Showing papers by "University of North Carolina at Greensboro published in 1986"

Prenatal maternal speech influences newborns' perception of speech sounds

Abstract: Pregnant women recited a particular speech passage aloud each day during their last 6 weeks of pregnancy. Their newborns were tested with an operant-choice procedure to determine whether the sounds of the recited passage were more reinforcing than the sounds of a novel passage. The previously recited passage was more reinforcing. The reinforcing value of the two passages did not differ for a matched group of control subjects. Thus, third-trimester fetuses experience their mothers' speech sounds and that prenatal auditory experience can influence postnatal auditory preferences.

Equivalence class formation in language-able and language-disabled children.

Abstract: Stimulus equivalence seems to have relevance to the study of semantics and of language more generally. If so, there may be a relation between language use and the demonstration of stimulus equivalence. This was examined in three groups of children ranging in chronological age and matched on a conventional measure of mental age: normally developing preschoolers, retarded children who used speech or signs spontaneously and appropriately, and retarded children who did not. All children were taught a series of four related discriminations and were then tested to determine if classes of equivalent stimuli had formed. All of the language-able children (retarded and normal) formed equivalence classes, whereas none of the language-disabled children did so. Although the exact nature of the relation between stimulus equivalence and language remains to be clarified, these results support the view that stimulus equivalence is a phenomenon with relevance to language.

Rule-governed behavior and sensitivity to changing consequences of responding.

Abstract: Humans were presented with a task that required moving a light through a matrix. Button presses could produce light movements according to a multiple fixed-ratio 18/differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate 6-s schedule, with components alternating every 2 min. Moving the light through the maze earned points worth chances on money prizes. In Experiment 1 four conditions were assessed through between-subject comparisons: minimal instructions, instructions to press rapidly, instructions to press slowly, and instructions that sometimes rapid responding would work while at other times a slow rate would work best. Subjects responded in three successive sessions of 32 min each. The results suggested that instructions affected the nature of the contact made with the programmed consequences and thus subsequent performance. In some cases, responding seemed to result from added contingencies introduced by stating rules. In Experiment 2 the relative contribution of these two effects was assessed by presenting and then withdrawing two lights that had been paired with two specific instructions: “Go Fast” or “Go Slow.” There were three conditions. In one condition, only the Go Fast light was on; in a second, only the Go Slow light was on; and in a third, the lights alternated each minute. In each condition, half the subjects had all instruction lights turned off after the first session. The results once again showed an effect of instructions on contact with the programmed consequences. However, responding sometimes continued in a manner consistent with added contingencies for rule-following even when the programmed consequences had been contacted and would have controlled a different type of responding in the absence of instructions. The relevance of added contingencies for rule-following in determining the effects of explicitly programmed consequences is emphasized.

Mentalism, behavior-behavior relations, and a behavior-analytic view of the purposes of science

Abstract: In a behavioral view, the purposes of science are primarily prediction and control. To the extent that a scientist embraces both of these as a unified and generally applicable criterion for science, certain philosophical and theoretical practices are counterproductive, including mentalism in both its metaphysical and metatheoretical forms. It is possible and often worthwhile to recast some mentalistic talk into an issue of behavior-behavior relations. When behavior-behavior relations are approached non-mechanistically, however, analysis cannot stop at the level of the relations themselves. Several analytic concepts common in the behavioral community share some of the dangers of mentalism if not employed properly, including such concepts as self-reinforcement, response-produced stimulation, and self-rules.

Instructions, multiple schedules, and extinction: Distinguishing rule-governed from schedule-controlled behavior.

