bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Employee Engagement and Job Satisfaction in the Information Technology Industry
Authors: Kamalanabhan T. J. , Sai L. Prakash , Mayuri Duggirala
Published: September 2010

Employee engagement has been identified as being important to employee productivity and performance. Measures of employee engagement and job satisfaction in the context of information technology (IT) were developed to explore how employee engagement affects perceived job satisfaction. In a sample of IT professionals ( N = 159), controlling for age, sex, job tenure, and marital status, employee engagement had a significant and positive correlation with job satisfaction.
Teacher Role Stress, Satisfaction, Commitment, and Intentions to Leave: A Structural Model
Authors: Conley Sharon , You Sukkyung
Published: September 2010

Structural equation modeling was used to assess the plausibility of a conceptual model specifying hypothesized linkages among teachers' perceptions of the role stresses of role ambiguity, role conflict, and role overload and commitment, satisfaction, and intentions to leave their employing school. 178 teachers in four high schools in a southern coastal region of California responded to survey questions designed to capture the above constructs. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess whether the role-stress items fit hypothesized constructs. Structural equation modeling results indicated that satisfaction and commitment are two mediators in the role stresses–intentions to leave relationship.
Do Women Spend More Time in the Restroom than Men?
Authors: Baillie Michelle A. , Fraser Shawndel , Brown Michael J.
Published: September 2010

120 college students were observed entering and exiting a public restroom. A significant sex difference was found (Cohen d = .34).
Learning Capacity in Adolescents with Mild Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Tiekstra Marlous , Hessels Marco G. P. , Minnaert Alexander E. M. G.
Published: September 2010

Scores on a learning potential test (the Hessels Analogical Reasoning Test) were examined to assess how to provide a better estimate of the learning capacity of students with mild intellectual disabilities compared to IQ scores. As a criterion, a dynamic test of chemistry learning was used. 46 adolescents from a special education institute participated. The results show that learning ability, as estimated with the learning potential test, did not correlate with a traditional measure of IQ ( n = 23). Moreover, IQ did not predict who would profit from training in novel, school-related domains. Multiple-regression analysis confirmed the superiority of the learning potential test to predict scores on a chemistry test administered in training–posttest format. This study demonstrated that a learning potential test is able to better predict such specific future learning outcomes and may be of added value in the differentiation of the learning potential of students with mild intellectual disabilities.
Prosecuting Attempted Suicides in London: 1891–1913
Authors: Lester David
Published: September 2010

A study of 30 cases of attempted suicide tried at the Old Bailey criminal court in London (England) from 1891 to 1913 indicated that having made prior attempts was the only predictor of the severity of the sentence. 22 individuals were tried for murdering or attempting to murder their child and also attempting suicide. None of the murderers but half of the attempted murderers were found not guilty, or guilty then released. Mothers used drowning more than did fathers and were more likely to be found not guilty.
Further Examination of the Organizational Culture Scale of Artifacts
Authors: Bonavia Tomas , Molina J. Gabriel , Boada Joan
Published: September 2010

The construct validity of a 10-item scale oriented to measure traditional culture, the Organizational Culture Scale of Artifacts, was analyzed under the hypothesis of unidimensionality. Confirmatory factor analysis took into account the method effects associated with reverse-worded items. Based on the data from one-half of a sample of 926 participants (79.8% male; M age = 33.4 yr., SD = 12.8), working in different companies supported a unidimensional structure, with the elimination of two items from the scale. The resulting 8-item scale was reanalyzed, this time with the second half of the split sample. Support was found for the scale's unidimensionality with this second data set.
Revisiting the Factorial Validity of the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale: A Test of Competing Models in a Sample of Teachers
Authors: Dussault Marc , Fernet Claude , Austin Stéphanie , Leroux Mathieu
Published: September 2010

Over the years, various studies addressing different populations have consistently raised concerns about the unidimensionality of the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. In the present study, the factorial structure of the scale was examined by comparing it to alternative models. In a sample of 1,157 French Canadian teachers, results of confirmatory factor analysis support a three-factor model solution. Support for the invariance of this model across sexes and teaching levels (i.e., elementary and high school) was also obtained.
Development of Infants' Request Expressions from 11 to 15 Months
Authors: Kutsuki Aya , Ogura Tamiko , Egami Sonoko , Itakura Shoji ,   Japan Children's Study Group
Published: September 2010

Between 10 and 15 months of age, infants seem to become increasingly communicative. The focus of this study was changes in request behavior among infants at ages 11, 13, and 15 months ( N = 22) in a longitudinal design. Changes in durations and frequencies of four different modes of behavior were examined, namely, use of hands, eye gaze, facial expression, and vocalization. Both frequencies and durations of the behaviors expressing requests increased with age, while those of nonrequest behaviors showed a different trend. Also investigated were changes in temporal coordination of different request modes. A greater number of infants used greater combinations of co-occurring modes when they were older than when they were younger.
A Note of Caution about the “Moral Judgment Test in Physical Education” (MJT–PE)
Authors: Lind Georg
Published: September 2010

