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The possibility for different kinds of adopters, along Rogers' (1962) categorization, to display different preference patterns regarding a product's features, is investigated. The moderating role of diffusion-related variables, namely a product's newness and the extent of interpersonal communication, is assessed. / It is hypothesized that a respondent's evaluation of product descriptions can be influenced by the diffusion context which characterizes them. An attempt is made to show that such a context can be used to elicit different "best product" alternatives for different stages of the adoption curve and, prior to market introduction, can help predict time-dependent changes to be made to the product's features as adoption takes place.

The purpose of this study was to develop a measure to assess parental attitudes toward childrearing. Through a review of the literature, seven constructs delineating varying maternal attitudes, styles and patterns were identified; Maternal Warmth, Control, Indulgence, Protection, Sensitivity, Play and Learning Receptivity. Employing item and correlational analyses, items were constructed and revised resulting in a new research instrument: The McGill Parental Attitude Toward Childrearing Questionnaire (MPATCR). Other variables considered included prior parenting experience, maternal age, ethnicity, occupation, employment, socioeconomic status, education, infant gender and medical birth complications. / The results substantiated the importance of previous research findings indicating the importance of certain variables in differentiating childrearing attitudes and styles. Suggestions for modifications of the instrument and further research are discussed.

The present research examined the social identity pattern of a sample of urban police officers by making a direct assessment of the officers' relative degree of alienation from other police officers, police managers, and several community groups. Results from two questionnaires showed that police peers were a clearly defined ingroup, and that social nearness to community groups was determined both on the basis of race and social class. In spite of significant between group differences, those officers closest to their peers were also socially nearest to the community groups. This finding, in conjunction with unremarkable levels of authoritarianism and stress in the sample, tend to refute the ethnocentric and stressed stereotype of police officers. The second questionnaire also elicited attitudes and behavioral intentions in response to police situation vignettes. Results showed the officers were most satisfied, and perceived most support from the public, when acting in a crime fighting capacity.

Typescript. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1987. / Bibliography: leaves [226]-233. / Microfiche. / xiii, 233 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Physical activity has been shown to reduce risks for obesity and leading chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. Hawai'i State health data, 2003, shows: 1) only 54.4% ofNative Hawaiians met national recommendations for physical activity; 2) 72.5% ofNative Hawaiians were overweight; 3) Native Hawaiians are 60 % more likely to die from cardiovascular disease and 50% more likely to die from cancer than other ethnic groups in the State. Since diet and exercise patterns established early in life ultimately influence how young adults in the transitions years between ages 18 - 25 make food purchase and fitness planning choices that impact the later adult years, the purpose of this study was to understand young adult Native Hawaiians' perceptions related to perceived supports and barriers to living a healthy lifestyle. Four focus groups involving 32 Native Hawaiian young adults were held. Findings suggest that similarly to other ethnic groups, Native Hawaiian youth cite lack of access, demanding lifestyle, invincibility and laziness as barriers to healthy living. However, unlike other ethnic groups that define health in terms of individual strength, avoidance, and appearance, Native Hawaiian youth defmed health in terms of being purposefully engaged in life's responsibilities and prefer opportunities to be physically active in group settings. Findings support the need to modify approaches to energy balance that have been used successfully with non-Native Hawaiians for use with Native Hawaiian youth.

Purpose: To explore psychosocial and cultural values related to dietary and physical activity practices of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) with type 2 diabetes in Hawai'i. Methods: Content analysis of data previously collected from the experimental study, "The Study of Cognitive Behavioral Interventions in Diabetes Self-Management," was completed. Focus groups were conducted with a total of 15 men and women of AAPI descent, ages 18 -75 years with type 2 diabetes. Focus group discussions were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed for emergent categories and themes using the social ecological framework. In addition, NVivo 8 computer software was utilized for organization and management of data. Findings: Psychosocial themes related to dietary practices included depression, denial, happiness, self-control, and awareness of complications. Cultural values related to eating, such as family upbringing, social events, food variety, large food portions, and reciprocity were identified. Participants with underlying medical conditions posed as physiological limitations to physical activity. Psychosocial and cultural values that influenced physical activity were motivation, family values and gender. Conclusion: Results of this study support the value of employing the social ecological framework when attempting to understand the health behavior of these minority populations. The contextual experiences of the participants in their families, environment, and the local culture in Hawaii greatly affected their dietary and physical activity behaviors. From the social ecological perspective, an important recommendation from results of this study is for future support programs to address individual needs in the context of family. Interventions should also focus on the environmental values that influence variety and portions of food; and provide culturally sensitive support for the psychosocial issues that potentially become barriers. Education programs related to support for diabetes should be tailored for the AAPI populations. Empowerment with knowledge and support would allow individuals and their families to take ownership of their health care and thereby equipping them with tools to develop nutritionally and physically sound health habits to control diabetes. Positive health outcomes are, after all, the ultimate goal of diabetes self management.

