bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond Coping: Stress-Related Growth Among Siblings of Children with Special Needs
Authors: Hua Sim Wan , Frydenberg Erica
Published: May 2012

This article reports a study on the experiences of positive changes after stressful events described by siblings of children with special needs. These positive changes are referred to as stress-related growth. While much of the research on siblings of children with special needs has focused on understanding the adjustment difficulties they experience, growing evidence suggests that families of children with special needs can experience positive changes. Twenty-five adolescents were asked to describe an event associated with their brother/sister with special needs and to provide ratings on a series of measures of stress, coping and stress-related growth. Five families were interviewed to gain insights into their world. Their stories suggest the possibility of thriving in a family with a child with special needs, and the role of positive family factors in fostering stress-related growth. The study also indicates the need for families and professionals to acknowledge the needs of siblings of children with special needs and to promote productive coping and effective communication and problem-solving skills.
Social Pedagogy as an Ethical Orientation Towards Working With People — Historical Perspectives
Authors: Eichsteller Gabriel , Holthoff Sylvia
Published: May 2012

Social pedagogy has a longstanding tradition in many European countries. This article outlines its development in relation to culturally specific concepts of children and their upbringing — the pedagogical — and ideas about the relationship between individuals and their community — the social. Both dimensions are closely connected to social pedagogy's ethical orientation, most notably to respect people as resourceful agents, help them develop their potential and support the construction of a more just society. By drawing on historical thinkers in social philosophy and education, the article explains how these two dimensions have shaped social pedagogy as an action-orientated science that requires professionals to work in an ethical manner. It concludes by discussing the need for critical reflection in order to ensure profound respect of people's human dignity and their otherness.
Social Pedagogy: Differences and Links to Existing Child Care Practice
Authors: Kemp Robyn
Published: May 2012

Some commentators have pointed to the United Kingdom (UK) having a tendency towards reducing ‘new’ concepts or practices so much that they bear little resemblance to the original form. This is why I wish to highlight in this article some of the sometimes subtle, yet profound, differences in a social pedagogical approach to child care in order to better understand the potential of social pedagogy for developing practice. There are five main sections to this article: first, I describe social pedagogy and a conceptualisation of a social pedagogical approach; second, the UK context is examined so as to set the scene for the third, fourth and fifth sections, which examine reflection, relationships and the concept of lifespace through a social pedagogic lens, drawing links to existing good practice in the UK. Although this commentary does not discuss Australian practice, I believe there are some important aspects in the way in which the UK has tried to familiarise itself with social pedagogy that can help Australian readers to better understand some of the subtleties and nuances of the paradigm and inspire their own reflections.
Resisting Risk-Averse Practice: The Contribution of Social Pedagogy
Authors: Milligan Ian
Published: May 2012

The increasing predominance of practices associated with risk and ‘risk management’ within social work has been noted in recent years. Some writers have observed threats to fundamental values of social work and cite the problem of risk-aversion and excessive caution. In residential child care settings in Scotland, the author and colleagues noted an increasing problem of ‘risk averse’ practice in relation to very basic and nonrisky outdoor activities such as trips to the beach or cycling. This article gives an account of various policy and guidance responses that were developed as regulatory authorities began to recognise the dangers of over-protection and the growth of written ‘risk assessments’ within small-scale group homes that were intended to provide ‘homely’ care for children and young people. The article notes the contribution of training in social pedagogy, which has recently been undertaken by some residential staff in Scotland and elsewhere in the United Kingdom. One of the impacts of this training has been a reported decrease in risk-averse practice including a greater willingness to undertake outdoor activities. The reason why the adoption of a social pedagogic approach might challenge risk-averse practice is tentatively suggested.
The Diverse Practice of Social Pedagogues: Case Examples From Denmark, Scotland, and Germany
Authors: Surel Christina , Douglas Sarah , Finley Andy , Priver Alexandra
Published: May 2012

Guest Editors' Note

As a holistic way of working with children and young people to develop their learning and wellbeing, their inter-and independence, social pedagogy is widely practised across many European countries. While the ways in which it is practiced will differ — depending on the cultural context and setting — there are also common threads that connect the social pedagogic traditions found in several countries. Hämäläinen (2003) suggests that ‘social pedagogy has a certain perspective of its own [which] cannot be reduced to a set of simple pedagogical methods, but should be understood as an educational orientation in which the world, people, society, social problems and social work are observed through “social pedagogical” glasses, as it were’ (p. 76).
Youth Worker, Probably the Most Difficult Job in the World
Authors: Coussée Filip , Williamson Howard
Published: May 2012

