Simon A. Moss

A Deficit in Shifting Attention Present in High-Functioning Autism but not Asperger’s Disorder:

The aim of this study was to examine executive functioning, in particular, attentional set-shifting deficits in high-functioning autism (n = 12) and Asperger’s disorder (n = 12). A large or global digit composed of smaller or local digits was presented during each trial. The participants indicated the presence of 1s or 2s by pressing the appropriate button. These targets could appear globally or locally. Relative to IQ, sex and age matched controls, reaction time to global targets in individuals with autism was retarded when the previous target appeared locally. This deficiency in shifting from local to global processing, however, was not observed in individuals with Asperger’s disorder. The theoretical and neurobiological significance of this dissociation in executive functioning in these clinically related disorders was explored.

Look at me, I'm smiling: Visual search for threatening and nonthreatening facial expressions

Using a visual search paradigm, this series of experiments determined whether threatening and nonthreatening facial expressions attract attention. In Experiment 1, participants were instructed to locate a face with a particular facial expression in an array of four or eight faces. Search time was reduced for a happy target among neutral distractors, compared with a neutral target among happy distractors. In contrast, when the stimuli were inverted, search time was faster when the target was neutral and slower when the target was happy. An increase in the number of distractors increased search times to a greater extent when the target face was neutral and inverted than in the other conditions. Experiment 2 revealed the same pattern of results for sad faces. Experiment 3 used a modified search array to directly compare search times for happy, sad, fearful, and angry facial expressions. The attentional advantage for happy and sad targets shown in Experiments 1 and 2 was examined further by comparing search times when participants were instructed to search for a particular expression with those obtained when they searched for any emotional expression. Angry and happy targets were located faster than sad or fearful faces, and at least part of this advantage was determined by task instructions rather than being automatic. These findings demonstrate that nonthreatening facial expressions (happy, sad) can capture attention relative to neutral expressions, and that threatening expressions differ in their effect. It is suggested that angry faces indicate potential threat to the observer (e.g., the threat of personal violence) and therefore attract attention, whereas fearful faces indicate threat elsewhere in the environment (e.g., the approach of a violent intruder), and therefore divert attention away from the face and towards the source of the threat.

The Adolescent Risk-Taking Questionnaire Development and Psychometric Evaluation

Compared to other life periods, adolescence is characterized by a heightened potential for risky behaviors. This study reports the systematic development and psychometric evaluation of a comprehensive Adolescent Risk-Taking Questionnaire (ARQ). It was developed using reports of 570 adolescents and was psychometrically evaluated with a sample of 925 adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age. Principal components analyses yielded a four-factor risk structure, and these factors were substantiated via a confirmatory factor analysis. One week test-retest and internal consistency indices were demonstrated to be sound. Age and gender differences were found to be consistent with reported trends in accident data. Older adolescents and boys reported lower risk perceptions and a higher frequency of risky behaviors than younger adolescents and girls, respectively, supporting the validity of the ARQ. Furthermore, consistent with past research, perceiving higher levels of risk typically related to lower levels of engaging in the respective behaviors.

The Impact of Goal Orientation on the Association between Leadership Style and Follower Performance, Creativity and Work Attitudes

This study examines whether goal orientation — which refers to whether individuals strive to learn skills, attract favourable evaluations, or minimize unfavourable judgments — influences whether transformational leadership improves employee performance, creativity and work attitudes. A sample of 263 employees completed a questionnaire in which they assessed their own goal orientation and commitment, as well as evaluated the leadership style of their supervisor. Moreover, these supervisors appraised the performance and creativity of their employees. The findings revealed that a learning orientation magnified the benefits of contingent reward — in which leaders provide clear incentives to motivate employees — on normative commitment. Furthermore, when employees endeavoured to attract favourable evaluations, intellectual stimulation was more likely to foster normative commitment. Finally, when employees endeavored to minimize unfavourable judgments, inspirational motivation diminished affective commitment to the organization. These findings suggest the goal orientation of employees should be optimized before plans to encourage transformational leadership are instituted.

