Impact of telepresence levels on internet advertising effects.

This study examined the dimensions of interactivity and vividness to propose three telepresence levels: content presence, social presence, and personal presence. Then, an experiment investigated the impact of different telepresence levels on Internet advertising. The effects of interactions between vividness of visual imagery (VVI) and product types in relation to telepresence levels and advertising effects were also analyzed. The study employed a factorial design: 4 (levels of telepresence) x 2 (product types) x 2 (VVI). Levels of telepresence and product types were both manipulated between subjects. VVI was measured within subjects. Experimental findings showed that high levels of telepresence of an Internet advertisement increased subject recall and recognition. The low VVI respondent group would have greater recognition than traditional advertisements when respondents were exposed above the level 2 (social presence) advertisement and the effect of recognition increased from level 1 (content presence) to level 3 (personal presence). Recognition increased from level 1 (content presence) to level 2 (social presence) for both search and experience product groups; however, only recognition of the experience product group increased in level 3 (personal presence).     

Technology enabled work: The role of self-efficacy in determining telecommuter adjustment and structuring behavior

We explore factors associated with employees’ ability to cope with the challenges of telecommuting—an increasingly pervasive new work mode enabled by advances in information technologies. Telecommuting can trigger important changes in employees’ job responsibilities, especially with respect to the degree of proactivity required to effectively work from a distance. Survey responses from a sample of 723 participants in one organization’s formal telecommuting program were used to examine the inter-relationships between telecommuter self-efficacy and extent of telecommuting on telecommuters’ ability to cope with this new work context. Results indicate that there is a positive association between telecommuter self-efficacy and both employees’ behavioral strategies (i.e., structuring behaviors) and work outcomes (i.e., telecommuter adjustment). Moreover, these positive relationships are accentuated for employees who telecommute more extensively. Implications for research and practice concerning the effect of technology on jobs and careers are presented.     

Computer game associating self-concept to images of acceptance can reduce adolescents' aggressiveness in response to social rejection

The experience of social rejection can lead to an aggressive response. However, the ability to maintain a sense of social connection may reduce the likelihood of this type of response. We tested a computer-based intervention designed to use simple learning principles to boost the sense of social connection and acceptance. Adolescents aged 9–15 (n=138) first completed a conditioning game on computer that repeatedly paired their own name with images of social acceptance (versus a control condition with no systematic pairing), and subsequently reported how aggressively they would behave in response to being rejected by a peer. Those completing the self-acceptance conditioning (particularly those low in self-esteem) reported less aggressive feelings and intentions.     

Who is this?: Identity and presence in robot-mediated communication

Because a telepresence robot is intended for use in telecommunications, conveying the presence of a remote sender is an important issue. Even though certain characteristics of robots such as identity could be effective at generating a sense of presence, this risks yielding a distortion of presence in the remote sender. Thus, in order to find effective ways to increase presence, we executed an experiment comparing a telepresence robot with high identity and a telepresence robot with low identity. The 60 participants in this study engaged in a video call with a remote sender using either a telepresence robot with high identity or a telepresence robot with low identity. The results showed that participants felt more remote sender presence when interacting with the telepresence robot with low identity than they did with the one with high identity. On the other hand, when a telepresence robot has high identity, participants felt more presence toward the robot than they did toward the one with low identity. In the second study (N = 72), participants experienced two types of telepresence robots (identity level: a telepresence robot with high identity vs. a telepresence robot with low identity) with two types of remote senders (number of remote senders: single remote sender vs. multiple remote senders). The identity level of the robot and the number of remote senders affected the presence of the remote sender, telepresence, and the presence of the robot. We discuss in detail the implications for the design of telepresence robots in terms of increasing presence.     

Rape Myth Acceptance among Social Work Students

It is important to examine rape myth acceptance and the pertinent situational factors that affect attitudes and beliefs concerning the act of rape, perpetrators, and survivors. This study examines the influence of alcohol consumption and perceptions of alcohol use on levels of rape myth acceptance among social work students. Results showed differences in levels of rape myth acceptance based on race or ethnicity and gender. Results also showed that the version of the vignette read by the participant was a significant predictor of rape myth acceptance. Respondents’ perceptions of alcohol consumption were also a strong predictor of rape myth acceptance levels. These results demonstrate there are multiple factors that influence social work students’ rape myth acceptance levels that need further examination.     

Impact of an interactive anti-speeding threat appeal: how much threat is too much?

