On the intrinsic force of convergence to stability∗

Observed populations differ greatly in the speed with which they approach the stable form, but what determines rates of convergence is not fully understood. The present paper shows that the force of convergence does not approach a fixed value, but oscillates indefinitely around an “intrinsic”; level. That level, h?, is determined by the square of the ratio of the 2 largest eigenvalues of the Leslie matrix. The value of h? can be closely approximated by a simple function that changes directly with the square of the coefficient of variation and inversely with the mean of the stable net maternity function. Population entropy, another measure of dispersion relative to the mean, is also highly correlated with h?.     

It is time that matters in crisis communication: The role of temporal distance and crisis threat appraisal

The present study advances scholarly understanding of publics’ crisis responses by examining a potential role of temporal crisis distance and crisis threat appraisal from the perspective of publics. It explored whether and how temporal distance from the influence of crises (proximal future vs. distant future) might predict threat appraisal components (i.e., situational demands and required resources) and publics’ crisis responses (i.e., crisis emotions and supportive behavioral intentions). This study tested the mediation model to explicate how temporal crisis distance affected crisis responses through crisis threat appraisal. The results revealed that temporal crisis distance significantly predicted publics’ perception of situational demands, which in turn influenced crisis responses. Theoretical and practical implications for crisis communication are discussed.     

城市化进程中城乡居民社会距离实证分析

依据实际调查数据,分别从失地农民和城市居民两个群体的视角分析当前城市化进程中双方产生的社会距离,指出社会制度、社会经济地位、空间隔离、社会网络是两个群体产生不对称社会距离的主要因素;阐述了当前城市化进程中,社会制度导致的各种客观因素对失地农民和城市居民产生社会距离的具体影响,提出减小双方社会距离,促进社会融合的合理化建议。     

远程学习者外语学习中的元认知与自我效能感研究

远程教育的特点是师生的时空分离,要克服这种时空分离对学习者的不利影响,就需要远程教育教师和管理者充分了解学习者外语学习过程中的认知与动机活动规律。基于远程学习者元认知的三个维度、自我效能感与外语学业成就的的相关分析和回归分析建立起的结构模型显示元认知调控对学业成绩的影响最大,其次是自我效能感,元认知知识对学业成就的影响较小;元认知体验虽不能直接作用于学业成就,但其通过自我效能感对学业成就间接产生影响。     

The psychological distance of climate change

Avoiding dangerous climate change is one of the most urgent social risk issues we face today and understanding related public perceptions is critical to engaging the public with the major societal transformations required to combat climate change. Analyses of public perceptions have indicated that climate change is perceived as distant on a number of different dimensions. However, to date there has been no in-depth exploration of the psychological distance of climate change. This study uses a nationally representative British sample in order to systematically explore and characterize each of the four theorized dimensions of psychological distance--temporal, social, and geographical distance, and uncertainty--in relation to climate change. We examine how each of these different aspects of psychological distance relate to each other as well as to concerns about climate change and sustainable behavior intentions. Results indicate that climate change is both psychologically distant and proximal in relation to different dimensions. Lower psychological distance was generally associated with higher levels of concern, although perceived impacts on developing countries, as an indicator of social distance, was also significantly related to preparedness to act on climate change. Our findings clearly point to the utility of risk communication techniques designed to reduce psychological distance. However, highlighting the potentially very serious distant impacts of climate change may also be useful in promoting sustainable behavior, even among those already concerned.     

对美国远程高等教育的认识与思考

美国高校在开展远程教育时有自己的独到之处,它在招生、教学、管理方面真正实现了与现代信息技术的紧密结合,从而营造了发展远程教育的好环境。相比之下,我国远程教育在学生学习动机、教学管理、技术应用、学习支持服务等方面存在着不小的差距,需要在宏观规划、媒体使用、制度建设等方面做进一步的改进。惟此,才能保证远程教育沿着健康的道路顺利向前发展。     

基于Theil指数法的山东半岛城市群知识溢出水平研究

从经济距离和知识能力角度分析山东半岛城市群的知识溢出水平,测算该城市群的经济距离。从科技创新、知识交流和经济环境3个维度进行知识能力评价,通过引入熵理论和Theil指数法,计算知识能力的综合评价值和不均衡度。研究表明,山东半岛城市群的经济距离较大,知识能力综合评价值较低,且差距较大,不均衡度明显。最后提出发展山东半岛城市群区域知识能力的建议。     

A study of social distance in the implementation of the national minority social work in Xinjiang

Abstract

As a subfield of social work studies, social work for ethnic minorities has drawn the attention of academics and practitioners in recent years. In Mainland China, hardly anyone is involved in social work concerning ethnic minorities, and barely a handful of practical research papers on ethnic minority social work are available. This paper seeks to study practical social work for ethnic minorities from the perspective of social distance. It describes the major social distance scales and the main causes behind the formation of social distance, as well as several strategies in response to the social distance in ethnic minority social work.