Showing papers by "University of Memphis published in 1988"

Seismological and structural evolution of strike-slip faults

Abstract: The mapped traces of strike-slip faults are commonly characterized by discontinuities that appear as steps in map-view. Here I present observations to show that the number of steps per unit length along the trace of major strike-slip fault zones in California and Turkey is a smoothly decreasing function of cumulative geological offset. When coupled with a growing body of evidence that indicates that steps in fault traces work to impede or arrest the propagation of earthquake ruptures, the apparent smoothing of fault traces with displacement is interpreted to suggest that the spatial distribution of strength properties on a fault plane is a function of cumulative geological offset. A consequence of this structural evolution is that faults may undergo a seismological evolution a well, whereby the size and frequency distribution of earthquakes is also a function of cumulative offset.

Crisis Intervention Strategies

Abstract: Best-selling author Richard K. James presents the latest skills and techniques for handling real crisis situations. Authoritative and based on the author's extensive experience teaching crisis intervention courses, the new edition presents a six-step model for dealing with people in crisis: Defining the Problem, Ensuring Client Safety, Providing Support, Examining Alternatives, Making Plans, and Obtaining Commitment. Using this model, the author then builds specific strategies for handling a myriad of different crisis situations - in many cases providing the dialogue that you might use as a nurse, minister, police officer, counselor, or other practitioner. At the end of this course, you will have developed skills and strategies that you can take out of the classroom and onto the street.

Long-term effects of incestuous child abuse in college women: Social adjustment, social cognition, and family characteristics

