pAvoid Strength Values Not Working Correctly

According to the docs, a positive strength value will have particles try to avoid the region, whereas negative will be drawn to the region.
In fact both positive and negative strength values both have particles avoiding the region - there is hardly any difference in behaviour.
I noticed a beta report from last August about particle tools being ineffective and inconsistent.
I also watched Chris Maynard's advanced particle tactics, where at one point he attempts to use the pAvoid tool but found it had little effect, and wasn't predictable when it did.
Positive avoids, negative attracts - a useful tool, if it was working.
In fact both positive and negative strength values both have particles avoiding the region - there is hardly any difference in behaviour.
I noticed a beta report from last August about particle tools being ineffective and inconsistent.
I also watched Chris Maynard's advanced particle tactics, where at one point he attempts to use the pAvoid tool but found it had little effect, and wasn't predictable when it did.
Positive avoids, negative attracts - a useful tool, if it was working.