bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Professional Values and Organizational Decision Making
Authors: Bell Robert
Published: March 2007

Professions and organizations institutionalize values. These values may clash when professionals participate in organizational decision making. This article investigates the interplay between professional values and organizational purposes in the organizations that formulated federal subsidized housing policy between 1968 and 1977. Policy professionals in these organizations are committed to public finance theory, a branch of welfare economics that stresses policy criteria consistent with classical liberalism. Public finance theory was consistently influential in the President's Office of Management and Budget, briefly influential in the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and never influential in Congress. Objections to it, though never codified, can be inferred from the public finance prescriptions Congress rejected. Professionals rationalize rejections of their preferred policies by defining standards of good policy as sharply distinct from political realities that legitimately affect policy determinations. This definition, however, unnecessarily compromises the integrity of organizational deliberations and, thereby, the integrity of organizational purposes.
Presidential Control of Independent Regulatory Commissions through Appointment
Authors: Cohen Jeffrey E.
Published: March 2007

Presidents have been found to have influence over the decisions of a number of independent regulatory commissions, but research has left unanswered the question of the mechanism of impact. In this article, the impact of appointment is studied on the ICC from 1955 to 1974. No presidential influence through appointment was detected. This lack of impact was speculated to be caused by the lack of fit between the cases that the ICC deals with and the issue positions of the parties. What may look like presidential impact on other commissions may only be the shared attitudes of presidents and commissioners on commissions that deal with partisan related issues.
Coproduction
Authors: Brudney Jeffrey L.
Published: March 2007

Research on coproduction—the involvement of citizens in the provision o municipal services-has been decidedly positive, emphasizing the considerable advantages of this model for both urban governments and the citizenry. This article accepts these conclusions but examines several issues in the implementation of coproduction that may jeopardize its vitality. Coproduction succeeds as a result of the increased investment of citizens in service delivery, yet the service bureaucracy will likely exercise predominant influence over the design of these programs. Growing fiscal pressure on local governments as well as acceptance of the privatization philosophy may lead to the transfer of significant service costs to citizens, raising special problems for less affluent neighborhoods. Moreover, without careful attention to design, the commitment of citizen resources to service production in official participation programs may deflect community groups and organizations from taking a policy focus.
The End of Liberalism in the Administration of Social Casework
Authors: Jacobs Mark D.
Published: March 2007

Problems of administering human service organizations derive from institutional as well as technical aspects of their environments. In contrast to the recent emphasis on the technical problems of "implementation " and "street-level bureaucracy, " this case study of special education and foster care policy emphasizes instead the institutional problems of interest group liberalism. Besides applying the "end of liberalism "thesis to new policy areas, it attempts to extend that thesis by describing behavioral implications for public bureaucrats. P.L. 93-647, the Title XX Amendment to the Social Security Act, and P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Act, mandate perhaps the most significant expansions of rights and entitlements of the 1970s. Yet these laws are vague in their definitions, contradictory in their related provisions, and inadequate in their funding. They base eligibility for service on categorical rather than universal criteria of need, reflecting the play of organized special interests. Inimical to the rule of law, they honor process over substance, establishing only frameworks for ad hoc bargaining instead of authoritative guides to conduct. This process magnifies political conflict by displacing it away from the center of government to caseworkers down the line.
Critical Theory and Communication Dysfunction
Authors: Rizzo Ann-Marie , Brosnan Dolores
Published: March 2007

The incidence and frequency of sexual harassment in work organizations is often framed in terms of how such actions violate the victim's basic human rights via manipulation by the powerful of the powerless. However, sexual harassment also can be viewed as a "test case" for how people in organizations rationalize social relations through their endorsement of certain modes of speech, thought, and action to the exclusion of others. Building on Habermas's critical theory perspective and Forester `s typology of communication distortion, sexual harassment is viewed as symptomatic of communication dysfunction in macrocosm. The article concludes by recommending several approaches to change, including structurational analysis of communication.
Heroic Bureaucracies
Authors: Couto Richard A.
Published: March 2007

According to the scant literature on the topic, heroic bureaucracies address a severe social problem in a new manner. They provide subordinate groups new resources that have impacts later for political change and increased equality. This article examines three bureaucracies that fulfill these criteria: the Freedmen's Bureau, the Farm Security Administration, and the Office of Health Affairs. The analysis is grounded in the work that these bureaucracies conducted in four rural, Southern, low-income, and predominately African-American communities over the course of a century. The common characteristics of these bureaucracies suggest how heroic bureaucracies differ from normal bureaucracies. Their characteristics include an origin in an extraordinary political environments, and intended, but unspecified impacts on local leaders of ensuing change efforts. In addition, distinguishing internal characteristics include a predilection for experiment over precedent and the creation and utilization of new forms of citizen-client participation in their programs.
French Constitutionalism and the Administrative State
Authors: Rohr John A.
Published: March 2007

