Toward a reflexive sociology

Gouldner’s call for a “reflexive sociology” in 1970 remains a largely unexamined idea, yet with the breakdown of functionalism’s begemony and the present ferment in theory its time may finally have come. In attempting to clarify and reconstruct Gouldner’s idea, I begin with his concepts “background assumptions” and “domain assumptions,” linking them with Kubn’s ideas. Employing levels of abstraction to approach Gouldner’s material systematically, I proceed to develop and illustrate two contrasting background assumptions or world hypotheses: “stratification” and “interaction.” Finally, I examine some methodological implications of these world views, centering on defining problems, ratio scales and images of measurement, sampling and multivariate-analysis procedures. Introduced to sociology by C. Wright Mills, Bernard Phillips studied with Robin N. Williams, Jr. and taught at the University of North Carolina and the University of Illinois (where he overlapped with Alvin W. Gouldner for a year) before coming to Boston University. A cofounder of the ASA section, Sociological Practice, Phillips’ interests are in Societal Change, Theory and Methods.     

The effects of statistical fluctuations and perceived status of a competitor on the illusion of control in experienced gamblers

An experiment in gambling behavior was conducted under the most realistic conditions possible in our laboratory. Not only was there a significant monetary prize offered but subjects believed that they could be eliminated by a competitor. Subjects were 45 adults (25 females & 20 males; age range=23 to 73, mean age=51). Subjects were pitted in a gambling game against either a formidable or a vulnerable competitor. The competitor was a confederate playing one of the roles. The subjects either enjoyed a statistically favorable sequence of outcomes or suffered through a statistically negative sequence. In other words, they were made to lose badly, or made to win significantly. The object was to determine the effects of statistical fluctuations and the perceived status of a competitor on the illusion of control as measured by magnitude of risk taking. We hypothesized that we would see greater risks taken against a vulnerable competitor and during the favorable sequence, while lesser risks would be taken against a formidable competitor and an unfavorable sequence. However, neither variable was found to significantly effect the subjects on these measures. Unexpectedly, we identified a significant effect with respect to the number of wagers. It was found that subjects took significantly higher risks as a function of exposure to the gambling situation, without respect to conditions.     

Abstracts

Chessick, R. D. The sad soul of the psychiatrist. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic , 1978, 42 , 1–9.
Greenberg, G. S. The family international perspective: A study and examination of the work of Don D. Jackson. Family Process , 1977, 16 , 385–112.
Hines, P. M. & Hare-Mustin, R. T. Ethical concerns in family therapy. Professional Psychology , 1978, 9 , 165–171.
Keshet, H. F. & Rosenthal, K. M. Fathering after marital separation. Social Work , 1978, 23 , 11–18.
Loewenstein, S. An overview of some aspects of female sexuality. Social Casework , 1978, 59 , 106–115.
Mace, D. R. & Mace, V. C. Measure your marriage potential: A simple test that tells couples where they are. The Family Coordinator , 1978, 27 , 63–67.
Wexler, J. & Steidl, J. Marriage and the capacity to be alone. Psychiatry , 1978, 41 , 72–82.     

Model for crisis intervention through group therapy for women with breast cancer

This paper describes a model for crisis intervention through group therapy for women with breast cancer. The group sessions, conducted by a multidisciplinary team, are part of the Linn Clinic's post-operative treatment. The discussions using a holistic approach, helped the women to cope more effectively with the disease, the trauma of the operation, and with the chemotherapy or radiation treatment. The women learn that they can do much to regain their health.     

