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Evidence accumulation models are a series of computational models that provide an account for speeded decision-making. These models have been used extensively within the cognitive psychology literature to great success, allowing inferences to be drawn about the psychological processes that underlie cognition that are sometimes not available in a traditional analysis of accuracy or reaction time (RT). Despite this, there have been only a few applications of these models within the domain of social cognition. In this article, we explore several ways in which the study of human social information processing would benefit from application of evidence accumulation modelling. We begin first with a brief overview of the evidence accumulation modelling framework and their past success within the domain of cognitive psychology. We then highlight five ways in which social cognitive research would benefit from an evidence accumulation approach. This includes (1) greater specification of assumptions, (2) unambiguous comparisons across blocked task conditions, (3) quantifying and comparing the magnitude of effects in standardised measures, (4) a novel approach for studying individual differences, and (5) improved reproducibility and accessibility. These points are illustrated using examples from the domain of social attention. Finally, we outline several methodological and practical considerations, which should help researchers use evidence accumulation models productively. Ultimately, it will be seen that evidence accumulation modelling offers a well-developed, accessible, and commonly understood framework that can reveal inferences about cognition that may otherwise be out of reach in a traditional analysis of accuracy and RT. This approach, therefore, has the potential to substantially revise our understanding of social cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social cognition differs from general cognition in its focus on understanding, perceiving, and interpreting social information. However, we argue that the significance of domain‐general processes for controlling cognition has been historically undervalued in social cognition and social neuroscience research. We suggest much of social cognition can be characterized as specialized feature representations supported by domain‐general cognitive control systems. To test this proposal, we develop a comprehensive working model, based on an interactive activation and competition architecture and applied to the control of action. As such, we label the model "ICON" (interactive activation and competition model for the control of action). We used the ICON model to simulate human performance across various laboratory tasks. Our simulations emphasize that many laboratory‐based social tasks do not require socially specific control systems, such as those that are argued to rely on neural networks associated with theory‐of‐mind. Moreover, our model clarifies that perceived disruptions in social cognition, even in what appears to be disruption to the control of social cognition, can stem from deficits in social representation instead. We advocate for a "default stance" in social cognition, where control is usually general, but representation is specific. This study underscores the importance of integrating social cognition within the broader realm of domain‐general control processing, offering a unified perspective on task processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social cognition has been argued to rely on automatic mechanisms, but little is known about how automatically the processing of body shapes is linked to other social processes, such as trait inference. In three pre-registered experiments, we tested the automaticity of links between body shape perception and trait inference by manipulating cognitive load during a response-competition task. In Experiment 1 (N = 52), participants categorised body shapes in the context of compatible or incompatible trait words, under high and low cognitive load. Bayesian multi-level modelling of reaction times indicated that interference caused by the compatibility of trait cues was insensitive to concurrent demands placed on working memory resources. These findings indicate that the linking of body shapes and traits is resource-light and more "automatic" in this sense. In Experiment 2 (N = 39) and 3 (N = 70), we asked participants to categorise trait words in the context of task-irrelevant body shapes. Under these conditions, no evidence of interference was found, regardless of concurrent load. These results suggest that while body shapes and trait concepts can be linked in an automatic manner, such processes are sensitive to wider contextual factors, such as the order in which information is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aesthetic judgements dominate much of daily life by guiding how we evaluate objects, people, and experiences in our environment. One key question that remains unanswered is the extent to which more specialised or largely general cognitive resources support aesthetic judgements. To investigate this question in the context of working memory, we examined the extent to which a working memory load produces similar or different response time interference on aesthetic compared with non-aesthetic judgements. Across three pre-registered experiments that used Bayesian multi-level modelling approaches (N > 100 per experiment), we found clear evidence that a working memory load produces similar response time interference on aesthetic judgements relative to non-aesthetic (motion) judgements. We also showed that this similarity in processing across aesthetic versus non-aesthetic judgements holds across variations in the form of art (people vs. landscape; Experiments 1–3), medium type (artwork vs. photographs; Experiment 2), and load content (art images vs. letters; Experiments 1–3). These findings suggest that across a range of experimental contexts, as well as different processing streams in working memory (e.g., visual vs. verbal), aesthetic and motion judgements commonly rely on a domain-general cognitive system, rather than a system that is more specifically tied to aesthetic judgements. In doing so, these findings shine new light on the working memory resources that support aesthetic judgements, as well as on how domain-general cognitive systems operate more generally in cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been suggested that representing an action through observation and imagery share neural processes with action execution. In support of this view, motor-priming research has shown that observing an action can influence action initiation. However, there is little motor-priming research showing that imagining an action can modulate action initiation. The current study examined whether action imagery could prime subsequent execution of a reach and grasp action. Across two motion analysis tracking experiments, 40 participants grasped an object following congruent or incongruent action imagery. In Experiment 1, movement initiation was faster following congruent compared to incongruent imagery, demonstrating that imagery can prime the initiation of grasping. In Experiment 2, incongruent imagery resulted in slower movement initiation compared to a no-imagery control. These data show that imagining a different action to that which is performed can interfere with action production. We propose that the most likely neural correlates of this interference effect are brain regions that code imagined and executed actions. Further, we outline a plausible mechanistic account of how priming in these brain regions through imagery could play a role in action cognition. (Contains 3 figures.)

