Development and initial validation of the Multidimensional Empathy Scale for Adolescents

Adolescence is a transitional phase in psychosocial development in which individuals learn to navigate their social worlds. The need to socialize, connect with, and empathize with others is especially pronounced in this phase. This study aimed to develop and validate a self-report empathy measure for adolescents, the Multidimensional Empathy Scale for Adolescents (MESA). Based on the theories and research on empathy, we created 24 items to measure six dimensions of empathy (cognitive, affective, positive, negative, majority, and minority). The dimensional structure of the MESA was examined in two independent samples of adolescents. The hypothesized six-factor model of the MESA showed a good fit for both samples. Reliability analyses demonstrated that the MESA had high internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Furthermore, the MESA showed high convergent, discriminant, and incremental validity, as indicated by positive correlations with existing measures of empathy, idiocentrism–allocentrism, and social interest scales. The MESA, as a unique measure of six types of empathy, can be a valuable tool to assist adolescents in developing a balanced sense of empathy.     

自我损耗：理论、影响因素及研究走向

自我的活动消耗心理能量后引起执行功能下降的过程称为自我损耗, 自我损耗是生活中诸多的适应不良现象的原因之一。近几年, 自我损耗理论在发生领域、损耗状态的时限和内在机制等方面均有所发展; 对自我损耗影响因素的探究主要集中于认知、情绪及人格特质等领域; 自我损耗后效的研究逐渐呈现出应用化的趋势。未来研究需要进一步探究自我损耗的机制, 对影响因素和损耗后效上存在的争议进行澄清, 并在测量工具上寻找突破以满足理论的发展需求。     

The essential conditions of measurement

The basic conditions and characteristics of measurement are outlined. The concepts entering into the measurement must be operationally defined; there must be a satisfactory representation of the character to be measured, and a quantitative comparison between the observed degree of the character and some reference point or scale. A conception of measurement which is too narrow would unnecessarily restrict investigation in the fields of psychology and education.     

Using automation to combat the replication crisis: A case study from controlled-rearing studies of newborn chicks

The accuracy of science depends on the precision of its methods. When fields produce precise measurements, the scientific method can generate remarkable gains in knowledge. When fields produce noisy measurements, however, the scientific method is not guaranteed to work – in fact, noisy measurements are now regarded as a leading cause of the replication crisis in psychology. Scientists should therefore strive to improve the precision of their methods, especially in fields with noisy measurements. Here, we show that automation can reduce measurement error by ∼60% in one domain of developmental psychology: controlled-rearing studies of newborn chicks. Automated studies produce measurements that are 3–4 times more precise than non-automated studies and produce effect sizes that are 3–4 times larger than non-automated studies. Automation also eliminates experimenter bias and allows replications to be performed quickly and easily. We suggest that automation can be a powerful tool for improving measurement precision, producing high powered experiments, and combating the replication crisis.     

行为执行意向的理论观点及其相关研究

执行意向是指个体以行动目标为导向,通过连接情景线索和目标导向反应,建立行为意向和实际行为之间联系的中介变量。通过梳理执行意向的概念、心理联系及应用研究,发现执行意向主要与行为意向、自我协调、合作性、计划提醒、自觉性、人格等变量产生心理联系;形成执行意向的人具有克服困难,达到既定目标的积极心理状态。然而,执行意向并不总是发挥其积极效应,其与具体情景、个体差异性等有关。最后,文章从四个方面对今后研究的热点与方向进行了展望。     

不同信息负荷下注意选择性研究

本实验利用双侧视野的追随程序,把外显测验和内隐测验技术结合起来,对注意的选择性进行研究。实验结果显示。在低信息负荷和中信息负荷的时候,对追随视野的追踪没有抑制对非追随视野的认知加工,两侧视野中进行高级认知加工的信息没有显著差别,这符合反应选择的观点;在信息负荷较高而发生超载的时候,对追随视野的追踪抑制了对非追随视野的认知加工,两侧视野中进行高级认知加工的信息达到显著差别,这符合知觉选择的观点。有关知觉选择和反应选择的争论,在不同信息负荷水平这个框架内得到了有效地解决。     

Embedding semantic information from pictures into cognitive modeling of web-navigation

Several attempts at cognitive modeling of web-navigation behaviour (SNIF-ACT, MESA, CoLiDeS, CoLiDeS+) have focused entirely on the semantic information derived from textual elements and repeatedly ignored the role played by graphical and visual information. While research on visual search has emphasized the efficiency of our visual system at perceiving salient objects, there have been no attempts at including information from the visual modality into cognitive models of web-navigation. This paper discusses a new approach to include semantic information from pictures into cognitive models of web-navigation and verifies its accuracy with a simulation done on a mock-up website. Results show that the optimal links that should be chosen to find the requested information are predicted more often and with greater information scent by this extended model than by the CoLiDeS model.     

