scholarly journals Separating Content and Structure in Humor Appreciation

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Heintz

Abstract. The present study empirically tests a bimodal model of humor appreciation. In this model, individual differences in evaluating jokes and cartoons are attributed to their contents (sexual and aggressive) and structures (incongruity-resolution and nonsense). A total of 225 participants (64% women, Mage = 32.37 years) rated 50 jokes and cartoons on funniness, offensiveness, and boringness. They also completed a standard humor appreciation measure (the 3 WD). Using structural equation modeling, the bimodal model was found to be superior to alternative models. Regressions predicting the 3 WD categories supported the convergent and discriminant validity of the content and structure factors. In line with previous research, gender differences were found for the content factors, but not for the structure factors. Overall, this study is the first to show the viability of bimodal models of humor appreciation. They allow capturing the sources of individual differences in humor appreciation more adequately than previous models, thus providing a basis for future theories, research, and applications.

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 670-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Spagnoli ◽  
Susana C. Santos ◽  
António Caetano

Entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) seems to play a key role in the entrepreneurial career choice. The main goal of this study is to examine the reliability and validity of the ESE Scale proposed by McGee, Peterson, Mueller, and Sequeira both in Italy and Portugal. In particular, this study aims to strengthen and extend previous evidence of the Italian version of the ESE Scale and to assess its psychometric properties in Portugal. Furthermore, it aims at investigating the differences between two groups of participants both in Italy and Portugal: entrepreneurs and students. Construct, convergent, and discriminant validity of the ESE Scale were assessed through confirmatory factorial analysis and multigroups confirmatory factorial analysis using structural equation modeling. Configural, full metric, and partial scalar invariance were achieved. Moreover, correlational analysis, reliability analysis, and one-way analysis of variance were conducted. The findings support the use of the ESE Scale in Italy and Portugal for research and practical purposes. Limitation and suggestion for further research are also discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (01) ◽  
pp. 1750005
Author(s):  
PAOLA SPAGNOLI ◽  
SUSANA C. SANTOS ◽  
ANTONIO CAETANO

The development of sound evidence-based entrepreneurial potential assessment tools is particularly recommended to foster entrepreneurship and to evaluate specific entrepreneurial training initiatives in schools and universities. The present study is aimed at examining construct, convergent and discriminant validity of the Attitude Toward Enterprise test (ATE test) in Italy. Configural and measurement invariance were conducted for testing construct validity using Structural Equation Modeling on three groups of students: high school; university undergraduate; and university postgraduate. Correlational and reliability analyses were conducted to test convergent, discriminant and consistency of the scale. Results show that the Italian version of the scale is a valuable tool for research and practical purposes in Italy. Limitations and suggestions for further research are also discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ned Kock

The author discusses common method bias in the context of structural equation modeling employing the partial least squares method (PLS-SEM). Two datasets were created through a Monte Carlo simulation to illustrate the discussion: one contaminated by common method bias, and the other not contaminated. A practical approach is presented for the identification of common method bias based on variance inflation factors generated via a full collinearity test. The author's discussion builds on an illustrative model in the field of e-collaboration, with outputs generated by the software WarpPLS. They demonstrate that the full collinearity test is successful in the identification of common method bias with a model that nevertheless passes standard convergent and discriminant validity assessment criteria based on a confirmation factor analysis.


Author(s):  
Arthur Ong Buenavista ◽  

This study investigated the relationships among managerial leadership, transformational leadership, and performance of school administrators of Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Covariance-Based SEM (CB-SEM), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with its default Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) were used to test the hypothesized model that managerial leadership covary transformational leadership which were both related to the school administrators’ performance. Results revealed that of the eight alternative models, two equivalent models, one model generates every probability distribution that can be generated by another model, Model B3 and Model D3 were generated, got the smallest Alkaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayes Information Criterion (BIC) indicating that both models had relatively better fit. Model B3 and Model D3 have the same degrees of freedom but feature a different configuration of paths among the same variables. However, of the two equivalent models, model B3 was rejected due to discriminant validity concerns while model D3 passed both measurement model and structural model, model D3 was confirmed and retained. As contribution to the fields of education, management and leadership, the researcher confirmed and recommends, through CB-SEM using CFA with its default MLE, the Managerial Leadership and Performance as fully mediated by Transformational Leadership Model.


