bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Polar Heart Rate Monitor for Assessing Heart Rate During Physical and Mental Stress
Authors: Goodie Jeffrey L. , Larkin Kevin T. , Schauss Scott
Published: April 2003

Abstract The Polar Vantage XL heart rate monitor provides an ambulatory, inexpensive method of continuously measuring heart rate. To examine the validity of the Polar monitor for measuring heart rate during resting periods and while engaging in two stressful tasks, 30 students participated in a 1-hour laboratory session. Heart rates were measured simultaneously using the Polar monitor and electrocardiography (ECG) during a hand grip exercise and a mental arithmetic task, each preceded by a 4-min resting period. Within-subject correlations between the two devices were significant (mean r = 0.98, P < .001). All correlations, except for three participants, exceeded r = 0.90. Between-task correlation analyses revealed high correlations (i. e., rs ≥ 0.98) between the Polar monitor and ECG. The Polar monitor obtained readings that were slightly, though significantly higher than readings obtained using ECG. The correspondence between observed mean heart rates from the Polar monitor and ECG suggest that the Polar monitor provides a valid measure of heart rate during stationary laboratory tasks.
Uncertainty of Outcomes as a Component of Active Coping
Authors: Baker Sarah R. , Stephenson David
Published: April 2003

Abstract Control or control-belief is often viewed as being directly instrumental in facilitating active coping in aversive situations, and yet the empirical evidence for the effects of control is inconclusive. In this study we investigated the role of feedback and predictability in determining the effects of control-belief during an aversive reaction time task. Ninety-six subjects were allocated to one of eight conditions in a 2 × 2 × 2 control-belief by feedback by predictability factorial design. All subjects were matched in terms of the nature of the task and in the number and time of receipt of both the warning signal and noise. Heart rate reactivity and task performance (reaction time) were measured. Subjects who received feedback displayed greater phasic heart rate responses following the noise stimulus and smaller decreases in heart rate during the postimpact period than those without feedback, particularly in predictable conditions. Control-belief had no effect on heart rate responses. None of the factors led to better task performance. These findings are discussed in relation to processes of active coping and attentional processes of stimulus input, and the need for further studies examining the relative contributions of control-belief, feedback, and predictability in determining cardiovascular function is highlighted.
Interference of Cellular Phone Conversations with Visuomotor Tasks: An ERP Study
Authors: García-Larrea Luis , Perchet Caroline , Perrin Fabien , Amenedo Elena
Published: April 2003

The use of mobile phones has been shown to increase drivers' reaction times (RTs), but whether this results from interference with attention, stimulus identification, or response production remains unclear. We recorded RTs and event-related brain potentials (ERPs) reflecting speed of stimulus processing, attentional allocation, and preparedness to respond during a visual reaction task performed with or without the concomitant use of a mobile phone, in either “hands-free” or “phone-in-hand” operating modes. As expected, maintaining a phone conversation increased RTs to visual targets, this effect being associated with complex ERP effects. Phone conversations did not appear to delay target detection times, as assessed by N2-P3 latencies, but did significantly decrease stimulus-induced alerting and attentional allocation (P3 amplitude) and interfered with motor preparation processes (readiness potential). P3 amplitude drop was identical whatever the mode of phone use, while decrease of readiness potential was progressive from the “hands-free” to the “phone-in-hand” condition. These results suggest that two mechanisms contributed to degrade performance in this experiment: first, a general decrease of attention to sensory inputs, characteristic of “dual-task” situations, probably acting through a delay in sensory-motor transfer times. This effect was independent of whether the phone was handled or “hands-free.” Conversely, the second factor was specifically sensitive to manipulation of the phone and caused a weakening of the readiness to respond with a motor act.
Effects of Physical Training on Endocrine and Autonomic Response to Acute Stress
Authors: Salvador A. , Ricarte J. , González-Bono E. , Moya-Albiol L.
Published: April 2003

Abstract The effects of physical training on autonomic response to acute stress are controversial. In this study, heart rate (HR) and skin conductance level (SCL) were continuously recorded in response to a mental stressor in a sample of elite athletes before and after a period of training and competition. The free testosterone to cortisol ratio (FTCR) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) were used as markers of training impact. After the training, the men and women showed a significant FTCR decrement, although mood and the autonomic response to the acute stressor were not strongly altered. Although men showed significantly lower HR values after training, the results suggest that subjects suffered a transitory state of hormonal overstrain rather than a serious problem of adaptation to training.
Bringing Brain Events to Mind: Functional Systems and Brain Event-Related Potentials
Authors: Howard Richard C.
Published: April 2003

