Discussion Partners Research Articles

Social Isolation of the Urban Poor: Race, Class, and Neighborhood Effects on Social Resources

We focus on the effects of race, class, and neighborhood on social isolation. Using data from households in Atlanta, Georgia, we compare poor and nonpoor African Americans to nonpoor whites on two types of social ties and the social resources inherent in those ties. We find that poverty has an important influence on the social resources available to African Americans in and outside of their household. Poor blacks are less likely than other blacks and nonpoor whites to live with another adult, to have even one person outside the household with whom they discuss important matters (a discussion partner), or to have a college-educated person in their discussion network. Higher neighborhood poverty reduces the size of the discussion network for whites and blacks and affects the probabilities of having any kind of social contacts. Important for the social isolation thesis is our finding that among African Americans, living in a very poor neighborhood increases social isolation and reduces access to social resources via one's network of close ties.

Need for cognition and interpersonal influence: Individual differences in impact on dyadic decisions.

The role of need for cognition (NC; J. T Cacioppo & R. E. Petty, 1982) in dyadic decisions was investigated. Consistent with the notion that individual differences in NC correspond to differences in attitude strength, the prediscussion views of people high in NC were found to be more predictive of dyadic decisions than were the prediscussion views of people low in NC. High-NC people were viewed by their discussion partners (and by themselves) as being more effective persuaders, generating more arguments to support their views (and thus counter those of their partners), and generating more valid arguments than their low-NC counterparts. The role of individual differences in understanding asymmetries in group member influence and in predicting collective decision outcomes is discussed.

Effect of affective reactions by an out-group on preferences for crossed categorization discussion partners.

Effect of affective reactions by an out-group on preferences for crossed categorization discussion partners.

Reply to Professor Iggers

Reply to Professor Iggers

Interaction and Interpretation: “How Can I Tell What I Think till I See What I Say?”

Abstract In my paper I elaborate my thinking on the intersubjective space or field, unfolding between the analyst and the patient, where both influence each other consciously and unconsciously in an ongoing dialectics. Different factors, which influence us as psychoanalysts in our choice of theoretical school are discussed. My point of view is that we invest emotionally in different theories, which then function as a sort of inner discussion partners, open for new interpretations or “readings”, even if they in a way are consistent. Bion's theory concerning the development of thought and thinking is discussed; The clinical vignettes make his underlining of the emotional experiencies, as the driving factor in transforming sensations and emotions to higher levels of symbolization, more comprehensible.

‘Vrijheid’ en ‘slavernij’ in Johannes 8:31-36

In this article it is argued – over against the communis opinio – that (Christian) freedom was not a conception of any importance in the Johannine communities. In John 8:31-36, the only passage in the Johannine writings where the terms έλενθεροῡν/έλεύθερος occur, they have been introduced only because of their ambiguity. A fine parallel is found in Epictetus, Dissertationes 4, 1, 7-10. In contrast to the claim of the Jews (or particular Jewish-Christian groups) of being sons of Abraham and consequently ‘free’ men, the author of John argues that they are ‘slaves’, and this implies that they do not belong to the house of Abraham any longer. The exegesis leads to a new interpretation of verse 35. ‘The house’ mentioned here does not refer to the house of God but to the house of Abraham. By not accepting unconditionally Jesus Christ as the Son of God Jesus’ discussion partners show, in the author’s opinion, that they have left their father’s house.

The Microenvironment of Attitude Change

Studies of social influence have suffered from limitations in available data resources. Consequently, they usually have either failed to consider the dynamic nature of attitudes or have specified the social environment in some restricted way. This article evaluates a dynamic model of attitude change that includes direct information on individuals named as political discussants. Using party identification as an attitude subject to social influence, several findings are advanced. Political discussants are shown to significantly affect change in party identification. In addition, these effects are enhanced or inhibited depending on characteristics of the discussion partners, the nature of the relationship, and properties of the interaction. The nature of the relationship interacts with the other components in some interesting and surprising ways as well. Overall, the results show that intimacy and respect are more important deter-minants of social influence than previously given credit.

