Michael Kalsher | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (original) (raw)
Papers by Michael Kalsher
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1994
Data are summarized from 152 single-subject analyses of the reinforcing functions of self-injurio... more Data are summarized from 152 single-subject analyses of the reinforcing functions of self-injurious behavior (SIB). Individuals with developmental disabilities referred for assessment and/or treatment over an 11-year period were exposed to a series of conditions in which the effects of antecedent and consequent events on SIB were examined systematically by way ofmultielement, reversal, or combined designs. Data were collected during approximately 4,000 experimental sessions (1,000 hr), with the length of assessment for individuals ranging from 8 to 66 sessions (M = 26.2) conducted over 2 to 16.5 hr (M = 6.5). Differential or uniformly high responding was observed in 145 (95.4%) of the cases. Social-negative reinforcement (escape from task demands or other sources of aversive stimulation) accounted for 58 cases, which was the largest proportion of the sample (38.1%). Socialpositive reinforcement (either attention or access to food or materials) accounted for 40 (26.3%) of the cases, automatic (sensory) reinforcement accounted for 39 (25.7%), and multiple controlling variables accounted for 8 (5.3%). Seven sets of data (4.6%) showed either cyclical or inconsistent patterns of responding that were uninterpretable. Overall results indicated that functional analysis methodologies are extremely effective in identifying the environmental determinants of SIB on an individual basis and, subsequently, in guiding the process of treatment selection. Furthermore, an accumulation of assessment data from such analyses across a large number of individuals provides perhaps the most rigorous approach to an epidemiological study of behavioral function.
PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2000
Stories about substantial human and property losses caused by natural disasters made headlines in... more Stories about substantial human and property losses caused by natural disasters made headlines in 2011 throughout the U.S. and around the world. Many of these stories described problems with the disaster warnings themselves as well as with human responses to these warnings, both of which may have increased the number of casualties. Although human factors research has made significant contributions to the design of product warnings in general, studies focused specifically on disaster warnings and associated responses are sparse . Furthermore, disseminating warnings and supplemental information to guide decision making by the general public is increasingly challenging due to the rapid adoption of heterogeneous mobile technologies, particularly those providing Internet access. These technologies facilitate access to even more information during these time-sensitive situations, but the information may not be presented in ways that support effective decision-making. In this panel, we will discuss opportunities for human factors research to improve the public's preparation and response to disaster warnings. Panelists will discuss their research on individual differences in warning design and response, training effects on warning response, social media and emergency communications, communication and coordination among ad hoc disaster response teams, and decision making by weather forecasters. From these discussions, we hope to identify research areas with high potential for short-term impact.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2013
Warnings and warnings-related issues continue to be an important focal point of litigation in the... more Warnings and warnings-related issues continue to be an important focal point of litigation in the U.S. Many personal injury cases, for example, revolve around questions associated with residual hazards in products, facilities, or user environmentsand the steps the manufacturer of a product, or the parties responsible for the safe operation of a facility or environment have taken to mitigate people's exposure to those hazards. If hazards are not eliminated through design and/or guarding, then warnings and other types of precautionary instructions are commonly used to alert, inform, and remind people about the hazard(s) and to tell them what they should do to avoid or at least minimize injury.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2000
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2000
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2000
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2002
A wide variety of over-the-counter (OTC) medications are currently available to the general publi... more A wide variety of over-the-counter (OTC) medications are currently available to the general public without a prescription. Among the most popular of these are medicines termedanalgesics that have pain-relieving effects. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of the significant health risks associated with their use. The main purpose of this study was to determine whether people want to be informed of these risks and whether such knowledge would influence self-reported precautionary behavior. The results showed that 92% of the 330 people surveyed wanted to be informed of the risks of OTC analgesics and nearly 95% percent agreed that this information should appear on the product label or in the materials that accompany these products. When asked about the likely actions they would take if provided with organ-specific risk information, a large majority of the respondents indicated they would take one or more precautionary behaviors to reduce the risks (e.g., take smaller dosages). A majority of respondents admitted having placed themselves at risk by taking more than the recommended dose of an OTC analgesic at one time. These results have implications for improving the quality and effectiveness of risk communications.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2000
