Disruption of the representativeness heuristic: Can we be perturbed into using correct probabilistic reasoning?

Some misconceptions in learning and understanding statistical or probabilistic concepts stem from the use of what is called the representativeness heuristic for solving such problems. Incorrect solutions to problems is the result. This study provided graduate students enrolled in beginning inferential statistics with a series of experiences which seemed to disrupt such faulty logic by having them experience logical inconsistencies. Such direct experimental involvement with applied probability problems was recommended as a means to enhance the use of more appropriate probabilistic reasoning in subsequent statistical or probability problems.     

Distributed Departments: A New Approach to Protecting the Vitality of Small Programs

The Texas Electronic Coalition for Physics was established in 2000 as a means of demonstrating that by linking together, small programs can maintain their vitality in higher education. Using Interactive Television, the Internet, telephones, faxes, and other electronic media, five physics programs scattered across the state of Texas formed a distributed physics department. In addition to jointly offering lecture courses, the group (i) established procedures for operating as a unified entity, (ii) encouraged research regardless of location, (iii) provided a locus for professional camaraderie, (iv) created a distance-based advanced physics laboratory course, and (v) developed assessment tools for measuring success in a distance environment. Through these, the coalition demonstrated that a distributed department can carry out all of the functions associated with a traditional department.     

Mother–Infant Vagal Regulation in the Face-To-Face Still-Face Paradigm Is Moderated by Maternal Sensitivity

Parents' physiological regulation may support infants' regulation. Mothers ( N = 152) and 6-month-old male and female infants were observed in normal and disrupted social interaction. Affect was coded at 1-s intervals and vagal tone measured as respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). Maternal sensitivity was assessed in free play. Mothers and infants showed opposite patterns of RSA change. During disrupted interaction, mothers' RSA increased and infants' decreased, suggesting self-regulation of distress. During reunion, although the typical pattern was for infants to return to baseline levels, infants of sensitive mothers and sensitive mothers both showed a significant decrease in RSA from baseline. Mothers' and infants' physiological responses may be a function of mutual responsiveness.