Guest Editors' Note

One of the most central principles for social pedagogues is to critically examine their role and the purpose of their practice: What are the social aspects of relevance for their practice? How can they help the children they work with to develop social competences, to feel included in a social network and the wider society, to have a sense of belonging and take more responsibility for their community? To what extent must social pedagogues be advocates for those marginalised within society, be a critical voice that challenges social inequalities? And on the other hand, what pedagogical aspects are important within their work context? How can they create learning opportunities that prepare children and young people for many aspects of life? To what extent are they expected to be formative and socialise children and young people to fit in, and to what extent must their practice nurture the individual's autonomous development? These are not easy questions to answer, and they need to be asked over and over as the answers will change, depending on the individual with whom social pedagogues work, but also their work context and, importantly, the wider societal–political framework, which might make particular aspects more relevant at times.
Employees' Perceptions of the Management of Workplace Stress
Authors: Buys Nicholas , Matthews Lynda R. , Randall Christine
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this study was to explore how employees perceive their organisation's efforts to address the management of stress in their workplaces and to examine differences based on demographic variables of organisational location and size. A convenience sample of 85 people at an international disability management conference completed a Management of Stress in the Workplace Questionnaire. Results of this survey indicated that employees were not positive about their organisations efforts to manage stress in either prevention or rehabilitation activities. Employees from smaller organisations rated their workplace environments more positively than larger organisations. A perceived high incidence of stress in an organisation was negatively related to perceptions about the work environment. Lower perceived levels of stress-related compensation claims were associated with higher ratings of prevention and higher workplace environment ratings. Effective disability management programs need to address a range of individual, organisational and system factors that cause and exacerbate stress injuries. In addition to the provision of a range of prevention and rehabilitation services, it is important that organisations look at ways to improve workplace culture and, by association, job satisfaction and workplace morale.
Internalising Disability Management: Using Action Research to Explore Organisational Change Processes
Authors: McAnaney Donal , Williams Blake
Published: May 2012

Internalising disability management (DM) processes into an organisation needs careful planning and preparation particularly where the existing practice is to outsource DM services and supports to third-party providers. By using an action research methodology, the implementation process of an early intervention and rehabilitation pilot project in a large North American multisite health provider was tracked and monitored. An action researcher, who was the staff member responsible for line managing the DM pilot, kept an action research journal in which the actions taken, outcomes achieved, issues arising, insight gained and successful responses were regularly recorded over the initial phase of the pilot project. Organisational impact indicators for the pilot project were very positive. A content analysis of the action research journal revealed key components in a successful company DM program, the challenges faced when introducing a new program where pre-existing programs and policies exist, challenges arising from project implementation and mechanisms and strategies that worked well. The action research approach provided a useful insight into the day-to-day issues to be addressed when internalising DM into a large multisite organisation.
Safe to Engage: Chronic Illness and Organisational Citizenship Behaviours at Work
Authors: Kirk-Brown Andrea , Dijk Pieter Van
Published: May 2012

The aim of this study is to extend current models of employee work engagement to include chronic illness in order to better understand and predict workforce participation for the chronically ill. Using a sample of 604 participants, the current study examined the relationship between work engagement, perceptions of psychological safety at work and the performance of organisational citizenship behaviours for employees with chronic illness (N = 92) compared to a referent group of general employees (N = 512). Results indicate that for chronically ill employees, psychological safety partially mediates the relationship between engagement and the performance of organisational citizenship behaviours. These results suggest that the development of a workplace environment characterised by feelings of safety, interpersonal trust and mutual respect will foster the performance of engaged work behaviours for a group of employees vulnerable to the experience of a reduced sense of personal efficacy in the workplace and consequent premature retirement.
Barriers to Successful Community Reintegration Following Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Authors: Mahar Charmaine , Fraser Kym
Published: May 2012

The consequences of acquired brain injury are profound and debilitating. People who sustain these injuries experience alterations to the physical, cognitive, behavioural, and psychosocial aspects of their life. These changes are often difficult to understand and consequently, many of these people are unable to successfully reintegrate into their community. This article reviews the literature and provides the reader with an understanding of the repercussions of acquired brain injury with a view to promote community acceptance and successful community reintegration. While the review identified many factors that could impede successful reintegration the empirical support for a number of these areas is lacking. Therefore, opportunities for further research abound.
Strategies to Facilitate Successful Community Reintegration Following Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Authors: Mahar Charmaine , Fraser Kym
Published: May 2012