This study investigates the impact of an interactive television public-service announcement (PSA) containing an anti-speeding threat appeal on feelings of telepresence and behavioral intention. In a 2?×?2?×?2 between-subjects factorial design with 213 participants, the level of threat evoked by a traditional PSA, by the interactive part of the PSA (dedicated advertising location or DAL) and by the preceding program context are manipulated to be either low or high. The results support the assumptions of the Extended Parallel Processing Model with regard to the effect of the level of perceived threat and perceived efficacy in an interactive media environment, and the important role of telepresence as a processing variable. The results of the three-way interaction effect of threat evoked by the program, the PSA and the DAL on telepresence show that when the threat levels of the program and the PSA are both either low or high, exposure to the threatening information in the DAL does not generate a significantly higher feeling of telepresence. However, when a low-threat program is followed by a high-threat PSA, the threat level of the DAL has a positive effect on telepresence. The same trend is found with a high-threat program and a low-threat PSA, although the effect of the threat evoked by the DAL on telepresence is not significant at conventional levels. Finally, there is a positive effect of telepresence on the behavioral intention to reduce speeding, which is partly mediated by the viewer's perceived efficacy to follow the recommended behavior.     

Rape-supportive attitudes and sexual victimization experiences of sorority and nonsorority women

This study explored the link between sorority membership and rape-supportive attitudes and sexual victimization experiences. Data from a random sample of primarily white college women indicated that there were statistically significant differences between sorority women and nonsorority women on two of four rape-supportive attitudes (the acceptance of rape myths and the acceptance of interpersonal violence). Sorority women were also significantly more likely than nonsorority women to have been forced to have sexual intercourse because a partner either used physical force or threatened to use physical force. There was no significant difference between sorority women and nonsorority women in victimization through social, or nonviolent, coercion. However, sorority women had a significantly higher rate of nonconsensual intercourse while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.     

Accuracy of self-evaluation in adults with ADHD: evidence from a driving study

Research on children with ADHD indicates an association with inaccuracy of self-appraisal. This study examines the accuracy of self-evaluations in clinic-referred adults diagnosed with ADHD. Self-assessments and performance measures of driving in naturalistic settings and on a virtual-reality driving simulator are used to assess accuracy of self-evaluations. The group diagnosed with ADHD (n= 44) has a higher rate of collisions, speeding tickets, and total driving citations in their driving history; report less use of safe driving behaviors in naturalistic settings; and use fewer safe driving behaviors in the simulator than the community comparison group (n= 44). Despite poorer performance, adults with ADHD provide similar driving self-assessments, thereby overestimating in naturalistic settings to a greater degree than the comparison group. These findings extend research in children with ADHD to an adult sample in an important domain of functioning and may relate to findings of executive deficits associated with ADHD.     

Development of a Brief Version of the Social Anxiety – Acceptance and Action Questionnaire

The Social Anxiety – Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (SA-AAQ; MacKenzie and Kocovski 2010) is a 19-item self-report measure designed to assess acceptance and action specific to social anxiety symptoms. The present research was designed to evaluate an abbreviated version of the SA-AAQ. This abbreviated scale was confirmed using an undergraduate sample (N = 148) in Study 1 and a clinical sample of individuals with social anxiety disorder in Study 2 (N = 137). Results indicated that an eight-item, two-factor model (acceptance and action) provided a good fit for the Brief SA-AAQ in both samples. Finally, we also found preliminary evidence in support of the convergent, discriminant/divergent, and incremental validity of the shortened scale. The Brief SA-AAQ shows promise as a useful and brief tool for the measurement of acceptance of social anxiety symptoms in socially anxious populations.     

Group identity and peer relations: A longitudinal study of group identity,perceived peer acceptance,and friendships amongst ethnic minority English children

This research examined whether peer relationships amongst ethnic minority status children reflect the social groups to which children belong and the degree to which they identify with these groups. A longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the influence of group identities (i.e., ethnic and national) on children's perceived peer acceptance and preference for same‐ethnic friendships. Measures of ethnic and English identification, perceived peer acceptance, and friendship choice were administered to 207 south‐Asian English children, aged between 5 and 11, at two time points 6 months apart. In line with predictions, longitudinal analysis showed that bicultural identification (i.e., higher ethnic and English identity) was related to higher perceived peer acceptance and less preference for same‐ethnic friendships. Importantly, as hypothesized, this finding was limited to the older children with more advanced social‐cognitive abilities. The results suggest that older children who adopted a bicultural identity were able to strategically ‘flag’ their multiple group identities, within their multicultural peer groups, to obtain acceptance amongst the maximum number of peers and show less preference for same‐ethnic friendships. This study extends previous peer relations research, which has typically focused on individual social deficits or classroom norms, by showing that group identities influence peer relationships amongst ethnic minority status children.     

