A position of influence: Variation in offender identification rates by location in a lineup

Researchers have identified several threats to the validity of the use of the lineup as a test of true recognition. One concern is related to the structure of the simultaneous lineup. It is argued here that a simultaneous presentation of an array nonetheless requires the viewer to undertake sequential processing of the items in the array. This sequential pattern is unlikely to be random and therefore the position of a culprit in a lineup may have a significant effect on the accuracy of witness selection. A simulated crime (snatching of a handbag) was shown to a convenience sample of 84 undergraduates aged between 18–23 years. In 84 subsequent live lineups, the offender was placed with four foils. He was positioned on the far left (position 1) in 42 cases (50%), and in 14 cases respectively in positions 3 (centre), 4 (centre right) and 5 (extreme right). A very strong association was found between position and correct identification with position 1 placement leading to a significantly lower proportion of correct identification (7.1%) compared to position 3 (50.0%), position 4 (64.3%), and position 5 (21.4%). Steps to remedy possible positional biases are considered. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

中文故事阅读中预期与前后向推理的关系

通过3项实验,考察了中文故事阅读中前后向推理的差异及其与预期的关系。采用3×2独立设计,以反应时为指标,以较长的语篇为实验材料,分别利用核证法与命名法进行了实验一和二。实验三在实验二的基础上,用2×2独立设计,并根据实验目的修改了实验材料。实验一的结果显示,前向推理和后向推理差异显著;实验二的结果则是前向推理和后向推理无显著差异,而且预期的3个水平在前后向推理上均无显著差异;实验三的结果表明,在预期与前后向推理间距离近和预期句详述的情况下,预期与前后向推理产生了交互作用     

文本阅读研究的技术模型和新观点

文本阅读心理研究一直是心理学界广泛关注的课题。从20世纪30年代第一个严格的文本阅读实验至今,这一领域的研究方法和技术模型不断进步,具体理论和实际应用不断成熟。到目前为止,文本阅读领域已经形成了庞大的体系。作者首先对文本阅读研究中常用的技术模型进行了梳理,从目标、空间、时间、因果和主角五个方面分别对其进行了介绍。在此基础上,文章评述了文本阅读研究的两种新观点,即文本阅读的双加工理论和知觉符号理论。最后作者对文本阅读研究的未来趋势进行了展望     

文本阅读过程中组织策略迁移的研究

探讨文章阅读中组织策略的迁移问题,包括3个实验。实验1探讨了阅读过程中组织策略对阅读保持的影响,结果表明,使用组织策略能明显地促进阅读文章的信息保持;实验2探讨了前后阅读文章内容有关情况下组织策略的迁移问题,结果表明,在提示的条件下,组织策略迁移可以发生;实验3探讨了在前后阅读文章内容无关情况下组织策略迁移是否可以实现,结果表明,在前后阅读文章内容无关条件下也可以产生组织策略的迁移。本研究结果表明,前后阅读的文章不管内容是否有关,如果它们都适合使用同一组织策略,在提示条件下就可以实现策略的迁移。     

文本阅读中协调性整合的发生机制

采用移动窗口技术和自我报告法探讨了文本阅读中协调性整合发生的具体机制。被试为华南师范大学本科生114名。实验1通过分析不同条件下目标句的阅读时间探讨当前信息跟先前信息只有语义相关上的局部不一致但没有事件相关时能否发生协调性整合。实验2通过分析不同条件下探测词的反应时间探讨文本阅读过程中单纯语义相关没有事件相关时,目标句阅读是否会自动激活跟其有关的背景信息。实验3通过分析不同条件下目标句的阅读时间和被试的自我报告指标探讨协调性整合是否是一种自动化的过程,即探讨被试在文本阅读过程中能否意识到这种信息整合方式。总的实验结果表明,文本阅读中当前信息跟先前信息有语义相关时可以引发信息激活,但只有当前信息跟先前信息有事件相关时才会发生信息整合;另外,协调性整合是一种自动化的过程,读者在文本阅读过程中不能意识到这种信息整合方式的发生     

Disentangling the effects of word frequency and contextual diversity on serial recall performance

Research shows that contextual diversity (CD; the number of different contexts in which a word appears within a corpus) constitutes a better predictor of reading performance than word frequency (WF), that it mediates the access to lexical representations, and that controlling for contextual CD abolishes the effect of WF in lexical decision tasks. Despite the theoretical relevance of these findings for the study of serial memory, it is not known how CD might affect serial recall performance. We report the first independent manipulation of CD and WF in a serial recall task. Experiment 1 revealed better performance for low CD and for high WF words independently. Both effects affected omissions and item errors, but contrary to past research, word frequency also affected order errors. These results were confirmed in two more experiments comparing pure and alternating lists of low and high CD (Experiment 2) or WF (Experiment 3). The effect of CD was immune to this manipulation, while that of WF was abolished in alternating lists. Altogether the findings suggest a more difficult episodic retrieval of item information for words of high CD, and a role for both item and order information in the WF effect.     

