Britain Today Research Articles

Varieties of Short-Term Memory Coding in Deaf Teenagers

Two experiments explored qualitative aspects of immediate memory for pictures in deaf teenagers by attempting to equate for memory span and then imposing systematic manipulations on encoding and rehearsal. In experiment 1, deaf teenagers and hearing children of different ages were tested using a variety of code-suppression activities during presentation. All subjects were affected by articulatory suppression (AS). In addition, a simple motor task (hand-tapping) reduced span in the deaf group and the youngest hearing group. A sign-suppression task, using both hands, specifically impaired recall in the deaf. In experiment 2, deaf 15-year-olds and hearing five-, eight-, and 11-year-olds were tested on serial recall of visually, phonologically, and forma-tionally (sign language) similar picture lists. Overall, deaf youngsters resembled their reading-age matches (eight-year-olds). Their recall of phonologically and visually similar pictures suggested that, at this level of memory development, both speech and picture-based codes support immediate recall. We conclude that deaf teenagers in Britain today resemble reading-age-matched hearing children in using both speech-based and image-based codes in immediate recall of pictures. Results also suggest that deaf youngsters use sign language-based coding in this task. That is, they use a combination of codes.

Trade Unions in Britain Today.

Trade Unions in Britain Today.

Book Review: Labor-Management Relations: Trade Unions in Britain Today

Book Review: Labor-Management Relations: Trade Unions in Britain Today

Credence to Creeds

The majority of people in Britain today are not formal members of churches or other religious organisations, but most people believe in God. Religious thoughts and emotions, if not beliefs and practices, are important to many ∼ especially when they are ill, dying or bereaved

Globalization, Contract Government and the Taylorization of Intellectual Labour in Academia

There is a distinct climate of anti-intellectualism in Britain today. It is important therefore, that intellectuals once more become the subject of serious sociological analysis. This paper makes a start in the re-examination of the role of intellectuals which must be sustained by further systematic research.

Modern Sanctuary

The history of the ancient concept of sanctuary has been discussed in the pages of this Journal in earlier volumes. In response to Professor Baker's article, Fr Robert Ombres, O.P. wrote to the Journal to inform readers that sanctuary had recently been used in America and Britain. The use of this ‘modern sanctuary’ has been the subject of some lively discussion at a recent London meeting and in Cardiff amongst the Canon Law LLM students. This article seeks to address some of the contemporary issues regarding the modern use of sanctuary in Britain and continental Europe today.

BOOK REVIEWS

Book reviewed in this article:The Workers of Nations: Industrial Relations in a Global Economy, edited by Sanford M. Jacoby.Britain's Training Deficit: The Centre for Economic Performance Report, edited by Richard Layard, Ken Mayhew and Geoffrey Owen.Gender Segregation and Social Change: Men and Women in Changing Labour Markets, edited by Alison MacEwen Scott.Skill and Occupational Change, edited by Roger Penn, Michael Rose and Jill Rubery.The Future of the Trade Unions, by Robert Taylor. AndrC Deutsch,The Dynamics of Workplace Unionism: Shop Stewards' Organization in Three Merseyside Plants, by Ralph Darlington.Enterprise without Unions: Industrial Relations in the Non‐union Firm, by Ian McLoughlin and Stephen Gourlay.Trade Unions in Britain Today, 2nd ed, by John McIlroy.Strategic Negotiations: A Theory of Change in Labor‐Management Relations, by Richard E. Walton, Joel Cutcher‐Gershenfeld and Robert B. McKersie.Management in China during the Age of Reform, by John Child.

Proceedings of the British Institute of Radiology

An extensive study is being undertaken in the West Midlands Regional Health Authority to assess the radiation risk to prodpatients undergoing a wide range of diagnostic radiology procedures (simple and complex). The increasing availability of dose-area product (DAP) meters makes routine assessment of patient dose during fluoroscopic procedures easier. The study aims to provide regional reference values of dose-area product readings (Gy cm2) for all types of examinations. Examinations investigated include amongst others chest, abdomen, cervical spine, pelvis, lumbar spine, venograms, barium meals, barium enemas, small bowel enemas and cardiac catheterization. Data for 30 adult patients per X-ray room are collected for the simple examinations, with approximately 30 patients per radiologist/cardiologist per X-ray room for the fluoroscopic examinations. As expected there is a wide range of dose-area product values observed for examinations of the same type. Table I below summarises the of DAP values collected for a sample of examinations. Early results have given mean dose-area products approximately 50% lower than the NRPB reference levels for barium meals (25 Gy cm2) and barium enemas (60 Gy cm2), and 25% lower for the lumbar spine examination (15 Gy cm2). The large size and geographical distribution of this study, is expected to provide a realistic estimate of the radiation risk to the average patient undergoing a wide range of X-ray examinations in Great Britain today.

