On a bounded bimodal two-sided distribution fitted to the Old-Faithful geyser data

In this paper, we shall develop a novel family of bimodal univariate distributions (also allowing for unimodal shapes) and demonstrate its use utilizing the well-known and almost classical data set involving durations and waiting times of eruptions of the Old-Faithful geyser in Yellowstone park. Specifically, we shall analyze the Old-Faithful data set with 272 data points provided in Dekking et al. [3]. In the process, we develop a bivariate distribution using a copula technique and compare its fit to a mixture of bivariate normal distributions also fitted to the same bivariate data set. We believe the fit-analysis and comparison is primarily illustrative from an educational perspective for distribution theory modelers, since in the process a variety of statistical techniques are demonstrated. We do not claim one model as preferred over the other.     

Multivariate linear regression for heterogeneous data

The problem of multivariate regression modelling in the presence of heterogeneous data is dealt to address the relevant issue of the influence of such heterogeneity in assessing the linear relations between responses and explanatory variables. In spite of its popularity, clusterwise regression is not designed to identify the linear relationships within ‘homogeneous’ clusters exhibiting internal cohesion and external separation. A within-clusterwise regression is introduced to achieve this aim and, since the possible presence of a linear relation ‘between’ clusters should be also taken into account, a general regression model is introduced to account for both the between-cluster and the within-cluster regression variation. Some decompositions of the variance of the responses accounted for are also given, the least-squares estimation of the parameters is derived, together with an appropriate coordinate descent algorithms and the performance of the proposed methodology is evaluated in different datasets.     

Building Bridges: Social Movements and Civil Society in Times of Crisis

VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations - Social movement studies and studies on civil society and, related to them, studies on voluntarism and the third sector,...     

Parents’ and children’s power effectiveness during polyadic family conflict: Process and outcome

Parent–child power effectiveness was investigated during naturally occurring polyadic family conflict with young children involving three or more family members. In 35/39 families, 210 conflict sequences were identified and coded for type of power, power effectiveness, and conflict outcome. Effective use of power overall and by each partner was assessed using two methods: microscopic (target’s response to an actor’s power move during the process of conflict) and macroscopic (power moves related to conflict outcome). Actor findings revealed that parents were more effective using certain types of power microscopically (i.e., simple, legitimate, reward) and macroscopically (i.e., simple, legitimate, questioning), whereas children were more effective using reward power macroscopically. Our findings support the unique qualities of the parent–child relationship and the complex context of polyadic family conflict. The study contributes to the literature on the socialization of young children in the family context.     

Coming out strategies of lesbians and gays at work / Estrategias de coming out de personas lesbianas y gays en el trabajo

Abstract

In recent years there has been a great deal of social and legislative progress in the struggle against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. However, the coming out process in the workplace is still a crucial aspect in the lives of many lesbians and gays (LG). This study sets out to analyse the different strategies that Spanish LG adopt when revealing their sexual orientation at work by identifying the factors that facilitate or hinder this process. It also analyses the personal and organizational consequences of the strategies used in the coming out process. The study was carried out through in-depth interviews with 15 LG. Results show that the coming out strategies vary and are affected by different factors (e.g., characteristics of the colleagues, sector, etc.). Moreover, it confirmed that the coming out process (or its absence) can have consequences at different levels (e.g., relationships with colleagues, perception of organizational injustice, etc.).     

Sociology on Latin America in the 1960s: Developmentalism, Imperialism, and Topical Tropism

This article reveals the emergence of the idea of development in the sociological study of Latin America in the United States as a specific product of history. We show how in the 1960s, it was the result of interaction between the economic, political, military, and scientific fields generated by the mobilization of resources based on their respective rules. We criticize the idea that sociology had clearly-defined goals during this period. Our research demonstrates, for instance, how the research conducted on Latin America during that period was rooted in “topical tropism”. Our investigation is based on the analysis of empirical data including institutional information, journal articles and historical archives.     

Discriminatory language in the workplace: unmasking prejudices and stereotypes / El lenguaje discriminatorio en contextos laborales: desenmascarando prejuicios y estereotipos

The link between language, communication and open discrimination has been the focus of numerous studies. For many years, language has been a vehicle of prejudice and negative stereotypes. However, in the last few years, overt verbal aggressions have diminished thanks to the implementation of equality policies and awareness-raising initiatives. Despite that, negative attitudes against protected groups might not have disappeared and may instead be transmitted subtly, such as through uncivil language. The goal of this research is to study the relation between language and subtle discrimination against lesbian and gay (LG) workers. With this goal in mind, 39 in-depth interviews were conducted. The analysis showed that LG people are victims of subtle discrimination and that language is one of the most common vehicles of prejudice and negative stereotypes. Jokes, inappropriate comments and questions are the expression of negative attitudes, which are probably present at an implicit level. Due to the ambiguity of these expressions and the settings where they have been studied — the workplace — these acts could be defined as uncivil behaviours. Practical implications, limitations and directions for future research are discussed.