bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF SECOND LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY OF SPEAKERS AND LISTENERS ON PERSON PERCEPTION AND BEHAVIOURAL INTENTION: A STUDY OF CHINESE BILINGUALS
Authors: Hui C. Harry , Cheng Ivy W.M.
Published: September 2007

Do people at different levels of second language proficiency perceive and interact with other speakers differently? Conceptual analyses suggested three possibilities. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the hypotheses derived from the conceptual analyses. Forty Chinese undergraduates (half of whom were high and half of whom were low in English language proficiency) listened to English speeches by either high or low proficiency speakers, and rated the speakers on ten personality traits and ten behavioural intention items. High and low proficiency listeners did not differ in their impressions of the speakers or the behavioural intention towards them. However, speaker proficiency strongly affected the listeners' person perception and behavioural intention. Results from a hierarchical multiple regression supported the hypothesis that speaker proficiency influenced person perception, which in turn influenced behavioural intention.
ISSUES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY IN THE U.S.A.
Authors: O'mahony John F.
Published: September 2007

All States in the U.S.A. license or certify psychologists. The basic degree for licensure/certification is a doctoral degree. Licensure/certification is usually generic but various other forms of specific credentialling in Clinical Psychology are possible. Most health insurance schemes provide payment for psychological services, though not invariably on a fully independent basis. The major instrument in achieving this recognition has been ‘freedom of choice’ legislation. It is maintained that the three issues of credentialling, licensure/certification, and receipt of third‐party/insurance payments are highly interdependent.
ORGANISMIC PROCESSES FOR NEO‐PIAGETIAN THEORIES: A DIALECTICAL CAUSAL ACCOUNT OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Pascual‐Leone Juan
Published: September 2007

The paper criticizes some epistemological presuppositions of Piaget's and of neo‐Piagetian's work, in particular, the psycho‐Logical principle. This principle is contrasted with a more valid psycho‐dialectical one. It is suggested that a dialectical‐constructivist (i.e., causal‐dynamic) perspective offers a causal theoretical framework for cognitive development that is superior to that of Piaget and many neo‐Piagetians. I outline criteria for evaluating causal developmental theories, and point out deficiencies in Piaget's and neo‐Piagetian's stage theories vis‐à‐vis the criteria. An organismic theory of constructive operators ‐ a dialectical/causal theory ‐ is introduced as a remedy for these deficiencies. I focus on a modular model of mental attention that is constituted by four dynamically interacting functional systems. These systems together explain the ‘beam’ of mental attention and its phenomenological/behavioural effects. I claim that the stages of cognitive development are caused by growth of mental attention. The validity of this model is supported by data on a motor performance task (Rho task). The Rho data show: (a) the existence of stage‐wise plateaus in children's performance at ages congruent with the redefined Piagetian stages; (b) the psychological structures which, driven by mental attention (M‐capacity), are responsible for performance on the task, appear to be located in the left hemisphere of the brain. These findings, predicted by the dialectical theory of mental attention, highlight its causal‐predictive power.
EXPERIENTIAL STRUCTURALISM AND NEO‐PIAGETIAN THEORIES: TOWARD AN INTEGRATED MODEL
Authors: Demetriou Andreas , Efklides Anastasia
Published: September 2007

Experiential structuralism is a new theory of cognitive organization and growth. It postulates that the cognitive system is organized into six autonomous capacity spheres: the quantitative‐relational, the qualitative‐analytic, the imaginal‐spatial, the causal‐experimental, the verbal‐propositional, and the metacognitive‐reflecting. These capacities were called experiential because they are experimentally documented, they reflect the organization of the persons' experience and the ‐ subjective ‐ experience the persons have about this organization. Thus it was proposed that a set of specific cognitive abilities may be integrated into a general capacity under the guidance of four principles. Namely, the principles of (1) domain specificity, (2) formal‐procedural specificity, (3) symbolic bias, and (4) subjective distinctness of capacities. It was argued that this theory resolves some of the problems related to the competence‐performance dispute better than the other neo‐Piagetian theories. It seems to succeed in this regard because it postulates mechanisms directly linking performance variations with systematic variations in the organization of the cognitive system. However, the neo‐Piagetian theories, though they did not define capacities, did propose notions able to causally explain the construction of autonomous capacities. These notions were integrated into a common model able to explain the generation of capacities. Overall, then, the present article attempts to integrate traditional differential and cognitive‐developmental psychology into a common theory.
SOME GENERAL CONCLUSIONS ABOUT CHILDREN'S STRATEGY CHOICE PROCEDURES
Authors: Siegler Robert S.
Published: September 2007

