Level of stress and sleep duration

30 subjects kept daily diaries of sleep-duration and stress levels for 4 mo. From these data, it was determined that during periods of high stress, sleep was reduced by about one standard deviation while during periods of low stress, sleep increased by about one-half a standard deviation. The relationship of these results to the relevant sleep-stress literature was briefly discussed.     

The Social Capital of Blacks and Whites: Differing Effects of the Mass Media in the United States

This study relied on telephone survey interviews of adults in two U.S. metropolitan areas to examine whether the relationship between mass media use and social capital varies according to ethnicity. A multigroup approach taken with structural equation modeling validates a four‐factor model of social capital for Blacks and Whites and then, with the implementation of a comprehensive model that also includes mass media inputs, tests for structural variance between the ethnic groups. A well‐fitting comprehensive model is achieved, with significant differences between Blacks and Whites in terms of the mass media use structures. In support of the two hypotheses, the relationship between news use and social capital is less positive for Blacks than for Whites and the relationship between entertainment TV viewing and social capital is more negative for Blacks than for Whites. These findings are discussed in terms of literature involving mass media effects on social capital, news coverage of ethnic groups, and ethnic differences in self‐conceptualization and media responses.     

Moral Hedging and Responding to Reasons

In this paper, I argue that the fetishism objection to moral hedging fails. The objection rests on a reasons‐responsiveness account of moral worth, according to which an action has moral worth only if the agent is responsive to moral reasons. However, by adopting a plausible theory of non‐ideal moral reasons, one can endorse a reasons‐responsiveness account of moral worth while maintaining that moral hedging is sometimes an appropriate response to moral uncertainty. Thus, the theory of moral worth upon which the fetishism objection relies does not, in fact, support that objection.     

Effects of sad mood on time-based prospective memory

Very little is known about the influence of emotional factors on prospective memory (PM) performance. We used a mood induction (neutral or sad) to examine the effects of sad mood on time-based PM performance. Based on Ellis and Ashbrook's (1988) resource allocation model, we hypothesised an adverse effect of sad mood on PM performance. Results revealed that participants who responded to the sad mood induction procedure showed reduced PM performance that mainly resulted from a decreased timeliness of PM responses, but only in the first half of the task. Mood effects on PM could be explained in terms of reduced and less accurate monitoring. Implications for concepts of PM and the assessment of emotional after-effects are discussed.     

The mediated learning experience (MLE) in a three generational perspective

Previous research has shown that mediated learning experience (MLE) strategies are important for the development of cognitive skills. Theoretically, grandparents have a significant role in the intergenerational transmission of MLE strategies. The purpose of this study is to investigate the resemblances and unique characteristics of mothers' and grandmothers' MLE strategies. A sample of 52 Israeli families composed of mother–child and maternal grandmother–child dyads were videotaped at home in two conditions: free play and structured (the same child was observed in each dyad). The interactions were analysed using the observation of mediated interaction (OMI). Higher levels of MLE strategies were found during free play than in the structured condition. Positive correlations between grandmothers' and mothers' MLE strategies were found under both conditions. However, grandmothers provided a higher level of MLE strategies for intentionality and reciprocity, meaning, and transcendence, but less mediation of regulation of behaviour than mothers. It is concluded that these differences may be the result of either differences in the perceived roles of mothers and grandmothers, or differences in the levels of experience of mothers and grandmothers.