bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socialization to Race and Its Relationship to Racial Identification among African Americans
Authors: Thompson Vetta L. Sanders
Published: March 2007

This study focuses on the relationship between socialization to race and the level of racial identification among African Americans. In a survey of 225 African Americans (140 females and 85 males, 18 years of age or older) participants were asked to report on the extent and content of discussions related to race in their family and the impact of these discussions on their beliefs and attitudes related to race. Racial identification was assessed using a 30-item questionnaire that assessed racial identity on four parameters: cultural, physical, sociopolitical, and psychological. The relationship offamily socialization to race and racial identification was examined. The results indicated that 79% of African American adults reported having discussed race and race relations with their parents and 85% had discussed the issue with anotherfamily member There was an association between racial socialization and racial identification on each of the four parameters. Discussions of race with family members other than parents, as well as the impact of racial socialization, were strongly associated with the level of racial identification.
Racial Self-Designation, Racial Identity, and Self-Esteem Revisited
Authors: Speight Suzette L. , Vera Elizabeth M. , Derrickson Kimberly B.
Published: March 2007

The present study examined the relationships among racial self-designation, racial identity attitudes, self-esteem, and demographic variables in a diverse sample ofM232AfricanAmericans. Reasonsfor particular racial self-designations were explored qualitatively. Results indicated significant differences in prefer-ences for particular racial labels; 41% preferred Black and 30%o preferred African American. A content analysis of reasons for preferences indicated that participants preferring the term Black primarily appeared to have no particular ideological reasonfor choosing that term. However, those participants preferring the term African American indicated reasons related to its symbolic, political, and cultural meaning. Furthermore, preencounter and immersion racial identity attitudes varied significantly, according to racial self-designation. Gender, income level, and educational level were each significantly correlated with various racial identity attitudes. The implications of the results and the limitations of the study are also discussed.
The Clarity and Confusion Offered by Historical Personal Identity Studies
Authors: Imani Nikitah Okembe-RA
Published: March 2007

This literature review and analysis focuses on the historical reference group orientation and personal identity study material done on Blacks in the United States. It argues that these studies were critically flawed in the sense that they made inappropriate assumptions about the link between the two kinds of measures that are the respectivefoci of their inquiry (i.e., personal identity and group self-esteem). As a result, their conclusions and implications, in terms of the development of psychological and sociological theories based upon their findings, constitute a major obstacle to the ultimate and accurate understanding of the processes of development of Black self-esteem and collective spirit.
Kinship Social Support and Adolescent Racial Socialization Beliefs: Extending the Self to Family
Authors: Stevenson Howard C. , Reed Jocelyn , Bodison Preston
Published: March 2007

This study explored the relationship between adolescent reports of the level of kinship support they experience as members of an extended family network and racial socialization beliefs. A large grupofAfricanAmericanadolescents(n = 229) was administered the Scale ofRacial SocializationforAdolescents (SORS-A), the Kinship Social Support Scale (KSS), and a question regarding the amount of parental communication about racism. MANOVA results indicate significant differences between adolescents with high, moderate, and low levels of kinship support across three offour SORS-A factors (i.e., spiritual and religious coping, extended family caring, and cultural pride reinforcement). These factors make up the proactive dimension of adolescent racial socialization beliefs. The protective dimension (i.e., racism awareness teaching) was nonsignificant in relationship to kinship support. Future research on the importance of the relationship of ecological networks and racial socialization attitudes is discussed.
Cross-Cultural Mentor Effectiveness and African American Male Students
Authors: Grant-Thompson Sheila K. , Atkinson Donald R.
Published: March 2007

This study examined the effects of mentor ethnicity, cultural sensitivity, and student level of cultural mistrust on perceptions of mentor credibility and cultural competence. African American men attending west coast community colleges listened to a tape-recorded mentoring session in which the faculty mentor was described as eitherAfrican American or European American and was portrayed as either culturally responsive or culturally unresponsive. Mentor ethnicity, as well as an interaction between mentor ethnicity and participant level of cultural mistrust, were found to be related to perceptions of mentor credibility/effectiveness. In addition, mentor ethnicity and cultural sensitivity were found to be related to perceptions of mentor cross-cultural competence.
The Theoretical Relationship Between Materialistic Depression and Depression: Preliminary Data and Implications for the Azibo Nosology
Authors: ya Azibo Daudi Ajani , Dixon Patricia
Published: March 2007

