Bias Versus Sensitivity in Cognitive Processing: A Critical, but Often Overlooked, Issue for Data Analysis

It is well established that unique physiological information can be obtained by rapidly freezing cells in various functional states and analyzing the cell element content and distribution by electron probe x-ray microanalysis. (The other techniques of microanalysis that are amenable to imaging, such as electron energy loss spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, particle induced x-ray emission etc., are not addressed in this tutorial.) However, the usual processes of data acquisition are labor intensive and lengthy, requiring that x-ray counts be collected from individually selected regions of each cell in question and that data analysis be performed subsequent to data collection. A judicious combination of quantitative elemental maps and static raster probes adds not only an additional overall perception of what is occurring during a particular biological manipulation or event, but substantially increases data productivity. Recent advances in microcomputer instrumentation and software have made readily feasible the acquisition and processing of digital quantitative x-ray maps of one to several cells.

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The S-SH Confusion Test and the Effects of Frequency Lowering

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/2018_jslhr-h-18-0267 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 62 (5) ◽

pp. 1486-1505

Author(s):

Joshua M. Alexander

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Processing ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Response Times ◽

Nonlinear Frequency ◽

Low Frequencies ◽

Frequency Compression ◽

Negative Side ◽

Minimal Word ◽

Low Pass ◽

Negative Side Effects

PurposeFrequency lowering in hearing aids can cause listeners to perceive [s] as [ʃ]. The S-SH Confusion Test, which consists of 66 minimal word pairs spoken by 6 female talkers, was designed to help clinicians and researchers document these negative side effects. This study's purpose was to use this new test to evaluate the hypothesis that these confusions will increase to the extent that low frequencies are altered.MethodTwenty-one listeners with normal hearing were each tested on 7 conditions. Three were control conditions that were low-pass filtered at 3.3, 5.0, and 9.1 kHz. Four conditions were processed with nonlinear frequency compression (NFC): 2 had a 3.3-kHz maximum audible output frequency (MAOF), with a start frequency (SF) of 1.6 or 2.2 kHz; 2 had a 5.0-kHz MAOF, with an SF of 1.6 or 4.0 kHz. Listeners' responses were analyzed using concepts from signal detection theory. Response times were also collected as a measure of cognitive processing.ResultsOverall, [s] for [ʃ] confusions were minimal. As predicted, [ʃ] for [s] confusions increased for NFC conditions with a lower versus higher MAOF and with a lower versus higher SF. Response times for trials with correct [s] responses were shortest for the 9.1-kHz control and increased for the 5.0- and 3.3-kHz controls. NFC response times were also significantly longer as MAOF and SF decreased. The NFC condition with the highest MAOF and SF had statistically shorter response times than its control condition, indicating that, under some circumstances, NFC may ease cognitive processing.ConclusionsLarge differences in the S-SH Confusion Test across frequency-lowering conditions show that it can be used to document a major negative side effect associated with frequency lowering. Smaller but significant differences in response times for correct [s] trials indicate that NFC can help or hinder cognitive processing, depending on its settings.

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Cognitive Processing of Miscommunication in Interactive Listening: An Evaluation of Listener Indecision and Cognitive Effort

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/2020_jslhr-20-00128 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-17

Author(s):

Jennifer M. Roche ◽

Arkady Zgonnikov ◽

Laura M. Morett

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Cognitive Processing ◽

Language Processing ◽

Cognitive Effort ◽

Mouse Tracking ◽

Computer Mouse ◽

Decision Making Processes ◽

Computer Mouse Tracking ◽

Listening Task ◽

Processing Effort

Purpose The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the social and cognitive underpinnings of miscommunication during an interactive listening task. Method An eye and computer mouse–tracking visual-world paradigm was used to investigate how a listener's cognitive effort (local and global) and decision-making processes were affected by a speaker's use of ambiguity that led to a miscommunication. Results Experiments 1 and 2 found that an environmental cue that made a miscommunication more or less salient impacted listener language processing effort (eye-tracking). Experiment 2 also indicated that listeners may develop different processing heuristics dependent upon the speaker's use of ambiguity that led to a miscommunication, exerting a significant impact on cognition and decision making. We also found that perspective-taking effort and decision-making complexity metrics (computer mouse tracking) predict language processing effort, indicating that instances of miscommunication produced cognitive consequences of indecision, thinking, and cognitive pull. Conclusion Together, these results indicate that listeners behave both reciprocally and adaptively when miscommunications occur, but the way they respond is largely dependent upon the type of ambiguity and how often it is produced by the speaker.

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Perceptions of a Collaborative Professional Learning Program: Seeing the “Bigger Picture”

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/2019_persp-19-00041 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 290-303

Author(s):

P. Charlie Buckley ◽

Kimberly A. Murza ◽

Tami Cassel

Keyword(s):

Data Analysis ◽

Professional Learning ◽

Social Communication ◽

Special Educators ◽

Service Providers ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Learning Program ◽

Speech Language Pathologists ◽

Related Service

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of special education practitioners (i.e., speech-language pathologists, special educators, para-educators, and other related service providers) on their role as communication partners after participation in the Social Communication and Engagement Triad (Buckley et al., 2015 ) yearlong professional learning program. Method A qualitative approach using interviews and purposeful sampling was used. A total of 22 participants who completed participation in either Year 1 or Year 2 of the program were interviewed. Participants were speech-language pathologists, special educators, para-educators, and other related service providers. Using a grounded theory approach (Glaser & Strauss, 1967 ) to data analysis, open, axial, and selective coding procedures were followed. Results Three themes emerged from the data analysis and included engagement as the goal, role as a communication partner, and importance of collaboration. Conclusions Findings supported the notion that educators see the value of an integrative approach to service delivery, supporting students' social communication and engagement across the school day but also recognizing the challenges they face in making this a reality.

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Communicative Performance of Adolescents with Severe Speech Impairment

Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders ◽

10.1044/jshd.5403.403 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 54 (3) ◽

pp. 403-421 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Beth M. Dalton ◽

Jan L. Bedrosian

Keyword(s):

Data Analysis ◽

Peer Interactions ◽

Consistent Pattern ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

Speech Impairment ◽

Communication Mode ◽

Mode Function ◽

Communicative Performance ◽

Therapy Room ◽

Communication Board

The communicative performance of 4 preoperational-level adolescents, using limited speech, gestures, and communication board techniques, was examined in a two-part investigation. In Part 1, each subject participated in an academic interaction with a teacher in a therapy room. Data were transcribed and coded for communication mode, function, and role. Two subjects were found to predominantly use the speech mode, while the remaining 2 predominantly used board and one other mode. The majority of productions consisted of responses to requests, and the initiator role was infrequently occupied. These findings were similar to those reported in previous investigations conducted in classroom settings. In Part 2, another examination of the communicative performance of these subjects was conducted in spontaneous interactions involving speaking and nonspeaking peers in a therapy room. Using the same data analysis procedures, gesture and speech modes predominated for 3 of the subjects in the nonspeaking peer interactions. The remaining subject exhibited minimal interaction. No consistent pattern of mode usage was exhibited across the speaking peer interactions. In the nonspeaking peer interactions, requests predominated. In contrast, a variety of communication functions was exhibited in the speaking peer interactions. Both the initiator and the maintainer roles were occupied in the majority of interactions. Pertinent variables and clinical implications are discussed.

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