Response Distortion Research Articles

Revisiting the Faking Issues of the CRT-A with Koreans

The Conditional Reasoning Test for Aggression (CRT-A) is an implicit assessment for aggression. The CRTA is known to be resistant to response distortion. We revisited LeBreton et al.’s (2007) studies on the faking issues of the CRT-A with the Korean population. We divided 488 Korean college students into three groups and asked them to take the CRT-A under different instructions. Results showed that Koreans were able to identify aggressive alternatives when the purpose of the test was fully disclosed, and the students were less likely to select aggressive alternatives if they were told that the CRT-A was a personality test.

A study on prevalence of hearing impairment in newborns with birth asphyxia admitted to neonatal intensive care unit

Background:Hearing is a vital part of a newborn’s contact with his environment. Consequences of perinatal asphyxia range from death to various degrees of neuro-developmental sensory or motor deficits. One of its well-known sequelae is sensorineural hearing impairment. Hence this study was undertaken to find the prevalence of hearing impairment in inborn neonates with birth asphyxia. Methods: Prospective Observational study was conducted to assess the prevalence of hearing loss in neonates with birth asphyxia admitted to the NICU at KIMS, Hubballi, Karnataka, India, from January 2015 to December 2015. Auditory function was examined by Otoacoustic emission (OAE) followed by auditory brainstem response (ABR) test and distortion product OAE (DPOAE). Statistical analysis, Chi-square test was used and testing data was analysed using the SPSS software version 22. Results: Among the 150 neonates, prevalence of hearing impairment among term neonates with birth asphyxia was 9.9% (14/141). Babies with severe birth asphyxia (P=0.00037), hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (P=0.00914), convulsions (P=0.0093) and those who were mechanically ventilated (P=0.0003) were more prone to develop hearing impairment. Conclusions: The prevalence of hearing impairment among term neonates with birth asphyxia was 9.9% (14/141). Two staged screening with OAE, which is a feasible screening test in resource poor set up, can be used as a screening modality for hearing impairment in babies with birth asphyxia.

A new measure of financial constraints applicable to private and public firms

Abstract We study managers’ self-assessment of their firm’s financial constraint status to assess the validity of commonly used indicators of financial constraints. As categorizations based on common financial constraints measures lead to high misclassifications, we derive a new measure of financial constraints which performs well in-sample and out-of-sample for private firms. Applying our new measure to a large sample of private European firms, we find consistently lower investment-cash flow sensitivities and greater distortions in response to exogenous financing frictions for constrained firms across countries. Besides private firms, our new measure can also be applied to listed U.S. firms, as it reliably identifies constrained firms as measured by the occurrence of liquidity events and the incidence of an inelastic capital supply.

A Chance-Constrained Programming Approach to the Design of Robust Broadband Beamformers With Microphone Mismatches

This paper addresses the design of robust broadband beamformers by taking into account the prior knowledge of uncertain means and variances of microphone mismatches. A chance-constrained programming CCP based design approach is proposed, which is a generic extension of the existing worst case mean performance optimization WMPO based counterpart by using a chance-constrained stopband level constraint instead of a hard one. The original CCP-based design problem, however, is NP-hard to solve. To deal with the problem, a relaxed convex optimization formulation is developed by exploiting the distribution property of array response distortion due to microphone mismatches. The relation between the proposed CCP- and WMPO-based design approaches is analyzed theoretically. It shows that there always exists a chance constraint probability under which the CCP-based design is comparable to the WMPO-based one, which provides an insight into the overconservatism problem in the WMPO-based design from the perspective of the CCP-based framework. Moreover, a criterion on the setting of the chance constraint probability is also derived for the proposed design approach in order to remedy the overconservatism problem. Simulation and real experimental results are presented to show the superior performance of the proposed design approach compared with its state-of-the-art counterparts.

Monte Carlo investigation of noise and high-order harmonic extraction in graphene

High-order harmonic generation is an interesting option to reach the THz range for generation and detection applications. In this work the time-domain and spectral behavior of carrier velocity fluctuations in free-standing graphene under the action of a high frequency alternating electric field are studied by means of an ensemble Monte Carlo simulator. The distortion of the velocity response is explained in terms of the carrier wavevector distribution, average energies and scattering activity. The intensity of the harmonics is analyzed for several frequencies and electric field amplitudes. Noise and regular contributions to the power spectral density of the velocity response are discerned, and the harmonic modes available for several bandwidths are discussed. Results show that it is possible to reach the THz range with conditions comparable to those found for III–V materials, at the expense of narrow bandwidths.

