The Origin of the AlphabetStecchini, Livio C.
doi: 10.1177/000276426100400601pmid: N/A
Some current scientific interests—game theory, computers, social invention—may hear echoes from the beginning of recorded time in Dr. Stecchini's preliminary inquiry into the origins of the alphabet. Some unheralded Sumerian grammarian probably devised a primitive alphabet as a divining, abacus-like instrument formed in a sixteen- letter square, as reconstructed in the cover drawing. Its purpose was to allow divine voices to "speak" in the language of the land. The author resides at Princeton, N.J., where he is completing his work on the HISTORY OF MEASURE. A further article on his findings will appear in the March issue of ABS.
Research in the Economics and Sociology of Medical CareBornet, Vaughn Davis
doi: 10.1177/000276426100400602pmid: N/A
The social scientist who ventures to research on aspects of medical care encounters many pitfalls. The term itself encompasses a range of topics, often controversial. The medical practitioner does not always take kindly to research on the economics, sociology, and politics of the total conditions in which medical care is provided, and may not be receptive to the results. The author's major premise is that objective re search is not enough. Rather, the best research study is done by "the researcher who knows what he does, why he does it, and the consequences that may flow from the deed." In light of this policy approach, some crucial issues and research opportunities are outlined. Mr. Bornet, author of the recent book WELFARE IN AMERICA, is presently with RAND Corporation.
Decisions Under Uncertainty Rational, Irrational, and Non-rationalBack, Kurt W.
doi: 10.1177/000276426100400604pmid: N/A
The author, Associate Professor in Duke University's Department of Sociology and Anthropology, discusses the diverse approaches to decision theory. He holds that probabilistic, rational decision models are restricted to situations in the middle range of importance and cannot be generalized to life decisions. Irrational models, which take psychodynamic factors into account, remain insufficient to account for the whole range of decision process. A non-rational model is proposed, and its assumptions are shown to underlie a variety of decisions that have been studied. The author thanks David M. Shaw and Ida H. Simpson for many helpful suggestions.
New Soviet Doctrines on Underdeveloped AreasJanos, Andrew C.
doi: 10.1177/000276426100400605pmid: N/A
Confronted with the realities of social change in underdeveloped areas, the theorists and policy-makers of the Soviet world find it increasingly difficult to draw operational inferences from classic Marxist generalizations, which were derived from European historical experience, about the stages of social development. Two recent Soviet articles that reveal this, one stating a new doctrinal interpretation, the other applying the interpretation to Latin America, are abstracted here, followed by com ments on each. Andrew Janos is on the staff of Princeton University's Center of Inter national Studies.
New Studies in Behavioral Science and Public Policydoi: 10.1177/000276426100400607pmid: N/A
These items are selected and annotated by the ABS staff in a periodic search of new issues of 250 journals and reviews, including about 100 that are published outside the United States, and from announcements and review copies of books and fugitive materials recently published. Some items of special interest are boxed.