A dual process item response theory model for polytomous multidimensional forced-choice items

The use of multidimensional forced-choice (MFC) items to assess non-cognitive traits such as personality, interests and values in psychological tests has a long history, because MFC items show strengths in preventing response bias. Recently, there has been a surge of interest in developing item response theory (IRT) models for MFC items. However, nearly all of the existing IRT models have been developed for MFC items with binary scores. Real tests use MFC items with more than two categories; such items are more informative than their binary counterparts. This study developed a new IRT model for polytomous MFC items based on the cognitive model of choice, which describes the cognitive processes underlying humans' preferential choice behaviours. The new model is unique in its ability to account for the ipsative nature of polytomous MFC items, to assess individual psychological differentiation in interests, values and emotions, and to compare the differentiation levels of latent traits between individuals. Simulation studies were conducted to examine the parameter recovery of the new model with existing computer programs. The results showed that both statement parameters and person parameters were well recovered when the sample size was sufficient. The more complete the linking of the statements was, the more accurate the parameter estimation was. This paper provides an empirical example of a career interest test using four-category MFC items. Although some aspects of the model (e.g., the nature of the person parameters) require additional validation, our approach appears promising.     

Regional grey matter volume in the posterior cingulate cortex predicts positive risk-taking: A moderation model

Positive risk-taking is a crucial element of individual creativity and social development. However, little is known regarding the relation between individual neural differences and positive risk-taking. In addition, critical thinking (CT) and gender have been proven to be two important individual-specific factors associated with risk-taking behaviour, and different levels of CT and gender may have diverse effects on the relationship between brain structure and positive risk-taking. The present study examined the relationship between positive risk-taking and regional grey matter volume (rGMV) in 292 healthy participants. The results showed that positive risk-taking was significantly positively associated with the rGMV of the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). In addition, this study investigated individual differences in critical thinking and found that it moderated the relationship between rGMV and positive risk-taking. Individuals with lower CT had a stronger association between rGMV and positive risk-taking. Further analysis showed that for males, a greater rGMV was significantly linked to higher positive risk-taking tendency. These findings suggest that PCC evaluates risk and serves as a behavioural adaptation hub for positive risk-taking. This study thereby contributes to the literature on individual differences in brain structure and risk-taking by elucidating the moderating effects of CT and gender in healthy adults.     

Morality in flux: medical ethics dilemmas in the People's Republic of China.

The bioethical dilemmas receiving the most attention in China now relate to the two ends of life: birth and death. On one end are issues relating to reproductive technology, especially birth control and family planning; at the other end is euthanasia...More research and discussion among people from various fields is needed. Progress will be made one step at a time, and I recommend that we proceed now to win acceptance of brain death criteria; to make clear the distinctions between passive and active euthanasia,...to encourage the use of living wills; and to protect the interests of newborns who are not terminally ill, including those with mild defects. In the changing context of modernization, in which different and even incompatible value systems must coexist, it is best for us to approach the ethical dilemmas facing us with mutual respect and understanding.     

Psychometric Properties of the Bullying Participant Behaviors Questionnaire (BPBQ) among Chinese Middle School Students

The Bullying Participant Behaviors Questionnaire (BPBQ) is an efficient self-report measure for investigating bullying participant role behaviors. The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the BPBQ in a Chinese middle school sample. A total of 516 middle school students (47.7% girls; age range?=?12–14 years) were recruited from an urban middle school in China. Results revealed that a five-factor model fit the data best. Correlations between the BPBQ subscale scores and the external criterion variables, including empathy and sympathy, moral disengagement, and trait anger, provided evidence of criterion validity. Furthermore, the BPBQ had good alpha reliability and moderate to good test-retest reliability. In conclusion, the BPBQ is a promising assessment tool to measure bullying participant behaviors among Chinese middle school students.

