Showing papers in "Journal of Individual Differences in 2007"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focused on gender effects and interactions between gender, type of stressful situation, and age group in coping strategies in childhood and adolescence and found that in general, girls scored higher in seeking social support and problem solving, whereas boys score higher in avoidant coping.
Abstract: . The present study focuses on gender effects and interactions between gender, type of stressful situation, and age-group in coping strategies in childhood and adolescence. The sample consisted of N = 1990 children and adolescents (957 boys, 1033 girls; grade levels 3-8). Participants responded to a coping questionnaire (Fragebogen zur Erhebung von Stress und Stressbewaltigung im Kindes- und Jugendalter, SSKJ 3-8; Lohaus, Eschenbeck, Kohlmann, & Klein-Hesling, 2006) with the five subscales: seeking social support, problem solving, avoidant coping, palliative emotion regulation, and anger-related emotion regulation. Repeated measures ANOVAs with Gender and Grade Level as the between-subject factors and Situation (social, academic) as the within-subject factor were performed separately for each of the subscales. In general, girls scored higher in seeking social support and problem solving, whereas boys scored higher in avoidant coping. These three main effects were further modified by significant Ge...
388 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, self-report (Form S) and observer rating (Form R) versions of two short forms of the NEO Personality Inventory-3 (NEO-PI-3) were evaluated.
Abstract: . Self-report (Form S) and observer rating (Form R) versions of two short forms of the NEO Personality Inventory-3 (NEO-PI-3) were evaluated. The NEO Five-Factor Inventory-3 is a 60-item instrument that assesses the five factors. The NEO-PI-3 First Half consists of the first 120 items of the NEO-PI-3, selected to optimally assess its 30 facet scales. Internal consistencies were systematically lower for the brief scales than for the parent scales, but both brief instruments replicated the factor structure and showed cross-observer validity. They appeared to work well in both adolescent and adult samples, and adequately in a middle school-age sample. Norms for the NEO-FFI-3 are provided and it was shown that NEO-PI-3 norms can be used for NEO-PI-3 First Half scores if they are simply doubled. Uses of the NEO-PI-3 First Half are discussed.
227 citations
TL;DR: The Lothian Birth Cohort 1921 had their mental ability assessed at age 11 and 79, and almost 500 participants also rated their life satisfaction, social networks, and support at age 80 as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: . Social networks or support may contribute to successful aging. The Lothian Birth Cohort 1921 had their mental ability assessed at age 11 and 79. Almost 500 participants also rated their life satisfaction, social networks, and support at age 80. After controlling for age-11 IQ, sex, years of education, and social class, loneliness was the only social network/support characteristic adding significantly to the prediction of age-79 IQ, explaining about 2% of the variance; in old age, increased loneliness was associated with lower cognitive ability. Social network/support factors accounted for 23% of the variance in satisfaction with life ratings, with the greatest contributions from reduced loneliness (~12%) and having someone to talk to (~6%). Social network/support characteristics explained a greater proportion of the variance in life satisfaction ratings compared with later life cognition, although an individual's level of loneliness emerged as the largest single social support predictor of both ...
190 citations
TL;DR: In this article, structural models of the relationship between key individual difference variables and prejudice were tested, revealing highly similar results, including social dominance orientation, empathy, and right-wing authoritarianism had direct effects on generalized prejudice.
Abstract: Structural equation modeling on questionnaire data showed that prejudice toward different target groups can be represented in terms of a general prejudice factor. Distinction of classical and modern prejudice only increased model fit marginally. In two separate samples (paper and pencil vs. Internet) several structural models of the relationship between key individual difference variables and prejudice were tested, revealing highly similar results. Social dominance orientation, empathy, and right-wing authoritarianism had direct effects on generalized prejudice. The effect of participant sex on generalized prejudice, where the men scored higher, was largely mediated by empathy. The benefit of including empathy in structural models of prejudice is emphasized.
188 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used confirmatory factor analytic procedures to examine the convergent and discriminant validity of measures of trait anxiety, fear, and the behavioral inhibition system (BIS).
