In 2009 there were 3.28 million non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010). Of these injuries and illnesses, 965,000 resulted in lost days from work. In addition there were 4,340 workplace fatalities. Given the number of occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, and the associated direct and indirect costs, organizations have sought to improve safety at work. Safety climate and safety motivation are two variables hypothesized to affect safety behaviors and safety outcomes. Safety climate refers to the shared perceptions of workgroup members, of the organizations' commitment to safety as evidenced by heir immediate supervisors' pattern of implementing safety policies and procedures (Zohar, 2003). Therefore, the workgroup supervisor plays an major role in the development of safety climate. Social exchange theory and previous studies of leadership styles and safety suggest that supervisors who convey concern for subordinates' well-being increase workers' motivation to reciprocate by increasing their safe behaviors at work. However, no research to date has examined the relationship between supervisors' personality and workers perceptions of safety climate, or the effect of Big Five trait-level variables on workers safety motivation. In this study I hypothesize that supervisors' proactive personality and three Big Five traits will be positively related to workers' safety climate perceptions. In addition, I hypothesize that four Big Five traits in workers will be positively related to workers safety motivation. Finally, I hypothesize that group-level safety climate will be significantly related to individual-level safety motivation after controlling for workers' personality. Participants in this study were maintenance and construction workers from a municipal city bureau, in 28 workgroups, totaling 146 workers and 28 supervisors. Workgroup sizes vary but averaged 6.21 members, including the supervisor. The data were collected in small groups (paper-and-pencil) and electronically (on-line); workers and supervisors answered questionnaire items on personality variables, safety climate, safety motivation, safety behaviors, and safety outcomes. In addition, archival data on safety outcomes were collected. The data were analyzed using a combination of multiple regression, multi-level modeling, and path analysis to test hypotheses and answer research questions. Both proactive personality and Big Five traits in supervisors accounted for incremental variance in aggregated workgroup safety climate over controls. In addition, workgroup safety climate and individual workers' cautiousness were significant predictors of workgroup safety motivation in a hierarchical linear model. At the individual level of the model, only the traits of cautiousness and morality were significant predictors of individual safety motivation. Tests of the Neal and Griffin (2004) model showed that safety motivation partially mediated the relationship between individual safety climate and safety participation behaviors. In addition, safety motivation fully mediated the relationships between morality and both safety compliance and safety participation behaviors. Finally, safety motivation partially mediated the relationship between cautiousness and both safety compliance and safety participation behaviors. The results suggest that supervisor personality can have an effect on the on workgroup safety climate perceptions. In addition, this study provided evidence that Big Five traits are useful predictors of the antecedents of accidents and injuries. Suggestions for training managers and future research are also discussed.

There is widespread concern within at least Western cultures of the potential damage that sex offenders may cause to society. The government statistics highlight a frightening pattern of sexual abuse in Australia, with the trend implicating that sexual assault is on the rise and that children are the predominant victims (ABS, 2003b). Specifically, 17,850 reports of sexual assault were recorded in 2002, a 6% increase since 2001. Further to this, there is still no universal agreement as to the extent to which treatment effectively reduces sexual recidivism. Therefore, there is an urgent need for research into this problem behaviour. Research examining the causes of sexual offending has examined a biological hypothesis that sex offenders have functional brain impairment. However, the results of neuropsychological assessments of various sex offender populations are inconsistent and inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the brain function of males convicted and incarcerated for sexual offences against children using neuropsychological assessment. Specifically, it was hypothesised that the sex offenders would show functional impairment in their frontal and temporal lobes. A battery of neuropsychological tests was compiled to assess the functions of these regions including four WAIS-Ill subtests (Arithmetic, Vocabulary, Block Design and Picture Arrangement), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Rey Complex Figure (RCF), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the FAS Test. These tests were administered to 25 incarcerated male sex offenders, 25 incarcerated male non-sex offenders and 25 men with no criminal history. Although attempts were made to match these groups on age, level of education and level of intelligence, statistical analyses revealed that there were significant differences between the groups on these variables. These differences were statistically controlled using analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) and factorial analyses of variance (ANOVA). The results indicated that the sex offenders performed significantly worse than the controls on all neuropsychological tests. However, statistically significant differences were only found between the sex offenders and control group on the immediate recall trials of the RAVLT and RCF. These observed differences did not change when age, level of education and level of intelligence were statistically controlled. It was concluded that there is insufficient evidence from this study to support the hypothesis that sex offenders have functional impairment in their frontal and temporal lobes. However, given the relevance of potential brain impairment to both the biological and social-cognitive perspectives of sexual offending, future research in this field is warranted.

Because of the outcomes associated with employee turnover, few areas have been researched as extensively in the field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology (Cotton&Tuttle, 1986). Correlates and consequences of employee turnover have been widely examined, though less expansive research has been dedicated to identifying (and potentially screening) turnover prone candidates. To address this concern, the comparative utility of three personality measures for predicting voluntary turnover in law enforcement was assessed. Self-report predictor measures consisted of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2, the most widely used instrument in this industry, and the Personality Research Form-E. The implicit personality measure for this investigation was the Conditional Reasoning Test for Aggression (James, 1998). In line with previous research (e.g., Hough, 1998), self-report job applicant scores indicated a defensive or self-presentation bias, whereas the CRT-A did not. Normative and comparative data for all predictor measures are presented to further knowledge for the researcher and practitioner. The importance of context, in this case the influence of the economy on attrition rates, is also discussed.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-134). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-134). Also available on the Internet.

