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Article
Publication date: 6 February 2019

James M. Honeycutt, Jonathon K. Frost and Colton E. Krawietz

The signal detection theory has evolutionary foundations such that our ancestors who were able to detect signals of aggression survived, while those who could not were…

Abstract

Purpose

The signal detection theory has evolutionary foundations such that our ancestors who were able to detect signals of aggression survived, while those who could not were extinguished. The paper examines the detection of conflict escalation signals in a domestic argument in a married couple as a consequence of history with prior victimization and perpetration of violence. The purpose of this paper is threefold: escalation detection differences between a trained special victim’s detective and untrained individuals; escalation detection for individuals with domestic violence victimization; and physiological arousal during escalation detection.

Design/methodology/approach

Subjects with various histories of victimization and perpetration using the Straus conflict tactics scale watched a video of an argument that escalated in conflict while their heart rate and electrodermal activity (EDA) was measured. Participants were asked to pause the tape and write any verbal and non-verbal signal of escalating conflict. The signal coding used deductive, a prioi coding based on Gottman’s (1994, 2011) corrosive behaviors indicative of conflict. A repeated measures general linear model in sex and conflict initiation using two measures of physiological arousal revealed significant effects on EDA while watching escalating conflict as a function of victimization history.

Findings

A series of hypotheses and research questions tested untrained people’s signal detection abilities with a trained, special victim’s unit police investigator as a consequence of male and female-initiated conflict. Untrained viewers reported fewer aggression signals than the police investigator. A repeated measures general linear model using two measures of physiological arousal revealed significant effects on EDA while watching escalating conflict as a function of victimization history. Results are discussed in terms of the signal detection and excitation-transfer theories toward explaining responses to escalating conflict.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this study was asking participants to document all abuse while not differentiating between different forms (i.e. emotional, verbal, physical). A future study could investigate how well participants can detect different forms of abuse. This area of research could be beneficial especially in the form of past history. For example, if an individual has been a recipient of emotional abuse, do they detect significantly more signals of emotional abuse than they would for physical abuse?

Practical implications

The findings of our study have could practical publications for advising people who cope with conflict as they vary in their use of negotiation and physical force. The fact that physiological arousal was heightened after exposure to the conflict escalation video as a function of victimization due to physical force has ramifications for watching media with violent content. Therapists could ask survivors if they feel based on their experience, that they could help others to recognize aggressive signals or if they are immune to these signals, given the debate over victim desensitization vs heightened sensitivity.

Social implications

The authors feel it is imperative to note that our current study was designed to gain a deeper understanding of domestic violence in order to ultimately benefit victims in the recovery process and to (ideally) prevent recurrence of domestic violence in the future. This research is not intended to implicate victims in anyway as being responsible for the consequences of domestic violence due to an inability to detect signals of aggression. Indeed, future research should examine how to skillfully advise domestic violence victims while protecting their already vulnerable self-images.

Originality/value

Every day, people are exposed to violence through social media, news, movies and television. Hence, we may become either sensitized to violence or desensitized. These are competing hypotheses that we tested in conjunction with physiological arousal. It is important to analyze reactions to viewing violence due to the sheer amount that is readily disseminated.

Details

Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-6599

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 October 2016

Giacomo Laffranchini, John S. Hadjimarcou, Si Hyun Kim and Mike Braun

The purpose of this paper is to explore the internationalization process of small and medium family-owned businesses (FOBs). The authors strive to explain the extent to which…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the internationalization process of small and medium family-owned businesses (FOBs). The authors strive to explain the extent to which family business CEOs identify a signal in either the domestic or international environment for internationalization as a viable business opportunity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors rely on signal detection theory to develop a conceptual model that explains the cognitive process inducing the CEO-founder of an FOB to discover and exploit an opportunity in the international market.

Findings

The conceptual model proposes that constraints in a family-firm’s domestic market, as well as opportunities in the foreign market act, as signal strength. However, family business CEO-founders’ centrality and inward orientation might lead them to ignore a signal by generating noise and reducing the motivation to collect further information concerning the trustworthiness of the signal.

Research limitations/implications

The model is conceptual; future research should strive for a potential way to operationalize the cognitive process described herein. In addition, the theoretical argument has been developed in the context of family firms wherein the founder plays a pivotal role. Future research may extend the theoretical arguments to those family firms that are at an advanced stage of development.