Counseling and screening for cystic fibrosis in patients with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens: Patient perceptions

Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) occurs in approximately 1.3% of infertile males and is thought to be, in most cases, a primarily genital form of cystic fibrosis (CF). Fourteen males with CBAVD considering microsurgical sperm aspiration from the epididymis (MESA) and in vitro fertilization were seen for genetic counseling and screening for CF. To retrospectively evaluate these patients' perceptions of the counseling and screening information, we conducted structured telephone interviews to assess their recall of information about CF and its impact on their health concerns and reproductive plans. We found that, as the health implications of CF are abstract and not as important to patients as the diagnosis of CBAVD itself, patients tend to view their CF status primarily in terms of their reproductive potential. Retrospective analysis afforded us an opportunity to identify the psychosocial issues of most concern to this unique patient population.     

Ki-Energy: Invisible psychophysical energy

This article briefly introduces the phenomena of ki- energy to the Western readers who are not familiar with them, by relying on Yuasa Yasuo's conceptual scheme. Ki- energy has traditionally been an intense thematic focus of various East-Asian fields of human endeavours such as acupuncture medicine, martial arts and meditational training. The article articulates some of the salient features of this energy as it is understood in these fields, while incorporating knowledge of contemporary scientific research on them. It is written with a view to stimulating further research on it, as it carries important implications for addressing many of the issues we face today.     

Evidence that implementation intentions reduce dietary fat intake: a randomized trial.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention based on the concept of implementation intentions for reducing dietary fat intake. Participants (n=264) completed questionnaires on their motivation to eat a low-fat diet before being randomized to either an experimental condition, which required them to form an implementation intention, or a control condition. Results showed that, after 1 month, fat intake, saturated fat intake, and the proportion of energy derived from fat decreased significantly in the experimental group but not in the control group. This difference could not be explained by differences in motivation between the 2 groups. The findings are discussed in relation to the use of implementation intentions instead of tailored interventions to change behavior in general populations.     

Stochastic EM for estimating the parameters of a multilevel IRT model

An item response theory (IRT) model is used as a measurement error model for the dependent variable of a multilevel model. The dependent variable is latent but can be measured indirectly by using tests or questionnaires. The advantage of using latent scores as dependent variables of a multilevel model is that it offers the possibility of modelling response variation and measurement error and separating the influence of item difficulty and ability level. The two‐parameter normal ogive model is used for the IRT model. It is shown that the stochastic EM algorithm can be used to estimate the parameters which are close to the maximum likelihood estimates. This algorithm is easily implemented. The estimation procedure will be compared to an implementation of the Gibbs sampler in a Bayesian framework. Examples using real data are given.     

Ranking of Drivers for Green Manufacturing Implementation Using Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution Method

The governments are under tremendous pressure to sustain high manufacturing growth in emerging economies. Unfortunately, the manufacturing sector consumes much energy and other resources and emits a large amount of green house gases, which increases environmental problems such as climate change and global warming. One possible solution to this problem is green manufacturing (GM) implementation in industry. However, GM implementation faces many challenges. Various motivating factors named as ‘drivers’ should be facilitated by the government and industry to make this change possible. This paper investigates the drivers for GM implementation and their ranking based on fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution method using government, industry and experts perspectives. The study concluded that competitiveness, incentives, organizational resources and technology are top ranked drivers and should be facilitated by the government and industry to help implement GM. The ranking of these drivers is expected to help the government and industry to focus on few important drivers to facilitate the GM implementation with limited resources. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Utility independence of multiattribute utility theory is equivalent to standard sequence invariance of conjoint measurement

Utility independence is a central condition in multiattribute utility theory, where attributes of outcomes are aggregated in the context of risk. The aggregation of attributes in the absence of risk is studied in conjoint measurement. In conjoint measurement, standard sequences have been widely used to empirically measure and test utility functions, and to theoretically analyze them. This paper shows that utility independence and standard sequences are closely related: utility independence is equivalent to a standard sequence invariance condition when applied to risk. This simple relation between two widely used conditions in adjacent fields of research is surprising and useful. It facilitates the testing of utility independence because standard sequences are flexible and can avoid cancelation biases that affect direct tests of utility independence. Extensions of our results to nonexpected utility models can now be provided easily. We discuss applications to the measurement of quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) in the health domain.     

