Social Software

We suggest that the issue of constructing andverifying social procedures, which we suggestively call socialsoftware, be pursued as systematically as computer software is pursued by computer scientists. Certain complications do arise withsocial software which do not arise with computer software, but thesimilarities are nonetheless strong, and tools already exist which wouldenable us to start work on this important project. We give a variety ofsuggestive examples and indicate some theoretical work which alreadyexists.     

Software review

Summary The actual software that is used in theSurvival Words program is less than adequate. It is definitely not a stand-alone program. The lessons that appear on the computer are not structured effectively, and are not very interesting. However, the manual that accompanies the software offers a wide variety of instructional activities that could be very beneficial in teaching students to read sight word vocabulary. Perhaps lessons should be structured so that the group instruction described in the manual occurs before students use the software. In this way, students could use the software as another source of instruction that could assist them in maintaining skills rather than acquiring skills.     

Towards a Philosophy of Software Development: 40 Years after the Birth of Software Engineering

Over the past four decades, software engineering has emerged as a discipline in its own right, though it has roots both in computer science and in classical engineering. Its philosophical foundations and premises are not yet well understood. In recent times, members of the software engineering community have started to search for such foundations. In particular, the philosophies of Kuhn and Popper have been used by philosophically-minded software engineers in search of a deeper understanding of their discipline. It seems, however, that professional philosophers of science are not yet aware of this new discourse within the field of software engineering. Therefore, this article aims to reflect critically upon recent software engineers’ attempts towards a philosophy of software engineering and to introduce our own philosophical thoughts in this context. Finally, we invite the professional philosophers of science to participate in this interesting new discourse.

MouseTracker: Software for studying real-time mental processing using a computer mouse-tracking method

In the present article, we present a software package, MouseTracker, that allows researchers to use a computer mouse-tracking method for assessing real-time processing in psychological tasks. By recording the streaming x-, y-coordinates of the computer mouse while participants move the mouse into one of multiple response alternatives, motor dynamics of the hand can reveal the time course of mental processes. MouseTracker provides researchers with fine-grained information about the real-time evolution of participant responses by sampling 60–75 times/sec the online competition between multiple response alternatives. MouseTracker allows researchers to develop and run experiments and subsequently analyze mouse trajectories in a user-interactive, graphics-based environment. Experiments may incorporate images, letter strings, and sounds. Mouse trajectories can be processed, averaged, visualized, and explored, and measures of spatial attraction/curvature, complexity, velocity, and acceleration can be computed. We describe the software and the method, and we provide details on mouse trajectory analysis. We validate the software by demonstrating the accuracy and reliability of its trajectory and reaction time data. The latest version of MouseTracker is freely available at http://mousetracker.jbfreeman.net.     

Software Description Form

Abstract

Psychology is approached as a storytelling discipline Various narrative devices used in many formal psychological tales are identified. George Kelly's approach to telling is claimed to be very different, implying a different attitude to knowing and a different approach to knowledge. Following from this a proposal is made concerning the kind of psychology Kelly was, perhaps, reaching toward     

Professional Ethics of Software Engineers: An Ethical Framework

The purpose of this article is to propose an ethical framework for software engineers that connects software developers’ ethical responsibilities directly to their professional standards. The implementation of such an ethical framework can overcome the traditional dichotomy between professional skills and ethical skills, which plagues the engineering professions, by proposing an approach to the fundamental tasks of the practitioner, i.e., software development, in which the professional standards are intrinsically connected to the ethical responsibilities. In so doing, the ethical framework improves the practitioner’s professionalism and ethics. We call this approach Ethical-Driven Software Development (EDSD), as an approach to software development. EDSD manifests the advantages of an ethical framework as an alternative to the all too familiar approach in professional ethics that advocates “stand-alone codes of ethics”. We believe that one outcome of this synergy between professional and ethical skills is simply better engineers. Moreover, since there are often different software solutions, which the engineer can provide to an issue at stake, the ethical framework provides a guiding principle, within the process of software development, that helps the engineer evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different software solutions. It does not and cannot affect the end-product in and of-itself. However, it can and should, make the software engineer more conscious and aware of the ethical ramifications of certain engineering decisions within the process.     

Comparison of Suicide Attempters and Decedents in the U.S. Army: A Latent Class Analysis

A clearer understanding of risk factors for suicidal behavior among soldiers is of principal importance to military suicide prevention. It is unclear whether soldiers who attempt suicide and those who die by suicide have different patterns of risk factors. As such, preventive efforts aimed toward reducing suicide attempts and suicides, respectively, may require different strategies. We conducted a latent class analysis (LCA) to examine classes of risk factors among suicide attempters (n = 1,433) and decedents (n = 424). Both groups were represented by three classes: (1) External/Antisocial Risk Factors, (2) Mental Health Risk Factors, and (3) No Pattern. These findings support the conceptualization that military suicide attempters and decedents represent a single population.     

