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| OBM Paper Series: Behavioral Analysis of Contemporary Issues |
| Sunday, May 27, 2007 |
| 9:00 AM–9:50 AM |
| Emma C |
| Area: OBM |
| Chair: Bess J Puvathingal (Temple University) |
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| Tell it Like They See it: Considering Visual Spatial Strengths May Increase Employee Satisfaction. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| KIMBERLY DERK (Cady Wellness Institute) |
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| Abstract: After years of flat performance on employee satisfaction scores at a large manufacturing facility, consideration was given to advances seen in teaching autism and gifted children that demonstrate modification of the presentation of information sometimes improves an individual’s success. Realizing that both written and spoken information in organizational settings lean heavily toward verbal/auditory-sequential delivery (i.e.: presentations, meetings, written procedures, Intranets, newsletters, etc.), I gave 38 employees two different learning style inventories. Numerous works in the learning field suggest about 30% of a given population typically will emerge as strongly visual spatial.
However, the two inventories indicated the target group holds a 64% and 67% strong visually spatial bias, indicating potential value in presenting organizational information in ways that are more easily accessible to those with visually spatial preferences. Multiple modifications were made across the organization in response, from face-to-face supervisory discussion techniques to the site’s primary communication vehicles. In response, communication effectiveness scores shot up 26% in a year. Unstructured interviews as well as questionnaires credit inclusion of visual spatial awareness as the catalyst for the improvement. |
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| Extending the Job-Demands/Job-Control Model of Occupational Strain. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| SCOTT A. HERBST (University of Nevada, Reno), Ramona Houmanfar (University of Nevada, Reno) |
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| Abstract: The job-damnd/job-control model of occupational strain predicts that the more control an employee has over his or her work environment, the less impact greater demands will have on their experience of stress. This paper will review the job-demand/job-control model of occupational strain and discuss the contributions operant psychology may make in extending the scope of the theory. |
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| Behavioral Analysis of Sunk Costs: Sinking in Quicksand or Caught in the Fog of War? |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| BESS J PUVATHINGAL (Temple University), Donald A. Hantula (Temple University) |
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| Abstract: The sunk cost effect is the increased tendency to persist in an endeavor despite indications of failure once an investment of money, effort, or time has been made. This effect has been witnessed in a variety of situations, including economics, decision-making, psychopathology, and politics. Behavioral literature clearly demonstrates that behaviors reinforced intermittently develop increased resistance to extinction, which may provide a partial explanation for escalating commitment to a course of action that is currently not being reinforced. In our quantitative review, we go beyond partial reinforcement effects and examine the literature surrounding the sunk cost effect. We then identify situations in which there appear to be a greater escalation of commitment to a failing course of action. One variable that increases escalation of commitment when paired with sunk cost is the uncertainty of the outcome. Implications surrounding the United States involvement in the war in Iraq are discussed in the context of sunk costs and uncertainty. |
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