Abstract argumentation and explanation applied to scientific debates

Abstract argumentation has been shown to be a powerful tool within many fields such as artificial intelligence, logic and legal reasoning. In this paper we enhance Dung’s well-known abstract argumentation framework with explanatory capabilities. We show that an explanatory argumentation framework (EAF) obtained in this way is a useful tool for the modeling of scientific debates. On the one hand, EAFs allow for the representation of explanatory and justificatory arguments constituting rivaling scientific views. On the other hand, different procedures for selecting arguments, corresponding to different methodological and epistemic requirements of theory evaluation, can be formulated in view of our framework.     

An Inconsistency-Adaptive Deontic Logic for Normative Conflicts

We present the inconsistency-adaptive deontic logic DP ^r , a nonmonotonic logic for dealing with conflicts between normative statements. On the one hand, this logic does not lead to explosion in view of normative conflicts such as O A?∧?O ～A, O A?∧?P ～A or even O A?∧?～O A. On the other hand, DP ^r still verifies all intuitively reliable inferences valid in Standard Deontic Logic (SDL). DP ^r interprets a given premise set ‘as normally as possible’ with respect to SDL. Whereas some SDL-rules are verified unconditionally by DP ^r , others are verified conditionally. The latter are applicable unless they rely on formulas that turn out to behave inconsistently in view of the premises. This dynamic process is mirrored by the proof theory of DP ^r .     

Kuhn and the Question of Pursuit Worthiness

The aim of this paper is, on the one hand, to critically investigate Kuhn’s stance on the assessment of the pursuit worthiness of scientific theories, and, on the other hand, to show the actuality of some of Kuhn’s points on this issue, in view of their critical analysis. To this end we show that Kuhn presents certain tools, which may help scientists to overcome communication breakdowns when engaging in the process of rational deliberation regarding the question whether a theory is worthy of further pursuit. These tools are persuasion, translation and interpretation. However, we argue that the perspective of epistemic semantic monism present in Kuhn’s work obstructs the full applicability of these tools. We show that dropping this perspective makes the notions of persuasion and interpretation more fruitful, and moreover, allows for a pluralism of scientific theories and practices that complements the pluralism based on disagreement among scientists, emphasized by Kuhn.     

Ambulante manualisierte Verhaltenstherapie bei Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a serious illness leading to high morbidity and mortality. Its treatment poses a particular challenge to psychotherapists offering outpatient treatment. Often therapists follow or work according to a treatment manual. Supervision in the treatment of anorexia nervosa patients intends to promote quality assurance as well as to foster therapists’ mental hygiene. It offers the opportunity to collect plenty of practical experiences. Some of these will be presented here to provide suggestions and support to therapists working with anorexia nervosa patients. Certain treatment modules of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) such as motivation, eating behavior, case formulation and relapse prevention will be considered. Regarding the therapist-patient relationship ambivalent relation shaping and motivational interviewing will be targeted.     

Prévention du suicide de la personne âgée : la place des interventions communautaires

Although elders’ social isolation has been a topic of interest for public policies in the recent years, its prevention, specifically in relation to suicide prevention, has not stimulated the interest of researchers, yet. This paper present the results from a literature review aiming to identify the actions in elders’ suicide prevention. From the 425 initial papers identified on elders’ suicide prevention, only 57 describe “actions” in suicide prevention, 47 of which are actions targeting individuals, with psychological, psychiatric or psychotherapeutic interventions. Only eight researches integrate the social environment as a facilitator for suicide prevention. We discuss the particularity of this field, the limits of an individual-centred approach, and the interests of community, integrative interventions.     

Counterfactual closeness and predicted affect

Empirical research on counterfactual thinking has found a closeness effect: people report higher negative affect if an actual outcome is close to a better counterfactual outcome. However, it remains unclear what actually is a “close” miss. In three experiments that manipulate close counterfactuals, closeness effects were found only when closeness was unambiguously defined either with respect to a contrasted alternative, or with respect to a categorical boundary. In a real task people failed to report greater negative affect when encountering a close numerical miss, while they predicted greater negative affect hypothetically. These results show that counterfactual closeness effects on affect depend on closeness being accessible and unambiguously defined.     

The use of indigenous interviewers in a study of latino men who have sex with men: A research note

The use of indigenous researchers has long been practiced in ethnographic research; a similar use of indigenous personnel has not been as commonly undertaken in interview studies of men who have sex with men (MSM). This research note reports on the use of indigenous interviewers in a study of Latino MSM’s perceptions about sexual relationships and behaviors. The full study explores sexual relationships among Latino MSM, and HIV risk behaviors undertaken by a population of MSM residing in a community in southern California. This research note describes both the strengths and limitations that arise from employing indigenous interviewers for improving the overall quality of sensitive data. Benefits discussed include improved access to an otherwise highly restricted group, enhanced rapport-building capabilities, and greater understanding of language unique to the study population. Limitations discussed include the use of previously untrained interview personnel and age and gender issues.     

The Relationship Between Employees’ Objective Internal and External Pay Standing and Their Job Performance: A Within-Person Analysis

Purpose

Researchers have paid little attention to the relationship between employees’ objective internal and external pay standing and their job performance. Moreover, few studies have considered that employees’ objective pay standing is dynamic; that is, it changes over time. In this study, we analyze the relationship between changes in employees’ objective internal and external pay standing and their job performance.

Design/Methodology/Approach

We test the hypotheses using data for players in the National Basketball Association over a period of 12 seasons (n = 4830).

Findings

Decreases in employees’ objective internal and external pay standing are negatively related to their task performance. Furthermore, decreases in employees’ objective internal pay standing, but not in their external pay standing, are negatively related to their contextual performance.

Implications

Analyzing the relationship between changes in employees’ objective internal and external pay standing and their job performance adds to our understanding of the individual-level consequences of pay dispersion.

Originality/Value

This is one of the first studies to analyze the relationship between employees’ objective internal and external pay standing and their job performance. Moreover, this is one of the first studies that considers that employees’ objective internal and external pay standing changes, for example, because the external and internal labor markets change. The study contributes to research on employee compensation and salary, and to research on pay disparities.