The Effects of Gender and Self Construal on Perception of Racism

When looking into the idea of if one\u27s gender and their self-construal has an effect on how they perceive racism, we hypothesize that women will take a more interdependent self-construal and men will take a more independent self-construal. Based on how they identify, we believe that those in the interdependent condition will perceive more racism and those in the independent condition will perceive less racism

Fragmentation phase transition in atomic clusters I --- Microcanonical thermodynamics

Here we first develop the thermodynamics of microcanonical phase transitions of first and second order in systems which are thermodynamically stable in the sense of van Hove. We show how both kinds of phase transitions can unambiguously be identified in relatively small isolated systems of $\sim 100$ atoms by the shape of the microcanonical caloric equation of state $$ I.e. within microcanonical thermodynamics one does not need to go to the thermodynamic limit in order to identify phase transitions. In contrast to ordinary (canonical) thermodynamics of the bulk microcanonical thermodynamics (MT) gives an insight into the coexistence region. The essential three parameters which identify the transition to be of first order, the transition temperature $T_{tr}$, the latent heat $q_{lat}$, and the interphase surface entropy $\Delta s_{surf}$ can very well be determined in relatively small systems like clusters by MT. The phase transition towards fragmentation is introduced. The general features of MT as applied to the fragmentation of atomic clusters are discussed. The similarities and differences to the boiling of macrosystems are pointed out.Comment: Same as before, abstract shortened my e-mail address: [email protected]

Fragmentation Phase Transition in Atomic Clusters II - Coulomb Explosion of Metal Clusters -

We discuss the role and the treatment of polarization effects in many-body systems of charged conducting clusters and apply this to the statistical fragmentation of Na-clusters. We see a first order microcanonical phase transition in the fragmentation of $Na^{Z+}_{70}$ for Z=0 to 8. We can distinguish two fragmentation phases, namely evaporation of large particles from a large residue and a complete decay into small fragments only. Charging the cluster shifts the transition to lower excitation energies and forces the transition to disappear for charges higher than Z=8. At very high charges the fragmentation phase transition no longer occurs because the cluster Coulomb-explodes into small fragments even at excitation energy $\epsilon^* = 0$.Comment: 19 text pages +18 *.eps figures, my e-mail adress: [email protected] submitted to Z. Phys.

Chimpanzees’ Socially Maintained Food Preferences Indicate both Conservatism and Conformity

Chimpanzees remain fixed on a single strategy, even if a novel, more efficient, strategy is introduced. Previous studies reporting such findings have incorporated paradigms in which chimpanzees learn one behavioural method and then are shown a new one that the chimpanzees invariably do not adopt. This study provides the first evidence that chimpanzees show such conservatism even when the new method employs the identical required behaviour as the first, but for a different reward. Groups of chimpanzees could choose to exchange one of two inedible tokens; one was rewarded with a highly preferred food (grape) and the other with a less preferred food (carrot). Individuals first observed a model chimpanzee from their social group trained to choose one of the two types of tokens. In one group, this token earned a carrot, while in the other, control, group the token earned a grape. In both groups, chimpanzees conformed to the trained model’s choice. This was especially striking for those gaining the pieces of carrot; the less favoured reward. This resulted in a population-level trend of food choices, even when counter to their original, individual, preferences. Moreover, the chimpanzees’ food preferences did not change over time, demonstrating that these results were not due to a simple shift in preferences. We discuss social factors apparent in the interactions and suggest that, despite seeming to be inefficient, in chimpanzees, conformity may benefit them, possibly by assisting with the maintenance of group relations

Impact of Gender on Separation-Reunification Experiences of Latino Adolescent Immigrants

