Gender stereotypes are not accurate: A replication of Martin (1987) using diagnostic vs. self-report and behavioral criteria

Women and men (58 females and 42 males) reported whether they possess each of several stereotypic and neutral traits (self-report criterion) and recorded the percentage of each gender they believed display each trait (diagnostic). Observations of subjects (57 males and 49 females) discussing controversial topics yielded the behavioral criterion. (Approximately 81% of the total sample was European-American, 8% African-American, 2% Hispanic, 1% Asian, and the remainder of “other” ethnicity.) Gender differences were larger and more inaccurate in stereotypes (diagnostic) than in “reality” (self-report criterion), but behavioral criterion results were mixed. Difficulties in specifying criteria for “actual differences,” including behavioral criteria, and recent work related to C. L. Martin's [(1987) “A Ratio Measure of Gender Stereotyping,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 52, pp. 489–499] paradigm (and results) are considered. Implications of results for the importance of replication and for research on accuracy of stereotypes are also discussed.     

Bimodality in the Berlin model of intelligence structure (BIS): A replication study

The bimodal structure of intelligence as proposed in the ‘Berlin model of intelligence structure’ (BIS) (Jäger, 1982) and measured by the BIS-4 test was analysed in a sample of 182 subjects. According to this theory two modalities characterize the structure, both emerging from results in 45 mental tasks and containing a total of seven components: Operations (processing speed, memory, creativity, processing capacity), and contents (verbal, numerical, figurai ability), as well as the general factor (g). Exploratory analysis following Jäger's approach revealed the existence of four operations and three contents. The simultaneous examination of the bimodality in the structure of the BIS was performed by means of confirmatory factor analysis. The theoretically proposed bimodal model (four operations and three contents) was compared with a unimodal model involving seven correlated factors of the same level and with other alternative unimodal models. In these analyses a slight superiority of operations over contents was observed. The reasons for our preference of the bimodal BIS structure compared to other unimodal solutions are clarified and the role of operations and contents in the construct of intelligence is discussed.     

Investigating moral intensity with the world-wide web: A look at participant reactions and a comparison of methods

This paper reports the results of a vignette- and questionnaire-based research project over the World-Wide Web investigating the influence of moral intensity (MI) on decision making in a business context. A qualitative analysis of the feedback in terms of e-mail communications was used to provide insights into the reactions and responses of participants to both the research method and the topic of research. Implications are discussed, and some methodological recommendations are derived. Second, analysis of the quantitative results of the Web-based questionnaire administration indicated that three of the six MI components were particularly important determinants of several outcome variables. This pattern of results essentially replicated findings yielded by a previous mail administration of the survey, even though a smaller amount of variation in the outcome variables was accounted for. Neither occupational background nor the region of origin of participants measurably influenced the results.     

Frequency of scale elevations and factor structure of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) in children and adolescents with intractable epilepsy.

The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) is a standardized rating scale that provides information about the nature and extent of executive function deficits displayed by children and adolescents in daily life. BRIEF protocols completed by parents of 80 children with intractable epilepsy were evaluated with respect to prevalence and severity of scale elevations in the sample, and also with respect to factor structure. Overall, the sample was rated as having significantly more executive function problems than healthy children in the BRIEF standardization sample; elevations on the Working Memory and Plan/Organize scales were most frequently seen. Fully 36% of the sample had four or more significantly elevated scales. However, 31% of the sample had no clinically elevated scales, indicating that executive difficulties, though frequent, are not necessarily characteristic of all children with severe epilepsy. As in the validation studies reported in the manual, a two-factor solution emerged from a principal factor analysis of BRIEF scales. However, the factor structure as given in the manual was not entirely replicated; specifically, the Monitor scale was found to load equivalently on both factors. The results of this study suggest that a substantial proportion of children with intractable epilepsy display significant executive function deficits in daily life. Research into the relationship of BRIEF scores to other measures of executive functioning in children with epilepsy is needed to further clarify its clinical utility.     

The values of psychoanalytic psychotherapists at two points in time (1979 vs. 1993): A cross-over comparative study

Our purpose in this study is to view theories of psychotherapy from a general social-political context, especially insofar as they pertain to values. Beginning with Weisskopf-Joelson’s (1980) thesis that theories of psychotherapy may be “perceptual houses” with their own unique value structures, we studied the values of psychoanalytic psychotherapists within the framework of Rokeach’s ( 1968) system. Through the Rokeach Value Survey, we examined the values held by a group of psychoanalytic trainees in 1979 and those held by a group of practicing psychoanalysts in 1993. Because neither group of subjects can be regarded as randomly representative of the universe of psychoanalysts, we regard the resultant data as evocative and informative rather than definitive. Nonetheless, we examined the extent to which value profiles for the psychoanalytic trainees of 1979 were similar or dissimilar to those of practicing psychoanalysts in 1993. Such comparisons at the least provide some general indication as to whether values have shifted in the universe within this time period. Findings are presented about specific patterns of values, and implications are discussed. There appears to be more consistency than difference in values among the psychoanalytically-oriented psychotherapists we studied, lending support to this discipline’s designation of a “perceptual house” insofar as its values are concerned.     

