bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Themes in the Human Experience of Nature
Authors: Pollio Howard R. , Heaps Christopher
Published: December 2005

To identify themes in the human experience of nature, a three-part study was run. In the first part, 100 undergraduate students were asked to list three situations in which they are or were aware of nature and to describe one of these in detail. In the second part, 26 descriptions were selected from these responses, summarized to a 2- to 5-sentence format, and presented to a different group of 30 subjects who sorted them into groups on the basis of cross-item similarity. These groupings were then analyzed by hierarchical clustering and multidimensional scaling procedures to produce thematic meanings. In the third part, a qualitative analysis of themes was performed over the unabridged initial versions of the same set of descriptions. Results of both qualitative and quantitative procedures led to the identification of four themes—Power and Scale, Danger and Safety, Beauty, and Connection and Alienation—and to a smaller number of themes unique to each mode of analysis. All themes were related to the everyday meanings of nature and to the more abstract definitions of nature employed in scientific or aesthetic analyses of the human response to this domain.
Cohesion and Adaptability among Individuals under Treatment for Infertility
Authors: Hidalgo Maria Paz Loayza , Caleffi Lorena , Baron Ana , Mattana Eunice , Chaves Márcia Lorena F.
Published: December 2005

The objective of this study was to evaluate cohesion and adaptability as relationship patterns of individuals in the presence or absence of infertility. Infertile subjects (20 men and 26 women, age 29.9 yr., SD = 3.8), and 100 fertile individuals (52 men and 48 women, age 29.5 yr., SD = 3.6) were included in this cross-sectional study conducted in Brazil. Subjects were married for the first time and had no children. The pattern of relationship (cohesion and adaptability) was assessed on the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES III). Subjects were also interviewed and the interviews tape-recorded and analyzed by independent and blinded senior psychiatrists. The concepts of cohesion and adaptability did not differentiate infertile couples from fertile ones. Further, the recorded interviews also resulted in heterogeneous, nonconcordant judgments. These results lead to two conclusions: that awareness of infertility is not present in the population studied or that it is present but the magnitude of its effect is quite small and that FACES III and the interview focus on adaptability and cohesion are not sensitive enough to measure the difficulties in these couples' relationships. This leads us to reflect on the type of psychiatric support available to infertile couples.
Sociotropy—Autonomy and Situation-Specific Anxiety
Authors: Sato Toru , McCann Doug , Ferguson-Isaac Cristen
Published: December 2005

Sociotropy and autonomy are conceptualized as two personality dimensions that relate to individuals' vulnerability to anxiety and depression. Sociotropy is characterized as an excessive investment in interpersonal relationships, and autonomy is characterized as an excessive concern with independence as well as a lack of concern for others. The present study investigated the relationships between sociotropy–autonomy and trait anxiety associated with four types of situations, i.e., Social Evaluation, Physical Danger, Ambiguous Situation, and Daily Routine. 255 undergraduate students completed the Sociotropy–Autonomy Scale, the Endler Multidimensional Anxiety Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Analyses indicated that scores on Sociotropy were positively correlated with rated trait anxiety in situations of Social Evaluation, Physical Danger, and Ambiguous Situations, whereas scores on Autonomy were positively correlated with rated trait anxiety in Daily Routines. These findings are discussed in the context of the diathesis-stress model of anxiety and depression.
Dissociative Symptoms in Kleptomania
Authors: Grant Jon E.
Published: December 2005

Many patients with kleptomania report an altered state of consciousness during acts of theft. The purpose of this investigation was to clarify a possible link between dissociation and kleptomania, a disabling disorder whose phenomenology remains understudied. 26 adult outpatients who met DSM–IV criteria for kleptomania were administered the Dissociative Experiences Scale and compared to 22 normal controls. The patients with kleptomania had scores that differed significantly from those reported by normal controls. There were no statistically significant differences by sex. Because kleptomania patients seeking treatment with medication may differ from others with kleptomania, further studies are needed.
Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Inventory: Factorial Structure and Life History Correlates among Japanese University Students
Authors: Kitamura Toshinori , Kishida Yasuko , Gatayama Ryohei , Matsuoka Takaaki , Miura Sotaro , Yamabe Kentaro
Published: December 2005

The theoretical model of psychological well-being that encompasses six domains (self-acceptance, positive relations with others, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and personal growth) was tested with a Japanese university student population ( N = 574) using a Japanese translation of Ryff's 1989 Psychological Well-being Inventory. A factor structure similar to Ryff's original model emerged. Both depression and anxiety correlated only moderately with scores on some subscales of the inventory, suggesting the relative independence of these dimensions of psychological well-being and negative affectivity. With negative affectivity controlled, some early life experiences were significantly linked with psychological well-being: relationships with romantic partners were linked with greater autonomy and experiences which enhance self-esteem were liked with greater personal growth. Careful psychometric work on the Japanese version is required to use the scale; then a replication and extension of the present study would be feasible.
Accuracy of Blood Glucose Estimation by Children with Diabetes: An Investigation of Repeated Practice with Growth Curve Modeling
Authors: Wagner Julie Ann , Ruggiero Laurie
Published: December 2005