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is considered to be the primary cause of disability in our society. People with ABI face an array of challenges, which include emotional lability, disinhibition, irritability, distractibility, executive dysfunction, memory difficulties, inattention and noticeable changes to personality. Effective rehabilitation and community reintegration is considered essential for those with ABI but impeding the process is society's lack of knowledge and understanding. This is due in some part to the invisible nature of the disability. The focus of this article is to introduce the key areas that influence reintegration, being the rehabilitation process, service access and interventions. It is clear the reintegration process is greatly restricted by the lack of services and programs available to improve the long-term outcomes for people with ABI. To help facilitate successful community reintegration the article developed and lists a significant number of management strategies to assist those who are involved in the lives of people with ABI.
Transmission of Violence: The Legacy of Colonialism in Guam and the Path to Peace
Authors: Rapadas Juan M.
Published: May 2012

The Western Pacific island of Guam, located in Micronesia has a long history of colonisation. Through centuries of warfare, violence, disease, subjugation, and disregard for basic human rights and freedom, the indigenous Chamoru people have been wounded and defeated in innumerable ways. They have persevered and survived throughout the centuries, despite their traumatic history, but not without consequences. This theoretical article explores those consequences and the traumatic ‘debris’ within the context of traumatology and post-traumatic stress disorder literature, the Jewish Holocaust experience, and the modern sociopolitical atmosphere on Guam. Finally, some recommendations that have themes of empowerment, reparations, cultural renaissance, and rebirth are offered to restore balance and peace to the lives of the native Chamoru of today's Guam.
The Psychology of Consensus in Melanesia
Authors: Marai Leo
Published: May 2012

Consensus is an essential ingredient for conflict resolution, reconciliation, agreement, and peace in Melanesian societies. The psychological aspects of its positive influence in establishing a common ground between conflicting parties have not been explored. From a psycho-cultural perspective, I focus on the positive dynamism of consensus. I provide the Bougainville crisis within Papua New Guinea as a case vignette to illustrate the utility and significance of consensus in the search for concrete principles to unite a ‘disoriented’ world. In doing so, the issue of incorporating indigenous psychological knowledge into mainstream psychology becomes clearer. The article searches for psychological principles germane to reducing conflict and maintaining peace. This kind of utility is exemplified in a case study of achieving consensus in Papua New Guinea.
Discussion of Koo and Han: Integrative Complexity: An Important Theory for Peace Psychologists
Authors: Levitt Julie M.
Published: May 2012

I will consider the important issues relating to peace psychology that Koo and Han raise in their article, South–North Korean Relations: the integrative complexity in correspondence. Their article carries out 5 significant tasks: (a) to present the theory, integrative complexity; (b) to add to our limited analysis of divided peoples; (c) to demonstrate the complexity of cross-cultural analysis; (d) to emphasise the need to integrate historical references, culture, and many other factors to our understanding of policy decisions; (e) to analyse the relationship of power, affiliation, and achievement, with integrative complexity.
Social Psychology of East Timor's Nonviolent Democratic Transition: View From the Inside
Authors: Montiel Cristina Jayme , Belo Abilio
Published: May 2012

Social psychological aspects of the East Timor peace and liberation movement were studied by in-depth interviews of key liberation leaders, using 20 open-ended questions in Tetum, the local language. Activist-leaders shared common beliefs: liberation as a prerequisite to development, unity, and possibility of peace through peaceful means. They told stories of acute self-suffering during imprisonment and torture; of their hopes, and courageous moments in the struggle. Human rights and Catholic faith ranked high in their shared values. Peaceful demonstrations, intergroup diplomacy, rallying international support, political and peace education towards consciousness transformation and housing refugees were liberationist nonviolent activities. Four important lessons were learned: advocacy to conscientise the people, practice of nonviolence, involvement of different sectors of society, and engaging the international community.
Rethinking the Role of Escuelas Nuevas and Social Capital in Colombia Through the Lens of Peace-Building and Reconciliation
Authors: Upegui-Hernàndez Debora
Published: May 2012

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) endorse social capital to solve poverty and inequality. Colombia proposes urban school reform (Escuelas Nuevas) to increase its social capital. Social capital is accepted by ‘indigenous researchers’ without considering its societal and political context. The psychology of Martín Baró and Freire' de-ideologises such social capital concepts. Interviews with individual teachers, community members, and focus groups of elementary school parents and students were analysed for the consequences of Escuelas Nuevas for social capital, and for peace-building and reconciliation of violent conflict. Social capital did not stand in place of social justice programmes. Using social capital to redirect efforts against social inequalities constitutes ‘structural violence’ perpetuating the colonisation of indigenous communities.
'A Blood-Stained Corpse in the Butler's Pantry'
Authors: Wagner Robin
Published: May 2012

The Queensland Bush Book Club was already twelve years old when Ralph Munn and Ernest Pitt conducted their famous survey of Australian libraries in 1934. The questionnaires they sent out in advance of their travels were often returned with a personal plea to the Carnegie Corporation for funding. Other letters tucked into the survey forms might describe the local library’s sorry condition, express the town’s interest in a free public library or extend an invitation to Munn and Pitt to visit.
The Power of Persistence
Authors: Roennfeldt Peter
Published: May 2012