Abstract: Schedule sensitivity has usually been examined either through a multiple schedule or through changes in schedules after steady-state responding has been established. This study compared the effects of these two procedures when various instructions were given. Fifty-five college students responded in two 32-min sessions under a multiple fixed-ratio 18/differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate 6-s schedule, followed by one session of extinction. Some subjects received no instructions regarding the appropriate rates of responding, whereas others received instructions to respond slowly, rapidly, or both. Relative to the schedule in operation, the instructions were minimal, partially inaccurate, or accurate. When there was little schedule sensitivity in the multiple schedule, there was little in extinction. When apparently schedule-sensitive responding occurred in the multiple schedule, however, sensitivity in extinction occurred only if differential responding in the multiple schedule could not be due to rules supplied by the experimenter. This evidence shows that rule-governed behavior that occurs in the form of schedule-sensitive behavior may not in fact become schedule-sensitive even though it makes contact with the scheduled reinforcers.

Onset of reproduction in plants: size-versus age-dependency

Abstract: Understanding the roles of age and size in the timing of first reproduction or flowering in plants has become a goal for those investigating the evolution of life cycle patterns in general. Here I review the studies that are helping to clarify these roles, and indicate some directions for future research.

The relationship between sex role attitudes and attitudes supporting marital violence

Abstract: This study explored the relationship between attitudes toward sex roles and attitudes endorsing the legitimacy of physical force by men in the marital relationship. Approximately 40% of this sample of 300 college undergraduates were black, allowing black-white comparisons on these variables as well. The results support a sociocultural analysis of spouse abuse. A moderately strong positive relationship was found between traditional sex role preferences and attitudes supporting the use of physical force. In addition, men were found to hold more traditional sex role attitudes than women and were more likely to endorse the use of physical force in the marital relationship. Whites were found to be more traditional in their sex role attitudes than blacks, but no racial differences were found with regard to attitudes endorsing physical force. Further analysis revealed that traditional sex role attitudes were the most powerful predictor of attitudes supporting marital violence, while race and sex played a relatively unimportant role. Implications for spouse-abuse prevention program are discussed.

Estimating height and weight from size of footprints.

Abstract: In the mid 1800s, Topinard proposed a simple formula for estimating a person's height: maximum foot length divided by 0.15 reveals the stature of most individuals. In addition to corroborating Topinard's findings, the author has developed formulas to serve as predictive models for estimating both height and weight when only a subject's footprint dimensions are known. The formulas are presented with a discussion of the data from which they are derived.

Sex and willingness to move for occupational advancement: some national sample results

Abstract: The comparative willingness of men and women to be geographically mobile for occupational advancement and the contributions of various factors to this relationship are explored using national survey-data. Variables identified by past theory and research as mediating the association between sex and willingness to move did explain a substantial amount of variance in willingness to relocate in the entire sample and subsamples of married respondents and respondents in dual-earner couples. However, in each case, sex continued to explain significant additional variance in willingness to move Reasons for this finding and implications for further research are explored.

Real Estate Brokers, Housing Prices, and the Demand for Housing:

Abstract: This study examines the role of real estate brokers in the market for residential housing. It is shown that brokers obtain higher prices for the homes they sell and implicitly shift part of the bro...

Same-Sex and Cross-Sex Siblings: Activity Choices, Roles, Behavior, and Gender Stereotypes.

Abstract: Forty same-sex and cross-sex school-aged sibling pairs were observed in their homes during self-selected activities. The sex role learning index (SERLI) and a sex-typing room analysis were administered for the younger siblings, and maternal questionnaire information was obtained. Sibling gender constellation was associated with reliable differences in activity choices during the unstructured observations. Male dyads interacted less than other sibling groups, while older sisters in female dyads engaged in the most teaching. Older female siblings, regardless of the gender of the younger sibling, assumed the manager role frequently. Dyads containing an older girl also exhibited the greatest role asymmetrics. Affective differences related to gender constellation were also noted. Younger girls with older brothers and younger boys with older sisters evidenced the least gender stereotyping.

On the History of ANOVA in Unbalanced, Factorial Designs: The First 30 Years

Abstract: The history of the analysis of unbalanced factorial designs is traced from Yates's original papers (Yates 1933, 1934) to the beginning of the computational revolution in the 1960s. Emphasis is placed on putting the methods proposed during this period in perspective in view of our present understanding.