Abstract This paper integrates recent brain event-related potential (ERP) data within a functional systems framework. Atripartite division of the brain into cognitive, motoric, and affective/somatic functional systems is proposed. Each functional system contributes separately to conscious experience and each has its own inputs/outputs and associated memory system. It is suggested that brain ERPs reflect computations common to all three functional systems, but that they differ in terms of the specific inputs and outputs, unique to each functional system, upon which the computations are carried out. Outputs from each functional system are fed to the prefrontal cortex, which is suggested as acting as a superordinate functional system mediating goal-directed behavior, with its coherent behavioral outputs - cognitive, motoric and affective/somatic - gaining access to consciousness. It is argued that ERPs are not a royal road to the conscious mind.
The Effect of Food Deprivation on ERP During Identification of Tachistoscopically Presented Food-Related Words
Authors: Plihal W. , Haenschel C. , Hachl P. , Born J. , Pietrowsky R.
Published: April 2003

Abstract The present study served to investigate the effects of food deprivation on the identification of subliminally presented food-related words by means of event-related potentials (ERPs). ERPs were recorded in 16 hungry and 16 satiated subjects during repeated tachistoscopic presentation of food-related words (food names) and food-unrelated words (neutral words, sexual words) as controls. ERPs were recorded during each presentation of a word prior to identification and during the first presentation after identification and exhibited N1, P2, and slow-wave components. The number of tachistoscopic presentations until identification was not affected by hunger and satiety. However, ERPs were differentially affected by hunger and satiety: the P2 to food-related words was larger in hungry subjects compared to satiated subjects in all presentations. Additionally, the P2 was also larger to sexual words in hungry subjects in all presentations except the one preceding the identification response. The slow wave was not affected by hunger but increased with progressing stimulus identification. Following the identification of the words, all ERP components markedly declined in amplitude. The results indicate that hunger affects the processing of food and sexual stimuli during identification at an early ERP component (P2) even if the stimuli are not fully identified. In contrast, the later slow wave is sensitive to progressing stimulus identification, irrespective of hunger and stimulus meaning.
Improved Methodology for Threshold Detection Studies in Asthmatic Children
Authors: Fritz Gregory K. , Rosenblum Keren , Klein Robert B. , McQuaid Elizabeth L. , Nassau Jack H. , Wamboldt Marianne Z. , Carter Rick , Mansell Anthony
Published: April 2003

Abstract This paper reports the differences between two methodologies for threshold detection of added resistive loads in children and adolescents. The first-generation apparatus utilized a series of laminar flow screens to present various total resistances, while in the second generation the apparatus utilized a servo-controlled cone that occluded an aperture to varying degrees. Protocol modifications in the second generation methodology included forced choice, attentional enhancements, and larger increments of added resistance. Two studies conducted 2 years apart provided data on the first and second generations of methodology. All participants in Study 1 (N = 33) and Study 2 (N = 33) were children with asthma. Subjects were matched for both age and asthma severity. Results showed the methodologic improvements in the second generation to be significant. Tracking and random thresholds were achieved by 85% and 82% of the subjects in Study 2 compared to 76% and 42% in Study 1, respectively. The correlation between the mean tracking and random thresholds was .40 in Study 2 compared to a statistically insignificant result in Study 1, indicating improved reliability. Raw thresholds were correlated with intrinsic resistance in both studies (r = .29-.88), supporting the use of Weber's Law in resistive loading studies of children. Results using the second generation methodologic improvements demonstrate that children as young as age 7 can complete resistance loading protocols. Standard methodology will enhance the comparability between studies.
Influence of Time Pressure in a Simple Response Task, a Choice-by-Location Task, and the Simon Task
Authors: van der Lubbe Rob H.J. , Jaśkowski Piotr , Wauschkuhn Bernd , Verleger Rolf
Published: April 2003

Abstract The influence of strategy was examined for a simple response task, a choice-by-location task, and the Simon task by varying time pressure. Besides reaction time (RT) and accuracy, we measured response force and derived two measures from the event-related EEG potential to form an index for attentional orienting (posterior contralateral negativity: PCN) and the start of motor activation (the lateralized readiness potential: LRP). For the choice-by-location task and the Simon task, effects of time pressure were found on the response-locked LRP, but not on the onset of the PCN and the stimulus-locked LRP. Thus, strategy influences processing after the start of motor activation in choice tasks. A small effect of time pressure was found on the peak latency of the PCN in the Simon task, which suggests that time pressure may affect attentional orienting. In the simple response task, time pressure reduced the amplitude of the PCN. This finding suggests that strategy affects attentional orienting to stimuli when these stimuli are not highly relevant. Finally, the effect of time pressure on RT was much larger in the simple response task than in the other tasks, which may be ascribed to the possibility of preparing the required response in the simple response task.
Validation of an Event-Related Potential Memory Assessment Procedure: Intentional Learning as Opposed to Simple Repetition
Authors: van Hooff Johanna C. , Golden Shirley
Published: April 2003

