BIORHYTHMIC CYCLES AND THE INCIDENCE OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS

The biorhythm theory of accident explanation that has been increasingly popularized in the business press was empirically examined. The data set consisted of municipal employees adjudged to be at fault in 150 work-related vehicular accidents, and municipal employees involved in 210 on-the-job accidents resulting in workmen's compensation claims. Each accident case was analyzed to determine whether or not the accident occurred on a biorhythmically critical day. The results showed no systematic relationship between critical days and accident occurrences for these data groups. The data were also systematically evaluated for the existence of non-biorhythmic cycles. The results of this analysis showed that no useful level of association existed for any cycle. It was concluded that, while other groups or events may exhibit measurable cyclical patterns, it seems likely that the relationships are more complex than a simple association such as that posited on the basis of biorhythm theory.     

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.     

Negative internal causal attributions of a specific offense and forgiveness

Causal attributions are important social‐cognitive predictors of forgiveness. This article presents the Transgression Attribution Questionnaire (TAQ), a measure of one's negative internal causal attributions of a specific offense. In 4 studies, scores on the TAQ showed initial evidence of estimated internal consistency, temporal stability, and construct validity. Negative internal attributions for the cause of a transgression predicted lower levels of empathy and forgiveness. Furthermore, scores on the TAQ predicted forgiveness over and above the hurtfulness of the offense, relationship commitment, and a general measure of internal causal attributions in relationships. The current research bridges research on internal causal attributions and forgiveness. Implications for the social‐cognitive study of forgiveness and the measurement of causal attributions are discussed.