The development of language and abstract concepts: The case of natural number.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 137(2) of Journal of Experimental Psychology: General (see record 2008-05019-011). The DOI for the supplemental materials was printed incorrectly. The correct DOI is as follows: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0096-3445.137.1.22.supp] What are the origins of abstract concepts such as "seven," and what role does language play in their development? These experiments probed the natural number words and concepts of 3-year-old children who can recite number words to ten but who can comprehend only one or two. Children correctly judged that a set labeled eight retains this label if it is unchanged, that it is not also four, and that eight is more than two. In contrast, children failed to judge that a set of 8 objects is better labeled by eight than by four, that eight is more than four, that eight continues to apply to a set whose members are rearranged, or that eight ceases to apply if the set is increased by 1, doubled, or halved. The latter errors contrast with children's correct application of words for the smallest numbers. These findings suggest that children interpret number words by relating them to 2 distinct preverbal systems that capture only limited numerical information. Children construct the system of abstract, natural number concepts from these foundations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correction to Condry and Spelke (2008).

Reports an error in "The development of language and abstract concepts: The case of natural number" by Kirsten F. Condry and Elizabeth S. Spelke (Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 2008[Feb], Vol 137[1], 22-38). The DOI for the supplemental materials was printed incorrectly. The correct DOI is as follows: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0096-3445.137.1.22.supp (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2008-01081-003.) What are the origins of abstract concepts such as "seven," and what role does language play in their development? These experiments probed the natural number words and concepts of 3-year-old children who can recite number words to ten but who can comprehend only one or two. Children correctly judged that a set labeled eight retains this label if it is unchanged, that it is not also four, and that eight is more than two. In contrast, children failed to judge that a set of 8 objects is better labeled by eight than by four, that eight is more than four, that eight continues to apply to a set whose members are rearranged, or that eight ceases to apply if the set is increased by 1, doubled, or halved. The latter errors contrast with children's correct application of words for the smallest numbers. These findings suggest that children interpret number words by relating them to 2 distinct preverbal systems that capture only limited numerical information. Children construct the system of abstract, natural number concepts from these foundations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Subcutaneous administration of midazolam: a comparison of the Bioject jet injector with the conventional syringe and needle

Clostridium botulinum type A exotoxin is one of the recent advances for treatment of the aging face. Due to the sudden and exponential surge in popularity, there is little precise consensus regarding its safety and efficacy. Many of the reported complications associated with its aesthetic use are few and anecdotal. As we gain more experience and long-term follow-up with this procedure, complications and their treatment can be better documented. As most of the salutary effects of Botulinum toxin are temporary, fortunately, so too are the complications associated with this form of therapy.     

A modest proposal.

Addresses the possibility of government subsidies for nonpublication as a means of reducing the quantity and increasing the quality of research published by psychologists. These subsidies would eliminate the need to publish in order to secure grant money, secure careers, and support students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)