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An associative framework for probability judgment: an application to biases.

Three experiments show that understanding of biases in probability judgment can be improved by extending the application of the associative-learning framework. In Experiment 1, the authors used M. A. Gluck and G. H. Bower's (1988a) diagnostic-learning task to replicate apparent base-rate neglect and to induce the conjunction fallacy in a later judgment phase as a by-product of the conversion bias. In Experiment 2, the authors found stronger evidence of the conversion bias with the same learning task. In Experiment 3, the authors changed the diagnostic-learning task to induce some conjunction fallacies that were not based on the conversion bias. The authors show that the conjunction fallacies obtained in Experiment 3 can be explained by adding an averaging component to M. A. Gluck and G. H. Bower's model.

Association Learning↗

Effects of attention and stimulus probability on ERPs in a Go/Nogo task.

Event-related potentials were measured to letters presented either to the left or the right of a fixation point that were preceded by a precue that indicated the position of the upcoming letter either correctly (valid trials) or incorrectly (invalid trials). One letter required a response (Go stimulus), while the other letter required no response (Nogo stimulus). In experiment I, Nogo letters occurred only on 25% of the trials, while in experiment II, Go and Nogo letters were equiprobable. In both experiments, Nogo stimuli elicited larger N2 components and P3s with a more anterior topography than did Go stimuli. The N2 enhancement elicited by Nogo stimuli showed a frontal maximum (most markedly when Go and Nogo stimuli were equiprobable) and was significantly influenced by precue validity. These results are discussed in terms of "Response Mismatch" and action inhibition processes.

Adult↗

Anterior cingulate cortex and the Stroop task: neuropsychological evidence for topographic specificity.

Neuroimaging studies have implicated the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in many aspects of attention and cognition. Major theories of ACC function have proposed a role in conflict monitoring, executive control, response selection, and general arousal. Although the ACC is often treated as a unitary structure, extensive evidence suggests it exhibits anatomical and functional specificity. ACC activity during the Stroop color word interference task has been of particular interest. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether two different ACC subregions are necessary for intact color naming performance in the Stroop task. One experiment utilized blocked trial and mixed trial designs to emulate neuroimaging studies and to compare interference and facilitation effects, respectively. A third variant manipulated the probabilities of congruent and incongruent trials to alter levels of interference and cognitive control, or engagement of strategic processes, on a block by block basis. Two patients with focal lesions in either right mid-caudal (patient D.L.) or left rostral to mid-dorsal ACC (patient R.N.) exhibited distinctive performance profiles in these three versions of the Stroop task, providing further support for topographic specificity of function within the human ACC. Contrary to predictions from some neuroimaging experiments, damage to right mid-caudal ACC was associated with normal levels of interference and accurate performance on incongruent trials. Instead, D.L. showed reduced levels of facilitation relative to controls. Further, interference was not modulated by the probability manipulation in D.L., suggesting equivalently high levels of cognitive control in both conditions. Conversely, damage to left mid-dorsal ACC resulted in consistently lower accuracy on incongruent trials, indicating deficits in maintaining task set and inhibiting the automatic response. These results can help to constrain interpretations of ACC activations in functional imaging experiments of the Stroop task.

Adult↗

A hybrid-similarity exemplar model for predicting distinctiveness effects in perceptual old-new recognition.

In 2 sets of experiments, the authors investigated the basis for old-item distinctiveness effects in perceptual recognition, whereby distinctive old items are recognized with higher probability than are typical old items. In Experiment 1, distinctive old items were defined as those lying in isolated regions of a continuous-dimension similarity space. In this case, any beneficial effects of distinctiveness were absent or small, regardless of the structure of the test list used to assess recognition memory. In Experiment 2, distinctive items were defined as those objects containing certain discrete, individuating features. In this case, large old-item distinctive effects were observed, with the nature of the effects being modulated by the structure of the test lists. A hybrid-similarity exemplar model, combining elements of continuous-dimension distance and discrete-feature matching, was used to account for these distinctiveness effects in the recognition data.

