bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The concept of adaptation‐level in psychological research
Authors: VUORINEN RISTO
Published: May 2008

Vuorinen, R. The concept of adaptation‐level in psychological research. Scand. J. Psychol., 1973, 14, 228–240.‐ Helson's adaptation‐level theory (ALT) is appraised as a general theory of psychology. The reformulated Fechner law underlying ALT is shown to be untenable and the conceptual status of AL is shown to be self‐contradictory. The ambiguous measures and the inconsistent theoretical definitions proposed for AL are found to limit the scope of ALT. Reasons for its flexibility and claimed heuristic value are analyzed and potential sources of confusion are suggested. Some defects of ALT are likely to be shared by other behaviouristic theories since they follow from a commitment to the strict S‐R model.
Adjective ratings and dimension analyses of auditory rhythm patterns
Authors: GABRIELSSON ALF
Published: May 2008

Gabrielsson, A. Adjective ratings and dimension analyses of auditory rhythm patterns. Scand. J. psychol., 1973, 14, 244–260.‐Rhythm experience for three classes of auditory rhythm stimuli, including music, was investigated by a variant of semantic differential technique in six experiments. The rating scales were chosen by means of questionnaires to musicians. The subjects rated the rhythms in a number of the scales and the ratings were subjected to factor analysis. The factors were interpreted as “uniformity‐variation” or “simplicity‐complexity”, “accentuated first beat”, “meter”, “basic pattern”, “rapidity”, “movement characters” (floating‐stuttering, dancing‐walking and others), “vital‐dull”, “excited‐calm”, and “rigid‐flexible”.
An interactionist approach to the study of anxiety An analysis of an S‐R inventory applied to an adolescent sample
Authors: BOEKEHAMMAR  , MAGNUSSON DAVID , RICKLANDER LOUISE
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— An inventory of anxiety was constructed according to the “S‐R format”, i.e., with situations and responses selected separately. The inventory employed 17 situation scales, supposed to induce different degrees of anxiety, and 18 response scales, supposed to represent different reactions to anxiety evoking stimuli. The Ss were a group of 128 pupils, 16years of age. The main purpose was to estimate the relative proportions of variance from the different variance sources. The results showed that individuals and situations contributed only about 6% each of the total variation, responses about 19%, the simple interactions about 30%, and the residual about 40%. Factor analyses of the situation and responsescales showed that these scales were multidimensional. For the response scales two main factors were isolated, interpreted as “Psychic anxiety”, and “Somatic anxiety”. For the situation scales three main factors were isolated, interpreted as “Threat of punishment”, “Anticipation fear”, and “Inanimate threat”.
Memory models and language comprehension
Authors: STRØMNES FRODE J.
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— A schematic model for storage of meaningful verbal material is outlined. Storage of words and meaningful symbols is assumed to be separate. Accordingly it is argued that transformational grammar may be in error, and that the recent distinction between thinking in words versus thinking in imagery may be spurious. Since symbols carrying meaning must be isomorphs of real states, the distinction between abstract and concrete cognition can scarcely be upheld. Cognition, even in its conceptual forms, is seen to be always concrete. The dimensions of word storage are thought to be phonological. A preliminary analysis proceeding by using phonetical molecules results in regarding the distinction between inflectional and agglutinating languages as a purely phonological feature, and an explanation is offered as to the different probabilities of word‐form change within different languages.
To be is not always to be The hypothesis of cognitive universality in the light of studies on elliptic language behaviour
Authors: STRØMNES FRODE J.
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— This paper introduces evidence as to whether the cognitive base of natural languages is universal or not. When a speaker or writer has too little time or space to use complete, grammatically well‐formed sentences, he will first leave out the parts of speech which are least essential for the decoding process of the receiver. If, in two different languages, different parts are left out, the cognitive base of the languages cannot be the same. It was predicted that native Finnish‐speaking subjects will be more prone to leave out the verb from newspapers headings and from reports of sporting events, than will native Swedish‐speaking subjects. In addition, it was expected that Finnish subjects will rate sentences lacking verbs as more, and sentences lacking nouns, as less “language correct” than will Swedish subjects. It was also predicted that in perception of a sporting event, Finnish reporters will focus on topological, and Swedish, on vectorial, information. The predictions were borne out exactly by the findings, which thus are strongly negative to the universality hypothesis.
Subjects' simplification of rules for estimating money saved when buying a specified quantity of a cheaper product compared with a more expensive one
Authors: PETTERSSON HANS ERIK , SVENSON OLA
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Estimates of money saved, when buying a specified quantity of flowers of a cheaper kind compared with a more expensive kind, were collected from two different groups, for different quantities and combinations of prices. One group gave their estimates in 13 sec, and the other in 15 sec. The data were analysed according to four different models, all consisting of a multiplicative combination of two components, one related to the quantity to be bought and the other to the combination of prices. The estimates of both groups showed systematic deviation from the correct savings, and the estimates of the groups were best described by one simple and one more complex model respectively.
