Boredom in online English language classes: Mediating variables and coping strategies

Although boredom has been the subject of increasing scrutiny in second language (L2) learning recently, very little is known about how this emotion can affect teachers and students involved in Covid-19 prompted online English education. To address this gap, through maximum variation sampling, this qualitative study surveyed the opinions of 34 teachers and 256 students from universities across Iran to find out which class mode (online versus physical classes) and course type (content-based versus skills-based courses) were more boring, and what – if any – coping strategies these individuals used to get over boredom. The majority of teachers and students deemed online classes more boring than traditional, in-person classes. While teachers regarded skills-based and content-based courses as equally boring, most students believed that content-based online courses were more boredom-inducing due to their lecture-type nature. Moreover, whereas the teachers had a variety of useful coping strategies in their toolbox, an alarming number of students reported either not knowing how to deal with boredom or resorting to debilitative strategies, such as playing games or leaving class altogether when boredom reached an unbearable level. The findings are discussed in light of existing evidence from boredom and personality research, and practical suggestions are made.

On the Construct-Related Validity of Implicit Trait Policies

In response to recent calls to incorporate Implicit Trait Policies (ITPs) into personality research, the current study examined the construct-related validity of ITP measures. ITPs are defined as implicit beliefs about the effectiveness of behaviors that reflect a certain trait. They are assessed by utilizing the methodology of Situational Judgment Tests. We empirically examined ( N = 339) several underlying key assumptions of ITP theory, including trait-specificity, the relation to personality traits, their context-independence, and the relation to general domain knowledge. Overall, our results showed little support for these assumptions. Although we found some confirmation for expected correlations between ITPs and personality traits, most of the observed variance in ITP measures was either method-specific or due to measurement error. We conclude that the herein examined ITP measures lack construct-related validity and discuss implications for ITP theory and assessment.

Narrative identity among people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic: The interdependent self

This study examines narrative identity among a large, diverse (American) sample of people with disabilities (PWDs) during the “second wave” of the COVID-19 pandemic (October-December, 2020). The study relied on abductive analyses, combining a purely inductive phase of inquiry followed by two rounds of investigation that filtered inductive insights through three theoretical lenses: social-ecological theory, the theory of narrative identity, and perspectives from the interdisciplinary field of disability studies. The central result was the identification of a particular configuration of self, one that was demonstrably interdependent with both immediate interpersonal contexts and with broader cultural contexts. This interdependent self was interpreted in both positive and negative ways by PWDs. These findings invite future inquiry into commonplace conceptualizations of an independent self at the center of personality research.

Emotional and Behavioral Responses to COVID-19

This review appraises evidence for the role of personality in COVID-19 related emotions and behaviors. Three key models of personality are considered: the Five-factor Model, HEXACO model, and Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST). In line with personality research, more generally, most studies focus on the Five-Factor model. Key findings are that neuroticism is most associated with poor mental health, and extraversion is associated with a reluctance to socially isolate. Conscientiousness predicts compliance with safety guidelines but also with fewer prosocial behaviors, particularly stockpiling. Research within the HEXACO framework largely confirms these findings, especially for emotionality and mental health. The additional HEXACO Honesty-Humility factor is found to be associated with prosocial views and abstention from panic buying. Studies based on the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of personality indicate emotional conflict as people wish to stay safe while maintaining a sense of normality. Behavioral compliance is driven by activation in the Fight-Flight-Freeze System (FFFS; fear-related) and the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS; anxiety-related). The Behavioral Approach System (BAS) is implicated in approach-driven behaviors such as avoiding infection. These findings have implications for health communications and post-pandemic support.

One measure to measure them all? Commentary on "Ten steps toward a better personality science"

Leising and colleagues (2021) proposed ten steps to improve personality research. We agree with most of these steps and even more with the desired goals but disagree with the proposition to use exactly one measure for one construct. Keeping the same goals in mind, we suggest an alternative solution, based on open data and open materials. An online repository that contains items and data, additional information about the scale (e.g., mode of collection), and information about the sample (e.g., age, culture), would (1) allow detecting jingle-jangle-fallacies, (2) the development of new and useful measures, (3) provide the opportunity to develop equivalent measures based on different items, and (4) could, eventually, still culminate in one measure for one construct. Ideally, each scale used would, in the long run, be identified by an unambiguous identifier that, when submitted to our suggested repository, could recreate the scale, and provide additional, relevant psychometric information.

