The Core of Darkness: Uncovering the Heart of the Dark Triad

The Dark Triad consists of three overlapping but distinct personality variables: narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy. To date, however, no research has empirically identified what leads these three variables to overlap or whether other variables share the same core. The present research addresses why and how dark personalities overlap. Drawing from classic work in psychopathy, Hare's Factor 1 or manipulation and callousness were found to be the common antagonistic core. A series of latent variable procedures, including Multisample Structural Equation Models, revealed that for both samples, manipulation and callousness, completely accounted for the associations among the facet scores of the psychopathy, narcissism and Machiavellianism scales. Sample 2 also included Social Dominance Orientation, and results further confirmed that Social Dominance Orientation has the same common core as the Dark Triad. In sum, Hare's Factor 1—manipulation–callousness—emerged as common dark core that accounts for the overlap among antagonistic traits. Copyright © 2012 European Association of Personality Psychology     

South African Serial Homicide: A Victim‐Focused Behavioural Typology

This current study assessed the value of the Interpersonal Model in differentiating serial homicide offences in South Africa, notably in terms of how the offender may display behavioural patterns that are indicative of them dealing with the victim as a Person, an Object, or a Vehicle. The sample consisted of 302 offences committed by 33 offenders that occurred from 1953 to 2007 in South Africa. Multidimensional scaling analysis was used to test the Interpersonal Model and results indicated that crime themes did not directly correspond to the threefold model. Instead, two crime scene types were present: Victim as Object (where the focus was on tangible gains, interaction with the victim throughout the phases of the crime was limited, and victims included men and live women) and Victim as Vehicle (where the victim might be construed as a conduit through whom the offender could realise their specific psychological needs, the interaction was extensive, and victims tended to be vulnerable). South African serial homicides did not appear to have a specific sub‐theme of Victim as Person, suggesting that the themes engaged in centred more on instrumentally focused actions but in qualitatively different ways. However, victim types were integral to the overall behavioural model. Using the Victim as Object/Vehicle dichotomy, 85.7% of the offences could be seen to engage dominantly in one of the two patterns at the crime scene. This not only supported the results of a twofold model, but having these many offenders showing a dominant crime scene type also shows that the model is an excellent representation of serial homicide offending in South Africa. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploring the Effects of Anticounterfeiting Strategies on Customer Values and Loyalty

Product counterfeiting, a serious problem throughout the world, is particularly challenging for luxury brands, which often have simple designs and a value that depends largely on buyers' perceptions. This study incorporates the concept of customer value into an investigation of the anticounterfeiting strategies. Both hedonic and utilitarian values positively influence customer loyalty toward luxury brands. As a means to strengthen customer values, legal and product strategies positively influence customers' hedonic value, whereas communication and product strategies positively influence their utilitarian value. The managerial implications of these findings and directions for further research are discussed.     

A Multi‐criteria Usability Assessment of Similar Types of Touch Screen Mobile Phones

Designing products possessing only technical perfectness does not seem to be enough in today's market. New expectations adding value to the product such as product usability and feelings have become more important. Consequently, product usability has become a major focus of manufacturing companies. In this study, touch screen cell phones are examined, and various specifications that affect the usability are researched. Usability tests were carried out with the participation of 15 subjects for four different brands of touch screen phones having the highest market share. The usability factors regarding questionnaires were evaluated by taking into consideration the relationships between them in a three‐stage (strategic, tactical and operational) hierarchical network model. Analytical network process method was used in order to analyse the network for end consumer. The results were evaluated within the general framework of the hierarchy, and the most important factors in respect of usability were calculated. Moreover, the usability levels of four brands were ranked evaluating the usability scores. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

消费者如何看待和评价融合产品?——基于融合产品特征和消费者个体特征的分析

融合产品是将不同品类的功能整合到一个平台上的产品形态,如智能手机等.电子科技的进步和消费者需求的拉动促使产品的融合不断成熟,逐渐成为高科技产品的主流.面对令人眼花缭乱的融合产品,消费者将如何进行评价？文章通过对融合产品领域文献的回顾和梳理,从融合产品的产品特征、消费者的个体特征两大方面深入细致地探讨了消费者对融合产品的评价机制及影响因素,整合了基础产品的特征、新增功能的特征、基础产品与新增功能之间的关系、消费者先前拥有的经历、消费者所花费的认知资源、消费者的心理解释水平等相关变量,最终提出了一个包含11个命题的全新的理论分析框架,为未来深入探讨该领域相关的问题提供了可借鉴的理论依据.     

认知灵活性和顿悟表征转换：练习类型的影响

以停车场问题为实验材料,以42名大学生为被试,探讨认知灵活性高和低的被试在不同练习类型下顿悟问题表征转换的差异。结果表明：1）不同的练习类型对顿悟表征转换有影响,被试在难度逐渐增加的练习类型下比在简单的练习类型下顿悟产生得更快;2）顿悟表征转换的速度因认知灵活性的不同有差异,在简单的练习类型下,认知灵活性高的被试比认知灵活性低的被试顿悟产生得更早,在难度逐渐增加的练习类型下两者无差异;3）认知灵活性高的被试比认知灵活性低的被试顿悟问题解决更快。     

犯罪心理学研究方法论再探

犯罪心理学以辩证唯物论为指导,坚持客观性与主观性统一、社会性与生物性兼顾、内因与外因并重、理论与实践结合;以"新二三论"、"老三论"的观点,整体地,联系地、动态地认识和研究犯罪心理现象;根据犯罪心理学研究对象的特点,体现研究方法的多元化,逐渐形成了六种研究类型:横断研究与纵向研究、内省研究与客观观察研究、定量研究与质的研究、整体研究与分析研究、个案研究与群体研究、常规研究与现代科技手段运用研究.