The values of psychoanalytic psychotherapists at two points in time (1979 vs. 1993): A cross-over comparative study

Our purpose in this study is to view theories of psychotherapy from a general social-political context, especially insofar as they pertain to values. Beginning with Weisskopf-Joelson’s (1980) thesis that theories of psychotherapy may be “perceptual houses” with their own unique value structures, we studied the values of psychoanalytic psychotherapists within the framework of Rokeach’s ( 1968) system. Through the Rokeach Value Survey, we examined the values held by a group of psychoanalytic trainees in 1979 and those held by a group of practicing psychoanalysts in 1993. Because neither group of subjects can be regarded as randomly representative of the universe of psychoanalysts, we regard the resultant data as evocative and informative rather than definitive. Nonetheless, we examined the extent to which value profiles for the psychoanalytic trainees of 1979 were similar or dissimilar to those of practicing psychoanalysts in 1993. Such comparisons at the least provide some general indication as to whether values have shifted in the universe within this time period. Findings are presented about specific patterns of values, and implications are discussed. There appears to be more consistency than difference in values among the psychoanalytically-oriented psychotherapists we studied, lending support to this discipline’s designation of a “perceptual house” insofar as its values are concerned.     

Normative studies with the Scale for Interpersonal Behaviour (SIB): II. US students. A cross-cultural comparison with Dutch data.

The Scale for Interpersonal Behaviour (SIB), a multidimensional, self-report measure of state assertiveness, was administered to a nationwide sample of 2375 undergraduates enrolled at 11 colleges and universities across the USA. The SIB was developed in the Netherlands for the independent assessment of both distress associated with self-assertion in a variety of social situations and the likelihood of engaging in a specific assertive response. This is done with four factorially-derived, first-order dimensions: (i) Display of negative feelings (Negative assertion); (ii) Expression of and dealing with personal limitations; (iii) Initiating assertiveness; and (iv) Praising others and the ability to deal with compliments/praise of others (Positive assertion). The present study was designed to determine the cross-national invariance of the original Dutch factors and the construct validity of the corresponding dimensions. It also set out to develop norms for a nationwide sample of US students. The results provide further support for the reliability, factorial and construct validity of the SIB. Compared to their Dutch equivalents, US students had meaningfully higher distress in assertiveness scores on all SIB scales (medium to large effect sizes), whereas differences on the performance scales reflected small effect sizes. The cross-national differences in distress scores were hypothesized to have originated from the American culture being more socially demanding with respect to interpersonal competence than the Dutch, and from the perceived threats and related cognitive appraisals that are associated with such demands.     

Psychometric Properties of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI): a replication with motor vehicle accident survivors

This study examined the factor structure, internal consistency, concurrent validity, discriminant validity, and discriminative validity of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI; E. B. Foa, A. Ehlers, D. M. Clark, D. F. Tolin, and S. M. Orsillo, 1999) in a sample of 112 individuals who had experienced a serious motor vehicle accident. Results generally supported the 3-factor structure of the PTCI: (a) Negative Cognitions About Self, (b) Negative Cognitions About the World, and (c) Self-Blame. Subscales reflecting negative thoughts of the self and world showed adequate internal consistency, as well as good concurrent, discriminant, and discriminative validity. However, difficulties with the subscale representing self-blame emerged, specifically poor concurrent and discriminant validity. Potential reasons for this finding are discussed. The PTCI seems to be a promising measure of negative and dysfunctional posttrauma cognitions, which deserves continuing attention.     

Response rate on the Adjusted Rorschach Comprehensive System (ARCS) by isiXhosa learners: a replication and extension

This study describes the response profiles of a sample of isiXhosa learners regarding to the Adjusted Rorschach Comprehensive System (ARCS) and related influences to explain the response latencies. This was a multiple case study in which six test naive high school learners (females = 3; males = 3; aged 14 years) attempted to respond to the ARCS. Both test protocol and process data were gathered. Data were thematically analysed. Responses were adequate in 83% of the instances. Process factors that appeared to impact response rate and quality included language of administration, seating arrangement, and option to use drawing for the responses.     

Neural representationalism,the Hard Problem of Content and vitiated verdicts. A reply to Hutto & Myin (2013)

Colombo’s (Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences, 2013) plea for neural representationalism is the focus of a recent contribution to Phenomenology and Cognitive Science by Daniel D. Hutto and Erik Myin. In that paper, Hutto and Myin have tried to show that my arguments fail badly. Here, I want to respond to their critique clarifying the type of neural representationalism put forward in my (Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences, 2013) piece, and to take the opportunity to make a few remarks of general interest concerning what Hutto and Myin have dubbed “the Hard Problem of Content.”