Activation of response codes by relevant and irrelevant stimulus information

Single-route models attribute stimulus-response compatibility effects to the difficulty of translation from stimulus to response. Dual-route models propose that compatibility effects reflect in part an additional direct, or automatic, activation route. Selected findings from three lines of research are reported that converge to provide evidence consistent with the view that the automatic activation route plays a role in compatibility effects. The data suggest that the activation produced via this route by relevant stimulus attributes influences response selection only when all mappings of stimuli to responses are known to be compatible.     

Relationship between rigidity-flexibility and cognitive abilities in adulthood

The interrelationship of measures of rigidity-flexibility and of psychometric intelligence is examined. The latent factors of Attitudinal Flexibility, Motor-Cognitive Flexibility, and Psychomotor Speed are derived from the Test of Behavioral Rigidity, and factors of Inductive Reasoning, Spatial Orientation, Verbal Ability, Numeric Ability, Verbal Memory, and Perceptual Speed are derived from the Thurstone Primary Mental Abilities Test and the Educational Testing Service Kit of Factor-Referenced Tests. The data base in this study comes from the fifth wave of the Seattle Longitudinal Study (N = 1,628; age range, 22-95 years). The Rigidity-Flexibility factors were found to be independent of the cognitive domain. Also, longitudinal stability of the factor structure of the rigidity-flexibility domain was confirmed for 837 participants tested in both 1977 and 1984.     

Development of the Diabetes Self-Care Efficacy Scale

The present study elaborates the conceptualization and process of development of a scale for assessing diabetes self-care efficacy (DSCE) in patients of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Health maintenance in chronic illness as diabetes is dependent on performing several key self-care behaviours. The present study discusses two parts—Part I elaborates the qualitative exploration of the research construct through semi-structured interview of diabetic patients. It included 25 diabetic patients, Type-I (n?=?5) and Type-II (n?=?20). Part II discusses the quantitative research methods. The sample consisted of 233 diabetic patients, Type-1 (n?=?39) and Type-2 (n?=?194), who were randomly selected from diabetes and endocrine outpatient department (OPD) of a hospital in, Kolkata, India. Following an exploratory approach employing Principal Component Analysis (PCA), three components were yielded that accounted for approximately 60% of explained variance. Cronbach’s alpha was established at 0.89 indicating satisfactory internal reliability. The components were identified as component 1, “Beliefs about physical exercise regimen” (BPE), component 2, “Beliefs about food and insulin administration and medication recommendations” (FMR) and component 3, “Beliefs about learning and following from others” (LFO). To test the obtained factor structure of the proposed DSCE scale, a confirmatory analysis was performed to help validate the 3-factor, 15-item DSCE scale. The scale is first one of its kind to be proposed and developed in an Indian diabetes context and can prove useful in other settings. Study findings have implications for use in hospital setup and for development of intervention programs in dealing with diabetes patient population.     

Development and use of behavior and social interaction software installed on Palm handheld for observation of a child’s social interactions with the environment

In settings in developing countries, children often socialize with multiple socializing agents (peers, siblings, neighbors) apart from their parents, and thus, a measurement of a child’s social interactions should be expanded beyond parental interactions. Since the environment plays a role in shaping a child’s development, the measurement of child-socializing agents’ interactions is important. We developed and used a computerized observational softwareBehavior and Social Interaction Software (BASIS) with a preloaded coding scheme installed on a handheld Palm device to record complex observations of interactions between children and socializing agents. Using BASIS, social interaction assessments were conducted on 573 preschool children for 1 h in their natural settings. Multiple screens with a set of choices in each screen were designed that included the child’s location, broad activity, state, and interactions with child-socializing agents. Data were downloaded onto a computer and systematically analyzed. BASIS, installed on Palm OS (M-125), enabled the recording of the complex interactions of child-socializing agents that could not be recorded with manual forms. Thus, this tool provides an innovative and relatively accurate method for the systematic recording of social interactions in an unrestricted environment.     

