Effects of increasing failure and success on military and economic risk taking.

Investigated the effect of success, failure, and time spent in decision making on the degree of military and economic risk taking. A complex experimental simulation technique was employed as the research method to permit comparison of data obtained in a more "real world-like" setting with results reported by investigators using small-scale laboratory techniques. Results from 88 undergraduates show that risk taking increases with the length of time that decision-making groups spend in working on a task. After some time, risky decision making may become concentrated in 1 decision area at a time, even though risks could be taken in more areas. Comparisons to laboratory results suggest some commonalities and differences with regard to risk-taking results. (37 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stretching limits in sheet metals: In-plane versus out-of-plane deformation

Limiting principal strains were measured by two different techniques of biaxial stretching of sheets, one of which permits free deformation in a flat plane, while the other causes constrained deformation in contact with a rigid or rubber punch. The latter method, which relates well with industrial experience, produces larger limiting strains under identical degrees of biaxiality. A possible explanation is based on the process of instability and strain localization. Siegfried S. Hecker, formerly with Res. Labs, General Motors Corporation, Warren, Michigan.     

On-line student debate: An experiment in communication using computer Networks

A one-month experiment in man-computer-man communication using the Pitt time-sharing system and the SRI system in the ARPA Network is described. Thirteen graduate students in computer science served as experimental subjects, carrying out limited, pairwise debates on a selected set of controversial topics, with subsequent on-line critique. Besides studying the feasibility of this technique, the main purpose was to probe into the significance (if any) attributed by human communicators to the structure of files used for communicating information. Comparative systems performance and various user characteristics were also observed. Student reactions and other recorded data are interpretively discussed and summarized.