Effects Of Trainer Reputation And Trainees\u27 Need For Cognition On Training Outcomes

The authors examined the effects of trainer reputation and trainees\u27 need for cognition on training outcomes. Participants (N = 75) read a sheet describing a trainer as either effective or ineffective or they were given no information. Participants then viewed a videotaped lecture, evaluated the lecture, and completed a self-efficacy scale and knowledge test. The authors did not find an interaction of trainer reputation and need for cognition on clarity ratings. Participants with low need for cognition were influenced by the trainer reputation, whereas participants with high need for cognition were not. Self-efficacy mediated the relationship between the interaction of trainer reputation and need for cognition on declarative knowledge. Copyright © 2006 Heldref Publications

How charismatic trainers inspire others to learn through positive affectivity

Abstract We focus on how charismatic trainer behaviors, such as visionary content, intellectual stimulation and individual attention, influence affective, cognitive and skill-based learning outcomes during computer-based training. Using an experimental design, 92 undergraduates were presented with an on-line Excel training program that contained narration that was either charismatic or non-charismatic. Path analysis results indicate that participants who viewed videos narrated by a charismatic trainer (as opposed to a non-charismatic trainer) had positive reactions to the trainer, which was related to positive affectivity. Trainee positive affectivity was subsequently related to recall one week after training, and this recall was related to skill transfer one week after training. The results confirmed that charismatic trainers influence skills acquisition through boosting positive affect. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd