When the topic of social media usage arises, the connotation is usually negative, with a focus on the negative impact both on the individual and on society (Greysen, Kind, & Chretien, 2010). In response to these perceived negative effects, some researchers have created a Social Media Disorder Scale (Van Den Eijnden, Lemmens, & Valkenburg, 2016) in order to address a diagnostic cutoff for social media disorder. However, relatively less research has been focused on measuring the potentially positive effects of social media on the individual and on society. In an effort to address this issue, the aim of the present research was to create a scale to evaluate social media behavior in reference to altruism, connectedness and maladaptive behaviors. Exploratory factor analyses revealed five factor subscales comprising our 21-item scale. Predictive validity analyses with the five factor subscales found age and gender differences in predicting Social Media Disorder.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is common among college students. The disease perpetuates depressive symptoms and potentially leads to chronic depressive episodes. Existing literature has shown that students who use both cognitive and behavioral maladaptive coping skills are more prone to endure depressive symptoms and poorer academic performance. Despite these known associations, little research has examined the relationship between coping skills and self-efficacy in response to warning signs of MDD in college students. This study sought to fill the gaps in the research of MDD related to precursors, predictors, and coping mechanisms among undergraduate students in a national sample of U.S. college students. Secondary data (N = 6,713) were analyzed from the Healthy Minds Study 2012, which used the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) with a test-retest reliability. Social learning and social cognitive theories were used as the theoretical frameworks to focus on problems such as management of life activities, academic success, and maladaptive beliefs. Analyses of the data from the cross-sectional survey using multiple linear and logistic regressions indicated a statistically significant relationship between depressive symptoms and the potential predictive factors of MDD. These findings contribute positively to social change by informing the work of therapists and program developers, who may use these results to create programs that reduce depressive symptoms among undergraduates.

Personality disorders have traditionally been considered refractory to psychological interventions. Two of the most common, and potentially harmful personality disorders are antisocial personality disorder / psychopathy, and narcissism. Although a great deal of conceptual overlap exists between psychopathy and narcissism, the empirical study of these constructs has proceeded largely independently of one another. Further complicating the discrimination of these constructs is the identification of the bi-factorial nature of psychopathy - conceptualised as primary and secondary psychopathy - as well as the identification of two distinct forms of narcissism, overt and covert. The recent resurgence of interest in the sub-clinical manifestations of these two constructs has led to the development of a number of easily administered instruments to measure each of the psychopathy and narcissism constructs, as dimensional traits, within normal populations. This has provided empirically validated and reliable instruments to further explicate these two overlapping constructs. The first of the two studies reported sought to discriminate between psychopathy and narcissism through the recharacterisation of these constructs in terms of the early maladaptive schemas outlined in Young’s early maladaptive schema theory (Young, 1999). Two hundred and ninety one participants completed questionnaires measuring primary and secondary psychopathy, overt and covert narcissism, and early maladaptive schemas. Findings are consistent with the hypothesis that psychopathy and narcissism are discriminable in cognitive-interpersonal terms, as operationalised by early maladaptive schemas. Findings also call into question the earlier observed hierarchical structure of the Young Schema Questionnaire. The current analysis identified a two-factor structure to the schema questionnaire, rather than the previously stated 5-factors. Having demonstrated the usefulness of understanding psychopathy and narcissism in cognitive-interpersonal terms, the second study sought to further clarify the association between psychopathy and narcissism through the reconceptualisation of these constructs in cognitive terms, through the identification of the cognitive distortions operative in each disorder. One hundred and thirty two participants completed a cognitive distortions questionnaire developed by the author, along with the same measures of primary and secondary psychopathy, and overt and covert narcissism, as those administered in study 1. Findings were interpreted as providing support for the notion of psychopathy representing a sub-category of narcissism. Findings also provide further supportive evidence for the validity of the primary / secondary psychopathy, and overt / covert narcissism distinctions. The further clarification of the factor structure of the Young Schema Questionnaire, and the replication of the reliability and construct validity of the measure of cognitive distortions developed for this research are highlighted as areas for future research.

