Communicating science to the public through targeted messages

The process of communicating science-based information through the mass media is often not the most effective way to meet the information needs of audiences. In many instances these needs can be met more effectively and efficiently through targeted messages. These are communication products that fill, in as direct a manner as possible, the information needs of specialized audiences.Although targeted messages occasionally are prepared for the mass media, more often they are communicated via booklets, brochures, audiovisual materials and other media that best reach the intended audience, allowing for limitations of budget and time.A model for producing and disseminating targeted science messages in the area of youth and family development is presented, and several case histories are described. The principal benefit of this model is that it permits scientists a measure of responsibility for the accuracy and validity of what is being communicated, and at the same time, assures that the product meets the needs of its audience.     

Interevention for victims of child sexual abuse: An evaluation of the Children's Advocacy Model

Interagency coordination is a strategy for reducing trauma experienced by children during investigations of alleged sexual abuse. This report examines characteristics and outcomes of clients participating in three programs using the Children's Advocacy Model of interagency coordination. Implications for intervention with victims of child sexual abuse are discussed.     

Regional differences in the sociodemographic determinants of environmental concern

This study assesses the influence of sociodemographic variables on four distinct measures of environmental concern in a sample of 2,984 households in 19 metropolitan areas of the United States. In addition, the potential for regional interactions is investigated. Results of the study indicate that, while geographic region does not appear to have consistent additive effects, it does interact with other sociodemographic variables to influence environmental concern. These regional interactions draw attention to many of the problems involved with comparisons across studies and may shed light on what are often considered to be discrepant findings in the literature on environmental concern.     

Proruralism values and migration behavior

Population and Environment - The article looks more closely at migration to small cities and towns by studying the relative influence of proruralism value orientations on migration behaviorvis...     

Self psychology and ego psychology: A historical perspective

This paper takes a historical perspective as to the current debate between ego psychologists and self psychologists. By looking at the psychological functions of the self, the ego, and the superego, one can see substantial areas of overlap between the theories. The two theories are described and compared along the lines of these psychological functions. They are then applied to six clinical issues; primary developmental crisis, transference variations, conflict and defecit, modifications in technique, developmental lines, and the relationship between the ego and the self. The conclusion is drawn that a more comprehensive understanding of the theories as they apply to clinical phenomena needs to be developed before a determination can be made as to their compatibility.     

Analysis of fundamental frequency reveals covariation in interview partners' speech

Spectral analysis of the fundamental frequency band in speech of interview partners reveals covariance of voice energy levels and thus a possible form of rudimentary social synchrony. Though this phenomenon of paralinguistic covariance has been observed by a number of researchers, techniques for examining it have not been exploited using modern instruments for Fast Fourier Transform analysis nor has the effect been statistically explicated in depth. This study reports on research showing that the acoustic signal conveying covariance information resides in the fundamental frequency band of the speech spectrum, a band which in itself has traditionally been considered inconsequential to perceived intelligible verbal communication. Acoustic signals from speech of four interview partners interacting with the author were analyzed in three frequency settings—2 KHz., .5 KHz., and .2 KHz.—to target the low frequency band in which the covariance phenomenon is most coherently transmitted. Analysis was performed using a dedicated instrument, the Fast Fourier Transform analyzer, to obtain spectra, and spectral output was processed statistically to produce relationships showing the covariance effect. Also, this paper addresses means by which potency of influences from technical artifacts, as introduced by instrumentation, interview environment, or statistical protocols are appraised. Research conclusions present an efficient, lucid, and reliable method for analyzing the paralinguistic mode of nonverbal behavior, and, in addition, offer evidence that the nonverbal, vocal channel of communication carries a signal embodying a semantic message. These conclusions raise some crucial questions regarding the influence of a hitherto unreported function of the fundamental frequency in voices of interview partners.I wish to acknowledge support of Bebe Lavin, Chairperson, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Rudolph O. Buttlar, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Stephen Webster, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, and the Research Council, Kent State University.     

Calibration as estimation

Calibration in macroeconomics involves choosing fre parameters by matching certain moments of simulted models with those of data. We formally examine this method by treating the process of calibration as an econometric estimator. A numerical version of the Mehra-Prescott (1985) economy is the setting for an evaluation of calibration estimators via Monte Carlo methods. While these estimators sometimes have reasonable finite-sample properties they are not robust to mistakes in setting non-free parameters. In contrast, generalized method-of-moments (GMM) estimators have satisfactory finite-sample characteristics, quick convergence, and informational requirements less stringent than those of calibration estimators. In dynamic equilibrium models in which GMM is infeasible we offer some suggestions for improving estimates based on calibration methodology.     

LAST OF THE DINOSAURS? BIG WEAPONS,BIG SCIENCE,AND THE AMERICAN STATE FROM HIROSHIMA TO THE END OF THE COLD WAR

This article examines the origins and recent crises in linkages between big science, big weapons, and the U.S. state during and after the cold war. We examine the sources of legitimacy of military dominance of U.S. research and development (R&D) in the first decades of the cold war and argue that the exigencies of a nuclear arms race between two superpowers gave the military an unprecedented peacetime claim on science and technology resources. We argue that economic crises, political challenges by peace movements, and technological exhaustion of the nuclear arms race in the 1980s weakened military claims to science and technology leadership, but that the 1991 Persian Gulf war deflected what might have been a major shift in U.S. R&D priorities. We conclude by examining U.S. post-cold war R&D policy and find that military priorities remain preeminent.     

Implementation of Behavioral Marital Therapy

Implementing behavioral marital therapy is discussed with emphasis on the techniques of problem-solving, communications training, behavioral contracting, and homework assignments. The therapist's intervention style and the aspects of treatment which aid in generalization and maintenance of therapeutic gains are also described, and a typical treatment session is outlined.