The Job Stress Survey: Assessing perceived severity and frequency of occurrence of generic sources of stress in the workplace.

In this article, the authors respond to comments in the October 1998 issue of the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology (Vol. 3, No. 4) in regard to measuring occupational stress with the Job Stress Survey (JSS). The authors are pleased that (a) the need to assess the perceived severity and frequency of occurrence of specific sources of occupational stress was acknowledged and (b) job pressure and lack of organizational support were recognized as key dimensions of stress in the workplace. In addressing concerns about the independence of JSS severity and frequency ratings and the utility of the JSS for assessing jobs with extensive person-machine interactions, the authors noted that correlations among JSS severity and frequency scores were relatively low, and that person-focused stressor items were relevant for employees with person-machine jobs because most workers are required to deal with supervisors and fellow employees. It was concluded that the JSS provides important information about sources of occupational stress that can adversely affect the health and productivity of men and women employed in a wide variety of work settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of dimensional relevance on accuracy of simulated hiring decisions by employment interviewers.

Presented to 52 experienced employment interviewers (32 male and 20 female) videotaped simulated interviews with 2 applicants (APs) who were differentially qualified for 2 jobs. APs' qualifications and job requirements were manipulated to produce a match or mismatch between each AP and the 2 jobs. However, APs were about average in overall qualifications and were not significantly different in favorability. In a repeated measures design, half the Ss rated the APs on specific job dimensions relevant to the critical behaviors involved in the jobs, while the remaining Ss rated the APs on general job dimensions. Both rating procedures emphasized work behaviors but differed in the relevance of the work behaviors for the jobs under consideration. Results show that Ss who rated on the specific and relevant dimensions accurately discriminated between the more qualified and less qualified AP, whereas Ss who rated on the general job dimensions were not able to discriminate accurately between the 2 APs. There was also a trend for greater agreement among Ss who rated along specific job dimensions. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development of the Job Diagnostic Survey.

Describes the Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS) which is intended to (a) diagnose existing jobs to determine whether (and how) they might be redesigned to improve employee motivation and productivity and (b) evaluate the effects of job changes on employees. The instrument is based on a specific theory of how job design affects work motivation, and provides measures of (a) objective job dimensions, (b) individual psychological states resulting from these dimensions, (c) affective reactions of employees to the job and work setting, and (d) individual growth need strength (interpreted as the readiness of individuals to respond to "enriched" jobs). Reliability and validity data are summarized for 658 employees on 62 different jobs in 7 organizations who responded to a revised version of the instrument. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perfectionism and depression: Longitudinal assessment of a specific vulnerability hypothesis.

The authors tested whether perfectionism dimensions interact with specific stress to predict depression over time. A sample of 103 current and former patients completed measures of perfectionism and depression at Time 1 and measures of stress and depression 4 months later. After controlling for Time 1 depression, self-oriented perfectionism interacted only with achievement stress to predict Time 2 depression. Socially prescribed perfectionism did not interact with achievement or social stress to predict Time 2 depression, but it did predict Time 2 depression as a main effect. The results provide support for the contention that perfectionism dimensions are involved in vulnerability to depression over time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

How do underlying "self" and "other" dimensions define adult attachment styles?

Assumptions about dimensions underlying the four prototype model of adult attachment were explored in two studies. In the first (N = 225), associations between attachment prototype ratings and standardized measures of self and others in relationships were examined. In a second study (N = 246), measures of anxiety and avoidance were added to the analyses. Findings from correlational and hierarchical regression analyses provided support for the notion, contrary to assumptions of the model, that qualitatively different self and other dimensions underlie different attachment styles. Results are discussed in terms of the lack of equivalency in measures of "self" and "other" proposed to underly each of the four attachment style ratings, the need to view attachment styles as complementary rather than mutually exclusive, and the need to continue exploration of the dimensions informing attachment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reflections on the Ethical Dimensions of Outcomes Research.

This article offers some observations about certain ethical dimensions of outcomes studies. After showing that the very possibility of conducting outcomes studies depends on a particular kind of metaphysical understanding of healing that not all cultures share, the article explores ethical issues raised by studies that examine prognostic tests, population characteristics, functional measures, the functional course of disability, and interventions that seek to prevent or to delay disability onset. The article concludes with some speculations on how current insurance trends that shift purchasing responsibility for health care from employers to employees might stimulate even more interest in outcomes research as well as raise additional ethical issues. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conceptualizing and measuring counselors' theoretical orientation.