Materialistic depression is a culture-specific disorder of the African (Black) personality construct. Housed in the Azibo nosology, it is defined as a condition in which material goods or the lack of them serve as one's criteria for judging oneself and/or others. It is felt to be a major way that depression in contemporary Africans is expressed. A positive correlation between materialistic depression and general depression was hypothesized. Results supported the hypothesis as the correlation between materialistic depression measured by Black, Braithwaite, and Taylor's (1980) Materialistic Depression Quiz (MD Quiz) and general depression measured by Zung s Self-Rating Depression Scale was statistically significant and positive, albeit small. Th7e pattern of correlations was consistent with materialistic depression theory. Gender differences in the pattern of correlations may also be suggested. Topics covered include the construct validity of materialistic depression, the measurement and conceptualization of depression in African people, and implications,for the Azibo nosology.
School Psychology and School Psychologists
Authors: Zaki Moshe
Published: March 2007

The non-defined professional activity of the school psychologist has brought him to cope with a variety of school problems which need knowledge from other branches of psychology. Thus school psychology as a discipline becomes unclear regarding the limits of its approach and activities. This conflicting situation has been resolved in different ways: some school psychologists have insisted on a specific specialty and a restricted function of school psychology; other school psychologists have adopted a specialized and defined model in their applied activities; and still others have applied a multi-dimensional cluster of nuanced activities. Although this situation seems confused, lacking homogeneity and uniqueness, it is conceived as desirable regarding the professional development of school psychologists as practitioners, and school psychology as a discipline.
Clinical Neurophysiology in the Schools
Authors: Evans James R. , Blatchley Barbara , Speck Elizabeth , Collaer Marcia L.
Published: March 2007

Criticisms of many commonly used psycho-educational tests have stimulated interest in development of more objective and culturally less biased assessment procedures. The disciplines of neuropsychology, electrophysiology and psychophysiology use procedures which could be of value in this regard. Potential contributions of each of these disciplines are discussed. Brief descriptions are given of representative assessment tools used by clinical neuropsychologists and psychophysiologists. Several approaches to computer scored measurement of electrical activity of the brain in assessment of school learning problems are described.
The Present State of School Psychology and Perspectives on Its Development in Czechoslovakia
Authors: Hvozdik Jan
Published: March 2007

The aim of this contribution is to survey briefly the present state of school psychology in Czechoslovakia and to point out the possibilities for its development in the near future as well as in the long term. I do not intend to present an exhaustive analysis of these problems. I shall concentrate rather on the illumination of some key problems which would provide a complex picture of these problems in cross-section; namely from the theoretical point of view in the main, in the explanation of the subject and of the tasks of this psychological discipline, and from the practical point of view in the application of school psychological services.
The Identification and Counselling of Musically Gifted Individuals
Authors: Kormann Adam
Published: March 2007

There is a lack of complete and systematic results of surveys which give purposeful, concrete assistance in the early identification and counselling of potentially highly gifted children. With regard to musically highly gifted children, appropriate diagnostic methods are missing. The author reports his efforts over the last twenty years to clarify these special problems. The second section includes relevant results for psychological counselling from two research projects in progress. Finally, recommendations for schooling and education policy, methods of research and psychological counselling are discussed.
Peer-tutored Study Skills
Authors: De Jong Terry , Arnold Christopher
Published: March 2007

The development and use of a student-centred method for promoting good study skills is described. The student-centred course has been used by one group of trained students to assist younger students identified as having had difficulties in some areas of school work. The students' own comments are included.
Retention Control Training for Nocturnal Enuresis: A Case Study
Authors: Bonser Sandra , Jupp Jim , Hewson Daphne
Published: March 2007

A 13-year-old girl with nocturnal enuresis which had not previously been controlled using a number of different approaches, was treated using Retention Control Training, designed to increase the functional capacity of her bladder. During treatment the frequency of her evening enuretic episodes decreased and she commenced voluntary night-time independent toileting.
Developmental Strategies in Hungarian School Psychology
Authors: Katona Nora , Szito Imre
Published: March 2007

After World War II psychology as a science was banned from the Hungarian universities. It made its comeback in the early 1960s, and then mainly experimental psychology was taught. In the early 1980s the medical model of psychological services come to the forefront. Although it was very helpful in furthering psychological culture in its own time, the medical model of services became an obstacle in the way of promoting newer, social psychological and ecological viewpoints and putting them to use. The demand to modernize education makes it timely to deal with the question of school psychology. Society expects that as a result of improvements in the quality of work in educational institutions, the cultural disparity stemming from sociocultural disadvantages will be reduced. Moreover, it seems important, as well, to consider the individual cognitive style and learning rate of every school student. These challenges make the upgrading of psychological culture in schools an inevitable demand.
Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Dupaul George J.
Published: March 2007

