The Measurement of Cognitive Complexity and Its Relationship With Political Extremism

Three studies tested the relationship between political extremism and cognitive complexity in an adult sample (N = 135), a sample of students (N = 145), and a sample of political party members (N = 47). According to value pluralism theory, advocates of extreme ideologies exhibit low levels of cognitive complexity. Context theory, in contrast, states that extremists think in a more complex and sophisticated way about politics. In accordance with context theory, significant positive correlations between cognitive complexity and extremist ideology were found in all samples. The results of these studies also revealed weak correlations among the cognitive complexity instruments used in previous research. Problems concerning the measurement of cognitive style and cognitive complexity are discussed.     

Henri Hubert,racial science and political myth

Henri Hubert developed early Durkheimian critiques of racial sciences such as an throposociology from his perspective as an archeologist, historian, and ethnographer of primitive European religions. His major works on the “primitive” Celts and Germans continue these critiques of racism. But Hubert also engaged in the political mythologizing of French national identity by trading in the republican myth of “celtisme.”     

Explaining in conversation: Towards an argument model

We examine the proposition that, in ordinary conversation, people are concerned to argue — to justify their claims and to counter potential and actual counter claims. We test out the proposition by analysing explanations in one particular conversation. We attend to the validity claims of what the speakers say, and to the authority with which they say it. Viewed in that light, we find that the majority of what might look like causal attributions turn out to look like argumentative claim-backings. We then go on to flesh out the quasi-pragmatic rules which might help to decide formally whether any given utterance is be er understood as an argument or a causal explanation. These rules revolve around the speaker's apparent intention and the projected relationship between the clauses in what she or he says. All of this takes us a fair way from attribution theory's model of explanation as the reporting of a cause, and we end up with an argumentative model of ordinary explanation.     

A Survey of Management Selection Practices in Greece

The results of a study of managerial recruitment and selection methods in Greece are presented. Forty-eight organizations responded to the postal survey. Questionnaires addressed the frequency of use of different methods and attitudes towards their use. Greek firms tend to use intuitive and subjective methods, such as interviews, curriculum vitae and personal recommendations. Interviews are considered the most valid predictors of future job performance followed by written examinations and psychological tests, while application forms followed by references and personal recommendations are viewed as the least valid.     

Contingency management of self-report and cleaning behavior

The effects of a contingency management program utilizing a reinforcing event (breakfast) were investigated in respect to cabin-cleaning and self-report behaviors in a group of nine male campers, ranging in age from 11 to 13. Control of cabin-cleaning behavior was clearly demonstrated. The large discrepancy between camper self-ratings and counselor ratings disappeared when the opportunity to line up for breakfast was made contingent upon both accuracy of self-report and improved cleaning performance.     

Whatever happened to the group in social psychology?

For a decade following World War II social psychologists tended to view the individual as an element in a larger system. Research on small groups prospered, and attitudes and social perceptions were conceived to be antecedents and consequences of group activity. But by the 1960's social psychology had become much more individualistic. Interest in the group as a system had waned and research was generally focused on intraindividual events or processes that mediate responses to social situations. We now appear to be passing through a period of transition during which both the content and methodology of past research are being re-evaluated, and from which new trends are likely to emerge.Possible explanations of the changing orientation of social psychology are discussed, and predictions are advanced concerning future developments. It is suggested that social psychologists are responsive to the mood of the times, and that recent social and political unheavals presage a revival of the collectivistic approach.     

The family check-up: a pilot study of a brief intervention to improve family functioning in adults

Many barriers exist for families seeking appropriate treatment for family problems. In an effort to minimize some of these barriers, we developed the Family Check-Up, a brief two-session family intervention. The Family Check-Up is based on the Drinker's Check-Up and consists of assessment, feedback, discussion, and goal setting. The purpose of the intervention is to help families identify and become motivated to make needed changes in any aspect of their family functioning. We conducted an open pilot trial of the Family Check-Up with 32 families. Our data suggest that the Family Check-Up (1) is sought out by the target audience, namely those with family problems; (2) is sought out by people with elevated depression symptoms or a history of treatment for depression or anxiety; (3) is feasible to conduct; (4) is acceptable to families; and (5) may be associated with changes in family functioning and depression symptoms over time. These results suggest that further research, particularly a randomized clinical trial, is warranted.