bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Legal Evaluation of Criminal Competency Standards
Authors: WEISS MARCIA J.
Published: March 2007

A criminal defendant may not be tried unless competent and may not plead guilty or waive the right to counsel unless the waiver is voluntary, knowing, and intelligent. A competency inquiry centers on a defendant's rational and factual understanding of the charges and their consequences and present ability to assist counsel. Competency is not static, changing according to situation and function. In its 1993 ruling, Godinez v. Moran, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the standard for competency to waive counsel and plead guilty is no higher than competency to stand trial, resulting in a relaxed focus for competency determinations.
A Multilevel Assessment of Social Disorganization Theory in Taipei, Taiwan
Authors: YANG SHU-LUNG , HOFFMANN JOHN P.
Published: March 2007

Recent interest in community-level studies of crime has generated substantial evidence that Shaw and McKay's social disorganization model continues to be a notable explanation of crime and delinquency. However, the plausibility of social disorganization theory in a Chinese cultural setting has not been well investigated. This article develops a multilevel social disorganization model and tests it using data from a representative sample of 1,704 in-school adolescents from Taipei, Taiwan. The results offer general support for the social disorganization model: Higher community income and lower population density in the community are related to lower delinquency, while family disorganization and associations with deviant peers are related to greater involvement in delinquency. These results show the promise of social disorganization as an explanation of delinquency in a rapidly changing Chinese cultural system.
Fractured Identity Syndrome
Authors: HOLMES STEPHEN T. , TEWKSBURY RICHARD , HOLMES RONALD M.
Published: March 2007

The topic of serial murder has captured the attention of many in the academic community. A quick scan of the best selling novels in any given week are likely to include at least a couple of postings about a serial or other type of predatorial killer. Even on college campuses today, courses on serial murder rank as one of the hardest classes for students to get in to. Despite the attention currently being paid to the topic of serial killing, relatively little is known about the intrinsic motivation and etiology of these individuals. This is the purpose of this article. In it, we examine the current literature concerning serial murder and explain how current theories are often no more than physical descriptions or characteristics of these murderers acts. In this article, we propose a new theory of serial murder merging elements of Cooley's Looking Glass Self and Goffman's Virtual and Actual Social Identity calling it “Fractured Identity Syndrome” (FIS). In doing so, our purpose is clear. It is to get the profession to begin to think about and develop theories concerning what causes the serial murderer to abandon normal modes of behavior and brutally take the lives of his/her victims.
Build it, and they will Come
Authors: BLOCK ALAN A. , GRIFFIN SEAN PATRICK
Published: March 2007

This article concentrates on three Leeward Island nations in the Caribbean that lie between the Anegada Passage on the northwest and the Guadeloupe Passage on the southeast. The islands are St. Martin, which is divided into a French side and a Dutch side, and two formerly British ones—St. Kitts and Antigua. With regard to St. Martin, only the Dutch half, St. Maarten, shall be discussed. Each has been involved in the illicit drug industry, especially in money-laundering activities. This article will discuss a number of themes, including the interplay between casino culture and narcotics trafficking, as well as the economy of each island nation. By focusing on these three island nations, a template can be formed for understanding the contemporary criminal justice problems throughout the Caribbean region.
Threshold Control for Nonlinear and Time-Varying Structures Using Equivalent Linearization
Authors: Zimmerman David C.
Published: March 2007

A minimum force, threshold control strategy is developed for the vibration control of mechanical structures modeled as a nonlinear, time-varying, single-degree-of- freedom oscillator. The threshold control strategy results in a control that is applied over short control time intervals. During each control time interval, the control law is con strained to be a linear combination of the structure's position and velocity. The necessary conditions that define the optimal control are shown to consist of a two-point boundary value problem and a pair of coupled, definite integral equality constraints. A numerical solution technique is then developed to determine the optimal control.
Electrorheological Fluid as an Element in Clutches
Authors: Korobko E.V. , Ragotner M.M. , Gorodkin R.G. , Bukovich I.V.
Published: March 2007

The possibility is shown of applying ERFs in electrostatic clutches for fix ing flat metal and rigid parts, whose surfaces are to undergo fine turning. As demon strated, the use of a fluid, the structure of which responds to an electric field, as a clutch ing layer improves the technological characteristics of the product and increases its reliability.
An Experimental Study of the Active Control of a Building Model
Authors: Nishimura Isao , Abdel-Ghaffar A.M. , Masri Sami F. , Miller R.K. , Beck J.L. , Caughey T.K. , Iwan W.D.
Published: March 2007

This paper reports some of the results of an ongoing analytical and ex perimental study into the control of building-like structures subjected to nonstationary ran dom excitations such as earthquakes. The structural model used resembles a 5-story build ing about 2.5 meters high. The building model was subjected to a variety of direct-force excitations. The control algorithm used employs an adaptive structural member at a prede termined location in the model in order to attenuate the structural response relative to the moving building foundation. An electromagnetic actuator is used to generate the required control faces in the "smart" member. Among the key features of the algorithm under dis cussion are:

1. Only one active controller is required to attenuate the vibration response contributed by the first three modes; the damping factor is increased from virtually zero to about 20%.

