Paula M. Popovich

The Development of the Attitudes toward Computer Usage Scale

An Attitudes-Toward-Computer Usage Scale (ATCUS) was developed in two studies. In the first study, 40 items were administered to 365 undergraduate students to assess attitudes toward the use of computers and computer-related mechanisms. The scale was found to have high internal consistency and was significantly correlated with two other scales measuring attitudes toward computers. Sex differences were also found. Based on factor analysis results, the scale was reduced to 20 items and administered to 351 undergraduates in a second study, where is was also found to have high internal consistency. Factor analysis revealed four factors, with three showing significant sex differences.

Perceptions of sexual harassment as a function of sex of rater and incident form and consequence

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in perceptions of two “severity dichotomies” present in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Guidelines on sexual harassment. Alale and female undergraduates (N = 198), from a predominately white midwestern university, were given one of four statements based on these guidelines, varying “form” (physical/verbal) and “consequence” (economic injury/hostile environment) of the behavior. Analysis of variance results showed females rated the incident as more definitely sexual harassment and as affecting perfonnance more than did males. Participants reading “economic injury” statements rated them as having more effect on the victim’s job status than did those reading “hostile environment” statements. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant “consequence” and “sex” effects on several factors: A significant three-way interaction showed that males rated statements less negatively than did females, especially when the statement described “physical” behavior with “hostile environment“ consequences. Cluster analysis results are also presented.

Assessing the Incidence and Perceptions of Sexual Harassment Behaviors Among American Undergraduates

Abstract A nine-item scale of sexual harassment behaviors was developed and tested in a two-study sequence. In the first study, male and female college students with job experience rated the frequency with which they experienced these behaviors from both supervisors and co-workers. Revisions were made on the basis of these results, and the revised scale was administered to a different yet similar sample to measure the perceptions of each behavior as sexual harassment. Results of both studies showed a significant difference for the ratings of supervisor and co-worker behaviors.

The assessment of attitudes toward individuals with disabilities in the workplace.

Abstract The authors conducted 2 studies to develop and test measures that assess beliefs about what constitutes a disability, affective reactions to working with individuals with disabilities, and beliefs about the reasonableness of workplace accommodations, in general and within the context of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The results of these 2 studies showed substantial differences in what was considered to be a disability. In general, more physical and sensory-motor conditions were considered disabilities than were psychological conditions. Furthermore, the conditions believed to be disabilities did not necessarily match what is covered by the ADA. Gender and experience with individuals who are disabled were also found to predict affective reactions and the reasonableness of accommodations. Implications for organizations are discussed.

Comparing attitudes towards computer usage by undergraduates from 1986 to 2005

The importance and use of computers has increased dramatically over the last two decades. The Attitudes Towards Computer Usage Scale (ATCUS) was developed in 1986 [Popovich, P. M., Hyde, K. R., Zakrajsek, T., & Blumer, C. (1987). The development of the attitudes toward computer usage scale. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 47, 261-269.] and used in a variety of settings over the years. In order to examine how computer attitudes have changed from 1986 to 2005, the ATCUS was given to 254 male and female current undergraduate students. When comparing the 1986 with 2005 results, the amount of time spent using a computer was still positively related to computer attitudes; however, the number of college computer courses was not. There is no longer a significant relationship among any of the factors with college computer courses. Males and females no longer significantly differ in their attitudes toward computers, number of college computer courses, amount of time spent using computers, or degree of self-reported computer anxiety. Implications are discussed.

Sexual harassment in organizations

Sexual harassment is now recognized as a potential problem for most organizations. The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to the various aspects of sexual harassment as a problem: its definition (including both the “economic injury” and “hostile environment” types of harassment), its characteristics, and a discussion of how to deal with such problems in the workplace. Organizations are encouraged to act affirmatively by (1) establishing a policy prohibiting sexual harassment in the organization; (2) establishing and making employees aware of a grievance procedure for sexual harassment complaints; and (3) educating employees about the problem of sexual harassment through a combination of awareness and experiential training techniques.

Updating the attitudes toward computer usage scale using American undergraduate students

The Attitudes Toward Computer Usage Scale (ATCUS) was first developed in 1986 by [Popovich, P. M., Hyde, K. R., Zakrajsek, T., & Blumer, C. (1987). The development of the attitudes toward computer usage scale. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 47, 261-269.] using American undergraduates and has since been with a variety of populations over the past 20 years. However, many changes in the technological landscape have occurred since its development, thus creating a need for an updated scale. During the course of a three-part study, the ATCUS v. 2.0 was developed with psychometric properties similar to that of the original ATCUS. The addition of more up-to-date items to serves to enhance the usefulness and practicality of this instrument. The ATCUS v. 2.0 was found to have both high internal consistency, alpha=.83 and test-retest reliability, r=.93.

The development of a general Internet attitudes scale

The popularity of Internet use has generated a need for reliable and valid Internet attitude assessments. Current practices in the development and validation of Internet attitude scales have raised several methodological and practical issues. The purpose of this study was to develop general Internet attitudes measure as well as to explore the psychometric and methodological concerns surrounding the construct validity of existing Internet attitude scales. A three-study sequence was conducted that included the development and refinement of the Attitudes Towards the Internet Scale (ATIS), an investigation of differences between Internet and paper-and-pencil administrations, and differential item and person functioning. The ATIS demonstrated appropriate psychometric qualities and is suitable for general use. Suggestions for future researchers and practitioners interested in the assessment of Internet attitudes are provided.

Sexual harassment scripts: A means to understanding a phenomenon

Male (96) and female (101) undergraduates (predominately white) described a typical workplace sexual harassment incident. Resulting scripts were content analyzed by male/female pairs of trained coders. Content analysis results showed a “blatant” harassment script involving stereotyped beliefs. Cluster analysis of judged coding gave a more detailed view of the “blatant” scripts as including a male superior harassing a younger, attractive female subordinate (often a secretary) in a private setting, involving a variety of behaviors, both severe (e.g., sexual propositions) and less severe (e.g., comments on physical appearance). Another rather large cluster characterized as “bantering” involved more public harassment in which multiple harassers treat a victim in an unprofessional way. Both clusters showed some subject sex differences in descriptions of behaviors considered as typical harassment, as well as of motive, and of victim response. Additional data collected after the Thomas-Hill hearings is presented.

A Role Model Approach to Sexual Harassment

This paper includes a brief review of the limitations of research on the definition, detection, and prevention of sexual harassment in organizations. It is proposed that sexual harassment may be explained using a role model approach. It is suggested that the existing literature on role conflict and role ambiguity may provide a theoretical framework to guide empirical investigations of the causes of sexual harassment. The use of role clarification techniques to reduce or prevent sexual harassment is also discussed.