Characterizing the manifest probabilities of latent trait models

The problem of characterizing the manifest probabilities of a latent trait model is considered. The item characteristic curve is transformed to the item passing-odds curve and a corresponding transformation is made on the distribution of ability. This results in a useful expression for the manifest probabilities of any latent trait model. The result is then applied to give a characterization of the Rasch model as a log-linear model for a 2 ^J -contingency table. Partial results are also obtained for other models. The question of the identifiability of “guessing” parameters is also discussed. The research reported here is collaborative in every respect and the order of authorship is alphabetical. Dr. Cressie was a Visiting Research Scientist at ETS during the Fall of 1980. His current address is: School of Mathematical Sciences, The Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park SA, 5042, AUSTRALIA. The preparation of this paper was supported, in part, by the Program Statistics Research Project in the Research Statistics Group at ETS.     

Effects of sexual versus fear arousal on alcohol consumption in college males

To compare the effects of pleasant and aversive arousal on alcohol consumption, 18 male undergraduates had three weekly sessions to separately view erotic, mutilation or neutral slides in a simulated memory experiment. Following exposure to the slides, they received access to alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, which were presented to half the subjects in a taste rating task, and to half as the result of engaging in an operant lever-press task. Subjects believed these tasks to be distractors during a purported retention interval. Self-report instruments and basal skin conductance confirmed the success of the affective manipulations. However, only the subjects using the taste task after viewing erotic slides significantly increased alcohol consumption. These results question a tension reduction model of drinking and qualify the contribution of autonomic arousal to motivation for drinking.     

Perceptions of Registered Nurses/Midwives and Obstetricians on Having Males as Expectant Fathers Present in the Delivery Room at Public Hospitals in Trinidad and Tobago: Implications for Women and Their Partners

This study explored the perspectives of obstetricians and registered nurses/midwives on the presence of expectant fathers in the delivery room with a view to understanding the implications for the mother as well as the expectant father. A qualitative research design using a phenomenological approach to understand the nuances and challenges that affect the perceptions and attitudes of obstetricians and registered nurses/midwives on the research issue. Five focus group discussions and five key informant interviews were the data collection strategies. Data were coded openly then combined to form themes which were utilized as the framework for data analysis. Three major themes emerged in the findings which included potential benefits to the mother, potential benefits to the father and potential benefits to the relationship. Generally, obstetricians and registered nurses/midwives held positive views about their presence in the delivery suite. This was related to the perceived positive impact that he could have on the woman during the inter-natal and post-natal periods as well as the quality of the relationship. By extension, their presence could have positive long term benefits on the quality of the relationship. The presence of expectant fathers in the delivery room could have a positive impact on the delivery experience for mothers, fathers and the long term relationship. The findings could provide a framework for other studies including a prospective study on the long term implications for the presence of expectant fathers in the delivery room.     

Exploring Heteronormativity in the Public Discourse of Jamaican Legislators

In Jamaica the public discourse on homosexuality is voluminous, however little or no empirical research or suitably detached policy-oriented discussion is in evidence. This multidisciplinary qualitative paper uses the content analysis of publicly available information to explore the posture of key public-policy actors on homosexuals and homosexuality. The observable implications of the findings for society and the rights of homosexuals are articulated. The paper concludes that this discourse evinces a settled heteronormative value system, reflecting a consensus on either side of the political divide and applauded by popular culture and popular opinion. At a time when most of the western world is embracing sexual diversity, these conclusions carry profound implications for legal reform, employment relations, social justice and public policy in Jamaica.     

Tourette's syndrome—case report and contribution to the Prata/Masson-Nunn controversy

The conflicting views on Tourette's syndrome (TS) and its management in children put forward in the November 1985 issue of Journal of Family Therapy (Nunn, 1985; Prata & Masson, 1985) and the Editorial in the same issue prompt us to report a case. A twelve-year-old boy with TS managed on interactional lines snowed changes more modest than those achieved by Prata and Masson, and we address some of the issues raised by Nunn in his critique of their paper.     

Effect of an audience on learning a novel motor skill

The purpose of this study was to assess effects of an audience on learning a novel motor skill. Subjects (N=64) were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions and administered 15 30-sec. trials with 30 sec. intertrial periods on a pursuit rotor task on two different days. Comparison of Time-on Target performance between conditions indicated that the No Audience condition had significantly higher performance than the Audience condition in Session 1. Comparison of Absolute Retention and Final Retention scores among the four experimental conditions in Session 2 after 48 hr. yielded no significant differences attributable to the presence of an audience, thus supporting the hypothesis that an audience would have no effect on learning.