RJAP Volume 18 Issue 1
Contents
Soflau, R., & Matu, S. (2016). Explicit and implicit attitudes towards heights: a relationship with acrophobic symptoms and sesnsitivity to cognitive-behavioral treatment. A preliminary report. Romanian Journal of Applied Psychology, 18 (1), 1-7.more details. Download PDF
Abstract: This study aimed to test whether implicit and explicit attitudes toward heights differ between individuals with low and high fear of heights, and whether the implicit and explicit attitudes toward heights are sensitive to a one session cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) in the second group. In addition, we also explored the relationships between implicit and explicit attitudes, as well as the effect of retesting on implicit attitudes. Both explicit and implicit attitudes toward heights were assessed in individuals with low (n = 49) and high levels of fear of heights (n = 83) prior to treatment, and reassessed in the second group after one session of CBT intervention in virtual reality. Results show that there are differences in both implicit (F(1, 96) = 25.155, p < .005, partial η2 = .208) and explicit attitudes (F(1, 96) = 90.970, p < .001, partial η2 = .487 for cognitive evaluation; F(1, 96) = 69.542, p < .001, partial η2 = .420 for dangerousness) between fearful and non-fearful individuals. As expected, implicit (t(48) = 3.712, p = .001) and explicit attitudes (t(56) = 4.071, p < .001 for dangerousness; t(57) = 5.002, p < .001 for cognitive evaluation) favorably changed following treatment, with medium effect sizes. These findings suggest that both explicit and implicit attitudes are cognitive factors related to acrophobic symptoms and might play a role as mechanisms in the cognitive-behavioral treatment of heights related fear.
Keywords: Attitudes, Heights, Anxiety, Cognitive Behavioral Treatment, Virtual Reality.
Address of correspondence: radu.soflau@ubbcluj.ro
Hackl, E., & Tulbure, B. (2016). The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - the self-report Romanian version Romanian Journal of Applied Psychology, 18 (1), 8-12.more details. Download PDF
Abstract: Clinical depression is a debilitating disorder affecting a significant percentage of population. In this context, having reliable screening instruments for depression represents a major advantage. A widely used screening tool is the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology – Self-Report version (QIDS-SR). The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric proprieties of the Romanian version of QIDS-SR as a diagnostic measure for depression. The data were collected from Romanian adult participants (N = 148) who expressed interest in an online therapeutic program for depression. Our sample included both normal (N = 48) and clinically depressed (N = 100) participants. Diagnostic assessments were conducted using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. The Romanian QIDS-SR demonstrated high convergent validity with Beck Depression Inventory - II (r=.83) and good internal consistency (α=.74). Receiver operating characteristics analysis demonstrated satisfactory diagnostic validity for the QIDS-SR. The optimal ratio between sensitivity and specificity was set at 15 for the QIDS-SR. It was concluded that QIDS-SR represents an adequate, useful and cost-effective screening instrument for clinical depression in Romania.
Keywords: depression measures, QIDS-SR, ROC analysis, optimal cut-off scoreabs>
Address of correspondence: bogdan.tulbure@e-uvt.ro
Stancu, A., Ilin, C., & Gruicin, A. (2016). Perceived urban quality of life in Timisoara's districts Romanian Journal of Applied Psychology, 18 (1), 13-17.more details. Download PDF
Abstract: Media and previous research on quality of life for residents of Timisoara highlighted discontent about the level of pollution, hospitals, job and business opportunities, and the overall quality of life in the city, and contentment regarding schools, utilities and private medical centers (Morais & Camanho, 2011; Agenția pentru Dezvoltare Regionala Vest, 2013). We conducted an analysis of differences between the two districts regarding subjective advantages and disadvantages, the general level of urban quality of life and the level of neighborhood and community quality of life. We applied the questionnaire on urban quality of life adapted by Alexander Keul (2008) after Detroit Area Study developed by Robert Marans (2001), on 90 citizens from Timișoara, from Soarelui and Circumvalatiunii districts. Results showed significant differences between the two neighborhoods for the general level of urban quality of life, and for the perceived quality of the neighborhood. There were no significant differences for the level of perceived quality of the community. In conclusion, the citizens from the district Circumvalațiunii had a higher degree of urban quality of life when compared with the citizens of the district Soarelui. Also, citizens from Circumvalațiunii were more satisfied with the quality of their neighborhood than citizens from Soarelui. The qualitative and quantitative results and further directions are discussed in this article.
