Near Wins Prolong Gambling on a Video Lottery Terminal

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether near wins can prolong gambling activity on a video lottery terminal. In a three-reel game, near wins were operationally defined as two identical symbols followed by a third different symbol. Players in an experimental condition were exposed to 27% near wins in a series of continuous losses, whereas players in a control group were exposed to none. Participants played as long as they wished, and received real money for their wins. The results showed that players in the near win condition played 33% more games than did the control group. The results of this study suggest that near wins can be added to the list of factors that may motivate people to gamble despite the probability of monetary loss.     

Möglichkeiten des konstruktiven Umgangs mit Widerstand in erwachsenendidaktischen Veranstaltungen

Resistance in adult didactic workshops may be understood as open or disguised rejection of learning or change propositions. After a critical discussion about the resistance concept, possible causes for resistance are outlined. Resistance may be related to the goals or contents of a workshop or find its cause at the relationships level. It is shown, based on the assumption that people are potentially rational and reflective actors and that this potential should in any case be encouraged, how learning environment may be arranged in order to find an appropriate frame to the resistance of the learning people. In addition to the duty to accept resistance, the use of communicative methods, based on systemic and solution oriented approaches is recommended.     

Perfect simulation of positive Gaussian distributions

We provide an exact simulation algorithm that produces variables from truncated Gaussian distributions on ( ₊) ^p via a perfect sampling scheme, based on stochastic ordering and slice sampling, since accept-reject algorithms like the one of Geweke (1991) and Robert (1995) are difficult to extend to higher dimensions.     

A multidimensional typology of countertransference responses

Of all the countless phenomena intrinsic to psychoanalytic therapy, the construct of countertransference is one of the most conceptually and technically burdensome. As yet, no single theoretically consistent and universally accepted classification of countertransference responses exists. This article proposes a multidimensional typology of countertransference phenomena which can be employed to help monitor clinical practice.     

France,Holland, Belgium and Germany—a look at their housing problems and policies

The Overall common problems of these four countries could be summarised as follows: a very rapid rise in the price of land and building costs; the contrast between a high level of housing need and an apparent over-production of housing; the universal realisation that older properties are often potential slums and that not more than 2.3% of the total stock is new housing, therefore continual renovation is essential for keeping up reasonable housing standards.     

Towards renewed fears of population and family decline?

This paper examines the extent to which governments have been concerned by the demographic changes which have taken place since the 1960s. The comparative analysis, based on a review of selected demographic-related state initiatives, reveals major differences across countries in the attitudes of governments to population and family issues. The paper also contrasts the differences between the post-1960s situation and the 1930s one when the low fertility levels and the transformations undergone by the family had also captured the attention of governments. The paper then concludes by looking at the role played by non-governmental social actors in the discussion surrounding population and family issues.