Applying the extended theory of planned behaviour to predict Chinese people's non‐remunerated blood donation intention and behaviour: The roles of perceived risk and trust in blood collection agencies

Against the backdrop of critical clinical blood shortage in China in recent years, the present research extends the theory of planned behaviour by incorporating two constructs potentially of importance in influencing non‐remunerated blood donation behaviour, namely perceived risk and individual trust in blood collection agencies to predict Chinese people's non‐remunerated blood donation intention and behaviour. A survey was conducted to measure variables of the theory of planned behaviour, and other variables such as experience of non‐remunerated blood donation, perceived risk and individual trust in blood collection agencies. Data to assess non‐remunerated blood donation behaviour were collected via phone interviews. Results of the path analysis are as follows. Subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and individual trust in blood collection agencies are all positively associated with attitudes toward non‐remunerated blood donation, explaining 46.9% of the variance in this variable. Perceived risk is negatively associated with blood donation intention, while subjective norm and attitudes toward non‐remunerated blood donation are both positively associated with blood donation intention. Together, the three variables account for 28.4% of the variance in donation intention. Both having a positive association with non‐remunerated blood donation behaviour, the combination of blood donation intention and donation experience explains 42.8% of its variance.     

Data Collection via Online Platforms: Challenges and Recommendations for Future Research

Online platforms such as Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk) are increasingly used by researchers to collect survey and experimental data. Yet, such platforms often represent a tumultuous terrain for both researchers and reviewers. Researchers have to navigate the complexities of obtaining representative samples from online participant cohorts, ensuring data quality, ethically incentivizing participant engagement, and maintaining transparency. Reviewers, on the other hand, have to navigate the complexities of evaluating the efficacy of such data collection and execution efforts in answering important research questions. In order to provide clarity to these issues, this article provides researchers and reviewers with a series of recommendations for effectively executing and evaluating data collection via online platforms, respectively.     

A laser-based technique for measuring accuracy and distortion in judgments of linear dimensions

A new technique is described that permits precise measurement of accuracy and distortion in judgments of linear dimensions based on either perception or memory. This technique involves the use of a single laser beam and a reference line placed on a projection surface. By rotating a laser device, the distance between the reference line and the point created by the beam may be continuously varied. This procedure avoids unintentional distortion from misjudgment of standard metrics, while the semicircular movement required by this technique eliminates body-referenced estimation and some other potential confounds. Potential applications to research in visual perception, spatial memory, and body image are discussed.     

Component analysis of ECG by computer

The present paper describes a set of interactive computer programs and methods (i.e., cardiac component analysis, CCA) that allow the collection, summation, and averaging of the time durations of the various ECG components. The programs are written in FORTRAN and run on a Texas Instruments minicomputer using an Intecolor 8001 terminal as the display device. The program’s features include analog-to-digital conversion, color display of individual heart-beats, operator interaction, and statistical summation with tabular output. Subroutines are well structured and easily transported to other machines. Although these programs may be used on-line, it has been more efficient to perform the analyses off-line, after a subject has completed the task. Various versions of the program have been used to analyze human, baboon, and dog ECGs in 2- to 30-sec epochs, at sample rates of 258 and 1,000 samples/sec. Preliminary results from an experiment of the effects of meditation and cognitive overload are discussed.     

The somatic and vegetative-regulatory behavior of the healthy organism during conditioning of the insulin effect

Symptoms produced by repeated daily injection of insulin (3 units/kg i.v.) in dogs revealed the principle of fractional conditioning: the general behavior and changes in the cortical EEG characteristic of insulin action could become a conditional reflex (evoked by the injection of physiological saline i.v. and a CS)—while the blood sugar level, the heart rate, the EKG, and body temperature did not become CRs. This split illustrates the principle shown by Gantt that centrally-mediated effects of an agent are conditionable while those resulting only from direct peripheral action cannot become CRs. From this principle it may be assumed that the effects of insulin (behavioral, EEG) are mediated through the central nervous system, while other insulin effects (those not conditionable) are a result of peripheral action. Two methods of blood sugar determination (Hagedorn-Jensen and glucose oxidase) in both venous and arterial blood were used in these experiments, and the data resulting from 14,056 determinations were analyzed.     

