Iterative techniques for unbiased rating scales

Three iterative techniques for neutralizing the effects of stimulus bias in category rating experiments were examined with a wide variety of stimulus variables. Under all conditions examined, the iterative techniques quickly led to a stable category estimation. This result was obtained for stimulus variables with strong measurement properties, e.g. length and weight; for stimulus variables with only ordinal properties, e.g. emery papers; and for stimulus variables with only nominal properties, where an ordered set is obtained only in the course of the category scaling, e.g. female profiles.     

On the history of rating scales

Rating scales constitute one of the most widely employed techniques in research on personality and individual differences. The historical background of rating scales is therefore a matter of considerable interest. Though Galton has generally been given credit for originating rating scale methodology, several applications of rating scales prior to Galton can be identified, and the seminal idea of rating scales can be traced back to Galen.     

Effects of instructions and rating scales on item selection for the BSRI scales

Walkup and Abbott (1978) stated that Edwards and Ashworth's (1977) failure to replicate Bem's (1974) selection of items for the Masculinity and Femininity Scales of the Bern Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) may be attributed to differences in the instructions and anchored rating scales used in the two studies. The present study tested the hypothesis that presence of various interaction effects involving instructions and rating scales would influence the acceptability of items for the BSRI Masculinity and Femininity Scales. Results based on the evaluation of individual items by Bem's item selection criteria in each of the four experimental conditions obtained by systematically manipulating two instructions (Bem's and Edwards' instructions) and two rating scales (Bem's and Edwards' rating scales) and also those based on the analysis of variance of item mean desirability ratings from the four experimental conditions supported the hypothesis.     

Multiple anchoring of category rating scales

A psychophysical experiment compared the effects of two different kinds of anchoring upon category ratings of the sizes of squares: (1) single anchoring in which the same square was presented on every anchoring trial, and (2) multiple anchoring in which squares of different sizes were presented on anchoring trials. Subjects did not rate the anchors, only those squares presented on alternate trials as the series stimuli. The major finding was that the two kinds of anchoring have similar effects. As with the single anchor, the multiple anchor establishes a new endpoint for the scale of judgment. The previously demonstrated relationship of increasing and then decreasing contrast as a function of the remoteness of the single anchor (Sarris, 1967, 1976) was found also for multiple anchoring.     

Behavior rating scales: need for refining normative data

The purpose of this study was to generate normative data by grade and sex to accompany behavior rating scales. Teachers rate 483 boys and girls in Grades 1 through 4. The findings suggest rating scales be re-examined since norms by grade level and sex may be desirable attributes.     

The use of stories as autistic objects

This paper reviews Frances Tustin's concept of the 'autistic object' and its development over the course of her writings. Clinical material from work with a 4-year-old boy is brought to suggest that the concept can usefully be extended to include such cultural artefacts as stories as well as the physical objects emphasized by Tustin. It is also emphasized that the awareness of reality which autistic objects are used to defend against refers both to internal as well as external reality. The paper argues that it is the function to which the object is put that is critical in determining whether or not it should be viewed as an autistic object.     

SSRAT: The processing of rating scales for the determination of two-dimensional sociometric status

SSRAT is an MS-DOS computer program for two-dimensional sociometric status determination with rating scales. It classifies members of a population into five sociometric status groups, using 3-, 5-, 7-, or 9-point ratings in matrices of assessors and assessed. The processing of rating scales instead of nominations offers several advantages, including increased variability and reliability of the resulting scores. SSRAT is built on the null hypothesis of conditional random attribution of ratings, according to the particular probability distribution of an assessor. Output is available in the form of an ASCII SPSS data file for further statistical processing. Recent studies show that SSRAT, in comparison with nomination methods, (1) is superior in determining popular persons while it detects rejected persons as well, and (2) probably yields classifications that have a higher temporal stability.     

Memory for emotional stories in high and low depressed children

Cognitive theories of depression emphasise a vicious circle linking depressed mood and biased recall towards negative information. In line with this, depressed adults show selectively enhanced recall for negative information. This recall bias is held to be mediated by increased accessibility of negative self-referent schemas formed as a result of adverse early experiences. Given this, surprisingly few studies have examined depression-related recall biases from a developmental perspective. Clinically depressed children have been found to show enhanced recall of negative adjectives, particularly when self-referent, but to date there is no evidence for similar recall biases in non-clinically depressed groups. The current study addressed this by investigating high and low non-clinically depressed children's (aged 5-11 years) recall of emotional stories. High depressed children showed enhanced recall of negative stories, relative to positive stories, compared to the low depressed group. This did not vary with age group. We conclude that, when child-oriented materials are used, depression-related biases in recall towards negative information are observable even in a non-clinical sample of children from 5 years of age.     

The effects of biasing information on behavioral observations and rating scales

The effects of biasing information on behavioral observations and rating scales were studied. Fortyone undergraduate students trained in making reliable behavioral observations were given differential expectations concerning the activity level of a target child. They then viewed videotape recordings of that child and tallied frequency counts of six behavioral categories simultaneously. In addition, subjects completed postexperimental rating scales composed of specific, identifiable behaviors in regard to the target child. Results indicated that, for the most part, neither the behavioral observations nor the rating scales were significantly affected by the biasing information. It is suggested that rating scales constructed of items as discrete and readily identifiable as those of behavioral observation measures may prove resistant to biasing effects.This study is based in part on a thesis submitted by the second author to Case Western Reserve University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the master of arts degree in psychology. The authors express their appreciation to the Claremont Unified School District, Claremont, California, for their assistance in the production of the videotape and to the Instructional Support Center at Case Western Reserve University for their co-operation in providing research space. Special thanks are given to Thomas Hyde for his advice and assistance throughout the study.     

Memory for emotional stories in high and low depressed children

Cognitive theories of depression emphasise a vicious circle linking depressed mood and biased recall towards negative information. In line with this, depressed adults show selectively enhanced recall for negative information. This recall bias is held to be mediated by increased accessibility of negative self‐referent schemas formed as a result of adverse early experiences. Given this, surprisingly few studies have examined depression‐related recall biases from a developmental perspective. Clinically depressed children have been found to show enhanced recall of negative adjectives, particularly when self‐referent, but to date there is no evidence for similar recall biases in non‐clinically depressed groups. The current study addressed this by investigating high and low non‐clinically depressed children's (aged 5–11 years) recall of emotional stories. High depressed children showed enhanced recall of negative stories, relative to positive stories, compared to the low depressed group. This did not vary with age group. We conclude that, when child‐oriented materials are used, depression‐related biases in recall towards negative information are observable even in a non‐clinical sample of children from 5 years of age.