A requiem for power

The author's work has led to the conclusion that the metaphor or construct of power is not theoretically necessary or practically useful. A model emphasizing cooperation builds on what clients are already doing and avoids a need for them to resist the therapist's ideas.My colleagues at the Brief Therapy Center-Insoo Kim Berg, Wallace Gingerich, Eve Lipchik, Alex Molnar, Elam Nunnally, and Michele Weiner-Davis-have contributed to the development of the theory, research, and practice underlying this presentation.Originally published as part of a special issue on the power metaphor guestedited by Klaus G. Deissler inZeitschrift fur systemische Therapie (1986),4, 208–212.     

GPOWER: A general power analysis program

GPOWER is a completely interactive, menu-driven program for IBM-compatible and Apple Macintosh personal computers. It performs high-precision statistical power analyses for the most common statistical tests in behavioral research, that is,t tests,F tests, andχ ² tests. GPOWER computes (1) power values for given sample sizes, effect sizes andα levels (post hoc power analyses); (2) sample sizes for given effect sizes,α levels, and power values (a priori power analyses); and (3)α andβ values for given sample sizes, effect sizes, andβ/α ratios (compromise power analyses). The program may be used to display graphically the relation between any two of the relevant variables, and it offers the opportunity to compute the effect size measures from basic parameters defining the alternative hypothesis. This article delineates reasons for the development of GPOWER and describes the program’s capabilities and handling.     

Staying power: Remembering A. Bame Nsamenang

Bame Nsamenang was an exceptional force for Africa’s children, seeking to have their lived experience be heard and appreciated globally. Bame identified early in his career a dearth in the African-led and African-conceptualized child development (CD) literature and commenced to address that void. Over time, he addressed as well similar weaknesses in the early childhood education, care and development (ECD) literature becoming an inspiration to a younger generation of African scholars and a beacon for those who questioned the universality of dominant discourses in both the CD and the ECD literatures. While his time with us was shorter than expected, his contributions will be long standing.     

A Needs Assessment of Transgendered People of Color Living in Washington,DC

SUMMARY

A needs assessment (N = 248) conducted in Washington, DC, revealed that trans-gendered people of color are at high risk for HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, suicide and violence/crime victimization. Overall HIV prevalence was 25%, with 32% in natal males (MTFs, i.e., male-to-females). Four predictors for HIV positive status were identified through logistic regression-male sex at birth, a history of substance abuse, sexual assault, and unemployment. Substance abuse was found in nearly half the sample (48%) but only half of those (51%) had sought treatment for it. Thirty-eight percent reported experiencing suicidal ideation, with 63% of those attributing it to their gender issues. Of those with suicidal ideation, nearly half (49%, or 16% of the entire sample), went on to make attempt(s) to kill themselves. Forty-three percent had been victims of violence or crime, including 13% who had been sexually assaulted.

Knowledge of the Standards of Care of the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association was quite low (9%) and associated with white race, any higher education beyond high school, and access to sex reassignment surgery (SRS). Access to SRS, defined as obtaining vaginoplasties for natal males and chest surgeries for natal females, was just 4%. White race (versus all other races, p < .001) and female at birth (versus male, p < .01) were significantly associated with access to SRS.

Use of hormones at some point during their lives was reported by 51% of participants. Thirty-five percent were currently taking hormones, with 72% acquiring their hormones from friends or on the street. Among natal males, 25% had injected silicone.

Nineteen percent did not have their own living space, and employment, housing and job training were the most commonly-reported immediate needs of the sample. The results of this needs assessment provide evidence of an urgent need for increased medical and social services specific to transgendered people of color living in the District of Columbia.     

A SAS macro for statistical power calculations in meta-analysis

Although statistical power is often considered in the design of primary research studies, it is rarely considered in meta-analysis. Background and guidelines are provided for conducting power analysis in meta-analysis, followed by the presentation of a SAS macro that calculates power using the methods described by Hedges and Pigott (2001, 2004). Several detailed examples are given, including input statements and output. Practical issues in the application of power analysis to meta-analysis are discussed. The macro and examples may be downloaded as supplemental materials for this article from brm.psychonomic-journals.org/content/supplemental.     