Abstract: Recent revisions to the reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) of personality have highlighted the distinction between the emotions of fear and anxiety. These revisions have substantial implications for self-report measurement; in particular, they raise the question of whether separate traits of fear and anxiety exist and, if so, their interrelationship. To address this question, the current study used confirmatory factor analytic procedures to examine the convergent and discriminant validity of measures of trait anxiety, fear, and the behavioral inhibition system (BIS). We also examined measurement and structural invariance across gender in 167 males and 173 females who completed the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Carver and White BIS Scale, and the Fear Survey Schedule (FSS). The findings suggested that trait anxiety and the BIS scale are relatively distinct from Tissue Damage Fear (FSS). Further, the final model showed measurement and structural invariance across gender. The implications of the results for future self-report assessment in RST research are discussed.
85 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the relationship between the secondary constructs of Holland's (1997) theory of vocational interests and career choice readiness (career maturity) attitudes with 358 Swiss secondary students.
Abstract: . This study examined the relationship between the secondary constructs of Holland's (1997) theory of vocational interests and career choice readiness (career maturity) attitudes with 358 Swiss secondary students. The hypothesis was tested that the secondary constructs consistency, coherence, differentiation, and congruence are measures for the degree of vocational interest development. Thus, they should belong to the content domain in career choice readiness and should show meaningful relations to career-choice readiness attitudes. The hypothesis was confirmed for congruence, coherence, and differentiation. Interest-profile consistency showed no relation to career-choice readiness attitudes. Vocational identity emerged as a direct measure for career-choice readiness attitudes. Realism of career aspirations was related to career-choice readiness attitudes and coherence of career aspirations. Profile elevation was positively connected to more career planning and career exploration. Differences betw...
83 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a study aimed at clarifying the relationship between religious and paranormal beliefs, on which previous studies have yielded varying results, examined whether the relationship varies by the level of religiousness.
Abstract: This study aimed at clarifying the relationship between religious and paranormal beliefs, on which previous studies have yielded varying results. It was examined whether the relationship varies by the level of religiousness, and individual differences between religious and paranormal believers and sceptics were compared. Finnish participants (N = 3261) filled in an Internet-based questionnaire. The results showed that the relationship between religious and paranormal beliefs was positive among paranormal believers and sceptics but negative among religious people. High intuitive thinking, low analytical thinking, mystical experiences, and close others' positive attitude toward the supernatural distinguished both kinds of believers from the sceptics, while conservation and self-transcendence values distinguished religious people from paranormal believers.
79 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a five-cluster solution is compared with a three-clusters approach regarding their relative utility in the concurrent prediction of social attitudes in an adult, nonstudent sample.
Abstract: . Based on the recent findings that show evidence in favor of five rather than three prototypes in Big Five questionnaire data, the main aim of this study was to evaluate a five-cluster solution. The cluster solution is compared with a Big Five variable-centered approach regarding their relative utility in the concurrent prediction of social attitudes in an adult, nonstudent sample. In addition to the Big Five personality variables, we also assessed social attitudes (generalized prejudice, right-wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation) and resiliency. Performing head-to-head comparisons to evaluate the goodness of cluster-solutions, our study again provides strong evidence that the five-cluster solution is superior to the three-cluster solution. The results also suggest that in fair comparisons (e.g., dichotomized Big Five scores) the typological approach can compete with the dimensional approach in predicting criterion variables. Furthermore, we have been able to show that the typolog...
57 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a self-report measure of mental representations of caregiving (MRC) has been developed, which is used to measure individual differences in mental representation of care giving for prosocial behavior and helping.
Abstract: In the current series of studies, we developed a self-report measure of mental representations of caregiving (MRC). Study 1 (N = 841) describes the development and factor structure of the MRC scale. Studies 2-4 provided convergent, discriminant, and construct validity of the MRC scale, by examining its associations with attachment dimensions, empathy, emotional control, relational interde- pendent self-construal, communal orientation, and value priorities. Study 5 revealed significant associations between caregiving repre- sentations and parenting attitudes (desire to have a child, feelings toward parenthood, and expectations of self-efficacy as a parent). Overall, the results provide highly consistent evidence for the reliability and validity of the new MRC scale. The implications of individual differences in mental representation of caregiving for prosocial behavior and helping are discussed.