Abstract The main aim of this study was to investigate whether an ERP-based memory assessment procedure ( van Hooff et al., 1996 ) could be used to detect memories for items that (1) did not receive a behavioural recognition response and (2) were not intentionally learned. Participants were first required to study a short list of “neutral,” semantically unrelated words that were subsequently tested for recognition. Next, participants studied a second, different word list, which again was tested for recognition (learned targets) in a following test. In this second test, the distractors consisted of the words that were studied prior to - and had to be recognized in - the first test (learned nontargets), words that were used as distractors in the first test (repeated nontargets), and words that had not been learned or presented before (new words). Targets and both types of nontargets were presented less frequently than the new words, so essentially this test had an oddball character. Results showed that learned targets as well as learned nontargets elicited a P300 component that was largely absent for the new words and for the repeated nontargets. These results seem to imply that successful use of the ERP-based memory assessment procedure did not rely on behavioural indications of recognition, but did depend on the level of contemplation during initial study/presentation.
On-Coupling and Off-Coupling of Neocortical Areas in Chess Experts and Novices
Authors: Volke H.-J. , Dettmar P. , Richter P. , Rudolf M. , Buhss U.
Published: April 2003

Abstract This paper presents a pilot study on the differences in evoked EEG coherence measures (computed as zero-lagged cross-correlation, “EC”) between chess experts and novices while solving chess problems. One of our earlier investigations ( Volke, 1999 ) had shown that both location and direction of EC changes in task processing (compared with a resting condition) depend on the degree of task performance. As a result we postulated that when solving the same tasks experts and novices would show different EC. The results of the recent study confirmed this supposition. Chess tasks of varying difficulty were presented to 25 chess players of different performance levels. The EEG was recorded from 29 positions (enhanced 10:20-system). EC were computed for post-stimulus intervals of 1.6s. A special averaging procedure (considering Fisher's Z transformation) was applied for summarizing the single EC of each type of task. These subject- and task-related EC-values (29 × 28/2 = 406 values per frequency band) were subjected to a MANOVA after a two-staged principal component analysis. Significant differences between experts and novices, compared with the resting condition, were found in the delta frequency range. The relevant cortical areas of experts, defined by a topological analysis of the differentiating principal components, were located rather posterior and more in the right hemisphere, compared with those of the novices. Furthermore, the essential EC of the experts showed higher values in the task situation (“on-coupling”), compared with the resting condition, whereas those of the novices were lower (“off-coupling”). The results are interpreted as a higher task-related functional integration of the cortical areas in experts.
Scalp Topographic Distribution of Beta and Gamma Ratios During Sleep
Authors: Ferri Raffaele , Bergonzi Paolo , Cosentino Filomena I.I. , Elia Maurizio , Lanuzza Bartolo , Marinig Roberto , Musumeci Sebastiano A.
Published: April 2003

Abstract The present study analyzes the topographic distribution of two newly introduced measures related to the beta and gamma EEG bands during REM sleep. For this purpose, power spectra of three EEG channels (F4, C4, and O2, all referred to A1) were obtained by means of the fast Fourier transform, and the power of the bands ranging from 0.75-4.50 Hz (delta) and 12.50-15.00 (sigma) was calculated for the whole period of analysis (7 h) in 10 healthy subjects. Also, two additional time series - the ratio between beta and gamma2 and between gamma1 and gamma2 - were calculated (beta and gamma ratios). The difference between the mean group values of the delta and sigma bands power, and of the beta and gamma ratios, during the different sleep stages, over the three different scalp locations recorded was evaluated by means of the nonparametric Friedman ANOVA. During non-REM slow-wave sleep, the delta band showed the highest values over the central and frontal regions, followed by those observed over the occipital lead. During sleep stage 2, the sigma band showed the highest values over the central regions, followed by those observed over the occipital areas and, lastly, those from the frontal lead. During REM sleep, the beta ratio showed its highest values over the central field, which were significantly higher that those obtained from both the frontal and the occipital regions. The gamma ratio showed a statistically nonsignificant tendency to show a similar topographic distribution pattern. Sleep can be considered a complex phenomenon with a differential involvement of multiple cortical and subcortical structures. The analysis of high-frequency EEG bands and of our beta and gamma ratios represent an additional important element to include in the study of sleep.
Emerging Standards for Test Applications in the French-Speaking Countries of Europe
Authors: Grégoire Jacques
Published: April 2003