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common problem among school-aged children wherein a student exhibits significant difficulties with attention span, impulse control and activity level. Since children with ADHD often display these symptoms on a chronic basis resulting in impaired behavior control and academic productivity, the classroom environment must be modified to enhance their adjustment. Several contingency management procedures for teacher use are briefly discussed in this paper including token reinforcement programs, contingency contracting, response cost, time-out from positive reinforcement and home-based contingency management programs. When used in conjunction with other treatment modalities (e.g. stimulant medication, parent training in behavior modification), these classroom intervention strategies often lead to significant improvements in on-task behavior, work completion, behavioral control and accuracy on academic assignments.
Prevention of Teenage Suicidal Behaviour in Hong Kong
Authors: Tse John W.L. , Bagley Christopher , Hoi-Wah Mak
Published: March 2007

In Hong Kong, teachers, social workers, school counsellors and parents are faced with frequent incidents of suicide and attempted suicide. These crisis events have now reached epidemic proportions in children and adolescents. It is crucial to identify and offer timely intervention to those most likely to attempt suicide. Despite the urgent intervention required to cope with teenage suicidal behaviour, no school-based prevention programmes have been developed in Hong Kong. The Health Intervention Training-Mutual Aid Network (HIT-MAN), developed by the present authors, aims to identify students who may be at risk from suicidal behaviour in particular, the expression of suicidal ideas. HIT-MAN is a specifically designed social network set up in a school with the primary purpose of promoting positive mental health through mutual support among students. The programme is a student-centred approach which addresses students' needs with a minimum input from existing teachers and other caring professionals. Through the formal development of groups of buddies, students are given opportunities to develop positive attitudes towards life and give each other much-needed friendly support. At present, it is difficult for teachers to detect at-risk students. In terms of suicide prevention, HIT-MAN is an early detection and early intervention approach. In addition to being a programme aimed at preventing suicide, HIT-MAN is also a way of helping students to develop positive peer cultures, using techniques which complement Hong Kong students' preference for group activities.
Cross-Cultural Study of the Structure and Level of Multidimensional Self-Concepts in Secondary School Students
Authors: Mboya Mzobanzi M.
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this study was to compare responses to the Self-Description Inventory (SDI) by black and white adolescent boys and girls. Data were collected from 1128 adolescents attending four co-educational high schools in Cape Town, South Africa. Separate factor analyses of responses by black and white adolescents all clearly identified the eight SDI factors. The results indicated that black adolescents scored significantly higher than their white counterparts in global self-concept, general school, physical appearance and music ability self-concepts; while for the physical abilities and emotional stability self-concepts the direction was reversed. Boys scored significantly higher than girls in global self-concept, relations with family, physical abilities, physical appearance, music ability and health selfconcepts; while for the general school and emotional stability self-concepts the direction was reversed.
Relationships among Demographics, Social Support, Job Satisfaction and Burnout among School Psychologists
Authors: Huebner E. Scott
Published: March 2007

This study examines the relationships among demographic variables, social support levels, global job satisfaction and burnout dimensions in a sample of school psychologists employed as practitioners in school settings. The results indicate that social support is associated with school psychologists' self-perceived burnout and job satisfaction. Specifically, support from supervisors (namely, friends, spouse or co-workers) is the most influential contributor to school psychologists' well-being. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
L.S. Vygotsky as the Founder of a New Approach to Instruction
Authors: Karpov Yuriy V.
Published: March 2007

L. Vygotsky formulated the concept of 'development-generating learning' that was later elaborated by his disciples and followers. According to this concept, school instruction from the very beginning should be based on a process of supplying students with the systems of general essential knowledge in certain fields. This knowledge is acquired by students in the course of specially organized activity aimed at mastery and internalization of the processes underlying this knowledge. It was shown in a number of research projects that the Vygotskian approach to instruction ensures a high level of acquisition and transfer of knowledge, and facilitates the students' cognitive development.
Israeli Children's Responses to the Stress of the Gulf War
Authors: Klingman Avigdor
Published: March 2007

This preliminary study attempted to examine responses of Israeli children to the Gulf War one year later. It involved 431 eighth and twelfth grade students from two areas of high risk that were bombarded by missiles. The students were administered four selfreport questionnaires related to their current (one year after the war) general concerns, current stress responses attributed to the war and State-Trait anxiety. No war-related symptoms were noted, except sensitivity to loud noises (reported by about 22 percent of the respondents). The results indicated a noted difference on the various measures as a function of gender, age and proximity. Theoretical and practical implications for community-wide intervention approach are discussed.
Children's Reports of Their Life Satisfaction
Authors: Gilman Rich , Huebner E. Scott
Published: March 2007

