The Effects of Computer-Mediation, Training, and Warning on False Alarms in an Interview Setting

Deception in applicant résumés is a major business problem. With the rapid growth of Internet job websites and computer-mediated communication, organizations are more at risk than ever before. Researchers have tried to improve individuals\u27 deception detection accuracy to minimize the impact of deception, including warning individuals about deception and training individuals to detect deception. However, evidence was found that trained and warned individuals might make more incorrect judgments about true information, which are known as false alarms. Further, few previous studies focused on the computer-mediated settings that are now a central part of business communication. After conducting an experiment to understand these and other causes of false alarms in computer-mediated interview settings, we found that individuals performing interviews over an audio-based communication channel incorrectly judged interviewees as being deceptive more often than did individuals performing interviews via e-mail. We found that while the number of lies detected was low for both types of communication, individuals communicating over an audio-based channel had more false alarms. We also found that the combination of in-advance training and a just-in-time warning did not affect receivers\u27 judgments about deception in our computer-mediated interview setting

Detection of Deception in a Virtual World

This work explores the role of multimodal cues in detection of deception in a virtual world, an online community of World of Warcraft players. Case studies from a five-year ethnography are presented in three categories: small-scale deception in text, deception by avoidance, and large-scale deception in game-external modes. Each case study is analyzed in terms of how the affordances of the medium enabled or hampered deception as well as how the members of the community ultimately detected the deception. The ramifications of deception on the community are discussed, as well as the need for researchers to have a deep community knowledge when attempting to understand the role of deception in a complex society. Finally, recommendations are given for assessment of behavior in virtual worlds and the unique considerations that investigators must give to the rules and procedures of online communities.</jats:p

Individual Determinants of Media Choice for Deception

Recent research has found that deceivers are extremely difficult to detect in computer-mediated work settings. However, it is unclear which individuals are likely to use computer systems for deception in these settings. This study looked at how 172 upper-level business students’ political skill, social skill, and tendency to use impression management was related to their deception media choice in a business scenario. We found that most individuals preferred e-mail and face-to-face media to the phone for deception. However, the individuals with high social skill, individuals with high political skill, and individuals with a tendency to use impression management predominately chose the phone and face-to-face methods for deception. These findings imply that organizations do need to be aware of deception in e-mail communications; however, they also need to be aware of deception in phone and face-to-face settings, since this deception will likely be coming from individuals that are skilled deceivers

Identifying and treating predictors of psychotic symptoms - How findings from Experience Sampling research can help to improve the treatment of psychosis and the prediction of relapse

The present thesis aims at using insights from ESM studies (i.e., frequent ecologically valid self-reports for approximately one week) to improve the treatment and the prediction psychotic symptoms. ESM indicates that warning signs, such as negative affect, worrying, sleep problems, or aberrant salience precede rapidly fluctuating psychotic symptoms throughout the day. Assuming underlying causal associations, we developed an Internet intervention called EviBaS that targets ESM-derived warning signs to improve psychotic symptoms (studies 1-3). Further, we examined said warning signs as candidate predictors of psychotic relapses (study 4). EviBaS improved positive symptoms compared to a waitlist condition (p = .047, d = -0.37) in a randomized controlled trial (study 1, n = 101). Mixed model analyses (study 2; n = 124) indicated that this effect did not rely on improving ESM-based predictors, as their course did not differ between groups. However, worrying (p = .030) and quality of sleep (p = .003) predicted subsequent psychotic symptoms during the intervention, indicating that they would have been worthwhile treatment targets. Whereas worrying and sleep were unrelated to EviBaS’ efficacy, mindfulness emerged as a possible mechanism of change. In voice hearers (n = 55), completing the EviBaS-mindfulness module improved hallucinations (p = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.214), mediated by mindfulness. Study 4 incorporated a one-week ESM phase followed by bi-weekly assessments over one year (n = 30). Negative affect (p = .003) and aberrant salience (p < .001) predicted short-term paranoia but only aberrant salience remained a predictor of bi-weekly paranoia (p < .001). No variable predicted relapse. In sum, this thesis shows that ESM findings offer promising starting points to improve the treatment and the prediction of psychotic symptoms. It seems worthwhile to improve EviBaS to target a wider range of outcomes. Further, we should examine aberrant salience in sufficiently powered relapse-prediction studies

