Many empirical studies have examined factors that influence ratings of performance. This study examined the rating variable performance of a single individual. Serial position of a single poor or good performance in a series of otherwise good or poor performances was manipulated to examine its effects on both ratings and recommended actions toward…

A study of faculty coping strategies at a large public university found that strategies fit into five categories: problem-focused, avoidance-focused, cognitive redefinition, affective regulation, and resigned acceptance. Problem-focused behaviors were the most frequently reported. (Author/MSE)

Investigated effects of sex difference, social desirability instructions, and birth order of respondents on defense mechanisms inventory (DMI). Sex difference was found in projection only. Social desirability effects were found in turning-against-others, projection, principalization, and reversal. Thus, an interpretive caution is in order…

This study was conducted on the Counselor Evaluation Rating Scale (CERS). Ratings on 404 students from approximately 35 different supervisors were factor-analyzed using an oblique solution with rotation to simple loadings. It was concluded that the CERS has generally achieved the purposes intended by its authors. (Author)

A four-level taxonomy is proposed to define the usefulness of rater written comments for supporting letters of recommendation. The taxonomy is used to classify comments on 220 rating forms by 25 raters from two surgery departments regarding performance by third-year medical students. Written comments were classified by the following taxonomy: (1)…

Studies of sex roles and their relationship to behavioral and personality variables have abounded since Bem published her original theory of androgyny (1974). To examine different kinds of sex roles, 256 college students (191 females, 65 males), with a median age of 18.4 years, completed the Activities Inventory. The Inventory is based on…

Reviews aspects of the educational environment that impact on apprehensive students; examines the influence of task structure on student performance; and suggests ways structure can be used effectively to enhance communication competence among students at various need levels, specifically those with high or low communication apprehension. (JD)

A case study was undertaken of a student teaching situation in which the operational behavior styles of the student and the cooperating teacher were quite different. According to the tool used for the study (Gregorc style delineator: A self-assessment instrument), the student teacher tested high in random style categories while the cooperating…

To determine if an interviewer's orientation toward satisfaction and commitment actually produced different interviewee reactions in these two areas, 20 interviewers conducted an informative and persuasive interview with two different sets of five interviewees (physical education majors). The Conversation Self-Report Inventory (CSRI) was used to…

A Stress Test designed to help college students increase awareness of stress and ways they deal with it is presented, along with suggestions to reduce stress. The stress test was presented at a workshop by George Washington University graduate students. The test's four scales measure ways that students cope with stress and the student's…

Seven success patterns and five nonsuccess patterns are identified as prevalent types of undergraduate performance. Students showed significant differences in demographic characteristics, admission credentials, college performance, and post-college plans. Results indicated that colleges should offer many subenvironments, each emphasizing and…

A bank of psycometrically sound scaled behavioral incidents of college classroom teaching behavior was developed for use in devising performance evaluation scales, teacher training devices, and policy evaluation questionnaires. Using a combination of the critical incident and retranslation methodologies a set of 720 incident descriptions was…

Relative fits of 3 factor-structure models of adolescent reckless behavior were examined using the 10-item Reckless Behavior Questionnaire with 1,357 college and 181 high school students. Both one- and two-factor models were found to be satisfactory representations. Implications of a study of construct validity are discussed. (SLD)

This paper describes an alternative delivery approach for training personnel in observation skills using interactive multimedia technology. The "Classroom Behavior Record (CBR) Observation Training Program," includes three videodiscs that contain video and audio scenes of children in classrooms/playgroups and instructional narrations.…