This article reports the substance of an interview with Grady R. Hazel, Executive Director of the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). Hazel has been director of the Society of Louisiana CPAs since 1995. The 6,500-member organization is headquartered in Kenner, a suburb of New Orleans. A native of Baton Rouge, Hazel has been involved in major change initiatives undertaken by the accounting profession and speaks frequently to a variety of professional and academic audiences about trends in accounting, most recently on challenges to the profession in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In this interview, Hazel talked about how Sarbanes-Oxley Act has affected corporate financial reporting, particularly the auditing process. Hazel also talked about the increased litigation in corporate auditing, and predicted the most significant challenges for corporate financial reporting. This interview confirmed what has been widely known in the accounting profession: The current demands of auditing and corporate financial reporting necessitate that accounting students learn to communicate ethically and efficiently.

Offers a critique of existing methods of assessing the human interest of basic writing textbooks, contending that most are abstract and subjective and that the more objective Flesch formula inflates texts' human-interest level. Advocates modifying existing formulas and guidelines. Suggests criteria (e.g., appropriateness of readability level) for assessing interest. (DMM)

Summarizes the life and work of Jay R. Gould, a pioneer in the field of technical writing and communication. (MM)

Provides a comprehensive listing of all the known and available publications of Jay R. Gould, a pioneer in the field of technical writing and communication. Includes listings of Gould's books, plays, short stories, articles, essays, and papers, as well as unpublished items and items written about Gould. (MM)

Abstract: The teaching vocation in Christian higher education has many challenges and benefits. Most careers have a 'necessary evil' attached to them. Among those who teach, grading is at the [...]

The current study investigated the Emotion element of the PETTLEP model of motor imagery using penalty kicks in soccer. Two six-week PETTLEP-based imagery interventions were compared to a stretching group (control). Both imagery interventions (skill-based and emotion-based) were facilitative and differed only in their emotional content. Thirty-three participants' penalty taking performance, self-efficacy and interpretations of anxiety were measured prior to and following the intervention period. Post-intervention performance scores for both imagery groups were significantly greater than the stretching group. However, there were no differences between the two imagery groups. In addition, there were no beneficial effects of either imagery intervention on self-efficacy or interpretations of anxiety symptoms when compared to the stretching intervention. These data offer further support for the effectiveness of the PETTLEP model in designing performance facilitating imagery interventions. We propose that the inclusion of emotional content into imagery practices may be more influential in competitive rather than practice situations., Considerable scientific research has demonstrated imagery to be an influential tool in sport psychology (see Driskell, Copper, & Moran, 1994). However, the imagery literature has been criticised for not providing [...]