Originality/value

The study reconciles conflicting findings concerning the internationalization of FOBs. In doing so, the authors employ an interdisciplinary approach and develop a conceptual model that sheds additional light on the cognitive processes underlying internationalization decisions among founder-centered family firms.

Details

Journal of Family Business Management, vol. 6 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-6238

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 1998

Khondkar E. Karim and Philip H. Siegel

The purpose of this paper is to apply signal detection theory (SDT) to the problem of detecting management fraud. The use of SDT methodology significantly strengthens…

3788

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to apply signal detection theory (SDT) to the problem of detecting management fraud. The use of SDT methodology significantly strengthens understanding of the relationships among audit technology, base rates of management fraud, costs of Type I and Type II errors, extensions of audit procedures, and risk assessments prior and during the audit. The analysis suggests that the auditor must accept disproportionate false alarm rates in order to maintain audit effectiveness in the presence of management fraud. This condition becomes even stronger as the costs of Type II errors increase compared to costs of Type I errors. The study also provides policy implications for auditor practice and standard‐setters.

Details

Managerial Auditing Journal, vol. 13 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-6902

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1989

Majid Jaraiedi and Wafik H. Iskander

Signal Detection Theory (SDT) has recently been used to evaluate the performance of imperfect inspectors. SDT model is based on a priori probabilities and perceived payoffs and…

Abstract

Signal Detection Theory (SDT) has recently been used to evaluate the performance of imperfect inspectors. SDT model is based on a priori probabilities and perceived payoffs and penalties to study inspectors′ behaviour. In this article, Bayes′ theorem is used to compute posterior probabilities of the two types of inspection error. These posterior probabilities give rise to the definition of Receiver Analysis Curves (RAC), which depict the “after the facts” consequences of inspection error. A cost model is also developed that reflects the true benefits and costs of inspection accuracy to the organisation.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 6 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 October 2009

Junguo Wang, Jianzhong Zhou and Bing Peng

The purpose of this paper is to detect the periodic signal under strong noise background, and estimate its amplitude/phase.

1018

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to detect the periodic signal under strong noise background, and estimate its amplitude/phase.

Design/methodology/approach

Melnikov method is adopted as calculating the threshold value when chaos occurs, and the detected signal is taken as a system parameter. The system's output state is changed if the parameter has a slight change near the threshold. Meantime, the phase of system's output is recognized to judge whether the output state changes, and the signal parameter is estimated according to the necessary condition.

Findings

A small periodic signal in noise can be detected by Duffing oscillator via a transition from chaotic motion to periodic motion.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows how to calculate the amplitude/phase in low signal‐to‐noise ratios.

Practical implications

The Duffing system is sensitive to the weak periodic signal and has definite immunity to noise, so it is easy to construct a system composed of many oscillators that could process complex signals, even though the environmental noise is intense.

Originality/value

This paper presents a nonlinear method for detecting and extracting the weak signal.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 38 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1998

Lars Skyttner

To enhance the generality and usefulness of classic communication theory, some complementary concepts and ideas have been introduced and commented against the background of…

3709

Abstract

To enhance the generality and usefulness of classic communication theory, some complementary concepts and ideas have been introduced and commented against the background of General Living Systems Theory (GLS). The paper begins with an extended definition of the problem of communication and continues with a presentation of the concept of natural channels. Basic ideas like the interrelation between time, place, and channel with its four different categories of communication are presented. Also main qualities of a message like informability, detectability, and localizability are analysed. Finally some general ideas regarding coding and transmission of messages are presented. The paper ends with the conclusion that classic communication theory still is highly relevant with no serious anomalies threatening its existence. This truth is confirmed by the fact that the complementary concepts presented here fit well into its existing framework.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 October 2021

Jalil Khaksar, Mahdi Salehi and Mahmoud Lari DashtBayaz

This paper aims to analyze the relationship between the following auditor's characteristics with detecting frauds in the listed companies on the Tehran Stock Exchange.

1567

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the relationship between the following auditor's characteristics with detecting frauds in the listed companies on the Tehran Stock Exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple regression model is used to test the research hypothesis. The hypothesis was further tested with a sample of 187 companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange (1,309 observations) from 2012 to 2018 and by using multiple regression models based on panel data and the random-effects model.

