The ideal self at play: the appeal of video games that let you be all you can be

Video games constitute a popular form of entertainment that allows millions of people to adopt virtual identities. In our research, we explored the idea that the appeal of games is due in part to their ability to provide players with novel experiences that let them "try on" ideal aspects of their selves that might not find expression in everyday life. We found that video games were most intrinsically motivating and had the greatest influence on emotions when players' experiences of themselves during play were congruent with players' conceptions of their ideal selves. Additionally, we found that high levels of immersion in gaming environments, as well as large discrepancies between players' actual-self and ideal-self characteristics, magnified the link between intrinsic motivation and the experience of ideal-self characteristics during play.     

Knowledge creation in consumer research: Multiple routes,multiple criteria

The modal scientific approach in consumer research is to deduce hypotheses from existing theory about relationships between theoretic constructs, test those relationships experimentally, and then show “process” evidence via moderation and mediation. This approach has its advantages, but other styles of research also have much to offer. We distinguish among alternative research styles in terms of their philosophical orientation (theory-driven vs. phenomenon-driven) and their intended contribution (understanding a substantive phenomenon vs. building or expanding theory). Our basic premise is that authors who deviate from the dominant paradigm are hindered by reviewers who apply an unvarying set of evaluative criteria. We discuss the merits of different styles of research and suggest appropriate evaluative criteria for each.     

Toward a diversity hypothesis: Multidimensional effects of intergroup contact

The long-standing and important contributions of the contact hypothesis in reducing prejudice in intergroup situations is augmented by the introduction of the diversity hypothesis. The diversity hypothesis argues that the positive consequences of diversity will occur when the following four conditions are met: (a) full participation occurs across all levels of society for membres of diverse ethnic, racial, and cultural groups; (b) the degree of participation approximates an appropriate index of representation for racial and ethnic groups; (c) common purpose across these levels of diversity is created; and (d) cultural identity is valued. The empirical evidence for these conditions and implications for the organizational advantages of diversity are discussed.     

Thérèse of Lisieux From the Perspective of Attachment Theory and Separation Anxiety

Abstract

This article interprets the life of Thérèse of Lisieux within the general theoretical context of Bowlby's (1969 Bowlby, J. 1969. Attachment New York: Basic Books..  [Google Scholar], 1973 Bowlby, J. 1973. Separation New York: Basic Books..  [Google Scholar], 1980 Bowlby, J. 1980. Loss New York: Basic Books..  [Google Scholar]) attachment theory and with reference to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(text rev. [DSM-IV- TR], American Psychiatric Association, 2000 American Psychiatric Association. 2000. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, , 4th ed., text rev. Washington, DC: Author.  [Google Scholar]) criteria for separation anxiety. Recent theoretical interpretations of the religious life within the context of attachment theory by Kirkpatrick (1999) Kirkpatrick, L. A. 1999. “Attachment and religious representations and behavior.”. In Handbook of attachment theory and research Edited by: Cassidy, J. and Shaver, P. R. 803–822. New York: Guilford..  [Google Scholar] and Granqvist (2003) Granqvist, P. 2003. Attachment theory and religious conversions: A review and resolution of the classic and contemporary paradigm chasm. Review of Religious Research, 45: 172–187. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] are of special relevance. Thérèse's childhood psychological experiences and her later adult experiences in the religious life are presented and discussed. It is proposed that Thérèse was able to use her childhood attachment traumas and pathological experiences of separation anxiety as a positive source of motivation in her search for and response to God.     

A dyadic examination of the role of relationship characteristics and age on relationship satisfaction in a formal mentoring programme

Research was conducted to test ideas derived from Wanberg, Welsh, and Hezlett's (2003) dynamic process model of formal mentoring to examine (1) the role of respect and communication in mentorship relationship satisfaction, and (2) whether the age of the mentor or the protégé would impact those relationship qualities. The sample was comprised of 117 matched mentor–protégé pairs from an organization's formal mentoring programme. We received survey data from both partners and used the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model to examine individual and dyadic effects. Data suggest that protégés' respect for the mentor and communication quality, as perceived by both partners, were independent predictors of mentorship relationship satisfaction. Protégés rated their relationships as more satisfying than did their mentors. Hypotheses regarding age differences in relational qualities were not supported. We suggest that researchers continue to examine formal relationships at the dyadic level, and that practitioners designing formal mentoring programmes consider interventions to enhance communication and respect.     

'This is our life': strong evaluation in psychotherapy narrative

This paper examines the relevance of both client and counsellor conceptions of the ‘good life’ in relation to a narrative analysis of the first session of a case of successful client-centred therapy.In this opening session, the client embeds her ‘problem’ story within contrasting cultural narratives of what it means to live a good life. The therapist discourse also consistently draws upon a therapeutic meta-narrative that conveys an implicit story of how to live life well. This material is discussed from the perspective of the concept of ‘strong evaluation’ offered by the philosopher CharlesTaylor.Implications for research and practice are discussed.     

The Stimulus as a Series of Contexts for Practice

This study of concept attainment investigated the hypothesis that different forms of hypothesis (conjunctive/disjunctive) presented by the S would meet different arrays of contingencies. Sixty Ss, aged between 16 and 50, of both sexes, of various occupations, but all in the top 2% to 3% of the United Kingdom population in terms of intelligence, each attempted two concept-attainment problems, in the reception mode, with both attributes and form of concept unknown. The experimental material was that developed by Neisser and Weene, with concepts taken from their Level II. Instances were presented one by one on a typewritten sheet, on which the S was required to write an hypothesis after the presentation of each instance. Different types of contingency (positive and negative; confirming and infirming) differed in difficulty; different forms of hypothesis met characteristically different arrays of the four types of contingency. The results support the hypothesis above and call in question Bruner, Goodnow, and Austin's conclusion that the most important type of contingency is always the positive infirming.