explain how assigning goals has been used effectively or ineffectively in your current or previous job. Support your response with references to goal-setting theory, and current literature.

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Pinder (2008) describes goal-setting theory as “the most powerful and useful model of motivated work behavior extant” (p. 389). Therefore, understanding the principal tenets of this theoretical framework is essential in your future role as an organizational psychology professional. Understanding the relationship between motivational mechanisms and designing achievable goals is fundamental to the practical application of this theoretical model.

Goal setting is common among organizations. However, predicting success in attaining goals can present challenges because there are many factors that can influence goal attainment. Think about factors that might be considered when attempting to explain entirely different results for two workers with nearly identical skills and training. What accounts for one worker’s success and another’s failure in meeting a desired goal?

For this Discussion, select at least two factors that might influence successful attainment of goals by employees. Then think about how assigning goals has been used effectively or ineffectively in your current or previous job.

Note: If you have never worked, think about how assigning goals has been used effectively or ineffectively in your academic studies.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 3 a brief description of the factors you selected. Then explain how each might influence the successful attainment of goals by employees. Finally, explain how assigning goals has been used effectively or ineffectively in your current or previous job. Support your response with references to goal-setting theory, and current literature.

Do you believe that adolescent egocentrism exists as proposed by Elkind? Did you find any empirical support for these constructs?

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Assignment 2

READ FIRST: 

For Assignment #2, you may choose one of the following activities, either the “Illustration of Piagetian Concepts in Preschoolers” or the “Adolescent Egocentrism—Fact or Fiction?” assignment. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO BOTH, ONLY ONE. You are more than welcome to do both assignments; however, you will only receive a grade for the one you turn in. Please use 12-pt Times New Roman font, double spaced, APA format to complete the assignment and provide a reference page for any sources you use.

Illustration of Piagetian Concepts in Preschoolers

This activity expands your understanding of preschoolers’ cognitive abilities. If you have a child of your own or a friend or family member with a small child who is willing to allow you to interview their child, you have the task of asking a child (2 years to 7 years old) the following questions. DO NOT RANDOMLY TALK TO A CHILD WITHOUT EXPLICIT PERMISSION OF THEIR PARENT. With permission of the parent, you may video record your interview and submit it along with your report. For those who do not record the interview, please provide a transcript of the interview along with your report (for interviews conducted in Spanish, please translate in to English before you submit).

Children are sometimes shy and not responsive to questions. If this is the case, you may have to find a different child to interview so that you can complete the assignment. Also, feel free to ask the child follow up questions and/or add additional questions to the list below. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even test conservation with each child (see video in powerpoint).

In a written report (3 pages), describe the interview and the child’s answers in regard to the typical limitations of preoperational thinking, such as egocentrism, animism, irreversibility, and artificialism.

• How old are you?

• How did you learn to talk?

• Where does the sun go at night?

• Why is the sky blue?

• Why do dogs bark?

• Why does it rain?

• Where do babies come from?

• Who are you going to be when you grow up?

• Why do you eat breakfast in the morning instead of at night?

• Why do you have toes?

• Why are you ticklish?

• How do birds fly?

• What is your favorite toy?

Adolescent Egocentrism—Fact or Fiction?

This assignment focuses on adolescent egocentrism. You will read the following articles listed below (these resources challenge Elkind’s perspective on adolescent egocentrism). Then you will review the empirical literature regarding adolescent egocentrism and to form your own conclusion regarding this “phenomenon.” Do you believe that adolescent egocentrism exists as proposed by Elkind? Did you find any empirical support for these constructs? Are the measures used to evaluate adolescent egocentrism valid? In a written report (3 pages), You should construct an argument that articulates your conclusion (i.e., do you agree or disagree with Elkind?).

Sources:

Bell, J. H., & Bromnick, R. D. (2003). The social reality of the imaginary audience: A ground theory approach. Adolescence, 38(150), 205–219.

Vartanian, L. R. (2000). Revisiting the imaginary audience and personal fable constructs of adolescent egocentrism: A conceptual review. Adolescence, 35(140), 639–661.

explain how the statistics you identify can guide you in evaluating the applicability of the study’s findings for your own practice as a social worker. Please use the resources to support your answer. no more then 500 words

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Discussion 1: Relationship Between Purpose of Study and Data Analysis Techniques

In order to make decisions about the value of any research study for practice, it is important to understand the general processes involved in analyzing research data. By now, you have examined enough research studies to be aware that there are some common ways that data are reported and summarized in research studies. For example, the sample is often described by numbers of participants and by certain characteristics of those participants that help us determine how representative the sample is of a population. The information about the sample is commonly reported in tables and graphs, making use of frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, and dispersion. Information about the variables (or concepts) of interest when quantified are also reported in similar manner.Although the actual data analysis takes place after data have been collected, from the initial planning of a research study, the researcher needs to have an awareness of the types of questions that can be answered by particular data analysis techniques.

For this Discussion, review the case study entitled “Social Work Research: Measuring Group Success.” Consider the data analysis described in that case. Recall the information presented in the earlier chapters of your text about formulating research questions to inform a hypotheses or open-ended exploration of an issue.

Post an explanation of the types of descriptive and/or inferential statistics you might use to analyze the data gathered in the case study. Also explain how the statistics you identify can guide you in evaluating the applicability of the study’s findings for your own practice as a social worker. Please use the resources to support your answer. no more then 500 words

Explain the strengths and weaknesses of these data sources for your particular community and issue for change. What data sources might be missing that are relevant for your community? 

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COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT ASSIGNMENT 

Task 1: Identifying a Focal Community 

Consider that a focal community (arena) represents the target population that desires change. It has distinguishable boundaries, a historical context, sub-groups, strengths and needs.

a. Identify a community to which you actually belong. It can be geographic (where you live/work/volunteer), virtual, based on identity, or functional (one based on similar needs/tasks). Once you have identified your community, reflect on the following:

b. Identify a social issue that you wish could change in your focal community. Describe the social group (population of interest) that is most impacted by this social issue. What are their characteristics? Do you belong to this group or are you an ally?

c. Imagine this issue beginning to transform in your community. What would be happening more? What other changes might occur because of the shift? I

d. If you could talk with people in your community about this issue changing, what kinds of questions would you ask? Who would be present? Integrate the readings into your reflection.

Please write a 1-page response (approximately 300 words) 

Task 2: Locating Data 

Review the SWMP Needs Assessment Table 6.1.

a. Identify which of the six data sources you would tap into to gather more information about the issue in your community.

b. Explain the strengths and weaknesses of these data sources for your particular community and issue for change. What data sources might be missing that are relevant for your community?

Please write a 1-page response (approximately 300 words) 

Task 3. Analyze how dynamics of power, privilege, and oppression play into how this social problem exists. 

A.How do you imagine other constituents of your community might determine assets or non assets?

b. Are there any implications regarding power, privilege, and oppression?

c. How do power dynamics influence what assets are present, missing, or considered non assets?

Please write a 1-page response (about 300 words)