bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entropy and Structure
Authors: Krull Robert , Watt James H. , Lichty Lawrence W.
Published: June 2007

Two measures of the complexity of television program form were compared: one based on several indicators of the Information Theory concept of entropy, the other measure based on coders' perception of several kinds of program structure. Factor analysis of complexity scores for programs yielded two dimensions for both kinds of complexity measures. Canonical correlation among the entropy and structure factors was also significant along two dimensions. The entropy and structure factors produced similar differences in the program selection patterns of viewers. It was found that one dimension of program complexity was differentially preferred by young adults and the more highly educated. The other dimension of program complexity did not produce different program preferences among viewers of different ages and education.
Watergate Words
Authors: Wilson Chris , Williams Ederyln
Published: June 2007

Despite the substantial literature identifying visual cues of importance in social interaction, comparisons of conversations with and without vision have not indicated that the communication processes are much affected by the absence of vision. This lack of results could in part be due to the novelty engendered by the experimental situations. This paper reports a study in which telephone and face-to-face conversations from the White House tapes are content analysed. Evidence is found to support three hypotheses: (1) that there are verbal substitutes for visual cues, (2) that the uncertainty engendered by lack of feedback on the telephone influences verbal processes, (3) that telephone conversations are, and are felt to be, less pleasant than face-to-face conversations. However, since this is, strictly speaking, a nonexperimental study, some other hypotheses to explain the observed results are also possible.
Television Market Shares, Station Characteristics, and Viewer Choice
Authors: White Kenneth J.
Published: June 2007

An understanding of the determinants of viewer choice is fundamental to an analysis of the structure and profitability of the television broadcasting industry. This study approaches the question by broadly analyzing the distribution of audiences among programs and stations. Examination of national television ratings reveals that the share of the market captured by a given program varies widely across the nation. Since the factors that influence market shares seem to be very diverse and include such broad categories as program characteristics, station characteristics, and market characteristics, it seems instructive to first carefully analyze the data to identify the relative importance of the various factors. Factor analysis provides a convenient method for analyzing the vast array of television ratings data. This method transforms the data into a small number of principal components that help clarify the relationship among the many determinants of market shares. On examination the results indicated that station characteristics are the dominant factor explaining variations in program ratings and that the frequency assignment is the dominant station characteristic.
Stereotyped Traits and Sex Roles in Humorous Drawings
Authors: Anderson Ronald E. , Jolly Elaine
Published: June 2007

Cartoons are used as indicators of the social meanings, especially personality traits and emotional states, typically assigned to men and women. Single-frame cartoons relevant to sex roles were randomly sampled at five-year intervals, beginning in 1952, from Saturday Evening Post, Saturday Review, and Playboy. Statistical trend analysis on 430 cartoon people in 195 cartoons reveals more trait stereotyping for females than for males. Five dominant, general stereotypes were found: the seductive female, the sexually assertive male, the disconsolate man, the incompetent woman, and the angry woman. There has been a decline in the occurrence of the angry woman stereotype and reciprocal sex role conflict in humorus drawings over the past two decades.
Race Factors in Responses to Interpersonal Stress Among Young Adult Offenders
Authors: Perry Aubrey M. , Hokanson Jack E.
Published: June 2007

Previous research has shown that young adult prison inmates display an anxious, acquiescent, depressive-like reaction pattern under conditions of interpersonal stress. The present study evaluated racial factors in this area and found that, relative to white prisoners, black inmates manifest more frequent acquiescence, fewer reports of anger, and generally higher autonomic reactivity. The results are discussed in terms of offender rehabilitation and special problems faced by black prisoners.
The Treatment of Insomnia With Relaxation and Stimulus-Control Instructions Among Incarcerated Males
Authors: Toler H. Curt
Published: June 2007

Twenty-four inmates in a Federal Penitentiary reporting serious sleep problems were assigned to one of three treatment groups: (1) relaxation training, (2) relaxation training/ stimulus-control instructions, (3) delayed treatment control group. Inmates receiving relaxation/ stimulus-control instructions were able to report a significantly greater decrease in the number of nightly awakenings than the control group. Inmates in both treatment groups reported a significant decrease in state anxiety. An eight-week follow-up indicted that treatment effects were not maintained.
Legal Aspects in Treating Rapists
Authors: Rada Richard T.
Published: June 2007

The development of new evaluation treatment methods for rapists and child molesters has created unique legal and ethical problems for therapists and researchers dealing with this population. These clients by definition are more dangerous than those normally dealt with by psychotherapists. As a consequence, greater care must be taken to protect the client, the therapist, the staff, and potential victims from the sexual assaults of the rapist or child molester. Rada outlines the various legal and ethical problems involved in dealing with such dangerous individuals.

