Measuring Motivation for Cognitive Effort as State

People's motivation to engage in cognitive effort is a variable which is relevant in different psychological domains (e.g., social cognition research). Despite its potential benefits, a psychometrically sound state measure of cognitive motivation is still lacking. We therefore developed the 10-item motivation for cognition (MFC) state scale based on the established conceptualization and measure of trait need for cognition (NFC). In two studies, we examined the psychometric properties of the new measure. Study 1 revealed that the MFC scale reliably measures a one-dimensional construct. Moreover, the MFC scale was related to NFC and choice of task effort in an expected manner. In Study 2, relationships with NFC, achievement motives, self-control capacity, subjective vitality, momentary affect, and choice of task effort provide further preliminary support for the MFC scale as being a valid measure of momentary cognitive motivation. We discuss the utility of the new scale in psychological research and practice.

Marginal Citizens: Interracial intimacies and the incarceration of Japanese Canadians, 1942–1949

Following Japan’s 1941 attacks on Hawai’i and Hong Kong, Canada relocated, detained, and exiled citizens and residents of Japanese ancestry. Many interracial families, however, were exempted from this racial project called the internment. The form of the exemption was an administrative permit granted to its holder on the basis of their marital or patrilineal proximity to whiteness. This article analyzes these permits relying on archival research and applying a critical race feminist lens to explore how law was constitutive of race at this moment in Canadian history. I argue that the permits recategorized interracial intimacies towards two racial ends: to differentiate the citizen from the “enemy alien”; and to regulate the interracial family according to patriarchal common law principles. This article nuances received narratives of law as an instrument of racial exclusion by documenting the way in which a new inclusive state measure sustained old exclusions.

Development of a strategy for the development of small business in the confectionery sector and assessment of the effectiveness of it

The article highlights the issues related to the analysis of the activities of small business confectionery companies and the justification of the need to adjust the implemented development strategy in modern economic conditions. The analysis of the activities of three small businesses in the confectionery industry is carried out. The directions of strategies for the development of small business enterprises in the confectionery industry have been determined, a systematic approach to assessing strategic development has been formed and tested on the example of one of the enterprises in terms of com modity turnover and commercial transaction and cost intensity and profitability. T he conclusion is made about t he possibility of the system of indicators of t he effective ness of the strategy to correctly assess t he state, measure its quality level, identify significant shortcomings in the organization of management and used reserves and out line ways of improvement.

Relationship Between Patient and Informant Assessment of Personality and Cognitive Status

Personality has been linked to risk of dementia. Most studies ask individuals to rate their own personality traits or for a knowledgeable informant to perform the rating; few collect data from both. When informants are asked to give an estimate of the patient’s lifelong personality traits, they often describe personality before disease onset. When asked to self-rate, patients may instead assess their personality as they see themselves, providing a personality-state measure. The goal of this study was to assess agreement between two independent measures of personality and evaluate whether stage of cognitive impairment and characteristics of patients or caregivers impact concordance. In 79 consecutive patient-caregiver dyads presenting to our center (mean age:76.8±8.4; 44.1% female; 6% cognitively normal, 41% MCI; and 53% dementia) with in-depth psychosocial and neuropsychological evaluations, we found informants rated patients lower on openness (O) (ICC=0.434; 95%CI: 0.235-0.598) and agreeableness (A) (ICC=0.491; 95%CI: 0.302-0.643) and higher on extraversion (O) (ICC=0.396; 95%CI: 0.191-0.568) and neuroticism (N) (ICC=0.444; 95%CI: 0.247-0.607). Greater discordance was observed in established dementia (ICCE=0.497; 95%CI: 0.222-0.700; ICCA=0.337; 95%CI:0.031-0.586; ICCN=0.422; 95%CI: 0.191-0.683), compared with MCI (ICCO=0.568; 95%CI: 0.282-0.762). We explored the effect of patient and caregiver mood and caregiver burden on personality ratings. Although personality is typically described as a trait, we present evidence that in the eyes of patients, personality ratings may represent a state that changes across the spectrum of cognitive impairment. Understanding how patients and caregivers differentially perceive personality may assist in developing novel psychotherapeutic interventions and approaches dealing with behavioral manifestations of dementia.

