Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Volunteer Fire Departments: A Neglected American Voluntary Association, Michelle C. Akers

Masters Theses

This thesis explores the social and cultural dimensions of volunteer fire departments (VFDs) in West Michigan. Through interviews and observations of four VFDs, important dimensions of social cohesion and variability within and between the departments and communities are revealed. An emphasis is placed upon the gender relations within the departments and their effect upon the relations in the larger community. From these companies, a sketch of a small West Michigan community is derived. If used as a companion with other research of Midwestern communities of a greater scope and sample size, an understanding of social organization and social structure may …

The Effects Of A Corporate Adventure Training Experience On Group Dynamics And Individual Self-Actualization Of Middle-Management Professionals, Scott A. Kelly

Dissertations

Adventure programming has been utilized in the corporate world for training and team building. The focus of this study was to examine the effects of a 2-day corporate Adventure Training program on the group and individual functioning of middle-level managers in a Midwestern manufacturing company. The training utilized ropes course and group activities to develop teamwork and increase group functioning.

A work team consisting of 34 individuals, who were divided into three groups, participated in the training. A control group of 12 individuals was utilized for comparison. Variables of interest included group functioning and self-actualization. Group functioning was measured with …

The Public Administrationist As Civic Shaman: The Self-Reflective Integrator Of Policy Frames Of Reference And Social Character, Phillip A. Brown

Dissertations

This study discusses the discipline of Public Administration and the Public Administrationist in relation to policy frames of reference and social character. The relationship of policy frames of reference and social character is the basis for public trust As the American political system becomes more and more fragmented, public administrationists, sometimes by default, become the trustees for safeguarding the public trust.

The concept of policy frames of reference, as it evolves in this discussion, refers to the ability of the public administrationist to understand the interactions of changing issues impacting on the interactions of changing issues, or quantum thinking. Social …

Perinatal Loss: An Exposure Based Approach To Alleviating Feelings Of Grief In Bereaved Parents, Michele Lee Rosa

Dissertations

The efficacy of exposing bereaved parents to stimuli associated with their deceased child as a means of alleviating their grief reaction was explored. Three parents who had suffered a perinatal loss participated. Pre, post, and follow-up measures of depression, hopelessness, anxiety, marital functioning, daily stress, psychopathology, bereavement and grief were gathered.

Results showed clinically significant improvement for two of the three subjects on measures of depression and psychopathology. All subjects showed improved marital functioning. Negative change was seen on a measure of hopelessness for two of the three subjects. The treatment effects for symptoms of stress, anxiety, bereavement and grief …

Crises In The Regulation Of Long-Term Care, Randall Earl Phillips

Dissertations

This study reviews the history of the legislative process that led to the passage of the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 and the implementation of the regulations. The analysis uses the model of Masmanian and Sabatier to identify the variables and assess their impact on the implementation process. The content of the regulations in terms of various statutory and nonstatutory variables is assessed, and an estimate is made of their effect on the program.

Three aspects of the regulations are examined. First, the relative importance of how compliance is to be determined--subjectively, objectively, or clinically. Second, the design and …

An Evaluation Of Privatization, Taxes, And User Fees As Alternative Strategies For Municipal Trash Collection, James Neubecker

Dissertations

This study consists of evaluating the perceived quality of the various methods of collecting residential trash and paying for that collection in four Michigan cities. The cities selected are East Lansing, Lincoln Park, Saginaw, and Wyoming. Theyshare similar demographic characteristics, including median income and population size, as well as number and location of trash pick-ups. The study compares paying for trash collection services with tax dollars, user fees, and direct private charges to the vendor. It also evaluates the residents’ perceptions of quality when municipal workers are compared with private company workers providing trash collection services.

Questionnaires were sent to …

The Discriminative Stimulus Properties Of Morphine And U-50,488h In A Three-Key Assay: A Mu And Kappa Opioid Discrimination In The Pigeon, Malath Makhay

Dissertations

Opiate drugs have been classified in two-choice assays according to their ability to produce generalization in animals to the prototypicix opiate, morphine, versus vehicle, or to the k opioid, U -50,488H versus vehicle injections (Picker & Dykstra, 1987). A three-choice discrimination procedure, in which subjects discriminate among morphine, U -50,488H , and vehicle injections, might afford a greater degree of precision in characterizing the subjective effects of opioids. The feasibility of such a procedure was demonstrated in the present study, in which five pigeons were trained to discriminate among injections of 5 .6 m g/kg morphinel 5 .6 m g/kg …

The Effectiveness Of A Call-In Number In Telephone Surveys, Robert J. Moore

Masters Theses

Answering machines are now more frequently encountered in telephone studies than just a few years ago. Researchers must devise new techniques to compensate for the increased use of answering machines. The main point of the Michigan Higher Education Institute (MHEI) 800 number study was to establish if leaving an 800 call-in number on an answering machine would increase response rates and lower the number of interviewer initiated call-backs for call attempts resulting in an answering machine disposition. The MHEI study provided a chance to look at how an 800 number could improve response rates in a panel telephone study. The …

Poverty And The Underclass: Changing Perceptions Of The Poor In America. William A. Kelso.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

William A, Kelso, Poverty and the Underclass: Changing Perceptions of the Poor in America. New York: New York University Press, 1994. $34.95 hardcover.