Abstract: VioLit summary: OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study by Harter et al. was to explore the social-cognitive differences between women who had experienced intrafamilial childhood sexual abuse and women from a non-abused control group. An investigation of how social-cognitive variables related to family structure and social adjustment was also conducted. METHODOLOGY: A quasi-experimental design was utilized. Cross sectional data was obtained from 29 female victims of both intrafamilial and extrafamilial sexual abuse and 56 non-abused control subjects. These subjects were recruited from an overall sample of 1,066 female introductory psychology students at Memphis State University. The overall sample were surveyed between fall 1984 and fall 1985 and asked to volunteer for the study. Subjects with a history of only intrafamilial sexual abuse were not included in the study since the study focused on the role of the family context in which sexual abuse took place. The only control group criterion was absence of child sexual abuse. Age range of the subjects was 17 to 52 years (M=26.64; SD=9.35). The authors reported that the Hollingshead two factor index of socioeconomic status was used to measure subjects socioeconomic levels. (No details were provided). 31% of the subjects were married; 21% of the sample were African American. The authors noted that there were no significant differences between the experimental and control subjects for any of the above mentioned variables. Twelve of the abused subjects reported sexual abuse by a father figure which included the biological father, a stepfather, or the mother's boyfriend. Six subjects stated they had experienced oral or coital intercourse, eight reported genital fondling, 21 subjects stated that the abuse had occurred more than once, and six reported that they had been forced to participate. Some subjects reported seductive physical contact including breast fondling and french kissing. Three measuring instruments were utilized. (1) The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale-II (FACES-II) (Olson, Russell and Sprenkle [1983]) was used to measure the degree of family members' emotional bonding, and the family's adaptation to change and developmental and situational stress in the subject's family of origin. (2) The Family Perception Grid was developed by the authors as an adaptation of Kelly's (1955) construct Repertory Grid. This instrument was used to measure the way in which the subject viewed herself, significant others, "women in general" and "men in general." Subjects were requested to rate ten figures on ten standardized interpersonal constructs taken from the incest and family literature. Thirteen point Likert scales were used to measure the figure ratings on each bipolar construct. The authors suggested the reader see G.J. Neimeyer and Neimeyer (1981) for a description of this procedure. A matrix of 100 ratings was used to obtain the following measures: (a) self-ideal discrepancy (i.e. the difference between self ratings and ideal-self ratings on the repertory grid); (b) perceived social isolation (i.e. the difference between subject's self-rating and how others have been rated on the repertory grid); (c) sex-role polarization (i.e. differences between "men in general" ratings and "women in general" ratings); and (d) social fragmentation (i.e. the degree to which the subject viewed herself as similar or different to others. This was characterized by the standard deviation for the subjects' ratings of other individuals). The authors reported acceptable internal consistency reliability for the construct and figure ratings, except for the self-ideal measure; alpha=.61. The social isolation alpha was .89, sex-role polarization alpha was .72, and social fragmentation alpha was .83. (3) The Social Adjustment Scale (SAS) was used to measure employment performance, school achievement, housewife role performance, extent of social and leisure activities, relationships among extended family members, marital or other intimate relationships and parenting strategies. The subject responses were assessed by the clinician and rated 1 (excellent adjustment) to 7 (very severe maladjustment). The authors reported very high interrater reliability at alpha=.96. The authors defined incestuous abuse as "any report of physical contact that the subject interpreted as having been sexual in intent between a subject before she was 18 years of age and a significantly older family member (more than a five year age difference)." A questionnaire providing demographic information, the FACES-II instrument and a sex history questionnaire were administered to subjects by a psychology student. Follow up interviews included administration of the repertory grid followed by the SAS. Further sexual history information was obtained in the interview. The authors hypothesized that: (1) abused subjects would perceive themselves as different from significant others (i.e. perceived social isolation), would experience a self-ideal discrepancy, and would describe a discrepancy between "men in general" and "women in general" (sex-role polarization); (2) abused subjects would describe significant others very differently (i.e. social fragmentation); (3) abused subjects' families of origin would be less cohesive and adaptable; and (4) abused subjects would report poor social adjustment. Multivariate analyses of variance were used to assess the data. FINDINGS/DISCUSSION: The dependent variables in the MANOVA included the FACES-II instrument, self-ideal discrepancy, social isolation, sex role polarization and social fragmentation repertory grid measures, and the SAS score. Results indicated significant differences between abused and non-abused respondents F(7,77)=2.55, p=.02. Significantly less cohesive (F[1,83]=5.98, p=.02), and less adaptable, (F[1,83]=5.98, p=.02), families of origin were evident among abused subjects. Abused subjects perceived greater levels of social isolation (F[1,83]=4.62, p=.03). Poorer social adjustment was also evident among this group, (F[1,83]=4.33, p=.04). A path analysis revealed that subjects, in which families of origin were more adaptable, were better socially adjusted. Social isolation resulted in poorer social adjustment. The path analysis revealed that greater family cohesion was indirectly associated with better social adjustment through significantly reducing social isolation and increasing family adaptability. There were no significant effects for abuse on social adjustment. A stepwise regression analysis was conducted to determine whether family, cognitive, and abuse variables contributed towards social adjustment. The authors found that increased perceptions of social isolation (Beta=.36, p=.0003), decreased family of origin adaptability (Beta= -.294, p=.003) and sexual abuse by a paternal perpetrator (Beta=.212, p=.02) significantly predicted social maladjustment. The authors reported that a regression equation of F(3,81)=20.10, p AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS: The authors recommended that future studies be directed towards measuring the effects of cognitive variables on social adjustment. This, it was suggested, would provide directions in treatment. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado) Female Victim Incest Effects Incest Victim Child Abuse Effects Child Abuse Victim Child Sexual Abuse Effects Child Sexual Abuse Victim Child Female Child Victim Family Relations Domestic Violence Effects Domestic Violence Victim Sexual Assault Effects Sexual Assault Victim Long-Term Effects Childhood Experience Childhood Victimization College Student Young Adult Victim Characteristics Tennessee Cognitive Behavioral Psychological Victimization Effects Adult Self-Esteem Female Self-Esteem Victim Self-Esteem Victim Adjustment Emotional Adjustment Adult Adjustment Social Adjustment Adult Survivor Adult Female Language: en

