Appraisal Dimensions Research Articles

Toward a Positive Life beyond COVID-19: Problem-Solving Appraisal as a Resistance Resource in the Relationship between Stress and Well-Being in Students.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major global stressor that has been associated with elevated risk of negative mental health symptoms. As a helping profession, our main task should be identifying factors that may shield individuals from the negative consequences of stress, rather than only focusing on the causes and symptoms of stress. One such factor, identified in the literature, is an individual's perception of their problem-solving skills. In this study we investigate the role of problem-solving appraisal in the association between perceived stress and psychological well-being. Participants were students (n = 322) who completed the Problem Solving Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, the short forms of the trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. The results demonstrate the health-sustaining benefits of problem-solving appraisal, as all dimensions of problem-solving appraisal (problem-solving confidence, approach-avoidance style, and problem-solving control) were directly associated with hopelessness and anxiety. The stress-buffering role of problem-solving appraisal with respect to hopelessness was demonstrated through the interaction between perceived stress and problem-solving appraisal. However, problem-solving appraisal did not buffer the effects of stress on anxiety. The findings indicate that problem-solving appraisal may be an important protective resource that could be beneficial for coping with other negative events and experiences beyond COVID-19. The implications of these findings for interventions are discussed.

The curious case of threat-awe: A theoretical and empirical reconceptualization.

Threat-based awe, or threat-awe, has been conceptualized as a fear-centric, negative-valenced variant of awe, although awe is a positive emotion embodying wonder and amazement. This research, however, argues that threat-awe is a mixed emotion rather than a negatively valenced subaspect of awe. We tested this conceptualization using two methodologies: (a) the theoretical framework of cognitive appraisals and (b) measures of ambivalence (an emotion co-occurrence index of bivalence, the Evaluative Space Grid, and a four-item scale to measure mixed emotions). Five studies (N = 1,140) compared threat-awe's appraisal profile and valence perceptions to univalenced, positive (awe, pride, happiness) and negative (fear) emotions. Research suggests that appraisal profiles of mixed emotions are close to their component emotions but distinct on certain appraisal dimensions. The empirical measures of valence demonstrate that threat-awe is felt as awe and fear in concert. Further, in terms of appraisals, threat-awe's appraisal profile is distinct from awe and fear on the dimensions of vastness, pleasantness, and situational control. Together, the two approaches-cognitive appraisals and measures of valence-provide convergent evidence that threat-awe is a mixed emotion. In conceptually clarifying threat-awe, we contribute to the nascent literature on mixed emotions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

We've got a situation here! – How situation-perception dimensions and appraisal dimensions of emotion overlap

Recently, situation researchers have developed taxonomies of situation-perception dimensions, also called situation characteristics. Situation-perception dimensions reflect how individuals psychologically interpret situations and predict subsequent behaviour. Similarly, in appraisal theories of emotion, appraisal dimensions have helped to understand how individuals evaluate situations according to their goals, and how these evaluations lead to emotions and subsequent behaviours. Surprisingly, thus far these two lines of research have hardly been linked. To reduce potential jangle fallacies, we examine the conceptual and empirical correspondence between situation perception and appraisal in daily-life situations (Study 1) and in emotional situations (Study 2). In each study, 550 UK participants recalled a recently experienced situation and rated the situation on ten situation-perception dimensions and on ten appraisal dimensions. The findings reveal overlap between situation perception and appraisal in five higher-order dimensions: Valence, Task-related effort, Familiarity, Negative interaction, and Positive interaction. Additionally, situation perception and appraisal overlap in predicting experienced emotions. Together, these findings suggest that there is considerable overlap between situation perception and appraisal, and that it may be worthwhile to link these two research fields.

