Two portraits of Spence.

A response to H. H. Kendler's (see record 2001-00864-005) comments on D. B. Wiseman's (see record 2000-08566-004) original article about Kenneth Spence's human learning research is presented. Specifically addressed are distinctions between objectivity and subjectivity and Kendler's view about Spence. The current response also describes a contrast between Spence's (a) philosophical views about science as formally expressed to psychologists outside of the University of Iowa and (b) behavior when conducting his experimental research within the Iowa classical conditioning laboratory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

ACT: A simple theory of complex cognition.

In the Adaptive Character of Thought (ACT-R) theory, complex cognition arises from an interaction of procedural and declarative knowledge. Procedural knowledge is represented in units called production rules, and declarative knowledge is represented in units called chunks. The individual units are created by simple encodings of objects in the environment (chunks) or simple encodings of transformations in the environment (production rules). A great many such knowledge units underlie human cognition. From this large database, the appropriate units are selected for a particular context by activation processes that are tuned to the statistical structure of the environment. According to the ACT-R theory, the power of human cognition depends on the amount of knowledge encoded and the effective deployment of the encoded knowledge. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Temporal rescaling of simple and complex ratios in rhythmic tapping.

Two well-established phenomena in temporal performance—preference for simple ratios over complex ratios and the ability to proportionately rescale temporal patterns—were examined together. Unlike the case with simple ratios, participants (3 trained musicians) showed only a limited ability to learn complex ratios and no ability to proportionately rescale them. These differences suggest that different mechanisms are used to produce the 2 ratio types. Systematic biases observed in the performances of the simple ratios (6 trained musicians) were modeled by assuming that an additive timing component, which is unequal for short and long intervals and changes with base rate, overlays a system that preferentially produces simple ratios. The general pattern of results was consistent with the view that rhythmic learning builds on or modifies a system of innate preferences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conceptions of personality disorders and dimensions of personality.

Differing conceptions of personality disorders inherent in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Personality Disorder Scales and the Personality Adjective Checklist were evaluated within the context of the circumplex model of interpersonal behavior and the 5-factor model of personality in a sample of 581 university students. Conceptions of personality disorders were strongly and clearly related to dimensions of normal personality traits. Although the circumplex model illuminated conceptions of some of the disorders, the full 5-factor model was required to capture and clarify the entire range of personality disorders. Implications of these findings are discussed with reference to (a) personality disorders and personality traits and (b) suggestions for assessment of personality disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nationality and espoused values of managers.

372 24-45 yr old middle-level managers from 40 nationalities who attended resident management development programs in Lausanne, Switzerland, scored their espoused values on 2 paper-and-pencil values tests, L. V. Gordon's Surveys of Personal and of Interpersonal Values. All used the English language form. Scores differentiated meaningfully by the age group of respondents. For the 15 nationalities represented by at least 7 respondents, a Q analysis of the scores per nationality group was carried out, which sorted the 15 nationalities into 5 clusters--Nordic, Germanic, Anglo, Latin, and Asian. The value profiles of each country and cluster are shown. Differences between clusters show significant agreement with differences between student samples from the same countries, obtained with translated versions of the instruments. The cluster composition can be explained by both linguistic and other cultural reasons. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of beta blockade with metoprolol on simple and complex task performance.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 8(5) of Health Psychology (see record 2008-09113-001). The reference and citations for Merrill, Robbins, Schultz, Streeten, and Elias (1987) were incorrect. The correct reference is: Elias, M. F., Robbins, M. A., Schultz, N. R., Streeten, D. H. P., & Elias, P. K. (1987). Clinical significance of cognitive performance by hypertensive patients. Hypertension, 9, 192-197.] Measured the effect of treatment with the beta-blocker metoprolol on several indicants of task performance in 25 mildly to moderately hypertensive men (aged 24–63 yrs) treated for 2 wks each with drug and placebo, compared with 25 untreated normotensive men (aged 23–64 yrs). Ss responded twice to the Mood Adjective Check List (MACL) and the Stroop Color and Word Test. In addition, Ss participated in 2 parallel decision-making simulations. Results indicate that normotensives and hypertensives on drug or placebo did not differ on MACL and Stroop scores. Comparisons on 12 validated simulation measures showed that treatment with metoprolol aided complex task performance. Treatment improved strategic capacity and the ability to deal effectively with emergencies. Preliminary evidence that treatment with metoprolol might help restore performance capacity that may have been lost due to hypertensive disease was also obtained. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Achievement motivation among managers of small businesses, corporation managers, and business students.

