Saving the Suburbs for Schoolchildren

Some suburban single-family neighborhoods may become serendipitous or de facto retirement communities. Typical candidates are neighborhoods built after World War II and occupied over a short period of time by people of approximately the same age. The original occupants for the most part have aged in place, resulting in large and growing percentages of older residents. The neighborhoods have relatively large homes as opposed to "starter" homes which many people moved out of as their incomes and families grew. Some serious implications are discussed regarding serendipitous retirement communities and some innovative solutions are offered.     

Could mild hypoxia impair pilot decision making in emergencies?

The decreased pressure in the cabin of a pressurised aircraft (typically equivalent to ~8000 ft) reduces the oxygen level so that the blood oxygen saturation of all occupants falls from >97% (normoxia) at sea-level to below 92% (mild hypoxia). Although exposure to mild hypoxia does not affect well-learned cognitive and motor performance of aircrew, it has been proposed that it can affect the performance of some complex cognitive performance tasks involving multiple demands typical of emergency tasks that may have to be performed by pilots. In order to simulate some of these complex cognitive demands, 25 student volunteers participated in an experiment which assessed performance of complex logical reasoning and and multiple memory tasks before and after 2 hours of exposure to normoxia and mild hypoxia. Performance for the more difficult components of the complex reasoning task, especially involving conflict decisions, were marginally significantly degraded by mild hypoxia. Since the effects were only marginally significant future studies should investigate the effects of mild hypoxia on more subtle complex decision-making tasks.     

Patterns of correlation between vehicle occupant seat pressure and anthropometry

Seat pressure is known as a major factor of seat comfort in vehicles. In passenger vehicles, there is lacking research into the seat comfort of rear seat occupants. As accurate seat pressure measurement requires significant effort, simulation of seat pressure is evolving as a preferred method. However, analytic methods are based on complex finite element modeling and therefore are time consuming and involve high investment. Based on accurate anthropometric measurements of 64 male subjects and outboard rear seat pressure measurements in three different passenger vehicles, this study investigates if a set of parameters derived from seat pressure mapping are sensitive enough to differentiate between different seats and whether they correlate with anthropometry in linear models. In addition to the pressure map analysis, H-Points were measured with a coordinate measurement system based on palpated body landmarks and the range of H-Point locations in the three seats is provided. It was found that for the cushion, cushion contact area and cushion front area/force could be modeled by subject anthropometry, while only seatback contact area could be modeled based on anthropometry for all three vehicles. Major differences were found between the vehicles for other parameters.     

Network knowledge and the use of power

Complementing recent work on the effects of power on network perceptions, we offer a theory specifying how knowledge of network structures and exchange processes differentially affect the use of power by advantaged and disadvantaged positions. We argue that under certain conditions, network knowledge is beneficial to occupants of low-power positions, but not to occupants of high-power positions. Any low-power actor can benefit from having superior information, but if all low-power actors have equally sound knowledge, then all are worse off—a type of social trap. We tested these arguments by manipulating power and the availability of information on network structure and exchange processes in an experimental exchange network setting. The results were supportive.     

Quantitative Models and Methods for World-System Analysis*

Many quantitative analysts who have turned their attention to the world-system have developed models of the structural and relational components of that system. These efforts have come under fire, however, from those who claim that statistical techniques, particularly regression, are not suited to analyses of the world-system. This paper presents some of the major criticisms of quantitative efforts, a response to each, and a series of general regression models with applicability to world-system analyses. Discussion of the means by which data may be selected for the proposed analytical models is also offered.     

A model for collaboration networks giving rise to a power-law distribution with an exponential cutoff

Recently several authors have proposed stochastic evolutionary models for the growth of complex networks that give rise to power-law distributions. These models are based on the notion of preferential attachment leading to the “rich get richer” phenomenon. Despite the generality of the proposed stochastic models, there are still some unexplained phenomena, which may arise due to the limited size of networks such as protein, e-mail, actor and collaboration networks. Such networks may in fact exhibit an exponential cutoff in the power-law scaling, although this cutoff may only be observable in the tail of the distribution for extremely large networks. We propose a modification of the basic stochastic evolutionary model, so that after a node is chosen preferentially, say according to the number of its inlinks, there is a small probability that this node will become inactive. We show that as a result of this modification, by viewing the stochastic process in terms of an urn transfer model, we obtain a power-law distribution with an exponential cutoff. Unlike many other models, the current model can capture instances where the exponent of the distribution is less than or equal to two. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate the consistency of our model empirically by analysing the Mathematical Research collaboration network, the distribution of which has been shown to be compatible with a power law with an exponential cutoff.     