The aim was to examine whether measurements of creativity as a domain general trait can explain possible connections between a domain general creative performance and one of the creative domain specific areas, humor. Another aim was to examine whether the maladaptive humor styles can explain possible differences in creative performances. An Internet-based survey was used on 281 students from a Swedish university. The survey was composed of three parts consisting of three separate measuring instruments – Sense of Humor Questionnaire (SHQ-6) was used to measure the respondents’ sense of humor, Humor Style Questionnaire (HSQ) measured the respondents’ humor style and Alternate Uses Test (AUT) gave the respondents an opportunity to account for their creative performances. The results showed no significant correlations between the respondents’ sense of humor and their creative performances. Neither could the maladaptive humor styles explain any significant differences in creative performances. However it was found that a low degree of self-defeating humor style had a significant interaction effect on differences in elaboration between low and high degrees of aggressive humor style.

Theses Title: Cognitive construct of attachment by addicted people Autor: Ivana Křížová ABSTRACT This dissertation thesis aims to the theme of attachment as a cognitive construct. The purpose is to explore if is a relation between attachment style and the cognitive constructs that are associated with it by addicted people. The thesis is based on on the theory of personal constructs and personal meaning of events in the life of people. The theoretical part describes theory of attachment, cognitive constructs and addiction. The empirical part describes research design and data analysis. To the research was used a research battery that measured attachment style, early maladaptive schemas and cognitive constructs related to attachment. The research battery consisted of Adult Attachment Projective (AAP), Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR), Young Schemas Questionnaire (YSQ) and non-standardized Cognitive Construct Questionnaire (DKK). The research group consisted of 91 probands, probands with addicted disorder, probands with psychiatric disorder and non-clinical population. Results are partly confirmed relation between cognitive constructs and attachment style. It was confirmed that the consensus of measurement of the attachment styles is significantly higher in the safe style of attachment. Addicted...