Two studies investigated the properties of a children's subjective well-being measure, the Student's Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS), with middle school students. The first study explored convergent and discriminant validity utilizing multitrait-multimethod analyses. The second study investigated the temporal stability of children's life satisfaction reports over a 4-week period and the comparability of their reports across frequency and extent response formats. Children's life satisfaction reports correlated significantly with parents' ratings, providing evidence of convergent validity. Discriminant validity was also demonstrated. Moderate temporal stability was shown. However, scores across the different response formats were not interchangeable and revealed different correlates. The latter findings suggested that different response formats may tap different psychological constructs.
Another Look at Occupational Stressors among School Psychologists
Authors: Huebner E. Scott , Mills Lane B.
Published: March 2007

School psychologists in a Southeastern state were surveyed on two occasions regarding their perceptions of various occupational stressors using the School Psychologists and Stress Inventory (Wise, 1985). Modified instructions were used to elicit actual (vs expected) levels of distress associated with each of the 35 items. The results revealed a different factor structure, different weightings of stress levels for particular job stressors, and different relationships with demographic variables. Seven-month stability estimates varied considerably, with some occupational stressors demonstrating substantial stability. Items related to organizational resources were rated as most stressful. Recommendations for future research and implications for practice were discussed.
Validation of the Self-Description Questionnaire-II with an American Sample
Authors: Gilman Rich , Laughlin James E. , Huebner E. Scott
Published: March 2007

The psychometric properties of the Self-Description Ques tionnaire-II (SDQ-II) were assessed with an American middle school sample comprising 291 students. Results revealed acceptable internal consistency and four-week stability coefficients for all domain scores and the Total score of the instrument. The results of confirmatory factor analyses supported the convergent validity of the SDQ-II. Although the hypothesized factor structure provided a reasonable fit to the data, the relatively high intercorrelations among some of the SDQ-II scales raised issues related to discriminant validity. Implications of the findings for future research with American children are discussed.
Industrial Democracy and Institutional Environments: A Comparison of Germany and Taiwan
Authors: Han Tzu-Shian , Chiu Su-fen
Published: March 2007

Facing economic liberalization and industrial restructuring since the mid-1980s, Taiwan's labour has been advocating the idea of industrial democracy. The German co-determination system has been admired as a model to emulate by some of Taiwan's labour activists. Although the demand for workplace democracy in Taiwan seems to be promising given recent economic pressures and political democratization, the future realization of this notion remains in doubt due to the lack of complementary institutional environments in which the German co-determination system is embedded. This article identifies seven key institutional factors affecting the making of industrial democracy, which consist of cultural values and ideologies, labour power, strategies of capital, the role of the state, the legal system, participatory structures and labour education. Using a historical comparative approach, this article compares the differences in these institutional factors and explains the relative effectiveness of the realization of industrial democracy between these two societies.
Scandinavian Transformations: Labour Markets, Politics and Gender Divisions
Authors: Ellingscbter Anne Lise
Published: March 2007

How robust are the Scandinavian models of women's labour market integration at a time of increasing external pressures? Scandinavia has had the record of the highest employment rates among women in the industrialized world, which has traditionally been explained by Scandinavian countries' particular political-institutional models. This article analyses continuity and change in gender divisions in employment, unemployment and flexible work forms in Denmark, Norway and Sweden in the turbulent 1990s, and discusses these patterns in relation to (re)configurations of policy frameworks.
Edwards Revisited: Technical Control and Call Centres
Authors: Callaghan George , Thompson Paul
Published: March 2007

Call centres represent a new strategy by capital to reduce unit labour costs. While this strategy has been applied to many different types of work, it is particularly successful in cutting costs in routine interactive service encounters. Telebank, the case study research site, is one of four integrated call centres throughout the UK. Data collection includes taped semi-structured interviews with customer service representatives and managers as well as non-participant observation of recruitment, training and the labour process. This article argues that management has developed a new form of structural control. Theoretically this draws heavily on Edwards's concept of technical control, but not only is this shown to be extended and modified, it is also combined with bureaucratic control, which influences the social structure of the workplace. Contrary to Edwards such systems are not distinct; rather they are blended together in the process of institutionalizing control. Part of the rationale for this is to camouflage control, to contain conflict by making control a product of the system rather than involving direct confrontation between management and workers. Despite such attempts the struggle for transforming labour power into profitable labour remains, and the article ends by exploring confrontation between workers and managers and worker agency more generally.
Trade Union Responses to the Contemporary Economic Problems in Western Europe: The Context of Current Debates and Policies in the Federal Republic of Germany
Authors: Markovits Andrei S. , Allen Christopher S.
Published: March 2007