This study used growth curve modeling to explore whether practicing the task of estimating blood glucose levels would increase accuracy in children with type 1 diabetes. It was predicted that accuracy would improve with practice and that younger, anxious, poorly adjusted children would improve most. 43 attendees at a diabetes summer camp participated. Their mean age was 13.4 yr. ( SD = 1.6). All were Euro-American, and 22 were girls. Change in accuracy was best represented by a quadratic function, and this model fit the data well. Overall, participants' accuracy improved initially and then deteriorated. Results indicate that older children were more likely to improve and then deteriorate. Younger children were more likely to improve and sustain those improvements. Results indicate that practicing the task of estimating is not an effective way to increase accuracy and may be contra-indicated. These results can help guide research and clinical use of glucose estimation in children.
Revisiting Relationships between Sex-Related Variables and Continuation in Counseling
Authors: Hatchett Gregory T. , Park Heather L.
Published: December 2005

This study examined the relationships between three sex-related variables (client sex, therapist sex, and dyad matching on sex) and continuation in counseling. 245 college students who were clients at three university counseling centers participated. Consistent with previous studies, women comprised 68.2% of the clients seeking services at these counseling centers. Clients' sex was significantly related to counseling duration, explaining 2.2% of the common variance. Female clients, on the average, attended 1.8 more sessions than male clients. However, neither the therapists' sex nor dyad matching on sex was significantly related to the duration of counseling. None of the sex-related variables correlated with premature termination of counseling. The results have implications for providing counseling and outreach services to male students. Despite relatively equivalent rates in the incidence of mental health problems, female students continue to comprise the majority of clients. Therefore, university counseling centers need to communicate their services better to male students in need of mental health services.
Neuropsychological Profile in Patients with Schizotypal Personality Disorder or Schizophrenia
Authors: Matsui Mié , Sumiyoshi Tomiki , Kato Kanade , Yoneyama Eiichi , Kurachi Masayoshi
Published: December 2005

Neuropsychological impairments have been consistently reported in patients with schizophrenia. As little is known whether subjects with schizotypal personality disorder exhibit neurocognitive dysfunction similar to that in schizophrenia, we assessed the neuropsychological profile of 15 subjects with schizotypal personality disorder and compared it with that for 15 patients with schizophrenia and for 15 psychiatrically normal volunteers. All participants were administered a standard neuropsychological battery assessing language ability, spatial ability, visuomotor function, verbal memory, visual memory, auditory attention, visual attention, and executive function. Performance on most of the cognitive domains was impaired in patients with schizotypal personality disorder but less than patients with schizophrenia. Specifically, impairment in verbal memory and visuomotor ability in patients with schizotypal personality disorder and patients with schizophrenia were comparable, while patients with schizophrenia performed worse on the test of executive function than did patients with schizotypal personality disorder. As a whole, cognitive deficits in patients with schizotypal personality disorder were qualitatively similar to, but quantitatively milder than, those for patients with schizophrenia. The results suggest that cognitive abilities related to frontotemporal lobe function are disturbed across these schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.
Changes in Middle Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials during Meditation
Authors: Telles Shirley , Naveen K. V.
Published: December 2005

In the present study of middle latency auditory evoked potentials during Brahmakumaris Raja Yoga meditation there was a decrease in the peak latency of the Na wave (a negative wave between 14 and 19 msec.) during meditation. Since the neural generator of this wave lies at the midbrain-thalamic level, from the results one can infer that the meditation reduces conduction time at this level.
Relationships among Alcohol Consumption, Drug Use, and Goal Orientation among College Students in the Southeastern USA
Authors: Ginn Sheryl R.
Published: December 2005

Students attending 2 different universities completed a Goals Inventory as well as a self-report survey designed to address their use of alcohol and other drugs. University 1 was a large, public state-supported school that did not restrict alcohol use. From this university were 30 male and 77 female students who ranged in age from 18–25 years ( M = 20 yr.). University 2 was a small, private church-affiliated school that enforced a no-alcohol-on-campus policy. This sample included 41 male and 50 female students, whose ages ranged from 18–24 years ( M = 19 yr.). More than half of the sample at each school had consumed alcohol at some time. While men drank more than women at University 1, the sex-ratio at University 2 was not different. Students at University 2 had higher learning and performance goal scores, alcohol-use scores, and drug-abuse scores than those at University 1. Students at University 2 had higher alcohol-abuse scores. Learning goal orientation was inversely related to alcohol-abuse behaviors but only at University 1. General alcohol use was inversely related to learning goal orientation at University 2. Students at both universities reported drinking to relieve tension. Those with a learning goal orientation were reportedly not drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. However, the relationship between alcohol use and abuse and performance is unclear because students had high performance scores at both universities along with high alcohol-use scores.
What Was Really Learned from Tasker and Golombok's (1995) Study of Lesbian and Single Parent Mothers?
Authors: Schumm Walter R.
Published: December 2005