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2000
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2000
... Alison G. Vredettburgh Matthew B. Weinger Kevin J. WiUiams ... Although objective measures of... more ... Alison G. Vredettburgh Matthew B. Weinger Kevin J. WiUiams ... Although objective measures of workload are believed by some to be more accurate than their subjective counterparts (Specter, 1994; Vidulich & Wickens, 1986), subjbjective assessments are less intrusive, are ...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 1995
... Hartnett, M. (January, 1944). Privacy vs. security. Stores, 76, 88-90. Hersh, D., Hersh, C. &... more ... Hartnett, M. (January, 1944). Privacy vs. security. Stores, 76, 88-90. Hersh, D., Hersh, C. & Pagano, RV (1990, March). Closed-circuit television: I spy: CCTV's workhorse. Security Management, pp. 8A-11A. Laabs, J. (1992). Surveillance: Tool or trap? ...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 1995
A growing number of studies have investigated factors associated with various measures of warning... more A growing number of studies have investigated factors associated with various measures of warning effectiveness, including noticeability, comprehension, and most importantly, compliance. Some research has begun to examine the components comprising signs and labels (e.g., signal words, color). However, there has been virtually no research on people's perceptions of signllabelconfigurations that are currently found on warnings. The present study evaluates the warning styles that are specified in ANSI (1991) Z535.2 and Z535.4 standards, as well as a set of proposed styles. The results confirmed several specifications in current standards (e.g., the signal word DANGER was perceived as more hazardous than the other currently-specified signal words), whereas other specifications were not fully conflIIIled (e.g., the WARNING configuration as indicating higher hazard than the CAUTION configuration). Some newly developed warning styles (e.g., using the signal word DEADLY and a skull icon) show promise for better signaling highly hazardous conditions.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 1998
PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2003
... Alex J. Vide ... Support for this possibility comes from a number of studies recently reporte... more ... Alex J. Vide ... Support for this possibility comes from a number of studies recently reported in the human factors literature (eg, Kalsher, Williams, & Murphy, 2001; Kalsher, Wogalter, & Williams, 1999; Laughery Lowoll, & McQuilkin, 1996; Lowoll Laughery, McQuilkin, & Wogalter ...
Designing products and places for toddler to teens, 2007
PsycEXTRA Dataset, 1999
Safety researchers have investigated how people assign blame for injuries sustained during the us... more Safety researchers have investigated how people assign blame for injuries sustained during the use of or exposure to consumer products. In this study, we examine attributions made by people given product-use scenarios that describe a girl whose age is manipulated to be from 18 months to 16 years and who suffers serious brain damage after choking on marshmallows made available to her by her mother. Supplementary information intended to be either positive or detrimental to the manufacturer and its safety practices was either present or absent from the scenario. Approximately half of the participants in the positive frame condition also received sample product warnings purportedly developed and used by the manufacturer. In general, participants allocated more responsibility to the girl's parents than to the manufacturer. As predicted, allocation of blame to the girl varied directly with her age. The greater the age of the child, the greater the blame she received. Supplementary information that casts the manufacturer and the manufacturer's practices in a positive light shifted blame away from the manufacturer toward the girl and her parents. Conversely, supplementary information detrimental to the manufacturer shifted blame away from the girl and her parents and toward the manufacturer. The warnings had no measurable effect on allocation of blame. The implications of these results for consumers, legal professionals, and researchers are discussed.
PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2011
... testimony. Examples of issues addressed are sensory/perceptual limitations, attention capture... more ... testimony. Examples of issues addressed are sensory/perceptual limitations, attention capture and capacity, and induced errors. The ... Several examples of issues addressed by HFE experts in actual cases are presented. The examples ...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 1996
... The other half (8 males and 24 females) were permanent residents of Troy, NY, including homem... more ... The other half (8 males and 24 females) were permanent residents of Troy, NY, including homemakers, maintenance personnel, secretarial workers ... Experimental research (eg, Jessen and Wogalter, 1992) has shown that such programs can be successful in helping people to ...
