ACED IT: A tool for improved ethical and moral decision-making

Numerous examples of unethical organizational decision-making highlighted in the media have led many to question the general moral perception and ethical judgments of individuals. The present study examined two forms of a straightforward ethical decision-making (EDM) tool (ACED IT cognitive map) that could be a relatively simple instrument for organizations to improve the moral and EDM of its members. Results revealed that participants utilizing either form of ACED IT were more likely to identify a moral dilemma than were control participants. Additionally, participants in the modified condition responded differently to the situation. Implications and other findings are discussed.     

The Job Performance of Nursing Graduates: A Program Evaluation

Abstract

The study was designed to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the nursing education preparation of associate degree nursing graduates as reflected in their job performance. The predictive relationships of measures of scholastic success such as G.P.A. and State Board Examination Scores with graduate job performance were also investigated. A rating scale of 62 items was designed to measure the following dimensions of nursing performance: (a) planning for nursing care, (b) implementing nursing care, (c) interpersonal relationships and communication, (d) leadership and group procedures, (e) evaluating and reporting nursing care, (f) professional involvement, and (g) other. Sources for the rating scale included curriculum objectives and a field survey of performance criteria. Graduates were rated by a nurse and a physician who function in close supervision of their job. Graduates completed a similar rating scale in which they were asked to rate the adequacy of their educational preparation for various job requirements. Ratings were obtained from a sample of 153 graduates of the associate degree nursing program at Delta College, University Center, Michigan. Results indicated a stated need for additional clinical experience requiring total involvement of nursing students, advanced course work in pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, and nutrition, and planned leadership preparation. Findings demonstrated no significant relationship between various indices of G.P.A. and State Board Examination Scores with job rated performance. It is projected that rated job performance is influenced by a number of personality variables. Physicians perceive the performance of nurses from different perspectives than do supervising nurses.     

Relational Aggression and Friendship During Early Childhood: I Won't Be Your Friend!

Associations between relational aggression and mutual, dyadic friendships during early childhood were assessed in the context of a year-long, short-term longitudinal study. Children's mutual friendships were determined via sociometric ratings and their relationally aggressive behavior among peers was assessed via naturalistic, free play observations. Generally, children who were more relationally aggressive had more mutual friends, although this relation differed by gender and time of assessment. Future work should include measures of friendship quality and investigate the role of relational aggression within friendship dyads.     

Emotional Intelligence and Implications for Counseling Self‐Efficacy: Phase II

The authors present Phase II of a 9‐month study of the relationship between emotional intelligence and counseling self‐efficacy. One‐hundred eighteen counselors‐in‐training and professional counselors completed the Counseling Self‐Estimate Inventory (COSE) and Emotional Judgment Inventory (EJI). There was a significant correlation between 2 of the EJI scales (Identifying Own Emotions and Identifying Others' Emotions) and 4 of the 5 COSE scales. Students' perceived counseling self‐efficacy showed a significant gain when compared with that of professional counselors over the 9‐month period. Results support findings of Phase I (W. E. Martin, C. Easton, S. Wilson, M. Takemoto, & S. Sullivan, 2004), which indicated that emotional intelligence may be a unique construct inherent in persons who are preparing for careers as professional counselors.     

Modeling referential actions in 6- to 18-month-old infants: a precursor to symbolic understanding

Social precursors to symbolic understanding of pictures were examined with 100 infants ages 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 months. Adults demonstrated 1 of 2 stances toward pictures and objects (contemplative or manipulative), and then gave items to infants for exploration. For pictures, older infants (12, 15, and 18 months) emulated the adult's actions following both types of demonstration trials. For objects, infants did not emulate actions following either stance at any age. The findings suggest that infants enlist their imitative learning skills in the context of learning the conventions of action on pictorial symbols. The data are interpreted as pointing to the importance of social learning in developing an understanding of the referential function of pictorial symbols.