Limitations of research on gays and family life are discussed, including the low statistical power of small samples, a condition which increases the likelihood of failing to reject null hypotheses. In particular, it is observed that Fitzgerald in 1999 shifted from very tentative arguments in her review of literature to rather conclusive statements in her abstract about outcomes for children of gay parents. Furthermore, an often quoted 1995 article by Tasker and Golombok, upon closer examination, appears to indicate that being raised in a lesbian family increases the odds of a child later adopting a homosexual lifestyle even in the absence of homosexual attractions. For such reasons, scholars and policymakers all should be very cautious in accepting, at face value, at least some of the research being reported on gays and family life.
Correlations of Religious Belief and Practice with College Students' Tattoo-Related Behavior
Authors: Koch Jerome R. , Roberts Alden E. , Armstrong Myrna L. , Owen Donna C.
Published: December 2005

This research builds on a large body of literature which suggests that religious belief and practice suppress deviant behavior. Survey data from 520 undergraduates (64% freshmen and sophomores; 70% female; 80% Euro-American) at a large public university in the southwest were examined for whether students' strength of religious faith, church attendance, or frequency of prayer correlated with their having a tattoo, being interested in tattoos, or being likely to get a (or another) tattoo. Analysis showed strength of religious faith had a weak, negative correlation with having a tattoo, being interested in tattoos, and being likely to get a (or another) tattoo. Church attendance also weakly correlated with a reduced interest in tattooing. Since the strength of the numerous correlations was very low and barely reached statistical significance, religious belief and behavior do not appear to be associated substantively with attitudes and behavior regarding tattoos. This suggests increasing cultural acceptance of tattooing.
Effects of Ontogeny on Performance of Rats in a Novel Object-Recognition Task
Authors: Anderson Matthew J. , Barnes Gary W. , Briggs James F. , Ashton Katie M. , Moody Erik W. , Joynes Robin L. , Riccio David C.
Published: December 2005

The current experiment investigated ontogenetic forgetting on a novel object-recognition task similar to that of Besheer and Bevins. 18-day-old pups ( n = 49) and adult ( n = 29) rats were tested at two retention intervals (1 min. or 120 min.). By employing exclusion criteria which demanded minimum amounts of object exploration at training and test, the performance of 18-day-old pups but not that of adults was significantly impaired at 120 min. relative to 1 min. Analysis indicated that the ontogeny of the learning and memory measured in novel object recognition follows a developmental trend similar to that of other forms of learning, with older animals remembering more and thus performing better than younger animals. Unfortunately, given the extreme variability inherent to the task and large N necessary to achieve significance, the use of this task in studies of learning, memory, and development is discouraged.
Tone of Postcards in Increasing Survey Response Rates
Authors: Price James H. , Yingling Faith , Walsh Eileen , Murnan Judy , Dake Joseph A.
Published: December 2005

This study assessed differences in response rates to a series of three-wave mail surveys when amiable or insistently worded postcards were the third wave of the mailing. Three studies were conducted; one with a sample of 600 health commissioners, one with a sample of 680 vascular nurses, and one with 600 elementary school secretaries. The combined response rates for the first and second wave mailings were 65.8%, 67.6%, and 62.4%, respectively. A total of 308 amiable and 308 insistent postcards were sent randomly to nonrespondents as the third wave mailing. Overall, there were 41 amiable and 52 insistent postcards returned, not significantly different by chi-square test. However, a separate chi-square test for one of the three studies, the nurses' study, did find a significant difference in favor of the insistently worded postcards.
Workaholism, Self-Esteem, and Motives for Money
Authors: Burke Ronald J.
Published: December 2005

This study examined correlations of workaholism types among 69 male and 86 female undergraduate business students. Three types were considered (Work Addicts, Work Enthusiasts, and Enthusiastic Addicts) using measures developed in 1992 by Spence and Robbins. Correlates included personal demographics, self-esteem, and motives for money. Work Addicts indicated significantly lower self-esteem than both Work Enthusiasts and Enthusiastic Addicts; the workaholism types mentioned above did not differ on motives for money, however.
Machiavellianism Scores and Self-Rated Performance of Automobile Salespersons
Authors: Aziz Abdul
Published: December 2005

Machiavellianism (Mach-B) was positively correlated with self-reported number of vehicles sold and income in two samples of 80 car salespersons. The Mach-B scale showed higher internal consistency and significant relationship with sales performance. The Mach IV scale, used for one of two samples, showed low internal consistency and a nonsignificant relationship with performance. The results provided partial support for earlier findings. Research designed to clarify this finding is required.
Development of a Short Form of the Treatment Evaluation Inventory for Acceptability of Psychological Interventions
Authors: Newton J. T. , Sturmey P.
Published: December 2005

