Subjective responses to intravenous nicotine: Greater sensitivity in women than in men.

Although approximately 45% of smokers in the United States are women, the influence of sex on nicotine dependence remains incompletely understood. Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies has indicated that there are significant sex differences in nicotine's effects. The authors' goal in this report was to determine whether men and women differ in their acute response to intravenous nicotine, which has not been examined in previous studies. Twelve male and 12 female smokers received saline followed by 0.5 mg/70 kg and 1.0 mg /70 kg nicotine intravenously. In response to nicotine, women, as compared with men, had enhanced ratings for drug strength, head rush, and bad effects. Women and men experienced similar suppression of smoking urges by nicotine as assessed by the Brief Questionnaire on Smoking Urges. Nicotine-induced heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure increases were also similar in magnitude in men and women. The findings, consistent with those of several previous studies, support greater sensitivity of female smokers to some but not all of the subjective effects of nicotine. Further studies are warranted to examine the role of this differential nicotine sensitivity to development of nicotine dependence and response to nicotine replacement treatments in men and women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Zandra Rhodes’ ‘Works of Art’ (1979–1988): From Feminine Frills to Goddess Saris

By 1979 the British fashion designer Zandra Rhodes (b. 1940) was well established and internationally renowned for her colourful hand screen-printed silk chiffon crinoline dresses. The femininity of her chiffon dresses ensured their continuation as best–sellers beyond 1979, but little has been written about her other dress designs during the 1980s. During this period Rhodes introduced new styles including her heavily beaded ‘exotic tunics’ and designer saris worn over hip panniers. Zandra Rhodes’ designs were perceived as feminine when worn by the designer herself, her models and her clientele; and represented as feminine in their portrayal in magazines and newspapers at the time. Using original records held in the Zandra Rhodes Archives, London, as well as material gathered during the Zandra Rhodes Digital Study Collection project (Jisc, 2011–2013), this article examines the period 1979–1988 within a framework of feminine representation and also considers Rhodes’ proposition that her designs are ‘works of art’.     

Sibling relationship quality and adolescent delinquency: A latent growth curve approach.

The present study examined whether level and changes in sibling relationship quality and older sibling delinquency are related to level and changes in younger sibling delinquency, for brother, sister, older brother/younger sister and older sister/younger brother sibling pairs. Questionnaire data were collected from 249 Dutch sibling pairs (11–15 years old) over a period of three years, with annual measurements. Results showed that level and over-time changes in sibling relationship quality and older and younger sibling delinquency were significantly different for the four sibling gender combinations. Results of multivariate growth curve modeling showed that sibling relationship quality was related to delinquency of older siblings (but not younger siblings), and delinquency of older siblings was associated with younger sibling delinquency two years later. We also found differences between the four sibling gender combinations. For example, for brother and sister pairs (but not mixed-sex sibling pairs), over-time changes in older sibling delinquency were related to younger sibling delinquency two years later as well as the change pattern in younger sibling delinquency over time. Strengths, limitations and possible implications for research and intervention of adolescent delinquency are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

When it comes to pay, do the thin win? The effect of weight on pay for men and women.

Cultivation theory suggests that society holds very different body standards for men versus women, and research indicates that the consequences of defying these social norms may not be linear. To test these notions in the employment context, we examined the relationship between weight and income and the degree to which the relationship varies by gender. For women, we theorized a negative weight–income relationship that is steepest at the thin end of the distribution. For men, we predicted a positive weight–income relationship until obesity, where it becomes negative. To test these hypotheses, we utilized 2 longitudinal studies, 1 German and 1 American. In Study 1, weight was measured over 2 time periods, and earnings were averaged over the subsequent 5 years. Study 2 was a multilevel study in which weight and earnings were within-individual variables observed over time, and gender was a between-individual variable. Results from the 2 studies generally support the hypotheses, even when examining within-individual changes in weight over time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Early manifestations of personality and adult health: A life course perspective.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate whether individual personality or temperamental qualities that emerge early and persist over the life course, predict adult midlife health. Specific childhood personality attributes considered include distress proneness, behavioral inhibition, and ability to stay focused on a task. Design: Prospective data are from 569 individuals followed from birth into adulthood. Main Outcome Measures: Outcomes include two different measures of adult health: self-rated general health, and number of illnesses in adulthood. Results: Childhood personality attributes related to attention and distress were significantly associated with adult health, with stronger effects evident among women. Children with high attention reported better self-rated health (b = 0.12, p     

Milgram, stress research, and the Institutional Review Board.

Comments on a recent attempted replication of the Milgram studies (Burger, January 2009) (see record 2008-19206-001). Over the last 20 years when lecturing to undergraduates, the author found that the students consistently and vehemently denied that similar results would be obtained “today.” They would note how much more independent individuals are now, how authority is not valued to the same extent that it was in the past, and so forth. Of course in the 1960s experts said the same things. No one predicted what happened then, and he doubts that many would have predicted what Burger (2009) found now. The author's comments, with one exception, are directed toward broader issues of the research enterprise relevant to concerns touched off by Milgram and subsequent practices of institutional review boards (IRBs). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Homelessness revisited: New reflections on old paradigms

Abstract

This paper has two objectives. One is to explore the new terrain of homelessness from a gendered perspective in order to suggest ways in which the material experience of homelessness may have changed over the last fifteen years. The second objective is to look at the question through a different critical lens and explore what new theoretical paradigms have to offer to understanding homelessness, particularly the homelessness of women.     

Taking back the power: an analysis of Black women’s communicative resistance

Black women are a structurally oppressed group in a subordinate position in the power hierarchy. Language is an important demonstration of group identity and is used to manage the day-to-day realities of being both Black and women. Scholars have devoted attention to explaining why Black women’s discursive practices are a function of their particular vantage point and can serve as a measure of protection against social and political hostilities. While there is a great deal of research acknowledging Black women’s ability to resist, the work can be extended by analyzing the specific resistance strategies Black women employ in common social environments. This essay uses Black/feminist standpoint and power and discourse frameworks to analyze Black women’s communicative resistance across three communication contexts: (1) education, (2) workplace, and (3) personal relationships.     

Understanding attitudes toward affirmative action programs in employment: Summary and meta-analysis of 35 years of research.

Affirmative action programs (AAPs) are controversial employment policies in the United States and elsewhere. A large body of evidence about attitudinal reactions to AAPs in employment has accumulated over 35 years: at least 126 independent samples involving 29,000 people. However, findings are not firmly established or integrated. In the current article, the authors summarize and meta-analytically estimate relationships of AAP attitudes with (a) structural features of such programs, (b) perceiver demographic and psychological characteristics, (c) interactions of structural features with perceiver characteristics, and (d) presentation of AAP details to perceivers, including justification of the AAP. Results are generally consistent with predictions derived from self-interest considerations, organizational justice theory, and racism theories. They also suggest practical ways in which AAPs might be designed and communicated to employees to reduce attitudinal resistance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)