A new test, the Moral Judgment Test–PE (MJT–PE), has good validity but scores on Competence should be used with great care. These scores will differ from those of the original Moral Judgment Test (MJT) because the single dilemma is targeted to the specific population of interest, physical educators. This reduces the variance in such a way that scores on the new test cannot be compared with or interpreted in the same way as scores on the original MJT. Careful research would be needed to develop norms for the MJT–PE; in the meantime, the two tests should be used together so that the C-scores can be interpreted with confidence.
Postoperative Delirium is Associated with Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction at One Week after Cardiac Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Hudetz Judith A. , Byrne Alison J. , Patterson Kathleen M. , Pagel Paul S. , Warltier David C.
Published: September 2010

Postoperative delirium with cognitive impairment frequently occurs after cardiac surgery. It was hypothesized that delirium is associated with residual postoperative cognitive dysfunction in patients after surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass. Male cardiac surgical patients ( M age = 66 yr., SD = 8; M education = 13 yr., SD = 2) and nonsurgical controls ( M age = 62, SD = 7; M education = 12, SD = 2) 55 years of age or older were balanced on age and education. Delirium was assessed by the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist preoperatively and for up to 5 days postoperatively. Recent verbal and nonverbal memory and executive functions were assessed (as scores on particular tests) before and 1 wk. after surgery. In 56 patients studied ( n = 28 Surgery; n=28 Nonsurgery), nine patients from the Surgery group developed delirium. In the Surgery group, the proportion of patients having postoperative cognitive dysfunction was significantly greater in those who experienced delirium (89%) compared with those who did not (37%). The odds of developing this dysfunction in patients with delirium were 14 times greater than those who did not. Postoperative delirium is associated with scores for residual postoperative cognitive dysfunction 1 wk. after cardiac surgery.
Family Moves and Depression among Coast Guard Wives
Authors: McGarigal Alyssa , Jablonski Jessica , Ferri Christine , Lester David
Published: September 2010

A comparison of 78 Coast Guard wives' and 30 firefighters' wives' scores on Zung's self-rating scale for depression showed no differences, but the Coast Guard wives had more often been prescribed antidepressants. Scores on a scale to assess the negative effects of moving were positively associated with current depression for the Coast Guard wives.
Alexithymia in Severely Obese Patients Seeking Surgical Treatment
Authors: Marechal Virginie , Loas Gwenolé , Legrand Alain , Corcos Maurice
Published: September 2010

The purpose of the study was to examine the rate of alexithymia as measured by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale in a sample of severely obese subjects, as well as the relationships between this dimension and five other dimensions found in obesity: depression, anhedonia, external locus of control, impulsivity, and interpersonal dependency. A second purpose was to test the hypothesis that alexithymia could be a prognosis factor in severely obese subjects seeking bariatric surgery. 49 severely obese and 40 psychiatric patients presenting mood, neurotic, or personality disorders participated. Analyses showed a significantly lower rate of alexithymia in severely obese (42.9%) than in psychiatric patients (67.5%). Interpersonal dependency was the main predictor of alexithymia in the two samples and impulsivity as well as anhedonia were independent predictors of alexithymia only in the severely obese sample. Preoperative Body Mass Index was the sole predictor of 1-yr. postoperative Body Mass Index in severely obese subjects receiving surgical treatment.
Does the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale Measure Alexithymia? A Study of Natural Language Use
Authors: Meganck Reitske , Vanheule Stijn , Desmet Mattias , Inslegers Ruth
Published: September 2010

Construct validity of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS–20) was investigated by analyzing natural language use. It was hypothesized that the TAS–20 should be related to a lower use of emotion words and fewer references to social processes. 32 clinical interviews with mental health outpatients were analyzed with four categories of the computerized Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count dictionary: positive emotions, negative emotions, references to others, and communication words. The Difficulty Identifying Feelings subscale was positively related to negative emotion words, the Difficulty Describing Feelings subscale showed no relevant associations, and the Externally Oriented Thinking subscale was related to reduced use of positive emotion words and social process words. It is concluded that in this sample, the Externally Oriented Thinking subscale provides the best operationalization of the alexithymia construct.
A Fair Day's Wage? Perceptions of Public Sector Pay
Authors: Furnham Adrian , Stieger Stefan , Haubner Tanja , Voracek Martin , Swami Viren
Published: September 2010