Crowdsourcing and personality measurement equivalence: A warning about countries whose primary language is not English

In the search to find cheaper, faster approaches for data collection, crowdsourcing methods (i.e., online labor portals that allow independent workers to complete surveys for compensation) have risen in popularity as a tool for personality researchers, despite a lack of evidence regarding the equivalence of crowdsourcing with traditional data collection methods. The purpose of this study was to evaluate crowdsourcing as a data collection tool by examining the measurement equivalence of crowdsourced data (i.e., from Amazon.com’s MTurk) with more traditional samples (i.e., an undergraduate sample and a sample of organizational employees). Our results (using a popular measure of Big Five personality) provided evidence of measurement equivalence across all three samples, with one important exception: crowdsourced data (from MTurk) only exhibited measurement invariance with traditional data collection methods when responses were restricted to participants from native-English speaking countries. Although MTurk appears to be an easy, cost-effective data collection tool, our results suggest that MTurk data are similar to traditionally-collected data only when the MTurk sample is restricted to IP addresses from English-speaking countries.     

Validating Internet research: A test of the psychometric equivalence of Internet and in-person samples

This study evaluated the psychometric equivalency of Web-based research. The Sexual Boredom Scale was presented via the World-Wide Web along with five additional scales used to validate it. A subset of 533 participants that matched a previously published sample (Watt & Ewing, 1996) on age, gender, and race was identified. An 8 × 8 correlation matrix from the matched Internet sample was compared via structural equation modeling with a similar 8 × 8 correlation matrix from the previously published study. The Internet and previously published samples were psychometrically equivalent. Co-efficient alpha values calculated on the matched Internet sample yielded reliability coefficients almost identical to those for the previously published sample. Factors such as computer administration and uncontrollable administration settings did not appear to affect the results. Demographic data indicated an overrepresentation of males by about 6% and Caucasians by about 13% relative to the U.S. Census (2000). A total of 2,230 participants were obtained in about 8 months without remuneration. These results suggest that data collection on the Web is (1) reliable, (2) valid, (3) reasonably representative, (4) cost effective, and (5) efficient.     

Validation of the reasons for living inventory in general and delinquent adolescent samples

Two studies are reported that discuss the validation of an adult suicide prediction questionnaire for use with adolescents. The Reasons for Living Inventory (RFL; Linehan, Goodstein, Nielsen, & Chiles, 1983) was slightly modified and administered to two samples of adolescents: one from a general high school population and one from a population of juvenile delinquents receiving psychological treatment in a correctional facility. As with adults, adolescents who reported more reasons for staying alive were less apt to report past or recent suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Evidence of convergent validity emerged via correlations of RFL subscales with depression, hopelessness, and other suicide inventories. Evidence of discriminant validity emerged in that correlations with social desirability were not large. Evidence of construct validity emerged in that the RFL subscales related to suicidal thoughts and behaviors over and above depression and hopelessness. Differences between general and delinquent adolescents' reasons for living are discussed.Special gratitude is due to the Indiana Department of Corrections and the Penn-Harris-Madison Public School System for their cooperation and assistance in data collection for this project.     

An evaluation of the Takeda UA751 automatic sphygmomanometer

The Takeda UA751, a simple automatic blood pressure measuring device, was compared with standard osciltatory measurement. There was little or no systematic difference in pressure determined by the automatic or manual method and the correlation between the two devices for both systolic and distolic pressure was satisfactory. This suggests that the Takeda UA751 is an appropriate device for patient self monitoring of blood pressure or as a measure of pressure in group outcome trials. The results essential replicate an evaluation by Steptoe and Molineux (Behav. Res. Ther. 24 223-226, 1986) of an earlier version of the Takeda (the Copal UA251) that used a different method for determining blood pressure.     

Comparison of corticosterone responses to acute stressors: Chronic jugular vein versus trunk blood samples in mice

A commonly used method for obtaining blood samples from mice is decapitation. However, there is an obvious need for repeated blood sampling in mice under stress-free conditions. Here, we describe a simple technique to repeatedly collect blood samples from conscious, freely moving mice through a chronically implanted jugular vein catheter. Furthermore, we compare plasma corticosterone (CORT) concentrations in samples obtained through the catheter 1 day after surgery with samples taken from trunk blood obtained under basal or acute stress conditions. CORT concentrations in repeated 100-μl venous blood samples were found to be similar to trunk blood samples both under basal conditions and after stressor exposure collected at identical time points (at 5, 15, and 60?min). Using both techniques, we demonstrate a progressive increase in CORT levels until 15?min after termination of stressor exposure and a decrease towards baseline values 60?min later. Anxiety-related behavior, as assessed on the elevated plus maze 3-4 days after surgery, did not differ between catheterized and non-catheterized mice. Our results provide evidence for application of jugular vein catheterization as a technique for repeated blood sampling in conscious laboratory mice. Use of this technique will greatly reduce the number of animals required for experiments involving endocrine endpoints.     