Objectif. Les avancées technologiques procurent aux jeunes enfants un accès sans précédent aux médias violents. Pourtant, l’étendue et la persistance des risques psychosociaux et scolaires à long terme découlant de l’exposition précoce à des médias violents demeurent méconnues. Cette étude vise donc à examiner les associations prospectives entre l’exposition préscolaire à des contenus télévisuels violents et le bien-être psychosocial des filles et des garçons au début de l’adolescence. Méthode. Les participants (978 filles et 998 garçons) de cette étude longitudinale prospective proviennent de la cohorte de naissances de l'Étude longitudinale du développement des enfants du Québec (ÉLDEQ). Les parents ont rapporté la fréquence d’exposition à des contenus télévisuels violents de leur enfant à l’âge de 3,5 ans et 4,5 ans. Huit ans plus tard, huit indicateurs importants du bien-être psychosocial de l’enfant à 12 ans ont été rapportés par l’enseignant et l’adolescent. Pour mesurer les associations prospectives, les indicateurs de bien-être psychosocial à 12 ans ont d’abord été régressé linéairement sur l’exposition à des contenus télévisuels violents à l’âge de 3,5 et 4,5 ans, et cela, pour chaque enfant, sans distinction du sexe. Puis, des analyses stratifiées par le sexe ont été effectuées. L’ensemble des analyses ont été contrôlées pour des caractéristiques individuelles et familiales confondantes. Résultats. Pour les filles, l’exposition préscolaire à des contenus télévisuels violents est associée à une augmentation de la détresse émotionnelle (β = 0,11; intervalle de confiance [IC] 95 %, 0,13 à 0,49) et à une diminution de l’engagement en classe (β = -0,10; IC 95 %, -1,55 à -0,40), du rendement scolaire (β = -0,16; IC 95 %, -3,48 à -1,72) et de la motivation intrinsèque scolaire (β = -0,07; IC 95 %, -1,09 à -0,07) à l’âge de 12 ans. Pour les garçons, l’exposition préscolaire à des contenus télévisuels violents est associée à une augmentation de la détresse émotionnelle (β = 0,10; IC 95 %, 0,13 à 0,53), de l’inattention (β = 0,08; IC 95 %, 0,06 à 0,45), des comportements découlant du trouble des conduites (β = 0,06; IC 95 %, 0,00 à 0,21) et de retrait social (β = 0,08; IC 95 %, 0,05 à 0,40), ainsi qu’à une diminution de l’engagement en classe (β = -0,07; IC 95 %, -1,57 à -0,12), du rendement scolaire (β = -0,07; IC 95 %, -2,15 à -0,23) et de la motivation intrinsèque scolaire (β = -0,07; IC 95 %, -1,13 à -0,03) à l’âge de 12 ans. Conclusion. Nos résultats révèlent des risques psychosociaux et scolaires distincts et persistants au début de l'adolescence associés à l'exposition préscolaire à des contenus télévisuels violents pour les filles et les garçons. La diminution de l'exposition à des contenus violents à l'écran durant les années préscolaires représente une intervention parentale bénéfique et un objectif d'éducation aux médias. / Objective. The extent to which the long-term risks of early exposure to media violence remains unclear. This study aims to examine whether preschool exposure to violent media predicts a range of associated psycho-social and academic risks for boys and for girls in early adolescence. Methods. Participants (978 girls and 998 boys) are from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development birth cohort. Self- and teacher-reported measures of child psycho-social and academic adjustment indicators at age 12 years were linearly regressed on parent-reported child exposure to televised violence at age 3.5 and 4.5 years, while adjusting for potential confounders. Results. For girls, violent televiewing during preschool years was associated with increases in emotional distress (β = 0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13 to 0.49) and decreases in classroom engagement (β = -0.10; 95% CI, -1.55 to -0.40), academic achievement (β = -0.16; 95% CI, -3.48 to -1.72), and intrinsic academic motivation (β = -0.07; 95% CI, -1.09 to -0.07) at age 12 years. For boys, violent televiewing during preschool years was associated with increases in emotional distress (β = 0.10; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.53), inattention (β = 0.08; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.45), and conduct disordered (β = 0.06; 95% CI, 0.00 to 0.21) and socially withdrawn behavior (β = 0.08; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.40), as well as decreases in classroom engagement (β = -0.07; 95% CI, -1.57 to -0.12), academic achievement (β = -0.07; 95% CI, -2.15 to -0.23) and intrinsic academic motivation (β = -0.07; 95% CI, -1.13 to -0.03) at age 12 years. Conclusion. Our findings in early adolescence reveal distinct, persistent risks associated with preschool exposure to violent televiewing for boys and girls. Diminishing preschool screen violence exposure represents a useful parent intervention and media literacy target.

No description available.

Practical drift is defined as the unintentional adaptation of routine behaviors from written procedure. The occurrence of practical drift can result in catastrophic disaster in high-reliability organizations (e.g. the military, emergency medicine, space exploration). Given the lack of empirical research on practical drift, this research sought to develop a better understanding by investigating ways to assess and stop the process in high-reliability organizations. An introductory literature review was conducted to investigate the variables that play a role in the occurrence of practical drift in teams. Research was guided by the input-throughput-output model of team adaptation posed by Burke, Stagl, Salas, Pierce, and Kendall (2006). It demonstrates relationships supported by the results of the literature review and the Burke and colleagues (2006) model denoting potential indicators of practical drift in teams. Research centralized on the core processes and emergent states of the adaptive cycle; namely, shared mental models, team situation awareness, and coordination. The resulting model shows the relationship of procedure—practice coupling demands misfit and maladaptive violations of procedure being mediated by shared mental models, team situation awareness, and coordination. Shared mental models also lead to team situation awareness, and both depict a mutual, positive relationship with coordination. The cycle restarts when an error caused by maladaptive violations of procedure creates a greater misfit between procedural demands and practical demands. This movement toward a theory of practical drift in teams provides a conceptual framework and testable propositions for future research to build from, giving practical avenues to predict and prevent accidents resulting from drift in high-reliability organizations. Suggestions for future research are also discussed, including possible directions to explore. By examining the relationships reflected in the new model, steps can be taken to counteract organizational failures in the process of practical drift in teams.

