Job postings and the decision to interview: A verbal protocol analysis.

Investigated the process of deciding whether or not to apply for jobs, using the verbal protocol analysis (VPA) technique. Verbal reports provided by participants as they evaluated job postings and decided whether or not to interview for jobs were analyzed to assess what information was heeded, the impact of incomplete or unusual information, and the role of inferences regarding job characteristics and probability of hire. Results indicated that location and compensation received the most attention and that participants also responded to the amount of information provided. In addition, participants made inferences about unobserved characteristics and probability of hire, although the latter played little role in the decision to interview. The study also provided support for the usefulness of VPA by demonstrating that neither the verbal protocol process nor the use of prompts significantly influenced participants' decisions (as compared with the decisions of control groups). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An empirical examination of self-reported work stress among U.S. managers.

This study proposes that self-reported work stress among U.S. managers is differentially related (positively and negatively) to work outcomes depending on the stressors that are being evaluated. Specific hypotheses were derived from this general proposition and tested using a sample of 1,886 U.S. managers and longitudinal data. Regression results indicate that challenge-related self-reported stress is positively related to job satisfaction and negatively related to job search. In contrast, hindrance-related self-reported stress is negatively related to job satisfaction and positively related to job search and turnover. Future research directions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Employment interview on trial: Linking interview structure with litigation outcomes.

The authors linked interview structure and litigation outcomes conceptually and empirically. Using legal and psychological literatures, they established a conceptual link based on reduced opportunities for differential treatment through standardization, reduced potential for bias through increased objectivity, and increased job relatedness. Analyzing decisions regarding 84 disparate treatment claims and 46 disparate-impact claims in federal court cases, they established an empirical link between interview structure and how judges explained their verdicts. The 17 aspects of interview structure were scored in these cases. They collapsed into 3 composites: objective-job related, standardized administration, and multiple interviewers. Most items and composites were significantly related to favorable verdicts for defendants in both types of claims. The objective-job related composite was most highly related, followed by standardized administration. It is concluded that structure enhances interview reliability and validity, and it is also linked to litigation outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Three‐Dimensional Concentration Mapping of Organic Blends

The three‐dimensional morphology of mixed organic layers are quantitatively measured using high‐angle annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF‐STEM) with electron tomography for the first time. The mixed organic layers used for organic photovoltaic applications have not been previously imaged using STEM tomography as there is insufficient contrast between donor and acceptor components. Contrast is generated by substituting fullerenes with endohedral fullerenes that contain a Lu₃N cluster within the fullerene cage. The high contrast and signal‐to‐noise ratio, in combination with use of the discrete algebraic reconstruction technique (DART), allows generation of the most detailed and accurate three‐dimensional map of BHJ morphology to date. From the STEM‐tomography reconstructions it is determined that three distinct material phases are present within the BHJs. By observing changes to morphology and mixing ratio during thermal and solvent annealing, the effects of mutual solubility and fullerene crystallization on morphology and long term stability are determined. This material/technique combination shows itself as a powerful tool for examining morphology in detail and allows for observation of nanoscopic changes in local concentration.     

Alcohol expectancies and their relationship to actual drinking experiences.

44 undergraduate normal drinkers participated in a social task in drinking and nondrinking conditions and rated their subjective experiences and their perception of experiences of other group members along 7 alcohol expectancy dimensions. In the drinking condition, Ss rated their experiences as being positively enhanced on those dimensions predicted by the expectancy literature, but did not report experiencing the negative cognitive and motor effects associated with alcohol consumption. It is concluded that in social situations, individuals' alcohol expectancies and experiences coincide for socially relevant variables, but do not for variables related to cognitive skills. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development and validation of the Family Beliefs Inventory: A measure of unrealistic beliefs among parents and adolescents.

Evaluated the criterion-related validity of a family beliefs inventory that measures unreasonable beliefs regarding parent–adolescent relationships. The inventory and brief self-report measures of parent–adolescent communication and conflict were completed by 30 distressed and 30 nondistressed families, each with a 12–17 yr old target adolescent. Distressed families were defined as those in therapy for relationship problems and in which the adolescents had externalizing behavior disorders. Distressed fathers displayed more unreasonable beliefs concerning ruination, obedience, perfectionism, and malicious intent than nondistressed fathers. Distressed adolescents displayed more unreasonable beliefs concerning ruination, unfairness, and autonomy than nondistressed adolescents. There were no differences for mothers. Low-to-moderate relations were found between measures of beliefs, communication, and conflict. Results support the contribution of cognitive factors to parent–adolescent relationship problems and the validity of the family beliefs inventory. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using alcohol expectancies to predict adolescent drinking behavior after one year.

An accumulating literature has shown the influence of childhood experiences associated with alcohol use on later drinking practices. Recent studies have suggested that alcohol-related expectancy may serve as an intervening variable to connect these early experiences with the later, proximal decision to drink when opportunities for actual alcohol consumption arise. Those studies, however, have collected expectancy and drinking data concurrently, whereas the present study for the first time reports on the power of expectancies measured in early adolescents (seventh and eighth grades) to predict self-reported drinking onset and drinking behavior measured a full year later. Results show that five of seven expectancy scores readily discriminated between nonproblem drinkers and those subsequently beginning problem drinking and accounted for a large portion of the variance in a continuous quantity/frequency index and a problem drinking index. The strength of these time-lagged relations strengthens the case for inferring that expectancies have causal power on drinking behavior and suggests prevention strategies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)