A coordinate-free approach to testable hypotheses

Using the coordinate-free version of the linear model and geometrical considerations, the usual definition of testable hyptheses is extended. The concept of partially testable hypotheses is defined in that context. This new approach provides an alternative to the one given by Peixoto (1986), offering some complementary aspects. Simple and direct techniques for testing the new testable hyptheses by means of the classical testing procedure are given.     

The Diffusion of Innovations: A Methodological Reappraisal

Studies of diffusion have traditionally relied on specific distributions, primarily the logistic, to characterize and estimate those processes. We argue that such an approach gives rise to serious problems of comparability and interpretation and may result in large biases in the estimates of the parameters of interest. We propose instead the Gini's expected mean difference as a measure of diffusion speed. We discuss its advantages over the traditional approach, present a nonparametric estimation procedure, and tackle with it the problems of truncated processes and of intergroup comparisons. We also elaborate on the use of the hazard rate and suggest various extensions. The diffusion of computed tomography scanners is presented as an illustration.     

Is this the end of globalization (as we know it)?

ABSTRACT

According to different media and analysts, globalization could be in a phase of ‘slowbalization’, de-globalization or even secular stagnation. After surveying academic proposals for defining, classifying and measuring globalization, by means of the Elcano Global Presence Index, this paper explores to what extent globalization has stagnated and/or whether it has changed its nature. Our results show that globalization has slowed down, but not retrenched. However, economic globalization has lost traction (something that probably explains the general perception on de-globalization) while soft projection has become the main driver of globalization.     

The Other‐Race Effect in a Longitudinal Sample of 3‐, 6‐ and 9‐Month‐Old Infants: Evidence of a Training Effect

We investigated the development of the other‐race effect “ORE” in a longitudinal sample of 3‐, 6‐, and 9‐month‐old Caucasian infants. Previous research using cross‐sectional samples has shown an unstable ORE at 3 months, an increase at 6 months and full development at 9 months. In Experiment 1, we tested whether 9‐month‐olds showed the ORE with Caucasian and African faces. As expected, the 9‐month‐olds discriminated faces within their own ethnicity (Caucasian) but not within the unfamiliar ethnicity (African). In months. In Experiment 2, we longitudinally tested infants at 3, 6, and 9 months by presenting either the Caucasian or the African faces used in Experiment 1. In contrast to previous cross‐sectional studies and Experiment 1, we found that infants discriminated between all stimuli. Hence, we did not find the ORE in this longitudinal study even at 9 months. We assume that the infants in our longitudinal study showed no ORE because of previous repetitive exposure to African faces at 3 and 6 months. We argue that only a few presentations of faces from other ethnic categories sufficiently slow the development of the ORE.     

Embeddings of circulant networks

In this paper we solve the edge isoperimetric problem for circulant networks and consider the problem of embedding circulant networks into various graphs such as arbitrary trees, cycles, certain multicyclic graphs and ladders to yield the minimum wirelength.     

The Role of Physical Context,Verbal Skills,Non‐parental Care,Social Support,and Type of Parental Discipline in the Development of ToM Capacity in Five‐Year‐Old Children

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of family context on the performance of 5‐year‐old children (N = 70) in theory of mind (ToM) tasks. The children's performances were assessed during individual sessions held at school. Children's verbal skills were assessed using the Peabody picture vocabulary test (PPVT). Interviews were also conducted with parents in the family home in order to gather sociodemographic data and to assess diverse variables of the family context. In addition to confirming the important role played by children's verbal skills in ToM, the results also supported a potential influence of family context in ToM development through variables, such as quality of non‐parental care or level of social contact and support. The educational implications of these results are discussed in relation to family intervention.