The concepts of individual, self, and group in Japanese National, Japanese-American, and European-American samples: a semantic differential analysis

This study empirically investigated variations in the semantic/affective construction of the concepts of “individual”, “self”, and “group” in individualistic and collectivistic cultures. Data were collected on the semantic differential ratings for these concepts among 110 Japanese National (JN), 110 Japanese-American (JA), and 110 European-American (EA) university students. Compared to the other two samples, the JN sample rated the concept of “individual” as weaker and more fast, the concept of “self” as more fast, and the concept of “group” as more strong and more slow. It also was revealed that the JA sample’s ratings of the three concepts tended to fall between the JN and EA samples’ ratings. Altogether, the findings offer further evidence that the individualism-collectivism distinction has psychological implications and predictive power.     

USING THE TELEPHONE CONFERENCE TO ENHANCE INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE

One use of the telephone as a supplement to face‐to‐face teaching is the telephone conference. This report describes the planning and evaluation of a conference designed to enhance the experience of undergraduate Business students on industrial placement. It begins with the sort of questions ‘that have to be asked when planning such a session and describes how they were answered in this instance. The feedback from the conference provides some useful pointers for those planning similar events.     

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE TO CHANGE: THE MIDDLESEX EXPERIENCE

The origins and development of the Dip H.E. at Middlesex Polytechnic are described. The location of a multidisciplinary modular course in a departmentally organised institution requires a particular level of commitment from academic government and from individual members of staff. Resource allocation must be assured. Given these, a flexible response to pressures arising from student needs and the pressure exerted by departmental interests becomes possible.     

Instructions for Authors

Instructions for Authors

Instructions for Authors     

Book Reviews

Let Them Eat Cake by Tom Angus Author House, Bloomington, IN, USA 2005 ISBN 1‐4208‐1049‐9 (e), 1‐4208‐1048‐0 (sc), £12.99 Books in the Digital Age: The Transformation of Academic and Higher Education Publishing in Britain and the United States by John B. Thompson Polity Press, 2005, ISBN 0 7456 3477 X (hb), £65, 0 7456 3478 8 (pb), £19.99