This review discusses issues in conceptualizing and measuring counselors' theoretical orientations to practice. Two dimensions of counselor theoretical orientation seem to emerge in several studies: an Analytical-Experiential dimension and an Objective-Subjective dimension. Fifteen instruments previously proposed as measures of counselors' and therapists' theoretical orientations are evaluated. Psychometric properties and the utility of each instrument are critically examined. Few instruments show evidence of reliability and even fewer have been shown to have evidence of validity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A final word--Editorial.

Four years ago, when the author agreed to edit the first three volumes of Health Psychology, a primary motivation was the opportunity to provide a vehicle for the expression of a very broad conception of the developing field of health psychology. In describing this point of view, he identified four major "dimensions" for the categorization of work by health psychologists. Now, as he completes his term as editor, he uses that categorical schema to look back over the material that has appeared in this journal, to see how well that conception of breadth has been realized. This review will show that the work that has been published does address a wide range of topics and issues, but that it remains concentrated in only a portion of the total domain established by these dimensions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Robert Sessions Woodworth: 1869-1962.

Woodworth was "a unique contributor to modern American psychology in at least four respects." (a) He was a symbol of mature, factually and method-oriented experimental psychology. (b) Through teaching and editing he became a central figure in a vigorous, broadgauged conception of research. (c) His eclecticism indicated scope and perspective. (d) He clearly defined his position on controversial issues and buttressed it with logic and evidence. For Woodworth a psychology worth knowing meant that one should know it "in three dimensions." His Experimental Psychology was a major reference work for a particular era of psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validity of phallometric measures with sex offenders: Comments on the Quinsey, Laws, and Hall debate.

In a recent debate, V. L. Quinsey and D. R. Laws (see record 1991-10127-001) and G. C. Hall (see record 1991-10106-001) discussed several major methodological issues in research on the validity of phallometric tests. This article examines specific points of the debate more closely and uncovers questionnable assumptions underlying some of the Quinsey and Laws criticisms. The implications of unresolved problems for the clinical use of phallometric measures are stressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Family matters: A social systems perspective on physician-assisted suicide and the older adult.

Physician-assisted suicide is one of the most controversial issues facing health care providers today, provoking contentious debate that spans medical, psychological, legal, religious, and moral realms. Despite the wealth of theories and opinions proffered, most of this work focuses on concepts of individual competence and autonomy, with little or no attention paid to the dynamics of family or other psychosocial systems likely to affect an individual's decision to ask for assistance in ending his or her life. Moreover, concepts such as "autonomy" typically are examined from a legal perspective without consideration of the late-life developmental themes confronting older adults and their families, that is, the stage of life cycle transition and the predictable family stresses that typically accompany serious illness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relative importance of task and contextual performance dimensions to supervisor judgments of overall performance.

Although evidence supports the unique contribution of task performance and contextual performance to overall evaluations, little is known about the relative contribution that specific dimensions of contextual performance make to overall performance judgments. This study evaluated the extent to which supervisors consider task and contextual performance by using relative weights (J. W. Johnson, 2000) to statistically describe the relative importance of specific dimensions of each type of performance to overall performance ratings. Within each of 8 job families in a large organization, each of 4 dimensions of contextual performance made not only a unique contribution but a relatively important contribution to the overall evaluation. Evidence also supports the adaptive performance dimension of handling work stress as an aspect of contextual performance and job–task conscientiousness as an aspect of both task and contextual performance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Meaning and measurement of family: Comment on Gorman-Smith et al. (1996).

D. Gorman-Smith, P. H. Tolan, A. Zelli, & L. R. Huesmann (see record 83:27124) highlight important issues for the treatment of conduct problems. Their results suggest that the concept of family and the family treatment of serious delinquency should target two dimensions: parenting practices and family characteristics. Additionally, they raise important questions about the meaning, and hence the measurement, of family. The debate articulated in this comment focuses on whether the family is considered to be a collection of individuals with unique perspectives, a unique whole with its own beliefs and emotions, or both a collection of individuals and a whole. In this article, the author argues that family research can be improved if researchers specify three components of the measurement of family: (a) target of the assessment, (b) method of the assessment, and (c) method of aggregation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of standardized admission tests in the debate about merit, academic standards, and affirmative action.

This article examines two issues in the debate about affirmative action in higher education admission—merit and academic standards—from the perspective of the role of standardized testing in both fueling and informing that debate. The discussion includes summaries of selected affirmative action litigation cases in which test scores were central to the complaint and/or the defense, an evaluation of test-score use in the admission process, and a presentation of alternatives to standardized test scores for admissions. Attention is focused on the potential impact of those alternatives on diversity as well as on academic standards and merit. The article concludes with explication of current challenges to the testing community. Primary among these is the need to articulate meaningful measures of relevant admission factors that go beyond test scores and grades. Test theory and technology are capable or near capable of supporting a more comprehensive system to assess multiple factors, moving admission testing from the single test score to a battery or profile of strengths and weaknesses among applicants. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Increasing the number of psychologists of color: Public policy issues for affirmative diversity.

