Personal responsibility and altruism in children.

Applied P. G. Zimbardo's (1970) deindividuation model to the study of prosocial behavior by asking 177 4–13 yr old Halloween trick-or-treaters in groups of 2–5 Ss to donate candy to hospitalized children under 3 conditions. The designation of personal responsibility for the amount donated was manipulated as follows: no child identified as responsible; one child identified as responsible; and each child identified as responsible. As predicted, personal responsibility increased the likelihood of contributing as well as the number of candies donated. Assigning individual responsibility increased the number of candies donated by each S only if they were in small groups. The absence of a similar outcome among Ss in large groups suggests that the greater social support and/or the greater potential for the diffusion of responsibility in these groups effectively countered the effect of the manipulation of responsibility. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interaction of estradiol and LHRH on LH release in rhesus females: evidence for a neural site of action

The effects on LH release of infusing luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH 80 mug/20 min) into the third ventricle, the pituitary, and the peripheral circulation were compared in spayed rhesus monkeys. Within 30 min after iv administration, serum LH concentrations increased to twice to preinfusion levels, and by 120 min declined to original values. Intraventricular or intrapituitary infusions of LHRH resulted in similar LH increments, but the peaks occurred somewhat later (70 to 90 min) and the elevations persisted beyond 200 min. Estradiol-17beta (E2) administered by a sc silastic capsule caused a 5-fold increase in serum E2 within 1 h and reduced serum LH levels by 65% within 4 h. The LH release caused by intrapituitary LHRH was significantly suppressed by maintaining for 72 h E2 concentrations near 100 pg/ml, a level inadequate for stimulating an LH surge. A comparable E2 treatment before intraventricular infusion of LHRH, however, did not inhibit LH release. This difference between the effects of intrapituitary and intraventricular LHRH was demonstrable only in E2-treated monkeys. Moreover, the release of LH after intraventricular infusion of LHRH in E2-treated females was blocked (P less than 0.001) by a single iv injection (90 min before LHRH) of haloperidol (1 mg/kg BW) or phentolamine (5 mg/kg), but was not altered by phenoxybenzamine (3 mg/kg) or propranolol (5 mg/kg). Without E2 pretreatment, LH release after intraventricular LHRH was enhanced by each drug. Phentolamine, injected into both E2- and non-E2-treated monkeys 90 min before an intrapituitary infusion of LHRH had no demonstrable effects on the patterns of serum LH. Our interpretation of these data is that E2 at a concentration below the level that triggers an LH surge has a dual action on LHRH-induced LH release in monkeys: an inhibitory effect exerted directly on the pituitary and a stimulatory effect on the brain. Furthermore, the paradoxical effects of the drugs with and without E2 are due to the involvement of two distinct neuronal systems. The postulated neural effects of both E2 and these drugs can be explained either by an increase in the quantity of injected or secreted LHRH which ultimately binds to LH-secreting cells or by the release of additional endogenous LH-stimulating agents together with ventricular LHRH.     

The influence of live and symbolic modeling on promoting moral judgment of adolescent delinquents.

Compared the influence of live, symbolic, or no modeling on the promotion of intentionality in 3 groups of 12 13-yr-old delinquent males. Generalizability of effect was assessed through performance on a 2nd related but nonmanipulated aspect of moral judgment, moral relativism. Both live and symbolic modeling produced very significant increases in intentionality compared to controls. No significant differences were obtained between groups on moral relativism, although all 3 groups decreased slightly on this dimension on posttest. A 9-mo follow-up revealed no differences between groups in number or severity of intervening delinquent offenses. Treatment effects are discussed in terms of their depth and generalizability as well as their relationships to moral behavior in delinquency. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

GUS,a frame-driven dialog system

GUS is the first of a series of experimental computer systems that we intend to construct as part of a program of research on language understanding. In large measure, these systems will fill the role of periodic progress reports, summarizing what we have learned, assessing the mutual coherence of the various lines of investigation we have been following, and suggesting where more emphasis is needed in future work. GUS (Genial Understander System) is intended to engage a sympathetic and highly cooperative human in an English dialog, directed towards a specific goal within a very restricted domain of discourse. As a starting point, GUS was restricted to the role of a travel agent in a conversation with a client who wants to make a simple return trip to a single city in California.There is good reason for restricting the domain of discourse for a computer system which is to engage in an English dialog. Specializing the subject matter that the system can talk about permits it to achieve some measure of realism without encompassing all the possibilities of human knowledge or of the English language. It also provides the user with specific motivation for participating in the conversation, thus narrowing the range of expectations that GUS must have about the user's purposes. A system restricted in this way will be more able to guide the conversation within the boundaries of its competence.     