The role of epistemic emotions in undergraduate students’ proof construction

Proofs as epistemic tools are central to mathematical practice, as they establish and provide explanations for the validity of mathematical statements. Considering the challenge that proof construction poses to learners of all ages, prior research has investigated its cognitive determinants, but the impact of affective-motivational experiences on proof construction has been insufficiently investigated. Emotions related to knowledge acquisition (i.e., epistemic emotions) are assumed to play a key role in epistemic processes. In this study we investigated how the performance of 80 mathematics undergraduate students in a geometric proof construction task relates to the epistemic emotions experienced during proof construction. Controlling for geometry knowledge, we included control and value appraisals as antecedents in our investigation of epistemic emotions, and attention and motivation as mediators of their effects on proof construction performance. The results indicate that positive as well as negative emotions are influenced by students’ appraisals, also indicating an interaction of both appraisal dimensions. Primarily enjoyment and curiosity mediate the effects of these appraisals on attention and motivation. These two markers of the proof construction process, in turn, mediate the effects of enjoyment and boredom on proof construction performance. In this study we investigated systematically the role of epistemic emotions in geometric proof construction and we offer insights that complement the existing research on the cognitive determinants of proof performance. Moreover, this study extended research on epistemic emotions into the area of proof construction, an epistemic process central to mathematics.

Dukungan Kader kepada Orang dengan Gangguan Jiwa

Background: People with mental disorders (PwMD) are people who experience disturbances in thoughts, behaviour and feelings that cause suffering and obstacles in carrying out their functions as humans. Cadres or health workers acted as liaison between PwMD and health care facilities to overcome challenges faced by PwMD by providing several types of social supports. The purpose of this study was to describe the support of cadres to PwMD in the working area of Ponjong I Public Health Center. Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the support of cadres to PwMD in the working area of Ponjong I Public Health Center. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design with a sample of 177 cadres. The data were analyzed as a percentage of the characteristics and several types of social support namely emotional, informational, instrumental and appraisal support. Results: A total of 177 cadres aged 41-65 years were 59.89%. The total of social support from cadres categorized as good (85.31%), while the percentages according to their dimensions are 50.3% for informational support, 49.2% for appraisal support, 49.7% for emotional support and 47.5% for instrumental support. Conclusions: The social support provided by cadres for PwMD was cat-egorized as good with more prominent dimensions of appraisal and emotional support. Dimensions of social support that still needs to be optimized are providing informational and instrumental supports.

Pattern and Dynamics of Teacher Emotions during Teaching: A Case Study of a Senior Secondary Mathematics Teacher

Understanding the emotional dimension of classroom practices benefits sustainable education. However, the dynamic nature of teacher emotions during teaching remains understudied. To acquire an “in-depth” description of the emotional phenomena during teaching, a case study was adopted to examine the pattern and dynamics of a senior secondary mathematics teacher’s teaching-related emotions. Seven new mathematics lessons were observed and videotaped, and three video-stimulated, post-lesson teacher interviews were conducted. Based on appraisal theories of emotions, thematic analysis and content analysis were mainly used to analyse the data. The study revealed that the teacher most frequently experienced happiness/satisfaction as positive emotions and confusion/surprise as negative emotions. The emotions followed a three-stage process: perceptions, multilevel appraisals, and responses. The teacher most often perceived her students’ cognitive accuracy and adopted goal/need conduciveness/attainment, the discrepancy from expectations, and causal attribution as core appraisal dimensions. Teacher emotions in classrooms were also often hierarchical and cumulative, shifting from more negative at the beginning of a new semester to more positive at the middle of the semester. This study shed light on the dynamic development of teacher emotions, extending the theories and process models of emotions from the psychological field to educational research and facilitating teachers’ sustainable professional development.

