Early-holistic processing or dimensional similarity?

Considers current evidence for the theory that multidimensional stimuli are initially processed as unanalyzed wholes. The theory appears unable to explain observers' behavior in various speeded and unspeeded tasks: (1) Perceivers can differentiate tiny changes made between confusable dimensions; (2) the fits of distance metrics to rating data appear to be largely under the control of optional processes; and (3) direct predictions from early-holistic models, as instantiated in the Euclidean hypothesis, are disconfirmed in tests using the rotation paradigm. In contrast, evidence has mounted to support the view that perception relies on a set of primary dimensions, processed within context-bound constraints. D. G. Kemler Nelson (see record 1994-08234-001) has been critical of the authors' approach; they respond to each of her objections. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Metacognition and insight during problem solving: Comment on Metcalfe.

J. Metcalfe (see PA, Vols 73:19144, 74:3081, and 75:22269) used 2 types of metacognitive judgments, prediction of solution and rating of warmth, to support the claim that there is a nonincremental process corresponding to the Gestalt notion of insight that occurs in the solution of certain sorts of problems. However, there are logical and empirical issues that can be raised about Metcalfe's analysis and conclusions: (1) Metcalfe's finding that Ss cannot predict their performance on "insight" problems does not logically necessitate that solutions to such problems occur in sudden bursts of insight, (2) Metcalfe's feeling-of-warmth data for insight problems are problematic as support for her hypothesis, and (3) Metcalfe's definition of insight is circular and does not further an understanding of problem solving. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparison of the behavioral rating accuracy of groups and individuals.

Recent efforts to improve the accuracy of performance appraisal ratings have concentrated on individuals, with little attention given to the role groups might play as performance raters. Thus, the goal of this study was to compare the behavioral rating accuracy of groups vs individuals. Using a behavioral checklist, 191 Ss rated the behavior of a police officer individually or in 4-person groups. Ratings were made immediately or after a 5-day delay. Measures of memory sensitivity and decision criteria indicated that in the delayed rating condition, groups remembered the behaviors more accurately than did individuals, whereas in the immediate rating condition, groups and individuals did not differ. However, groups also demonstrated greater response bias, adopting a more liberal decision criterion than individuals. Results suggest that groups can be a help, but they are not a panacea for the problems of rating accuracy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A clarification of some issues regarding the development and use of behaviorally anchored ratings scales (BARS).

Attempts to clarify some issues regarding the development and use of behaviorally anchored rating scales (BARS). The P. C. Smith and L. M. Kendall (1963) format is distinguished from other approaches to BARS, and research comparing their relative effectiveness is reviewed. Their format is discussed as a method that is designed to enhance future observations and to foster a common frame of reference in observer raters. Emphasis is also placed on BARS as an observation-rating system that provides data for the assessment of estimates of accuracy for individual raters. Responses are made to criticisms dealing with the rating process of BARS, the relative effectiveness of BARS vs summated scales, and the role and characteristics of the behavioral anchors. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Counselor's empathy level and client topic changes.

Tested the hypothesis that client-introduced topic changes follow a reduction in counselor's level of empathy. Empathy ratings were made by 2 experienced judges for 27 counselor statements made prior to topic change and for 27 randomly selected counselor statements. These ratings were compared with the average empathy rating for the counseling interview. In 22 of the 27 statements made prior to topic change, the empathy rating was lower than the interview average. This was true for only 13 of the 27 randomly selected statements. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The independence of evaluative and item information: Impression and recall order effects in behavior-based impression formation.

Impression and recall order effects were examined in the context of N. H. Anderson and S. Hubert's (1963) information integration model of impression formation. 80 undergraduates read 4 items of information about each stimulus person and participated in 1 of 5 between-Ss conditions: (a) rated the stimulus person after the presentation of each item and, after the 4th rating, recalled the 4 items; (b) did the same, except that a trait-rating filler task was interpolated between each rating and the next presentation; (c) did the same, except that the filler task was math problems; (d) made only 1 rating, after the presentation of the 4th item, did no filler task, and did recall the 4 items; (e) did the same, without recall. In the 1st 3 conditions, each impression rating was affected most by the most recently presented item, whereas, in the 2 final conditions, there was a slight primacy effect. Task conditions had little effect on recall; serial position curves for all conditions were U-shaped, exhibiting both primacy and recency, as commonly found in free recall research. Low and nonsignificant correlations between impression weights and recall, as well as the markedly different serial position curves, are discussed as evidence for distinct processes of recall and impression formation. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of subject liberalism, anonymity, and race of experimenter on subjects' ratings of oriental and white photographs.

