Psychological Follow-up of Presymptomatic Genetic Testing for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2 (SCA2) in Cuba

Presymptomatic testing for spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) in Cuba started five years ago. We have now investigated the psychological impact of test results on 150 individuals at 50% risk for SCA2. In a prospective study, psychological instruments were used to evaluate depression, anxiety and family functioning (1) before testing and (2) one year after disclosure of the test result. One year after, anxiety and depression levels decreased both in carriers and non-carriers, but anxiety decreased significantly more in carriers. Pathological levels of anxiety were seen mostly in members of dysfunctional families, but decreased more in them than in other consultands. Presymptomatic testing thus seems to have been especially beneficial for these testees, possibly due to a greater gain from the psychosocial support received. It would be pertinent to evaluate now the impact of other psychosocial variables and perform longer-term longitudinal studies.     

Gender Differences in Cognitive and Emotional Adjustment to Traumatic Brain Injury

This study examined gender differences in cognitive and emotional status after traumatic brain injury (TBI) among 262 men and 140 women with TBI referred for neuropsychological evaluations. In this cross-sectional study, cognition was measured in terms of both absolute level of functioning (i.e., raw/standard scores) and estimated decline from premorbid levels expressed as z-deficit scores in the following domains: intelligence [Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Revised (WAIS-R)], memory and attention [Wechsler Memory Scale—Revised (WMS-R)], processing speed (Trails A), and cognitive flexibility (Trails B). Emotional functioning was measured in terms of depression (Beck Depression Inventory) and general emotional distress (Brief Symptom Inventory). Kruskal–Wallis nonparametric one-way ANOVAs indicated that women and men differed significantly on 2 of 8 raw/standard cognitive scores [men demonstrated lower WMS-R General Memory (p < .05) and Trails B scores (p < .0001) and 4 of 8 relative decline scores [women demonstrated more estimated change in VIQ (Verbal IQ) [p < .0001], FSIQ (Full Scale IQ) [p < .01], and Attention (p < .01)]; men demonstrated greater estimated z-decline scores on Trails B (p < .01)]. Women reported significantly higher levels of depression (p < .01), but men endorsed significantly greater general psychological distress (p < .05). Research and assessment recommendations are suggested.     

Effects of Attachment Style on Preferences for and Satisfaction with Different Employment Contracts: An Exploratory Study

Based on the characteristics of three attachment styles—secure, anxious/ambivalent, and avoidance—hypotheses were derived for differences between them with regard to preferences for three employment relationships differing in whether employees are internal—hired and paid by an organization or external—employed through software houses. In addition, hypotheses were also drawn for differences in overall and facet work satisfaction. The sample consisted of computer science students of whom a large proportion have also been working in that field, and individuals employed as software engineers. Anxious/ambivalents were relatively higher in preference for the external contract and lower in preference for the internal contract, as compared to the two other styles. Contrary to the hypotheses, the avoidants did not differ from the secure style in expressing the highest preference to the internal permanent contract and the lowest to the external contract. Work satisfaction was highest among the secure style but contrary to hypotheses, the anxious/ambivalent group did not differ significantly from that group concerning overall, intrinsic, and extrinsic satisfaction. The avoidants were lowest on those measures. Findings are discussed in light of the different attachment styles and the unique features of the high-tech industry.     

认知诊断CAT中具有非统计约束选题方法的比较

项目曝光控制和内容约束关系到测验安全、测验的信度和效度, 是计算机化自适应测验(Computerized Adaptive Testing, CAT)中两类重要的非统计约束条件。本文在认知诊断CAT中针对内容约束和项目曝光控制要求, 运用5种方法选择测验项目。它们分别是：(1) Monte Carlo方法与项目合格方法相结合, 记为MC-IE; (2) Monte Carlo方法与最大优先指标方法相结合, 记为MC-MPI; (3) Monte Carlo方法与限制阈值方法相结合, 记为MC-RT; (4) Monte Carlo方法与限制进度指标方法相结合, 记为MC-RPG以及(5) Monte Carlo方法与最大后验概率方法相结合, 记为MC-PP。然后通过在线性、收敛、发散、无结构和独立五种属性结构下构建题库并运用重参化融融统和模型模拟被试反应比较它们的选题表现。研究发现, (1) 相同选题方法在不同属性结构下项目曝光率的分布类似, 测量精度按线性、收敛、发散、无结构和独立结构的顺序依次降低; (2) 相同属性结构下, 不同方法的测量精度高低依次为MC-PP、MC-IE、MC-RT、MC-MPI和MC-RPG方法; 项目曝光均匀性优劣依次为MC-RPG、MC-MPI、MC-RT、MC-IE和MC-PP方法。统一量纲值表明, MC-RPG方法的综合表现最好, MC-MPI方法的表现次之。     

