scholarly journals “Crystal Is Creepy, but Cool”: Mapping Folk Theories and Responses to Automated Personality Recognition Algorithms

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 205630512110101
Author(s):  
Tony Liao ◽  
Olivia Tyson
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Personality Profiles ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Predictive Algorithms ◽  
Long Line ◽  
Folk Theories ◽  
Personality Recognition ◽  
Media Practices

This article examines Crystal Knows, a company that generates automated personality profiles through an algorithm and sells access to their database. These algorithms are the result of a long line of research into computational and predictive algorithms that track social media practices and uses them to infer individual characteristics and make psychometric assessments. Although it is now computationally possible, these algorithms are not widely known or understood by the general public. Little is known about how people would respond to them, particularly when they do not even know their online activities are being assessed by the algorithm. This study examines how people construct “snap” folk theories about the ways personality algorithms operate as well as how they react when shown their outputs. Through qualitative interviews ( n = 37) with people after being presented with their own profile, this study identifies a series of folk theories that people came up with to explain the personality algorithm across four dimensions (data source, scope, collection process, and outputs). In addition, this study examined how those folk theories contributed to certain reactions, fears, and justifications people had about the algorithm. This study builds on our theoretical understanding of folk theory literature as well as certain limitations of algorithmic transparency/sovereignty when these types of inferential and predictive algorithms get coupled with people’s hopes and fears about employment, hiring, and promotion.

scholarly journals HOW DOES CRYSTAL KNOW? FOLK THEORIES AND TRUST IN PREDICTIVE ALGORITHMS THAT ASSESS INDIVIDUAL PERSONALITY AND COMMUNICATION PREFERENCES

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Liao
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Personality Profiles ◽  
Communication Preferences ◽  
Individual Personality ◽  
Predictive Algorithms ◽  
Explicit Consent ◽  
The World ◽  
Folk Theories ◽  
A Company ◽  
Practical Implications

In recent years, there has been a rise in predictive algorithms that focus on individual preferences and psychometric assessments. The idea is that an individual social media presence may give off unconscious cues or indicators of a person's personality. While there has been a growing body of research into people's reactions, perceptions, and folk theories of how algorithms work, there has been a growing need for research into these hyper-personal algorithms and profiles. This study focuses on a company called CrystalKnows, which purports to have the largest database of personality profiles in the world, many of which are generated without an individual's explicit consent. Through qualitative interviews (n=31) with people after being presented with their own profile, this study explores how people perceive the profiles, where they believe the information is coming from, and what contexts they would be comfortable with their profile being used. Crystal profiles also contain predictions about how people will communicate and potentially work together in teams with people of other personality dispositions, which also raises concerns about inaccurate assessments or discrimination based on these profiles. The findings from this study and how people rationalize these algorithms not only builds on our understanding of algorithmic perception and folk theories, but also has important practical implications for the trust in these systems and the continued deployment of hyper-personal predictive algorithms.

scholarly journals Can social support work virtually? Evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis patients’ experiences with an interactive online tool

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zlatina Kostova ◽  
Maria Caiata-Zufferey ◽  
Peter J Schulz
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Psychological Suffering

BACKGROUND: There is strong empirical evidence that the support that chronic patients receive from their environment is fundamental for the way they cope with physical and psychological suffering. Nevertheless, in the case of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), providing the appropriate social support is still a challenge, and such support has often proven to be elusive and unreliable in helping patients to manage the disease.OBJECTIVES: To explore whether and how social support for RA patients can be provided online, and to assess the conditions under which such support is effective. An online support tool was designed to provide patients with both tailored information and opportunities to interact online with health professionals and fellow sufferers. The general purpose was to identify where the support provided did – or did not – help patients, and to judge whether the determinants of success lay more within patients – their engagement and willingness to participate – or within the design of the website itself.METHODS: The present study reports qualitative interviews with 19 users of the tool. A more specific purpose was to elaborate qualitatively on results from a quantitative survey of users, which indicated that any positive impact was confined to practical matters of pain management rather than extending to more fundamental psychological outcomes such as acceptance.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Overall, online learning and interaction can do much to help patients with the everyday stresses of their disease; however, its potential for more durable positive impact depends on various individual characteristics such as personality traits, existing social networks, and the severity and longevity of the disease.