Satanism in Britain today

Abstract It has been alleged that 10 per cent of the population of Britain are Satanists who conspire (perhaps influenced by a real Devil) to corrupt and blaspheme against everything godly, good or socially valued. This paper discusses the views and activities of self‐identified Satanists in Britain, especially the Temple of Set, the Church of Satan, the Order of the Nine Angles and Dark Lily. It also comments on ad hoc, adolescent and multi‐generational Satanism. Satanism is a series of techniques for allowing individuals to affirm, develop and express themselves, and to do what they wish to do in the context of a spirituality. It does not require belief in the Satan of the Christian pantheon although thriving on the sinister image and the hostility it can evoke in Christians and the media. Satanism is an adversarial form of self‐religion.

Between Society and Community: Muslims in Britain and France Today

The long-term settlement in north-western Europe of people from Muslim countries is one of the most important phenomena of the last quarter of the twentieth century. In an unprecedented way it forms a central element of the demographic and cultural changes taking place in the Old Continent, and as yet no-one can foresee the precise consequences. Some, who have a monolithic view of these populations, believe that Islam is now established in a continent which it will in time conquer by means of a birth-ratejihad, thanks to the fertility and the youth of its followers, in the context of an ageing Europe in demographic decline. Others denounce such predictions as racism and xenophobia; they see Islam as one of the peacefully coexisting components of tomorrow's multicultural Europe, the symbol of modernity bringing Europe closer to the model of the United States, where blacks, Iatinos and Asians lay claim to their own specific racial and cultural identity, or at least such is the perception. A third group denies that the variable 'Muslim' has any significance; instead, the problem posed by the populations concerned is linked exclusively with their temporary inferior social situation, just as for example Italian or Polish immigrants met xenophobic exclusion in inter-war France. These three widely-aired viewpoints about the presence of Muslims in Europe fall down mainly because they are based on a considerable degree of ignorance of the concrete situation experienced by the populations in question. Although the Muslim populations in Europe have a certain number of features in common, there are also many differences between them. If we look at France and Britain, the two major north-western European states with the greatest number of Muslims, we can observe significant dissimilarities arising from two sets of factors. First, each country's traditional relationship with its settled immigrant populations (intersecting with the legacy of colonial practice) has pre-constructed a social model of recepr tion (and rejection) which is specific to that society and which the Muslim populations have had to face. On the other hand, the internal structure of these populations and in each case the groups which have achieved overall authority in the expression of their identity and determined the dominant strategy with regard to the surrounding society are not identical in the two countries. In comparing the situation in France and Britain we will observe how the confiictual link

Teenage attitudes to conception and contraception

The teenage pregnancy rate in Britain today is one of the highest in Europe (Payne, 1994). In fact the overall conception rate in England and Wales rose in 1990 due to the increase in pregnancy rates among 14- 17 year olds. This article discusses the issues surrounding pregnancy and contraception in adolescent girls, and considers the implications for health care professionals who may have contact with these young women during the course of their work.

Review & Booknote: Culture and Policy, Urban Cultural Policy in Britain and Europe toward Cultural Planning, the Body Mind and Spirit of the City, Lost Cities: Civic and Urban Renewal in Britain Today

Review & Booknote: Culture and Policy, Urban Cultural Policy in Britain and Europe toward Cultural Planning, the Body Mind and Spirit of the City, Lost Cities: Civic and Urban Renewal in Britain Today

Women's health concerns. Is the promotion of hormone replacement therapy for prevention important to women?

The objectives of this study were to find out women's health concerns for the community and for themselves as they age and whether the promotion of hormone replacement therapy for prevention is important to them. A postal questionnaire was sent to 1649 women aged 20-69 years. The sample was random but stratified for age and taken from the lists of eight general practices in the town of Stockton-on-Tees in north east England. The questionnaire included questions on priorities for health care, fears for personal health with ageing, knowledge about osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and hormone replacement therapy. A 74.3% response rate was achieved. Cancer was named as deserving highest priority for health care in Britain today by 40.7% of respondents. The promotion of long term hormone replacement therapy was given a relatively low priority. The health problem women named as the one they most fear will affect them as they age was, for 30.2% of women, cancer; for 18.8% of women, dementia; for 11.6% of women, arthritis; for 8.8% of women, heart disease. The role of oestrogen in preventing osteoporosis was known by 74.9% of respondents and its role in prevention of cardiovascular disease by 6.6%. Lack of exercise as a risk factor for osteoporosis was known by 29.0% and as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease by 84.6%. Arthritis-like pain was thought to be a warning sign of osteoporosis by by 55.8% of respondents. The promotion of hormone replacement therapy for prevention does not appear to be a high priority for women.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Why Purchase Psychotherapy Services?

