Seeking feedback not always sufficient for stimulating creativity
It is widely believed that seeking feedback from colleagues, managers, friends and family enhances employees' creativity. But is this always the case? No, a positive effect depends on the work environment. This is the conclusion of new joint research study led by UvA work and organizational psychologist Roy Sijbom.
“The idea is simple: seeking feedback from different sources - also known as feedback source variety -- benefits one's creativity since it leads to a greater diversity of viewpoints”, says Sijbom. “And the more diverse the viewpoints, the more it benefits one's creativity because by combining all the different viewpoints new perspectives will emerge that in turn will result in more creativity.
The researchers examined how specific characteristics of the immediate work environment influence the relationship between feedback source variety and creative performance.
Sijbom offers several recommendations: “
| A．They thus focused on two elements that are typical for contemporary work environments. |
| B．The researchers used online questionnaires to obtain data. |
| C．The notion that obtaining external feedback about one's ideas is essential for increasing creativity is deeply rooted in society. |
| D．The most important is that when an organization stimulates feedback seeking, it needs to ensure that the work environment is excellent enough to use the benefits of feedback. |
| E．The question, however, is whether these beneficial effects always occur. |
| F．The creative achievements were assessed by their direct managers. |
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【推荐1】There is something to be said for being a generalist, even if you are a specialist. Knowing a little about a lot of things that interest you can add to the richness of a whole, well-lived life.
Society pushes us to specialize, to become experts. This requires commitment to a particular occupation, branch of study or research. The drawback to being specialists is we often come to know more and more about less and less. There is a great deal of pressure to master one's field. You may pursue training, degrees, or increasing levels of responsibility at work. Then you discover the pressure of having to keep up.
Some people seem willing to work around the clock in their narrow specialty. But such commitment can also weaken a sense of freedom. These specialists could work at the office until ten each night, then look back and realize they would have loved to have gone home and enjoyed the sweetness of their family and friends, or traveled to exciting places, meeting interesting people. Mastering one thing to the exclusion of others can hold back your true spirit.
Generalists, on the other hand, know a lot about a wide range of subjects and view the whole with all its connections. They are people of ability, talent, and enthusiasm who can bring their broad perspective (视角) into specific fields of expertise (专长). The doctor who is also a poet and philosopher is a superior doctor, one who can give so much more to his patients than just good medical skills.
Things are connected. Let your expertise in one field fuel your passions in all related areas. Some of your interests may not appear to be connected but, once you explore their depths, you discover that they are. My editor Toni, who is also a writer, has edited several history books. She has decided to study Chinese history. Fascinated by the structural beauty of the Forbidden City as a painter, she is equally interested to learn more about Chinese philosophy. “I don't know where it will lead, but I'm excited I'm on this pursuit.”
These expansions into new worlds help us by giving us new perspectives. We begin to see the interconnectedness of one thing to another in all aspects of our life, of ourselves and the universe. Develop broad, general knowledge and experience. The universe is all yours to explore and enjoy.
1. To become a specialist, one may have to_______.| A．avoid responsibilities at work | B．narrow his range of knowledge |
| C．know more about the society | D．broaden his perspective on life |
| A．is fully aware of his talent and ability | B．is a pure specialist in medicine |
| C．brings knowledge of other fields to work | D．should love poetry and philosophy |
| A．Seemingly unrelated interests are in a way connected. |
| B．Passion alone does not ensure a person's success. |
| C．In-depth exploration makes discoveries possible. |
| D．Everyone has a chance to succeed in their pursuit. |
| A．Specialist or Generalist: Hard to Decide | B．Turn a Generalist into a Specialist |
| C．Ways to Become a Generalist | D．Be More a Generalist Than a Specialist |
【推荐2】If you had asked me then if I would accept a job as a restaurant critic for The New York Times. or any establishment publication, I would have replied, without a second thought, “Of course not!” And not just because I did not want to think of myself as an ambitious sort Working in restaurants was honest labor, anyone could see that. Writing about them for the mainstream press was not; it felt like joining the enemy.