The establishment of higher education institutions in Australia is normally an initiative of government. However, in the case of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, the journey towards establishment was delayed continually by a government that was either unable or unwilling to accede to the increasingly vociferous demands of its musically minded constituents. The long and tortuous journey towards its opening in 1957 was characterised by the dogged persistence of numerous individuals, who today might be termed lobbyists. Without their collective efforts, the institution’s arrival might have been delayed even longer than the half-century that elapsed between the first suggestion of Queensland having a premier music school and that concept being realised. Themes of cultural deprivation amounting to a ‘state’s rights’ catch-cry figure strongly in the Conservatorium’s story. It also became a socio-political issue as families sent their musically talented children to study at conservatoria in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney or overseas. The stream of agitators for a Queensland conservatorium provides an interesting snapshot of the state’s musical community during the early twentieth century. This article discusses the ‘power of persistence’ by a several musical advocates — some of them were well-known community leaders, while the contributions of others have faded from public memory, but were no less significant.
Returns to Education: What Do Twin Studies Control?
Authors: Stanek Kevin C. , Iacono William G. , McGue Matt
Published: May 2012

The current article examines the assumptions of the MZ co-twin control method that has been applied in attempts to gain more accurate estimates of the returns to education by naturally ‘controlling’ for individual differences on which MZ twins are matched. The current study examined 1738 MZ and 926 DZ twins from Minnesota, including 133 pairs of MZ and 101 pairs of DZ twins discordant for university attendance. They were assessed prospectively on personality, intelligence, GPA, and academic motivation; a subset also has reported income at age 29. MZ twins discordant for university attendance differed significantly and prospectively on verbal IQ, personality traits, and GPA. While MZ co-twin control studies can provide more accurate estimates of the returns to education than analyses of single individuals, these studies do not entirely obviate the need to control for differences between university students and non-students that predate university attendance and might account for income differentials and even non-monetary outcomes.
Heritability of Cortisol Regulation in Children
Authors: Gustafsson Per A. , Gustafsson Per E. , Anckarsäter Henrik , Lichtenstein Paul , Ljung Therese , Nelson Nina , Larsson Henrik
Published: May 2012

Background: The normal development of cortisol regulation during childhood is thought to be influenced by a complex interplay between environmental and genetic factors. Method: The aim of this study was to estimate genetic and environmental influences on basal cortisol levels in a sample of 151 twin pairs aged 9–16 years. Salivary cortisol was collected on two consecutive days when the children attended school — immediately after awakening, 30 min post-awakening and at bedtime. Results: Heritability was highest (60%) for cortisol levels about 30 min after awakening. For samples taken immediately at awakening heritability was less pronounced (28%) and in the evening low (8%). Conclusion: The limited genetic influence on evening levels, moderate on cortisol at awakening and high on awakening response, might imply two genetic regulation patterns, one specifically for awakening response and one for the circadian rhythm proper. These findings could explain divergent results in previous studies and highlight the importance of taking the circadian rhythm into account in studies of cortisol levels in children.
Investigation of Two Wnt Signalling Pathway Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in a Breast Cancer-Affected Australian Population
Authors: Gabrovska Plamena N. , Smith Robert A. , Haupt Larisa M. , Griffiths Lyn R.
Published: May 2012

In the mammary gland, Wnt signals are strongly implicated in initial development of the mammary rudiments and in the ductal branching and alveolar morphogenesis that occurs during pregnancy. Previously, we identified two Wnt signaling pathway-implicated genes, PPP3CA and MARK4, as having a role in more aggressive and potentially metastatic breast tumors. In this study, we examined two SNPs within PPP3CA and MARK4 in an Australian case-control study population for a potential role in human breast cancers. 182 cases and 180 controls were successfully genotyped for the PPP3CA SNP (rs2850328) and 182 cases and 177 controls were successfully genotyped for the MARK4 SNP (rs2395) using High Resolution Melt (HRM) analysis. Genotypes of randomly selected samples for both SNPs were validated by dye terminator sequencing. Chi-square tests were performed to determine any significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies between the cases and controls. Chi-square analysis showed no statistically significant difference (ρ > .05) for genotype frequencies between cases and controls for rs2850328 (χ2 = 1.2, p = .5476) or rs2395 (χ2 = .3, p = .8608). Similarly, no statistical difference was observed for allele frequencies for rs2850328 (χ2 = .68, p = .4108) or rs2395 (χ2 = .02, p = .893). Even though an association of the polymorphisms rs2850328 and rs2395 and breast cancer was not detected in our case-control study population, other variants within the PPP3CA and MARK4 genes may still be associated with breast cancer, as both genes are implicated with processes involved in the disease as well as their mutual partaking in the Wnt signaling pathway.
Environmental and Genetic Contributions to Indicators of Oral Malodor in Twins
Authors: Bretz Walter A. , Biesbrock Aaron , Corby Patricia M. , Corby Andrea L. , Bretz Walter G. , Wessel Jennifer , Schork Nicholas J.
Published: May 2012

