Precocious conservation in context: The solution of quantity tasks by nonquantitative strategies

C. Sinha and B. Carabine's (1981, Journal of Child Language, 8, 109–129) claim of a U-shaped course to the development of quantitative knowledge with an early stage of conservation based on functional significance was tested in two experiments. Children at three age groups from 3 to 6 years were presented with the original procedure or control versions in which the display was slightly altered. Results showed that although Sinha and Carabine's result was replicable, their interpretation is unwarranted. Performance in the younger groups was best interpreted as the use of nonquantitative possession or position strategies.     

Aristotle's thesis in consistent and inconsistent logics

A typical theorem of conaexive logics is Aristotle's Thesis(A), (AA).A cannot be added to classical logic without producing a trivial (Post-inconsistent) logic, so connexive logics typically give up one or more of the classical properties of conjunction, e.g.(A & B)A, and are thereby able to achieve not only nontriviality, but also (negation) consistency. To date, semantical modellings forA have been unintuitive. One task of this paper is to give a more intuitive modelling forA in consistent logics. In addition, while inconsistent but nontrivial theories, and inconsistent nontrivial logics employing prepositional constants (for which the rule of uniform substitution US fails), have both been studied extensively within the paraconsistent programme, inconsistent nontrivial logics (closed under US) do not seem to have been. This paper gives sufficient conditions for a logic containingA to be inconsistent, and then shows that there is a class of inconsistent nontrivial logics all containingA. A second semantical modelling forA in such logics is given. Finally, some informal remarks about the kind of modellingA seems to require are made.     

Personality characteristics of fetishists, transvestites and sadomasochists

Many theorists have suggested that sexual deviates adopt impersonal outlets because of difficulties in social interaction, particularly with adult members of the opposite sex. In order to investigate the personality and mental health of non-clinical fetishists, transvestites and sadomasochists, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire was distributed to the members of clubs catering to these predilections. Completed questionnaires were obtained from 125 fetishists (mainly rubber and leather), 285 transvestites and transsexuals, and 133 sadomasochists. Comparison of personality scores with male controls revealed that these groups of men are relatively introverted, neurotic and slightly higher on psychoticism. However, their levels of neuroticism and psychoticism were not so high as to be comparable with clinical samples of neurotics, psychotics or even patients with sex problems. Analysis of individual items in the EPQ showed that the deviant groups were more shy, lonely, sensitive and depressed than controls and were less likely to enjoy telling jokes, all of which suggests some difficulty with social skills. Other questions concerning their social background and upbringing revealed that the deviant groups were more likely to be without a steady partner, to have perceived their upbringing as restrictive and to have disliked their mother. However, it was not possible to implicate the experience of corporal punishment in childhood with any of these sexual preferences.     

Short-term memory models for choice behavior

In this paper we consider the effect of imposing memory restrictions on the accumulator and random-walk models of choice behavior outlined by Audley (Psychological Review, 1960, 67, 1–15). Specifically, it is assumed that subjects apply criteria to the numbers of impulses received, and that if the criteria are not satisfied by the time w impulses have been received, then thereafter the criteria are only applied to w impulses, which could, for example, be the last w impulses received. Exact and approximate mathematical approaches and simulation techniques are presented in detail. The results obtained demonstrate that both the restricted accumulator and the restricted random-walk models can make qualitative predictions in line with much recent data.     

Nursing considered as moral practice: a philosophical-ethical interpretation of nursing

Discussions of ethical approaches in nursing have been much enlivened in recent years, for instance by new developments in the theory of care. Nevertheless, many ethical concepts in nursing still need to be clarified. The purpose of this contribution is to develop a fundamental ethical view on nursing care considered as moral practice. Three main components are analyzed more deeply -- i.e., the caring relationship, caring behavior as the integration of virtue and expert activity, and "good care" as the ultimate goal of nursing practice. For the development of this philosophical-ethical interpretation of nursing, we have mainly drawn on the pioneering work of Anne Bishop and John Scudder, Alasdair MacIntyre, Lawrence Blum, and Louis Janssens. We will also show that the European philosophical background offers some original ideas for this endeavor.     

Modernity and Identity: Themes and Perspectives in the Study of Older Adults

Developments in social gerontology have led to an increased awareness of the relationship between political economy, culture, and personal narrative as influences on social identity in later life. Central to this debate has been a growing interest in lifestyle choice as evidence of a change from modern to postmodern forms of aging. A key component of this process has been the erosion of a predictable framework for an aging identity, previously supplied by the welfare state. It is argued that, alongside the emergence of no-care zones in health and welfare, postmodern ideas on consumerism and the body have led to an assault on identity in old age. As a result, we may be seeing the emergence of no-identity zones which fail to sustain an authentic framework for supporting experiences in old age. A critical gerontology should include the study of identity as central to understanding the disjunction between aging from within and aging within society.     

Effects of Severity of Accident,Intent, and “Alcoholism is a Disease” Excuse on Judgments of a Drunk Driver1

One hundred fifty-five women and 122 men read scenarios of an accident caused by a male drunk driver. The severity of the accident was either high (death) or low (monetary damage). In addition, the driver either expressed or denied intent (he admitted or denied knowing he was drunk before deciding to drive) and the driver either accepted responsibility for the accident or used the excuse that alcoholism is a disease beyond his control. On trait ratings, the driver was evaluated as being more reckless and as feeling greater emotion when the accident was severe. The driver who used the “alcoholism is a disease” excuse was evaluated as being less sincere and more reckless than the driver who accepted responsibility for the accident. On attributional ratings, the driver was rated as deserving greater punishment when the accident was severe. On sanctions, only severity of the accident influenced recommended fines and prison sentences for the driver. This study was consistent with previous research showing that recommended punishment for a drunk driver who caused an accident is primarily a function of accident severity.