Personality as a predictor of the value of voice

The opportunity for workers to provide input, also known as voice, has received extensive study. The contrasting relational and instrumental theories of voice have stimulated research investigating why people value voice. However, researchers have yet to assess individual differences in the actual value that people place on voice. This consideration is particularly important because the effect of voice on perceived procedural fairness varies according to the value of voice. This laboratory study is an examination of the Big Five (extraversion, agreeableness, openness to experience, neuroticism, and conscientiousness; L. Goldberg, 1992) and core self-evaluations (neuroticism, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and locus of control; T. Judge, E. Locke, & C. Durham, 1997) as predictors of the value of voice for 96 undergraduates. Although both the Big Five and core self-evaluations accounted for significant variance in the value of voice, only 2 individual components (extraversion and self-efficacy) significantly predicted the value of voice.     

Differential item functioning: a bibliometric analysis of journals published in Spanish

Differential item functioning: a bibliometric analysis of journals published in Spanish. This study aims to provide an overview of scientific productivity with respect to articles published in Spanish on the issue of DIF. The documents included in the study were identified using the Psicodoc database, as well as the Science Citation Index and Social Science Citation Index from the Web of Science. The analyses carried out are focused mainly on presenting the frequencies and percentages of publications with respect to various bibliometric indicators. The results reveal that interest in the issue of DIF has increased, and that the universities are the most productive institutions. The majority of articles have been published in the journal Psicothema.     

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation may induce language switching in bilingual patients

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) may participate in the process of language switching in multilingual individuals. We present two cases of bilingual patients who experienced unexpected language switching after receiving high-frequency, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the left DLPFC as a treatment for major depression. These preliminary findings support the role of the DLPFC in language switching in polyglots and highlight the potential value of rTMS for non-invasively investigating language function in humans. Further investigation is warranted.     

Explaining Mendelian Inheritance in Genetic Consultations: An IPR Study of Counselor and Counselee Experiences

The explanation of Mendelian inheritance is a key component of most genetic counselling consultations, yet no evidence base exists for this area of practice. This qualitative study used Interpersonal Process Recall (IPR) to explore how information about X-linked inheritance is provided and received in genetic counseling. Twelve consultations involving two senior genetic counselors and 21 counselees were videotaped. Section(s) of videotape featuring the explanation were subsequently played back separately to both counselees and counselors and their responses and reflections recorded. All interviews were fully transcribed and analysed using the constant comparison method. A personalised diagram, drawn “live” by the counselor during the consultation was recalled by counselees as being central to their understanding of the “bottom line”. This helped bridge the gap between scientific information and their family experience and did not appear to require a baseline understanding of genetic concepts such as genes or chromosomes. Counselors reflected on the diagram’s positive impact on the way they sequenced, paced and tailored the explanation. A positive counselor-counselee relationship was vital even during this educative exchange: for counselees to feel at ease discussing complex genetic information and to help gauge counselee understanding.     

“I’m More Aware of the Body than Ever”: Old Adults’ Experiences of the Psychosocial Significance of Their Bodies

Psychology theorises about the ageing body in terms of physical losses, and recommends transcending the body for satisfactory ageing. This study explored old adults’ conceptions of the ageing body to identify its relevance for their well-being in personal and interpersonal contexts. Ten retired individuals participated in semi-structured interviews and data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Ageing was found to trigger a conflict between the participants’ active self and weakening body. The interviewees defensively attempted to sideline their bodies by preoccupying themselves with mental health and interpersonal issues. However, they realised that their daily experiences (e.g., emotions and interpersonal interactions) depended upon bodily fitness and reciprocally, physical health was affected by lifestyle choices alongside socio-cultural influences. This insight about the biopsychosocial nature of the body empowered the participants to adapt to ageing. Their limitations seemed to motivate them to assume health behaviours, to fight for dignity of self and to empathise with significant others, thus enhancing well-being. Perceptions about the body therefore influenced participants’ health management and relationships. An alternative theorisation of the body as an active contributor to human psychosocial identity will pave way for interventions that sustain quality of life among those experiencing physical decline.     

Bombesin improves rats' operant responding maintained by a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rates schedule of food reinforcement

The present study examined rats' responding on a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rates schedule of food reinforcement following intraperitoneal injections of various doses of bombesin (4, 6, 8, 16, 32 micrograms/kg). Analyses indicated that only the 6 micrograms/kg dosage improved DRL responding. The findings are consistent with prior research examining bombesin's effect on operant behavior and support the notion that bombesin induces satiety rather than malaise.     

Relationship Enhancement for Single Females: Interpersonal Network Intervention

The present study assesses the effects of relationship enhancement training on the level of communication skills, amount of relationship change, and friendship strength of single female friendship pairs. Pairs of single female friends who indicated an interest in the program were randomly assigned to an experimental group (N = 16) or to a control group (N = 22). The experimental group participated in a four-week, 12-hour relationship enhancement skills training program, while the control group received no training. Results indicated that the experimental group, relative to the control group, significantly increased their level of communication skills and perceived amount of relationship change. No differences were found between the two groups on perceived amount of friendship strength. Discussion centers on: (a) some probable factors contributing to the indicated results, (b) limitations and implications of the study, and (c) suggestions for future research.