抑制和加工速度与液态智力的年老化

研究抑制能力和加工速度在液态智力年老化过程中的相对作用。被试为142名18~85岁健康成年人,完成包括抑制优势反应、加工速度和液态智力共13项测验。分层回归分析显示,抑制能力与年龄相关的特异性变异,在控制简单的速度变量时较控制复杂的速度变量时更大;结构方程分析表明,对液态智力年老化的中介作用,当选取较复杂的速度变量时加工速度的作用更大,而当选取较简单的速度变量时抑制能力的作用更大。研究结果表明,在液态智力的年老化过程中,除了加工速度的作用之外,抑制能力也起重要的中介作用。该结果为认知年老化的抑制理论和执行衰退假说提供了认知行为学研究的证据,并且对加工速度理论作了有益的补充和修正     

不同任务定向下小学儿童学习时间分配决策水平的发展

研究包含3个实验,分别探查了儿童在“速度定向”、 “准确性定向” 以及“速度和准确性定向”3种任务定向下学习时间分配决策水平的发展。3个实验均采用3×3混合设计,选择小学2年级、小学4年级、小学6年级学生各24人为被试,提供难度不同的3种材料,考查在限定的时间内儿童在3种材料间进行的学习时间分配决策水平的发展。结果：（1）在三种任务定向下,儿童学习时间分配决策水平均随年龄增长而提高。（2）不同的任务定向要求对不同年级儿童学习时间分配决策的影响不同。（3）在本实验条件下,儿童学习时间分配策略的使用,经历了三个阶段：第一个阶段,不使用策略;第二个阶段,使用策略但效果不稳定;第三个阶段,使用策略且有稳定效果     

Verbal self-reports of delayed matching to sample by humans

Undergraduates participated in two experiments to develop methods for the experimental analysis of self-reports about behavior. The target behavior was the choice response in a delayed-matching-to-sample task in which monetary reinforcement was contingent upon both speed and accuracy of the choice. In Experiment 1, the temporal portion of the contingency was manipulated within each session, and the presence and absence of feedback about reinforcement was manipulated across sessions. As the time limits became stricter, target response speeds increased, but accuracy and reinforcement rates decreased. When feedback was withheld, further reductions in speed and reinforcement occurred, but only at the strictest time limit. Thus, the procedures were successful in producing systematic variation in the speed, accuracy, and reinforcement of the target behavior. Experiment 2 was designed to assess the influence of these characteristics on self-reports. In self-report conditions, each target response was followed by a computer-generated query: “Did you earn points?” The subject reported by pressing “Yes” or “No” buttons, with the sole consequence of advancing the session. In some cases, feedback about reinforcement of the target response followed the reports; in other cases it was withheld. Self-reports were less accurate when the target responses occurred under greater time pressure. When feedback was withheld, the speed of the target response influenced reports, in that the probability of a “Yes” report increased directly with the speed of accurate target responses. In addition, imposing the self-report procedure disrupted target performance by reducing response speeds at the strictest time limit. These results allow investigation of issues in both behavioral and cognitive psychology. More important, the overall order in the data suggests promise for the experimental analysis of self-reports by human subjects.     

Accuracy versus speed in the generalized effort of learning-disabled children

Reinforcement of effortful performance in a given academic task has been found to increase the subsequent performance of other academic tasks. The learned-effort hypothesis assumes that individuals learn which dimensions of task performance are correlated with reinforcement of high effort, and generalize across tasks. Therefore, reinforcement of increased effort in a given dimension of one task should result in greater generalized effort in the same dimension of transfer performance than in another dimension. In accord with this view, preadolescent learning-disabled students who received points for high reading accuracy subsequently produced more accurate drawings and stories than did students whose points had been based upon high reading speed or upon mere completion of the reading task. Students who received points for high reading speed subsequently constructed stories more quickly than did children whose points had been based upon high reading accuracy or upon reading-task completion. Consistent with the more explicit and frequent feedback for accuracy than for speed in most academic tasks, generalized accuracy was much more durable than generalized speed.     

