Kinetics of formation of interfaces between immiscible polymers

The kinetics of the formation of the interfacial width between immiscible polymer pairs are studied using neutron reflectivity. Bilayers of deuterated polystyrene (d-PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) of high molecular weight are used. The time dependence of the formation of the interface in both cases where the thickness of the top d-PS layer is thin (less than 200 Å) and thick (greater than 1000 Å) is investigated. Following an initial rapid increase, a logarithmic dependence of the interfacial width on time is observed. We interpret this result as arising from the slow equilibration of long-wavelength capillary-wave fluctuations; comparison of our results with theory yields a value of the interfacial tension in good agreement with the self-consistent field theory prediction.     

Real relationship,working alliance,transference/countertransference and outcome in time-limited counseling and psychotherapy

Six client/therapist dyads (three therapists each working with two clients) were studied to determine how the real relationship unfolds over the course of time-limited treatment and how this unfolding relates to the development of the client/therapist working alliance, client transference, and therapist countertransference. We also examined how these indices of the relationship fluctuate as a function of treatment outcome. Results indicate that in general for all six dyads, therapists’ and clients’ ratings of the real relationship and working alliance were strong throughout treatment. However, patterns of real relationship and working alliance over the course of treatment varied between dyads categorized as more vs. less successful. Therapists’ countertransference was low, as was client transference, but differences in ratings were evident when the dyads were classified by outcome.     

Dichotomous perception of animal categories in infancy

ABSTRACT

Although there is a wealth of knowledge on categorization early in life, there are still many unanswered questions about the nature of category representation in infancy. For example, it is unclear whether infants are sensitive to boundaries between complex categories, such as types of animals, or whether young infants exhibit such sensitivity without explicit experience in the lab. Using a morphing technique, we linearly altered the category composition of images and measured 6.5-month-olds’ attention to pairs of animal faces that either did or did not cross the categorical boundary, with the stimuli in each pair being equally dissimilar from one another across the two types of image pairs. Results indicated that infants dichotomize the continua between cats and dogs and between cows and otters, but only when the images are presented in their canonical, upright orientations. These findings demonstrate a propensity to dichotomize early in life that could have implications for social categorizations, such as race and gender.     

Explaining Black–White differences in homicide victimization

In recent decades, homicide has so truncated life expectancy in the United States that homicide victimization should be considered a public-health problem worthy of addressing via preventive programs and policies. Evidence in the literature roots homicide victimization deep within the social structure, in problematic social inequalities and disadvantages. The evidence suggests homicide victimization is associated with six demographic, social, and lifestyle factors: being male, African-American, young, of low socioeconomic status, without adequate social support, and mentally ill or a substance user. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, this paper outlines theoretical mechanisms leading to racial differences in homicide victimization. It hypothesizes that Black Americans (a) are likelier than Whites to become homicide victims and, if victimized, (b) are likelier to be younger than victimized Whites. To understand these racial differences, the paper examines whether and how multiple disadvantages—at both the macro and micro level—operate against Blacks disproportionately. The paper concludes by noting further research needs and policy implications.     

Age-Related Deficits in Face Recognition are Related to Underlying Changes in Scanning Behavior

ABSTRACT

Previous studies demonstrating age-related impairments in recognition memory for faces are suggestive of underlying differences in face processing. To study these differences, we monitored eye movements while younger and older adults viewed younger and older faces. Compared to the younger group, older adults showed increased sampling of facial features, and more transitions. However, their scanning behavior was most similar to the younger group when looking at older faces. Moreover, while older adults exhibited worse recognition memory than younger adults overall, their memory was more accurate for older faces. These findings suggest that age-related differences in recognition memory for faces may be related to changes in scanning behavior, and that older adults may use social group status as a compensatory processing strategy.     

A Review of the Nurtured Heart Approach to Parenting: Evaluation of its Theoretical and Empirical Foundations

The Nurtured Heart Approach to parenting (NHA; Glasser & Easley, 2008) is summarized and evaluated in terms of its alignment with current theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence in family studies and developmental science. Originally conceived and promoted as a behavior management approach for parents of difficult children (i.e., with behavior disorders), NHA is increasingly offered as a valuable strategy for parents of any children, despite a lack of published empirical support. Parents using NHA are trained to minimize attention to undesired behaviors, provide positive attention and praise for compliance with rules, help children be successful by scaffolding and shaping desired behavior, and establish a set of clear rules and consequences. Many elements of the approach have strong support in the theoretical and empirical literature; however, some of the assumptions are more questionable, such as that negative child behavior can always be attributed to unintentional positive reinforcement by parents responding with negative attention. On balance, NHA appears to promote effective and validated parenting practices, but its effectiveness now needs to be tested empirically.     

Competition and sensemaking in ethical situations

Competition was examined in relation to ethicality. The effect of a competitor being an in‐group vs. out‐group member, the competitor offering uncorroborated or corroborated information, and the impact of the competitor goals were examined. The findings suggest that the way competition is presented has an important influence on how individuals make sense of an ethically ambiguous situation and make ethical decisions. A main effect was found, such that when a competitor offered uncorroborated information, participants made less ethical decisions and used pro‐ethical reasoning strategies less often. An additional main effect was found suggesting that participants made more ethical decisions when working with an in‐group competitor rather than an out‐group competitor. Complex interactive effects were also found and discussed.     

Limited space or space within limits

This paper has arisen out of the understandings gained following the in-patient treatment of a severely disturbed and self-damaging young woman with a borderline personality disorder. The phenomenon of projective identification is considered in terms of its capacity affectively to control apparently separate and independent professional structures within a hospital setting so that an entire institution may become mobilised into reflecting and acting out one patient's internal world. This phenomenon is illustrated using examples from the patient's own art-work and by clinical vignettes which aim to highlight the destructively regressive processes which occurred. One of the greatest difficulties was found to be the seemingly inevitable loss of boundaries between self and object; between intrapsychic and interpersonal; between staff-member and patient. Consequently some thoughts are offered concerning the need for structures, practical and theoretical, which can be utilised to help recognise and understand the enormously complex and diverse events which such a situation so often engenders.