2. Only two sensors are needed for this algorithm; this leads to simpler instrumentation and a more robust system.

3. Due to the optimization procedure used to select the controller location, a significant amount of damping augmentation is obtained from a relatively small amount of control energy.

4. The whole design procedure was demonstrated; special attention was paid to the time lag problem of the active controller and the stability of the system was discussed.

As part of the design phase of this study, a system identification procedure was used to develop a suitable reduced-order mathematical model. The results of a simulation study J. of IN TELL. MATER. SYST. AND STRUCT., Yol. 3 -January 1992 1045-389X/92/01 0134-32 $6.00/0 © 1992 Technomic Publishmg Co., Inc. using this identified model are compared to experimental measurements. Problems en countered in the experimental phase of the study are reported and discussed. It is shown that 1) the algorithm under discussion is capable of reliably controlling the motion of the test structure under arbitrary dynamic environments, and 2) the features of the algorithm make it a promising candidate for application to large civil structures.
Properties of Water-Absorbed Polyurethane Ionenes
Authors: Hiraoka Kyoko , Yokoyama Tetsuo , Terada Takako
Published: March 2007

Crosslinked polyurethane (PU) ionenes were prepared. NCO-terminated prepoly mer obtained from polyol blends of poly(oxytetramethylene)glycol (PTMG) and poly(oxyeth ylene)glycol (PEG) and 4,4'-methylenebis(phenylisocyanate) were made to react with 2- dimethylaminoethanol, resulting in amine-terminated (AT) prepolymer having isocyanurate ring in structure. By the reaction of AT-prepolymer with N,N,N' ,N'-tetramethyl-1,6-diaminohexane and 1,6-dibromohexane, crosslinked PU ionenes were obtained.

Bound water existing in the hydrogel of crosslinked PU ionenes was determined by two methods. The amount of nonfreezing (bound) water determined by DSC was constant, ca. 9 water mol/[N+] mol, and not dependent upon the composition of PU ionenes. This type of water is considered to be the water strongly bound to [N+] ion site. On the other hand, the amount of bound water determined by drying measurement was greater than that determined by DSC measurement. In the drying mea surement, PU ionene containing larger amounts of PEG had larger amounts of bound water. The bound water determined by drying is considered to include water hydrated to polar ether [O] group in addition to nonfreezing water. 95 % of water existing in swollen hydrogel was free water, as in highly water-absorbing resin. Tensile properties of swollen gels were examined. It was suggested that the ionic aggregation that existed in dry state was destroyed in swollen state.
Piezoelectric Actuator Models for Active Sound and Vibration Control of Cylinders
Authors: Lester Harold C. , Lefebvre Sylvie
Published: March 2007

Analytical models for piezoelectric actuators, adapted from flat plate concepts, are developed for noise and vibration control applications associated with vibrating circular cylinders. The loadings applied to the cylinder by the piezoelectric actuators for the bending and in-plane force models are approximated by line moment and line force distributions, respectively, acting on the pe rimeter of the actuator patch area. Coupling between the cylinder and interior acoustic cavity is ex amined by studying the modal spectra, particularly for the low-order cylinder modes that couple effi ciently with the cavity at low frequencies. Within the scope of this study, the in-plane force model produced a more favorable distribution of low-order modes, necessary for efficient interior noise control, than did the bending model.
Interpolymer Complexes Formed by Polyelectrolyte Gels
Authors: Zezin Alexander B. , Rogacheva Valentina B. , Kabanov Victor A.
Published: March 2007

The approaches to synthesis and modification of polymers based on the assembly of chemically complementary macromolecules have been recently widely developed. Interpoly electrolyte complexes (IPEC) are more common polymers of this type. They are the products of interaction between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes (Bixler and Michaels, 1969; Tsuchida and Abe, 1982). IPEC are of special interest as the effective adhesives for solving ecological, biomedical and agrotechnological problems due to their unique structure (Zezin and Baranovskii, 1983; Zezin et al., 1987). The utilization of cross-linked polyelectrolytes gives new opportunities for the construction of polycomplex substances and materials. These opportunities are based on the phenomenon of active transport of linear polyelectrolytes into oppositely charged networks (Rogacheva et al., 1988; Kabanov et al., 1988; Kabanov et al., 1989). The driving force of this transport and the mechanism of transport of linear polyions in polyelectrolyte gels are directly connected with the interpolyelectrolyte reaction (IPR) which proceeds between polyions and gel. Slightly cross-linked polyelectrolytes absorb oppositely charged linear polyions from aqueous solutions. This gradual uptake is followed by production of small counter ions of linear and cross-linked polyelectrolytes. For example, the reaction between slightly cross-linked poly(2-di methylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMA) and linear poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) is presented in Scheme (I).
A Neural Network Approach to Feature Extraction in Sensor Signal Processing for Manufacturing Automation
Authors: Choon Seong Leem  , Dreyfus Stuart E.
Published: March 2007