Effectiveness of Performance Appraisal Among Public School Teachers: A Narrative Inquiry

This study explores the effectiveness of performance appraisal among public school teachers of Kathmandu valley. Two head teachers and two permanent teachers of two public schools in Kathmandu valley were purposively interviewed to elicit in-depth information. Narrative inquiry was adopted to explore the participants' lived experiences about dimensions of performance appraisal. Herzberg’s two-factor theory was adopted to overview the effectiveness of teachers’ appraisal. This research revealed that performance appraisal was an annual process in public schools. However, the intention did not meet the expectations. Rather than being a regular process, the annual process was simply like a formality where the teachers were expected to submit one of their best works and get eligible for promotion rather than being provided with a detailed evaluative review of their continuous practice. Rather than involving the feedback from different members of the organisation, only one person got involved in the process, who usually got nervous about it for being blamed for being biased and, thus, provided positive grades only by hesitating to be critical. Teachers took this process as a burden and were not usually involved in it after securing their permanent position in the schools. Meanwhile, the temporary teachers were never made a part of the process. This study concludes that performance appraisal is seen as no more than providing secret feedback without a proper rubric as a mere formality.

Sick on the day of the interview? Effects of presenteeism on selection outcomes and the moderating role of raters' perspective‐taking

SummaryIn two experimental studies, we investigate how being sick with a common cold in a selection context influences the appraisals that evaluators form and how, in turn, people appraisal dimensions influence evaluators' hiring recommendations and leadership evaluations. Grounded in people appraisal theory (Cuddy et al., 2008; Fiske et al., 2007), we assess the universal evaluative dimensions of warmth and competence to explain detriments in hiring recommendations and leadership evaluations for applicants with a common cold. Further, we investigate whether a theoretically grounded individual difference variable, namely, the degree to which evaluators take others' perspective, influences the appraisals and subsequent judgments of sick applicants. Results across the two experimental studies, using students and professionals with selection experience, suggest that showing signs of being sick (i.e., presenteeism) had a negative impact on competence appraisals but not warmth appraisals. In addition, attending a job interview while sick had a significantly stronger negative effect on competence appraisals when the rater had a low as opposed to a high level of perspective‐taking. These effects in turn predicted hiring recommendations and leadership evaluations. We discuss the implications of our findings for theory and practice.

Workplace ostracism and organizational change cynicism: moderating role of emotional intelligence

Purpose The current work explores the relationship between workplace ostracism, emotional intelligence (EI) and organizational change cynicism. This paper also aims to examine how dimensions of EI moderate the relationship between workplace ostracism and organizational change cynicism. Design/methodology/approach This study intends to examine the contribution of independent variable as well as moderating variable towards the outcome. Therefore, Pearson product–moment correlation and moderated regression analyses have been carried out to verify the hypotheses. To validate the tools upon the employees of India, authors have carried out measurement model analyses through AMOS and checked their composite reliability, convergent validity (average variance extraction [AVE]) and discriminant validity (square root of AVE). This study followed a simple random sampling technique with 276 employees (Male: N = 150, Mage = 34.34, female: N = 126, Mage = 31.57) from three manufacturing units of Odisha, an Eastern part of India. Findings Results showed that workplace ostracism was positively related to organizational change cynicism. However, only two dimensions of EI, namely, appraisal and regulation of self-emotion (ARSE) and other’s emotional appraisal were negatively related to organizational change cynicism. Moderated regression analysis indicates that positive relationship between workplace ostracism and organizational change cynicism is stronger for employees with low ARSE and other emotional appraisals than those with higher scores. Practical/implications The researchers conclude this paper with inputs for developing a suitable training module on EI, specifically focusing on various emotional management skills. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is first of its kind on workplace ostracism and organizational change cynicism among Indian employees in the manufacturing sector. This study also examines the moderating role of EI on workplace ostracism and organizational change cynicism, which has been somehow inadequate in the present epoch.

The Impact of Threats Appraisal on Security Strategies of Computer Users: A Survey

Nowadays, many people work from home, owing in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. Home users are susceptible to a variety of threats emanating from the internet. Numerous studies have been conducted linking threat appraisal and its relationship to multidimensional security behaviour. The purpose of this study was to ascertain users' perceptions of threat appraisal behaviour as measured by perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and perceived threats, as well as their relationship to security behaviour as measured by device security, password generation, proactive awareness, and updating. The results of a survey of 270 home computer users indicate that there is a mixed relationship between trait appraisal and security behaviour. Nevertheless, each dimension of trait appraisal has a significant relationship with at least one dimension of security behaviour. This study contributed significantly to both theory and practise... Keywords— Threats appraisal, security behavior, home user, structural equation modelling

Is Organizational Citizenship Behaviour of Teachers Related to the Effectiveness of Higher Education Institutions?