A proposal for training in forensic psychology.

Documents the need for specialized training in forensic psychology. Several areas of specialty training are identified, and concrete and hypothetical examples are used to document the kinds of problems that emerge when mental health professionals without specialized training practice in the forensic area. Such specialties include legal tests and concepts, proper assessment, familiarity with relevant literature, and courtroom orientation. A graduate course sequence in forensic psychology that might alleviate some of the identified problems is presented; it includes an introduction, topical seminars, and field placements. (73 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Comparative Study of Listening Rate Preferences for Oral Reading and Impromptu Speaking Tasks

A paired comparison paradigm was employed to compare the listening rate preferences of 26 adult subjects for oral reading and impromptu speaking tasks. Recordings of a reading and speech were time-altered by means of a speech compressor to yield nine rates: 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, and 300 wpm. Two master tapes were constructed, one for each of the two tasks investigated. The tapes were presented to each subject for listening rate preference judgments. Results of subjects'evaluations indicate that preferred listening rates are very similar for both oral reading and impromptu speaking tasks. The most preferred rate for both tasks was 175 wpm, and the least preferred rate for both tasks was 100 wpm. Comparison of the present findings with previous research and suggestions for future investigations are provided.     

Preferences of prison inmates for male versus female institutional personnel.

Preferences of 4 categories of California prison inmates (139 male felons, 81 male civil addicts, 77 female felons, and 89 female civil addicts) for institutional employees of the same sex vs the opposite sex were examined for 49 staff roles and functions. Although most comparisons suggest either neutrality or a tendency to favor opposite-sex personnel, a trend appeared to reflect common sex role stereotypes. There was considerable variability in Ss' responses. Felons, especially males, tended to be less accepting of cross-sex employee assignments than civilly committed narcotic addicts, particularly in regard to duties that involve intrusion on the physical privacy of inmates. It is suggested that the attitudes of prisoners, as well as other aspects of institutional social climates, should be assessed periodically, both in planning for specific changes and in attempting to maintain custodial environments that are maximally responsive to the legitimate needs of inmates. (7 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Macrogeneration: Thermal route for the future

Opportunities exist as never before for international cooperation to secure energy supplies for the future, with a balance of interests benefiting producer and consumer alike. Macrogeneration is the ultimate expression of energy strategy, involving large numbers of small producers, substituting for smaller numbers of larger generating units — with all their unacceptable dangers and difficulties. Norman Jenkins suggests that macrogeneration can introduce a new era of greater involvement for the consumer.     

Encoded and multiplexed surface plasmon resonance sensor platform

We present a flexible new sensor system that combines the joint advantages of (i) discretely functionalized, code-bearing, microparticles and (ii) label-free detection using grating-coupled surface plasmon resonance. This system offers the possibility of simultaneously investigating the real-time binding kinetics of a variety of molecular interactions. One single multiplexed assay could employ a wide range of immobilization chemistries, surface preparation methods, and formats. Thus, the new system offers a very high level of assay conformability to the end user, particularly when compared to fixed microarrays.     

Graphene-stabilized copper nanoparticles as an air-stable substitute for silver and gold in low-cost ink-jet printable electronics

Metallic copper nanoparticles were synthesized by a bottom-up approach, and in situ coated with protective shells of graphene in order to get a metal nanopowder of high air stability and chemical inertness. Using an amphiphilic surfactant, a water-based copper nanocolloid could be prepared and successfully printed onto a polymer substrate by conventional ink-jet printing using household printers. The dried printed patterns exhibited strong metallic gloss and an electrical conductivity of >1?S?cm(-1) without the need for a sintering or densification step. This conductivity currently limits use in electronics to low current application or shielding and decorative effects. The high stability of graphene-coated copper nanoparticles makes them economically a most attractive alternative to silver or gold nanocolloids, and will strongly facilitate the industrial use of metal nanocolloids in consumer goods.