The Treatment Evaluation Inventory of Kazdin, French, and Sherick is a 19-item measure of the perceived acceptability of behavioural treatments. Development of two brief forms was based on data from two sources. For Study 1, data from 218 completed questionnaires were used to develop internally consistent brief scales. In Study 2 internal consistency and the validity of the brief forms were estimated for a set of 131 questionnaires. Item reduction was achieved by analysis of item-total minus item correlations. Brief forms with 3, 6, 9, and 12 items were proposed. Their internal consistency (Cronbach α) and construct validity were based on correlations of scores on each short form with the full scale scores and on comparing means of different forms. Discriminant validity was based on the difference between two groups (estimated effect size 0.7). Scores for all forms showed high internal consistency and correlated highly with total scale scores. Only the 12-item brief scale yielded mean scores similar to the full scale. The 3-item form could be used as a quick screen, and the 12-item form for more intensive purposes as it is most similar to the full-scale.
Test-Retest Reliability of the Holyoake Codependency Index with Australian Students
Authors: Dear Greg E.
Published: December 2005

The Holyoake Codependency Index is a 13-item self-report measure of three aspects of codependency: External Focus, Self-sacrifice, and a sense of being overwhelmed by another person's problematic behavior (termed Reactivity). Previous studies have supported internal validity and the internal consistency and construct validity of the subscales. The present scores for 59 students indicate full scale test-retest reliability of .88 and for subscales (.76 to .82) over a 3-wk. interval.
Some Normative Data on Mental Health Professionals' Attitudes about Racial Minorities and Women
Authors: Green Robert G. , Hamlin Hailey , Ogden Vickie , Walters Kim
Published: December 2005

Although codes of ethics of the mental health professions and the recently developed race- and gender-specific models of counseling and psychotherapy stipulate positive and accepting attitudes toward racial minorities and women, formal assessment of these attitudes has been hindered by the absence of appropriate measurement tools and generalizable data. This study provides some normative data by reporting responses of 705 psychologists and social workers to the Quick Discrimination Index, a psychometrically sound 23-item self-report measure previously administered to several different professional groups. Analysis indicated psychologists and social workers reported particularly positive attitudes toward racial minorities and women but expressed the same racial and sex contradictions, ambivalences, and vulnerabilities reported by the general public.
Redefining Delusion Based on Studies of Subjective Paranormal Ideation
Authors: Houran James , Lange Rense
Published: December 2005

The DSM–IV definition of delusion is argued to be unsatisfactory because it does not explain the mechanism for delusion formation and maintenance, it implies that such beliefs are necessarily dysfunctional (pathological), it underestimates the social component to some delusions, and it is inconsistent with research indicating that delusions can be modified through techniques such as contradiction, confrontation, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, a well-replicated mathematical model of magical/delusional thinking based on a study of paranormal beliefs and experiences is consistent with the hypothesis that attributional processes play a central role in delusion formation and maintenance. The model suggests attributional processes serve the adaptive function of reducing fear associated with ambiguous stimuli and delusional thinking is on a continuum with nonpathological forms. Based on this collective research an amendment to the definition of delusion is proposed and its clinical implications are addressed.
A Simple Computational Alternative to Analysis of Variance Formulas for Estimating the K-Judge Reliability
Authors: Feldt Leonard S. , Charter Richard A.
Published: December 2005

Formulas requiring the computation of only three standard deviations are presented for computing the interjudge reliability coefficient for any number of judges. These formulas yield coefficients identical to those obtained from a one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. Even researchers with small handheld calculators can use this simple approach.
Cross-National Stability of a Leadership Model
Authors: Marcoulides George A. , Marcoulides Laura D. , Nathanael Panayiota , Soteriou Andreas
Published: December 2005

This study explored 60 Greek-Cypriot managers' perceptions of different dimensions of leadership. Analyses using structural equation modeling were performed to examine the invariance of the Flamholtz six-factor leadership model. The same leadership styles observed in samples from countries previously studied were present in the sample from Cyprus. In terms of the importance assigned to each style of leadership, Cypriot managers emphasized the more directive styles to a greater extent than other styles.
Three Stress Groups on Their Stressors and Reactions to Stressors in Five Studies
Authors: Gadzella Bernadette M.
Published: December 2005

A comparison of means and SDs for responses from three stress groups on the Student-life Stress Inventory in five studies over 13 years.
Internal Consistency Reliability and Construct Validity of an Arabic Translation of the Shortened Form of the Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Attitudes Scales
Authors: Alkhateeb Haitham M.
Published: December 2005

