Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Two hypotheses have emerged in past research to explain the troubling link between part-time work and drug use during adolescence. According to the “work intensity” hypothesis, working several hours per week at a part-time job, independent of money earned, facilitates drug use by weakening commitments to educational success and placing youth in contact with non-conventional others. In contrast, the “root of all evil” hypothesis contends that having money, whether earned from a job or given in the form of allowance, allows adolescents the opportunity to purchase drugs because they are not bound by the same financial obligations as their parents. This study uses the 2004 Monitoring the Future Survey of 12th graders to assess these two competing hypotheses. Adolescent alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine/crack use are examined in multivariate analyses. It is expected that, consistent with past research, both hypotheses will receive some support. However, this study also assesses whether one hypothesis better predicts drug use or if both hypotheses predict the phenomena equally well.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Low-income and unemployed job seekers are often advised to acquire new skills through job training, to not be caught on the wrong side of the digital divide. In Austin, TX, a renowned high-tech center that still suffers from persisting inequality, this advice seemed especially appropriate. The City of Austin, along with the Department of Education and the Austin Chamber of Commerce, initiated a job training program aimed at imparting entry-level computer skills to low-income and unemployed participants. My research centered on the most basic question, which often goes unanswered due to lack of funding or interest. Are these job-training participants able to find jobs using their newly-acquired skills? I followed two separate cohorts of trainees for six months to two years after they graduated from a three-month program in this free, intensive, well-run job training initiative. The findings call into question much conventional wisdom, as there seemed to be almost no demand for such trainees in the labor market. These results necessitate that we question political strategies that aim to address labor market woes with digital divide initiatives. On the other hand, almost all the participants greatly benefited in their personally from being their new Internet competencies. Participants also reported that they had significant reduction in fear, anxiety, feelings of inadequacy regarding computers. This suggests that many concerns raised about the digital divide are indeed appropriate but care must be taken to recognize and incorporate existing societal structures into the analysis.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The 2008 presidential election campaign will be one of the longest and most expensive in American history. For the first time since 1952, neither major candidate will be an incumbent president or vice president. Foreign policy is a major issue as office holders of the two major parties have substantial differences about foreign policy toward areas of importance to the U.S. As in 1952, American patience has been worn thin by a war that has gone on past the time many expected it to end. The authors make use of the primary author’s long-term mood/interest research to suggest elements of choice and elements of necessity facing the American voters in years like 1952 and 2008. For example, the people can choose who best reflects their approach to Asia or the Middle East, but there are limits to American power. It is likely that by the time the paper is presented that the two major party candidates will be known and that there will be seven months remaining prior to the final decision. Thus there will, at least in theory, be time for the debate to be shaped to provide a meaningful choice.The attitudes of the American public are believed to be following long term trends whereby patience is lost when wars become long and indecisive. While this is normal, differences of opinion among American leaders are unusually pronounced as they seek to prevail in the 2008 election. Efforts at compromise have been difficult at best.In terms of American interests, most agree that there are substantial challenges, but the nature of these challenges and the best way to address them are disputed. The paper will look at past questions regarding interests to explore the nature of and questions regarding American interests. This election, more so than prior U.S. presidential elections, is being followed by people in many parts of the world. How much is up to the American people and how much is dictated by the world environment? What does the long-term evidence suggest? Can anything be learned from other democracies which have had a lot of power in the world? The purpose of this paper is not to give the answers regarding these debates and which candidate might be most qualified. Rather, the purpose is to raise issues which will help the reader place the 2008 presidential election in a historical context.

Publication Type: Extended Abstract
Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of six dimensions of information on local cognitive load during television viewing. Specifically an experiment is reported in which secondary task reaction times were measured 350 msec. following selected camera changes. In addition, a forced choice recognition measure for the information in the frame immediately following the camera change was measured. This was done to examine the cognitive load of camera changes which introduced from one to six dimensions of information. The information preceding and following the camera changes was compared and coded on the following six dimensions of attention: perspective change, closer, change in object, new to scene, emotion change, and unexpected. Initial results say that increasing the number of dimensions increases reaction times and decreases recognition. Signs of cognitive overload appear at 4-5 dimensions of information.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The paper explores how changes in the 'costs' of voting through the liberalisation of voting by mail has affected both the level of electoral turnout and the distribution of voter support for parties.