A critical element of working with a child molester or rapist is to have a detailed understanding of his history, his current behavior, his response to treatment, and his current ability to control his behavior. The very act of obtaining such information, however, generates issues of confidentiality and privileged communication normally not dealt with by the average therapist. Rada explores the issues of confidentiality, privileged communication, and informed consent to acquaint the reader with the potential problems incurred while working with such clients.
Interpersonal Aspects of Dangerousness
Authors: Held Barbara S. , Levine David , Swartz Virginia D.
Published: June 2007

An interpersonal theory of dangerousness asserts that dangerousness is a function of perceptions and attributions within an interpersonal context, rather than a stable personality trait. Using the guards and 78 inmates of a penal complex, the interpersonal theory of dangerousness was tested from a racial perspective. Chi-squares indicated that while black inmates do not see themselves as more aggressive than white inmates, guards rate blacks as more aggressive (p <.001). Rule infraction records revealed more infractions for blacks (p < .001), thus appearing to back up the guards' perceptions. A Pearson r, however, indicated that those infractions which leave the most personal discretion up to the guards (i.e., are the most subjective) are the ones for which blacks are disproportionately represented (p < .01), thus supporting an interpersonal theory of dangerousness.
Correctional Officers' Attitudes Toward Selected Treatment Programs
Authors: Teske Raymond H.C. , Williamson Harold E.
Published: June 2007

A study was designed to examine the attitudes of a sample of correctional officers toward selected treatment programs in the Texas Department of Corrections. Questionnaires were sent to a random probability sample of 347 correctional officers, and 235 (67.7%) were returned in useable form. A master scale consisting of 59 dichotomous items was constructed to measure attitudes toward treatment programs. The scale was subdivided into six subscales, each representing a specific treatment area. The findings revealed the following as being correlated with positive attitudes toward treatment: lower rank; higher level of education; having a source of supplemental income; retired from military service; regular chuch attendance; larger community of childhood residence; assignment to inside picket duty; oriented toward a career in the Texas Department of Corrections; and age (older officers were more positive). Factors found to be negatively correlated were: number of years of service; a belief that the primary function of corrections is punishment; and viewing work as more important in rehabilitation than treatment.
Self-Esteem, Incarceration and Recidivism
Authors: Gendreau Paul , Grant Brian A. , Leipciger Mary
Published: June 2007

Changes in self-esteem during incarceration and self-esteem measured shortly after entry to prison and prior to release were predictive of recidivism two years after release. Results confirmed the assumption that the assessment and treatment of self-esteem in correctional settings is important because the variable is related to postprison adjustment. Self-esteem measured prior to release was the best predictor of recidivism. The multiple regression R was .63. The discriminant function analysis found a classification hit rate for recidivism of 82.4%. The results provided several suggestions for correctional clinicians concerned with the diagnosis of self-esteem, particularly in relation to recidivism. In addition, the potency of self-esteem as a predictor of recidivism was discussed.
Self-Management and Social Skills Training
Authors: Gross Alan M. , Brigham Thomas A. , Hopper Chris , Bologna Nancy C.
Published: June 2007

In a multiple baseline design across groups study, ten predelinquent and delinquent youths were given behavior modification, social skills, and self-management training. The youths were also required to conduct one behavior modification project on another person and one self-management project. Measures of the youths' behavior included parent and teacher rating scales, court records, and school attendance and grades. Parents, youths, and the referring community agencies also filled out program evaluation questionnaires. The youths demonstrated a decrease in the number of problem behaviors exhibited at home and in school. The results of the consumer evaluations also indicated the program was judged effective. The benefits of a self-management approach to juvenile offenders are discussed.
Image as Argument: The Impact of Mogadishu on U.S. Military Intervention
Authors: Dauber Cori
Published: June 2007

Visual images are extremely powerful, particularly in this media-saturated age of round-the-clock coverage. It is possible, in fact, that the United States' current emphasis on "zero casualty" missions is a response in part to the power of the images from Mogadishu and a fear of a collapse in public support should similar images appear again. This article argues, however, that such a view misunderstands the way images influence public response, assuming that they can be read in only one way, and forgetting that all visual images displayed by the news media are accompanied by words. The interpretation of even powerful images is neither inevitable nor predetermined.
Homosexuality and the Israel Defense Forces: Did Lifting the Gay Ban Undermine Military Performance?
Authors: Belkin Aaron , Levitt Melissa
Published: June 2007

In this article we argue that Israel's 1993 decision to lift its gay ban did not influence military performance. Then we assess three arguments raised by experts who claim that Israeli experiences are not relevant for determining what would happen if the U.S. Congress and Pentagon lifted the American gay ban. In particular, we assess the arguments that most gay Israeli combat soldiers do not disclose their sexuality to peers, that some receive special treatment, and that cultural differences distinguish the U.S. and Israeli cases. We agree with each argument, but our interpretation of them differs from experts who believe that Israeli military experiences are irrelevant. While no single case study can show decisively what would happen if the U.S. changed its policy, we suggest that the Israeli experience lends some weight to the claim that American military effectiveness would not decline if known homosexuals were allowed to serve.
Authorship and Affiliation in Armed Forces & Society: Volumes 1-25
Authors: Ender Morten G.
Published: June 2007

