bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transmission of the Communicative Competence: Genetic, Cultural, When, and How?
Authors: Papouŝek Hanuŝ
Published: September 2007

Several recent contributions from various disciplines have improved the interpretation of determinants influencing the interrelated processes of speech acquisition, and cognitive and emotional development. The existence of precursors of abstract symbolisation and of words in the animal world suggest a continuity in the evolution of communicative capacities. In man, evolution has not only favoured a specific precocity in communicative development in infants, but also the co‐evolution of a species‐specific environmental support for speech acquisition in caretakers. Thus, speech acquisition results from both biogenetic predispositions and environmental support as it becomes evident in micro‐analysis of parent‐infant interactions and experimental verifications. The preverbal period of communicative development appears in a new light from theoretical and clinical views.
Discussion
Authors: Deleau M.
Published: September 2007

The discussion is focused on implicit assumptions underlying references to 'sociocognitive' aspects of child's development. It is argued that general characateristics of cognitive development (or of parental competence) cannot be viewed as 'universal' and inherited, even if they can be found in different cultures, but have to be analyzed taking into consideration properties of social communication in their psychological epigenesis. The question is raised of understanding why cognitive development models—even 'socio'‐cognitive ones—let such a minor status to social factors in the constitution of mental activity.
Managing Cultural Diversity: North‐American Experiences and Suggestions for the German Unification Process
Authors: Moghaddam Fathali M.
Published: September 2007

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the usefulness of thinking of assimilation and multiculturalism as strategies for managing cultural diversity. The illustrative case is Germany and its recent unification. These contrasting strategies have been most extensively explored in North America, and these experiences are reviewed through a discussion of the different forms that assimilation and multiculturalism take and the psychological underpinnings each involves. The recent shift in emphasis from assimilation to multiculturalism in Western societies is highlighted, leading to the conclusion that a fundamental contradiction exists between the ideals of meritocracy that pervade these societies and the ideals of collective multiculturalism.
Relations interculturelles de jeu à l'école élémentaire: une étude en contexte québécois hors de Montréal
Authors: Chiasson Nicole , Proulx Jacques , Charbonneau Claude
Published: September 2007

Dans le but de connaître la généralisation de données recueillies auprès d'enfants américains de race blanche et de race noire, cette recherche a porté sur la tendance d'enfants québécois francophones de lre, 3e et 4e années du primaire à partager leurs jeux avec les 25% d'enfants d'origines asiatique et latino‐américaine de leur classe. S'aidant d'une photo du groupe, chaque sujet pouvait indiquer tous les enfants avec qui il aime ou n'aime pas jouer à la récréation. Outre une préférence pour les relations de même sexe, les résultats montrent, comme dans les études antérieures, une tendance, chez les Québécois, à partir de la troisième année, à créer des réseaux de relations où les néo‐Québécois n'ont pas toute leur place. Par contre, ces derniers ne sont pas rejetés et bien peu d'enfants québécois les excluent complètement. Ces données sont mises en relation avec les caractéristiques générales de la population québécoise.
Marital Maladjustment and the Crime of Murder Among Pakistani Female Criminals
Authors: Tariq Pervaiz Naeem , Anila
Published: September 2007

This study explores marital maladjustment as concomittantly related to female crimes such as murder and running away from home. Seventy female convicts were interviewed in depth on variables indicating marital maladjustment. The variables were: Sharp disparity between the ages of husbands and wives, early marriage, husband's other wife, exchange marriage, forced marriage, problems with in‐laws, husband's extra‐marital relations and severe conflicts with husbands. The findings indicate that marital maladjustment is an important factor behind criminal acts commited by women in Pakistan. The two most frequent of these are murder and running away from home. Results have been discussed in terms of the peculiar cultural conditions existing in Pakistan. The implications of social reform are suggested and the need for adopting a helpful attitude towards women before and after their criminal acts is stressed.
Assessing the Problem‐solving Appraisal of Black South African Students
Authors: Pretorius T. B.
Published: September 2007

The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) as used with black South African students. Furthermore the construct validity of the PSI was assessed by comparing self‐appraised effective and ineffective problem‐solvers in terms of dispositional characteristics and psychological health. Subjects (N=212) were undergraduate psychology students at a South African University. The results indicated that: (1) the PSI was a reliable instrument for use with Black South African students, and (2) that self‐appraised ineffective problem‐solvers reported lower self‐esteem and personal competence, and higher levels of depression and anxiety than self‐appraised effective problem‐solvers.
Psychological and Socio‐cultural Adjustment during Cross‐cultural Transitions: A Comparison of Secondary Students Overseas and at Home
Authors: Ward Colleen , Kennedy Antony
Published: September 2007