Summary: In June 1968, during the General Meeting of the Swiss Psychological Society, Jean Cardinet stimulated a debate about the application of ethical standards in testing. This debate was the start of the International Test Commission. At that time, Switzerland and France were at the forefront of the battle for the development of standards for test design, marketing, and use. Today, 30 years later, what is the situation on this topic in the French-speaking European countries (Switzerland, France, and Belgium)? The aim of this paper is to describe the current situation in the regulation of testing practices in these three countries. Unfortunately, since Jean Cardinet 's initiative, the situation has deteriorated. This stagnation is related to a lack of interest about tests among psychologists during the 1970s and the 1980s. During this period, a very small number of tests were developed and the use of tests was on the decline. For the last 10 years, a renewed interest in tests has been related to the development of cognitive psychology. It has stimulated a new reflection about quality control on tests and on competencies required for a correct use of tests. But there is still a long way to go to reach an effective regulation of testing practice in the French-speaking countries of Europe.
Bias Research in The Netherlands: Review and Implications
Authors: te Nijenhuis Jan , van der Flier Henk
Published: April 2003

Summary: A comprehensive review of the research on test bias against immigrant children and job applicants in The Netherlands from 1984 to 1999 is provided. Immigrants are mainly from Surinam, The Netherlands Antilles, Morocco, and Turkey. The emphasis is on empirical studies, using tests of intelligence, personality, and elementary cognitive tasks. The data show that tests can be used within culturally homogeneous groups and can be used rather well for comparisons between immigrants and majority group members; analyses of internal bias show that tests strongly measure the same dimensions and that the proportion of biased items is small; analyses of prediction bias show only little differential prediction. So, there is test bias, but its effects are not strong. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Benefits from Computerized Adaptive Testing as Seen in Simulation Studies
Authors: Hornke Lutz F.
Published: April 2003

Summary: Item parameters for several hundreds of items were estimated based on empirical data from several thousands of subjects. The logistic one-parameter (1PL) and two-parameter (2PL) model estimates were evaluated. However, model fit showed that only a subset of items complied sufficiently, so that the remaining ones were assembled in well-fitting item banks. In several simulation studies 5000 simulated responses were generated in accordance with a computerized adaptive test procedure along with person parameters. A general reliability of .80 or a standard error of measurement of .44 was used as a stopping rule to end CAT testing. We also recorded how often each item was used by all simulees. Person-parameter estimates based on CAT correlated higher than .90 with true values simulated. For all 1PL fitting item banks most simulees used more than 20 items but less than 30 items to reach the pre-set level of measurement error. However, testing based on item banks that complied to the 2PL revealed that, on average, only 10 items were sufficient to end testing at the same measurement error level. Both clearly demonstrate the precision and economy of computerized adaptive testing. Empirical evaluations from everyday uses will show whether these trends will hold up in practice. If so, CAT will become possible and reasonable with some 150 well-calibrated 2PL items.
Integrating Interpersonal Assessment and Adult Attachment Using SASB
Authors: Pincus Aaron L. , Dickinson Kelly A. , Schut Alex J. , Castonguay Louis G. , Bedics Jamie
Published: April 2003

Summary: The increasing interest in adult attachment concepts in social, personality, and clinical psychology has led to the proliferation of multiple self-report measures operationalizing such constructs as they are reflected in a variety of related conceptual models. Recent investigations of adult attachment measures indicate they generally converge in providing rather global information regarding the general positive or negative quality of enduring bonds with primary caregivers during the adult years or the general positive or negative quality of relational style individuals exhibit in the formation of new relationships. Benjamin and her colleagues proposed an integration of interpersonal and attachment theories based on Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB) to improve precision of adult attachment assessment. They suggested that the addition of SASB-based interpersonal descriptors would improve the utility of attachment concepts in assessment and relational diagnosis. Two studies were conducted to evaluate these propositions by examining the convergent relations between childhood parental representations assessed by the SASB Intrex questionnaires and two measures of adult attachment constructs. Results of both studies supported predicted convergence between SASB dimensions and attachment constructs. Fearful and preoccupied adult attachment styles, perceptions of rejecting early attachment, and current angry and dismissive states of mind toward the caregiver are negatively related to SASB affiliation. Perceptions of enmeshed early attachment is negatively related to SASB autonomy. The addition of interpersonal descriptors to the assessment of global attachment constructs adds precision to the description of “internal working models,” increasing sophistication of attachment concepts for relational diagnosis and assessment. A framework for integrated attachment/interpersonal assessment is discussed and examples are provided.
Social Competence: An Interpersonal Analysis and Reformulation
Authors: Gurtman Michael B.
Published: April 2003

Summary: Social competence is an alluring, yet elusive, construct. The purpose of this article is to examine social competence in relation to a model of interpersonal behavior, the interpersonal circumplex. The circumplex can serve as descriptive taxonomy for social competence constructs; it also gives rise to a set of analytic methods useful for validating particular measures and analyzing item characteristics. The value of the approach was demonstrated in studies done on an array of self-report measures. The results suggested that most social competency measures can be reconceptualized as some blend of Dominance, Extraversion, and Friendliness. When linked to interpersonal theory, the circumplex model provides an integrative framework for understanding social competence, and a springboard for generating and testing relevant hypotheses.
Adapting Instruments for Use in Multiple Languages and Cultures: A Review of the ITC Guidelines for Test Adaptations
Authors: Tanzer Norbert K. , Sim Catherine Q.E.
Published: April 2003