A dispositional approach to understanding individual power in organizations

This research examined an alternative way of thinking about individual sources of power in organizational settings: the impact of individuals' disposition toward seeking power (nDom) on self perceptions of power. A computer-based experimental simulation allowed structural features of the job and day-to-day events on the job to be controlled across subjects, while assessing the impact of nDom on power. High nDom individuals reported higher self perceptions of power than did low nDom individuals, and these effects were significant above and beyond the actual degree of success or failure experienced by individuals on the job. Analysis also revealed an attenuating interaction effect between nDom and success on the job which suggested that high nDom individuals may be less susceptible to fluctuations in self perceptions of power based on daily job events.The author thanks Lynn Harland for her helpful contributions in conducting this research.     

A video game-based investigation of power stress moderators in children

Motivation and Emotion - In this paper, we examine the relationship between the implicit power motive (nPow) and power stress in primary school children under the additional consideration of...     

A visual approach to statistical power analysis on the microcomputer

Computer programs for statistical power analysis typically require the user to provide a series of values and respond by reporting the corresponding power. These programs provide essentially the same functions as a published text, albeit in a more convenient form. In this paper, we describe a program that instead uses innovative graphic techniques to provide insight into the interaction among the factors that determine power. For example, fort tests, the means and standard deviations of the two distributions, sample sizes, and alpha are displayed as bar graphs. As the researcher modifies these values, the corresponding values of beta (also displayed as a bar graph) and power are updated and displayed immediately. By displaying all of the factors that are instrumental in determining power, the program ensures that each will be addressed By allowing the user to determine the impact that any modifications will have on power, the program encourages an appropriate balance between alpha and beta while working within the constraints imposed by a limited sample size. The program also allows the user to generate tables and graphs to document the impact of the various factors on power. In addition, the program enables the user to run on-screen Monte Carlo simulations to demonstrate the importance of adequate statistical power, and as such, it can serve as a unique educational tool.     

A consistent failure of the power law for lifted weight

The apparent size of squares was determined as a function of physical area and of surface complexity using the method of magnitude estimation. Apparent area increases as a power function of physical area with a slope of about 0.90. The judged areas also increased as a function of complexity of patterns upon the surface, the most complex surfaces being judged approximately 30% larger than the most simple surfaces.     

Recharging cognition with DC brain polarization

Electrical direct current (DC) has been applied to the human head throughout history for various reasons and with claims of behavioral effects and clinical benefits. This technique has recently been rediscovered and its effects validated with modern quantitative techniques and experimental designs. Despite the very weak current used, DC polarization applied to specific brain areas can alter verbal fluency, motor learning and perceptual thresholds, and can be used in conjunction with transcranial magnetic stimulation. Compact and safe, this old technique seems poised to allow major advances cognitive science and therapy.     

A benevolent conceptualization of marital power: The case of depression

Treatment of the depressed client with low self-esteem, external locus of control, and an absent spouse often is frustrating due to the limitations of modifying the social context. An approach to the problem using a systemic view which is based on examining the notion of power and examining the problems in their context is presented. Interventions which sidestep the temptation of emphasizing self-esteem of the client and, instead, utilize client strengths and interactional dynamics within the marriage are presented.     

Challenges in Disseminating Model Programs: A Qualitative Analysis of the Strengthening Washington DC Families Program

This article discusses the challenges faced when a popular model program, the Strengthening Families Program, which in the past has been implemented on a smaller scale in single organizations, moves to a larger, multiorganization endeavor. On the basis of 42 interviews conducted with program staff, the results highlight two main themes that address program and organizational characteristics. The themes relate to the cultural relevance of the program, the accessibility of program partners, the organization of program services, and the coordination of program activities. The article also offers a discussion of how to better prepare sites for program delivery. This discussion focuses explicitly on the need for good communication among program partners, extensive community outreach, and the ability to secure additional resources.     

Automated offset compensation for DC biopotential measurements

We describe a design for high-gain DC bioamplifiers with automatic offset nulling capability. Taking advantage of state-of-the-art commercially available linear integrated circuits, the design is suitable for low-level measurements such as EEG and event-related potentials. DC input offsets can be nulled instantly, making multichannel DC amplification feasible without time-consuming manual offset compensation. In addition, both signal and DC offset outputs are provided, permitting concurrent monitoring of slow large-scale DC shifts as well as faster small-signal activity . An alternative AC mode with signal and offset outputs is also provided. This approach lends itself to a wide range of applications in which small DC biopotentials must be measured in the presence of larger, variable DC components.