Human-centred design of clinical auditory alarms

Auditory alarms are commonly badly designed, providing little to no information or guidance. In the healthcare context, the poor acoustics of alarms is one contributor for the noise problem. The goal of this thesis is to propose a human-centred methodology for the design of clinical auditory alarms, by making them less disruptive and more informative, thus improving the healthcare soundscape. It implements this methodology from concept to evaluation and validation, combining psychoacoustics with usability and user experience methods. Another aim of this research consisted in understanding the limitations and possibilities offered by online tools for scientific studies. Thus, different processes and methodologies were implemented, and corresponding results were discussed. To understand the acoustic healthcare environment, field visits, interviews, and surveys were performed with healthcare professionals. Additionally, sound pressure levels and frequency analysis of several surgeries in different hospitals provided specific sound design requirements, which were added to an existent body of knowledge on clinical alarm design. A second stage consisted in prototyping very simple sounds to comprehend which temporal and spectral parameters of sound could be manipulated to communicate clinical information. Parameters such as frequency, speed, onset, and rhythm were studied, and relations between subjective perception and physical parameters were established. In parallel, and heavily influenced by the new IEC 60601-1-8 - General requirements, tests and guidance for alarm systems in medical electrical equipment and medical electrical systems, a design strategy with auditory icons was created. This strategy intended to provide as much information as possible in an auditory alarm. To do so, it involved two main components: a priority pointer indicating the priority of the alarm; an auditory icon indicating the cause of the alarm. A third component indicating increasing or decreasing tendency of the vital sign was designed, but not validated with users. After online validation of the priority pointer and auditory icon for eight categories (cardiac, drug administration, ventilation, blood pressure, perfusion, oxygen, temperature, and power down), a new library of clinical auditory alarms is proposed.Os alarmes auditivos são habitualmente mal concebidos, dando poucas informações ou orientações perante a situação que despoletou o aviso. No contexto da saúde, a má acústica dos alarmes é um dos contribuidores para o problema do ruído. O objetivo desta tese é o de melhorar a paisagem sonora em ambientes clínicos, propondo uma metodologia centrada no Humano para o design de alarmes auditivos clínicos, tornando-os menos disruptivos e mais informativos. Essa metodologia é implementada desde o conceito até a avaliação e validação, combinando métodos da psicoacústica com métodos de usabilidade e experiência do utilizador. Outro objetivo desta investigação é o de compreender as limitações e possibilidades oferecidas pelas ferramentas online para estudos científicos. Assim, diversos processos e metodologias foram implementados, e os respetivos resultados são discutidos. Para compreender o ambiente acústico clínico, foram realizadas visitas de campo, entrevistas e inquéritos com profissionais de saúde. Além disso, avaliou-se o nível de pressão sonora e frequências de várias cirurgias em diferentes hospitais. Esta atividade forneceu requisitos específicos de design de som que foram adicionados a um corpo existente de conhecimento sobre design de alarmes clínicos. Uma segunda etapa consistiu na prototipagem de sons simples para compreender que parâmetros temporais e espectrais do som poderiam ser manipulados para comunicar informações clínicas. Parâmetros como frequência, velocidade, envelope e ritmo foram estudados, e as relações entre a perceção subjetiva e os parâmetros físicos foram estabelecidas. Paralelamente, e fortemente influenciado pela nova norma IEC 60601-1-8 - Requisitos gerais, testes e orientações para sistemas de alarme em equipamentos médicos elétricos e sistemas médicos elétricos, foi criada uma estratégia de design com ícones auditivos. Essa estratégia pretendia incorporar o máximo de informações num alarme auditivo. Para isso, envolveu dois componentes principais: um ponteiro de prioridade que indica a prioridade do alarme; e um ícone auditivo que indica a causa do alarme. Um terceiro componente de tendência (aumento ou diminuição do valor do sinal vital) foi criado, mas não validado com utilizadores. Após a validação do ponteiro de prioridade e ícone auditivo para oito categorias (cardíaco, administração de medicamentos, ventilação, pressão arterial, perfusão, oxigénio, temperatura e falha de equipamento), propõe-se uma nova biblioteca de alarmes auditivos clínicos

