Effects of group membership, relative performance, and self-interest on the division of outcomes.

Each of 105 male undergraduates divided a fixed prize of $3 between 2 competitors. Three factors were varied: (a) group membership of Person 2 (in-group or out-group), (b) relative performance of Person 1 (higher or lower than Person 2, and (c) participation in the prize (Person 1 was self or another in-group member). Low-performing Ss allocated to high performers more than high-performing Ss allocated to themselves and more than nonparticipants allocated to high performers. The largest amount allocated to low performers occurred in the allocation by a nonparticipant to a low-performing in-group member who was competing against an out-group person. Results do not fit 2 existing theoretical analyses of group bias. Instead, results indicate the importance of impression management. The fixed prize induced a substantial number of winner-take-all allocations, rarely found when the prize is determined by the sum of the performances. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Global aspects of sunlight as a major energy source

To achieve and sustain a decent livable world for all is a central goal for human society. While an abundant supply of energy is not in itself a determinant of such a world, it is nevertheless essential. A careful inquiry suggests that sunlight could eventually be the primary and even exclusive source of heat, electricity and synthetic fuels for the entire world, continuously and eternally on a scale (upwards of 100 TW) generally regarded possible only with fusion or with fission via the fast breeder. This could be achieved through a global network of solar conversion facilities coupled with appropriate energy transport and storage systems, and appears to be possible within acceptable constraints on energy payback time, materials and water resources, capital investment, and available suitable land.     

From figurative to operative expectancy in the perceptual judgments of children.

Conducted 2 studies on "figurative expectancy," the tendency to make perceptual judgments on the basis of temporal patterns. In Exp I, 60 4-9 yr old children were shown 4 series of animal pictures in which the relative strengths of the temporal patterns were varied. Results show (a) a significant decrease with age in figurative expectancy and (b) significantly more figurative expectancy in the case of a strong temporal sequence linked with a weak critical figure than in the case of a weak temporal sequence linked with a strong critical figure. In Exp II, 66 4-yr-old children were shown a single series of pictures presented at different rates and with critical figures that were ambiguous or nonambiguous. Results show that there was more figurative expectancy the more rapid the rate of presentation. There was also an ambiguity effect showing more figurative expectancy judgments the greater the ambiguity of the critical figure. Results support Piaget's theory of perceptual development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The child's perception of the parent.

"Interviews were held with 217 children of both sexes whose ages ranged from 6-0 to 10-2. Their answers to questions related to their perception of their parents were obtained. Both girls and boys stated that fathers were less friendly and more dominant, punitive, and threatening than mothers. There was, however, a consistent tendency for the older children to be more likely than the younger children to view the parent of the same sex as more dominant and punitive. It was suggested that differential handling of boys and girls might partially account for this latter finding." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Numerical modeling of reinforced concrete containment walls under cyclic shear

This paper provides an overview of research in numerical modeling of reinforced concrete containment walls subjected to cyclic shear. Bases for the development of the model are discussed, and application of the model is shown. Further research needs and interests are suggested for improved analysis capabilities and design.     

A utility analysis of a weighted application blank designed to predict turnover for clerical employees.

Demonstrated the validity of a weighted application blank in predicting turnover for clerical employees. Cross-validated results showed relatively low shrinkage of the validity coefficient, and indicated that weighted application blank scores could be used as a basis of selection. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Transference. Its meaning and function in psychoanalytic therapy.

Reviews the book, Transference. Its meaning and function in psychoanalytic therapy by Benjamin Wolstein. Introduction by Clara Thompson (1954). After a lucid introduction by Clara Thompson, which summarizes historical trends in the concept of transference, the author clarifies the objectives of the monograph. Essentially this is a critical study, by no means pretending to be a comprehensive survey of the field. There is an initial attempt to orient the reader toward certain basic scientific postulates from which the conception of transference is derived. Wolstein attempts to orient the reader toward the essential philosophical assumptions which underlie the theoretical constructs of Freud, who worked essentially in the atmosphere of a mechanistic, monistic, reductive scientific world. This is undoubtedly a difficult, somewhat overwritten, and occasionally exasperating book, but it is a brilliant one that raises important issues, faces up to them squarely, and goes to the core of many problems in current psychotherapeutic theory and technique. Practicing therapists, personality theorists, social scientists, and advanced graduate students will find it stimulating and provocative of serious self-searching. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Simulation of the dropping mercury electrode by orthogonal collocation

Orthogonal collocation techniques are used to simulate the solution to the hydrodynamic partial differential equations describing mass transport to a dropping mercury electrode (dme). Accurate values for the concentration profiles and current are obtained with minimal computational effort.