Since off line hand-crafted conventional statistical feature selection/extraction methods are inefficient for signal-pattern classification of noisy sensor signals in manufacturing floor applications, we provide an automatic neural network approach to feature extraction, called Input Feature Scaling. Given only meaningful examples, the Input Feature Scaling algorithm enables a neural network, already trained by unsupervised competitive learning to cluster input patterns, to learn the relative importance of features for purposes of correct classification. The relative impor tance, expressed as weights, is adaptively learned in an additional supervised session. Experimental evaluation with both artificial data and real sensor data in tool-wear monitoring shows that our approach meets the requirements for "intelligent" sensor-signal processing in automated manufactur ing.
Information Processing Using Intelligent Materials — Information-Processing Architectures for Material Processors
Authors: Yoshihito Amemiya
Published: March 2007

One of the goals in the intelligent materials area is to develop material systems that can process information by using the material's own properties. To develop such systems, we must first find an information-processing method that is achievable using the material itself. Several potential distributed information-processing architectures are described.
A Thermomechanical Model for a One Variant Shape Memory Material
Authors: Ivshin Yefim , Pence Thomas J.
Published: March 2007

A model is examined for thermoelastic materials, such as those that display the shape memory and pseudoelastic effect. As is common with models for these materials, an internal variable is utilized which gives the phase fraction of austenite at the microstructural level within the continua. Evolution equations are developed that govern the time history of the system based on changes in stress, strain and temperature. Hysteresis is inherent in the system due to the Duhem- Madelung form of one of these equations. Attention is focused on the connection between complete transformation phenomena and arrested loading/unloading (outer loops vs. subloops); the transition from isothermal to adiabatic loading via loading in a heat convective environment; the identification of attracting states associated with both temperature cycling and periodic stressing; and the deter mination of mathematical restrictions on otherwise rather general constitutive entities entering the model so as to ensure well-posedness, proper qualitative behavior and admissible thermodynamic behavior.
Piezoelectric PZT/epoxy Composites for Controlling Torsional Motion
Authors: Wetherhold Robert C. , Panthalingal Nandakumar
Published: March 2007

Thin layers of the piezoceramic PZT (Lead Zir conate/Titanate) have been used to actuate and sense bending mo tion of thin, flexible structures. However, because of its transverse isotropy (mm6 symmetry), a pure PZT piezoceramic is unable to generate or sense twisting motion for applications including beams, plates or shell panels. The use of a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF2) polymer possessing orthotropy (mm2 symmetry) allows sensing of twisting, but is not stiff enough to provide actuation because of its low modulus and typically low thickness. One possi ble method for generating a more powerful twisting actuation is to construct a piezoceramic/polymer composite element which is or thotropic in the plane and stiff enough to provide actuation. With the requirement of orthotropy in mind, composites have been fab ricated by cutting rods from a PZT plate and placing them in an epoxy matrix. The piezoelectric coupling coefficients d31 and d 32 have been measured for these composites. The ratio ( d 31/ d32) is ap proximately 2, which demonstrates the required orthotropy and thus demonstrates our ability to produce the desired twisting actua tion. A plate theory analysis provides information on the optimum orientation angle of the PZT/epoxy composite to provide twisting actuation and sensing. This theory predicts that the PZT/epoxy will demonstrate a factor of 40 improvement in actuation power over the PVF2 for a sample geometry.
Computer-Mediated Communication as a Channel for Social Resistance
Authors: Spears Russell , Lea Martin , Corneliussen Rolf Arne , Postmes Tom , Haar Wouter Ter
Published: March 2007

In two studies, the authors tested predictions derived from the social identity model of deindividuation effects (SIDE) concerning the potential of computer-mediated communication (CMC) to serve as a means to resist powerful out-groups. Earlier research using the SIDE model indicates that the anonymity of virtual groups can accentuate the power differentials associated with salient social identities: a cognitive effect. The present research builds on the strategic component of the SIDE model to show that CMC can also provide a channel of social support fostering resistance. In Study 1, students were more likely to express opinions normative for their group but punishable by the out-group (faculty) when CMC was available, independent of mutual anonymity. In Study 2, the authors directly manipulated the proposed mediator, social support within CMC, and showed increased willingness to express normative attitudes against out-group interests as a function of support. These studies reveal the importance of CMC as a medium for communicating and coordinating the social support central to collective action.
Gender Differences in the Intentional Use of Information in Competitive Negotiations
Authors: Deal Jennifer J.
Published: March 2007

