Self-Report and Observer Ratings of Personality Functioning: A Study of the OPD System

Recent considerations around DSM–5 criteria of personality disorders (PDs) demand new concepts of assessing levels of personality functioning. Of special interest are multiperspective approaches accounting for clinicians’ as well as patients’ points of view. The study investigates observer-rated and self-assessed levels of personality functioning measured by the level of structural integration as defined by the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis System (OPD). Both perspectives were positively related. The combination of both measures was most efficient in discriminating among 3 diagnostic groups of varying degrees of personality dysfunction. Future studies should take into account expert ratings as well as self-report data.     

Different responses of two strains of chickens to different training procedures for magnetic directions

In previous conditioning experiments training domestic chickens to magnetic directions, a brown strain solved the task, whereas a white strain seemed unable to do so (Freire et al. Anim Cogn 11:547–552, 2008). To test whether this was possibly caused by loss of magnetic compass orientation in the white chickens, we analyzed the distribution of cryptochrome 1a, the candidate receptor molecule mediating magnetic compass information, in the retinae of Lohmann Browns and White Leghorns and found no difference between the two strains. Yet, subsequent training experiments replicated the former findings: Lohmann Browns used the magnetic field to find an imprinting stimulus hidden behind the screen in a specific magnetic direction, whereas White Leghorns did not solve the task. However, when we altered the training method by training also in a magnetic field with North shifted to geographic East and including a punishment for incorrect choices, the performance of White Leghorns improved to a significant preference for the expected directions. The Lohmann Browns, on the other hand, seemed frightened and chose randomly. Our results thus demonstrate the crucial role of the training method for conditioning to magnetic stimuli, with differences found even between strains of the same species.     

Abstract argumentation and explanation applied to scientific debates

Abstract argumentation has been shown to be a powerful tool within many fields such as artificial intelligence, logic and legal reasoning. In this paper we enhance Dung’s well-known abstract argumentation framework with explanatory capabilities. We show that an explanatory argumentation framework (EAF) obtained in this way is a useful tool for the modeling of scientific debates. On the one hand, EAFs allow for the representation of explanatory and justificatory arguments constituting rivaling scientific views. On the other hand, different procedures for selecting arguments, corresponding to different methodological and epistemic requirements of theory evaluation, can be formulated in view of our framework.     

An Inconsistency-Adaptive Deontic Logic for Normative Conflicts

We present the inconsistency-adaptive deontic logic DP ^r , a nonmonotonic logic for dealing with conflicts between normative statements. On the one hand, this logic does not lead to explosion in view of normative conflicts such as O A?∧?O ～A, O A?∧?P ～A or even O A?∧?～O A. On the other hand, DP ^r still verifies all intuitively reliable inferences valid in Standard Deontic Logic (SDL). DP ^r interprets a given premise set ‘as normally as possible’ with respect to SDL. Whereas some SDL-rules are verified unconditionally by DP ^r , others are verified conditionally. The latter are applicable unless they rely on formulas that turn out to behave inconsistently in view of the premises. This dynamic process is mirrored by the proof theory of DP ^r .     

Kuhn and the Question of Pursuit Worthiness

The aim of this paper is, on the one hand, to critically investigate Kuhn’s stance on the assessment of the pursuit worthiness of scientific theories, and, on the other hand, to show the actuality of some of Kuhn’s points on this issue, in view of their critical analysis. To this end we show that Kuhn presents certain tools, which may help scientists to overcome communication breakdowns when engaging in the process of rational deliberation regarding the question whether a theory is worthy of further pursuit. These tools are persuasion, translation and interpretation. However, we argue that the perspective of epistemic semantic monism present in Kuhn’s work obstructs the full applicability of these tools. We show that dropping this perspective makes the notions of persuasion and interpretation more fruitful, and moreover, allows for a pluralism of scientific theories and practices that complements the pluralism based on disagreement among scientists, emphasized by Kuhn.     

How Are Personality States Associated with Smartphone Data?

Smartphones promise great potential for personality science to study people's everyday life behaviours. Even though personality psychologists have become increasingly interested in the study of personality states, associations between smartphone data and personality states have not yet been investigated. This study provides a first step towards understanding how smartphones may be used for behavioural assessment of personality states. We explored the relationships between Big Five personality states and data from smartphone sensors and usage logs. On the basis of the existing literature, we first compiled a set of behavioural and situational indicators, which are potentially related to personality states. We then applied them on an experience sampling data set containing 5748 personality state responses that are self-assessments of 30 minutes timeframes and corresponding smartphone data. We used machine learning analyses to investigate the predictability of personality states from the set of indicators. The results showed that only for extraversion, smartphone data (specifically, ambient noise level) were informative beyond what could be predicted based on time and day of the week alone. The results point to continuing challenges in realizing the potential of smartphone data for psychological research. © 2020 The Authors. European Journal of Personality published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Association of Personality Psychology     

