THE IMPACT OF APPEAL SYSTEM STRUCTURE ON DISCIPLINARY DECISIONS

This article examines how the evaluation of disciplinary appeals in nonunion organizations is affected by the use of procedural guidelines. Data were collected from 142 managers in a simulation study designed to assess the impact of procedures that are common within arbitration and judicial systems but less common within non-union appeal systems. Procedures which allowed decision makers to evaluate the reasonableness of the disciplinary rule, which specified a stringent standard of proof, and which restricted the availability of work history information significantly increased the likelihood of affirmative responses to disciplinary appeals. It was also found that the effect of the standard of proof guideline significantly increased when the evidence against the employee was weak. The implications of these findings for the design of appeal systems and for future research are discussed.     

A Lesson from the Physicists

From their beginnings, the social scientists and those in the helping professions have adhered to the cause and effect model of research and application originally developed by the physical scientists. This model was first discredited in physics by Heisenberg's conception in 1927 of the uncertainty principle. If, therefore, this model is inapplicable in the world of material substances, it is all the more inappropriate and misleading in the unique world of the individual, where measurement and predictability are inherently precluded. The same dramatic shift in outlook that the uncertainty principle necessitated among the physical scientists is long overdue among those whose commitment is to the enhancement of the unique world of the person.     

Managing Demands on Counseling Services: The Colorado State University Experience

As we move into the next decade, greater student demands for counseling services, increased severity of presenting problems, and long waiting lists are becoming a reality at university and college counseling centers. These trends, coupled with limited financial resources, suggest that new models of case management and treatment are needed to maintain quality services. This article describes the development of a time-limited and managed-care treatment policy at the University Counseling Center at Colorado State University. It is offered as one agency's attempt to become more proactive in defining its responsibilities and limits regarding emerging challenges and changes on college campuses.     

Two Conceptions of the Physical

The debate over physicalism in philosophy of mind can be seen as concerning an inconsistent tetrad of theses: (1) if physicalism is true, a priori physicalism is true; (2) a priori physicalism is false; (3) if physicalism is false, epiphenomenalism is true; (4) epiphenomenalism is false. This paper argues that one may resolve the debate by distinguishing two conceptions of the physical: on the theory-based conception , it is plausible that (2) is true and (3) is false; on the object-based conception , it is plausible that (3) is true and (2) is false. the paper also defends and explores the version of physicalism that results from this strategy.