Showing papers in "Journal of Social Issues in 1973"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify a class of violent acts that can best be described as sanctioned massacres, which occur in the context of a genocidal policy, and that they are directed at groups that have not themselves threatened or engaged in hostile actions against the perpetrators of the violence.
Abstract: The paper identifies a class of violent acts that can best be described as sanctioned massacres. The special features of sanctioned massacres are that they occur in the context of a genocidal policy, and that they are directed at groups that have not themselves threatened or engaged in hostile actions against the perpetrators of the violence. The psychological environment in which such massacres occur lacks the conditions normally perceived as providing some degree of moral justification for violence. In searching for a psychological explanation of mass violence under these conditions, it is instructive to focus on factors reducing the strength of restraining forces against violence. Three interrelated processes are discussed in detail: (a) processes of authorization, which define the situation as one in which standard moral principles do not apply and the individual is absolved of responsibility to make personal moral choices; (b) processes of routinization, which so organize the action that there is no opportunity for raising moral questions and making moral decisions; and (c) processes of dehumanization which deprive both victim and victimizer of identity and community. The paper concludes with suggestions for corrective efforts that might help to prevent sanctioned massacres by counteracting the systemic and attitudinal supports for the processes described.
618 citations
TL;DR: This paper found that the tendency to justify the lots of others seemed to counteract the sympathetic pattern; they reacted at least as favorably to winners as to losers, and "resented" losers more than winners.
Abstract: Six-man groups of 19-year-old men listened to the live broadcast of the 1971 national draft lottery as they received either good or bad lots—i.e., either low- or high-priority lottery numbers. Overall, subjects reacted more favorably to losers (people who received high-priority numbers) than to winners. But this sympathetic pattern of reactions was absent among subjects who received high scores on a scale assessing their belief that the world is a just place where good people are rewarded and bad people are punished. Among these subjects, the tendency to justify the lots of others seemed to counteract the sympathetic pattern; they reacted at least as favorably to winners as to losers, and “resented” losers more than winners. Additional survey data lend support to the suggestion that the belief in a just world is a perceptual bias which helps to perpetuate social injustice.
396 citations
TL;DR: The authors discussed the potential negative consequences of favorable stereotypes and suggested that some stereotypes have kernels of truth, while others have no kernel of truth at all, and concluded that these positive stereotypes and views are accurate.
Abstract: Chinese and Japanese stereotypes have undergone dramatic changes. Early stereotypes were uniformly negative, reflecting the social, economic, and political climate in America. Labor union members and gold miners were particularly vehement in their denunciation of Asian Americans because of the perceived threat of job competition. With the passage of numerous discriminatory laws and the entrance of other ethnic minorities, the Chinese and Japanese were considered less dangerous and the favorability of stereotypes increased. World War II revived negative stereotypes against the Japanese. Currently, these Asian American groups are viewed as highly successful, model minorities. To what extent are these positive stereotypes and views accurate? Methodological and conceptual problems in the study of stereotypes have hindered a clear analysis of this question. It is suggested that some stereotypes have kernels of truth. The potential negative consequences of favorable stereotypes are also discussed.
129 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a modification of the symbolic interactional approach to the black self-concept in non-African epistemologies is presented, which is considered sufficient reason to discard most, if not all, previously published research in the area.
Abstract: Distinctive theoretical features characterizing research in the area of the self-concept, with attention paid to the approaches of phenomenology, existentialism, behaviorism, and symbolic interaction, are related to investigations into the nature of the black self-concept. A modification of Mead's symbolic interactional approaches is developed. The grounding of research on the black self-concept in non-African epistemologies is considered sufficient reason to discard most, if not all, previously published research in the area.
125 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that concurrently with the increasing availability of pornography, there was a significant decrease in the number of sex offenses registered by the police in Copenhagen, and that at least in one type of crime (child molestation) the decrease represents a real reduction in the amount of offenses committed.
Abstract: The Danish liberalization of legal prosecution and of laws concerning pornography and the ensuing high availability of such materials present a unique opportunity of testing hypotheses concerning the relationship between pornography and sex offenses. It is shown that concurrently with the increasing availability of pornography there was a significant decrease in the number of sex offenses registered by the police in Copenhagen. On the basis of various investigations, including a survey of public attitudes and studies of the police, it was established that at least in one type of offense (child molestation) the decrease represents a real reduction in the number of offenses committed. Various factors suggest that the availability of pornography was the direct cause of this decrease.