Armed Forces & Society (AF&S), is a major scholarly outlet for social scientists interested in military subjects, and in 1999 completed 25 volumes of continuous publication. This article presents data on authorship and affiliations for volumes 1-25 of AF&S and compares the findings to studies of other scholarly journals. Topical areas of analysis include (co)authorship, sex configurations of (co)authors, and academic, regional, and institutional affiliations of authors. Results show the journal to be fairly international and highly interdisciplinary. Overall, AF&S is both similar and dissimilar along a number of sociodemographic dimensions compared with other sociology and specialty area journals.
“To Take up Arms against Brethren of the Same Faith”
Authors: Johnson Tyler V.
Published: June 2007

Scholars of the antebellum era in U.S. history have traditionally understood the Mexican-American War of 1846 to 1848 as an extension of Manifest Destiny, the belief that the United States had a divine mandate to spread across the breadth of North America. Historians usually describe this ideology as a distinctly Protestant phenomenon, especially in the case of the war with Mexico, noting the existence of widespread anti-Catholic prejudice among the men who fought in the war and the citizens of the nation at large. This article seeks to problematize that picture by discussing the service of Catholics among the volunteer units of the U.S. Army in Mexico. Why did U.S. Catholics volunteer their services to fight a Catholic neighbor in the name of an overwhelmingly Protestant nation? This and other questions challenge our understanding of Manifest Destiny, American expansionism, and nationalism in the early republic
Base Motives
Authors: Cooley Alexander , Marten Kimberly
Published: June 2007

The Japanese prefecture of Okinawa has witnessed a great deal of protest activity against the U.S. military bases on the island. Antibase sentiment is regularly expressed by the local press and the local cultural and educational institutions. A brutal 1995 crime committed by U.S. military personnel on the island inflamed public opinion against the bases. Yet the U.S. base presence endures, and the antibase activity of the late 1990s was defused rather quickly into tacit continuing acceptance by Okinawans of the base presence, even as U.S. bases elsewhere in the world closed in response to protest activity. What explains this puzzle? The authors argue that the Japanese government’s unique system of “burden payments” provides incentives to Okinawans both to highlight the negative effects of the U.S. presence and to support the continuation of the bases for economic reasons. The trilateral base-bargaining relationship serves the interests of Washington, Tokyo, and a politically critical majority of Okinawans themselves
The Transformation of the Soviet Military and the August Coup
Authors: Zhong Yang
Published: June 2007

This article argues that the Soviet military during the reform period (between 1985-1991) expanded its participation in politics in terms of both the scope of issues involved and the means employed. In addition, the Soviet army during the same period also ended its years of relative insulation from society and underwent a process of civilianization, manifested in increased interactions with civilian society and unprecedented civilian intrustion in military affairs traditionally reserved exclusively for the military. These two developments provide crucial clues to the failed coup attempt in August 1991 in the former Soviet Union.
Military Prerogatives and the Stalemate of Chilean Civil-Military Relations
Authors: Ensalaco Mark
Published: June 2007

This article examines the state of Chilean civil-military relations since the transition to civilian rule, taking Stepan's discussion about the importance of military prerogatives as its frame of reference. After discussing the background of the 1980 constitution and the relevance of the National Security Doctrine, it examines in detail four prerogatives granted to the military. It then reviews the reforms that have been enacted or proposed, and assesses the democratizing impact of each. It concludes by noting the stalemated state of Chilean civil-military relations, attributing it to a clash of incongruous political cultures, and argues that until this is resolved either through a process of political learning or an open confrontation, the Chilean armed forces and Chile's democratic government will confront each other in an uneasy truce punctuated by recurrent crises.
Trends in Alcohol, Illicit Drug, and Cigarette Use among U.S. Military Personnel: 1980-1992
Authors: Bray Robert M. , Kroutil Larry A. , Marsden Mary Ellen
Published: June 2007

This paper examines trends in alcohol use, illicit drug use, and cigarette use in the U.S. military. Data are drawn from five worldwide surveys (conducted in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1988, and 1992) of active-duty personnel. All surveys used similar methods and common measures of alcohol, illicit drug, and cigarette use. Findings indicate steady and notable reductions in overall alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, and cigarette use. They show less decrease in heavy alcohol use, however, and the apparent decline from 1980 to 1992 is largely a function of demographic changes in the military. In 1992, during the 30 days before the survey, about 1 in 3 personnel smoked, about 1 in 7 were heavy drinkers, and about 3 in 100 used illicit drugs; rates were higher among certain demographic subgroups. Further reductions in smoking and heavy drinking remain the major substance use challenges for the U.S. military in the 1990s.
Iranian Military Resurgence: Scope, Motivations, and Implications for Regional Security
Authors: Ritcheson Philip L.
Published: June 2007

