Best univocal estimates of orthogonal common factors

A general formulation is presented for obtaining conditionally unbiased, univocal common-factor score estimates that have maximum validity for the true orthogonal factor scores. We note that although this expression is formally different from both Bartlett's formulation and Heermann's approximate expression, all three, while developed from very different rationales, yield identical results given that the common-factor model holds for the data. Although the true factor score validities can be raised by a different non-orthogonal transformation of orthogonalized regression estimates—as described by Mulaik—the resulting estimates lose their univocality.     

The effect of dimension content on observation and ratings of job performance

Recent theory and research in the performance appraisal area (e.g., Denisi, Cafferty, & Meglino, 1984; Feldman, 1986; Ilgen & Feldman, 1983; Williams, Denisi, & Blencoe, 1985) have suggested that providing information regarding the performance dimension to be rated will cause raters to select appropriate observational schemata and, as a result, produce higher quality ratings. A study was conducted to determine if giving raters dimension-relevant information prior to performance observation would affect their attention processes and rating quality. Prior to watching a videotape of an instructor giving a lecture, 156 subjects were given either: 1) correct information, 2) incorrect information, or 3) no information regarding dimensions of performance they would subsequently be asked to rate. The results indicated that giving prior information regarding dimension content affected subjects' attention processes. Further, raters receiving no information and those receiving misinformation prior to performance observation produced less accurate ratings compared to expert raters. Ratings produced by subjects receiving correct information did not differ significantly from experts' ratings. These results are discussed in terms of both their practical and theoretical implications.     

Reducing the Biological and Psychological Toxicity of Poverty-related Stress: Initial Efficacy of the BaSICS Intervention for Early Adolescents

This proof-of-concept study tests the initial efficacy of the Building a Strong Identity and Coping Skills (BaSICS) intervention, a selective prevention of internalizing problems program for early adolescents exposed to high levels of poverty-related stress. Eighty-four early adolescents (M_age = 11.36 years) residing in very low-income neighborhoods were randomized to receive the 16-session intervention (n = 44) or to an assessment-only control condition (n = 40). BaSICS teaches coping skills, social identity development, and collective social action to empower youth with the ability to connect with members of their communities and cope with poverty-related stress in positive and collaborative ways. Pretest–posttest analyses showed that intervention adolescents acquired problem-solving and cognitive-restructuring skills and reduced their reliance on avoidant coping. In addition, HPA reactivity was significantly reduced in the intervention youth, but not controls. Finally, intervention youth's internalizing and somatic symptoms as reported by both youth and their parents, showed significant reductions over time, whereas control youth had no such changes. Results provide strong support for this approach to strength-building and symptom reduction in a population of early adolescents exposed to poverty-related stress.     

Assessment of family functioning in Caucasian and Hispanic Americans: reliability, validity, and factor structure of the Family Assessment Device

The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Family Assessment Device (FAD) among a national sample of Caucasian and Hispanic American families receiving public sector mental health services. A confirmatory factor analysis conducted to test model fit yielded equivocal findings. With few exceptions, indices of model fit, reliability, and validity were poorer for Hispanic Americans compared with Caucasian Americans. Contrary to our expectation, an exploratory factor analysis did not result in a better fitting model of family functioning. Without stronger evidence supporting a reformulation of the FAD, we recommend against such a course of action. Findings highlight the need for additional research on the role of culture in measurement of family functioning.     

Alphabetic sequence decisions for letter pairs with separations of one to three letters.

The alphabet storage and retrieval theory of Klahr, Chase, and Lovelace (1983) was tested for applicability to letter-order decisions. Ss judged whether letter pairs with sequential separations of 1, 2, or 3 letters were in correct or incorrect order. Ss made decisions either in a continuous- or intermittent-attention mode. The results for alphabetic letter-order decisions with a letter separation of 1 were in conformance with the theory of Klahr et al. in both attention modes. However, at letter separations of 2 and 3 letters, Ss made decisions that were more compatible with a symbolic-distance mechanism. Speculation on how Ss could make alphabetic-order decisions in either a memory-consultation or a symbolic-distance manner is made.     

Grain orientation effects on dynamic strength of FCC multicrystals at low shock pressures: a hydrodynamic instability study

Variability in local dynamic plasticity due to material anisotropy in polycrystalline metals is likely to be important on damage nucleation and growth at low pressures. Hydrodynamic instabilities could be used to study these plasticity effects by correlating measured changes in perturbation amplitudes at free surfaces to local plastic behaviour and grain orientation, but amplitude changes are typically too small to be measured reliably at low pressures using conventional diagnostics. Correlations between strength at low shock pressures and grain orientation were studied in copper (grain size?≈?800 μm) using the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability with a square-wave surface perturbation (wavelength = 150 μm, amplitude = 5 μm), shocked at 2.7 GPa using symmetric plate impacts. A Plexiglas window was pressed against the peaks of the perturbation, keeping valleys as free surfaces. This produced perturbation amplitude changes much larger than those predicted without the window. Amplitude reductions from 64 to 88% were measured in recovered samples and grains oriented close to 〈0 0 1〉 parallel to the shock had the largest final amplitude, whereas grains with shocks directions close to 〈1 0 1〉 had the lowest. Finite element simulations were performed with elastic-perfectly plastic models to estimate yield strengths leading lead to those final amplitudes. Anisotropic elasticity and these yield strengths were used to calculate the resolved shear stresses at yielding for the two orientations. Results are compared with reports on orientation dependence of dynamic yielding in Cu single crystals and the higher values obtained suggest that strength estimations via hydrodynamic instabilities are sensitive to strain hardening and strain rate effects.     

The comparative effectiveness of distributed and colocated team after-action reviews

Despite their frequent use in the military and private sectors, the comparative effectiveness of colocated and distributed after-action reviews (AARs) is relatively unknown. Consequently, this study examined the comparative effectiveness of colocated and distributed AARs across taskwork and teamwork outcomes. Data were obtained from 492 participants randomly assigned to 123 four-person teams who participated in one of six AAR conditions. The results indicated that teams in the AAR conditions had significantly higher performance and team efficacy scores than the teams in the non-AAR conditions. In summary, the findings highlight that regardless of the training environment or type of AAR, the AAR remains an effective method at increasing performance and other outcomes. Therefore, the use of distributed AARs does not engender the posited process losses that were hypothesized.     

Minimal Risk of Internalizing Problems in Typically-Developing Siblings of Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

We examined anxiety and depression clinical symptom levels in 42 typically-developing (TD) siblings of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD), compared to 42 TD siblings of TD children, matched on age, ethnicity, and gender. Participants were between the ages of 6 and 16. Groups were compared using the parent-report and child self-report versions of the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition, anxiety and depression clinical scales. Within-group differences were examined for parent versus child ratings. Multivariate procedures did not support clinically elevated levels of internalizing problems in siblings of children with HFASD. Results from both sources were consistent with the overall finding. The findings do not support an increased need for targeted intervention, though clinical and school-based practitioners should attend to clinical warning signs if presented.