This article identifies the key issues involved in the debate about affirmative action. The June 2003 Supreme Court decisions allowing consideration of race to ensure that there is a "critical mass" of African American, Latino/Latina, and Native American applicants to higher education are addressed. Social psychologists have identified key myths and provided clarifications about the need for and consequences of strategies used to promote equal opportunity for persons of color and women. A brief history of affirmative action and of the problems it was designed to solve is provided. The accomplishments, benefits, and compelling interest of diversity and affirmative action are described, as well as the concerns and counterpoints. The lack of a substantial applicant pool in psychology hinders progress toward diversity. Alternative strategies for remedying this lack beyond affirmative admissions policies in psychology are briefly discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An in-depth look at congressional committee jurisdictions surrounding health issues

Congress plays an important role in shaping U.S. health care policy, and within Congress, committees play the lead policy-making role. To determine the range and extent of committee involvement on health issues, I examine nine health issue categories over a fifteen-year period (1979-1993) to discover how both "legislative" and "nonlegislative" committee jurisdictions differ across three dimensions: congressional chambers, committees within those chambers, and specific health issue categories. Then, to capture differences across a fourth dimension, time, I also calculate annual measures of jurisdiction "concentration" for legislative and nonlegislative jurisdictions. Together, the jurisdiction differences across the four dimensions provide a comprehensive view of congressional committee jurisdiction arrangements surrounding health issues. I find that the differences in jurisdiction across each dimension follow general patterns resulting from institution-specific factors (e.g., rules, norms) and from issue-specific factors (e.g., salience, complexity). Recognizing these dimensions and their respective patterns helps us understand the power that committees exercise over health issues.     

A multidimensional approach to the study of the structure of coping with stress

This article described a study in which the responses of 199 respondents to measures of coping with stress were submitted to multidimensional scaling. The three-dimensional solution suggests that respondents' perceptions of coping with stress are best explained along the following dimensions: (a) active coping versus denial/escape, (b) turning to interpersonal support versus seeking religious comfort, and (c) instrumental/cognitive disengagement versus affective/spiritual engagement.     

Believability of expert and lay witnesses: Implications for trial consultation.

Attorneys are often skeptical, with good reason, about the extent to which research findings and psychological principles may apply to the members of their jury pool. It is important for attorneys as well as psychologists who provide consultation services to have access to base-rate opinions about the consultation issues. This article reports the results of a statewide telephone survey of 488 adult residents who answered questions about the believability of expert witnesses and criminal defendants who testify. The survey questions were designed to provide "local" base-rate data about issues that arise in 3 areas of consultation work with attorneys: public perceptions of witness preparation with criminal defendants, expectations of criminal defendant demeanor, and judgments with respect to expert-witness characteristics that might be associated with being a "hired gun." Implications for psychologists who work as trial consultants and expert witnesses are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reiteration frequency of the histone genes in the genome of the amphibian, Xenopus laevis

Although female employment and fertility are generally inversely related in already developed countries, no clear association has been found in the developing economies. The absence of a uniform relationship is related to the problems of measurement for both variable s. Consequently, it is suggested that a better understanding of the relationship between fertility and employment for women can be obtained by giving consideration to: 1) the ecological or individual level of analysis, 2) the life cycle aspects of fertility and labor force participation by means of the use of small age groups in the analysis or cohort data if available, 3) the matching of current or historical perspective on both work and fertility, 4) more complete measures of fertility that consider both the number and spacing of children, and 5) a new approach to measuring the labor force and labor force participation as outlined in the Council of Asian Manpower Studies and the Organization of Demographic Associates approaches. Although there is a need for more data, the most important need is for different data and for different combinations of fertility and work data. It is particularly the labor force data that require a new approach. Both the gainful worker and labor force approaches were designed to measure the work of men in a Western society. These approaches were not designed nor can they be expected to provide useful service for measuring the very different work of women in developing countries, much less in relating work to other variables such as fertility. Thus, it is expected that the relationship between work and fertility will remain elusive under these circumstances. Neither the labor force dimension nor the other dimensions indicated have been generally considered in studies of work and fertility in developing countries. No study has been made using all these suggested dimensions. It is believed that the use of these dimensions is necessary in order to achieve a complete understanding of the relationship between female employment and fertility.