Policy conflict and policy change as a function of task characteristics III. The effects of the distribution of the validities of the cues in the conflict task
Authors: BREHMER BERNDT
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— The effects of the distribution of the validities of the cues in the conflict task on policy conflict, as studied in Hammond's “lens model” interpersonal conflict paradigm, was investigated in a 2 (levels of task predictability) by 2 (levels of cue validity distribution: only one cue valid vs. two equally valid cues) factorial experiment. The results showed that the level of agreement was higher when only one cue was valid than when both cues were valid, but this effect was obtained only when task predictability was high. In the low predictability condition, there were no differences between the two levels of cue validity distribution. In agreement with earlier findings, the results also showed that agreement was a positive function of the predictability of the task. These results show that, to understand policy conflict, it is not sufficient to analyse only the characteristics of the parties to the conflict; it is also necessary to analyse the characteristics of the task facing the parties.
Permanence and change in memory II. Reproduction of words in sentences
Authors: KVALE STEIN AR
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— A retroactive interference paradigm was employed for studying qualitative memory changes. Sentences, containing an ambiguous word that was defined differently by succeeding words, were used as stimulus material. Such retroactive definitions of meaning were found to lead to qualitative changes in reproduction. It is suggested that the issue of permanence and change in memory may be related to the choice of lists of independent items or contextual units as stimulus material. A contextual theory of memory, implying the conception of memory in a stream, is advocated.
Three attitude dimensions of sense of humor as predictors of laughter
Authors: SVEBAK SVEN
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— A theory of sense of humor was made the basis for construction of an exploratory attitude test. The theory distinguishes between three dimensions of a comical situation and their personality equivalents, the latter being (1) sensitivity to humorous messages (Mp), (2) personal likings of comical situations (Lp), and (3) need for emotional control (Ep). From a group of 96 subjects, 30 were selected for observation of the occurrence of laughter in an entertainment situation. The attitude dimensions were tested as predictors by a combined factorization and regression approach. No prediction was obtained for the total group. Laughter in men was, however, predicted by the Lp‐variable, and in women by the Ep‐variable, as expected on the basis of an avowed sex difference in style of social behavior.
Concept learning and the intradimensional spread of the relevant values of the instances II. Effects of extreme values and position of class border
Authors: LINDAHL MAJ‐BRITT
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Thirty subjects took part in a concept‐learning‐like experiment with instances. the values of which varied continuously intradimensionally, which in turn resulted in continuously varyicg intradimensional differences between instances belonging to different classes. The results were construed as supporting the hypothesis that with subjects attending selectively to specific before‐the‐eyes characteristics of the instances, one hypotheses testing routine may be described as follows: Step 1: The subjects select and test intradimensional differences for relevance in the order of their relative sizes, and Step 2: on finding some such differences presumably relevant proceed to hypothesize midpoints or other easily registerable points on the involved dimension as class borders. This routine was thought to integrate various lines of thought within concept learning dealing with the effects on learning of intradimensional value separation, “obviousness” and relative frequencies of relevant attributes. It was also thought to represent a memory structure, and its relevance to some reasonings within memory research was pointed out.
The effect on his visual afterimages of a subject's defensive system in interaction with the afterimage theory presented to him
Authors: SMITH GUDMUND J. W. , SJÖHOLM LENA
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Two groups of psychiatric subjects listened to instructions telling them that projected visual afterimages (Ah) are apt to reflect one's inner personal life, either openly (group UE) or only after suitable controls have been applied (group CE). Thereafter all subjects produced AIs of a schematic red face during 16 trials. The anxiety and defensive systems of the subjects were mapped by means of the Meta‐Contrast Technique. As expected, the UE instructions produced more open anxiety in the A1 situation than did the CE instruction. It also tended to facilitate repressive‐projective defenses, resulting in primitive or evasive A1 reactions, while the CE instructions in combination with compulsive‐inhibitory defenses often led to reactions of an all‐or‐none type, i.e. either an unimpaired AI or no AI at all.
Sex differences in achievement motivation
Authors: VOLLMER FRED , ALMÅS RIGMOR
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Norwegian undergraduate psychology students were given Heckhausen's TAT test of achievement motivation prior to or after final course examination. Women obtained higher mean score on Fear of Failure than men on both occasions. There was no sex difference in length of protocol, nor was this variable related to any of the motivation scores. Success in terms of examination results did not affect motivation scores, whereas failure led to higher score on Hope of Success for men but not for women.