Nip it in the Bud: Moderation Strategies in Open Source Software Projects and the Role of Bots

Much of our modern digital infrastructure relies critically upon open sourced software. The communities responsible for building this cyberinfrastructure require maintenance and moderation, which is often supported by volunteer efforts. Moderation, as a non-technical form of labor, is a necessary but often overlooked task that maintainers undertake to sustain the community around an OSS project. This study examines the various structures and norms that support community moderation, describes the strategies moderators use to mitigate conflicts, and assesses how bots can play a role in assisting these processes. We interviewed 14 practitioners to uncover existing moderation practices and ways that automation can provide assistance. Our main contributions include a characterization of moderated content in OSS projects, moderation techniques, as well as perceptions of and recommendations for improving the automation of moderation tasks. We hope that these findings will inform the implementation of more effective moderation practices in open source communities

Mechanical Empathy Seems Too Risky. Will Policymakers Transcend Inertia and Choose for Robot Care? The World Needs It

An ageing population, increasing longevity and below-replacement fertility increase the care burden worldwide. This comes with age-related diseases such as Alzheimer disease and other dementias, cardiovascular disorders, cancer and—hardly noticed—pandemic loneliness. The burden, both emotionally and economically, starts to become astronomical and cannot be carried by those few who need to combine care with work and family. Social solidarity programmes are part of the answer, but they do not relieve the human helper. Yet, many hands are needed where but a few are available. Capacity issues can be solved by the introduction of care robots. Research shows that state-of-the-art technology is such that care robots can become nonthreatening social entities and be accepted and appreciated by the lonesome. Massive employment of such devices is impeded, however, sufficient governmental support of R&D is lacking—financially and regulatorily. This is where policymakers should step in and get over their moral prejudices and those of their voters and stop being afraid of losing political backing. They will regain it in the long run

The Status of Violence Prevention in West Virginia Elementary Schools : A Case Study

While there is no absolute deterrent of school violence, West Virginia has taken definitive steps to try to ensure safety in our public schools. Since the launch of the Safe School initiative in 1995, training for principals, teachers and school personnel on crisis intervention and management plans have been ongoing. Students have undergone training in programs such as Peer Mediation, Natural Helpers, Life Skills, Bullying Prevention, Positive Behavior Support (PBS), and Respect to Protect. In addition, encouragement, mandating and providing funds for school safety and violence/crime prevention and intervention programs have been enacted legislatively. With the school security hardware, safety procedures and violence prevention programs in place, the question then becomes whether elementary schools are safer in West Virginia. The purpose of this mixed methods case study was to determine what are the specific school security hardware, safety procedures and violence prevention programs, how they are perceived by principals as effective and what are the perceptions of principals\u27 unmet needs addressing school safety. Elementary school principals in West Virginia were surveyed using the Principal Survey: Violence Prevention in West Virginia Elementary Schools utilizing a quantitative descriptive design, arranged to obtain numerical data and related demographical information from the respondents. The targeted population for this study was West Virginia elementary principals which accounted for a population of 336 (n=336). From this population of 336 (n= 336), 167 surveys were returned for a response rate of 50%. The West Virginia and national data compare very favorably. A valid conclusion would be that the West Virginia School Access Act (WVC§18F-9F-1) and Fund (WVC§18F-9F-3) of 2007 and the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Community Act (SDFSCA) of 1994 (Title IV, § 41114116, 20 U.S.C. 71117116) have accomplished its goals related to security hardware, safety procedures and violence prevention programs in West Virginia elementary schools