Many Latino immigrants who enter the US in late childhood or adolescence are reunifying with parents after lengthy separations, and yet there is limited research on this process from their point of view. This article discusses the impact of gender relations on family re-engagement and immigrant adaptation of young men and young women. Young people were interviewed as part of a grounded theory study exploring the process of family separation and reunification for Latino immigrant adolescents who have been separated from their parents for at least four years during immigration. Focus groups, individual interviews and participant observation were used to gather data from 20 Mexican and Central American immigrant adolescents, 12 young men and 8 young women. Participants reported a range of personal and family beliefs about gender roles and their impact on separation and reunification, Young men reported greater exposure to violence, generally had less access to health care, and reported more emotional isolation from families and peers than young women. Fathers and adult male role models were missing from most of their lives, and this absence was particularly difficult for young men. Young women reported greater skills and persistence in emotional re-engagement with their families in the United States.Beaucoup d'immigrés latinos entrés aux Etats-Unis à la fin de l'enfance ou au début de l'adolescence retrouvent leurs parents après une longue période de séparation, et pourtant il n'existe que très peu d'études sur ce sujet relatant leur point de vue. Cet article traite de l'impact des rapports de genre sur le regroupement familial et l'adaptation des jeunes hommes et femmes immigrés. Des jeunes ont été interrogés dans le cadre d'une étude basée sur la théorie ancrée qui analysait le processus de séparation et de regroupement familial chez les adolescents immigrés latinos qui avaient été séparés de leurs parents pendant au moins quatre ans durant la période d'immigration. Des groupes cibles, des entretiens individuels et l'observation des participants ont permis de recueillir des données auprès de 20 adolescents immigrés originaires du Mexique et d'Amérique Centrale, dont 12 jeunes hommes et 8 jeunes femmes. Les participants ont décrit un ensemble de croyances personnelles et familiales sur les rôles sexuels, et leur impact sur la séparation et le regroupement familial. Les jeunes hommes ont ainsi déclaré être plus exposés à la violence, avoir généralement un accès aux soins plus limité, et souffrir d'une plus grande isolation émotionnelle vis-à-vis de leurs familles et de leurs pairs que les jeunes femmes. Les pères et les modèles adultes masculins étaient pour la plupart absents de leur vie, et cette absence était particulièrement difficile à vivre pour les jeunes hommes. Les jeunes femmes ont quant à elles montré plus de capacités et de persévérance dans le réengagement émotionnel avec leurs familles aux Etats-Unis.Muchos inmigrantes latinos que entran en Estados Unidos al final de su infancia o en su adolescencia  se reunifican con sus padres después de largos periodos de separación. Sin embargo, existen muy pocos estudios sobre este proceso desde su punto de vista. Este artículo analiza el impacto de las relaciones de género en la reunificación familiar y la adaptación como inmigrantes de hombres y mujeres jóvenes. Se entrevistó a chicos y chicas en el marco de un estudio de teoría fundamentada que explora el proceso de la separación familiar y su posterior reunificación en el caso de inmigrantes latinos adolescentes que han sido separados de sus padres durante al menos cuatro años en el transcurso de la inmigración. Se utilizaron reuniones de grupo, entrevistas individuales y observaciones para recabar datos de 20 inmigrantes adolescentes mexicanos y centroamericanos, 12 chicos y 8 chicas. Los participantes reflejaban diversas creencias personales y familiares sobre los roles de género y su impacto en la separación y reunificación. Los chicos reflejaron una mayor exposición a la violencia, un acceso más limitado en general a la asistencia sanitaria y un mayor aislamiento emocional de sus familias y compañeros que las chicas. En sus familias no había referencias paternas o de adultos masculinos y esta ausencia resultaba especialmente difícil para los chicos. Las chicas, en cambio, mostraron mayores habilidades y persistencia en la reunificación emocional con sus familias en suelo estadounidense

Impact of Gender on Separation-Reunification Experiences of Latino Adolescent Immigrants