Political Participation and Effects from the Social Environment

This paper examines the distinction made by Huckfeldt (1979, 1986) and Giles and Dantico (1982) between individually and socially based forms of participation as affected by social environment. Using survey responses from the 1984 South Bend study, the relationship between political discussion partners is explicitly modeled and estimated for several forms of individually and socially based participatory acts. The evidence indicates that certain types of both individually based and socially based participation are affected by those in the immediate social environment, suggesting that a modification of this distinction is in order.

Cultural patterns in Dutch and Surinam nonverbal behavior: An analysis of simulated police/citizen encounters

Differences in nonverbal behavioral patterns in a simulated police interview setting were examined. One group of subjects was asked to tell the truth to a police officer whereas the other group was asked to deceive the officer. Major differences between our study and other deception studies include the distinction between nonverbal behavior displayed while listening and while speaking, and the inclusion of black subjects. Results show that there are differences in nonverbal behavior between deceivers and those who tell the truth, and generally support the finding that deception is associated with changes in vocal characteristics and hand and arm movements. However, differences in hand and arm movements occurred only while the deceiver was listening. Furthermore, findings showed that blacks looked less frequently at their discussion partner, smiled and laughed more, made more speech disturbances, spoke slower, and with more pitch raises, and were livelier in the sense that they made more trunk movements and gestures than whites.

Interpersonal Choice and Networks in China

Personal choices and relations in China, a socialist country at early stages of industrialization and economic development, seem to be remarkably similar to those in the United States, a capitalist country at advanced stages, quite possibly because particularism governs personal relations regardless of cultural, political, or economic differences. In-group choices are at a maximum for young adults and dedine after the thirties in both countries. Induding kin in one's discussion network reduces homophily and increases, directly as well as indirectly, diversity in the networks of both. In-group choices mathematically constrain diversity but are not the only influence on it in China or the U.S. Confining discussions of serious matters largely to a friendship dique narrows the range of associates for Chinese as well as Americans. An interesting difference is that Chinese kin tend to act as brokers who link a person to diverse nonkin associates, whereas the data provide no evidence that American kin do. This is an empirical study of the network of role relations of a sample of urban Chinese. After introducing the theoretical problem of interpersonal choice and the Chinese context as well as the research procedures, the choices of close associates are first analyzed. We then examine the influences of these choices on the structure of the networks of a person's discussion partners, notably on the diversity, or range, of associates. Finally, these networks in the People's Republic of China (P.RC.) will be compared with those of a sample of respondents in the U.S.

Measuring age as a structural concept

Abstract Network analysis provides a useful guide for collapsing ostensibly non-network data into analytical categories. I illustrate the point here using a familiar variable, years of age. Viewed structurally, age is a network pattern characteristic of being a specific number of years old. So viewed, years of age can be collapsed into socially distinct age categories where each category is a status in the social structure of age in a study population. For illustration, I describe the structure of relations defining age statuses in the American population. Each status is a unique pattern of relations with kin of specific ages, spouses of specific ages, and friends and coworkers of specific ages. In the mid 1980s, Americans were distributed across nine age statuses; I children (ages 1–18), II students (19–24), III young adults (25–30), IV twilight youth (31–36), V middle-age adults (37–46), VI older adults (47–52), VII senior adults (53–60), VIII retiring adults (61–66), and IX the elderly (over 66). The most severe changes in 1985 were happening to Americans in their late 40s—born at the beginning of World War II and in transition from age status V to status VI. When observed in 1985, they were in the process of replacing their parents with their children as important discussion partners and learning to live with much greater age heterogeneity in their other contacts, both in their marriages and their friends and coworkers beyond the family. Women were about to leave their prominent position in heterosexual society defined by age status V and men were about to enter a menopausal period characteristic of status VI.