Since 1989, when Hojatoleslam Rafsanjani became the President of Iran, and again in1993, when Rafsanjani was narrowly reelected for a second term, many hoped that Iranianpolitics would shift focus from the practice of radical Islam internationally, to the need foreconomic rebuilding in the wake of the Iran-Iraq war. Despite several notable and calcu-lated events, however, Iran has not reinforced this image with actions. Instead, the regimecontinues to aggressively pursue defense acquisition, conduct numerous large-scale mili-tary exercises, support terrorism, and destabilize other governments. In the short-term Irandoes not constitute a grave immediate threat, requiring instead some measure of stability togather strength. In the mid- to long-term, however, several factors could force the regime tofall back on the traditional use of its military: to keep the populace politically mobilizedand focused away from socioeconomic decay, and to validate the revolutionary govern-ment.
Military Child Care: Toward An Integrated Delivery System
Authors: Zellman Gail L. , Johansen Anne S.
Published: June 2007

This study investigates the problems facing military child care and makes recommendations about how to improve the effectiveness of the military child care system. To collect information about military child care, we interviewed Department of Defense (DoD) policymakers and people in some way connected with child care on 16 military installations. We found that due to multiple and often inconsistent child care goals, the provision of services was uneven and sometimes undermined system goals. Parents strongly preferred and relied on military Child Development Centers even though these centers offered the least flexible care. One of the most commonly voiced concerns by parents was how to obtain care for their child when their regular source of care was not available. We recommend that a more systemic approach to the provision of child care be considered among other recommendations.
Schools, Enlistment, and Military Values: The Australian Services Cadet Scheme
Authors: McAllister Ian
Published: June 2007

Although they have large memberships, a high public profile, and possible important influences on military enlistment, the potential of school-based cadet forces to increase military recruitment has attracted little research. This article seeks to fill this gap by examining the motivations and career goals of cadets in the Australian Services Cadet Scheme, using a national census of cadets conducted in 1992. The results show that members of "open" units, in which membership is available to all those in the local age-eligible population, are more likely to be committed to the military as a career and to say that they will enlist when compared to those in "closed" units, which are linked to schools. These result are confirmed by a national survey of recent recruits to the Australian Defence Force, which indicates that former cadet members are more likely than nonmembers to possess institutionally oriented values and to serve in the military for longer periods of time. The findings imply that open cadet units are a cost-effective means of promoting interest in the military. By contrast, whatever their social or educational roles, closed units linked to schools contribute little to enlistment.
Self-Selection and Parental Socioeconomic Status as Determinants of the Values of West Point Cadets
Authors: Hammill John P. , Segal David R. , Segal Mady Wechsler
Published: June 2007

This study examines the relationship between parental socioeconomic status (SES) and values in an entry-level class of cadets at the United States Military Academy in an exploration of the value bases of our future military elite. Following Kohn's model of social structure and values, we hypothesized relationships between parental SES and cadet orientations toward self-direction and conformity. We found little support for the model. Rather, there seems to be an overwhelming degree of value consensus among cadets, which we believe is a function of self-selection and anticipatory socialization. This is manifested in an expressed admiration for conformity and an expressed dislike for independent action.
Determinants of Soldier Support for Operation Uphold Democracy
Authors: Halverson Ronald R. , Bliese Paul D.
Published: June 2007

A substantial number of U.S. Army soldiers deployed to Haiti for Operation Uphold Democracy did not believe it was important that the U.S. military be involved in the operation (49%); did not believe that what the U.S. military was doing was important (38%); and did not believe in the overall value of the operation (43%). At the same time, a substantial number of soldiers had positive feelings about what they were doing in Haiti and the mission they were accomplishing. The primary focus of this investigation was to examine factors that were related to the wide variation in soldier reports of support for Operation Uphold Democracy. The results indicated that a combination of soldier characteristics (e.g., race, gender), unit characteristics (e.g., unit type), task characteristics (e.g., task significance), and operational characteristics (e.g., perceptions of public support) accounted for nearly 50% of the variance in soldier reports of support for the overall operation.
Eisenhower's Ideology in World War II
Authors: Chernus Ira
Published: June 2007

Eisenhower's antifascist sentiments were first expressed nearly one and one-half years into the war in response to a specific incident. His more basic ideological commitment, expressed throughout the war, was to voluntary self-restraint and obedience to duty, which he called the first tenet of his religion, as the foundation of social order. His apocalyptic view of the war was based on a dualism that pitted the selfish against the selfless. He saw the war largely as a spiritual struggle within the Allied camp between these two forces. Civilians as well as soldiers were exhorted to sacrifice personal interests for the sake of total mobilization, which meant exercising the virtue of selflessness. When he eventually expressed opposition to fascism, he interpreted fascism as a manifestation of selfishness and social disorder. This ideological foundation is vital for understanding Eisenhower's views and policies as president, including his attitude toward the military-industrial complex.
The Effects of Race on Procedural Justice: The Case of the Uniform Code of Military Justice
Authors: Landis Dan , Dansby Mickey R. , Hoyle Michael
Published: June 2007