55 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the results of a study that employed measures of personality, social attitudes, values, and social norms that have been the focus of recent research in individual differences.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of a study that employed measures of personality, social attitudes, values, and social norms that have been the focus of recent research in individual differences. These measures were given to a sample of participants (N = 1,255) who were enrolled at 25 US colleges and universities. Factor analysis of the correlation matrix produced four factors. Three of these factors corresponded to the domains of Personality/Amoral Social Attitudes, Values, and Social Norms; one factor, Conservatism, cut across the domains. Cognitive ability showed negative correlation with conservatism and amoral social attitudes. The study also exam- ined gender and ethnic group differences on factor scores. The overall interpretation of the findings is consistent with the inside-out view of human social interactions.
43 citations
TL;DR: The aim of this study was to further elucidate the effects of T availability during early phases of gestation, operationalized by the measurement of the 2nd to 4th digit ratio (2D:4D), on behavioral aggression in healthy volunteers.
Abstract: . Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between testosterone (T) and aggression but yielded inconsistent findings in healthy subjects. One possible reason for this might be the measurement of actual T-levels, ignoring that its role in neurodevelopment seems to be of predominant importance. The aim of our study was to further elucidate the effects of T availability during early phases of gestation, operationalized by the measurement of the 2nd to 4th digit ratio (2D:4D), on behavioral aggression in healthy volunteers. A low 2D:4D (indicating a long ring finger relative to the index finger) relates to high levels of prenatal T. A total number of 171 healthy subjects (98 men, 73 women) ranging in age from 20 to 30 years were tested. Participants were subjected to a modified version of a competitive reaction-time task, a commonly used and well-established tool to elicit and measure aggression (Taylor paradigm). They also completed self-report scales on trait aggression. Ventral surface s...
TL;DR: In this article, a multivariate analysis of composite scores in three subject domains (math and natural sciences, languages, and social sciences) was conducted using as predictors reasoning capacity, creativity, memory, and speed as well as student gender and type of school attended.
Abstract: . This study investigates the relationship between scholastic achievement (teacher-assigned grades) and cognitive abilities while explicitly modeling the multilevel structure of a large data set from an educational context. A multivariate analysis of composite scores in three subject domains (math and natural sciences, languages, and social sciences) was conducted using as predictors reasoning capacity, creativity, memory, and speed as well as student gender and type of school attended. The results showed meaningful differences in the relationships between the different abilities and school grades, and also significant contributions from student gender and school type. Specifically, reasoning capacity had the largest impact on achievement in math and natural sciences, whereas creativity explained more variability in performance for social sciences. Furthermore, girls outperformed boys. There was significant random variation in the intercepts at the between-classroom level, indicating that students...
TL;DR: In this paper, the relationship between self-reported attractiveness and the ratio of the length of the 2nd and 4th digits (digit ratio, 2D:4D), a putative negative correlate of pre-natal testosterone, was investigated.
Abstract: . Prenatal testosterone (PT) may influence attractiveness such that high PT increases attractiveness in men. Here we are concerned with self-perceptions of attractiveness, rather than ratings of attractiveness by others. Our sample was 255,116 participants drawn from an Internet survey. We considered the relationship between self-reported attractiveness and the ratio of the length of the 2nd and 4th digits (digit ratio, 2D:4D), a putative negative correlate of PT. Participants reported ratings on their general attractiveness, and the attractiveness of their face, voice, and body. There were significant effects of sexual orientation on the ratings and we considered only heterosexuals in all subsequent analyses. We found that 2D:4D was negatively correlated with general, facial, and body attractiveness, with the strongest association for body attractiveness. There was no relationship for voice attractiveness. General, facial, and body attractiveness were negatively associated with age and positively...