Many Latino immigrants who enter the US in late childhood or adolescence are reunifying with parents after lengthy separations, and yet there is limited research on this process from their point of view. This article discusses the impact of gender relations on family re-engagement and immigrant adaptation of young men and young women. Young people were interviewed as part of a grounded theory study exploring the process of family separation and reunification for Latino immigrant adolescents who have been separated from their parents for at least four years during immigration. Focus groups, individual interviews and participant observation were used to gather data from 20 Mexican and Central American immigrant adolescents, 12 young men and 8 young women. Participants reported a range of personal and family beliefs about gender roles and their impact on separation and reunification, Young men reported greater exposure to violence, generally had less access to health care, and reported more emotional isolation from families and peers than young women. Fathers and adult male role models were missing from most of their lives, and this absence was particularly difficult for young men. Young women reported greater skills and persistence in emotional re-engagement with their families in the United States.Beaucoup d'immigrés latinos entrés aux Etats-Unis à la fin de l'enfance ou au début de l'adolescence retrouvent leurs parents après une longue période de séparation, et pourtant il n'existe que très peu d'études sur ce sujet relatant leur point de vue. Cet article traite de l'impact des rapports de genre sur le regroupement familial et l'adaptation des jeunes hommes et femmes immigrés. Des jeunes ont été interrogés dans le cadre d'une étude basée sur la théorie ancrée qui analysait le processus de séparation et de regroupement familial chez les adolescents immigrés latinos qui avaient été séparés de leurs parents pendant au moins quatre ans durant la période d'immigration. Des groupes cibles, des entretiens individuels et l'observation des participants ont permis de recueillir des données auprès de 20 adolescents immigrés originaires du Mexique et d'Amérique Centrale, dont 12 jeunes hommes et 8 jeunes femmes. Les participants ont décrit un ensemble de croyances personnelles et familiales sur les rôles sexuels, et leur impact sur la séparation et le regroupement familial. Les jeunes hommes ont ainsi déclaré être plus exposés à la violence, avoir généralement un accès aux soins plus limité, et souffrir d'une plus grande isolation émotionnelle vis-à-vis de leurs familles et de leurs pairs que les jeunes femmes. Les pères et les modèles adultes masculins étaient pour la plupart absents de leur vie, et cette absence était particulièrement difficile à vivre pour les jeunes hommes. Les jeunes femmes ont quant à elles montré plus de capacités et de persévérance dans le réengagement émotionnel avec leurs familles aux Etats-Unis.Muchos inmigrantes latinos que entran en Estados Unidos al final de su infancia o en su adolescencia  se reunifican con sus padres después de largos periodos de separación. Sin embargo, existen muy pocos estudios sobre este proceso desde su punto de vista. Este artículo analiza el impacto de las relaciones de género en la reunificación familiar y la adaptación como inmigrantes de hombres y mujeres jóvenes. Se entrevistó a chicos y chicas en el marco de un estudio de teoría fundamentada que explora el proceso de la separación familiar y su posterior reunificación en el caso de inmigrantes latinos adolescentes que han sido separados de sus padres durante al menos cuatro años en el transcurso de la inmigración. Se utilizaron reuniones de grupo, entrevistas individuales y observaciones para recabar datos de 20 inmigrantes adolescentes mexicanos y centroamericanos, 12 chicos y 8 chicas. Los participantes reflejaban diversas creencias personales y familiares sobre los roles de género y su impacto en la separación y reunificación. Los chicos reflejaron una mayor exposición a la violencia, un acceso más limitado en general a la asistencia sanitaria y un mayor aislamiento emocional de sus familias y compañeros que las chicas. En sus familias no había referencias paternas o de adultos masculinos y esta ausencia resultaba especialmente difícil para los chicos. Las chicas, en cambio, mostraron mayores habilidades y persistencia en la reunificación emocional con sus familias en suelo estadounidense

When Given the Opportunity, Chimpanzees Maximize Personal Gain Rather than “Level the Playing Field”