Coparenting in the Context of Mother–Father–Infant versus Mother–Grandmother–Infant Triangular Interactions in Turkey

In this report, coparenting behaviors during triangular interactions among families raising a 3-month-old infant in Turkey are examined. Given the significant role played by extended family members in Turkish culture, coparenting dynamics were examined as mothers and babies played together with grandmothers, as well as together with fathers. Forty-five families took part, and 42 father–mother–baby and 33 grandmother–mother–baby triangular interactions of approximately 10?min in length were filmed during the Lausanne Trilogue Play. From videotapes of the interactions, individual and mutual coparenting behaviors were evaluated using the Coparenting and Family Rating System: 3 Month Adaptation (CFRS3M). Results indicated that while mothers’ own parenting behavior when in the LTP role of Active Parent (AP) was comparable whether with fathers or grandmothers, their behavior when in the LTP role of third party parent (TPP) was comparatively more engaged while with fathers than while with grandmothers. Fathers were comparatively less engaged when occupying the TPP role than were mothers in the TPP role, while grandmothers showed more flirting and distracting behavior in the TPP role than did either fathers or mothers. These findings are significant in documenting meaningful distinctions in Turkish grandmothers’ as well as in Turkish fathers’ and mothers’ coparenting propensities when engaging in triangular interactions with babies during the LTP.     

The Relationship Between Employees’ Objective Internal and External Pay Standing and Their Job Performance: A Within-Person Analysis

Purpose

Researchers have paid little attention to the relationship between employees’ objective internal and external pay standing and their job performance. Moreover, few studies have considered that employees’ objective pay standing is dynamic; that is, it changes over time. In this study, we analyze the relationship between changes in employees’ objective internal and external pay standing and their job performance.

Design/Methodology/Approach

We test the hypotheses using data for players in the National Basketball Association over a period of 12 seasons (n = 4830).

Findings

Decreases in employees’ objective internal and external pay standing are negatively related to their task performance. Furthermore, decreases in employees’ objective internal pay standing, but not in their external pay standing, are negatively related to their contextual performance.

Implications

Analyzing the relationship between changes in employees’ objective internal and external pay standing and their job performance adds to our understanding of the individual-level consequences of pay dispersion.

Originality/Value

This is one of the first studies to analyze the relationship between employees’ objective internal and external pay standing and their job performance. Moreover, this is one of the first studies that considers that employees’ objective internal and external pay standing changes, for example, because the external and internal labor markets change. The study contributes to research on employee compensation and salary, and to research on pay disparities.

     

Operationalisierte Basisdokumentation von Gruppenpsychotherapien

It can be assumed that group psychotherapy will play an increasingly more important role for both inpatient and outpatient basic care not only due to health economic considerations. This means that new methods of documentation, quality management and optimization of group-specific therapy processes and results have to be developed. The present system for operationalized basic documentation of group psychotherapy (OBG) is not only meant to be a starting point for research on dynamics and efficacy of group psychotherapy but could also serve as an instrument for standardized documentation of clinical progress, quality assurance and, in combination with the accompanying manual, as an aid for education and further training for psychotherapists. The contents of the documentation system are based on the current state of scientific research and, as far as possible, were implemented irrespective of specific psychotherapeutic approaches referring to particular schools of thought. Particular consideration was given to the practice guidelines for group psychotherapy of the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) published in 2007. The system structure is based on a model of anatomy and physiology of a group according to Burlingame et al., which ascertains patterns and processes within groups. In addition to general thematic and methodological aspects, several items on group dynamics are included, such as distribution of roles, formation of subgroups, development of group norms, conflict management, interpersonal feedback, self-disclosure, cohesion and other so-called therapeutic factors. Clinical testing in different settings is currently being carried out. Results and further developmental possibilities of the OBG system will be reported soon.     

Prévention du suicide de la personne âgée : la place des interventions communautaires

Although elders’ social isolation has been a topic of interest for public policies in the recent years, its prevention, specifically in relation to suicide prevention, has not stimulated the interest of researchers, yet. This paper present the results from a literature review aiming to identify the actions in elders’ suicide prevention. From the 425 initial papers identified on elders’ suicide prevention, only 57 describe “actions” in suicide prevention, 47 of which are actions targeting individuals, with psychological, psychiatric or psychotherapeutic interventions. Only eight researches integrate the social environment as a facilitator for suicide prevention. We discuss the particularity of this field, the limits of an individual-centred approach, and the interests of community, integrative interventions.