Psychomotor reactions of aggressive and non‐aggressive extrovert children
Authors: PITKÄNEN LEA , TURUNEN ANNELI
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— The subjects comprised two, matched, extremely aggressive (experimental ExG and control) groups of twelve 8–year‐old boys, and one criterion group of extrovert, well‐controlled boys. The ExG was submitted to a treatment of eight lesson? with the aim of making an individual realize non‐aggressive, constructive ways of coping with situations. Video‐tape recording was used. The results showed that (1) aggressively extrovert children were more impulsive and utilized more space than the constructively extrovert, (2) psychomotor characteristics were more stable over situations than aggressive and constructive coping strategies, and (3) no changes in the psychomotor characteristics of the ExG, attributable to the experimentally induced increase of constructive behaviour and decrease of aggression, could be found. The results were more in favour of the disposition interpretation of expressive movements than of the communication theory of psychomotor expression.
Classification of art into style periods; a factor‐analytical approach
Authors: RUTH JAN‐ERIK , KOLEHMAINEN KYÖSTI
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— An attempt was made to determine, primarily, along what dimensions a classification takes place, and secondarily whether the same dimensions appear in different style periods: renaissance, baroque, and rococo, when paintings and pieces of music were judged by the “semantic differential” technique. The factor‐analysis produced six factors, which were interpreted as follows: I Aesthetic‐qualitative evaluation, II Emotional tone, III Symbolism, IV Dynamics, V Clarity, and VI Stillness. Factors I, II, and III occurred in all style periods, both in painting and in music.
Involvement in four future events as a function of temporal distance
Authors: LUNDBERG ULF , von WRIGHT JOHAN M. , FRANKENHAEUSER MARIANNE , OLSON ULF‐JOHAN
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— A total of 91 Swedish high‐school students, in four groups, estimated their degree of involvement in each of 4 potential future events, which were assumed to occur at 5 alternative points in time within the next 75 years. In addition, estimates were made of the relative importance of the events as well as of their subjective probability and influenceability. Factor analysis revealed two different time‐involvement relations: (1) involvement decreasing slowly with increasing temporal distance for the two next decades. and then rapidly approaching zero, and (2) involvement decreasing rapidly for the nearest decades, and then slowly approaching an asymptotic value. Subjects representing the first trend gave consistently higher estimates of event probability. Relative involvement for the events was judged differently by subjects in natural‐science and social‐science lines of education.
Self‐stimulation and mating behavior in the male rat
Authors: CARLSSON SVEN G. , LARSSON KNUT
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— A presumed relationship between selfstimulation of the brain and sexual behavior was studied in two experiments. In the first experiment the male rat was allowed self‐stimulation during a period of 5 minutes and thereafter transferred to a mating cage with a female. No effects of the self‐stimulation were recorded in the mating behavior. In the second experiment the male was allowed one intromission and thereafter presented with a lever for self‐stimulation, still having access to the female. The sexual responses were completely inhibited, and selfstimulation at normal rate resumed. It was concluded that there is no necessary link between self‐stimulation of the brain and sexual behavior.
Encoding in anticipation of various tests of retention
Authors: WRIGHT JOHAN VON , MERETOJA MARJAANA
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Subjects learned a pictorial material in anticipation of either free recall (FR), serial recall (SR), or recognition tests. A design containing all possible combinations of anticipated test and test actually given was used. SR and recognition performance was best when subjects anticipated these tests, respectively, whereas FR performance was best when an SR test was anticipated. Anticipation of recognition tended to interfere with SR performance, and vice versa. The results indicate that subjects encode pictorial material differently in anticipation of different retention tests; that this serves to facilitate or to impair performance on the anticipated and/or other retention tests in a predictable manner; and that subjects tend to use different information from the stimuli to pass recognition tests and to pass recall (FR or SR) tests.
Is constructional apraxia primarily an interhemispheric disconnection syndrome?
Authors: NIELSEN HENRY
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— An attempt is made to show that the errors traditionally associated with the constructional activity of patients with left‐ or right‐sided cerebral lesions correspond closely to the faults observed in drawings by the left and right hand of split‐brain patients. Based on this evidence, it is discussed whether unilateral lesions may cause callosal disconnection to such an extent that constructional apraxia will appear. Finally, some major objections to the hypothesis that constructional apraxia is an interhemispheric disconnection syndrome are evaluated.
A factorial study of schizophrenia
Authors: Jonsson Henrik
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— A Q‐factor analysis of a group of normal and schizophrenic subjects was performed in order to explore the domain of schizophrenia and to test the differential validity of a test battery. One normality factor and four factors of schizophrenia were isolated. A cross‐validation using a new sample of normal and schizophrenic subjects was carried out. The normality factor was then used as a basis for predicting group membership for the new persons. The result was a correct placement of the subjects in the normal or schizophrenic category. The four factors of schizophrenia‐at least two of which were found to be descriptively relevant and related to independent diagnostic criteria‐required further verification.