Promotion of Cancer Family History Awareness: Jameslink Cancer Risk Assessment Tool at Community Health Fairs

This article examines the impact of providing personalized familial cancer risk assessments with the Jameslink Cancer Risk Assessment Tool. Users of the Jameslink (N = 166) at eight community health fairs completed a survey including demographic, psychosocial and behavioral variables to better understand responses to the Jameslink. No differences were found between whites and those of other races for variables of interest, indicating suitability of the Jameslink for diverse populations. Those with higher Jameslink-assessed risk had higher perceived risk of cancer. Approximately half (53.8%) reported that they would speak to their physician about their Jameslink-assessed risk. A regression found Jameslink-assessed risk, cancer worry, and perceived risk of cancer predicted intentions to speak to a physician about their risk. In addition, open-ended data provided suggestions to improve the Jameslink. Changes in content and format were suggested; however most were happy with the program and encouraged its promotion. The lack of findings for differences as a function of race bolsters the use of computerized Cancer Risk Assessment Tools in diverse communities. The positive feedback of users and the close association between cancer risk assessment, perceived risk, and intention to speak to a physician are supportive of continued use and development of Cancer Risk Assessment Tools in the community to promote awareness of cancer risk.     

On the Multilevel Nature of Meta-Analysis: A Tutorial,Comparison of Software Programs,and Discussion of Analytic Choices

The term “multilevel meta-analysis” is encountered not only in applied research studies, but in multilevel resources comparing traditional meta-analysis to multilevel meta-analysis. In this tutorial, we argue that the term “multilevel meta-analysis” is redundant since all meta-analysis can be formulated as a special kind of multilevel model. To clarify the multilevel nature of meta-analysis the four standard meta-analytic models are presented using multilevel equations and fit to an example data set using four software programs: two specific to meta-analysis (metafor in R and SPSS macros) and two specific to multilevel modeling (PROC MIXED in SAS and HLM). The same parameter estimates are obtained across programs underscoring that all meta-analyses are multilevel in nature. Despite the equivalent results, not all software programs are alike and differences are noted in the output provided and estimators available. This tutorial also recasts distinctions made in the literature between traditional and multilevel meta-analysis as differences between meta-analytic choices, not between meta-analytic models, and provides guidance to inform choices in estimators, significance tests, moderator analyses, and modeling sequence. The extent to which the software programs allow flexibility with respect to these decisions is noted, with metafor emerging as the most favorable program reviewed.     

Software review

Summary Coin Critters has many positive attributes. This program could be used successfully if teachers were careful to monitor student performance. However,due to the nature of this program, it should only be used as a supplement to direct, effective instruction.Coin Critters should only be used for drill and practice on skills taught within the classroom.     

De‐reifying risk

Risk: Analysis, Perception and Management, by the Royal Society Study Group, London: Royal Society, 1992, 201 pages, pb £15.50

Social Theories of Risk, edited by Sheldon Krimsky and Dominic Golding, London/NY: Praeger, 1992, 412 pages, hb £48.50, pb £18.50

Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity, by Ulrich Beck, London: Sage, 1992, 260 pages, hb £35.00, pb £13.00     

Software review

Summary Riddle Mysteries is a useful tool for teachers of second through fourth graders who wish to enhance their students' problem-solving capabilities. Cognitively advanced first graders with adequate reading skills are potential users as well. Only a limited knowledge on how to operate a computer is required, making it appropriate for young users. Teachers should be aware that it is relatively easy for students to avoid using problem-solving skills when operatingRiddle Mysteries as trial-and-error typing of keyboard letters alone can reveal the answer to the riddle. Moreover, due to a limited variety of items on which to apply problem-solving skills, boredom can quickly inhibit the user's motivation to think critically.     

The role of risk perception in explaining parental sunscreen use

Objective: This study assessed: (1) whether risk perceptions about skin cancer were related to parent's use of sunscreen on their children; (2) which combination of assessments susceptibility and severity best explain parental sunscreen protection behaviours and (3) whether risk perceptions influence behaviour directly through intentions or through attitudes, subjective norms and self-efficacy.

Design: Two longitudinal studies assessed sunscreen protection behaviours of parents for their toddlers (N?=?391) and young children (N?=?436).

Main outcome measure: Parent's use of sunscreen on their children.

Results: Risk perceptions correlated with future sunscreen protection behaviours of parents but were lower than those of attitude, social influence and self-efficacy. Treating susceptibility and severity as an additive function resulted in the best model fit. Risk perceptions were related with future intention and future sunscreen protection behaviour, but the effects were mediated through attitude, social influence and self-efficacy.

