Parametric discounting

A parametric approach to the problem of selection from amongst alternative investment opportunities is considered in a discounted cash flow framework. The approach employs differential cash flows, an uncertain planning horizon and a nested approach to composing cash flow parameters. This promotes consistent treatment of alternative investments, clarifies the effects of uncertainty, avoids some of the defects of internal rate of return and payback period criteria and allows direct comparison of best and next best options as primal and dual versions of the same model. Net present value, internal rate of return, annual average cost or payback period assessments may be selected post analysis. A domestic wall insulation example is used for illustrative purposes. This example is related to the hydroelectric power development decision which gave rise to the approach.     

Unionism and voter turnout

Conventional wisdom suggests that union members and their families are more politically active, and more likely to vote, than nonmembers. This study presents, to our knowledge, the first systematic empirical examination of that conventional wisdom. Results suggest that union members are more likely than nonmembers to vote in a general election, and that union campaign efforts increase voter turnout generally. There is no evidence, however, that union family members are more likely to vote than nonmembers, or that union status affects an individual’s likelihood of voting in a primary election. The authors wish to thank Robert Perloff, Donna Sockell, and an anonymous referee for helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper. This study was partially supported by a Columbia University Graduate School of Business Faculty Research Fellowship and a Faculty Research Grant from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Business.     

Opposite sex touch avoidance: A national replication and extension

Virtually all previous research on touch avoidance was conducted in the Northeast region of the United States (U.S.). The present study replicated and extended Andersen and Leibowitz' (1978) research on touch avoidance by testing hypotheses for nearly 4,000 subjects at 40 universities from all socio-cultural regions of the United States. Results confirmed previous research, with the pattern of results at each of 40 universities showing considerable consistency. Opposite sex touch avoidance was higher for females than males, was positively related to communication apprehension, and was negatively related to verbal predispositions to communicate, open communicator style, and self-esteem. Some regional variations were uncovered, but they failed to correspond to political or cultural taxonomies of U.S. regions. Ideas for future research on regional patterns of communication and on touch avoidance are discussed.We would also like to thank Stanley Jones (University of Colorado) for his helpful comments to an earlier version of this paper.     

The value of personal psychotherapy to clinical practice

Practice wisdom as well as anecdotal evidence support the value of personal psychotherapy for clinical practitioners. Despite the apparent acceptance of that notion, little, if any, research has been done in clinical social work. Therefore, this study explored the significance of personal psychotherapy to the clinical work of advanced students and experienced practitioners. The paper focuses on the similarities and differences between these two groups.     

Hardiness and the relationship between stressors and outcomes

Using a sample of 468 participants, from two organizations, this study examined direct and moderating relationships between hardiness (a composite of challenge, control, and commitment), life and work stressors, and a variety of health-related outcomes. The results indicated that hardiness did not moderate the relationship between stressors and outcomes as reported by others (e.g. Kobasa 1982a). However, hardiness did have significant direct effects on emotional and psychological factors thought to be related to personal well-being and work performance. Hardy individuals reported higher levels of job satisfaction and fewer tensions at work dun did the less hardy. In general, hardy individuals experienced a higher quality of life and a more positive affect while being more energized and less negative about life. Hardy individuals also reported fewer somatic complaints and tended to be less depressed and anxious than individuals low in hardiness. In addition, hardiness was negatively related to all four measures of life and work stress implying that hardiness may not be independent of life demands.     

The structure of consumer confidence in four EEC countries

This paper reports an exploration of the structure of consumer confidence in four of the countries participating in the EEC harmonized consumer attitudes surveys. The analysis is based on two EEC surveys in each of the countries concerned and uses the rotated solutions on the first three factors of the data. It was found that the different countries and surveys had similar factor structures which were interpreted as general economic conditions: personal financial circumstances; household durable buying intentions. The position of price expectations and attitudes to saving within these factor structures is also of interest in the interpretation of consumer behaviour.