The study further explores the distinction of psychological and socio‐cultural adjustment during cross‐cultural transitions. One hundred and seventy‐eight New Zealand American Field Service (AFS) students residing in 23 different countries completed questionnaires which contained assessments of the following: Personality (extraversion and locus of control); life changes (Social Readjustment Rating Questionnaire); homesickness, cultural distance, acculturation (cultural identity and cultural integration—separation); attitudes toward host country; language ability; amount of contact with host and co‐nationals; relationship satisfaction with co‐nationals, host nationals and host family; and outcome measures of socio‐cultural (social difficulty) and psychological adjustment (Profile of Mood States). Stepwise regressions revealed that homesickness, external locus of control, life changes, and social difficulty accounted for 55% of the variance in psychological adjustment. In contrast, cultural distance, language ability, satisfaction with host national contact, cultural separation and mood disturbance explained 52% of the variance in socio‐cultural adaptation. In the second part of the research, psychological and socio‐cultural adjustment of AFS students was compared with a sample of 142 home‐based New Zealand secondary school students. Although there were no significant differences in psychological adjustment between the two groups, the students who were resident abroad experienced greater socio‐cultural difficulties than the students resident in New Zealand (P < 0.0005), and, as hypothesized, the correlation between psychological and socio‐cultural adjustment was significantly greater in the home‐based students compared to the AFS group (P < 0.0001).
Indigenization of Psychology: Empirical Assessment of Progress in Indian Research
Authors: Adair John G. , Puhan Biranchi N. , Vohra Neharika
Published: September 2007

The development of an indigenous psychology has generally been documented by examples of indigenous constructs and conceptual analyses of their emergence. In contrast, the present article proposes an empirical approach. Indigenization is conceived as a gradual process that may be operationalized, and measured by content analysis of journal articles as the discipline develops and changes. Measures are proposed to assess the extent to which the concepts, problems, hypotheses, methods, and tests: (a) emanate from, (b) adequately represent, and (c) reflect back upon, the cultural context in which behaviour is observed. Application of these to 355 empirical and 31 theoretical articles from Indian journals and 39 foreign empirical articles published by Indian psychologists, indicates some slight movement toward an indigenous discipline, and some interesting relationships that assist in understanding its development. Factors contributing to indigenization and the utility of the empirical approach are discussed.
“Hot” and “Cold”: Classification and Sorting Among the Yupno of Papua New Guinea
Authors: Wassmann Jürg , Dasen Pierre R.
Published: September 2007

The authors advocate a combination of ethnographic and psychological methods: Cognitive processes and the social distribution of knowledge are to be studied not only through the collective representations derived from interviews with key informants, but through behaviour observations in everyday settings, as well as specifically designed tasks, in order to observe problem solving more directly.

The collaboration between an anthropologist and a psychologist is illustrated in a study of classification among the Yupno of Papua New Guinea. Their world‐view classifies everything into three states: “hot”, “cold”, and “cool”. Only experts (sorcerers) can manipulate these states. After an ethnographic description of this classification system, a sorting task was given to six samples of Yupno subjects. Only the sorcerers used the abstract category of “hot/cold” explicitly; the other older adults used it implicitly through function, whereas schooling induced sorting by colour. These findings call into question the anthropological and developmental status of classifying by taxonomy.
Pieces of Minds in Psycholinguistics: Steven Pinker, Kenneth Wexler, and Noam Chomsky A Series of Interviews Conducted by Jean A. Rondal
Authors: Rondal Jean A.
Published: September 2007

This is the third of a series of interviews featuring Steven Pinker, Noam Chomsky, and Kenneth Wexler, three giant figures in the fields of linguistics, psycholinguistics, and cognitive science. The first two interviews appeared in earlier issues of this journal (Vol. 28, Issue 4, pp. 459–480; Vol. 29, Issue 1, pp. 85–104).

Kenneth Wexler teaches and does his experimental work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is well known for his innovative work on language learnability (i.e. the problem of how correct linguistic representations can be attained given the limited data available to the child), which has led to considerable changes in linguistic and psycholinguistic theories and research orientations. More recently, Professor Wexler (in association with Hagit Borer) developed what they call a maturation theory of syntax, suggesting basically, in opposition to the continuity hypothesis, that the formal principles available to the child to fix his grammar mature (i.e. different principles are available at different stages of development).

In the interview, Kenneth Wexler speaks about his learnability work, its origins, and how he sees linguistic and psycholinguistic research and theories today. He comments on questions about his maturational point of view in syntax development.

The interview took place in Irvine (California) in May of 1988, and was subsequently revised. I am very grateful to Ken Wexler for his kind collaboration. Along with the text of the interview, the reader will find some information on Professor Wexler's background as well as a selected list of his publications.
Approaches to Learning of Nigerian Secondary School Children: Emic and Etic Perspectives
Authors: Watkins David , Akande Adebowale
Published: September 2007

Two studies are reported which explore the approach to learning of Nigerian secondary school pupils from both emic and etic perspectives. In the first study, 150 14–16‐year‐olds were asked to provide open‐ended answers to the question “What do you mean by learning?” Content analysis identified learning conceptions similar to those found in Western studies which are thought to underlie deep and surface approaches to learning. The second study investigates the reliability and validity of a Western‐developed instrument, the Learning Process Questionnaire, for 265 14–16‐year‐old Nigerian children. The findings based on internal consistency reliability estimates, scale factor analysis, and hypothesized correlations with other variables were generally encouraging. Tentative comparisons of the approach to learning of these Nigerians with same‐aged Australian, Nepalese, Hong Kong, and Filipino children questioned the stereotype of Third‐World learners as rote learners.
Schematic or Taxonomic Organisation of the Reality and the Development of Class Logic
Authors: Barrouillet Pierre
Published: September 2007