This article examines the relationships between constitutionalism and public administration through a comparative textual analysis of the constitutions of the Fifth French Republic and the United States. Particular emphasis is placed on the exceptional powers of the presidents of the two countries, the influence of the executive power on the respective legislative processes, and the practical significance of the divided executive power in France compared to the formally unified American executive. These diverse comparisons are brought together by the theme of how the constitutional traditions in the two countries both promote and inhibit the capacity for action of the administrative state.
Can the Study of Public Administration do without a Concept of the State?
Authors: Rutgers Mark R.
Published: March 2007

Attempts to refound the study of public administration are not new. As early as the 19th century, the German scholar Lorenz Von Stein (1815-1890) tried to develop an encompassing study that was theoretically coherent and practically relevant. His views are often surprisingly modern in outlook and intent. The conceptual cornerstone in his approach is the state. Von Stein thus provides an outlook many contemporary students of public administration, especially in America, would like to do away with. Can we refound public administration without it, or do we need a concept of state as a focal point for defining public administration?
Neo-Darwinism and Simon's Bureaucratic Antihero
Authors: Dennard Linda F.
Published: March 2007

Decision making, as a form of Darwinism, has reduced our sense of what it means to be a human being to the practical art of adaptation to a hostile environment. In reality, however, the practicality of decision making to the survival of the species or the American culture is marginal. For Herbert Simon to be able to prescribe administrative behavior, which is essentially problem solving, he must also reduce the heroic nature of human beings to the dreary and uninspiring task of satisficing. Satisficing does not draw on the human capacity for proactive choice and purposeful change. Simon bases his theories on an incomplete view of evolution-especially human evolution. Simon's neo-Darwinism is illustrated and then compared with emerging views on the nature of evolution, the brain, and the human enterprise. The conclusion drawn here is that whether or not we have bounded rationality is really a matter of the choice we make about human purpose.
Predicting Policy Targets through Institutional Structure
Authors: Knott Jack H. , Weissert Carol S.
Published: March 2007

This article addresses the relationship between the choices of a policy target and the institutional structure of the delivery system, focusing on states' desire to increase the production of primary care physicians. We examine two possible strategies—an institutional strategy in which state dollars are provided directly to medical schools and an individual strategy in which financial incentives are provided directly to students. We hypothesize that a state's choice between the strategies can be understood by institutional characteristics of the state's medical schools. Results indicate that these characteristics do have an influence on the choice of policy target.
Counterbureaucracies in Theory and Practice
Authors: Gormley William T.
Published: March 2007

Counterbureaucracies differfrom other bureaucracies in their goals, resources, discretion, and culture. This article develops several theoretical propositions concerning counterbureaucracies and then considers how they actually behave. Despite negative goals and a self-reliant culture, counterbureaucracies have generally flourished in recent years. Public relations, a service orientation, and professionalism have helped them to generate vital political support.
The Progress of Civil Society
Authors: Raadschelders Jos C. N.
Published: March 2007

As far as we know, the oldest global history of government was published in 1860 by the American author Duganne. In this article, Duganne's book is analyzed in terms of its reflection of American ideals and ideas about the relation between individual, society, and government on the eve of the Civil War. Although Duganne's presentation of facts has to be understood in the context of its time, the underlying ideas and values (liberal democracy, progressive advancement of society) are still relevant to contemporary Americans. Also, his attempt at writing a universal history certainly has a contemporary counterpart. This article serves to help our understanding of the frame of thinking of an "average" American in the 19th century. Duganne's book is a reflection of how the brilliance of great thinkers, whether political theorists (Hobbes, Locke) or religious and political leaders (Brownson, Jefferson) trickled down to the population.
Maintaining and Restoring Public Trust in Government Agencies and their Employees
Authors: Thomas Craig W.
Published: March 2007

The decline of public trust in government in the United States is well documented. We know comparatively little, however, about how to maintain or restore the public’s trust. This article attempts to advance our understanding of trust in government by addressing a relatively narrow question: How can we create, maintain, or restore public trust in government agencies and their employees? The article reviews several conceptions of trust and lays out a series of hypotheses regarding means for building and maintaining public trust. Although the hypotheses have not been empirically tested, they are grounded in well-established social science theories and suggest several avenues for future research.
A Field Study of "Blaxploitation" Films
Authors: Washington Michael , Berlowitz Marvin J.
Published: March 2007

This field study by high school youth utilized Alvin Poussaint's construct of what has come to be known as "blaxploitation" films. The racist exploitation of Black actors and actresses involved in the production of these films, combined with the derogatory effect of these movies on the Black populace, provides the genesis of the word "blaxploitation." Being the result of Hollywood's quest to improve profits in the late 1960's, these films substituted the positive images associated with the Black liberation movement for the images of violence, degeneracy, and es capism that characterized the themes of these movies.