Strategies for solving simple addition problems: A comparison of normal and subnormal children
Authors: SVENSON OLA , BROQUIST STIG
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Children in the third grade in a normal class and children poor in mathematics attending special classes solved all additions with the sum of the two positive addends smaller than 10. The cognitive processes leading to the solutions were described in relation to a process model predicting solution times. The general model included a counter with two operations, setting and incrementing by one unit. It is assumed that solutions are obtained either by direct retrieval from memory or by a reconstructive process. The first step in this process is finding the starting point for the counter which is the greater addend. When the problem has been defined and the starting point has been found the generation of the answers starts by the counter stepping the number of units denoted by the smaller addend. The results based mainly on latencies showed that children poor in mathematics, in addition to a slower processing rate, seemed to have difficulties in the choice of strategy for processing the information in a problem.
Semantic meaning and associative responding
Authors: FLEKKØY KJELL
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— The hypothesis tested was that the search for a response word in a single word, free association situation proceeds in the direction of decreasing semantic similarity between the stimulus and response words. Semantic features were assigned to the 50 first Kent‐Rosanoff words and each of the three most frequent response words to each stimulus word, obtained in a single word, free association situation (N=176). An index for the number of semantic features shared by the stimulus and response words was found to decrease with increasing response latency, thus confirming the hypothesis. The findings further supports the assumption that semantic meanings of stimulus and response words are determinants of free. associative responding.
Sex differences in expectancy of examination results
Authors: VOLLMER FRED
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Within a group of undergraduates it was found that men had higher expectancy than women in a psychology examination. Although importance of examination results for future career was positively related to expected results in both sex groups, women did not regard results as less important than men did, and the sex difference in expectancy could not be attributed differential value of examination for women and men. Whereas estimated importance of results for future career was positively related to importance of results for self‐regard in the male group, no such relationship was found for women.
Concomitant short‐term changes in the auditory evoked response, the EEG, and reaction‐time performance in relation to the temporal parameters of stimulation
Authors: ÖHMAN ARNE , MACLEAN VIVIEN , LADER MALCOLM
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Two experiments are described in which short‐term “habituation” of the auditory evoked response (AER) was examined using discrete trains of click stimuli and averaging across trains. In the first study, the stimuli consisted of randomly interspersed trains of regular clicks, at 3 or 10 sec interstimulus interval (ISI). In the second study, the ISIs were also short or long but were irregular varying between 2.4 and 3.6 sec in the former case and 6 to 12 sec in the latter. The N1‐P2 component of the AER diminished within the 3 sec trains especially for the regular stimulation; no such development occurred with the longer ISI. The total voltage in the background EEG and the reaction‐times to the stimuli showed essentially similar changes. The possible mechanisms governing the response decrement are discussed and it is concluded that the data may be interpreted in terms of the Groves and Thompson dual‐process theory of habituation.
Reciprocal response interactions in concurrent variable‐interval and discrete‐trial fixed‐ratio schedules
Authors: IVERSEN IVER H.
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Pecking a red key by pigeons was reinforced with grain on a continuously accessible variable‐interval schedule. Pecking a second key was reinforced on a discrete‐trial fixed‐ratio schedule; occasionally the second key was illuminated green and after a single run on the fixed‐ratio schedule a reinforcer was presented and the green light was turned off. The experiment investigated the effects of acquisition, extinction, and re‐acquisition of pecking the second key. All pigeons changed over immediately from pecking the red key to pecking the green key whenever the green light controlled a high rate of pecking this key. Pecking the red key was completely suppressed during pecking the green key. The experiment shows that a changeover from one response to a second response can come under discriminative control of a stimulus during which the second response is intermittently reinforced. All pigeons frequently emitted observing and orienting behaviors towards the dark key that was occasionally lit green.
Alcohol‐induced changes in mood and activation in males and females as related to catecholamine excretion and blood‐alcohol level
Authors: MYRSTEN ANNA‐LISA , HOLLSTEDT CLASES , HOLMBERG LARS
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Effects of a moderate dose of whisky (0.72 g ale/kg body weight) were studied in a male and a female group. Successive measurements of blood‐alcohol concentration, catecholamine excretion, heart rate, and subjective reactions were made over a seven‐hour period. Maximum blood‐alcohol values as well as the disappearance rate of alcohol from the blood were significantly higher in the females than in the males. Adrenaline excretion was approximately the same in both groups during the control condition, but was significantly higher in the female group during the alcohol condition. Ratings of subjective reactions indicated that pleasant effects were more pronounced in the males, negative effects more marked in the females.