Unions in most advanced capitalist societies have faced new challenges as a consequence of the lasting economic crisis since the mid-1970s. This rather unsettling situation has called for a strategic and conceptual reorientation on the part of most organized labor movements, including the West German. Although still very much in the stage of general formulation, the unions are in the process of rethinking their priorities in the area of collective bargaining, their relationship to the state and political parties, and their view of technology and economic growth; in short, we are witnessing a period of the reevaluation of previously-held positions. In specific, our paper focuses on this formative period in connection with economic policy in West Germany and analyzes the strident debates which have transpired in the daily formulation of actual strategies. Concretely, we delineate the unions' conceptions in opposition to the dominant theories in the West German political economy and highlight additional important intra-union debates. As evident in our brief description of the 'Memorandum' debates, these processes are far from being merely 'academic' and have decisive immediate implications upon the politics of West German unions and their role in German society.
Self-Management and Urban Service Delivery in Yugoslavia
Authors: Swierczek Fredric William
Published: March 2007

There has been a dilemma developing in public service delivery in the urbanl sectors of advanced industrial societies. This dilemma concernis efficiency of delivery and effectiveness of delivery. The efficiency conisiderations of service delivery often require an economy of scale in order to maximize efficiency. The increasing scale of organization often means larger organizations are more distant from the public being served. This is the essential conflict of efficiency with effectiveness because effectiveness is measured by citizen satisfaction. Increased efficiency has the paradoxical impact of reducing citizen satisfactioll. This occurs because the opportunities to be involved in the directioni of public services are reduced. In Yugoslavia this dilemma has been recognized and a tlumber of innovationls have been developed in order to both increase the efficiency and enhanice the effectiveness of public services in the urban sector. The basis for these innovations has been increased participation. This paper will exanline the various forms of participation in the urban sector of Yugoslavia and tlheir inmpact.
Politics and the Organization of Work in France and the Federal Republic of Germany: A Comparison
Authors: Kissler Leo , Sattel Ulrike
Published: March 2007

This study sets out the political and economic background to the governmental activities which, in both countries and in conjunction with both entrepreneurs and trade unions, were brought into action during the 1970s to improve the organization of work. The problems that confront the representatives of the various interests as a result of these measures for the organization of work both at, and above, the level of the individual plant are discussed in detail: namely, the narrowness of the possibilities of exerting influence; the effects of increasing legislative regulation; the lack of competence in judging technological changes and their social effects; the ambivalence of corporate inclusion brought about by governmental measures. The lack of grass-roots democratic coupling of trade union work to the 'interests of the workers themselves, which is discernible in both countries has been remedied at least, formally in France. The employees' right of direct say concerning their working conditions, which was introduced by the Auroux Laws of 1982, offers the chance of a more participatory organization of work.
Structural Discrimination Against Foreigners and Work-related
Authors: Risks Health , Oppen Maria
Published: March 2007

During the last decade it has become obvious that the health status of migrant workers is decreasing dramatically despite thorough medical examinations in their home countries. The debate on this problem usually refers to factors such as 'migration strain', 'lack or unwillingness to integrate' or 'cultural distance', which are said to be the causes of the poor health condition. On the contrary, the thesis is presented here that the discriminating working (and living) conditions of migrant workers in the FRG lead to a higher level of illness episodes of this group in comparison to the German workforce. The structure of the migrant workforce is characterized by a certain allocation to unskilled jobs with lower qualification and income levels, higher physical and psychosocial workload and high rates of unemployment, which is considered as an additional health risk. This leads to the conclusion that we will have to deal with increasing health problems and resulting costs unless migrant policies lead to more structural integration. According to this aim, legal rights should be set up for security of residence and equal opportunities on the labour market for migrant workers. These are prerequisite to active participation in work and personal efforts towards integration.
Aggressive Economism, Defensive Control: Contours of American Labour Militancy, 1947-81
Authors: Wallace Michael
Published: March 2007

This paper argues that important dynamics of class relations can be revealed by the analysis of strike patterns. A theoretically informed analysis of disaggregated American strike data by issue, industrial sector, contract status and duration between 1947 and 1981 suggests that American labour militancy has displayed a somewhat contradictory pattern of 'aggressive economism and defensive control'. The role of the postwar accord between capital and labour, and the segmentation of the industrial structure into monopoly and competitive sectors, are seen as key structural determinants of this pattern. The emergence of the 'worker insurgency' of the late 1960s and the 1970s is seen as a rank-and-file response to the increasingly narrow economic focus of the capital-labour accord and an attack upon management, union leadership and, implicitly, the state.
Supporting Industrial Cooperatives in Developing Countries: Some Tanzanian Experiences
Authors: Abell Peter
Published: March 2007