This research investigates the relationship between organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) of university teachers and organizational effectiveness (OE) of Indian Universities. This cross-sectional survey includes 721 teachers from various state and private universities in Rajasthan, India. The findings reveal a positive and significant relationship between organizational citizenship behaviour and organizational effectiveness. Additionally, the state universities show a higher variance of 78% in organizational effectiveness by organizational citizenship behaviour as compared to private universities with 49% variance. This research establishes the conceptual and empirical linkage between OCB and OE within higher education institutions in the Indian context. This study provides some practical suggestions for university administrators for effective institutional management. It also offers input to policymakers to consider OCB as a new and innovative element of appraisal dimension and compensation system apart from traditional parameters of HR systems.

Cultural variability in appraisal patterns for nine positive emotions

AbstractEmotions result from evaluations of events, referred to as appraisals. Specific configurations of appraisals have been shown to characterize different emotions, with some variation occurring across cultures. However, appraisal research to date has focused primarily on negative emotions, though recent efforts have started to also examine the appraisal profiles of positive emotions. Cross-cultural work on the appraisals of positive emotions has, however, been scarce. Here, we examine the appraisal profiles of nine positive emotions in the US and China. Using 13 commonly employed appraisal dimensions, we investigated the evaluations of events eliciting amusement, awe, compassion, desire, gratitude, interest, love, pride, and relief. Eighty participants from China and the US recalled events from their own life involving each of these emotions and provided Likert-scale appraisal ratings for each emotional event. Consistent with previous research, we find distinct appraisal patters for each positive emotion. We also, for the first time, demonstrate cultural variations in appraisals of positive emotions. Our study extends existing research by highlighting differences in appraisals of positive emotions across cultures.

Is Concept Appraisal Modulated by Procedural or Declarative Manipulations?

A recent study has established that thinkers reliably engage in epistemic appraisals of concepts of natural categories. Here, five studies are reported which investigated the effects of different manipulations of category learning context on appraisal of the concepts learnt. It was predicted that dimensions of concept appraisal could be affected by manipulating either procedural factors (spacing of learning, perceptual fluency) or declarative factors (causal knowledge about categories). While known effects of these manipulations on metacognitive judgements such as category learning judgements and confidence at test were replicated, procedural factors had no reliable effects on the dimensions of concept appraisal. Effects of declarative manipulations on some forms of concept appraisal were observed.

Co-Creation of Massive Open Online Courses to Improve Digital Health Literacy in Pregnant and Lactating Women.

Background: Digital health literacy (DHL) increases the self-efficacy and empowerment of pregnant and lactating women (PLW) in using the Internet for health issues. The European project IC-Health aimed to improve DHL among PLW, through the co-creation of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Methods: The co-creation of the MOOCs included focus groups and the creation of communities of practice (CoPs) with PLW and healthcare professionals aimed to co-design the MOOCs. The quantitative measures of MOOCs’ acceptability, experience in the co-creation process and increase in DHL (dimensions of finding, understanding and appraisal) were assessed. Results: 17 PLW participated in focus groups, 113 participants were included in CoPs and 68 participants evaluated the acceptability of MOOCs. A total of 6 MOOCs aimed at improving PLW’s DHL were co-designed. There was a significant improvement in self-perceived DHL after using MOOCs (p-value < 0.001). The acceptability of MOOCs and co-creation experience were positively valued. Conclusions: The preliminary results of the quantitative assessment showed a higher self-perceived DHL after the IC-Health MOOCs. These results suggest that IC-Health MOOCs and the co-creation methodology appear to be a viable process to carry out an intervention aimed to improve DHL levels in European PLW.