Liberal and conservative subjects assigned adjective trait ratings to photographs of oriental and white persons. Ratings were made with either an oriental or white experimenter present and in conditions where ratings were made either anonymously or not. It was found that both liberal and conservative subjects rated oriental photographs more positively than white photographs. This tendency was more pronounced for liberal subjects. When ratings were made anonymously the oriental-white rating discrepancy diminished for liberal subjects and was reversed for conservative subjects. Liberals who responded anonymously increased their oriental-white rating discrepancy when the experimenter was oriental. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Do behavioral observation scales measure observation?

G. Latham and K. Wexley (see record 1980-02200-001) have claimed that behavioral observation scales (BOS) pose a simpler task for the rater than do either behaviorally anchored rating scales or graphic rating scales; with BOS, the rater need only observe and record behavior and need not make complex judgments about performance. Research on person memory suggests that recall for behaviors is structured by the same trait inferences and judgments that BOS are designed to avoid. In 2 experiments, 91 undergraduates rated videotaped lectures; data from the 1st experiment were used to construct BOS measuring clarity and speaking style. In the 2nd experiment, Ss used the BOS and a graphic rating scale to rate videotaped lectures in immediate and delayed rating conditions. As expected, the correlations between BOS ratings and judgmental ratings of performance were stronger when demands were placed on rater's recall. It is suggested that recall of behaviors is determined by the degree to which certain behaviors are representative of general judgments made about Ss being rated, and that BOS measure traitlike judgments rather than behavioral observation. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Counselors' feelings toward clients as related to intake judgments and outcome variables.

Investigated the relationship of the feelings of intake counselors to other judgments that they made as well as to clients' ratings of their counseling experience. Ss were 332 female and 175 male clients of a university counseling center. Results show that intake counselors' liking of clients was related to their rating of the realism of clients' goals, clients' motivation for counseling, and clients' physical appearance. Sex differences are discussed. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitive changes to preloading in restrained and unrestrained eaters as measured by the Stroop task

Restraint theory has identified overeating in response to a high calorie preload as characteristic of restrained eaters. The present study evaluated cognitive and motivational changes to preloading using both self-report rating scales and Stroop tasks. The results suggest that the restrained eaters responded to a high calorie preload with increased feelings of rebelliousness, defiance, and a desire to challenge the limitations set by the diet, described as an active state of mind, as measured by both the Stroop task and the rating scales. The restrained eaters also showed retardation in the color naming of the body size words and food words after the high calorie preload, suggesting that the consumption of a forbidden food may increase the dieter's concern about food and her shape and weight. The results are discussed in terms of the effects of preloading and possible mediating variables involved in the transition from successful restraint to overeating.     

An unusual case of autoscopic hallucinations.

A young Okinawan woman perceived her double who became aggressive toward her, attempted to strangle her, and cut off the anterior ? of her tongue. Physical findings, psychological observations, and historical data are reported. A comparison is made between the reported case, the usual cases of autoscopic hallucinations, and cases of multiple personalities. This case has features of both. An attempt is made to combine all available data and integrate it into a formulation that makes this rare phenomenon more understandable. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

1985 CPA award for distinguished contributions to psychology as a science.

Presents the citation regarding the announcement that the 1985 recipient of the Canadian Psychological Association's Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology as a Science is Dr. Doreen Kimura, professor of psychology at the University of Western Ontario. Throughout her distinguished research career, Dr. Kimura has made fundamental contributions to the neuropsychology of language, perception, and motor function. In addition to her research into basic brain-behaviour mechanisms, Dr. Kimura has played a major role in creating assessment procedures for neurological patients. Indeed, many of the techniques that she developed for her research are now being used routinely in a number of clinical neuropsychological settings in this country and abroad. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prison inmate characteristics and suicide attempt lethality: An exploratory study.

Working with suicidal inmates is among the most demanding elements of clinical practice in corrections, yet few studies regarding the characteristics of prison inmate suicide attempters or their attempts exist. This represents a significant gap as the method of attempt, the prison context, and the resulting lethality of these incidents may be different from attempts made outside of prison. This exploratory study is the first to apply a continuous scale rating of suicide attempt lethality to incidents where an inmate survived a suicide attempt. It describes the attempt incident dynamics and resulting range of lethality scores found within the study sample. It also examines the inmate adjustment and mental health characteristics that were associated with the lethality rating. Preliminary findings suggest that increases in suicide attempt lethality are associated with the presence of Axis II disorders, favorable staff interactions, and the decreased use of drugs other than marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, or depressants. A call for research to extend this exploration through replication is made and recommendations for clinical practice are considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Price Current-Meter Standard Rating Development by the U.S. Geological Survey

The U.S. Geological Survey has developed new standard rating tables for use with Price type AA and pygmy current meters, which are employed to measure streamflow velocity. Current-meter calibration data, consisting of the rates of rotation of meters at several different constant water velocities, have shown that the original rating tables are no longer representative of the average responsiveness of newly purchased meters or meters in the field. The new rating tables are based on linear regression equations that are weighted to reflect the population mix of current meters in the field and weighted inversely to the variability of the data at each calibration velocity. For calibration velocities of 0.3 m∕s and faster, at which most streamflow measurements are made, the new AA-rating predicts the true velocities within 1.5% and the new pygmy-meter rating within 2.0% for more than 95% of the meters. At calibration velocities, the new AA-meter rating is up to 1.4% different from the original rating, and the new pygmy-meter rating is up to 1.6% different.     