This paper draws upon both case-study and statistical materials, gathered in Tanzania, in an attempt to determine how industrial producer cooperatives might be promoted. A logistic pattern of cooperative growth is tested and found to dominate a view that the number of coops grows because of support organizations. Drawing upon an ecological model it is suggested that the factor which limits growth is the availability of management and, further, that the growth of the competing 'small-scale sector' is at the expense of the cooperative sector. Management nurtured in the cooperative sector moves into the small-scale sector. Case-study analysis using a Boolean analysis suggests that legitimate and capable management are essential to success of cooperatives particularly with technologies which generate production interdependencies. Finally, supporting evidence for the significance of management competence and interdependence in explaining performance is outlined using an augmented CobbDouglas production function framework.
Can Management Control Health and Safety at Work?
Authors: Frick Kaj
Published: March 2007

The reforms of the 1970s have not improved health and safety in Swedish industry. Joint safety councils are more active but still have little influence on the production and thus on the working conditions. A case-study shows that in 'good' factories management uphold the ordinances and remove many simple hazards but do not cope with more complex and deeply rooted risks. The main problem in health and safety work (HSW) is not money but that the control-system of the production is not created and directed to improve the working environment. Therefore the management has a narrow scope and an inefficient organization of HSW.
Gender, Ethnicity and Technological Change
Authors: Knocke Wuokko
Published: March 2007

This article explores the work experiences of women and men, all immigrants, at one of Volvo's largest car assembly plants. It poses questions about what happens to them in the process of technological change and how they interpret their situation. Starting with a critical assessment of theories on the new organization of work from a gender and ethnic perspective, the study analyses the effects of gendered and ethnicized thinking in the work process. By comparing the work experiences of Finnish and Yugoslav women and men with regard to work situation, internal skill and career development in the context of technological change, a gendered and ethnic pattern emerges. The results indicate that gendered values exclude women immigrants from opportunities inherent in technological change, irrespective of their particular ethnic origin. Immigrant men, on the other hand, are selectively affected by obstacles to career development, by different sets of ethnic prejudice that have developed.
Statutory Regulation and Workers' Competence: The Influence of Dutch Works Councils on the Introduction of New Technology
Authors: Tijdens Kea , van Klaveren Maarten
Published: March 2007

A repeated survey carried out among Dutch works councils revealed a lower degree of involvement in technological decisionmaking than four years earlier, as well as a lower perception of their influence. In all probability, decreased influence related to decreased attention. Their statutory rights are not linked explicitly with the introduction of new technology. Other elements of workers' competence have not been developed enough to give works councils a firm position in design processes, although statistical analysis showed that active councils are able to exert influence, supported by adequate disclosure of information. Yet, many works councils set out to strive for direct influence over organizational change. Where such change is subject to statutory regulation, this can be an appropriate strategy to control major constraints concerning technological change.
Employee Ownership, Participation and Workplace Safety: A Response to Grunberg, Moore and Greenberg
Authors: Kardas Peter A.
Published: March 2007

This article questions assumptions from a 1996 article in Economic and Industrial Democracy on employee ownership and workplace safety and reviews findings about the safety performance of firms in Washington state and Canada. There is also discussion about the economic performance of employee-owned companies in relation to their competitors. Researchers are cautioned not to assume an equation between employee ownership and high levels of worker participation. The article concludes with a discussion of what might be required to successfully change company practices so that safer workplaces can be created.
Financial Participation in Europe-Determinants and Outcomes
Authors: Festing Marion , Groening Yvonne , Kabst Rudiger , Weber Wolfgang
Published: March 2007

This article's objective is to analyse determinants and outcomes of financial participation in Europe. It starts off with a definition of the instruments, a review of the literature in the field of financial participation and a discussion on the relevance of financial participation in selected European countries. Choosing a rather inductive approach, the authors develop a model for financial participation. Based on the Cranfield data, the significance of the variables used in the model is tested. Union density, number of employees, public limited company status, geographical market and policy regarding pay and benefits came out as significant determinants for financial participation at company level. The environment, however, also bears influence. Organizations in Germany, France, Great Britain and Sweden show significantly different practices. Employee share ownership and profit sharing cannot only increase financial performance but also allow for efficient human resource management. Profit sharing increases profits and decreases absenteeism as well as staff turnover. The findings for employee share ownership are not that straightforward.
Employee Buyouts and Industrial Relations under Employee Ownership: A Case Study of Karabuk Steel Mill
Authors: Yildirim Engin
Published: March 2007