Proper names and the social construction of biography: The negative case of laboratory animals

This paper analyzes patterns of naming in the practices of research scientists who work with laboratory animals. The study is based on field work done in 23 biomedical and behavioral research laboratories over a period of nearly three years, as part of a broader investigation into the meaning of laboratory animals for contemporary scientists. Naming is viewed as a social practice that creates meaning of a particular kind, that of narrative coherence, which forms the essence of biography. Since laboratory animals are rarely given proper names, they provide a negative case that illuminates the significance of naming by showing what is entailed by its absence. I argue that the organization of scientific research creates conditions that foster the social construction of a distinct category of animal, the “laboratory animal,” that contrasts with nameable animals (e.g., pets) across every salient dimension. By virtue of this social construct, which is created and supported by naming practices as well as by other aspects of laboratory talk, the cat or dog in the laboratory is perceived by researchers as ontologically different from the pet dog or cat at home.     

Care management and social work: A case study of the role of social work in hospital discharge to residential or nursing home care

The role of social work with vulnerable adults has changed markedly in many countries, including England and Wales following the 1990 NHS and Community Care Act. The basis for this paper is a small qualitative study of the social work role in helping people entering residential or nursing care in the independent sector following an emergency hospital admission in England (Phillips and Waterson 1997). This double transition is an under-researched area (Bywaters 1993; Downs and Crossan 1999). Furthermore, the literature on hospital discharge to date relates to developing policy objectives (Department of Health 1989, 1992, 1994a) or a critique of them (Pearson 1994; Cresswell 1994; Nazarko 1994) or the impact on practice, highlighting issues of inter-disciplinary cooperation (Rachman 1993; Higgins et al. 1994; Davies and Connolly 1995a; Clark et al. 1997; Healey et al. 1999). Until very recently, there has been much less about the users and carers perspective of the effects on the social work role in this area (Hardy et al. 1999; Henton et al. 1999; MacDonald 1999; Chesterman et al. 2001; Hellstrom and Hallberg 2001). The research findings review the core tasks of care management and point to a devaluing of the 'social' dimension, which had previously been the mainstay of hospital social work, and which is precisely what users and carers continue to value. Whilst this paper is written from a UK perspective, and focuses on a small study of an atypical area of work, this finding raises issues of wider interest to those concerned with the health and social care of vulnerable adults in a range of transnational contexts. It raises fundamental questions about the nature of contemporary European social work.     

The ‘Freshman 5’: A Meta-Analysis of Weight Gain in the Freshman Year of College

Abstract

Objective: (1) To use the available research to estimate the amount of weight gained by college freshman during their first year of college. (2) To identify potential predictors of freshman weight gain. Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted in November 2008. The analysis focused on articles published in English scientific journals between 1985 and 2008 available on the MEDLINE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases and excluded studies of weight change over periods beyond freshman year. Results: Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Based on a pooled sample of 3,401 cases, mean weight gain was 3.86 (95% confidence intervals [CI] = 3.81–3.91) lbs. Potential contributors to gain were recent dieting, high baseline weight, and psychological stress. Conclusions: The first year of college is a period of vulnerability for weight problems. Further research is needed to better understand freshman weight gain and devise appropriate prevention strategies based on predictors of gain.     

Nonsuicidal Self-injury in a College Population: General Trends and Sex Differences

Abstract

Objective: To describe basic nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) characteristics and to explore sex differences. Methods: A random sample from 8 universities were invited to participate in a Web-based survey in 2006–2007; 38.9% (n = 14,372) participated. Analysis assessed sex differences in NSSI prevalence, practices, severity, perceived dependency, and help-seeking; adjusted odds ratios for NSSI characteristics were calculated by sex status. Results: Lifetime NSSI prevalence rates averaged 15.3%. Females were more likely than males to self-injure because they were upset (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.3–2.1) or in hopes that someone would notice them (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1–2.7). Males were 1.6 times (95% CI = 1.2–2.2) more likely to report anger and 4.0 times (95% CI = 2.3–6.8) more likely to report intoxication as an initiating factor. Sexual orientation predicted NSSI, particularly for women (Wald F = 8.81, p ≤ .000). Only 8.9% of the NSSI sample reported disclosing NSSI to a mental health professional. Conclusions: NSSI is common in college populations but varies significantly by sex and sexual orientation. NSSI disclosure is low among both sexes.