Peer collaboration: conflict,cooperation, or both?

The present study sought to characterize the mechanism of cognitive change during peer interaction. Forty-eight focal subjects (8-year-old females) were paired with either their mother or their best friend for dyadic discussion of two socio-moral dilemmas. The focal subjects were pretested and posttested to assess any change in their socio-moral reasoning. The hypothesis tested was that subjects cooperatively co-construct solutions to dilemmas; therefore, the discussions regarding solutions they eventually accept, as opposed to those they reject, will be positively related to posttest performance. Contrary to expectations, it was discovered that only the discussion of rejected solutions has a significant relation to cognitive outcome. Close analysis revealed that the consequence of a rejected solution discussion often is the focal's proposal of a more acceptable solution, and this also has a strong relation to outcome. A new conceptualization of collaboration is proposed, one that focuses on the importance of dyadic consideration of multiple perspectives. The consequence of such consideration is both critical analysis of ideas (socio-cognitive conflict) and co-construction of new understanding (cooperation).     

基于奇异值分解去势的非线性趋势序列单位根检验研究

 如何克服ADF与PP单位根检验法对非线性趋势平稳序列的伪检验,提高单位根检验的功效,是非平稳时间序列分析的重要问题。本文基于奇异值分解的思路,构造出检验非平稳时间序列单位根的SVD-RMA检验法,此方法将时间序列的趋势项与干扰项分离,然后用递归均值调整法对干扰项进行检验。仿真实验表明,SVD-RMA法对线性与非线性趋势、甚至结构突变过程的检验功效都非常好;对非线性趋势平稳的检验而言,SVD-RMA检验得到正确结论的可能性要远远好于ADF与PP检验。     

Status Attainment and Social Mobility

This paper discusses why and how the consideration of inter-individual genetic variation can enhance the explanatory power of sociological inquiries of status attainment and social stratification. We argue that accounting for genetic variation may help to address longstanding and in some cases overlooked causality problems in explaining the emergence of social inequalities—problems which may interfere with both implicit and explicit interpretations of a society as “open” or “closed,” as meritocratic or non-meritocratic. We discuss the basic methodological tenets of genetically informative research (Sect. 2) and provide empirical examples and theoretical conceptualizations on how genetic variation contributes to status attainment (Sect. 3). This is followed by a discussion of gene-environment interplay in relation to more abstract ideas about social mechanisms that generate inequality, touching on normative implications of these ideas as well as considerations from a social justice perspective (Sect. 4). Finally, we briefly review the potential benefits as well as pitfalls of incorporating genetic influences into sociological explanations of status attainment. As we will argue, understanding how social influences impinge on the individual and how genes influence our lives requires sophisticated research designs based on sound sociological theory and methodology (Sect. 5).     

Going back: ‘Stalking’, talking and researcher responsibilities in qualitative longitudinal research

This paper explores the process of going back in qualitative longitudinal research (QLR) to gather later accounts of unfolding personal experiences. The design of interview-based QLR is usually premised on collecting data, over-time, around an unfolding experience or event. This design facilitates the establishment of an on-going research relationship and ‘rapport’ and the accessing of fluid and time-sensitive accounts of individual experiences, leading to more nuanced understandings of temporal subjectivities. However in practice maintaining a sample in QL research, which may span a number of years, can be challenging and the process of going back, complicated. This paper reflects on issues and responsibilities which can arise when researchers try to access and go back to participants, especially where experiences once optimistically narrated and future-oriented have unfolded in unplanned and personally unwelcome ways. Using researcher experiences and the data from later phases of two UK based QLR studies on transition to first-time motherhood and first-time fatherhood, the practical steps of maintaining contact, reconnecting with participants and going back are documented. How does the passage of time and changes in participant’s lives alter research relationships, interpretations of data and researcher responsibilities?     

Voices from Segregated Schooling: towards an inclusive education system

Romantown LEA, like other authorities in England and Wales, is adopting a policy of 'inclusion' in providing education for young disabled people. The reorganisation has involved the closure of Adamston, an all-age school for pupils with physical disabilities. This article addresses the meaning of 'inclusion' from the viewpoint of disabled people who have experienced segregated education. We draw first on the literature to offer an analysis of the documented views of survivors of special schools. Secondly, we explore the views and experiences of Adamston pupils prior to the closure of the school. In presenting what clearly represents a wide range of experiences we seek to take the debate beyond the sterile analysis of 'pros and cons' of special schools. We argue that voices from experiences of segregation are central in constructing 'inclusion' and essential in any process of change towards an education system which is truly inclusive.     

Capitalizing on Culture: How Cultural Capital Shapes Educational Experiences and Outcomes

Social reproduction theory suggests that the educational system perpetuates inequality by rewarding the cultural capital of students from privileged social classes. This article reviews the empirical evidence for this view of education, highlighting debates in the field and directions for future research. Questions of exactly what cultural attributes constitute cultural capital, why cultural capital is linked to improved educational outcomes, and what kinds of students benefit from cultural capital are addressed.     

The shift toward private sector service delivery: Restructuring child welfare systems in the name of children

This article reviews the current condition of some of the worst child welfare systems in the country, focusing on several of the reforms these systems have adopted in order to meet compliance standards enforced by consent decrees and lawsuits. Section I covers the historical background of government intervention in social welfare systems and the funding of these systems. Section II profiles top media cases involving abused children, and addresses the implications of lawsuits and decrees. Section III discusses the implications of privatization, observing both the purported benefits and the disadvantages. Section IV introduces the concept of managed care.     

A biopsychosocial model of glycemic control in diabetes: stress, coping and regimen adherence.

This study examines stress, coping, and regimen adherence as determinants of chronic and transient metabolic control in diabetes. We also examine the interaction of biologic vulnerability and psychosocial risk factors to see if Type 1 (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) or Type 2 (noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus) diabetes had greater responsiveness to psychosocial risk factors. Analyses of data from insulin-treated adults with Type 1 (N = 57) and Type 2 (N = 61) diabetes supported the biopsychosocial model. For Type 1 diabetes, self-controlling persons had better glycemic control and emotional persons had worse (because of differences in stress). All of these associations were mediated by regimen compliance. For Type 2 diabetes, self-controlling persons had better glycemic control for reasons other than regimen compliance. There was an interaction between biologic and psychosocial factors, with psychosocial factors accounting for more variance in glycemic control within Type 1 patients. Stable psychosocial resources (i.e., education, being married, and positive coping styles) were associated with better chronic glycemic control, while stress and regimen nonadherence were associated with worse transient glycemic control.     

Intra-household income inequality and preferences for redistribution

Review of Economics of the Household - We empirically analyze the relationship between income inequality and individual preferences for public redistribution, focusing on intra-household income...     

Etiology of School Shootings: Utilizing a Purposive,Non-Impulsive Model for Social Work Practice

Many schools have introduced violence prevention measures that aim to combat acts such as bullying and carrying weapons on school premises. Despite these attempts, students and faculty live in fear of a school shooting happening in their community. This article reviews the factors that are most prevalent in those who follow through with school violence and the most prevalent cluster of variables seen in cases of school shootings. Next, the etiology of school shootings and the stages-of-change model, applied to school violence, is discussed. The analyses are then followed by implications for social work and how to augment existing practices through practice and policy changes.