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TL;DR: In this paper, the second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) has been used as a biomarker for the organizational (permanent) effects of prenatal testosterone on the brain and behavior.
Abstract: . The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), an inconspicuous, but sexually differentiated anatomical trait (men present lower 2D:4D than women), has received intense research interest recently. Fairly strong evidence points to 2D:4D as a biomarker for the organizational (permanent) effects of prenatal testosterone on the brain and behavior. 2D:4D has been shown to be a correlate of a wealth of sex-dependent, hormonally influenced traits and phenotypes, which reach into the domains of behavior, fertility, health, physique, sexuality, and sports and also deeply into differential psychology (ability, cognition, and personality). This study investigated whether individual differences in 2D:4D are related to individual differences in attractiveness, sex typicality, and other attributes ascribed to palm images by raters. For both sexes, more sex-atypical trait expressions (i.e., higher 2D:4D in male, but lower 2D:4D in female palm specimens) were related to higher aggregate ratings of attractiveness, he...
TL;DR: In this article, a total of 101 university students completed the full NEO-PI-R (Costa & McCrae, 1992), assessing the five super-traits (domains) and 30 primary traits (facets), followed by four different cognitive ability tests, and they had estimated their own scores on all these variables (personality traits and ability tests), as well as that of a known friend.
Abstract: A total of 101 university students completed the full NEO-PI-R (Costa & McCrae, 1992), assessing the five super-traits (domains) and 30 primary traits (facets), followed by four different cognitive ability tests. Two months later (before receiving feedback on their psychometric scores), they had estimated their own scores on all these variables (personality traits and ability tests), as well as that of a known friend. Results at the Big Five super-factor (domain) level indicated that participants could significantly predict/estimate all their own big five scores, particularly Neuroticism (r = .60). Correlations between estimates of their own intelligence scores and test-derived scores ranged from r = .51 to r = .59. They were, as predicted, much less successful in predicting their friend's scores. At the primary factor (facet) level, participants seemed best at predicting their six Neuroticism scores and less good predicting their six Agreeableness scores. A series of regressions looked at the extent to w...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the moderating influence of nationality on the relationship between 2D:4D ratio and gender-role orientation, as assessed with the Bem Sex-Role Inventory, as a possible explanation for these inconsistencies.
Abstract: The ratio of second to fourth finger length (2D:4D ratio) is sexually dimorphic with women having higher 2D:4D ratio than men Recent studies on the relationship between 2D:4D ratio and gender-role orientation yielded rather inconsistent results The present study examines the moderating influence of nationality on the relationship between 2D:4D ratio and gender-role orientation, as assessed with the Bem Sex-Role Inventory, as a possible explanation for these inconsistencies Participants were 176 female and 171 male university students from Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden ranging in age from 19 to 32 years Left-hand 2D:4D ratio was significantly lower in men than in women across all nationalities Right-hand 2D:4D ratio differed only between Swedish males and females indicating that nationality might effectively moderate the sexual dimorphism of 2D:4D ratio In none of the examined nationalities was a reliable relationship between 2D:4D ratio and gender-role orientation obtained Thus, the a
TL;DR: The authors explored potential relationships between 2D:4D and the basic numerical ability of subitizing (the rapid enumeration of small quantities) in 80 right-handed adult volunteers.
Abstract: . The ratio between the second and fourth fingers (2D:4D) is supposed to serve as a putative indicator of prenatal testosterone (PT). Significant associations between 2D:4D, children's basic numerical ability, and the Spatial Numerical Associations of Response Codes (SNARC) effect have recently been reported. The present study explored potential relationships between 2D:4D and the basic numerical ability of subitizing (the rapid enumeration of small quantities) in 80 right-handed adult volunteers. Participants completed a short battery of computerized subitizing and color recognition control tasks with both left and right hands, independently (order counterbalanced). Findings revealed a significant interaction between sex and 2D:4D on reaction time differences for right vs. left hand responses to the subitizing task. While 2D:4D in women showed a significant negative association with a right-hand advantage for the task, a nonsignificant trend in the opposite direction was observed for men. Results...
