Fractional Dynamics and Multi-Slide Model of Human Memory

We propose a single chunk model of long-term memory that combines the basic features of the ACT-R theory and the multiple trace memory architecture. The pivot point of the developed theory is a mathematical description of the creation of new memory traces caused by learning a certain fragment of information pattern and affected by the fragments of this pattern already retained by the current moment of time. Using the available psychological and physiological data these constructions are justified. The final equation governing the learning and forgetting processes is constructed in the form of the differential equation with the Caputo type fractional time derivative. Several characteristic situations of the learning (continuous and discontinuous) and forgetting processes are studied numerically. In particular, it is demonstrated that, first, the "learning" and "forgetting" exponents of the corresponding power laws of the memory fractional dynamics should be regarded as independent system parameters. Second, as far as the spacing effects are concerned, the longer the discontinuous learning process, the longer the time interval within which a subject remembers the information without its considerable lost. Besides, the latter relationship is a linear proportionality.Comment: Submitted to 36th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society, Quebec City, Canada, July 23-26 201

The Language of War : Framing Enemy Images in Russian Online Media

This Master's thesis examines the language manipulations used by Russian online media to create enemy images that are essential for justifying armed aggression. The study explores the issues emerging in the discourse on information warfare and mass-manipulation in the context of the conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. The purpose of this research is to explore how and why Russian state-funded media used the rhetorics to influence the audience's attitudes towards Ukraine as a state and Ukrainians as a nation, and to evaluate if such manipulation can be recognized as propaganda. This study addresses the gap in current knowledge on a rhetorical angle of enemy creation in Russian online media. This research is the first to apply the theoretical concepts of enemy images and propaganda devices to the process model of framing research developed by Dietram A. Scheufele. This theoretical approach allowed to address the framing of enemy images by state propaganda. The empirical data of this research consists of sixteen online publications from two state-funded media organizations in Russia: international network RT and the information agency Rossiya Segodnia, which includes subsidiaries RIA Novosti and Sputnik. Rhetorical frame analysis was applied in this research. The in-depth critical nature allowed to identify the key elements and techniques of enmity framing in the analyzed publications. The findings of this study confirm the hypothesis that the Russian state-funded online media indeed do work as a body of state propaganda. As earlier research suggests, they did play a crucial role in the info-warfare campaigns preceding and during Russian military operations in Crimea and Donbas by manipulating and distorting information to frame Kremlin's agenda, creating and reinforcing enemy images, spreading disinformation and conspiracy theories that resonated with the state's position. This research contributes to the pool of investigations that expose a strong Kremlin's commitment to information warfare on many fronts. It confirms that the creation of enemy images is vital for the justification of military aggression. Lastly, it proves that even though modern state propaganda is a highly sophisticated, data-driven powerhouse, on a rhetorical level, it still uses the same techniques as 100 years ago

Психологічний аналіз сімейних цінностей Л. Богуславець у контексті соціально-демографічних страхів (Psychological Analysis of Family Values of Lesia Bohuslavets in the Context of Socio-Demographic Fears)

У тезах здійснюється психологічний аналіз сімейних цінностей діаспорної письменниці Лесі Богуславець (Олександри Ткач) на основі її творчої спадщини та епістолярію. Автором подано розлогу характеристику сучасних підходів до аналізу подібних явищ, можливість їх використання на конкретно поданому матеріалі. Здійснений контент-аналіз збірки оповідань письменниці «Чужина, чужина», дозволяє зрозуміти систему її сімейних цінностей. Проведений аналіз епістолярної спадщини Л. Богуславець дає змогу прослідкувати вплив таких соціально-демографічних чинників як війна, переїзди, еміграція, зміна соціокультурного середовища, адаптація тощо, на формування сімейних цінностей письменниці. (The author of the article uses the psychological analysis of family values of Ukrainian diaspora writer Lesia Bohuslavets (Oleksandra Tkach), based on her literary heritage and epistolary. The author provides a description of the modern approach to the analysis of these phenomena and the possibility of their usage for special material. The author applies content analysis to study the book Foreign Country, Foreign Land. This allows to understand the system of her family values better. The article analyses the epistolary heritage of Lesia Bohuslavets and it allows to trace the impact of such socio-demographic factors as war, travelling, immigration, changes in socio-cultural environment, adaptation, etc., on the formation of family values of the writer.