There is a scarcity of evidence pertaining to the general public's perception of public sector pay. Hence, in the present study, 161 women and 149 men were asked to estimate the wages 35 public sector professions should receive annually in the fictitious nation of Maldoria, based on a comparison value of an annual income of T10,000 for general practitioners. Analysis showed that only pilots were given a higher annual income than general practitioners; miners and local government workers were also provided with relatively high annual incomes. By contrast, newscasters were provided with the lowest annual income. Participants' sex did not affect these evaluations, and other demographic variables and public sector-related information of the participants were poor predictors of their evaluations. The implications of this research on public attitudes toward wage determination are discussed, and avenues for further research highlighted.
Demographic Correlates of Just World and Unjust Beliefs in an Austrian Sample
Authors: Furnham Adrian , Swami Viren , Voracek Martin , Stieger Stefan
Published: September 2010

320 Viennese adult participants (47.5% female) in a population sample completed two questionnaires measuring just world beliefs that were scored separately for just and unjust world beliefs. The study aimed to investigate the role of sex and age, as well as religious and political beliefs on just and unjust world beliefs. Older males who identified with a more left-wing political orientation tended to have lower scores on just world beliefs on Rubin and Peplau's scale, while better educated people tended to score lower on the unjust world subscale on both scales, although both predictors explained less than 6% of the variance in scores.
Sex Differences in Memory Estimates for Pictures and Words with Multiple Recall Trials
Authors: Ionescu Marcos D.
Published: September 2010

Undergraduate students (23 men and 23 women) provided memory performance estimates before and after each of three recall trials involving 80 stimuli (40 pictures and 40 words). No sex differences were found across trials for the total recall of items or for the recall of pictures and words separately. A significant increase in recall for pictures (not words) was found for both sexes across trials. The previous results of Ionescu were replicated on the first and second recall trials: men underestimated their performance on the pictures and women underestimated their performance on the word items. These differences in postrecall estimates were not found after the third recall trial: men and women alike underestimated their performance on both the picture and word items. The disappearance of item-specific sex differences in postrecall estimates for the third recall trial does not imply that men and women become more accurate at estimating their actual performance with multiple recall trials.
Latent Relationships of Fluid, Visual, and Simultaneous Cognitive Tasks
Authors: Cole Jason C. , Lopez Brian R. , Daleo David V.
Published: September 2010

Horn's 1989 fluid intelligence and Luria's 1966 simultaneous processing have been represented in various cognitive assessment batteries. Although related, these concepts are purported to measure distinct cognitive functions; fluid intelligence refers to deductive reasoning whereas simultaneous processing refers to understanding complex relationships among gestalts. The current study explored the factor structure of known fluid and simultaneous tests along with visually complex new tests. A total of 56 children in Grades 1 through 5 were administered tests from the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Elliott's Differential Abilities Scales, and two experimental tasks. Findings suggest that (1) the two experimental subtests were psychometrically viable, (2) when analyzed as a two-factor structure, fluid and visual processing components were pronounced, and (3) when analyzed as a single-factor structure, simultaneous processing emerged. These findings indicate simultaneous processing may be a blend of fluid and visual components.
Myers-Briggs Personality Types of Art Collectors
Authors: Gridley Mark C.
Published: September 2010

27 art collectors (13 men, 14 women) completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Their age range was 37 to 86 years and the mean 59.5 yr. Seventy percent were classified as Intuition types instead of Sensation types (versus its 25% incidence in the general population). This corresponds to personality profiles of artists and the disproportionately high incidence of high scores on the related Openness to Experience factor in studies of creative personalities, thereby supporting the contention that persons creating art and appreciating art have personality traits in common.
Conflicts, Workplace Bullying and Burnout Problems among Municipal Employees
Authors: Varhama Lasse M. , Björkqvist Kaj
Published: September 2010

The psychosocial workplace environment among the municipal employees of a Finnish town with 57,000 inhabitants was investigated. The prevalence of both self-experienced and observed cases of conflicts, burnout, and workplace harassment (bullying) was measured. Altogether, 1,961 employees (1,491 women and 309 men) whose mean age was 42.6 yr. ( SD = 9.8) participated in the study. Sex, age, and workplace differences were found. Of the respondents, 27% had experienced difficult or extreme conflicts, 29% experienced burnout, 50% had seen at least one colleague experience burnout, 16% felt they had been bullied, and 37% had seen a colleague being bullied at work. Men reported experiencing more conflicts than women. The frequency of reporting burnout symptoms and bullying was associated with age. Strong correlations were found among the various problem areas.
Admission to University Engineering Programs in Sweden: A Multipurpose Approach
Authors: Wolming Simon , Lyrén Per-Erik
Published: September 2010

This brief article provides a description of some new ideas about admission of university engineering students in Sweden. The current system of admission is based on upper-secondary school grades and the Swedish Scholastic Assessment Test. These measures are used for admission to all higher education. For many reasons, ideas for a new admission model have been proposed. This model includes a sector-oriented admission test, which the universities are supposed to use for different purposes, such as selection, eligibility, diagnostics, and recruitment.
Role of Suggestion in Odor-Induced Mood Change
Authors: Campenni C. Estelle , Crawley Edward J. , Meier Michael E.
Published: September 2010