But renewing was fun. so much fun that when mainstream publishers started paying me for my opinions, I didn't do the decent thing. Before I knew it, I had stopped cooking Professionally.
Then I stopped cooking altogether. “She's joined the leisure class.” my friend said.
I disarmed (消解怒气)) my critics by inviting them along; nobody I knew could afford to eat out and nobody refused. We went with equal amounts of guilt and pleasure, with a feeling that we were trespassing (侵入))on the playgrounds of the rich.
We didn't belong in starchy restaurants. We knew it, and when we climbed out of my rent - a - wreck, splendid in years from the Salvation Army, everybody else knew it, too. We always got the worst table. And then, because I didn't own a credit card, I had to pay in cash. The year turned into two and three, and more. I got a credit card. I got good clothes. I was writing for increasingly prestigious (声誉高的)publications. Meanwhile, a voice inside me kept whispering, “How could you?”
The voice is still there, yakking (喋喋不休)away. When I receive weekly letters from people who think it is indecent to write about $100 meals while half the world is hungry, the voice yaks right along, “They're absolutely right, you elitist pig is hisses”. And when it asks. “When are you going to grow up and get a real job?” it sounds a lot like my mother.
And just about then is when I tell the voice to shut up. Because when my mother starts idling me that all I'm doing with my life is telling rich people where to eat, I realize how much the world has changed.
Yes, there are still restaurants where rich people go to remind themselves that they are different from you and me. But there are fewer and fewer of them. As American food has come of age. American restaurants have changed. Going out to eat used to be like going to the opera; today, it is more like going to the movies.
And so everyone has become a critic. I couldn't be happier. The more people pay attention to what and how they eat, the more accustomed they become to their own senses and the world around them.
When I remember that conversation with M. F. K. Fisher, I wish I had not been quite so gentle. When I rerun the loop in my mind, I turn to her and say this: “No, you are wrong. A. J. Liebling had it right. All it really takes to be a restaurant critic is a good appetite.”
1. How did the author feel about the job as a restaurant critic at the very beginning?| A．She didn't think much of it |
| B．She was the ambitious one for it. |
| C．It was not suitable for a cook like her. |
| D．It was not easy to work for the mainstream press. |
| A．A strong desire to be invited to eat out like the rich. |
| B．A mixed feeling of guilt and pleasure about eating out. |
| C．A mixed feeling of guilt and pleasure going into private property. |
| D．A special treat to be able to go into private property for fun. |
| A．She stayed in the career as a cook for years. |
| B．She kept on writing as a restaurant critic for years. |
| C．It was years before she quit the career as a cook. |
| D．It was years before her application for a credit card got approved. |
| A．worthwhile | B．critical | C．unacceptable | D．imperfect |
| A．They have places for both the rich and the poor. |
| B．They have varieties of means for entertainment. |
| C．They have become too expensive to be available. |
| D．They have become affordable to common people, |
| A．The writer is getting tired of the job. |
| B．good appetite makes a good critic. |
| C．There is no need for restaurant critics at all. |
| D．Eating out is no longer a privilege the rich have. |
【推荐3】You might think male models lead glamorous lives, filled with endless travel and invitations to socialize with the rich and beautiful. Almost everyone has formed an unrealistic picture of their lives, believing that they spend one afternoon beside the Mediterranean Sea sipping coffee and getting suntanned and the next moment they are on board flying to Rome. However, according to a 2016 documentary made by the pop culture news site Fusion, the financial reality of male models is not very pretty.
The main subject of the documentary, titled Unglamorous, is a male model named Cameron Keesling who went to New York to start his career, hoping to make a fortune in the world of models. Keesling is not a supermodel but he has certainly made his name known in the industry. He was “working in the industry for about a year before landing the cover of Italian Vogue” in 2014. But “Keesling and his companions were paid nothing for the efforts”, Fusion reporter Nikita Redkar wrote.
Keesling also appeared at Paris Fashion Week and won lots of praise, while his compensation wouldn’t even cover the cost of traveling to and from Paris.
