Yusuf Ziya Özcan

Wayfinding in an Unfamiliar Environment Different Spatial Settings of Two Polyclinics

The purpose of this article is to explore spatial orientation and wayfinding behavior of newcomers in an unfamiliar environment and to emphasize the importance of landmarks and spatial differentiation in the acquisition of environmental knowledge. One setting with a symmetrical layout and regularly organized, monotonous units on different floors and another setting with an asymmetrical layout and repetitive units along one side of a linear corridor of one floor were used to explore different strategies for learning about large-scale spatial environments. Wayfinding performance was found to correlate with performances in sketch-map tasks and the answers of a questionnaire about each building. Most of the participants of the asymmetrical setting could complete a sketch map with a minimum of errors. In the symmetrical setting, however, some participants drew incomplete sketch maps but could find their way through the building with a minimum of errors.

A Test of Hirschi’s Social Bonding Theory Juvenile Delinquency in the High Schools of Ankara, Turkey

Travis Hirschi’s social bonding theory has mostly been tested in the West. In this study, the theory is tested on juvenile delinquency in a developing country, Turkey. Data were gathered from 1,710 high school students in Ankara by using two-stage stratified cluster sampling. Factor analysis was employed to determine the dimensions of juvenile delinquency (assault, school delinquency, and public disturbance), and regression analysis was used to test the theory. Similar to some other traditional societies, the social bonding theory plays an important role in the explanation of juvenile delinquency in Turkey.

A Test of Hirschi's Social Bonding Theory A Comparison of Male and Female Delinquency

In this study, Hirschis social bonding theory is employed to identify what aspects of the theory can explain male and female delinquency and whether social bonding variables can equally explain male and female delinquency (generalizability problem) in a developing society, Turkey. The data include a two-stage-stratified cluster sample of 1,710 high school students from the central districts of Ankara, the capital of Turkey. The findings suggest that social bonding variables play a more important role for male students than for female students. Furthermore, they indicate that components of the social bonding theory can equally explain both male and female delinquent acts.

Determinants of Political Behavior in Istanbul, Turkey

This paper investigates the factors that determined the party preferences in the 1987 and 1991 general elections and the 1989 local election in Istanbul, Turkeys largest metropolitan city. It argues that party preference is essentially an aspect of individual political behavior, which should be explained by the characteristics of individuals who are, in turn, affected by various macro factors. Theories developed for industrialized western countries are of limited use in developing countries and in need of revision. The research finds evidence for the importance of previous voting preferences and religious attitudes for the 1987 general election and the 1989 local elections. Predictions for the 1991 general election seem to be determined by region of birth, age, media follow-up, job status, political attitudes, years of residence in Istanbul, fathers education, social class, the number of steps in migrating to Istanbul and the number of income-earners in the household.

Classic Strain Theory and Gender: The Case of Turkey

A test of classic strain theory on gender in relation to assault, school delinquency, and public disturbance is investigated in high schools in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Data for the study, including class variables, involve a two-stage stratified cluster sample of high school students. The findings show that various strain and class measures do not appear to be associated consistently with delinquency and gender, except for perceived blocked opportunity for females. The effects of strain and class variables on delinquent acts are similar for both genders, except for the middle social class of males. The most striking finding is that social class is associated positively with juvenile delinquency: Lower-class youth are less likely to commit assault, school delinquency, and public disturbance.

Determinants of Private Savings in the Middle East and North Africa

This chapter investigates the relationship between private savings and a broad range of macroeconomic aggregates in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) over the period 1981–1994. Private savings are explained by the growth rate of income and strong inertia. Public savings crowd out private savings only partially. A financial depth measure suggests that countries with deeper financial systems will tend to have higher private savings. Private credit and real interest rates capture the severity of borrowing constraints and the degree of financial repression. Inflation captures the macroeconomic volatility and has a positive impact on savings.

Who are the future police elites? Socio‐economic background of the students at the police academy in turkey

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the socio‐economic background of the students at the police academy which trains middle and higher level police officers for the needs of the national security organization. The questionnaire which was used in the research was administered to all the students, therefore no sample was selected. This study can be defined as ‘quantitative descriptive’. It was considered essential that the study should use both quantitative and qualitative methods. The strategy advocated was to combine questionnaire, open‐ended interview and secondary data techniques in the same study. The paper concludes that economic factors have an important bearing on choosing the police profession as a career. The future police elites in Turkey come mostly from middle and lower class families. There is an occupational socialization in the families of students. An important proportion of students are not happy with their soon to be future profession. This creates a very crucial situation for the...