PCT Explanation of Conventional Research

CSGnet Archive CSG2008
1

[From Rick Marken (2008.05.22.1140)]

I am thinking of writing a paper explaining how the results of psychological research might be improved (in terms of getting less noisy results) by rethinking this research in terms of PCT. What I would like are some suggestions about examples of conventional research that I might use as the basis for this analysis. I know that Robertson and Goldstein did some research on self-concept from a PCT perspective and got good (low variance) results. That will certainly be one reference. I would appreciate it if the research psychologists on the list (if there are any) could suggest some other lines of research that I might look at. What I would like are examples of behavioral research on what are considered “hot” topics.

Thanks

Best

Rick

···

–
Richard S. Marken PhD
rsmarken@gmail.com

2

Rick,

you may like this:

Vancouver, J. B., Thompson, C. M., & Williams, A. A. (2001). The
changing

signs in the relationships among self-efficacy, personal goals, and

performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86 (4), 605-620.

Vancouver, J. B., Thompson, C. E., Tischner, E. C., & Putka, D. J.
(2002).

Two studies examining the negative effect of self-efficacy on
performance.

Journal of Applied Psychology, 87 (3), 506-516.

Vancouver, J. B., & Tischner, E. C. (2004). The effect of feedback
sign

on task performance depends on self-concept discrepancies. Journal of

Applied Psychology, 89 (6), 1092-1098.

Vancouver, J. B. (2005). The depth of history and explanation as
benefit and

bane for psychological control theories. Journal of Applied Psychology,

90 (1), 38-52.

And Bandura’s reply:

Bandura, A., & Locke, E. A. (2003). Negative self-efficacy and goal
effects

revisited. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88 (1), 87-99.

Best

Michael

Richard Marken wrote:

···

[From Rick Marken (2008.05.22.1140)]

I am thinking of writing a paper explaining how the results of
psychological research might be improved (in terms of getting less
noisy results) by rethinking this research in terms of PCT. What I
would like are some suggestions about examples of conventional research
that I might use as the basis for this analysis. I know that Robertson
and Goldstein did some research on self-concept from a PCT perspective
and got good (low variance) results. That will certainly be one
reference. I would appreciate it if the research psychologists on the
list (if there are any) could suggest some other lines of research that
I might look at. What I would like are examples of behavioral research
on what are considered “hot” topics.

Thanks

Best

Rick

–

Richard S. Marken PhD

rsmarken@gmail.com

3

[From Rick Marken (2008.05.22.1800)]

···

On Thu, May 22, 2008 at 12:18 PM, Michael Cramer cramer.michael@freenet.de wrote:

Rick,

you may like this:

Vancouver, J. B., Thompson, C. M., & Williams, A. A. (2001). The
changing

signs in the relationships among self-efficacy, personal goals, and

performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86 (4), 605-620…

And Bandura’s reply:

Bandura, A., & Locke, E. A. (2003). Negative self-efficacy and goal
effects

revisited. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88 (1), 87-99.

Thanks, Michael. I think I’ve read most of these at some time or other but I don’t seem to have copies any more. I don’t suppose you (or anyone) has or could send a pdf version of a couple (just to me would be fine; not necessarily to the whole net). I don’t think Jeff’s papers are not quite what I’m looking for, but maybe they are.

What I would really like is some conventionally done experiment, preferably a “classic” such as an Eyewitness Testimony study, where the results are statistically significant (the IV, leading questions in this case, is found to have a significant effect on the DV, such as reports of what is recalled) but the IV accounts for only a small proportion of the variance in the DV. What I want to show is what Robertson et al showed (in their article in the 1999 issue of Int. J. Human-Computer Studies, 50, 571-580) which is that you can account for nearly 100% of the variance in such studies once you correctly identify the relevant variable that is controlled by each participant.

Best

Rick

–
Richard S. Marken PhD
rsmarken@gmail.com

4

Rick,

I would suggest that you examine the 22 studies done by Stanley Milgram with the PCT eye. It has become a hot topic again since the publication of Zimbardo's book relation his prison "study" to Abrugrab (sp?).

Chuck

···

-----Original Message-----

From: Richard Marken <rsmarken@GMAIL.COM>
Sent: May 22, 2008 2:43 PM
To: CSGNET@LISTSERV.UIUC.EDU
Subject: PCT Explanation of Conventional Research

[From Rick Marken (2008.05.22.1140)]

I am thinking of writing a paper explaining how the results of psychological
research might be improved (in terms of getting less noisy results) by
rethinking this research in terms of PCT. What I would like are some
suggestions about examples of conventional research that I might use as the
basis for this analysis. I know that Robertson and Goldstein did some
research on self-concept from a PCT perspective and got good (low variance)
results. That will certainly be one reference. I would appreciate it if the
research psychologists on the list (if there are any) could suggest some
other lines of research that I might look at. What I would like are examples
of behavioral research on what are considered "hot" topics.

Thanks

Best

Rick

--
Richard S. Marken PhD
rsmarken@gmail.com