PCC: A Leader of Change

Abstract

From its beginnings, the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) has been an international leader of change in bibliographic and authority control and maintenance, and metadata creation and distribution. This article highlights some PCC achievements in these areas.     

Using personal construct theory in therapist training — A way of learning about countertransference

In this paper the utilisation of Personal Construct Psychology principles in the experiential training of beginning students in psychotherapy will be discussed. Regardless of theoretical orientation the practice of psychotherapy involves the necessity of attempting to construe the construction processes of the client. This is often made easier when therapist and client construct systems show similarities, but this will not always be the case in a therapeutic setting. It is thus important for therapists to be aware of their own personal and stereotypic constructs as they impinge on their ability to attend to clients. Awareness of these factors may facilitate the ability to monitor the effects of such reactions in the therapeutic setting. A series of exercises whereby students in psychotherapy training are assisted to become aware of the impact of their countertransference reactions on the therapeutic process, is discussed.A similar version of this paper was first presented at the 5th International Congress on Personal Construct Psychology, Boston 1983.     

Classroom studies into cognitive style in mathematics for pupils with dyslexia in special education in the Netherlands, Ireland and the UK

The project reported here was designed to explore the cognitive style used by pupils with dyslexia when answering a range of mathematical questions. The research involved 132 pupils aged between 9 and 13 years, including 66 pupils in mainstream and 66 pupils in specialist schools, in three countries in Europe.
Detailed studies of the methods used by pupils attempting the given questions on a test of cognitive style suggested that they fell into two main categories. These pupils were observed when completing the test and their responses were categorised accordingly. The resulting numerical data were then analysed for differences between pupils within each country and between their non-dyslexic counterparts.
The results showed significant differences in the balance of cognitive styles employed by pupils with dyslexia as opposed to their non-dyslexic counterparts. Also there were interesting differences occurring between the pupils with dyslexia within the three countries on initial testing. Further differences were established after a six-month intervention period, suggesting that the characteristics of different curriculum models do have an impact upon pupils' flexibility as learners.     

Jimmy Carter on human rights: A thematic analysis

The analysis of Jimmy Carter's public statements on human rights reveals a calculated attempt to infuse an ambiguous catch phrase or slogan with the symbolic power of an ultimate term.     

Informal information control in complex technological purchase situations

In this paper, we examine how individuals vary in their ability to control informal information during the purchasing process for an expensive complex technological product in the information technology area. As part of this research process, we use sociometric data from 41 firms to test a structural model of the effects that network heterogeneity and three organizational structure variables have on this type of information control. As hypothesized, increased network heterogeneity reduces an individual's ability to control informal information. Moreover, the structural variables of decentralization, formalization, and spatial differentiation are shown to affect informal information control in the predicted manner. Importantly, we also show that formalization and spatial differentiation affect network heterogeneity. Decentralization, however, was not found to be related to network heterogeneity.     

Coincidence timing of a tennis stroke: effects of age, skill level, gender, stimulus velocity, and attention demand

Participants (N = 162, ages 10-15 years) performed a tennis stroke in a coincidence-timing task. Major results were: (a) performance improved mainly between the ages of 10-13 years; (b) skill differences were reflected by variable error (VE); (c) boys were lower than girls for VE and absolute error; (d) high stimulus velocity was related to low VE and late responding. Results concerning response organization favored explanations based on ecological perspectives rather than information processingperspectives. However, it is premature to disregard the potential role of programming. The view is supported that a continuous process of coupling perceptual and motor responses coordinates control of response timing. These cognitive processes appear to be: (a) refined with practice; (b) sensitive to differences in age, skill, and gender; and (c) adaptable to changes in environmental demands.     

Reading on Screen: Exploring Issues in Reading for Information with CD-ROM

This article describes the insights gained by a group of primary teachers investigating the implications of CD-ROM for English with their KS2 pupils. As part of the IT in English project, they researched pupils' use of the CD-ROM and its effect on their learning. They developed effective strategies to help pupils cope with the reading demands and edit their own texts. Positive effects on critical reading, collaboration, and use of conventional information books were observed.     

Role of joint torques generated in an optimised Yurchenko layout vault

The purpose of the study was to quantify the muscle torques required in the performance of an optimised Yurchenko layout vault based on a five-segment rigid link model and using input data from an elite female gymnast. At impact, the wrist torque trajectory indicated an extension-flexion action while the shoulder was characterised by extension. The approximate 100 Nm (wrist flexor) and 125 Nm (shoulder extensor) respective peak torque magnitudes indicated that the impact action is not passive in nature. The contribution of joint torques to the adjoining segments was apportioned to the relative components namely; centripetal, gravity and net joint torque components. Despite the presence of both large wrist and shoulder joint torques, the net turning effect on the upper limb and hand segments about their centre of mass (CM) was small. The principal role of the upper limb joint torques was therefore to effect the appropriate joint motions and to support the weight of the gymnast. The performance of the optimum vault was primarily the result of the interplay between the centripetal and the net joint torque components at the wrist, hip and shoulder joints. This has implications to the performer in that successful execution of the vault is principally concerned with the ability to create a high angular momentum for horse impact and to then apply an appropriate level of joint torques that will make optimal use of the initial kinetic condition.