Articles in the Current Psychology Category
Biased Evaluation of Abstracts Depending on Topic and Conclusion: Further Evidence of a Confirmation Bias Within Scientific Psychology
Abstract The present paper investigated whether academic psychologists show a tendency to rate the quality and appropriateness of scientific
studies more favorably when results and conclusions are consistent with their own prior beliefs (i.e., confirmation bias).
In an online experiment, 711 psychologists completed a questionnaire (e.g., about their belief in astrology) and evaluated
research that was presented in form of a short abstract in which 40 different behaviors (e.g., alcohol consumption, willingness
to share money) have [...]
Abstract The present paper investigated whether academic psychologists show a tendency to rate the quality and appropriateness of scientific
studies more favorably when results and conclusions are consistent with their own prior beliefs (i.e., confirmation bias).
In an online experiment, 711 psychologists completed a questionnaire (e.g., about their belief in astrology) and evaluated
research that was presented in form of a short abstract in which 40 different behaviors (e.g., alcohol consumption, willingness
to share money) have [...]
An Assessment of Medical School Stressors on Preclinical Students’ Levels of Clinical Empathy
Abstract This study examines the impact of medical school-specific stressors on potential changes in medical students’ levels of clinical
empathy. A total of 352 students at a U.S. medical school completed questionnaires at the beginning and the end of the 2007–2008
academic year. Subjects were found to decrease significantly in levels of empathy, although these changes were minimal. The
negative impact of medical school-specific stressors was found to not significantly affect students’ changes in clinical empathy,
yet corr [...]
Abstract This study examines the impact of medical school-specific stressors on potential changes in medical students’ levels of clinical
empathy. A total of 352 students at a U.S. medical school completed questionnaires at the beginning and the end of the 2007–2008
academic year. Subjects were found to decrease significantly in levels of empathy, although these changes were minimal. The
negative impact of medical school-specific stressors was found to not significantly affect students’ changes in clinical empathy,
yet corr [...]
Moderation or Mediation? An Examination of the Role Perceived Managerial Support has on Job satisfaction and Psychological Strain
Abstract Employees are vital assets for an enterprise and therefore need to be valued by their employers. Employers can create a safe
and reduced stress environment to work; managers thus provide organizational support through their managerial role by caring
for their subordinates’ well-being and by providing work advisory. By providing the managerial support to the employees, organizations
can reduce costs and increase productivity. Past research has investigated the role of organizational support on stress as
a single model e [...]
Abstract Employees are vital assets for an enterprise and therefore need to be valued by their employers. Employers can create a safe
and reduced stress environment to work; managers thus provide organizational support through their managerial role by caring
for their subordinates’ well-being and by providing work advisory. By providing the managerial support to the employees, organizations
can reduce costs and increase productivity. Past research has investigated the role of organizational support on stress as
a single model e [...]
Associations of Youth and Adulthood Body-Mass Index and Waist-Hip Ratio with Attachment Styles and Dimensions
Abstract The current cross-sectional study examined whether body-mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio are associated with adult attachment.
Participants were 1,570 men and women participating in Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns study. BMI was measured in youth
and in adulthood and waist-hip ratio in adulthood. A single measure of attachment style was conducted when participants were
aged 24–39 years. In age and sex adjusted models, youth BMI (Beta = .066, p = .008), adulthood BMI (Beta = .069, p = .007) an [...]
Abstract The current cross-sectional study examined whether body-mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio are associated with adult attachment.
Participants were 1,570 men and women participating in Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns study. BMI was measured in youth
and in adulthood and waist-hip ratio in adulthood. A single measure of attachment style was conducted when participants were
aged 24–39 years. In age and sex adjusted models, youth BMI (Beta = .066, p = .008), adulthood BMI (Beta = .069, p = .007) an [...]
Conservative Ideology, Economic Conservatism, and Causal Attributions for Poverty and Wealth
Abstract The purpose of the study is to analyze the effects of different features of Conservative Ideology, measured via the Social
Dominance Orientation (SDO), Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) and Economic Conservatism (EC) scales, on Internal and External
casual attributions for poverty and wealth. Participants were a group of 181 university students. Results of multiple regression
analyses suggested that EC influenced Internal causal attributions for poverty and wealth positively but influenced the External
ones negatively. O [...]