The effect of gender on the intentional use of information during competitive negotiations was investigated. In this laboratory study, 267 participants in 3-person, single-gender groups engaged in a negotiation. Each respondent answered two questionnaires and participated in a negotiation that was audiotaped and coded. Motive (competitive/mixed motive) and gender of participants were crossed in a 2 2 factorial design. Results show that the participants engaged in the intentional use of information although they may not have identified their behavior as such. Furthermore, in the competitive negotiation context, male participants were more likely than were female participants to engage in intentional information use.
Cohort Group Effectiveness and the Educational Achievement of Adult Undergraduate Students
Authors: Wheelan Susan A. , Lisk Alan R.
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between cohort group functioning and educational outcomes of student members participating in an adult, accelerated degree completion program. The study investigated the relationship between cohort group development and group productivity as measured by the grade point average of student members of a particular cohort group. Significant correlations were noted.
Team Cohesion and Individual Productivity
Authors: Gammage Kimberley L. , Carron Albert V. , Estabrooks Paul A.
Published: March 2007

This study investigated the potential moderating effects of productivity norms and identifiability of effort on the cohesion-performance relationship in team sports. The design was a 2 (high cohesion, low cohesion)× 2 (high productivity norm, low productivity norm)× 2 (high identifiability of an individual’s effort, low identifiability of an individual’s effort) factorial. Each participant (n = 324) read one of eight scenarios, with cohesion, norms, and identifiability systematically rotated, and indicated the probability that the individual would train during the off-season. An ANOVA showed a main effect for cohesion, F( 1, 316) = 113.44, p < .0001, and norms, F( 1, 316) = 19.61, p < .0001), and an interaction between cohesion and norms, F( 1, 316) = 7.35, p = .007. The probability of off-season training was significantly higher for the high-cohesion-high-norms scenario than for the high-cohesion-low-norms scenario, with no differences under conditions of low cohesion. Directions for future research are discussed.
The Provision of Effort in Self-Designing Work Groups
Authors: Bennett Nathan , Kidwell Roland E.
Published: March 2007

Teams of academic coauthors can be conceptualized as self-designing work groups, an infrequently studied but increasingly prevalent group structure. This research note considers issues surrounding how management scholars form collaborative teams, provide effort toward completion of research projects, evaluate colleagues’efforts, and decide whether to pursue further collaborative opportunities with them. The findings indicate that withholding effort occurs in self-designing groups, such as research collaborations, and that the emotional bonds that group members form with colleagues play a key role in whether they decide to work together again, as well as in how they react to perceptions that a coauthor withheld effort.
Antecedents and Consequences of Procedural Justice Perceptions in Hierarchical Decision-Making Teams
Authors: Phillips Jean M.
Published: March 2007

A model is presented that posits positive and independent effects for process control and decision control on procedural justice perceptions in hierarchical decision-making teams with distributed expertise. It is proposed that procedural justice perceptions will be positively related to staff member self-efficacy and satisfaction with the leader, which will be negatively related to task withdrawal. A laboratory experiment was conducted with 126 participants performing a computerized decision-making task in 42 teams. Each team consisted of a leader in addition to 3 participants performing as subordinates. Path analysis results support the proposed model. Implications for applying justice theory to team effectiveness and leadership are discussed.
The Development of Mutuality in Natural Small Groups
Authors: Baker Paul Morgan
Published: March 2007

Newcomb's (1961) study of various individual and social factors influencing the development of friendship in a group of 17 male university students living in a fraternity house was reanalyzed (Newcomb, 1979) to test the hypothesis that individuals would gradually develop mutuality in their friendships. This reasonable hypothesis was, however, not supported by Newcomb's data. This article describes factors affecting the development of mutuality of attraction in natural small groups, and tests the hypothesis of the acquaintance process, Newcomb, (1961) with some new data. Female residents of three floors of a university dormitory were studied over the course of a year. Two floors showed definite increases in dyadic mutuality over time. Anomalous results for the third floor may have been due to a statistical ceiling effect. Some implications for applied small group research are discussed.
Intervening in Groups
Authors: Herman Reg
Published: March 2007

Derived from organization development and adult education, LOGS: a Language of Group Skills, encodes a core of six group competencies in behavioral terms. In LOGS traning, group members are guided to name their learning and in so doing to (1)fortify the acquisition of skills, (2) encode the skills in their own vernacular, and (3) become aware of their ability to add to the competencies, thus contributing to the formation of self-directed learning group. In this way, the repertoire of skills comprising LOGS becomes a common language shared by the unit, facilitating collaborative problem solving and decision making.
Addressing Internal Politics
Authors: Jones Sue
Published: March 2007

