Atkinson's Inverse-U Curve and the Missing Cognitive Variables

1984 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 403-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin A. Locke ◽  
Karyll N. Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Factorial Design ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Objective Probability ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Cognitive Variables ◽  
Personal Goal ◽  
Probability Of Success ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Intervening Variables

A 3 × 3 factorial design examined the effects of three degrees of feedback/feedforward (given before task performance) and three levels of objective probability of success on task performance. Subjective expectancy, personal goal, valence of winning a monetary prize, expectancy, and commitment to winning were measured as intervening variables. The experimental manipulations had no effect on performance. This and other replication failures indicate that Atkinson's widely cited 1958 finding of a curvilinear relationship between probability of success and performance is not very robust. However, three variables not included in his model, personal goal, valence and commitment, were significantly related to performance, with commitment showing the strongest relationship.

A Latent State-Trait Analysis of Current Achievement Motivation Across Different Tasks of Cognitive Ability

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 318-327
Author(s):  
Philipp Alexander Freund ◽  
Vanessa Katharina Jaensch ◽  
Franzis Preckel
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Achievement Motivation ◽  
Fear Of Failure ◽  
Specific Task ◽  
Test Taker ◽  
Specific Interest ◽  
Probability Of Success ◽  
Ability Tests ◽  
Perceived Challenge

Abstract. The current study investigates the behavior of task-specific, current achievement motivation (CAM: interest in the task, probability of success, perceived challenge, and fear of failure) across a variety of reasoning tasks featuring verbal, numerical, and figural content. CAM is conceptualized as a state-like variable, and in order to assess the relative stability of the four CAM variables across different tasks, latent state trait analyses are conducted. The major findings indicate that the degree of challenge a test taker experiences and the fear of failing a given task appear to be relatively stable regardless of the specific task utilized, whereas interest and probability of success are more directly influenced by task-specific characteristics and demands. Furthermore, task performance is related to task-specific interest and probability of success. We discuss the implications and benefits of these results with regard to the use of cognitive ability tests in general. Importantly, taking motivational differences between test takers into account appears to offer valuable information which helps to explain differences in task performance.

scholarly journals Fabrication of a Silicide Thermoelectric Module Employing Fractional Factorial Design Principles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim S. Graff ◽  
Raphael Schuler ◽  
Xin Song ◽  
Gustavo Castillo-Hernandez ◽  
Gunstein Skomedal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factorial Design ◽  
Fractional Factorial Design ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Thermoelectric Module ◽  
Fractional Factorial ◽  
Taguchi Methods ◽  
Dimensional Parameter ◽  
Cu Metallization ◽  
Manganese Silicide ◽  
And Performance

AbstractThermoelectric modules can be used in waste heat harvesting, sensing, and cooling applications. Here, we report on the fabrication and performance of a four-leg module based on abundant silicide materials. While previously optimized Mg2Si0.3Sn0.675Bi0.025 is used as the n-type leg, we employ a fractional factorial design based on the Taguchi methods mapping out a four-dimensional parameter space among Mnx-εMoεSi1.75−δGeδ higher manganese silicide compositions for the p-type material. The module is assembled using a scalable fabrication process, using a Cu metallization layer and a Pb-based soldering paste. The maximum power output density of 53 μW cm–2 is achieved at a hot-side temperature of 250 °C and a temperature difference of 100 °C. This low thermoelectric output is related to the high contact resistance between the thermoelectric materials and the metallic contacts, underlining the importance of improved metallization schemes for thermoelectric module assembly.

scholarly journals Revisiting the Role of Worries in Explaining the Link Between Test Anxiety and Test Performance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frieder L. Schillinger ◽  
Jochen A. Mosbacher ◽  
Clemens Brunner ◽  
Stephan E. Vogel ◽  
Roland H. Grabner
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Standardized Tests ◽  
Test Anxiety ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Inverse Relationship ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
General Intelligence ◽  
Mathematical Competencies ◽  
And Performance

AbstractThe inverse relationship between test anxiety and test performance is commonly explained by test-anxious students’ tendency to worry about a test and the consequences of failing. However, other cognitive facets of test anxiety have been identified that could account for this link, including interference by test-irrelevant thoughts and lack of confidence. In this study, we compare different facets of test anxiety in predicting test performance. Seven hundred thirty university students filled out the German Test Anxiety Inventory after completing a battery of standardized tests assessing general intelligence and mathematical competencies. Multiple regressions revealed that interference and lack of confidence but not worry or arousal explained unique variance in students’ test performance. No evidence was found for a curvilinear relationship between arousal and performance. The present results call for revisiting the role of worries in explaining the test anxiety-performance link and can help educators to identify students who are especially at risk of underperforming on tests.

scholarly journals Expectancy of Stress-Reducing Aromatherapy Effect and Performance on a Stress-Sensitive Cognitive Task

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Chamine ◽  
Barry S. Oken
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
N200 Amplitude ◽  
Related Potentials ◽  
And Performance

Objective. Stress-reducing therapies help maintain cognitive performance during stress. Aromatherapy is popular for stress reduction, but its effectiveness and mechanism are unclear. This study examined stress-reducing effects of aromatherapy on cognitive function using the go/no-go (GNG) task performance and event related potentials (ERP) components sensitive to stress. The study also assessed the importance of expectancy in aromatherapy actions.Methods. 81 adults were randomized to 3 aroma groups (active experimental, detectable, and undetectable placebo) and 2 prime subgroups (prime suggesting stress-reducing aroma effects or no-prime). GNG performance, ERPs, subjective expected aroma effects, and stress ratings were assessed at baseline and poststress.Results. No specific aroma effects on stress or cognition were observed. However, regardless of experienced aroma, people receiving a prime displayed faster poststress median reaction times than those receiving no prime. A significant interaction for N200 amplitude indicated divergent ERP patterns between baseline and poststress for go and no-go stimuli depending on the prime subgroup. Furthermore, trends for beneficial prime effects were shown on poststress no-go N200/P300 latencies and N200 amplitude.Conclusion. While there were no aroma-specific effects on stress or cognition, these results highlight the role of expectancy for poststress response inhibition and attention.