The effects of ambient odor (lavender, neroli or placebo) and suggestions related to the effects of an odor (relaxing, stimulating or none) on mood were explored. Mood of 90 undergraduate women was assessed using physiological measures (heart rate and skin conductance) and the self-report Profile of Mood States questionnaire. Analysis indicated that physiological measures were influenced by suggestion in predictable directions. Relaxing odors yielded decreases in heart rate and skin conductance, with stimulating odors yielding the reverse effects under equivalent conditions. These data further support the notion that expectations play a significant role in mediating odor-evoked mood changes.
A Low-Cost Drinkometer Circuit Suitable for Insects and other Organisms
Authors: Ford Justin , Abramson Charles I. , Sears Noah , Gutierrez Freddie
Published: September 2010

A low-cost drinkometer circuit suitable for use with insects is described. The circuit is composed of readily available components powered by a battery pack. Schematic diagrams of the circuit and simulations are provided. The operational theory behind the development of the circuit is discussed. The usefulness of the circuit is illustrated by a simple consumption experiment in which the amount of sucrose consumed by honey bees is determined.
Imagery Factors in the Spanish Version of the Verbalizer-Visualizer Questionnaire
Authors: Campos Alfredo , López Antonio , González María Ángeles , Amor Ángeles
Published: September 2010

The factor structure and internal consistency reliability of the Spanish version of the Verbalizer-Visualizer Questionnaire was analyzed. 969 male and female high school students completed the questionnaire and the Gordon Test of Visual Imagery Control. Factor analysis indicated that the questionnaire comprises five factors: “interest in words,” “dream vividness and frequency,” “verbal fluency,” “task performance difficulty,” and “ways of thinking and acting.” The internal consistency was very low (Cronbach α = .30). The correlation between scores and those on the Gordon test was statistically significant because N was large but very weak ( r = .08, p < .05). The questionnaire measured five distinct factors, and this should be taken into account when using the Spanish version rather than a coherent dimension.
Associations among Homesickness, Anger, Anxiety, and Depression
Authors: Verschuur Margot J. , Eurelings-Bontekoe Elisabeth H. M. , Spinhoven Philip
Published: September 2010

The study investigated the association of homesickness with the related concepts of anxiety, depression, and anger. Two conceptualizations of homesickness were used, one considering homesickness as a state, characterized by severe symptoms of a depressive episode, and the other one as a self-reported tendency to experience homesickness in times of separation from the familiar environment. The latter conceptualization can rather be considered as an enduring trait and does not specifically refer to actual feelings of depression. We compared these two conceptualizations of homesickness in a random sample from the Dutch population ( n = 485) by assessing their uni- and multivariate associations with anger, anxiety, depression, and anxiety-sensitivity. Both conceptualizations of homesickness were associated with anxiety and depression and with the externalization of anger. No association was found between internalization of anger or control over internalized and externalized anger for either conceptualization of homesickness. The pattern of multivariate associations between homesickness and its emotional correlates was similar for both conceptualizations, although homesickness as a state appeared to have a stronger association with depression, whereas the tendency to develop homesickness showed a particularly strong association with anxiety. It is concluded that homesickness can be considered as a mixed emotion of anxiety and depression (“Cothymia”), but that depression is more characteristic of homesickness as a state, whereas anxiety is more important if homesickness is conceptualized as an enduring tendency.
An Exploratory Study of Differences in Views of Factors Affecting Sexual Orientation for a Sample of Lesbians and Gay Men
Authors: Otis Melanie D. , Skinner William F.
Published: September 2010

An exploratory study of lesbians (70) and gay men (118) from a rural state in the mid-South was conducted using a self-administered, mail-out survey. The nonrandom sample was drawn from organizational mailing lists, snowball sampling, and a convenience sample at a community event. Respondents were asked to indicate the extent to which each of the following affected sexual orientation: genetics, relationship between parents, relationship with parents, birth order, peers, growing up in a dysfunctional family, growing up in a single-parent family, negative experiences with the opposite sex, and positive experiences with the same sex. Similar to studies of heterosexual men and women, these gay men were more likely to view sexual orientation as a result of genetics than the lesbian respondents. Further, the lesbian group were more likely to view positive relationships with the same sex to have a great influence on sexual orientation. These data indicate there are sex differences in views on factors that affect sexual orientation.
Comments on Dr. Walter R. Schumm's Paper “What Was Really Learned from Tasker and Golombok's (1995) Study of Lesbian and Single Parent Mothers?”
Authors: Kirkpatrick Martha
Published: September 2010

