Dimensionality of the Mental Toughness Questionnaire (MTQ48)

Currently there is debate as to whether mental toughness is a unidimensional or multidimensional construct. To investigate the dimensionality of the Mental Toughness Questionnaire 48-items (MTQ48), a widely used measure of mental toughness, we examined data from a sample of 78,947 participants. A series of exploratory structural equation models (ESEM) assessed unidimensional, multidimensional, and bifactor solutions. Overall, results supported a bifactor conceptualization of mental toughness. Bifactor analysis was consistent with the use of a general factor score. In conclusion, the authors argue that mental toughness should be considered as an umbrella term representing a general trait comprised of related constructs that provide a psychological advantage in performance and promote positive mental health. Finally, this article identifies limitations in the existing measurement of mental toughness and proposes necessary directions in future research.

The Psychopathology of Psychopaths

This article presents a holistic conception of psychopathy inspired by phenomenological psychopathology and compares it with the mainstream nosographic diagnosis (Schneider, Cleckley, Hare, and Cooke). The article illustrates how a structural-phenomenological approach enhances the investigation of psychopathy. An epistemological discussion of the concept of emotions reveals that psychopaths are competent at managing emotional stimuli, which bestows a psychological advantage upon them. More specifically, a reflection enlightened by the contributions of phenomenological philosophy on empathy and sympathy clarifies the presentation of “psychopathic being-in-the-world.” Starting with the tension between clinical practice and criticism of the dominant diagnostic scales, this article considers the “essential characteristics” of the psychopathic disorder to be: reification of the alter ego without an ego-related disorder, emotional coldness as it provides adaptive benefits, and empathic skills without sympathy.

SPATIAL PLANNING OF MOUNT VLAŠIĆ TOURIST DESTINATION

The main purpose of the mountain ski centers is to meet the needs of recreation and psychophysical rest. This requires large space advantage, despite the existence of various infrastructure, environmental and socio-psychological advantage that would allow recovery of human organism. However, due to the system disorganization these facilities are very often largely usurped so that their original role is ignored. One of the biggest problems for the future tourism development of Mount Vlašić is inadequate land management, which has resulted in the construction of a large number of illegal facilities that contribute to the physical and ecological burden of the mountain. Through the paper current situation on Vlašić will be assessed, and presented natural characteristics, resources and potentials, as well as the cultural heritage of the study area. Also, analysis of the current area usage, planning organization and the environment will be carried out, applying new methodological approaches in the planning and management of space, through the significant usage of GIS. Space organization and arrangement are viewed from the aspect of natural resources exploitation emphasising tourism development and the construction of sports, recreation and other infrastructure systems. Main problem, is the fact that when planning the development of tourism and tourism infrastructure in the ski center Vlasic, carrying capacity, which will be, among other things, presented in the work was not taken into consideration.

CONCEPTS OF TOURISM REGIONALIZATION AND ANALYSIS OF CONTEMPORARY TRENDS OF TOURIST MOVEMENT IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The main purpose of the mountain ski centers is to meet the needs of recreation and psychophysical rest. This requires large space advantage, despite the existence of various infrastructure, environmental and socio-psychological advantage that would allow recovery of human organism. However, due to the system disorganization these facilities are very often largely usurped so that their original role is ignored. One of the biggest problems for the future tourism development of Mount Vlašić is inadequate land management, which has resulted in the construction of a large number of illegal facilities that contribute to the physical and ecological burden of the mountain. Through the paper current situation on Vlašić will be assessed, and presented natural characteristics, resources and potentials, as well as the cultural heritage of the study area. Also, analysis of the current area usage, planning organization and the environment will be carried out, applying new methodological approaches in the planning and management of space, through the significant usage of GIS. Space organization and arrangement are viewed from the aspect of natural resources exploitation emphasising tourism development and the construction of sports, recreation and other infrastructure systems. Main problem, is the fact that when planning the development of tourism and tourism infrastructure in the ski center Vlasic, carrying capacity, which will be, among other things, presented in the work was not taken into consideration.

The dominance of Kenyans in distance running

Kenyan runners, and especially those originating from the Kalenjin tribe, have dominated international middle- and long-distance running for over 40 years, prompting significant interest in the factors contributing to their success. Proposed explanations have included environmental factors, psychological advantage and favourable physiological characteristics, which may be genetically conferred or environmentally determined. Running is inherent within local Kenyan tradition and culture, and the Kenyan way of life, which involves many outdoor activities and pastimes in addition to mostly unfavourable living conditions, is conducive to enhanced distance running performance. Despite economic deprivation, Kenya has produced world and international running champions repeatedly over the past few decades; these champions have become role models for the younger generations, who take up running in the hope of a better future for themselves. Favourable environmental conditions such as altitude, diet and anthropometry, in addition to the motivational and socio-economic factors mentioned above, have all been proposed as possible reasons for the unsurpassed achievements of Kenyan distance runners. However, the fact that the majority of internationally successful runners originate from a small tribe that accounts for approximately 3% of the total Kenyan population also points to a possible genetic component. Whether this is subject to influence from other co-factors, such as altitude or training effects acquired during childhood, remains as yet unresolved.

Perceptions of Psychological Momentum and Their Relationship to Performance

The present investigation examined perceptions of psychological momentum, situation criticality, and skill level and then determined the relationships between these variables and performance outcome in volleyball using archival data. Division I and beginning volleyball students completed questionnaires to determine perceptions of momentum. Different scenarios were provided in which situation criticality and perceived momentum were manipulated. Subjects responded to each scenario by rating which team they perceived to have a psychological advantage. Actual game situations in which one team came back from 3 points down to tie were analyzed to determine the outcome of the next five serves, 5 points, and the game at critical and noncritical stages. Results indicated that subjects’ perceived momentum had a psychological influence on the game but that only low-skill subjects perceived it as having an influence on performance. Momentum had minimal influence on subsequent performance in actual game situations.

Body Size as Implied Threat: Effects on Personal Space and Person Perception

Following ethological theory, it was hypothesized that personal space and person perception would reflect implied threat in the form of “territorial sets” and body-size variables. 90 male undergraduates were randomly assigned to six treatment groups in a 2 (size of object person) × 3 (levels of threat) × 2 (approach or be approached) design. Personal space was not significantly influenced by the treatments, but strong findings emerged from the person perception data. An operational measure of “psychological advantage” based on ratings of the object minus self-ratings on aggression, strength, and muscularity showed both body-size and threat effects. Generally, the large object person increased his advantage over the subject as threat increased, while the opposite was true with respect to the small object person.