This article presents conclusions that have emerged from my recent work on how children choose strategies on familiar tasks such as arithmetic, time‐telling, and spelling. Among these conclusions are that children use diverse strategies on many tasks; that ignoring this diversity of strategies can lead to seriously flawed cognitive models; that children's pattern of strategy choices have considerable adaptive value; that children's strategy choices do not always reflect the operation of metacognitive processes; that associative knowledge directs at least some strategy choices; that among the factors that influence the development of strategy choices are the difficulty of executing backup strategies, the impact of related problems and operations, and the frequency of problem presentation; and that individual differences in both knowledge and cognitive style influence strategy choices.
NEO‐PIAGETIAN THEORY: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT
Authors: Case Robbie
Published: September 2007

In the present article, the neo‐Piagetian theories that were presented in the previous articles are placed in historical context; then compared and contrasted. It is suggested that all the theories arose in response to a common dilemma, namely that of building a revised theory of development which would preserve the strengths of classical Piagetian theory, while elminating its weaknesses. Since one of the strengths of the classical theory was its ability to explain the universal features of cognitive development, most of the new theories retained the core set of structural postulates which made this explanation possible. This gives the new theories a strong family resemblance with regard to their structural claims. Since one of the weaknesses of the classical theory was its inability to explain the aspects of cognitive development that are not universal, most of the new theories have modified and/or added to this set of core postulates, and specified a set of structural transformation processes which go beyond the classical theory as well. In this latter regard there are more dissimilarities among the new theories than there are similarities. Two reasons for this divergence are suggested. The first is that Piaget's structural transformation model was less clearly falsified than other aspects of his theory, by the data on cognitive‐developmental non‐universality. It was therefore less clear which aspects of the transformation model should be retained, and which eliminated. The second reason is that current theorists are divided on the question of which other theoretical approach ‐ among those that are currently available in other branches of psychology ‐ offers the greatest promise, when it comes to extending Piaget's transformation model in a productive fashion.
NEO‐PIAGETIAN THEORIES: CROSS‐CULTURAL AND DIFFERENTIAL PERSPECTIVES
Authors: Dasen Pierre R. , de Ribaupierre Anik
Published: September 2007

The neo‐Piagetian theories represented in this special issue are examined from the cross‐cultural and differential perspectives. The goals, methods and achievements of these two approaches are briefly reviewed, and the similarities and differences between the two are pointed out. Six criteria are proposed that psychological theories should meet from the point of view of these perspectives. After a review of the few existing empirical cross‐cultural and differential studies inspired by neo‐Piagetian theories, the latter are matched to the six criteria, and the potential advantages of these new models over classical structuralist approaches are spelled out.
THE CONSTANCY OF STRUCTURE OF PERCEIVED PARENTAL REARING STYLE IN GREEK AND SPANISH SUBJECTS AS COMPARED WITH THE DUTCH
Authors: Arrindell Willem A. , Perris Hjördis , Denia Mercedes , Van Der Ende Jan , Perris Carlo , Kokkevi Anna , Anasagasti José Ignacio , Eisemann Martin
Published: September 2007

To be able to contribute to the cross‐cultural study of child‐rearing practices and psychopathology, this study sought to examine the cross‐national generalizability of parental rearing constructs by analyzing self‐report data on the EMBU, an instrument designed to assess memories of one's parents' rearing behavior. Of the four primary factors identified originally with Dutch individuals, namely Rejection, Emotional Warmth, Overprotection and Favoring Subject, the first three were replicated in a similar form in a Greek and a Spanish sample of normal research volunteers. Other properties of the factors, their corresponding scales, and the items constituting the scales were such that it would be warranted to carry out mean scale level or pattern comparisons between subjects from the respective countries on the three constructs evidencing cross‐national constancy. Scale‐level factor analysis of these constructs produced identical two‐ factor compositions (CARE and PROTECTION) across the Greek, the Spanish and the Dutch samples which further supported this conclusion.
PSYCHOLOGICAL RECOVERY OF ACCIDENT VICTIMS WITH TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT DISABILITY
Authors: Dalal Ajit K. , Pande Namita
Published: September 2007

The main objective of this study was to examine the role of causal beliefs in the psychological recovery of temporarily and permanently disabled accident victims. Patients (N = 41) from a government hospital and private nursing homes in Allahabad city, India, were interviewed one week and three weeks after the accident. The doctor's report of their recovery was also obtained each time. The permanently disabled patients were found less motivated to search for the causes of the tragic event. When asked to make attribution, permanently disabled attributed the accident more to external factors than those who were temporarily disabled. Chance and God's will were the causes more frequently mentioned. Attributions to Karma and God's will were significantly correlated with psychological recovery. The sense of personal control was not found to be a good index of psychological recovery. Number of complaints made by the patients and their depressive symptoms, as observed by the doctors, negatively correlated with the psychological recovery.
CONFIANCE EXCESSIVE: CONNAISSANCES ET CROYANCES
Authors: Lamarche Luc
Published: September 2007

