Bryan W. Coyle

A Review And Critique Of Analyses Of Multitrait-Multimethod Matrices.

Six methods of evaluating the degree to which multitrait-multimethod matrices meet the Campbell-Fiske criteria (1959) for construct validity are illustrated and evaluated. It is concluded that the path analytic method (Werts & Linn, 1970) provides the most detailed information regarding individual traits and methods as well as permitting the evaluation of alternate models of the data which involve rank reduction in methods, traits, or both. The analysis of variance technique (Kavanagh, et al, 1971) provides summary data based on the full matrix which can be useful for inter-matrix comparisons but does not assess the conformity of individual traits or methods to Campbell-Fiske criteria. The various factor analytically based approaches (Golding & Seidman, 1974; Jackson, 1975; Tucker, 1966) are most useful when one is interested in exploring the factor structure of a set of data across data collection methods.

Feedback and task predictability as determinants of performance in multiple cue probability learning tasks

Abstract Several studies conducted within the last decade have suggested that outcome feedback is less than optimal feedback in a multiple cue probability learning situation. Some of these studies have neglected one or more of the following: a no feedback control group, analysis of the several different types of feedback, assessment of feedback over time, and the effect of feedback on tasks of different difficulty levels. Two 2(outcome feedback) × 2(cue utilization feedback) × 2(task information) × 3(trial blocks) experiments were conducted. It was found that outcome feedback resulted in significantly less consistency, and task information resulted in significantly better matching. Cue utilization feedback enhanced achievement and matching only in combination with task information and only in high predictability tasks. Further research on feedback should focus on feedback and task difficulty interactions as well as the effects of delay of feedback.

Retirement and Life Satisfaction

Demographic, personality, and job related correlates of life satisfaction and satisfaction with retirement associates, work and activities, and finances are reported for recently retired Civil Serv...

Prediction of patient attrition from experimental behavioral interventions

Attrition of patients in treatment and control was compared for loss from the study and loss from care. Previously diagnosed hypertensive patients who were under treatment but out of control (diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 and systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mm Hg) were assigned to conventional care or to an experimental nursing intervention group. The intervention involved eight visits covering a 6-month period. Attrition from the study for the experimental group was defined as completion of four or fewer experimental sessions; for the control group it was defined as making no visits to a treatment center during a 6-month posttest observation period. Attrition from care by the facilities where the study was conducted was defined as no visits to these sources of care during a 1 1/2-year follow-up period. More controls than experimentals were lost from the study. No differences could be found between patients lost from the study and those lost from both the study and care. A logistic regression was used to predict attrition. The four significant predictor variables were: perceived difficulty in following a diet, knowledge of disease, perceived severity of symptoms, and the experimental condition. The study showed: social psychological variables, important predictors of attrition, should be used to identify patients at risk of leaving care for their chronic diseases.

Prediction of Post-High School Labor Force Decisions

The present study investigates the utility of employing an interdisciplinary set of variables to predict labor force decisions. Comparisons of demographic, economic, high school experience, and psychological-motivational variables indicated that the best prediction of the post-high school plans of 1,074 high school seniors resulted from high school experience variables. However, a combination of the four sets of variables resulted in substantial improvement over any single set of predictors. It is suggested that laborforce behavior can be better understood and predicted if a multidisciplinary approach is utilized.