Comparing the facets of the big two in global evaluation of self versus other people

The Big Two of agency and communion can be divided into the facets of agency-assertiveness, agency-competence, communion-morality, and communion-warmth. The present research studies how these facets are related to global evaluation of self versus others. In five studies we tested whether self-evaluation is reliably related to agency-assertiveness (H1), and evaluation of others to communion-morality (H2). Participants had to describe themselves (or a specific other person) on the facets and later to rate their self-evaluation (or other-evaluation). Supporting hypotheses, Studies 1, 3, and 4 showed that agency-assertiveness was reliably related to self-evaluation (Study 4: also agency-competence). Studies 2–5 showed that communion-morality was reliably related to evaluation of an acquaintance, but agency-competence (Studies 3 and 5) and communion-warmth (Study 2) were also important. We conclude that supporting H1, agency-assertiveness is particularly important for self-evaluation, whereas partly supporting H2, evaluation of others is associated with communion-morality, but also agency-competence and communion-warmth.     

The perception of (naked only) bodies and faceless heads relies on holistic processing: Evidence from the inversion effect

Faces and bodies are more difficult to perceive when presented inverted than when presented upright (i.e., stimulus inversion effect), an effect that has been attributed to the disruption of holistic processing. The features that can trigger holistic processing in faces and bodies, however, still remain elusive. In this study, using a sequential matching task, we tested whether stimulus inversion affects various categories of visual stimuli: faces, faceless heads, faceless heads in body context, headless bodies naked, whole bodies naked, headless bodies clothed, and whole bodies clothed. Both accuracy and inversion efficiency score results show inversion effects for all categories but for clothed bodies (with and without heads). In addition, the magnitude of the inversion effect for face, naked body, and faceless heads was similar. Our findings demonstrate that the perception of faces, faceless heads, and naked bodies relies on holistic processing. Clothed bodies (with and without heads), on the other side, may trigger clothes-sensitive rather than body-sensitive perceptual mechanisms.     

The role of threat,emotions, and prejudice in promoting collective action against immigrant groups

In two studies we assessed the role of distinctiveness threat, group‐based emotions (angst, fear, and anger), and prejudice on people's willingness to engage in collective action against immigrant groups. In Study 1 (N = 222) White British participants were either informed that in the next 40 years the proportion of immigrants in the UK is unlikely to change (control condition) or that there will be more immigrants than White British people living in Britain (threat condition). We obtained support for a sequential multiple mediator model in which threat predicted British people's willingness to engage in collective action via the emotions first and then prejudice. This finding was replicated in Study 2 with an Italian sample (N = 283). These results enhance understanding of when and why advantaged groups undertake collective action against disadvantaged groups by demonstrating that distinctiveness threats and emotions promote such actions.     

Associations between Race and Eating Disorder Symptom Trajectories in Black and White Girls

Epidemiological research suggests racial differences in the presentation of eating disorder symptoms. However, no studies have examined associations between race and eating disorder symptom trajectories across youth and adolescence, which is necessary to inform culturally sensitive prevention programs. The purpose of the current study was to examine the trajectories of eating disorder symptoms from childhood to young adulthood and to examine whether race was associated with trajectory group membership. Data were drawn from 2,305 Black and White girls who participated in a community-based longitudinal cohort study (Pittsburgh Girls Study) examining the development of psychopathology. The child and adult versions of the Eating Attitudes Test assessed self-reported eating disorder symptoms at six time points between ages 9 and 21 years. Growth mixture modeling was used to examine developmental trajectories of dieting, bulimia/food preoccupation, and total eating disorder symptom scores. Given potential confounds with race and disordered eating, financial strain (i.e., receiving public assistance) and weight were included as covariates. Four to six distinct developmental patterns were found across eating disorder symptoms, including none, increasing, decreasing, or increasing-decreasing trajectories. Black girls had a greater likelihood of being in the decreasing trajectories for dieting, bulimia/food preoccupation, and total eating disorder symptom scores. White girls were more likely to follow increasing trajectories of dieting and total eating disorder symptom scores compared to Black girls. These results highlight the importance of examining the influence of racial background on eating disorder symptoms and the potential need for differences in the timing and focus of prevention interventions in these groups.     

Borderline Personality Disorder in Adolescence Through the Lens of the Interview of Personality Organization Processes in Adolescence (IPOP-A): Clinical Use and Implications

Borderline personality disorder can be assessed in adolescence mainly through a dimensional approach that takes into account strengths and weaknesses of emerging personality patterns. Clinical interviews could help clinicians to gather information about adolescent’s functioning, fostering therapeutic alliance and promoting a mentalizing stance during the assessment of borderline adolescents. In this article, the Interview of Personality Organization Processes in Adolescence (IPOP-A) is presented through clinical case material to show its usefulness in clinical and research settings. The IPOP-A assesses an adolescent’s emerging personality along three dimensions: identity, quality of object relations and affect regulation. These dimensions are the core of borderline personality in adolescence.     

Introducing Reality Play Therapy: Reactions and Perceptions From Elementary School Counselors

Many elementary school students lack school relationships required for positive personal, social, and academic interactions. Reality therapy and play therapy both seek to address these relationships through developmentally appropriate and effective interventions. Integrating these 2 approaches has the potential for elementary school counselors to provide students with opportunities to create positive relationships and develop problem-solving skills. In this study, 8 school counselors participated in a series of trainings introducing reality play-therapy techniques to assess this potential. A thematic analysis conducted on feedback sessions following the trainings yielded themes related to the participants’ positive perceptions to the training and possible application.