It had already been found (Lamarche 1988; Oskamp 1965) that the overconfidence shown in answering a question increased with the number of new informations given. The objective of our research was to verify if there was a relation between that phenomenon, obtained with knowledge questions, and the evolution of confidence, in the same circumstances, when belief questions are involved. On the one hand, we presented to our subjects knowledge questions which were repeated with a growing number of clues; on the other hand, the same subjects were asked to form an impression of a person based on a list of traits presented sequentially. Using a calibration index, we were able to observe anew the growing overconfidence with knowledge questions. However, in the case of beliefs, the confidence level did not grow in the same way. We explain that result by our choice of traits. Nevertheless, there was a relation between the increase of confidence and the decrease of calibration. We think this could be the result of a lack of involvement with the belief questionnaire which is less so when answered first.
QUELQUES OBSERVATIONS SUR LA PSYCHOLOGIE EN ALGERIE: UNE PERSPECTIVE TRANSCULTURELLE
Authors: Al‐Issa Ihsan , Bouchafa Houria
Published: September 2007

In this article we would like to familiarize our Francophone colleagues with the Algerian sociocultural background as well as with some aspects of psychology in Algeria. This information should facilitate contacts between Francophone and Algerian psychologists in order to contribute to research in the area of cross‐cultural psychology. There are three institutes of psychology and educational sciences in Algeria. Most psychologists hold degrees from French universities. Psychologists are not organized into an independent association, but they belong to ‘The Union of Algerian Sociologists and Economists’. Their research projects are concerned with problems specific to Algerian culture as well as with problems in general psychology. We believe that for cross‐cultural research, the Algerian culture could provide different factors or greater extremes of factors than those found in the West. Factors related to certain behavior differ in Algeria from those found in the West. One important area of cross‐cultural research is the adaptation and validation of tests of personality and intelligence.
DIMENSIONS COGNITIVES ET COMPORTEMENTALES CHEZ LES JOUEURS RÉGULIERS ET OCCASIONNELS AU BLACKJACK
Authors: Gaboury Anne , Ladouceur Robert , Beauvais Geneviève , Marchand Lucie , Martineau Yves
Published: September 2007

Empirical studies in the psychology of gambling have revealed at least two well supported findings: (1) irrational cognitions outnumber rational cognitions during gambling (Gaboury and Ladouceur, 1987; Ladouceur, Gaboury, Dumont and Rochette 1988); (2) risk‐taking behavior increases as a function to exposure to gambling activities (Ladouceur, Mayrand and Tourigny 1987; Ladouceur, Tourigny and Mayrand 1986). The present study compared regular and occasional gamblers on cognitive and behavioral measures during a blackjack session using the thinking aloud method. The results confirmed that regular players emitted more irrational thoughts than occasional gamblers. The theoretical and practical implications of those results are discussed within the general context of the psychology of gambling.
EAR DIFFERENCES IN EVALUATING EMOTIONAL OVERTONES OF UNFAMILIAR SPEECH BY JAPANESE AND ISRAELIS
Authors: Hatta Takeshi , Nachshon Israel
Published: September 2007

Forty Japanese and 31 Israeli students evaluated the intensity of positive and negative emotional overtones of unfamiliar speech passages delivered to one ear, while hearing white noise in the other ear. The results indicated that (1) the Israelis evaluated as more intense the negative overtones, while the Japanese evaluated both positive and negative overtones as being about equally intense; (2) that the emotional overtones were evaluated as more intense in the left ear by the Japanese, and in the right ear by the Israelis; and (3) that females evaluated as relatively more intense the negative overtones, while males evaluated both overtones as being equally intense. The findings are discussed in terms of possible cultural effects on cerebral function.
THE EFFECT OF THE KOREAN NUMBER SYSTEM ON YOUNG CHILDREN'S COUNTING: A NATURAL EXPERIMENT IN NUMERICAL BILINGUALISM
Authors: Song Myung Ja , Ginsburg Herbert P.
Published: September 2007

In Korea, two number systems are in simultaneous use. One is somewhat irregular (like the English language number system), and the other regular (similar to the Chinese number system). This natural experiment allows a direct test of the hypothesis that structural regularity of the number system facilitates the acquisition of counting. Korean children initially suffer from their numerical ‘bilingualism’: they find it difficult to learn two counting systems at the same time. Yet, after this initial difficulty, they soon master the generative rules which are transparent in the regular system. The cognitive advantage provided by the regular number system then combines with other factors, like intensive teaching and parental pressure, to produce school achievement in mathematics superior to US children's.
SENTIMENT D'AUTO‐EFFICACITÉ ET EXERCICE DES PROCESSUS D'AUTORÉGULATION CHEZ DES ÉTUDIANTS DE NIVEAU COLLÉGIAL*
Authors: Bouffard‐Bouchard Thérèse , Pinard Adrien
Published: September 2007