Implementation Research and Wraparound Literature: Building a Research Agenda

We used the framework identified by the National Implementation Research Network’s (NIRN) analysis of 35 years of implementation outcomes literature from diverse fields of endeavor to review the current state of wraparound implementation research. Model definition, model fidelity and intervention outcomes were areas of relatively greater development, while target population, theory base and theory of change, organizational context and readiness, staff selection, training, supervision or coaching, purveyor selection, and program installation were less examined or even overlooked. We conclude with suggestions for building a research agenda on wraparound implementation.     

On logic,methodology and practice of applied sociology

Applied sociology will be understood in the following discussion as a unique and original form of sociology; i.e., in its logic and practice distinguished from traditional sociology it is understood as an explanatory body of knowledge and an intellectual discourse about intentional/purposeful social action and behavior. The application of sociology proper to such substantive fields as family, art, law and sport, commonly called applied sociology, which reproduce the body of sociological knowledge just a second time, is not part of such understanding. Applied sociology in its original sense has its own logic in which purpose, implementation and the process of social-problem solution are crucial. It will in the end lead to an applied action or implementation theory. It is, to paraphrase Lazarsfeld, the methodology of “sociology in action” (1960).     

目标性意图与执行性意图调节情绪反应的效果比较

目标性意图和执行性意图作为目标的不同形式,对情绪调节的影响有待探讨。本研究试图考察目标性意图和执行性意图与表达抑制相结合之后,在调节情绪反应方面的作用。实验采用主观报告和生物反馈的方法对58名大学生进行测试。结果发现：（1）执行性意图组被试在观看负性和中性图片时对自身情绪唤醒度的评价均显著低于目标性意图组,在观看负性图片时其情绪唤醒度也显著低于控制组。（2）执行性意图组被试在各项生理反应指标上均显著低于目标性意图组和控制组,主要表现为形成执行性意图的个体在皮肤电导增加量、皮温降低量和指脉增加量上均显著低于形成目标性意图或不形成任何意图的个体。上述结果表明,相较于仅仅给出情绪体验下调目标的目标性意图,与表达抑制结合在一起的执行性意图能有效下调个体的负性情绪反应。     

Got Those PL 94–142 Blues

The implementation of PL 94–142 has made a definite impact on the school counselor. The demands on a counselor's time and energy were not anticipated. This article discusses what is actually happening and why it is happening. Some suggestions are given about what can be done to help the counselor in a local setting.     

The likely impact of introducing competence-based occupational standards in counselling/psychotherapy and guidance for learning and work

The national context in which occupational standards and NVQs have been developed is described. The NVQ methodology is explained, and issues arising from NVQ implementation are outlined. Developments in accreditation within the contexts of counselling and psychotherapy and guidance for learning and work are identified. The impact of introducing occupational standards and NVQs in these fields is assessed.     

Simulating Ordinal Data

The increasing use of ordinal variables in different fields has led to the introduction of new statistical methods for their analysis. The performance of these methods needs to be investigated under a number of experimental conditions. Procedures to simulate from ordinal variables are then required. In this article, we deal with simulation from multivariate ordinal random variables. We propose a new procedure for generating samples from ordinal random variables with a prespecified correlation matrix and marginal distributions. Its features are examined and compared with those of its main competitors. A software implementation in R is also provided along with examples of its application.     

A strategy for microcomputer-controlled measurement of responses in the behavioral laboratory

Problems associated with microcomputer measurement of responses in operant conditioning experiments are discussed. A general strategy that addresses these problems is presented. Although implementation of the strategy requires assembly language programming, the procedures can be used in conjunction with most high-level programming languages. The method ensures that all responses are detected, prevents detection of multiple responses during switch contact bounce, and indicates when responses are being processed at excessive intervals following their occurrences.