EYEBALL MEASUREMENT OF DEXTERITY: TESTS AS ALTERNATIVES TO INTERVIEWS

As industry's most popular selection device, the interview is too often misused to measure or predict numerous skills and abilities that can be measured or predicted better by other methods. The authors encountered such an abuse in a recent allegation of sex discrimination. This paper reports a study conducted for this litigation. Couched in a general lens model paradigm, the results demonstrate an inappropriate use of a selection technique to predict an ability that can be better measured by a test. This simple interview analog demonstrates the problems of replacing tests with inappropriate selection devices.     

The psychological reality of word senses

This paper tests psychologists' frequent assumption that dictionaries are psychologically realistic models of polysemy in the mental lexicon. Psychologists have not often explored the nature of polysemy, and lexicographers' methods have not involved scientific sampling of usages or informants. It is argued, however, that the lexicographic technique of citation sorting is an effective way of discovering sense differences. Here this technique was used in three tasks involving usage samples for 24 high- and low-frequency nouns varying widely in degree of polysemy in the dictionary. Analyses of agreement within and between subjects showed that subjects consistently judged and substantially agreed upon the major senses of most nouns, but that few nouns in either frequency group were perceived to have more than three significant senses. Additionally, the possibility that larger usage samples will bias people to make more sense groupings was found not to be true, suggesting that the larger number of senses lexicographers create for high-frequency words are not artifacts of larger usage samples.This research was partially supported by grants from the Spencer and Sloan Foundations to George A. Miller.     

Cerebral blood flow during meditative prayer: preliminary findings and methodological issues

Meditative practices typically require several coordinated cognitive activities. This study measured changes in cerebral blood flow during "verbal" based meditation by Franciscan nuns involving the internal repetition of a particular phrase. These results are compared with those we previously described in eight Buddhist meditators who use a type of "visualization" technique. Three experienced practitioners of verbal meditation were injected via i.v. at rest with 260 MBq of Tc-99m HMPAO and scanned 30 min. later on a triple head SPECT camera for 45 min. Following the baseline scan, subjects meditated for approximately 40 min. at which time they were injected with 925 MBq of HMPAO while they continued to meditate for 10 min. more (total of 50 min. of meditation). The injection during meditation was designed not to disturb practice. Subjects were scanned 20 min. later for 30 min. Counts were obtained for regions of interest for major brain structures and normalized to whole-brain blood flow. Compared to baseline, mean verbal meditation scans showed increased blood flow in the prefrontal cortex (7.1%), inferior parietal lobes (6.8%), and inferior frontal lobes (9.0%). There was a strong inverse correlation between the blood flow, change in the prefrontal cortex and in the ipsilateral superior parietal lobe (p<.01). This study on a limited number of subjects demonstrated the feasibility of studying different types of meditation with neuroimaging techniques, suggested that several coordinated cognitive processes occur during meditation, and also raised important methodological issues.     

Catheterization of the lumbar subarachnoid space for long-term CSF collection in unanesthetized nonhuman primates

Chronic indwelling spinal catheters facilitate administration of drugs and serial sampling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Most catheters used in primates enter the ventricles or rostral subarachnoid space. This paper describes a procedure for catheterizing the lumbar subarachnoid space. Although the technique is invasive, maintenance and utilization of the catheter do not disturb the subject. The preparation remains patent for up to 21 days and permits both intrathecal drug administration and collection of CSF samples from unanesthetized subjects.     

Feasibility of Biological Sample Collection among a High-Risk Maternal Population for Child Maltreatment-Qualitative Pilot Findings

Little is known on the feasibility of biological sample collection among at-risk parents for child maltreatment participating in evidence-based parenting intervention studies evaluating behavioral outcomes. This study explored acceptability and feasibility of collecting biospecimen samples among 12 high-risk mothers. Data were taken from semi-structured baseline interviews among participants who provided salivary, hair and buccal swab samples for a pilot study examining biobehavioral stress responses to an evidence-based parenting program. Content analysis results suggest that while uncomfortable, biospecimen collection will not impede research participation. Providers should highlight connections between biology and behaviors to motivate parents and increase engagement in parenting programs.     