This study aimed to: (1) determine concordance rates of self-reported and subjectively determined indicators of oral malodor in twins; (2) determine the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors to levels of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in intraoral and exhaled breath. Fifty-one twin pairs participated in the study. Measurements of VSCs were obtained by a halimeter. The presence of tongue coatings was determined and twins filled out a 32-item questionnaire on oral malodor indicators independently of one another. Estimates of heritability (h2) for halimeter measurements were computed by SOLAR. The concordance rates for the presence of tongue coating among identical and fraternal twins were 67% and 11%, respectively. In the 10 most informative items, 70% exhibited higher concordance rates for identical than for fraternal twins. Of particular interest were the differences in concordance rates for dry mouth, sinus infection and unusual sweating. The h2for intra-oral breath was 0.28 ± 0.17 (NS), whereas the h2for exhaled breath was 0.50 ± 0.20 (p= .0207). The concordance rates of tongue coatings and malodor indicators were higher in identical twins than in fraternal twins. Intraoral breath VSC values were primarily attributable to environmental factors, whereas exhaled breath VSC values were partially explained by genetic factors.
Twin-to-Twin Delivery Time: Neonatal Outcome of the Second Twin
Authors: Schneuber Susanne , Magnet Eva , Haas Josef , Giuliani Albrecht , Freidl Thomas , Lang Uwe , Bjelic-Radisic Vesna
Published: May 2012

Objective: To examine the effect of twin-to-twin delivery time (TTDT) on neonatal outcome.Methods: We evaluated twin deliveries >34 weeks of gestation. Twin pregnancies with both twins delivered by cesarean section and pregnancies with antenatal complications were excluded. We analyzed TTDT and neonatal outcomes of the second twin (umbilical arterial pH value (pHart), Apgar scores at 1, 5 and 10 minutes, need for intensive care). The study population was divided into two homogenous groups based on the mode of delivery: (A) vertex presentation and vaginal delivery of both twins, (B) vertex presentation and vaginal or vaginal operative delivery of twin I, breech or transverse presentation and vaginal breech delivery or cesarean section (CS) of twin II.Results: A total of 207 twin pairs were included in our study. In Group A (n= 151) there were no significant correlations between TTDT and pHartor Apgar scores at 1, 5 and 10 minutes of twin II (p= .156; 0.861; 0.151 and 0.384, respectively). In Group B (n= 56), the mean pHartof twin II was inversely correlated to TTDT, but not significantly (p= .417). TTDT was inversely related to 1-min and 5-min Apgar scores, but not significantly (p= .330;p= .138, respectively). The 10-min Apgar score showed no correlation with TTDT (p= .638).Conclusion: Increasing TTDT was not associated with adverse fetal outcome. Expectant management of the second twin appears possible and elapsed time alone does not appear to be an indication for intervention.
Twin Specific Risk Factors in Primary School Achievements
Authors: de Zeeuw Eveline L. , van Beijsterveldt Catherina E. M. , de Geus Eco J. C. , Boomsma Dorret I.
Published: May 2012

The main aim of this study was to examine twin specific risk factors that influence educational achievement in primary school. We included prenatal factors that are not unique to twins, except for zygosity, but show a higher prevalence in twins than in singletons. In addition, educational achievement was compared between twins and their nontwin siblings in a within-family design. Data were obtained from parents and teachers of approximately 10,000 twins and their nontwin siblings registered with the Netherlands Twin Register. Teachers rated the proficiency of the children on arithmetic, language, reading, and physical education, and reported a national educational achievement test score (CITO). Structural equation modeling showed that gestational age, birth weight, and sex were significant predictors of educational achievement, even after correction for socioeconomic status. Mode of delivery and zygosity did not have an effect, while parental age only influenced arithmetic. Mode of conception, incubator time, and birth complications negatively affected achievement in physical education. The comparison of educational achievement of twins and singletons showed significantly lower ratings on arithmetic, reading, and language in twins, compared to their older siblings, but not compared to their younger siblings. Low gestational age and low birth weight were the most important risk factors for lower educational achievement of twins in primary school. It seems that the differences observed between twins and their nontwin siblings in educational achievement can largely be explained by birth order within the family.
Heritability in Political Interest and Efficacy across Cultures: Denmark and the United States
Authors: Klemmensen Robert , Hatemi Peter K. , Hobolt Sara B. , Skytthe Axel , Nørgaard Asbjørn S.
Published: May 2012

