Reference frames and haptic perception of orientation: Body and head tilt effects on the oblique effect

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of body and head tilts on the haptic oblique effect. This effect reflects the more accurate processing of vertical and horizontal orientations, relative to oblique orientations. Body or head tilts lead to a mismatch between egocentric and gravitational axes and indicate whether the haptic oblique effect is defined in an egocentric or a gravitational reference frame. The ability to reproduce principal (vertical and horizontal) and oblique orientations was studied in upright and tilted postures. Moreover, by controlling the deviation of the haptic subjective vertical provoked by postural tilt, the possible role of a subjective gravitational reference frame was tested. Results showed that the haptic reproduction of orientations was strongly affected by both the position of the body (Experiment 1) and the position of the head (Experiment 2). In particular, the classical haptic oblique effect observed in the upright posture disappeared in tilted conditions, mainly because of a decrease in the accuracy of the vertical and horizontal settings. The subjective vertical appeared to be the orientation reproduced the most accurately. These results suggest that the haptic oblique effect is not purely gravitationally or egocentrically defined but, rather, depends on a subjective gravitational reference frame that is tilted in a direction opposite to that of the head in tilted postures (Experiment 3).     

A New Reformation for a 'Secularised' World? Retaining 'Tradition' while Accommodating 'Change': The Dialectics of the Ecumenical Movement in the Netherlands

Religion is an area of social life thought to be vulnerable to recent, rapid global change that may be encouraging individual independence from social institutions. It is seen as 'secularising', losing its authority, becoming differentiated; a 'market' of 'competing' religious 'truths'. Co-ordinating these 'truths' and encouraging their dialogue may be a way for religion to regain social influence. The paper explores these issues through analysing the Dutch ecumenical movement. Religion in the Netherlands has been diverse since the Reformation, with groups splitting to redefine belief. However, in recent years there has been greater interaction between Dutch churches, co-ordinated by the Raad van Kerken in Nederland (Dutch Council of Churches). Ecumenical dialogue is seen as a possible way for churches to accept and negotiate new developments while retaining the core of their beliefs, through providing a diversity of views, allowing a choice of 'solutions' to change which can then be negotiated 'in common'. The aim of the paper is to analyse whether (and if so, how) such revitalisation is possible and what possibilities or problems it might pose.     

Social background,achievement motivation,optimism and health: A longitudinal study

In a longitudinal study over 4 years, the relationship between home background, achievement motivation, optimism, psychological well-being and self-rated health was investigated in 149 young adults. The participants were assessed at school at age 16 years and then at two follow up points, 2 years and 4 years later. The data produced shows that the home background variables of socioeconomic status, family size and parental employment predict psychological well-being, self-rated health, achievement motivation and optimism at subsequent stages. Achievement motivation and optimism play a mediating role between home background and the outcome measures of self-rated health and psychological well-being. Furthermore achievement motivation appears to only take on an important role in terms of the development of identity.     

Evidence for a Higher-Order ESEM Structure of ADHD in a Sample of Chinese Children

Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) solutions have been proposed to represent the factor structures of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in recent literature, yet no studies have assessed those structures in Chinese children. The primary aim of this study was to comprehensively examine the factor structures of the Chinese version of the ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD RS-IV): Home Version. Data on 458 Chinese children aged 3–8 years (boys: 246; 54%) were used to test and compare eleven factor models: confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models (one-factor, two-factor and three-factor), second-order CFA model, bifactor CFA models (two and three specific factors), ESEM models (two-factor and three-factor), second-order ESEM model, and bifactor ESEM models (two and three specific factors). The results showed that, overall, ESEM models displayed better fit than CFA models. Specifically, the second-order ESEM model with three first-order factors best represented of the ADHD factor structure in our sample. In addition, measurement invariance testing results showed that scalar invariance was established across gender, age and informant groups. Implications for future research are discussed.