Comments on Schumm's analysis and evaluation of the 1995 report by Tasker and Golombok focus on insights gained during research and requirements for drawing conclusions: larger samples, more sophisticated methods, appropriate comparative cohorts, and longitudinal studies.
Ideal Gender Identity Related to Parent Images and Locus of Control: Jungian and Social Learning Perspectives
Authors: Shimoda Hiroko , Keskinen Soili
Published: September 2010

In this research, we wanted to clarify how gender images are different or invariant and related to parents, attributes, and the attitude of controlling life (locus of control) in two cultural contexts, Japan and Finland. For this purpose, students' ideal gender images, consisting of ideal mother, female, father and male images, and parents' similarity to the four ideal gender images were studied in 135 Japanese and 119 Finnish university students. Major findings were (a) Japanese students' ideal gender images were more stereotypic than those of Finnish students; (b) students' ideal mother image and parents' similarity to the ideal mother image were related only to their sex, which supports Jung's theory; (c) students socially learned other ideal gender images, but these did not fit with expectation from social learning theory; (d) Japanese students' mothers are models or examples of gender images, but Finnish male students did not seem to base their ideal gender images on their parents. Implication of measures was discussed.
Relations of Motivational Beliefs and Self-Regulated Learning Outcomes for Iranian College Students
Authors: Ostovar Soghra , Khayyer Mohammad
Published: September 2010

The present study examined the correlations of scores for motivational beliefs and self-regulated learning outcomes among 200 college students who responded to Motivational Strategies for Learning Questionnaire. Analysis showed a positive correlation between scores for motivational beliefs and self-regulated learning outcomes but a negative one for scores on test anxiety and self-regulated learning.
Effects of Inferred Social Status and a Beginning Driver's Sticker upon Aggression of Drivers in Japan
Authors: Yazawa Hisashi
Published: September 2010

The present study examined how inferred social status and a beginning driver's sticker influenced aggressive drivers' behavior on the road in Japan. A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design was constructed to examine the effects of social status of an experimental car (high or low), with a beginning driver's sticker or no beginning driver's sticker, and a male or female driver. Analysis showed that horn-honking latency in the sticker condition was longer than that in the no-sticker condition in the low status car. In the high status car, the horn was sounded sooner in the condition with a beginning driver's sticker. A beginning driver's sticker promoted aggressive behavior toward a high status person, whereas it inhibited aggressive behavior toward low status individuals. Thus, response to a beginning driver's sticker appears to vary according to inferred social status.
The Primacy of Beauty in Judging the Aesthetics of Objects
Authors: Jacobsen Thomas , Buchta Katharina , Köhler Michael , Schröger Erich
Published: September 2010

The conceptual structure of the aesthetics of objects was investigated. To this end, associative namings for the word “aesthetics” were collected from 311 nonartist German college students in a timed verbal association task. 590 different adjectives were produced, depicting diversification of the concept. The adjective “beautiful” was given by more than 90% of the participants. The adjective “ugly” was the second most frequent naming, used by almost half of the students. All other namings were markedly less frequently produced. It is argues that the beautiful–ugly dimension represents the primary concept in the aesthetics of objects, so that performing aesthetic judgments of the beauty of objects comes naturally to individuals. In other words, the most prototypical aesthetic judgments are those of beauty. Furthermore, the majority of generated words had a positive valence as measured by an additional valence-rating study including 41 participants. This result contrasts with comparable studies of emotion terms, as such studies typically show a negativity bias. Frequency in general language use and valence of the adjectives did not account for the results.
Children's Somatization Symptoms: Correlations with Trait Anxiety, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Learning Experiences
Authors: Muris Peter , Meesters Cor
Published: September 2010

The objectives of this study were to examine associations between trait anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, and learning experiences, on the one hand, and children's somatization symptoms, on the other hand. A sample of 190 nonclinical children completed the trait anxiety scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index, and the Children's Somatization Inventory, and were interviewed about learning experiences in relation to physical symptoms. Correlational and regression analyses indicated that trait anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, and parents' anxiety-encouraging behaviours in relation to somatic symptoms were significantly positively associated with somatization. These results indicate that there might be common vulnerability factors in childhood anxiety and somatization symptoms.
Dating and Commitment Choices as a Function of Ethnicity among American College Students in California
Authors: Fiebert Martin S. , Nugent Dusty , Hershberger Scott L. , Kasdan Margo
Published: September 2010

The incidence of interracial and interethnic dating and marriage in the United States has increased. This investigation examined dating and commitment choices as a function of ethnicity and sex among groups of Euro-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, and African-American college students. A convenience sample of college students comprising 329 heterosexual subjects (134 men, 195 women) was surveyed regarding their partner preferences for dating, visiting parents, marriage, and bearing children. It was hypothesized that subjects would consider dating partners from different ethnic groups, but when making a commitment to marriage and children would prefer members of their own group. This hypothesis was supported in half of the groups: Euro-American men, African-American men, Asian-American women, and African-American women. A discussion of dating and commitment choices among ethnic and sex groups is presented and discussed.
Nonconscious Idea Generation
Authors: Snyder Allan , Mitchell John , Ellwood Sophie , Yates Angela , Pallier Gerry
Published: September 2010