scholarly journals Facilitating User Involvement in Activation Programmes: When Carers and Clerks Meet Pawns and Queens

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANNE BRITT DJUVE ◽  
HANNE C. KAVLI
Keyword(s):  
Human Factor ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Ideal Types ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
User Influence ◽  
The Individual

AbstractUser involvement has become an explicit goal within social service provision. Even so, the term remains ambiguous, and its implementation troublesome. Implementation theory lists a number of factors influencing bureaucratic behaviour; in this paper we investigate the ‘human factor’. Our ambition is to provide a framework for analysis of user influence in activation programmes that includes the individual characteristics of both service users and service providers. Building on theoretical insights from the literature on activation and agency, we develop a framework that distinguishes between two ideal types of service users: Pawns and Queens, and two types of service providers: care-oriented Carers and rule-oriented Clerks. This framework is then applied to identify key challenges for the interaction between users and caseworkers in two challenging situations: when service users express little or no agency and when they express agency that is incompatible with the overall goals of the programme. We find that Carers show pronounced reluctance to overrule the choices made by service users even when they have conflicting views – and tend to postpone decisions when they interact with Pawns. Clerks tend to overrule the decisions of Queens when they have conflicting views, and to make decisions on behalf of Pawns. The analysis draws on data collected from 126 qualitative interviews with service providers and participants in the Norwegian Introductory Programme for immigrants and a survey of 320 caseworkers.

Formation of the musician's personal brand on social networks (using the example of P. Drangi and A. Vorobyov)

2020 ◽  
pp. 26-36
Author(s):  
Varvara A. KUZMINA ◽  
Marina V. TERSKIKH
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Career Trajectory ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Image Characteristics ◽  
Content Analysis Method ◽  
Comparative Aspect ◽  
Personal Brand ◽  
The Individual

We considered the problem of formation of personal brand through content of social networks. Based on modern works on personal branding and classification proposed by image-making specialists, we considered strategies and technologies for creating a personal brand by two creative personalities in a comparative aspect: P. Drangoy and A. Vorobyov. We understood a personal brand as a complex of images and associations that is actualized in the minds of people when mentioning the name of a certain person. We modeled P. Drangi and A. Vorobyov's personal brands by determining the competencies, standards and style that they broadcast in the Internet space; key image characteristics of both artists are analyzed, we considered image in four dimensions: visual, verbal, context and event. We used the comparative analysis method and the content analysis method as the basic ones. The material for the study was content posted by musicians on personal official pages on social networks. The appeal to this content made it possible to determine the general in building the image of the star of the modern scene, taking into account the individual characteristics of each musician. In conclusion, we made the conclusion about the ability of an account on a social network to influence the artist's image, his concert activity and career trajectory.

Expanding comics theory to account for interactivity: A preliminary study

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-213
Author(s):  
Tiffany Neo ◽  
Alex Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Current Theory ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Interactive Technologies ◽  
Iconic Image ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Narrative Techniques ◽  
Future Theory

Abstract Comics are a medium distinct from and yet tied to other forms of storytelling. A rich body of theory exists on the nature of the medium, its narrative techniques and the visual language unique to it. In light of the increasing interest in digital interactive technologies, however, there is a need to examine how the current theoretical understanding of comics is complicated by interactivity, as has been studied for other media such as text-based stories and games. This article outlines an exploratory study that introduced interactions, reminiscent of the Quick-Time Events found in games, into a four-panel comic. The results of this study, based on exposure to experimental prototypes, followed by retrospective protocol analysis and qualitative interviews, begin to shed light on various theoretical implications of including interactivity. These include empirical support that the notion of comics as an interconnected multiframe remains valid in the context of interactivity; the relative hierarchy between the iconic image and interactive elements; functions of interactivity within the comic form; the role of challenge; and the role of fluency and learning. These findings highlight possible ways in which the inclusion of interactivity expands current theory regarding the comic form, serving as openings for future theory-building.

