Public speaking in the Philippines

Although several writers have stressed the importance of the discussion process in producing risky shifts in small‐group decision making, no researchers have attempted to discover the communicative processes of groups whose deliberations culminate in such shifts. This study examines the communication processes of risky‐shift and cautious‐shift groups in terms of the diffusion‐of‐responsibility theory (i.e., groups shifting toward risk tend to diffuse or share responsibility for the decision among group members or among elements outside the group). The results indicate that the communicative processes of risky‐shift and cautious‐shift discussion groups differ according to their handling of decisional responsibility as expected from the diffusion‐of‐responsibility theory. This finding provides warrant for additional studies examining the communicative processes of discussion groups from the vantage of other competing theories of the risky‐shift phenomenon.     

Virtual Models of Long-Term Care

Nursing homes, assisted living facilities and home-care organizations, use web sites to describe their services to potential consumers. This virtual ethnographic study developed models representing how potential consumers may understand this information using data from web sites of 69 long-term-care providers. The content of long-term-care web sites can be understood based on common concepts such as services provided, quality of life, autonomy, values, and goals. However, the use of a human ecosystems organizing framework results in systemic, contextualized, in-depth, and useful models for understanding and highlighting similarities and differences across the three forms of long-term care. This research has implications for those interested in long-term care and for researchers organizing qualitative data in ethnographic research.     

The Importance of Object Memories for Older Adults

The memories of treasured objects are essential in giving life meaning. In the process of development in later adulthood, most changes involve significant loss including loss of physical and mental ability, loss of family and friends, and loss of possessions. Objects and their associated memories are especially important in maintaining an internal working model of self. This study explores the roles and functions of object memories in the lives of elders in a residential home. An interview process is used to examine the functions and memories of objects for elderly men and women. These objects and memories became the means of communicating the substance, meaning, and justification of a life history. Good long-term care facilities are places where the elderly are respected and allowed and encouraged to have personal items.     

Grandma,I love you

Grandma, I Love You, said a bright-eyed three-year-old to her foster grandparent at the day care center. This happened one winter morning as I was observing a group of day care children for a research project on children's perceptions about elderly persons. Seeing the little girl run up to her foster grandparent and hug her around the knees confirmed for me the importance of intergenerational reciprocity in sharing feelings.Lillian Phenice is Assistant Professor in Family & Child Ecology at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.