Summary: To facilitate the development of valid multicultural/multilingual tests, the International Test Commission (ITC) prepared the ITC Guidelines on Test Adaptations. This paper reviews the current version (cf. Van de Vijver & Hambleton, 1996 ), which consists of 22 guidelines on recommended practices pertaining to context, development, administration, documentation, and test-score interpretation, by identifying key principles in test adaptations and comparing them to a content analysis of the ITC Guidelines. The content analysis revealed a number of inconsistencies and ambiguities in a few guidelines, and proposals for reformulating them are given. A checklist to supplement the more narrative guidelines would also be helpful. Nevertheless, the review clearly demonstrates that the ITC Guidelines on Test Adaptations address key principles in test adaptations and constitute a significant standard or “code of conduct” in this field.
Translating Tests with the International Test Commission's Guidelines: Keeping Validity in Mind
Authors: Jeanrie Chantale , Bertrand Richard
Published: April 2003

Summary: Translation of psychological tests developed and normed in other countries appears to be a common practice in countries that, like Canada, recognize more than one official languages or have among their population considerable cultural groups whose mother tongue is not the official language. In such situations, rigorous assessment of the equivalence of the original and translated versions of the test is essential, in particular when translated test versions are scored using original test norms. This article, based upon a research project aimed toward establishment of double (for French and English Canadians) Canadian norms of the CPI-434 ( Gough, 1996 ), describes how the Guidelines for adapting tests, developed by the International Tests Commission, allow one to consider the process of equivalence assessment of a translated test as being similar in nature to the collection of construct validity evidence of a test. From this perspective, and in line with the Guidelines, a translation method focused on the judgmental assessment of conceptual and linguistic equivalence of translated tests is proposed and discussed.
The Choice of Item Difficulty in Self-Adapted Testing
Authors: Hontangas Pedro , Ponsoda Vicente , Olea Julio , Wise Steven L.
Published: April 2003

Summary: The difficulty level choices made by examinees during a self-adapted test were studied. A positive correlation between estimate ability and difficulty choice was found. The mean difficulty level selected by the examinees increased nonlinearly as the testing session progressed. Regression analyses showed that the best predictors of difficulty choice were examinee ability, difficulty of the previous item, and score on the previous item. Four strategies for selecting difficulty levels were examined, and examinees were classified into subgroups based on the best-fitting strategy. The subgroups differed with regard to ability, pretest anxiety, number of items passed, and mean difficulty level chosen. The self-adapted test was found to reduce state anxiety for only some of the strategy groups.
Measuring the Big Five in Self-Report and Other Ratings
Authors: Barbaranelli Claudio , Caprara Gian Vittorio
Published: April 2003

Summary: The aim of the study is to assess the construct validity of two different measures of the Big Five, matching two “response modes” (phrase-questionnaire and list of adjectives) and two sources of information or raters (self-report and other ratings). Two-hundred subjects, equally divided in males and females, were administered the self-report versions of the Big Five Questionnaire (BFQ) and the Big Five Observer (BFO), a list of bipolar pairs of adjectives ( Caprara, Barbaranelli, & Borgogni, 1993 , 1994 ). Every subject was rated by six acquaintances, then aggregated by means of the same instruments used for the self-report, but worded in a third-person format. The multitrait-multimethod matrix derived from these measures was then analyzed via Structural Equation Models according to the criteria proposed by Widaman (1985) , Marsh (1989) , and Bagozzi (1994) . In particular, four different models were compared. While the global fit indexes of the models were only moderate, convergent and discriminant validities were clearly supported, and method and error variance were moderate or low.
Validity of the Elderly Behavior Assessment for Relatives (EBAR)
Authors: Pezzuti Lina , Laicardi Caterina , Lauriola Marco
Published: April 2003

Summary: An Elderly Behavior Assessment for Relatives (EBAR), updating the GERRI ( Schwartz, 1983 ), was administered to relatives (or significant others) of 349 elderly persons, from 60 to over 80 years of age, living at home, in good health and without cognitive impairment. A trained psychologist administered subjects the Life Satisfaction for Elderly Scale (LSES), the Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL), the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and personally answered to an overall elderly behavior rating scale (RA). EBAR items were first examined. The more attractive and less discriminative statements were excluded. A principal components analysis was carried out on the remaining EBAR items. Three factors were extracted. After varimax rotation they were tentatively labeled: Everyday Cognitive Functioning, Depression, and Hostility. Factor-driven EBAR subscales were designed, taking into account simpler items in the factor matrix. Results provide evidence for EBAR construct validity. Everyday Cognitive Functioning is connected to the IADL and the RA scores; Depression is very highly related to the LSES; Hostility is weakly related to RA, IADL, and MMSE, indicating that the scale needs further investigation.
Momentary Affect in Spanish: Scales, Structure, and Relationship to Personality
Authors: Yik Michelle S. M. , Russell James A. , Oceja Luis V. , Dols Jose Miguel Fernandez
Published: April 2003

