Standard errors of prediction for the vineland adaptive behavior scales

When a scale has been administered to the same person more than once, the question arises whether variation in obtained scores is due to measurement error or whether it reflects actual change in the examinee's functional level. This article offers standard errors of prediction and confidence intervals for the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) that can help in making such decisions where these scales are concerned. The values presented here were derived from the normative data provided in the VABS manuals.     

Group Size and the Trajectory of Religious Identification

The relative size of religious groups or denominations within societies or nations influences variation in the extent to which group members psychologically identify with their religion. National‐level census data measuring the proportional size of religious groups in New Zealand are merged with nationally representative data on self‐reported psychological identification drawn from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study. A multilevel random coefficient model shows a logarithmic function for the relationship between religious group size and average group‐level religious identification. Members of smaller religious groups (less than 1.5 percent of the population) tend to strongly identify with their religion, whereas members of groups that are larger in size (over 6 percent of the population) tend to be less identified, on average. Religious group cohesion may be a dynamic process. Larger religious groups are less cohesive and experience more contested identities and ideological positions (average group identification is lower).     

Modality-Dependent and -Independent Factors in the Organisation of the Signed Language Lexicon: Insights From Semantic and Phonological Fluency Tasks in BSL

We used fluency tasks to investigate lexical organisation in Deaf adults who use British sign language (BSL). The number of responses produced to semantic categories did not differ from reports in spoken languages. However, there was considerable variability in the number of responses across phonological categories, and some signers had difficulty retrieving items. Responses were richly clustered according to semantic and/or phonological properties. With respect to phonology, there was significantly more clustering around the parameters “handshape” and “location” compared to “movement”. We conclude that the BSL lexicon is organised in similar ways to the lexicons of spoken languages, but that lexical retrieval is characterised by strong links between semantics and phonology; movement is less readily retrieved than handshape and location; and phonological fluency is difficult for signers because they have little metaphonological awareness in BSL and because signs do not display the onset salience that characterises spoken words.     

A Longitudinal Study of Forgiveness and Post-Disclosure Experience in Mixed Orientation Couples

Mixed-orientation couples (MOC) are under-represented in the literature. Often when sexual minorities disclose their sexual orientation it is a stressful experience for their spouse who progresses through stages and experiences both negative and supportive responses as they address disclosure-related issues. Participants completed an online survey and then repeated the same process a year later to measure changes in forgiveness and experience. Forgiveness was shown to play a role in how spouses progress through the post-disclosure stages. In addition, forward movement was seen in both forgiveness and stages over the course of one year. Implications for therapy with MOC are discussed.     

Aluminium precipitates in the primary silicon of as-sprayformed hypereutectic aluminium-silicon alloys

Precipitates have been observed in the primary silicon of as-spray-formed hypereutectic aluminium-silicon alloys with and without various alloy additions. The precipitates have been investigated using transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. They are aluminium based and generally adopt a spheroidal morphology, with diameters in the range of approximately 5-10nm, unless located on a stacking fault or grain boundary. Spray forming is a rapid solidification process and precipitation occurs because of the low solid solubility of aluminium in silicon (maximum of 0.016 +/- 0.003at.% at 1190 C). The morphology of the precipitates suggests that they form from aluminium or aluminium-rich liquid. The orientation relationships of several precipitates in one of the primary silicon grains have been determined.     

Enhancing dissemination in selective eating disorders prevention: An investigation of voluntary participation among female university students

Maximising dissemination of efficacious psychological interventions is an important undertaking, particularly in prevention work where the target population may not be seeking help. Consequently, the current study investigated voluntary participation in a selective eating disorder prevention programme by examining predictors of, and evaluating a motivational enhancement approach to, increased participation. Female students studying first-year psychology (N = 124, M_age = 19.30, SD = 1.55) completed baseline measures, were randomised to a motivational or control condition, then presented with a flyer for an eating disorders prevention trial and assessed regarding potential participation. Results showed that interest and likelihood of participation were low overall and lack of time the most commonly endorsed reason. Participants high on weight concerns were more likely to cite the group format of the intervention as a deterrent. A greater belief in the helpfulness of body image programmes and higher personal ineffectiveness were significant predictors of interest in participation. There was no significant difference between those who did and did not undergo the motivational enhancement with respect to interest and likelihood of participation. These findings suggest important avenues for consideration when designing eating disorder prevention efforts relying on voluntary participation, and highlight the importance of evaluating programmes cross-culturally.     

tolerable differences revisited: crossroads in theory on the social construction of deviance

This paper builds on Stebbins' (1996) concept of tolerable differences, an underused tool for analysis of deviant activities and lifestyles that tend not to elicit the kind of collective condemnation traditionally reserved for serious moral and legal transgressions. Our analysis centers on two case studies of criminal tolerable deviance in Canada, the widespread use of marijuana for recreational purposes and the illegal ticket scalping trade. Whereas the former has inspired a vast body of literature, the latter has been thus far overlooked by sociologists. Consideration of the two together, in terms of Stebbins' framework, betters our understanding of the social construction of these practices, further developing theory and research on deviance more generally.     

Family therapy with adolescent offenders: A collaborative treatment strategy

Abstract

An intervention strategy is presented which can be used with families of adolescents who continue breaking the law despite improvement of family functioning during therapy. The strategy emphasizes collaboration between the therapist and juvenile justice system in stopping the child's law-breaking behavior in the shortest amount of time. The treatment strategy is suggested as a specific intervention to be used only when conventional family therapy strategies have failed to promote the cessation of the adolescent's law-breaking behavior. As such, it is suggested as a strategy to be used in conjunction with family therapy rather than as a comprehensive treatment approach in itself.