Further evidence of the invalidity of the magnitude estimation method

IntroductionThe magnitude estimation method is widely applied in diverse areas of psychology. However, Weiss (1972) found that this method may produce judgments that inaccurately represent subjective magnitudes: constructing the stimuli according to a factorial design allowed the bias caused by magnitude estimation to be exposed as a spurious divergence of factorial curves.ObjectiveThe present study experimentally compared magnitude estimation with graphic rating and ratio estimation. The comparison of magnitude estimation with graphic rating retested Weiss's finding. The comparison of magnitude estimation with ratio estimation explored the hypothesis that magnitude estimation may cause a divergence of factorial curves due to the requirement of magnitude estimation to multiply and divide numbers—both ratio estimation and magnitude estimation required participants to judge ratios, but only magnitude estimation required mental multiplication and division.MethodUsing a 3 × 4 factorial experimental design, an achromatic disk was presented concentrically with a larger achromatic square. The brightness of the disk varied with the luminance of the disk and, due to simultaneous contrast, with the luminance of the square. Three different groups of participants judged the brightness of the disk: one group by graphic rating, another by ratio estimation, and the third by magnitude estimation.ResultsIn accord with Weiss's results, graphic rating yielded roughly parallel factorial curves whereas magnitude estimation yielded diverging factorial curves. Ratio estimation also yielded roughly parallel factorial curves, supporting the hypothesis that the magnitude estimation task itself may cause divergence of factorial curves due to the requirement of this method to mentally multiply and divide numbers.ConclusionCaution should be taken in using magnitude estimation, especially in factorial experiments, because this method is likely to cause the researcher to make incorrect inferences about the functional relations between the variables involved in mental information integration. Ratio estimation yields a pattern of factorial curves essentially equivalent to that obtained by graphic rating.     

Cross-ethnic assessment of body weight and height on the basis of faces

Previous research has revealed a strong relationship between mere visual facial cues and body weight. They can be exploited to validly judge the weight of the human body. We tested to what extent observers are able to judge body weight and height on the basis of same-ethnicity and different-ethnicity faces. Caucasian and Asian observers saw Caucasian and Asian faces and estimated the person’s weight and height – merely on the basis of greyscale photographs of the face. These height and weight estimates were influenced by ethnocentric specifics of familiar face proportion and face–body relationship. Own-ethnicity weight estimations showed higher accuracy than foreign-ethnicity estimations. Observers ignored the changed base-rate for weight of other-culture faces in a culture-egocentric fashion. Height judgments, in contrast, reflect a higher degree of sophistication. A bias toward the own, familiar body proportion was visible here, especially for Japanese observers—however, the height judgments showed that observers were able to incorporate the other-ethnicity height proportion to some extent.     

Psychologie sociale et perception du temps : l'estimation temporelle des stimuli sociaux et émotionnels

Two experiments using a temporal bisection task investigated the influence of the social meaning of stimuli on the estimation of their duration. The results showed that: a) the duration of faces expressing diverse emotional states was overestimated relative to the duration of neutral faces; b) the duration of faces representing elderly people was underestimated relative to the duration of faces representing young people. In both cases, this influence was found to appear at the earliest stage of the estimation process, modulating the rhythm of the estimator's internal clock. In the discussion, we suggest three different perspectives to account for the observed link between social and temporal perception.     

Conditions d'efficience du sentiment d'efficacité personnelle dans la régulation d'une perturbation professionnelle : la dynamique du système des activités

This research deals with the controversy stated by Bandura about the level of generality-specificity it is advisable to appraise self-efficacy beliefs. The authors argue that the stake is not to challenge or not the interest of a general self-efficacy appraisal (compared with specific self-efficacy appraisals) but to study the conditions of general self-efficacy efficiency, for instance in the regulation of disruptions. With reference to the model of System of Activities, the data collected among 157 teachers recently recruited show how general self-efficacy beliefs attenuate the effects of an occupational disruption (the mismatches related to the mastery of required skills) on occupational satisfaction and general well-being, only if newcomers develop a middle level of exchanges between their different domains of life.     