Summary: This article shows that basic aspects of the structure of momentary affect are similar in Spanish and Canadian societies. It developed questionnaire scales in Spanish in four different formats for assessing momentary affect. Scales can be scored for dimensions defined by Barrett and Russell (1998) , Thayer (1996) , Larsen and Diener (1992) , and Watson and Tellegen (1985) . In a sample of Spanish-speaking respondents (N = 233), the new scales were found to be psychometrically sound and to be interrelated as found with English-speaking Canadians: Dimensions could be integrated into a two-dimensional bipolar space. Personality correlated with momentary affect, though not in the same pattern as found in Canada.
Appraisal Ratings, Halo, and Selection: A Study Using Sales Staff
Authors: Jackson Chris J. , Furnham Adrian
Published: April 2003

Summary: Supervisor ratings are useful criteria for the validation of selection instruments but may be limited because of the presence of rating errors, such as halo. This study set out to show that supervisor ratings which are high in halo remain successful criteria in selection. Following a thorough job analysis, a customer service questionnaire was designed to assess the potential of retail sales staff on three “orthogonal” subscales labelled Dealing with people, Emotions and energy, and Solitary style. These subscales were uncorrelated with supervisor ratings made about 8 weeks later. However, the supervisor ratings were correlated with an overall scale derived from the three scales of the customer service questionnaire. These results support the view that supervisor ratings generally consist of global impressions and suggest that these global impressions are useful measures of overall performance. This field study confirms laboratory results that halo does not necessarily reduce rating accuracy.
Belgian Normative Data of the Temperament and Character Inventory* * The original data upon which this paper is based are available at www.hhpub.com/journals/ejpa
Authors: Hansenne Michel , Le Bon Olivier , Gauthier Anne , Ansseau Marc
Published: April 2003

Summary: The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) is a 226-item self-questionnaire developed to assess the seven dimensions of personality described by Cloninger and his colleagues. Normative data from 322 representative French-speaking subjects from Belgium are presented and the psychometric properties are discussed. Mean scores of temperament dimensions were appreciably different from those published by Cloninger . In our sample, novelty seeking and self-transcendence scores were lower and harm avoidance scores were higher compared to US norms. The other dimensions were almost identical. The factorial analysis showed that the hypothesized factor structure of temperament and character dimensions was almost confirmed. The present study also confirmed that the TCI scales were weakly related among themselves. The relationships were consistent with those reported by previous reports. Gender differences were also found for different dimensions.
The Beck Depression Inventory: Psychometric Characteristics and Usefulness in Nonclinical Adolescents
Authors: Canals J. , Bladé J. , Carbajo G. , Domènech-LLabería E.
Published: April 2003

Summary: Epidemiological utility and characteristics of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were examined in a sample of 304 nonclinical adolescents. Psychopathological diagnoses according ICD-10 criteria were assessed by the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry. The female BDI scores were significantly higher than the male scores. The depressed adolescent scores were significantly higher than for nondepressed adolescents. Different scores as discriminators of depression subtypes were reported. The BDI pessimism item was the most important predictor of the total BDI score. Gender differences were found in depressive symptomatology. According to the rates of sensitivity and specificity, the best cutoff scores found were 16 and 10 for major depression and dysthymia, respectively. In conclusion, the BDI proved to be a reliable and valid instrument that could be used as a depression screening in nonclinical adolescents.
Dynamic Assessment of Cognitive Rehabilitation Potential in Schizophrenic Persons and in Elderly Persons With and Without Dementia
Authors: Wiedl Karl H. , Schöttke Henning , Garcia M. Dolores Calero
Published: April 2003

Summary: Dynamic assessment is a diagnostic approach in which specific interventions are integrated into assessment procedures to estimate cognitive modifiability. The study investigates the utility of this approach in persons with compelling rehabilitational needs. Samples of schizophrenic patients and of elderly with and without dementia were assessed with dynamic versions of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Both tests were administered by applying specific procedures of verbal mediation designed to increase performance. Results demonstrated superior predictive validity with regard to proficiency in a clinical training in schizophrenic subjects and better discrimination of nondemented and demented elderly with the help of dynamic measures compared to static test scores. Subsequent correlational analyses indicated that, for both tests, performance change following intervention is related to the processing of verbal context information. Results are discussed with respect to the concept of verbal working memory as one component of the patients' rehabilitation potential.
Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Adaptation of the Five Factor Personality Inventory
Authors: Rodríguez-Fornells Antoni , Lorenzo-Seva Urbano , Andrés-Pueyo Antonio
Published: April 2003

