Applications of Theories of Group Processes

Theories of group processes have been and are being applied usefully to natural situations. We review a selection of these theories and examine different types of applications and interventions to which they have led. We then offer a typology of application, five "stages" with examples. As theoretical application proceeds, issues of complexity, rules of correspondence, and competing social interests increase the difficulty of that work, yet the benefits are considerable for theoretical development.     

Bridging the divide in urban sustainability: from human exemptionalism to the new ecological paradigm

This paper reviews the main bodies of contemporary urban sustainability theory. From this analysis, two underpinning paradigms of urban sustainability are identified: (1) The ‘Human Exemptionalism Paradigm’ (HEP), which emphasizes the ability of humans to overcome environmental problems—see Urban Sociology, Urban Ecology, Urban Geography, Urban Psychology and Political Economy; and (2) The ‘New Ecological Paradigm’ (NEP), which emphasizes the criticality of ecological limits to human progress—see Urban Metabolism, Energy/Emergy Analysis and Ecological Footprinting. Each of these approaches is critically reviewed, highlighting their main assumptions, theoretical and practical foci. It is argued in the paper that if the related issues of urban sustainability and development are to be progressed, there needs to be: (1) a greater maturation of the NEP approaches, which are ‘relative newcomers’ to the area of urban theory; and (2) greater integration and dialogue between the HEP and NEP approaches to urban sustainability than has hitherto been the case.

How broadband and cell phone access have impacted marriage and divorce in the US

Review of Economics of the Household - Internet use has lowered search costs in the marriage market, as participants (both single and married) can now search for and gather information more easily...     

Measuring Nonverbal Bias Through Body Language Responses to Stereotypes

Although research has demonstrated the manifestation of racial bias by measuring overt attitudes and behaviors, there has been little examination of the subtle nonverbal cues that may also characterize such bias. The present study investigates implicit racial bias by analyzing nonverbal behaviors of individuals shown video of a criminal suspect whose ethnic identity is manipulated to be Black or White. Participants appeared significantly more uncertain about what they were saying when describing the White suspect than when describing the Black suspect. Participants were also more likely to display “open” posture when describing the Black suspect but “closed” posture (e.g., crossed arms) when describing the White suspect. The results indicate that biases in attitudes and beliefs might be reliably detected and measured through body language. The findings are discussed in terms of how nonverbal behaviors may reveal more subtle forms of prejudice and miscommunication. Contextual correlations between specific nonverbal behaviors and affective states are also discussed.     

The statue syndrome: Perversion? Fantasy? Anecdote?

Clinical and literary citations to a syndrome in which a sexual relationship is established with a human representation (usually a statue) are examined. Notwithstanding the observations of Havelock Ellis, Krafft‐Ebing, and more modern commentators, the present survey found only a single documented instance where this condition existed as part of a complex manifestation of symptoms but a number of instances where it occurred as a pornographic fantasy.     

Representations and complaints procedures

One of the potentially more onerous responsibilities of programme providers offering Diploma in Social Work Courses, is the strong recommendation in CCETSW PAPER 30 at Paragraph 3.2.4.2 to establish a clear procedure for handling complaints. This article seeks to outline the potential difficulties in establishing such a procedure, discusses some of the principles which in the writer's view are necessary core conditions for an effective procedure and outlines a possible model for practice. This model was consulted with students, practice teachers and university based teaching staff. Consultation with the full membership of the Diploma in Social Work Partnership and with the wider university is not completed at the time of writing. It is hoped that a subsequent article will outline the final structure of the model agreed upon and its operation on a trial basis for 12 months from Spring 1992.

The writer has had experience of developing and operating a complaints procedure for workers in voluntary social work agencies in New Zealand and also for foster carers in a London borough. The article draws on experience in those two very different settings, as well as the experience of working to develop a procedure for the Diploma of Social Work course.     

Title Index

Abstract

This article describes how electronic resources have impacted the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Libraries' binding operation and how the libraries have responded to the resulting challenges, including the need for updated collection development and preservation/conservation policies, a comprehensive bindery contract, and a fully functional in-house binding capability. The evaluation of the binding process must continue as libraries move from a predominantly print to a predominantly electronic environment. Librarians, scholars, and binders should work together to preserve and bind library collections that will be valuable to future generations.