Rapid Response Measurement: Development of a Faking-Resistant Assessment Method for Personality

While rating-scale-based assessments have been shown to be useful for measuring a variety of workplace-relevant constructs, assessment length and response distortion present practical limitations on their use. We describe a new type of measurement method termed rapid response measurement (RRM) in which stimuli are presented on a computer screen one at a time in rapid succession and respondents are asked to quickly provide a dichotomous response. Two personality assessments using RRM were developed and reliability and validity evidence across four independent samples were evaluated. Both RRM assessments showed adequate reliability, even at short test lengths, with acceptable levels of convergent and discriminant validity with traditional survey-based measures. Analyses based on a within-participants design indicated that the RRM was significantly more difficult to fake when instructed than was a survey-based measure of personality. The second RRM was related to several aspects of job performance. While initial results show promise, further research is needed to establish the validity and viability of the RRM for organizational and psychological measurement.

Rapid Response Measurement: Development of a Faking-Resistant Assessment Method for Personality

While rating-scale-based assessments have been shown to be useful for measuring a variety of workplace-relevant constructs, assessment length and response distortion present practical limitations o...

Frequency Response of Laser Gyroscopes in a Wide Range of Rotation Velocities

The laser gyro frequency response is studied by means of numerical simulation using a phase equation. The calculation results are compared to the results of experimental measurements on a precision dynamic test-bench. Quantitative relationship between the threshold value of static lock-in zone and frequency response distortions is established. Numerical methods helped to obtain and experimentally confirm the quantitative dependence of frequency response distortion on the amplitude and frequency of meander-shaped dither. It is shown that the dither shape significantly affects the frequency response form. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that frequency-response distortions depend on conditions of its measurement, in particular, on the time. The conducted research allows dither parameters to be optimized with a view to increase the accuracy of measurements using laser gyroscopes.

Not Me, But Reflects Me: Validating a Simple Implicit Measure of Psychological Capital

ABSTRACTWe propose the recently introduced implicit measure of psychological capital (PsyCap), the Implicit Psychological Capital Questionnaire (I-PCQ; Harms & Luthans, 2012), can provide a needed valid alternative to the self-report Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ). We explain the development of the I-PCQ items, assess the structural validity of the instrument, test its vulnerability to response distortion, and assess its capacity to predicting work attitudes and behaviors vis-à-vis the PCQ and Big Five personality facets. We found that the I-PCQ demonstrated acceptable structural validity that was consistent with and added to prior theorizing, was resistant to response distortion, and predicted work outcomes above and beyond the widely used self-report PCQ and Big Five personality traits. We conclude that the I-PCQ represents a valid, easily administered measure of psychological capital that minimizes problems associated with self-reports and is appropriate for use in work settings.

Playback signal distortion in CPP-GMR read heads due to induced electromagnetic interference

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) induced magnetic instabilities are an influential factor which can degrade the performance of magnetic read heads. In this paper, we investigate the influences of EMI on the playback response of the current perpendicular-to-the-plane giant magnetoresistance (CPP-GMR) read heads via micromagnetic simulations. The readback signal and the noise spectral density of the heads when subjected to the EMI were characterized. It was found that the readback signal could be significantly distorted, or become inaccurate, from the EMI through the induced spin transfer torque effect. Also, the incorrect readback signal results in a notable expansion of the noise spectral density which further impacts the head stability. Furthermore, the bit-error-rate of the head signal processing could be markedly increased by multiple EMI occurrences. Hence, the playback response distortion of the CPP-GMR read heads due to the EMI is another concerned factor for the read sensors at higher storage capacities.

Controlling for Response Bias in Self-Ratings of Personality: A Comparison of Impression Management Scales and the Overclaiming Technique

Self-serving response distortions pose a threat to the validity of personality scales. A common approach to deal with this issue is to rely on impression management (IM) scales. More recently, the overclaiming technique (OCT) has been proposed as an alternative and arguably superior measure of such biases. In this study (N = 162), we tested these approaches in the context of self- and other-ratings using the HEXACO personality inventory. To the extent that the OCT and IM scales can be considered valid measures of response distortions, they are expected to account for inflated self-ratings in particular for those personality dimensions that are prone to socially desirable responding. However, the results show that neither the OCT nor IM account for overly favorable self-ratings. The validity of IM as a measure of response biases was further scrutinized by a substantial correlation with other-rated honesty-humility. As such, this study questions the use of both the OCT and IM to assess self-serving response distortions.