A sample of 480 (246 boys and 234 girls) students in Grade 11 in the United Arab Emirates completed an Arabic version of the shortened form of the Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Attitudes Scales. A factor analysis of the intercorrelations of responses to 51 items indicated the same general factors as in the original study. Internal consistency estimates of the reliability of scores on the total scale and on each scale for the short form were acceptable, with coefficients alpha ranging from .72 to .89.
Divergent, Criterion-Related, and Discriminant Validities for the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale
Authors: Abdel-Khalek Ahmed M.
Published: December 2005

Three analyses were carried out. Analysis I estimated the correlation between the total score of the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale and a self-rating scale of happiness with large sample of male ( n = 1,312) and female ( n = 1,272) Kuwaiti adolescents. Pearson product-moment correlations were –.43 and –.44 ( p < .001) for boys and girls, respectively, suggesting divergent validity of the anxiety scale. Analysis II examined the correlations between scores on the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale and the Somatic Symptoms Inventory for a nonclinical sample of women ( n = 30), and female outpatients with anxiety disorder ( n = 30). Pearson product-moment correlations were, respectively, .85 and .53 ( p < .001), which support the criterion-related validity of the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale with respect to the Somatic Symptoms Inventory. In Analysis III a sample of 60 male and female outpatients with anxiety disorder and 60 nonclinical participants were matched on age, education, and occupation. All responded individually to the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale. Significant differences among groups, especially noticeable for men, support the discriminant validity of the scale. So, the clinical as well as research use of the scale can be recommended. By and large, the divergent, discriminant, and criterion-related validities of the scale have been adequately supported so subsequent replication is expected.
Desire for Control and Communication-Related Personality Variables
Authors: MacIntyre Peter D. , Donovan Leslie A.
Published: December 2005

In a sample of 95 university students, scores on a measure of desire for control correlated .37 with willingness to communicate, supporting the notion of control as a motive for communication and also correlated .43 with self-perceived communication competence but not with communication apprehension.
Loneliness in Cancer and Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Authors: Rokach Ami
Published: December 2005

Loneliness is a universal social phenomenon often producing debilitating effects on many aspects of human functioning. The present study compared the qualitative aspects of loneliness in two terminally ill samples to that of a more healthy sample. 329 multiple sclerosis and 315 cancer patients, as well as 391 nonrandom healthy participants answered a 30-item questionnaire on loneliness. Analysis indicated the experience of loneliness which characterizes multiple sclerosis and cancer patients differs from that of the more healthy group.
Toward a Phenomenology of Trance Logic in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Beshai J. A.
Published: December 2005

Some induction procedures result in trance logic as an essential feature of hypnosis. Trance logic is a voluntary state of acceptance of suggestions without the critical evaluation that would destroy the validity of the meaningfulness of the suggestion. Induction procedures in real and simulated conditions induce a conflict between two contradictory messages in experimental hypnosis. In military induction the conflict is much more subtle involving society's need for security and its need for ethics. Such conflicts are often construed by the subject as trance logic. Trance logic provides an opportunity for therapists using the phenomenology of “presence” to deal with the objectified concepts of “avoidance,” “numbing” implicit in this kind of dysfunctional thinking in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. An individual phenomenology of induction procedures and suggestions, which trigger trance logic, may lead to a resolution of logical fallacies and recurring painful memories. It invites a reconciliation of conflicting messages implicit in phobias and avoidance traumas. Such a phenomenological analysis of trance logic may well be a novel approach to restructure the meaning of trauma.
Help-Seeking for Mental Health Problems of Children: Preferences and Attitudes in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Eapen Valsamma , Ghubash Rafia
Published: December 2005

Parental attitudes, religious beliefs, and other sociocultural factors have all been recognized to influence help-seeking patterns in relation to child psychiatric morbidity. But few systematic studies have addressed this issue in the Arab region. In this study, we investigated the help-seeking preferences for mental health problems in a community sample. 325 parents contacted as part of a community-based study of child psychiatric disorders were surveyed using a semistructured interview schedule. Only 38% of those surveyed indicated they would seek help from mental health specialists in the event of psychiatric problems developing in a family member, including their children. Main reasons given for nonconsultation were reluctance to acknowledge that a member of their family has a mental illness, stigma attached to attending mental health services, and the skepticism about the usefulness of mental health services. Willingness to utilize psychiatric services was associated with better parental education, occupation, and socioeconomic status. Our results suggest that sociocultural factors and parental perceptions may have a major effect on whether children with psychiatric disturbance receive professional help.
Analyzing the Aesthetic Impressions of Alexithymic Japanese Students
Authors: Suzuki Miho , Gyoba Jiro , Kano Michiko
Published: December 2005

