Properties of the sociolinguistic monitor1

This paper investigates the perceptual aspect of quantitative sociolinguistic variation in order to derive properties of a sociolinguistic monitor integrated into linguistic processing in real time. A series of experiments measured listeners’ sensitivity to frequencies in the form of variable percentages of the non‐standard apical form of the variable (ING). Subjects heard ten trial readings of broadcast news from the same speaker, and rated them on a seven‐point Likert scale of professional suitability. Responses conformed closely to a logarithmic function in which the effect of each deviation from the norm was proportional to the percent increase in deviations. The logarithmic pattern of responses was replicated in group and individual experiments in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in group experiments in Columbia, South Carolina and Durham, New Hampshire. South Carolina subjects were less critical of the /in/ variant in news broadcasting but showed the identical logarithmic function in reacting to Northern and Southern speakers. Inferences are drawn on the window of temporal resolution of the sociolinguistic monitor, its sensitivity and the pattern of attenuation over time.     

Suicidal behavior in children and adolescents

Although many of the principles and approaches toward suicidal youth are similar to those used with suicidal adults, some key differences exist. This article highlights the main differences between adolescent and adult suicidal behavior. Screening and assessment, treatment, and legal implications related to this population are also explored.     

Significance levels for use in the analysis of combination drug trials

Proof of efficacy of fixed combination drugs under current guidelines requires that the combination be statistically significantly superior to each component and that, to insure model validity, each component be statistically significantly superior to a placebo. Simulations indicate that if each of these four tests is performed at a significance level of 0,05 then the actual test of effectiveness of the fixed combination drug is done at a significance level that can be as small as 0.0001. This would seem to be excessively conservative. Further simulations indicate that significance levels of approximately 0,10 to 0.20 should be employed for all tests except in unusual circumstances.