119 citations
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119 citations
TL;DR: In this article, two pornographic films portraying face-to-face intercourse and oral-genital sex between the same couple were viewed by 194 single male and 183 single female undergraduates.
Abstract: Two pornographic films portraying face-to-face intercourse and oral-genital sex between the same couple were viewed by 194 single male and 183 single female undergraduates. The males were more aroused than the females by the film of oral-genital sex. Females, high sex-guilt subjects, and less sexually experienced subjects rated the films as more pornographic, disgusting, and offensive. High guilt subjects saw the oral-genital sex as abnormal. Males reported more affective arousal indicative of general activation and approach tendencies, while women reported larger increases in negative affects after viewing the films.
117 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of social change on the role relationships and adjustment of Chinese Americans are discussed, and some of the changes in the psychological and social characteristics of the Chinese are examined from empirical studies.
Abstract: This article is concerned with the effects of social change on the role relationships and adjustment of Chinese Americans. The influences of cultural and social assimilation have undermined the commitment of Chinese youths to traditional cultural norms, and social disequilibrium can be seen within the family as well as outside the home. The changing sex role of females has affected their relationships with their parents and the opposite sex. Chinese vary in the extent to which they have become progressively removed from their parental culture, and the social distances between Chinese with different life styles have segregated them into a variety of disparate groups. Some of the changes in the psychological and social characteristics of the Chinese are examined from empirical studies.
58 citations
TL;DR: Sociometric questionnaires were administered to all pupils in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades in an elementary school in February 1970 (soon after forced integration had occurred), again in June 1970, and again to fifth and sixth grade pupils in February 1971 as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Sociometric questionnaires were administered to all pupils in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades in an elementary school in February 1970 (soon after forced integration had occurred), again in June 1970, and again to fifth and sixth grade pupils in February 1971. Both blacks and whites at all three grade levels chose significantly more members of their own race than members of the other race; blacks rejected whites significantly less than would be expected by chance, an effect which increased over time for older pupils; and, initially, whites rejected blacks less frequently than expected by chance, but shifted to approximately chance rejection of blacks. In January and February 1971, two observers counted interactions among pupils in each grade for ten minutes once per week for a period of five weeks. As expected, interactions increased significantly with grade level; however, subsequent analysis revealed that the primary variable determining interracial interactions is the proportion of blacks to whites in the classroom. A relatively low proportion of minority members (black or white) appears to be most effective in improving interracial relations.
56 citations
TL;DR: A typology formed from scores on the School and College Ability Test, Strong Vocational Interest Blank, and the Omnibus Personality Inventory was applied to 104 Chinese and 50 Japanese American males to identify certain homogeneous subgroups and their resultant psychological characteristics as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A typology formed from scores on the School and College Ability Test, Strong Vocational Interest Blank, and the Omnibus Personality Inventory was applied to 104 Chinese and 50 Japanese American males to identify certain homogeneous subgroups and their resultant psychological characteristics. Chinese and Japanese American males tended to concentrate in certain groups and exhibit unique characteristics that seem explicable in terms of their cultural background and historical experience in America. In addition, our results seem to indicate that Asian Americans are experiencing more stress than their Caucasian counterparts.
56 citations
TL;DR: This paper explored a variety of background factors that are related to a person's support of or opposition to the women's liberation movement (WLM), including religion and political preference, perception of sex differences in personality (usually called "stereotyping" and belief as to whether these are due to biology or culture, and style of marriage.
Abstract: This survey explored a variety of background factors that are related to a person's support of or opposition to the women's liberation movement (WLM), including religion and political preference, perception of sex differences in personality (usually called “stereotyping”) and belief as to whether these are due to biology or culture, and style of marriage (traditional or egalitarian). Also for men, a dimension of sexual threat was related to hostility toward the WLM; for women, experiences with discrimination and to a lesser extent “sexism” contributed to their support of the WLM. The survey found that only a small proportion of men are truly threatened by the movement, but only a small proportion are truly in favor of it; most are caught in the easy middle ground, where attitudes are liberal and behavior is traditional.
TL;DR: The most outstanding fact about Japanese American marriage patterns prior to the 1960s was that Japanese tended to marry predominately within their own group as discussed by the authors, however, a review of past studies and an analysis of current rates of intermarriage indicate that this pattern is rapidly changing.
Abstract: The most outstanding fact about Japanese American marriage patterns prior to the 1960s was that Japanese tended to marry predominately within their own group. However, a review of past studies and an analysis of current rates of intermarriage indicate that this pattern is rapidly changing. Outgroup rates approaching 50 percent for Japanese American marriages occur in areas as diverse as Hawaii, Los Angeles, Fresno, and San Francisco. The varying rates and patterns of Japanese outmarriages are discussed.