Interest in politics is important for a host of political behaviors and beliefs. Yet little is known about where political interest comes from. Most studies exploring the source of political interest focus on parental influences, economic status, and opportunity. Here, we investigate an alternative source: genetic transmission. Using two twin samples, one drawn from Denmark and the other from USA, we find that there is a high degree of heritability in political interest. Furthermore, we show that interest in politics and political efficacy share the same underlying, latent genetic factor. These findings add to the growing body of literature that documents political behaviors and attitudes as not simply the result of socialization, but also as part of an individual's genetically informed disposition.
Integrating Classical and Contemporary Explanations of Political Participation
Authors: Verhulst Brad
Published: May 2012

Traditional theories of political participation have emphasized its social and normative components; however, recent evidence suggests that political participation has a strong additive genetic component. Accordingly, it is necessary to reevaluate the traditional empirical findings and begin to integrate the two approaches. To do so, a variety of analyses were conducted that explore the modes of genetic and environmental transmission. I find that the empirical estimates of the relationships between the phenotypic level traits are highly consistent with what has been found in the traditional literature, the vast majority of the variance in political participation that is accounted for by the predictor variables is being accounted for at the genetic level, and not at the environmental level. Thus, the current findings suggest that the empirical results found in prior studies are quite likely very accurate. However, the interpretation of those empirical findings, as well as the subsequent theoretical implications, require serious revision.
The Heritability of Foreign Policy Preferences
Authors: Cranmer Skyler J. , Dawes Christopher T.
Published: May 2012

Attitudes towards foreign policy have typically been explained by ideological and demographic factors. We approach this study from a different perspective and ex amine the extent to which foreign policy preferences correspond to genetic variation. Using data from the Minnesota Twin Family Study, we show that a moderate share of individual differences in the degree to which one's foreign policy preferences are hawkish or dovish can be attributed to genetic variation. We also show, based on a bivariate twin model, that foreign policy preferences share a common genetic source of variation with political ideology. This result presents the possibility that ideology may be the causal pathway through which genes affect foreign policy preferences.
Do Heritability Estimates of Political Phenotypes Suffer From an Equal Environment Assumption Violation? Evidence From an Empirical Study
Authors: Littvay Levente
Published: May 2012

Using data from the Minnesota Twins Political Survey, this paper tests for the presence of unequal environments (EEA) by zygosity in political attitudes. Equal environment measures used include shared bedroom, friends, classes, and dressing alike. Results show an EEA violation at p < .05 in 5% of the models tested. The violations' impact on heritability estimates and their confidence levels appear random in magnitude and direction. No reasonable post hoc explanation emerged for understanding the presence of the violation in some items but not others. This article establishes reasonable priors for the absence of EEA violations in political phenotypes based on the tested environmental components. The findings place the burden on critics to present theoretical work on the specific mechanisms of EEA violations based on which additional empirical assessments could (and should) be conducted.
Fear and Attitudes Towards Torture and Preventive War
Authors: Stam Allan C. , Von Hagen-Jamar Alexander , Worthington Alton B. H.
Published: May 2012

This paper examines the association between individuals' beliefs that the world is a dangerous place and their support for a variety of national security policies. We find that the source of the covariance between perceived danger and support for aggressive national security policies is primarily due to a common genetic factor. Latent genetic factors that influence individuals' perception of danger also appear to influence their positions on policies purported to alleviate such danger. Covariation between individuals' experiences and genes suggests that priming messages alone do not drive the covariation between feelings of danger and acceptance of policy changes.
The Danish Political Twin Study: Political Traits in Danish Twins and the General Population
Authors: Klemmensen Robert , Hobolt Sara B. , Dinesen Peter T. , Skytthe Axel , Nørgaard Asbjørn Sonne
Published: May 2012

We compare a recent Danish twin survey on political attitudes and behaviors to a nationally representative survey covering similar topics. We find very similar means and variances for most of our constructed scales of political attitudes and behaviors in the two surveys, although even small differences tend to be statistically significant due to sample size. This suggests that the twin study can be used to make inferences on the heritability of several political traits in the Danish population.
Interaction Between Experience Seeking and Genetic and Environmental
Influences on General Cognitive Ability
Authors: Vinkhuyzen Anna A. E. , van der Sluis Sophie , Posthuma Danielle
Published: May 2012