Emotional labour and governmentality: Productive power in childcare

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merete Monrad
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
The Public ◽  
Emotional Labour ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Lack Of Control ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Childcare Workers ◽  
The Individual

This article examines the interplay between governance and cost-containment efforts in the public sector and the emotional labour and well-being of childcare workers. Care-work researchers have highlighted the complexities of power in emotional labour, such as the fact that emotional labour may simultaneously benefit the individual worker and reproduce inequalities that may be detrimental to workers’ well-being. The goal of this article is to develop a theoretical understanding of power in emotional labour and to show how power is related to emotional labour not only in terms of lack of control, status and resources, but also productively in terms of the subjectivities enabled by organisations. The article draws on the works of Foucault and Rose, particularly the concepts of productive power and governmentality, and suggests that emotional labour may be conceptualised as a technology of the self. The potential benefits of governmentality and productive power in terms of connecting emotional labour to larger structures are illustrated by qualitative interviews with Danish childcare workers, which show how emotional labour may become a form of self-governance that contributes to the individualisation of work-related responsibilities.

scholarly journals Taking a life Course Perspective on Social Assistance use in Canada: A different approach

2008 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Cooke ◽  
Amber Gazso
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Social Assistance ◽  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
Income Dynamics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Parcours De Vie ◽  
The Life Course

Abstract In this paper we argue that a life course perspective on social assistance use in Canada can offer a more nuanced theoretical understanding of both individuals’ experiences and the importance of social structure, than more traditional sociological or economic approaches to welfare use. We also propose that examining social assistance use in this way does not require longitudinal quantitative or qualitative data, as is sometimes suggested, but that cross-sectional quantitative and qualitative data can be interpreted through a life course lens. We demonstrate this by examining the covariates of social assistance receipt using cross-sectional quantitative data from the Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics, and by analysing qualitative interviews with recipients about the process of beginning and barriers to ending benefit receipt. These analyses show not only how the cross-sectional data can easily be considered from the perspective of the life course, but also how this perspective provides a more satisfactory understanding of how social assistance polices can be thought of as both providing resources that are important in individual decision-making and as shaping lives. Résumé d’article Dans cet article, nous montrerons que le paradigme du parcours de vie sur le bien être social au Canada peut offrir une compréhension théorique plus nuancée des expériences des individus avec ces programmes qu’une approche traditionnelle sociologique et économique face à l’usage du bien être social, tout en reliant cet usage à de plus larges structures sociales. Nous proposons aussi qu’examiner l’assistance sociale de cette façon ne requiert pas de données longitudinales quantitatives ou qualitatives, tel qu’il l’est parfois suggéré, mais que des données quantitatives et qualitatives qui se croisent peuvent être interprétées à travers la loupe de la durée d’une vie. Nous démontrons ceci en examinant les covariantes de la réception à l’assistance sociale, covariantes agencées en se servant des données quantitatives sectionnelles tirées du Enquête sur la dynamique du travail et du revenu (EDTR) et en analysant les interviews qualitatives des bénéficiaires à propos de leurs démarches initiales et leurs obstacles jusqu’à la réception finale de leurs bénéfices. Ces analyses montrent non seulement que des données sectionnelles qui se croisent peuvent être facilement considérées du point de vue de la perspective du cours d’une vie, mais aussi comment cette perspective fournit une compréhension plus satisfaisante de la façon dont on peut voir la double importance des politiques qui offrent des ressources aux individus et qui changent leur vie.

scholarly journals Measuring the effectiveness of English Medium Instruction Shipping courses

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-371
Author(s):  
Po-Hsing Tseng ◽  
Nick Pilcher ◽  
Kendall Richards
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Related Field ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Field Samples ◽  
English Medium Instruction ◽  
And Cluster Analysis ◽  
Electronic Teaching