The experiment studied the effect of various methods of organising reality (taxonomic vs. schematic) on success in inclusion and logical complementation tasks. Seventy‐two nine‐year‐old children were divided into four groups on the basis of their logical structuring abilities. Using three sets of material (Animals, Plants, Means of Transportation), the subjects performed a sorting task and an evaluation task in which the taxonomic and schematic modes of organising reality were opposed. Contrary to our hypothesis, the “logical includers” did not exhibit a greater capacity for taxonomic organisation than the “empirical includers” of the same age, either in the sorting or the evaluation task. The development of success in class logic tasks therefore does not appear to be linked to a change in the preferred mode of categorisation (schematic → categorical) but to the restructuring and differentiation of each of the two modes of organisation, both of which are available to the child at an early age.
Stereotypes of Suicide Causes for Three Age/Gender Cohorts
Authors: Şahin Nail , Şahin Nesrin H. , Tümer Sibel
Published: September 2007

On the basis of open‐ended questions and interviews using vignettes of fictitious male and female suicide committers of ages 15, 40, and 60, a list of reasons attributed to their suicides was obtained. From this list, a 45‐item (5‐point Likert scale) checklist was developed. This checklist was administered to a total of 232 respondents in a factorial design. The subjects were asked to respond to items concerning the fictitious suicide committer of their own age and gender, as well as to items for the other two age/gender cohorts. Thus, two groups of subjects answered the checklist. One group of respondents rated the checklist separately for the 3 age cohorts of fictitious male committers (15‐year‐old male, 40‐year‐old male, and 60‐year‐old male). The other group rated the checklist for the three fictitious female committers. The rank of endorsement for each cause was tabulated separately for age/gender cohorts, and indices of overall agreement were computed. The results indicated high agreement among all respondents on the causes of suicide considered to be most likely for a given cohort, as well as a distinct differentiation among cohorts and gender groups. The findings were discussed with reference to cultural stereotypes about suicide causes, and arguments were elaborated on the contribution of these shared beliefs to an individual's decision to commit suicide.
Analysis of the Logical Characteristics of a Complementation Task
Authors: Pélissier Aline , Tête Alain
Published: September 2007

This study deals with a complementation task performed by six‐ to eight‐year‐old children. It is shown that if children's processing modes are analyzed in terms of the logical characteristics of the task rather than in terms of behavioural variables, different conclusions can be drawn.
Auto‐évaluation des compétences en résolution de problèmes chez des adultes peu qualifiés
Authors: Huet N. , Mariné C. , Escribe C.
Published: September 2007

Dans le cadre de la métacognition, le but de cette étude est de décrire les relations entre le sentiment d'auto‐efficacité d'adultes peu qualifiés et leur activité de résolution d'un problème logique. On demandait aux sujets d'estimer, avant et après résolution d'un problème de sériation, leur capacité à le résoudre, puis d'évaluer l'efficacité de différentes méthodes. Les résultats révèlent que la majorité des sujets ont un sentiment d'auto‐efficacité positif. L'irréalisme des auto‐évaluations de la moitié d'entre eux est lié à l'emploi de procédures rudimentaires et à un défaut du contrôle exécutif. La résolution du problème ne leur permet pas de réévaluer de façon réaliste leurs compétences dans ce problème. La discussion soulève la question des conditions d'une auto‐évaluation réaliste. L'introduction de guidages métacognitifs dans la formation est abordée en conclusion.
Imagery Value, Subjective and Objective Frequency, Date of Entry into the Language, and Degree of Polysemy in a Sample of 998 French Words
Authors: Flieller André , Tournois Jocelyne
Published: September 2007

A random sample of 998 lexical words was drawn from a dictionary of the French language. Two groups of subjects rated the words for imagery value (IV) and subjective frequency (SF).

Despite substantial individual differences in the ratings, the subjective measures were highly reliable (α = 0.98 for both IV and SF). The relation between the standard deviation and the mean of the ratings can be described by a quadratic function (R = 0.93 for IV and R = 0.75 for SF). The independence of IV and frequency was confirmed. IV was found to be partially dependent on grammatical category (η = 0.50) and slightly dependent on polysemy. Date of entry into the language (DE) was correlated with objective and subjective frequency. The correlation between DE and IV was weak.