This article reviews the procedures and results of 28 different programs at nine work settings th... more This article reviews the procedures and results of 28 different programs at nine work settings that increased employees' use of vehicle safety belts from a minimum gain of 12% over baseline to a maximum gain of 285% . A total of 244,543 vehicle observations were made to ...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2002
A study was carried out using four measures of effectiveness to compare product warnings that are... more A study was carried out using four measures of effectiveness to compare product warnings that are consistent with the American National Standards Institute Product Safety Signs and Labels standard (ANSI 2535.4) to warnings that are not consistent with the standard. Inconsistent warnings were based on the format of existing product warnings. Two warnings, consistent and inconsistent, for each of ten different products were evaluated: cooking oil, trampoline, paint, dresser, airbag, seat belt, tire, sports utility vehicle, reclining seat and swimming pool. The four effectiveness criteria were judgments of noticeability, likelihood to read, understandability and likelihood of complying. Participants were 176 students with varied majors from five different universities. Results indicated higher levels of judged effectiveness for the warnings that were consistent with the ANSI standard. The differences were statistically significant for all four effectiveness measures for all ten products. While warnings that are consistent with the ANSI 2535.4 standard do not by themselves necessarily constitute an adequate warning system, these results indicate that the standard does have merit and utility and represents a good starting point in warning design.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1994
Data are summarized from 152 single-subject analyses of the reinforcing functions of self-injurio... more Data are summarized from 152 single-subject analyses of the reinforcing functions of self-injurious behavior (SIB). Individuals with developmental disabilities referred for assessment and/or treatment over an 11-year period were exposed to a series of conditions in which the effects of antecedent and consequent events on SIB were examined systematically by way ofmultielement, reversal, or combined designs. Data were collected during approximately 4,000 experimental sessions (1,000 hr), with the length of assessment for individuals ranging from 8 to 66 sessions (M = 26.2) conducted over 2 to 16.5 hr (M = 6.5). Differential or uniformly high responding was observed in 145 (95.4%) of the cases. Social-negative reinforcement (escape from task demands or other sources of aversive stimulation) accounted for 58 cases, which was the largest proportion of the sample (38.1%). Socialpositive reinforcement (either attention or access to food or materials) accounted for 40 (26.3%) of the cases, automatic (sensory) reinforcement accounted for 39 (25.7%), and multiple controlling variables accounted for 8 (5.3%). Seven sets of data (4.6%) showed either cyclical or inconsistent patterns of responding that were uninterpretable. Overall results indicated that functional analysis methodologies are extremely effective in identifying the environmental determinants of SIB on an individual basis and, subsequently, in guiding the process of treatment selection. Furthermore, an accumulation of assessment data from such analyses across a large number of individuals provides perhaps the most rigorous approach to an epidemiological study of behavioral function.
PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2000
Stories about substantial human and property losses caused by natural disasters made headlines in... more Stories about substantial human and property losses caused by natural disasters made headlines in 2011 throughout the U.S. and around the world. Many of these stories described problems with the disaster warnings themselves as well as with human responses to these warnings, both of which may have increased the number of casualties. Although human factors research has made significant contributions to the design of product warnings in general, studies focused specifically on disaster warnings and associated responses are sparse . Furthermore, disseminating warnings and supplemental information to guide decision making by the general public is increasingly challenging due to the rapid adoption of heterogeneous mobile technologies, particularly those providing Internet access. These technologies facilitate access to even more information during these time-sensitive situations, but the information may not be presented in ways that support effective decision-making. In this panel, we will discuss opportunities for human factors research to improve the public's preparation and response to disaster warnings. Panelists will discuss their research on individual differences in warning design and response, training effects on warning response, social media and emergency communications, communication and coordination among ad hoc disaster response teams, and decision making by weather forecasters. From these discussions, we hope to identify research areas with high potential for short-term impact.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2013
Warnings and warnings-related issues continue to be an important focal point of litigation in the... more Warnings and warnings-related issues continue to be an important focal point of litigation in the U.S. Many personal injury cases, for example, revolve around questions associated with residual hazards in products, facilities, or user environmentsand the steps the manufacturer of a product, or the parties responsible for the safe operation of a facility or environment have taken to mitigate people's exposure to those hazards. If hazards are not eliminated through design and/or guarding, then warnings and other types of precautionary instructions are commonly used to alert, inform, and remind people about the hazard(s) and to tell them what they should do to avoid or at least minimize injury.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2000
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2000
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2000
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2002
A wide variety of over-the-counter (OTC) medications are currently available to the general publi... more A wide variety of over-the-counter (OTC) medications are currently available to the general public without a prescription. Among the most popular of these are medicines termedanalgesics that have pain-relieving effects. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of the significant health risks associated with their use. The main purpose of this study was to determine whether people want to be informed of these risks and whether such knowledge would influence self-reported precautionary behavior. The results showed that 92% of the 330 people surveyed wanted to be informed of the risks of OTC analgesics and nearly 95% percent agreed that this information should appear on the product label or in the materials that accompany these products. When asked about the likely actions they would take if provided with organ-specific risk information, a large majority of the respondents indicated they would take one or more precautionary behaviors to reduce the risks (e.g., take smaller dosages). A majority of respondents admitted having placed themselves at risk by taking more than the recommended dose of an OTC analgesic at one time. These results have implications for improving the quality and effectiveness of risk communications.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2000
