An examination of practice and laterality effects on the Purdue Pegboard and Moving Beans with Tweezers

The purpose of this study was to examine the relation of practice or learning and laterality on the Purdue Pegboard and the Moving Beans with Tweezers test. The subjects were 30 right-handed, healthy young male adults (age: M = 21.1, SD = 1.9 yr.). The subjects performed both tests five times with each hand. A two-way analysis of variance (hand x trial) for scores on the Purdue Pegboard showed that Trial 1 had a significantly lower mean than Trials 4 and 5 with the dominant hand, and scores on Trials 1 and 3 were lower than that on Trial 5 for the nondominant hand. For the Moving Beans with Tweezers test, Trial 1 had a significantly lower score than Trial 5 with the nondominant hand. The dominant hand produced significantly higher values on all trials of both tests. Intraclass correlation coefficients of Trials 2 and 3 were high, and means were significantly higher for the dominant hand. A correlation between other tests was not high (r = .37-.46) for both hands. All correlations among five trials on both tests were significant and high (Purdue Pegboard-Dominant: average r =.72, [r] = .60-.80, Purdue Pegboard-Nondominant: average r = .59, [r] = .43-.76), (Moving Beans-Dominant: average r = .74, [r] = .57-.81, Moving Beans-Nondominant: average r =.71, [r] = .55-.87). Correlations among five trials for the ratio of dominant:nondominant hand on both tests were significant and moderate (Moving Beans: average r = .28, [r] = .08-.57, Purdue Pegboard: average r = .41, [r] = .19.56). Performance with the dominant hand is superior to that of the nondominant hand on both tests. Practice effects are found for both tests across five trials. The Moving Beans with Tweezers test also showed laterality of practice effects. The two tests may measure different abilities.     

Mesomorphy correlates with experiential cognitive style

The purpose of this study was to test for a relationship between mesomorphy and experiential cognitive style (S. Epstein, 1994) in a sample of university students (30 women and 24 men). Anthropometric somatotypes were obtained using the Heath-Carter procedure (J. E. L. Carter, 2002). Experiential cognitive style was operationalized as scores on the experiential scale of the Rational Experiential Inventory for Adolescents (A. D. Marks, D. W. Hine, R. L. Blore, & W. J. Phillips, 2008). Nonparametric bootstrap correlations were calculated using 80% confidence intervals. There were significant correlations between mesomorphy and experiential cognitive style for men (r(s) = .33) and women (r(s) = .25). For men, experiential cognitive style was also correlated with endomorphy (r(s) = .39) and ectomorphy (rs = -.48).     

Some properties of r equivalent: a simple effect size indicator

One version of r equivalent, calculated from Fisher's exact test p values and recommended for small samples, is considered "a more realistic . . . [and] a more accurate estimate of the population correlation than . . . the sample correlation, r sample" (R. Rosenthal & D. B. Rubin, 2003, p. 494). Small sample properties of r sample and of two effect size estimators (r equivalent* and r hybrid) that use r equivalent were examined: r sample is preferable to r equivalent* (defined as r equivalent used without restrictions) in terms of bias and mean squared error (MSE); r hybrid (defined as r equivalent only when r sample = 1.0) is generally preferable to r equivalent*, and preferable to r sample in terms of MSEs, except when population correlations are very large. Conditions favoring r sample over r equivalent* and r hybrid in meta-analyses are noted.     

Self-defeating personality and memories of parents' child-rearing behavior: a replication

A recent study of correlations of self-defeating personality and memories of parents' child-rearing behaviour has been replicated on a larger sample. Non-clinical volunteers (145 women and 114 men) were administered Schill's Self-defeating Personality Scale and a short version of the EMBU-Egna Minnen Betr?ffande Uppfostran (own memories of parental education) scale. Replicating previous findings, memories of rejecting or nonsupportive parents were significantly correlated with scores for the Self-defeating Personality Scale for both women (rejecting mother, r = 24; supportive mother, r = -.29; rejecting father, r = .23; supportive father, r = -.36) and men (rejecting mother, r = 40; rejecting father, r = .41; supportive father, r = -.28). Memories of an overinvolved parent were significantly correlated with self-defeating personality scores only among men (mother: r = .41; father: r = .36) as in the original study.     