The words and their characteristics are presented in the Appendix.
La représentation sociale des droits de l'homme: Une recherche internationale sur l'étendue et les limites de l'universalité
Authors: Clémence Alain , Doise Willem , de Rosa Annamaria Silvana , Gonzalez Lorena
Published: September 2007

La perception des violations des droits de l'homme par de jeunes individus insérés dans des contextes nationaux différents est‐elle organisée selon des principes comparables à ceux d'experts ou d'institutions internationales? La présente étude contribue à élucider cette question en la situant dans le champ de la psychologie sociale. La représentation sociale des droits humains a été analysée par le biais d'un questionnaire standardisé soumis à des sujets de quatre pays (Costa Rica, France, Italie et Suisse) âgés de 13 à 20 ans. Les résultats montrent que les individus partagent dans une large mesure une conception institutionnelle des droits humains. De fortes variations à l'intérieur et entre les contextes nationaux apparaissent néanmoins, en particulier dans la délimitation des libertés individuelles et du contrôle étatique.
L'influence du nombre sur le traitement des problèmes temporels
Authors: Samartzis Stavroula
Published: September 2007

Notre propos concerne le développement des inferences temporelles lorsqu'il s'agit des situations symboliques. Notre hypothèse sur les aspects qualitatif et quantitatif du raisonnement est que les données numériques facilitent la résolution de la tâche, parce que ce type d'information (quantitative) conduit à la construction des règles algébriques d'intégration. Seize problèmes portant sur l'ordre d'allumage, l'ordre d'extinction et la durée relative des deux lampes (événements non cinématiques) ont été présentés à 49 sujets de 10 ans. Les problèmes sont présentés selon deux formes: une forme qualitative, où les données sont exprimées en termes relatifs “avant” et “après”, et une forme quantitative où les données sont exprimées par des nombres (par exemple, “la lampe rouge s'allume à 9 heures et la lampe verte à 11 heures”). Ainsi, les sujets doivent résoudre 32 problèmes. Deux types d'énoncés sont distingués: les énoncés décidables conduisent à une seule réponse valable et les énoncés indécidales conduisent à des solutions multiples. Les résultats montrent que (a) les problèmes temporels sont plus facilement résolus quant ils sont présentés sous forme quantitative (information numérique; et (b) les erreurs observées sous forme quantitative sont fondées sur des mécanismes cognitifs plus évolués, supposant des décentrations.
The Relations Between Traumatic Experiences, Activity, and Cognitive and Emotional Responses Among Palestinian Children
Authors: Qouta Samir , Punamäki Raija‐Leena , Sarraj Eyad El
Published: September 2007

The relations between the level of traumatic experiences, degree of active participation in the Intifada, and cognitive and emotional responses were studied among 108 Palestinian children of 11–12 years of age in the Gaza Strip. The results showed that the more traumatic experiences the children had and the more they participated in the Intifada, the more concentration, attention, and memory problems they had. Traumatic experiences also increased neuroticism and risk‐taking, and Intifada participation decreased self‐esteem. Children's active participation in the Intifada could not protect children from developing emotional problems, as was originally assumed. The highest level of neuroticism was found among active boys who were exposed to many traumatic experiences.
Tracks and Transitions—A Comparison of Adolescent Future‐oriented Goals, Explorations, and Commitments in Australia, Israel, and Finland
Authors: Nurmi Jari‐Erik , Poole Millicent E. , Seginer Rachel
Published: September 2007

It has been suggested that age‐related normative demands and institutional tracks play an important role in the development of adolescent future orientation, identity explorations, and commitments. In order to study this, 71 Australian boys and 49 girls, 23 Israeli boys and 23 girls, and 36 Finnish boys and 66 girls aged between 16 and 17 were investigated. They filled in the Hopes and Fears Questionnaire measuring the content and temporal extension of goals, and the Exploration and Commitment Inventory. The results showed that developmental tasks, role transitions, and institutional tracks play an important role in the development of adolescent future orientation, explorations, and commitments. Due to earlier school transitions, Australian adolescents expected that their hopes related to education and work, and education‐related concerns, would be realized earlier than Finnish and Israeli youths. In turn, because of military service commitments of several years, Israeli youths expected that both their hopes and fears concerning education would be realized later in life than Australian adolescents. On the other hand, Finnish adolescents expected goals concerning their future family to be actualized earlier than Australian and Israeli youths. They also showed more exploration and commitment concerning their future family than did Australian adolescents.
The Rotter Locus of Control Scale in 43 Countries: A Test of Cultural Relativity
Authors: Smith Peter B. , Trompenaars Fons , Dugan Shaun
Published: September 2007

A databank of 9140 responses to the Rotter (1966) locus of control scale was analyzed, using multidimensional scaling techniques. Respondents were employees in business organizations in 43 countries. Three interpretable dimensions were identified. The first was interpreted in terms of Schwartz's (1992) dimensions of mastery over the environment versus harmony with the environment. It also correlated significantly with country means for internality. The second distinguished responses from countries identified by Hofstede (1980) as individualist and collectivist. The third referred principally to the role of luck and chance. Parallels with the results of Levenson (1981) and the implications of convergence with the results of cross‐cultural studies not based upon the concept of locus of control are discussed.
Importance des facteurs situationnels et d'expérience dans la détermination du style de gestion: une perspective canadienne
Authors: Barrette Jacques
Published: September 2007