Summary: The Five Factor Personality Inventory (FFPI) was translated and adapted to a Spanish population of 567 subjects. A principal component analysis using orthogonal Procrustes rotation replicated the five-component structure of the original FFPI questionnaire. The coefficients of congruence between the loading matrices obtained in the Dutch sample and the Spanish sample were also computed showing high factorial convergence. The Spanish version of the FFPI showed adequate reliability. Further, convergent and discriminant validity were studied using other well-known Big Five and PEN questionnaires. The results fully supported the psychometric properties of the FFPI questionnaire in the present population.
Neuropsychological Assessment of Selected Clinical Disorders
Authors: Manning Lilianne
Published: April 2003

Summary: The paper delineates a general view of neuropsychological assessment in two major clinical disorders, which involve diffuse and focal brain damage, respectively. The neuropsychological examination in some particular cases is briefly summarized in the second part of the paper, which concerns the organic involvement in subjective memory difficulties, the extent of organic disorder in mild traumatic brain injury, and the important difficulties involved in understanding organic involvement in psychiatric patients. The role of clinicians is commented on in the different cases addressed in the paper.
Standards for the Development and Use of Tests: The Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing
Authors: Eignor Daniel R.
Published: April 2003

Summary: This paper discusses the changes in the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing between the 1985 and 1999 versions, along with the developments in testing that brought about these changes. In addition, some thoughts are presented about the future of the 1999 Standards.
Determinants of Interrater Reliability of Job Analysis: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Voskuijl Olga F. , van Sliedregt Tjarda
Published: April 2003

Summary: This paper presents a meta-analysis of published job analysis interrater reliability data in order to predict the expected levels of interrater reliability within specific combinations of moderators, such as rater source, experience of the rater, and type of job descriptive information. The overall mean interrater reliability of 91 reliability coefficients reported in the literature was .59. The results of experienced professionals (job analysts) showed the highest reliability coefficients (.76). The method of data collection (job contact versus job description) only affected the results of experienced job analysts. For this group higher interrater reliability coefficients were obtained for analyses based on job contact (.87) than for those based on job descriptions (.71). For other rater categories (e.g., students, organization members) neither the method of data collection nor training had a significant effect on the interrater reliability. Analyses based on scales with defined levels resulted in significantly higher interrater reliability coefficients than analyses based on scales with undefined levels. Behavior and job worth dimensions were rated more reliable (.62 and .60, respectively) than attributes and tasks (.49 and .29, respectively). Furthermore, the results indicated that if nonprofessional raters are used (e.g., incumbents or students), at least two to four raters are required to obtain a reliability coefficient of .80. These findings have implications for research and practice.
The Structure of Vocational Interests in Iceland: Examining Holland's and Gati's RIASEC Models
Authors: Einarsdóttir Sif , Rounds James , Ægisdóttir Stefanía , Gerstein L.H.
Published: April 2003

Summary: The applicability of Holland's and Gati's RIASEC models and translated measures was tested in Iceland. The participants were 449 career counseling clients who responded to the Strong Interest Inventory (SII) and 438 university students who responded to the Self-Directed Search (SDS). The randomization test ( Hubert & Arabie, 1987 ) was used to test Holland's and Gati's RIASEC models separately for men and women. Multidimensional scaling was applied to the RIASEC matrices to evaluate the structure of vocational interests in Iceland. The results indicate that Holland's and Gati's models both fit well in Icelandic and US samples. Compared to the SDS, the SII showed greater structural fidelity. Implications for continuing use of Holland's theory and interest measures in Iceland and the importance of the cross-cultural study of vocational interests are discussed.
A Measurement Scale for Indecisiveness and its Relationship to Career Indecision and Other Types of Indecision
Authors: Germeijs Veerle , De Boeck Paul
Published: April 2003

Summary: A scale for indecisiveness was constructed and then used to investigate distinctive features of indecisiveness. In the literature on decision making, the distinction between indecision and indecisiveness is an important issue, but evidence showing that these two constructs are different is lacking. We found clear evidence for such a distinction, from a joint exploratory factor analysis of the indecisiveness scale and a career indecision scale, and from the differential relation of both with self-esteem as a third variable. Furthermore, with confirmatory factor analysis, we found that the correlations between items on career indecision cannot be explained only by indecisiveness, and that also a factor specific to the situation of career decision is needed. These results corroborate the distinction between career indecision and indecisiveness. Although it must be differentiated from specific types of indecision, such as career indecision, indecisiveness turned out to be a correlate of the specific indecisions - one that can explain the intercorrelations between different kinds of more specific indecision.
Modelling Employee Attitudes to Safety
Authors: Cheyne Alistair , Tomás José Manuel , Cox Sue , Oliver Amparo
Published: April 2003