Although it is well established that experience seeking behavior (ES) is
positively related to cognitive functioning, the mechanisms underlying this
association are not clearly understood. In a large sample of adult twins and
siblings (N = 864, age range 23–75), we studied the causes of
covariation between ES and general cognitive ability and we studied whether ES
moderates the genetic and environmental causes of variation in general cognitive
ability. Results demonstrate a phenotypic correlation of .17 (p <.001)
between general cognitive ability and ES, with a common genetic and common
environmental background. Moreover, the extent to which genetic and
environmental factors are shared between general cognitive ability and ES is
increased in individuals with either lower or higher levels of ES. In addition,
the extent to which genetic and environmental factors influence individual
differences in general cognitive ability in adults partly depended on ES.
Standardized influences of additive genetic factors on general cognitive ability
ranged from 13% to 99%, with lower estimates in higher levels of ES, while
standardized estimates of environmental factors ranged from almost 1% to 87%,
with higher estimates in higher levels of ES. Hence, ES and cognitive ability
are not only associated through common genetic and environmental factors, but
also via moderating effects of genetic and environmental influences on cognitive
ability by ES. These findings have implications for future studies on the
association between ES and general cognitive ability, and for future research on
the genetics of cognitive ability.
Effects of Chorionicity and Zygosity on Triplet Birth Weight
Authors: Lamb Diane J. , Vink Jacqueline M. , Middeldorp Christel M. , van Beijsterveldt Catharina E.M. , Haak Monique C. , Overbeek Lucy I. H. , Boomsma Dorret I.
Published: May 2012

Birth weight in triplets is, on average, lower than in singletons and twins, and more children are classified as having very low or extremely low birth weight. Still, there is limited research on factors that affect triplet birth weight, and samples under study are often small. Chorionicity and zygosity influence triplet birth weight, but it is unknown whether the effect of zygosity can be entirely ascribed to the effect of chorionicity or whether zygosity has an additional effect on triplet birth weight. This question was investigated in 346 triplets (from 116 trios) registered with the Netherlands Twin Register for whom data on chorionicity were available. ‘Triplet’ refers to one child and the set of three triplets is referred to as ‘trio’. Trios and triplets were classified based on zygosity and chorionicity. With regression analysis, the effects of zygosity and chorionicity on triplet birth weight were examined, while controlling for gestational age, sex, and maternal smoking during pregnancy. In addition, within the dizygotic trios a within-family comparison was made between the birth weight of the triplets that were part of a monozygotic pair (with some pairs sharing a chorion), and the birth weight of the dizygotic triplet. Based on the classification on individual level, monozygotic, monochorionic triplets had a lower mean birth weight than dizygotic, dichorionic triplets. Most remarkably, in dizygotic trios, monozygotic pairs only had a lower mean birth weight than their dizygotic sibling triplet when the pair shared a chorion. We conclude that having shared a chorion, rather than being monozygotic, increases the risk of a low birth weight.
Causes of Comorbidity: Pleiotropy or Causality? Shared Genetic and Environmental Influences on Migraine and Neuroticism
Authors: Ligthart Lannie , Boomsma Dorret I.
Published: May 2012

Comorbidity — the clustered occurrence of two traits or disorders — may be studied in genetically informative designs such as the classical twin study, to test whether genetic and/or environmental factors underlying the two disorders are correlated. When a genetic correlation is found, this can be explained by several mechanisms, including pleiotropy (the same genes influencing multiple traits), and causality (one trait causing the other). With a cotwin control design, it can be investigated which scenario is most plausible. In this design, monozygotic twin pairs discordant for the first trait (i.e., one twin is affected, the other is not) are compared in terms of their risk for the second trait: under a causal model, only the twins affected for the first trait will be at increased risk for the second trait. Under genetic pleiotropy, this risk will be increased in both twins because they share the same risk genes. We first discuss the cotwin control design and then illustrate its application with data on migraine and neuroticism that were collected in 5,200 Dutch twins, including 1,648 complete twin pairs (981 monozygotic and 667 dizygotic pairs). There was a significant association between migraine and neuroticism, which could be attributed to genetic and environmental correlations (rG = .27 and rE = .19). In monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs discordant for neuroticism, the risk of migraine was significantly higher in the twins with a high neuroticism score. This pattern of results is consistent with a causal relationship, suggesting that neuroticism increases the risk of migraine.
American inheritance: Steve Erickson and the pursuit of happiness
Authors: Duffy Nikolai
Published: May 2012

This article discusses the work of the contemporary American novelist, Steve Erickson, with particular attention given to his ongoing literary engagement with the ‘Jeffersonian origins’ of America. Considering notions of national foundations, cultural inheritance, political
responsibility and self-identity, it is suggested how, throughout Erickson’s work, the political is consistently represented as being derived from the twin schema of revolution and apocalypse Erickson sees embedded at the heart of America’s origins. This reading is then developed
through a detailed consideration of Erickson’s critical–creative text Leap Year and its analysis of the philosophical and political consequences of ‘the pursuit of happiness’.
Joseph O’Neil’s Netherland and 9/11 Fiction
Authors: Keeble Arin
Published: May 2012