Individual Differences In Intra-Individual Variability

For each of 75 Ss several estimates of intra-individual variations were calculated for each of 4 motor skills. The reliability of intra-individual variation for these data, estimated from Pearson productmoment correlations, ranged from r = .31 to r = .51 (in all cases p < .05). It was also found that in 3 of the 4 skills, intra-individual variation correlated significantly (r = .36, .54, .55) with mean performance level. Second order partial correlations, holding constant the effect of mean performance level, were then used to estimate the reliability of intravariation. These correlations were statistically significant and ranged from r = .27 to r = .34. When correlations of intra-individual variation were calculated among the four skills it was demonstrated that intra-individual variation was approximately 95 to 100% task specific.     

HONESTY TESTING FOR PERSONNEL SELECTION: A REVIEW AND CRITIQUE

Paper and pencil predictors of employee theft are described and studies of validity, reliability, and adverse impact of these tests are examined. Validity studies for 10 tests were grouped into 5 categories: comparisons with polygraph examination results, correlations with admissions of past theft, predictive studies using future job behaviors as criteria, comparisons of shrinkage rates before and after the introduction of a testing program, and comparisons of test scores of groups known to be dishonest with groups representing the general population. While positive correlations were consistently found, a variety of methodological differences between studies were identified which make the direct comparison of test validities suspect. High reliabilities are consistently reported, and test score comparisons by race and sex generally report no differences. Ethical issues in honesty test usage are considered and future research needs are identified.     

Intelligence and regional brain volumes in normal controls

The relationship between brain size and intelligence was examined in a large sample of healthy normal volunteers (N = 90). In addition to confirmation of the small but significant relationship between IQ and whole brain volume (r = 0.25, p < .05) using magnetic resonance imaging, regional differences were examined using a completely automated procedure to generate lobar volumes to address questions related to regional specificity and its relationship to intelligence. A significant positive relationship was found between measures of full scale IQ and frontal (r = 0.25, p < .05) and temporal (r = 0.28, p < .01) regions, although when correlations across different brain regions were tested against each other, there was no evidence of regional specificity. In addition, no laterality effects were seen. Correlations between WAIS-R subtest scores and brain regions indicated few correlations between verbal subtest scores and brain size, but several significant correlations between the performance subtest scores and frontal, temporal, parietal, and cerebellar brain regions. These results support the notion of a modest relationship between brain size and measures of global intelligence and suggest diffuse brain involvement on performance tasks which require integration and use of multiple cognitive domains.     

Psychometric Evaluation of the Timeline Followback for Exercise among College Students

OBJECTIVES: Two separate studies assessed the psychometric properties of a retrospective behavioral measure adapted for exercise called the Timeline Followback for Exercise (TLFB-E). Study one examined criterion, convergent, and predictive validity. Study two examined test-retest reliability. METHODS: Study one participants (N = 66) were college students 20.0 ± 1.4yr. Validity of frequency, intensity, time, and type (FITT) of exercise as assessed on the TLFB-E was examined using Pearson r correlations with accelerometers, weekly exercise contracts between participants and researchers, question four of the College Alumni Questionnaire, and a health-related physical fitness battery. Study two participants were a different sample (N = 40) of college students 18.63 ± 1.0yr. Pearson r correlations determined reliability of the TLFB-E for exercise frequency, intensity, and time between two interviews separated by one month. Kappa statistic determined reliability of the TLFB-E for type of exercise. RESULTS: The TLFB-E displayed evidence of criterion validity when compared to accelerometers (r = .35 to .39) and evidence of convergent validity when compared to weekly exercise contracts (r = .65 to .80) and question four of the College Alumni Questionnaire (r = .06 to .75). The TLFB-E displayed evidence of modest to adequate test-retest reliability (r = .79 to .97) for exercise frequency, intensity, and time and moderate Kappa (k = .49) for exercise type. CONCLUSIONS: The TLFB-E produces evidence of reliable and valid scores among college students and improves upon other self-report, retrospective questionnaires by enabling daily collection of exercise FITT over a specified time period.     

Validity and reliability of perceptually-based scales during exhausting runs in trained male runners

