Identifying and Understanding the Effects of Unmotivated Examinees on Test Dimensionality Using Optimal Appropriateness Measurement

Recently, a question was raised as to whether the multidimensionality of some professional licensing exams is due to the administration of subtests measuring conceptually distinct skills or, alternatively, strategic preparation on the part of groups of examinees attempting to cope with the demands of multiple hurdle certification systems. This article illustrates a way to investigate this issue with optimal appropriateness measurement (OAM) methods and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Specifically, using the former paper-and-pencil American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Uniform Examination as an example, OAM methods were used to identify examinees that appeared unmotivated on 2 of the 4 AICPA exam subtests. Dimensionality was studied by using CFA to compare the fit of single- and 4-factor models before and after removing flagged examinees. The results indicated that the 4-factor model provided better fit than a unidimensional model even after removing nearly 30% of respondents, thus weakening the claim that multidimensionality could be attributed solely to strategic preparation.     

A Comparison Between Comprehensive System and an Early Version of the Rorschach Performance Assessment System Administration With Outpatient Children and Adolescents

For many years, the effects of variability in the length of Rorschach records has been debated, and a new administration procedure aimed at reducing the proportion of short and long records has recently been introduced. Using an outpatient sample of children and adolescents, this study explored the impact of an early version of the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R–PAS) administration, on the central tendencies of Rorschach variables. Specifically, the mean values of 51 variables in 142 Comprehensive System versus 99 R–PAS collected records were compared with each other. Results found comparable mean values across CS and R–PAS administration methods for the variables that guide interpretation with children and adolescents. Both methods produced a comparable number of long (> 27 responses) records. The only relevant difference that emerged is that the early R–PAS administration version yielded significantly fewer short (14–16 responses) records and lower variability in the number of responses.     

Using videotape modeling to prepare children psychologically for surgery: influence of parents and costs versus benefits of providing preparation services

Sixty pediatric patients having first-time elective surgery participated in this study. Surgery preparation using videotape procedures was employed. The research design included two viewing conditions (with parent present and without parent present) and three treatment procedures (adult-narrated videotape, peer-narrated videotape, and control/no-videotape condition). Results suggested that children who viewed the videotape with their parent present exhibited less preoperative arousal compared to children who did not. The patients undergoing preparation using the videotape model exhibited less arousal, less self-reported anxiety, and less behaviorally rated anxiety when compared to patients who did not view the videotape preparation. There was no difference between the patients who viewed the adult-narrated versus the peer-narrated videotape. In addition, parents who viewed the videotape or whose children viewed the videotape without them exhibited less arousal prior to the operation than parents who did not and whose children did not view the videotape preparation. Finally, a cost-benefit analysis revealed that preparation services could reduce individual and overall medical costs.     

The stability of disruptive childhood behaviors

The stability of child conduct and oppositional defiant behaviors during the period from 7 to 15 years was studied in a birth cohort of New Zealand children. These data were analyzed using two methods. In the first method the observed state to state changes in childhood behavioral tendencies were analyzed using empirical transition matrices. These results suggested that children classified as cases showed high rates of symptom remission, with approximately 50% of cases being classified as noncases 2 years later. In the second approach the data were analyzed using a latent Markov model which took account of errors of measurement in the classification of children. This analysis suggested the presence of strong continuities in childhood problem behaviors, with only 14% of children showing remission of behavioral problems within a 2-year period. The differences in the estimates yielded by the empirical transition matrices and the latent analyses were explained by the fact that there were relatively high probabilities that children who were cases were misclassified as a result of measurement errors.This research was funded by grants from the Health Research Council of New Zealand, the National Child Health Research Foundation, and the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation.     

Variable-Length Stopping Rules for Multidimensional Computerized Adaptive Testing

Psychometrika - In computerized adaptive testing (CAT), a variable-length stopping rule refers to ending item administration after a pre-specified measurement precision standard has been satisfied....     

Measuring circadian cycles: A simple temperature recording preparation

While measurement of temperature as an index of circadian rhythmicity is not a difficult task with infrahuman subjects, long-term monitoring of deep body temperature with human subjects poses numerous measurement and safety problems. A preparation is described that is highly accurate, inexpensive, chronic, comfortable, and eliminates safety problems associated with more traditional methods of temperature measurement.     

促进被拒绝和被忽视幼儿的同伴交往的三种训练法

本研究在测查了4-6岁幼儿在幼儿园的社交地位的基础上,对筛选出的被拒绝和被忽视幼儿进行干预训练,探讨行为训练、认知训练和情感训练对不同类型的同伴交往不良幼儿干预的有效性,并对被拒绝型和被忽视型幼儿同伴交往不良的可能成因做了分析。结果表明:行为训练法、认知训练法、情感训练法都可以促进同伴交往水平,三种方法之间的效果无显著差异。对被拒绝儿童采用认知训练法效果较好,对被忽视儿童采用行为训练法更好。从4岁到6岁,行为训练法的效果逐渐减弱、而认知和情感训练法的效果则逐渐提高。     

A comparison of regression and standard score discrepancy methods for learning disabilities identification: Effects on racial representation

Learning-disabled (LD) children are often identified for services on the basis of a discrepancy between their IQ and achievement scores. Comparisons between regression and standard score difference methods for determining IQ-achievement discrepancies have not considered the comparative effects of these methods on the racial composition of LD classes. A comparison of these methods shows that the standard score difference method produces disproportionate racial representation, whereas the regression method produces proportionate racial representation in LD classes. In addition, the regression method demonstrates advantages in measurement of discrepancies, LD program planning, and conformity with constitutional guarantees of equal protection under the law.     