Background Studies indicate that the vast majority of adult Americans do not regularly consume recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. One major issue with research in this area is how to measure fruit and vegetable intake, especially in ethnically diverse populations. Objectives The specific aims of the study were to a) compare the percentage of participants categorized as regularly consuming five or more („5 or more‟) daily servings of fruits and vegetables using two commonly used instruments, b) assess if percentages varied by race/ethnicity, and c) assess if the different instruments interacted with race/ethnicity. Methods The source for the current study was the Healthy Hawai„i Initiative (HHI) which collected baseline data from adult residents of Hawai„i in 2002. The data used in this study are baseline data from the HHI longitudinal study. „Five or more‟ was calculated using two instruments: a single question instrument and a multi-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) 19-item instrument. The latter allowed for variations in how „5 or more‟ was calculated (e.g. not including fried potatoes). Percentages were compared overall and by race/ethnicity. Results The percentage meeting „5 or more‟ criteria varied greatly depending on how „5 or more‟ was calculated ranging from 20.9% with the single question instrument to 60.8% when all items on the multi-item FFQ instrument were used. Caucasians were iii significantly more likely to consume „5 or more‟ than were Japanese and Filipinos. With the single question instrument the results for Filipinos were exceedingly low and inconsistent with results using the multi-item FFQ and with State of Hawai„i survey data for 2002. Female gender and older age were also associated with „5 or more‟ while education was not. No specific food items explained differences by race/ethnicity. Conclusions The percentage of participants meeting „5 or more‟ criteria varied significantly depending on how „5 or more‟ was calculated. Race/ethnicity was significantly associated with „5 or more‟. The single question method for determining „5 or more‟ categorization appeared to interact with race/ethnicity, greatly underestimating intake for some groups relative to Caucasians and therefore it should not be used in studies in Hawai„i.

The teaching of modern foreign languages within Swedish educational system has been a subject of a number of alarming reports in recent years. Several studies have shown that students lack motivation to learn any language but English. Of particular concern is the young males’ underachieving and disinterest in foreign languages.  In the meantime, a number of international studies and the statistical data from Swedish national agencies of secondary and higher education (Skolverket and Högskoleverket) have indicated that Russian is one of the languages that are favoured by males. The primary goal of my case study was, therefore, to examine students’ motivation to learn Russian and their attitudes towards language, community and Russian-speaking people. Another objective was to investigate gender differences in motivational factors. The study was conducted at the Department of modern languages of Uppsala University and the empirical data was collected using a mixed methodology. The questionnaire for the students was based on Gardner’s Attitude / Motivation test battery (AMTB), adapted for the goals and objectives of my research. To place the students’ responses in a wider context, semi-structured interviews with teachers of Russian were conducted. The analysis revealed a high level of both integrative and instrumental motivation for students of both genders as well as intrinsic motivation towards learning Russian. It is seen as a challenging subject to master but this is not perceived as an obstacle; rather, a stimulating factor (especially for males). The results indicate that although male students think of themselves as less motivated than females, the gender differences, in general, were not significant.  Both male and female participants are integrative-orientated. However, women are more likely to identify themselves with the country (or its culture), while men are more fascinated by the language itself.

Children???s attitudes towards school singing have been a growing concern in recent years. While negative attitudes towards school singing have been acknowledged as one of the factors contributing to the decline of singing in schools, these attitudes conflict directly with the socially acceptable, esteemed and desired status that children place on singing in the world in which they live. Given the popularity of singing outside of school, negativity towards singing is of particular concern. Identifying the factors that determine a child???s attitude towards singing in both the school and home context is crucial if positive attitudes towards singing are to be sustained through to adolescence. The purpose of this research was to explore children???s attitudes towards singing in each stage level between Kindergarten and Year 6 in the home and school context, to identify the factors which determine positive and negative attitudes towards singing and to consider the relationships between attitudes in relation to gender. Interviews were conducted with 147 children between Kindergarten and Year 6 in five New South Wales public schools and attitudes towards singing were tested using a three point attitude measurement scale. Further data were collected from 118 parents in order to gain an understanding of children???s singing experience within the home context. Results showed that children???s preference to sing at home, rather than at school, increases with age. While boys have a stronger preference to sing at home than girls, girls are more positive towards school singing. Relational reasons such as fear of criticism and singing in front of others were central reasons for children???s dislike of school singing. While children across all stage levels enjoy singing with CD???s and singing on their own, boys??? particularly enjoy having ownership over song choice and composing their own songs. Lack of song choice and singing in front of others evokes negative attitudes towards singing. Teachers have a strong influence on attitudes towards singing at ES1 and Stage 1 level, however by Year 6, there is a strong correlation between parents and children???s attitudes towards singing. These results provide new insights and implications for the teaching of singing in schools.