The purposes of this study were to test the validity of a recent scale based on the estimation of a time of exhaustion (entitled Estimated Time Limit scale) to predict a time limit (Tlim) and to regulate exercise intensity and to investigate the reliability of the Estimated Time Limit scale and the Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. 14 male runners performed one incremental test, one constant velocity test at 85% of Maximal Aerobic Velocity (MAV), one constant duration test and one retest of 15 min. on an outdoor track. The difference between Estimated Time Limit values obtained during the incremental test at 85% MAV and measured Tlim values during the constant velocity test were examined, the velocities at ETL = 13 (i.e., 15 min.) obtained during the incremental test were compared with measured velocities during the constant duration test or the retest (only the best performance was used), and RPE and Estimated Time Limit values during the constant duration test were compared with those measured during retest. The results have shown a nonsignificant correlation between Estimated Time Limit values at 85% MAV and measured Tlim values during constant velocity test. There was a significant correlation (p < .02, r = .64) between velocities at ETL= 13 and measured velocities. However, the slope and y intercept value of this regression were significantly different from those of the identity line. There was no significant difference between constant duration test and retest for the values of RPE and Estimated Time Limit with high correlations (between r = .77 and .99 for RPE scale, and r = .74 and .99 for Estimated Time Limit scale). Moreover, the regression lines were close to the identity line. The RPE and Estimated Time Limit scales are reliable, but the lack of validity for the Estimated Time Limit scale suggests that more studies must be performed before using this scale to predict Tlim and regulate exercise intensity in male runners.     

STRUCTURED INTERVIEWING: RAISING THE PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEW

A highly structured employment interviewing technique is proposed, which includes the following steps: (1) develop questions based on a job analysis, (2) ask the same questions of each candidate, (3) anchor the rating scales for scoring answers with examples and illustrations, (4) have an interview panel record and rate answers, (5) consistently administer the process to all candidates, and (6) give special attention to job relatedness, fairness, and documentation in accordance with testing guidelines. Examination of psychometric properties for hiring entry-level production employees ( n = 149) reveals high interrater reliability ( r = .88) and predictive validity (uncorrected r = .34, corrected r = .56), as well as evidence for test fairness and utility. The levels of these properties are comparable to those of a comparison battery of typical employment tests, and correlations with the tests suggest that the interview has a strong cognitive aptitude component. Potential explanations for the effectiveness of this structured interviewing technique are discussed.     

The Dysfunctional Attitude Scale: How well can it measure depressive thinking?

The Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) was designed to measure patterns of maladaptive thinking held by depressed individuals. Despite its wide use as a research and clinical tool, only a few studies to date were designed to examine its psychometric properties in a clinically depressed population. Moreover, problems of low sample size and limited tests of validity call these findings into question. The present study was designed to examine psychometric properties of the DAS in clinically depressed inpatients and in nondepressed clinical controls. Intertest correlations between the DAS parallel forms and between each form with total test scores ranged from r=.84 to r=.97. Intratest stability coefficients were r=.88 to r=.97. Support for the DAS as a valid measure of dysfunctional cognitions in depressed patients was also indicated. Of those scoring high on the DAS, 73% received an independent RDC diagnosis of clinical depression, while only 36% of those receiving low DAS scores were so diagnosed.     

Validity and reliability of self-assessed physical fitness using visual analogue scales

To test the validity and reliability of self-assessed physical fitness samples included healthcare assistants working at a hospital (women=170, men=17), persons working with physically and mentally handicapped patients (women=530, men= 123), and two separate groups of healthcare students (a) women=91 and men=5 and (b) women=159 and men=10. Five components of physical fitness were self-assessed by Visual Analogue Scales with illustrations and verbal anchors for the extremes: aerobic fitness, muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance. Convergent and divergent validity were evaluated by age-adjusted correlations stratified by sex with performance-based measures of physical fitness. Self-assessed aerobic fitness (r = .36 - .64) (women/men), muscle strength (r = .30 - .51), and flexibility (r = .36 - .31) showed moderate convergent validity. The divergent validity was satisfactory except for flexibility among men. The reliability was moderate to good (ICC = .62 - .80). Self-assessed aerobic fitness, muscle strength, and flexibility showed moderate construct validity and moderate to good reliability using visual analogues.     

The reliability of the Thematic Apperception Test

Controversy over the TAT's reliability may stem largely from the mis-application of traditional psychometric measures, which are inappropriate to this test. The TAT is implicitly based on a multiple regression model, for which coefficient alpha is not appropriate. Also, test-retest correlations may be adversely affected by the standard instructions to write a "creative" story. In a test-retest study, 47 high school students retook the TAT after a year with instructions designed to break the implicit set to produce a new and different story from that previously written. The test-retest correlations were r = .48 (need for affiliation) and .56 (need for intimacy), or approximately the same as those for, e.g., the MMPI, 16PF, and CPI, It was demonstrated that this high stability over time was not due to subjects' recalling and repeating previous responses. Finally, it was shown that alpha considerably underestimated the test-retest reliability, contrary to assumptions of classical psychometrics.     