10～12岁儿童的同伴接纳类型与社交策略

为探讨10～12岁儿童同伴接纳与社交策略的关系,以儿童如何调整合作性行为来适应未来交往意愿作为社交策略的操作定义,利用最后通牒任务范式考察儿童的合作性水平,利用提名法考察同伴接纳类型与未来交往意愿。190名被试以群体施测的方式完成决策任务和问卷调查。结果表明大部分儿童在最后通牒任务中表现出公平合作的行为,女生比男生的合作性更高。被同伴接纳或拒绝的群体表现出不同的社会策略,前者合作性与未来交往意愿同向变化,后者则呈相反趋势。被同伴接纳的群体的社会策略更能有效促成交往并保护个体利益。     

Coping styles in adults with cystic fibrosis: implications for emotional and social quality of life

As life expectancy increases, interest has grown surrounding the factors that may influence quality of life (QOL) for people with cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of the current study was to examine which specific coping styles were positively or negatively associated with social and emotional QOL in a CF sample. One hundred and twenty-two respondents aged 18 and over were recruited through an online support group. Respondents completed the ‘CF Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R)’ and the ‘Brief COPE’. The CFQ-R is a disease-specific instrument designed to measure the impact of CF on nine QOL domains and the Brief COPE is a 28 item questionnaire which assesses 14 coping scales. A multivariate regression model revealed that higher substance abuse and disengagement was associated with lower emotional QOL whereas greater use of religion, instrumental coping and acceptance was positively associated with emotional QOL. Active coping was linked to better social QOL and a negative association was reported between distraction coping with both emotional and social domains. Given the burden of CF, ascertaining which factors enhance or diminish emotion and social well-being is now an integral component of QOL research. The current findings may therefore have value in informing clinical interventions which aim to cater for the psychological needs of individuals with CF.     

When strangers pass: processing of mutual and averted social gaze in the superior temporal sulcus

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated brain activity evoked by mutual and averted gaze in a compelling and commonly experienced social encounter. Through virtual-reality goggles, subjects viewed a man who walked toward them and shifted his neutral gaze either toward (mutual gaze) or away (averted gaze) from them. Robust activity was evoked in the superior temporal sulcus (STS) and fusiform gyrus (FFG). For both conditions, STS activity was strongly right lateralized. Mutual gaze evoked greater activity in the STS than did averted gaze, whereas the FFG responded equivalently to mutual and averted gaze. Thus, we show that the STS is involved in processing social information conveyed by shifts in gaze within an overtly social context. This study extends understanding of the role of the STS in social cognition and social perception by demonstrating that it is highly sensitive to the context in which a human action occurs.     

儿童同伴接纳知觉准确性及偏差与孤独感的关系:一项交叉滞后研究

以515名小学3年级到6年级的儿童为研究对象,采用交叉滞后研究设计,探讨同伴接纳知觉准确性和偏差与孤独感之间的关系。研究中,由儿童评定自己对同班每个同学的喜欢程度,预计同班同学对自己的喜欢程度,并完成社交自我知觉和孤独感量表。结果表明:(1)同伴接纳知觉绝对准确性与孤独感相关不显著,但同伴接纳知觉相对准确性可以显著预测当前和一年后的孤独感。(2)同伴接纳知觉偏差与孤独感具有双向影响作用,积极同伴接纳知觉偏差有利于降低儿童的孤独感,并且孤独感能正向预测后期的同伴接纳知觉偏差。     

Effects of Sign Language Instruction on Social Interaction Between Hearing-Impaired and Normal-Hearing Children

This experiment investigated the efficacy of a practical intervention designed to improve the social integration of hearing-impaired students within the school environment. The study involved the development, implementation, and empirical evaluation of a sign language course offered to 16 normal-hearing students in a public elementary school in which 6 mainstreamed hearing-impaired students were enrolled. Sixteen additional normal-hearing students served as controls. A measure of acceptance attitudes on the part of the hearing subjects toward their hearing-impaired peers, as well as a sociometric index of social interaction, were administered pre-mid-, and post-intervention to all subjects. The results revealed no significant difference between the experimental and control subjects on the measure of acceptance attitudes toward the hearing-impaired students as a group. However, for both experimental and control groups, there were significant improvements over time in the scores of some subscales of the acceptance measure and significant increases in aspects of the sociometrically measured peer interaction. In addition, one hearing-impaired student was involved in significantly more social interaction with experimental subjects than with control subjects.     

