Inconsistent reporting of life experiences: What people think and how they explain it?

Assessment of life experiences relies mainly on cross-sectional retrospective design, despite the concerns regarding inconsistent reports. Studies suggest that some individuals change their answers when asked repeatedly, but common opinions underlying this behaviour remain unknown. Our study explored personal perceptions regarding inconsistent reporting and identified associated reasons including individual, experiences-related, and design-related characteristics. Seventy-two individuals, enrolled in a longitudinal study about life experiences, answered a measure about general perceptions and involved reasons. Participants seemed to be aware that inconsistent reporting is a common behaviour, which highly impact on research. A cluster analysis revealed two clusters (i.e., variables involved versus not involved). Most disagreed that sociodemographic variables influence inconsistency, whereas memory, mood, valence, impact, mode of data collection, and interviewer features were pointed as key-variables. Our results suggest that inconsistent reporting is not straightforward and it is probably rooted in a varied and complex set of variables.

Exploring Topic-language Preferences in Multilingual Swahili Information Retrieval in Tanzania

Habitual switching of languages is a common behaviour among polyglots when searching for information on the Web. Studies in information retrieval (IR) and multilingual information retrieval (MLIR) suggest that part of the reason for such regular switching of languages is the topic of search. Unlike survey-based studies, this study uses query and click-through logs. It exploits the querying and results selection behaviour of Swahili MLIR system users to explore how topic of search (query) is associated with language preferences—topic-language preferences. This article is based on a carefully controlled study using Swahili-speaking Web users in Tanzania who interacted with a guided multilingual search engine. From the statistical analysis of queries and click-through logs, it was revealed that language preferences may be associated with the topics of search. The results also suggest that language preferences are not static; they vary along the course of Web search from query to results selection. In most of the topics, users either had significantly no language preference or preferred to query in Kiswahili and changed their preference to either English or no preference for language when selecting/clicking on the results. The findings of this study might provide researchers with more insights in developing better MLIR systems that support certain types of users and in certain scenarios.

Alignment of school discipline with positive behavioural interventions and supports: The case of one disadvantaged urban South African Primary School

Background: Positive behavioural interventions and supports (PBIS) is a framework that aligns with the South African Department of Education’s Alternatives to Corporal Punishment.Aim: The aim of this study is to provide a snapshot of the extent to which policies and practices in a disadvantaged South African primary school align with PBIS.Setting: The study was conducted at a South African primary school with grades kindergarten to Grade 7 in an urban disadvantaged community.Methods: Twenty-eight teachers, administrators and non-educational school staff completed a survey that addressed: (1) common behaviour problems; (2) the extent to which the school implements five core features of PBIS and (3) the existence of a crisis prevention and intervention plan.Results: In this disadvantaged school, there is little evidence that (1) a cohesive, evidence-based schoolwide behaviour plan exists that includes multi-tiered systems of support; (2) staff have the expertise to implement a positive and proactive behaviour plan or are provided adequate professional development; (3) staff follow the plan and are held accountable for following it and (4) a representative leadership team provides oversight and direction regarding the plan by using learner behaviour data.Conclusion: The results indicate that there is a lack of multi-tiered systems of behavioural support and a continued reliance on reactive and punitive approaches to learner behaviour. Moreover, staff do not adhere to the schoolwide behaviour plan, are not held accountable for doing so, and need training in key areas of behaviour management.

Evidence of cannibalism in a population of western Galápagos racers Pseudalsophis occidentalis (Serpentes: Colubridae)

Cannibalism is a common behaviour among snakes, but it has not yet been verified for any of the nine species of Galápagos racer (Pseudalsophis spp.), a group endemic to the Galápagos archipelago, Ecuador. Galápagos racers are opportunistic generalists feeding on a variety of vertebrate prey. There are a few anecdotal and suspected attempts of cannibalism among Galápagos racers, but it is unclear whether this behaviour occurs and if so, how frequent it is. We analysed 61 faecal samples from western Galápagos racers (Pseudalsophis occidentalis). In addition to the remains of well known prey items such as lizards, we found snake teeth and skin fragments in 11 samples. Combined with previous observations of attempted cannibalism between western Galápagos racers, our results represent evidence that this species consumes other racers as prey. Our study contributes to a growing knowledge of the natural history of Galápagos racers and highlights the role of these reptiles in complex trophic interactions in the Galápagos islands.

Stuck on repeat: Why do we continue to ruminate?