Social Welfare: Structure And Practice. David Macarov.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

David Macarov, Social Welfare: Structure and Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1995. $24.95 papercover.

New Themes In International Social Welfare: Introduction, James Midgley

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This introductory article provides a brief overview of developments in international social welfare paying particular attention to the major themes which have characterized the field. It summarizes the new themes reflected in the contributions to the special issue, noting that they are indicative of future directions for international social welfare investigation.

Market Mechanisms And Consumer Involvement In The Delivery Of Mental Health Services: A Uk-Us Comparison, Wes Shera

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Both the United Kingdom and the United States Are in the midst of health care reform. By focusing on services for the severely mentally ill this paper compares recent developments in managed care in the U.S. and care management in the U.K. It particularly focuses on the use of market mechanisms and consumer involvement in these reforms.

The Impact Of Market Economy Transition On Social Security And Social Welfare In Poland, Morgan A. Tracy, Martin B. Tracy

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The development of certain facets of Poland's social protection system since the collapse of state socialism in 1989 is analyzed using a comparative policy process analysis model. Particulara ttention is given to the programs of social assistance, child-care and family benefits, and old-age pensions in the Polish context. On the basis of the analysis it is argued that policy makers should give greater consideration to Poland's unique historical and cultural experience relative to addressing social issues.

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 23, No. 1 (March 1996)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• INTRODUCTION - James Midgley
• MARKET MECHANISMS AND CONSUMER INVOLVEMENT IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: A UK - US COMPARISON - Wes Shera
• THE IMPACT OF MARKET ECONOMY TRANSITION ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND SOCIAL WELFARE: THE CASE OF POLAND - Morgan Tracy and Martin B. Tracy
• THE MARGINALIZATION OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A STUDY OF FOUR THEORIES OF SOCIAL POLICY DEVELOPMENT - K. L. Tang
• TOWARDS A DEVELOPMENTAL MODEL OF SOCIAL POLICY: RELEVANCE OF THE THIRD WORLD EXPERIENCE - James Midgley
• SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: NECESSARY PARTNERS FOR THE FUTURE IN …

Deforestation And Rural Poverty In Developing Countries: The Role Of Social Work, Shanta Pandey

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

To alleviate rural poverty most developing countries have been launching a wide variety of rural development activities. In this paper I discuss the relationship between deforestation and rural poverty, policies governing reforestation initiatives and the role of social workers in these efforts. The paper argues for and illustrates the various roles social workers can play in development programs to alleviate rural poverty in developing countries.

The Work-Family Needs Of Single Parents: A Comparison Of American And Swedish Policy Trends, Lena Lundgren-Gaveras

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper compares recent policy trends affecting the work-family needs of women heading households, a population that has increased dramatically in both America and Sweden. Unlike existing American policy debates that largely discuss single mothers as a public welfare dependent population, this paper addresses female-headed householders as high-level users of policies and programs aimed at integrating work life and family life.

Most cross-national research and policy debate efforts argue that Swedish policy, in stark contrast to American policy, promote women combining employment with parenting responsibilities. This study argues that policy developments directly targeted to enhance an employee's ability to combine …

A Tale Of Two Hannas: Observations On Israeli And Palestinian Women's Resistance To Occupation (1991-1995), Christina Pratt

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

An observer reviews the successes and failures of grassroots strategies of non-violent resistance to military occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Particular attention is paid to the role of women's groups and peace organizations in Israel as well as in Israeli Occupied Arab Territories.

Refugee Resettlement In The United States: Implications For International Social Welfare, Miriam Potocky

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

An analysis of U.S. refugee resettlement policy reveals approaches that do not address several root causes of resettlement difficulties: cultural differences, post-traumatic stress disorder, and discrimination by the host culture. Several recommendations are made for policy improvements, and suggestions for the future of international social welfare are presented.