An experimental evaluation of tokens as conditioned reinforcers in retarded children

Since the publication of experimental reports by Wolfe (1936) and Cowles (1937), that tokens could be established as conditioned reinforcers, many accounts have appeared on the implementation of token systems in human subjects. Tokens have been successfully used as prosthetic motivational devices in a great variety of situations and subjects, such as retarded children (Birnbrauer, Wolf, Kidder and Tague, 1965), adult psychotics (Ayllon and Azrin, 1969), delinquent children and adolescents (Tyler, 1967; Phillips and Wolf, 1968), low achievers in schools (Clark, Lachowicz and Wolf, 1968), emotionally disturbed children (Hewett, Taylor and Artuso, 1969) and in normal classroom settings (O'Leary, Becker, Evans and Saudargas, 1969). In these reports, administration of tokens usually produced an increase in the frequency of desirable social and productive behavior. However, none of these studies showed that the effect of the tokens depended on their role as conditioned reinforcers based on the standard exchange systems being used. No assessment was provided about the separate contribution of the social reinforcement operations involved in dispensing tokens in a social setting.A suggestion about the possible confounding effects of social reinforcement in token administration comes from the failure to establish token systems in subjects who are partially unresponsive to social reinforcement (Hamblin et al., 1970; Ribes and Souza e Silva, in preparation). The present research was conducted with the aim of isolating the effects of conditioned reinforcement as such—apart from those produced by the social reinforcement provided in the delivery of tokens.     

The M5-PS-35: a five-factor personality questionnaire for preschool children

The Five-factor theory of personality (FFT) has pervaded personality research in recent years. Although many reliable and valid measurement instruments exist for use with adults, adolescents, and even elementary-age children, there is a lack of available 5-factor measurement tools for use with preschool children. This article expands on previous work developing the M5-PS, a rating form for preschool children designed to be completed by classroom teachers or caregivers. A total of 621 children were rated by their teachers on the 90-item working form of the M5-PS. Through a combination of empirical and rational scale refinement methods, the number of items has been reduced to 35, yielding a revised instrument, the M5-PS-35, with substantially improved construct validity and scale internal consistency. Potential changes in external validity were evaluated by comparative reanalysis of an existing data set.     

The influence of orthographic experience on the development of phonological preparation in spoken word production

Three sets of experiments using the picture naming tasks with the form preparation paradigm investigated the influence of orthographic experience on the development of phonological preparation unit in spoken word production in native Mandarin-speaking children. Participants included kindergarten children who have not received formal literacy instruction, Grade 1 children who are comparatively more exposed to the alphabetic pinyin system and have very limited Chinese character knowledge, Grades 2 and 4 children who have better character knowledge and more exposure to characters, and skilled adult readers who have the most advanced character knowledge and most exposure to characters. Only Grade 1 children showed the form preparation effect in the same initial consonant condition (i.e., when a list of target words shared the initial consonant). Both Grade 4 children and adults showed the preparation effect when the initial syllable (but not tone) among target words was shared. Kindergartners and Grade 2 children only showed the preparation effect when the initial syllable including tonal information was shared. These developmental changes in phonological preparation could be interpreted as a joint function of the modification of phonological representation and attentional shift. Extensive pinyin experience encourages speakers to attend to and select onset phoneme in phonological preparation, whereas extensive character experience encourages speakers to prepare spoken words in syllables.     

A critical review of pediatric preoperative preparation procedures: Processes,outcomes, and future directions

Many hospitals currently provide psychological preparation for children facing impending surgery. This article discusses the processes which are presumed to operate in various preparation techniques and the impact of these strategies on children and their parents. In critically reviewing previous work, it is shown how the research is fraught with methodological problems and interpretive limitations. In addition, there is a lack of empirical efforts to actually measure the various change processes at work in preparation procedures. The importance of taking into consideration individual difference dimensions is pointed out. Future directions for research are suggested.     