Acting as researchers as well as subjects, the stu dents involved with the project found that the themes of these movies either glorified the lumpen elements of the Black community or put forth fantastically unrealistic solutions to genuine problems. They found that the films attracted millions of Blacks to the theatre and resulted in detrimental effects on the psychology of the entire Black community, the moral training in the Black family, the religious values of Black people, and the educational aspirations of Black youth.
Black Consciousness and Self-Esteem
Authors: Houston Lawrence N.
Published: March 2007

The literature on self-esteem among Blacks has indicated conflicting and inconclusive results, and there has been little attempt to assess the possible relationship between measured self-esteem and measured Black consciousness. The present research used the Draw-A-Person Test (DAP) as a non- phenomenological measure of self-esteem, the Janis-Field Feeling of Inadequacy Scale (JF) as a phenomenological measure of self-esteem, and the Banks Black Consciousness Survey (BCS). Results showed that for males and females BCS did not correlate with DAP. The correlation between BCS and JF was slightly negative for males and nil for females. A factorial analysis of variance revealed that males and older students scored higher on BCS, but there were no differences among college majors and no interaction effects. On the JF, males showed higher self-esteem than females and students majoring in the social sciences were highest among the majors. The DAP showed no significant differ ences whatever.
Assessment of African Self-Consciousness among Black Students from Two College Environments
Authors: Baldwin Joseph A. , Duncan James A. , Bell Yvonne R.
Published: March 2007

This research investigated the relationship between social cultural setting and background characteristics to African self-consciousness (ASC) as measured by the ASC Scale. Two hundred fifty Black college students, half from pre dominantly Black Florida A&M University (FAMU) and half from predominantly White Florida State University (FSU), were administered the ASC Scale and a background questionnaire. The findings revealed that: (a) FAMU stu dents obtained significantly higher ASC Scale scores than FSU students; (b) older students obtained significantly higher ASC scores than younger students; (c) upper level students obtained higher ASC scores than lower level stu dents, and this effect was more pronounced for FAMU students than for FSU students; (d) students with Black Studies backgrounds obtained higher ASC Scale scores than did students without this experience, especially for the FSU students; (e) FAMU students with all-Black elementary school backgrounds obtained higher ASC Scale scores than did the other students. It concluded: (a) that the African self-consciousness construct appears to be an important factor in explaining differences in psychological functioning and behavior among Black students in different sociocultural settings; and (b) that Black sociocultural settings and pro- Black experiential emphases are probably facilitative of healthy Black personality functioning.
Implications of Doll Color Preferences among Black Preschool Children and White Preschool Children
Authors: Powell-Hopson Darlene , Hopson Derek S.
Published: March 2007

Years after the "Black is beautiful" movement there remains a preference for white among Black and White preschool children. Black children have learned to reject their ethnic group as a consequence of pervasive negative stereotypes promoted by the media, teachers, parents, and the broader society. This article examined implications of previous research in 1985, which employed the Clark doll test (Clark & Clark, 1940), with the addition of a treatment intervention including learning principles of modeling, reinforcement, and color meaning word associations (Powell-Hopson, 1985). It was demonstrated that racial preferences among children could be changed at least temporarily. Pretest percentages showed that a majority of Black and White preschoolers chose a white doll when asked preference questions. In contrast, intervention posttest measurement revealed a significant percentage of preschoolers chose a black doll. We as scientists and clinicians have the tools to foster development of healthy positive self-images in youth, in particular Black children.
Understanding the Proper and Improper Usage of the Comparative Research Framework
Authors: Azibo Daudi Ajani ya
Published: March 2007

The comparative research framework, contrasting distinct groups by statistical significance tests, is examined for major epistemological and practical problems inherent in its usage with African-European (Black-White) groups. Three axioms are given regarding the proper and improper usage of this approach in the context of epistemological soundness. Published examples of proper and improper usage are presented. Three kinds of proper usage are identified. And, the intricacy in determining whether a given implementation of this research framework is proper or improper is discussed.
On the Strategies that Blacks Employ in Deductive Reasoning
Authors: Smith Wilbur I. , Drumming Saundra T.
Published: March 2007

