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Elsevier

Books in Social sciences and humanities

  • Praxiology

    An Introduction to the Sciences of Efficient Action
    • 1st Edition
    • Tadeusz Kotarbinski
    • English
    Praxiology: An introduction to the Sciences of Efficient Action deals with the general theory of achieving efficient actions. The concept of a praxiology and the technique of a praxiologist toward finding the most efficient way of achieving things are the concerns in this book. Praxiology is discussed as being the codification for practical behavior. The notions of praxiology is clarified and the tasks of registering and ordering what are already known and existing concepts of efficient work are gathered and presented. This book also shows the concepts of the simple act of the agent, the free impulse, material, tool, and product involved in any kind of external work that is undertaken. An analysis following instruments as the source of power in themselves is considered, because these instruments can exert pressure on the external work being done. This text then discusses action as a compound act or a collective act. Then, the author expounds that among other possibilities, there is only a fine possibility that an action can be done. Taken into consideration are the praxiological values, the economization, preparation, and instrumentalization of actions. The principles of co-operation are discussed, compared to struggling or negative cooperation, as leading to improved accomplishment and efficiency of work. The author adds that praxiology can be applied mentally as well, but he considers this as a special case. Psychologists, psychiatrists, work process engineers, and behavioral scientists will find this book illuminating and educational.

  • Curiosity and Exploration

    Theories and Results
    • 1st Edition
    • Hans-Georg Voss + 1 more
    • English
    Curiosity and Exploration: Theories and Results provides a systematic review of research on curiosity and exploration and is intended to present theories, methods, and research findings and to compare these with other fields of psychology. The text discusses topics on various aspects of curiosity and exploration such as the historical development of curiosity research; theoretical approaches to fully explain the phenomena of curiosity and exploration; developmental perspective in the study of curiosity and exploration; and the author's summary and evaluation at the end of the book. Psychologists will find the book to be very interesting.

  • The Psychology of Humor

    Theoretical Perspectives and Empirical Issues
    • 1st Edition
    • Jeffrey H Goldstein
    • English
    The Psychology of Humor: Theoretical Perspectives and Empirical Issues examines theoretical perspectives and empirical issues concerning the psychology of humor. Theoretical views of humor range from the physiological to the sociological and anthropological. The relations between humor, laughter, and smiling are considered, along with the connection between collative variables and arousal. Comprised of 13 chapters, this book begins with an introduction to the history of thought and major theoretical issues on humor, followed by a description of models of different aspects of humor. The next section deals with empirical issues in which selected research areas are given detailed attention. The relations between humor, laughter, and smiling, on the one hand, and collative variables and arousal, on the other, are analyzed. Subsequent chapters explore the cognitive origins of incongruity humor by comparing fantasy assimilation and reality assimilation; a two-stage model for the appreciation of jokes and cartoons; and the social functions and physiological correlates of humor. The relationship between arousal potential and funniness of jokes is also explored, together with humor judgments as a function of reference groups and identification classes. The final chapter presents an annotated bibliography of published papers on humor in the research literature and an analysis of trends between 1900 and 1971. This monograph will be of interest to psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, and behavioral scientists.

  • Biopolitics and International Values

    Investigating Liberal Norms
    • 1st Edition
    • Ralph Pettman
    • Albert Somit
    • English
    Biopolitics and International Values: Investigating Liberal Norms attempts to provide as profound an understanding of human behavior as possible. It sorts out the subjective meanings we share with other people that define our cultures and the symbolic contexts that surround us all. The book begins with a discussion of the sources of order in contemporary world politics, in particular the intellectual and moral values that have come to prevail there (the European doctrines of social justice and human rights, and the underlying assumptions they make about human fraternity, equality, liberty, and felicity). This is followed by separate chapters that examine the individualistic ethic of the American polity, counterposing the collectivist concerns of the Soviets; discuss the various meanings of equality and the ways in which it has historically been used in political and philosophic discourse. The book also looks at various attempts by political theorists to analyze liberty; examines what a biological understanding of human nature makes of that most abiding and most elusive of contemporary political aspirations; and reviews research into such areas as genetic engineering (particularly recombinant DNA) and the possible consequences this might have for society and politics.

  • Paleoethnobotany

    A Handbook of Procedures
    • 1st Edition
    • Deborah M. Pearsall
    • English
    This book describes the approaches and techniques of paleoethnobotany--th... study of the interrelationships between human populations and the plant world through the archaeological record. Its purpose is twofold. First, it assembles in one volume the three major methods of paleoethnobotany, the analysis of macroremains, pollen analysis, and phytolith analysis, for the student or professional interested in the field. Second, it presents on paleoethnobotanist's view of the discipline: its past, present, and future, its strengths and weaknesses, and its role in modern archaeology.

