Nina W. Brown

Cognitive, Interest, and Personality Variables Predicting First-Semester GPA

124 freshmen entering engineering were administered the College Major Interest Indicator, Adjective Checklist (personality), Ship Destination Test (symbolic reasoning), and the Logical Reasoning test (verbal reasoning) to identify what combination of variables would best predict the first semesters GPA. Scores on these tests along with SAT-Verbal and Mathematics scores were used in a series of multiple regression analyses. Personality test scores alone were the best predictors of GPA (r = .78).

The destructive narcissistic pattern

Identifying characteristics of the Destructive Narcissistic Pattern (DNP) in the workplace are presented. The DNP is most easily recognized by the reactions of those who have to work with him/her. Characteristics are derived from the literature on pathological narcissism which differs only in intensity and degree. Strategies to develop constructive working relationships with the DNP are presented.

Most Effective and Least Effective Boards of Nonprofit Human Service Agencies

A study was conducted of 13 United Way agencies to determine if there were variables that would significantly discriminate between the boards of human services agencies judged most effective and those least effective. Stepwise multiple discriminant analyses revealed three functions that discriminated: Organizational Awareness—accounting for 59% of the variance; Shared Managerial Responsibilities-accounting for 23% of the variance; and Administrative Trustee Duties—accounting for 18% of the variance.

Description of Personality Similarities and Differences of a Sample of Black and White Female Engineering Students

45 black and white female engineering students were assessed on Goughs Adjective Checklist and Schultzs FIRO-B. Nine Adjective Checklist scales showed significant mean differences between black and white women with black women having higher mean scores on Succorance and Abasement. White women had significantly higher mean scores on Achievement, Dominance, Counseling Readiness, Self-confidence, Military Leadership, Masculinity, and A-4. Comparison of scores on the FIRO-B by race showed only one scale with a significant difference, Wanted Inclusion.

Troubling Silences in Therapy Groups

Although group and member silences can be constructive in some instances, there are silences that are not constructive, and can lead to difficulties. Presented in this article are descriptions for troubling silences, the roles they play, and possible reasons, both individual and group as a whole silence. These silences can produce negative effects on the group and for its members, and group leaders need to intervene to prevent and resolve difficulties. Suggested prevention and intervention strategies are described.

COMPARISON OF FEMALE AND MALE ENGINEERING STUDENTS

78 male and female engineering students were matched by race/ethnic designation and classification. Personality profiles on the Adjective Checklist indicated no significant differences between groups, with the 39 men and 39 women tending to have the same pattern of elevated and depressed scale scores.

Values in Parochial and Public Schools: Alike or Different?

Rokeachs Value Survey Scale was administered to seventh and eighth grade students attending Catholic (n — 61), Episcopalian (n — 113), Friends (n = 29), and Public (n — 40) Schools. The four-group stepwise discriminant function carried out found that seven value rankings maximized the minimum Mahalanobis distance between group pairs: self-controlled, salvation, social recognition, national security, courageous, equality, and obedience. Two statistically significant functions were derived, Concern for Eternal Life and Recognition Reliability and Acceptance. The scale correctly classified 56% of the students in all groups with 70.5% of the Catholic, 46.9% of the Episcopalian, 47.5% of the public school and 75.9% of the Friends students correctly classified. The composite rankings were then compared with the 13-yr.-old age-group rankings reported by Rokeach.

Congruent Validity of the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule

The results in this study indicated that for a sample of 141 college students in a junior level course in education the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (RAS) was significantly related to the six Class I scales of the California Psychological Inventory (CPI), which collectively have been interpretated as measures of poise, ascendancy, and self-assurance. The combination of scales best predicting scores on the RAS contained five of the six Class I scales of the CPI. This finding provided additional evidence of the validity of the RAS in assessing assertiveness and lent support to its use for identifying potential clients who might benefit from assertive training procedures.

ASSESSMENT MEASURES THAT DISCRIMINATE BETWEEN LEVELS OF DUI CLIENTS

The Adjective Checklist, Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist, Depression Adjective Checklist, and Profile of Mood States were administered to 166 males enrolled in an Alcohol Safety Action Program. Although a few individual scales showed significant differences between groups, a stepwise multiple discriminant analysis of combined test scales identified two functions, Intrapersonal Attributes which accounted for 84% of the variance and Personal Adequacy, accounting for 15.9% of the variance. The combined test results correctly classified 62% of the clients. Cross-validation is planned.

Reconceptualizing difficult groups and difficult members

Group leaders can expect to encounter group and member behaviors and attitudes that are usually termed as difficult. This article presents a different perspective that focuses on how the group leader can better understand and make visible what the troubling behavior is communicating about unspoken or unconscious needs, fantasies and desires. Suggestions for more effective interventions are proposed.