Financial management attitudes and behaviour of husbands and wives

Abstract: In spite of recent economic events which suggest that families are having much difficulty managing their financial resources, little research has focused on spouses' attitudes and behaviour regarding family financial management. This study addressed three questions: (1) What are spouses' attitudes toward and behaviour regarding family financial management? (2) To what degree do husbands and wives agree in their attitudes and report similar behaviour regarding financial management? and (3) What factors effect the attitudes and behaviour of spouses regarding management of their financial resources? While spouses' attitudes were generally supportive of family resource management principles and philosophy regarding financial management, their reported behaviour indicated relatively few families acted on their beliefs. Correlations between husbands' and wives' attitudinal and behavioural scores were positive and statistically significant; however, the modest coefficients indicated much room for disagreement between spouses regarding family management. The family characteristics which were the best predictors of positive financial management attitudes and effective behaviour included: number of years married; completion of a course in consumer education by a spouse; and occupational status of wives.

Gender differences in the perceptions of self's and others' use of power strategies.

Abstract: The utility of P B Johnson's [“Women and Interpersonal Power,” in D N Ruble & G L Zellman (Eds), Women and Sex Roles, New York: W W Norton, 1978] framework for the sex typing of power strategies was examined Female and male subjects rated the extent to which they used a number of power strategies in order to get their way with others Subjects also rated their perceptions of the extent to which either men-in-general or women-in-general used the strategies Partial support for Johnson's framework was found in that males reported greater use of “masculine”-typed strategies than did females, though they did not report using these strategies more than “feminine”-typed ones Females did not report significantly greater use of feminine strategies than did males, though they reported using more feminine- than masculine-typed strategies Data also indicated that both males and females held similar gender-consistent sex-stereotyped perceptions of the power strategies used by men-in-general and women-in-general Comparison of self-report ratings with usage attributions for men-in-general and women-in-general revealed that both male and female subjects perceived themselves to use most of the strategies less often and to be more inclined to use socially desirable strategies involving reason and logic and compromise

Six Galleons for the King of Spain: Imperial Defense in the Early Seventeenth Century

Abstract: In 1625, Martin de Arana built six Atlantic warships for the Spanish crown. The author traces the ships from their construction through a decade of service, incorporating a history of Spain's Golden Age. This book was awarded the Spain and America in Quincentennial Year of Discovery prize.

Parents and drugs revisited: some further evidence in support of social learning theory*

Abstract: Social control and social learning theories suggest divergent relationships between attachment to parents and children's drug use when level of parent drug use is considered. Social control theory proposes a uniformly negative relationship between children's drug use and attachment to parents whereas social learning theory proposes that the relationship is affected by parental drug use. The relationship between attachment to parents and children's drug use was investigated for each of three groups of low, moderate, and high parental drug use through estimation of a latent variable structural model of attachment to family on children's tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use. Results indicate that attachment to parents related inversely, but with different magnitudes, to children's drug use for youths whose parents use drugs at low or moderate levels. No significant relationship exists between attachment to family and children's drug use for youths whose parents are relatively high-level users. Neither ethnicity nor sex affected these findings. The implications of these results supporting social learning theory are discussed.

Emotional Closeness and Physical Distance between Friends: Implications for Elderly Women Living in Age-Segregated and Age-Integrated Settings.

Abstract: The author discusses the need for a better theoretical understanding of friendship in order for its role in the lives of elderly people to be understood. The applicability to friendship of Simmel's approach to the study of social relationships is outlined. From this perspective, types of friendship are determined by the physical distance separating friends and the emotional closeness bringing them together. The data consist of seventy in-depth interviews of senior, unmarried women in a middle-class community bordering on Chicago. Qualitative data are reported to support quantitative analyses. There were positive relationships between emotional closeness and physical distance, duration and emotional closeness, and frequency of interaction and proximity. The author describes the implications for elderly women of the tendency for their close, old friends to be physically separated from them and their neighbors to be casual friends, but constant companions. The author discusses the effects of the age-density of residential context and life history on the types of friends the women had.