可修改答案的计算机化自适应测验的方法

与传统的纸笔测验(Paper And Pencil Based Test, P&P)相比计算机化自适应测验(Computerized Adaptive Testing, CAT)根据被试的作答反应自适应地选择题目, 它不仅缩短了测验长度, 还极大地提高了测验的准确性。然而, 目前绝大多数CAT不允许被试修改答案, 研究者主要担心修改答案会降低CAT的有效性。允许修改答案符合被试一贯的测验习惯, 修改之后的分数更能反映被试真实的水平, 从而能够进一步促进CAT在实际中的应用。现有的研究主要从三个方面提出了可修改答案CAT的控制方法：一是测验设计; 二是改进选题策略; 三是建构模型。未来的研究应进一步探讨这些方法之间的比较与结合, 以及对可修改答案认知诊断CAT (Cognitive Diagnostic CAT, CD-CAT)的研究。     

基于CD-CAT的多策略RRUM模型及其选题方法开发

在有多种解题策略的认知诊断问题情境中, 用每个Q矩阵表示一种解题策略, 由此将单策略认知诊断RRUM模型拓广为多策略RRUM模型(MS-RRUM)。随后, 在应用MS-RRUM模型的CD-CAT中开发了适用于多策略情境的MAP参数估计法和多策略香农熵(MSSHE)选题法。将MSSHE选题法与随机选题法分别在不同属性数量、不同测验长度下进行比较, 结果发现前者对被试的策略和认知状态判准率都显著优于后者, 而且都很理想。这样就顺利实现了在CD-CAT做策略诊断的目标。     

论心理契约的动态过程

本文对心理契约的形成、改变、破裂和补救的动态过程的研究现状进行了综述和分析,特别就研究中有关心理契约的形成规律和补救方式方面存在的问题进行了分析,并针对如何结合我国国情开展深入的实证研究提出了建议。     

Unconscious fantasy in context: The work of Jacob A. Arlow

For Jacob A. Arlow, understanding unconscious fantasies was central to his clinical work. These fantasies are to be found at the core of those eruptions that break without warning into our ordinary lives, whether in the form of hysterical symptoms, daydreams or nightmares. What, however, could an unconscious fantasy be on a theoretical level, beyond a vehicle for discharge? Although partly unconscious, such fantasies are sometimes composed of fixed verbal content with a high degree of internal organisation. Unconscious fantasies therefore pose many challenges to understanding.     

Gender Differences in the Measurement of Creative Problem‐Solving

Despite significant scholarly attention, the literature on the existence and direction of gender differences in creativity has produced inconsistent findings. In the present paper, we argue that this lack of consensus may be attributable, at least in part, to gender‐specific inconsistencies in the measurement of creative problem‐solving. To explore this possibility, we empirically tested assumptions of multiple‐group measurement invariance using samples borrowed from four recent studies that assessed creative problem‐solving (J.D. B arrett et al., 2013; K.S. H ester et al., 2012; D.R. P eterson et al., 2013; I.C. R obledo et al., 2012). Across the four samples, apparent gender differences emerged on all three components of S.P. B esemer & K. O 'Q uin's (1999) three‐facet model of creativity (i.e., quality, originality, and elegance) such that, on average, females appeared to exhibit higher baseline levels of creativity. However, in light of violations of measurement invariance assumptions across genders found in these samples, comparisons such as these may not ultimately be appropriate. Although the underlying factor structure and factor loadings on a unitary creativity factor were consistent across gender (i.e., weak factorial invariance), measurement in‐equivalence assumptions were violated at the subfacet level (i.e., strong factorial invariance). Implications of these findings for understanding gender differences in creative problem‐solving are discussed.     

Toward a Philosophy of Blockchain: A Symposium: Introduction

This article introduces the symposium “Toward a Philosophy of Blockchain,” which provides a philosophical contemplation of blockchain technology, the digital ledger software underlying cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, for the secure transfer of money, assets, and information via the Internet without needing a third‐party intermediary. The symposium offers philosophical scholarship on a new topic, blockchain technology, from a variety of perspectives. The philosophical themes discussed include mathematical models of reality, signification, and the sociopolitical institutions that structure human life and interaction. The symposium also investigates the metaphilosophical theme of how to create a philosophy of anything, specifically a new topic such as blockchain technology. Repeated themes are identified, in all areas of philosophical inquiry (ontology, epistemology, and axiology), and conceptual resources are elaborated to contribute to a philosophical understanding of blockchain technology. Thus, philosophy as a metaphilosophical approach is shown to be able to provide an understanding of the conceptual, theoretical, and foundational dimensions of novelty and emergence in the world, with a particular focus on blockchain technology.