The recognition of the correct solution to a problem after a period when one is not actively searching for an answer is well documented. However, previous research has focused on problems an individual has not yet resolved. We presented a scenario in which 125 participants believed that they had completed a task and so had no reason to seek further solutions. To their surprise, after a period of distraction, we resumed the testing session. This novel method was combined with accurate recording of both response content and timing. The results from the second session displayed a remarkable similarity to those from the first, including an initial burst of ideas, allowing the inference that, even in the absence of a reason to seek solutions, a process of nonconscious idea generation might be operating.
An Examination of the Current Usefulness of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory
Authors: Oswald Patricia A.
Published: September 2010

In the present study, an ethnically diverse convenience sample ( N = 182; 62% female) of working adults (56%) and college students ( M age = 30.9 yr., SD = 12.8, range = 18 to 71) completed the Bem Sex-Role Inventory which is a widely used self-report measure of perceptions of gender roles. Based on their scores, individuals' sex roles can be categorized as Masculine or Feminine (sex-typed) or Androgynous. The results of this study suggest that, almost 30 years after it was first developed, the categories can still be used to categorize men and women of varying ages.
Tolerance for Error and Computational Estimation Ability
Authors: Hogan Thomas P. , Wyckoff Laurie A. , Krebs Paul , Jones William , Fitzgerald Mark P.
Published: September 2010

Previous investigators have suggested that the personality variable tolerance for error is related to success in computational estimation. However, this suggestion has not been tested directly. This study examined the relationship between performance on a computational estimation test and scores on the NEO–Five Factor Inventory, a measure of the Big Five personality traits, including Openness, an index of tolerance for ambiguity. Other variables included SAT–I Verbal and Mathematics scores and self-rated mathematics ability. Participants were 65 college students. There was no significant relationship between the tolerance variable and computational estimation performance. There was a modest negative relationship between Agreeableness and estimation performance. The skepticism associated with the negative pole of the Agreeableness dimension may be important to pursue in further understanding of estimation ability.
The Deadliness of Mass Murderers
Authors: Lester David , Stack Steven , Schmidtke Armin , Schaller Sylvia , Müller I.
Published: September 2010

The death toll for mass murders was higher when the murderer committed suicide and when the incident was elsewhere than the Americas and Europe.
Cynicism about Organizational Change: An Attribution Process Perspective
Authors: Wanous John P. , Reichers Arnon E. , Austin James T.
Published: September 2010

The underlying attribution process for cynicism about organizational change is examined with six samples from four different organizations. The samples include hourly ( n = 777) and salaried employees ( n = 155) from a manufacturing plant, faculty ( n = 293) and staff ( n = 302) from a large university, managers from a utility company ( n = 97), and young managers ( n = 65) from various organizations who were attending an evening MBA program. This form of cynicism is defined as the combination of Pessimism (about future change efforts) and a Dispositional attribution (why past efforts to change failed). Three analyses support this definition. First, an exploratory factor analysis (from the largest sample) produced two factors, one composed of Pessimism and the Dispositional attribution items and the second of the Situational attribution items. Second, the average correlation (across several samples) between Pessimism and Dispositional attribution is much higher (.59) than the average correlation between Pessimism and Situational attribution (.17). Third, scores on two different trait-based measures of cynicism correlate highest with the Dispositional attribution component of cynicism. A practical implication is that organizational leaders may minimize cynicism by managing both employees' pessimism about organizational change and employees' attributions about it. Specific suggestions for how this might be done are offered.
Honesty When Lighting Votive Candles in Church: An Informal Look
Authors: Trinkaus John W.
Published: September 2010

An informal enquiry conducted over 6 yr. suggested a decline from 92% to 28% of people paying for lighting votive candles in a large Catholic church.
Relationships between Five Factor Personality Variables, Workplace Accidents, and Self-Efficacy
Authors: Cellar Douglas F. , Yorke Candice M. , Nelson Zachary C. , Carroll Keith A.
Published: September 2010

Past research has examined the relationships between personality variables and workplace accidents; however, few studies have examined these relationships using the Five Factor Model of personality and trait-state relationships have not been examined in this context. The present study was undertaken to examine the relationships between personality characteristics based on the Five Factor Model, workplace accidents, and self-efficacy. To examine these relationships, personality, workplace accident, and self-efficacy data were collected from 202 undergraduate volunteers (134 women and 68 men) at a large midwestern urban university. The mean age of participants was 20.9 yr. ( SD = 5.0). The results indicated that scores on Agreeableness and Conscientiousness were significantly correlated with workplace accidents as were the self-efficacy variables. Neuroticism and Agreeableness were significantly related to self-efficacy.
Re-Examining the Role of Interscholastic Sport Participation in Education
Authors: Yin Zenong , Moore Justin B.
Published: September 2010