Longitudinal analysis of quality management practices in Australian organizations

Higher requirements for improved quality of products and services have led to three important changes in international business over the last decade: (i) the growing recognition of the strategic importance of total quality management (TQM) philosophy and methods; (ii) a major push by organizations world-wide to seek certification to the ISO 9000 quality standards; and (iii) the growing recognition and application of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the Australian Quality Award and the European Quality Award. Despite these developments, there is still considerable confusion and frustration surrounding the applied role and business value of quality management practices in Australian industry. A review of the literature revealed a major gap in research in this area of operations/quality management. The purpose of the paper is to evaluate the results of three empirical studies conducted in 1991, 1993 and 1996 on the adoption of quality management practices in Australian manufacturing organizations...

A comparison of the use of third‐party logistics services by Australian firms between 1995 and 1999

Examines the use of third‐party logistics services by Australian firms over the period 1995 to 1999. It is based on a questionnaire survey that was initially conducted in 1995 and repeated in late 1999. The questionnaire addressed: the extent to which the firms use the services of contract logistics companies; the specific contract logistics services used; the benefits which have emerged for the user firms; the obstacles encountered in implementing contract logistics relationships; the impact of the use of contract logistics services on costs, customer satisfaction and employees of the user firm; and the future plans of current users of such services. Notable differences showed between the results from 1995 and those obtained in 1999. Of particular interest is the apparent centralisation of the decision making in regard to employing such services and the involvement of managers outside the logistics area. Also, more firms are utilising third‐party contract logistics companies for international purposes, and are signing longer contracts with their providers. The study identifies a number of concerns for providers that need to be addressed.

Employee characteristics associated with the provision of work‐family policies and programs

Are organizations responding to significant changes in Australian labour force demographics by providing more family‐friendly programs? This article explores whether or not variations across companies in the implementation of work‐family programs and policies relate to demands of key constituent groups. Findings of the present evaluation indicate that certain employee demographic factors, particularly employees with dependents, women, union members, and long‐serving employees are more likely to predispose an organization to offer work‐family benefits. Employers need to be able to characterise the demographics of their workforce to plan the type of policies and programs that might be most suitable and contribute to productivity outcomes.

Quality management in the logistics function: an empirical study

The importance of the logistics function has increased dramatically at many firms as competitive priorities have shifted from cost and product quality to delivery and flexibility. At the same time, however, there have been few comprehensive studies of the implementation of TQM practices in logistics. This paper examines the application of quality management practices in the logistics function based on a field study of 165 Australian firms. Major findings include the practices implemented, the specific areas in which firms have implemented these practices, the obstacles faced in doing so and future plans for continued development.

Child Sexual Abuse: A Reality for Both Sexes

Despite growing awareness regarding the reality of child sexual abuse (CSA), a paucity of studies have examined whether the determinants, risk factors, and aftermath of CSA differ between male and female victims. This paper attempts to provide an empirical and conceptual review of research findings to date. There is evidence that CSA against boys is under-reported, and that male victims are given less counselling than females, despite the prevalence of comparable psychological sequelae. It is argued that further research into gender differences associated with CSA needs to be conducted because the conclusions of existing studies are tenuous. Future research may (a) lead to an elaboration and assessment of current conceptualisations of CSA that predominantly focus on female victims, and (b) facilitate the development and implementation of gender-based public policy in relation to CSA.

The Youth Version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule: A Psychometric Validation

This study investigated the psychometric properties of the revised Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children (PANAS-C; Joiner, Catanzaro & Laurent, 1996) in 228 nonclinical children and adolescents aged between 8 and 15 years. The results revealed that the PANAS-C possesses high internal consistency and encouraging convergent validity, as demonstrated by correlations with the theoretically related constructs of Neuroticism and Extraversion. Construct validity was supported through confirmatory factor analysis, which revealed a two dimensional structure comprising Negative and Positive Affect. Divergent validity was confirmed by the nonsignificant correlation between positive and negative affect. Thus, the PANAS-C was demonstrated to have good reliability and validity, subject to minor changes in item content.