Abstract The purpose of the study is to analyze the effects of different features of Conservative Ideology, measured via the Social
Dominance Orientation (SDO), Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) and Economic Conservatism (EC) scales, on Internal and External
casual attributions for poverty and wealth. Participants were a group of 181 university students. Results of multiple regression
analyses suggested that EC influenced Internal causal attributions for poverty and wealth positively but influenced the External
ones negatively. O [...]
Bringing the Social into Genetics: The Psychosocial Genetics Risk Assessment and Management Framework (PG-RAM)
Abstract As increasing numbers of people are identified at risk for multi-factorial diseases, questions of how to assess, communicate
and manage genetic risk will be critical from health services and policy perspectives. However, there is currently no evidence-based
genetic risk assessment and management framework to assist policy makers, clinicians and other stakeholders. A comprehensive
psychosocial framework for risk assessment and management has been developed in the context of security hazards or threats.
In an adaptation of [...]
Abstract As increasing numbers of people are identified at risk for multi-factorial diseases, questions of how to assess, communicate
and manage genetic risk will be critical from health services and policy perspectives. However, there is currently no evidence-based
genetic risk assessment and management framework to assist policy makers, clinicians and other stakeholders. A comprehensive
psychosocial framework for risk assessment and management has been developed in the context of security hazards or threats.
In an adaptation of [...]
Mindlessness Revisited: Sequential Request Techniques Foster Compliance by Draining Self-control Resources
Abstract The present research extends previous findings suggesting that sequential request techniques, such as the Foot-in-the-Door
(FITD) or Door-in-the-Face (DITF) technique, are primarily effective under conditions conducive of mindlessness. We forward
that this mindlessness may be the product of the influence technique itself. More specifically, based on the notion of self-control
as a limited resource, we hypothesize that actively responding to the initial request-phase of a FITD-compliance gaining procedure
drains the targe [...]
Abstract The present research extends previous findings suggesting that sequential request techniques, such as the Foot-in-the-Door
(FITD) or Door-in-the-Face (DITF) technique, are primarily effective under conditions conducive of mindlessness. We forward
that this mindlessness may be the product of the influence technique itself. More specifically, based on the notion of self-control
as a limited resource, we hypothesize that actively responding to the initial request-phase of a FITD-compliance gaining procedure
drains the targe [...]
Defying Unjust Authority: An Exploratory Study
Abstract This research explores the psychological factors potentially involved in fostering disobedience to an unjust authority. Our
paradigm was modeled after that of the Utrecht Studies on Obedience (Meeus and Raaijmakers European Journal of Social Psychology
16:311-324, 1986) in which participants are ordered to give each of 15 increasingly hostile comments to a participant/victim whenever he fails
a trial. Although 30% of our sample followed commands to insult the other participant (confederate), the majority did refuse
to do [...]
Happiness as Stable Extraversion: Internal Consistency Reliability and Construct Validity of the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire Among Undergraduate Students
Abstract The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ) was developed by Hills and Argyle (2002) to provide a more accessible equivalent measure of the Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI). The aim of the present study was
to examine the internal consistency reliability, and construct validity of this new instrument alongside the Eysenckian dimensional
model of personality. The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire was completed by a sample of 131 undergraduate students together
with the abbreviated form of the Revised Eysenck Personality Question [...]
Abstract The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ) was developed by Hills and Argyle (2002) to provide a more accessible equivalent measure of the Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI). The aim of the present study was
to examine the internal consistency reliability, and construct validity of this new instrument alongside the Eysenckian dimensional
model of personality. The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire was completed by a sample of 131 undergraduate students together
with the abbreviated form of the Revised Eysenck Personality Question [...]
Using Three Levels of Personality to Predict Time Perspective
Abstract While there is accumulating evidence that individual differences in time perspective are important predictors of a diverse
set of psychosocial outcomes, there is little understanding concerning the possible origins of these individual differences.
To begin to examine the possible predictors of individual differences in time perspectives, three levels of personality (life
history strategy, the Big Five personality traits, and identity) were used to predict the five time perspectives identified
by Zimbardo and Boyd (Journa [...]
Abstract While there is accumulating evidence that individual differences in time perspective are important predictors of a diverse
set of psychosocial outcomes, there is little understanding concerning the possible origins of these individual differences.
To begin to examine the possible predictors of individual differences in time perspectives, three levels of personality (life
history strategy, the Big Five personality traits, and identity) were used to predict the five time perspectives identified
by Zimbardo and Boyd (Journa [...] 