TL;DR: This article found that early exposure to pornography was positively associated with self-acknowledged sexual deviance at all ages of first exposure and exposure was also related to a number of life history variables indicating early significant heterosexual experience and a greater involvement in homosexual and deviant sexual practices.
Abstract: Data from 365 subjects from seven types of social groups (jail inmates, college students of three ethnic backgrounds, members of Catholic and Protestant religious organizations) were examined. While amount of exposure was negatively related to the overall index of character, the relationship held primarily for those subjects first exposed after age 17. Amount of exposure to pornography was positively related to self-acknowledged sexual "deviance" at all ages of first exposure. Exposure was also related to a number of life history variables indicating early significant heterosexual experience and a greater involvement in homosexual and deviant sexual practices. A number of analyses were undertaken to explore the possible causal status which exposure to pornography may have with respect to sexual deviance. The pattern of obtained results leaves open the possibility that early exposure to pornography plays some causal role in the development of sexually deviant life styles or the possibility that exposure is merely part of or a product of adopting a sexually deviant life style. Language: en
TL;DR: The extent to which blacks and whites interacted socially on school grounds and their attitudes toward each other were ascertained across time during the first semester of an integration program in three southern secondary schools.
Abstract: The extent to which blacks and whites interacted socially on school grounds and their attitudes toward each other were ascertained across time during the first semester of an integration program in three southern secondary schools. Interracial interactions remained sparse throughout the semester and over time showed no increases approaching significance though attitudes did become more tolerant. Several effects on both variables related to race, sex, and grade level are reported.
TL;DR: The data reported in this paper come from a national probability sample survey designed to provide an empirical description of the national experience with explicit sexual materials, the public's attitudes toward these types of material, and social-psychological correlates of both experience and attitudes.
Abstract: The data reported in this paper come from a national probability sample survey designed to provide an empirical description of the national experience with explicit sexual materials, the public's attitudes toward these types of material, and social-psychological correlates of both experience and attitudes. An overwhelming majority of adults report having been exposed at some time in their life to very explicit sexual materials that are often labeled pornography. Nevertheless, considerable variation in experience does exist. Differential exposure is related to the content of depictions, mode of depiction, and characteristics of the viewer. The data do not support a concept of a "contemporary community standard" relating to the representation of sexual matters: There does not exist anything approaching consensus in attitudes regarding the availability of sexual materials; attitudes toward availability vary greatly according to the circumstances of availability; and attitudes vary considerably among groups formed on the basis of demographic characteristics. Language: en
TL;DR: A survey of the marriage records of Japanese Americans in Fresno, California indicates that both the pattern of intermarriage (that is, whether the minority group partners are male or female) and the rate of inter-marriage have changed noticeably in the last decade as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Intermarriage is an especially sensitive indicator of the permeability of ethnic boundaries: The rate can tell us something about how rigid the boundaries are, while the pattern can suggest the forces that maintain or reduce them. A survey of the marriage records of Japanese Americans in Fresno, California indicates that both the pattern of intermarriage (that is, whether the minority group partners are male or female) and the rate of intermarriage have changed noticeably in the last decade. Explanations are suggested for these changes and implications for the boundary surrounding the Japanese Americans are discussed.
TL;DR: For example, the authors found that the proportion of exposure to erotica during adolescence is positively associated with the later emergence of sexual pathology is not borne out by a study conducted in the UK.
Abstract: Samples of convicted male rapists, pedophiles, homosexuals, transsexuals, heavy pornography users, and to a community control group were interviewed to assess experience with erotic material in photographs, films, and books, during adolescence and adulthood. Adolescent exposure to erotica was significantly less for all nonheterosexual and offender groups compared to the controls. During adulthood, the sex offenders and transsexuals continued to report less exposure to erotic stimuli than controls. The homosexuals and users, however, both report greater exposure during adulthood. Less than a quarter of the respondents in any group imitated sexual behavior seen in the erotic material immediately or shortly after its' viewing. The hypothesis that extent of exposure to erotica during adolescence is positively associated with the later emergence of sexual pathology is not borne out by this study. The control groups sampled had significantly greater exposure to erotic materials during adolescence than the deviants, convicted sex offenders, or heavy adult users of pornography. Language: en
TL;DR: The distinctive characteristic of the black psychology of the future is its adoption of an explicit goal, the liberation of black people as mentioned in this paper, the implication is that black students should shift their attention away from traditional psychology and turn it towards the development of a new black psychology.