Research in social cognition has predominantly investigated perceptual and inferential processes separately; however, real-world social interactions usually involve integration between person inferences (e.g., generous, selfish) and the perception of physical appearance (e.g., thin, tall). Therefore, in the current work, we investigated the integration of different person-relevant signals, by estimating the extent to which bias in one social information processing system influences another. Following an initial stimulus-validation experiment (Experiment 1, N = 55), two further pre-registered experiments (Experiments 2, N = 55 and 3; N = 123) employed a priming paradigm to measure the effects of extraversion-diagnostic information on subsequent health and body-size judgements of a target body. The results were consistent across both priming experiments and supported our predictions: compared to trait-neutral control statements, extraversion-diagnostic statements increased judgements of health and decreased those of body size. As such, we show that trait-based knowledge does not only influence mappings towards similar types of person judgements, such as health judgements. Rather, even a brief re-configuration of trait-space alters mappings towards non-trait judgements, which are based on body size and shape. The results complement prior neuroimaging findings that showed functional interactions between the body-selective brain regions in the ventral visual stream and the theory of mind network when forming impressions of others. Therefore, we provide a functional signature of how distinct information processing units exchange signals and integrate information to form impressions. Overall, the current study underscores the value of behavioural work in complementing neuroscience research when investigating the role and properties of functional integration during impression formation. In addition, it stresses the potential limitations of an over-reliance on studying separate systems in isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Despite clinical observation that stroke survivors frequently experience loneliness, there is no large-scale empirical evidence to support this observation. Therefore, the primary objective of this research was to provide the first large-scale and comprehensive estimate of loneliness in the stroke survivor population. Method To address this issue, we completed two preregistered analyses of a nationally representative annual survey (N  > 21,000). A two-phase approach was adopted combining both exploratory (Study 1) and confirmatory (Study 2) phases. The benefit of such an approach is that replication is built into the design, which considerably strengthens the inferences that can be made. Results Across two separate cohorts, the results consistently showed that human stroke survivors report higher levels of loneliness compared with healthy individuals, and this relationship could not be accounted for by demographic factors (e.g. age, sex) or objective measures of social isolation (e.g. marital status, number of household members). Conclusions These findings demonstrate that elevated levels of loneliness poststroke are robust in that they replicate in large nationally representative samples and cannot be reduced to objective measures of social isolation. The work has clinical and societal relevance by suggesting that loneliness poststroke is unlikely to be adequately "treated" if only the quantity and not the quality of social experiences are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) is a determinant of an individual's wellbeing and can be affected by dental disease. For military recruits, adverse OHRQoL may result in poor performance, and has safety implications. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of dental extractions and dental health of a sample of new Infantry recruits. Method: Electronic healthcare recordings of tooth extraction incidence were compared to recruits from the general military population. Clinical dental examinations and patient questionnaires were used to determine the prevalence and impact of caries using the PUFA (Pulp exposure, Ulceration, Fistula, Caries) criteria. The association between caries and PUFA lesions with self‐reported oral health behaviours and beliefs was explored. Results: The incidence of tooth extraction was 2.4 times higher in new Army Infantry recruits than recruits in the general UK military population. 211 recruits were assessed, with a 100% response rate. 135/211 (64%) had caries, and 37/21117.5% had a PUFA lesion at the time of inspection. Sleep loss was significantly more likely in those with PUFA lesions than those without (OR 5.62, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Those military Infantry recruits with caries and PUFA lesions had worse OHRQoL than those that did not. This was evidenced by poorer sleeping patterns and an inability to perform tasks at work. Treatment of dental disease through extractions was higher in Army Infantry recruits and will likely reduce the number of days taken off sick, but its effect on overall OHRQoL cannot yet be substantiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there is growing interest in the neural foundations of aesthetic experience, it remains unclear how particular mental subsystems (e.g. perceptual, affective and cognitive) are involved in different types of aesthetic judgements. Here, we use fMRI to