Comparing the affective and social effects of positive reappraisal and minimising reappraisal

ABSTRACT Negative interpersonal events, such as close relationship conflicts, can threaten one’s affective and social well-being. To improve affect and to maintain valuable relationships, individuals could select different reappraisal tactics. One could use positive reappraisal to find potential benefits of the event (e.g. “This conflict helps our relationship grow.”), or use minimising reappraisal to decrease the perceived impact of event (e.g. “This is no big deal.”). These two tactics target distinct appraisal dimensions: valence versus significance. We investigated whether these two reappraisals would show similar or different profiles of affective and social effects in the context of close relationship conflicts. Study 1 was based on a sample of 90 Chinese younger adults. Study 2 was based on a sample of 237 American adults (156 MTurk workers and 81 undergraduates combined). Across two studies, both reappraisals effectively improved affect in response to a recalled conflict. Minimising reappraisal group showed significantly increased affect and relationship satisfaction (Study 1&2), but decreased conflict resolution motivation (Study 2) across time. Positive reappraisal group, on the other hand, showed less pronounced increases in positive affect but increased conflict resolution self-efficacy across time (Study 1&2). We discuss these findings by highlighting within-reappraisal variation and potential trade-offs in pursuing affective and social regulation goals.

Cocreation of Massive Open Online Courses to Improve Digital Health Literacy in Diabetes: Pilot Mixed Methods Study.

BackgroundSelf-management education is a fundamental aspect in the health care of people with diabetes to develop the necessary skills for the improvement of health outcomes. Patients are required to have the competencies to manage electronic information resources—that is, an appropriate level of digital health literacy. The European project IC-Health aimed to improve digital health literacy among people with diabetes through the cocreation of massive open online courses (MOOCs).ObjectiveWe report the preliminary results obtained in 3 participating countries in the IC-Health project (Italy, Spain, and Sweden) regarding (1) experience of the participants during the cocreation process of MOOCs, (2) perceived changes in their digital health literacy level after using MOOCs, and (3) a preliminary assessment of the acceptability of MOOCs.MethodsThe cocreation of the MOOCs included focus groups with adults and adolescents with diabetes and the creation of independent communities of practice for type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes participants aimed to co-design the MOOCs. Quantitative measures of the acceptability of MOOCs, experience in the cocreation process, and increase in digital health literacy (dimensions of finding, understanding, and appraisal) were assessed.ResultsA total of 28 participants with diabetes participated in focus groups. Adults and adolescents agreed that the internet is a secondary source of health-related information. A total of 149 participants comprised the diabetes communities of practice. A total of 9 MOOCs were developed. Acceptability of the MOOCs and the cocreation experience were positively valued. There was a significant improvement in digital health literacy in both adults and adolescents after using MOOCs (P<.001).ConclusionsAlthough the results presented on self-perceived digital health literacy are preliminary and exploratory, this pilot study suggests that IC-Health MOOCs represent a promising tool for the medical care of diabetes, being able to help reduce the limitations associated with low digital health literacy and other communication barriers in the diabetes population.

Personal Projects’ Appraisals and Compulsive Buying among University Students: Evidence from Galicia, Spain

The appraisal of goal-related constructs, generally, and of personal projects (PP) in particular, is one of the most solid research paths with regard to subjective well-being and health. In the last few years, the appraisal of PP has been linked to such problems as excessive alcohol and marijuana use, but no study has been conducted in the field of compulsive buying (CB). In this study, using Little’s personal-projects-analysis (PPA) methodology, the differences in university students were analyzed in both broad domains (meaning, structure, community, efficacy, and stress) and specific appraisal dimensions in groups with low (n = 293), moderate (n = 191), and high (n = 41) compulsive-buying propensities. The results confirm that the high-propensity group presented the highest significant levels in the domain of stress and the lowest in efficacy, meaning, and structure. As to appraisal dimensions, the group with a high propensity to CB attained statistically lower appraisals in the dimensions of importance, enjoyment, self-identity, absorption, control, time adequacy, progress, and outcome of their projects; the appraisal of the level of stress, difficulty, and conflict increased as the level of involvement in CB increased. These findings have major implications for the design of prevention and intervention programs for this behavioral problem.