It is widely acknowledged that internal politics is a significant feature of many consultant interventions in organization change. This article is concerned with ways in which consultants can learn about their clients' politics and address this content explicitly. It also describes two modeling techniques that consultants might use in consultant-client interactions to facilitate the explicit examination and analysis of internal politics. These techniques are illustrated with case examples.
Relationships Between Group Environment Scales and Group Performance and Cohesion
Authors: Littlepage Glenn E. , Cowart Louis , Kerr Bernadette
Published: March 2007

This study examines the relationship between group processes and group performance and cohesion in task and social groups. Subjects completed the Group Environment Scale (GES) and a brief questionnaire describing a group: 95 described a social group, and 49 described a task group. Task groups were rated higher on order and organization, leader control, and task orientation. Social groups scored higher on expressiveness, self-discovery, and innova tion. GES scales correlated with cohesion in both task and social groups were cohesion, self-discovery, leader support, and independence. Performance in social groups was related to task orientation, order and organization, leader support, cohesion, and leader control. Results supported the conceptual distinction between cohesion and performance and the importance ofprocesses dealing with both the task and group maintenance.
Group Psychotherapy for a Heterogeneous Short-Term Inpatient Population
Authors: Powell Janet E.
Published: March 2007

This article outlines some of the factors to be considered when planning inpatient groups for psychiatric patients. A model is presented for group psychotherapy with a heterogeneous admission ward population. The model includes session plans based on objectives graded according to patients' levels of functioning. Also discussed are group rules and the therapist's role.
Theoretical Issues in Clinical Social Group Work
Authors: Randall Elizabeth , Wodarski John S.
Published: March 2007

This article reviews relevant issues in the practice of clinical social group work. The following issues are reviewed: group versus individual treatment, the advantages of group work, rationale for the use of the group work approach, group conditions for change, the role of the worker in groups, group composition, technique and method in group practice, time as a dimension in group work, pretherapy training, precautions in group therapy, and methodological difficulties in social group work The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of issues reviewed for clinical social group work
Group Processes in Short-Term Group Therapy of Psychotics
Authors: Opalic Petar
Published: March 2007

The fundamental principles of short-term psychotherapy are presented in reference to psychotic patients. Emphasis is placed on empirical hermeneutical research into group process within the phenomenological approach. This is followed by a case study of shortterm psychotherapy with psychotic patients. A four-stage approach to short-term therapy is outlined and illustrated. The advantages of a sound knowledge of group process on the part of therapists are discussed, as are the advantages of the idiographic approach to group process research.
The Efficacy of Group Therapy for Depression
Authors: Vandervoort Debra J. , Fuhriman Addie
Published: March 2007

This article reviews the empirical research on the efficacy of group therapy for depressive disorders from 1970 to 1986. The review was undertaken in light of a multidimensional classification system designed to clarify differences between conceptual and measurement parameters of the various studies. The results suggest that group interventions have shortterm efficacy in the alleviation of depressive symptomatology with an outpatient population. Although more research needs to be done before definitive conclusions can be drawn, the availablefollow-up data suggest that lasting well-being would be anticipated following successful group inten'ention. As there was nofocus on the process-outcome interaction, no conclusions could be drawn about factors responsible for the positive outcome found.
Multicultural Task Groups
Authors: Kirchmeyer Catherine
Published: March 2007

This study sought to explain the contribution imbalance between minority and majority members of multicultural task groups in terms of differences in personal characteristics outside of racial or ethnic identity. Business students who volunteered to participate in a decision-making exercise were assigned to four-person groups on the bases of sex and minority status. A total of 41 multicultural groups were formed. Aftenvard, participants individually completed questionnaires on the experience and their personal characteristics. Low comnmnunication competetce, low inasculinity, and highfemininity were associated both with minority status and with low contribution to decision making. As a block the personal variables explained more variance in contribution to decision making than did minority status alone. In addition, high contributing minorities appeared to be motivated by needs unlike those of high contributing nonminorities. The implications of these findings for facilitators of multicultural groups are discussed.
Restrictive Group Support Systems as a Source of Process Structure for High and Low Procedural Order Groups
Authors: Wheeler Bradley C. , Mennecke Brian E. , Scudder Joseph N.
Published: March 2007

Most Group Support Systems (GSSs) have been designed to provide structure and process support for decision-making groups, but individuals and groups may have preferences for structuring group work that are not always compatible with the assumptions of GSS designers. This research reports a laboratory experiment which manipulated the degree of restrictive structure in a GSS and the preference for procedural order of the group. Performance was generally better when groups used the nonrestrictive GSS, although they were more satisfied with the restrictive environment. The results of this research suggest that preference for procedural order and restrictiveness moderates the manner in which technology-supported decision processes are used and perceived. These results have implications for the organizational implementation of current GSS configurations and for future GSS design.
Interaction Behavior and Person Perception
Authors: Patterson Miles L.
Published: March 2007

