Using the Delphi Technique: Experience from the world of counselling and psychotherapy

Background: Delphi studies have been popular in the health and social care domain for some time, particularly within nursing. They are used to elicit views and opinions from experts in the field on specific topics, without the need for face‐to‐face interviews. Focus: This paper brings Delphi methodology to the attention of potential researchers in the counselling and psychotherapy field, who may not have previously considered Delphi methodology, describing the researcher's experience of using a Delphi study through the media of electronic mail, and incorporating participant feedback. Aims: To discuss the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the complexities and limitations of the Delphi methodology. I will outline previous recommendations from Delphi researchers and offer further suggestions based on my experience of completing a Delphi study.     

不同归因取向的表扬对儿童失败后的影响效应

以103名小学五年级的儿童为被试,考察不同归因取向的表扬对儿童遭遇失败后的影响效应。结果发现：（1）接受能力取向表扬的儿童在遭遇失败后表现出无助取向的反应模式,接受努力取向表扬的儿童表现出掌握取向的反应模式;（2）接受能力取向表扬的儿童倾向于采取防御性的失败归因策略,将失败更多地归因于测试焦虑,但其对能力因素的归因仍高于努力组和控制组,接受努力取向表扬的儿童更多地将失败归因于努力因素;（3）接受能力取向表扬的儿童表现出自我设限倾向,他们报告更多的测试焦虑,并缩短后测的做题时间和更低的后测成绩。     

Generalized graded unfolding model with structural equation for subject parameters

The generalized graded unfolding model (GGUM) is capable of analyzing polytomous scored, unfolding data such as agree‐disagree responses to attitude statements. In the present study, we proposed a GGUM with structural equation for subject parameters, which enabled us to evaluate the relation between subject parameters and covariates and/or latent variables simultaneously, in order to avoid the influence of attenuation. Additionally, an algorithm for parameter estimation is newly implemented via the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method, based on Bayesian statistics. In the simulation, we compared the accuracy of estimates of regression coefficients between the proposed model and a conventional method using a GGUM (where regression coefficients are estimated using estimates of θ). As a result, the proposed model performed much better than the conventional method in terms of bias and root mean squared errors of estimates of regression coefficients. The study concluded by verifying the efficacy of the proposed model, using an actual data example of attitude measurement.     

Prevalence of multiply controlled problem behavior

We examined articles in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis in which results of functional analyses indicated that problem behavior was maintained by multiple sources of reinforcement. Data for 88 (16.9%) of 521 subjects reported in 168 studies met the criteria for multiple control. Data for 11 subjects (2.1%) involved a single response topography, whereas data for 77 subjects involved multiple, collapsed response topographies (14.8% of the total [521 cases] or 87.5% of the multiple control cases), suggesting that when multiple control is observed, it often may be a by-product of response aggregation during assessment.     

Reducing stimulus overselectivity through an increased observing-response requirement

An adult with autism and a mild intellectual disability participated in a 0-s delayed matching-to-sample task. In each trial, two sample stimuli were presented together until the participant completed an observing-response requirement consisting of 1 or 10 mouse clicks in the baseline and experimental phases, respectively. One of the two sample stimuli then appeared randomly as a comparison stimulus (S+), along with two other comparison stimuli (S-). Higher levels of correct responding occurred under the larger observing-response requirement, and the proportion of errors related to one of the two sample stimuli decreased. Thus, stimulus overselectivity was reduced without requiring differential observing responses.     

Short-term memory for temporal intervals: Contrasting explanations of the choose-short effect in pigeons

To better understand short-term memory for temporal intervals, we re-examined the choose-short effect. In Experiment 1, to contrast the predictions of two models of this effect, the subjective shortening and the coding models, pigeons were exposed to a delayed matching-to-sample task with three sample durations (2, 6 and 18 s) and retention intervals ranging from 0 to 20 s. Consistent with the coding model, the results suggested a sudden forgetting of memories for duration. In Experiment 2, to test the confusion hypothesis, the characteristics of the ITI and the retention interval differed. Contrary to the confusion hypothesis, a choose-short effect was obtained. In both experiments, a test with only two of the three comparison keys was performed. The results suggest three effects that may be controlling the birds’ responses: stimulus generalization when no retention interval is present; an increase in random responding at longer retention intervals; and, similarly, an increase in preference for the “short-sample” key at longer retention intervals.     

Brief assessment of schizotypy: Developing short forms of the Wisconsin Schizotypy Scales

The Wisconsin Schizotypy Scales—the Perceptual Aberration, Magical Ideation, Physical Anhedonia, and Revised Social Anhedonia Scales—have been used extensively since their development in the 1970s and 1980s. Based on psychometric analyses using item response theory, the present work presents 15-item short forms of each scale. In addition to being briefer, the short forms omit items with high differential item functioning. Based on data from a sample of young adults (n = 1144), the short forms have strong internal consistency, and they mirror effects found for the longer scales. They thus appear to be a good option for researchers interested in the brief assessment of schizotypic traits. The items are listed in an Appendix A.     

A Phenomenological Calculus for Anisotropic Systems

The phenomenological calculus is a relational paradigm for complex systems, closely related in substance and spirit to Robert Rosen’s own approach. Its mathematical language is multilinear algebra. The epistemological exploration continues in this paper, with the expansion of the phenomenological calculus into the realm of anisotropy.     

现代城市灾难结构与心理反应特点

城市灾难在给现代城市带来巨大破坏和影响的同时,对人们心理的冲击也是巨大的。本文分析了现代城市灾难的结构、阶段以及与之相对应的群体心理特征,以近年来国内外发生的城市危机案例为佐证,说明了心理干预在灾难应对中的重要作用,并提出3点启示:(1)政府部门要建立一套权威信息预警、发布机制;(2)增强民众素质,减少盲目从众心理;(3)重视社会力量在心理干预中的作用。     

来源监测实验中的源记忆测量

来源监测实验既涉及到研究项目探测、来源甄别两种不同的认知加工过程,又涉及到研究反应倾向。当研究目的着眼于测量或比较不同来源源记忆或不同控制变量组在同一来源上的源记忆效果时,把来源甄别和项目探测两种认知过程及反应倾向分解开是十分必要的。通常的测量和分析方法对此收效甚微,多项式加工树模型旨在有效地实现这一目标。