Augusto Gnisci

Gender differences in object location memory in a real three-dimensional environment

In this preliminary study we investigate gender differences in object location memory. Our purpose is to extend the results about object location memory obtained in laboratory settings to a real 3-D environment and to further distinguish the specific components involved in this kind of memory by considering the strategies adopted to perform the task. To do this, we join the three-level model of spatial representations (landmark, route, and survey) proposed by Siegel and White (1975) with the three subcomponents of spatial memory (what, where, and what + where) identified by Postma and De Haan (1996). We adopted the object relocation task devised by Postma and De Haan (1996), adapted to a real environment. Seven common objects were placed on the floor of a cylindrical room. Sixty-four males and 64 females were asked to memorize the spatial layout. Next, the experimenter moved the objects to a different position along with seven new objects and the participants had to relocate the original objects to their initial positions. In line with Postma, Izendoorn, and De Haan (1998), we found no gender difference in object recognition, and in recalling absolute distance and categorical spatial relations; however males were better than females in recalling the distance between objects and the size of the layout. Overall, the data show a male advantage in some components of spatial cognition closely linked to the encoding of the metric structure of the spatial relationships at both route and survey level.

Observer agreement for timed-event sequential data: A comparison of time-based and event-based algorithms

Observer agreement is often regarded as the sine qua non of observational research. Cohen’s κ ?is a widely used index and is appropriate when discrete entities—such as a turn-of-talk or a demarcated time interval—are presented to pairs of observers to code. κ-like statistics and agreement matrices are also used for the timed-event sequential data produced when observers first segment and then code events detected in the stream of behavior, noting onset and offset times. Such κs are of two kinds: time-based and event-based. Available for download is a computer program (OASTES; Observer Agreement for Simulated Timed Event Sequences) that simulates the coding of observers of a stated accuracy and then computes agreement statistics for two time-based κs (with and without tolerance) and three event-based κs (one implemented in The Observer, one in INTERACT, and one in GSEQ). On the basis of simulation results presented here, and due to the somewhat different information provided by each, the reporting of both a time-based and an event-based κ?is recommended.

Observer agreement for event sequences: Methods and software for sequence alignment and reliability estimates

When sequences of discrete events, or other units, are independently coded by two coders using a set of mutually exclusive and exhaustive codes, but the onset times for the codes are not preserved, it is often unclear how pairs of protocols should be aligned. Yet such alignment is required before Cohen’s kappa, a common agreement statistic, can be computed. Here we describe a method—based on the Needleman and Wunsch (1970) algorithm originally devised for aligning nucleotide sequences—for optimally aligning such sequences; we also offer the results of a simulation study of the behavior of alignment kappa with a number of variables, including number of codes, varying degrees of observer accuracy, sequence length, code variability, and parameters governing the alignment algorithm. We conclude that (1) under most reasonable circumstances, observer accuracies of 90% or better result in alignment kappas of .60 or better; (2) generally, alignment kappas are not strongly affected by sequence length, the number of codes, or the variability in the codes’ probability; (3) alignment kappas are adversely affected when missed events and false alarms are possible; and (4) cost matrices and priority orders used in the algorithm should favor substitutions (i.e., disagreements) over insertions and deletions (i.e., missed events and false alarms). Two computer programs were developed: Global Sequence Alignment, or GSA, for carrying out the simulation study, and Event Alignment, or ELign, a user-oriented program that computes alignment kappa and provides the optimal alignment given a pair of event sequences.

Effects of different types of hand gestures in persuasive speech on receivers’ evaluations

Hand gestures have a close link with speech and with social perception and persuasion processes, however to date no one has experimentally investigated the role of hand gestures alone in persuasive speech. An experiment with undergraduates was conducted using 5 video-messages in which only hand gestures of the speaker were manipulated along five types. ANOVAs reveal effect of gesture type on receivers’ evaluation of message persuasiveness, speaker communication style effectiveness, and speakers composure and competence. A control study (Experiment 2) confirms that these effects are due to visible gestures. Speech accompanying gestures appear to play a causal role in social perception.

Sequential strategies of accommodation: A new method in courtroom

The aim of this research is to show the fruitfulness of a sequential analysis approach applied to the study of the dynamic and sequential character of accommodation strategies proposed by communication accommodation theory (CAT). It was applied to the convergence, divergence, maintenance, and control strategies undertaken in the courtroom during 47 hostile examinations from a single criminal case. Each of the 1,850 question-answer exchanges was classified for the content aspects (types of questions and of answers) and for the modalities of turn taking (interrupting, latching, and pausing) by both lawyer and witness. Log-linear analyses were performed. The main results show that the lawyer and the witness used both accommodation and maintenance strategies, even if the latter are used more by the lawyer. Both participants made use of unimodal and bimodal strategies and tended to reciprocate the behaviour of the interlocutor. The conclusions emphasize the advantage of using the sequential analysis approach to the accommodation strategies of CAT: studying multiple behaviours, identifying the direction and the modalities of the strategies even if they act simultaneously, and providing a means to evaluate the weight of the strategies on the whole and in detail.