  • Talking About Puddings

    • 1st Edition
    • Margaret Bates
    • English
    Talking about Puddings presents a collection of recipes of home-made puddings. The book describes cooking methods and preparation, dressing, and storage suggestions for each recipe. The text also provides recipes of traditional Christmas and winter puddings, fritters, pancakes and sweet omelets, creamy milk puddings, junkets and custards, and pies. The book covers recipes of other baked puddings, pies, tarts, flans, meringue delicacies, and lush cakes. Recipes of cheese or curd cakes and other delicacies made with cottage cheese and sour cream; cold sweets; ice cream and food with ice cream; and petits fours, friandises, and dessert biscuits are also provided. The book concludes by discussing useful fundamentals such as pastry-making, sweet sauces, flavorings and simple garnishes, handy measures, and British and American measures. Home cooks and professional chefs will find the book invaluable.

  • Chirality in Drug Design and Synthesis

    • 1st Edition
    • C. Brown
    • English
    Chirality in Drug Design and Synthesis is a collection of papers that discusses the property of asymmetry in the structural and synthetic chemistry of natural products, including the significance of chirality in medicinal chemistry. These papers examine the need for the preparation and study of pure enantiomers of chiral drug substances and their mechanism of interaction with enzymes and receptors. These papers also investigate the techniques in studying these interactions, as well as analyze the methods for their synthesis in enantiomerically pure form. One paper discusses the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic analyses made that point to the differences in the activity and disposition of enantiometric pairs. Another paper reviews the implications of the neglect of stereoselectivity at the different levels during the examination process of racemic drugs. Since no general guidelines exists for the development of drugs with chiral centers, one paper suggests a case-by-case approach in evaluating the safety and efficacy of drugs, particularly as regards how isomers differ in their effects. This collection is suitable for the pharmacologist, medicinal chemists, toxicologists, mechanistic chemists and synthetic organic chemists.

  • Applying the Assessment Center Method

    Pergamon General Psychology Series
    • 1st Edition
    • Joseph L. Moses + 1 more
    • English
    Applying the Assessment Center Method presents the findings, knowledge, strategies, and applications concerning the assessment center method. This book describes the mechanics and operations of individual assessment centers. Organized into three parts encompassing 15 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the assessment center method as a means of formally identifying potential. This text then examines the various components which make an assessment center what it is, including a series of characteristics to be measured, a means of measurement, and trained staff to administer and interpret the behaviors. Other chapters consider the empirical base of validation. This book discusses as well administrative cost of assessment centers. The final chapter deals with the trends in assessment at the predictor and criterion end of the selection equation. This book is a valuable resource for psychologists and managers. Researchers involved in implementing assessment operations in their respective organization will also find this book extremely useful.

  • The Gun Merchants

    Politics and Policies of the Major Arms Suppliers
    • 1st Edition
    • Cindy Cannizzo
    • English
    The Gun Merchants: Politics and Policies of the Major Arms Suppliers focuses on the political and policy considerations in arms transfers, taking into consideration the positions of different arms-exporting countries on the control of conventional arms trade. The book first offers information on the trends in 20th-century arms transfers, including history of arms transfers, sophistication of arms, and transfer modes of arms. The text also underscores the position and influence of Jimmy Carter and the United States on the restraint of arms trade. The manuscript examines Soviet arms policy towards Africa, including the context of Soviet policy, factors influencing Soviet behavior, and the future of Soviet policy in Africa. The increase in the volume of arms sold in Africa is highlighted. The book also takes a look at domestic and international considerations of British arms sales; the policies of the Federal Republic of Germany and France on arms transfers; and evaluation of arms transfer control proposals. The publication is a dependable reference for readers interested in exploring the international policies and procedures in arms trade.

  • A Breaking of Seals

    The French Resistance in Slovakia
    • 1st Edition
    • B. Chnoupek + 2 more
    • English
    A Breaking of Seals is the story of a quest - the quest to discover one of the most extraordinary and least remembered events of the Second World War. This was the participation in the Slovak Uprising of 1944 of the French soldiers who escaped from prisoner-of-war camps in Germany, Hungary and Slovakia. Under the leadership of Captain Georges de Lannurien, they formed a Detachement francais de combatants de la Tschecoslovaquie which fought beside the Slovak Army during the Uprising and which later stood side by side with Slovak partisans as part of the Stefanik Brigade.

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