A questionnaire measure of achievement motivation by H. J. Hermans that was originally tested on college students in the Netherlands was administered to 45 business college students, 41 small business managers, and 36 corporation managers. In addition, category scores were developed to reflect the more specific components of the need for achievement (n-Ach) construct. Item analyses and Kuder-Richardson 20 estimates were adequate. Intercorrelations among the category scores were significantly lower for the student sample, which suggests the n-Ach construct may be less differentiated among older managers. Managers differed significantly from business students on several components of n-Ach. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Expatriate managers and the psychological contract.

Investigates employer practices toward expatriate managers and how those practices relate to retention-relevant outcomes (e.g., organizational commitment, intent to quit, and intent to return early to a domestic assignment). The psychological contract is investigated as a mediator of this relationship. A model in which the psychological contract mediates the relationship between organizational practices and retention-relevant outcomes is empirically constructed. The authors also refine the construct of the psychological contract and report managers' experiences as expatriates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Leadership functions of middle managers.

Compares the roles and functions of middle managers to those of 1st-level supervisors and higher managers. Theory, training practices, and empirical studies disagree on the part the middle manager plays in large organizations. Recent evidence suggests that there are important differences in the functions of 1st- and 2nd-level managers and that the effect of the 2nd- or 3rd-level manager on morale and performance has been underrated. The most successful supervisor at the 1st level may not be highly successful at the 2nd level of management. The literature suggests a shift in research emphasis from the group to the organization as the unit of analysis, and from the study of managerial personality to the study of managerial functions as a means of identifying at each organizational level the combination of leadership and situational factors conducive to organizational performance. (3 p. ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Developmental change in the relation between simple and complex spans: A meta-analysis.

In the present meta-analysis the effects of developmental level on the correlation between simple and complex span tasks were investigated. Simple span–complex span correlation coefficients presented in 52 independent samples (7,060 participants) were regressed on a variable representing mean age of sample (range: 4.96–22.80 years), using analyses adapted for meta-analytic purposes. The results showed strong positive relations between mean age of sample and simple span–complex span correlation coefficients, suggesting that the relation between simple and complex span tasks became stronger with increasing age. These results could not be accounted for by study-related differences in measurement reliability, restricted range, or sample size. A new theoretical account explaining these findings is outlined. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The cerebral hemispheres cooperate to perform complex but not simple tasks.

Three experiments were designed to examine whether task complexity determines the degree to which a division of processing across the hemispheres (i.e., across-hemisphere processing) underlies performance when within- and across-hemisphere processing are equally possible. When task complexity was relatively low, performance in a midline condition that allowed for either within- or across-hemispheric processing resembled within-hemisphere performance (Experiments 1 and 2). However, when task complexity was high, performance in a midline condition (Experiments 1 and 2) and a lateralized condition, which also allowed for either within- or across-hemisphere processing (Experiment 3), resembled across-hemisphere performance. Results complement and extend prior work (e.g., M. T. Banich & A. Belger, see record 1990-30280-001) by indicating that the degree to which interhemispheric cooperation underlies performance changes with the complexity of the task being performed. This finding suggests that the hemispheres dynamically couple or uncouple their processing as a function of task complexity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Priming of simple and complex scene layout: Rapid function from the intermediate level.

