Cognitive complexity and interest crystallization

The relationship between cognitive differentiation and vocational interest crystallization was investigated. Ninety-six career counselees filled in the RAMAK vocational interest inventory. Then, each subject's occupational constructs were elicited by comparing triads of occupations. Finally each subject rated 24 occupations on his/her elicited constructs. Interest crystallization was defined on the basis of the salient scales in the interest inventory, taking into account the structure of interests. Cognitive differentiation was measured by between- and within-constructs differentiation, ordination, intensity, and conflict and by the difference between the perception of an ideal and a rejected occupation. The relationships between the various measures of cognitive differentiation were generally low, suggesting that they capture different aspects of cognitive complexity. The results indicate that interest crystallization is related to the between-construct differentiation, but not to the other measures of cognitive complexity. The implications for research and counseling are discussed.     

An interest in fame: Confirming the measurement and empirical conceptualization of fame interest

The following paper introduces and develops the conceptualization of Fame Interest. Study 1 (N=1,978), through the use of factor analysis techniques, introduces the Fame Interest Scale which comprises six dimensions of Fame Interest (intensity, vulnerability, celebrity life‐style, drive, perceived suitability, and altruistic) with evidence for the reliability and validity of the scale. Study 2 (N=376) examined the relationship between an interest in fame and measures of the five‐factor model of personality, narcissism, self‐esteem, curiosity, attachment style and perceived family, and peer and media influence. From this second study four findings emerge; (1) Fame Interest typified by a perceived suitability and intensity for a celebrity life‐style was associated with perceived family, peer and media influence, (2) Fame Interest that arises from a vulnerability is a reflection of neuroticism, low self‐esteem, and problematic attachments, (3) Fame Interest for altruistic reasons is associated with agreeableness, and (4) Fame Interest that reflects an overall drive is associated with conscientiousness.     

The kuder interest card sort - an interest survey procedure

A simple interest card sort has been prepared for the assistance of psychologists, vocational counsellors or careers advisers who wish to clarify interests without the need for a detailed, time-consuming interest inventory. Based on the Kuder interest classification, it is designed for use with mature and above-average-ability clients, as a process of self-clarification and orientation to vocational exploration.     

Illusory correlation and attitude-based vested interest

The present studies test whether having a ‘vested interest’ in a particular outcome affects perceived covariation. Vested interest was defined as a function of whether Dutch university students were in favour or against the implementation of a threatening policy (receiving lectures in English as opposed to the native Dutch). In both studies subjects were told that this policy would be tried out at either their own or another comparable university, and that the university chosen would be the one with the greatest proportion of support for the plan. In Study 1 subjects (n = 151) were presented with statements expressing pro or contra attitudes and arguments to the policy. These were ostensibly derived from students at both universities but university affiliation was not indicated. In Study 2 (n = 114) similar information was provided but the statements were attributed to students from the two universities, such that there was an equal proportion of opposition/support for the plan at both universities. We hypothesized that illusory correlations would reflect the vested interest of attitude such that students opposing the policy would overestimate the proportion of opponents to supporters at their own university compared to those in favour of the policy. The results of both studies supported our hypothesis and they also revealed attitude to be a more important predictor of illusory correlation than perceived personal consequences for themselves. The prediction that illusory correlations would be weaker in Study 2 than in Study 1, because it provides less scope for bias, was not supported. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

Intrinsic interest and the novelty-familiarity interaction

According to the interaction hypothesis of interest, the inherent interestingness of a communication or a situation will be maximal when novel and familiar elements are simultaneously present. This is illustrated in three experimental demonstrations, where students were to indicate their interest (a) in book titles (more and less well-known authors best and least known works); (b) in reports by foreign journalists about everyday life in Norway (familiar topic) and in Honduras (less familiar); and (c) in meeting tourists of different nationalities at more and less familiar geographical locations. The results show that the preference function for novelty will be ascending or descending dependent upon the familiarity or unfamiliarity of other aspects of the situation. Thus, Norwegian subjects were not very curious about unfamiliar British authors least known works, whereas they would very much like to read what journalists from unfamiliar countries write about Norway. Also, they preferred meeting tourists from unfamiliar countries, as long as the meeting took place in a familiar city. In a foreign city, the order of preference was reversed.     

Life satisfaction goes with pleasure and personal growth goes with interest: Further arguments for separating hedonic and eudaimonic well-being

Some theories suggest that pleasure and interest are separable emotions, with distinct functions and phenomenology. This study proposes a functional model of well-being that draws on these insights. It argues that both pleasure and satisfaction are elements of hedonic well-being and that their main function is to reward goal achievement and to mentally signalize that the body is in homeostatic stability. In contrast, the main function of interest is to promote mental and physical growth, and to suppress hedonic tendencies of premature returns to a homeostatic balance during difficult strivings. The feeling of interest facilitates personal growth, and is thus an indicator of eudaimonic well-being. A follow-up study (N?=?145 Norwegian students) gave empirical support to these assumptions. Life satisfaction predicted feelings of pleasantness while personal growth predicted feelings of interest. With a projective technique, it was further demonstrated that satisfaction produces pleasant stories, but not interesting stories.     

HMOs and physician conflicts of interest

In a recent issue of this journal, Francis Beckwith's "The Ethics of Referral Kickbacks and Self-Referral and the HMO Physician as Gatekeeper: An Ethical Analysis" provided an admirably provocative defense of the claim that Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) physician gatekeepers are morally indistinguishable from physician referral kickbacks and self-referrals. Here I will argue that Beckwith's defense is weak. I will also make some tentative suggestions about approaching the issue of physician conflicts of interest.     

Clarifying conflict of interest

As the debate over how to manage or discourage physicians' financial conflicts of interest with the drug and medical device industries has become more heated, critics have questioned or dismissed the concept of "conflict of interest" itself. A satisfactory definition relates conflict of interest to concerns about maintaining social trust and distinguishes between breaches of ethical duty and temptations to breach duty. Numerous objections to such a definition have been offered, none of which prevails on further analysis. Those concerned about conflicts of interest have contributed to misunderstandings, however, by failing to demonstrate when social arrangements leading to temptations to breach duties are in themselves morally blameworthy. Clarifying "conflict of interest" is important if we are eventually going to develop productive modes of engagement between medicine and for-profit industry that avoid the serious ethical pitfalls now in evidence.