The Divergent Meanings of Life Satisfaction: Item Response Modeling of the Satisfaction with Life Scale in Greenland and Norway

Cultural differences in response to the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) items is investigated. Data were fit to a mixed Rasch model in order to identify latent classes of participants in a combined sample of Norwegians (N = 461) and Greenlanders (N = 180). Initial analyses showed no mean difference in life satisfaction between the two subsamples. After transforming the ordinal raw scores into interval scales while simultaneously controlling for response bias, different results appeared. First, approximately 80% of the participants in the Greenlandic subsample fit a latent class with a large degree of random responding to the SWLS. Second, relative to the Norwegians, more Greenlanders were using extreme categories in responding to the SWLS. After statistically controlling for this tendency, Norwegians were in general more satisfied with their lives than Greenlanders. Third, Greenlanders who belonged to one specific latent class were more satisfied than their Norwegian counterparts. A salient feature of this class was the relative unwillingness of respondents to change the circumstances of their lives if they were given such an opportunity. The above results are a reminder of the care that must be used in analyzing survey data across cultures. The analytical strategy applied in the article offers an improved approach to handling such data.     

An application of mathematical programming to soybean processing

In this paper, a mathematical programming methodology is applied to a production planning problem involving a soybean processing plant which can purchase its raw materials from multiple origins and must ship its finished products to multiple destinations. A time horizon production planning model is developed, with the objective of maximizing the net income produced by this plant. This model is tested for a five origin, three destination, processing network, over a thirteen month time horizon. Test results, in terms of a production plan and associated purchasing-allocation decisions, are presented and discussed.     

Training in Human Relations Skills as a Preferred Mode of Treatment for Married Couples*

While effective communication is recognized as important to marital adjustment, few therapeutic alternatives specifically attempt to teach improved communication skills in a systematic manner. In this study, five couples experiencing marital difficulties participated in a traditional therapy group with emphasis upon cathartic release and problem solving. A similar group of five couples participated in a training group consisting of a systematic didactic and experiential approach emphasizing the ability to discriminate and communicate helpfully. The results of outcome measures assessing gain in interpersonal skills and overall functioning indicate significant improvement in the training as compared to the traditional group.     

Women,Karate, and Gender Typing*

When women have the physical ability to overcome men, a major basis of cognitive categorization is violated and dissonance created. Two dissonance-resolving mechanisms take place-derision and denial. A study of women trained in Karate¹ provided an opportunity to examine these dissonance-reducing mechanisms. Results from fieldwork and questionnaires administered to both participants in Karate and a sample of students reveal that dissonace created by women's skills is most often resolved by denying skill. rather than by denigration of the woman's self. Field observations suggest that a psychology of tokenism operates; men discount women's achievement presumably gained by satisfying gender-independent criteria.