Abstract: The distinctive characteristic of the black psychology of the future is its adoption of an explicit goal, the liberation of black people. Traditional psychology has not been merely apathetic towards this goal; it has actively opposed it. This is seen not so much in the behavior of individual whites as in the behavior of the systems of which they are a part. Four specific areas in which traditional psychology is found wanting with respect to black needs and concerns are ethics, concepts, methods, and politics. The implication is that black students should shift their attention away from traditional psychology and turn it towards the development of a new black psychology.
TL;DR: This article found that the occupational and educational attainments of the first generation (Issei) are reflected in the achievements of the second and third generations (Sansei) and that two different currents flow in Japanese American community, one relatively traditional, the other more assimilationist.
Abstract: Data from a three generational survey of Japanese Americans indicate that the occupational and educational attainments of the first generation (Issei) are reflected in the achievements of the second and third generations. Findings suggest that two different currents flow in the Japanese American community, one relatively traditional, the other more assimilationist. It is expected that only assimilationists will survive—but in a modified fashion. The majority of the Sansei queried indicate an interest in Japanese ways while still embracing the primary goals of American society and its emphasis on socioeconomic success in particular. Although the ban on outmarriage is breaking down, a majority of Sansei have married or intend to marry within the fold. While the Japanese Americans have successfully accommodated to the American situation—especially by correctly gauging the great importance of education, there is little evidence that the subculture will soon wither away.
TL;DR: This article examined trends in mental hospital commitments among the Chinese in California over the past one hundred years and found that there has been a twofold increase for the general population compared to a seven-fold increase among Chinese; while initially the Chinese had substantially lower rates of commitment, since the 1930s they have been roughly equal to the general populations.
Abstract: This study examines trends in mental hospital commitments among the Chinese in California over the past one hundred years. There has been a two-fold increase for the general population compared to a seven-fold increase among the Chinese; while initially the Chinese had substantially lower rates of commitment, since the 1930s they have been roughly equal to the general population. Rates of increase within the Chinese population were not uniform; males, the aged, and the foreign born experienced substantially greater increases. Changes have also occurred in patterns of diagnosis and length of hospitalization over the century.
TL;DR: In this article, a sixteen-item sociometric device was administered to 160 children in Grades K-4 in integrated open classrooms in order to evaluate their ability to select members of their own race.
Abstract: A sixteen-item sociometric device was administered to 160 children in Grades K-4 in integrated open classrooms. Four items dealt with each of the following areas of evaluation: Positive Social (PS), Positive Intellectual (PI), Negative Social (NS), and Negative Intellectual (NI). Results indicated that black children selected more black children overall; white children selected more black children on NS and NI items, more white on PS and PI. On PS and PI items, both groups tended to select members of their own race; on NS and NI items, both tended to select black children.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors described a study that provides a methodological model for testing theoretical constructs and investigating pragmatic social problems simultaneously, and assessed the behavioral and attitudinal consequences of viewing erotic films in terms of cathartic, instigational and social learning formulations.
Abstract: A study is described that provides a methodological model for testing theoretical constructs and investigating pragmatic social problems simultaneously. Behavioral and attitudinal consequences of viewing erotic films are assessed in terms of cathartic, instigational, and social learning formulations. Comparative attitudinal and behavioral changes over a twelve-week period are reported for 51 married couples who viewed erotic films, 17 couples who viewed nonerotic films, and 15 couples who viewed no films. All couples who viewed films completed 84 consecutive daily checklists of sexual and marital behavior. Couples viewing erotic films reported significantly more sexual activity on film viewing nights, and became more tolerant of legal exhibition of erotic films. No group exhibited significant stable changes in sexual behavior, and completing daily checklists appeared to facilitate sexual activity more than viewing erotic films. Results appear most concordant with social learning theory and fail to support the position that viewing erotic films produces harmful social consequences.
