An Experimental Approach to Assessing the Perceived Value of Personal and Social Responsibility

Abstract

Personal and social responsibility (PSR), one of four essential learning outcomes identified by the Liberal Education and America’s Promise (LEAP) Report (AAC&U, 2007), was rated as “very” or “extremely” important by 88% of the participants in the study. To supplement the expected results from the traditional survey methods that assess the perceived value of PSR, this study provided additional experimental evidence that students were sensitive to, and highly valued, the markers of achieving PSR. Participants were randomly assigned to examine one résumé in a 3 (GPA) × 2 (PSR) design. Beyond and independent of the effect of academic achievement, PSR positively influenced hiring decisions, salary recommendations, and performance expectations.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Timothy K. Daugherty

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Tim Daugherty ([email protected]) is a professor of psychology at Missouri State University. Previously at Winthrop University, he worked with colleagues to operationalize and implement features of the AAC&U’s Core Commitments program across campus.