Comments on the social learning interpretation of moral judgment development
Authors: VIKAN ARNE
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— The interpretations of social learning theory on development in moral judgment was contested. From an organismic point of view it was argued that changes demonstrated by learning experiments did not fulfill the requirements of an organismic concept of development. Experiments were quoted which indicated that the measures of maturity employed in social learning studies were on the same formal level as the assumed immature responses. It was argued that the organismic theoretican Piaget had falsely interpreted change as development on the same grounds as social learning theory. A criterion of conservation of subjective responsibility, or interest‐crossing, was proposed as an organismic criterion of development in moral judgment.
Rod involvement in peripheral color processing
Authors: AMBLER BRUCE A. , PROCTOR ROBERT W.
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— It has previously been suggested that rods act as blue receptors in peripheral color vision. Two experiments examining this issue were conducted. Experiment 1 investigated the perceived hue of a test light presented at a luminance level above chromatic threshold. At 8° in the periphery, the 500 nm test light was perceived as more blue under conditions of dark adaptation than after light adaptation. Similar differences were not found for foveal presentation. The increased blue in the periphery after dark adaptation was attributed to a rod contribution. In Experiment 2 an attempt was made to mix a rod contribution obtained with a 470 nm light below chromatic threshold, with a cone color obtained from a 670 nm light presented above chromatic threshold. No evidence was obtained to support the idea that a blue produced by rods stimulated below chromatic threshold could mix with a red produced by cones stimulated above chromatic threshold. The results are discussed in terms of a rod contribution to hue which is dependent on the luminance level of short wavelength stimulation.
Temporal brightness and darkness enhancement; further evidence for asymmetry
Authors: SVEIN ALF GLAD , ENGVIK MAGNUSSEN HARALD
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Previous studies by the authors on brightness and darkness enhancement during flicker indicate a sizeable and consistent difference in magnitude between the two effects, as defined in terms of log matching luminance. To explore whether this difference is an artifact of the logluminance representation of the perceptual effects, a psychophysical scaling experiment was performed and results from present and former flicker experiments were replotted in terms of subjective units. When the depth of luminance modulation of the flicker stimulus exceeded 50%, the difference in magnitude of temporal brightness and darkness enhancement was somewhat smaller expressed in subjective units compared to a log‐luminance representation. On the whole, however, the two plots gave essentially similar results. The results are discussed with reference to the neurophysiological theory of the B‐ and D‐systems.
The person and the situation in an international model of behavior
Authors: MAGNUSSON DAVID
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— The report deals with two main problems: (a) cross‐situational consistency of person variables, which is discussed on the basis of a critical analysis of empirical research on cross‐situational stability of actual behavior, and (b) the role of the momentary situation in models of behavior, and the consequences of an interactional view for theorizing and research on situations. The analyses and discussions are based on two distinctions, namely (a) a distinction between consistency in terms of actual behavior and consistency in terms of mediating processes, and (b) a distinction between personality theories and measurement models. Three different senses of consistency in terms of reactions are distinguished.
Learning complex rules in probabilistic inference tasks
Authors: BREHMER BERNDT
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— A hypothesis‐sampling theory for rule learning predicts that only those rules that are available for sampling can be learned. Earlier results show that subjects have a very limited set of hypotheses about rules relating scaled cue and criterion variables, consisting mainly of linear and symmetric quadratic functions, but not of complex functions, such as J‐shaped rules. Tasks requiring the use of such rules should, therefore, not be learned. The results of the present experiment show, however, that subjects are able to find J‐shaped relations. The results were interpreted to mean that subjects are able to construct hypotheses, and that they are not limited to sampling of hypotheses from a preestablished set of possible hypotheses.
The behavior of young children in a strange situation
Authors: SMITH LARS , MARTINSEN HARALD
Published: May 2008

Abstract. The social behavior of young children was assessed in a strange situation which was to become increasingly more stressful. The strange‐situation procedure reported by Ainsworth & Wittig (1969) was repeated as closely as possible. Children between 1 and 11/2 years were accompanied by their mothers or by a female stranger in various combinations, or were alone, according to a prearranged sequence. The data were subjected to a commonality analysis (Masters & Wellman, 1974). Common changes in the frequencies of 20 behavior items were noted across the different episodes. The physicaldistance relationship between the child and its companion, the exploratory behavior of the child, and individual differences among the children were analyzed in light of Bowlby's attachment theory. The results gave some support to the findings reported by Ainsworth and her group, but also pointed to functional differences between the behavior items examined. The results on crying were compared with those of Ainsworth & Wittig (1969), showing a fair degree of agreement. Finally, the subjects were divided into groups according to an operationalization of the criteria given by Ainsworth et al. (1971). Often children, only three could unequivocally be placed in one of eight groups. This suggests that it may be difficult to use the group characterization proposed by Ainsworth et al.