Relationship between self-efficacy and changes in rated tension and depression for 9- to 12-yr.-old children enrolled in a 12-wk. after-school physical activity program

28 girls and 26 boys (93% African American) ages 9 to 12 years were enrolled in an after-school physical activity program for 12 wk. and completed measures of exercise self-efficacy, tension, and depression. Significant negative correlations were found between changes in ratings on Exercise Self-efficacy Scale for Children scores and Profile of Mood States Tension (r =-.44) and Depression (r =-.33) over 12 wk., indicating that as rated exercise Self-efficacy increased, rated Tension and Depression tended to decrease. Findings are consistent with behavioral explanations of the relationship between exercise and mood changes. Caution is appropriate as there was no control group, and familiarity might be an explanation of the findings.     

Generality of creativity across performance domains

The existence of general creative‐thinking skills was investigated. In the first study, 50 eighth‐grade students wrote poems, stories, mathematical equations, and mathematical word problems, all of which were rated for creativity by experts. When the effects of IQ reading achievement, and math achievement were controlled through multiple regression analyses, creativity scores on the four tasks were not correlated. This suggests that general creative‐thinking skills did not contribute to creative performance in these different tasks. Subjects also responded to a brief verbal fluency test. Scores on this test correlated significantly with story‐writing creativity (r = .34) but not with the other three tasks. Three follow‐up studies were conducted with second‐, fourth‐, and fifth‐grade students, and adults. These studies also produced no significant correlations among creativity ratings of various products.     

Anthropometric characteristics and gait transition speed in human locomotion

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between anthropometric parameters and the preferred transition speed (PTS) in human locomotion, in both genders. Previous studies exploring body measures as possible determinants of the PTS were biased toward longitudinal body dimensions, while the relationship between the PTS and transverse body dimensions has so far not been examined. Longitudinal and transverse anthropometric parameters were measured in 48 physical education students (21 males, 27 females), and an exercise test was performed for determination of the PTS. The relationship between the PTS and the anthropometric variables was determined using Pearson product-moment correlations and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Weak to moderate correlations between several body size and body shape variables and the PTS were found. In males, significant negative correlations (p<.05) between transverse body dimensions scaled to body height (calf girth, shoulder, bicristal and bitrochanteric diameters) and the PTS were found (r=-.51 to -.63). In females, calf girth and thigh girth scaled to height were significantly negatively correlated with the PTS (r=-.61 and -.42, respectively; p<.05). The results of the study suggest that gait transition speed in humans is related to both transverse and longitudinal body dimensions, and that sexual dimorphism in body size and shape should be taken into consideration for a proper interpretation of the PTS.     

Association of race and color with mean IQ across nations

This study investigated the correlation of both race and skin color in the distribution of mean IQ for 129 countries with primarily indigenous populations. Skin color correlated most highly with mean IQ across the Caucasoid countries (r = -.86), somewhat less across the Mongoloid countries (r = -.66), and nonsignificantly across the Negroid countries (r = .06). When the Negroid and Caucasoid countries were combined, both race and skin color yielded high correlations with IQ (r = .87, -.95, respectively). When the Negroid and Mongoloid countries were combined, both race and skin color yielded high correlations with IQ (r = .91, -.91, respectively). When Caucasoid and Mongoloid countries were combined, skin color yielded a high correlation, but race did not correlate significantly with IQ. The greater importance of Negroid race was regarded as congruent with the 1998 generalization of Jensen that the genetic distance between Mongoloids and Caucasoid is less than the genetic distance of these two groups from Negroid.     

Concurrent validity of tests to measure the coordinated exertion of force by computerized target pursuit

The purpose of this study was to examine concurrent validity of a new test for coordinated exertion of force. Coordinated exertion of force was measured using computerized target pursuit from the following viewpoints: the relations between the new test, a pursuit-rotor test, and a pegboard test. College students (24 men and 24 women) were required to change their grip exertion to match changing demand values (displayed in either a bar chart or a wave form) appearing on the display of a personal computer. The sum of the differences between the demanded values and grip-exertion values for 25 sec. was a parameter to evaluate the new test. The reliabilities of the new test, the pursuit-rotor, and the pegboard test were acceptable (ICC = .70 to .99). Scores on the new test showed low correlations with the pursuit-rotor and the pegboard test. The relation between the two different displays in the new test was significant but low (r = .49, p < .05). It was inferred that the new test measures a somewhat different ability than that measured by the pursuit-rotor and pegboard test and that the abilities tested by the types of displayed demand values are somewhat different.