Introduction

Journal of International Migration and Integration -     

A vector graphic CRT display system

A vector graphic CRT display system for research in visual information processing is described. The vector graphic processor includes a 4K-byte display memory. The processor communicates with the controlling computer via a serial channel. The system is capable of exposure durations below 1 msec, and it allows on-line generation and modification of display files during an experiment. Brightness can be controlled separately for each vector of a picture. A graphic display editor in FORTRAN IV for interactive editing and debugging of display files has been developed.     

Lesions of the basal ganglia, thalamus, and deep white matter: Differential effects on language functions

Forty-five patients with unilateral demarcated vascular lesions in the basal ganglia, the thalamus and the deep white matter were investigated with an "aphasia battery." Patients with basal ganglia lesions performed worse than both other groups in tests of articulation, syntax, and lexical functions. The deficit of patients with basal ganglia lesions on all expressive language modalities was lateralized to the left hemisphere. Patients with left thalamic lesions showed impairments of speech fluency and in the Token Test. Patients with white matter lesions alone showed no effect of laterality in tests of language functions. The results are discussed on the basis of a recent theory of the participation of the deep nuclei in language processing.     

Social distance of deviants and deviant offenders

Previous studies have focused on the seriousness of the offenses but have neglected the offenders. This analysis used a Bogardus-type social distance scale of 23 deviant roles using a sample of 524 respondents who indicated decided preferences for some types of deviant offenders over others. It was concluded that individuals occupying various roles such as judges, defenders, juries, and so on may feel great social distance toward certain types of offenders and may act differentially toward them.     

Stress intervention programs for reducing medical costs and accident claims in a hospital

Job stress is an important area for study among Industrial/ Organizational Psychologists. Previous studies have noted the relationship of stress to psychological, physiological and behavioral functions among employees. Little research has been done to intervene and reduce the effects of stress on workers, and to document the impact of reduced stress on corporate level outcomes. The present case evaluates a comprehensive hospital stress intervention program designed to reduce losses that have been associated with stress, such as accidents and associated medical costs. An organizational stress survey, theHuman Factors Inventory (HFI), was administered and the results compiled, followed by the implementation of organization-wide stress intervention programs. The purpose here is to assess changes from pre-intervention to post-intervention in insurance losses due to accidents.     

Life Stressors, Social Support, and Depressive Symptoms Among First-Time Welfare Recipients

This paper examines the associations among stressful life events, social support, and depressive symptoms in a sample of 580 first-time welfare recipients. Self-reported number of depressive symptoms was greater than in corresponding community samples. Stressors and social supports made independent main effect contributions to depressive symptoms in a multiple regression analysis. Women with transportation barriers to employment, those experiencing greater numbers of stressful life events, and those who were less satisfied with their housing situation reported greater numbers of depressive symptoms. In contrast, women who were more satisfied with their social support and those with higher attendance at religious services reported fewer depressive symptoms. Implications for welfare reform policy and programs are discussed.     

The Effect of Broken Exhibits on the Experiences of Visitors at a Science Museum

ABSTRACT

This study explores visitors' perceptions of “broken” exhibits at the Museum of Science, Boston. Data were collected through comment cards, timing and tracking maps, exit interviews, surveys, and focus groups. Analysis of the data shows that the number of broken exhibits a visitor perceives impacts their disappointment in the gallery more than Museum counts of broken exhibits. The perceived broken exhibits follow a hierarchy. They are most often reported when they are non-functional. Partially functioning exhibits and design issues (such as poor usability and missing or incorrect information) are also reported, but less frequently. Pine and Gilmore's Field Guide for the Experience Economy (2005) is used as a framework to interpret the findings. Suggestions are made for ways of decreasing the effect of broken exhibits on visitor experiences.     

Effects of the Early Prevention Program “Keiner FÄllt Durchs Netz” (“Nobody Slips Through the Net”) on Child,Mother, and Their Relationship: A Controlled Study

The study investigated the effects of a German family‐supporting prevention program “Keiner fällt durchs Netz” (KfdN; “Nobody Slips Through the Net”) after the child's first year in the sample of 152 psychosocially stressed mothers and children who took part in this program and 150 mothers and children from comparison‐group families. The improved level of development posited in the children after intervention as compared to children from the comparison group was confirmed in the social development area (d = .35). In addition, mothers in the KfdN group judged their 1‐year‐old children to be less “difficult” compared to the assessments of the mothers in the comparison group (d = .24). Due to the intervention, the dysfunctionality of the mother–child interaction was reduced (mothers’ self‐assessment, d = .27). No intervention effects were found in for degree of maternal stress. The expected intervention effects in maternal sensitivity were not empirically confirmed. The results suggest that the KfdN intervention exerted a direct positive influence on childhood traits such as social development and temperamental “difficulty” and also positively influenced the mothers’ perceptions or attitudes toward their children's conduct.     

EVALUATION OF THE MULTIPLE-STIMULUS WITHOUT REPLACEMENT PREFERENCE ASSESSMENT METHOD USING ACTIVITIES AS STIMULI

The current study examined the accuracy of the multiple-stimulus without replacement (MSWO) preference assessment for identifying preferred common classroom activities as reinforcers with children with behavioral disorders. The accuracy of predictions from the MSWO regarding high, medium, and low stimulus preference was tested by providing contingent access to activities for completing math problems within an independent seatwork format. Overall, there was an interaction effect between preference ranking (high, medium, or low) and number of problems completed. The results confirm and extend previous findings regarding the accuracy of predictions with the MSWO. The findings also reveal, however, some individual differences that may account for instances in which student behavior did not conform to predictions of stimulus preference assessments.