Building on a relatively recent tradition in studies of the civilian criminal justice system, the present research examined the potential racial bias in time-related variables inherent in the administration of courts-martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The sample consisted of a database of all adjudicated charges in the U.S. Army of aggravated assault, drug-related, and sex-related crimes between 1986 and 1992. The results of the analyses of two main and three explanatory hypotheses indicated that, with regard to non-sex-related offenses, blacks spent longer going from initial charges to final disposition, were older than whites, and had been in the service longer. The relationship was reversed for sex-related crimes. The presence or absence of a negotiated plea bargain was found to have negligible effects on duration in the system. No consistent correlation was found between intellectual ability and time spent in the system. These results were interpreted in terms of an interaction between the level of potential public interest in a crime and the race of the accused, with blacks receiving accelerated treatment in crimes involving sex and less attention in the case of other crimes.
Zero Draft in the Low Countries: The Final Shift to the Mil-volunteer Force
Authors: van der Meulen Jan , Manigart Philippe
Published: June 2007

Belgium and the Netherlands were the first two countries in continental Europe to abolish conscription after the Cold War. Notwithstanding differences in organizational practices, as well as in civil-military culture, decisionmaking in both countries was driven by the same motives and followed a similar pattern. The twofold logic of much smaller armed forces and new missions made the choice for an all-volunteer force almost inevitable. The ideology legitimizing the draft for so long appeared to have lost much of its magic and most of its political supporters from left and right. While there is a general awareness that recruitment will be vital for the success of an all-volunteer force, the profile of the new soldiers, in terms of motivation and representativeness, has crystallized in neither country. This can be looked upon as a crucial civil-military challenge. Probably more countries than the two under review will face this challenge in the near future. Given the structural forces at work all over Europe, the case for conscription and its citizenship surplus value will be more and more marginalized. The zero draft will become the rule rather than the exception, finalizing the long-term decline of the mass army.
Fatigue Severity among African Americans: Gender and Age Interactions
Authors: Song Sharon , Jason Leonard A. , Taylor Renee R. , Torres-Harding Susan R. , Helgerson Jena , Witter Elizabeth
Published: June 2007

The present study investigated the relationship between fatigue, age, and gender in a multiculturally and socioeconomically diverse community-based urban sample. The impact of age and gender on fatigue severity was examined in a group of 3,692 African Americans and then compared to results from 9,717 Caucasians and 3,450 Latinos. Findings indicated that for African Americans, there was a significant gender by age interaction. African American women had significantly higher rates of fatigue when compared to African American men. Older African American men had significantly higher rates of fatigue than younger African American men. However, there was no significant difference in the levels of fatigue reported by younger and older African American women. An age and gender interaction was also present for the Caucasian sample but not for the Latino sample. Findings suggest that age and gender are important in predicting the severity of fatigue in an African American sample.
Differences in the Communication of Affect: Members of the Same Race Versus Members of a Different Race
Authors: Weathers Monica D. , Frank Elaine M. , Spell Leigh Ann
Published: June 2007

This study examined African American and Caucasian individuals'ability to recognize facial expressions and vocal prosody of predominately Caucasian stimuli at three age groups: children's pictures and voices, young adults' pictures and voices, and older adults'pictures and voices. The Diagnostic Assessment of Non- verbal Accuracy 2 (DANVA 2) and the Carolina Older Adult Test of Nonverbal Communication (COAT-NC) were used to measure these skills. The results indicate race is a significant factor in the interpretation of emotion of facial expressions and prosodic features.. They suggest that individuals from a specific ethnic group are more accurate in decoding emotional cues from stimulus-containing individuals within the same ethnic group. Caucasians were not necessarily better than African Americans decoding communication of affect, but were more successful at interpreting the emotions of individuals within their ethnic group. The results indicate potential for miscommunications between African Americans and Caucasians.
Parenting Dimensionality and Typology in a Disadvantaged, African American Sample: A Cultural Variance Perspective
Authors: Weis Robert
Published: June 2007

Although parenting dimensionality and typology have been extensively examined with middle-class Caucasian samples, the parenting styles of low-income, African American mothers have been underexamined. This study focused on the parenting cognitions of single, adolescent, African American mothers from disadvantaged communities. Three parenting dimensions emerged from maternal reports: warmth, control, and anger. Parents were classified into four categories based on their relative scores on these dimensions: dismissive, permissive, authoritative, and affectionate-distressed. Measures of mothers'psychological distress, human capital, and sociodemographic status predicted parenting classification. The four-part typology was further validated by differences in mothers' observed parenting behaviors and reports of child outcome as a function of parenting type. Overall, dismissive and distressed parents exhibited the least optimal behavior, and their children displayed the poorest outcomes at 2-year follow-up. Results revealed a new parenting type, affectionate-distressed, that may be particularly salient in high-risk, African American populations.
Affective Reactions of African American Students to Stereotypical and Counterstereotypical Images of Blacks in the Media
Authors: Richeson Jennifer A. , Pollydore Clemlyn-Ann
Published: June 2007

