Groupthink and uncertainty orientation: Personality differences in reactivity to the group situation.

The decline and imminent death of an individual in a hospital's intensive care unit led to the creation of a transient group composed of family and friends. The dynamics of this tragic group are explored using the concepts provided by Social Systems theory. Ambiguity of the task structure and its inherent frustrations, fluidity of leadership and power, and failure of a utopian defense are all discussed as contributors to subsequent dissension and splitting. The social systems perspective provides a useful tool for understanding this naturally occurring group situation.

Download Full-text

The Ecological Rationality of Situations

The Oxford Handbook of Psychological Situations ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190263348.013.29 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 142-158

Author(s):

Peter M. Todd ◽

Gerd Gigerenzer

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Research Program ◽

Behavioral Outcomes ◽

Ecological Rationality ◽

Decision Heuristics ◽

Situation Theory ◽

Personality Differences ◽

Individual Personality ◽

Precise Mapping ◽

Adaptive Toolbox

The study of situations involves asking how people behave in particular environmental settings, often in terms of their individual personality differences. The ecological rationality research program explains people’s behavior in terms of the specific decision-making tools they select and use from their mind’s adaptive toolbox when faced with specific types of environment structure. These two approaches can be integrated to provide a more precise mapping from features of situation structure to decision heuristics used and behavioral outcomes. This chapter presents three examples illustrating research on ecological rationality and its foundations, along with initial directions for incorporating it into an integrated situation theory.

Download Full-text

Motion-Picture Screening Device for the Identification of Perceptual Disabilities

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1974.39.1.347 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 347-352 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Michael E. Rohr ◽

Jerry B. Ayers

Keyword(s):

Motion Picture ◽

Test Scores ◽

Screening Test ◽

Fourth Grade ◽

Minimal Cost ◽

Perceptual Development ◽

Group Situation ◽

Screening Device

The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the Purdue Motion Picture Screening Test for the identification of perceptual disabilities in 360 rural Appalachian fourth grade children. Results indicated that test scores are related to achievement, and children scoring in the bottom 5% exhibited deficiencies in perceptual development. The test can be easily administered in a group situation at minimal cost.

Download Full-text