The “rubber-mask” technique-II. Pattern storage and recognition

This paper briefly summarizes much of the work in pattern recognition to date, and relates the rubber mask technique to previous work. A scheme for incorporating flexible-mask methods into a proposed pattern recognition and memory system is presented. A discussion based on some facts and on some conjecture of the human eye/brain system and how it recognizes patterns, possibly by flexible matching, is also presented.     

Self-modification in a college course: Outcomes and correlates.

49 students in an undergraduate educational psychology course designed and conducted behavioral self-modification projects. They were prepared to undertake the projects through preliminary instruction and a system of computer-delivered mastery tests on operant psychology. Project outcomes were measured by goal-attainment scaling, a technique that permits individuality of self-change goals and produces standardized outcome scores for the group of participants. Correlation and regression analyses indicated weak but significant relationships between self-modification outcomes and a linear combination of dogmatism (Rokeach Dogmatism Scale), sex, and mathematical aptitude (Scholastic Aptitude Test) variables. The effects of demand characteristics in the instructional setting were negligible. (l7 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Attitudes of academic clinical psychologists toward projective techniques: 1968–1983.

Replicated a survey by the 3rd author et al (see record 1968-18843-001) concerning the attitudes of academic clinical faculty toward projective techniques. The questionnaire was completed by 153 faculty in American Psychological Association (APA)-approved programs in clinical psychology. As was found in the 1968 survey, many Ss supported instruction in projectives, but they held generally negative attitudes toward projectives. More of the 1983 Ss than the 1968 Ss expressed negative attitudes toward specific projectives such as the Rorschach. Negative attitudes toward projectives were particularly prominent among the younger Ss in the 1983 survey. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Superiors' evaluations and subordinates' perceptions of transformational and transactional leadership.

Transformational leaders are postulated to be responsible for performance beyond ordinary expectations as they transmit a sense of mission, stimulate learning experiences, and arouse new ways of thinking. Transactional leaders achieve performance as merely required by the use of contingent rewards or negative feedback. Previous research has shown that subordinates' perceptions of transformational leadership add to the prediction of subordinates' satisfaction and effectiveness ratings beyond that of perceptions of transactional leadership. The present study replicates the previous augmentation effects using subordinates' effectiveness ratings but was unable to confirm the augmentation hypothesis with independently attained superiors' evaluations as the criteria because of smaller sample size, although trends in the correlations were in the hypothesized direction. Transformational leadership obtained from their subordinates' ratings significantly differentiated top performing managers (identified as such through other sources) from ordinary managers as hypothesized. Results are discussed as they relate to a domestic work force that is becoming better educated and is more concerned about interesting work and self-development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of landscape structure on vegetation and some animal groups after agriculture abandonment

This research was carried out on the montane belt of a south-exposed watershed in the Intermediary Alps which have been hit by agriculture abandonment. The aim of the study was to study the relationships between vegetation, landscape mosaic, and two kinds of animals using this space at different scales: roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and earthworms (lumbricids). Landscape dynamics (post-cultural recolonisation) and landscape structure have been approached by means of the Arc/Info geographical information system (GIS). Several methods used to study on one hand roe deer distribution, and, on the other, earthworm abundance and diversity are developed. Of these, in particular, GIS processing is used to sample earthworms according to vegetation dynamics, and roe deer distribution is related to landscape heterogeneity. Earthworms are more abundant and diversified in the key steps of vegetation dynamics. These lumbricids can be considered as functional indicators of these dynamics. Results also demonstrate that both the vegetation type and the landscape heterogeneity have a direct influence on the use of the space by the roe deer. They show themselves to be structural indicators of the landscape.     

Relationship between end-systolic aortic pressure and mean aortic pressure in adults

The mean blood pressure is an accurate estimate of the end-systolic aortic pressure in children. The aim of this study was: 1) to assess the relationship between the pressure at the incisura (PIAo) and the mean (MAoP) and pulse (PAoP) pressures of the supravalvular aorta in adults: and 2) to evaluate MAoP as an estimate of PIAo in adults. High fidelity pressure recordings were carried out in the supravalvular aorta in 17 men. The pressures were measured at rest in 10 consecutive beats and. In 6 subjects, during a Valsalva manoeuvre. At rest, PIAo was greater than the MAoP (109 +/- 17.9 versus 99.6 +/- 12.5 mmHg, p = 0.0001). There was a positive linear correlation between PIAo and MAoP (r = 0.93) and between PIAo and PAoP (r' = 0.77) whereas no correlation was observed between PIAo and heart rate, cardiac output or estimated total systemic arterial compliance. A beat-to-beat relationship was observed between PIAo and MAOP: 1) at rest in 16 of the 17 subjects and 2) in each subject who performed a Valsalva manoeuvre. Both at rest and during Valsalva, MAOP underestimated PIAo significantly, especially when PIAo was increased (p = 0.0001). The authors conclude that end-systolic supraaortic pressure is mainly related to the mean component of aortic pressure. MAOP slightly but constantly underestimated PIAo and this should lead to caution in assimilating MAOP to end-systolic aortic pressure in adults, especially in subjects with very high aortic pressures.     

Review of A family like yours: Breaking the patterns of drug abuse.

Reviews the book, A family like yours: Breaking the patterns of drug abuse by James L. Sorensen and Guillermo Bernal (1987). A family like yours is a self-help guide aimed at families with a drug-abusing member. It attempts to fill a gap in the self-help literature on substance abuse and families. The problem readers may encounter is one of integrating without outside help the overwhelming amount of material presented. The chapters cover many basic concepts in family systems and life cycle theory without sufficient space devoted to particular concepts or points. Points are made with little elaboration, and the reader may not be able to integrate much of the material. However, for the family that is involved in treatment, the book may prove helpful in promoting insights into the functioning of the family and may serve as a valuable adjunct to treatment by provoking questions and insights that can move a family toward change. The authors' emphasis on providing the family support and optimism tempered by realistic limits may also serve to make this book a useful adjunct to treatment. This book serves as a valuable addition to the self-help literature on drug abuse in families and partially fills a gap currently existing in that marketplace. It covers a great deal of material that is not easily available to the lay reader at this time. This book is more likely to be insight provoking, practical, and motivating, however, to the drug abusing family that is in treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)