Multilevel models for social networks: Hierarchical Bayesian approaches to exponential random graph modeling

In many applications, researchers may be interested in studying patterns of dyadic relationships that involve multiple groups, with a focus on modeling the systematic patterns within groups and how these structural patterns differ across groups. A number of different models – many of them potentially quite powerful – have been developed that allow for researchers to study these differences. However, as with any set of models, these are limited in ways that constrain the types of questions researchers may ask, such as those involving the variance in group-wise structural features. In this paper, we demonstrate some of the ways in which multilevel models based on a hierarchical Bayesian approach might be used to further develop and extend existing exponential random graph models to address such constraints. These include random coefficient extensions to the standard ERGM for sets of multiple unconnected or connected networks and examples of multilevel models that allow for the estimation of structural entrainment among connected groups. We demonstrate the application of these models to real-world and simulated data sets.     

The role of service users in problem formulation and technical aspects of social research

The importance of the practitioner-researcher relationship in problem formulation derives from the need for relevance to the issues faced by practitioners. This paper argues that if research is to be relevant to the issues faced by service users, they too must be involved in problem formulation. There is a substantial literature on the moral case for user involvement in research but relatively little about the technical benefits. The paper sets out some distinctions in the meaning of user involvement in different models of social research, and, drawing on examples of user-led and user-controlled research, suggests not only that problem formulation benefits from user involvement but that several other key technical aspects of social research may also be improved.     

Some theoretical models and constructs generic to substance abuse prevention programs for adolescents: possible relevance and limitations for problem gambling

For the past several years the author and his colleagues have explored the area of how social psychological constructs and theoretical models can be applied to the prevention of health threatening behaviors in adolescents. In examining the need for the development of gambling prevention programs for adolescents, it might be of value to consider the application of such constructs and theoretical models as a foundation to the development of prevention programs in this emerging problem behavior among adolescents. In order to provide perspective to the reader, the present paper reviews the history of various psychosocial models and constructs generic to programs directed at prevention of substance abuse in adolescents. A brief history of some of these models, possibly most applicable to gambling prevention programs, are presented. Social inoculation, reasoned action, planned behavior, and problem behavior theory, are among those discussed. Some deficits of these models, are also articulated. How such models may have relevance to developing programs for prevention of problem gambling in adolescents is also discussed. However, the inherent differences between gambling and more directly health threatening behaviors such as substance abuse must, of course, be seriously considered in utilizing such models. Most current gambling prevention programs have seldom been guided by theoretical models. Developers of gambling prevention programs should consider theoretical foundations, particularly since such foundations not only provide a guide for programs, but may become critical tools in evaluating their effectiveness.     

Network models for social selection processes

We present network models for social selection processes, based on the p¹ class of models. Social selection occurs when individuals form social relationships on the basis of certain characteristics they possess. Similarity is a common hypothesis for selection processes, but one that is usually framed dyadically. Structural balance approaches move beyond dyadic conceptualizations and require more sophisticated modeling. The two-block chain graph approach of p¹ social influence models is adapted to allow individual attribute variables to be predictors of network ties. Using a range of dependence assumptions, we present a hierarchy of increasingly complex selection models, including models for continuous attribute measures, which in their simplest form may be assumed to be linear. The models have scope, however, for more complex functional formulations so that more specific hypotheses may be investigated by postulating a particular functional form. Our empirical examples illustrate how dyadic selection may be transmuted into structural effects, and how the absence of dyadic selection may still mask a subtle higher order selection effect as individuals “position” themselves within a wider social environment. In conclusion, we discuss the links between social influence and social selection models.     