The last two decades have seen a surge in published research on primate personality. This surge contrasts with the paucity of research over the preceding century. People interested in primate personality research come from a broad range of fields, but they are all interested in measuring primate personality in a way that is reliable, valid, and practical. This dissertation aims to describe the development and evaluation of the construct validity of a new rating scale in chimpanzees. The scale is based on a bottom-up approach to scale development and was developed using steps from both Uher (2008a,b) and Gosling (1998). As described in Chapter 3, the scale was evaluated by using it to rate 143 chimpanzees at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Facility in Bastrop, TX. Twenty-one people who have worked with the chimpanzees between 6 months to 20 years rated the chimpanzees. Chapter 4 describes how inter-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to calculate the reliability of the items on the scale. There was only one item (predictable) that turned out to not be reliable. The other 40 items were included in subsequent analyses. An exploratory factor analysis, as described in Chapter 5, was performed in order to determine the structure underlying the scale. Five methods were used to determine that a six-factor solution fit the data best. The six factors were labeled Reactivity, Dominance, Openness, Extroversion Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness based on the degree to that they correlated with other previous chimpanzees scales that used those labels. The convergent and discriminant validity of the factors was evaluated, as described in Chapter 6, by looking at the predicted relationships between each of the six factors and the variables of sex, age, rearing history, behavior in reaction to a novel stimulus, general behavior, injuries, illnesses, blood chemistry, and cortisol. The results indicate that there is a lack of evidence for convergent validity, but some evidence for discriminant validity of the new chimpanzee rating scale. The discussion in Chapter 7 focuses on the findings from the study as well as strengths and limitations of the new chimpanzee rating scale. / text

This study examines in terms of Adlerian Life Style as revealed through Early Recollections, actual and perceived Birth Order, and Family Atmosphere the personality characteristics of adolescent males who have experienced some form of abuse and/or neglect. As part of the study, each subject participated in a structured, tape-recorded interview and each subject reported six early recollections, dreams, or made-up memories. Transcripts of these interviews were given to a panel of Adlerian psychologists who collectively analyzed and interpreted the subjects' information. They formulated a life style summary for each subject and combined common themes and personality characteristics to formulate a composite life style summary. Results indicate that Adlerian judges were able to identify several common life style themes and personality characteristics. The most commonly shared attributes were expecting bad things to happen, wanting to be special, and feeling out of control.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) for use with a female population. Seventy-five women who were either incarcerated or on probation were assessed using interview and file information. In addition, all subjects completed a battery of self-report inventories that were theoretically relevant to the PCL-R. The results strongly supported the appropriateness of the PCL-R for use with female offenders. The psychometric properties were excellent indicating a homogeneous and unidimensional scale. The factor analysis confirmed a two factor structure representing two distinct aspects of psychopathy; the personological and behavioural dimensions. The pattern of correlations obtained from the self—report inventories was highly similar to that obtained with male samples, further suggesting that the same construct is being measured in both sexes. The implications of these findings in terms of the construct of psychopathy and explanations of women’s criminality are discussed as well as future research and practical implications.

The purpose of the study was to examine the utility of profile analysis using the SCAD index of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III) and behavioral rating scales as brief and accessible elements of a standard neuropsychological battery by which to screen for deficits or assets within the interface between attention, executive functions, and working memory. An ancillary purpose was to examine the further role and diagnostic efficacy of using a continuous performance test of vigilance as a discriminating measure between specific clinical groups. Three subtypes of individuals referred to a diagnostic assessment clinic were identified by means of a three-stage cluster analysis in a sample of 86 children and adolescents on the basis of scores attained on specific neuropsychological, cognitive, and behavioral variables. It was also found that the assigned clusters exhibited a high degree of consistency with the individual diagnoses ultimately rendered during the evaluation. The variables which best discriminated the three subtypes were identified through a forward stepwise discriminant analysis and subjected to multiple validation procedures. The significant and discriminating variables included the SCAD Index, the Attention Problems and Hyperactivity scales of the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC) and the Perceptual Organization factor of the WISC-III. It was also determined that the overall index and a time-related measure from the Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CCPT) were indeed able to differentiate clinical groups. Functional and theoretical implications were addressed in terms of their relevance for examining the interface between attention, executive functions, and working memory as well as for the identification and treatment of those diagnosed with ADHD and LD, or individuals considered to be gifted or intellectually advanced. / Department of Educational Psychology

This study was designed to determine if a personality type or personality type characteristic that-was statistically different from the general population could be found for high school dropouts who perceived school dissatisfaction as the reason for dropping out of school. Data were collected from each gender group and analyzed by gender group.Dropouts registering to take the general equivalency test through one of three cooperating programs in Clark County, Ohio, were contacted to participate in the study. Individuals were determined to have dropped out of school because of perceived school dissatisfaction by means of their responses on a checksheet of reasons for dropping out of school. The list was culled from the review of literature. Dropouts Identified as "dissatisfied" were then given the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Form G. A total of 262 dropouts were contacted before the sample size of fifty males and fifty females was reached.Four null hypotheses were generated for the study. Analysis of data using a binomial distribution resulted in a refection of the four hypotheses at a .01 level of significance. Results of the analysis demonstrated the Introvert-Sensing-Thinking-Perceiving (ISTP) personality type for males and the Introvert-Sensing-Feeling-Perceiving (ISFP) personality type for females from the sample were statistically different from the general population. The Sensing (S) personality type characteristic for both gender groups in the sample was statistically different from the general population.Major conclusions were: 1) Males with an ISTP personality type and who are dissatisfied with school have a greater possibility of dropping out of school than males with other personality types; 2) Females with an ISFP personality type and who are dissatisfied with school have a greater possibility of dropping out of school than females with other personality types; and 3) Males and females determined to have the Sensing (S) personality type characteristic and who are dissatisfied with school are at a greater risk of dropping out of school than others displaying the Intuition CI) characteristic. / Department of Educational Leadership