Cette étude a deux objectifs principaux : (1) examiner la relation entre le style de gestion et quatre variables contingentes, soit le niveau hiérarchique, l'étendue du contrôle, la complexité des tâches des subordonnés et la fonction en tenant compte de l'influence modératrice de quatre caractéristiques d'expérience, soit l'âge, le sexe, l'ancienneté et la scolarité; et (2) identifier quelles variables situationnelles et d'expérience prédisent le mieux le style de leadership. Le test de Bordeleau (1980) mesurant neuf dimensions de leadership fut appliqué pour 229 superviseurs de niveaux hiérarchiques différents dans une organisation. Une mesure de complexité des postes supervisés fut obtenue. Les résultats montrent : (1) que la complexité des tâches supervisées prédit une plus grande souplesse d'autorité et une implication moins grande pour connaître le travail du subordonné; (2) que les superviseurs des niveaux hiérarchiques élevés sont moins impartiaux mais plus souples que ceux des niveaux inférieurs; (3) que l'ouverture et la discussion au travail d'équipe diminuent avec l'augmentation du nombre d'employés supervisés; (4) qu'une baisse de bienveillance face aux problèmes personnels des employés se rencontre surtout chez les superviseurs masculins scolarisés; (5) que le genre féminin est associé à une tendance à entretenir plus de relations amicales avec les subordonnés; (6) que le support au travail n'est prédit par aucune des variables indépendantes; (7) que les variables d'expérience modèrent les relations obtenues entre les facteurs situationnels et le style de gestion.
Les relations entre l'attention conjointe au cours de la période préverbale et le développement de la référence verbale
Authors: Morissette Paul , Ricard Marcelle , Décarie Thérèse Gouin
Published: September 2007

Cette recherche longitudinale tente d'établir s'il existe un “complexe référentiel” préverbal, constitué des comportements servant à établir l'attention conjointe, et si ce complexe est en relation avec le langage. Vingt‐quatre enfants ont été observés à six reprises entre l'âge de 6 mois et de 24 mois. Les comportements préverbaux étudiés sont la production et la compréhension du pointage gestuel, ainsi que la compréhension du pointage visuel. Les résultats montrent que la compréhension des deux formes de pointage est liée et que seule la production du pointage gestuel, tout en étant indépendante de ces deux comportements, est en relation avec le langage. Il ne semble donc pas exister chez les nourrissons de complexe référentiel unifié. Cette recherche aborde également le problème de la continuité entre les références préverbale et verbale.
Peer Group and Family Relationships in Early Adolescence
Authors: Shulman Shmuel , Seiffge‐Krenke Inge , Levy‐Shiff Rachel , Fabian Bracha , Rotenberg Sara
Published: September 2007

This study explored the possible interface between family and peer group systems in early adolescence. Sixth‐graders who were identified as group members were interviewed and given questions regarding their attitudes toward the group and group dynamics. Family atmosphere and parent‐adolescent relationships were evaluated from the parents' perspective. The results show two different linkages of peer and family processes: On the one hand, family relationships are related to the perception of the peer group as a source of support, especially when individual growth is respected within an atmosphere of acceptance and support in the family. On the other hand, family life characterized by conflict and lack of support for individual development is related to an increased involvement with groups and more conformity to group pressure. Results are discussed in line with theories dealing with the role of the family in adolescent development.
Memory, Print Exposure, and Metacognition: Components of Reading in Chinese Children
Authors: McBride‐Chang Catherine , Chang Lei
Published: September 2007

This study examined the relative contributions of visual and verbal memory, metacognition about reading, and print exposure to reading comprehension among 100 Chinese fifth graders. The four concurrently measured componential skills were substantially associated with reading comprehension and reliably distinguished between good and poor readers. In a hierarchical regression, after controlling for the effects of verbal intelligence, both verbal and visual memory abilities predicted unique variance in reading comprehension. The distinctness of each memory skill underscores the existence of two unique memory processes in Chinese reading. Future research should examine the longitudinal contributions of these cognitive abilities to reading comprehension.
Some Cultural Facilitators and Deterrents for the Development of Psychology: The Role of Graduate Research Training
Authors: Díaz‐Loving Rolando , Reyes‐Lagunes Isabel , Díaz‐Guerrero Rogelio
Published: September 2007

Traditional evaluations of the strengths and weaknesses of graduate research training conducted in developed countries normally include a series of educational and curricular criteria. In order to accommodate this analysis to developing countries and to understand the problem fully from a global perspective, it is imperative that, in addition, a socio‐cultural‐political and economic context be provided to the analysis. This allows for a clearer scrutiny of deficiencies, and permits differential, ecosystem‐based changes and interventions directed at improving and reforming the current status of research graduate training in psychology.
Factors Influencing the Development of Psychology in Latin America
Authors: Salazar Jose Miguel
Published: September 2007

Among the factors impeding the development of the discipline of psychology in Latin America, emphasis must be given to the lack of infrastructural conditions. Also important is the lack of social, economic, and political stability, leading to inadequate administrative and financial support for research. The high degree of uncertainty as to the future of societal outcomes leads to short‐term planning, and weakens the possibility of sustained lines of research. Yet, the same economic and political crises have positive consequences: A growing awareness of social problems and a realization of the utility of psychology in their solutions. The resultant job opportunities for graduates, and a generation of “engaged” professionals, are all helping the growth of an indigenous psychology. Increasing participation of Latin American psychologists in international congresses, particularly those of the Interamerican Society of Psychology, has had laudatory effects on the development of the discipline in the region.
Factors Influencing the Development of Psychology in China
Authors: Jing Qicheng , Fu Xiaolan
Published: September 2007

