Abstract
This paper examines two 1981 papers, the first arguing that early born children in a family demonstrate high competitiveness and motivation, in a large U.S. university student sample. The second discusses bio-behavioural factors of personality development to cast doubt on studies such as the first, reminding of various influences to produce motivated personalities that favour achievement.

From the Paper
"Two Articles Discussing Birth Order Attributions - Questionable Concepts. Introduction Adlerian psychology, developmental psychology, and role theory, indicate that personality variables relate to roles taken on by siblings within a family, as opposed to actual birth order. (1927) Unfortunately, it can seem that those most given to expressing the importance of birth order are sometimes Adlerian psychologists, or those given to otherwise referring to Adler. Nonetheless, birth order has been a concept of tremendous appeal to various researchers in its meaning of attribution according to place among a family's children, from which all manner of predictions have been extrapolated."

Tags:birthorder, motivation, variables

Abstract
The paper takes a psychological look at how, when we evaluate others, we use our innate human emotions first. The paper notes that evaluating the self and others is generally inaccurate and can create unnecessary problems. The paper also relates that being motivated to be non-judgmental and avoid stereotypes can motivate people to rethink their initial impression of a person. The paper then explain that this is an important point, as everyone experiences some type of social interactions with others and people need to escape primitive emotions and intuitions when attributing characteristics to others.

From the Paper
"If people identify their skills relative to others through social comparison, does this mean that everyone has a fairly accurate understanding of their abilities compared to the average? Not according to many psychologists who have found that "most college students rate themselves as better students than the average college student". One possibility is people may consider themselves above average and believe their unique abilities are the most important criteria for the task, thus suffering from a personal bias. For example, people may think they are smarter than average because they excel in creativity, logic, social situations, problem-solving, using tools, or getting high marks, and people suppose their unique skills make them smarter because they view those skills as more significant."

Tags:motivated, social, interactions, non-judgmental, stereotypes, social

Abstract
This paper describes a study which investigated attribution, specifically the proportionality principle, in 185 undergraduate students. Participants were divided into several conditions and completed questionnaires that tested; that the outcome of a scenario was appropriately rated, that the magnitude of the outcome determined the likelihood to which the cause of the event was attributed to predictable or unpredictable causes, and the extent to which personality characteristics (belief in a just world and locus of control) affected behavior in accordance to the proportionality principle. It was hypothesized that the level of the two personality characteristics being tested would have a significant effect on behavior, that the scenarios and magnitudes were designed appropriately, and that the magnitude of the outcome predicted how the participants would explain the event. It was found that the magnitudes of the outcomes supported our hypothesis and were successfully manipulated but that personality characteristics did not have as much of an effect on ratings as was originally proposed. These results were attributed to participants' level of cognitive satisfaction as well as typical human tendencies in logic and reasoning.

From the Paper
"Social psychologists are largely interested in how humans explain the causation of a behavior or an event. Making a judgment on behavior is essentially making a claim as to the causation of the behavior and this is commonly known as making an attribution. Heider (1958), who was the first to officially propose the idea of a person bias, suggested that humans attribute most behavior to personality rather than to situational causes. The person bias, now known as the fundamental attribution error, is both a useful and harmful characteristic of humans; it allows for easy formation of a mental model of an individual's personality to occur. Often, however, during the formation of this model, situational causes are ignored, and negative characteristics are attributed wrongfully to an individual's personality when in fact, the exhibited behavior was more a product of the environmental circumstances. A more recent, and less researched proposal involving attribution is the proportionality principle. This suggests that humans have the tendency to seek explanations for behavior or events that are equal in magnitude to the outcome of the event, even if this is not the most logical explanation. For example, McCauley and Jacques (1979) found that important events with drastic outcomes, such as presidential assassinations are attributed for causes equally as important or drastic."

Tags:attribution, belief, control, just, locus, world

Abstract
This paper defines and examines the exceptional attribute of leadership that galvanizes entire organizations toward a common goal. It describes the supporting concepts for this exceptional attribute of leadership and looks at how a leader can synchronize these many factors in an organization, while at the same time concentrating on fulfilling the original vision.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Defining Exceptional Leadership as Fulfilling a Shared Vision
Creating Ownership of the Vision
Summary

From the Paper
"The most exceptional leadership trait is the innate ability to define a vision for an organization, then motivate, mentor and guide employees through example to be completely committed to fulfilling it. There are many aspects to this organizational trait that contribute to how exceptional it is. First, there needs to be a strong sense of trust and transparency that the leader engenders through being authentic and passionately committed to the vision. Only if a leader takes this route for the fulfillment of their vision will they have a chance of overcoming resistance to change. In addition, this exceptional leadership trait also requires a high level of collaboration between departments and divisions including the synchronizing of many different strategies and programs at the same time. For all these aspects of leadership that defines and fulfills visionary accomplishment, it's clear this attribute is the most critical in the creation and management of an organization."