According to the documentary the most common way models get paid is by receiving free clothes, rather than money. In order to make ends meet, consequently, many of them have to take another job simply to make a living. Many of these models are in debt. Once they find an agency to represent them, a living income is provided by the agency to accommodate their rent, food, clothing and other expenses. Models are expected to pay off these costs once they find work, but many of the industry’s jobs don’t pay at all. Believe it or not, there is a pay gap between male models and female counterparts. Based on a survey conducted by Fortune.com, female models can make millions more than males, especially if you compare the top ten earners of each gender.
1. In common people’s eyes, male models are living __________.| A．a busy and simple life | B．a tiring and dull life |
| C．an easy and comfortable life | D．a hard and embarrassing life |
| A．To introduce his real life |
| B．To explain why he went to New York |
| C．To illustrate the hardship of male models’ lives |
| D．To encourage models to make a fortune in New York |
| A．Friends | B．Peers |
| C．Schoolmates | D．Opponents |
| A．Supportive | B．Doubtful |
| C．Critical | D．Objective |
【推荐1】Hawaii could become the first state to ban sunscreens with chemicals that may harm the environment. So maybe you should pack a sunhat and long sleeves for the trip to Waikiki.
State lawmakers passed a bill banning sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate chemicals believed to cause harm to marine life and coral reefs (珊瑚礁). The bill will prohibit the sale and distribution of sunscreens with those chemicals on the island “without prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.”
“Amazingly, this is a first-in-the-world law,” Gabbard, who introduced the bill, told the Honolulu Star-advertiser. “when you think about it, our island heaven, surrounded by coral reefs, is the perfect place to set the golden standard for the world to follow. This will make a huge difference in protecting our coral reefs, marine life and human health.”
The bill will come into effect on January 1, 2021 if signed by Hawaii’s governor.
Critics of the bill question studies linking the chemicals to coral reef decay (腐烂) and say banning sunscreens should discourage people from wearing skin protection altogether, increasing skin cancer cases. Alexandra Kowcz, chief scientist of a research project, said the bill rests on a “limited body of scientific research.” Henry Lim, president of the American Academy of Dermatology Association, told US TODAY “a sunscreen ban could create significant confusion” about why wearing sunscreen is important. Plus, there aren’t many sunscreen options on the market without these chemicals.
“It is quite difficult to make good sunscreens that do not contain these chemicals based on the currently approved sunscreen active ingredients list in the U.S. ”said Lim.
At least one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their life, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
The only way to know if a sunscreen doesn’t contain oxybenzone and octinoxate is to check the label. A non-profit organization, which ranks sunscreen brands based on effectiveness and chemical composition, reports some sunscreens are environmentally friendly.
1. What do we know about the bill?| A．It has been supported by healthcare providers. |
| B．It is aimed at promoting tourism in Hawaii. |
| C．It will prohibit sunscreens of all kinds. |
| D．It may help to protect marine life and coral reefs. |
| A．The bill based on limited studies is misleading. |
| B．The ban will benefit people with skin cancer. |
| C．The chemicals are to blame for coral reef decay. |
| D．Sunscreens on the market should all be banned. |
| A．20% of people may suffer skin cancer in their life. |
| B．Checking the label helps to distinguish sunscreens. |
| C．Sunscreens are commonly ranked by market sales. |
| D．Making eco-friendly sunscreens is just impossible. |
| A．Positive. | B．Negative. |
| C．Objective. | D．Skeptical. |
注意：每个空格只填1个单词。请将答案写在答题卡上相应题号的横线上。
The changes facing fast-food companies
Fast food was once thought to be recession-proof. When consumers need to cut spending, cheap meals like Big Macs and Whoppers become even more attractive. As a result, fast-food chains have survived the recession better than their more expensive competitors. In 2009 sales at full-service restaurants in America fell by more than 6%, but total sales remained about the same at fast-food chains. In some markets, such as Japan, France and Britain, total spending on fast food increased.