This study examines the influence of self‐efficacy on the self‐regulatory mechanisms exercised during a verbal concept formation task. High or low‐self‐efficacy is experimentally induced among sixty four college students who subsequently have to solve, aloud, different problems of concept formation. Self‐regulation was examined based on the utilization of the cognitive strategies required to solve the task, the monitoring strategies applied over the cognitive enterprise and the metacognitive experiences emerging along the resolution. Both groups exhibite similar cognitive strategies, yet some of their monitoring strategies and metacognitive experiences are affected by their self‐efficacy judgments. The nature of self‐efficacy should be considered when studying the relationship between metacognitive knowledge and self‐regulation as applied during the task resolution.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOLLAND'S TYPOLOGY AND COGNITIVE STYLES
Authors: Alvi Sabir A. , Khan Sar B. , Hussain M. Anwar , BAIG Tahira
Published: September 2007

This paper combines the results of two studies across different cultures which included an investigation into the relationship between field‐dependence‐independence and vocational orientations within the framework of Holland's theory of career choice and Witkin's theory of psychological differentiation. The samples included 179 Canadian senior high school students and 376 Pakistani college and university students. Both samples were administered Self‐Directed Search and Group Embedded Figures Test. The results indicated a significant relationship between cognitive styles and vocational orientations. It was evident from the findings of these two studies that the theories of Holland and Witkin dove‐tail nicely with each other.
PSYCHOLOGY IN INDIA: A SURVEY OF DOCTORAL STUDENTS
Authors: Singh Anup Kumar , Dalal Ajit Kumar
Published: September 2007

This study examines profile, research area, research activities, perception of psychology, self‐image and profession‐related satisfaction doctoral students of psychology in India. Seventy‐seven participants responded to a mailed questionnaire. It has subsections related to self‐image as researcher, student‐supervisor relationship, research process, profession‐related satisfaction, and status of psychology in India. It was observed that most participants belonged to urban background, middle class, and nuclear family. They perceived job opportunities in various fields and aspired most for teaching and research. Further, gender and financial assistance did not influence self‐image and student‐supervisor relationship. However, financial assistance influenced satisfaction with different aspects of profession. Implications of the findings are discussed in light of doctoral training of psychology in India and reorientation of psychology as a profession.
L'INVENTAIRE DE RESOLUTION DE PROBLEMES PERSONNELS: UNE PERSPECTIVE METACOGNITIVE*
Authors: Laporte Lise , Sabourin Stéphane , Wright John
Published: September 2007

Studies on personal problem solving demonstrate important variations in intra‐ and interindividual problem solving performances. These differences have been associated with different levels of subject's psychological distress. Recently, several investigators have attempted to identify meta‐cognitive factors associated with fluctuations in problem solving performance and variations in subject's level of mental health. The purpose of the present study was to examine the psychometric qualities of the French version of the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI). The 35‐item questionnaire assess people's attitudes toward their personal problem solving competence. Reliability, factorial structure and construct validity of the instrument were evaluated with two different samples of subjects. Results indicated that the French version of the PSI has high internal consistency and, as predicted, a tri‐dimensional factorial structure. The observed relation between subject's appraisal of their personal problem solving abilities and level of psychological distress support the discriminant properties and the concurrent validity of the PSI.
READING INTERESTS OF CHINESE ADOLESCENTS: EFFECTS OF PERSONAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS*
Authors: Lau Sing , Cheung Sau Man
Published: September 2007

The relation of the reading interests of Chinese adolescents to their personality (introversion), values (intellectualism and academic achievement), and the reading interests of their family members and peers was studied. A total of 2,114 secondary school students participated in the study. The hypothesized relationship was found to be positive. Specifically, the more introverted students were attracted to more literary materials, whereas the less introverted were fond of more action type of materials. Students high on the value of intellectualism were found to read in general more than those low on the value in almost any kind of materials. Compared to the low ones, students high on the value of academic achievement tended to read more but the differences were not extensive; their interest seemed to focus more on the literary and curriculum‐related materials. With respect to family and peer influences, students with parents, siblings, classmates, and friends who read tended to read more and have wider reading interests.
THE ROLE OF CONFIRMATORY FACTOR ANALYSIS IN CROSS‐CULTURAL RESEARCH*
Authors: Watkins David
Published: September 2007

Some of the problems with traditional exploratory factor analysis and the advantages of confirmatory factor analyses are first explored. These are illustrated by brief descriptions of how the author has used confirmatory factory analysis in three cross‐cultural investigations. Further discussion looks at possible applications for cross‐cultural researchers and considers some of the current problems with this research technique.
A CROSS‐CULTURAL VALIDATION OF THE PERSONALITY RESEARCH FORM IN ZIMBABWE
Authors: Wilson David , Doolabh Ajit , Cooney Julian , Khalpey Mujahid , Siddiqui Shazia
Published: September 2007