Cigarette smoking as a dieting strategy in a university population

Abstract: The present study sought to determine the prevalence of smoking as a dieting strategy in a university population. There were 1076 people (458 males, 618 females) asked (1) the types of strategies they used to curb hunger (including smoking) and (2) whether they either began smoking or were currently smoking as a weight loss/maintenance strategy. Results indicated that 32.5% of all smokers (n = 209; 39% of females, 25% of males) reported using smoking as a weight loss strategy. A small percentage of smokers (10% of males, 5% of females) reported beginning to smoke for weight control. Overweight females were much more likely, however, to report that they started smoking for dieting reasons. Females were much more likely to report weight gain as a relapse variable than males. It is concluded that weight gain following smoking cessation, particularly among females, may be a significant relapse variable as well as a significant barrier to smoking cessation.

Race and class bias in qualitative research on women

Abstract: Exploratory studies employing volunteer subjects are especially vulnerable to race and class bias. This article illustrates how inattention to race and class as critical dimensions in women's lives can produce biased research samples and lead to false conclusions. It analyzes the race and class background of 200 women who volunteered to participate in an in-depth study of Black and White professional, managerial, and administrative women. Despite a multiplicity of methods used to solicit subjects, White women raised in middle-class families who worked in male-dominated occupations were the most likely to volunteer, and White women were more than twice as likely to respond to media solicitations or letters. To recruit most Black subjects and address their concerns about participation required more labor-intensive strategies involving personal contact. The article discusses reasons for differential volunteering and ways to integrate race and class into qualitative research on women.

Wit and humor in discourse processing

Abstract: Humor and wit are complex cognitive, social, and linguistic phenomena that are relevant to research in text comprehension, pragmatics, and discourse processing We begin by presenting a taxonomy of jokes and wit as a useful, descriptive tool Next, we argue that humor processing may occur in a parallel rather than serial fashion by contrasting a serial‐processing, incongruity‐resolution model with an alternative dual‐processing model We subsequently endorse a theory of speech acts as a theoretical framework for the consideration of wit in discourse processing Specifically, we argue that detailed analytical theories such as Allen's (1983) are needed to clarify the semantic and computational foundations of humor and wit We present a taxonomy of the social functions of wit and argue that the consideration of wit as a plan for the fulfillment of social and discourse goals will enrich our theories of conversation

Phonological and Spatial Processing Abilities in Language- and Reading-Impaired Children

Abstract: In the present study, we further examined (see Kamhi & Catts, 1986) the phonological processing abilities of language-impaired (LI) and reading-impaired (RI) children. We also evaluated these children's ability to process spatial information. Subjects were 10 LI, 10 RI, and 10 normal children between the ages of 6:8 and 8:10 years. Each subject was administered eight tasks: four word repetition tasks (monosyllabic, monosyllabic presented in noise, three-item, and multisyllabic), rapid naming, syllable segmentation, paper folding, and form completion. The normal children performed significantly better than both the LI and RI children on all but two tasks: syllable segmentation and repeating words presented in noise. The LI and RI children performed comparably on every task with the exception of the multisyllabic word repetition task. These findings were consistent with those from our previous study (Kamhi & Catts, 1986). The similarities and differences between LI and RI children are discussed.

OUR MOTHERS'GRIEF: Racial Ethnic Women and the Maintenance of Families

Abstract: This article examines the nature and social organization of reproductive labor in the family among African-American, Chinese, and Mexican-American women in the United States during the nineteenth c...

Embryonic temperature determines adult sexuality in a reptile

Abstract: Gonadal differentiation in amniote vertebrates is controlled by one of two mechanisms: genotypic sex determination (GSD) or environmental sex determination (ESD)1. After differentiation the fetal gonad produces sex steroid hormones which govern the development of other components of sexuality2,3. Thus, the primary sex determiner is thought to operate solely as a trigger that initiates a cascade of events culminating in adult sex differences. In the leopard gecko (Eublephans macularius), gonadal and morphological sex is determined by incubation temperature, with relatively 'hot' temperatures (32 °C) resulting in mostly male offspring and relatively 'cold' temperatures (26 °C) resulting in only female offspring4,5. We report here that the reproductive behaviour and endocrine physiology of an adult is influenced by the temperature experienced as an embryo. Also, the perception of a female to courtship by a male is influenced by incubation temperature. These data indicate that incubation temperature, the primary determiner of sex in this species, has differential effects on adult sexuality.

