THE DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIORAL OBSERVATION SCALES FOR APPRAISING THE PERFORMANCE OF FOREMEN

Behavioral observation scales (BOS) were developed for first line foremen. BOS are similar to behavioral expectation scales (BES) in that both are based on a job analysis procedure known as the critical incident technique. However, the BOS differ from BES in that, in developing BOS, (a) a group of individuals is observed and rated on a five-point scale as to the frequency with which they engage in the behavior described by each incident/statement, (b) a total score for each individual is determined by summing the observer's responses for each behavioral item, and (c) an item analysis (or factor analysis, depending upon the sample size) is conducted to select the most discriminating items. Those items with the highest correlations with the total score on a scale are retained to form one behavioral criterion or scale (BOS).     

Predicting Length of Stay in the Job Corps

This study attempted to isolate psychosocial variables having predictive value regarding enrollee length of stay in a Job Corps training center. Correlation and multiple discriminant-function analyses were emphasized to test relationships between seven psychosocial variables and the dependent variable, length of stay. Results demonstrated that the Stanford Achievement Test's paragraph-meaning subtest was a significant predictor to the dependent measure and that the combination of paragraph meaning and the manifest-aggression subscale from the Jesness inventory formed the strongest set of multiple predictor variables. Conclusions beyond those applicable to the population studied were limited; however, I encourage Job Corps personnel to consider these findings as potential guidance tools and as stimuli for similar study in other Job Corps settings.     

THE DISCLOSURE-LIKING RELATIONSHIP

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of a perceiver's own disclosure on attraction for self-disclosing others. In Experiment 1, female undergraduates selected two topics and disclosed information on them to a confederate partner. This disclosure occurred either before or after the confederate disclosed information on three different topics that were either high or low in intimacy. Based on self-perception theory, it was predicted and found that intimacy of the subject's self-disclosure would be positively correlated with attraction for the confederate when the subject disclosed before her partner but not when she disclosed after her partner. A second prediction that subjects would be attracted toward a highly intimate partner only if they had previously disclosed was not confirmed. Instead, attraction for the confederate was greater when she had disclosed before the subject and when she had disclosed intimately. Experiment 2 varied the intimacy of the response of a partner to the subject's initial self-disclosure and whether this response dealt with the same topics or different topics. It was found that attraction was greater for an intimate than a nonintimate partner when topics for disclosure were the same. When disclosure topics were different, there was no significant difference in attraction for the intimate and nonintimate partner. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for the disclosure-liking hypothesis.     

The Effect of Four Years of Participation in a Tibetan Buddhist Retreat on Perceptions of Physiological and Psychological Well-Being

The researchers assessed the effect of participation in a Tibetan retreat at a center in Scotland over a 4-year period using the General Health Questionnaire-60 (Goldberg & Williams, 1988) and the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1988), Residence at the retreat center did not show any harmful or beneficial effects on the participants' levels of stress and general health as measured by these scales.     

The correlational analysis of dyad-level data in the distinguishable case

Many theories of interpersonal relationships distinguish between individual-level processes and dyadic or group-level processes. This suggests that two-person relationships should be studied at the level of the dyad as well as at the level of the individual. We discuss correlational methods for dyads when each dyad contains two different types of individuals (e.g., a husband and wife, a mother and child, or an expert and a novice). In such dyadic interaction designs, the dyad members are said to be distinguishable. We present a method for computing the overall correlation for distinguishable dyads, and we discuss a model for separating the dyad-level and individual-level components of such a correlation. The computational techniques and their interpretation are described using data from 98 heterosexual couples.     

Difference score correlations in relationship research: A conceptual primer

The practice of computing correlations between “difference” or “discrepancy” scores and an outcome variable is common in many areas of social science. Relationship researchers most commonly use difference scores to index the (dis)similarity of members of two-person relationships. Using an intuitive, graphical approach—and avoiding formulas and pointing fingers—we illustrate problems with using difference score correlations in relationship research, suggest ways to ensure that difference score correlations are maximally informative, and briefly review alternatives to difference score correlations in studying similarity, accuracy, and related constructs.     

The Qatar Creativity Conference: Research and Recommendations for School,Family, and Society1

A conference on creativity and its development was held at the University of Qatar in Doha, drawing approximately 75 participants from various Arab universities plus two American speakers. Research and theoretical papers focused on models of creativity development, factors related to strengthening and measuring creative abilities, the role of the family and educational and social institutions, and fostering creative development in educational technology, arts education, and physical education. Reports and discussions also considered obstacles to creative development in Arab settings. In addition, participants itemized recommendations in the areas of creativity in general, the schools, the family, and society. The present authors noted potential difficulties related to language differences, the role of women, and frequently-mentioned authoritarian teaching practices, plus a current opportunity for Arab creativity research related to recent worldwide media influence.