Using the World-Wide Web to obtain large-scale word norms: 190,212 ratings on a set of 2,654 German nouns

This article presents a new database of 2,654 German nouns rated by a sample of 3,907 subjects on three psycholinguistic attributes: concreteness, valence, and arousal. As a new means of data collection in the field of psycholinguistic research, all ratings were obtained via the Internet, using a tailored Web application. Analysis of the obtained word norms showed good agreement with two existing norm sets. A cluster analysis revealed a plausible set of four classes of nouns: abstract concepts, aversive events, pleasant activities, and physical objects. In an additional application example, we demonstrate the usefulness of the database for creating parallel word lists whose elements match as closely as possible. The complete database is available for free from ftp://ftp.uni-duesseldorf.de/ pub/psycho/lahl/WWN. Moreover, the Web application used for data collection is inherently capable of collecting word norms in any language and is going to be released for public use as well.     

A naturalistic pilot study assessing the impact of assessment pathways and intake methods within Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services

Fast access pathways characterise many Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services, allowing them to see increasing numbers of referrals year on year. At the same time, emerging research is highlighting potential care inefficiencies, including early treatment disengagement, inappropriate treatment allocation, less than optimal clinical outcomes, and repeat referrals. Integrating more stratified models based on in‐depth and comprehensive assessment techniques which include some therapeutic input could help better target interventions. This could lead to improved engagement and clinical outcomes, while also providing enough therapeutic support to those attending one session only. This pilot study assesses the impact of assessment pathways and intake methods involving a 90‐min face‐to‐face therapeutic consultation, compared with a 45‐min over‐the‐phone assessment session across two IAPT providers in the south of England, and three assessment pathways involving elements of either method and service. Using an observational analysis of routinely collected data across 12 months, intake scores, attendance data and clinical measures of reliable recovery and improvement were considered. The comparisons of intake method reported no significant differences when both services were included; however, there were significant differences in treatment effect sizes and session attendance on an assessment pathway basis. Where assessment sessions were delivered, there was a higher rate of disengagement between sessions one and two, indicating increased attrition. Based on the initial findings and supporting literature, there appears to great promise in exploring pathway modelling and intake processes within IAPT services.     

Unerwünschte und schädliche Wirkungen von Psychotherapie

Unwanted effects or even damage due to psychotherapy are largely neglected issues within psychotherapy research as compared to other fields. On the other hand, it is reasonable to assume that unwanted effects of a treatment which intends to influence patients into a positive direction are very likely. The rate of negative effects of psychotherapy (the deterioration effect according to Bergin) is consistently estimated to be 10% of all cases and shows this same rate in a variety of studies. This review highlights side effects of psychotherapy both on the part of the patients and of the therapists. It reports unwanted effects related to different psychotherapeutic methods, i.e. psychoanalysis, cognitive behaviour therapy, client-centered psychotherapy and – beyond these basic orientations – group psychotherapy. The paper also reports on negative effects of psychotherapy on an untreated partner. Finally, some proposals are given on how negative effects of psychotherapy could be diminished. The authors especially highlight the possibilities of changing the therapist, the treatment technique, or the theoretical treatment approach as a way to reduce negative effects.     

Determinants of academic self-efficacy in different socialization contexts: investigating the relationship between students’ academic self-efficacy and its sources in different contexts

Social Psychology of Education - The present study examined the four sources of self-efficacy (mastery experience, vicarious experience, verbal and social persuasion, and physiological state) and...     

Cross-cultural differences in academic self-efficacy and its sources across socialization contexts

Social Psychology of Education - This study investigated how as reported by Bandura (Self-efficacy: The exercise of control Freeman, 1997) sources of self-efficacy differ across socialization...