This paper describes the modeling of employee attitudes to safety in three industrial sectors operating in the UK. Gauging employee attitudes to safety has become an increasingly important method of appraising human factors issues in many organizations. This study is based on data collected from a large survey (n = 2429) of employee attitudes to safety. It attempts to describe the subjective architectures, or explicative model, of employee attitudes to safety in these sectors by relating these attitudes to their appraisals of commitment to safety in their organization. A comparison of models across sector models is also made. The data support the claim that the architecture of attitudes to safety is, at least in part, dependent on the industrial context, or work environment. Differences were found in factor mean scores as well as differences in the relationships between factors in structural equation models for each sector. The models showed that perceptions of management actions and safety training were related to appraisals of the organizations' commitment to safety as well as, in two of the sectors, to personal actions for safety. The relationship between these findings and the three separate working environments is discussed.
Psychological Evaluation of Educational Multimedia Applications
Authors: Shavinina Larisa , Loarer Even
Published: April 2003

This paper describes the psychological evaluation of educational multimedia applications, which has the potential to be a new direction for applied psychology, arising as it does at the intersection of multimedia technology, education, and psychology, including general, cognitive, developmental, educational, and personality psychology. The paper analyzes the current situation in the field of educational multimedia, and proposes a framework for psychological evaluation of educational multimedia applications. The proposed approach to psychological evaluation of the quality of educational multimedia products involves the following five dimensions: (1) the individual; (2) the learning approach or model; (3) specific characteristics of multimedia technology; (4) the environment; and (5) the relationship among the previous four dimensions.
Toward Measuring Adolescent Environmental Perception
Authors: Bogner Franz X. , Wiseman Michael
Published: April 2003

This study presents a scale developed to measure two dimensions of environmental perceptions—reactions towards preservation and towards utilizing nature and/or the environment—consisting of two and three subscales, respectively. The empirical part consists of a reanalysis of data from four national samples, now analyzed together as one sample. The results of the four subsamples (of some 4,500 secondary school pupils in total) have been published elsewhere as bilateral studies. The aim of the present analysis is to identify a scale that is valid for the entire European sample: By means of factor analyses and structural equation modeling 20 items were extracted. Two latent variables, “Utilization” and “Preservation,” were hypothesized and related in a causal fashion, whereby “Utilization” influences “Preservation.” By application of the methods of linear structural relationships, the proposed model yields a good fit to the data.
Accessible Friendships, Inclusive Friendships, Reciprocated Friendships As Related to Social and Emotional Loneliness in Greece and the USA
Authors: Malikiosi-Loizos Maria , Anderson(†) Lynn R.
Published: April 2003

The participants, 128 Greek and 137 USA university women, listed the number of accessible friends—individuals who could be called upon to socialize in five different events—and the number of inclusive friends—those who would invite the subject to participate in the five events. Subjects completed the Revised Self-Monitoring Scale and Interpersonal Control Scale as well as three loneliness scales. Hypotheses were derived from suggestions of stronger collectivist norms in Greece than in the United States, meaning that friendship networks should be smaller but more reciprocated in Greece, and a lack of reciprocation should have greater effects upon loneliness in Greece than in the United States. The hypotheses were generally supported: The lack of a best friend was related to loneliness in Greece but not in the United States, and the lack of reciprocity between accessible and inclusive friendships was also more strongly related to loneliness in Greece. Perceived interpersonal control scores, but not self-monitoring scores, were significantly (negatively) related to loneliness in both countries.
On the Individual
Authors: Magnusson David
Published: April 2003

A description of two cases from my time as a school psychologist in the middle of the 1950s forms the background to the following question: Has anything important happened since then in psychological research to help us to a better understanding of how and why individuals think, feel, act, and react as they do in real life and how they develop over time? The studies serve as a background for some general propositions about the nature of the phenomena that concerns us in developmental research, for a summary description of the developments in psychological research over the last 40 years as I see them, and for some suggestions about future directions.
Barriers to the Metamorphosis of European Psychology
Authors: Wilpert Bernhard
Published: April 2003

The paper discusses the difficulties for European psychology to transform itself into a scientific discipline that displays its full richness in diversity while maintaining a fundamental unity. Traditional university education structures and the specifics of socialization into psychological science are seen as preventing psychologists from becoming efficiently and effectively engaged in solving social problems. While English as the current lingua franca of scientific discourse offers border-transcending opportunities for scientific communication, it also creates differences in competitive opportunities for non-English-speaking psychologists. Further, a critical barrier is seen in scientific paradigmatic prisons that may only be overcome by intellectual tolerance and open communication.