Three experiments examined the time course of layout priming with photographic scenes varying in complexity (number of objects). Primes were presented for varying durations (800–50 ms) before a target scene with 2 spatial probes; observers indicated whether the left or right probe was closer to viewpoint. Reaction time was the main measure. Scene primes provided maximum benefits with 200 ms or less prime duration, indicating that scene priming is rapid enough to influence everyday distance perception. The time course of prime processing was similar for simple and complex scene primes and for upright and inverted primes, suggesting that the prime representation was intermediate level in nature. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Left ventricular remodeling. A complex biological problem around three simple paradigms

Left ventricular remodelling occurring after myocardial infarction is a complicated issue. This review aims to propose that the clinical background of cardiac remodelling, namely systolic and diastolic dysfunctions and arrhythmias is arranged around three, perhaps four, simple biological paradigms: (i) the deleterious aspects of the adaptational process to mechanical overload, (ii) fibrosis which does not belong to the adaptational process and is multifactorial, with two major etiologies, namely senescence and ischemia, (iii) cell death due to necrosis or apoptosis, the later is also multifactorial. (iv) A fourth additional parameter may be of importance, namely the phenotypic specific modifications of the cardiocytes which are directly provoked by either ischemia or certain hormones and which may modify, or even reverse the changes due to the adaptational process.     

Indirect portraits. An attempt of non-verbal communication in a psychoanalytic group

A collection of 7 own drawing and 15 related sketches are presented. They have been produced during the time of my participation in an analytic group. Fairly detailed information can be given about how the drawing process developed (first inspiration, initial situation, considerations during drawing). The formative and constituent elements of the drawing conceived consciously during its production are contrasted with those that have only later become conscious. The discussion of this own series of drawings and sketches should facilitate the comprehension of, and approach to, the drawings of the patients, which can also be considered to be 'indirect portraits' of their own personality and of their current environmental situatiion. The drawings were also an attempt at better integration in the group, with regard to group interaction. Advantages and disadvantages of this trial in nonverbal communication are discussed.     

Risk taking and personality.

Comparisons were made of the personality and social orientations of antisocial risk takers, defined as residents in a long-term drug-treatment facility (N?=?24); adventurous risk takers, defined as rock climbers (N?=?18); and prosocial risk takers, or heroes, defined as policemen and firemen decorated for bravery (N?=?21). Measures included substance abuse proclivity, emotional arousability, conformity, moral reasoning, empathy, psychopathy, and sensation seeking. Discriminant analysis identifed two functions that correctly classified 98.18% of the sample. Drug-unit residents had high scores on an Antisocial function, characterized by emotionality, depression, psychopathy, substance abuse proclivity, and lower scores on moral reasoning. Rock climbers had high scores on an Antistructural function, characterized by sensation seeking and moral reasoning, the latter reflecting the higher education level of the rock climbers. Neither discriminant function characterized the heroes. Thus, drug-unit residents, rock climbers, and heroes appear to represent both different psychological types and different forms of risk taking. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social rewards and personality.

Proposes a classification of social incentives. Truly social rewards are distinguished from economic rewards, and the latter are omitted. One set of social rewards, called process, involves social stimulation (arousal), and each reward consists of a unipolar dimension, only the middle of which is reinforcing. Another set of social rewards, called content, involves varying degrees of intimacy or relationship, and each reward consists of a bipolar dimension, the opposite end of which is aversive. Content rewards differ from process rewards in the types of personality traits that are associated with them and whether there are developmental trends and gender differences. Social rewards are distinguished from social opportunities, which have their own associated traits. (29 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Olfactory G proteins: simple and complex signal transduction

In both vertebrates and invertebrates, olfactory perception is mediated by G-protein-coupled receptors. Recent work, in both mouse and Caenorhabditis elegans, sheds light on the role of specific G proteins in olfactory signal transduction, neuronal morphology and axon guidance.     

Birth order and personality.

Investigated 6 personality variables for birth order differences in 339 male and 447 female and 210 male and 266 female undergraduates. Ss in the former were studied for dogmatism, ambiguity tolerance, and rigidity. Measures of (a) internal-external locus of control, and (b) social responsibility were administered to the latter. Both samples were given the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. Data were analyzed in 2 * 3 factorial analysis of variance design: 2 levels of sex and 3 levels of birth order (only child, 1st born, and later born). It was found that (a) later borns from 2-child families were more external than those from larger families; (b) later borns from 2-child families were more external than only children or 1st borns from 2-child families; (c) only children and 1st borns were more socially responsible than later borns; (d) 1st borns were more rigid than only-child and later-born Ss; and (e) only-female Ss manifested higher need for approval than only males. (26 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)