Attention↗

Paradoxical effects of testing: repeated retrieval attempts enhance the likelihood of later accurate and false recall.

The testing effect is the finding that taking an initial test enhances the likelihood of later recall. The present report examines the extent to which this benefit of testing comes with a cost: an enhanced likelihood of erroneously recalling incorrect information. Subjects were given short lists of semantic associates (e.g., hill, valley, climb); each list converged upon a related nonpresented word (e.g., mountain). After presentation of some lists, the subjects received no initial test; after others, one initial free recall test; and after others, three successive free recall tests. The probabilities of final free recall (and the probability of reporting vivid recollection of the moment of encoding) of both studied and related, nonstudied words (e.g., mountain) were highest when three initial tests had been taken, intermediate following one initial test, and lowest when no initial test had occurred. The beneficial effects of testing carry the cost of increases in erroneous memory for related information.

Attention↗

Relative informativeness of quantifiers used in syllogistic reasoning.

Three experiments tested a possible resolution of the probability heuristics model (PHM) of syllogistic reasoning proposed by Chater and Oaksford (1999), with their experimental results apparently showing that the generalized quantifier few was not as informative as suggested theoretically. Modifying the interpretation of few to take into account the distinction between positive and negative quantifiers (Moxey & Sanford, 1993) indicated two orderings over the quantifiers all, most, few, some, none, and some...not that are more consistent with the results. Experiments 1-3 tested these orderings empirically by having participants rank whether a quantifier applied to a particular probabilistic state of affairs. Experiments 1 and 2 showed that participants agreed on when a quantifier applied and that the empirically derived informativeness orderings were consistent with the proposed modifications of the order. Experiment 3 showed that this finding was robust even when response competition was eliminated.

Adult↗

Tests of the ratio rule in categorization.

Many theories of learning and memory (e.g., connectionist, associative, rational, exemplar based) produce psychological magnitude terms as output (i.e., numbers representing the momentary level of some subjective property). Many theories assume that these numbers may be translated into choice probabilities via the ratio rule, also known as the choice axiom (Luce, 1959) or the constant-ratio rule (Clarke, 1957). We present two categorization experiments employing artificial, visual, prototype-structured stimuli constructed from 12 symbols positioned on a grid. The ratio rule is shown to be incorrect for these experiments, given the assumption that the magnitude terms for each category are univariate functions of the number of category-appropriate symbols contained in the presented stimulus. A connectionist winner-take-all model of categorical decision (Wills & McLaren, 1997) is shown to account for our data given the same assumption. The central feature underlying the success of this model is the assumption that categorical decisions are based on a Thurstonian choice process (Thurstone, 1927, Case V) whose noise distribution is not double exponential in form.

Adult↗

Defining the learning curve for paramedic student endotracheal intubation.

BACKGROUND: Proficiency in endotracheal intubation (ETI) is assumed to improve primarily with accumulated experience on live patients. While the National Standard Paramedic Curriculum recommends that paramedic students (PSs) perform at least five live ETIs, these training opportunities are limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of cumulative live ETI experience, elapsed duration of training, and clinical setting on PS ETI proficiency. METHODS: The authors used longitudinal, multicenter data from 60 paramedic training programs over a two-year period. The PSs reported outcomes (success/failure) for all live ETIs attempted in the operating room (OR), the emergency department (ED), the intensive care unit (ICU), and other hospital or prehospital settings. Fixed-effects logistic regression was used to model up to 30 consecutive ETI efforts by each PS, accounting for per-PS clustering. For each patient, the authors evaluated the association between ETI success and the PS's cumulative number of ETIs, adjusted for clinical setting, elapsed number of days from the first ETI encounter, and the interaction (cumulative ETIs x elapsed days). Predicted probability plots were constructed depicting the "learning curve" overall and for each clinical setting. Results. Between one and 74 ETIs (median 7; IQR 4-12) were performed by each of 802 PSs. Of 7,635 ETIs, 6,464 (87.4%) were successful. Stratified by clinical setting, 6,311 (82.7%) ETIs were performed in the OR, 271 (3.6%) in the ED, 64 (0.8%) in the ICU, 86 (1.1%) in other in-hospital settings, and 903 (11.8%) in the prehospital setting. For the 7,398 ETIs included in the multivariate analysis, cumulative number of ETI was associated with increased adjusted odds of ETI success (odds ratio 1.067 per ETI; 95% CI: 1.044-1.091). ETI learning curves were steepest for the ICU and prehospital settings but lower than for other clinical settings. CONCLUSIONS: Paramedic student ETI success improves with accumulated live experience but appears to vary across different clinical settings. Strategies for PS airway education must consider the volume of live ETIs as well as the clinical settings used for ETI training.