Over the past two decades, Wason's Four-Card Selection Task has attracted such a large amount of research and has generated such varied, interesting, and controversial results that it has come to be regarded as a standard paradigm for looking at how people reason deductively. Nevertheless, this article, which replicates Griggs and Cox's (1983) second experiment with a sample of 192 undergraduate college students, reports the first systematic study of the strategies that Black Americans use in the selection task. The results largely parallel those reported by Griggs and Cox as well as those that have been reported by other researchers. Still, the present results do differ in a number of ways from prior findings. We report an atypically high rate of accuracy for the standard version of the selection task. Also, the effect of problem content on processing strategy is curiously small, and its structure is unprecedented. On balance, the results of this study challenge monolithic notions of cognitive development that universally ascribe deficits in reasoning ability to Blacks. Some Blacks, notably those researched here, appear to acquire conceptual rules for logical reasoning that are as powerful and as fallible as any developed by people in Western, literate societies. Future research should explore the etiology of individual differences in reasoning ability and proclivities among Blacks.
Adverse Health Effects in African American Residents Living Adjacent to Chemical Industries
Authors: Bowler Rosemarie M. , Mergler Donna , Huel Guy , Cone James E.
Published: March 2007

The objective of the present study was to compare the physical and psychological health of three groups of African Americans (N = 310): acute sulfuric acid exposed, nonacute exposed, and unexposed controls. Instruments included a health questionnaire, a Toxic Symptom Checklist, the Profile of Mood States (POMS), the Post-Traumatic Stress and the Neurotoxic Anxiety scales of the MMPI-2, the Impact of Event Scale, the Symptom Check List 90-Revised (SCL 90-R), and several brief mood and personality scales. Blood pressure and pulse rates were also taken. Matching produced 51 three-way pairs. MANOVA results indicate significant effects for exposure. Significant univariate Fs (p < .05) were foundfor all the scales across the exposed groups exceptfor the Toxic Symptom category of memory/concentration, POMS depression, and 5 of the 9 SCL 90-R subscales. The t-test results using adjusted a = .0167 indicate both exposed groups had more mood and health symptoms than the controls. The acute were the most symptomatic, and both exposed groups had more respiratory problems, skin rashes, and allergies; results that are consistent with chemical exposure. Results also indicate all three groups had higher than average blood pressure, and the SCL 90-R scores for all three groups were higher than reported in the manual.
A Preliminary Examination of Family Environment and Social Support Among African American Nongrandmothers, Grandmothers, and Grandmothers-to-Be
Authors: Owens Michelle Deaneen , Brome Deborah Ridley
Published: March 2007

The present study examined the impact of teenage pregnancy on the family system by investigating differences in perceptions of the family environment, role satisfaction, social support, and psychological symptoms among African American mothers whose teenager was never pregnant, pregnant, or already a mother The Family Environment Scale, the Symptom Check-List-90-Revised, and a structured interview were used to assess study variables. Forty-two mothers of teenagers, whose ages ranged from 29 to 60, served as participants and were identified as belonging to the nongrandmother, grandmother, or grandmother-to-be groups. The results indicate thatnongrandmothers reported a more positive family environment and less satisfaction with the role of grandmother than grandmothers and grandmothers-to-be. These results were discussed in light of the life transitions that the mothers of teenagers make when they become a grandmother
The Role of Peer Support in Helping the Victims of Bullying in a School with High Levels of Aggression
Authors: Cowie Helen , Olafsson Ragnar
Published: March 2007

This study examines the impact of a peer support service as an intervention to counteract bullying in a school with a serious problem. The impact of the intervention was assessed by a survey and by qualitative interviews with staff, peer supporters, users and potential users of the service. The survey indicated that the intervention had no overall effect on levels of bullying in the school as a whole or on the likelihood that peers would intervene to help. However, the interviews indicated that peer helpers and some victims were helped by the initiative, and some potential users of the service perceived it in a positive light. Some explanations of the findings and implications for implementation of such interventions are discussed.
Guns and Chewing Gum
Authors: Salkind Neil , Adams Douglas , Dermer Craig , Heinerikson Jackie , Jones B. , Nash Erin
Published: March 2007

In a 1994 New York Times article, Barry O'Neill traced the evolution of two lists (one from the 1940s and one from the 1980s) of reportedly serious behaviours in the public schools. He found the origins of the list not to be based on empirical data, but instead to be fabrications based on political philosophy. The purpose of this descriptive study was to compare O'Neill's findings with data collected from both teachers (N = 150) and non-teachers (N = 36). Comparisons were also made between teachers and non-teachers. In general, both teachers and non-teachers rank those behaviours they directly observe as being the most serious with large discrepancies between rankings for similar behaviours (such as drug use and cheating) by both groups. Discussion focuses on the sources of differences between teachers and non-teachers and the general role the media plays in determining what citizens see as misbehaviour.
The Effect of Relaxation Therapy on Achievement for Anxious Learning Disabled Students
Authors: Spillios James C. , Janzen Henry L.
Published: March 2007