Advanced Control of the Dynamic Voltage Restorer for Mitigating Voltage Sags in Power Systems

The paper presents a vector control with two cascaded loops to improve the properties of Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) to minimize Voltage Sags on the grid. Thereby, a vector controlled structure was built on the rotating dq-coordinate system with the combination of voltage control and the current control. The proposed DVR control method is modelled using MATLAB-Simulink. It is tested using balanced/unbalanced voltage sags as well as fluctuant and distorted voltages. As a result, by using this controlling method, the dynamic characteristics of the system have been improved significantly. The system performed with higher accuracy, faster response and lower distortion in the voltage sags compensation. The paper presents real time experimental results to verify the performance of the proposed method in real environments.

Implicit Association Test for Aggressiveness: Further evidence of validity and resistance to desirable responding

This paper reports the results of three interrelated studies investigating the validity and resistance to desirable responding of the Implicit Association Test for Aggressiveness (IAT-A). In Studies 1 and 2, we tested its validity by correlating it with an established explicit measure of aggressiveness, the conceptually closest measure of socially desirable responding (SDR), and various aggression-related criteria in two large samples of participants. The results supported the validity of IAT-A. It had satisfactory reliability, it was non-significantly or weakly related to an explicit measure of aggressiveness and unrelated to the SDR measure, and it explained different aggression-related behaviors over and above the explicit aggressiveness measure. In Study 3, we examined the IAT-A's susceptibility to deliberate response distortion by comparing the IAT-A and self-reported aggressiveness between situations of honest responding and simulated personnel selection. The results revealed that the IAT-A is less susceptible to deliberate response distortion than the self-report measure of explicit aggressiveness. The mean result on the IAT-A was almost identical between the two response situations, whereas for the self-report measure of aggressiveness, participants scored significantly lower in the simulated selection situation. Altogether, the results suggest that IAT-A is a valid and potentially useful implicit aggressiveness measure.

Generalized Dynamical Modeling of Multiple Photovoltaic Units in a Grid-Connected System for Analyzing Dynamic Interactions

This paper aims to develop the generalized dynamical model of multiple photovoltaic (PV) units connected to the grid along with the dynamic interaction analysis among different PV units. The dynamical models of multiple PV units are developed by considering three different configurations through which these PV units are connected to the grid. These configurations include: (a) the direct connection of multiple PV units to the grid; (b) the connection of multiple PV units to the grid through a point of common coupling (PCC); and (c) the connection of PV units without a PCC. The proposed modeling framework provides meaningful insights for analyzing dynamic interaction analysis where these interactions from other PV units are expressed in terms of voltages and line impedances rather than the dynamics of currents. The dynamic interactions among different PV units for all these configurations are analyzed using both analytical and simulation studies. Simulations are carried out on an IEEE 15-bus test system and dynamic interactions are analyzed from the total harmonic distortions (THDs) in the current responses of different PV units. Both analytical and simulation studies clearly indicate that the effects of dynamic interactions are prominent with the increase in PV units.

Reduced order model-based uncertainty modeling of structures with localized response

This paper focuses on the introduction of uncertainty in reduced order models (ROMs) of a class of structures exhibiting a localized response. Considered first are the structures for which both the mean model, on which the ROM is constructed, and the uncertain ones exhibit a static response localized to the neighborhood of the excitation. A straightforward application to these ROMs of the maximum entropy framework is found to lead to a “globalization” of the response, consistently with the entropy maximization. Thus, an extension of the nonparametric stochastic modeling approach is developed here that is based on first splitting the ROM stiffness matrix into a component that induces the localized behavior and another propagating the response to the rest of the structure. The randomization of these two components is then carried out separately to maintain their respective, local and global, characters. This stochastic model involves three hyperparameters, one controlling the globalization of the uncertainty (δG), another governing the level of uncertainty in the localized zone (δ1), and a third one controlling the distortion of the response in the localized zone (δL). This modeling isapplied to two example structures with different features for which the localization of the uncertain static response is demonstrated. It also shown that δ1 is the key hyperparameter for such applications. The second part of this investigation focuses on structures, e.g., bladed disks, such that the mean model exhibits global mode shapes while those of the uncertain structures are strongly localized. A variation of the approach developed in the first part of the paper is developed that is shown to produce the expected localization of the mode shapes. In such applications, it is key to induce distortion of the free response and thus the hyperparameter δL is the dominant one.

