Agricultural policies and human fertility: Some emerging connections

Increasing agricultural output and slowing population growth are important policy goals of many developing nations. This article explores the idea that fertility of farm families may be influenced by the policies and programs introduced in rural areas to increase agricultural output. Specifically, the article provides an initial framework for identifying the links between agricultural policy and fertility, and reviews empirical studies regarding connections between human fertility and policies designed to influence agricultural production in rural areas.     

Creatively Labeling Behavior in Individual and Group Counseling

The authors make a case for the accurate labeling of behavior at the appropriate time in the counseling process and caution against the kind of labeling of a person which results in stereotyping and counseling ineffectiveness. They present a list of seven criteria to be considered if behavior is to be accurately labeled and advocate the use of metaphors, especially in group counseling, to label certain kinds of behavior     

Democracy, Voting, and Disenfranchisement in the United States: A Social Psychological Perspective

Autonomy, engagement, and equality are defining features of democracy. Each of these features illuminates the challenge or incompleteness of our democratic aspirations: Autonomy or self-governance is too easily surrendered, disengagement is evident when roughly half of eligible adults choose not to vote, and the inequality of our political voices is manifest in many ways, including a self-perpetuating relationship between socioeconomic status and political participation. In addition to introducing the present collection of articles on the social psychology of voting, I argue that several concepts drawn from psychological measurement may contribute to making elections more fair. A signal detection framework may be used to assess the soundness of election reforms, with fraud and disenfranchisement conceptualized as two forms of error. The replacement of the Electoral College by a single aggregate national popular vote would not only be more democratic but would substantially reduce the likelihood of controversial outcomes in future presidential elections.     

A generalized hierarchical model of resource allocation

This study presents a three-level, linear version of the Generalized Hierarchical Model (GHM) and demonstrates how the model can be used in allocating resources for a hypothetical university. The GHM uses a composition approach to organizational modeling. By applying the model to a rather large university planning problem, it is demonstrated that the composition approach can serve as a planning tool that may be useful in allocating resources within hierarchical organizations.     

Stimulus-Modeling (SM) Videotape for Marital Counseling: Method and Application*

The development of a classification system for analysis of specific verbal marital communications utilizing videotaped Stimulus-Modeling procedures is described. This instrument is applied to a study measuring the relative effects of modeling, modeling plus videotape feedback, and verbal counseling procedures on 30 couples seen in marital counseling. The Stimulus-Modeling (SM) tape portrays both functional and dysfunctional marital communicational patterns. Findings reveal that specific marital verbal behaviors can be operationalized and reliably measured. When these behaviors are depicted through modeling procedures and combined with videotape feedback, they are effective in changing specific problematic verbal behaviors. The results indicate the need to combine modern technology with modeling procedures in marital counseling.     

Public Attitudes Toward the Census: Influences and Trends*

Objective. This article considers the determinants of attitudes toward the census. Methods. Data from a survey of Connecticut residents are analyzed. Some of the questions replicate items from previous national surveys. Results. Conservatives and people with low trust in government have more negative views of the census, while interest in politics has no effect. Exposure to advertising has a positive effect on some attitudes. Conclusions. Despite the Census Bureau's efforts to maintain political neutrality, support of the census is influenced by general outlook on government and politics, suggesting that conflicts over the census are likely to continue.