This study examined the reactions of Black students at a predominantly White college to Black television characters in popular television situation comedies. Black students were exposed to short video clips from popular television programs depicting Blacks behaving stereotypically or counterstereotypically in the presence of White characters or in the presence of Black characters. Perceivers’ level of anxiety was examined. Results revealed that Black participants exposed to a Black character behaving counterstereotypically in the presence of Whites reported feeling more anxious, compared to Black participants exposed to a Black character behaving stereotypically in the presence of Whites. This result is discussed in terms of the potential susceptibility of Black students at predominantly White colleges to both stereotypical and counterstereotypical representations of Blacks.
Glory to God and to the Lamb: John’s Use of Jewish and Hellenistic/Roman Themes in Formatting his Theology in Revelation 4–5
Authors: Morton Russell
Published: June 2007

This essay examines the hymns of Rev. 4.8, 11 and 5.8-12, incorporating the history of religions methodology practiced by Aune and others, along with the theological concerns and intertextual comparisons employed by Bauckham. John’s use of hymns as structural signs is noted briefly. The primary concern, however, is to demonstrate how the Seer adapts traditions from various sources—Hellenistic/Roman, Hebrew Bible, Jewish and Christian—to reinforce his message that all the sovereignty Rome claims belongs to God and Christ alone.
The Beloved Disciple as Eyewitness and the Fourth Gospel as Witness
Authors: Lincoln Andrew T.
Published: June 2007

There has been a recent revival of claims that taking Jn 21.24 seriously entails holding the Fourth Gospel to be the end product of the actual eyewitness accounting of the Beloved Disciple. After reviewing some of these claims, this article revisits aspects of the discussion. It sets the interpretation of the Beloved Disciple’s witness in the context of the Gospel’s overall treatment of seeing and testifying, reflects on the juxtaposition of metaphorical and literal language, and examines some of the main options for explaining what turns out to be a more complex phenomenon than is often allowed. It concludes that the view that the Beloved Disciple’s eyewitness is a literary device on the part of the narrator remains the most satisfactory explanation of the data and that, contrary to what has been alleged, this view need not be thought to have negative implications for issues surrounding the integrity of the Fourth Gospel’s witness.
The First Contribution to the πίστις Χριστοu Debate: A Study of Ephesians 3.12
Authors: Foster Paul
Published: June 2007

The phrase διu τuς πίστεως αuτοu, contained in Eph. 3.12, is the first extant witness to πίστις Χριστοu terminology in the post-Pauline period. It has often been argued that the absence of the definite article from the seven authentic Pauline texts used in the debate is significant in showing that an objective genitive was intended in those cases. However, this paper suggests that the presence of the article in Eph. 3.12 supports the notion that the author of Ephesians understood Pauline terminology in a subjective sense and made this explicit by supplying the definite article. Moreover, a subjective reading is shown to cohere with the theological insight that the author presents, namely that believers enjoy salvation, along with its cosmological implications, as a consequence of Christ’s obedience in going to the cross, his own act of faithfulness. This reading raises the important possibility that the author of Ephesians has in fact understood the apostolic πίστοu references correctly, and as in Ephesians the authentic Pauline phrases should be understood as subjective genitives.
A Rational Choice Model of the Book of Revelation
Authors: Smith Ian
Published: June 2007

This reading applies rational choice theory to model aspects of persuasion in the book of Revelation. The apocalypse of John attempts to modify behavioural incentives such that Christian believers rationally choose faithful witness to God over compromise with pagan religion, despite the possible suffering that faithfulness may entail. This is achieved by attempting to persuade the congregations that the sum of the present costs and the expected eschatological losses from idolatry outweigh the current consumption benefits. Four incentive mechanisms are identified which operate on (1) preferences for idolatry and its psychological payoff; (2) the expected costs of faithfulness; (3) beliefs regarding the eschatological risks of idol worship; and (4) the discount rate applied to eschatological outcomes.
The Origin of Paul’s Doctrine of the Two Adams in 1 Corinthians 15.45-49
Authors: Hultgren Stephen
Published: June 2007