This article examines the employee buyout process and industrial relations under employee ownership from a Turkish perspective based on the case study of the Karabuk steel mill. It suggests that external factors, namely government support and strong community links, together with internal improvements in management and union initiative have contributed to the viability of the employee buyout. Workers' attempts to take over ailing public enterprises are a pragmatic response to industrial closure in order to save their jobs. Neither the government nor the union and workers have paid attention to the issue of employee participation in decison-making. Union involvement in management through the board seems not to have been well received by some union members because they identify union with management.
Thinking about Self-Efficacy
Authors: Cervone Daniel
Published: March 2007

People’s perceptions of their capabilities for performance, or self-efficacy perceptions, are a cognitive mechanism underlying behavioral change. This article addresses three questions in the study of perceived self-efficacy: Do self-efficacy perceptions generalize across situations? Do affective states influence perceived self-efficacy? Do people have a singular level of perceived self-efficacy in any domain, or are there multiple aspects to self-efficacy perception? These questions are answered by analyzing the cognitive processes through which people appraise their efficacy for performance. The research reviewed indicates that (a) self-efficacy perceptions generalize across idiosyncratic sets of situations relating to schematic personal attributes; (b) induced negative mood does not reliably influence perceived self-efficacy but does raise performance standards, creating efficacy-standards discrepancies; (c) distinct aspects of selfefficacy appraisal can be organized by distinguishing between perceived self-efficacy for executing strategies and for attaining goals.
A Review of Behavioral Treatments used for Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome
Authors: Olson Lynn , Houlihan Daniel
Published: March 2007

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is a genetic disorder resulting in hyperuricemia, choreoathetosis, mental retardation, and self-mutilation. The most salient feature of this disorder is the self-injurious behavior (SIB). Although the utility of behavioral interventions with SIB has been well documented, behavioral interventions with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome have been limited in number and long-term success. This article reviews the behavioral treatments that have been used in treating individuals with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of these methods. Suggestions for future directions in the use of behavioral interventions for controlling SIB in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome are provided.
Satisfaction of Parents with Their Conduct-Disordered and Substance-Abusing Youth
Authors: Donohue Brad , De Cato Leah A. , Azrin Nathan H. , Teichner Gordon A.
Published: March 2007

This study examined parental satisfaction (using the Parent Satisfaction With Youth Scale) in 132 parents of adolescents who were dually diagnosed with conduct disorder/oppositional defiant disorder and drug abuse/dependence. Results indicated parental satisfaction did not vary as a function of age, ethnic minority status, or gender. Parents of younger youth were generally more dissatisfied than parents of older adolescents although younger youth were no more delinquent than older youth. These results suggest that parents of delinquent youth become tolerant of their children”s behavior problems with time. As expected, parents were most dissatisfied with their youth”s use of drugs, illicit behavior, school performance, and response to discipline. Parents who endorsed lower levels of satisfaction reported their youth engaged in more pronounced levels of problem behavior and more drug use than did parents who were relatively more satisfied with their youth. Study implications and future directions are discussed.
Satisfaction of Conduct-Disordered and Substance-Abusing Youth with Their Parents
Authors: De Cato Leah A. , Donohue Brad , Azrin Nathan H. , Teichner Gordon A.
Published: March 2007

Conduct-disordered and substance-abusing adolescents (N = 132) completed the Youth Happiness With Parent Scale (YHPS). The YHPS measures youth happiness with parental behaviors across 11 domains (e.g., communication, chores, and discipline) as well as a single item reflecting overall happiness. Results indicated that youth satisfaction did not vary as a function of parents’ or youths’ age, ethnic minority status, or gender. Although youth were relatively dissatisfied with their parents across behavioral domains (particularly illegal behaviors, drug use, school conduct, and alcohol use), they were fairly satisfied with their parents overall. Youth happiness with parental behaviors was negatively related to externalizing but not internalizing behavioral problems of the youth. Study implications and future directions are discussed in light of the results.
Food Selectivity and Problem Behavior in Children with Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Levin Len , Carr Edward G.
Published: March 2007

