Posttrial injections of strychnine sulfate: Facilitation of consolidation or retrieval?

The existing literature demonstrating that animals given strychnine sulfate shortly after training display enhanced retention 24 h later can be interpreted in terms of either consolidation or retrieval processes. A test between these two interpretations failed to support the consolidation interpretation, but did support the retrieval interpretation. It was concluded that (a) a retrieval model provides an adequate interpretation of the facilitation of retention resulting from posttrial injections of strychnine, and (b) an unambiguous demonstration that strychnine enhances processes of consolidation has yet to be offered.     

Performing arts as a club good: Evidence from a nonprofit organization

This paper combines perspectives on nonprofit organizations, clubs and club goods, demand for performing arts, and demand for charitable contributions to consider relationships between nonprofit organizations in the performing arts and their patrons. A broad view is taken of factors influencing demand for club goods, charitable donations, and for the live performing arts. These are integrated in a model of demand for the outputs and services of nonprofits in the performing arts. Data from a single institution is used to test hypotheses. Conclusions are drawn for organizational policy and economic theory.     

Selecting social studies textbooks

Because dissatisfaction with textbooks usually arises from issues of content and philosophy, we would expect those who select elementary social studies texts to focus on these issues. This article reports on a study of the instruments used to evaluate elementary social studies texts in thirty-three school districts. The study found the process to be haphazard and the general instruments to be poorly formulated. Instruments created specifically for evaluating social studies materials were better focused. Arthur Woodward is director of the Research, Development and Outreach Center of the Norman Howard School, Rochester, N. Y. He has written extensively on textbook issues.