We investigated the association between alexithymic tendencies as measured by the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the characteristics of aesthetic impressions for words and drawings. Impressions were measured using the semantic differential technique in three groups of Japanese students (High scores n = 31, Moderate scores n = 40, and a Control group n = 182) who were presented only words (Word condition), only drawings (Drawing condition), or pairs comprising one word plus one drawing that represented the same emotional categories (Drawing/Word condition). In a factor analysis on the data from participants, three factors (Evaluation, Activity, and Potency) were extracted. Based on the factor scores, the distances among the three conditions were calculated for each of the groups. For Potency, significant group differences were found between the Drawing/Word and other conditions. In the High-scoring alexithymia group, in particular, the Potency impressions based on tactile sensation, e.g., soft–hard, blunt–sharp, were amplified regardless of stimulus condition. These results are discussed in the context of somatosensory amplification associated with alexithymia and the difficulty of distinguishing between emotion and somatic sensations.
Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy of South African High School Boys and Girls
Authors: Eaton Mark C. , Watson Mark B. , Foxcroft Cheryl D. , Patton Wendy
Published: December 2005

Social cognitive career theory suggests that males and females may not differ in career decision-making self-efficacy, but this statement requires extension of research to high school samples. The Career Decision-making Self-efficacy Scale–Short Form was administered to white South African high school students in Grades 9 to 11, of whom 368 were boys and 494 girls. No significant sex differences were found, suggesting that career interventions based on social cognitive career theory in high school need not be sex-specific in content.
Task Performance and Metacognitive Experiences in Problem-Solving
Authors: Akama Kenichi , Yamauchi Hirotsugu
Published: December 2005

The effects of task performance on metacognitive experiences and relations between task performance and metacognitive experiences in problem-solving were examined with 69 Japanese undergraduate students. The task was a puzzle called the cross breaker, consisting of seven pieces, and several figures were constructed by using those seven pieces. Eight types of metacognitive experiences, before and after performing the task, were rated. Participants were classified into Success and Failure groups based on their task performance. Use of all but two metacognitive experiences differed between the groups. There were medium to high positive and negative correlations for metacognitive experiences with performance after the puzzle task, whereas metacognitive experiences before the task generally had no significant correlations with performance. Despite small N, participants' metacognitive experiences seemed to reflect their actual performance, suggesting that people obtain information from their performance and use it to revise their metacognitive experiences. Furthermore, metacognitive experiences may help people solve similar problems in the future.
Rates of Homicide and Suicide on Major National Holidays
Authors: Bridges F. Stephen
Published: December 2005

Rates of U.S. homicides and suicides during 1972–1979 were higher on 7 major national holidays except one for homicides and were lower for suicides, except New Year's Day as Lester noted for 1972–1979.
Anger and the ABC Model Underlying Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy
Authors: Ziegler Daniel J. , Smith Phillip N.
Published: December 2005

The ABC model underlying Ellis's Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy predicts that people who think more irrationally should display greater trait anger than do people who think less irrationally. This study tested this prediction regarding the ABC model. 186 college students were administered the Survey of Personal Beliefs and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory–Second Edition to measure irrational thinking and trait anger, respectively. Students who scored higher on Overall Irrational Thinking and Low Frustration Tolerance scored significantly higher on Trait Anger than did those who scored lower on Overall Irrational Thinking and Low Frustration Tolerance. This indicates support for the ABC model, especially Ellis's construct of irrational beliefs which is central to the model.
Measuring Attitude with Positively Packed Self-Report Ratings: Comparison of Agreement and Frequency Scales
Authors: Brown Gavin T. L.
Published: December 2005

Self-report rating scales with balanced response formats, anchored with vague frequency of activity indicators, often elicit inadequate information, especially when respondents are inclined toward a generally positive attitude toward the psychological object being rated. This study used an unbalanced or positively packed rating scale with both frequency and agreement response anchors within the context of a questionnaire about studying and learning practices and conceptions for high school students ( N=734). Psychometric characteristics and communication factors were investigated using 12 pairs of items for which both frequency and agreement response formats were used. Communication factors identified by Schwarz in 1999 such as small changes in wording provided adequate explanation for changes in response rate or fit to the IRT measurement model for three pairs of items. Although psychometric evidence of the superiority of agreement over frequency response format was not conclusive, continued use of agreement anchors with a positively packed rating scale appears justified.
Parents' Assessments of How Much Time They Spend with Their Children at Different Ages
Authors: Åman-Back S. , Björkqvist K.
Published: December 2005

The self-reported amount of active engagement time parents ( n = 1107) and children ( n = 773) spend together was investigated with questionnaires. Mothers spent more time with their children than fathers did. The amount of parental quality time decreased with the age of the child, the average across age groups being 4.4 ± 3.0 hr. for mothers and 3.0 ± 2.9 hr. for fathers per day. Children reported spending roughly 1 hour more time with their parents than the latter reported.
Engagement and Burnout: Analysing Their Association Patterns
Authors: Durán Auxiliadora , Extremera Natalio , Rey Lourdes
Published: December 2005

