Effects of negative ions on cognitive performance

Article Abstract:

Male and female subjects (undergraduate students) participated in two studies designed to investigate the impact of negative air ions on cognitive performance. In the first experiment, they worked on three different tasks (proofreading, memory span, word finding) in the presence of low, moderate, or high concentrations of such ions. Results indicated that among men, performance on two of these tasks (proofreading and memory span) was enhanced by moderate but not by high concentrations of ions. In the second experiment, undertaken to extend the generality of these initial results, male and female subjects performed two additional tasks (letter copying, decision making) in the presence of low, moderate, or high concentrations of ions. Output on the letter copying task increased significantly as ion level rose among both sexes. With respect to decision making, the tendency of male (but not female)participants to select initially preferred alternatives was significantly enhanced by moderate concentrations of negative ions. Together, the findings of these studies suggest that negative air ions can indeed exert appreciable effects on cognitive performance. However, contrary to claims often associated with advertising for commercially produced ion generators, these effects are neither simple nor uniformly beneficial in nature. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Performance, Usage, Physiological aspects, Environmental aspects, Cognitive styles, Ions, Electrostatic apparatus and appliances, Electrostatic devices, Atmospheric electricity

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Negative effects of destructive criticism: impact on conflict, self-efficacy, and task performance

Article Abstract:

In study 1, 83 undergraduates received either constructive criticism (feedback that was specific, considerate, and did not attribute poor performance to internal causes) or destructive criticism (feedback that violated these basic principles) of their work. Those who received destructive criticism reported greater anger and tension and indicated that they would be more likely to handle future disagreements with the source through resistance or avoidance and less likely to handle disagreements through collaboration or compromise. In Study 2, 106 undergraduates who received destructive criticism of their work on an initial task set lower goals and reported lower self-efficacy on two additional tasks than did subjects who received constructive criticism or no feedback. In Study 3, 108 employees of a large food-processing company rated the importance of 14 potential causes of conflict in their organization. Poor use of criticism was perceived as a more important cause of conflict and received higher ratings than did competition over resources or disputes over jurisdiction. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Job stress, Psychology, Applied, Applied psychology, Feedback (Psychology), Feedback (Communication)

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Countering the effects of destructive criticism: the relative efficacy of four interventions

Article Abstract:

Examined the effectiveness of four interventions in countering the negative impact of destructive criticism. Results of Study 1 (a laboratory simulation) indicated that interventions involving a direct apology from the source of criticism or information attributing the criticism to causes other than the critic's harmful intentions were most effective. In contrast, an intervention involving the opportunity to express irritation toward the critic actually increased the negative reactions to destructive criticism. In study 2, managers and employees in several organizations rated the effectiveness of the same interventions used in Study 1. Results agreed closely with those of the laboratory investigation: an apology and attributional information were rated as most effective by both groups. Both managers and employees viewed destructive criticism as a moderately important cause of conflict in their organizations. However, managers rated the negative impact of criticism on motivation and working relationships as less severe than did employees. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Labor relations, Criticism

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