Expectations about numerical events in four lemur species (Eulemur fulvus, Eulemur mongoz, Lemur catta and Varecia rubra)

Although much is known about how some primates—in particular, monkeys and apes—represent and enumerate different numbers of objects, very little is known about the numerical abilities of prosimian primates. Here, we explore how four lemur species (Eulemur fulvus, E. mongoz, Lemur catta, and Varecia rubra) represent small numbers of objects. Specifically, we presented lemurs with three expectancy violation looking time experiments aimed at exploring their expectations about a simple 1+1 addition event. In these experiments, we presented subjects with displays in which two lemons were sequentially added behind an occluder and then measured subjects duration of looking to expected and unexpected outcomes. In experiment 1, subjects looked reliably longer at an unexpected outcome of only one object than at an expected outcome of two objects. Similarly, subjects in experiment 2 looked reliably longer at an unexpected outcome of three objects than at an expected outcome of two objects. In experiment 3, subjects looked reliably longer at an unexpected outcome of one object twice the size of the original than at an expected outcome of two objects of the original size. These results suggest that some prosimian primates understand the outcome of simple arithmetic operations. These results are discussed in light of similar findings in human infants and other adult primates.This revised version was published online in March 2005 with corrections to Fig. 6.     

Representing tools: how two non-human primate species distinguish between the functionally relevant and irrelevant features of a tool

Few studies have examined whether non-human tool-users understand the properties that are relevant for a tool's function. We tested cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) and rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) on an expectancy violation procedure designed to assess whether these species make distinctions between the functionally relevant and irrelevant features of a tool. Subjects watched an experimenter use a tool to push a grape down a ramp, and then were presented with different displays in which the features of the original tool (shape, color, orientation) were selectively varied. Results indicated that both species looked longer when a newly shaped stick acted on the grape than when a newly colored stick performed the same action, suggesting that both species perceive shape as a more salient transformation than color. In contrast, tamarins, but not rhesus, attended to changes in the tool's orientation. We propose that some non-human primates begin with a predisposition to attend to a tool's shape and, with sufficient experience, develop a more sophisticated understanding of the features that are functionally relevant to tools.     

负性情绪在心理契约违背与反生产行为中的作用

为了探究反生产行为的产生机制,本研究采用问卷调查法,以“压力-情绪”模型为基础,使用相关分析以及线性回归分析等统计方法,考察了心理契约违背、负性情绪以及反生产行为之间的密切关系.结果发现,心理契约违背与负性情绪之间有显著的正相关,心理契约违背和负性情绪与反生产行为也具有显著的正相关关系,负性情绪在心理契约违背与反生产行为之间具有部分中介作用.     

贬损型幽默:笑声能化解敌意吗?

贬损型幽默指包含贬损意味同时令人发笑的信息。释放论、优越论、失谐?解决理论与良性进犯理论尝试解释了其心理机制。贬损不一定好笑,群体身份和态度、接收者与贬损对象的心理距离以及人格、文化差异等均会影响幽默效果。贬损型幽默可以起到释放偏见与表达社会支配倾向的作用,对人际交往的作用则不一致。贬损型幽默的整合性过程模型串联描述了贬损型幽默的机制、前因和后效,可作为未来研究的框架。未来亦可继续探讨贬损型幽默的消极影响,以及其对群际关系和社会公平的潜在积极作用,并关注到中国社会文化背景下的贬损型幽默。     

同事个性化契约对员工工作退缩行为的影响:基于公平理论的视角

个性化契约作为组织中一种非标准化的工作安排,以往研究较多关注其对契约获得者的积极效应,相对忽视了对未获得者的消极影响。鉴于此,本研究基于公平理论,探讨了同事个性化契约对员工工作退缩行为的影响及其内部机理。结果发现:同事个性化契约会引发员工的工作退缩行为,员工的心理契约违背在此过程中起部分中介作用;此外,员工与组织间较高的社会交换关系会削弱同事个性化契约对员工心理契约违背的正向影响。     

Quels sont les prédicteurs des comportements associés au respect des règles d’hygiène en soins infirmiers en cours de formation ?

We present a study whose aim is to analyse the predictability of behaviors associated with breaches of hygiene rules based on the constructs of the theory of planned behavior and implementation of intention. One hundred and fifty nursing students replied to a questionnaire following their theoretical training and then after returning from practical placement during which some were observed in a professional situation. The results highlighted the fact that self-reported behavior was associated with behavior observed in context with regard to the observance of rules governing hand hygiene and the decontamination of surfaces. Self-reported behavior is explained successively by behavioral control, intention and implementation of intention when the latter relates to behavioral reflexivity. These results are discussed from the point of view of nurse training practices.     

Reducing the Gap in Reading Performance Between Israeli Lower- and Middle-Class First-Grade Pupils

This study investigated the impact of prompting to achieve a faster reading rate on the reading performance of 100 Israeli first-grade students from lower- and middle-class backgrounds. In both groups, reading comprehension and decoding skills improved under the fast-pace condition. However, the children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds showed the greatest degree of overall improvement. Having scored significantly lower at self-pace, disadvantaged pupils nearly attained the level demonstrated by advantaged children when reading at the faster pace. The enhanced reading skills exhibited under accelerated speed are explained.     

Creativity,perversion and the violations of expectations

Abstract

Violations of expectations provide a motive for both creativity and perversion. The term “violations of expectations,” derived from empirical studies of early development, includes surprise, shock, betrayals of trust, as well as the possession of extraordinary talents. In the creative area, violations of expectations are illustrated through aspects of the life and work of Marc Chagall and Richard Wagner, and in perversion through the lives and actions of serial killers.

Lachmann FM. Kreativität, Perversion und die Verletzungen von Erwartungen

Verletzungen von Erwartungen liefern ein Motiv für beides: Kreativität und Perversion.Diese Benennung, aus empirischen Untersuchungen früher Entwicklung abgeleitet, schließt sowohl Überraschung, Schock, Verrat von Vertrauen ein wie auch die Verfügung über außergewöhnliche Talente. Im kreativen Bereich werden Verletzungen von Erwartungen durch Aspekte von Leben und Werk von Chagall und Richard Wagner illustriert und im Bereich der Perversionen durch Leben und Aktionen von Serien-Mördern.

Lachmann FM. Creatividad, perversión y violación de las expectativas.

La violación de las expectativas provee un motivo para ambas, la creatividad y la perversión. Este término, derivado de estudios empíricos sobre el desarrollo temprano, incluye sorpresa, shock, revelación de la verdad, así como la posesión de talentos extraordinarios. En la creativa violación de expectativas se ilustran aspectos de la vida y del trabajo de Marc Chagall y Richard Wagner y en la perversión a través de sus vidas y acciones de asesinos en serie.     

The Concept of Miracle

The concept of miracle has often been regarded as irreconcilable with the concept of natural law. But this contradiction applies only to an understanding of a miracle as a break of natural law. Such a violation would destroy the assertion of natural law, because its universal claim does not permit exceptions. However, the idea of miracle need not be conceived in this way, though it has often been done since medieval times. Augustine thought of miracles simply as unusual events that contradict our accustomed views of the course of nature but not nature itself. According to that definition of miracle, no contradiction of natural laws need be assumed. It is sufficient to regard unusual occurrences as "signs" of God's special activity in creation.