Recall as a function of orienting task and retrieval cue
Authors: JOHANSSON BO S.
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— In an incidental learning experiment, a 40 word list with 4 words representing each of 10 taxonom‐ic categories and beginning with each of 10 first letters was presented to 120 subjects. Half the subjects sorted the words according to category, half according to initial letter. After an interval of either 1 or 6 min, retention was measured with cued or free recall tests. The subjects in the Category sort‐Category cue condition obtained higher recall than the subjects in the Category sort‐Letter cue condition, whereas level of recall did not differ between the Letter sort‐Letter cue and Letter sort‐Category cue conditions. These results together with other results from the experiment were considered as arguments against the Encoding Specificity Principle but in favor of a theory separating encoding from retrieval.
Subjective probability and everyday life
Authors: FHANER STIG
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Recent research on probability judgement indicates that people's ability to estimate probabilities is very limited. It is argued that people may lack the cognitive apparatus necessary for processing probabilistic information, in so far as probability judgements play an unimportant role in everyday life. When probability judgements occasionally are made in everyday life it is argued that they are not based on frequency data but on some more or less well grounded theory.
On the development of encoding in anticipation of various tests of retention
Authors: von WRIGHT JOHAN
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Seven, 9, 12–13, and 18–21‐year‐old subjects learned a pictorial material in anticipation of free recall (FR), serial recall (SR), or recognition tests. Type of anticipated test and test actually given were factorially combined, retention being tested after 2 min or after 2 weeks. Recall performance improved with age but recognition performance did not improve after CA 9. Differential anticipation had little effect on the performance of the youngest children. For older subjects the effects were clear‐cut and similar at all age levels and at both retention intervals. SR and recognition performance was best when subjects anticipated these tests, respectively; anticipation of recognition interfered with recall performance, and vice versa. The main age‐related improvement occurred between age levels 7 and 9.
On the relationship between knowledge of the world and comprehension of texts Assimilation and accommodation effects related to belief structu
Authors: WAERN YVONNE
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Two empirical studies are presented, investigating the effect of readers' world knowledge on comprehension of a text (assimilation effect) and the effect of the reading of the text on readers' knowledge of the world (accommodation effect). The definition ‘knowledge of the world’ is here restricted to a part, represented by the readers' beliefs. 46 junior college students and 11 university students served as subjects. The results regarding assimilation showed that the average subject in both studies interpreted the text to have a meaning more similar to his own beliefs than was actually the case. As to accommodation, the junior college students' own beliefs changed in the direction of the text, whereas the university students' own beliefs became even more adamant in opposition to the text.
The effect of amphetamine and L‐dopa on tetrabenazine‐induced suppression of intracranial self‐stimulation in the rat
Authors: CARLSSON S. G. , AHLENIUS S.
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— The administration of d‐amphetamine sulphate resulted in a restoration of intracranial self‐stimulation (ICSS) suppressed by tetrabenazine (TBZ). A dose‐dependent increase in the rate of ICSS was seen after l‐dopa in animals pretreated with TBZ. d‐Amphetamine is believed to act by facilitating the nerve‐impulse induced release of central catecholamines (CA) whereas the blockage of the granular uptake‐storage mechanism by TBZ will prevent the storage of CA formed from the administrated l‐dopa and thereby interfere with their release by nerve‐impulses. Thus, in the latter case, an activation of central CA receptors in all probability will be due to a dose‐dependent diffusion of CA from nerve terminals. It is suggested that the failure to completely antagonize the TBZ‐induced suppression of behaviour by l‐dopa is due to the fact that a direct activation, independent of the nerve‐impulse flow, of central CA receptors easily results in an overstimulation and a reduced specificity in behaviour.
Visual control of locomotion
Authors: LEE DAVID N. , LISHMAN ROLY
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— How is locomotion controlled? What information is necessary and how is it used? It is first of all argued that the classical twofold division of information into ex‐teroceptive and proprioceptive is inadequate and confusing, that three fundamental types of information need to be distinguished and that the information is used in a continual process of formulating locomotor programs, monitoring their execution and adjusting them. The paper goes on to show (1) how steering could be controlled on the basis of the “locomotor flow line” in the optic array, which specifies the potential future course, whether curved or straight, and (2) how stopping for an obstacle could be controlled simply on the basis of the information in the optic array about the time‐to‐collision and its rate of change. The problems inherent in pedestrian locomotion of controlling footing and balance are discussed and an investigation of visual locomotor programming in the long jump reported.
