Comparative examinations of self-reports and perceived absenteeism norms : wading through Lake Wobegon.

Author(s)
Harrison, D.A. & Shaffer, M.A.
Year
Abstract

The properties of self-reported and perceived norms of absenteeism were examined and compared in 7 progressive studies. Regardless of attendance context, time interval, type of estimate, or administration condition, individuals reported (on average) having roughly half the absenteeism of the perceived norm among their peers; 85% to 95% of respondents reported being above average in their attendance record. This "Lake Wobegon effect" was traced to a small negative bias (underreporting) in self-reports and a large positive bias (overreporting) in perceived norms. Self-presentation and availability processes were proposed as explanations for these biases. In a study in which direct observations of past and future absenteeism were collected, self-reported correlated .69 (p > .01) with the direct observations. Perceived norms explained unique variation ( R² = .10, p < .01) in future absenteeism.

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Publication

Library number
941889 ST [electronic version only]
Source

Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 79 (1994), No. 2 (April), p. 240-251, 48 ref.

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