Regardless of the various theoretical approaches and definitions of a learning disability, it is evident that anxiety plays a role as a secondary factor involved in the learning process. Previous research (Chapman, Boersma and Janzen, 1978; Chapman, 1979) provided evidence to suggest that affective variables play a major role in the learning disabilities syndrome. The present research was designed to investigate the effects of a differential relaxation procedure in reducing anxiety levels in 9-to 12-year-old learning disabled male students and, further, to assess behavioural treatment effects on subsequent academic performance.
Diagnosis and Predictability of Learning Disabilities
Authors: Janzen Henry L. , Boersma Frederic J. , Fisk Robert , Chapman James
Published: March 2007

Two studies were completed to determine predictability of group membership in learning disability and normally-achieving categories with a psycho-educational test battery measuring intelligence, achievement, visualmotor perception and personality constructs. Study 1 included upper elementary students in grades four to six (controls = 211, learning disabled (LD) = 25). Study 2 included grade three children (controls = 73, LD = 70). Several additional psycho-educational measures were added in Study 2 following the analysis of results in Study 1. A linear regression analysis revealed that, in Study 1, only 35 per cent of the total variance was accounted for in predicting group membership (LD vs controls). In Study 2, however, variance estimates increased to 77 per cent when new data were entered into the equation. The findings support the clause of discrepancy in identifying LD students and agree with previous research findings that tests used for a differential diagnosis of learning disabilities provide little evidence for prediction of group membership. Further study is recommended to examine the heterogeneous nature of learning disabilities.
The Relationship between Reaction Time and Intelligence in Children
Authors: Hemmelgarn Thomas E. , Kehle Thomas J.
Published: March 2007

Measures of reaction time and movement time were compared with WISC-R IQ and subtest scores for 59 intellectually superior, elementary aged children. Results indicate an inverse relationship between measures of reaction time and intelligence. Reaction time measures differentially correlated with the WISC-R subtests as a function of subtest g-loadings. The correlations between the g-loadings and reaction time parameters were as high as 0.80 (P < 0.01). Implications for the practice of school psychology with respect to the measure and study of intelligence are impressive. If a content-free unbiased measure which provides an estimate of intelligence uncontaminated by practice or learning can be further developed employing the simple reaction-time apparatus, then eventual studies dealing with the modification of intelligence become more feasible.
An Aid to Learning Letter-Sound Correspondences
Authors: Gregory R. P.
Published: March 2007

For some children learning the letter-sound correspondences in the phonics approach to teaching reading can be difficult. Set out below is a scheme in which each lower-case letter of the alphabet has been paired with a picture which not only resembles each letter, but also has this letter as the first letter of its name. Through games with the teacher, parents or other children using this scheme, the child learns to associate the letter shape and sound with the picture. Eventually when s/he sees a letter in print and cannot remember its sound the child learns to recall the picture s/he has learnt to associate with it, recall the first sound of the name of the picture and thereby works out the sound of the letter in print.
Clinical Relationship Enhancement Therapy
Authors: Ginsberg Barry G. , Sywulak Andrea E. , Caccavella Michael F.
Published: March 2007

Relationship enhancement therapy' is a dramatic, powerful and effective methodology. Its rationale, principles and structure have been described by Guerney and his colleagues (Guerney, 1977a, 1983). This paper is an attempt to communicate the importance of this methodology to the field of psychotherapy and clinical and community work. As such, it is directed to the therapy's implementation in clinical practice.
Editorial: Are We Training Psychologists to View Problems from a World Perspective?
Authors: Lowenstein L. F.
Published: March 2007

The answer to the question is simple: no. The purpose of this paper is to encourage psychologists to intensify their efforts to think in international terms, in order to reduce world conflict and increase inter-human and international harmony.
The Attitude of Students towards C onsultation*/C ounselling
Authors: Fukuhara Machiko
Published: March 2007