ABSTRACTCase examples are used to illustrate the human consequences of the significant levels of psychosocial morbidity in Britain today. A variety of psychotherapeutic interventions may reduce morbidity and also reduce the social costs such morbidity accounts for. The value of a psychotherapy assessment is emphasised as a way of matching resources and patients. In this connection the specialist role of the consultant psychotherapist is discussed.

Future of preventive dentistry

EDITOR, - Aubrey Sheiham presents an interesting picture of dentistry in Britain today, but his view that we could do with fewer dentists and less treatment is one sided.1 At present, the demand for dental services is still higher than the supply in areas away from centres of population in the south east of England. The Netherlands, which shared Sheiham's philosophy and closed all but one of its dental schools, is now reopening two despite having one of the …

Changing Seasons: Post‐colonial or ‘other’ writing in Britain today

Changing Seasons: Post‐colonial or ‘other’ writing in Britain today

Christianity and the Welfare State

This article looks at a fundamental area of social and political concern in Britain today, that is to say the Welfare State. It sets out initially to elicit some of the different arguments about this ‘institution’, contrasting what is necessarily now, after several years of one political party holding power, to be seen as ‘the Government’s view’, with alternative opinions. It then seeks to analyse these contrasting views in terms of a dialectic between individual and state responsibility, which can be analysed in theological terms. It argues that this dialectic, which in the past has appeared to be threatened by a denial of individual responsibility, is nowadays threatened by a denial of state responsibility. It does not, therefore, seek to go into detail about the various aspects of the Welfare State, analysing what they have achieved or where their inadequacies lie. Rather it concentrates more generally upon the theoretical basis of the system, from the point of view of both its supporters and its detractors.It is worthwhile initially to consider the term ‘Welfare State’ itself. It appears according to most polls to be very popular, but what is it? It is noteworthy that people refer most commonly to a welfare ‘state’ rather than ‘system’, as if they were thinking less in terms of a particular set of institutions than in terms of a particular idea of society as a whole, namely that it be organised for the welfare or benefit of its citizens.

Homeless & hungry: the evidence from Liverpool.

Much research has established the link between low incomes and poor nutritional standards. A research team from the Centre for Consumer Education & Research at Liverpool John Moores' University recently found that 30% of all families with children in Britain today are spending less on food than what is required to achieve a dietary which adheres, at minimum cost, to the Department of Health's Dietary Recommended Values (DRVs). But very little, if any, research has investigated the nutritional implications of a particularly extreme form of material deprivation--homelessness. This pilot study therefore sets out to study the dietaries of a number of homeless families in Liverpool--homeless as defined by living in Bed & Breakfast accommodation. Not only do such families have to contend with dependency upon welfare benefits when purchasing their foodstuffs; they also have to labour under inadequate cooking facilities. The study has involved these families keeping a dietary diary of all food and drink consumed. This information has then been analysed for its nutrient composition, using the Microdiet computer programme at Liverpool JMU. The results will show that, in every single case, the dietaries of these homeless families fall substantially short of the government's own nutritional guidelines and are, without doubt, unhealthy in the extreme. This paper is thus an examination of the nature and extent of the problem, using the science of nutrition and dietetics: not a policy prescription (although this is obvious) not a policy analysis. A study of the dietary implications of homelessness for 100 individuals (the largest ever undertaken) on Merseyside will be undertaken between September 1993 and June 1994.

The Goddess Movement in Britain Today

The Goddess Movement in Britain Today

The Pristine Culture of Capitalism: A Historical Essay on Old Regimes and Modern States.

Capitalism was born in England, yet the dominant Western conceptions of modernity have come from elsewhere, notably from France, the historical model of 'bourgeois' society. In this lively and wide-ranging book, Ellen Meiksins Wood argues that what is supposed to have epitomized bourgeois modernity, especially the emergence of a 'modern' state and political culture in Continental Europe, signaled the persistence of precapitalist social property relations. Conversely, the absence of a 'modern' state and political discourse in England testified to the presence of a well-developed capitalism. The fundamental flaws in the British economy are not just the symptoms of arrested development but the contradictions of the capitalist system itself. Britain today, Wood maintains, is the most thoroughly capitalist culture in Europe. Weaving together economic and political history with the history of ideas, Wood ranges across a broad spectrum of current debates, from the 'Nairn-Anderson theses' to the contribution of J.C.D. Clark and Alan Macfarlane, and over a wide variety of topics: the development of British capitalism and French absolutism; the state, the nation and their symbolic representations; revolution and tradition; the cultural patterns of English speech, urbanism, ruralism and the landscape garden; ideas of sovereignty, democracy, property and progress. This book will be as interesting and provocative to observers of contemporary capitalism as to historians of early modern Europe or Western political thought.