TL;DR: The Vienna Risk-Taking Test - Traffic assesses a unidimensional, latent personality trait that ca... as discussed by the authors The results indicate that the Vienna risk-taking test - traffic assesses the willingness to take risks in traffic situations.
Abstract: . The study reports results regarding the dimensionality and construct validity of a newly developed, objective, video-based personality test that assesses the willingness to take risks in traffic situations. On the basis of the theory of risk homeostasis developed by Wilde, different traffic situations with varying degrees of objective danger were filmed. During the test the respondents are asked to indicate at which point the action that is contingent on the described situation will become too dangerous to carry out. Latencies at the item level were recorded as a measure for the subjectively accepted degree of a person's willingness to take risks in the sense of the risk homeostasis theory by Wilde. In a study on 274 people with different educational levels and gender, the unidimensionality of the test as corresponding to the latency model by Scheiblechner was investigated. The results indicate that the Vienna Risk-Taking Test - Traffic assesses a unidimensional, latent personality trait that ca...
TL;DR: The Behavioral Inhibition Scale (BIS) is a questionnaire for measuring Kagan's temperamental characteristic of children and adolescents to be unusually shy and to react with fear and withdrawal in situations that are novel and/or unfamiliar.
Abstract: . The Behavioral Inhibition Scale (BIS) is a brief questionnaire for measuring Kagan's (1994) temperamental characteristic of children and adolescents to be unusually shy and to react with fear and withdrawal in situations that are novel and/or unfamiliar. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the BIS in two separate samples of undergraduate students (Ns = 124 and 73). The students of Sample 1 completed the BIS as well as questionnaires for measuring personality traits, anxiety, and other psychopathological symptoms, whereas students of Sample 2 completed the scale as well as a widely used anxiety inventory on two separate occasions, some 4 weeks apart. The results showed that the BIS was reliable in terms of internal consistency and test-retest stability. Further, the scale was predominantly correlated with general levels of anxiety symptoms and not with other psychopathological symptoms. Finally, the BIS was related to other personality factors in a theoretically meaningful w...
TL;DR: In this paper, a sample of 632 German-speaking dual-earner couples from three European countries (Austria, Germany, and Switzerland) with at least one child aged 1 to 5 years, three different clusters representing specific risk patterns of low vs. high levels in (1) personality (neuroticism), (2) work-and family-related stress, and (3) personal and social resources were identified and related to the level of personal distress expressed by the corresponding female and male risk groups.
Abstract: . Based on a sample of 632 German-speaking dual-earner couples from three European countries (Austria, Germany, and Switzerland) with at least one child aged 1 to 5 years, three different clusters representing specific risk patterns of low vs. high levels in (1) personality (neuroticism), (2) work- and family-related stress, and (3) personal and social resources were identified and related to the level of personal distress expressed by the corresponding female and male risk groups. At the individual level, the results showed marked differences in personal distress depending on which risk pattern the persons belong to. Moreover, compensatory effects that reduce the impact of high neuroticism on personal distress were found. Gender differences in personal distress were significant, albeit relatively small, for all three risk groups. At the couple level, when analyzing different within-couple constellations of risk patterns showed that concordant within-couple risk patterns corroborate both partners'...
TL;DR: Parker et al. as discussed by the authors investigated the relationship between visual inspection time (VIT) and a new measure of auditory inspection time, and found that IT appears to be a purer measure of processing speed at longer exposure durations.
Abstract: This study investigated the relationship between visual inspection time (VIT) and a new measure of auditory inspection time (AIT: see Parker, Crawford, & Stephen, 1999). The purpose was twofold: first, to understand the generality of the mechanism underpinning performance on visual IT tasks (VIT); second, to evaluate the efficacy of this new auditory task. Participants were 80 primary school children aged 10–12 years. They each completed AIT, VIT, and a marker test for each of general speediness (Gs), fluid ability (Gf), and crystallized ability (Gc). AIT and VIT were positively correlated with each other, and they both correlated with the marker of Gs. However, the data suggest that the nature of IT tasks changes as task difficulty increases. Thus, IT appears to be a purer measure of processing speed at longer exposure durations. These findings are discussed in relation to the methodology employed in IT estimation and in light of recent comments concerning the psychological complexity of IT.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the influence of childhood hyperactive behavior on adult psychopathy, and how adult, clinically rated, psychopathy tendencies are related to self-reported personality.
