Suchergebnisse

Compares the content and structure of the US national ideology with those of Hungary, Bulgaria, and Norway; based on surveys of 2,755 domestic and foreign students. Implications of national outlook for peace.

An understanding of the compulsive armaments momentum is crucial to the survival of our species. Is weapon development a monster which acts independently of political decision making? Marek Thee in his new book makes a strong case for the armaments race being a function of dynamics internal to tech nology. An alternative explanation is offered which emphasizes social psychological factors (perceived threat, special profit interests, and career objectives), and perception determinants (need to impress ad versary and ally). The primary rationale for the armaments momentum is ritualized ideology, which moves rational discussion into the realm of moral absolutism. An open dialogue between systems would reveal complementary human values as well as unique cultural realities.

This article summarizes the major results of three studies into aboriginal alcohol abuse in and around Perth. The first study was based on in‐depth interviews with thirty‐one officers and members of sixteen Perth community organizations. In addition, a review of impressionistic arguments and research documents was also completed. This section also includes a structured interview with the thirty‐one respondents. The second study examined the fringe dwellers' situation through interviews with four community workers and thirty‐five camp inhabitants. The final study reported on interviews with a representative sample of fifty‐three Perth whites to ascertain the nature of the 'white backlash'. Overall the results support the predominant role of environmental alcohol abuse and the need for a long term, organic approach.

This article reports on a study of impression formation. The evaluation of products by stimulus persons is affected by the adaptation-level concept, the contrast-assimilation principle, and balance theory concepts. Discrepant information produces cognitive reorganization and overevaluation.
Two experimental groups (n=54) participated in one of two conditions. In one, a white stimulus person appeared as the "artist" of ten drawings; in the second condition, an Aboriginal "artist" claimed authorship of the identical products. Subsequently, the subjects were
asked to evaluate the drawings on an open-ended question and the semantic differential. The results show that the drawings attributed to the Aboriginal "artist" produced more positive impressions and were rated more highly on the semantic differential. These data suggest the importance
of developing minority models to counter predominant stereotypes in the white community.

The research reported in this article evaluates a social psychological model predicting preferences of black patients for alternative medical facilities in Townsville. Results show that proximity, security, experience, assimilation, and seriousness of illness all contribute to a preference for either the Aboriginal and Islander Community Health Service or the white administered out‐patient service of the General Hospital. The hospital sample is characterized by an active preference for integration, whereas patients attending the Aborignal and Islander Community Health Service do so because of the services provided and socio‐emotional support. The study also shows that a substantial number of black patients do not attend any medical facility, supporting the need for an active community organized program of health services.