Use of the Connected Speech Test (CST) with hearing-impaired listeners.

Abstract: Two studies were performed in which hearing-impaired subjects responded to the Connected Speech Test (CST). In experiment 1, 40 subjects, divided into four groups according to extent and configuration of hearing loss, responded to the CST version 1 (CSTv1). This version of the test consisted of 57 passages of connected speech: 48 test passages and 9 practice passages. It was developed on the basis of data for normal-hearing listeners. Performance of hearing-impaired listeners for the CSTv1 revealed that, although the passages were equal in average intelligibility for normal hearers, they were not equally intelligible for hearing-impaired persons. Based on results of data analyses, the 57 passages were reconstituted into 28 pairs of passages: 24 test pairs and 4 practice pairs. The pairs were equal in average intelligibility for both normal and hearing-impaired listeners. This form of the test was named the CST version 2 (CSTv2). In experiment 2, an additional 23 hearing-impaired subjects responded to the CSTv2. Critical differences and the slope of the signal to babble ratio (SBR) function were determined for the CSTv2 for hearing-impaired listeners. When two CSTv2 pairs were used per score, the 95% critical difference for hearing-impaired subjects was about 15.5 rationalized arcsine units (rau). The mean SBR function slope for hearing-impaired listeners was 8.5 rau/dB. Comparing the critical difference with the SBR function slope, it may be seen that, for hearing-impaired listeners, differences in intelligibility equivalent to a 2 dB change in SBR can be detected with CST scores based on mean performance across two passage pairs.

Tests for no treatment effect in randomized clinical trials

Abstract: SUMMARY We propose a test of the null hypothesis of no treatment effect in a randomized clinical trial that is based on the randomization distribution of residuals. These residuals result from regressing the response on covariates, but not treatment. In contrast to model-based score tests, this procedure maintains nominal size when the model is misspecified, and, in particular, when relevant covariates are omitted from the regression. The efficiency of the procedure is evaluated for regressions with some, but not all, required covariates. For many generalized linear models and survival models, conventional model-based score tests are shown to have supranominal size when relevant covariates are omitted, but logistic regression and the proportional hazards model are robust.

Factors associated with participation, attrition, and outcome in a smoking cessation program at the workplace.

Abstract: Despite their growing popularity, worksite health-promotion programs have generally been characterized as having low participation rates, high attrition rates, and modest outcomes. This investigation identified the predictors of participation, attrition, and outcome of worksite smoking-cessation program. Subjects were regular cigarette smokers recruited from two worksites. Of 66 eligible smokers in the two worksites, 44 (67%) agreed to participate in the program. Fifty-five percent (24 of 44) of these completed the program. Of those completing the program, 29% had quit smoking by posttest and 17% were abstinent at the 6-month follow-up. Results indicated that a different set of variables predicted participation, attrition, and outcome. The significant predictors of smokers who participated were the length of cessation in previous abstinence attempts, the number of years they smoked, and the belief regarding personal vulnerability in contracting a smoking-related disease. Levels of pretest carbon monoxide along with attitudes regarding the adoption of smoking restrictions in the worksite predicted attrition. Posttest cessation was related to nicotine levels of cigarette brand smoked at pretest and pretest beliefs regarding postcessation weight gain. Abstinence at the 6-month follow-up was predicted by the number of co-workers who smoked and pretest concerns related to postcessation weight gain. The results are discussed in terms of future evaluation and intervention efforts.

