The present investigation examined older people's views on communication with younger and older adults to determine if older people's perceptions parallel research findings that suggest that young adults view intra-generational communication more positively than inter-generational communication. Additionally, drawing upon the Communication Predicament of Aging model (Ryan, Giles, Bartolucci, & Henwood, 1986), it considers how these perceptions relate to psychological health. In a first study, older and younger adults from the United States of America responded to a questionnaire survey about their experiences of talking to older and younger adults. The results of analyses of variance suggested that younger adults have less positive perceptions of inter-generational communication than older adults. Regression analyses examined the link between communication climate and psychological health indices, and suggested that psychological health is related to inter-generational and intra-generational communication variables for older participants. In a second study, variations in older adults' intra- and intergroup perceptions were compared across the United States and the People's Republic of China. Unlike their American peers, intergenerational communication was not a significant correlate of adjustment in the Chinese sample, although intragenerational variables were again implicated.

This article discusses the methodological implications of using written accounts as the primary source of data in qualitative research. Data from a pilot study into family relationships in two families with an anorexic child is presented to illustrate the ways in which this strategy can facilitate the interpretation of different family members' perspectives. Written accounts are shown to be a time-efficient means of gathering good-quality, descriptively rich data. Differences between oral and written modes of communication mean that participants' written accounts are more highly focused and reflective than transcripts from oral interviews, facilitating data analysis and interpretation. Relationships between researchers and researched are more circumscribed than in face-to-face interviewing, which may limit opportunities to explore emergent issues or make informal observations during the interview process. However, the more circumscribed contact between researchers and respondents may also make it easier to manage the complex social dynamics that can emerge when researching families. Whilst written accounts cannot be used as a direct substitute for oral interviews their strengths appear to be undervalued in qualitative research in psychology.

Depression is occurring in almost epidemic proportions in modern society (Seligman, 1990). The current study aims to explore the relationship between depression, life satisfaction, and social interest. Eightyseven students from the University of Newcastle were administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Social Interest Index (SII). As hypothesised, it was found that depression was negatively correlated with life satisfaction and social interest. It was also found that females displayed greater social interest than males, however no difference was observed in level of depression by gender. These findings support the concept that treatment for depression might be oriented away from introspection, and directed instead towards increasing social awareness and interaction.

This essay discusses some impediments to, and prospects for, the development of applied Aboriginal psychologies from the perspectives of cross-cultural and cultural psychology. Aboriginal psychologies are said to differ from mainstream scientific psychology in terms of their research priorities, world views, problems to be addressed, methodologies, ideological commitments, and perceived usefulness. Aboriginal and nonaboriginal people's perceptions of mainstream psychology and psychologists and of priority community needs are reported to provide evidence for such differences.

Recent work has demonstrated that counts of which other words co-occur with a word of interest can reflect interesting properties of that word. We have studied aspects of this kind of methodology by systematically examining the effects of different combinations of parameters used in the preparation of co-occurrence statistics. Several psychologically relevant evaluation measures are used. We have found that successful performance on the evaluation tasks depends on the correct selection of parameters such as window size and distance metric.

Maslow's (1954) theory of a hierarchy of human needs has generated little research, perhaps because of the lack of specific, concrete operationalisation of concepts such as ‘psychological well-being’ and basic need satisfaction. The Need Satisfaction Inventory (NSI: Lester, 1990) was developed to measure basic need satisfaction and 157 undergraduate subjects completed both it and the Beck Depression (BDI) and Anxiety Inventories (BAI), as well as Spielberger's (1986) Anger-Expression questionnaire (AX). The latter three questionnaires represent an operationalisation of Spielberger, Ritterband, Sydeman, Reheiserdc Unger's (1995) notion that emotions act as indicators of psychological well-being. The hypothesis that scores on the NSI would be significantly correlated with the BDI, BAI, and AX was supported. Ss also completed the Richins and Dawson (1992) materialism index, and it was hypothesised that if hoarding material goods does in fact represent compensatory neurotic behaviour, then materialism would also be negatively correlated with the NSI. The hypothesis was confirmed, providing further evidence for Maslow's (1970) theory that basic need satisfaction is associated with psychological health. However, in the absence of norms for the NSI, there was no conclusive evidence to suggest that basic needs reside in a consistent, and strict global hierarchy.

