Intrinsic Properties and Combinatorial Principles*

Three objections have recently been levelled at the analysis of intrinsicness offered by Rae Langton and David Lewis. While these objections do seem telling against the particular theory Langton and Lewis offer, they do not threaten the broader strategy Langton and Lewis adopt: defining intrinsicness in terms of combinatorial features of properties. I show how to amend their theory to overcome the objections without abandoning the strategy.     

A comparison of concurrent and retrospective trajectories of commitment to wed

How well do dating partners recall the development of commitment to wed and what factors modify recall? Motivations underlying recall suggest retrospections should demonstrate one of two patterns, developmental change or amplification. A random sample of 464 partners in heterosexual relationships graphed changes in commitment to wed monthly for 8 months and then graphed them from memory. Results supported the developmental change hypothesis; retrospective reports of commitment initially were lower than concurrent reports and increased more steeply over time. This effect was moderated by changes in relationship stage, with advancement showing accuracy of recall, maintenance showing developmental change, and regression showing amplification. Accuracy of recall depends upon relationship history, which has implications for relationship outcomes and reliability of retrospective reports.     

Indirect support seeking and perceptions of spousal support: An examination of a reciprocal relationship

Indirect support seeking has been theoretically identified as a support seeking strategy that may backfire and elicit negative responses or decreases in positive support. Moreover, past support responses that are either inadequate or negative have been theoretically linked to the use of indirect support seeking. Yet, no empirical studies have examined the potential reciprocal relation between indirect support seeking and perceived support in intimate relationships. Utilizing data from 204 new parents, we tested longitudinal cross‐lagged path models to examine the reciprocal relation between indirect support seeking and support perceptions. Results provided partial support for a reciprocal relation between indirect support seeking and perceived negative support responses. Furthermore, indirect support seeking negatively predicted relationship satisfaction across time, through perceived negative support responses.     

INTEGRAL MARINE ECOLOGY: COMMUNITY-BASED FISHERY MANAGEMENT IN HAWAI‘I

Successful fishery management requires that a dynamic balance of disciplines provide a fully integrated approach. I use Integral Ecology to analyze multiple-use conflicts with an ornamental reef-fish fishery in Hawai'i that is community-managed via the implementation of a series of marine protected areas and the creation of an advisory council. This approach illustrates how the joyful experiences of snorkelers resulted in negative interactions with fish collectors and, thereafter, produced social movements, political will, and ecological change. Although conflicts were reduced and sustainability promoted, lack of acknowledgment of differing worldviews, including persistent native Hawaiian cultural beliefs, contributed to continued conflicts.     

THE INFLUENCE OF LABOR MARKETS ON HUMAN RESOURCES UTILITY ESTIMATES

Recent work in industrial and personnel psychology has extended earlier efforts to financially evaluate the utility of organizational human resources policies. Utility analysis now includes a variety of refinements that more accurately measure the costs and benefits of human resources programs, both in the present and in the future. While this work substantially improves the firm-level evaluation of many personnel policies, conventional utility models have ignored the effects of the external labor market on estimated utilities. Specifically there appears to be an implicit assumption that utilities are invariant across changing labor market conditions and that employees (both current and prospective), as well as other employers, will be unresponsive to these labor market dynamics. This paper examines the effect of relaxing these implicit assumptions on the magnitude of expected utilities. We conclude that, in general, the omission of these considerations overstates the likely utility of the programs being evaluated.     

ACADEMIC RESEARCH INSIDE ORGANIZATIONS: INPUTS, PROCESSES, AND OUTCOMES

Although many opinions have been expressed about the potential merits and pitfalls of conducting academic research inside organizations, empirical research on the question is nearly nonexistent. Consequently, the present study examined the origins, processes, and outcomes of 141 academic research projects that were conducted in (nonacademic) organizations and published in 4 top-tier industria organizational psychology and management journals over a 3-year period. Three outcomes were assessed: implementation of research findings, academic organizational relationship continuation, and research impact (as measured by other-author citations). Results suggested a number of relationships between the way projects began, the relative contributions of organizations and authors to the research process, and eventual outcomes. Suggestions for future research are offered.