In the author's previous research (1973), it was found that Japanese students, compared with students in the USA, tended to see themselves as having no problems. On the other hand, 48 per cent of the Japanese students who saw themselves as having no problem stated that, if they were to have a particular problem, it would be appropriate to receive counselling for it. Moreover, this group of students who saw themselves as having no problems preferred evaluative attitudes in a counsellor for hypothetical problems, whereas the group that stated that they had problems preferred purposive ones. In fact, compared with the students in the USA, the percentage of Japanese students who seek counselling for their problems is found to be very low (4 per cent compared with 40 per cent); this seems to indicate that these attitudes might be one of the factors influencing whether students come to the counselling centre.
Consumer Expectations of Psychological Service Delivery in an English Local Education Authority
Authors: Watts P. E. , Pasternicki G.
Published: March 2007

This paper describes the use of a school expectation questionnaire as part of a psychological service reorganization. It examines the differences between the schools' expectations of psychologists and their priorities for psychological service delivery. The results are compared with previous studies and consideration given to any changes noted over the last decade.
Developmental Phases in School Psychological Work?
Authors: Laaksonen Pirjo
Published: March 2007

Between January 1984 and October 1985, a study group of psychologists and Board of Education members produced a report on school psychological work in Finland. The group considered the following issues: (a) what school psychological work is like in Finland and the main working routines; (b) integration of the school curriculum, educational practice and school psychological work; and (c) future plans for school psychological work in Finland. This paper considers some issues arising from the deliberations of the study group. These are presented by: (1) outlining a history of school psychological work in Finnish schools, a description of working routines and approaches and their integration with educational practice; (2) proposing an analysis of the phases of development in the work of psychologists and schools; and (3) considering how Finnish psychologists' practice might develop in the future alongside the Finnish Basic School Act. Finally, some conclusions are drawn for further consideration by practising psychologists in Finland.
Development of 'Locus of Control' Related to Responsibility in Middle-School Students
Authors: Yong-Sheng Zhang
Published: March 2007

People like to be able to explain the causes and speculate about the outcome of their own and other people's behaviour. They need to know the world around them and to control their environment. Comprehension of human behaviour can be attributed to one of three categories: (1) external causes (such as environment, situation, the effect of other people's behaviour); (2) dispositions and internal states (such as cognition, affection, emotion, will, moral values, character and ability); (3) a combination of both internal and external causes. The study of these essences and principles is called Attribution Theory, and was first put forward by the American social psychologist Heider with his colleagues, Robert and Weiner. Other psychologists applied this theory to the practice of education, and through the study of educational psychology, they developed the term 'locus of control'.
Behavioral Responses of Children to Stress
Authors: Chandler Louis A. , El-Samadony E. I. , Shermisc Mark D. , El-Khatibd Ali T.
Published: March 2007

The behavior a child adopts in response to stress may be viewed on a continuum from adaptive, effective coping behaviors to extreme maladaptive efforts to meet stressful demands. In order to assess children's behavioral responses to stress, a behavior rating scale was developed - the Stress Response Scale (SRS). The purpose of this study was to gather SRS data on a population of Egyptian children, so that we might examine differences between them and their US counterparts in terms of the typical behavioral responses to stress they might manifest. The results showed, with one exception, no significant differences between the samples as to the overall magnitude of behavioral deviance or the type of pattern manifested. The exception was found in the case of the dependent behavioral pattern. On this scale all three age groups of girls in the US sample and two of the three age groups of boys in that sample, scored significantly higher than their Egyptian cohorts.
Brazilian Perspectives on an International Survey of School Psychology
Authors: Wechsler Solange , Guzzo Raquel
Published: March 2007

The results of an international survey on school psychology conducted by Oakland and Cunningham are reviewed in light of conditions in Brazil. Implications for Central and South America are also considered.
Plus va Change, Plus C'est la Meme Chose
Authors: Stobie Ingeborg
Published: March 2007

This article considers processes of change and persistence in educational psychology within a historical context. The immediate impetus for such an exploratory investigation has come from the current local government reorganization in the UK which is of relevance to educational psychologists in relation to theories, paradigms and practice. Models for processes of change and continuance are discussed.

Daring as it is to investigate the unknown, even more so it is to question the known.

Kaspar
The Perception of Ability Scale for Students (PASS) in Africa and New Zealand
Authors: Akande Adebowale
Published: March 2007