Conclusions: Our path analyses suggest treating susceptibility and severity as an additive function. A multiplicative model without main effects – although often used – had the poorest fit. Risk perceptions influence behaviour by influencing attitudinal and self-efficacy beliefs. Addressing risk perceptions in health communication programs is relevant when the purpose is to increase awareness and to influence attitudes and self-efficacy.     

Biotechnology and legitimacy

Contested Technology: Ethics, Risk and Public Debate, edited by Rene von Schomberg, Tilburg: International Centre for Human and Public Affairs, 1995, £19/$29 pb.     

MEGA♪: An Ecological Risk Assessment Tool of Risk and Protective Factors for Assessing Sexually Abusive Children and Adolescents

MEGA^? is a comprehensive, ecologically framed, structured risk assessment tool for assessing sexually abusive behavior, coarse sexual improprieties, or both in all youth under 19 years, including male and female adjudicated and nonadjudicated youth, children under 12, and youth with low intellectual functioning. MEGA^?, or Multiplex Empirically Guided Inventory of Ecological Aggregates for Assessing Sexually Abusive Adolescents and Children (Ages 19 and Under; Miccio-Fonseca, 2006b Miccio-Fonseca, L. C. 2006b. Multiplex Empirically Guided Inventory of Ecological Aggregates for Assessing Sexually Abusive Children and Adolescents (Ages 19 and Under)—MEGA^?, San Diego, CA: Author.  [Google Scholar]) is composed of 7 aggregates and 4 distinct risk scales: (a) Risk Scale, (b) Protective Risk Scale, (c) Estrangement Risk Scale, and (d) Persistent Sexual Deviancy Scale. Discussed are the internal consistency findings on a sample of 1,184 (979 males and 205 females). MEGA^?'s Risk and Protective Risk Scales are discussed in depth.     

Breast cancer risk analysis: A genetic epidemiology service for families

Breast Cancer Risk Analysis, a service for women with breast cancer and their families, makes use of information drawn from fields such as genetics, epidemiology, and counseling. Its aim is to provide individuals with background information and information regarding the etiology and risks of breast cancer. Based on this information, individuals are helped to make appropriate decisions pertaining to treatment and follow-up. While making use of some of the information and processes used in genetic counseling, Breast Cancer Risk Analysis differs from most types of genetic counseling for reproductive decisions. Some of these differences are discussed here.     

Structure of the Dospert: Is There Evidence for a General Risk Factor?

The Domain‐specific Risk‐taking scale was designed to assess risk taking in specific domains. This approach is unconventional in personality assessment but reflects conventional wisdom in the decision community that cross‐situational consistency in risk taking is more myth than reality. We applied bifactor analysis to a large sample (n = 921) of responses to the Domain‐specific Risk Taking. Results showed that, in addition to domain‐specific facets, there does appear to be evidence for a general risk‐taking disposition. And this general appetite for risk appears to be useful for predicting real‐world outcomes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Brief Book,Software and Test Announcements

The psychometric characteristics of Carver and White's (1994) BIS/BAS scales were examined in 2 groups of Dutch adolescents (497 early adolescents and 237 middle adolescents, M _Age = 13.0 years and 16.4 years, respectively) and their middle-aged mothers (M _Age = 45.2 years; N = 734). Confirmatory factor analyses revealed an acceptably fitting 2-factor model for adapted BIS /BAS scales in all 3 groups, reflecting separate BIS and BAS factors. Reliabilities of the 2 scales were satisfactory. The results supported the convergent validity of BIS and BAS scales. BIS was positively correlated with internalizing problem behaviors and neuroticism. BAS was positively correlated with externalizing problem behaviors and extraversion. The discriminant validity of the BIS/BAS scales received mixed support in our data. BIS was negatively correlated with extraversion, and BAS was not correlated with depression. However, BIS was also found to be correlated with externalizing problem behaviors, and BAS was positively correlated with neuroticism. In sum, the scales are suitable for use in research settings, but caution is advocated in application for clinical practice.     

Book Reviews

Books reviewed: Rose McDermott, Risk-Taking in International Politics Yaacov Y. I. Vertzberger, Risk Taking and Decisionmaking: Foreign Military Intervention Decisions Meredith W. Watts, Xenophobia in United Germany: Generations, Modernization, and Ideology Tom R. Tyler, Robert J. Boeckman, Heather J. Smith, and Yuen J. Huo, Social Justice in a Diverse Society Fritz Redlich, Hitler: Diagnosis of a Destructive Prophet Alexander L. George and Juliette L. George (eds.), Presidential Personality and Performance Norman N. Nie, Jane Junn, and Kenneth Stehlik-Barry, Education and Democratic Citizenship in America Arthur Lupia and Mathew D. McCubbins, The Democratic Dilemma: Can Citizens Learn What They Need to Know?