Les manifestations comportementales de l'habilitation au travail : développement d'un cadre conceptuel et d'un instrument de mesure

Despite a strong interest for empowerment in business organizations, specific conceptual framework and measurement instruments do not exist to assess in a behavioural way if employees are really empowered. First, based on a literature review and interviews with twenty managers, seven behavioural indicators associated with empowerment have been identified and integrated in a theoretical framework distinguishing three investment areas (task, group, organization) and two types of contributions (assuring efficacy or improving efficiency). Second, questionnaires based on this framework have been administrated to 374 employees and their immediate supervisors. Factor analyses that have been performed showed a five-factor solution comparable for the self-report version and the version completed by the supervisor. Strengths and limitations of the new measurement instrument as well as the new research possibilities are discussed.     

De la question de l’évaluation psychologique et de la psychométrie en douleur chronique

The practice of psychological assessment is an important step in the evaluation of the complex problems presented by patients dealing with chronic pain. We want to discuss here the framework of intervention of the psychologist in the context, but also shed light on the contributions of this practice to the pain clinic. This will include discussing a joint assessment, combining a psychological assessment referred to as classic with a psychological evaluation specific pain.     

Le fonctionnement optimal psychologique : apports conceptuels et méthodologiques

In this study, we are operationalizing a new construct: the optimal psychological functioning (OPF). The dimensions of the construct are considered from a historical and a conceptual background then a heuristic approach is mobilized based on three precise rules and the tripartite conception of the mind, i.e. cognitive, affective and conative. The sample is made of 1066 French workers of age 18 to 60 originating from a diverse sociocultural and geographic background. The methodology relies on latent variable modeling. The results give rise to a bifactor structural equations modeling (Bi-ESEM) model with six domain-specific factors demonstrating a very good fit and high psychometric properties. Construct validity was tested against Keyes's positive mental health via the Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF) (Keyes, 2002, 2005) and a construct on psychosocial risks (PSR). The OPF strongly, very significantly, and positively predicts positive mental health, while it negatively predicts absenteeism, presenteeism and turnover intentions.     

Influence du leadership éthique sur l’engagement affectif et l’épanouissement psychologique : le rôle médiateur de la satisfaction vis-à-vis de l’équilibre entre domaines de vie

The inter-professional national agreement of 19 June 2013 emphasizes the role of managers in promoting quality of work life. The latter aims jointly at employees’ health and company performance due to commitment. In the present study we tested the indirect effect of ethical leadership on affective commitment and psychological flourishing via satisfaction with work–family balance. Among employees, 221 filled out a questionnaire. The results indicate, on the one hand, the positive links between ethical leadership and affective commitment and psychological flourishing, and on the other hand the mediating role of satisfaction with work–family balance in these two relationships. We provide recommendations to improve quality of work life.     

Penser autrement les difficultés scolaires : les apports du Rorschach en système intégré

This study examines school under-achievement from the perspective of clinical psychology. We compare 2 groups of children in the 3^rd grade (mean age 9) based on their results on a national test of French language and Mathematics. We present the Rorschach results of 7 high performers compared to 7 low performers, all of whom have IQ scores (K. ABC) that are in the average range (90 - 109). The Rorschach data (Comprehensive System) demonstrate no differences between these groups of children concerning affective functioning and stress tolerance. However, the quantitative and qualitative results are notably different concerning attitudes relative to complex situations, in the area of critical self-perception and conflict-resolution strategies.     

Number estimation relies on a set of segmented objects

How do we estimate the number of objects in a set? Two types of visual representations might underlie this ability - an unsegmented visual image or a segmented collection of discrete objects. We manipulated whether individual objects were isolated from each other or grouped into pairs by irrelevant lines. If number estimation operates over an unsegmented image, then this manipulation should not affect estimates. But if number estimation relies on a segmented image, then grouping pairs of objects into single units should lead to lower estimates. In Experiment 1 participants underestimated the number of grouped objects, relative to disconnected objects in which the connecting lines were ‘broken’. Experiment 2 presents evidence that this segmentation process occurred broadly across the entire set of objects. In Experiment 3, a staircase procedure provides a quantitative measure of the underestimation effect. Experiment 4 shows that the strength of the grouping effect was equally strong for a single thin line, and the effect can be eliminated by a small break in the line. These results provide direct evidence that number estimation relies on a segmented input.