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2000
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2000
... Alison G. Vredettburgh Matthew B. Weinger Kevin J. WiUiams ... Although objective measures of... more ... Alison G. Vredettburgh Matthew B. Weinger Kevin J. WiUiams ... Although objective measures of workload are believed by some to be more accurate than their subjective counterparts (Specter, 1994; Vidulich & Wickens, 1986), subjbjective assessments are less intrusive, are ...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 1995
... Hartnett, M. (January, 1944). Privacy vs. security. Stores, 76, 88-90. Hersh, D., Hersh, C. &... more ... Hartnett, M. (January, 1944). Privacy vs. security. Stores, 76, 88-90. Hersh, D., Hersh, C. & Pagano, RV (1990, March). Closed-circuit television: I spy: CCTV's workhorse. Security Management, pp. 8A-11A. Laabs, J. (1992). Surveillance: Tool or trap? ...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 1995
A growing number of studies have investigated factors associated with various measures of warning... more A growing number of studies have investigated factors associated with various measures of warning effectiveness, including noticeability, comprehension, and most importantly, compliance. Some research has begun to examine the components comprising signs and labels (e.g., signal words, color). However, there has been virtually no research on people's perceptions of signllabelconfigurations that are currently found on warnings. The present study evaluates the warning styles that are specified in ANSI (1991) Z535.2 and Z535.4 standards, as well as a set of proposed styles. The results confirmed several specifications in current standards (e.g., the signal word DANGER was perceived as more hazardous than the other currently-specified signal words), whereas other specifications were not fully conflIIIled (e.g., the WARNING configuration as indicating higher hazard than the CAUTION configuration). Some newly developed warning styles (e.g., using the signal word DEADLY and a skull icon) show promise for better signaling highly hazardous conditions.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 1998
PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2003
... Alex J. Vide ... Support for this possibility comes from a number of studies recently reporte... more ... Alex J. Vide ... Support for this possibility comes from a number of studies recently reported in the human factors literature (eg, Kalsher, Williams, & Murphy, 2001; Kalsher, Wogalter, & Williams, 1999; Laughery Lowoll, & McQuilkin, 1996; Lowoll Laughery, McQuilkin, & Wogalter ...
Designing products and places for toddler to teens, 2007
PsycEXTRA Dataset, 1999
Safety researchers have investigated how people assign blame for injuries sustained during the us... more Safety researchers have investigated how people assign blame for injuries sustained during the use of or exposure to consumer products. In this study, we examine attributions made by people given product-use scenarios that describe a girl whose age is manipulated to be from 18 months to 16 years and who suffers serious brain damage after choking on marshmallows made available to her by her mother. Supplementary information intended to be either positive or detrimental to the manufacturer and its safety practices was either present or absent from the scenario. Approximately half of the participants in the positive frame condition also received sample product warnings purportedly developed and used by the manufacturer. In general, participants allocated more responsibility to the girl's parents than to the manufacturer. As predicted, allocation of blame to the girl varied directly with her age. The greater the age of the child, the greater the blame she received. Supplementary information that casts the manufacturer and the manufacturer's practices in a positive light shifted blame away from the manufacturer toward the girl and her parents. Conversely, supplementary information detrimental to the manufacturer shifted blame away from the girl and her parents and toward the manufacturer. The warnings had no measurable effect on allocation of blame. The implications of these results for consumers, legal professionals, and researchers are discussed.
PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2011
... testimony. Examples of issues addressed are sensory/perceptual limitations, attention capture... more ... testimony. Examples of issues addressed are sensory/perceptual limitations, attention capture and capacity, and induced errors. The ... Several examples of issues addressed by HFE experts in actual cases are presented. The examples ...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 1996
... The other half (8 males and 24 females) were permanent residents of Troy, NY, including homem... more ... The other half (8 males and 24 females) were permanent residents of Troy, NY, including homemakers, maintenance personnel, secretarial workers ... Experimental research (eg, Jessen and Wogalter, 1992) has shown that such programs can be successful in helping people to ...
This article reviews the procedures and results of 28 different programs at nine work settings th... more This article reviews the procedures and results of 28 different programs at nine work settings that increased employees' use of vehicle safety belts from a minimum gain of 12% over baseline to a maximum gain of 285% . A total of 244,543 vehicle observations were made to ...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2002
A study was carried out using four measures of effectiveness to compare product warnings that are... more A study was carried out using four measures of effectiveness to compare product warnings that are consistent with the American National Standards Institute Product Safety Signs and Labels standard (ANSI 2535.4) to warnings that are not consistent with the standard. Inconsistent warnings were based on the format of existing product warnings. Two warnings, consistent and inconsistent, for each of ten different products were evaluated: cooking oil, trampoline, paint, dresser, airbag, seat belt, tire, sports utility vehicle, reclining seat and swimming pool. The four effectiveness criteria were judgments of noticeability, likelihood to read, understandability and likelihood of complying. Participants were 176 students with varied majors from five different universities. Results indicated higher levels of judged effectiveness for the warnings that were consistent with the ANSI standard. The differences were statistically significant for all four effectiveness measures for all ten products. While warnings that are consistent with the ANSI 2535.4 standard do not by themselves necessarily constitute an adequate warning system, these results indicate that the standard does have merit and utility and represents a good starting point in warning design.