Purpose Shipping courses contain much technical and specialist knowledge and present particular challenges for English medium instruction (EMI). This paper aims to investigate both student perceptions of the importance and satisfaction level of EMI in shipping courses in higher education in Taiwan and the perceptions of expert stakeholders through qualitative interviews. Design/methodology/approach Importance-performance analysis (IPA) is used to gather data on participants’ perceptions of what is (un)important and (un)satisfactory. Based on past studies, four dimensions with 20 items were developed and 121 effective questionnaires were collected. Further, qualitative interviews with expert stakeholders (n = 9) are undertaken to gather data to contextualize and complement the quantitative student data. Findings Findings show students attributed high importance but low satisfaction to items such as course learning objectives and students’ English level, and low importance and high satisfaction to items such as electronic teaching platform and relevance of subject to practice. Factor analysis and cluster analysis were used to divide samples into three groups. Qualitative interview results confirm many of the quantitative findings but also show where some quantitative findings require more attention or investment when delivering EMI programmes. Research limitations/implications Questionnaire samples focus on university students. Other related field samples (e.g. EMI teachers, shipping teachers, English teachers, etc.) could be surveyed and compared in future studies. Qualitative interviews could also be expanded to other stakeholders such as government policymakers. Practical implications The findings of IPA in the shipping courses and the qualitative interviews can be used for both teaching design and implementation in related courses by university lecturers and other stakeholders (e.g. policy and decision-makers). Such approaches can enhance students’ learning motivation and teaching performance. Social implications This paper provides important guidance and diagnosis for how to introduce English teaching in shipping courses. Related courses can be further applied in higher education to popularize and promote EMI teaching in shipping and related fields. Originality/value EMI has seldom been studied in the context of shipping courses in the past. This paper adopts IPA method and qualitative interviews to complement previous studies and address gaps in recent research. It is expected that the research findings could be adapted and applied in other fields.

scholarly journals Factors that Influence the Decision to Seek Help in a Police Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6891
Author(s):  
Carolyn Burns ◽  
Marla Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Psychological Services ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Physical And Mental Health

Police officers face many competing pressures and demands. Exposure to potentially traumatic incidents and significant job-related stressors can place many at higher risk of developing physical and mental health problems. The police culture exerts a pronounced influence on officers, preventing some from asking for or receiving assistance. The stigma of being perceived as weak or incompetent, concerns about being labelled unfit for duty, and worry that accessing psychological support will impact future career advancement can affect the decision to seek help. The Enhanced Critical Incident Technique was utilized to investigate the following research question: What helps or hinders the decision to access psychological services in a police population? Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 serving Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers in the lower mainland of British Columbia, Canada. The findings encompass five main themes: the importance of systemic factors, access to information and education, quality and influence of relationships, individual characteristics, and organizational processes that will increase the likelihood of accessing mental health services. The results contribute to the empirical literature by enhancing what is known about elements that influence an officers’ decision to seek psychological services, and factors that can enable officers to overcome barriers.

Work-readiness integrated competence model

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 568-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verma Prikshat ◽  
Sanjeev Kumar ◽  
Alan Nankervis
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Work Readiness ◽  
Competence Model ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Sound Theory

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise graduate work-readiness (GWR) and to develop a scale to measure it. Design/methodology/approach The methodology entailed the compilation of a literature review and the conduct of qualitative interviews and a focus group to generate items. This study used the “resource-based view” approach to conceptualise a multi-dimensional–“work-readiness integrated competence model (WRICM)”–consisting of four main factors (namely, intellectual, personality, meta-skill and job-specific resources), with a further ten sub-dimensions. Further, a series of tests were performed to assess its reliability and validity. Findings A final 53-item WRICM scale covering four dimensions and ten sub-dimensions of GWR was developed based on the perceptions of 362 HR professionals and managers from seven Asia-Pacific countries. The ten sub-dimensions covering 53 work-readiness skills reflect the perceptions of stakeholders regarding the work-readiness of graduates. The scale was found to be psychometrically sound for measuring GWR. Research limitations/implications Though the WRICM model is based on the inputs of different stakeholders of GWR (employers, educators, policy makers and graduates), the development of the WRICM scale is based on the perspectives of industry/employers only. Practical implications The WRICM model has implications for education, industry, professional associations, policy makers and for graduates. These stakeholders can adapt this scale in assessing the work-readiness of graduates in different streams of education. Originality/value The authors believe that the WRICM model is the first multi-dimensional construct that is based on a sound theory and from the inputs from graduate work-readiness stakeholders from seven Asia-Pacific countries.

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