Two reversal theory-based studies investigated dancers' psychological experience at final rehearsal, and at three performances in an annual competition. In Study 1, 23 Japanese modern dance specialists completed the Tension and Effort Stress Inventory immediately before and after performance. Pre-study expectations that dancers would experience higher levels of unpleasant emotions (including performance anxiety or stage fright) and stress pre-competition than pre-final rehearsal were not confirmed. Dancers experienced significantly higher levels of unpleasant emotions before final rehearsal than before competition. Also contrary to expectations, competing was found not to be more stressful and not to require greater efforts to cope, than rehearsing. Study 2 set out to investigate dancers' basic motives for dancing and to show whether the anxiety-to-excitement reversal phenomena could be discerned during dance performance. Using the same experimental procedure as Study 1, a similar group of 15 dancers completed a dance performance experience questionnaire. The results indicated that, for the majority of dancers, the primary reason for dancing was either the paratelic, telic, arousal-seeking, or alloic-sympathy meta-motivational categories, and that many dancers experienced anxiety to excitement reversals.

Opportunities exist within the current political and economic climate to build on some of the concepts of traditional Aboriginal society, and create a working environment for enterprise development. A model or models are required not just for Aboriginal people to gain support from government or wider institutions, but for governments and other institutions to work to. When referring to voluntary organisation grass roots development in Zimbabwe, Clark argued that “projects will remain irrelevant to the majority of the needy unless used as beacons to light up pathways for others – notably the state – to pursue” (1990, p. 65). Development in Aboriginal towns and communities needs to go beyond the stage of relief and welfare, to an era of sustainable development. However as Korten argued when referring to sustainable systems development and the quest for self-managing networks, changes “in specific policies and institutions” may first need to be sought “at local, national and global levels” (1990, p. 120). Changes are gradually occurring in terms of policies, however institutions active in the field need to become more positively interactive with their clients. A model of enterprise development is being moulded to involve such institutions and their resources.

Globalisation is creating extant salary differentials across the South Pacific region, and this study explores their impact on emotional well being within the Indonesian education system. One hundred and eighty-eight local and expatriate teachers of English were classified into underpaid (n = 66 local instructors), overpaid (n = 60 expatriate instructors), and equitably paid (n = 62 local and expatriate instructors) groups, and completed a job satisfaction scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Consistent with Social Equity Theory (SET), both underpaid and overpaid groups had significantly less job satisfaction than the equitably paid group. Moreover, compared to their equitably paid counterparts, the underpaid and overpaid groups experienced more symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness. These findings extend SET to both quality of working life and occupational mental health.

Confidence in identifying different diagnostic categories of mental disorders by general health workers who provide the bulk of Papua New Guinea's (PNG) mental health care is vital for the country's provision of mental health care. Making a psychiatric diagnosis is complicated by PNG's diverse culture and estimated 800 distinct languages. These cultural-linguistic factors influence help-seeking behaviour and continued use of traditional treatment despite the introduction of western approaches to mental health care. The aim of this study was to determine the confidence of health workers in identifying and diagnosing different categories of mental health problems in this complex environment. A sample of 209 Papua New Guinea health workers from four geographic regions completed a questionnaire that assessed background levels of training and confidence in diagnosing a range of modern and culture specific diagnoses. Overall, respondents reported relatively little prior mental health training. Consistent with this were the relatively low levels of confidence for culture specific diagnoses (e.g. sorcery), but significantly higher levels of confidence with modern diagnoses (e.g. depression). The implications of the findings for training and provision of mental health care are discussed.