Allied Health Personnel↗

Effects of partial reinforcement and time between reinforced trials on terminal response rate in pigeon autoshaping.

Partial reinforcement often leads to asymptotically higher rates of responding and number of trials with a response than does continuous reinforcement in pigeon autoshaping. However, comparisons typically involve a partial reinforcement schedule that differs from the continuous reinforcement schedule in both time between reinforced trials and probability of reinforcement. Two experiments examined the relative contributions of these two manipulations to asymptotic response rate. Results suggest that the greater responding previously seen with partial reinforcement is primarily due to differential probability of reinforcement and not differential time between reinforced trials. Further, once established, differences in responding are resistant to a change in stimulus and contingency. Secondary response theories of autoshaped responding (theories that posit additional response-augmenting or response-attenuating mechanisms specific to partial or continuous reinforcement) cannot fully accommodate the current body of data. It is suggested that researchers who study pigeon autoshaping train animals on a common task prior to training them under different conditions.

Animals↗

Detection of restenosis after successful coronary angioplasty: improved clinical decision making with use of a logistic model combining procedural and follow-up variables.

A prospective study of 111 patients who underwent repeat coronary angiography and exercise thallium-201 scintigraphy 6 +/- 2 months after complete revascularization by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed to assess whether clinical, procedure-related and postangioplasty exercise variables yield independent information for the prediction of angiographic restenosis after angioplasty. Complete revascularization was defined as successful angioplasty of one or more vessels that resulted in no residual coronary lesion with greater than 50% diameter stenosis. Restenosis was defined as a residual stenosis at the time of repeat angiography of greater than 50% of luminal diameter. Restenosis occurred in 40% of the patients. The 111 patients were randomly subdivided into a learning group (n = 84) and a testing group (n = 27). A logistic discriminant analysis was performed in the learning group and the logistic model was used to estimate a logistic probability of restenosis. This probability of restenosis was validated in the testing group. In the learning group of 84 patients univariate analysis of 39 factors revealed 8 factors related to restenosis: recurrence of angina (p less than 0.0001), postangioplasty abnormal finding on exercise thallium-201 scintigram (p less than 0.0001), exercise thallium-201 scintigram score (p less than 0.0001), difference between exercise and rest ST segment depression (p less than 0.001), postangioplasty exercise ST segment depression (p less than 0.001), absolute postangioplasty stenosis diameter (p less than 0.003), postangioplasty exercise work load (p less than 0.03) and postangioplasty exercise heart rate (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angina Pectoris↗

High frequencies of plexiform neurofibromas, mental retardation, learning difficulties, and scoliosis in Brazilian patients with neurofibromatosis type 1.

