AN EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECTS OF AN UPWARD FEEDBACK PROGRAM OVER TIME

Despite the growing popularity of upward feedback programs, there has been very little research on the effects of upward feedback on changes in managerial performance over time. We examined the effects of implementing an upward feedback program in which subordinates' ratings were collected for 238 first-through fifth-level managers in a large corporation at two points in time about 6 months apart. Research questions drawn from goal-setting, control, and social cognition theories guided our investigation of the effects of (a) receiving feedback, (b) completing self-ratings, (c) managers' initial level of performance, and (d) subordinate's familiarity with the manager on changes over time in the level of ratings and reported opportunity to observe managerial behaviors. Ratings were provided on a 33-item behavioral observation scale that focused on areas such as the manager's commitment to quality, communications, support of subordinates (encouraging participation, coaching), and fairness. Based on subordinates' ratings, managers whose initial level of performance was moderate or low improved over the 6-month period, and this improvement could not be attributed solely to regression to the mean. Also, both managers and their subordinates became more likely over time to indicate that the managers had an opportunity to demonstrate behaviors measured by the upward feedback instrument.     

Understanding Native-American Values: Process and Content Concerns for Counselors

Counselors have the responsibility to consider Native Americans' values from both content and process emphases when counseling clients from this group.     

The Odyssey of Counseling and Images of the Future

The counseling profession has been floundering in a search for purpose and meaning. Analysis of the past and present suggests two strong images of the future.     

ALTERNATIVES TO COUNSELING “MINORITIES”

Since it is impossible for a counselor to have first hand knowledge of all minority/cultural groups with which he deals, it is suggested that he develop skills in the “here and now” models of counseling to be able to assist the counselee from minority group.     

A House Divided: Guidance and Counseling in 20th-Century America

Historical analysis of guidance and counseling within American public education reveals a house divided by diversity and contradictions.     

VIRTUE ETHICS AND VIRTUE EPISTEMOLOGY

Abstract: The aim of this essay is to test the claim that epistemologists—virtue epistemologists in particular—have much to learn from virtue ethics. The essay begins with an outline of virtue ethics itself. This section concludes that a pure form of virtue ethics is likely to be unattractive, so the virtue epistemologist should examine the "impure" views of real philosophers. Aristotle is usually held up as the paradigm virtue ethicist. His doctrine of the mean is described, and it is explained how that doctrine can provide a framework for an account of epistemic virtue. The conclusion of the essay is that a virtue epistemology based on analogies with virtue ethics, though well worth developing and considering, will face several challenges in fulfilling the significant promises that have been made on its behalf.