The cross‐cultural validity of the Personality Research Form was investigated among 156 Zimbabwean students. Scale reliabilities ranged from 0.47 to 0.86 (mean = 0.68). Many trait‐description and adjective self‐rating validity coefficients were moderate. Zimbabwean respondents obtained elevated scores on the Infrequency scale — a scale designed to detect invalid responding — of the Personality Research Form. Trait‐description and adjective self‐rating validity coefficients rose slightly when the analysis was confined to participants with low Infrequency scores (i.e. valid responses). Peer‐rating validity coefficients were low and changed little when validities were calculated separately for individuals with low and high Infrequency scores. Correlations of content scales with social desirability were generally comparable to those reported among North American students. It is concluded that further research on the Personality Research Form in Zimbabwe should (a) include more detailed administrative instructions to improve understanding and motivation, and (b) use further peer‐rating and other validity criteria.
ETUDE COMPARATIVE DES EVALUATIONS COLLECTIVES ET INDIVIDUELLES DE LA PENSEE FORMELLE
Authors: Paquet Jean , Laurendeau‐Bendavid Monique
Published: September 2007

The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of different individual and group testing procedures on the success rate obtained by subjects on different formal problems. Four testing conditions were compared: a clinical interview; an individual interview without intervention; a group test with a demonstration of the material; and a group paper‐and‐pencil test. The four conditions are defined according to several variables that were deemed important for the explanation of potential performance outcomes. All subjects were administered the following four Piagetian derived tasks: a projection of shadows task; a permutation task; an equilibrium in the balance task; and an interrupter combinations task. According to the general hypothesis, subject performance should be optimal for the clinical interview and decline gradually as the assumed advantages of this method are systematically removed, i.e., counterquestioning of the examiner, retrials, subject‐examiner interactions, familiarization with the material, etc. The results show that there are performance differences between the conditions, but mainly across the individual and group situations. However, mean ranks obtained from each condition indicate that the facilitating variables identified in the first three conditions have a certain influence on subject performance. Implications regarding a choice of a valid mesurement of formal thought are discussed.
LATERALIZATION FOR FACIAL EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOR: A METHODOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE*
Authors: Borod Joan C. , Koff Elissa
Published: September 2007

Recent attention has focused upon the neuropsychological mechanisms underlying facial emotional expression. The greater intensity of expression and more extensive muscular involvement of the left hemiface have suggested right hemisphere dominance in the expression of emotion. This interpretation is based on the fact that the lower portion of the face is predominantly innervated by the contralateral cerebral hemisphere. The current paper reviews a series of studies on (a) facial asymmetry in normal subjects, (b) facial emotional expression in brain‐damaged subjects with unilateral lesions, and (c) peripheral factors mediating facial expression findings. Neuropsychological mechanisms underlying emotional processing are also discussed. Our finding of left‐sided facial asymmetries in normals is underscored by our finding that right brain‐damaged patients are impaired in the expression of facial emotion. Finally, our studies have demonstrated that the asymmetries in normals and the deficits in patient populations are not artifacts of hemiface size and mobility or facial paralysis and apraxia. Taken together, these studies provide evidence that the right hemisphere is specialized for the expression of facial emotion.
VITESSE D'HABITUATION VISUELLE CHEZ DES BÉBÉS IVOIRIENS ET FRANÇAIS
Authors: Lécuyer Roger , Tano Jean
Published: September 2007

A comparison of the habituation rate of two infant populations was performed: Ivory Coast and French 3‐, 5‐ and 8‐month‐olds. The same age evolution of the habituation performance was observed, but no differences were found between the two cultures at any age. The African infant's lead in development as shown by infant tests is not observed with the habituation paradigm. If such data are confirmed, they will lead to the conclusion that the difference is more a motor than a cognitive one.
SEX‐TYPING OF THE WATER‐LEVEL TASK: THERE IS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
Authors: Robert Michèle
Published: September 2007

It has often been reported that male subjects surpass female subjects in the mastery of gravitational horizontality in the water‐level task, although it has yet to be established whether or not these subjects perceive it as calling for gender‐specific abilities. In the present study, it was predicted that more subjects would judge this task to be masculine than either feminine or neutral. Male and female undergraduates were given a description of the task and were asked to provide judgments about its sex‐linkage. They were then asked to state the reasons for their judgment, and finally they were required to perform the task. Contrary to expectation, it was found that a significant majority of the subjects considered the task to be neutral. The task was perceived as requiring cognitive abilities which differ across individuals but which are equivalent for both genders. However, the male subjects outperformed the female subjects. Female subjects failed in the same proportion in two age categories, 18 to 27 and 31 to 46 years. The predominance of an egalitarian perception was attributed to cultural differences between the present subjects and the American samples from previously reported studies linking a male stereotype with spatial and scientific tasks. The absence of covariation between task perception and actual performance weakens the possibility that the women's lesser proficiency is connected with their belief that they are not competent enough to master a task considered to be suited to masculine aptitudes or knowledge.
Component Skills as Predictors of Chinese Reading Proficiency in Primary School Children
Authors: Chen May Jane , Wong Alice
Published: September 2007