This article proposes a conceptualframeworkfor analyzing interdependent behavioral and person perception processes in social interaction. First, the separate theoretical approaches to nonverbal exchange (the behavioral side) and to person perception (the social cognition side) of interaction are briefly reviewed Next, the relationship between the behavioral and person perception processes are outlined in an integrative theoreticalframework. Within this framework, the distribution of cognitive resources, in terms of attention and cognitive effort, determines the effectiveness of interactive behavior and the nature of impressions formed about apartner Finally, an example of a researchparadigmfor studying the behavior-person perception interface is described and preliminary results reported.
The Impact of Group Efficacy and Group Goals on Group Task Performance
Authors: Silver William S. , Bufanio Kristina M.
Published: March 2007

The present study empirically examined the relations among group efficacy, group goals, and group task performance. Groups of three students performed interdependent tasks and responded to efficacy and goal questionnaires. The results across two task trials demonstrated that group efficacy was correlated significantly and highly with group goals and subsequent task performance. Multiple regression analyses revealed that past performance, group efficacy, and group goals contributed jointly to 52% and 43% of the variance in subsequent group performance. The implications of these findings forfuture research, and for increasing group efficacy and group performance in organizations, are discussed.
Effects of Partially Shared Information and Awareness of Unshared Information on Information Sampling
Authors: Schittekatte Mark , Van Hiel Alain
Published: March 2007

The present study examines the effects of two conditions on the information flow during unstructured discussion in small groups. The experimental work of Stasser and colleagues on information sampling was our starting point. The results of their research suggest that groups often fail in effective information exchange. An experiment with a 2 x 2 factorial design was set up to look for conditions that could facilitate the exchange of unshared information. Video-recorded group discussions were analyzed on the mentioning of items during discussion. The reactions to and repetition of items were also studied. The researchers introduced partially shared information and made group members aware of the unique information that they could contribute. A significant increase in the dissemination of unshared information was found under these conditions. An empirical basis was laid so that guidelines for effective information sampling by Stasser could be reformulated.
Leaders' Ambivalence about Reciprocity Obligations in Self-Help Groups
Authors: Medvene Louis J. , Teal Cayla R.
Published: March 2007

This study explored the extent to which self-help group leaders endorsed beliefs that group members should primarily take care of themselves (a need-based norm) and that group members have an obligation to help others (an equity-based nonn). Leadersfrom 63 different groups were asked to respond to a fictional vignette describing "Betty," who had been attending a cancer survivors group for 4 months. Leaders 'endorsements of both norms were interpreted as evidence that leaders experienced pressures to respond to both individual members 'needs and the group 's survival needs. Group-level variables, rather than dispositional variables, were most strongly associated with their endorsements of needand equity-based norms. Leaders were less likely to endorse the need-based norm and more likely to endorse the equity-based norm when (a) there was more diversified leadership in their own group, (b) their group was affiliated with other groups rather than stand-alone groups, and (c) the leader was a successor rather than a founder.
Developing Assessment Tools for Cross-Cultural Group Research
Authors: Wheelan Susan A. , Buzaglo Georges , Tsumura Eisaku
Published: March 2007

This article describes the process of translating and validating a group assessment toolfor use with Spanish-and Japanese-speaking populations and discusses its utility for research and practice. El Cuestionario de Desarrollo de Grupos (CDG) and the Group Development Questionnaire-Japanese (GDQ-J) represent translations of the Group Development Questionnaire (GDQ). The existence of dependable measures of group developmentfor use with Spanish-and Japanese-speaking populations, along with their counterpart for English speakers, may stimulate more cross-cultural research on work groups and may be of use to practitioners.
Facilitating Work Team Effectiveness
Authors: Buzaglo Georges , Wheelan Susan A.
Published: March 2007

This case study explored the links between the developmental profiles of three groups working in a semigovernmental organization in Central America, and it suggests strategies to improve the effectiveness and productivity of those groups. The findings suggested that a brief intervention based on a detailed analysis of a group’s developmental level can produce significant changes in that group’s level of functioning and productivity. Although these results are promising, more studies, employing a more rigorous research design, will be necessary to confirm these findings.
A Personal Perspective on the Evolution of Gaming
Authors: Duke Richard D.
Published: March 2007