DADTA VI: A minicomputer-based video control system for the analysis of behavioral and electrophysiological data

A computer-automated testing apparatus for monkey and human subjects is described. This dual-computer system generates programmable color video displays and permits on-line collection of behavioral and electrophysiological data. Video displays are generated by an Apple II minicomputer linked via a serial transmission port to a general-purpose laboratory computer (DEC PDP-11/34). Control of event sequences is determined by serial interaction between the two computers. Software (programs) for the collection and analysis of event-related brain potentials data is described, and the experimental and clinical applications of this DADTA VI (Discrimination apparatus for discrete-trial analysis, Version 6) for neuropsychology are discussed.     

Blood donation and the foot-in-the-door technique: a limiting case.

Three experiments testing the effectiveness of the foot-in-the-door technique for recruiting blood donors consistently failed to demonstrate that this procedure influences either verbal or behavioral compliance, suggesting that the generality of the foot-in-the-door phenomenon is limited. Experiment 1 attempted to demonstrate that an earlier failure of this technique was due to poor operationalization rather than to the magnitude of the critical request or to the invalidity of the phenomenon, but it failed to do so. Experiment 2, designed to more closely resemble other foot-in-the-door studies by using telephone contacts and an initial request for persons to answer questions, was conducted to examine other possible explanations for the two previous failures. This experiment also failed to show any foot-in-the-door effect. Experiment 3 was a conceptual replication of Experiment 2 but used personal contacts. One apparent foot-in-the-door effect emerged in this case, but it was more likely due to a factor other than the experimental treatment. It is concluded that although the foot-in-the-door procedure may indeed influence verbal compliance with requests for minimal forms of aid, it probably will not significantly affect people's willingness to comply with more substantial requests involving behaviors that are psychologically costly to perform.     

Involuntary Rotations of a Steering Device Induced by Voluntary Rotations of the Head and Maintained Eccentric Head Positions

In a series of 4 experiments, the authors examined involuntary rotations of a steering device (handlebar or wheel) that were associated with periodic head rotations and eccentric head positions. Periodic head rotations resulted in isodirectional involuntary rotations of a horizontally arranged steering device of very small amplitude. When the orientation of a steering wheel was changed to vertical and to a backward tilt, the involuntary rotations were in the opposite direction. That pattern of results is consistent with the assumption that small movements of the shoulder girdle, which are associated with head turns and which cannot be prevented by mechanical immobilization of the shoulder, are propagated to the wheel, but is not consistent with previous suggestions that involuntary rotations of a steering device can result from the action of the tonic neck reflex. Effects that correspond to the pattern of the tonic neck reflex were found only when a spring-centered handlebar was held in an eccentric position; maintenance of the eccentric position was facilitated when the participant's head was turned in the opposite direction. The findings strongly suggest that head movements can result in involuntary movements of a steering device via different mechanisms.     

Involuntary Rotations of a Steering Device Induced by Voluntary Rotations of the Head and Maintained Eccentric Head Positions

In a series of 4 experiments, the authors examined involuntary rotations of a steering device (handlebar or wheel) that were associated with periodic head rotations and eccentric head positions. Periodic head rotations resulted in isodirectional involuntary rotations of a horizontally arranged steering device of very small amplitude. When the orientation of a steering wheel was changed to vertical and to a backward tilt, the involuntary rotations were in the opposite direction. That pattern of results is consistent with the assumption that small movements of the shoulder girdle, which are associated with head turns and which cannot be prevented by mechanical immobilization of the shoulder, are propagated to the wheel, but is not consistent with previous suggestions that involuntary rotations of a steering device can result from the action of the tonic neck reflex. Effects that correspond to the pattern of the tonic neck reflex were found only when a spring-centered handlebar was held in an eccentric position; maintenance of the eccentric position was facilitated when the participant's head was turned in the opposite direction. The findings strongly suggest that head movements can result in involuntary movements of a steering device via different mechanisms.     

Voice reaction times with recognition for Commodore computers

Hardware and software modifications are presented that allow for collection and recognition by a Commodore computer of spoken responses. Responses are timed with millisecond accuracy and automatically analyzed and scored. Accuracy data for this device from several experiments are presented. Potential applications and suggestions for improving recognition accuracy are also discussed.