Showing papers by "Texas Christian University published in 1979"

Correlates of psychological influence: an illustration of the psychological climate approach to work environment perceptions

Abstract: : Correlates of subordinates' perceptions of their psychological influence on supervisors' decisions were examined for 126 subordinates in high technology jobs and 205 subordinates in low technology, production line jobs. Based on the psychological climate perspective of work environment perceptions, it was predicted that perceptions of psychological influence would be related significantly to (a) situational attributes, including supervisor behaviors, (b) individual characteristics, and (c) person by situation interactions. Results supported these assumptions and suggested that a cognitive information processing model assists in explaining environmental perceptions. (Author)

Age and prison violence: increasing age heterogeneity as a violence-reducing strategy in prisons

Abstract: This project assessed the impact of increasing inmate age heterogeneity on violent and assaultive behavior at two Federal Correctional Institutions. The project spanned a period of two and one-half years. The results indicated that the strategy may be viable for establishing and maintaining a relatively nonviolent institutional environment.

Correlates of attitudes toward euthanasia.

Abstract: Data from a national survey conducted in 1977 were examined to identify correlates of attitudes toward euthanasia and suicide for terminally ill persons. The results indicated that race, religious participation, and attitudes toward freedom of expression were directly associated with such attitudes. It was also found that regional variations in such attitudes could be explained by the degree of urbanization of geographic regions.

Interpersonal trust among college students as a function of race, sex, and socioeconomic class.

Abstract: Previous research using Rotter's Interpersonal Trust Scale has found differences related to sex and socioeconomic class ( 3 ) . However, no studies apparently have examined differences in level of trust by race. The present study was, in part, an attempt to replicate previous findings ( 3 ) and to study the effects of race on trust scores. A total of 293 students enrolled in introductory psychology classes were given the Index of Parental Occupational Status (4), the Interpersonal Trust Scale ( 2 ) , and a background information questionnaire. From this larger sample, participants were selected so there were 20 subjects in each of eight groups representing lower and upp& classes, men and women, blacks and whites. White participants were students enrolled in a predominantly white, southern university wh~le black participants were students enrolled in a predominantly black, southern collcge In the lower class subjects black males obtained a mean trust score of 73.55 (SD = 12.42); the white males a mean of 71.15 ( S D = 11.71); the black females a mean of 54.55 (SD = 15.05); and the white females a mean of 63.45 (SD = 14.52). In the upper class groups, black males obtained a mean trust score of 68.05 (SD = 12.28); the white males a mean of 73.55 ( S D = 12.42); the black females a mean of 64.45 ( S D = 15.33); and the whire females a mean of 70.45 (SD = 12.77). Main effects were found for race ( F = 14.18, p < .001), sex ( F = 4.26, p < .01), and socioeconomic class ( F = 10.82, P < ,001). Using Scheffi's method of multiple comparisons, the following themes were relatively consistent: ( a ) males tended to be more trusting than females, ( b ) higher socioeconomic group members tended to be more trusting than lower ones, and (c) white students more trusting than black students. These results suppon previous findings for sex and socioeconomic class ( 3 ) . These data also indicate that white students are more trusting than black students. It has been proposed that mistrust serves as an adaptive mechanism in some instances ( 1 ) . Studies are needed which explore in what situations a low level of trust might be adaptive.

The changing nature of partisan divisions in the west: trends in domestic policy orientations in ten party systems

Abstract: The nature of partisan divisions in the West has been a continuing source of controversy for several decades. This article seeks to improve our understanding of those divisions by examining how Western parties have changed their positions on major domestic policy issues in recent decades. The research employs longitudinal data developed through content analysis on the parties of ten Western nations: Australia, Austria, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, the United States, and West Germany. Analysis of the data shows that, as expected, partisan divisions have declined in almost all of the party systems, although the decline has unexpectedly been accompanied by a slight tendency toward leftward movement, belying suggestions of a “conservative turn” in Western politics. The paper also considers the possibility that new issues may develop to supplant the declining traditional issues. The paper concludes that a revival of pronounced partisan divisions is unlikely, but that a revival probably is not necessary for the continued viability of Western parties.

Police Professionalism and Cynicism An Empirical Assessment

Abstract: This article examines the impact of police commitment to major tenets of a professional ideology on cynicism. Based on data collected from questionnaire responses of 260 police officers from three medium-size police departments, the analysis reveals that two professionalism dimensions—sense of calling to the field and belief in autonomy—exert the greatest effect in reducing or minimizing feelings of cynicism. The findings further suggest that the police have a narrow view of professionalism which may serve to reinforce the insular nature of police subcultures.