An exploration of the Pulfrich effect
Authors: WALLACH HANS , GOLDBERG JOAN
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— The existence of a Pulfrich effect based on ocular convergence was demonstrated by having subjects with a neutral density filter over one eye observe a moving rod in a homogeneous environment. This effect was found to have a smailer magnitude than a Pulfrich effect that was obtained when the rod moved optically in the plane of a dot pattern and thus formed the central equivalents of retinal disparities with the dots of the pattern. Under the latter condition, the latency of subjects' reporting the depth effect was shorter when one end of the rod was visible than when both ends of the rod were concealed. This latency difference occurred because the visible end of the rod formed the equivalent of transverse disparities with the dots surrounding it. The presence of real transverse disparities is known to shorten latencies.
Differentiation of political parties by two extreme political groups
Authors: LUND THORLEIF
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— The Rokeach hypothesis, that one tends to differentiate better around ones own ideological position, was tested by letting socialist and conservative subjects pass similarity judgments on eight nonvegian political parties. As expected, the conservative subjects differentiated better among the conservative parties than the socialist subjects did, and vice versa for the socialist parties. Factor analysis of the similarity matrix within each subject group yielded, as predicted from a secondary hypothesis, two factors, socialistic and nonsocialistic.
Similarity and multidimensional ratio estimation with simultaneous qualitative and quantitative variation
Authors: SJOBERG LENNART
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Previous work on content models of multidimensional similarity have mostly been concerned with the case of only qualitative variation. In this study a set of emotion words that varied both in content and intensity was used as stimuli. Subjects gave multidimensional ratio estimations, similarity estimations and also unidimensional ratings of intensity. Both individual data and group data were collected. Five different previously suggested content models of similarity failed to fit these data that showed large individual idiosyncratic variability. It is pointed out that previous work, where some of the models fitted rather well, was concerned with cases that were largely insensitive to deviations fram the models.
Scaling of involvement in personal and global future events
Authors: von WRIGHT JOHAN , KINNUNEN RIITTA
Published: May 2008

Abstract.— Magnitude estimates of intensity of emotional involvement in 12 potential future events, assumed to occur at 5 alternative points of time within the next 46 years, were obtained from 75 subjects (mean age 19.1 yrs). Two types of relation between involvement and time were found, the dominant one being an exponential decrease of involvement with increasing temporal distance. The response patterns became less differentiated with increasing temporal distance. Differences in the response patterns between men and women, and between subjects differing in respect to satisfaction, activity, and optimism, are discussed.
Psychopathology in childhood and adolescence as reflected in projected afterimage serials
Authors: SMITH GUDMUND J. W. , DANIELSSON ANNA
Published: May 2008

A serial visual afterimage (AI) test was administered to 136 normal and 75 anxiety‐ridden children 4–16 years of age. The scoring of the AI serials involved signs of primitive functioning (size‐constant and positive AIs), anxiety (large and dark AIs together with primitive AIs in older children) and process discontinuity (intermittent regressions to small, positive, or physiognomic AIs). Differences between normal and clinical children were generally highly significant in these respects. Special attention was directed to the difference between subjects with intermittent regressions to primitive functioning and subjects where regression represented a lasting functional alternative. The former subjects were more often characterized by paroxysmal or primary anxiety.
Dimensions in the perception of architecture:I. Identification and interpretation of dimensions of similarity
Authors: OOSTENDORP ANKE , BERLYNE D. E.
Published: May 2008

Pairwise similarity‐dissimilarity ratings of 20 slides of buildings representing major architectural styles were subjected to an INDSCAL analysis. Four major similarity dimensions were identified. Subsequently, the stimuli were rated on two batteries of scales: (1) collative and affective ratings, and (2) stylistic and technical ratings. Canonical correlations and redundancy indices revealed close relations between the multidimensional stimulus locations and the scale and factor spaces. The findings of the three experiments suggest that the four principal dimensions in the perception of architecture appear to be (1)Clarity, (2)Hedonic Tone/Arousal, (3) Uncertainty, and (4) Familiarity.
Improved reliability estimates for the serial color‐word test
Authors: Schubö Werner , Hentschel Uwe
Published: May 2008

Starting from Lennart Sjöberg's serial scoring of the Color‐Word Test and his critical review of the test, the possibilities of attaining better reliability estimates are briefly surveyed. As a simple step, the orthogonalization of the regression model is suggested. Ways of maximizing the reliability estimate are demonstrated. On the basis of 261 subjects from five differing subsamples, clinical and control groups, the reliability estimates of the oblique system of the orthogonalized system and of the maximum reliability solutions are compared empirically. The significance of the results for test theoretic evaluation of the Color‐Word Test is discussed.