Gynecologic Factors in Sexual Dysfunction of the Older Woman

Older women may experience sexual dysfunction due to many different causes. Some problems related to menopausal hormonal change may be easily treated with estrogen supplements. Other problems involve intricate interpersonal relations between the woman and her sexual partner and may require a combination of medical therapy and sexual counseling. Gynecologic cancer and cancer treatments are often accompanied by problems in sexual functioning. These problems may then impair relations and self-image, leading to a vicious circle of deteriorating social function. Some recommendations for the clinician follow. The clinician should maintain an attitude of openness to the possibility of sexual concerns in older women. Such concerns should be taken seriously and should not be dismissed as part of aging. Routine periodic health examinations can include a question such as "Do you have any concerns about your sexual life that you would like to discuss?" In follow-up visits for procedures with a high likelihood of causing sexual dysfunction, questions that would open the door to a discussion of sexuality should be asked. Sexual dysfunction should be recognized as a couple-oriented phenomenon. A woman's anxiety about her appearance, postoperative depression, or dyspareunia may be perceived by her partner as a sexual rejection and may initiate a cycle of decreasing contact or may even lead to erectile dysfunction. Sexual counseling should include both partners. When a surgical procedure that will probably have an impact on sexual function is contemplated, provide the patient and her partner with advance counseling. Descriptions of surgery should not be simply a statement of body parts to be removed but should specifically address the anticipated sexual effects. Counseling should include a description of basic anatomy and function of the genital organs. Illustrations and appropriate demonstration during the physical examination should be used to ensure the patient's understanding. Descriptions should be accurate without being either frightening or falsely reassuring. The patient should be counseled about the benefits of including her partner in discussions. Then, when possible, the sexual partner of the patient should be invited to sessions of advance counseling on contemplated procedures. Clinicians should remain open to the possibility that the sexual partner will be a nontraditional one, e.g., an unmarried male partner or another woman. The clinician should be alert to remediable causes of dysfunction. For example, decreased vaginal lubrication may be managed with use of water-soluble lubricants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Chaos and Order – The Complex Structure of the Living An Extract: Two Dialogues

AbstractRecently the author has published a book (in German) with the above title. In nine chapters the problem of biological structures, their evolution and transient character are treated. This is one of the rare books in which difficult problems are dealt with in an easily readable fashion. In it, the author has used an unusual technique in order to introduce the reader to the subject: Each of the nine chapters begins with a fictitious dialogue in which in most cases Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, the famous Gottingen physicist and philosopher of the 18th century, is one of the discussion partners. The dialogues are made up of original quotations by Lichtenberg and the particular partner. Here, two of the dialogues are translated into English by the author.

Passenger perception of airlines

Perception and attitudes towards airlines is an interesting subject for people travelling regularly, or not so regularly, by air. The subject is frequently discussed, and often one discovers that the discussion partner has some peculiar view on the topic. This makes one wonder about the average passenger's opinion. Do they agree with the advertisements of Lufthanza, claiming that the German Air Company is so punctual? And is Thai International really smooth as silk? From the point of view of the airlines, the subject is very sensitive.

Acid rain since 1985 – times are changing

SynopsisAcid rain has been one of the first and longest running of the multi-national environmental issues. The phenomenon was described in the 1950s and 60s by noted scientists such as Dr Eville Gorham, Dr Svante Odén and Dr Harold Harvey. Scientific and public reaction to their work was generally negative.Over the past two decades, the scientific understanding of the problem has dramatically improved. As this information became understood by the public, support for the control of atmospheric pollution increased to the point where virtually all industrialised countries are now implementing sulphur dioxide control programmes.The industrial reaction to environmental control has become much more positive over the past few years with many industrial sectors now being equal partners in discussions of solutions to environmental problems. While pollution control programmes cost considerable amounts of money, it has been shown that these costs are manageable and that clean environments are conducive to economic development.Opinion polls have shown that the public in Canada and the U.K., for example, places high priority on the need for environmental protection.The positive industrial attitude, the increased public concern and the need to understand the science of complex environmental issues, in order to design the best possible control programme, together necessitate the involvement of environmental scientists in public debates if rational decisions are to be taken.

The communist party of the Soviet Union's reassessment of international social democracy: Dimensions and trends

For some years Soviet theorists have been conducting a thorough examination of the experience of social democratic parties, once the betes noires of Soviet communism. From being important partners in discussions on peace and disarmament as early as in the Brezhnev years, the social democratic parties are now serving as a source of ideas for Soviet ‘new thinking’. On the state and reform, on economic regulation, and on the welfare state, Soviet theorists are looking seriously at social democracy's contribution. This reassessment has been accompanied by an impatience with some of the more traditional communist parties in Western Europe, whilst making for an improvement of relations with the Italian party. But it is not a convergence with social democracy that is envisaged: rather the market and its laws are seen as neutral and system‐independent. This rethinking offers opportunities to the West for contacts and dialogues that go beyond foreign and security policy issues, as is illustrated by Moscow's intere...

