Boxing: from male vocation to neurotic masculinity

This paper explores the cultural significance of boxing in its relationship to concepts and practices of masculinity, recently much discussed, but here reviewed specifically in European and American literary texts from the end of the nineteenth to the end of the twentieth centuries. Focussing on key moments of change in boxing’s significance in relation to male vocation, the paper will in particular investigate the extent to which literary responses to the sport cast light on the crisis masculinity has undergone since the start of the twentieth century. Changing attitudes to boxing will thus be interpreted as symptoms of modification in the concept and practice of manliness, successively from boxing as rite of passage, as profession or occupation, as idea, as fantasy and finally as image or neurosis. This evolution will be traced successively in four early twentieth-century European literary writers: Maurice Maeterlinck (first decade), Arthur Cravan (second decade), Robert Musil (third decade), and Malcolm Lowry (fourth decade). Little studied to date in this context, these writers together provide evidence of symptoms that will subsequently be clarified by contemporary American authors, whether of fiction (Chuck Palahniuk) or of socio-psychological study (Gerald Early, Carlos Rotella).     

Running quietly reduces ground reaction force and vertical loading rate and alters foot strike technique

This study aimed to determine if a quantifiable relationship exists between the peak sound amplitude and peak vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) and vertical loading rate during running. It also investigated whether differences in peak sound amplitude, contact time, lower limb kinematics, kinetics and foot strike technique existed when participants were verbally instructed to run quietly compared to their normal running. A total of 26 males completed running trials for two sound conditions: normal running and quiet running. Simple linear regressions revealed no significant relationships between impact sound and peak vGRF in the normal and quiet conditions and vertical loading rate in the normal condition. t-Tests revealed significant within-subject decreases in peak sound, peak vGRF and vertical loading rate during the quiet compared to the normal running condition. During the normal running condition, 15.4% of participants utilised a non-rearfoot strike technique compared to 76.9% in the quiet condition, which was corroborated by an increased ankle plantarflexion angle at initial contact. This study demonstrated that quieter impact sound is not directly associated with a lower peak vGRF or vertical loading rate. However, given the instructions to run quietly, participants effectively reduced peak impact sound, peak vGRF and vertical loading rate.     

Professionals under stress: A review of burnout among the helping professions with implications for school psychologists

Based upon a review of the literature regarding burnout among the helping professions, this article discusses organizational, interpersonal, and intrapersonal conditions that may create or exacerbate problems of burnout among school psychologists. Suggestions for coping with burnout in school settings are presented. The need for a research agenda related to burnout among school psychologists is underscored.     

A framework to determine when the school psychologist should counsel

The major goal of this paper is to identify a “five-level framework of psychological adjustment” specifically for use by school psychologists. The levels range from one of excellent adjustment to severe psychopathology. The school psychologist is guided toward interaction with clients based on a differential scale of adjustment.     

The Effect of CRT Screen Design on Learning and Time

Two CAI programs tested the effects of plain and enhanced screen designs, with or without information about the designs, and task-type on learning time and achievement. The enhanced versions used headings, directive cues, running heads, and graphic devices to organize and structure the content, Information about the screens described the purposes of the enhanced features and instructed the students to use those features while studying. One program required learners to perform a memorization task; the second program required concept acquisition and application. Plain-screen versions were equal to the enhanced versions in the effects on learning. Information about text enhancements reduced lesson time when the enhancements provided the learner with program control options.     

Opportunities for school psychologists in rural school settings

Rural school psychologists from California, Georgia, Indiana, and Iowa were mailed questionnaires asking them to describe the advantages of practicing school psychology in rural school settings. Three main clusters of responses emerged, including: close contact and good working relationships with teachers, administrators, and parents; role diversity and autonomy; and positive environmental context. Levels of job satisfaction also were investigated. A total of 59% of the psychologists reported high or very high job satisfaction, while 33% reported an average level of satisfaction, and only 8% reported a low level of satisfaction.