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships of interscholastic sports participation with locus of control, self-concept, cognitive test scores, and school dropout in adolescents via a secondary analysis of National Educational Longitudinal Study 1988 (NELS:88). Subjects were 1,883 students who completed all measurements in 8th grade (1988), at Follow-up 1 (10th, 1990), and Follow-up 2 (12th, 1992). Scales utilized to measure locus of control, self-concept, and cognitive ability were developed by the National Center for Educational Statistics. Dropout was assessed through school records and contact with participants. At baseline and Follow-up 1, students self-reporting sport participation displayed higher self-concept and locus of control; however, these differences were no longer observed at Follow-up 2. Drop-out rate for boys at Follow-up 2 was significantly lower for students reporting interscholastic sport participation at baseline or at Follow-up 1. Similarly, drop-out rate for girls at Follow-up 2 was significantly lower for students reporting interscholastic sport participation at baseline or at Follow-up 1. These findings support the presumed positive role of sport participation for adolescents in American schools.
The Inner Voice and the Plural Self
Authors: Lester David
Published: September 2010

In a sample of 182 undergraduates, scores on the Plural Self Scale were associated with scores on a scale designed to measure the presence of violent inner voices.
Family and Ability Correlates of Academic Grades: Social Status Group Differences
Authors: Bacete Francisco-Juan García , Rodríguez Juan Carlos Oliver
Published: September 2010

In a continuation of work by Marjoribanks (2003), using a sample of 150 seventh grade students, relationships among Parent Involvement as defined by factor scores of four measures of parents' involvement completed by teachers: teacher-parent contacts, teacher-parent communication, parents' involvement at home, and parents' participation in school, Intellectual Ability as defined by Verbal Intelligence using the Yuste's Differential and General Aptitudes Battery-M, and Academic Grades as defined by the average grade for all subject matter were examined. Analysis showed different predictive models for children's academic achievement as a function of social status. For children of low and middle social status, Intellectual Ability was the single predictor. For children of high social status the predictors were Parents' Involvement and the interaction of Parents' Involvement and Intellectual Ability.
Sex Differences on the Five Personality Factors in Spanish Students
Authors: Fernandez Maria Lameiras , Castro Yolanda Rodríguez
Published: September 2010

This study examined sex differences in the Big Five Personality factors in a sample of 255 Spanish university students (196 women and 59 men) whose mean age was 21.4 yr. ( SD = 3.91). They responded to the short Spanish version of the Big Five Personality scale. The goals of this study were first, to check the utility of this scale to evaluate personality traits in the Spanish university population, and, second, to check the sensitivity of this shorter scale in evaluating possible differences between sexes on these factors of personality. Analysis supported the published factorial structure, and significant differences were found between men and women on the factors of Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Conscientiousness.
Disposing of the Empty Shopping Market Cart—An Informal Look
Authors: Trinkaus John W.
Published: September 2010

An informal enquiry suggested that only about one out of five shoppers, when finished using shopping carts, returned them to a designated depository.
Two Measures of Affect and Emotion in Italian Children Aged 6 to 11 Years
Authors: Mazzeschi Claudia , Salcuni Silvia , Parolin Laura , Lis Adriana
Published: September 2010

The authors investigated the relation between affective and cognitive processes in fantasy play and emotional understanding of 50 Italian children (25 boys and 25 girls) enrolled in regular elementary school in Northern Italy. Children were administered a standardized play task, the Affect in Play Scale, and answered questions about their understanding of emotions. Consistent, yet modest, relationships were found between dimensions of fantasy play and emotional understanding.
Comorbidity of DSM–IV Personality Disorders in Unipolar and Bipolar Affective Disorders: A Comparative Study
Authors: Schiavone Paolo , Dorz Stella , Conforti Donatella , Scarso Caterina , Borgherini Giuseppe
Published: September 2010

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of Personality Disorders assessed by Structured Clinical Interview for Axis-II in 155 inpatients diagnosed with Unipolar Disorder vs inpatients with Bipolar Disorder (39). The most frequent Axis II diagnoses among Unipolar inpatients were Borderline (31.6%), Dependent (25.2%), and Obsessive-Compulsive (14.2%) Personality Disorders. Among Bipolar inpatients, the most prevalent personality disorders were Borderline (41%), Narcissistic (20.5%), Dependent (12.8%), and Histrionic disorders (10.3%). Using chi squared analysis, few differences in distribution emerged between the two groups: Unipolar patients had more recurrent Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder than Bipolar patients (χ12 = 6.24, p < .005). Comorbid Narcissistic Personality Disorder was significantly more frequent in the Bipolar than in the Unipolar group (χ12 = 6.34, p < .01). Considering the three clusters (DSM–IV classification), there was a significant difference between the groups, Cluster C (fearful, avoidant) diagnoses being more frequent in the Unipolar than in the Bipolar group (48.4% vs 20.5%, respectively). Cluster B (dramatic, emotionally erratic) diagnoses were found more frequently in patients with Bipolar Disorders (71.8% vs 45.2% in Unipolar patients, χ22 = 10.1, p < .006). The differences in the distribution and prevalence of Personality Disorders between the two patient groups are discussed.
An Exploration of Prevalence of Domestic Violence in Same-Sex Relationships
Authors: Owen Stephen S. , Burke Tod W.
Published: September 2010

