The effects of substantive and affective verbal conflict on the quality of decisions of small problem solving groups

Most group discussion textbooks emphasize that good solution, emerge from a variety of positions proposed through systematic, rational discourse, which allows for flexibility during problem‐solving which culminates in a high quality solution. This study attempts to test that assumption empirically; that is, quality decisions are produced through rational discourse. The study consists of simulated discussion of the horse‐trading problem, controlling for levels of substantive conflict, affective conflict, and sex. The results indicate (1) no differences in overall quality; (2) significant difference on flexibility between highly substantive and nonsubstantive discussions; (3) the significant difference on flexibility in substantive conditions is accounted for by male participants, not women; and (4) no difference on flexibility between affective conditions.     

Mainstreaming the Digital Revolution

The University of Melbourne, Australia, is in the process of defining its profile in respect of teaching and learning and high-technology, and is in the process of implementing a decision to employ sophisticated communications and information technologies in what will remain a campus-based setting. Many other Universities are of course engaged in the same process. The following paper points out the significant steps taken to mediate this change, and from the perspective of a curious 'rank and file' academic, provides a commentary and critique of the measures taken. Although the University of Melbourne is the case in point, the issues raised will have a currency in many University settings.     

Effortful Control Moderates Bidirectional Effects Between Children's Externalizing Behavior and Their Mothers' Depressive Symptoms

This study examined bidirectional associations between mothers' depressive symptoms and children's externalizing behavior and whether they were moderated by preschool‐age effortful control and gender. Mothers and teachers reported on 224 primarily White, middle‐class children at ages 3, 5, and 10. Effortful control was assessed via behavioral battery and mother ratings. Structural equation modeling indicated that maternal depressive symptoms at child age 3 predicted more externalizing behavior at age 10 among children with low effortful control and among boys. Externalizing behavior at age 3 predicted fewer depressive symptoms at the age 10 assessments among mothers of children with high effortful control. Boys with suboptimal self‐regulation exposed to high levels of maternal depressive symptoms were at greatest risk for school‐age behavioral problems.     

Trends in speech in the Eastern states

This article provides bibliography, some with annotation, for three areas of computer use in interpersonal communication: computer‐assisted instruction, simulation of interpersonal communication, and analysis of verbal behavior. There are brief introductory comments for each section of the bibliography.     

Trends in speech

Proposed to meet the often voiced objection that speech courses graded on a contract system stress only the quantity of work and exclude any quality controls, this plan establishes groups of tasks requiring different levels of cognative functioning by the students and assigns final letter grades for satisfactory completion of the corresponding levels.