Research

Over the past eight years a variety of research projects have been initiated and completed under Six Seconds' umbrella. In the 2000 pilot project, 100% of the teachers who used the Self-Science curriculum (a curriculum designed to promote self-awareness, self-management, and service to others) reported that the program increased cooperation and improved classroom relationships. The teachers (92%) agreed that the program helped increase student focus/attention and improved teacher/student relationships. They (77-85%) also agreed that the program improved student learning, enhanced collaborative work, increased positive verbal statements, and decreased negative verbal messages. For additional data, see the Self-Science website, www.Self-Science.com (Jensen, Freedman, and Rideout, 2001).

A similar study done in 2001/2002 compared teachers who had support with those who did not. Again, the results were similar (see Freedman, J. (2003) "Key lessons from 35 years of social-emotional education: How Self-Science builds self-awareness, positive relationships, and healthy decision-making". Perspectives in Education , 21 (4), 69-80). In 2004/2005 a new study evaluating the Self-Science curriculum and the Six Seconds' approach was conducted at Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California. Approximately 1000 students and 50 teachers participated in the study. The pre- and post data assessment is in the process of being analyzed and interpreted. Results should be available in 2006.

While hard data is valuable, soft data, or anecdotal information as to the effectiveness of Self-Science curriculum is also critical. An article written by me and published in Perspective in Education, Volume 21 (4), edited by Reuven Bar-On, 2003, is available for perusal.

Standardized Test Development

Six Seconds has also been in the process of creating three self-reporting instruments: 1) an individualized emotional intelligence testing tool (SEI); 2) an assessment of the emotional climate in businesses (OVS); and an assessment of the emotionsal climate in schools (ASC). It has taken considerable study and statistical analysis to build instruments with the appropriate validity. This work has been assisted by statistician Carina Fiedeldey-Van Dijk. Ph.D.

The OVS (Organizational Vital Signs) looks at five factors (accountability, flexibility, loyalty, leadership, and collaboration) which lead to trust in the business domain. These factors predict 57.7% of overall performance (based on regression analysis against self-reported outcomes). Multiple regression (forward stepwise selection) shows the OVS predicts:
• 47% of Customer Service
• 27.8% of Productivity
• 43.4% of Retention (click for more details)

The OVS has been used by Fellowship Health Resources (a human service agency in six states) and by McCown De Leeuw and Company (an investment and mangement firm).

The ASC (Assessment of School Climate) examines three factors (empathy, accountability, and respect) which lead to trust. The factors predict safety, learning, and loyalty. We are currently conducting new research and publishing the findings on this data - but as shown in the graph above right, how people feel about school is proving to be a strong predictor of how people perceive the school's effectiveness.

The ASC has been used by two public school in the Bay Area (Walter Hayes, Palo Alto; Ohlone, Palo Alto); two charter schools (San Carlos, California; Annasi, Taos, New Mexico), and one independent school (St. Josephs, Florida).

The SEI (Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence test) is based on the Six Seconds' model and includes eight measures (emotional literacy, pattern recognition, consequential thinking, navigating emotions, intrinsic motivation, optimism, empathy and noble goals/service learning) which predicts general health, overall performance, quality of life, relationship quality, and personal effectiveness. High scores on the test predict 54% of important success factors as shown below as Figure 1 (multiple regression, forward stepwise selection, n=665).

Update as of 10/06

I have designed and am now launching an extensive research study about NDNU students' emotional intelligence and the links to academic and life success as well as health and risk behaviors.

I am in the midst of a major research project creating a validated version of our EQ assessment for youth.