Using 360 Degree Feedback Instruments up,down and around the world: Implications for global implementation and use of Multi-Rater Feedback

This report highlights some of the challenges faced when using multi-rater feedback around the world. It is based on the observations of coaches who have worked with a variety of managers from different cultures using a 360 degree feedback instrument — the PROFILOR®. Reference is made to some of the research on cultural differences in order to clarify, or otherwise, some of the issues raised.     

Perceptions of social support,receipt of supportive behaviors,and locus of control as moderators of the effects of chronic stress

Conclusion Although the cross-sectional methodology of the present study limits causal inference, the results concerning the buffering effects of received social support for those who have perceptions of internal locus of control corroborates previous research and thus suggests that causal interpretations offered may have some validity.Several general conclusions appear justified from the present study. First, it appears a measure of social support that asks respondents to report on the receipt of particular supportive actions yields different information than a measure that asks respondents to rate the amount of support available to them. Second, perceptions of internal locus of control in combination with receipt of supportive behaviors has a stress-buffering effect. Third, perceptions concerning locus of control appear important in determining the direct and moderating effects of perceived social support on psychological distress. Finally, the interpretation of social support by stress interactions in which support acts as a negative buffer, i.e., increases the stress-symptom relation, may increase our understanding of the role of social support in coping with stress.     

Structured and unstructured exposure to computers: Sex differences in attitude and use among college students

A classroom-integrated structured introduction to computer use was compared to an unstructured, voluntary exposure in a group of 362 first-year college students. It was hypothesized that sex differences in attitude and use would be mitigated for students whose training in computer use was integrated into their classroom work. The data supported the hypothesis, indicating that higher male ratings with regard to computer use, attitude toward computers and perceived efficacy at the onset of the experiment were attenuated in the structured condition and amplified in the unstructured condition. Further analysis of the responses of females and males in the unstructured condition suggested different determinants of subsequent use, attitude, and efficacy. For females, prior computer use most strongly influenced the three subsequent dependent measures, while for males prior attitude was the most influential determinant.The authors wish to thank Susan E. Kirschner for proposing and implementing the course structure that enabled us to carry out this investigation.     

Subjective Wellbeing Among Adults with Diabetes: Results from Diabetes MILES—Australia

This study examines the subjective wellbeing of Australian adults with diabetes who completed the Diabetes MILES—Australia survey, investigating by diabetes type and treatment, and by comparing with the subjective wellbeing of the general Australian adult population. In addition, the extent to which depression and socio-demographic factors account for subjective wellbeing is investigated. People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have significantly lower subjective wellbeing compared to the general population, even after controlling for covariates (demographic and socio-economic status, diabetes duration, body mass index, number of diabetes-related complications, and depression). Furthermore, adults with type 2 diabetes using insulin to manage their condition report the lowest levels of subjective wellbeing, and are also most likely to report dissatisfaction with their current health. These findings suggest that living with diabetes, and in particular, living with type 2 diabetes and using insulin, strongly challenges the maintenance of subjective wellbeing.     

Reply to Fairley and Manktelow’s comment on “Naive theories and causal deduction”

Fairley and Manktelow (1997) have mistaken an error of presentation for an error of substance. My causal theory remains the same: Causal reasoning scenarios that require the reasoner to decide whether or not an effect will occur in the presence of a viable cause trigger consideration of disabling conditions—that is, factors that could prevent the effect from occurring in the presence of a viable cause. Scenarios that require the reasoner to decide whether or not a particular cause has produced an observed effect trigger consideration of possible alternative causes. The data reported by Cummins (1995) and Cummins, Lubart, Alksnis, and Rist (1991) are consistent with this theoretical analysis.     

Application of signal detection theory to perception of differences in line length

This paper is an attempt to specify the equinormal model for application to different tasks which are currently used in psychophysics (i.e. phenomenal report, detection, and 2AFC). The same set of stimuli (pairs of horizontal colinear lines) is presented in procedures which differ by the task, the probability of the signal, and the succession of the stimuli of the set. This approach leads to the specification of the sensorial and the decisional aspects of the model.The data indicate that (1) the sensitivity index d' to differences in line length is the same function of the physical stimulus independently of paradigm, as far as the same task is concerned. However, and according to the predictions, its value becomes larger by a factor of 2 in a two alternative forced choice task; (2) d' increases with stimulus exposure time; (3) latency of responses generally decreases with increasing d', and are dissimilar for correct and incorrect responses; (4) when the temporal succession of the stimuli is random the subject's criterion, x_c, is not chosen to optimize the percentage correct, which would require a dependance of criterion upon stimulus amplitude and prior probabilities.     

Divided attention between lyrics and tunes of operatic songs: Evidence for independent processing

Excerpts from French operatic songs were used to evaluate the extent to which language and music compete for processing resources. Do these two dimensions conflict? Are they integrated into a single percept? Or are they independent? The final word of each excerpt was either semantically congruous or incongruous relative to the prior linguistic context and was sung either in or out of key. Participants were asked to detect either the semantic or the melodic incongruity (single task) or both (dual task). We predicted a dual-task deficit if these tasks conflicted and no deficit if they were either independent or integrated. In order to distinguish between these last two outcomes, trial-by-trial contingency analyses were also computed, predicting no correlation if the tasks were conflicting or independent, a positive correlation under the assumption of integration and a negative correlation if dividing attention is impossible. Our results show similar levels of performance in single and dual tasks and no correlation between dual-task judgments, thus suggesting that semantic and melodic aspects of language are processed by independent systems. In addition, a comparison between musicians and nonmusicians shows that these conclusions are independent of musical expertise.     

Personal Income and Subjective Well-being: A Review

Conventional wisdom holds that money has little relevance to happiness. This review will demonstrate quite the opposite is true and will argue that case using the Homeostatic Theory of Subjective Well-Being (SWB). Homeostatic theory proposes that SWB is held within a narrow range determined by personality. Experience with the environment also impacts on this system but its influence is attenuated by two sets of buffers. The internal buffers comprise beliefs in perceived control, self-esteem, and optimism. The external buffers comprise resources, such as personal assistance, that ameliorate the impact of potentially negative events. This model predicts significantly different levels of SWB for people who are rich, people on average Western incomes, and people who are poor. Data are provided that support this prediction. It is concluded that money buys happiness to the extent that external resources permit optimal functioning of the SWB homeostatic system.     

Maximum vs. minimum values: Preferences of speakers and listeners for upper and lower limit estimates

Estimates about uncertain quantities can be expressed in terms of lower limits (more than X, minimum X), or upper limits (less than Y, maximum Y). It has been shown that lower limit statements generally occur much more often than upper limit statements (Halberg & Teigen, 2009). However, in a conversational context, preferences for upper and lower limit statements will be moderated by the concerns of the interlocutors. We report three studies asking speakers and listeners about their preferences for lower and upper limit statements, in the domains of distances, durations, and prices. It appears that travellers prefer information about maximum distances and maximum durations, and buyers (but not sellers) prefer to be told about maximum prices and maximum delivery times. Mistaken maxima are at the same time regarded as more “wrong” than mistaken minima. However, this preference for “worst case” information is not necessarily shared by providers of information (advisors), who are also concerned about being blamed if wrong.