父母低头行为对儿童青少年心理发展的影响

父母低头行为是指父母照顾或与孩子交流时,过分关注与使用手机而忽视孩子的行为。梳理相关研究发现,父母低头行为会对孩子产生多种不良影响,如,降低亲子关系交流质量、增加意外伤害风险、损伤人际交往能力、导致问题行为增多。现有研究采用取代假说、多任务操作理论以及依恋理论对影响过程进行解释。未来研究的关键在于邻近概念的区分、测量方式和研究方法的改进、探讨儿童对父母手机使用行为的看法以及移动设备对亲子互动可能的积极影响。     

父母低头行为对儿童青少年心理发展的影响

父母低头行为是指父母照顾或与孩子交流时,过分关注与使用手机而忽视孩子的行为。梳理相关研究发现,父母低头行为会对孩子产生多种不良影响,如,降低亲子关系交流质量、增加意外伤害风险、损伤人际交往能力、导致问题行为增多。现有研究采用取代假说、多任务操作理论以及依恋理论对影响过程进行解释。未来研究的关键在于邻近概念的区分、测量方式和研究方法的改进、探讨儿童对父母手机使用行为的看法以及移动设备对亲子互动可能的积极影响。     

Methodological implications of the affect revolution: a 35-year review of emotion regulation assessment in children

This investigation analyzed the methods used over the past 35 years to study emotion regulation (ER) in children. Articles published from 1975 through 2010 were identified in 42 child clinical, developmental, and emotion psychology journals. Overall, 61.1% of published ER articles relied on one method and 23.6% used two methods. Analyses revealed (a) 82.8% of published ER research occurring within the past decade; (b) higher rates of observational methods with infant and toddler/preschool samples, but more use of self-report methodology with middle childhood and adolescent samples; (c) a longer history of published ER research with samples of infants to 5-year-olds, including the use of more longitudinal design, compared with older samples; and (d) a positive association between journal impact ratings and the use of physiological and observational measurement. Review of the measurement tools used to capture ER revealed great diversity in how emotion processes are understood and evaluated.     

大学生自理能力现状分析及其培养

采用自编的“大学生自理能力问卷”,对我国大学生自理能力的现状进行了调查。结果表明：大学生自理能力总体状况是稳定的;在情绪情感状态、日常管理、职业准备、行为效能和交往以及自我控制能力等五个方面薛在年级差异;独生子女与非独生子女在行为效能和交往以及自我控制能力方面存在显著差异;大学生的自理能力随年级的升高将越强。本研究从家庭和社会、大学以及大学生自己的责任三方面提出了关于大学生自理能力培养的建议。     

Preparing children for medical examinations: the importance of previous medical experience

The relationship between past medical experience and children's response to preparation for medical examinations was investigated in 79 pediatric outpatients aged 3 to 12 years. Children were randomly assigned to one of five preparation conditions prior to receiving a medical examination and a throat culture: sensory information about the exam, training in coping skills (deep breathing and positive self-talk), combined sensory information and coping skills training, attention control, and no-treatment control. The results indicated that children with previous negative medical experiences demonstrated more behavioral distress during a throat culture examination that did children with previous positive or neutral medical experiences. In addition, the attention control condition appeared to increase the distress of children with previous negative medical experiences. Amount of past exposure to the specific medical procedure was not related to observed distress. The implications of these findings for the preparation of children for medical procedures are discussed.     

Developmental changes in response preparation to visual stimuli

We examined how preparation to respond changes with age. Subjects from four age groups (5- to 7-, 8- to 11-, 12- to 17-, and 18- to 24-yr.-olds) were given a simple visual RT task with foreperiod duration varied between 300 and 2000 msec. Analysis showed that in addition to the expected effects of age and foreperiod, there were qualitative differences between the performance of adults and children: 5- to 7-yr.-olds reacted quickest after a foreperiod shorter than that required by adults to perform best. Conversely, preadolescents' optimal foreperiod was relatively longer than that of either older or younger subjects. In addition, the youngest subjects showed an inability to maintain preparation as efficiently as older subjects. Implications for the development of response preparation are discussed.     

Identification of Developmentally Appropriate Screening Items for Disruptive Behavior Problems in Preschoolers

Screening preschool-aged children for disruptive behavior disorders is a key step in early intervention. The study goal was to identify screening items with excellent measurement properties at sub-clinical to clinical levels of disruptive behavior problems within the developmental context of preschool-aged children. Parents/caregivers of preschool-aged children (N?=?900) were recruited from four pediatric primary care settings. Participants (mean age?=?31, SD?=?8) were predominantly female (87 %), either white (55 %) or African-American (42 %), and biological parents (88 %) of the target children. In this cross-sectional survey, participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and two parent-report behavioral rating scales: the PSC-17 and the BPI. Item response theory analyses provided item parameter estimates and information functions for 18 externalizing subscale items, revealing their quality of measurement along the continuum of disruptive behaviors in preschool-aged children. Of 18 investigated items, 5 items measured only low levels of disruptive behaviors among preschool-aged children. The remaining 13 items measured sub-clinical to clinical levels of disruptive behavior problems (i.e., >1.5 SD); however, 5 of these items offered less information, suggesting unreliable measurement. The remaining 8 items had high discrimination and difficulty parameters, offering considerable measurement information at sub-clinical to clinical levels of disruptive behavior problems. Behaviors measured by the 8 selected parent-report items were consistent with those identified in recent efforts to distinguish developmentally typical misbehaviors from clinically concerning behaviors among preschool-aged children. These items may have clinical utility in screening young children for disruptive behavior disorders.