Comments on the joint determination of hypocenters and station corrections

Abstract: Some aspects of the joint determination of hypocenters and station corrections (JHD) are discussed. An alternative solution to one of the methods currently in use (Pavlis and Booker, 1983) is proposed. It requires only a modest computational effort and is very fast. This simplification is not achieved at the expense of numerical stability and is backed by a theoretical study of the properties of the matrices involved. These matrices are positive semidefinite, and this allows a general analysis of the JHD solution. Several facts, some of them known and some new, are formally proved. It is possible, for example, to carry out a detailed study of the eigenvalues of the matrix from which the station corrections are derived. It is also shown that the mean value of the initial estimate of station corrections are retained as a bias in the final solution. The relationship between the approximate solution of Frohlich (1979) and the exact JHD solution can also be studied, and the reason for its success in certain cases is explained.

Clinical Relaxation Strategies

Abstract: An Historical Perspective Theoretical Foundations Basic Research Deep Relaxation Methods Brief Relaxation Methods Relaxation Integrated with Other Treatments Clinical Outcome Research.

Cognitive, behavioral, and emotional problems among school-age children of alcoholic parents.

Abstract: Sixty-four children from 37 families with an alcoholic parent were compared with 80 children from 45 families that did not have an alcoholic parent on measures of intelligence, cognitive achievement, psychological and physical disorders, impulsivity-hyperactivity, social competence, learning problems, behavior problems, and self-esteem. On nine of 17 tests, the children of alcoholic parents scored less well than did the children of nonalcoholic parents, although both were within normal ranges. Factor analysis yielded significant differences between the two samples in emotional functioning and cognitive abilities and performance; marginally significant differences were found with respect to behavior problems.

Knowledge and beliefs regarding the consequences of cigarette smoking and their relationships to smoking status in a biracial sample.

Abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate carefully smoking-related knowledge and beliefs and their relationships to smoking status in a large, heterogeneous sample of smokers and nonsmokers in two settings: (a) a large, biracial southern city and (b) a small midwestern community. Participants were 611 (198 male, 413 female) adult respondents to a random-dialing telephone survey in Fargo, North Dakota (n = 200), and Memphis, Tennessee (n = 411). Each participant was given the Smoking Attitudes Survey, which assesses generalized health beliefs as well as health-related problems associated with smoking. Participants' knowledge of smoking-associated diseases (e.g., lung cancer) and of diseases not associated with smoking (e.g., kidney stones) was assessed. Stepwise regression analysis of composite knowledge scores revealed four independent predictors of the health consequences of smoking: education, race, smoking status, and income. Smokers, compared to nonsmokers, reported less knowledge related to the health consequences of smoking, were more likely to be male, were less concerned with the health consequences of smoking, and were more concerned about the health consequences of cholesterol. The best predictor of smokers who had never attempted cessation was their greater concern over weight control when compared to smokers with a history of smoking cessation attempts. The results are discussed in terms of smoking prevention and intervention efforts.

Composite Speech Spectrum for Hearing Aid Gain Prescriptions

Abstract: Average long-term RMS 1/3-octave band speech spectra were generated for 30 male and 30 female talkers. The two spectra were significantly different in both low and high frequency bands but were similar in the mid-frequency region. It was concluded that a single spectrum could validly be used to represent both male and female speech in the frequency region important for hearing aid gain prescriptions: 250 Hz through 6300 Hz. In addition, the male and female spectra were compared with analogous spectra reported by Byrne (1977) and Pearsons, Bennett, and Fidell (1977). For each sex, significant differences were found among the three spectra in a few frequency bands. The best estimate of the average speech spectrum for each sex was obtained from a weighted average of the three sets of data, excluding the significantly different data points. The long-term RMS 1/3-octave band speech spectrum for male and female talkers combined was derived for use in hearing aid gain prescriptions.

Fish predation in size-structured populations of treefrog tadpoles

Abstract: The effects of tadpole body size, tadpole sibship, and fish body size on predation of gray treefrog tadpoles, Hyla chrysoscelis, were studied in laboratory and artificial pond experiments Tadpole body size had a significantly positive effect on the survival of tadpoles in all experiments The relationship between tadpole biomass eaten and biomass available suggested that fish were not satiated when consuming the largest tadpoles Large tadpoles were probably better able to evade predators A difference in survival among full sib families of tadpoles was only present in one family, suggesting that genetic differences in predator avoidance behavior or palatability were probably secondarily important to body size per se Fish body size had a significantly negative effect on the survival of tadpoles Larger fish consumed a larger number and proportion of tadpoles as well as greater biomass These results indicate that environmental factors affecting the growth rate of tadpoles cand dramatically alter their vulnerability to gape-limited predators

Counterfeit intimacy: A dramaturgical analysis of an erotic performance.