Mobile Spaces of Mesolithic Britain

ABSTRACT

This article examines how spaces were being made during the Mesolithic of Britain. Rather than focus upon material culture and landscape as separate analytical constructs, it demonstrates instead how they intersect and in so doing give rise to an understanding of space that is mobile and rendered through force. In investigating this the author asks whether objects not carried around by the occupants of Mesolithic Britain should be regarded as discarded (as has traditionally been the case), or should be seen as an ongoing and active component of how people make themselves at home. She goes on to suggest that people left things behind in the Mesolithic in order to create the possibility for future connections, making these objects anything but ‘homeless’.     

Circular and linear modeling of female sexual desire and arousal

There is debate in the scientific literature regarding which model most accurately represents the female sexual response. Traditionally, sex research has been conducted within the framework of the linear sexual response model proposed by Masters and Johnson, modified by Kaplan, then Robinson. Criticism of linear models prompted the development of a composite model of the female sexual response by Basson et al., which included linear and circular pathways. This review aims to systematically assess published studies to determine the extent to which circular and linear models or pathways reflect the female sexual response. Medline, EMBASE, and PsychINFO databases were searched for original data papers and review articles. Inclusion criteria were that articles were published since 1990, in English, and compared linear and circular sexual response models or addressed aspects of these models. Reviews were required to be systematic and include a meta-analysis. Of the 898 studies identified through the initial literature search, 13 original studies and one review met the inclusion criteria. Two studies directly compared models providing limited evidence that most women identify with linear sexual response pathways. However, there is increasing evidence that circular pathways may accurately reflect some aspects of the female sexual response. Further comparative studies are encouraged.     

The consistency of choice using experimental design

Conjoint designs provide an appealing context for investigating the consistency of consumer choice. This short article demonstrates that in principle experimental designs can be an effective mechanism for studying the consistency of consumer choice, provided one includes some pairs of attribute combinations which are dominant, such that one is worse or better off on every dimension. Using a preference design from a study on attendance at an international exposition in Australia we identify dominance in a subset of all possible pairs, and use this in two test of choice consistency to identify the extent of illogicality in choice. Discrete choice analysis is used to see if inconsistency is linked to population subgroups. The evidence can be used to point to subgroups who may have difficulty in comprehending controlled experimental instruments, and/or are not rational in the sense defined by our models of behaviour, and who may require special consideration in prediction of choice.     

Income tax evasion dynamics: Evidence from an agent-based econophysics model

We analyze income tax evasion dynamics in a standard model of statistical mechanics, the Ising model of ferromagnetism. However, in contrast to previous research, we use an inhomogeneous multi-dimensional Ising model where the local degrees of freedom (agents) are subject to a specific social temperature and coupled to external fields which govern their social behavior. This new modeling frame allows for analyzing large societies of four different and interacting agent types. As a second novelty, our model may reproduce results from agent-based models that incorporate standard Allingham and Sandmo tax evasion features as well as results from existing two-dimensional Ising based tax evasion models. In this way, such kind of models may become more relevant and useful in economics as well as social psychology. We finally use our model for analyzing income tax evasion dynamics under different enforcement scenarios and point to some policy implications that may also be of interest for psychological research on tax compliance.     

Closure,connectivity and degree distributions: Exponential random graph (p*) models for directed social networks

The new higher order specifications for exponential random graph models introduced by Snijders et al. [Snijders, T.A.B., Pattison, P.E., Robins G.L., Handcock, M., 2006. New specifications for exponential random graph models. Sociological Methodology 36, 99–153] exhibit substantial improvements in model fit compared with the commonly used Markov random graph models. Snijders et al., however, concentrated on non-directed graphs, with only limited extensions to directed graphs. In particular, they presented a transitive closure parameter based on path shortening. In this paper, we explain the theoretical and empirical advantages in generalizing to additional closure effects. We propose three new triadic-based parameters to represent different versions of triadic closure: cyclic effects; transitivity based on shared choices of partners; and transitivity based on shared popularity. We interpret the last two effects as forms of structural homophily, where ties emerge because nodes share a form of localized structural equivalence. We show that, for some datasets, the path shortening parameter is insufficient for practical modeling, whereas the structural homophily parameters can produce useful models with distinctive interpretations. We also introduce corresponding lower order effects for multiple two-path connectivity. We show by example that the in- and out-degree distributions may be better modeled when star-based parameters are supplemented with parameters for the number of isolated nodes, sources (nodes with zero in-degrees) and sinks (nodes with zero out-degrees). Inclusion of a Markov mixed star parameter may also help model the correlation between in- and out-degrees. We select some 50 graph features to be investigated in goodness of fit diagnostics, covering a variety of important network properties including density, reciprocity, geodesic distributions, degree distributions, and various forms of closure. As empirical illustrations, we develop models for two sets of organizational network data: a trust network within a training group, and a work difficulty network within a government instrumentality.     

