two types of artificial grammars are acquired, one based on repetitions and the other on characteristic relations between tones ("ordinal" grammars). Whereas participants readily acquire repetition-based grammars, displaying early electrophysiological responses to grammar violations, they perform poorly with ordinal grammars, displaying no such electrophysiological responses. This outcome is problematic for both general symbolic and statistical models, which predict that both types of grammars should be processed equally easily. This suggests that some simple grammars are acquired using perceptual primitives rather than general-purpose mechanisms; such primitives may be elements of a "toolbox" of specialized computational heuristics, which may ultimately allow constructing a psychological theory of symbol manipulation.     

Effects of D-amphetamine on response acquisition with immediate and delayed reinforcement.

The present study examined in 8-hour sessions the effects of d-amphetamine (1.0, 5.6, and 10 mg/kg) on the acquisition of lever-press responding in rats that were exposed to procedures in which water delivery was delayed by 0, 8, or 16 seconds relative to the response that produced it. Both nonresetting- and resetting-delay conditions were studied. Although neither shaping nor autoshaping occurred, substantial levels of operative-lever responding developed under all conditions in which responses produced water. The lowest dose (1.0 mg/kg) of d-amphetamine either had no effect on or increased operative-lever pressing, whereas higher doses typically produced an initial reduction in lever pressing. Nonetheless, overall rates of operative-lever pressing at these doses were as high as, or higher than, those observed with vehicle. Thus, response acquisition was observed under all reinforcement procedures at all drug doses. In the absence of the drug, most responding occurred on the operative lever when reinforcement was immediate. Such differential responding also developed under both nonresetting- and resetting-delay procedures when the delay was 8 seconds, but not when it was 16 seconds. d-Amphetamine did not affect the development of differential responding under any procedure. Thus, consistent with d-amphetamine's effects under repeated acquisition procedures, the drug had no detrimental effect on learning until doses that produced general behavioral disruption were administered.     

Psychometric evaluation of the situation test of heterosocial skill

This study examined various psychometric properties of Forms A and B of the Situation Test, developed by Rehm and Marston (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1968, 37, 565–574) for the assessment of heterosocial skill and anxiety. A third test form composed of heterosocially irrelevant items was also examined for comparison purposes. Split-half, alternate-form, and interresponse consistency was determined for measures of skill, anxiety, response latency, and response duration. Differences across test forms on these measures were also investigated. Subsequently, criterion-related validity was examined relative to three criteria of heterosocial skill. Results indicated that two measures, anxiety and response duration, displayed adequate internal consistency, while that of skill and response latency was marginal. Interresponse consistency was moderately low for all three test forms. Comparisons of mean performances across forms revealed significant differences, with heterosocially irrelevant items appearing easier, in general, than the heterosocial items of Forms A and B. Lastly, significant predictions of peer-reported heterosocial behavior were obtained for all three test forms, but two self-report criteria were not found to be related to test behavior. Various implications of these findings are discussed.Portions of this research were completed while the authors were affiliated with the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. The advice and consultation provided by the late William K. Boardman is gratefully acknowledged. Appreciation is also extended to Michael Breakwell, Linda Maertzweller, Steven Ray, and Jan Rockley for their assistance with data collection.Copies of assessment material and specific instructions to subjects are available upon request.     

The Neural Basis of Motor-Skill Learning

Recent work indicates that motor-skill learning is supported by four processes: a strategic process that selects new goals of what to change in the environment, a perceptual-motor integration process that adjusts to new relationships between environmental stimuli and the appropriate motor response, a sequencing process that learns sequences of motor acts, and a dynamic process that learns new patterns of muscle activations. These four processes can operate in one of two modes: an unconscious mode, in which one is aware only of the goal of the movement, or a conscious mode, in which one consciously controls detailed aspects of the movement. This article provides an overview of these four processes and two modes, and describes their neural bases.     