Findings

The results suggest a positive and significant relationship between audit firms' size, auditor rotation, specialization in the industry, the audit market's focus, auditor's independence, audit report lag and renewal of financial statements with fraud detection. The results revealed a significant relationship between the period of auditor tenure, auditor's narcissism, audit fees and the type of auditors' opinion (un-qualified opinion) with fraud detection.

Originality/value

As the present study is a pioneer in examining this issue in the emerging markets, it provides users, analysts and legal entities with useful information about auditor characteristics that significantly affect the fraud detection of financial statements. The results mitigate the literature gap and improve knowledge in this area.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management , vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 October 2018

Lance Nizami

This study aims to examine the observer’s role in “infant psychophysics”. Infant psychophysics was developed because the diagnosis of perceptual deficits should be done as early…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the observer’s role in “infant psychophysics”. Infant psychophysics was developed because the diagnosis of perceptual deficits should be done as early in a patient’s life as possible, to provide efficacious treatment and thereby reduce potential long-term costs. Infants, however, cannot report their perceptions. Hence, the intensity of a stimulus at which the infant can detect it, the “threshold”, must be inferred from the infant’s behavior, as judged by observers (watchers). But whose abilities are actually being inferred? The answer affects all behavior-based conclusions about infants’ perceptions, including the well-proselytized notion that auditory stimulus-detection thresholds improve rapidly during infancy.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 55 years of infant psychophysics is scrutinized, starting with seminal studies in infant vision, followed by the studies that they inspired in infant hearing.

Findings

The inferred stimulus-detection thresholds are those of the infant-plus-watcher and, more broadly, the entire laboratory. The thresholds are therefore tenuous, because infants’ actions may differ with stimulus intensity; expressiveness may differ between infants; different watchers may judge infants differently; etc. Particularly, the watcher’s ability to “read” the infant may improve with the infant’s age, confounding any interpretation of perceptual maturation. Further, the infant’s gaze duration, an assumed cue to stimulus detection, may lengthen or shorten nonlinearly with infant age.

Research limitations/implications

Infant psychophysics investigators have neglected the role of the observer, resulting in an accumulation of data that requires substantial re-interpretation. Altogether, infant psychophysics has proven far too resilient for its own good.

Originality/value

Infant psychophysics is examined for the first time through second-order cybernetics. The approach reveals serious unresolved issues.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 48 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 August 2016

Faris Elasha and David Mba

– The purpose of this paper is to suggest new method for improving the condition indicators (CIs) used in health and usage monitoring system based on signal separation of gears.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest new method for improving the condition indicators (CIs) used in health and usage monitoring system based on signal separation of gears.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method is based on employing signal separation techniques to improve gears signal and fault signature. The signal separation is based on adaptive filters concept.

Findings

CIs estimated for the deterministic part of vibration signal show higher sensitivity to gears faults in comparison to indicators estimated based on the original signal. This method proposed could enhance early fault detection in gears, particularly for those applications where strong background noise from other sources in the machine masks the characteristics fault components.

Originality/value

The contribution of this research is improving the CIs currently used for helicopter gearboxes. As consequence the safe operation and availability will be improved.

Details

International Journal of Structural Integrity, vol. 7 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9864

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2000

John F. McGrew and John G. Bilotta

Two of the most common reasons for not implementing a risk management program are cost and benefit. This paper focuses on whether the benefits of intervention can be shown to…

6352

Abstract

Two of the most common reasons for not implementing a risk management program are cost and benefit. This paper focuses on whether the benefits of intervention can be shown to justify the costs. A confounding factor is that the acts of intervention during a risk management program may alter the outcome in ways we cannot separate and therefore cannot cost out. A second confounding factor is response bias – the tendency of individuals consistently to underestimate or overestimate risk, resulting in interventions that may be ineffective or excessively wasteful. The authors demonstrate that signal detection theory (SDT) can be used to analyze data collected during a risk management program to disambiguate the confounding effects of intervention and response bias. SDT can produce an unbiased estimate of percent correct for a risk management program. Furthermore, this unbiased estimator allows comparison of results from one program to another.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 38 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

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