Background: In the 1990s, heavy kava use in Aboriginal communities was linked to reports of unusual neurological events which were often described as ‘fits’ or ‘seizures’. Kava use has also been associated with extra-pyramidal movements. We now raise the possibility that kava toxicity and kava withdrawal may be associated with grand mal seizures. This paper describes some of ’these “seizure” episodes’ in kava drinkers. Nine communities and associated homelands in the eastern Arnhem Land (Miwatj) region (Northern Territory, NT) including 7001 Aboriginal people of whom 4217 were over 15 years. Twenty-one kava users experienced 32 “seizure” episodes for which the date of occurrence and other data was recorded in notes in community health clinic files dating from the 1980s up to 1999 in a sample of the Miwatj population. Kava, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis use and petrol sniffing, year in which “seizure” occurred, notes of kava toxicity or withdrawal. Kava toxicity effects were suspected in 15 and withdrawal effects in six of 32 “seizure” episodes. In seven episodes impaired consciousness and abnormal movements were adequately documented to suggest grand mal seizures. The maximum number of “seizures” experienced was three and three individuals experienced this number between 1990 and 1999. One was a heavy kava user. Six other individuals experienced two “seizures” each and five of these were heavy users. Sixteen individuals experienced 19 “seizures” during 1994-1997 when kava supply may have reached its peak. Fifteen of the 21 individuals experiencing “seizures” were heavy users described locally as dja[aw'marama. The clinical data and the coincidence of peak supply with records of “seizures” suggest kava toxicity and withdrawal seizures may both occur with heavy kava use. Further systematic analysis is warranted to confirm this and to assess kava's effects with respect to possible confounders such as alcohol.

We report two studies about shifting practices of quantification in tradestores in Oksapmin communities (Papua New Guinea). In Study 1, we enlisted 7 local tradestore clerks to collect information about customers' language practices of quantification, age cohort, schooling level, and cost of purchase. Analyses of 305 exchanges revealed that older cohorts tended to use indigenous practices and extensions of the indigenous language. Younger cohorts – particularly those with some schooling -- tended to use practices that involved Melanesian Pidgin. In Study 2, we analyze interviews with 9 tradestore clerks who described typical purchase transactions with customers from different age cohorts/schooling levels. Analyses of interviews revealed that elders tended to structure multi-item purchases into sequential transactions and use extensions of indigenous approaches to quantification. Schooled adults tended to purchase multiple items in a single transaction and use Pidgin quantifiers. We argue that tradestores today sustain multiple practices of quantification but also support change towards the exclusive use of Melanesian Pidgin.

The development of psychology in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is briefly and critically reviewed in this paper. The primary foci in PNG, both in teaching and research, have been clinical psychology and selection testing. Despite significant developments during the colonial era, the period since independence has witnessed a stagnation, as reflected in outmoded selection procedures, low employer awareness of psychology, and a dearth of relevant, indigenous research. The primary causes of this stagnation are identified as cross-cultural psychology, the influence of expatriates, and political decisions. The paper concludes with some suggestions for regenerating psychology in PNG, including a project to assess what Papua New Guineans themselves would expect from any genuine indigenisation process.

This article reports an evaluation of the officer selection procedures of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force based on the performance of 195 officers. Results indicate that a linear combination of selection variables, including psychometric measures, academic achievement, interview impressions, and hands-on performance tests, was not predictably related to the criterion measure of officer performance. Post-hoc validation checks suggest that only one of the psychometric tests used in selection meets basic construct validation criteria and that the criterion measure of officer performance is unreliable. No evidence was found to support the predictive validity of selection procedures.

The theme of this edition is community development in the North Australian region. The articles included discuss ways of advancing positive community involvement, and report on a range of issues that impact on community development. Social Context theory is presented as a tool of analysis for examining social changes and associated needs among individuals in societies over time. The concept of community development has particular relevance to the fields of psychology, social psychology, and community services, because individuals look to the availability of community involvement options, and the potential they offer, for accessing social activities and social support networks. Social Context theory is therefore central to community development.