Abstract: The focus of this article is on (1) the possible influence of childhood hyperactive behavior on adult psychopathy, and (2) how adult, clinically rated, psychopathy tendencies are related to self-reported personality. The sample comprised 152 male subjects, including young lawbreakers (n = 98) and controls (n = 54), prospectively studied over their lifetime. Ratings of childhood behavior were obtained from a psychiatrist and data on adult personality (using the Karolinska Scales of Personality and a shortened form of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire) and psychopathy were obtained using the Psychopathy Check List (PCL). Subjects with high PCL as adults (n = 36) scored higher than low PCL subjects (n = 116) on the majority of the personality dimensions studied, even when controlling for criminality. Former childhood hyperactive subjects (n = 26) displayed higher impulsivity and hostility than nonhyperactive subjects (n = 126) when criminality was controlled for. Among the high PCL group subjects there w...
TL;DR: This paper investigated the impact of manipulated discrepancy between felt and displayed anger on cognitive performance and how it is modulated by extraversion and found that high extraverts appeared to profit from showing an emotional display that was congruent with their feelings.
Abstract: . There is growing evidence that certain strategies of emotion regulation may lead to impaired cognitive performance. The present study investigated the impact of manipulated discrepancy between felt and displayed anger on cognitive performance and how it is modulated by extraversion. Fifty-six female participants were asked to solve two blocks of anagrams. Additionally, half of the subjects were instructed to show an angry emotional expression while solving the second block of anagrams, the remaining half were asked to keep their expression neutral. Before the second anagram trial, half of the participants were provoked, half of them were not. The subsequent unexpected memory test revealed a detrimental effect of the incongruent anger expression on the recall of the anagram solutions seen in the second trial. Compared to participants low on extraversion, high extraverts appeared to profit from showing an emotional display that was congruent with their feelings.
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TL;DR: In this paper, two studies were conducted to examine associations between augmenting/reducing as assessed by questionnaire and stimulus intensity modulation and found that reducers were faster than augmenters to consume psychoactive substances and to turn music on louder than augmenteders, even after controlling for individual hearing ability.
Abstract: . Augmenting/reducing is a personality dimension related to the processing of sensory stimuli. Augmenters are assumed to augment the impact of stimuli leading to stimulation-avoidant behavior and lower pain tolerance. Reducers are assumed to attenuate sensory stimuli leading to stimulation-seeking behavior and higher pain tolerance. Augmenting/reducing can be assessed by the method of evoked potentials or - as in this study - by questionnaire. Two studies were conducted to examine associations between augmenting/reducing as assessed by questionnaire and stimulus intensity modulation. Study 1 found reducers (n = 24, 12 females) to more frequently consume psychoactive substances and to turn music on louder than augmenters (n = 25, 12 females) even after controlling for individual hearing ability. In Study 2, reducers (n = 19, 10 females) were more pain tolerant than augmenters (n = 18, 9 females) and this difference increased with increasing stimulation time. Moreover, reducers were faster than augm...
TL;DR: This paper found that the SNP set is more strongly associated with intelligence in males than in females at ages 7, 9, and 10, and the difference is significant at 10, indicating that the same genes acting differently on intelligence in the two sexes.
Abstract: . An association between intelligence at age 7 and a set of five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) has been identified and replicated. We used this composite SNP set to investigate whether the associations differ between boys and girls for general cognitive ability at ages 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, and 10 years. In a longitudinal community sample of British twins aged 2-10 (n > 4,000 individuals), we found that the SNP set is more strongly associated with intelligence in males than in females at ages 7, 9, and 10 and the difference is significant at 10. If this finding replicates in other studies, these results will constitute the first evidence of the same autosomal genes acting differently on intelligence in the two sexes.