A clinical study of Brazilian patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) was performed in a multidisciplinary Neurofibromatosis Program called CEPAN (Center of Research and Service in Neurofibromatosis). Among 55 patients (60% females, 40% males) who met the NIH criteria for the diagnosis of NF1, 98% had more than six café-au-lait patches, 94.5% had axillary freckling, 45% had inguinal freckling, and 87.5% had Lisch nodules. Cutaneous neurofibromas were observed in 96%, and 40% presented plexiform neurofibromas. A positive family history of NF1 was found in 60%, and mental retardation occurred in 35%. Some degree of scoliosis was noted in 49%, 51% had macrocephaly, 40% had short stature, 76% had learning difficulties, and 2% had optic gliomas. Unexpectedly high frequencies of plexiform neurofibromas, mental retardation, learning difficulties, and scoliosis were observed, probably reflecting the detailed clinical analysis methods adopted by the Neurofibromatosis Program. These same patients were screened for mutations in the GAP-related domain/GRD (exons 20-27a) by single-strand conformation polymorphism. Four different mutations (Q1189X, 3525-3526delAA, E1356G, c.4111-1G>A) and four polymorphisms (c.3315-27G>A, V1146I, V1317A, c.4514+11C>G) were identified. These data were recently published.

Adolescent↗

Causal inferences as perceptual judgements.

We analyze how subjects make causal judgements based on contingency information in two paradigms. In the discrete paradigm, subjects are given specific information about the frequency a, with which a purported cause occurs with the effect; the frequency b, with which it occurs without the effect; the frequency c, with which the effect occurs when the cause is absent; and the frequency d, with which both cause and effect are absent. Subjects respond to P1 = a/(a + b) and P2 = c/(c + d). Some subjects' ratings are just a function of P1 while others are a function of delta P = P1-P2. Subjects' post-experiment reports are accurate reflections of which model they use. Combining these two types of subjects results in data well fit by the weighted delta P model (Allan, 1993). In the continuous paradigm, subjects control the purported causes (by clicking a mouse) and observe whether an effect occurs. Because cause and effects occur continuously in time, it is not possible to explicitly pair causes and effects. Rather, subjects report that they are responding to the rate at which the effects occur when they click versus when they do not click. Their ratings are a function of rates and not probabilities. In general, we argue that subjects' causal ratings are judgments of the magnitude of perceptually salient variables in the experiment.

Adult↗

[Stimulation-induced changes in the ultrastructure of the synapses in the hippocampus by post-tetanic potentiation].

Within the frame of experimental brain research at present the phenomenon of potentiation (posttetanic potentiation, long-term potentiation) is considered to provide a possible mechanism of learning processes and memory formation on the synaptic level. Tetanic stimulation of the Nucleus septalis fimbrialis produces the posttetanic potentiation in synapses of the hippocampal CA 3-region, whereafter a long-lasting increase in the amplitude of evoked potentials can be recorded. By quantitative electron microscopical morphometry we investigated the morphological changes in synapses of the Stratum radiatum of the hippocampal CA 3-region of rabbits (1 hour following posttetanic stimulation). Tetanic stimulation of the Nucleus septalis fimbrialis induces an enlargement of the postsynaptic spine area significantly by 28% and a decrease of the mean area of presynaptic terminals by 24%. No changed number of synapses were found in comparison to the controls. Furthermore stimulation of the Nucleus septalis fimbrialis induces a transient decrease of synaptic vesicles in various zones of the presynaptic area, especially near the presynaptic membrane. These results demonstrate morphologically detectable changes as a consequence of synaptic activation. Therefore posttetanic potentiation is characterized by various morphologic changes reflecting probably an early phase of the learning process with transient effects on the ultrastructure of the synapses.

Animals↗

[Disorders in learning and memory processes in the monkey model of Alzheimer's disease: the role of the cerebral cortex associative areas].