investigate the involvement of different neural networks during aesthetic judgements of visual artworks with implied motion cues. First, a behavioural experiment (N = 45) confirmed a preference for paintings with implied motion over static cues. Subsequently, in a preregistered fMRI experiment (N = 27), participants made aesthetic and motion judgements towards paintings representing human bodies in dynamic and static postures. Using functional region‐of‐interest and Bayesian multilevel modelling approaches, we provide no compelling evidence for unique sensitivity within or between neural systems associated with body perception, motion and affective processing during the aesthetic evaluation of paintings with implied motion. However, we show suggestive evidence that motion and body‐selective systems may integrate signals via functional connections with a separate neural network in dorsal parietal cortex, which may act as a relay or integration site. Our findings clarify the roles of basic visual and affective brain circuitry in evaluating a central aesthetic feature—implied motion—while also pointing towards promising future research directions, which involve modelling aesthetic preferences as hierarchical interplay between visual and affective circuits and integration processes in frontoparietal cortex. We provide no compelling evidence for unique sensitivity within or between neural systems associated with body perception, motion and affective processing during aesthetic evaluation of dynamic paintings. Motion and body‐selective systems may integrate signals via functional connections with a third neural network in dorsal parietal cortex, which may act as a relay or integration site. Our findings clarify the roles of visual and affective systems in aesthetic appreciation of dynamic paintings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of understanding the minds of other people, such as their emotions and intentions, is mimicked when individuals try to understand an artificial mind. The assumption is that anthropomorphism, attributing human‐like characteristics to non‐human agents and objects, is an analogue to theory‐of‐mind, the ability to infer mental states of other people. Here, we test to what extent these two constructs formally overlap. Specifically, using a multi‐method approach, we test if and how anthropomorphism is related to theory‐of‐mind using brain (Experiment 1) and behavioural (Experiment 2) measures. In a first exploratory experiment, we examine the relationship between dispositional anthropomorphism and activity within the theory‐of‐mind brain network (n = 108). Results from a Bayesian regression analysis showed no consistent relationship between dispositional anthropomorphism and activity in regions of the theory‐of‐mind network. In a follow‐up, pre‐registered experiment, we explored the relationship between theory‐of‐mind and situational and dispositional anthropomorphism in more depth. Participants (n = 311) watched a short movie while simultaneously completing situational anthropomorphism and theory‐of‐mind ratings, as well as measures of dispositional anthropomorphism and general theory‐of‐mind. Only situational anthropomorphism predicted the ability to understand and predict the behaviour of the film's characters. No relationship between situational or dispositional anthropomorphism and general theory‐of‐mind was observed. Together, these results suggest that while the constructs of anthropomorphism and theory‐of‐mind might overlap in certain situations, they remain separate and possibly unrelated at the personality level. These findings point to a possible dissociation between brain and behavioural measures when considering the relationship between theory‐of‐mind and anthropomorphism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing Multicultural Leaders: The Journey to Leadership Success Farid A. Muna and Ziad A. Zennie Palgrave Macmillan Basingstoke 2010 xvi + 215 pp. ISBN 978-0-230-28045-8 Leadership and multinational management are [...]

The mirror neuron system has dominated understanding of observational learning from a cognitive neuroscience perspective. Our review highlights the value of observational learning frameworks that integrate a more diverse and distributed set of cognitive and brain systems, including those implicated in sensorimotor transformations, as well as in more general processes such as executive control, reward, and social cognition. We argue that understanding how observational learning occurs in the real world will require neuroscientific frameworks that consider how visuomotor processes interface with more general aspects of cognition, as well as how learning context and action complexity shape mechanisms supporting learning from watching others. Understanding how the human brain translates visual information into skilled motor performance has been assisted and constrained by the discovery of mirror neurons. Emerging evidence highlights how observational motor learning involves a far more diffuse network of brain regions and cognitive processes, which are shaped by the context and complexity of the motor task to be learned. A greater emphasis on combining functional decomposition and functional integration approaches should facilitate paradigms and discoveries that move us closer toward understanding how we learn from watching others in complex, real-world scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]