The Effects of Microcomputers on Young Children: An Examination of Free-Play Choices, Sex Differences, and Social Interactions

Abstract: A microcomputer was inserted into two preschool classrooms—one large and one small—to examine the effects on children's free-play choices and social interactions. Sex differences were also examined. In both classrooms, the introduction of the microcomputer initially disrupted free-play activity patterns; over time, however, most free-play areas returned to baseline levels. Sex differences were apparent in both classrooms. In the large classroom, boys spent significantly more time at the microcomputer than girls. In the small classroom, there was a trend for girls to spend more time at the microcomputer than boys. Social interactions at the microcomputer were similar to interactions in other play areas of the two classrooms. Higher levels of positive social behaviors at the microcomputer compared to other play areas were not found in either classroom.

The Value of a Real Estate Franchise

Abstract: Franchise affiliation has become common in the real estate brokerage industry. Department of Commerce estimates show that in 1981 about 30% of all real estate brokerage establishments were franchise affiliated. This paper develops and estimates a model of brokerage firm sales, using sample data collected in 1982 for three North Carolina cities. Controlling for the size and experience of the brokerage staff and the experience of the broker, the paper finds that franchise affiliation contributes to firm sales. Affiliation with a national franchise appears to be worth about $930,000 in additional sales to the average firm.

Promoting imitative play through generalized observational learning in autisticlike children.

Abstract: Three autisticlike boys with deficits in imitative and appropriate play behaviors were taught to play with an unfamiliar toy by observing a peer model demonstrate appropriate play with the toy. Generalization was assessed across toys and models, and temporal maintenance was assessed at 1 and 3 weeks following generalization. Following training each child demonstrated increases in imitative play concomitant with decreases in the frequency of nonmanipulated self-stimulatory behavior. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for the amelioration of social isolation and self-stimulatory behavior.

Shared and item-specific information in memory for event descriptions.

Abstract: If you are asked to remember an event described by a sentence, how will your memory be affected by the number of related events experienced in the same context? The experiments reported here address this empirical question within the theoretical framework of relational and item-specific information. Assuming that both common and distinctive features of events are important in recall, encoding of both types of information should produce optimal performance. Assuming further that the type of information encoded, either common or distinctive, is influenced by manipulations, such as the number of related sentences and the orienting task, recall should be a product of the interaction between set size and type of orienting task. The results of these experiments were consistent with this prediction. Subsidiary analyses supported the interpretation of this interaction in terms of the differential availability of relational and item-specific information. The results are discussed in the context of the script pointer + tag hypothesis of schema theory.

Evaluating Scheduling Policies in a Multi-Level Assembly System

Abstract: This paper orders in preference various scheduling policies comprised of dispatching and regeneration rules in a multi-level assembly production system. Traditional expected-value statistical and second-degree stochastic dominance preference ordering rules are used to identify the most efficient scheduling policies for risk-averse managers using various measures of performance. The results indicate that selection of an efficient regeneration rule is contingent upon the selection of a dispatching rule and these rules must be selected jointly to develop efficient scheduling policies. For this study, simple intuitively appealing scheduling policies were found to be efficient.

Standards of ethical conduct for management accountants

Abstract: The Standards of Ethical Conduct for Management Accountants (Statement 1C) promulgated by the National Association of Accountants on June 1, 1983, are described and critiqued in this article. Four major issues related to the issuance of the standards are discussed: (1) What are the basic requirements of any ethical system? Does Statement IC meet these requirements? (2) Should a professional be ethical? (3) If ethical behavior is desirable for management accountants, should such standards be formally expressed in writing? (4) If the standards are expressed in writing, what format should be adopted for the content and how should the standards be expressed?