This study explored the negative patterns of association between Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization with the dimensions of Engagement, while it was hypothesized a positive link with Personal Accomplishment. The sample was composed by 112 Spanish human services professionals who work with mentally retarded people. The analysis showed moderate negative correlations among scores on Emotional Exhaustion and on all three Engagement scales (–55 for Vigor; –.41 for Dedication; –.24 for Absorption), positive correlations among scores on Personal Accomplishment and Engagement dimensions (Vigor .57; Dedication .54; Absorption .50), and only significant correlations between scores on Depersonalization and Vigor (–.39) and on Dedication (–.22). The data obtained using the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey did not support the hypothesis of stronger negative correlations between the measures, Emotional Exhaustion–Vigor and Depersonalization–Dedication, hypothesized in the conceptual model developed by Schaufeli, Salanova, González-Romá, and Bakker.
Attrition Biases in a Study of Euro-American and African-American Marriages
Authors: Oggins Jean
Published: December 2005

Based on survey data from 174 Euro-American and 199 African-American newlywed couples, this study analyzed attrition biases by comparing first-year responses of couples who stayed in the study into its third year (133 Euro-American and 115 African-American couples) with responses from the initial sample. Stayers—who were more likely than leavers to be better educated, wealthier, and Euro-American—tended to report happier, more affirming, more communicative marriages. For stayers, compared to a random subsample of the original sample, first-year marital happiness also correlated significantly less strongly with first-year reports of receiving affirmation from a spouse, having an unsupportive spouse, and engaging in marital conflict. Further, race differences in predictors of happiness for the initial sample were not evident among stayers, perhaps due to smaller variances in reported marital happiness and frequency of conflict for African-American stayers compared to African Americans in the original sample. Methodological implications for cross-cultural longitudinal studies are discussed.
Differences in Styles of Writing about a Tragic Public Event over Time
Authors: Lee Chang H. , Park Jongmin
Published: December 2005

This pilot study analyzed the actual language used in two writing samples by university students (8 men, 28 women) about a tragic public incident, the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack. To analyze samples a computer-based text-analysis program with a wide range of psychological dimensions and linguistic variables was used. More words and more past tense verbs were used right after the incident. Words related to religion, family, and home increased dramatically right after the incident.
Empirical Tests on Regressive Estimations: Implications on Surveys and Diaries
Authors: Toh Rex S. , Lee Eunkyu , Hu Michael Y.
Published: December 2005

Using a large real-life corporate database initially consisting of 3,990 heads of households stratified on the basis of various demographic and geographic variables, and whose communication activities (long distance telephone calls, letters, cards, and visits) were surveyed and monitored, this study investigated the direction as well as magnitude of estimation errors in survey responses and diary entries. Supporting the 1994 Fiedler and Armbruster psychometric formulation and conjecture, we show that estimation errors in reports of the frequency and duration of people's own communication activities exhibit a consistent tendency to regress toward the mean. This regressive estimation is greater for those who are further away from the mean in actual behavior and is proportional to the actual deviation from the mean. Furthermore, this regressive estimation is inversely related to the average frequency across behavioral categories. An important implication of our findings is that the distribution of estimated behavioral frequencies and durations appear more concentrated in surveys than they actually are in the general population, although the general shape of the distribution is unaffected.
Sensation Seeking and Symptoms of Disruptive Disorder: Association with Nicotine, Alcohol, and Marijuana Use in Early and Mid-Adolescence
Authors: Martin Catherine A. , Kelly Thomas H. , Rayens Mary Kay , Brogli Bethanie , Himelreich Kathryn , Brenzel Allen , Bingcang Christopher M. , Omar Hatim
Published: December 2005

This study examined the association of Sensation Seeking and symptoms of Disruptive Disorders and investigated the associations of each with the risk of nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana use in 11- to 14-yr.-old boys and girls from psychiatric and pediatric clinics ( n = 206). Sensation Seeking and symptoms of Disruptive Disorder were significantly related, and both were associated with drug use. In particular, Sensation Seeking was strongly associated with drug use in early and mid-adolescents seen in a clinical setting. Measurement of Sensation Seeking and symptoms of Disruptive Disorder should help identify and characterize youth who are at increased risk for drug use during early and mid-adolescence—a time when onset of use may be a harbinger of long-term habit.
Epistemological Exploration: Generalization of Learning Styles and Analytical Skills between Academic and Religious Materials
Authors: Westman Alida S. , Alexander Nicholas A.
Published: December 2005

Among 139 students (mean age 21.8, SD = 3.5), use of Schmeck's Deep Processing learning style (looking for conceptual understanding) on academic materials correlated modestly with its use on religious materials. The same was true for Elaborative Processing (looking for associations and applications). Both Deep and Elaborative Processing of academic materials correlated with better Analytical Skills. Only Elaborative Processing of religious materials correlated with Religiousness. Religiousness correlated with poorer Analytical Skills on academic materials and with a more Concrete Divine Concept; however, specific religious affiliation made a difference. Our understanding of the role of contents of materials and characteristics of learners on the types of learning strategies used and competence with cognitive skills is still very limited.
Relation of Emotional Intelligence to Emotional Recognition and Mood Management
Authors: Hakanen Ernest A.
Published: December 2005

