Difference score correlations in relationship research: A conceptual primer

The practice of computing correlations between “difference” or “discrepancy” scores and an outcome variable is common in many areas of social science. Relationship researchers most commonly use difference scores to index the (dis)similarity of members of two-person relationships. Using an intuitive, graphical approach—and avoiding formulas and pointing fingers—we illustrate problems with using difference score correlations in relationship research, suggest ways to ensure that difference score correlations are maximally informative, and briefly review alternatives to difference score correlations in studying similarity, accuracy, and related constructs.     

Attachment orientation and reactions to anxiety expression in close relationships

This study examined perceptions, interpretations, and emotional reactions to a close partner's anxiety expression as mediators for the association between attachment orientation and caregiving effectiveness. One member of married or dating couples was exposed to a stressor and unobtrusively observed while interacting with his or her partner. Results revealed that anxious attachment was related to higher perceptions of partners' anxiety expression, feeling more personal distress, but not less effective caregiving. Avoidant attachment was related to lower perceptions of partners' anxiety expression and feeling more anger. Negative interpretations of partners' anxiety mediated the association between avoidant attachment and less effective caregiving. These findings suggest that attachment orientation is related to cognitive and emotional processes important for effective caregiving behavior.     

Emotional intelligence: A promise unfulfilled?

Emotional intelligence (EI) is a relatively new construct in differential psychology. Proponents of EI have made strong claims for its importance in basic and applied psychology. This article considers whether the promise of EI has been fulfilled. We examine various fundamental challenges to establishing EI as a major individual differences factor, including cross‐cultural issues. We then examine strategies for assessing EI as a personal quality distinct from general intelligence and personality, and evaluate leading tests and scales for EI. Various sources of validity evidence demonstrate the value of research on EI, but we also identify various weaknesses of existing instruments. It appears that there is no strong, over‐arching general factor of EI that shapes human emotional functioning across a range of diverse contexts. Instead, we advocate a “multipolar” conception of EI that discriminates temperament, information‐processing, emotion‐regulation and acquired skills. Focusing research on more narrowly defined but conceptually coherent research domains may be a more productive strategy than seeking to define an all‐embracing general EI.     

The Role of Self‐Identity,Past Behavior,and Their Interaction in Predicting Intention to Purchase Fresh and Processed Organic Food1

This study examined the impact of moral norms, self‐identity, and past behavior on intention to buy organic tomatoes and organic tomato sauce, using the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The questionnaire, which included measures of attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, moral norms, past behavior, and self‐identity was completed by approximately 500 people for each food. Multiple regressions showed that for both foods, moral norms and self‐identity added significantly to the prediction of intention over and above the other variables, even when the effect of past behavior was included. There was some evidence of past behavior moderating the self‐identity/intention relationship for processed organic tomato sauce, but not for fresh organic tomatoes. Implications of the findings are discussed.     

CONVERSION AND THE NEW EVANGELIZATION: A PERSPECTIVE FROM LONERGAN

A key legacy of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II was the concept of the new evangelization. This, amongst other things, was seen as a response to rising levels of religious indifference especially in countries that share a Western culture. This paper discusses the new evangelization in the light of two seminal ideas from the work of Lonergan, namely conversion and transcendence. It argues that these perspectives help explain and enrich the concept of the new evangelization. The second part of the paper explores some of the factors that can assist conversion, especially religious conversion.     

THE EFFECTS OF RANGE RESTRICTION ON ESTIMATES OF CRITERION INTERRATER RELIABILITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR VALIDATION RESEARCH

This paper explores the implications of the fact that range restriction affects reliability coefficients as well as validity coefficients. Of concern was the possibility that, if range restriction produced an underestimate of criterion reliability, the use of such an estimate in correcting observed validity coefficients for attenuation could result in overestimating population validity, lb address this issue, 3 scenarios were considered: truncation on the predictor, truncation on an unobserved variable, and truncation on the criterion. The 3 scenarios were found to have substantial differences in their consequences for reliability and validity estimation. Although range restriction did result in an underestimate of criterion reliability, it is generally not the case that these underestimates will result in overestimates of validity if researchers make effective use of available information about the presence and degree of range restriction.     

The Good Life: A Defense of Attitudinal Hedonism

What makes a life go well for the one who lives it? Hedonists hold that pleasure enhances the value of a life; pain diminishes it. Hedonism has been subjected to a number of objections. Some are (a) based on the claim that hedonism is a form of “mental statism”. Others are (b) based on the claim that some pleasures are base or degrading. Yet others are (c) based on the claim that when a bad person enjoys a pleasure, his receipt of that pleasure seem not to make the world better. It is important to keep in mind that hedonism is a theory about the value of a person's life for the person who lives it, and not for the world or for others. It is also important to distinguish between sensory hedonism and attitudinal hedonism. “Desert Adjusted Intrinsic Attitudinal Hedonism” appears to be immune to objections (a) and (b). A variant appears to be immune to all of them. Perhaps it is the answer to the question about the value of a life.