The factors that have influenced the development of Chinese psychology are identified as: politics and ideologies, economic development, traditional culture, higher education, and human resources. This article focuses on the dynamics of the development of psychology as a discipline. Consideration is given to the process by which the discipline is facilitated or impeded in its development. Special emphasis is on those characteristics that are specifically relevant to the development of psychology in the Chinese social environment.
Psychometric Properties of the Right Wing Authoritarianism Scale in Black and White South African Students
Authors: Edwards David , Leger Paul
Published: September 2007

Recently Taylor and Boeyens (1991) showed that the South African Personality Questionnaire has inadequate internal consistency and factorial validity for use in the black population. This paper reports a study supporting their conclusion that scales developed with data from a white sample do not hold together psychometrically or conceptually when used with a black sample. In a sample of white students, Altemeyer's Right Wing Authoritarianism scale, initially developed in Canada, had an acceptable alpha of 0.83, but there was an unacceptable alpha of 0.43 in a black student sample. Item and factor analysis showed that for the black sample there was little structure and that the scale was effectively a set of heterogenous items. This paper presents a detailed discussion of the item and factor analyses and shows how certain items have different connotations for whites and blacks as a result of their different political and cultural histories. Although cultural differences in conservatism can be observed by looking at individual items, a comparison between black and white individuals on the higher order construct of Authoritarianism cannot be made. It is concluded that basic conceptual work based on the phenomenology of the concept being measured needs to precede the psychometric development of scales for use in the black community.
Stress, Coping, and Mental Health Among Rural, Village, and Urban Women in Tunisia
Authors: Hays Pamela A. , Zouari Jawed
Published: September 2007

The present study investigated stressors, coping strategies, and mental health among 45 Tunisian women living in 3 distinct environments within Tunisia: a rural Bedouin community, a mid‐size village, and the capital city of Tunis. Individual interviews were conducted with each woman via a semi‐structured questionnaire, which allowed for the collection of qualitative as well as quantitative information. Statistical analyses indicated no significant differences between the middle‐class village and urban women on stressor levels, number of coping strategies used, or levels of psychological distress. However, the rural group of Bedouin women reported significantly greater stressor levels and numbers of depressive symptoms than the village and/or urban women. The qualitative information confirmed the greater stress of the rural environment, largely due to extreme poverty. The results suggest that rapid social changes in Tunisia since independence have improved the lives of middle‐class women in the villages and cities, but have had very little impact on the situations of rural Bedouin women.
Low-Frequency Behavior of Turbulence Fluctuations at
Mount Wilson Observatory
Authors: Wheelon Albert , Short Nicholas , Townes Charles H.
Published: September 2007

Measurements and analysis of large-scale turbulent irregularities in the
atmosphere are reported. Results were obtained from precision measurement of
atmospheric temperature fluctuations at 24 and 70 feet above ground for a
variety of wind velocities at the Mount Wilson Observatory. Measurements were
made as wind blew air past detectors, at frequencies of 0.01-10 Hz,
corresponding to distances in the atmosphere between about 1 and 250 m. Analysis
shows that large-scale turbulences fit the Greenwood-Tarazano model well, and
notably better than the von Karman model of turbulence.
Diacylglycerol Kinase-α Mediates Hepatocyte Growth Factor-induced Epithelial Cell Scatter by Regulating Rac Activation and Membrane Ruffling
Authors: Chianale Federica , Cutrupi Santina , Rainero Elena , Baldanzi Gianluca , Porporato Paolo E. , Traini Sara , Filigheddu Nicoletta , Gnocchi Viola F. , Santoro Massimo M. , Parolini Ornella , van Blitterswijk Wim J. , Sinigaglia Fabiola , Graziani Andrea
Published: September 2007

Diacylglycerol kinases (Dgk) phosphorylate diacylglycerol (DG) to phosphatidic acid (PA), thus turning off and on, respectively, DG-mediated and PA-mediated signaling pathways. We previously showed that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase activate Dgkα in endothelial and leukemia cells through a Src-mediated mechanism and that activation of Dgkα is required for chemotactic, proliferative, and angiogenic signaling in vitro. Here, we investigate the downstream events and signaling pathways regulated by Dgkα, leading to cell scatter and migration upon HGF treatment and v-Src expression in epithelial cells. We report that specific inhibition of Dgkα, obtained either pharmacologically by R59949 treatment, or by expression of Dgkα dominant-negative mutant, or by small interfering RNA-mediated down-regulation of endogenous Dgkα, impairs 1) HGF- and v-Src-induced cell scatter and migration, without affecting the loss of intercellular adhesions; 2) HGF-induced cell spreading, lamellipodia formation, membrane ruffling, and focal adhesions remodeling; and 3) HGF-induced Rac activation and membrane targeting. In summary, we provide evidence that Dgkα, activated downstream of tyrosine kinase receptors and Src, regulates crucial steps directing Rac activation and Rac-dependent remodeling of actin cytoskeleton and focal contacts in migrating epithelial cells.
Reg-II Is an Exocrine Pancreas Injury-Response Product That Is Up-Regulated by Keratin Absence or Mutation
Authors: Zhong Bihui , Strnad Pavel , Toivola Diana M. , Tao Guo-Zhong , Ji Xuhuai , Greenberg Harry B. , Omary M. Bishr
Published: September 2007

