Examining Estimates of Effect Using Non-Overlap of All Pairs in Multiple Baseline Studies of Academic Intervention

The inclusion of single-case design (SCD) studies in meta-analytic research is an important consideration in identifying effective evidence-based practices. Various SCD effect sizes have been previously suggested; non-overlap of all pairs (NAP) is a recently introduced effect size. Preliminary field tests investigating the adequacy of NAP are promising, but no analyses have been conducted using only multiple baseline designs (MBDs). This preliminary study investigated typical values of NAP in MBDs, investigated agreement with visual analysis, and suggested cut scores for interpreting a NAP effect size. Typical values of NAP in MBDs were larger compared to a previous meta-analysis of studies using AB, MBD, or ABAB withdrawal designs, and agreement of suggested cut scores and visual analysis was moderate.     

BREACH AND FULFILLMENT OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRACT: A COMPARISON OF TRADITIONAL AND EXPANDED VIEWS

Breach and fulfillment in a psychological contract has traditionally been studied with approaches that are conceptually and methodologically limited. We compared predictions derived from the traditional view to predictions from an expanded view that maintains the distinction between promised and delivered inducements and examines their joint relationship with employee satisfaction. The traditional and expanded views were compared using longitudinal data and polynomial regression analysis. Results provided little support for the traditional view. In contrast, results supported the expanded view and revealed that relationships for breach and fulfillment are more complex than previously suggested. Specifically, satisfaction depended on whether breach represented deficient or excess inducements and the particular inducement under consideration. Moreover, satisfaction was more strongly related to delivered inducements than promised inducements. These results question basic tenets of psychological contract research and indicate new avenues for research that build on the expanded view developed in this article.     

"Golden oldies" in a laboratory course in the experimental analysis of behavior

A common problem in teaching undergraduate courses in the experimental analysis of behavior (EAB) is that the contemporary research literature is largely not comprehensible to most undergraduates. A suggested solution is the use of research articles from the early days of EAB. These are not only easy to understand but provide additional educational benefits. A reading list and an organizational structure for an undergraduate laboratory course in EAB are suggested.     

A simple technique for improving the quality of parameter estimates in learning hierarchy validation studies

Learning hierarchy research has been characterized by the use of ad hoc statistical procedures to determine the validity of postulated hierarchical connections. The two most substantial attempts to legitimize the procedure are due to White & Clark and Dayton & Macready, although both of these methods suffer from serious inadequacies. Data from a number of sources is analyzed using a restricted maximum likelihood estimation procedure and the results are compared with those obtained using the method suggested by Dayton and Macready. Improved estimates are evidenced by an increase in the computed value of the log likelihood function.     

The impact of wording effect on reliability and validity of the Core Self-Evaluation Scale (CSES): A bi-factor perspective

“Wording effect” refers to the systematic method variance caused by positive and negative item wordings on a self-report measure. Using the Core Self-Evaluation Scale (CSES) as an example, this study modeled the wording effect, and examined the impact of such wording effect on the reliability and validity of CSES. Five competing models were compared, and the findings suggested that the bi-factor model with a negative group factor best represented the CSES structure. The impact of wording effect on the reliability and validity of CSES was investigated, and the results showed that such impact existed and was non-negligible. Failure to model the wording effect would lead to biased estimates of the reliability and criterion-related validity of CSES. Limitations of the study are discussed, and considerations for future research directions are suggested.     

Female self-injury and suicide attempts: Culturally reinforced techniques in human relations

There is a consistent and significant higher ratio of females who engage in self-injury or who attempt suicide as compared to males, or as compared to suicidal commits by both sexes. This paper focuses on the problem of female excess in self-injury and suicide attempts. Biological/psychological variables which have been linked to these female self-destructive behaviors are enumerated and an alternative sociocultural explanation is suggested. Sex-role expectations are shown to be essential in explaining female self-injury and suicide attempts. The notion that these female self-destructive behaviors offer self-preservation is criticized, as is the failure in the literature to investigate what female self-injury and suicidal attempts actually do accomplish. Direction for solutions is mentioned in terms of research findings on self-actualization and on androgynous persons.     

When interventions harm. Peer groups and problem behavior.

