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.     

Testing equality of proportions with incomplete correlated data

Let (ψ_i,φ_i) be independent, identically distributed pairs of zero-one random variables with (possible) dependence of ψ_i and φ_i within the pair. For n pairs, both variables are observed, but for m₁ additional pairs only ψ_i is observed and for m₂ others φ_i is observed. If π_1· = P{ψ_i = 1} and π_·1=P{φ_i, the problem is to test π_1·=π_·1. Maximum likelihood estimates of π_1· and π_·1 are obtained via the EM algorithm. A test statistic is developed whose null distribution is asymptotically chi-square with one degree of freedom (as n and either m₁ or m₂ tend to infinity). If m₁ = m₂ = 0 the statistic reduces to that of McNemar's test; if n = 0, it is equivalent to the statistic for testing equality of two independent proportions. This test is compared with other tests by means of Pitman efficiency. Examples are presented.     

In Need of a Guarantee

SUMMARY: Recent research, together with school inspection reports by the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED), reveal that many children are given little opportunity to take part in arts activities. The deficiencies found in arts provision in schools are mainly the unintentional effects of local management of schools and the way schools are interpreting the National Curriculum. Linked with these is the low priority that is often given to ensuring children have ready and wide-ranging access to the arts. A new report by the Royal Society of Arts, with support by the Arts Council of England and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, documents the key research findings, explains why the arts are at risk, and recommends ways forward (based on the research) and aimed at all groups with a responsibility for arts education in schools.     

Youth violence trajectories and proximal characteristics of intimate partner violence

Analyses first examined the developmental course of intimate partner violence (IPV), beginning with trajectories of youth violence. We then examined potential mediators of prior youth violence trajectories in models predicting later IPV perpetration as an outcome. Potential mediators include risks associated with the individual (e.g., current alcohol and drug use and mental health diagnosis), characteristics of a perpetrator's partner (e.g., use of alcohol/drugs and history of antisocial behavior), and aspects of the surrounding community (e.g., neighborhood norms favorable to violence and drug use). Data are from the Seattle Social Development Project, a longitudinal study of over 800 individuals followed from elementary school to young adulthood (age 24). Findings suggest that both chronic and late-increaser patterns of youth violence elevated the likelihood of later IPV perpetration. Partial mediation effects of the relation between youth violence and IPV were found for variables related to one's partner and the surrounding community. Individual characteristics of the perpetrator were not uniquely predictive of IPV when measured as a risk index and modeled along with other risk factors. Findings indicate that the risk of IPV could be lessened by addressing earlier forms of violence and by intervening to reduce risks within and across domains of influence.     

Coverage of the population in Census 2000: Results from Demographic Analysis

Since the 1960 Census, Demographic Analysis (DA) has been used by the Census Bureau to evaluate the coverage of the population. Administrative statistics on births, deaths, immigration and Medicare enrollments as well as estimates of legal emigration and net undocumented immigration are used to produce demographic analysis estimates of the population for the census date. These estimates are compared to the Census 2000 data to evaluate coverage in the census. The results are also compared to measures of undercount obtained from dual system estimation. The DA measures substantial reduction in net undercount in Census 2000 compared to 1990. The reductions occur among all demographic categories: all broad age groups, males and females, Blacks and Non-Blacks.