Social relations and the definition of work: Identity management in a low-status occupation

Work is an important source of self-definition in our society. Many low-status occupations, however, do not offer a definition of self that is agreeable to the worker. In these cases, workers may seek to manage the relationship between work and identity in a manner which enhances, rather than threatens, their self-conceptions. To examine this process of identity management, in-depth interviews were conducted with twenty-seven custodians. It was found that the social relations between custodians and building occupants were important to this process in two ways. First, relations with clients, as well as other selected facets of work, were embraced as a fulfilling and humanizing aspect of their work on which definitions of work were based. Second, it was in the context of social relations that these selected definitions of work were asserted, negotiated, and maintained. While members of all occupations may tend to stress the silver lining of their work, for those in a non-professional position this is a continuous process, because a publicly recognized ideology which elevates the image of the occupation does not already exist.     

A General Class of Nonparametric Models for Ordinal Categorical Data

This paper presents a general class of models for ordinal categorical data that can be specified by means of linear and/or log-linear equality and/or inequality restrictions on the (conditional) probabilities of a multiway contingency table. Some special cases are models with ordered local odds ratios, models with ordered cumulative response probabilities, order-restricted row association and column association models, and models for stochastically ordered marginal distributions. A simple unidimensional Newton algorithm is proposed for obtaining the restricted maximum-likelihood estimates. In situations in which there is some kind of missing data, this algorithm can be implemented in the M step of an EM algorithm. Computation of p-values of testing statistics is performed by means of parametric bootstrapping.     

A competence based approach to management education in social work: A discussion of the approach and its relevance

Over the past few years there has been developing interest in competence based approaches to training in many contexts. This interest is also evident in management development circles in the consideration of competence based models of management education and development. This development has been met with enthusiasm in some quarters and constructive criticism with reservations in others.

This paper seeks to consider some of the points about competence based training in general and apply them to social services management development/education/training in the light of papers from CCETSW on post-qualification courses and the management element that they may include. The article is selective rather than comprehensive in its use of reference material. It considers what competence based models are; what the implications of their use might be in management development and looks in some detail at the relevant proposals made by CCETSW which follow a competence based approach.     

The resale of right to buy dwellings: a case study of migration and social change in rural England

Drawing on data relating to some 500 households, taken from local government records and questionnaire surveys, this paper examines the processes of migration and social change associated with the resale of former local authority dwellings in a rural part of the East Midlands, England, UK. Legislative change principally stemming from the Housing Act (1980) has given tenants a `right to buy’ their rented dwelling from the local authority landlord. By focussing on the longer term impact of this process the findings of this study reveal a radical discontinuity with the past, as new households with contrasting characteristics to previous occupants move in when these dwellings are resold on the open market. The study shows that the relative affordability of the dwellings in a highly competitive rural housing market is creating an opportunity for comparatively young, dual-career and largely urban families to move to the countryside. Their movement into former local authority dwellings has important implications for the future provision of local needs housing in rural areas.     

On lattice approximations: Syntactic aspects

Lattice theory and Galois lattices can help in formalizing the sharing of properties by subjects, together with the corresponding group intersections, by means of a well-known—since the early 1970s — duality which formalizes intensional/extensional approaches, as well as implication models, by means of another natural lattice/implications duality.As Galois lattices may grow exponentially, this construction calls for some approximation procedures, for which we suggest making homomorphic reductions by constructing (sub-)semilattices, which can be defined by revising the original lattice by an extra list of ‘quasi-implications’ that are contradicted by only a few counter-examples in the original data. These claims and procedures are illustrated on a classic example of network theory with some appropriate outputs from our graphic program GLAD.