No description available.

Lorsque des animaux montrent un choix préférentiel pour un habitat à effet puits, on dit alors qu’ils sont capturés par un piège écologique. La sélection de l’habitat est bénéfique dans les systèmes classiques de type source-puits, puisque les animaux vivant dans des habitats de haute qualité (natalité>mortalité), choisissent de migrer vers des habitats de faible qualité (natalité<mortalité), uniquement lorsqu’il n’y a pas suffisamment d’habitat de haute qualité disponible. A l’intérieur d’un habitat de type piège écologique le choix est dangereux, et peut conduire à l’extirpation rapide d’une espèce, puisque les animaux vivant dans des habitats de haute qualité choisissent de migrer vers des habitats de faible qualité, même lorsqu’il y a suffisamment d’habitat de haute qualité disponible. Les pièges écologiques ont lieu lorsque des changements naturels ou induits par l’homme se produisent rapidement et que des déterminants de la sélection de l’habitat qui étaient alors sélectionnés deviennent trompeurs, entraînant des choix d’habitats inadaptés de la part des animaux. Pour distinguer un habitat de type puits d’un piège écologique, des connaissances complémentaires sont nécessaires, sur la relation entre les préférences d’habitat et la qualité de l’habitat. Dans l’écosystème de Hwange, les lycaons semblent baser le choix d’habitat sur les déterminants écologiques améliorant la fitness. Ils ont une meilleure efficacité de chasse dans la zone tampon à l’extérieur du parc national de Hwange, une compétition moindre avec les lions et avec les hyènes, ainsi qu’un meilleur accès à des sites de terrier. En conséquence, à l’extérieur du parc national, les lycaons donnent naissance à des portées de chiots plus grandes. Cependant, la mortalité induite par l’homme, en raison de l’effet lisière, est si grande qu’elle excède la natalité. Néanmoins, du fait qu’ils sont incapables de juger avec justesse de la qualité de l’habitat, en intégrant la mortalité induite par l’homme, les lycaons font un choix d’habitat inadapté, et ils se déplacent vers le puits de mortalité, à l’extérieur de la sécurité de l’aire protégée. En d’autres mots, les lycaons de l’écosystème de Hwange sont capturés par le piège écologique, que constitue la zone tampon située à l’extérieur du parc national de Hwange. / When animals show a preferential choice for sink habitat they are said to have been caught in an ecological trap. Habitat choice behaviour is beneficial in classic source-sink systems, as animals living in high quality habitat (natality>mortality) only choose to migrate into low quality habitat (natality<mortality) when there is not enough high quality habitat available. Within an ecological trap habitat choice is detrimental and can lead to rapid extirpation of a species, as animals living in high quality habitat choose to migrate into low quality habitat even when there is enough high quality habitat available. Ecological traps occur when sudden natural or human induced changes cause formerly reliable settlement cues to be no longer associated with an adaptive outcome, causing animals to make a maladaptive habitat choice. To be able to distinguish a sink from an ecological trap additional knowledge of the relationship between habitat preference and habitat quality is required. Within the Hwange system African wild dogs seem to base their habitat choice on the right fitness enhancing ecological cues. They experience a higher hunting efficiency in the buffer zone outside Hwange National Park, less competition with lions and spotted hyenas and a better access to suitable den sites. As a result African wild dogs outside the National Park give birth to larger litters of pups. However, due to an ‘edge effect’, human induced mortality in the buffer zone is so high it exceeds natality. African wild dogs nevertheless make a maladaptive habitat choice and move into the mortality sink outside the safety of the protected area as they are unable to judge habitat quality accurately by taking this human induced mortality risk into account. In other words, African wild dogs in the Hwange system are caught in an ecological trap in the buffer zone outside Hwange National Park.