Understanding indirect requests for information in high-functioning autism

Cognitive Processing - Few works have addressed the processing of indirect requests in High-Functioning Autism (HFA), and results are conflicting. Some studies report HFA individuals’...     

Contrast and spatial frequency components in visual preferences of newborns

A preferential-looking procedure was used to investigate newborns' responses to square-wave gratings varying in spatial frequency and contrast. A preliminary study confirmed that the gratings used in the experiment were suprathreshold. In the experiment newborns' preference for a grating of 0.1 cycle deg-1 within the peak contrast sensitivity range was examined. Reduction in the contrast of this grating led to a transfer of the preference to a high-contrast grating of the same space-averaged luminance with a spatial frequency outside this range (0.42 cycle deg-1). The findings are discussed with reference to the role of the contrast sensitivity function in pattern preferences of newborns: it is suggested that contrast and spatial frequency interact in determining pattern preferences.     

2001 Division 35 Presidential Address: Context Matters: Understanding Tokenism Processes and their Impact on Women's Work

Research on tokenism processes is reviewed and coalesces around two conclusions. First, gender constructs different social contexts for token women and for token men. Second, gender is most usefully conceptualized as a status variable, not something internal to the individual. Gender serves as a status marker such that women's subordinated status intersects with other indicators of status, such as race/ethnicity, and token difference to produce negative and variable outcomes for women not experienced by similarly underrepresented men. Thus, reducing negative tokenism outcomes, most notably unfavorable social atmosphere and disrupted colleagueship, can be done effectively only by taking gender status and stereotyping into consideration. These findings have applied implications for women's full inclusion in male-dominated occupations.     

"Outsider Within" the Firehouse: African American and White Women Firefighters

Prior findings regarding (a) the subordination of African American women firefighters through imposed exclusion, (b) expanded definitions of tokenism and workgroup composition, and (c) the omnirelevance of race/ethnicity in Black women's perceptions of work experiences are extended to White women firefighters. A nationwide sample of 24 White women firefighters completed a 20-page survey and 1 hr interview developed from these previous findings. Both groups experienced insufficient instruction, hostility, silence, hyper-supervision, lack of support, and stereotyping and supportive as well as strained relationships with coworkers. Specific enactments of these global commonalties often varied along racial/ethnic lines. The present data, which start with the experiences of Black women then examine the experiences of White women, model an important methodological approach for understanding difference.     

Book reviews

Lipsitt, L. P. and Rove-Collier, C. K. (Eds.). Advances in infancy research. Volume 2. New York: Ablex Publishing Corporation. 1983. Pp. xxix + 314. ISBN 0-89391-113-5. £40.40.

Mollon, J. D. and Sharpe, J. T. (Eds.). Colour vision physiology and psychophysics. London: Academic Press. 1983.

Solan, L. pronominal reference: Child language and the theory of gram- mar. Dordreht: Reidel. 1983. Pp xii +237. ISBN 90-277-1495-9. £26.40.

Atkinson, Martin. Explanations in the study of child language development. Cambridge Studies in Linguistics: 35. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Pp. 289. ISBN 0-521-25593-3 (Paperback). £7.50. ISBN 0-521-24302-5 (Case).     

Predictors of Improvement in Pediatric Chronic Migraine: Results from the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Amitriptyline Trial

Explore predictors of improvement in headache days and migraine-related disability through a secondary analysis of the cognitive-behavioral therapy plus amitriptyline trial in children and adolescents (Clinical Trials Registration Number: NCT00389038). Participants were 135 youth aged 10–17 years old diagnosed with chronic migraine. Predictor variables included group assignment (treatment or control), baseline scores from depression and quality of life measures, and demographic variables. Criterion variables included headache days and migraine-related disability. Higher baseline depression scores were indicative of more days with headache post-treatment regardless of group assignment. Family income at the higher-end of the low-income range was significantly associated with less migraine-related disability regardless of group assignment (Household Income: HINC-01 in The United States Census Bureau. Bureau, U, 2020). Results from this secondary analysis identify depression symptoms and family income as predictors that can impact headache frequency and migraine-related disability. Self-reported symptoms of depression and family income are important factors to consider as part of the biopsychosocial model of care.

     

Thinking and Modeling at Multiple Levels: The Potential Contribution of Multilevel Modeling to Communication Theory and Research

In this introduction to the special issue on applications of multilevel modeling (MLM) to communication research, we provide a conceptual overview of the benefits of MLM—the ability to simultaneously analyze data collected at multiple levels, the ease with which it can be used to assess trends and change over time, and its incorporation of the nested structure of data in the estimation process. We highlight ways in which MLM can be used to further theory and research in communication. In addition, we comment on the applications of MLM highlighted in this special issue and echo past calls for more multilevel theorizing and analysis in the field of communication.     

TO TEACH IS TO LEARN: OVERCOMING TOKENISM WITH MENTORS

Active mentors, persons who are not simply role models, have been shown to facilitate and enhance career growth, yet the token role of women entering traditionally masculine professions was shown to inhibit sponsorships. An analysis of a sample of exit interviews from the first women cadets to graduate from West Point revealed that the marginal peer acceptance of tokens within a competitive, somewhat constrained atmosphere discouraged the development of these sponsorships. If women plan to play sustained roles in the professions, they must actively sponsor other women. A first step in this process is to be aware of the situational pressures, noted in the present paper, that are directed against sponsorships within a token group.