Exploration of Human Resources (HR) Practices Based on Local Cultural Values in Cooperatives in Bali

The purpose of this study is to find out whether human resources (HR) practices in cooperatives in Bali have adopted Balinese cultural values. How Balinese cultural values are applied to HR practices in cooperatives in Bali has never been studied. The title of this research is Exploration of HR Practices Based on Local Cultural Values in cooperatives in Bali. The number of respondents 79 who are managers of cooperatives in Bali. The analytical technique used is statistical analysis techniques. The results of the study show HR practices in cooperatives in Bali have been implemented based on local Balinese cultural values with high criteria. It can be said that HR practices in cooperatives are in a strong category. The results of the identification of HR practices based on local culture which include (1) Dimensions of performance appraisal, (2) Dimensions of career development, (3) Dimensions of compensation, (4) Dimensions of training and development, (5) Dimensions of the selection process. Implementation of HR practices that are in accordance with Balinese Cultural Values, among others: HR practices contained in the concept of menyamabraya are reflected in the dimensions: performance appraisal, career development, and the selection process. HR practices contained in the concept taksu, namely in the selection and recruitment process, HR practices contained in the concept of jengah: Implemented in selecting and awarding compensation.

Providing an Interactive Model of Performance Appraisal Indicators in the Banking Industry (Case Study: Refah Bank)

With increasing competition in the Iranian banking system, banks should always evaluate their performance and use appropriate models to rank and compare with organizations that have similar activities. The purpose of this study was to identify the interactive relationships between performance appraisal indicators because in the real world the causes affecting the occurrence of a phenomenon cannot be considered independent of their effects on each other. This study is based on a mixed approach; at the qualitative step, the study seeks to identify indicators, components and dimensions of performance evaluation in the banking industry and at the quantitative step, it seeks to analyze the structure of relationships between dimensions and components using two methods of interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and fuzzy DEMATEL. In the qualitative part of the research, based on the data collected through semi-structured interviews with experts in banking, thematic analysis and MAXQDA software, local indicators, components and dimensions of performance appraisal in the Iranian banking industry consistent with economic, social, cultural structures were identified. Based on the results, the performance appraisal model in the country's banking industry includes six main dimensions. Based on the items extracted and identified from interviews with experts, these dimensions included risk management, economic indicators, operating environment, internal stakeholders, and the production and development of services, along with a forward-looking dimension. In addition, the results of ISM showed that the two dimensions of risk management and internal stakeholders were of the highest importance in the field of performance appraisal in the banking industry. In addition, the results of the fuzzy DEMATEL method showed that the risk management dimension is the most effective and the economic indicators dimension is the most impressionable compared to the other dimensions.

The psychology of frustration: Appraisals, outcomes, and service recovery

AbstractThis study fills a gap in the consumer emotions literature regarding customer frustration in a customer service setting. Most research on customer emotions has examined anger, happiness or affect in general, largely ignoring the particularities of frustration. Consistent with appraisal theory, we use five experiments to explore the different appraisal dimensions that define frustration and its relation to customer loyalty and satisfaction. Contrary to common belief, we show that frustration is not simply the result of goal‐blocking, but rather of a more complex combination of appraisals which differentiate it from anger and lead to distinct effects on satisfaction and loyalty. We also examine how the effects of frustration on loyalty and satisfaction are mitigated by service recovery in a further experiment and an event reconstructive method. Our results test appraisal theory, inform theory on customer emotions and have important implications for our understanding of customer satisfaction and loyalty following frustrating customer service encounters.