This article presents a quick sketch of the author’s experiences with gaming. For more than four decades, he has had the opportunity to do gaming as a more or less full-time occupation. There has been a learning curve, slow but sure, as a consequence of working on more than 100 gaming exercises. Because these experiences were typically team efforts, the author has worked in close contact with many fine gamers over the years and has benefited a great deal from these contacts. Given that the teams averaged three to five people each, it is clearly not possible for the author to mention all of those with whom he has worked. A few projects are described briefly and the team members acknowledged.
Group Model Building: A Decision Room Approach
Authors: Rouwette Etiënne A.J.A. , Vennix Jac A. M. , Thijssen Cécile M.
Published: March 2007

In this article, the authors investigate the benefits and drawbacks of using group model building in a group decision room. An approach to group model building adapted for use in a group decision room is described. The authors then determine the feasibility of such an approach in a pilot study and compare the results of the traditional version with those of the electronic version used by a group of 32 graduate students. Specifically, the authors assess the effects on quality of communication, satisfaction, knowledge (of others’ opinions and of the problem), consensus, and commitment. The evaluation shows that the electronic version yields positive results similar to the nonelectronic version. This result strengthens the idea that electronic support can be used to avoid the direct costs of convening groups, as is necessary in the traditional form. A number of improvements to both the intervention and the evaluation procedure are discussed.
The Touch of Telesurgery: A Philosophical Perspective
Authors: Thacker Eugene
Published: March 2007

This article raises philosophical issues concerning the relationship between the body and technology in contemporary telesurgery research. The article focuses on two technical concepts—simulation and telepresence—and describes how both inform research into the application of computer and network technologies in medical research. The article makes an argument for a simultaneous acknowledgement of the enabling capacities of such technologies while also emphasizing issues pertaining to the physician-patient relationship, accountability, and changes to the biomedical definition of the body.
Cimarron Valley: A Simulation-Based EAP Composition Curriculum
Authors: Moder Carol Lynn , Seig Mary Theresa DiGennaro , Van Den Elzen Brad
Published: March 2007

This article discusses the use of a thematically linked set of semester-long simulations in an English for academic purposes composition course. The authors describe the content of the simulations and discuss their effectiveness in addressing some of the key issues in English for academic purposes writing: accessibility of content, comprehension and internalization of source material, and intellectual engagement with the topic.
Simulation/Gaming in the EAP Writing Class: Benefits and Drawbacks
Authors: Saliés Tânia Gastão
Published: March 2007

This study describes an integrated use of simulation/gaming in an English for Academic Purposes class, analyzes its benefits and drawbacks, and suggests how the technique would apply to other specific contexts. To write an argumentative essay, international students brief and run a simulation on gun control. They respond to a poll, debate, watch a movie, write letters to editors of local newspapers, read, and play bingo. They also debrief by discussing their performance and working with cartoons. Although the approach failed to provide enough accuracy to generate satisfactory organization and documentation, the level of motivation, metacognitive awareness, and topic authority point positively toward the technique. Student writers searched, organized, planned, and executed the knowledge they co-constructed. If there had been more time to debrief, other form-focused practice could have further improved the final results.
Using a Simulation in an ESL Classroom: A Descriptive Analysis
Authors: Jung Carrie S. Y. , Levitin Helen
Published: March 2007

The article describes a simulation that was used in an English as a second language class designed for Southeast Asian government officials enrolled in an English language and Canadian cultural immersion program. The two authors are teachers fromCanada who were seconded by the Regional English Language Centre in Singapore to teach in the 3-month, intensive English for International Communication Program. The teachers felt that simulations would enable students to integrate language and communication skills with the knowledge that they had gained concerning cultural aspects of Canadian society. This article describes a courtroom simulation and provides information concerning the preparations for the activity, the simulation itself, and the students’ responses to and perceptions of the activity. A questionnaire was circulated after the simulation, and the results obtained are also discussed. The authors conclude that simulations are a valuable and stimulating language learning tool.
Simulation Review
Authors: Nelson L. Warren
Published: March 2007

GHETTO, designed by Dove Toll and marketed by Western Publishing Company was played several times during March and April, 1970, by students and teachers in the public elementary schools of Highland Park, Michigan. The reviewer is the Assistant Superintendant of Schools in Highland Park.
Simulation and Games Forum
Authors: Zelmer Amy Elliott
Published: March 2007

The purpose of the "Simulation and Games Forum" is to provide a medium for informal and informative discussion about games and simulation. The forum may contain comments on papers previously published; initiate a topic for discussion, unrelated to previous publications in SIMULATION AND GAMES; or give a prospectus of research projects, prior to their initiation, so that researchers with similar interests may exchange ideas and possibly arrange to share data. This section is intended to generate debate, to lay out issues on which readers might differ, and to foster communication among readers. Submissions will be published in the issue following receipt. They should be limited to 700 words (approximately 2½ pages, typed double-space) and sent in letter form addressed to the Editors.
Profits: The False Prophet in Business Gaming
Authors: Teach Richard D.
Published: March 2007