The origin of Paul’s doctrine of the two Adams in 1 Cor. 15.45-49 has been the subject of much discussion. The most commonly argued background is Philo or Alexandrian traditions. Study of Philo, however, makes it unlikely that Paul is reacting either to Philo, to Alexandrian traditions, or even to a misrepresentation of Philo. Gnosticism also does not provide a plausible background. In 1 Cor. 15.46 Paul is not reacting against an over-realized eschatology, nor is he reversing an alleged priority of ‘spiritual man’ to ‘natural man’. Paul’s main object is to answer the question of 1 Cor. 15.35: In what kind of a body are the dead raised? The closest parallels to Paul from the history of religion are found in rabbinic literature. Paul knew Palestinian exegetical traditions about a first and last Adam. His encounter with the risen Christ gave concrete form to that abstract idea.
Through a Screen Darkly: Digital Texts and the New Testament
Authors: Parker D. C.
Published: June 2007

The use of computers in textual study of the New Testament is revolutionizing textual scholarship, and is about to lead to major changes in other branches of New Testament study. The current revolution is studied with regard to (1) the concept of the text within the computer, (2) the study of manuscripts and (3) the task of producing an edition of the New Testament (or of any other book). Projects illustrating current developments are the Principio Project, the Byzantine Text Edition, and the digital Nestle-Aland.
Toll and Tribute: A Political Reading of Matthew 17.24-27
Authors: Carter Edward J.
Published: June 2007

The pericope of the coin in the fish’s mouth (Mt. 17.24-27) has lent itself to an unusually large number of disparate interpretations. This article argues for a political reading, not withstanding the identity of the tax in question. By means of careful attention to the text, and through an appeal to the corroborating hermeneutical approach applied by Luther, it is suggested that the passage points to an element within the Jesus tradition that, while not denying a role for political authority in the world, does not affirm as God-given such worldly structures of power. It is argued that the passage maintains a duality in the present, in common with Mt. 13.33, rather than anticipating an eschatological resolution, as has sometimes been suggested.
Halakah and Mark 7.4: ‘…and beds’
Authors: Crossley James G.
Published: June 2007

This article argues that the textually problematic καì κλιν[UNKNOWN]ν in Mk 7.4 reflects a first-century Jewish practice of immersing dining couches. This practice was not based on the ‘beds’ described in Lev. 15. The immersion of dining couches is attested in rabbinic literature and was based on passages that mention the immersion of impure objects (Lev. 11.32; 15.12). This is shown through a discussion of various words used for ‘bed’ in the relevant literature in Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Syriac. Some consideration is given to text-critical issues concluding that καì κλιν[UNKNOWN]ν is the original reading. As Mark accurately reflects a Jewish practice, it is suggested that the traditional view of the author of Mark as lacking in knowledge of Jewish practices ought to be abandoned and the view that the author of Mark was a Jew absorbed in the intricacies of Jewish Law ought to be taken very seriously.
Reexamining the ‘Aborted Apostle’: An Exploration of Paul’s Self-Description in 1 Corinthians 15.8
Authors: Mitchell Matthew W.
Published: June 2007

In Paul’s description of his vision of the risen Christ (1 Cor. 15.8) he refers to himself as ‘one untimely born’. The Greek word underlying this phrase literally means a ‘miscarriage’ or ‘abortion’, and presents a problem for commentators seeking to understand the precise manner in which Paul considers himself to be an abortion or miscarriage, since Paul’s vision of the risen Christ is unusual in its lateness, while an [UNKNOWN]κτρωμα arrives before its time. Studies of the word’s extra-biblical use, though extensive, have failed to provide an explanation for Paul’s use, often attributing it to a function of Paul’s humility or his regret over his past persecution of the church, and suggesting its difficulty can be explained away as a ‘unique’ use of the word by Paul. It seems more plausible, however, in light of the well-established semantic range of the word and its context, to understand it as a reference to the rejection of his apostolic authority as equal to that of the other apostles.
‘Leave the Dead to Bury their own Dead’: Q 9.60 and the Redefinition of the People of God
Authors: Fletcher-Louis Crispin H.T.
Published: June 2007

The ‘consensus’ interpretation of Q 9.60, according to which, following M. Hengel, Jesus demands a break with Torah for those who follow him in light of the imminence of the kingdom, is shown to be historically and conceptually inadequate. Also unsatisfactory is M. Bockmuehl’s suggestion that Jesus here invites the would-be disciple to take up a Nazirite vow. Rather, Jesus’ words should be understood, first, in the context of the widespread (and pre-Christian) Jewish view that those outside the people of God are spiritually ‘dead’; and second, by comparison with the evidence that Jews used (non-)burial as a means to define the boundary between true membership of the covenant family and apostasy. Jews could, on occasion, actively, and violently, deny burial to their fellow Jews whom they deemed apostate. Jesus advocates detachment from responsibility for the burial of such people, but not violence.
Matthew and the Gentiles: Individual Conversion and/or Systemic Transformation?
Authors: Carter Warren
Published: June 2007