The major keratins in the pancreas and liver are keratins 8 and 18 (K8/K18), but their function seemingly differs in that liver K8/K18 are essential cytoprotective proteins, whereas pancreatic K8/K18 are dispensable. This functional dichotomy raises the hypothesis that K8-null pancreata may undergo compensatory cytoprotective gene expression. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the gene expression profile in pancreata of wild-type and K8-null mice. Most prominent among the up-regulated genes in K8-null pancreas was mRNA for regenerating islet-derived (Reg)-II, which was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and by an anti-Reg-II peptide antibody we generated. Both K8-null and wild-type mice express Reg-II predominantly in acinar cells as determined by in situ hybridization and immunostaining. Analysis of Reg-II expression in various keratin-related transgenic mouse models showed that its induction also occurs in response to keratin cytoplasmic filament collapse, absence, or ablation of K18 Ser52 but not Ser33 phosphorylation via Ser-to-Ala mutation, which represent situations associated with predisposition to liver but not pancreatic injury. In wild-type mice, Reg-II is markedly up-regulated in two established pancreatitis models in response to injury and during the recovery phase. Thus, Reg-II is a likely mouse exocrine pancreas cytoprotective candidate protein whose expression is regulated by keratin filament organization and phosphorylation.
Hypoxia Up-Regulates Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Transcription by Involving Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase and Nuclear Factor κB in Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: BelAiba Rachida S. , Bonello Steve , Zähringer Christian , Schmidt Stefanie , Hess John , Kietzmann Thomas , Görlach Agnes
Published: September 2007

The oxygen sensitive α-subunit of the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a major trigger of the cellular response to hypoxia. Although the posttranslational regulation of HIF-1α by hypoxia is well known, its transcriptional regulation by hypoxia is still under debate. We, therefore, investigated the regulation of HIF-1α mRNA in response to hypoxia in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Hypoxia rapidly enhanced HIF-1α mRNA levels and HIF-1α promoter activity. Furthermore, inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 pathway blocked the hypoxia-dependent induction of HIF-1α mRNA and HIF-1α promoter activity, suggesting involvement of a PI3K/AKT-regulated transcription factor. Interestingly, hypoxia also induced nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) nuclear translocation and activity. In line, expression of the NFκB subunits p50 and p65 enhanced HIF-1α mRNA levels, whereas blocking of NFκB by an inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB attenuated HIF-1α mRNA induction by hypoxia. Reporter gene assays revealed the presence of an NFκB site within the HIF-1α promoter, and mutation of this site abolished induction by hypoxia. In line, gel shift analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation confirmed binding of p50 and p65 NFκB subunits to the HIF-1α promoter under hypoxia. Together, these findings provide a novel mechanism in which hypoxia induces HIF-1α mRNA expression via the PI3K/AKT pathway and activation of NFκB.
Identification of an Intramolecular Interaction Important for the Regulation of GIT1 Functions
Authors: Totaro Antonio , Paris Simona , Asperti Claudia , de Curtis Ivan
Published: September 2007

G-protein coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein (GIT) proteins include an N-terminal Arf GTPase-activating protein domain, and a C terminus that binds proteins regulating adhesion and motility. Given their ability to form large molecular assemblies, the GIT1 protein must be tightly regulated. However, the mechanisms regulating GIT1 functions are poorly characterized. We found that carboxy-terminal–truncated fragments of GIT1 bind their partners with higher efficiency compared with the full-length GIT1. We have explored the hypothesis that GIT1 is regulated by an intramolecular mechanism, and we identified two distinct intramolecular interactions between the N and C terminus of GIT1. The release of these interactions increases binding of GIT1 to paxillin and liprin-α, and it correlates with effects on cell spreading. Analysis of cells plated on fibronectin has shown that different deletion mutants of GIT1 either enhance or inhibit spreading, depending on their subcellular localization. Moreover, although the association between βPIX and GIT1 is insufficient to activate GIT1 binding to paxillin, binding of a PAK1 fragment including the βPIX-binding domain enhances paxillin binding to βPIX/GIT1, indicating that p21-activated kinase can activate the binding of paxillin to GIT1 by a kinase-independent mechanism. The release of the identified intramolecular interaction seems to be an important mechanism for the regulation of GIT1 functions.
Cytoplasmic Relocalization of Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A1 Controls Translation Initiation of Specific mRNAs
Authors: Cammas Anne , Pileur Frédéric , Bonnal Sophie , Lewis Stephen M. , Lévêque Nicolas , Holcik Martin , Vagner Stéphan
Published: September 2007