Analyzing Big-Five Personality Traits of Indian Celebrities Using Online Social Media

Personality traits analysis has been an active area of research in information systems and its cognate disciplines. However, there are multiple challenges faced by questionnaire-based measurement of personality traits including low response rate and limited access to the individuals. This research paper presents a social media-based approach to determine the Big-Five personality traits of different groups of celebrities. First, authors collected the Twitter posts of celebrities in different professions and used IBM’s Watson Personality Insights tool to determine the personalities of these celebrities. Next, with the help of statistical analysis and visualization techniques, authors determined the personality pattern within and across the group of celebrities. The results demonstrate that there is significant difference across groups of celebrities on three of the Big-Five personality traits—Openness, Agreeableness, and Extraversion. However, there is no significant difference among the celebrity groups on the Conscientiousness and Neuroticism trait.     

Experimental RunTime System: Software for developing and running reaction time experiments on IBM-compatible PCs

The Experimental RunTime System (ERTS) is a recent addition to the small collection of commercial software packages available for writing and running reaction time experiments on IBM-compatible PCs. Experiments are written using any text editor and a relatively small set of ERTS commands. Millisecond timing is provided by a software timer with no additional hardware requirements. All displays are in high-resolution VGA graphics. The Creative Labs Soundblaster card is supported in 16-bit mode, but is not required for simple tone generation. Voice-key support is available via the Soundblaster card. Keyboard, mouse, and external keys may be used as reaction keys, and the mouse or a joystick may be used as a tracking device. The stimulus-centered design and powerful display control commands of ERTS make it appropriate for developing a wide range of trial-based experiments.     

Examining the initial usability,acceptability and feasibility of a digital mental health intervention for college students in India

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is prevalent among college students in India; however, barriers like stigma, treatment accessibility and cost prevent engagement in treatment. Web- and mobile-based, or digital, mental health interventions have been proposed as a potential solution to increasing treatment access. With the ultimate goal of developing an engaging digital mental health intervention for university students in India, the current study sought to understand students' reactions to a culturally and digitally adapted evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for GAD intervention. Specifically, through theatre testing and focus groups with a non-clinical sample of 15 college students in India, the present study examined initial usability, acceptability and feasibility of the “Mana Maali Digital Anxiety Program.” Secondary objectives comprised identifying students' perceived barriers to using the program and eliciting recommendations. Results indicated high usability, with the average usability rating ranking in the top 10% of general usability scores. Participants offered actionable changes to improve usability and perceived acceptability among peers struggling with mental health issues. Findings highlight the benefits of offering digital resources that circumvent barriers associated with accessing traditional services. Results build on existing evidence that digital interventions can be a viable means of delivering mental healthcare to large, defined populations.     

EFFECTS OF AND PREFERENCE FOR PAY FOR PERFORMANCE: AN ANALOGUE ANALYSIS

We examined the effects of 2 payment systems on the rate of check processing and time spent on task by participants in a simulated work setting. Three participants experienced individual pay‐for‐performance (PFP) without base pay and pay‐for‐time (PFT) conditions. In the last phase, we asked participants to choose which system they preferred. For all participants, the PFP condition produced higher rates of check processing and more time spent on task than did the PFT condition, but choice of payment system varied both within and across participants.     

Creating inclusive identity narratives through participatory action research

This paper describes the process and outcomes of Voices, a participatory action research project aimed to disrupt divisive ethnic identity narratives among youth living amidst protracted ethnic conflict. The project took place in the Garo Hills region of Northeast India, a site of protracted ethnic conflict. Moving away from crisis‐based approaches, this paper explores the conflict transformative potential of participatory action research, specifically its effectiveness in facilitating civic engagement across ethnic lines. The findings indicate that young people's involvement in the project afforded them an opportunity to engage with local community concerns outside of polarized ethnic identity narratives. This involvement facilitated three critical outcomes: engagement in social critique, reconfiguration of a more inclusive researcher identity, and adoption of a language of possibility. Based on these findings, it is argued that opportunities for critical community engagement could interrupt divisive ethnic identity narratives and provide turning points for youth to reimagine inclusive social identities.     

Culture and Community Psychology: Toward a Renewed and Reimagined Vision

Interest is growing in community psychology to look more closely at culture. Culture has resided in community psychology in its emphasis on context, ecology, and diversity, however we believe that the field will benefit from a more explicit focus on culture. We suggest a cultural approach that values the community's points of view and an understanding of shared and divergent meanings, goals, and norms within a theory of empowerment. Furthermore, we posit the importance of pluralistic, multi-method programs of research and action encompassing both idiographic and nomothetic approaches, and critical reflexivity of our roles and agendas. Culture can be further incorporated into all the branches and fibers of community psychology.