Grilling Politicians Politicians' Answers to Questions in Television Interviews and Courtroom Examinations

This research can be regarded as a “natural experiment” on political equivocation in which the language of five well-known politicians, taken from television interviews, is compared with the language of five different politicians speaking in a courtroom setting. Videotapes from both contexts were transcribed and then systematically analyzed by means of reliable category systems of questions and answers based on the literature. Italian politicians employ elaboration as their preferred answer, both in television interviews and in courtroom examinations. Differences exist between legal and political contexts in the distribution of questions, answers, and in their associations (i.e., in different contexts the same questions have a different effect on answers). The findings are discussed in terms of the “situational” theory of political equivocation, integrated with a “contextual” explanation.

Construct validation of the Use, Abuse and Dependence on the Internet inventory

This study aims to validate the structure of the Use, Abuse and Dependence on the Internet (UADI) inventory on a sample of 1056 high school (n=820) and university (n=236) students. In particular, we performed exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses on sub-samples (cross-validation), tested the construct convergent validity, and tested correlations of UADI dimensions with HEXACO personality inventory (HEXACO-PI, where HEXACO stands for the six assessed dimensions: Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, eXtraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and Openness to experience) and external criteria (daytime internet use, etc.). Five dimensions (Compensatory Escape, Dissociation, Real Life Impact, Experience Making and Addiction) were best captured by a second-order factor structure with a factor reflecting Real Life Impact and Dependence saturated by the other four dimensions. This latter factor converged with other traditional measures of internet dependence. The results are discussed in light of the relationships with validity criteria.

Turn-taking in classroom interactions: Overlapping, interruptions and pauses in primary school

This paper examines the rhythm and the management of classroom interaction as an important constituent of a teaching-learning process. Twenty-three lessons in 12 classes (four 2nd grades, four 3rd grades and four 4th grades) of state primary schools spread all over Italy were observed and video taped for a total of 15 hours. The descriptive analysis of the collected data revealed a transformation of children’s and class interactivity and a change in the use of turn-taking strategies (overlaps, interruptions and pauses)_from 2nd to 4th grade. Additionally, it showed that: (1) speaker after overlap changes according to the type of overlap; (2) teachers differ from children in their turn-interrupting strategies (teacher interrupts with supportive and silent turns, whereas children with failed or simple interruptions); (3) log-linear analysis revealed that the next speaker was correlated both with the first speaker and pause duration, but these correlations were independent between them. For a more accurate interpretation of the results various aspects characterizing educational and school interaction were taken into account.RésuméCet article analyse le rythme et la gestion de l’interaction en classe comme un élément important du processus d’enseignement-apprentissage. Vingt-trois leçons en 12 classes (4 de deuxième de troisième et de quatrième degré, respectivement) appartenant à différentes écoles primaires italiennes ont été observées et enregistrées au vidéo pour un total de 15 heures. L’analyse descriptive des données recueillies et transcrites nous a montré une transformation des interactions entre les enfants et un changement dans les stratégies de prise-d+e-parole (superpositions, interruptions et pauses) en passant du 2ème au 4ème degré. En plus. elle montra que: (1) le parlant, après une superposition, change en fonctions du type de superposition; (2) les enseignants sont différents des enfants dans leur stratégies de prise de parole (l’enseignant interromps avec des tours de parole supportiez, ou silencieux, tandis que les enfants le font avec des interruptions simples ou faillites); (3) l’analyse, log-linéaire a révélé que le parlant qui suit est corrélé soit avec le premier parlant soit avec la durée de la pause, mais les deux corrélations sont indépendantes l’une de l’autre. Pour avoir une interprétation des résultats plus précise, d’autres aspects concernant l’interaction éducative ont été considérés.

Coding hand gestures: a reliable taxonomy and a multi-media support

A taxonomy of hand gestures and a digital tool (CodGest) are proposed in order to describe different types of gesture used by speaker during speech in different social contexts. It is an exhaustive and mutually exclusive categories system to be shared within the scientific community to study multimodal signals and their contribute to the interaction. Classical taxonomies from gesture literature were integrated within a comprehensive taxonomy, which was tested in five different social contexts and its reliability was measured across them through inter-observer agreement indexes. A multi-media tool was realized as digital support for coding gestures in observational research.

Interviews in a Polarized Television Market: The Anglo-American Watchdog Model Put to the Test

Television interviews with political candidates are pivotal moments in election campaigns. Previous studies in Anglo-American contexts have shown that adversarialism in television interviews can be predicted by the power of the politician and by the status of the interviewer. However, worldwide the structural conditions of the liberal media system are unique. This article studies how the Anglo-American watchdog model of interviews should be adapted to polarized television markets such as Italy, where broadcast organizations are politically, financially, and historically linked to different political blocks. A content analysis of the level of toughness in questions posed to politicians from different parties during the 2006 and 2008 Italian general elections showed that, in line with the watchdog model, journalists are more adversarial toward politicians who are likely to win the elections. Apart from this, interviews in polarized television markets follow a different model: Interviewers with high status are less adversarial, politicians from minor parties face more threatening questions, and partisan bias is more important than role bias. The generalizability of this model is discussed in the light of the polarization of television markets, partisan segregation, and the potential consequences for vote choice and election outcomes.