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A1 is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein that regulates gene expression through its action on mRNA metabolism and translation. The cytoplasmic redistribution of hnRNP A1 is a regulated process during viral infection and cellular stress. Here, we show that hnRNP A1 is an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) trans-acting factor that binds specifically to the 5′ untranslated region of both the human rhinovirus-2 and the human apoptotic peptidase activating factor 1 (apaf-1) mRNAs, thereby regulating their translation. Furthermore, the cytoplasmic redistribution of hnRNP A1 after rhinovirus infection leads to enhanced rhinovirus IRES-mediated translation, whereas the cytoplasmic relocalization of hnRNP A1 after UVC irradiation limits the UVC-triggered translational activation of the apaf-1 IRES. Therefore, this study provides a direct demonstration that IRESs behave as translational enhancer elements regulated by specific trans-acting mRNA binding proteins in given physiological conditions. Our data highlight a new way to regulate protein synthesis in eukaryotes through the subcellular relocalization of a nuclear mRNA-binding protein.
Systematic order-dependent effect in expression values, variance, detection calls and differential expression in Affymetrix GeneChips®
Authors: Bjork Kathe E. , Kafadar Karen
Published: September 2007

Motivation: Affymetrix GeneChips® are common 3′ profiling platforms for quantifying gene expression. Using publicly available datasets of expression profiles from human and mouse experiments, we sought to characterize features of GeneChip® data to better compare and evaluate analyses for differential expression, regulation and clustering. We uncovered an unexpected order dependence in expression data that holds across a variety of chips in both human and mouse data.

Results: Order dependence among GeneChips® affected relative expression measures pre-processed and normalized with the Affymetrix MAS5.0 algorithm and the robust multi-array average summarization method. The effect strongly influenced detection calls and tests for differential expression and can potentially significantly bias experimental results based on GeneChip® profiling.

Contact:  Kathe.bjork@cudenver.edu

Supplementary information: Supplementary Material, including links to files of ordered transcripts and supporting analyses, is available at the authors' websites, at http://www-math.cudenver.edu/~kbjork/research/, and http://www-math.cudenver.edu/~kk/research/.
Do battles lead to coexistence? Role of interference competition in structuring the insect community on fermented tree sap
Authors: YOSHIMOTO JIICHIRO , KAKUTANI TAKEHIKO , NISHIDA TAKAYOSHI
Published: September 2007

Abstract 1. In insect communities on fermented tree sap, agonistic interactions occur frequently among the component species. This study examined the effects of such interference competition on community structure and species co‐occurrence on a spatio‐temporally small scale.

2. Experimental removal of giant hornets (Vespa mandarinia), one of the most dominant species, showed no effect on either species richness or total abundance of the remaining insects. Significant increases in abundance were detected for five out of 19 taxa: V. ducalis, V. crabro, Lasius japonicus, Cryptarcha lewisi, and a group of micro sap beetles (Epuraea spp., Haptoncus spp., and Haptoncurina spp.).

3. Behavioural observations indicated that interference did not alter the staying time at a patch (an exuding spot on a tree) for V. mandarinia, Rhomborrhina japonica, and Neope goschkevitschii. Interference‐mediated departure from a patch was less frequent than departure without interference for all nine species observed, except for R. japonica. These behavioural contexts varied yearly for several species.

4. These results suggest that interference competition is a minor determinant of overall community structure, despite its conspicuousness. This weak effect of interference may be attributed to the short stay of dominant species and to individual behavioural responses, such as competitor avoidance. The variable influence of interference might be related to differences in species attributes, such as dominance hierarchies.
Dynamics in a butterfly–plant–ant system: influence of habitat characteristics on turnover rates of the endangered lycaenidMaculinea alcon
Authors: HABEL JAN CHRISTIAN , SCHMITT THOMAS , HÄRDTLE WERNER , LÜTKEPOHL MANFRED , ASSMANN THORSTEN
Published: September 2007

Abstract1. Maculinea alcon, a myrmecophilic, stenotopic lycaenid butterfly is restricted to wet heathlands, bogs, and nutrient‐poor hay meadows. Due to intensification of agriculture and decrease of extensively grazed meadows, many suitable habitats have disappeared and the remaining ones are highly fragmented and deteriorated.

2. Historical distribution data and a comparison with the present occupation of patches show the decline of this critically endangered butterfly in north‐west Germany. Most of the populations in north‐west Germany are small and often geographically isolated.

3. In summer 2002, two‐thirds of 77 investigated potential patches were unoccupied as a result of unsuitable habitat structure and habitat fragmentation.

4. Several habitat parameters were highly significantly correlated with the presence ofM. alcon, in particular the distribution pattern of the host plantGentiana pneumonanthe.Furthermore, butterflies were absent from many patches with an incidence probability below 50% with respect to patch size and isolation.

5. In the nature reserve Lüneburger Heide, part of the study area,M. alconpopulations have been observed since 1995. Typical turnover of local populations could be detected during these years. Extinctions and re‐colonisations have stabilised the presence of this species in a metapopulation in this nature reserve.

6. These data show the importance of different factors on different spatial levels influencing the presence of this endangered butterfly.