Historically, the profits generated during the course of play by companies in a business simulation have been used as a surrogate measure of the managerial ability of team members. Better measures of managerial ability would be gained by measuring and analyzing errors in forecasting over a wide variety of events. The ability to operate within budget constraints and to allocate limited resources among almost limitless needs is also an indicator of managerial ability. Assigning specific responsibilities to each individual on a team, and then evaluating that individual's effort, allow a grade or performance rating to be assigned to each member of the team. Measuring profit performance requires the limitation that all firms must start as equals. Without this imposing limitation, a much richer simulation environment could be established.
International Business Simulation/Gaming: An Assessment and Review
Authors: Klein Ronald D. , Fleck Robert A.
Published: March 2007

Can international business (IB) simulation games play a significant role in filling the need for students who understand lB concepts? This article reviews the gaming literature to identify gaming's strengths and weaknesses to determine the roles that stimulations can play in lB pedagogy. It then reviews the existing IB simulation games to determine what each game can or cannot contribute to the teaching of international business. Potential adopters can then select the simulation that best fulfills their course requirements.
Some Thoughts on the Structure of Science as a Basis for Learning/Teaching in Interdisciplinary Programs
Authors: Thatcher Donald C.
Published: March 2007

This article begins by identifying the content/process discussion and the relationship between that and recent research into learning. It then explores the relationship between the structure of a subject and the ways in which people learn in that subject area and use that knowledge in a problem-solving context. The different levels of knowledge or cognitive study are explored and exemplified in one subject area-geography. The nature of constructs is further explored, and the discussion moves to a consideration of constructs within and across disciplines. Finally, the analysis is used to consider ways in which it might help in the construction of more effective ways of promoting learning in students.
Ethical Issues in Postexperimental and Postexperiential Debriefing
Authors: Stewart Lea P.
Published: March 2007

This article presents an analysis of the ethical issues in debriefing simulations and games informed by a consideration of the ethical issues involved in debriefing research experiments. Ethical issues faced by debriefers and participants in postexperimental and postexperimental debriefing are discussed Guidelines for ethical participation in simulation/gaming debriefings are presented.
The Role of Classroom Techniques in Teaching Management Skills
Authors: Teach Richard D. , Govahi Gita
Published: March 2007

University faculty members, especially in business schools, have consistently discussed the role of teaching techniques in conveying knowledge about a set of skills that are needed by their students. This article is an attempt to discover the role that different pedagogical tools, lectures, case studies, simulations, and experiential exercises play in teaching the skill sets needed by young business school graduates. The results show that some forms of pedagogy clearly outperform others in teaching the needed skill set. However, all four of the teaching techniques studied contributed to the required skill set. The results clearly emphasized the effectiveness of using multiple teaching techniques in teaching management skills.
Successful Student Case Analysis Strategies
Authors: Wolfe Joseph
Published: March 2007

Empirical research was conducted on how students analyze cases and what case analysis techniques students employed to produce superior results. This article investigated (a) the analytical and writing approaches employed by students as they began to present their case analysis in written form, (b) whether an empirically derived underlying structure or process existed within their activities, and (c) student attributions for case writing improvement and case grade changes over time.
Use of Simulation Activities in Developing Counselor Competence
Authors: Westwood Marvin
Published: March 2007

Simulation and games activities are an essential component of any counselor education program. This article briefly reviews the rationale for the use of simulation exercises as an integral part of the instructional process.
From SIMGAMES to Africa (and Back): A Retrospect from Canada
Authors: Cavanagh T. K.
Published: March 2007

The author reviews both positive and negative aspects and memories of his 30-year involvement in simulation gaming as a teacher, consultant, and editor of SIMGAMES: The Canadian Journal of Simulation and Gaming. He touches on confusion in the defining of terms, unrealistic notions about the effects of debriefing, and a lack of rigor in both evaluating and thinking about the simulation gaming process. He refers too to the problems encountered in attempting to address in a small quarterly journal the wide interests and diverse readership inevitably found within the spectrum of simulation gaming. The article concludes with a positive commentary on his recent gaming experiences in Africa (Malawi) and a not-so-positive reflection on simulation gaming's contribution to the recovery (victim's) movement.
SIMSOC at 30
Authors: Gamson William A.
Published: March 2007

The author describes what influenced the development of SIMSOC in the earliest years before the first edition was published by the Free Press in 1969. He notes how SIMSOC has been used for purposes different from his own in developing it, particularly as a component of adult leadership training programs. Today, the interdisciplinary subfield of gaming and simulation has become institutionalized. SIMSOC might still be well received if introduced today, but it undoubtedly received a boost by appearing at the high-water mark of interest and excitement about the use of game simulations in the social sciences.