This article argues that Joseph O’Neil’s Netherland (2008) self-consciously addresses some of the problematic aspects of the emerging canon of ‘9/11 fiction’. Netherland subverts one of the dominant thematic rubrics of the canon, marriage and relationships, by
politicizing this area that has led Richard Gray to state that in many examples of 9/11 fiction, ‘the crisis is in every sense of the word, domesticated’. Secondly, it moves beyond the Manhattan or Wall Street milieus that dominate these texts, and grants significant space and
voice to a hitherto marginalized New York. Thirdly, it overtly explores the problematic fault line between personal and public trauma, and lastly, it explicitly asks the question that is only obliquely engaged with in other 9/11 fictions: what is the lasting impact of the attacks? In working
through some of the trends and tropes that have preoccupied the literary response to the attacks, O’Neil is able to illuminate certain aspects of a conflicted response to 9/11 and work towards points of reconciliation between the polarized ‘continuity’ and ‘discontinuity’
frames of interpretation of the attacks.
Reviews DVDs
Authors: Dator Robert , McKee Chris , West Stephanie
Published: May 2012

Herzog-Kinski-Sacrifice Herzog/Kinski Collection

Aguirre: The Wrath of God (Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes) (1973) Germany Director Werner Herzog Runtime 94 minutes

Nosferatu the Vampyre (Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht) (1979) Germany Director Werner Herzog Runtime 107 minutes

Woyzeck
(1979) Germany Director Werner Herzog Runtime 80 minutes

Fitzcarraldo (1982) Germany Director Werner Herzog Runtime 157 minutes

Cobra Verde (1987) Germany Director Werner Herzog Runtime 110 minutes

My Best Fiend (Mein Liebster Fiend) (1999) Germany Director Werner Herzog Runtime
100 minutes

Six DVDs USA, 2004

The Messenger (2009) USA Director Oren Moverman Runtime 113 minutes USA, 2010

Control (2007) USA Director Anton Corbijn Runtime 122 minutes USA, 2008
Public service media and the partnership agenda. Matching public policy with PSB strategy
Authors: Raats Tim
Published: May 2012

In recent years, in repositioning themselves as public service media, public broadcasters have increasingly built on cooperation and partnership activities in various domains (culture, education, innovation, etc.). While the focus on partnerships has been induced by policy-makers, public
broadcasters have realized the legitimizing nature of their collaboration activities. This article seeks to analyse the partnership agenda from a regulatory and public broadcasting strategy angle. It questions whether the new practice to enforce partnerships between public broadcasters and
other actors through management contracts is transposed into public broadcasters’ day-to-day reality and which problems might arise in that respect. Evidence derives from a comparative analysis of public broadcasting rhetoric, strategy and practice in Flanders (VRT), the Netherlands
(NPO) and United Kingdom (BBC) and builds on a series of expert interviews with broadcasting representatives conducted between August 2010 and September 2011. Setting out from (among others) Graham Murdock’s Digital Commons model, this article aims to recommend improvements for the partnership
agenda and nuances highly idealistic theoretical approaches. The main argument is that there is a misfit between theory, policy rhetoric and public broadcasters’ actual strategies. This does not mean that there is no legitimacy in the idea of a networked public broadcaster. In fact,
the partnership agenda is crucial for the sustainability of public service media. However, it cannot and will not be successful if enforced in a top-down way exclusively.
Tbr2 Is Essential for Hippocampal Lineage Progression from Neural Stem Cells to Intermediate Progenitors and Neurons
Authors: Hodge Rebecca D. , Nelson Branden R. , Kahoud Robert J. , Yang Roderick , Mussar Kristin E. , Reiner Steven L. , Hevner Robert F.
Published: May 2012

Neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus has been implicated in cognitive functions, including learning and memory, and may be abnormal in major neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression. Dentate neurogenesis is regulated by interactions between extrinsic factors and intrinsic transcriptional cascades that are currently not well understood. Here we show thatTbr2(also known asEomes), a T-box transcription factor expressed by intermediate neuronal progenitors (INPs), is critically required for neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of developing and adult mice. In the absence ofTbr2, INPs are depleted despite augmented neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation, and neurogenesis is halted as the result of failed neuronal differentiation. Interestingly, we find thatTbr2likely promotes lineage progression from NSC to neuronal-specified INP in part by repression ofSox2, a key determinant of NSC identity. These findings suggest thatTbr2expression in INPs is critical for neuronal differentiation in the dentate gyrus and that INPs are an essential stage in the lineage from NSCs to new granule neurons in the dentate gyrus.