This study replicated Petrides and Furnham's 2000 test of the multidimensional nature of the Emotional Intelligence Scale by Schutte, et al. A survey of 153 college students ( M age = 25.0, SD = 4.4, 54.2% women) was performed. Four factors which closely resembled previous ones were found although there were some differences in item loadings. The factors were Optimism, Mood Management, Nonverbal, and Empathy. Then, the total and factor scores were examined for their relationship to scores on the Emotional Recognition and Mood Management Inventories developed by Wells and Hakanen in 1991 for the purpose of testing predictive validity and developing measures with high internal validity.
Islam and the “Universal” Gender Difference in Religious Commitment: A Brief Report in Response to Stark (2002)
Authors: Schumm Walter R.
Published: December 2005

Stark (2002) demonstrated across 57 nations that men were less likely to report being religiously oriented than were women. He concluded that a physiological difference in risk-taking among younger males might account for disinterest in religion among such males, although he would prefer to explain the gender difference as a consequence of socialization. One socialization hypothesis overlooked by Stark was that Islam as a religion might have been developed, in a small part, as a response to the gender differential observed in earlier religions. Reanalysis of Stark's 2002 data indicates that Islamic nations were more likely to yield smaller gender differences on religious questions, although the effect ranged from p <.06 to a significant p < .005, depending on the method of analysis.
Is Underutilization of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities a Major Barrier to Innovation?
Authors: Länsisalmi Hannakaisa , Kivimäki Mika , Elovainio Marko
Published: December 2005

750 employees from 40 small and middle-sized industrial enterprises participated in a study of the extent to which perceived utilization of knowledge, skills, and abilities among personnel is associated with innovative performance. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses, based on structured questionnaire survey and data from organizational and national registers, showed that perceived underutilization of knowledge, skills, and abilities was statistically significantly associated with low innovative performance across all innovation indicators and even after the effects of other major barriers to innovation and a large set of other potential confounding factors had been controlled for. These findings underline the importance of efficient identification, utilization, and allocation of expertise in innovative activities.
Validity and Reliability of the Spanish Modified Version of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale
Authors: Fernandez-Berrocal Pablo , Extremera Natalio , Ramos Natalia
Published: December 2005

This study examined validity and reliability of the Spanish modified version of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale in a sample of 292 Spanish undergraduates. The internal consistency estimates for subscales were all above .85, and the test-retest correlations after 4 wk. ranged from .60 to .83. The correlations between scores on the Spanish modified version of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale subscales and criterion measures (Beck Depression Inventory, Satisfaction With Life Scale, and Ruminative Responses Scale) were in the expected direction. In summary, the Spanish modified version of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale had appropriate reliability and significant relations with criterion variables as in previous studies with the English version.
Hitchhikers' Smiles and Receipt of Help
Authors: Guéguen Nicolas , Fischer-Lokou Jacques
Published: December 2005

The positive association of smiling on helping behavior is well established in social psychology. Nevertheless, no study was found for the effect of smiling on hitchhiking success. An experiment was carried out in France where hitchhiking is a legal and common practice. Four confederates, 2 young men and 2 young women, selected for their “average attractiveness” hitchhiked, signaled to 800 (503 men and 297 women) motorists driving along the road on a peninsula. In half of the cases, the confederate smiled at the motorist. Analysis showed that, when hitchhiking women were smiling, motorists stopped more frequently but not when hitchhikers were men. Also, in all conditions, motorists who stopped were male.
Factor Structure and Internal Consistency of the Spanish Version of the Gordon Test of Visual Imagery Control
Authors: Pérez-Fabello María José , Campos Alfredo
Published: December 2005

We examined the factor structure and internal consistency of the Spanish version of the Gordon Test of Visual Imagery Control, as well as the correlations with scores on the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire and the Verbalizer-Visualizer Questionnaire, for a sample of 479 undergraduates. Principal components analysis, followed by varimax orthogonal rotation, identified the expected four factors (Movement, Misfortune, Colour, and Stationarity), which jointly explained 55% of the variance. The Gordon Test had a Cronbach α value of .69 and correlated significantly with scores on Marks' Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire.
Correlations between Personal Preferences and Age for a Sample of Japanese Open University Students
Authors: Takigasaki Takashi , Fujimura Kunihiro
Published: December 2005

The Edwards Personal Preference Schedule was administered to open university students of various ages (95 men, 164 women). For both men and women, the scores on Order had positive correlation and those on Heterosexuality had negative correlation with age. Scores on Deference and Endurance had positive correlations for women. It is considered that the changes of these preferences by age would reflect social experiences accumulated over time.