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This paper is about behaviour under ambiguity-that is, a situation in which probabilities either do not exist or are not known. Our objective is to find the most empirically valid of the increasingly large number of theories attempting to explain such behaviour. We use experimentally-generated data to compare and contrast the theories. The incentivised experimental task we employed was that of allocation: in a series of problems we gave the subjects an amount of money and asked them to allocate the money over three accounts, the payoffs to them being contingent on a 'state of the world' with the occurrence of the states being ambiguous. We reproduced ambiguity in the laboratory using a Bingo Blower. We fitted the most popular and apparently empirically valid preference functionals [Subjective Expected Utility (SEU), MaxMin Expected Utility (MEU) and α-MEU], as well as Mean-Variance (MV) and a heuristic rule, Safety First (SF). We found that SEU fits better than MV and SF and only slightly worse than MEU and α-MEU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates issues associated with teachers’ burnout in primary education as related to depression and role conflict–ambiguity. At the time of the study the participants (562 teachers) were working in seventy nine (79) Primary Education State Schools in Greece (Athens and two prefectures in the southern part of the country). The results showed that of the three factors comprising the Burnout inventory (MBI, Maslach and Jackson, MBI: Maslach Burnout Inventory; manual research edition, 1986), (i.e., Emotional exhaustion, Personal accomplishment, Depersonalization) Emotional Exhaustion showed a statistically significant (positive) correlation with the factors that comprise: (a) the Scale of Depression (CES-D: Ensel, in: Lin et al. (eds.) Social support, life events and depression, 1986; Radloff, Applied Psychological Measurement 1: 385–401, 1977) such as Depressed affect, Somatic retarded activity and (b) Degree of Role Conflict (Role Conflict and Role Ambiguity Scale, Rizzo et al., Administrative Science Quarterly, 15:150–163, 1970, adapted in Greek by Koustelios and Kousteliou, Psychological Reports, 82:131–136, 1998); similarly, Positive affect (CES-D) and Degree of Role Clarity (Role Conflict and Role Ambiguity Scale) showed a statistically significant (negative) correlation with the same factor ( Emotional exhaustion). Furthermore, a regression analysis performed with Personal accomplishment as the dependent variable showed that the (combined) factors of Role Ambiguity, Positive Affect and Somatic Retarded Activity contributed significantly to the prediction of the dependent variable; A third regression analysis performed with Depersonalization as dependent variable showed that Somatic Retarded Activity, Role Conflict, Positive Affect, Interpersonal Affect and Role Ambiguity contributed significantly to the prediction of this variable. Overall, the results showed that Greek teachers experience low-moderate levels of Burnout, Depression, Role conflict and Role ambiguity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined relationships between role conflict and role ambiguity and clergy satisfaction with their church appointment. Questionnaire data obtained from 293 United Methodist clergy suggested that role conflict and role ambiguity each have a negative relationship with appointment satisfaction. However, when considered together, they displayed a more complex relationship with appointment satisfaction. Contrary to conventional wisdom, results indicated that although these stressors operate together to influence appointment satisfaction, their combined effect is not simply cumulative. That is, when role conflict is low, clergy report the most satisfaction when role ambiguity is high. However, when role conflict and role ambiguity are both high, appointment satisfaction is low. These findings are interpreted in light of clergy influence strategies. And, recommendations for remedying clergy role stress are offered. Furthermore, it is suggested that interactive models of role stressors could lead to more in-depth understanding of organizational stress as well as advances in role stress theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reflects on the ambiguity of U.S. foreign policy. This clumsiness is attributed to inexperience, lack of focus, engagement in activities which do not clearly advance vital national interests, and idealistic impulses checked by realistic determinants. While these factors do contribute, U.S. clumsiness also relates to an inability to come to terms with its soldiers performing missions that require them to work closely with people they will possibly help, and fight, simultaneously.

This paper reviews and takes to task functionalist and interactionist role theories through an examination of their major exponents, Ralph Linton and Ralph H. Turner. The article demonstrates that the distinctions between them are less real than apparent and that they share an implicit commitment to the possibility of literal role prescription. Though sociologists apparently do not take this commitment seriously, the kind of social science indicated by this commitment will be revealed through an examination of Competency Based Teacher Education, a movement in which the possibility of literal prescription plays a prominent part. Finally, the article author says that we should re-emphasize our objection to the notion that members necessarily engage in continual role negotiation. Rather than taking roles for granted as existent behavior, the author recommends that "role" be treated as an organizing concept used by members when they require it. It is interactionists' ongoing, nonstop, commitment to explain role behavior that generates theories which state that actors must be continually involved in some kind of interaction process.

This research examines the relationship between sex of leader and subordinate perceptions of two dimensions of role stress — role conflict and role ambiguity — as moderated by subordinate job level, age, and sex. Interaction effects for sex of leader also are investigated. Subjects are 184 supervisory and nonsupervisory employees of a psychiatric hospital. Results suggest that sex of leader does not significantly affect subordinate role conflict and role ambiguity. Most interactions were nonsignificant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers in marketing ethics have identified the importance of cognitive moral development (CMD) in marketing ethics models. This study looks at selected correlates of role conflict and role ambiguity in marketing, especially the mediating role of CMD. Of the correlates examined, the results seem to support the existence of statistically significant relationships between CMD and role conflict and ambiguity. Implications for practitioners are provided. For example, the study could have direct implications for management personnel who have the responsibility of hiring ethical people and helping them address any role conflict or ambiguity that may a rise from their job. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]