This article explored developmental and intervention evidence relevant to iatrogenic effects in peer-group interventions. Longitudinal research revealed that "deviancy training" within adolescent friendships predicts increases in delinquency, substance use, violence, and adult maladjustment. Moreover, findings from 2 experimentally controlled intervention studies suggested that peer-group interventions increase adolescent problem behavior and negative life outcomes in adulthood, compared with control youth. The data from both experimental studies suggested that high-risk youth are particularly vulnerable to peer aggregations, compared with low-risk youth. We proposed that peer aggregation during early adolescence, under some circumstances, inadvertently reinforces problem behavior. Two developmental processes are discussed that might account for the powerful iatrogenic effects.     

浅谈医学科研思维的逻辑性

医学科研思维过程中最重要的就是医学假说的提出、验证,推理和遵守逻辑思维的过程。它以抽象的概念、判断、推理为思维形式,通过分析、综合、比较、分类等多种逻辑思维方法进行操作,以达到它的最终目的。逻辑思维能力对于医学科研工作者是至关重要的,医学科研工作者应该不断加强逻辑修养,不断提升科研思维水准。     

Early adolescent egocentrism: a review of six articles

This paper reviews six articles which appear to be representative of the past fifteen years during which researchers have focused on early adolescent egocentrism. Each article is described in chronological order and compared to research findings suggested by the other articles. Although the researchers have suggested some interesting associations, there is a lack of consistency among their findings. The author indicates methodological problems and questions for further research which arise from the reviewed articles.     

The stability of function of automatically reinforced vocal stereotypy over time

Although prior research has suggested the function of socially reinforced problem behavior can change across time, the stability of the function of automatically reinforced behavior is largely unknown. Further, some authors have suggested automatically reinforced behavior is likely to enter into socially mediated contingencies. The present study compared 2 functional analyses conducted on the same target behavior at least 1 year apart. Participants were 6 individuals diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability displaying automatically reinforced vocal stereotypy. Results indicated the function of each participant's vocal stereotypy remained stable over time (i.e., no new functions were acquired); however, future research on functional stability for automatically reinforced behavior of other topographies is needed.     

Development of a scale to measure problem use of short message service: the SMS Problem Use Diagnostic Questionnaire.

This exploratory study examines a subset of mobile phone use, the compulsive use of short message service (SMS) text messaging. A measure of SMS use, the SMS Problem Use Diagnostic Questionnaire (SMS-PUDQ), was developed and found to possess acceptable reliability and validity when compared to other measures such as self-reports of time spent using SMS and scores on a survey of problem mobile phone use. Implications for the field of addiction research, technological and behavioral addictions in particular, are discussed, and directions for future research are suggested.     

Incongruent imagery interferes with action initiation

It has been suggested that representing an action through observation and imagery share neural processes with action execution. In support of this view, motor-priming research has shown that observing an action can influence action initiation. However, there is little motor-priming research showing that imagining an action can modulate action initiation. The current study examined whether action imagery could prime subsequent execution of a reach and grasp action. Across two motion analysis tracking experiments, 40 participants grasped an object following congruent or incongruent action imagery. In Experiment 1, movement initiation was faster following congruent compared to incongruent imagery, demonstrating that imagery can prime the initiation of grasping. In Experiment 2, incongruent imagery resulted in slower movement initiation compared to a no-imagery control. These data show that imagining a different action to that which is performed can interfere with action production. We propose that the most likely neural correlates of this interference effect are brain regions that code imagined and executed actions. Further, we outline a plausible mechanistic account of how priming in these brain regions through imagery could play a role in action cognition.     

The Application of Single-Case Research Designs to Study Elite Athletes’ Conditioning: An Update

Sport scientists have recommended to use of single-subject research designs to understand how well an intervention works and to predict performance for an elite athlete. In the present paper, the latest studies on elite athletes’ conditioning using single-subject research designs are reviewed. Although some case studies in elite athletes are reported in the literature, there are still very few studies using single-subject research designs. Rigorous and practical approaches using magnitude-based inferences such as effect size and likelihoods of substantial effects are suggested. Recommendations are also provided to facilitate further studies using single-subject research designs.     