Cardiovascular reactivity and interpersonal influence: Active coping in a social context.

Previous studies have demonstrated that effortful attempts to secure positive outcomes or avoid negative outcomes produce significant increases in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR). Although these effects of active coping on cardiovascular reactivity are central in current psychosomatic theories, virtually all of the research to date has used impersonal, asocial tasks. Our two studies examined the cardiovascular effects of effortful attempts to influence other people. In Study 1, male subjects attempting to influence the opinions of their discussion partner to improve their own chances of winning money displayed significantly greater SBP, DBP, and HR reactivity. In Study 2, we obtained similar effects on SBP and DBP reactivity in men and women, while both preparing an influence attempt and making that attempt. Furthermore, reactivity levels were larger as the magnitude of incentive for successful persuasion increased. Implications of this interpersonal equivalent of active coping for the development of cardiovascular disease are discussed.

Syndicat et politique en temps de crise : Possibilités, limites et prises de décisions

As a result of economic crisis, it becomes very difficult to find a solution for conflicts of interests concerning redistribution. Nevertheless agreements between employers and trade unions remain important instruments.The financial and economic debate concerning conception and orientation of National Product is far from being wound up. Conflicts between social partners and government are seldom resolved.Moreover, the problems of « democratic participation » and « economic democracy » are waiting for a solution. In this debate trade unions are an indispensable discussion partner.

Myth and/or History: a Reply to Christopher Wrigley

Christopher Wrigley's objections, in ‘The River God’, to my historical interpretation of some Mbona stories do not differ substantially from those of Luc de Heusch against Vansina. In essence, the allegation is that the historical information I think can be derived from those stories finds little support in the historical facts insofar as they are known to us. Or, put somewhat more mildly, even if my historical interpretation of the Mbona stories were correct, there is no way to ‘prove’ its correctness, not even to the lawyer's standard, ‘beyond reasonable doubt’, that Wrigley claims for his own exegesis. More concretely, he holds with M. D. D. Newitt, my earlier discussion partner, that there is little or no evidence for the existence of a Lundu kingdom at the time of the Zimba raids, just before A.D. 1600. He further maintains that the few seventeenth-century references known to us do not suggest that the Lundus were different in kind from other regional power-holders, whereas I claimed — and still claim — that between the 1580s and 1622 the Lundus managed — initially with the help of the Zimba — to organize a state system, which differed from neighbouring systems in that it was considerably more centralized and repressive.

Choice, Social Structure, and Political Information: The Information Coercion of Minorities

This study examines the effects of individual political preference, and the distribution of such preferences, upon the choice of political discussion partners. The data base for the study combines a 1984 election survey of citizens in South Bend, Indiana, with a subsequent survey of people with whom these citizens discuss politics. Special attention is given to the consequences attendant on minority and majority preference distributions in the local social milieu. Reagan and Mondale voters are shown to respond similarly to political support from the social context, and observed differences in political behavior for these two groups are shown to be the consequence of differential distributions, in local social contexts, of Reagan and Mondale supporters. Rational voters exhibit rational information search behavior, but political choice emerges in the analysis as a compromise between individual political preference and socially structured discussion opportunity. Citizens in a democracy exercise free choice when they obtain political information. They avoid some information sources, and they seek out others based upon their own political preferences and viewpoints. Indeed, the availability of informational alternatives is one of the defining characteristics of democratic politics. Liberals are free to read liberal newspapers, and conservatives are free to read conservative newspapers. More important for this analysis, Democrats are free to seek out other Democrats as political discussion partners, and Republicans are free to seek out other Republicans. While this sort of free informational choice is central to democracy, it is also constrained by social structure. Free choice operates within opportunities and constraints that are imposed by the social context, and the central issues pursued here are two. First, how is informational choice circumscribed by the structurally determined opportunities for social interaction, interaction which carries political content? Second, what are the consequences for majority and minority political preferences?