Habituation of acoustic startle: A new biomarker of psychological resilience

Purpose: The shift from a pathology-focused to a health-focused understanding of human condition is highlighting the protective factors that contribute to health and fitness. Resilience is central to understanding these protective factors that shape our responses to stressful and traumatic experiences. Enhancing psychological resilience is a Defence priority, driven both by the requirement to maintain soldiers’ performance under challenging operational conditions and the need to protect their long-term well-being. Methods assessing resilience are mostly self-report scales that are plagued by response distortions–both deliberate and unintentional. Our study aimed at developing an objective index of resilience.

Response distortion on personality tests in applicants: comparing high-stakes to low-stakes medical settings

The current study examined the degree to which applicants applying for medical internships distort their responses to personality tests and assessed whether this response distortion led to reduced predictive validity. The applicant sample (n=530) completed the NEO Personality Inventory whilst applying for one of 60 positions as first-year post-graduate medical interns. Predictive validity was assessed using university grades, averaged over the entire medical degree. Applicant responses for the Big Five (i.e., neuroticism, extraversion, openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness) and 30 facets of personality were compared to a range of normative samples where personality was measured in standard research settings including medical students, role model physicians, current interns, and standard young-adult test norms. Applicants had substantially higher scores on conscientiousness, openness, agreeableness, and extraversion and lower scores on neuroticism with an average absolute standardized difference of 1.03, when averaged over the normative samples. While current interns, medical students, and especially role model physicians do show a more socially desirable personality profile than standard test norms, applicants provided responses that were substantially more socially desirable. Of the Big Five, conscientiousness was the strongest predictor of academic performance in both applicants (r=.11) and medical students (r=.21). Findings suggest that applicants engage in substantial response distortion, and that the predictive validity of personality is modest and may be reduced in an applicant setting.

Personality‐based selection of entrepreneurial borrowers to reduce credit risk: Two studies on prediction models in low‐ and high‐stakes settings in developing countries

SummarySmall business growth is critical for economic development and poverty reduction in emerging markets, yet there remains an over $2 trillion gap in financing these entrepreneurs. This study explores the potential of personality assessments to help lenders solve this problem and lend to more entrepreneurs and contributes to psychological selection research by examining the effect of high versus low stakes on response distortions and predictive validity in a new area—entrepreneurship with a new dependent variable—paying back credit. Results of Study 1 show that personality assessments are indeed related to credit risk, but response patterns depend significantly on whether or not the assessment is taken as a mandatory part of the credit application (high stakes) or as an optional research survey after the credit has already been provided (low stakes), and predictive relationships do not generalize between these situations. In Study 2, the distributions of personality dimensions relevant for entrepreneurs applying for a credit—conscientiousness, extraversion, and integrity—are shown to be different for applicants when in high‐ versus low‐stakes settings. These findings convey several implications for the research on and practice of lending to entrepreneurs in emerging markets and offer new directions for future research.

Comparing applicants and incumbents: Effects of response distortion on mean scores and validity of personality measures

This study examined the negative effect of likely applicant distortion on mean scores and validity of personality measures. The personality test scores and performance ratings of applicants were directly compared to those of incumbents with the same occupation in four different samples. The results showed that applicant mean scores were higher and validity coefficients were lower than for incumbents.

Twisted Bilayer Graphene: Interlayer Configuration and Magnetotransport Signatures

AbstractTwisted Bilayer Graphene may be viewed as very first representative of the now booming class of artificially layered 2D materials. Consisting of two sheets from the same structure and atomic composition, its decisive degree of freedom lies in the rotation between crystallographic axes in the individual graphene monolayers. Geometrical consideration finds angle‐dependent Moiré patterns as well as commensurate superlattices of opposite sublattice exchange symmetry. Beyond the approach of rigidly interposed lattices, this review takes focus on the evolving topic of lattice corrugation and distortion in response to spatially varying lattice registry. The experimental approach to twisted bilayers requires a basic control over preparation techniques; important methods are summarized and extended on in the case of bilayers folded from monolayer graphene via AFM nanomachining. Central morphological parameters to the twisted bilayer, rotational mismatch and interlayer separation are studied in a broader base of samples. Finally, experimental evidence for a number of theoretically predicted, controversial electronic scenarios are reviewed; magnetotransport signatures are discussed in terms of Fermi velocity, van Hove singularities and Berry phase and assessed with respect to the underlying experimental conditions, thereby referring back to the initially considered variations in relaxed lattice structure.