阅读改变人生吗?阅读文学小说提升社会认知的争议

阅读文学小说曾经被认为只是大众消遣娱乐的方式,但最近的研究表明,阅读文学小说能够提升个体的社会认知。然而,有些研究并未发现阅读文学小说能够提升社会认知。本文首先批判性地分析支持和质疑“阅读文学小说提升社会认知”的相关证据,随后提出未来的研究将如何解决这一争论,包括开发新的研究工具和技术、明确文学与小说的操作性定义、确定读者的关键特征、创新研究设计等多个方面。     

Comparing Democrats and Republicans on Intrinsic and Extrinsic Values

Although claimed differences in values have played a prominent role in recent U.S. politics, the value systems of typical Republicans and Democrats have not been evaluated within a relevant dimensional framework. In 4 studies, party members were compared on extrinsic (money, popularity, image) and intrinsic (intimacy, helping, growth) values. Republicans were consistently higher on extrinsic relative to intrinsic values, a pattern suggested by past research to be personally and socially problematic. In Study 4, Republicans were also lower in a different measure of prosocial values, derived from social-dilemma research. All studies found an interaction such that only nonreligious Republicans were lower than Democrats on the intrinsic value of helping needy others. Implications for contemporary political discourse are discussed.     

Estimating the proportion of preplanned refixations in natural reading using Monte-Carlo simulations

Recent research has suggested that refixation saccades in reading can be planned before the first fixation is made on a word. If some proportion of refixations are preplanned, then the asymmetric shape of initial landing position distributions may be due to the mixing of two populations of saccades—planned single-fixations that are aimed at word-centre and planned refixation sequences that are aimed near word-beginning. Here, we used Monte-Carlo methods in conjunction with a computational model of saccade planning to estimate the proportion of preplanned refixations in normal reading. Simulation results suggest that about 20% of refixation saccades were preplanned and that preplanning was associated with an initial landing position nearer word-beginning for multiple-fixation cases compared with single-fixation cases.     

Coping and defence mechanisms: What are we assessing?

The present research study addresses the disparity between theoretical considerations and empirical evidence regarding the relationships between coping strategies and defence mechanisms. Self‐reported measures of coping and defences were administered to a Romanian adult sample (N = 542; 74.53% female, mean age = 31.28). Using structural equation modelling, models that assumed independence between coping and defences were compared with models that assumed the existence of relationships between the two concepts. Findings identified strong relationships between coping and defences, indicating large common variance between the two concepts. Furthermore, results suggested that coping and defences can be classified into two independent types of adaptation processes. Results of this research study suggested that coping and defences are facets of common adaptation processes.     

FEMALE VS. MALE ABSENCE RATES: A TEMPORAL ANALYSIS

The purpose of this research is to test the importance of temporal trends within absenteeism data for males and females. The data support previous findings of higher absenteeism rates for women when compared to men. The data also indicate the importance of temporal trends as suggested by Dansereau, Alutto, and Markham (1978). Conclusions are drawn concerning the use of absence rates as dependent variables.     

Untapped Potential: Psychologists Leading Research in Clinical Practice

Enhancing the capacity of allied health professionals to engage in research is central to improving healthcare delivery. Psychologists have research skills given their training focus that emphasises the scientist‐practitioner model. We aimed to investigate among psychologists the link between individual research capacity and their current level of research activity, how this compares with other allied health professions, and the role of team and organisation research capacity. Psychologists (n = 60) working in clinical roles in a large metropolitan public health setting completed an online survey consisting of the validated Research Capacity and Culture tool, and questions related to current research activities, barriers, and motivators. The results indicated that psychologists reported relatively high individual research capacity, higher than both team and organisation levels, and greater individual research capacity compared with studies of dietitians and a mixed group of allied health. Preliminary findings suggested that team research capacity mediated the link between individual research capacity and the level of current research activity. Finally, barriers and motivators to research activity were similar compared with studies of other allied health professions. Overall, a multi‐strategy approach that focuses on and facilitates practice‐based and interdisciplinary research, and enhances the leadership skills of psychologists in research, as well as broader efforts from an organisational perspective to build a strong and sustainable research culture, may contribute to the rapid use of research skills in clinical practice and improve health and healthcare delivery.