The present study investigates the Perception of Ability Scale for Students (PASS) which is purported to measure six academic self-concept dynamic factors evident in children. Although previous analyses of PASS among New Zealand children have suggested only Penmanship/Neatness subscale did not yield a significant effect, corresponding analyses among non-Western children have not yet been undertaken in any satisfactory manner. To this end, the present article, reports the treatment by two-way analyses of variance for the PASS on an African sample of 204 Form 2 or Grade 6 students enrolled in various elementary schools. The results suggest the scale does not appear to have a ceiling effect which prevents differentiation of normally-achieving and learning-disabled groups from those of gifted ones. The results also indicate that in comparison with normally-achieving children, the learning-disabled (LD) children are characterized by significantly more negative perceptions of ability and negative academic self-concept, along with tendencies towards learned helplessness and lower achievement expectations for future success in school. The Perception ofAbility Scale for Students is not only a new addition to the field of academic selfconcept measurement, but also a major breakthrough for assessing children's cognitive-motivational variables without the difficulties associated with self-report questionnaires. Nevertheless, the degree of variation across both studies and samples suggests that further refinement of the PASS is required in order to improve its reliability and robustness.
Physical and Psychological Maltreatment in Schools
Authors: Elbedour Salman , Assor Avi , Center Bruce A. , Maruyama Geoffrey M.
Published: March 2007

Violence against-children is multi-faceted and interrelated with family, school, community and culture. This study examines violence inflicted on students by teachers in schools. Few theoretical models of abusive behavior by teachers have been developed and examined empirically. This study provides a profile of violence displayed by teachers against children, and proposes a model suggesting that teachers' violent behavior toward students is influenced by school climate and by the ideology of student control. Both relationships are mediated by the teachers' attitudes concerning the use of verbal and physical violence as educational tools. The model was tested on a sample of teachers (n = 117) and their students (n = 1170) from the Bedouin community in Israel. Results demonstrate high incidence of maltreatment of students by their teachers and support the hypothesized model.
Black South African Adolescents' Attitudes Towards AIDS Precautions
Authors: Akande Adebowale
Published: March 2007

A study based on a sample of 1020 individuals aged 17 years and over in five cities was undertaken for the purpose of investigating the relationship between sexual risk taking and attitudes to AIDS precautions. In line with Moore and Rosenthal (199 la) four dimensions of attitude were isolated-fatalism, antiprecautions, risk denial, abrogation of responsibilities. Three of these showed significant correlations with variety of sexual risk: multiple partnering, sex with casual partner, risk with regular partner. Results indicated that although late-adolescent students did underestimate their risks to some extent, they were also able to make some judgements about the gender-stereotypic responses to sexual situations which include unsafe sexual practices. Implications for interventions are discussed.
Evaluation of the Dispute Resolution Project in Australian Secondary Schools
Authors: Soutter Alison , McKenzie Anne
Published: March 2007

During 1994, the New South Wales Department of School Education, in collaboration with the Community Justice Centres, developed a dispute resolution project for students in secondary schools. The project was piloted in 15 schools selected on the basis that a teacher was willing to be trained as a community mediator. The establishment phase of the project was evaluated in 1995 by David Walsh whose findings were positive although the five-month time frame did not allow adequate time for definitive impact outcomes. A qualitative evaluation of the implementation stage was carried out in September 1996 followed by quantitative analysis at the beginning of 1997. This article discusses the results of the entire evaluation and the issues arising which have relevance for those setting up such programmes.
Simultaneous and Successive Cognitive Processing in Children with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities
Authors: Chow Diana , Skuy Mervyn
Published: March 2007

This study compared the performance of 19 children with nonverbal learning disabilities to a comparison group of 16 children with language learning disabilities on measures of simultaneous and successive/sequential processing on the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC). (The terms 'sequential' and 'successive' are used by different authors, so are applied interchangeably here). As hypothesized, children with nonverbal learning disabilities were found to have significantly higher Successive than Simultaneous Processing scores on the K-ABC, while children with language learning disabilities were found to have an inverse pattern of significantly higher Simultaneous than Successive Processing scores. The results suggest that different subtypes of learning disabilities can be defined through differences in cognitive processing. Further, the simultaneous-sequential/successive processing model may offer a valuable basis for conceptualizing learning disabilities in general, and nonverbal learning disabilities in particular. These findings have implications for the assessment and remediation of such learning disabilities.
Between Bytes and Bricks: Gender Cultures in Work Contexts
Authors: Poggio Barbara
Published: March 2007

In recent decades the western world has witnessed a huge increase in female labour market participation and training. Yet numerous studies report the persistence of inequalities and segregation between women and men in organizations. Analysis of the relationship between gender and organization needs to shift from numerical composition to more detailed examination of how gender is constructed in work contexts. This article discusses the results of a research study on men and women in mainly male-dominated organizations. It shows that gender is a cultural construction and is therefore produced and negotiated in different ways in different organizations. For this purpose, comparisons have been made of the symbolic order of gender of four organizational cultures characterized by profound differences in modes of production, workforce features and cultural traditions.
Trade Unions, Workers'Rights and the Frontier of Control in UK Call Centres
Authors: Taylor Philip , Bain Peter
Published: March 2007