An oft misattributed piece of folk-wisdom goes: “Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.” In many cases, we don’t just do things repeatedly but think over the same topics repeatedly. People who ruminate are not often diagnosed as insane—most of us ruminate at some point in our lives—but it is a common behaviour underlying both depression and anxiety (Nolen-Hoeksema in J Abnorm Psychol 109(3):504, 2000). If rumination is something we all do at some time, what is it about ruminative thought that makes it ‘sticky’ and difficult to stop for the worst sufferers? In order to answer this question, I will present a plausible account of how ruminative behaviour becomes entrenched to the point where sufferers of anxiety and depression simply cannot make meaning from the world except in terms of the kinds of behaviours, actions and thoughts they have become reliant on. I develop my account from Barrett’s theory of constructed emotion (2006, 2011, 2014) using the work of Merleau-Ponty (Phenomenology of perception, Taylor and Francis Group. (Online), ProQuest Ebook Central, 2012. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ed/detail.action?docID=1433878. Accessed 29 Dec 2020) in order to bridge the gap between the explicit thought we experience—an important part of the lived experience of rumination. To conclude, I will apply my account to Wu and Dunning’s (Rev General Psychol 22(1):25–35, 2018; Hypocognitive mind: How lack of conceptual knowledge confines what people see and remember, 2019. 10.31234/osf.io/29ryz) theory of hypocognition to further illuminate the particular cognitive qualities that can be experienced by ruminators, i.e. a prohibited access to particular emotion concepts.

Self-Organised Collision-Free Flocking Mechanism in Heterogeneous Robot Swarms

Flocking is a social animals’ common behaviour observed in nature. It has a great potential for real-world applications such as exploration in agri-robotics using low-cost robotic solutions. In this paper, an extended model of a self-organised flocking mechanism using heterogeneous swarm system is proposed. The proposed model for swarm robotic systems is a combination of a collective motion mechanism with obstacle avoidance functions, which ensures a collision-free flocking trajectory for the followers. An optimal control model for the leader is also developed to steer the swarm to a desired goal location. Compared to the conventional methods, by using the proposed model, the swarm network has less requirement for power and storage. The feasibility of the proposed self-organised flocking algorithm is validated by realistic robotic simulation software.

From attachment insecurity to non-suicidal self-injury: The mediating role of emotion regulation

<p>Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a relatively common behaviour in adolescents. This is concerning as NSSI is a transdiagnostic risk factor for a range of mental disorders and is associated with increased risk of later suicide attempts. In this thesis, I used a longitudinal sample of New Zealand secondary school students to investigate the possible developmental pathway of parental attachment to NSSI via the mediating effect of emotion regulation. First, I examined the suitability of the Emotion Regulation Index for Children and Adolescents (ERICA; MacDermott et al., 2010) as a measure of emotion regulation in a New Zealand sample using confirmatory factor analysis, followed by a comparison with a more popularly used measure (the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale; Gratz & Roemer, 2004). Finding the ERICA to be suitable for use with my sample, I conducted a cross-lagged panel analysis with a longitudinal mediation to investigate how attachment, emotion regulation, and NSSI relate to each other over time. I found that emotion regulation was a significant mediator of the relationship between attachment and NSSI, supporting my hypothesis. The theoretical and practical implications of this are discussed in terms of the development of NSSI and intervention and treatment possibilities.</p>

From attachment insecurity to non-suicidal self-injury: The mediating role of emotion regulation

<p>Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a relatively common behaviour in adolescents. This is concerning as NSSI is a transdiagnostic risk factor for a range of mental disorders and is associated with increased risk of later suicide attempts. In this thesis, I used a longitudinal sample of New Zealand secondary school students to investigate the possible developmental pathway of parental attachment to NSSI via the mediating effect of emotion regulation. First, I examined the suitability of the Emotion Regulation Index for Children and Adolescents (ERICA; MacDermott et al., 2010) as a measure of emotion regulation in a New Zealand sample using confirmatory factor analysis, followed by a comparison with a more popularly used measure (the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale; Gratz & Roemer, 2004). Finding the ERICA to be suitable for use with my sample, I conducted a cross-lagged panel analysis with a longitudinal mediation to investigate how attachment, emotion regulation, and NSSI relate to each other over time. I found that emotion regulation was a significant mediator of the relationship between attachment and NSSI, supporting my hypothesis. The theoretical and practical implications of this are discussed in terms of the development of NSSI and intervention and treatment possibilities.</p>

Photographic ritual: visual conditions of behaviour and definitions of self

The present paper studies consumer digital photography as a cultural and social phenomenon contributing to the formation of contemporary identity. By examining the processes of production, characteristic style of representation and practical uses of both digital and analogue photographs, the study attempts to establish the qualitative distinctions between traditional and present-day photographic media and evaluate their effectiveness as modes of self-representation. Specific issues discussed include: the depreciation of the photograph as a commemorative object; intervention of digital photography into life experiences; digital photography as common behaviour or interactive ritual; and photographic theatricality as identity forming process.

Photographic ritual: visual conditions of behaviour and definitions of self

The present paper studies consumer digital photography as a cultural and social phenomenon contributing to the formation of contemporary identity. By examining the processes of production, characteristic style of representation and practical uses of both digital and analogue photographs, the study attempts to establish the qualitative distinctions between traditional and present-day photographic media and evaluate their effectiveness as modes of self-representation. Specific issues discussed include: the depreciation of the photograph as a commemorative object; intervention of digital photography into life experiences; digital photography as common behaviour or interactive ritual; and photographic theatricality as identity forming process.