Processes of novelty learning and keeping the results in Alzheimer's disease in two groups of rhesus-monkeys (three monkeys in each group), were studied: following neurotoxins administrati- on (I group) and saline administration (II group). In two months after the injections (the C1 stage), considerable differences between the groups were revealed in the task of differentiation among contour shapes. For the I group monkeys the learning was difficult: the correct decision making did not reach 85 %, and the probability of refusing to make a decision increased. For the II group monkeys the learning characteristics were not disturbed. In six months after the injections (the C3 stage) the differences between the groups in the task of differentiation among new stimuli (heads of two monkeys) remained at the same level. When studying characteristics of the operative memory associated with keeping the learning results achieved at the C1 stage, a considerable worsening of these characteristics was revealed: diminishing of the correct decision making probability at the C1 stage (actually to the level of 0.5), increase in the probability of refusing to make a decision. The structural-functional organization of interaction between sensory and cognitive processes in learning and keeping the information in the operative memory, is discussed in association with the control of motivation and attention system and the role of the cortex associative areas.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Effect of nimodipine on brightness discrimination learning test in Wistar Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Nimodipine (Nimotop) was administered to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in order to investigate its ameliorative effect on central nervous disorders associated with hypertension. Discrimination learning was used as the dependent variable. In normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats, the ratio of correct: incorrect responses in a brightness discrimination was not different between the nimodipine group and the vehicle group. However, SHR, which displayed decreased discrimination learning ability under control conditions, showed a remarkable improvement in discrimination learning under the influence of nimodipine. This was probably because the vasodilative action of nimodipine produced improvements in circulation in various organs including the brain, which in turn influenced learning ability. Nimodipine has very effective actions on learning performance that low levels of discrimination ability in SHR might be improved on learning performance on schedule controlled learning task.

Animals↗

Self-organization of an artificial neural network subjected to attention shift impairments and familiarity preference, characteristics studied in autism.

Autism is a developmental disorder with possibly multiple pathophysiologies. It has been theorized that cortical feature maps in individuals with autism are inadequate for forming abstract codes and representations. Cortical feature maps make it possible to classify stimuli, such as phonemes of speech, disregarding incidental detail. Hierarchies of such maps are instrumental in creating abstract codes and representations of objects and events. Self-Organizing Maps (SOMs) are artificial neural networks that offer insights into the development of cortical feature maps. Attentional impairment is prevalent in autism, but whether it is caused by attention-shift impairment or strong familiarity preference or negative response to novelty is a matter of debate. We model attention shift during self-organization by presenting a SOM with stimuli from two sources in four different modes, namely, novelty seeking (regarded as normal learning), attention-shift impairment (shifts are made with a low probability), familiarity preference (shifts made with a lower probability to the source that is the less familiar to the SOM of the two sources), and familiarity preference in conjunction with attention-shift impairment. The resulting feature maps from learning with novelty seeking and with attention-shift impairment are much the same except that learning with attention-shift impairment often yields maps with a somewhat better discrimination capacity than learning with novelty seeking. In contrast, the resulting maps from learning with strong familiarity preference are adapted to one of the sources at the expense of the other, and if one of the sources has a set of stimuli with smaller variability, the resulting maps are adapted to stimuli from that source. When familiarity preference is less pronounced, the resulting maps may become normal or fully restricted to one of the sources, and in that case, always the source with smaller variability if such a source is present. Such learning, in a system with many different maps, will result in very uneven capacities. Learning with familiarity preference in conjunction with attention-shift impairment surprisingly has higher probability for the development of normal maps than learning with familiarity preference alone.

Attention↗

Aging, stimulus identification and the effect of probability: an event-related potential study.

Event-related potentials (ERPs) of younger and older subjects were compared in a simple reaction time (SRT) and in two GoNogo (20% and 80% target probability) tasks. At the T5 location, the NA component (the difference between the ERPs elicited by the frequent stimuli in the GoNogo tasks on the one hand, and the ERPs in the SRT task on the other hand) emerged earlier in the younger group. The N2b was larger in the younger group, and in this group the rare stimuli of the 80% GoNogo task elicited an enlarged N2. When compared to the older group, the stimulus probability in the younger group had a larger effect on the amplitude of the late positivity. The results show age-related changes at an early stage of the information processing activity, and larger sensitivity of the orienting system in the younger subjects.

Adolescent↗