In developing a model of call centre diversity, spanning the dimensions of quantity and quality, the article develops a critique of aspects of Frenkel et al.'s recent study of 'front line'work. Drawing upon employee survey and interview data from six UK financial sector call centres, patterns of resistance and the contrasting responses of trade unions to the experience of intensive working conditions are examined. It is argued, in conclusion, that the newly established managerial 'frontiers of control'require to be combated by new union bargaining agendas which seek to address employees'concerns at the point of production.
School and Wage Labor
Authors: Lenhardt Gero
Published: March 2007

The paper presents a criticism of the widely held assumption that the major function of schools is to educate and train indivduals and that the functioning of society depends decisively upon the school's sozialization function. The question for individual socialization is replaced by a discussion of how schools fit into the development of western society which has been described by Marx as increasing expropriation of workers and reification of society and by Max Weber as increasing bureaucratization or objectification. In the context of Marx's and Weber's theories of capitalist development three effects of the formal school system are discussed: 1. Effects of the formalization of cultural traditions upon the quality of their content. 2. Effects of the educational system as a mechanism for the distribution of knowledge. 3. Effects of the educational system as a system of social positions.
Pension Funds in the United States Issues of Investment and Control
Authors: Barber Randy
Published: March 2007

The issue of the investment and control of almost $800 billion in US pension fund assets has emerged as a major concern of American trade unionists, public officials and activists. These funds are the major source of new capital in the economy and are expected to become progressively more important over the next generation. Although the financial industry presently has almost complete control over these assets, there is a growing movement to challenge that control and develop viable and concrete alternatives to their investment priorities and practices. Efforts to create 'alternative' investment mechanisms and strategies are only in their initial stages of development, and these efforts require much more critical and supportive analysis. This paper decribes the development of the 'pension issue' in the US and presents examples of alternative investment proposals and actions.
The Effects of Token Representation on Participation in Small Decision-Making Groups
Authors: Finigan Michael
Published: March 2007

This research attempts to directly test Rosabeth Kanter's hypothesis that a numerical minority in an unbalanced sex ratio group will be inhibited in its performance in the group. The staff meetings of counseling agencies with different sex compositions were analyzed in terms of the contributions of male and female members to the group process. Three sex ratio situations were examined: male predominant groups, female predominant groups and sex ratio balanced groups. The results confirm the Kanter hypothesis for both males and females in numerical minority situations. However, the phenomenon appears most pronounced for females in male predominant groups. The author suggests some possible reasons for these results, as well as implications for the participation of women in efforts to increase industrial and economic democracy.
Workers' Co-operatives and Trade Unions: The Italian Experience
Authors: Thornley Jenny
Published: March 2007

The paper examines the influence of trade unions on workers' co-operatives in Italy both at a political level, and inside the co-operatives. Over the last ten years the unions have stimulated the conversion to co-operatives of many failed capitalist firms as a method of saving jobs. Rescue ventures are the main growth area among manufacturing co-operatives. They have created new problems for the co-operative movement but clear working relations have developed which divide conversion tasks according to the expertise of the unions and co-operative movement. Inside the Lega co-operatives the unions have failed to adapt their roles as worker representatives to suit the changing character of co-operatives.
Work and Social Character: Old and New Contours
Authors: Kern Horst , Schumann Michael
Published: March 2007

This article attempts to delineate new contours of work-consciousness presently appearing among blue-collar workers. The text contests postulates advanced by the current discussion on the value change which proclaim that workers are increasingly dissociating themselves from work in their social consciousness and behaviour and which have thus resurrected the 'instrumentalism debate' of the 1960s and 1970s. Based on their own theoretical concept of work-consciousness the theorem of a 'dual relationship to work' and on new research data regarding changing working conditions, the authors show that today's blue-collar workers may have greater opportunities and legitimization for dissociating themselves from work but that the growing attractive quality of work's new contents counteracts the urge to seize these opportunities.
Socio-Economic Changes and Political Selectivity in the Development of Industrial Democracy in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Kim Kyong-Dong
Published: March 2007

This paper examines the general assumption that economic growth and industrialization encourage industrial democracy by providing certain facilitating socio-economic environments. It is shown that such development may or may not be encouraged depending upon the nature of political selectivity with respect to policies of growth and industrial democracy despite the generally favourable socio-economic conditions generated by rapid growth. This is demonstrated by using both macroand micro-data on Korean development over the past few decades. Focus is on the role of political selectivity in either promoting or discouraging the development of industrial democracy, when such changes are perceived as threatening the political stability and survival of the regime.