Review Of Old And Homeless: Double Jeopardy. Dianne Wiatt Rich, Thomas A. Rich And Larry C. Mullins (Eds.). Reviewed By Martin B. Tracy, Southern Illinois University., Martin B. Tracy

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Diane Wiatt Rich, Thomas A. Rich and Larry C. Mullins (Eds.). Old and Homeless: Double Jeopardy. Westport, CT: Auburn House, 1995. $49.95 hardcover.

Review Of John C. Rife, Employment Of The Elderly: An Annotated Bibliography. Reviewed By Martin B. Tracy, Southern Illinois University., Martin B. Tracy

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

John C. Rife, Employment of the Elderly: An Annotated Bibliography. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1995. $59.95 hardcover.

The Careless Society: Community And Its Counterfeits. John Mcknight.

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

John McKnight, The Careless Society: Community and its Counterfeits. New York: Basic Books, 1995. $21.00 hardcover.

Toward A Developmental Model Of Social Policy: Relevance Of The Third World Experience, James Midgley

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Growing dissatisfaction with conventional social policy approaches, as embodied in the residual and institutional models, has fostered a search for new ideas. The developmental social policy model offers a viable alternative but it is relatively unknown in the industrial nations. Drawing on the experience of Third World countries, this paper describes the developmental model and examines its implications for social policy in the West.

Review Of Comparing Welfare States: Britain In International Context. Allan Cochrane And John Clark. Reviewed By Kwong Leung Tang, University Of Northern British Columbia., Kwong Leung Tang

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Allan Cochrane and John Clarke, Comparing Welfare States: Britain in International Context. Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1993. $21.95 papercover.

The Marginalization Of Social Welfare In Developing Countries: The Relevance Of Theories Of Social Policy Development, Kwong-Leung Tang

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Social welfare development has been marginalized in many developing countries. This study examines the social policies of developing countries and refers to four major theories of social policy development (social conscience, modernization, dependency and diffusion) to see if they offer an explanation of the phenomenon. It is argued that dependency theory and diffusion theory provide better interpretations than the other two theories. The paper shows how theories of social policy have international relevance in explaining current trends in social welfare.

Sustainable Development And Social Development: Necessary Partners For The Future, Joyce M. Kramer, Claude D. Johnson

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This paper highlights the finite limits of global resources, the rapid global changes that are occurring, and the authors' concerns about the failure of the world community to come to grips with global problems. Major impediments to achieving global sustainability and social development are discussed and suggestions are presented for remedial strategies to redirect society along a more equitable and sustainable future path.

Equality And Family Policy In International Perspective: Toward A Feminist Theory Of The State, Patricia Spakes

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This three country comparison uses case studies of family policy in Britain, Canada and the US to explain how governments utilize family policies to maintain patriarchal systems and to promote labor force and economic goals. The paper examines how equality/difference theories are applied in family policy. Propositions are developed in order to provide a basis for developing new approaches to family policy based on gender equality.

Technology Transfer And Integrated Social Development: International Issues And Possibilities For Social Work, James O. Billups,, Maria C. Julia,

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Technology transfer and integrated social development are closely linked aspects of social work practice that deserve more serious attention than they have received to date. Social workers need to play more knowledgeable and active roles in utilizing a broad-scale partnership model that will help communities and societies screen and adapt technologies so that they can be appropriately integrated with people's values, culture, concerns and aspirations. Everyone should ultimately benefit if the poor and disempowered peoples of the world in particular become the primary focus and the beneficiaries of less arrogant and more inclusive strategies of technology transfer. The aim of …

Review Of The Politics Of Care: Human Services At The Local Level. Alan J. Hahn. Reviewed By Ram A. Cnaan, University Of Pennsylvania., Ram A. Cnaan

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Alan J. Hahn, The Politics of Care: Human Services at the Local Level. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1994. $63.00 hardcover, $19.95 papercover, 256 pp.

Review Of Divided Against Itself. A Study Of Integration In A Welfare Bureaucracy. Bjorn Hvinden. Reviewed By Sven E. Olsson Hort, Stockholm University, Sweden., Sven E. Olsson Hort

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Bjorn Hvinden, Divided Against Itself A Study of Integration in A Welfare Bureaucracy. Oslo: Scandinavian University Press, 1994 # 45 hardcover (Distributed in the United States by Oxford University Press, 200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016).

Review Of Tragedies Of Our Own Making: How Private Choices Have Created Public Bankruptcy. Richard Neely. Reviewed By W. Joseph Heffernan, University Of Texas, Austin., W. Joseph Heffernan

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Richard Neely, Tragedies of Our Own Making: How Private Choices Have Created Public Bankruptcy. Urbana, IL. University of Illinois Press, 1994. $19.95 hardcover.