Description and hydraulic interpretation of grain size cumulative curves from the Platte River system

Abstract: Log-probability plots of grain-size distribution from the Platte, North Platte, and South Platte rivers are composed of four or five straight line segments. The line segments are grouped, dividing each curve into three regions. These regions are interpreted as subpopulations moved by different transport mechanisms. Consideration of the criterion for suspension and calculation of shear velocities associated with dominant discharges support this interpretation. The grain size cumulative curves are similar to each other but distinct from curves of fluvial systems transporting only fine-grained material, the difference being the presence of a subpopulation of grains moved in traction transport. One of two possible relationships seems to exist between the grain-size distributions and flow conditions within the Platte River system. Estimated shear velocities derived by varying flow conditions within reasonable limits predict a range of grain sizes within which the break between the intermittent suspension and traction loads should occur. This break appears to be associated with intermediate shear velocities if truncated normal distributions are assumed; but if overlapping distributions are assumed, the ‘break'is associated with estimated maximum shear velocities.

Lipid synthesis during reinitiation of growth from stationary phase cultures of Candida albicans.

Abstract: Lipid synthesis has been studied in the dimorphic fungus Candida albicans. 14C-acetate incorporation into lipid material was used to measure new lipid synthesis in two cultures in which either yeast or mycelial growth was initiated from stationary phase yeast cells. When resuspended in fresh medium at 37 °C, cells resume growth and change morphology while at 30 °C cells resume budding growth. When resuspended at the appropriate temperature, both yeast and germ tube cultures immediately incorporated 14C-acetate into lipid material. The labeled lipid was more or less evenly divided between neutral and phospholipid. Phosphatidyl choline was the major phospholipid fraction and along with phosphatidyl ethanolamine accounted for 60–65 % of the total phospholipid. Lipid synthesis during growth initiation of either morphology showed a similar pattern, with no significant differences observed in neutral or phospholipid or phospholipid components between yeast and mycelial forms.

Effects of leader structuring style and task‐orientation characteristics of group members

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of leader structuring style (attention to group interaction procedures) on group member satisfaction and communication performance when the task‐orientation of group members varied. Results indicated little difference in the behavior of high task‐oriented subjects regardless of whether they interacted with structuring or nonstructuring leaders. Subjects low in task‐orientation, however, were significantly more satisfied with their leader and their group's task performance, and were rated by judges of discussion tapes as being in higher quality discussion groups and as making more communication skills statements and fewer social‐emotional contributions when they worked with structuring leaders than when they worked with nonstructuring leaders.

Recidivism Comparisons Across Groups: Methods of Estimation and Tests of Significance for Recidivism Rates and Asymptotes

Abstract: This paper presents a general solution for the estimation of the recidivism rate and the proportion of persons who will ultimately recidivate (assuming that some persons will never recidivate) based on the model proposed by Maltz and McCleary (1977). In addi tion, tests of significance for these estimates are presented. These tehniques are illustrated using data from a follow-up study of former drug abuse treatment clients.

Phase Transitions in Lattice Gas Models for Water

Abstract: Water-like lattice gases on the triangular and body-centered cubic lattices are investigated. Molecules may reside on the lattice sites in either of two possible orientations, a hydrogen bond being formed between molecules on neighboring sites if they have the proper orientation with respect to one another. For a range of chemical potential at sufficiently low temperatures, the models are shown to have an ordered phase consisting of an open, hydrogen-bonded, icelike structure. The models are shown to be transitionfree at sufficiently high temperature, indicating the existence of a critical point.

Client evaluations of drug abuse treatment in relation to follow-up outcomes.

Abstract: A national sample of drug treatment clients admitted to the Drug Abuse Treatment Program (DARP) during 1969--1972 was followed approximately 5 years after admission. Subjective evaluations of treatment were compared for clients in methadone maintenance, therapeutic community, outpatient drug-free, and outpatient detoxification treatment programs, as well as a comparison group of clients who completed intake but received no treatment. These evaluations were also analyzed in relation to client background and treatment performance measures and post-treatment outcomes. The overall evaluation of DARP treatments by former clients was generally favorable and was highest for the DARP therapeutic community. Over two-thirds of the combined treatment sample indicated satisfaction with the treatment they received and a willingness to recommend it to others. Favorable evaluation was also positively related to during-treatment performance and tenure in DARP treatment as well as to behavioral outcomes after leaving treatment.

