Wobbles, Humps and Sudden Jumps:A Case Study of Continuity, discontinuity and variability in early language development

Current individual‐based, process‐oriented approaches (dynamic systems theory and the microgenetic perspective) have led to an increase of variability‐centred studies in the literature. The aim of this article is to propose a technique that incorporates variability in the analysis of the shape of developmental change. This approach is illustrated by the analysis of time serial language data, in particular data on the development of preposition use, collected from four participants. Visual inspection suggests that the development of prepositions‐in‐contexts shows a characteristic pattern of two phases, corresponding with a discontinuity. Three criteria for testing such discontinuous phase‐wise change in individual data are presented and applied to the data. These are: (1) the sub‐pattern criterion, (2) the peak criterion and (3) the membership criterion. The analyses rely on bootstrap and resampling procedures based on various null hypotheses. The results show that there are some indications of discontinuity in all participants, although clear inter‐individual differences have been found, depending on the criteria used. In the discussion we will address several fundamental issues concerning (dis)continuity and variability in individual‐based, process‐oriented data sets

Thirty years of focus on individual variability and the dynamics of processes

We fully endorse Arocha’s (2021) thesis about the fundamental importance of studying variability in real, observable processes and agree with his critique of the standard practice of psychological research. However, we regret that Arocha’s article does not acknowledge a rich body of research that has been around for almost three decades and that does exactly what Arocha recommends. This research is based on the theory of complex dynamic systems. We discuss its main implications for a research focus on concrete psychological processes, as they occur in individual cases (including real interacting groups). Variability over time is used as a main source of information about the nature of the underlying processes. Various examples of empirical studies, model building, and process-oriented methodology are discussed, and Arocha’s examples of perceptual control theory (PCT) and observation-oriented modeling (OOM) are put in the perspective of the complex dynamic systems approach, which is fully compatible with scientific realism as advocated by Arocha

A protocol improves GP recording of long-term sickness absence risk factors

Background If general practitioners (GPs) were better informed about patients' risks of long-term sickness absence (LTSA), they could incorporate these risk assessments into their patient management plans and cooperate more with occupational physicians to prevent LTSA. Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of a protocol helping GPs in recording risks of LTSA and in co-operating with occupational physicians (OPs). Methods Twenty-six GPs (co-operating in four groups) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, participated in a controlled intervention study. Fourteen GPs were the protocol-supported intervention group and twelve GPs were the reference group. Outcome measures were consultations containing work-related information, information about two risk factors for LTSA, referrals to OPs and contacts of OPs with GPs and patients. Outcomes were identified through an electronic search in the GPs' information systems. Entries containing information were independently scored by two investigators. The proportions of patients with consultations documenting LTSA-pertinent items were compared between the groups, accounting for differences at baseline. Results There was no increase in consultations containing work-related information. Recording of risk factor information increased in the intervention group; the difference was 4.5% [95% CI 1.5-7.6] and 1.8% (95% CI −0.8 to 4.4) for the two risk factors. The referral rate to the OP increased by 2.9% (95% CI 1.2-4.5). There was no effect on contacts of OPs with GPs or with patients. Conclusion Protocol-supported consultations may lead to a modest increase in information regarding two risk factors for LTSA in GPs' electronic records and to more referrals to OP

Mutuality in mother–child interactions in an Antillean intervention group

This article describes a study on mutuality in mother–child interaction during reading and playing sessions. Within mother–child interaction, mutuality is seen as important in language acquisition. The study was executed within a group of Netherlands Antillean mother–child dyads who participated in an intervention programme. Mutuality was operationalised as balance in conversation, joint involvement, affection, and more practical elements such as asking questions. Twelve participants were observed at least once. In five cases, repeated measures were also collected. Group data revealed that only few differences exist between the outcomes of the reading and playing sessions. The differences that were found, concerning balance and affection, were favourable to the play situations. However, large inter- and intra-individual differences were found in all observed measures of mutuality, which suggests the importance of idiographic research methods. The practical implication is that researchers and interventionists should be sensitive to individual differences and be careful with applying group data to individuals

Exploring the spatial disparities in gambling risk and vulnerability

Gambling harm disrupts the health and wellbeing of the individuals, as well as families, communities and societies around them. Despite the growing recognition that gambling harms are socially and geographically uneven in its occurrence and impacts, there is limited empirical knowledge about the factors underlying the disparities. Here, w e quantitatively profile nationwide gambling survey using series of small area geodemographic data. Results from this granular analysis are synthesized to devise a composite indicator of gambling risk and vulnerability that can be mapped to provide new insights into public health strategies to tackling gambling harms in a more effective manner

Geography, ethnicity, genealogy and inter‐generational social inequality in Great Britain

This paper documents population-wide inequalities of outcome in Great Britain amongst and between long-established and more recently arrived family groups. ‘Establishment’ is defined using family group presence in the 1851 Census of Population as a benchmark, and the ethnicity or nationality of more recent migrants is determined through classification of given and family names. Inequalities of outcome are measured using a harmonised indicator of neighbourhood deprivation (hardship). White British individuals tend to live in the best neighbourhoods, but within-group inequalities reflect regional locations in which different family names were first coined 700 or more years ago. The living circumstances of White Irish and Chinese migrants are observed to be in line with long-established White British family lines, but other conventionally defined ethnic groups fare worse, some very markedly so. Disaggregation of conventional ethnic groups used by the Office for National Statistics such as White Other and Other Asian reveals stark within-group inequalities. These findings suggest: (a) regional origins of inter-generational inequalities amongst the White British; (b) comparable neighbourhood environments experienced by the White Irish, Chinese and some White Other groups and (c) significantly worse neighbourhood circumstances within and between other more recently arrived immigrant groups. This work has several implications for understanding economic assimilation of migrants and the existence of inequalities amongst and between populations

To pool or not to pool in hospitals: a theoretical and practical comparison for a radiotherapy outpatient department

This paper examines whether urgent and regular patients waiting for a consultation at a radiotherapy outpatient department should be pooled or not. Both queuing theory and discrete event simulation were applied to a realistic case study. The theoretical approach shows that pooling is not always beneficial with regard to the waiting times of urgent patients. Furthermore, the practical approach indicates that the separation of queues may require less capacity to meet the waiting time performance target for urgent as well as regular patients. The results seem to be of general interest for hospital