High‐school prize‐speaking contests

Vilification is a rhetorical strategy that discredits adversaries as ungenuine and malevolent advocates. The strategy is pervasive in the rhetoric of pro‐life and pro‐choice movements in Minnesota between 1973 and 1980. Both movements characterize their opponents as elite conspiracies whose influence is based upon misuse of powerful agencies and whose motives are tyrannous and unjust. Vilification strategies construct the enemy as simultaneously powerful and vulnerable, providing urgency, empowerment, reward, and sustained commitment for members of the movement.     

Effects of Personality Types on the Use of Television Genre

This study examined the role of three personality characteristics, Psychoticism, Extraversion, and Neuroticism (PEN), on viewers' level of attention to five different genres of television programming: news, soap operas, reality shows, talk shows, and crime dramas. A survey of 381 college students showed psychoticism to be negatively related to attention to news and reality show programming. There was a positive relationship between extraversion and attention to reality programming. Finally, neuroticism was positively associated with attention to all genres assessed. The implications of these findings for future research are discussed.     

Predictors of Global Quality in Family Child Care Homes: Structural and Belief Characteristics

Research Findings: With a substantial number of young children receiving care in family child care settings, an examination of the characteristics, both structural and attitudinal, that predict program quality is warranted. The current study examines gaps in the research by examining both structural characteristics and provider beliefs that influence observed global quality in family child care homes. Results of this study suggest that belief characteristics can predict the quality of family child care homes above and beyond structural characteristics alone. Practice or Policy: Providing support to help all providers understand appropriate developmental expectations for children and how to effectively guide children is critical for quality improvement efforts. In addition, providing support to decrease job stress and improve professional motivation is highlighted.