Showing papers by "Boston College published in 1972"

Perceived Risk in Store Selection

Abstract: Typically, perceived-risk studies [3, 7, 12] have focused on products or brands, although risk has been related to telephone shopping [8] and mail-order buying [15]. These studies suggested that risk attaches not only to what is acquired but also to how or where it is acquired. This study focuses on acquisition by attempting to relate perceived risk to retail store selection. It is consistent with Bucklin's [6] product/patronage typology in that it suggests-for certain types of acquisitions-that consumers' concern for product choice in no way lessens the importance of store choice. In fact, in our study store choice seemed to dominate product or brand choice.

Toward a Sociology of Secrecy and Security Systems

Abstract: Secrecy has become a major characteristic of most modern public and private organizations, partly as a result of bureaucratization and democratization and subsequent organizational dependence upon manipulation and persuasion. Though security and secrecy systems are seen as indispensable to the efficient functioning of modern organizations, they contain the seeds of their own destruction. Leaders utilize privileged information for self-enhancement purposes. Required information is denied within and between agencies. Secrecy systems take on latent functions leading to the protection of relatively useless and unreliable knowledge. The producers of such knowledge thereby maintain job security, and security systems become increasingly involved in matters of sensitivity. Analysis of these dysfunctions within the context of security conscious, military supported think-tanks suggests that secrecy functions to undermine the purposes for which it is utilized. Serious question, therefore, must be raised about the maintenance of secrecy systems in any form, and where they are necessary for obvious security purposes, about their modification and control.

A Systems Approach to Organization Development

Abstract: Organization development (OD) efforts are often exclusively oriented to one method, one set of theoretical concepts, or one organizational variable. An input-process-output model of an organization was used as a framework for planned change." The program dealt with many organizational dimensions and used several intervention strategies and OD technologies. The effort resulted in substantial changes in organizational inputs, processes, and outputs. A number of findings about organization development have emerged from this OD experience and include the following: (1) OD efforts must not always start at the top; (2) the organization itself is the best laboratory for learning; (3) structural and interpersonal changes must complement and reinforce each other; (4) adult learning starts with behavioral change rather than cognitive change; and (5) the selection of change leaders as initial targets for the change program is a useful OD strategy.

Nonlinear fluctuation-dissipation theorem

Abstract: Using statistical mechanical perturbation theory, the second-order average current density response is calculated for magnetic field-free classical plasmas. A dynamical fluctuation-dissipation theorem is then derived, thus establishing a connection between triplet microscopic current-current correlations and quadratic response functions; it also leads to a static fluctuation-dissipation theorem which provides a dielectric description of the equilibrium ternary correlation. A comparison of the latter with its expansion in terms of the Mayer pair correlation clusters is discussed.

Reinforcement Survey Schedule: Evaluation and Current Applications:

Abstract: Since the publication of the Reinforcement Survey Schedule (Cautela & Kastenbaum, 1967), it has been widely used by many therapists and researchers in a variety of settings. This paper discusses the evaluation and extensions of the schedule since its original publication. Studies indicate that the schedule is reliable and valid under the conditions of assessment. Clinical applications of the schedule during the interview, for covert conditioning, for reinforcer sampling, and use in institutions are discussed. Suggestions for the use of the schedule as a research tool are also presented.

Age-Related Differences in Mental Performance:

Abstract: The effects of age and socioeconomic status on two sets of measures of cognitive performance were reviewed. One set consisted of the 12 subtests of the General Aptitude Test Battery; the other was a group of laboratory-based experiments, most of which were initiated by the late George A. Talland. The relationships among the various measures of performance within and between the two sets were examined. Finally, plans for future studies of age-related differences in cognitive performance were outlined. The four principal findings are as follows. (1) Age-related declines in performance were found in all subtests of the General Aptitude Battery. Performance declined least in those subtests where the effects of socioeconomic status were strongest and most in those subtests where socioeconomic status effects were weakest. There was no evidence for a significant interaction between the effects of differences in age and socioeconomic status. (2) It is more difficult for older individuals than for younger ones to ...

Betti numbers and reflexive modules

Abstract: This chapter describes the Betti numbes and reflexive modules. A quasi-Frobenius ( QF ) ring R may be described as a ring with the property that all of its modules are reflexive or equivalently Ext i ( M, R ) = 0 for all i ≥ 1 and all R -modules M . The chapter presents a class of commutative noetherian local rings, called BNSI rings, that are as different as possible from QF rings. It is shown that for such a ring, for any finitely generated module M , the vanishing of Ext i ( M, R ) for any i > 2 implies that M is free. As a consequence, every finitely generated reflexive module is free. No proper principal ideal is the annihilator of any ideal (whereas in a QF ring, every ideal is an annihilator). All rings are assumed to be commutative noetherian local rings and all modules are unital and finitely generated. Every protective module is free and the maximal ideal of the ring R will be denoted by m .