TL;DR: Older Asian Americans share a great deal with their fellow Asian Americans and their fellow elderly, but the juxtaposition of all elements produces a personal history and present milieu that is shared neither with younger persons of similar national origins nor with age cohorts of various national origins as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Older Asian Americans share a great deal with their fellow Asian Americans and with their fellow elderly, but the juxtaposition of all elements produces a personal history and present milieu that is shared neither with younger persons of similar national origins nor with age cohorts of various national origins Understanding these individuals requires knowledge of their cultural origins and effects of early socialization, their life history in the United States, those age-related changes that occur regardless of early learning or ethnicity, and their expectations as to what it means to be old Many values to which first-generation Asian Americans were effectively socialized are highly counterproductive for maintaining adequate life satisfaction during the later years
TL;DR: The authors found that narrow stereotypic perceptions of and prejudice toward the Chinese have been so pervasive and tenable that Americans of Chinese ancestry do not perceive themselves with a meaningful identity, and there is rising protest and counterresponse to the restrictive perceptions among younger Asian Americans who seek the identity and acceptance they have been denied by others and themselves.
Abstract: Americans have perpetuated inaccurate images and attitudes concerning the Chinese that suggest the operation of social-psychological anomalies and prevent the growth of healthy human relations. Narrow stereotypic perceptions of and prejudice toward the Chinese have been so pervasive and tenable that Americans of Chinese ancestry do not perceive themselves with a meaningful identity. Examination of American social studies textbooks for elementary and secondary schools shows that Asian studies and the involvement of Asians in American history are barely mentioned or neglected completely; furthermore what information is given reinforces stereotypic illusions. There is rising protest and counterresponse to the restrictive perceptions among younger Asian Americans who seek the identity and acceptance they have been denied by others and themselves.
TL;DR: A survey of 1083 adult volunteers from the Detroit Metropolitan Area indicated that there was no single standard used by the respondents in their evaluation of a series of erotic pictures, and significant differences between “sexual liberals” and “ sexual conservatives” were obtained for several picture rating dimensions.
Abstract: Erotic materials may be declared legally obscene only after they have passed a series of tests, one being the application of “contemporary community standards.” A survey of 1083 adult volunteers from the Detroit Metropolitan Area indicated that there was no single standard used by the respondents in their evaluation of a series of erotic pictures. Significant differences between “sexual liberals” and “sexual conservatives” were obtained for several picture rating dimensions.
TL;DR: The authors examined the validity of present IQ tests for measuring the intelligence of black Americans and concluded that such tests have little validity, and the issue facing contemporary psychologists is why the discipline should continue to condone their use in black communities.
Abstract: IQ tests are used to judge the mental capacities of black Americans, a fact which places a tremendous ethical responsibility on those involved in IQ test research and administration. It is argued that most IQ test developers and administrators have abrogated this responsibility by ignoring clear cultural and racial biases in the content, administration, and interpretation of IQ tests. This article examines the validity of present IQ tests for measuring the intelligence of black Americans. It is concluded that such tests have little validity, and the issue facing contemporary psychologists is why the discipline should continue to condone their use in black communities.
TL;DR: In the design and organization of physical settings, the human properties of the individual are ignored, oversimplified, or implicitly assumed, because of the influence of such socio-environmental values as scientific-technological progress, urbanism, pseudoprogress (novelty and change), and the value placed on an ever increasing acceleration of technological change as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The environmental crisis in human dignity lies not just in the overuse, the misuse, and the decay of physical settings, but far more significantly in how we conceive of the individual in relation to any such setting. In the design and organization of physical settings, the human properties of the individual are ignored, oversimplified, or implicitly assumed, because of the influence of such socioenvironmental values as scientific-technological progress, urbanism, pseudoprogress (novelty and change), and the value placed on an ever increasing acceleration of technological change. Spaces and places are improperly designed not only in physical terms; designs overlook human needs for privacy, territoriality, freedom of choice, etc., and the conceiving of the individual as a simple “machine man.” Unintended consequences are often ignored and no attempt is made to evaluate just how well the setting actually works. The danger is that the person will adjust and at the price of a continuing erosion of the properties that make him distinctively human. It is imperative that as behavioral scientists turn to the systematic study of man/environment problems they recognize the need to maintain the contextual reality and integrity of any such problem as it evolves, develops, and becomes modified in the time framework of a complex society.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors found that pornography is an innocuous stimulus which leads quickly to satiation and that public concern over pornography is misplaced, and that there is no detrimental effect of this exposure either in terms of change on any measure or with regard to a control group (N = 9).
Abstract: Twenty-three experimental subjects were exposed to pornographic materials for 90 minutes per day for 15 days. Extensive pre and post testing of attitudes and behavior showed no detrimental effect of this exposure either in terms of change on any measure or with regard to a control group (N = 9). Behavioral and physiological measures demonstrated that this massive exposure to pornography resulted in much lowered interest in it and much less response to it. It is concluded that pornography is an innocuous stimulus which leads quickly to satiation and that public concern over it is misplaced.