Author(s):  
Nana Esi Quagraine ◽  
Cai Li ◽  
Isaac Ahakwa ◽  
Nana Aba Quagraine

This paper explored the link between dynamic capabilities, innovation capabilities, and competitive advantage of telecommunication companies in Ghana, considering a mediation interaction. Data were obtained from two hundred and fifty (250) employees from selected telecommunication companies in the Accra metropolis through simple random probability sampling. However, two hundred and forty-two (242) responses were deemed accurate and used in the analysis. Partial Least Squares (PLS) based on Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed in the analysis. From the findings, this study’s data met internal consistency reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity. Dynamic capabilities had a positive and significant impact on innovation capability and competitive advantage. Also, dynamic capabilities through innovation capability positively impacted competitive advantage and were statistically significant. Based on the findings, it’s recommended that organizations and managers consider both exploitation and exploration competencies in product development as both competencies influence various aspects of an organization’s competitive advantage, as this will help ensure organizations’ sustainable performance and thus remain competitive.


2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 633-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsien-Yuan Hsu ◽  
Tze-Li Hsu ◽  
KoFan Lee ◽  
Lori Wolff

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the construct validity of Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB) using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). The data were drawn from the national survey of Midlife in the United States conducted during 1994 and 1995. Measurement models assuming different number of factors (1-6 factors) and considering the effect of negatively wording items were specified and compared to determine optimal number of underlying factors. The discriminant validity was assessed following Farrell’s suggestions. The results showed the discriminant validity was questionable due to five indicators with considerable cross-loadings.


2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (13) ◽  
pp. 2018-2045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhonda G. Craven ◽  
Marjorie Seaton ◽  
Alexander S. Yeung

This study used recent advances in attitude and self-perception research to develop an Attitude to Non-Violence Scale (ANVS). Participants were students from six high schools in Australia ( N = 727). Confirmatory factor analysis using within-construct and between-construct validation approaches found two positive attitude sub-scales: Cognitive (proactive understanding) and Affective (do not endorse violence), both showing convergent and discriminant validity. Scale equivalence tests found that the sub-scales were applicable to boys and girls and to junior and senior grades. Structural equation modeling found that boys had less supportive attitudes to non-violence cognitively, whereas female students in senior secondary classes had less positive attitudes to non-violence affectively. The ANVS can be easily administered to assess youth’s non-violence attitudes, which may direct interventions focusing on boys’ cognitive aspects while maintaining girls’ positive affective attitudes toward non-violence as they mature. The positively framed instrument is suitable for education settings especially in high-risk locations where violence is prevalent.


1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane L. Spangler ◽  
David D. Burns

Several theorists have proposed that dependency and perfectionism differentially characterize depression in women and men. Structural equation modeling was conducted on a sample of 427 patients with mood disorders to test the hypotheses that: (1) depressed women exhibit greater dependency than depressed men, (2) depressed men exhibit greater perfectionism than depressed women, (3) dependency is more related to depression in women, (4) perfectionism is more related to depression in men, (5) reductions in dependency during treatment are more associated with recovery in women, and (6) reductions in perfectionism during treatment are more associated with recovery in men. No support was found for any of the hypothesized gender differences. Women and men did not differ in the level of dependency or perfectionism, or in the correlation between these variables and depression. In addition, changes in dependency and perfectionism during treatment were not differentially associated with changes in depression in women and men.


Author(s):  
Ahmad Nazim

This research demonstrates the application of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method in order to obtain the best fit model for a more efficient and accurate inter-relationship among variables findings and interpretation. For the purpose of this study, secondary data of Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) was used. The questionnaire were distributed by using two stage stratified cluster sampling technique to 5733 eighth grades students in Malaysia. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Discriminant Validity and Path Analysis had been conducted to obtain the best fit model of SEM. At the end of the study, a best fit model will be obtained for a better accuracy and precision estimation in further analysis.


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