关于虚拟现实、远程操作等合成环境中的远程临境感研究

虚拟现实、远程操作、远程通信等系统环境一般称为合成环境。合成环境的特点是用户将以计算机为媒介与物理上与他分离的环境进行交互。远程临境感是用户将自我知觉移入以计算机为媒介的环境中时出现的一种体验。本文论述了有关合成环境中的远程临境感的人因素设计观点,实现远程临境感的重要技术,以及关于远程临境感的将来研究。     

Self-esteem,belongingness, and worldview validation: Does belongingness exert a unique influence upon self-esteem?

The current work examined whether belongingness influences self-esteem independently from worldview validation (the extent to which one lives to beliefs that are shared by others). Questionnaire measures demonstrated that people with stronger social ties had higher self-esteem, and that worldview validation did not account for this relationship. Further, belongingness and worldview validation were manipulated such that they pulled self-esteem in opposing directions, yet belongingness still influenced self-esteem. Participants had higher self-esteem after writing about social acceptance than rejection even though acceptance was accompanied by either failing to live up to an important value or having one’s worldviews rejected. This latter effect was most pronounced among participants with high social anxiety. Results indicate that belongingness makes a unique contribution to self-esteem.     

Social acceptance and the relationship between aggressive problem-solving strategies and aggressive behaviour in 14-year-old adolescents

This study examines the relationship between aggressive problem-solving strategies and aggressive behaviour, and the intervening role of social acceptance in that relationship. The subjects were 780 14-year-old adolescents (382 girls and 398 boys). They completed a questionnaire measuring social problem-solving strategies, while assessments of aggressive behaviour and social acceptance were obtained by peer ratings. The results showed that aggressive problem-solving strategies were only moderately related to aggressive behaviour, social acceptance playing an important role. Those who received incongruent social feedback, i.e. scored high on social acceptance even though they behaved aggressively, or low although they behaved non-aggressively, expressed aggressive problem-solving strategies which conflicted with their actual behaviour. Those who received congruent social feedback, on the other hand, i.e. scored high on social acceptance if they behaved non-aggressively, or low if they behaved aggressively, had strategies which were in line with their actual aggressive behaviour. Analyses of gender differences showed that aggressive problem-solving strategies were related to aggressive behaviour and social acceptance more among boys. The findings are discussed in terms of social information-processing models and social knowledge about the self.     

Relationship between COVID-19-related stress and social inhibition among university students in China: The mediating role of psychological richness

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health issues of university students received increasing attention. However, little is known about the effect of COVID-19-related stress on social inhibition among Chinese university students and its psychological mechanism in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore the relationship between COVID-19-related stress and social inhibition as well as the mediating role of psychological richness. In late 2022, 1250 Chinese university students were recruited for participation in an online survey. Modified SARS-Stress Scale, Social Inhibition Questionnaire, and Psychologically Rich Life Questionnaire were used to assess participants' COVID-19-related stress, social inhibition, and psychological richness. The Results indicate that COVID-19-related stress positively predicts social inhibition and negatively predicts psychological richness. Meanwhile, Psychological richness negatively predicts social inhibition. Mediation analysis shows that the relationship between COVID-19-related stress and social inhibition was partially mediated by psychological richness. The results indicate the significant predictive value of psychological richness when studying mental health issues.     

Assessing driver acceptance of Intelligent Transport Systems in the context of railway level crossings

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) have the potential to substantially reduce the number of crashes caused by human errors at railway levels crossings. Such systems, however, will only exert an influence on driving behaviour if they are accepted by the driver. This study aimed at assessing driver acceptance of different ITS interventions designed to enhance driver behaviour at railway crossings. Fifty-eight participants, divided into three groups, took part in a driving simulator study in which three ITS devices were tested: an in-vehicle visual ITS, an in-vehicle audio ITS, and an on-road valet system. Driver acceptance of each ITS intervention was assessed in a questionnaire guided by the Technology Acceptance Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Overall, results indicated that the strongest intentions to use the ITS devices belonged to participants exposed to the road-based valet system at passive crossings. The utility of both models in explaining drivers’ intention to use the systems is discussed, with results showing greater support for the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Directions for future studies, along with strategies that target attitudes and subjective norms to increase drivers’ behavioural intentions, are also discussed.