The prevalence of domestic violence in a sample of 33 men and 33 women currently or previously in same-sex relationships was assessed. Data were collected through a mail survey in the state of Virginia. Of 1000 surveys sent out 66 usable ones were returned (response rate = 6.6%). Analysis indicated that 34 had experienced some form of domestic violence, but significant differences between male and female respondents were not detected. When data from this same-sex sample were compared with those of the heterosexual sample of the National Violence Against Women Survey, intimate partner assault may be more prevalent against gay men than against heterosexual men, but there was no significant difference between lesbians and heterosexual females.
Multimodal Classical Conditioning of Fear: Contributions of Direct, Observational, and Verbal Experiences to Current Fears
Authors: Dygdon Judith A. , Conger Anthony J. , Strahan Esther Y.
Published: September 2010

The authors propose that a multimodal classical conditioning model be considered when clinicians or clinical researchers study the etiology of fears and anxieties learned by human beings. They argue that fears can be built through the combined effects of direct, observed, and verbally presented classical conditioning trials. Multimodal classical conditioning is offered as an alternative to the three pathways to fear argument prominent in the human fear literature. In contrast to the three pathways position, the authors present theoretical arguments for why “learning by observation” and “learning through the receipt of verbal information” should be considered classical conditioning through observational and verbal modes. The paper includes a demonstration of how data, commonly collected in research on the three pathways to fear, would be studied differently using a multimodal classical conditioning perspective. Finally, the authors discuss implications for assessment, treatment, and prevention of learned fears in humans.
A Sense of Presence and Self-Reported Performance in International Teams
Authors: Fontaine Gary
Published: September 2010

Research over the last two decades has explored the relationship between a variety of states of consciousness, performance, and motivation. These have included flow and a sense of presence in face-to-face, online, and virtual environments. This study examined the relationship between presence and flow experienced by 75 male and female participants from several Pacific Rim nations on 4 international teams and their self-reported performance, enjoyment, and motivation associated with team-related tasks. The results indicate that in these task situations, which are relatively novel because of their cultural diversity, self-reported performance correlated more highly with presence ( r = 34, df = 72, p < .01) than flow ( r = .26, df =71, p < .05). Enjoyment and motivation, however, correlated more highly with flow ( r = .60, df = 71, p < .01 and r = .40, df = 71, p < .01, respectively) than presence ( r = .26, p < .05 and r = .25, p < .05). These findings suggest the need to explore further the relationship between activity- or task-related states of consciousness, the characteristics of the tasks involved, particularly in terms of their novelty, and the effect on performance and motivation.
Cigarette Smoking and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Study of Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Brook Judith S. , Schuster Elise , Zhang Chenshu
Published: September 2010

Cigarette smoking and depressive symptoms have been shown to be related in previous research. This paper examined the relationship between cigarette smoking and depressive symptoms in a longitudinal sample of 688 adolescents and young adults through surveys conducted over 13 yr. The results indicate that a history of earlier cigarette smoking in adolescence predicts later depressive symptoms in the late twenties. The study also suggests that depressive symptoms during adolescence predict cigarette smoking in the late twenties but not above and beyond prior smoking. These results help clarify and expand current knowledge on the links between cigarette smoking and depression. The results point to several clinical implications for treatment of both cigarette smoking and depressive symptoms among both adolescents and young adults.
Persistent Neuropsychological Problems after 7 Years of Abstinence from Recreational Ecstasy (MDMA): A Case Study
Authors: Soar K. , Parrott A. C. , Fox H. C.
Published: September 2010

This case study concerns a 26-yr.-old male who had consumed large amounts of Ecstasy seven years previously. He stated that his increasingly intensive use of ecstasy over a 4-yr. period had led to the emergence of multiple psychiatric and psychological problems. Given these problems, he stopped using Ecstasy, but the problems had not resolved despite seven years of abstinence. The neurocognitive profile was very similar to that shown by current heavy Ecstasy users, with deficits in immediate and delayed verbal recall, moderately impaired memory function, but normal expressive language ability and perceptual functioning. Extremely high pathology was evident, including depression and phobic anxiety. Severe problems with sleep and sex were also reported. Further studies involving larger groups of abstinent former users are needed; adverse sequelae associated with intensive Ecstasy use may sometimes be enduring.