This study was designed to examine the relevance of some cognitive skills to Chinese reading and to identify those that distinguish readers of different proficiency levels. Third‐, fourth‐, and fifth‐grade children were given two sets of tests, the Chinese Reading Proficiency Test and five component skill tests. Skills in word recognition and in comprehension were examined through tasks measuring component detection, lexical coding, memory for gist, knowledge of syntax, and use of context. Subjects' responses on the knowledge of syntax task and the lexical coding task were found to be most effective in predicting reading proficiency of the third graders, but not the fourth‐ and fifth‐grade children. Instead, use of context task was the best predictor of the older children's reading proficiency.
Resistance to Group or Personal Insults in an Ingroup or Outgroup Context
Authors: Bond Michael Harris , Venus Chung Kwok
Published: September 2007

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of different types of insults in different social contexts on the victim's resistance to the attack. In a teaching exercise, which was purportedly measuring their intelligence, students were insulted for their incompetence by their teacher in various situations: when alone, in front of an ingroup member, or in front of an outgroup member. In half the cases this personal insult was augmented by one impugning the competence of the student's academic ingroup as well. Direct resistance showed a complex pattern of results, reflecting concerns about managing an impression of group loyalty and personal detachment. Measures of indirect resistance showed higher levels in the public, as opposed to the private contexts, and were conceptualised as reflecting esteem deflation. These results thus amplify and extend into the logic of a collectivist culture hypotheses (Felson, 1978) about aggression as impression management.
L'impact de la présence de l'enfant sur la relation conjugale
Authors: Bigras Marc , LaFrenière Peter J. , Lacharité Carl
Published: September 2007

Depuis trente ans, la majorité des recherches concluent que la qualité de la relation conjugale est affectée négativement par la naissance et par la présence de l'enfant. Un portrait détaillé des couples, qui permettrait de comprendre les processus impliqués dans une baisse de la qualité de la vie conjugale, fait encore défaut. La présente étude introduit un nouvel instrument afin de réévaluer cette question sur plusieurs aspects. Premièrement, est‐ce que les couples avec enfant (N = 39) perçoivent une moins bonne qualité de la relation conjugale que les couples sans enfant (N = 45)? Deuxièmement, est‐ce que les femmes sont davantage affectées que les hommes, notamment à l'égard du partage des rôles et des tâches? Troisièmement, quelles sont les caractéristiques des processus conjugaux selon les deux types de couples? Les résultats confirment l'impact négatif de la présence de l'enfant sur la relation conjugale. Les hommes et les femmes sont également touchés par la présence de l'enfant et cela dans la plupart des dimensions de la vie de couple telles que l'intimité, la cohésion et la satisfaction conjugale. Chez les femmes, un partage égalitaire des rôles est associé à leur perception de la qualité de la relation conjugale. L'analyse détaillée montre que les aspects positifs de la vie sexuelle, de l'implication et de la négociation sont plus typiques chez les couples sans enfant. En contrepartie, les conjoints avec enfant rapportent des processus de négociation plus difficiles, caractérisés par l'évitement des conflits ou par l'affrontement menant à des échanges négatifs.
Linguistic Basicness and Colour Information Processing
Authors: Davies I.R.L. , Corbett G.G. , Laws G. , McGurk H. , Moss A.E.St.G. , Smith M.W.
Published: September 2007

Berlin and Kay's notion of basicness was defined by a combination of linguistic and psychological criteria, but they suggested that the psychological criteria might be extended. The experiments reported here were designed to explore a possible extension by searching for perceptual effects of basicness. Russian speakers who have two basic terms for the blue region of colour space were compared with English speakers who have only one basic term for the same region on two perceptual tasks. The first two experiments sought for greater Stroop interference for the Russians than for the English for the critical “blue” stimuli, and the third experiment sought greater perceptual differentiation for the Russians in the blue region. All experiments clearly replicated standard findings, but all singularly failed to find the predicted differences between the two groups. It is argued that whilst the results are consistent with there being no psychological effect of basicness, it is necessary to search for possible effects in other domains, such as recognition memory, before accepting this conclusion.
Analyse génétique de l'autorégulation et de la performance dans une tâche de formation de concepts
Authors: Pinard Adrien , Vezeau Carole , Melot Anne‐Marie
Published: September 2007

Description du développement spontané de la performance et des mécanismes d'autorégulation observés chez des enfants engagés dans la résolution de problèmes de formation de concepts. Des enfants de trois groupes d'âges (7;10, 9;10 et 11;9 ans) ont à résoudre des problèmes de difficulté croissante, dans lesquels ils doivent découvrir un concept prédéterminé. Pour chaque problème, le sujet choisit, une à une, des cartes disposées dans une matrice en demandant chaque fois à l'examinatrice si la carte choisie est un cas positif ou négatif du concept recherché. L'analyse de la démarche de sélection et de la performance des sujets montre des différences significatives aussi bien entre les trois groupes d'âge qu'entre les différents types de problèmes. La discussion de ces résultats est centrée sur l'analyse du développement de certaines des habiletés requises dans ce genre de tâche, en ce qui concerne notamment l'aptitude des enfants à identifier adéquatement l'information apportée par les cartes choisies.
Patterns of Parental Control in Kuwaiti Society
Authors: El‐Feky Hamed A.
Published: September 2007