1 Effect of Conditioning, Rest, and Post-rest Transport Duration on Welfare Indicators of Beef Cattle Transported by Road

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 2-3
Author(s):  
Daniela M Melendez ◽  
Sonia Marti ◽  
Timothy D Schwinghamer ◽  
Derek B Haley ◽  
Karen S Schwartzkopf-Genswein
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Factorial Design ◽  
Random Effects ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Rest Period ◽  
Flight Speed ◽  
Beef Calves ◽  
Welfare Indicators ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
And Performance

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the effects of conditioning, rest, and post-rest transport duration on welfare indicators of 6–7 mo old beef calves. Three hundred and twenty-eight weaned calves (237 ± 29.7 kg BW) were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 × 2 nested factorial design: conditioning, conditioned (C) or non-conditioned (N); rest, 0 (R0) or 8 (R8) h, and post-rest transport, 4 (T4) or 15 (T15) h. Calves were sampled prior to the first loading (L1), after 20h of transport, prior to and after the additional 4 or 15-h transport, and at 1, 2, 3, 5, 14, and 28 d after transport ended. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Fixed effects included conditioning, transport and time nested within rest period, while random effects included animal and pen. Greater shrink (P < 0.01) was observed in C than N calves after the initial 20-h transport. The N calves had greater (P < 0.01) ADG than C calves between L1 and d 5, while C had greater (P < 0.01) ADG than N calves between 14 and 28 d. L-lactate concentrations and flight speed were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in C than N calves between L1 and d 5. The R8-T4 calves had greater (P < 0.01) ADG than R8-T15 calves between L1 and d 5. The R0-T4 calves had greater (P = 0.02) L-lactate concentrations than R0-T15 and R8-T4 calves on d 1. The R0 calves had greater (P < 0.01) ADG than R8 calves between 14 and 28 d. Preliminary results show physiological, behavioral, and performance differences across treatments, however, additional indicators are required to accurately assess the effect of conditioning, rest, and post-rest transport durations on calf welfare.

scholarly journals The relation between conscientiousness, empowerment and performance

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riëtte Sutherland ◽  
Gideon P. De Bruin ◽  
Freddie Crous
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Job Performance ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
Employee Empowerment ◽  
Information Technology Professionals ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Social Desirability Scale ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Service Engineer

This study examined the relationship between conscientiousness, empowerment and job performance among information technology professionals. An Employee Empowerment Questionnaire (EEQ), a Conscientiousness Scale and a Social Desirability Scale were administered to 101 information technology customer service engineers. Managers completed a Performance Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ) for each customer service engineer. The results indicated a significant relationship between conscientiousness and empowerment. A curvilinear relationship was found between empowerment and performance. The practical and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.

Rethinking femininity in organisations: Experimental insights into team composition

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 866-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Busse
Keyword(s):  
Sex Role ◽  
Role Expectations ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Sex Role Stereotypes ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Short Run ◽  
And Performance ◽  
State Of Affairs ◽  
Role Incongruity ◽  
Team Types

AbstractRole incongruity, sex role stereotypes and candidate selection procedures which oversatisfy masculine role expectations evoke an underrepresentation of femininity in organisations. The author seeks to remedy this bad state of affairs. This study is designed based on an experiment with 288 young executives simulating self-organised work groups and manipulated the degree of gender-related (not sex-related) heterogeneity. Results generally show a curvilinear relationship with an upright U-shaped format between heterogeneity and performance, team identity and intrateam communication. The major contribution in specific is that highly homogeneous teams outperform other team types in the short run, whereas highly heterogeneous teams succeed in the long run. Consequently, this work recommends ‘femininity enrichment’ in firms and discusses manageable practical advice to do so. As for the laboratory character, findings and implications for practicing managers have to be treated with caution. Finally, the most promising avenues for further research are illuminated.

The Role of Power Distance and Explanation Facility in Online Bargaining Utilizing Software Agents

2011 ◽  
pp. 73-90
Author(s):  
John Lim
Keyword(s):  
Factorial Design ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Interaction Effect ◽  
Power Distance ◽  
Software Agents ◽  
Research Perspective ◽  
Online Transactions ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
Factorial Design Experiment

Online transactions have become increasingly popular and deserve greater attention from a research perspective. Whereas there are various aspects of online transactions, this study specifically examined an online bargaining scenario utilizing software agents. User’s performance and attitudes were studied in a 2x2 factorial-design experiment. The independent variables were power distance (a dimension of culture)-for reasons associated with increasing and irresistible globalization, and explanation facility-for its conjecturable benefits in helping users to better understand and work with their software agents. Results showed these factors to have an interaction effect on task performance; as well, explanation facility exhibited main effects on trust and satisfaction. The findings have implications for system designers and builders; they also help managers in tailoring their expectations on what technology can deliver-under which conditions.

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