Excessive food selectivity typifies some children with developmental disabilities.We conducted functional analyses to determine the controlling variables for problem behavior that accompanied food selectivity and analyzed the role of establishing operations in ameliorating food selectivity. Specifically, we studied the differential effects on intervention efficacy of an individual’s having or not having access to preferred food items prior to an intervention that involved the presence versus absence of a positive reinforcement contingency applied to food consumption. Participants displayed significantly more problem behavior during the nonpreferred-foods condition. Participants consumed nonpreferred target food items only when prior access to preferred foods was limited and a positive reinforcement contingency was implemented. Functional analysis suggested that problem behavior was maintained by negative reinforcement. Intervention data suggested that establishing operations increased the efficacy of the contingency-based intervention. The implications of applying this intervention in the community were discussed as were the relative merits of stimulus fading versus escape extinction intervention strategies.
Parent Behavioral Training to Modify Child Noncompliance
Authors: Forehand Rex , Sturgis Ellie T. , McMahon Robert J. , Aguar Dian , Green Kenneth , Wells Karen C. , Breiner Jeri
Published: March 2007

Two experiments examined temporal and setting generality of treatment effects resulting from parent behavior training. In Experiment I, pretreatment, post-treatment, 6 month follow-up, and 12 month follow-up data were collected in the home by independent observers. Subjects were 10 mother-child pairs who had been referred for treatment for the child's noncompliance. All treatment occurred in a clinic setting. The results indicated that parent and child behavior changes and parent perceptions of child behavior change that were achieved by treatment were maintained during follow-up. In Experiment II, eight children and their mothers were treated in a clinic setting for the child's noncompliance. Data were collected before and after treatment in the home and in each child's school by independent observers. School data were also collected for untreated control children. In the home of the treated children both parent and child behaviors and parent perceptions of child behavior changed in the predicted direction. No significant change occurred in the school behavior of the children treated at home or the control children.
Increasing and Maintaining Rates of Teacher Praise
Authors: Gross Alan M. , Ekstrand Maria
Published: March 2007

This study investigated the effects of public posting of feedback on the praising behavior of teachers in a classroom for handicapped children. In an ABABCA design, following baseline, the daily rate of teacher praise was posted on a graph in the classroom. To reduce the reactive effects of monitoring, observations of teacher behavior were made using random audio tape recordings. Additionally, public posting feedback was gradually faded in an attempt to facilitate maintenance. The procedure resulted in an increase in teacher praise to a rate nearly twice what was observed during baseline. This behavior change was maintained after the withdrawal of the treatment procedures. The implications of this method are discussed.
Self-Exposure Treatment of Agoraphobia
Authors: Frame Cynthia L. , Turner Samuel M. , Jacob Rolf G. , Szekely Barbara
Published: March 2007

The present case illustrates the technique of self-exposure as a treatment for agoraphobia. The patient was a 35-year old female with a 14-year history of agoraphobic symptoms. A battery of standardized assessment instruments, as well as the patient's self-report, indicated moderately high levels of anxiety, depression, and fears during baseline. Treatment consisted of daily exposure sessions of one to three hours duration, which the patient planned with the therapist but performed independently. Results indicated that self-exposure was an effective and inexpensive treatment strategy for reducing anxiety, avoidance behaviors, and associated depressive complaints. Treatment gains were maintained at an 18-month follow-up.
An Empirical Definition of Elementary School Adjustment
Authors: McConnell Scott R. , Strain Phillip S. , Kerr Mary Margaret , Stagg Vaughan , Lenkner Donna A. , Lambert Deborah L.
Published: March 2007

As a first step in the identification of functional skills required for successful adjustment in elementary school, 130 kindergarten through fifth-grade students participated in a naturalistic descriptive investigation. Of the children studied, 55 were identified by teachers as "not making a good social adjustment to school" (low rated) and 75 were identified as "making a good social adjustment to school" (high rated). These two groups were compared on 15 dependent variables selected to provide a broad-based assessment of school adjustment. Measures were drawn from direct observations in academic and nonacademic settings, self-reports, and assessments of academic achievement. In addition to correlational analyses replicating earlier findings, the results indicate that the two groups differed significantly on the overall assessment of school adjustment variables, and that this overall effect was due to specific differences on six measures.
The Acceptability of Electric Shock Programs
Authors: Spreat Scott , Lipinski David , Dickerson Rick , Nass Robert , Dorsey Michael
Published: March 2007

Vignette methodology was used to assess factors associated with decisions regarding the acceptability of treatment programs involving Response Contingent Electric Shock. Ninety-four mental retardation professionals each reviewed unique vignettes that described a program involving the use of electric shock to consequate some form of behavior. They then were asked to rate three related acceptability dimensions with regard to the vignette. The use of Response Contingent Electric Shock was rated as more appropriate if the behavior was a serious behavior, occurred frequently, and had been unresponsive to less intrusive methods of therapy.