The study examined the applicability of Baumrind's patterns of parental control to Kuwaiti society. The patterns consisted of the three main patterns: authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive; and two subpatterns derived from Baumrind's writings. A 50‐item questionnaire that tapped child‐rearing views was developed, based on the characteristics of the patterns. The questionnaire was administered to 400 mother‐father pairs, all of them University students. Results indicated that educated Kuwaiti parents regard the authoritative pattern to be the most appropriate for parental control. The additional finding is indicative of the continuing influence of traditional social values in Kuwait society. On the whole, the study demonstrates the possibility of applying western models of socialisation to non‐western societies.
The Psychology of Global Environmental Change: Some Basic Data and an Agenda for Cooperative International Research
Authors: Pawlik Kurt
Published: September 2007

In the first part of this paper existing evidence (mostly from earth and atmospheric sciences) on global climatic changes and their dependence (and effect) upon human action is briefly reviewed. Reference is made to existing major international programmes of research focusing on these climatic changes. The main part of the paper concentrates on the study of global change within the framework of the social sciences. Five psychological characteristics of global environmental change are explained which would account for the human inability to respond adequately without the supportive means of information presentation and processing. Future research on psychological dimensions of global change should explore these in greater detail and study modes of social communication that will become instrumental in implementing such support systems.
Psychological Consequences of Earthquake Disaster Survivors
Authors: Zhang Hou‐Can , Zhang Yi‐Zhong
Published: September 2007

A survey has been undertaken to examine long‐term psychological after‐effects of a devastating earthquake (the Tangshan earthquake) in China in 1976. Subjects (equal number of males and females, aged between 20 and 70) consisted of 110 paraplegic and 100 non‐deformed persons. The 16‐PF Questionnaire, two attitude tests and individual interviews were used in the investigation. Results show that the earthquake had long‐term effects on people's minds. The effects are extensive and long‐lasting, and differed between different groups. This indicates that in the study of the impact of Global Change on humans, earthquake disasters should be brought into focus, not only as physical disasters but also with reference to the psychological shock caused by an earthquake.
Historic‐sociocultural Premises (HSCPs) and Global Change
Authors: Diaz‐Guerrero R.
Published: September 2007

Global change occurs at many, often interrelated levels. This paper is angled specifically to identify: 1.) Dimensions of similarity and difference across societies. Representative conclusions from anthropology, sociology and cross‐cultural psychology are explored. These dimensions could serve to determine base‐lines to study global change in cultural traits and beliefs over time; 2.) It is argued, however, that for practical purposes, aimed at faster global change to a better world, with pluralism, human rights and ecological consciousness, it is better to proceed ethnopsychologically. The case of Mexico regarding generalized beliefs and their change over time is considered.
Psychological Predictors of Condom Use to Prevent HIV Transmission Among Zimbabwean Students
Authors: Wilson D. , Manual A. , Lavelle S.
Published: September 2007

Psychologists have much to contribute to HIV prevention. It is important to identify predictors of HIV preventive behaviour and to incorporate this information in AIDS education. The Health Belief Model is an established model of health behaviour that has recently been applied to AIDS prevention. It originally posited that perceptions of susceptibility to, severity of, and solutions to, illness predicted health behaviour. It thus emphasized “disease” dimensions of illness. It was expanded to include barriers to, cues to, and social support for, health behaviour. The enlarged model thus incorporated “social” dimensions of health behaviour. Because preventing AIDS involves a partner and considerable social risks and skills, inclusion of social components may improve the capacity of the Health Belief Model to predict HIV preventive behaviour. An inventory measuring condom use and the enlarged Health Belief Model was completed by 181 male and 171 female teacher‐trainees. Data were analysed using multiple regression with hierarchical entry, first of disease dimensions (susceptibility, severity, solution), then social dimensions (barriers, cues, social support). Addition of social dimensions to the disease dimension equation yielded a significant F‐change among both sexes and increased the variance explained from 16% to 30% among males, and from 4% to 14% among females. The full regression was significant only among males. The implications of these results for intervention goals, messages and strategies among both sexes are elucidated.
Altruistic Orientation in Children: Construction and Validation of the Child Altruism Inventory
Authors: Ma Hing Keung , Leung Man Chi
Published: September 2007