Assessing Personality States: What to Consider when Constructing Personality State Measures

Repeated assessments of personality states in daily diary or experience sampling studies have become a more and more common tool in the psychologist's toolbox. However, and contrary to the widely available literature on personality traits, no best practices for the development of personality state measures exist, and personality state measures have been developed in many different ways. To address this, we first define what a personality state is and discuss important components. On the basis of this, we define what a personality state measure is and suggest a general guideline for the development of such measures. Following the ABC of test construction can then guide the strategy for obtaining validity and reliability evidence: (A) What is the construct being measured? (B) What is the intended purpose of the measure? And (C) What is the targeted population of persons and situations? We then conclude with an example by developing an initial item pool for the assessment of conscientiousness personality states. © 2020 The Authors. European Journal of Personality published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Association of Personality Psychology

Exposure to thin-ideal conforming and non-conforming bodies elicits ‘feeling fat’: Validation of a novel state measure

‘Feeling fat’ refers to the subjective experience of being overweight and relates to severity of eating pathology. Despite research suggesting that ‘feeling fat’ fluctuates across contexts, this construct is almost exclusively assessed in terms of frequency or as a trait. Examining state ‘feeling fat’ in response to external stimuli can inform us of the nature of this construct. A community sample of women (N = 290) viewed affective images and images of women at different body weights. Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) valence and arousal rating scales as well as a novel SAM ‘feeling fat’ scale were rated for each image. Theoretically-related constructs (i.e., trait ‘feeling fat’, thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, eating pathology) were measured. Body images elicited greater state ‘feeling fat’ than affective images, with images of thin-ideal non-conforming bodies producing higher state ‘feeling fat’ than thin-ideal conforming bodies. Positive correlations were observed between state ‘feeling fat’ in response to thin-ideal conforming images and all variables of interest, whereas associations between these variables and ‘feeling fat’ in response to thin-ideal non-conforming images were small and often non-significant. The development of a state measure of ‘feeling fat’ allows for the investigation of triggers of this bodily experience and will facilitate future research.

Government-Funded Sustainable Development and Professionalisation of NGOs

This paper addresses the first financial initiative of the Slovenian government for the professionalisation and development of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to promote sustainability in the third sector. The measure was the result of the Non-Governmental Organisations Act, adopted in 2018, and was followed by the Development strategy of non-governmental organisations and volunteering until 2023 (DSNGOV). The state’s contribution to an increased level of professionalisation was welcomed by NGOs because, compared to other EU28 states, which have an average employment rate of 4.18%, Slovenia is far behind, with only 0.82% of its active working population being employed in the NGO sector. In May 2018, the Ministry of Public Administration released invitations to fund projects for the development and professionalisation of NGOs and voluntary service, providing grants for 100 NGO jobs. The final project results were compiled in March 2020, and the findings were evaluated in 29 survey reports in April 2020. The research focused on the occupations for which employees were sought, legal forms of the applicant NGOs and recruitment methods. The results demonstrate that the state measure was successful, as 69% of the funded jobs were sustained. However, most of the retained jobs were filled by those who were previously employed in the NGO sector (84.6%), so the employment rate has barely risen.

STIMULANT MEDICATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH ENHANCING, RATHER THAN UNDERMINING, PERCEPTIONS OF THE TRUE ACADEMIC SELF

Introduction: Stimulant medication is effective in treating Attention Deficit Hyper-activity Disorder, and by removing barriers to success, may enhance perceptions of authenticity (i.e., feeling like one's true, core, autonomous self) among those receiving medication. In contrast, it is also possible that stimulant medications undermine perceptions of authenticity. Methods: To examine these two possibilities, 64 undergraduate students with a history of ADHD and medication usage wrote a narrative about a time when they felt either: least authentic while taking medication, most authentic while taking medication, least authentic while unmedicated, or most authentic while unmedicated. Participants then completed retrospective assessments concerning that experience. Results: Supporting the medication enhancement possibility, participants reported greater need satisfaction and more positive mood states when recalling states in which they were most like their true selves on medication than when off—especially when reporting on their academic selves. No differences were found on a state measure of prescriptive authenticity. Discussion: Results are discussed with respect to linkages to the literature on attributions and stimulant medications. Limitations and future research design possibilities are discussed as more research is needed regarding managing stimulant medication and authentic identities.

A Research Study into the impact on Emotional Stability of a Transactional Analysis Training Programme intended to develop increased levels of Adult Ego State in Adolescents in Syria

A research study is described into the impact on Adult ego state and emotional stability of 36 adolescent students (with 36 in a control group) of a training programme based on transactional analysis concepts run in a school in Damascus. An experimental battery of instruments comprised existing and new instruments including an Ego-State Wheel, an Ego State Problem-Solving Scale, an Ego State Measure, the Emotional Stability Brief Measure, and the Geneva Emotion Wheel. Results showed differences in Adult and Free Child ego states and emotional stability, and some differences between boys and girls on Nurturing Parent and Adapted Child ego states.