Potential applications of personality assessments to the management of non-human primates: a review of 10 years of study

Studies of primate personality have become increasingly common over the past three decades. Recently, studies have begun to focus on the health, welfare and conservation implications of personality, and the potential applications of incorporating quantitative personality assessments into animal management programmes. However, this literature is dispersed across a multitude of settings and scientific disciplines. We conducted a review of nonhuman primate personality studies relevant to these issues published since 2010, following on from an earlier review. The databases ScienceDirect, PubMed and Web of Science were used to identify relevant articles. After eliminating irrelevant or duplicate papers, 69 studies were selected. Our review reveals that, while primate personality research is carried out on a range of species, there is strong taxonomic bias. While 28 species appeared within the reviewed literature, 52% of studies were carried out on just five species. Further, the most common research focus (43%) was validating new assessment methods or describing personality in different species, rather than exploring the links between personality and animal welfare using existing validated methods. However, among the remaining studies that did explore the role of animal personality in husbandry, health, and welfare, we identified progression towards integrating personality data into various aspects of animal management. Evidence suggests the assessment of personality may benefit social group management, enrichment practices, training protocols, health and welfare monitoring, and conservation planning for endangered species. We argue that further research which develops our understanding of primate personality and its influence in these areas will provide a valuable tool to inform animal management practices.

Personality dynamics

Traditionally, personality psychology has been understood as the study of stability in people’s dispositions. However, a different strand of personality research has highlighted the importance of acknowledging and explaining the meaningful intraindividual variation in human thoughts, feelings, and behavior across different contexts and time. The goal of this paper is to review this strand, highlight current research, and outline key questions for future research. We summarize historical perspectives on the dynamic processes underlying the emergence of personality within and across individuals (e.g. the pioneering theorizing of Allport; the person-situation debate), recent theoretical and empirical advances in incorporating dynamic processes into the definition and assessment of personality (e.g., the study of personality states; dynamic approaches to personality including Cognitive Affective Personality System [CAPS], Whole Trait Theory, the Knowledge-and-Appraisal Personality Architecture [KAPA] framework, and Nonlinear Interaction of Person and Situation [NIPS]), and new directions in current research (e.g. idiographic approaches; understanding variability in narrative identity). We end with suggestions for future research.

The way pedagogoical potential of ethno-cultural traditions of the peoples of the north influence the development of pupils' personality

Event-based approach to ethno-cultural traditions could contribute to the formation of children's abilities to identify original meanings in the natural, spiritual, material environment of their lives. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of the pedagogical potential of ethno-cultural traditions of the peoples of the North on the development of students' personality. Research methods include questionnaire survey, observation, interview, their expert evaluations, alongside with applying SPSS program. The survey included 37 schoolchildren of small Arctic schools, including nomadic schools of Tomponskiy herd. The article presents the processing and results of the questionnaire. Following the results of the study, we could state that we have substantiated the basic principles of the event approach of pedagogical practices, and have indicated individually significant data in order to determine the impact of the pedagogical potential of ethno-cultural traditions of the Arctic peoples on the personality of students.

Establishment of Entrepreneurial Character Santri Based on Human Resources Management

Objective: This research analysis about management human resources for santri Pondok Pesantren Darul Falah Amtsilati to manage academic and business personality. Research Design & Methods: This research uses qualitative research methods with case study approach. The data source in this study is primary data by conducting in-depth interviews to the manager (academic & business) and santri Pondok Pesantren Darul Falah Amtsilati. And observations were made to observe directly about the state of Darul Falah Amtsilati boarding school. Data analysis techniques use source triangulation. Findings: The results of this study showed that in the formation of the character of boarding schools Darul Falah Amtsilati using methods of precision, planting discipline, habituation, creating a conducive atmosphere, as well as integration and internalization. From the formation of the entrepreneurial character has been done based on the character of Islamic human resource. Where shiddiq is taught with honesty, trust by emphasizing responsibility, tabligh conveys correctly, and fathonah is realized by the selection of santri based on criteria. Implications & Recommendations: The implication of the results of this study is that the pesantren has used Islamic resource principles in the recruitment and learning process but needs to be improved or perfected in the implementation of learning by creating special classes for business character building. The aim is to help develop the quality of productive pesantren business managers. Contribution & Value Added: The contribution of the results of this study is to provide input to pesantren in improving the quality of prospective Islamic resources who will become managers of productive business activities of pesantren.