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A brief memorium to Robert T. Bower, founder of the Bureau of Social Science Research. His primary activities -- editor of Public Opinion Quarterly, President of the National Council on Public Polls, consultant to the US Dept of Justice & the National Instits of Health, & member of the National Council on the Humanities -- are listed in conjunction with commentary on his unassuming modest manner. L. Baker

An account of the Public Opinion Quarterly from its beginning in 1937 to the present, based on personal memories of service as editor & on the memories of the other editors, rather than on documentary sources. The content has been fairly consistent over this fifty-year period, with gradual shifts associated with major world events or trends within the social sciences to increased specialization. Selection of articles has been increasingly formalized. Throughout the journal's history, finances were a source of difficulty, though many of the problems have been resolved in recent years. 3 References. W. H. Stoddard

Most persons exposed to a persuasive communication in the mass media Generally suppose this to have a greater effect on others than on themselves. In some cases, such a communication leads to action not because of its actual impact on those to whom it is ostensibly directed, but because others (third persons) think it will have this impact. Several small experiments offering support for this hypothesis are described, & its complementary relationship to a number of concepts in the social sciences is noted. The third-person effect may help to explain the fear of heretical propaganda by religious leaders & the fear of dissent by political rulers. It appears to be related to the phenomenon of censorship in general: the censor never admits to being influenced; it is others with "impressionable minds" who will be affected. 2 Tables. AA.

It is widely recognized that leaks can hamper international negotiations, but the ability of publicity to promote agreement among nations has received less attention. It is argued that the press contributes to international agreement. Data come from 48 semistructured interviews with diplomats & journalists, conducted in Wash, NY, & Western Europe, in 1973. R's were 23 European diplomats, 14 European journalists, & 11 US diplomats. News, from the media & directly from journalists, is closely related with the work of diplomats; they must intake enormous amounts of news continuously. Many negotiations are fairly open & the parties involved do not necessarily fail to reach agreement. The media fosters informal conversations among diplomats, & can alert nations to the desirability of communication with other nations. The mass media create a shared fund of knowledge among negotiating parties which facilitates negotiations. The press also helps to ensure intra-governmental coordination, informing agencies within a single government of each other's thinking & actions. It provides a 2-way flow of influence between governments & interested publics; & provides auxiliary communication channels for diplomacy via journalists or the mass media. Some negative effects of the coverage of negotiations in progress are also documented; it is recognized that such coverage can have both positive & negative effects, but these can be predicted in many cases. Modified HA.