Donal E. Muir

“White” fraternity and sorority attitudes toward “blacks” on a deep‐south campus

Surveys of “white” undergraduates on this deep‐South (University of Alabama) campus since its desegregation in 1963 have indicated increasing acceptance of both public and social interaction with “blacks.” The hypothesis that “white” fraternities and sororities retard this integrative process by serving as reservoirs of traditional racism was, however, strongly and consistently supported. Because Greek systems typically operate on‐campus under university aegis, this finding, to the extent it is generalizable, questions the resolve of university administrations in the pursuit of equality.

A Mathematical-Systems Approach To a Synthesis of Scientific Methodology

Research methodology, in both the natural and social sciences, is conventionally presented as a set of separate techniques. Since instruments of science can, however, be treated as systems, representation by mathematical functions is generally feasible. A simplified notational system for systems representation is presented, then applied to the development of a unified systems concep tualization of basic research operations including: measurement, representation, simulation, theory construction, data searching, and h ypo thesis-testing.

A comparison of “black” and “white” integration attitudes on a deep‐south campus: A research note

A survey of “racial” attitudes on a deep‐South university campus indicates that both “black” and “white” students strongly support desegregation—equality of political and economic rights including access to public facilities. Although “blacks” are receptive to integration also, the majority of “whites” reject “blacks” socially.

Assessing the psycho-social impact of computers, brain research, and behaviorism: The von Neumann effect

The writings of the developers of the high-speed digital computer during the 1940s suggest that technical knowledge of computers and the human brain produces dissonances with current acculturation, triggering a conversion process leading to the conclusion that the brain is a computer. If so, this “von Neumann effect” is likely to have far-reaching consequences for high-technology societies by fostering behavioristic worldviews premised upon determinism rather than free will. A survey of 1585 university students verified that the von Neumann effect is surfacing in the general population and is associated with determinism. Cultural factors related to the effect were examined.

A Critique of Classical Test Theory

Examination of the methodological literature of the behavioral and social sciences indicates that measurement terms are used differently than in the natural sciences. The rationale for these departures is usually ascribed to classical test theory, a measurement model claimed to be more applicable to psychological and social data than the traditional measurement model of the natural sciences, which requires the development of standard instruments defining, by consensus, parametric values. Classical test theory seemingly avoids this necessity, but only by inviting validation by fiat, resulting in instrument evaluations which are trivial, misleading, or invalid. The development of measurement in the behavioral and social sciences might be encouraged by the abandonment of classical test theory and a return to natural-science measurement theory.

THE STRUCTURE OF REJECTION: IMPLICATIONS OF SOCIOMETRIC THEORY FOR LARGER GROUPS

Established principles governing acceptance and rejection in dyads and triads are extended to larger groups by analyzing them as made up of such elements. In this larger-group context, a change in any dyad has direct implications for all triads involving that dyad and indirect implications for all triads containing any of the other dyads of those triads. Consequently, a change in the relationship between two individuals can produce effects cascading through the larger group. Analysis based on Monte Carlo simulation indicates that larger groups are more likely to attain sociometric stability when a preponderance of members are rejected, unless structured to encourage mutual acceptance.

THE IMPACT OF BEHAVIORISM: SOCIOLOGY AS A NEGATIVE CASE

Although belief in free will obstructs the application of causal models to human systems, a quasi-experiment indicates that the behavioristic assumption that human behavior is as determined as any other empirical phenomenon is discouraged by current instruction in sociology.

SYMBOLIC COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TWO SIMULATED PIGEONS (COLUMBA LIVIA SIMULATA)

Through the use of learned symbols, a computer-simulated pigeon accurately communicated information about hidden colors to another simulated pigeon. Each verbal exchange was initiated with a spontaneous request for information. The two simulants engaged in a sustained and natural conversation without human intervention, demonstrating that symbolic communication, previously shown by primates and nonprimates, can be performed by adaptive systems generally.

A UNIVERSAL ALGORITHM FOR IDENTIFYING CAUSES

A general causal-search canon is presented which, applied to dichotomous data, identifies causes composed of single or multiple factors, extracts maximal information from positive and negative cases, provides refined estimates as cases and variables are processed, and indicates omitted factors. Applications range from clarifying the logic of causality and causal searches in instructional settings to the analysis of research data.

SIMINTERACT: A Program for Simulating Social Systems Composed of Adaptive Agents

native to choose using one of two decision rules: for a single alternative, undertake the project if its internal rate of return is greater than the appropriate discount rate; for competing alternatives, choose the project with the highest internal rate of return. I have used the &dquo;Cost Benefit Analysis&dquo; tutorial in my undergraduate and graduate policy analysis courses. Usually, the tutorial has been used with simple examples which illustrate the B-C decision rules in Stokey and Zeckhauser. Graduate students have also utilized the program to conduct net present benefit analysis, sensitivity analysis, and break-even analysis with the case study, &dquo;The Downtown Parking Authority&dquo;4 distributed by the Intercollegiate Case Clearing House and &dquo;Cost Benefit Analysis at Flake Lake. &dquo;5 Other B-C examples developed by students or instructors as well as