The processing of inter-item relations as a moderating factor of retrieval-induced forgetting

We investigated influences of item generation and emotional valence on retrieval-induced forgetting. Drawing on postulates of the three-factor theory of generation effects, generation tasks differentially affecting the processing of inter-item relations were applied. Whereas retrieval-induced forgetting of freely generated items was moderated by the emotional valence as well as retrieval-induced forgetting of read items, even though in the reverse direction (Experiment 1), fragment completion eliminated the moderation of retrieval-induced forgetting by emotional valence (Experiment 2). The results corroborate the assumption that the processing of inter-item relations is crucial for the immunization against retrieval-induced forgetting. Moreover, differential processing of inter-item relations may clarify the mixed results on moderating factors of retrieval-induced forgetting that have been reported.     

Does repeated reading predict reading development over time? A study of children from Grade 3 to 4

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether immediate gains in reading fluency achieved during repeated reading of text can predict long‐term reading development over and above traditional predictors of reading development. Eighty‐one Grade 3 children read texts three times consecutively and were instructed either to read as quickly as possible (speed‐focused repeated reading), or to retell the text afterwards (meaning‐focused repeated reading). Measures of text reading fluency, sentence reading fluency, and text comprehension were administered to the children in Grades 3 and 4 to assess their reading development over time. The results indicate that children's immediate response to repeated reading can contribute to the prediction of their development of reading fluency over time. Even after controlling for individual differences in general cognitive ability, word reading fluency, rapid automatized naming, and vocabulary, the experimental measure with meaning‐focused repeated reading remained a significant predictor.     

Temporal texture of associative encoding modulates recall processes

Binding aspects of an experience that are distributed over time is an important element of episodic memory. In the current study, we examined how the temporal complexity of an experience may govern the processes required for its retrieval. We recorded event-related potentials during episodic cued recall following pair associate learning of concurrently and sequentially presented object-picture pairs. Cued recall success effects over anterior and posterior areas were apparent in several time windows. In anterior locations, these recall success effects were similar for concurrently and sequentially encoded pairs. However, in posterior sites clustered over parietal scalp the effect was larger for the retrieval of sequentially encoded pairs. We suggest that anterior aspects of the mid-latency recall success effects may reflect working-with-memory operations or direct access recall processes, while more posterior aspects reflect recollective processes which are required for retrieval of episodes of greater temporal complexity.     

Intrinsic goals for leisure-time physical activity predict children's daily step counts through autonomous motivation

ObjectivesThe present study tested a motivational sequence in which children's goals for leisure-time sport and physical activity (PA) from Goal Content Theory predicted pedometer-determined PA through behavioural regulation constructs from Self-Determination Theory.DesignQuantitative cross-sectional study.MethodsA sample of 1272 Flemish (Dutch speaking part of Belgium) sixth graders (M age = 11.42 years) filled in a questionnaire on PA goal content, behavioural regulations and pubertal status. Children's height and weight were measured to assess Body Mass Index (BMI). To measure daily PA behaviour, participants wore a pedometer for seven consecutive days. Structural equation modelling was performed to test the proposed motivational sequence and to examine the mediation effect of behavioural regulations towards leisure-time sport and PA on the relation between PA goal content and daily step counts.ResultsA structural equation model supported the hypothesized sequence in which intrinsic goals for leisure-time sport and PA predicted children's daily step counts through autonomous motivation towards leisure-time sport and PA. Multi-sample invariance testing revealed that the proposed model was largely invariant across BMI groups, pubertal status and gender.ConclusionsThe findings highlight the importance of emphasizing intrinsic goals for participation in leisure-time sport and PA in children aged 10–12 years. By stimulating children to participate in PA and sports by referring to intrinsic goals, children are more likely to enjoy PA, which in turn might increase the likelihood of a regular and long-term PA engagement.