But in this ongoing recession(萧条), which is more severe, not all fast-food companies have been as fortunate. Many, such as Burger King, have seen sales fall. In the recession, while some people trade down to fast food, many others eat at home more frequently to save money. Smaller fast-food chains in America, such as Jack in the Box and Carl’s Jr., have been hit particularly hard in this downturn because they cut back spending on advertising.
In face of such challenges, some fast-food companies have sacrificed their own profits by trying to give customers better value. During the recession companies set prices low, hoping to tempt more customers through the door. But in many cases that strategy doesn’t work. Some companies are rethinking their strategies. KFC has launched a chicken sandwich that costs around $5 to attract consumers away from $1 specials.
Companies are also trying to get customers to buy new and more items, including drinks. McDonald’s started selling better coffee as a challenge to Starbucks. Its “McCafe” line now accounts for an estimated 6% of sales in America. As fast-food companies shift from “super size” to “more buys”, they need to keep customer traffic high throughout the day. Many see breakfast as a big opportunity, and not just for fatty food. McDonald’s has started selling porridge in America, because the profits can be high.
But what about those growing waistlines? So far, fast-food firms have cleverly avoided government regulation. By providing options like salads and low-calorie sandwiches, they have at least given the impression of doing something about helping to fight obesity(肥胖). These offerings don’t necessarily lead to profit loss, as they can broaden the appeal of stores to groups of diners that include some people who don’t want to eat a burger.
But calls for tougher government regulation never wear down. This year Congress passed America’s health-reform bill, which requires restaurant chains with 20 or more stores to put the calorie-content of items they serve to the menu. And the recent proposal by a county in California to ban McDonald’s from including toys in its high-calorie “Happy Meals”, because law makers believe it attracts children to unhealthy food, suggests that fast-food companies will have to continue trying something new.
The changes facing fast-food companies
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【推荐3】It's a tragedy (悲剧)that could be avoided: every year, more than 400 people in Britain die while waiting for a replacement organ for their bodies. Although organ transplants(器官移植)have been saving lives for more than 60 years, the right body part is often not available at the right time simply because not enough people choose to be donors. Should people therefore be required to allow their organs to be used by others after death?
The British Medical Association (BMA), which represents doctors in Britain, says yes. A system of "presumed consent (默许) " would automatically make everyone over the age of 16 an organ donor .Individuals would be allowed to put out, that is to say, decide not to be an organ donor, if that's what they prefer. The BMA points to much higher organ donation rates in countries that have opt-out systems, such as Spain, Belgium, Austria and the Czech Republic.
England's chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, also wants to change the organ-donor system from opt-in to opt-out. All of this sounds like very good news for the 7,500 people in the UK who are waiting for transplants of critical organs, tissues, skin and bones.
Britain's National Health Service (NHS) recently counts 14.3 million organ donors on a list which began in 1994. Not everyone wants to participate, however, according to the NHS, 90 percent of the British strongly support organ donation, but only 23 percent are on the organ-donor list.
Why the discrepancy(差异)? One reason is that organ donation is a personal matter. Another reason may be indecision: when families are not sure about a dead relative's wishes, 40 percent decide not to donate his or her organs. Interestingly, religion has little to do with a decision not to donate. All six of the main religions in Britain support organ donation and transplantation.
The government decided in 2018 how the system of organ donation should work--- without a policy of presumed consent. Opinion among members of parliament (议会) continues to be divided; but the tragedy goes on: as things are now, one in 10 Britons in need of an organ will never get one.
1. What does the tragedy in Para.1 refer to?| A．People are required to be organ donors. |
| B．Organ transplants could save lives for more than 60 years. |
| C．More and more donors' organs are not proper for operation. |
| D．Many patients have to die because of no replacement organ. |
| A．support organ donation without action | B．want to participate in organ donation |
| C．are willing to donate their organs | D．don't like NHS' activity |
| A．Analyzing the tragedy of organ donation. |
| B．Persuading people to support organ donation. |
| C．Praising those people who donate their organs. |
| D．Listing government' s measures on organ donation. |