Keywords: urban quality of life, neighborhood, community, Timisoara.
Address of correspondence: alexandra.docea@uniroma1.it
Yanagisawa, H. (2016). Relationship of a chaos equation to Piaget's developmental theory and selective attention deficits. Romanian Journal of Applied Psychology, 18 (1), 18-23.more details. Download PDF
Abstract: Piaget's theory provides a typical example of a relationship between human development and chaos theory. Here, Piaget's developmental theory and selective attention deficits are compared with a chaos equation. Continuous covariation is a necessary condition to equilibrium and the chaos phenomenon, and equilibrium is the converged solution in a chaos equation. Each convergence and non-convergence is a fixed and a chaotic state. In many chaos equations, there are two kinds of variables that change or do not change each site beyond the Feigenbaum point. Two types of developmental disorders are assumed. One is low speed in judging convergence or nonconvergence. The other is low-speed change after a person's own judgment. In the former, a person cannot sense a difference between a converging point and his present state. Because he/she cannot understand others' emotions, he/she will continue with his/her experience with no convergence . Therefore, he/she cannot request help, and it might be thought that he/she can wait. This type is equivalent to Asperger's syndrome. In the latter, a person senses a difference. Because the person strictly feels the difference between a fixed point and his/her present state, he/she cannot wait for convergence. Therefore, he can request help. His present ate might be anger, and this type is equivalent to ADHD. In the former, a wide chaotic state narrows with experience. Piaget's developmental theory might be that humans have the ability to change each state. Chaos theory shows "Selective attention deficits with autism" as two different patterns in non-convergence or convergence.
Keywords: Piaget, chaos, convergence, autism, equilibrium..
Address of correspondence: science2001007@ybb.ne.jp
RJAP Volume 18 Issue 2
Contents
Iancu, A.E., Hogea, A., & Olteanu, A.F. (2016). The association between personality and aggressive driving: A meta-analysis Romanian Journal of Applied Psychology, 18 (2), 24-32.more details. Download PDF
Abstract: The aim of the present paper was to synthesize previous results on the relationship between personality (from the perspective of the Big Five Model and Alternative Five model) and aggressive driving. Secondly, we aimed at identifying the model of personality with the highest level of association to aggressive driving. The statistical analyses were conducted exclusively for those dimensions of personality that overlap (i.e., Neuroticism vs. Neuroticism-Anxiety, Extraversion vs. Sociability, Agreeableness vs. Aggression - Hostility). We searched for empirical studies with (1) cross-sectional design, (2) all the data needed for the meta-analytical computations, and (3) written in English. Database searches revealed a sample of 78 articles out of which 16 were eligible. The total sample of participants was of 6,721. Using a random effects framework, regarding the Big Five Model, we found a weak effect size for the relationship between Neuroticism and aggressive driving (r = .26, p < .001), a very weak relationship between Extraversion and aggressive driving (r = .07, p = .03), and a weak effect size for Agreeableness and aggressive driving (r = -.26, p < .001). Regarding the Alternative Five model, we identified a weak effect size for Neuroticism – Anxiety (r = .21, p = .05), marginally significant and weak effect for Sociability (r = .21, p = .06), and a moderate effect size for Aggression – Hostility and aggressive driving (r = .41, p = .00). The comparison between the two models of personality revealed that the AFM is more related to aggressive driving than BFM.