The Strategy of Functional Age Research

Abstract: The metatheoretical ideas underlying the Normative Aging Study research on “Functional Age” are discussed. These ideas have been useful in generating research. It is assumed that each person has a given life-span. This span can be measured either from the date of his birth or, alternatively, from the date of his death. Nearness to death implies older functional age. Different people may make different rates of progress toward their death, tracing out a “life-trajectory.” People may have functional ages and life trajectories which differ from one subsystem to another. In the Normative Aging project at present functional ages have been defined for the domains of Blood Chemistry, Anthropology, Personality, Human Abilities, Sociology, and Hearing. Once defined and determined, these functional ages can be related to each other and searches for leading and lagging functional ages can be made.

The Birth of Americanism: “Westward the Apocalyptic Candlestick”

Abstract: The papal condemnation of Americanism in 1899 and the allegation that Americanism was a practical preface to Modernism has given rise to a considerable amount of literature attempting to determine just what Americanism was. This literature has been unsuccessful, however, in detecting any unity in the apparently isolated and unconnected liberal actions and opinions of the Americanists. These studies give the impression that the Americanists never defined what they were promoting, and that their only program was a series of unconnected actions and opinions which signified a certain “liberalism.” Opinions and actions relative to the Church's relation to social questions, to the problem of Catholic schools, German nationalism within American Catholicism, the founding of the Catholic University of America, and participation in the interdenominational World Parliament of Religions would appear to have little in common. In this light it has been concluded that Americanism was primarily a matter concerning a troublesome French Church.

Effect of a Magnetic Field on the Diffusion of an Electron-Hole Plasma in Germanium

Abstract: Study in germanium of an optically injected electron-hole plasma, parallel and perpendicular to an applied magnetic field. The density gradient within the crystal was measured directly by an infrared-beam-absorption technique. Diffusion measurements made parallel to the magnetic field are adequately explained by the theory.

Functional Types of Student Evaluation.

Abstract: Although recent emphasis in the evaluation literature has concentrated upon curriculum evaluation, student evaluation remains a pervasive and crucial feature of all teaching. This article defines f...

Photometric Auroral Particle Measurements

Abstract: Within certain limitations, ground based or airborne measurements of auroral emissions can be used to determine the type, energy, and flux of precipitating particles. The technique uses absolute intensity measurements of total height integrated column emissions in 4861 A Hβ, 4278 A N2 +, and 6300 A OI. The data reduction procedure is illustrated schematically in Figure 1. The measured intensities are corrected for atmospheric extinction. The corrected Hβ intensity gives an estimate of the proton flux and the proton contribution to the 4278 A N2 + and 6300 A OI excitation. The residual 4278 AN2 + intensity then gives a value of the total energy influx of the precipitating electrons. At times when this residue is zero, airglow corrections can be made to the 6300 AOI intensity. The ratio r of the corrected 6300 AOI emission and the N2 +4278 A emission can be used as a parameter related to the mean energy of electron precipitation because soft auroras are generated at higher altitudes where the 6300 AOI quenching is inefficient. The quantity r therefore, can be used to interpret the mean height and mean energy of the precipitating electrons. The mean height provides a correction for the total electron energy flux as obtained from the 4278 A emission. The mean energy is obtained by applying a one parameter model of the particle spectrum of the type: $$ N\left( E \right){\text{d}}E = N_0 E{\text{e}}^{ - E/\alpha } {\text{d}}E $$ , where the spectral parameter α is half the mean energy and N(E) is the number flux per energy interval. The adopted theoretical dependence of r on 4278 A intensity and A is shown (Rees, 1971) in Figure 2.

Critical point regularity conditions and asymptotic solutions to the time stationary, linearized, inhomogeneous solar wind flow problem

Abstract: The assumption of the existence of steady state, linearized, inhomogeneous solar wind flow imposes a relation between the perturbation variables such that the solutions are regular at the critical points. The critical point regularity conditions are derived for the case of hydromagnetic flow with no rotation, for which there are two critical points, and the case of hydrodynamic flow with rotation and one critical point. It is possible the organization imposed by the critical points is reflected in correlations observed between solar wind parameters near the orbit of Earth. Analytic asymptotic solutions are also derived to complete the description given previously of the intermediate range flow obtained by numerical integrations. The asymptotic solutions can be described in terms of pressure waves that in general propagate radially with respect to the zero-order flow. The pressure perturbation for expected solar wind conditions is found to increase with distance and the velocity perturbations to decrease.

The Validity of an Abbreviated Form of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, Form L-M.

Abstract: INTELLIGENCE or academic aptitude tests play a major role in student evaluation. In many instances, the situation demands the use of an individual test such as the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, Form L-M or the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Unfortunately, individual intelligence tests such as these are time consuming in that they require an average administration time of one hour, and require specialized training to administer and score, usually a full semester course. Thus, there is a need for a valid individual test of mental ability requiring no specialized training which could be quickly administered and easily scored. Such a test could be used as (a) a screening device; (b) a retesting device for both individual and group test results; and (c) a substitute instrument to test students who missed the group test administered to a class.