We provided chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) with the ability to improve the quality of food rewards they received in a dyadic test of inequity.We were interested to see if this provision influenced their responses and, if so, whether it was mediated by a social partner’s outcomes. We tested eight dyads using an exchange paradigm in which, depending on the condition, the chimpanzees were rewarded with either high-value (a grape) or low-value (a piece of celery) food rewards for each completed exchange. We included four conditions. In the first, “Different” condition, the subject received different, less-preferred, rewards than their partner for each exchange made (a test of inequity). In the “Unavailable” condition, high-value rewards were shown, but not given, to both chimpanzees prior to each exchange and the chimpanzees were rewarded equally with low-value rewards (a test of individual contrast). The final two conditions created equity. In these High-value and Low-value “Same” conditions both chimpanzees received the same food rewards for each exchange.Within each condition, the chimpanzees first completed ten trials in the Baseline Phase, in which the experimenter determined the rewards they received, and then ten trials in the Test Phase. In the Test Phase, the chimpanzees could exchange tokens through the aperture of a small wooden picture frame hung on their cage mesh in order to receive the high-value reward. Thus, in the Test Phase, the chimpanzees were provided with an opportunity to improve the quality of the rewards they received, either absolutely or relative to what their partner received. The chimpanzees responded in a targeted manner; in the Test Phase they attempted to maximize their returns in all conditions in which they had received low-value rewards during the Baseline Phase. Thus, the chimpanzees were apparently motivated to increase their reward regardless of their partners’, but they only used the mechanism provided when it afforded the opportunity for them to increase their rewards.We also found evidence that the chimpanzees’ responses were enhanced by social facilitation. Specifically, the chimpanzees were more likely to exchange their tokens through the frame when their test partner also did so, even in circumstances in which their reward value could not be improved. Our paradigm provided the chimpanzees with the possibility to improve the quality of rewards they received in the Test Phase. We found that refusals – to exchange tokens or to eat rewards – decreased significantly in the Test Phase compared to the Baseline Phase, where no such opportunity for improvement of outcomes existed. Thus, the chimpanzees participated more when they could improve the rewards they received

The spread of a novel behaviour in wild chimpanzees : new insights into the ape cultural mind

TP was funded by the Canadian Research Chair in Continental Ecosystem Ecology, and received computational support from the Theoretical Ecosystem Ecology group at UQAR. The research leading to these results has received funding from the People Programme (Marie Curie Actions) and from the European Research Council under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013) REA grant agreement n°329197 awarded to TG, ERC grant agreement n° 283871 awarded to KZ. WH was funded by a BBSRC grant (BB/I007997/1).For years, the animal culture debate has been dominated by the puzzling absence of direct evidence for social transmission of behavioural innovations in the flagship species of animal culture, the common chimpanzee. Although social learning of novel behaviours has been documented in captivity, critics argue that these findings lack ecological validity and therefore may not be relevant for understanding the evolution of culture. For the wild, it is possible that group-specific behavioural differences emerge because group members respond individually to unspecified environmental differences, rather than learning from each other. In a recent paper, we used social network analyses in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) to provide direct evidence for social transmission of a behavioural innovation, moss-sponging, to extract water from a tree hole. Here, we discuss the implications of our findings and how our new methodological approach could help future studies of social learning and culture in wild apes.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Chimpanzees demonstrate individual differences in social information use

Studies of transmission biases in social learning have greatly informed our understanding of how behaviour patterns may diffuse through animal populations, yet within-species inter-individual variation in social information use has received little attention and remains poorly understood. We have addressed this question by examining individual performances across multiple experiments with the same population of primates. We compiled a dataset spanning 16 social learning studies (26 experimental conditions) carried out at the same study site over a 12-year period, incorporating a total of 167 chimpanzees. We applied a binary scoring system to code each participant’s performance in each study according to whether they demonstrated evidence of using social information from conspecifics to solve the experimental task or not (Social Information Score—‘SIS’). Bayesian binomial mixed effects models were then used to estimate the extent to which individual differences influenced SIS, together with any effects of sex, rearing history, age, prior involvement in research and task type on SIS. An estimate of repeatability found that approximately half of the variance in SIS was accounted for by individual identity, indicating that individual differences play a critical role in the social learning behaviour of chimpanzees. According to the model that best fit the data, females were, depending on their rearing history, 15–24% more likely to use social information to solve experimental tasks than males. However, there was no strong evidence of an effect of age or research experience, and pedigree records indicated that SIS was not a strongly heritable trait. Our study offers a novel, transferable method for the study of individual differences in social learning