Unlike their television counterparts, website fund-raising advertisements designed by international aid agencies do not have to be compressed into short grabs and bites. This means that website technology might be used to convey relatively abstract, situational attributions for poverty, which are known to increase charitable donations. Seventy undergraduates from Australia's Northern Territory University viewed a simulated aid agency website containing varying degrees of textual and visual information about these situational causes of poverty; completed the situational attributions-focused Causes of Third World Poverty Questionnaire (CTWPQ); and reported their intentions to donate money to the simulated aid organisation's poverty relief projects. Consistent with attribution theory, both situational attributions made about poverty and charitable donation intentions were optimised when the website contained an optimal amount of (textual and visual) information on the situational causes of poverty. These preliminary findings suggest how Internet technology can be applied to raise dollar donations, as well as increasing tolerance within diverse regions like the South Pacific.

Focussing on health and management needs, an applied “psychology for development” is emerging in the African literature, and we aimed to explore its wider application to the development of countries in Pacific Asia. “Psychology for development” has made use of some distinctive pathways, from (a) realizing that development policy may contain mistaken assumptions about the psychology of the people involved, to (b) reconstituting, (c) restating, (d) refuting, or (e) rechannelling psychological concepts devised for western conditions. Applied psychological phenomena so far identified include (a) a “pay me!” reaction to aid (recipients demanding money for their participation); (b) “double demotivation” (salary differentials between local and expatriates demotivating both groups); (c) the “pull down” motive (the perception that others will sabotage high self-achievement); (d) “cognitive tolerance” (the ability to value at the same time both modern medical and traditional beliefs about health); and (e) the revitalised importance to health care of concepts such as “source credibility”. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these pathways and applied concepts may have a future in Pacific Asia, and we recommend empirical research to develop awareness of their viability in this region.

Based in a local government organisation in New Zealand, this paper links the literature on work-family balance to the literature on organisational justice, by examining the predictors of perceived fairness in work-family polices. The study also expands an earlier study in Grover (1991), by considering work-family policy sets, rather than single policies only. Perceptions of the fairness in work-family policies were partly predicted, positively, by a combination of management seniority, perceived benefits in work-family policies, and own usage of those policies. These findings suggest the influence of both group values and self-interest. In terms of organisational justice, the findings raise a question for future research, namely how fairness attitudes relate to the sustainability of work-family initiatives.

Pacific peoples hold a unique place as an ethnic community within Aotearoa-New Zealand. The largest immigrant minority population in New Zealand brings a different culture to that of the dominant Pakeha (European). One implication is the need for acculturation into New Zealand society. Leadership, when characterised here as a process through which Pacific elders model the “Pacific way” to guide their youth, is critical to manage the tension between maintaining traditional ways and integrating into a dominant culture different from the people's own. This paper reports an empirical study conducted with Pacific professionals working in the public sector of New Zealand. Recognised for their potential to influence Pacific peoples, the participants were sponsored by the ministries of Health and Pacific Island Affairs to attend a three-day leadership development course that included a careers component. The scarcely researched links among leadership, careers and social cultural issues are explored. Intelligent career theory is introduced and the processes associated with eliciting subjective and inter-subjective career data are explained The results reflect the interdependence of motivation, skills and knowledge, and relationships, which together strongly influence the career and leadership behaviour of Pacific peoples to enhance the outcomes for Pacific peoples in New Zealand. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

This paper analyses some important aspects of social stratification and honour on pre-Christian and modern Mungiki (Bellona), a Polynesian Outlier in the Solomon Islands. Opposite other traditional Polynesian societies, honour on Bellona was not part of a complex and prominent mana-taboo system. Honour was part of an incessantly social evaluation of a man's achievements, distinctiveness, and kin-related history. A man bestowed with honour not only had the right to, but was also expected to demand respect from significant others. Any severe challenge of his honour had to be vigorously counteracted in order to maintain and defend his and his kin group's social positioning as a deferential group. In revenge lies a rehabilitation for lost honour. He who renounced vengeance started on the path to insignificance, the quality of his life dwindled. Although important parts of practice have changed today, the basic idea of honour and competition for high status has remained fairly constant. We shall demonstrate how present day competition for social status in many respects is closely related to the traditional perception of honour which mirrored society's ideal values. What we shall present here is a set of propositions concerning some important aspects of the Bellonese philosophy concerning honour. In the strictest sense of the word, this paper is an attempt to present a social and cultural translation of some aspects of the Bellonese way of thinking.