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Books in Social sciences and humanities

Program Evaluation in Social Research
1st Edition
October 22, 2013
Jonathan A. Morell
English
Program Evaluation in Social Research presents a plan for developing evaluation into a form of applied social research that is not only methodologically sound, but also relevant to the problems of society and built on a technological (as opposed to a scientific) model. This book views evaluation as applied, relevant social research and as social technology and assesses its validity and usefulness. This monograph is comprised of eight chapters and begins with an assessment of the consequences of program evaluation for the conduct of social research and for society at large, and how evaluation can be made into a method of generating practical and powerful suggestions for planning successful social programs. The concept of ""outcome evaluation"" is also organized into meaningful categories which can be used for the intelligent planning of appropriate evaluation activities. The reader is then introduced to the types of evaluation that are carried out, the relative merits of each type, and how to optimize the validity and utility of each type. Evaluation as a technological, rather than a scientific, pursuit is also discussed. The remaining chapters focus on the frictions that arise during the implementation of program evaluation; program evaluation as a profession; and how evaluation can be developed into a relevant and powerful method of guiding the course of social innovations. This text will be a useful resource for sociologists, social scientists, and social researchers.
Emotions and Bodily Responses
A Psychophysiological Approach
1st Edition
October 22, 2013
James L McGaugh
English
Emotions and Bodily Responses: A Psychophysiological Approach is an introduction to the principles of psychophysiology as they relate to bodily responses and emotions. The emphasis is on the study of human subjects and on those bodily responses (heart rate, blood pressure, blood volume, electrodermal responses, muscle tension, brain waves) that can be measured from the periphery of the body without the use of invasive techniques. Comprised of nine chapters, this book begins with an overview of some basic physiological principles and recording techniques, followed by a discussion on some of the types of stimuli that cause changes in bodily responses. Subsequent chapters explore individual differences in personality and emotional factors and relate them to differences in physiological responses; how differences in bodily responses are related to the major forms of psychopathology; the link between bodily responses and behavioral performance; and general states such as sleep and stress in relation to bodily responses. Bodily responses that accompany psychosomatic illnesses are also considered, along with the modification of bodily responses by various learning techniques, including Pavlovian conditioning and biofeedback training. The final chapter is devoted to the application of bodily responses to the detection of deception. This monograph is written for students, clinicians, and researchers who would like to become familiar with the basic methods, data, and concepts that relate bodily responses to emotional states.
Study Guide to Accompany Physiological Psychology Brown/Wallace
1st Edition
October 22, 2013
Patricia M. Wallace
English
Study Guide to Accompany Physiological Psychology Brown/Wallace accompanies and supplements Brown and Wallace’s book on physiological psychology. This book discusses three key philosophical issues that provide a framework for the science of physiological psychology— mind-body problem, localization of function, and nature vs. nurture. Study and objective questions that include short answer essays, identification and definition of terms, fill-in-the-blanks, multiple choice, and matching questions are also provided to indicate the reader’s mastery of the chapters. Other topics covered include the axonal conduction, synaptic transmission, overview of the nervous system, and introduction to the senses and vision. The chemical senses, somatosensory and vestibular systems, motor system of the brain, and sexual behavior are also elaborated. This text likewise deliberates the biological rhythms and sleep and plasticity in the nervous system. This publication is valuable to students taking an introductory course in behavioral science or biology.
Study Guide for Human Information Processing
1st Edition
October 22, 2013
Ross Bott + 1 more
English
Study Guide for Human Information Processing is designed to accompany Lindsay and Norman's Human Information Processing (HIP). Problems and questions range from ones that are relatively easy to several that are somewhat difficult. This variation is intentional; the easy exercises explain and demonstrate the principles introduced in HIP, and the harder problems challenge students to apply those principles to new areas. Much of this study guide relies on the process of model building to review and expand on the principles in the text. Models will be proposed to explain experimental results. By using models the goal is to help students develop the ability to find truly significant patterns of results. This ability involves a critical attitude toward any experiment. For many of the models proposed, a joint search is conducted with students to discover the fatal flaws in the models. Students are also encouraged to propose models of their own, and to design experiments to test them
Progress in Behavior Modification
Volume 18
1st Edition
October 22, 2013
Michel Hersen + 2 more
English
Progress in Behavior Modification, Volume 18 covers the developments in behavior modification. The book discusses the behavioral analysis of chronic pain and its management; controlled drinking; and the research and applications in behavioral community psychology. The text also describes the physical, social, and programmatic context of behavior; the behavioral assessment and management of pediatric pain; and self-reinforcement by children. The advances in behavioral approaches to adolescent health care are also considered. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and pediatricians will find the book invaluable.
Dialogue for a New Order
Pergamon Policy Studies on International Development
1st Edition
October 22, 2013
Khadija Haq
English
Dialogue for a New Order is a collection of papers that discusses the issues in the relationship of developed and developing nations. The book covers topics such as monetary reforms, strategies for national development, and international resource transfers. The text details the choices that the South has to make in maintaining its political stability and improving its diplomatic ties. Next, the selection presents articles about reforming the international monetary and trade framework. The next part discusses the long-term problems that plague the international community. The last part of the text details the critical policy options, which can enhance global interdependence and accommodate the legitimate interests of all nations. The book will be of great interest to economists, political scientists, sociologists, and game theorists.
The New Genetics of Mental Illness
1st Edition
October 22, 2013
Peter McGuffin + 1 more
English
The New Genetics of Mental Illness is a collection of papers that discusses the advancement of molecular biology in the context of psychiatry. The book presents papers that are organized thematically. The text first discusses the basics of biology and quantitative models, and then proceeds to covering linkage analysis. Next, the book deals with various mental disorders, including schizophrenia, eating disorders, and developmental disorders. The remaining materials turn their attention to dementia and Huntington’s disease. The book will be of great use to researchers and practitioners of behavioral sciences, such as psychology and psychiatry.
Biopolitics and International Values
Investigating Liberal Norms
1st Edition
October 22, 2013
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.
Effects of Punishment on Human Behavior
1st Edition
October 22, 2013
Saul Axelrod
English
The Effects of Punishment on Human Behavior is a collection of essays that discusses the procedural and ethical issues of the use of electric shock as a treatment for severe behavior problems. The book presents the different types of extraneous aversives and undesirable side effects of punishment. It demonstrates the effectiveness of punishment procedures. The text describes the various aspects of punishment, as applied to human beings. It discusses the ethical and legal issues that challenge the use of punishment. Another topic of interest is the salient characteristics and influences affecting the success of overcorrection. The section that follows describes the types of punishment. The text also provides a conceptual and methodological analysis of a technique called “timeout.” The book will provide valuable insights for psychologists, teachers, students, and researchers in the field of behavioral science.
Predictive Simplicity
Induction Exhum'd
1st Edition
Volume 5
October 22, 2013
George J. Klir
English
The book attempts to develop an account of simplicity in terms of testability, and to use this account to provide an adequate characterization of induction, one immune to the class of problems suggested by Nelson Goodman. It is then shown that the past success of induction, thus characterized, constitutes evidence for its future success. A qualitative measure of confirmation is developed, and this measure - along with the considerations of simplicity - is used to provide an account of the consilience of inductions, and also an inductivist account of the structure and progress of scientific theory. An appendix extends the treatment of simplicity to statistical distributions and provides a reasonable interpretation of the maximum entropy principle. Thus, this book is an attempt to characterize induction in terms of a well-defined notion of simplicity and to use that characterization as a basis of an account of empirical, and in particular, scientific reasoning.

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