Immune disorders and handedness in dyslexic boys and their relatives

Thirty dyslexic and 30 control boys aged 7–11 years were compared for frequency of immune disorders and handedness as well as for family history of immune disorders and learning disabilities (dyslexia and stuttering). They were also compared for neurological status and for history of speech and language difficulties. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the frequency of immune disorders and in handedness. The results showed significantly more dyslexic boys with soft neurological signs and signs of speech and language disorders. The frequency of dyslexia was significantly higher in the relatives of the dyslexic boys. Also significantly more mothers of the dyslexic boys reported difficulties during pregnancy and complications at delivery. The results are discussed in terms of Geschwind's hypothesis and neuromaturational delay as possible determinants of developmental dyslexia.     

Dichotic listening performance to CVs between versus within groups

The present study is concerned with comparing group mean data between groups with individual performance within groups in dichotic listening (DL). It is argued that only comparing mean ear performance in dichotic listening between groups may obscure important individual differences within groups in DL performance. In the present study we compared between group vs. within group performance in four groups of subjects (male and female, right- and left-handers). The stimuli were 66 trials of consonant-vowel combinations with the six stop-consonants and the vowels a and u. The results showed a group mean right ear advantage for consonants in the two right-handed groups, and a left-ear advantage in the two let-handed groups. The analysis of the individual distributions within each group, however, showed clear differences between the male and female groups. Generally, though, only the male right-handed group revealed enough homogeneity within the group to warrant the conclusion that the group mean REA reflects a left hemisphere specialization for speech perception.     

ASSESSING THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF PERSONNEL PROGRAMS ON WORKFORCE PRODUCTIVITY

This article describes and illustrates the adaptation of the linear-regression-based decision-theoretic equations used to estimate the dollar impact of valid selection procedures on workforce productivity to the evaluation of intervention programs designed to improve job performance. The appropriate equations are derived and explained, methods for estimating equation parameters are discussed, and the use of these equations is illustrated by means of a hypothetical example. It is concluded that in the future these methods and equations will allow psychologists to make more accurate assessments of the impact of intervention programs on workforce productivity than has heretofore been the case.     

Overcoming Obstacles: Nontraditional Jobs for Women

This article identifies some of the obstacles in the nontraditional career choice and implementation process of women. Counselor bias and client attitudes are crucial factors, as are physical strength, co-worker relations, and mathematical ability. The authors suggest ideas for neutralizing these obstacles and maximizing the chances for success, and recommend areas for counselor training and future research.     

On the relation theory of "direct" psychophysics and its publication history

The relation theory attempts to account for the ratio judgments of the "direct" psychophysics founded by S. S. Stevens. Its publication history is reviewed and features of the main contributions are compared.     

A geometric counterpart to Tversky's set-theoretic model of similarity

It is shown that Junge's (1978) geometric similarity model corresponds to Tversky's set-theoretical model of similarity.     

REACTION OF EMPLOYEES TO PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL INTERVIEWS AS A FUNCTION OF THEIR PARTICIPATION IN RATING SCALE DEVELOPMENT

A substantial amount of research has been conducted on the performance appraisal feedback interview. The purpose of the present field study was to see whether employee involvement in the development of rating scales used in the feedback interview affected ratees' perceptions of the interview. Behaviorally anchored rating scales (BARS) were developed for five job families in a midwestem hospital. A participation group consisted of employees from each of the job families who were involved in all phases of BARS construction. A nonparticipation group involved an equal number of employees from each of the job families who were not involved in the BARS development. The results showed that participation in BARS construction led to favorable perceptions regarding the performance appraisal interview process as well as positive outcomes.     

The geometric representation of similarity and dissimilarity. Extension to measures of dispersion and comments on the distance model of subjective dissimilarity

In psychometrics and mathematical taxonomy dissimilarity is commonly geometrically represented by the Euclidean (Minkowski) distance function. This is only a part of a general geometric representation of similarity and dissimilarity (Junge, 1978). Gini's index (or ratio) and Pearson's coefficient of variation, used in economics as measures of income distribution inequality, are known in mathematical statistics as standardized measures of dispersion. It is shown that both measures can be identified with the general geometric representation of similarity and dissimilarity.