     

中国大陆、香港和美国大学生主观幸福感比较

采用量表法对中国大陆、香港和美国三个地区的大学生被试的主观幸福感(SWB)进行了比较。差异检验表明,在总体SWB水平上,三个地区没有表现出显著差异,但在生活满意感、积极情感和消极情感维度上差异都显著。分层回归的结果发现,经济状况、社会关系和外在价值变量对三个地区大学生的生活满意感和积极情感都作出了增值贡献;外在准则变量对三个地区的消极情感作出了增值贡献。     

顿悟认知机制的研究述评与理论构想

顿悟是创造性思维的主要形式,它一直以来都是心理学家感兴趣的研究课题。该文对有关顿悟认知机制的现象学描述作了介绍,比较了表征转变与进程监控两种认知观点,探讨了初级加工与顿悟认知机制间的关系。初步提出了顿悟问题解决中原型激活及其启发信息质量的理论假说,对未来研究做出了设想,以期能最终揭示出顿悟的内部发生机制。     

Individual Differences in Brain Structure and Resting Brain Function Underlie Representation-Connection in Scientific Problem Solving

Evidence from a range of fields shows that representation-connection (RC) is the key step towards the solution of a real-world insight problem. However, no study has focused on the inter-individual variability in RC, and little is known about whether structural and resting-state functional signals can account for inter-individual differences in RC. Combining structural (regional grey matter density, rGMD) and functional (fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC)) analysis approaches was used to examine the neural substrates of RC. The results showed that the RC score was positively correlated with rGMD and fALFF values in the bilateral lingual gyrus (LG), which might be related to relevant visual imagery during the correct matching of a specific prototype with an unsolved technical problem and the retrieval and application of key information from prototypes. In addition, the RC score was negatively correlated with the rGMD in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and functional connectivity analysis revealed that a higher RC score was inversely correlated with the strength of the RSFC between the right LG and the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL), which indicated that RC might be supported by decreased response inhibition and the automatic association of semantics.     

The neural basis of insight problem solving: an event-related potential study

The electrophysiological correlates of successful insight problem solving (Chinese logogriphs) were studied in 18 healthy subjects using high-density event-related potentials (ERPs). A new experimental paradigm (learning-testing model) was adopted in order to make subjects find a solution on their own initiative rather than receive an answer passively. Results showed that Successful guessed logogriphs elicited a more positive ERP deflection (P200-600) than did Unsuccessful guessed logogriphs in the time window from 200 to 600 ms after onset of the stimuli. Subsequently Successful logogriphs elicited a more negative ERP deflection than did Unsuccessful logogriphs in the time windows of 1500-2000 ms (N1500-2000) and 2000-2500 ms (N2000-2500). Maps of the P200-600 showed strong activity in the midline parieto-occipital scalp regions. Dipole analysis localized the generator of P200-600 in the left superior temporal gyrus and parietotemporo-occipital cortex areas. The N1500-2000 and N2000-2500 had a distinct activation over left frontal scalp regions. Dipole analysis localized the generator of the N1500-2000 in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the N2000-2500 in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). This result indicates that the parietotemporo-occipital cortex areas might be involved in forming rich associations in the early stage of successful logogriph solving. Then, the ACC might play an important role in the breaking mental set and the forming of novel associations. At last, "Aha" feeling might activate the PCC.     

青少年田径运动员的自我设阻倾向及其与运动绩效的关系

研究探讨了青少年田径运动员的自我设阻倾向与运动绩效的关系.研究表明:自我设阻影响着运动员的赛前焦虑情绪和运动绩效;情境性自我设阻在特质性自我设阻和运动员赛前焦虑、运动绩效之间发挥着中介作用.研究最后分析了自我设阻作用于青少年田径运动员运动绩效的可能心理机制,并提出了自我设阻在体育运动领域的可能研究方向.     

高职生职业心理与职业心理教育的关系研究

将心理健康教育课程等同或替代高职院校的职业心理教育,这是普遍存在的误区.职业化专门人才的培养,职业人的职业心理素质直接影响着职业化水平和职业教育质量.为了规范高职院校的职业心理教育,文章从学生和学校两个维度的职业心理要素调查切入,对如何推进和完善高职院校职业心理教育作了分析和研究.