The Child Altruism Inventory (CAI) consisted of 24 yes‐or‐no items which measured the altruistic orientation of children. The sample included 1095 Grades 2 to 6 Chinese children in Hong Kong, The test‐retest and internal consistency reliabilities of the CAI were in the 0.70s. The correlations of the CAI score with the intelligence and self‐esteem scores were significantly positive, while the correlations of the CAI score with the psychoticism and neuroticism scores were significantly negative. Children in classes of positive and negative social environment rated high and low on the CAI respectively. The relations of the CAI score with self‐report prosocial and delinquent behavioural indices were also positive and negative respectively. The psychometric properties of the CAI are regarded as quite good.
Why Women Approve of Affirmative Action: The Study of a Predictive Model
Authors: Tougas Francine , Beaton Ann M. , Veilleux France
Published: September 2007

The self‐interest model has often been used to predict the reactions of advantaged groups to affirmative action. It is argued that self‐interest also plays a role in the genesis of attitudes of disadvantaged groups, such as women. More precisely, it is hypothesised that considerations of personal interest have an impact on considerations of collective interest which in turn have an impact on the sense of collective relative deprivation (CRD).

In the past, it was shown that women who felt collectively deprived approved of strategies designed to eliminate systemic barriers. No link was found, however, between CRD and preferential treatment. Women, in majority, were opposed to this strategy. On the basis of a model introduced by Taylor and McKirnan (1984), it is argued that women who have experienced discrimination on the basis of sex in spite of the introduction of affirmative action strategies may support preferential treatment. The hypotheses were integrated in a model and tested using LISREL causal modelling.

In total, 197 female francophone workers participated in the study. They were all employed in a large firm where in the last five years attempts were made to reduce sex asymmetries. These efforts however were not successful; the percentage of women in non‐traditional jobs increased by only 2%.

The proposed model was tested successfully. The results are discussed in light of previous paradigms and practical implications.
Ecocultural Factors in Cognitive Style Among Children From Hills and Plains of Nepal
Authors: Sinha Durganand , Shrestha Ayan Bahadur
Published: September 2007

The predictive value of the ecocultural model in the development of cognitive style was examined among the two cultural groups of Gurungs and Brahmins residing in contrasting ecologies of the hills and plains of Nepal. Acculturative influence of formal schooling was also analyzed. Story–Pictorial EFT (S–P EFT) for measuring cognitive style was administered to 240 children of 6–8 years divided into eight equal sub‐groups according to two types of ecologies, two cultures and two levels of education. A 2 × 2 × 2 ANOVA revealed significant main effects of ecology and schooling. Effect of culture was not significant, but it played a significant role in conjunction with ecology. Findings are discussed in the light of relative functional utility of disembedding/analytical skill for the inhabitants of hills and plains.
The Relation of Altruistic Orientation to Human Relationships and Moral Judgment in Chinese People
Authors: Ma Hing Keung
Published: September 2007

The altruistic orientation and moral judgment of 811 Chinese subjects were studied. Three hypotheses were examined: (1) The altruistic orientation of an actor at any level of moral judgment is larger to a recipient of closer relationship in any situation; (2) an actor at a higher level of moral judgment would be more willing to sacrifice their life for any recipient than an actor at a lower level of moral judgment; (3) an actor at a higher level of moral judgment would be less willing to: (a) Give up rescuing a stranger and turn to rescue close relatives or best friends; or (b) help close relatives or best friends by covering up their crime than an actor at a lower level of moral judgment. The empirical findings supported clearly the aforementioned hypotheses.
The Protestant Work Ethic and Just World Beliefs in Great Britain and India
Authors: Furnham Adrian , Rajamanickam R.
Published: September 2007

This study examined Protestant Work Ethic (PWE) and Just World Beliefs (JWB) in Great Britain and India. Secondary school children, university students and adults completed seven PWE questionnaires and the JWB questionnaire. A three‐way (sex × occupational status × nationality) ANOVA showed highly significant main effects, particularly for nationality, but few significant interactions. Generally females more than males, Indians more than Britons, and schoolchildren more than adults endorse the PWE and JWB. Possible experimental artifacts and moderator variables are considered along with the possibility that genuine cultural differences were found. These results are discussed in terms of the relevant literature on cross‐cultural studies of the PWE and BJW.
Hand Preference in India
Authors: Mandai Manas K. , Pandey Geetika , Singh Shyam K. , Asthana Hari S.
Published: September 2007

The degree of asymmetric handedness was measured by a 22‐item hand preference questionnaire in a sample of 442 Indian subjects. Factor analysis of the data for right‐handers yielded four item‐clusters: Gross activities, skilled activities (general), skilled activities (specific), and activities subject to social pressure. Identical analysis for left‐handers yielded three item‐clusters: Activities that are executed with difficulty, with ease, and with greater frequency. The degree of asymmetric handedness in right‐handers was positively (high) correlated with an index of social pressure against left‐hand use, especially for the items, writing and eating. The correlation was negative (moderate) in left‐handers, however, who had preferred the right hand for eating purposes.