Mediator Listening,Dispute Reframing,and Mediation Outcome: A Pilot Study

This study examined the impact of mediator listening style on reframing, mediation outcome, and parties' perceptions of mediator performance. Trained mediators from the Alternative Dispute Resolution program at James Madison University served as third-party neutrals for thirty-two mediation sessions. Three experimental conditions tested critical listening, discriminative listening, and empathic listening. Significant differences were found among the listening conditions for reframing and mediation outcomes. Results suggest that mediators using empathic listening facilitate more conflict resolution and dispute settlement than mediators not using empathic listening. Analyses were done examining the subsequent effects of mediator listening style and reframing on parties' perceptions of mediator performance. Factor analysis and analysis of variance tests indicate disputants perceive empathic mediators as more fair and more objective than nonempathic mediators.     

Patterns of Sensitivity to Parenting and Peer Environments: Early Temperament and Adolescent Externalizing Behavior

Although parenting behavior and friendship quality predict adolescent externalizing behaviors (EBs), individual differences in temperament may differentially affect susceptibility to these factors over time. In a multi‐method and multi‐informant study of 141 children followed prospectively from toddlerhood to adolescence, we tested the independent and interactive associations of age 3 reactive temperament (e.g., negative emotionality) and age 13 observed parenting (i.e., positive and negative behavior) and friendship (i.e., conflict and warmth), with multi‐informant ratings of age 15 aggression and rule‐breaking behavior. Negative parenting predicted growth in parent‐rated EB, but only for adolescents with early reactive temperament. Temperament did not affect sensitivity to positive parenting or friendship. Results are discussed in the context of differential susceptibility theory and intervention implications for adolescents.     

Problem Gambling and Gaming Machine Density: Socio-spatial Analysis of Three Victorian Localities

This paper examines the debate about possible relationships between problem gambling and accessibility to electronic gaming machines (EGMs), in the context of the Victorian Government's policy that imposed a ‘cap’ on EGMs in disadvantaged communities. Using GIS (Geographical Information Systems), the spatial distribution of social disadvantage in three ‘capped’ localities was compared with the spatial distribution of gaming venues and patterns of concentrated EGM expenditure during 2001–2005, including seasonal trends. Research revealed different relationships between spatial and social categories in the study localities, indicating the need for more systematic local area analysis. This research raises questions about the limitations of conventional methodologies and regulatory strategies based on simple measures such as gaming machine density. We propose improvements to the methodology to better measure the changing level of local supply and demand for machine gaming.     

The Risk of James–Stein and Lasso Shrinkage

This article compares the mean-squared error (or ?₂ risk) of ordinary least squares (OLS), James–Stein, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) shrinkage estimators in simple linear regression where the number of regressors is smaller than the sample size. We compare and contrast the known risk bounds for these estimators, which shows that neither James–Stein nor Lasso uniformly dominates the other. We investigate the finite sample risk using a simple simulation experiment. We find that the risk of Lasso estimation is particularly sensitive to coefficient parameterization, and for a significant portion of the parameter space Lasso has higher mean-squared error than OLS. This investigation suggests that there are potential pitfalls arising with Lasso estimation, and simulation studies need to be more attentive to careful exploration of the parameter space.     

Pierre Bourdieu's Masculine Domination: A Critique*

Les auteurs montrent que la tentative de Pierre Bourdieu de résoudre le problème de la « domination masculine» est limitée par l'application inconséquente de son propre répertoire conceptuel, par l'emploi d'exemples empiriques périmés et par l'utilité douteuse du cas des relations sociales en Kabylie. Un rejet des catégories fondamentales (« homme », « femme ») et le recours à une conception plus nuancée de la domination seraient une approche plus prometteuse. An uneven application of his own conceptual repertoire, outdated empirical materials and the questionable utility of the example of relations in Kabylia limit Bourdieu's attempts to come to grips with “masculine domination.” A more useful approach would move beyond essentializing categories and engage with a more nuanced conception of domination.     

Socioeconomic Achievement and Religion: The American Case

Religious preference at several points in the life cycle is examined with regard to its affect on socioeconomic achievement and with regard to how religious preference is influenced by education, occupation, and income. The importance of considering the several major denominations separately instead of as a single category is demonstrated. When this is done Jews, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians have above average socioeconomic achievements; Methodists and Catholics are near the mean; and Baptists are below the average. Controlling for social origins and early achievements greatly attenuates the differences, but does not remove them with regard to education and income.