Abstract: Observations of customer‐waitress interaction in a topless club over a two‐and‐one‐half month period are presented. Data were generated by a participant‐observer who worked as a waitress‐dancer in a topless club during this period. Analysis focuses on the setting, appearance, and manner of the “cynical performance” (Goffman 1959) orchestrated by the waitress through which she uses semi‐nudity, nudity and nude dancing to stimulate the fantasies of her patrons and thereby creates “counterfeit intimacy” (Boles and Garbin 1977). The overriding goal of the club and the waitress‐dancers is to make money through the sale of alcohol and table dances; customer goals are to have a “sexual experience” (not necessarily intercourse) of some sort. Various “ploys,” enacted by both customers and waitresses, are analyzed, with the ultimate goal of these ploys being to enhance the effectiveness of the “counterfeit intimacy” contrived by both parties. Conclusions suggest that all forms of “counterfeit” can be studied as sou...

The autistic child and family functioning: a developmental-family systems perspective.

Abstract: Autism is a severe, long-term developmental disorder that potentially has substantial influence on different aspects of the family system. Principles from family-systems theory are considered as they relate to the autistic child within the family. A selective and critical review is presented of research findings on the influence of the autistic child on the functioning and interactions of family members, including parents, siblings, and the family as a whole. Research findings are also reviewed on resources associated with successful family adaptation to the autistic child. Suggestions are offered for improved research to assess the relationship between certain child variables and measures of family functioning.

Similarity and Attraction: A Longitudinal Study:

Abstract: Although it is generally acknowledged that psychological similarity influences the development of same-sex friendship, empirical studies often fail to delineate the differential impact of attitude, personality, value, construct and structural similarity as predictors of attraction. The present naturalistic study examines the discriminability of these similarity subtypes, and notes the impact of each upon friendship formation over 8 weeks of assigned dyadic interaction. Factor analyses of the similarity subtypes reflected the emergent nature of relationship development, with greater subtype differentiation occurring over time. Regression analyses suggested that similarity subtypes may be hierarchically related, with some being more accessible than others for purposes of social comparison. More specifically, attitude similarity was a significant predictor of initial attraction across pairs, whereas only personality and cognitive-structural similarity predicted later attraction. With regard to overall relati...

Posturally related variations in the hand preferences of the ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata variegata).

Abstract: The hand preferences of 5 semi-free-ranging black-and-white ruffed lemurs were assessed by using three distinct testing procedures. Testing conditions varied in the extent to which they required animals to make a whole body postural adjustment prior to making a reach. Minimal bodily adjustment was necessary for free foraging, whereas discrete food presentations on land (DFP-land) and in a moat (DFP-moat) promoted a gross reorientation of the animal's entire body. In the DFP-moat condition 4 animals exhibited exclusive use of the left hand, and only 1 of 515 reaches was made with the right hand. Similarly, all 5 animals showed a pronounced left hand preference in the DFP-land condition. The free-foraging condition revealed a hand preference for only 1 of the 5 subjects, and that preference was weak in comparison with those measured in the other two test conditions. These findings indicate that whole body postural adjustments critically influenced the expression of hand preference and should be taken into consideration in future studies of primate hand preferences.

On Dynamic Loads in Parallel Shaft Transmissions: Part I—Modelling and Analysis

Abstract: A model of a simple parallel-shaft, spur-gear transmission is presented. The model is developed to simulate dynamic loads in power transmissions. Factors affecting these loads are identified. Included are shaft stiffness, local compliance due to contact stress, load sharing, and friction. Governing differential equations are developed and a solution procedure is outlined. A parameter study of the solutions is presented in NASA TM-100181 (AVSCOM TM-87-C-3).