Tags:personality, commitment, collaboration

Abstract
The paper discusses Fitz Heider's attribution theory and looks at how Harold Kelley's covariation model and Edward E. Jones' and Keith Davis' correspondent inference theory have advanced this theory. The paper explains how these theorists have extended the attribution theory's scope and increased our understanding of human behavior. The paper further shows how our current understanding of attribution theory enables better decision-making and conflict resolution through increasing our understanding of the self and other people.

Outline:
Introduction
Identifying and Explaining Human Behavior
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Attribution theory was first introduced by Fitz Heider as a method to evaluate how individuals perceive their behavior and that of other people. In The Psychology of Interpersonal Relations (1958), for example, Heider states that human behavior is determined by either internal or external factors, which means that "We tend to attribute the successes of others and our own failures to external factors ... [while also tending] to attribute our own successes and failures of others to internal factors" (12Manage.com, 2008). This concept, furthermore, has remained a fundamental element in current contribution theory. Nevertheless, other researchers have advanced Heider's theory by developing theories models such as Correspondence Inference Theory and the Covariation Model, while researchers, such as Kelley (1967) have identified further elements. These factors, therefore, contribute the most to current understanding of how human beings explain the causes of their own and other people's behavior."

Tags:Heider, causality, self-perception, correspondent, inference, covariation, model

Abstract
The paper relates that multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) is a power decision making tool that has been used in many areas of healthcare. This paper discusses the application of MAUT to the selection of a hospital transcription service. The decision matrix is discussed that details the service attributes that will be used and the process of the selection.

From the Paper
"Multi-Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT) is a method for guiding and informing decision making that has been applied to a wide range of disciplines and scenarios (Garre 1992, p. 33). It is most useful in enabling decision-makers to assess a range of criteria across a number of different prospective alternatives. MAUT has been used extensively in healthcare and nursing to inform both practice development decision making (Peacock et al 2007, p. 897) and clinical decision making (Bettinger et al 2007, 201)."

Tags:decision making, transcription, maut

Abstract
The paper examines the contributions of Fritz Heider to attribution theory and discusses how attribution theory relates to nursing and patient care.

From the Paper
"The following presents a discussion of attribution theory and the contributions of Fritz Heider to this theory. How attribution theory relates to nursing and patient care is discussed. This is followed by a summary and conclusions.
"Attribution theory helps to understand causes of human behavior. The word attribution is synonymous for explanation. Attribution theory refers to the manner in which people explain or attribute the behavior of others to something else. This theory allows people to feel control over their lives, their..."

Tags:fritz, heider

Abstract
For fifteen years date rape has been a recognized problem in the United States. Initially, it is defined and its occurrence levels analyzed. Subsequently, attribution theory is examined as a causal factor. Finally, potential programs to reduce date rape based on the attribution theory are introduced.

Abstract
This paper explores individual differences in personal attributes and examines organizations or societies that have faced the unique challenges diversity brings. The paper discusses the challenges for organizational managers in identifying and understanding how differences impact the workplace and then explores what motivating factors create job satisfaction and group cohesion.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Attitudinal Differences
Value Systems
Personality Differences
Ethics
Cultural Differences
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Organizations that are receptive and responsive to diversity are more likely to adapt to the challenges they will continue to face in the growing global market. As time passes, the marketplace will become more complex, customers will be introduced to new international products, services, and opportunities, and access to this broadened world will become easier and faster. At the same pace, individual differences in the workplace will become the norm and evolve into larger diverse group compositions. Organizations must prove in the global market that they can thrive in diverse conditions and possess the knowledge, adaptability, and capacity to face these challenges boldly. A starting point is with those that provide direct services to clients. Organizations must grasp individual motivational factors within the diverse work environment to more holistically optimize employee satisfaction, customer service, and productivity."

Tags:diversity, attitudes, values, culture

Abstract
This paper summarizes and critiques an article entitled "Effect of Therapist Color-Blindness on Empathy and Attributions in Cross-Cultural Counseling." The paper probes the nature of the relationship between a therapist's racial attitudes and beliefs and his or her multicultural counseling competency. The paper also presents a hypothesis for future study of this topic.

Tags:Therapist, cross-cultural, racial, client, counseling