Matthew’s relationship to the Gentile world has been a somewhat neglected dimension of recent discussion. When the topic has been examined, two issues have been to the fore, namely whether Matthew’s largely Jewish community engages in mission to convert Gentiles, and if so, on what terms do converted Gentiles belong to the community. It is argued here that the individualistic and religious focus of the discussion ignores Matthew’s macro-theological and socio-political framing of, and systemic engagement with, the Gentile (Roman imperial) world. Discussion of seven aspects of the Gospel (1.1; evoking Isaiah in 1.23 and 4.15; Satan’s role; representative Gentiles; Pilate; parousia; discipleship in the meantime) sustains the argument that Matthew engages the Gentile world systemically with a much broader focus on God’s just and transforming reign.
The Charge of Blasphemy in Mark 14.64
Authors: Collins Adela Yarbro
Published: June 2007

The teaching of m. Sanh. 7.5, that the ‘blasphemer’ is not culpable unless he pronounces the Name itself, is attested by Josephus and the Community Rule from Qumran. The Markan Jesus, however, does not pronounce the divine name. Philo provides evidence for a broader understanding of blasphemy, namely, claims to be divine or to possess divine power. The relevant passages are analogous to the Markan Jesus’ claims that he would be enthroned at the right hand of God and that he would ‘come with the clouds of heaven’. Both claims imply divine status, authority and power. The chief priests, as Sadducees, probably subscribed to a definition of blasphemy like that of Philo. Like other Jews of the time, they advocated the death penalty for blasphemy, but were more likely to carry it out. Mark did not wish to deny that Jesus blasphemed from the point of view of the chief priests. The narrative is ironic in the sense that what is blasphemy from the point of view of the council is true from the perspective of the implied audience.
Memory Bias in Long-Term Close Relationships: Consistency or Improvement?
Authors: Karney Benjamin R. , Coombs Robert H.
Published: June 2007

How do partners in long-term relationships construct memories of the past? The current study examined 20 years of retrospective and longitudinal data from a sample of wives to evaluate two possible answers to this question. Findings indicate that wives invoke different theories of the past at different stages of life. At 10 years into the study, wives’ memories of the past were negatively biased, such that present ratings seemed a significant improvement. At 20 years into the study, wives’ memories of the past continued to be negatively biased; however, at this stage, recollections of the past resembled current perceptions. Across both intervals, concurrent ratings in fact declined significantly. Longitudinal analyses revealed that the degree of bias in wives’ memories at Time 2 predicted the course of their marital satisfaction over the subsequent 10 years. These results support the view that memory bias may be a mechanism of maintaining satisfaction in long-term relationships.
A Focus Theory of Normative Conduct: When Norms Do and Do not Affect Behavior
Authors: Kallgren Carl A. , Reno Raymond R. , Cialdini Robert B.
Published: June 2007

In three experiments, respondents’ behavior conformed to the dictates of a relevant norm (the norm against littering) only under conditions of normative focus. This relationship held true across three types of procedures for producing normative focus (physiological arousal, modeling, and self-directed attention), across two types of settings (public and private), and across two types of norms (social and personal). Moreover, factors that would be expected to affect normative action were influential only when the norm was focal. These factors included the degree to which the action violated the relevant norm (Study 2) and the degree to which an individual subscribed to that norm (Study 3). Implications are discussed for developing campaigns to encourage prosocial behavior.
Perspective Differences in the Construal of Lies: Is Deception in the Eye of the Beholder?
Authors: Gordon Anne K. , Miller Arthur G.
Published: June 2007

To examine the potential of role-based motives to influence the interpretation of lies, the authors asked participants to evaluate a dating scenario from the perspective of lie teller, lie receiver, or observer. As a means of varying participants’ emotional involvement with the scenarios, half were asked to provide an explanation of the scenario’s events before responding to questionnaire items about the lie teller and lie receiver. It was expected that those role-playing lie tellers and lie receivers would interpret the deceptive situation self-servingly. Results indicated that role-based perspectives significantly influenced participants’ judgments regarding the deception and both lie-teller and lie-receiver roles were associated with negative affect. The social implications of motivated construals of lying are considered.
Sandbagging as a Self-Presentational Strategy: Claiming to be Less than You Are
Authors: Gibson Bryan , Sachau Daniel
Published: June 2007

Sandbagging is a self-presentational strategy involving the false prediction or feigned demonstration of inability. Three studies explored the individual differences and situational variables influencing sandbagging behavior. Study 1 demonstrated that the newly created Sandbagging Scale possessed adequate reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The next two studies examined the social determinants of sandbagging. In Study 2, greater performance pressure led participants with higher scores on the Sandbagging Scale to predict worse performance on an upcoming task. In Study 3, participants with higher scores on the Sandbagging Scale were more likely to predict worse performance on an upcoming task to someone who was ostensibly evaluating their performance, but only when the individual did not possess prior performance information. Sandbagging is discussed as a self-presentational strategy used to reduce performance pressure and provide a low baseline against which subsequent performance can be compared.