Keywords: Aggressive driving, the Big Five model, the Alternative Five model
Address of correspondence: alina.iancu@e-uvt.ro
Sharma, G., Chandra, S., Singh, V. & Mittal, A.P. (2016). Selection of spatial reference frames depends on task's demands. Romanian Journal of Applied Psychology, 18 (2), 33-39.more details. Download PDF
Abstract: Spatial reference frames (SRF) are the means of representing spatial relations or locations either in an egocentric coordinate system (centred on navigator) or in an allocentric coordinate system (Centred on object). It is necessary to understand when and how spatial representation switches between allocentric and egocentric reference frames in context to spatial tasks. The objective of this study was to explore if the elementary spatial representation does exist, whether it would remain consistent or change under the influence of a task's demand. Also, we explored how the SRF would assist if the environment is enriched with landmarks, having multiple routes for wayfinding. The results showed that the switching of SRF depends not only on the default representation but also on a task's demand. They also demonstrated that participants who were using allocentric representation performed better in the presence of landmarks.
Keywords: Spatial Representation, Spatial Visualization, Spatial Updating, Spatial Orientation, Virtual Reality.>
Address of correspondence: greeshmacct@gmail.com
Pacurar, R., & Magurean, S. (2016). The influence of learning context of implementation intentions over the increase in fruit consumption: preliminary results from a pilot study. Romanian Journal of Applied Psychology, 18 (2), 40-46.more details. Download PDF
Abstract: The present research is aiming to investigate the influence of the context of learning implementation intentions over the efficiency of the intervention. 73 participants enrolled for participation in this study. They learned a behavioral self-regulation strategy meant to help them implement their intentions to increase fruit consumption. The participants were randomized in one of the three experimental conditions: ego-depletion, control, hopelessness. All the participants, regardless of the experimental condition they were assigned to, where given a presentation on implementation intentions. They all designed "if-then" plans to increase fruit consumption. The pretest results concerning fruit consumption within the 48 hours before participation showed that approximately half of the participants already eat more than three fruits within the last 48 hours before pretest. Hence we decided to exclude them from the analysis, because they would benefit less from implementing an implementation intention strategy as they are already eating at least two fruits / day as a minimum intake. The preliminary analyses made on the retained sample showed that there are no significant differences between the three experimental conditions regarding a change in quantity, calories or pieces of fruit from fruit intake. Even though the results are not statistically significant, in this pilot study we have noticed a descriptive trend suggesting that the ego-depletion effect might be less intense and transitory because the fruit intake (quantity, calories and pieces), at 96 hours after the experiment, seems to be almost the same as it was in pretest.
Keywords: learning context, implementation intentions, ego-depletion, hopelessness, healthy food
Address of correspondence: roxana.sarbu@e-uvt.ro
Karmakar, R. (2016). Positive psychological capital and parenting styles among adolescents: Khasi and non-Khasi scenario. Romanian Journal of Applied Psychology, 18 (2), 47-52.more details. Download PDF
Abstract: The psychological capital (PsyCap), an individual’s positive psychological state of development, is characterized by four components. These four components are (1) Hope (commonly associated with one’s positive expectancy towards the future, (2) Self-efficacy (confidence to put in considerable effort to succeed at challenging task), (3) Resilience (individual’s capability to successfully cope with adverse circumstances, uncertainty and conflict and (4) Optimism (a cognitive process directed at positive outcomes or expectancies of a bright and prosperous future). The sample consists of 160 Khasi (75 boys and 85 girls selected from East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya) and 185 non-Khasi (100 boys and 85 girls selected from Kolkata district of West Bengal) adolescents studying at high schools of East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya and Kolkata district of West Bengal. Parental Authority Questionnaire and Psychological Capital Scale were used to assess the parenting style and positive PsyCap, respectively. The results revealed that dimensions of positive PsyCap vary with respect to culture and the effect of culture is prominent among adolescent boys. Non-Khasi adolescent boys are significantly higher on positive PsyCap dimensions than their Khasi counterparts. Adolescents who perceive their parents as high on authoritarian dimension display lower level of Positive PsyCap and its dimensions while those perceive their parents as high on authoritative style score higher on Positive PsyCap and its dimensions. Implications for parental practices and positive PsyCap in families and schools are discussed.
Keywords: adolescents, culture, parenting style, positive psychological capital.
Address of correspondence: rk_r80@rediffmail.com