Effects of speeded speech presentations on confidence‐weighted and traditional comprehension scores

Abstract: The two‐process hypothesis suggests that presentation rate can be increased, without a corresponding loss in comprehension, until it reaches and exceeds the receiver's decoding capacity, suggesting a non‐linear rate‐comprehension relationship. In the present study this prediction of non‐linearity was evaluated in light of both confidence‐weighted and traditional comprehension scores. The results indicate that comprehension operationalized by traditional scoring techniques is not significantly affected until presentation rates reach 280 words per minute, a finding consistent with previous research. However, when confidence‐weighted scoring is employed, increased presentation rate is accompanied by linear decreases in comprehension.

Methods for the analysis of ternary free-diffusion processes by the Rayleigh optical interferometric method

Abstract: Equations are presented for the analysis of ternary free-diffusion processes in liquid systems by the Rayleigh optical interferometric method. Four different analytical derivations are given and two numerical methods of analysis are discussed.

Long-term reaction of the rat to conspecific (frustration) odor

Abstract: Rats’ choices in a T-maze were observed to determine (a) their long-term tendencies, in the apparent absence of reinforcement, to approach or avoid a goalbox containing a “frustration odor” stimulus generated by prior placements into the box of other rats given frustrative nonreward, and (b) the extent to which preferences for one or the other goalbox persisted following cessation of odor placements. The initial response to frustration odor was avoidance, though it took a few trials to develop. Avoidance was short-lived for most subjects, diminishing quickly and turning to a stable approach reaction, although three subjects developed an equally stable avoidance. These changes in response direction appeared to result from altered perception or interpretation of the odor rather than changed responsivity or alterations in the odor product itself. Preferences for one or the other of the goalboxes per se were but little affected by experiencing odor there.

Autophosphorylation of chick brain synaptic polypeptides. Phosphorylation of proteins during incubation of intact synaptosomes with 32PO4.

Abstract: Chick brain synaptosomes incorporated phosphate into proteins when incubated in physiological buffer containing energy sources. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that three synaptosomal polypeptides were significantly phosphorylated after 15 sec incubation while at least fifteen polypeptides were active kinase substrates after 15 min incubation. Labeled synaptosomes were hypotonically lysed and separated by centrifugation into soluble, membrane, and mitochondrial fractions. Every fraction exhibited significant phosphate incorporation. Electrophoresis revealed that each fraction had several unique phosphorylated polypeptides and a distinctive phosphorylation pattern. The same polypeptides appear to be labeled whether MgATP was added to synaptic plasma membranes or synaptic plasma membranes were isolated after synaptosomal autophosphorylation.

Rb 87 nuclear-magnetic-resonance study of the cubic to tetragonal phase transition in RbCa F 3

Abstract: The static and dynamical phenomena occurring around the structural phase transition at ${T}_{c}\ensuremath{\simeq}195.90\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.15$ K in RbCa${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$ have been investigated by means of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ Fourier-transform NMR measurements. The second-order shift of the central line due to the static quadrupole perturbation has been related to the electric field gradient arising at the Rb site below ${T}_{c}$ and the temperature dependence of the angle of rotation $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ of the Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{6}$ octahedra has been obtained. The $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ spin-lattice relaxation rate above ${T}_{c}$ has been related to the rotational fluctuations of the octahedra induced by the critical-soft-mode branches, from which information on the symmetry and the anisotropy of the fluctuations are derived. The analysis of the results shows: (i) below $T\ensuremath{\simeq}170$ K the temperature dependence of $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ is well described by the classical mean-field approximation, with critical exponent $\ensuremath{\beta}=\frac{1}{2}$ and extrapolated transition temperature ${T}_{0}=220$ K; (ii) above about 170 K a nonclassical critical behavior is evidenced, the apparent critical exponent being not equal to $\frac{1}{3}$, suggesting a possible changeover in the dimensionality of the correlations of the rotations; (iii) the rotational fluctuations appear to be predominantly of ${R}_{25}$ symmetry but strongly anisotropic, i.e., only slightly correlated in adjacent (100) planes as is consistent with the hypothesis of softening of a large portion of the $R\ensuremath{-}M$ branch. Order-of-magnitude estimates for the static angle of rotation as well as for the degree of anisotropy of the fluctuations are also obtained and discussed.

An Evaluation of the Jamaican Anticrime Program

Abstract: A sweeping anticrime package was implemented in Jamaica in 1974. This program included severe penalties for possession of illegal guns, censorhsip of gun scenes from television and the movies, and greatly broadened police powers. The impact of this anticrime package on crime was assessed using quasiexperimental time-series designs with both months and years as the units of analysis. In a one year period there was a 14% reduction in homicides (p lt .05), a 32% reduction in rapes (p lt .01), a 25% reduction in robberies (p lt.05), and a 37% reduction in nonfatal shootings (p lt .01). Data from the second year following the implementation of the anticrime package were not available. The data from the fist year suggest that strict anticrime measures can reduce crime.