A general parametric model of similarity and subjective difference
Authors: JUNGE KENNETH
Published: May 2008

The field of multidimensional scaling is dominated by models that lack inherent parameters. Correcting parameters have been introduced, e.g. INDSCAL, to increase power of prediction. Although a nonparametirc model with correcting parameters may exhibit a very good fit to data, a parametric model is intrinsically superior. The general parametric model proposed here yields measures of both absolute and relative subjective differences (dissimilarity) in addition to similarity. It is basically unidimensioanal. Rules for combining values of attributes into a single multidimensional value may be applied either to the input or to the output of the model. One of the resulting functions is a generalization of the Eisler‐Ekman similarity function. A special case of another function is identical to the Minkowski class of distance functions (including INDSCAL). The model is not limited to pairwise relations. It yields unitary measures for any number of objects.
Psychiatric labeling and social perception
Authors: OMMUNDSEN REIDAR , EKELAND TOR‐JOHAN
Published: May 2008

The present study explores the effects of three types of psychiatric labeling on attribution of causality and impression formation. It was found that observers tended to be more person‐oriented in their attributions when explaining an accident of a person being labeled formerly mentally ill and formerly psychiatrically hospitalized, as compared to a non‐psychiatric control label. However, no such tendency towards person‐orientation in causal attribution was found for a problems‐of‐living label. These effects were found to be independent of variation in amount of neutral context information about the person being labeled. The effect of labeling on impression formation was found to be inconclusive, and reasons for this are discussed. Context information was found to affect impression formation in that the person was evaluated more positively. No sex differences in attribution of causality and impression formation was found.
A developmental study of relations between free recall, cued recall, and recall of incidental material
Authors: von WRIGHT JOHAN
Published: May 2008

Six‐, 9‐, 17–19‐, 45–55‐, and 65‐year‐old subjects were shown 16 slides depicting one colored object and two uncolored context objects in a common setting, the task being to learn the names of the colored objects. Free and cued recall of both colored and context items were tested, the context objects being used as retrieval cues for the colored ones, and vice versa. The relative superiority of cued recall to free recall decreased regularly with increasing age. In the oldest subjects the level of free recall of TBR‐objects was still fairly high, the level of recall of context objects being very low. The results support the hypothesis that adults encode nominally irrelevant context materials to a decreasing extent with increasing age, and that memory traces of young people in this sense are “richer”, i.e., contain a greater number/variety of potential retrieval cues, than those of the elderly.
Volitional problems in trying to quit smoking
Authors: SJÖBERG LENNART , SAMSONOWITZ VIKTOR
Published: May 2008

A series of interviews was conducted with 10 patients in an anti smoking clinic. Earlier results implying that volitional breakdowns in trying to quit smoking occur under emotional stress and are preceded by distorted reasoning were replicated. The patients were also asked about techniques they used to resist temptations. These techniques involved (a) bringing to mind values and wishes incompatible with the wish to smoke, and (b) diverting attention to some other action. Such acts may be interpreted as processing mental energy rather than information, pointing to a need for a broader conception of the regulation of action than is available in contemporary work on decision making.
Facial expressions of pre‐school children while watching televised violence
Authors: LAGERSPETZ KIRSTI M. J. , WAHLROOS CARITA , WENDELIN CAROLA
Published: May 2008

Televised scenes portraying physical violence, cartoon violence, verbal violence, and non‐violence were shown to pre‐school children. The facial expressions of the children were videotaped while watching. The children's reactions were judged from the tape separately for each scene by raters not familiar with the films or with the children. Physical violence evoked most fear and worry. The children withdrew from scenes of verbal violence between adults, engaging in other activities. Reactions to the control scenes did not differ statistically from the totals of reactions to all the violent scenes. In reactions to the films, significant differences associated with social class, gender, and type of day care were found. Interviews supported the findings from the judgements concerning the facial expressions of emotion.
The observer's acquaintance with the model's stimulus in vicarious classical conditioning
Authors: HYGGE STAFFAN
Published: May 2008

To disentangle possibel mediating mechanisms in vicarious learning, the observer's acquaintance with an annoying stimulus was varied before taking part in a classical conditioning procedure where the model ostensible received strong electric shocks. For a total 64 observers of both sexes the pre‐conditioning acquaintance was varied in a 2times2 factorial design with Intensity (strong/week) and Modality (shock/tone) as independent variables. In the differential long interstimulus interval conditioning procedure, skin conductance responses (SCRs) were employed as the main dependent measure, and were supplemented by post‐experimental questionnaire ratings. Data analyses indicated that the observers with a weak intensity of pre‐experimental acquaintance conditioned SCRs better than those with a strong intensity, which was contrary to hypotheses. For the post‐experimental ratings no such effect was indicated. The results are discussed in terms of the observer's perceived self‐suffering to the model's stimulus and the intensity of the model's emotional state as perceived by the observer. It is argued that the groups with a strong intensity of pre‐experimental discomfort preceived the model's emotional state as less intense than the groups who had encountered a weak intensity stimulus.