心理学毕业生专业技能调查及其对专业改革的启示

通过对204名心理系历届本科毕业生的调查,结论如下：(1)毕业生对心理学专业教学总体满意度一般,其中对专业实践安排的满意度最低;(2)毕业生认为最重要的技能是“进行心理活动课程”和“心理咨询”,最欠缺的技能是“心理治疗”和“心理咨询”;(3)心理学应用技能课程包含“心理咨询及治疗”、“心理课程及教育”、“心理测评及应用”三个因素。在调查基础上,本文提出了心理学专业改革的设想。     

概化理论在内科学临床技能考核中的应用研究

运用多元概化理论对两届临床医学硕士研究生内科临床实践能力考核进行评价比较。结果表明,两届研究生内科临床实践能力考核的信度均较高,可靠性指数分别为0.78878、0.67985,考核内容较全面。比较发现,01级学生考核的信度要高于02级,考核专家以3-5位为宜。     

关于内科临床技能培训教学课程设置的探讨

通过对参加内科临床技能培训的大连医科大学2007级、2009级五年制及七年制临床医学专业学生进行问卷调查及客观结构化临床考试（OSCE）,探讨内科临床技能培训课程的学时及课程内容等设置.100%的学生认为有开设临床技能培训课的必要,50%以上的学生认为在大学4年级开设本课程较合适,50%以上的学生认为12学时的设置较合理,80%以上的学生认为应每4人共用一名模拟人.OSCE证实毕业前12学时培训组成绩优于实习前8学时组.     

Methodological issues in judgment and decision-making research: Concurrent verbal protocol validity and simultaneous traces of process

This paper examines two dimensions of concurrent verbal protocol validity. First, whether verbalization affects process and outcome (reactivity) was examined by comparing concurrent verbal protocol traces with those from a computer search process tracing method, the latter being a complete trace of information acquisition from experimental materials. Earlier findings that verbalization affects time were confirmed. However, verbalization did not affect amount and pattern of acquisition or accuracy of judgments. Second, whether concurrent verbal protocols are complete was examined by comparing concurrent verbal protocol and computer traces that were simultaneously obtained in a treatment in which subjects verbalized as they acquired information from the computer. The verbal traces less completely captured information acquisition behavior than computer search. This suggests that, although concurrent verbal protocols provide greater insight into decision behavior than computer search, the latter is a more reliable information-acquisition trace. Thus, if information acquisition is of primary interest and if computer search activities can be naturally integrated into performing the primary task, computer search is preferred to concurrent verbal protocols. However, if information use or retrieval from long-term memory is of primary interest, concurrent verbal protocols are preferred to computer search. Finally, this paper examined whether the simultaneous use of concurrent verbal protocols and computer search provides traces of information acquisition and use that are as complete as when each method is independently applied. Although computer search tended to limit subjects verbalizations of evaluative operators, this effect may be eliminated by practice on the computer prior to collecting data.     

汉语图片命名中获得年龄的作用

不同语种的研究都发现获得年龄是影响图片命名和词汇命名的重要因素。该研究对汉语图片命名中获得年龄的作用进行了初步探讨。研究分为两部分,第一部分让20名大学生对187幅选自Snodgrass和Vanderwart图片集的线条画的名称的获得年龄进行了评定;第二部分以该187幅图片为刺激,30名大学生被试对图片进行命名反应。以命名反应时为因变量,采用多重回归分析,发现除了名称一致性和概念熟悉性,获得年龄是图片命名反应时的主要预测指标,并没有发现词频的效应。文章对此结果进行了讨论。     

信息显示板（IDB）实验在消费行为研究中的应用

信息显示板（Information Display Board, IDB）实验是一种过程跟踪技术,以m×n矩阵方式呈现信息阵列,通过观测被试信息检索和浏览的一系列行为,来研究被试问题解决和决策中的信息获得（information acquisition）过程。Mouselab是常用的IDB计算机化程序。消费者是有限理性的问题解决者,因此IDB实验被用于消费行为领域的研究。应用不同的IDB实验设置,研究者探索了消费决策中消费者信息获得的模式和影响因素。