Direct, indirect, and controlled observation and rating accuracy.

Videotaping of assessment center exercises has become an increasingly common practice, yet little is known about the impact of video technology on rating accuracy. This study compared ratings of a group discussion made after live observation (direct), after viewing a video (indirect), or after viewing a video with opportunities to pause and rewind (controlled). Results indicated some differences in observational accuracy but not in rating accuracy. Implications for the use of video technology in assessment centers are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Halo and performance appraisal research: A critical examination.

The different conceptual and operational definitions of halo are reviewed, and problems when using halo as a dependent measure in performance rating research and practice are pointed out. Four major points are emphasized: (1) There is no agreed on conceptual definition of halo; (2) the different conceptual definitions of halo are not systematically related to different operational definitions (i.e., measures) of halo; (3) halo measures may be poor indexes of rating quality in that different halo measures are not strongly interrelated and halo measures are not related to measures of rating validity or accuracy; and (4) although halo may be a poor measure of rating quality, it may or may not be an important measure of the rating process. The utility of assessing halo to determine the psychometric quality of rating data is questioned. Halo may be more appropriately used as a measure to study cognitive processing, rather than as a measure of performance rating outcome. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A cluster-analytic description of patient subgroups in the rehabilitation setting.

Examined the interrelationship of depressive symptoms, patient expectations, and locus of control for health to develop a model that could describe patterns of response to rehabilitation. 25 inpatients at a physical medicine and rehabilitation facility completed the Beck Depression Inventory and a questionnaire assessing their expected success, amount of recovery, and length of stay. Ss' reasons for admission included postamputation, cerebral vascular accident, and pain. Each S's level of independence and physical mobility was assessed by his or her charge nurse using the Barthel Index (1965, 1973). Cluster analysis identified 3 groups with statistically and clinically significant differences between them. Four aspects appeared to account for the significant differences: Barthel Index rating, depression rating, expectancies, and locus of control (attribution). Findings indicate that the 3 spheres of depression, attribution, and expectation could be used to develop an empirically based model that describes the patient's response to rehabilitation and determines optimal intervention strategies for the rehabilitation patient. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessing Measurement Equivalence Across Rating Sources: A Multitrait-Multirater Approach.

Research examining the structure of multisource performance ratings has demonstrated that ratings are a direct function of both who is doing the rating (rating source) as well as what is being rated (performance dimension). A separate line of research has focused on the extent to which performance ratings are equivalent across sources. To date no research has examined the measurement equivalence of multisource ratings within the context of both dimension and rating source direct effects on ratings. We examine the impact of both performance dimension and rating source as well as the degree of measurement equivalence across sources. Results indicate that (a) the impact of the underlying performance dimension is the same across rating sources, (b) the impact of rating source is substantial and only slightly smaller than the impact of the underlying performance dimension, and (c) the impact of rating source differs substantially depending on the source. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Concept Evaluation Methodology for Extraterrestrial Habitats

The paper examines and compares structural concepts considered for use as habitats for lunar and Martian outposts. An evaluation methodology that allows numeric rating of concepts was previously developed and is upgraded herein. The methodology defines a number of important characteristics on which concepts are to be judged. In addition, weighting factors are assigned for the various characteristics considered in the evaluation system. These factors are presented as variables that depend on mission goals and timing aspects. An example evaluation is made for a specific scenario utilizing the developed methodology. The overall purpose of this work is not to provide an absolute rating, but rather to identify strengths and weaknesses of concepts. This approach should be invaluable in the development and selection of structural concepts for extraterrestrial habitats.     

Individual decision processes in an assessment center.

Analyzed individual ratings made by 46 assessors working in an assessment center for the selection of entry-level managers. 10 Ss' ratings (each of whom had rated more than 200 assessees) were individually subjected to confirmatory factor analyses (using linear structural relations) and examined within a lens model framework. Support was found for both a formal and informal method of arriving at an overall assessment rating. Subgroup analyses suggest that there was little effect of assessee sex on the way Ss arrived at a rating. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)