An analysis of public posting in reducing speeding behavior on an urban highway

The effects of public posting on speeding behavior on an urban highway were assessed using a reversal design. During baseline the percentage of drivers speeding was measured with a concealed radar unit. During the daily posting condition a highway sign was installed which provided feedback on the percentage of drivers not speeding yesterday and the best record to date. This sign was then covered and reintroduced. Results indicated that the sign was effective in reducing speeding behavior. Furthermore, the effects were most pronounced in reducing the speeds of the faster drivers. Next, daily and weekly postings were compared with the sign alone without numerical feedback: results revealed that the weekly posting condition was as effective as the daily posting condition, but that the sign had no influence when numbers were not posted. Finally, the weekly posting procedure remained effective during a 6-month follow-up condition.     

An attempt towards differentiating attentional deficits in traumatic brain injury

Attentional deficits in patients suffering traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur with minor to severe impact to the brain. Based on reviews of both the cognitive and neurobehavioral literature, the following three concepts of attention are addressed: (a) arousal/alertness, (b) selective attention, and (c) energetic aspects of attention, which include such components as effort, resource allocation, and speed of processing. Within each concept, definitions are proposed, the underlying brain mechanisms are identified, and the specific deficits associated with TBI are explored. This review combines theoretical perspectives and clinical findings with the objective of leading toward a diagnostic differentiation that in turn will benefit treatment planning.     

附加点作用下两点距离的触觉辨别

在被动触觉的距离知觉实验中,被试的右手保持不动,将各种三点型式的刺激轻轻接触食指腹侧或以一定速度通过其表面,要求被试判定外侧两点的直线距离并在一根量尺上复现出来．结果发现：（１）当刺激快速通过皮肤表面时,外侧两点距离表现出低估,其知觉距离显著地小于刺激静止或慢速运动条件下的知觉距离;（２）当中间附加点偏离外侧两点间想象连线较大时,外侧两点的知觉距离显著地小于中间附加点偏离较小时的知觉距离,偏离较大的中间附加点似乎将外侧两点拉近了,缩短了其知觉距离,出现知觉亲和现象．这种现象与刺激是否运动无关．     

The Impact of ‘the Dream’ on Women's Experience of the Midlife Transition

Daniel Levinson's claim for the universality of age-linked periods is considered highly controversial considering that his theory evolved from a study consisting of males only. Theories relating to women's development, particularly at midlife, are somewhat scarce and restricted. Using Levinson's theory of adult development as a framework, the present study retrospectively examined the Dream and its impact on women's psychological health and adjustment to the Midlife Transition. Three hundred midlife women completed a questionnaire examining Dream Status, Dream Content, Dream Success, and the psychological health variables, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. Dream Success was significantly related to psychological health on dimensions of well-being and composure, and interesting changes were observed in Dream Content across the early and current Dream. Our findings revealed that, despite the overall greater complexity of women's Dreams, Levinson's theory is largely applicable to women's development.     

Using Qualitative Methods to Develop Contextually Relevant Measures and Preventive Interventions: An Illustration

Qualitative methods were used to develop a contextually relevant quantitative measure of parenting stress and inform the design of family-focused interventions aimed at preventing adolescent mental and behavioral health problems. The study focused on the experiences of low-income one- and two-parent families representing three ethnic groups (Mexican, African, and European Americans) living in low-income neighborhoods in a large Southwestern city. This report describes the place of this study in a broader program of prevention research, the qualitative methods and data analysis procedures employed, and how the results were used to develop a new measure of parenting stress and inform future program design. The report also includes reflective comments on the methods used and lessons gained.     

年老过程认知作业完成量与作业速度相互关系的研究

本工作应用自行设计的计算机逐级限速程序,研究了年老过程四项认知作业完成量与作业速度的相互关系。被试350人,46—75岁。研究结果表明:1、随着计算机所限时间的缩短,各项作业完成量均随年老下降迅速,作业完成量对于作业速度的依存关系随年老表现极为明显;2、在逐级限速条件下,四项认知作业完成量的年老敏感性顺序与作业速度的年老敏感性顺序基本相同,即是:符号数字、心算、计数和数字鉴别。