Academic integrity “captured” by a personality-based test

Author(s): Predrag Okanović,Dragana Okanović,Dušanka Mitrović,Nebojša Majstorović / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2013

The main goal of this study was to develop and validate a personality-based academic integrity test which could serve as a predictor of students’ academic dishonesty. A new Academic Integrity Test (AIT), based on methodological principles accepted in the field of work integrity, was created during this study. The test was developed on one student sample (N=350), and then validated on another (N=471). Validation of the AIT confirmed its relations with three dimensions previously found to be consistent correlates of work integrity measures – Conscientiousness, Aggressiveness and Neuroticism, with the addition of Negative Valence. The correlation between the AIT and a cognitive ability measure was not significant, which is in accordance with previous research. The test retained significant relations with the aforementioned personality measures in simulated applicant condition (except with Neuroticism), leading to the conclusion that the AIT maintains construct validity in situations susceptible to self-presentation.

ACCEPTANCE OF OTHERS – AN INDICATOR OF PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR

Author(s): Vali Ilie / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2021

The present study focuses on the analysis of prosocial behavior. The forms or subspecies of prosocial behavior, the compositional variables constituted in determining factors and its explanatory models are highlighted. The research part presents the answers of the students to the questions of a test regarding the acceptance of others, understood as a necessary condition in the development of prosocial behavior. The theoretical basis is a starting point in our constative research and it includes the results of certain investigations that are considered benchmarks in the study of this topic.

Accepting Test-Anxiety-Related Thoughts Increases Academic Performance Among Undergraduate Students

Author(s): Ibrahim Senay,Mustafa Cetinkaya,Muhammet Usak / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2012

Given that unwanted thoughts are enhanced when suppressed, we tested among college freshmen who were about to take an academic exam if an acceptance strategy consisting of not suppressing intrusive thoughts will improve test performance. This strategy proved superior to students’ own default strategies as much as a modified, alternative strategy, avoiding the antecedents of intrusive thoughts. Moreover, the combination of the two strategies counteracted a stronger, negative effect of test anxiety on test performance as compared with each strategy used alone. The results suggest that not only intrusive thoughts per se but also the suppression of these thoughts can disrupt test performance, and hint that approaching such thoughts with acceptance may not interfere with simultaneously working toward avoiding the antecedents of these thoughts.

ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN RELATION TO THEIR SOCIAL POSITION IN THE CLASS

Author(s): Ivana Poledňová,Zdenka Stránská,Hana Niedobová / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2014

The study was based on a theoretical presumption that social climate and relationships in the class can be in specific ways connected with students’ achievement motivation. Previous research in the area of student motivation was mostly based on self-reports and was therefore focused on explicit motives, i.e. personal goals which the respondents strived for. Self-report measures of motivation, however, can be affected by biases and misperceptions of one’s own self. Our study approached achievement motivation at its implicit, i.e. non-conscious level. It was conducted with students in five classes of a secondary school, N = 138, 107 female and 31 male, with an average age of 17 years. The respondents were administered a sociometric questionnaire and the projective Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) in McClelland´s adaptation using Heckhausen´s content-analytical clue for the measurement of achievement motivation. The hypothesized relation between social position in class and achievement motivation was only partly supported. Affiliation was unrelated to achievement motivation, even when analyzed for both achievement motives separately. We found a slight negative relationship between influence in the class and achievement motivation, especially with the motive to achieve success. These results, partly diverging from theoretical presumptions, can be explained in terms of specific features of the sample as well as a general methodological disparity in previous research, especially a lack of differentiation between implicit and explicit motives in the interpretation of the findings.

ACTIVITĂȚI DE DEZVOLTARE A COMPETENȚEI DE SOLUȚIONARE A CONFLICTELOR LA ELEVII DIN CLASELE PRIMARE

Author(s): Lilia Andriuţa / Language(s): Romanian Publication Year: 0

The article proposes the results of the research of conflict resolution strategies preferred by primary school students. A series of practical activities are described to develop the competence of conflict resolution in primary school students accompanied by methodical recommendations

Activity matters: Physical exercise and stress coping during the 2020 COVID-19 state of emergency

Author(s): Stanislava Popov,Jelena Sokić,Dušan Stupar / Language(s): English Issue: 3/2021

Recent studies have demonstrated that social isolation during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental and physical health of people worldwide. However, it remains unknown whether physical activity can improve mental health in a state of emergency. The present study aimed to examine the importance of physical exercising and stress management mechanisms (problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidant) in the context of mental health indicators (depression, anxiety, and nonspecific stress) in conditions of social isolation during COVID-19-induced lockdown in Serbia. The sample consisted of 680 adults (66% female), mean aged 35.91years (SD = 12.45). The results indicated a significant relation between physical exercising and a reduced stress response and confirmed the usefulness of the already well-known problem-focused strategies. Avoidant and emotion-focused coping were associated with poorer mental health outcomes. However, as a moderator, physical activity lowered anxiety levels in individuals prone to emotion-focused coping.

ADAPTATION PROBLEMS OF ROMANIAN STUDENTS TO TECHNICAL HIGHER EDUCATION

Author(s): Liliana-Luminița Todorescu,Gabriel-Mugurel Dragomir,Anca Greculescu / Language(s): English Issue: 14/2021

The current study underlines the main problems students deal with in the first academic year at University POLITEHNICA of Timişoara (UPT) while adjusting to the higher education environment. The adaptation challenges were investigated through 14 panel discussions. The topic assigned was „Students’ adaptation problems in Romanian higher education”. The target group included students in their first academic year, studying at the Faculty of Computer Science (CS), Electrical Engineering and Power Engineering (EE&PE); Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology (ETIT); Industrial Chemistry and Environment Engineering (ICEE); Mechanics (ME); Production Management and Transport (PMT); Architecture and Urbanism (AU), also doing the Psychological and Pedagogical Training Program. Each panel discussion was made up of 20 students, all 14 panel discussions summing up 280 students, out of which 158 female and 122 male students. The outcomes of the research show that students face different adaptation challenges that may result in a poor insertion into the academic system and education dropout. The adaptation problems identified by the students were diverse: accommodation and food; financial problems; school timetables and calendars (seminars, courses, laboratories and other instructional activities); teacher-student relationship; the teaching-learning-evaluation process, location of study; education for students with special needs and disabilities; administration and secretariats. The present study analyses these queries in order to facilitate the smooth insertion of students into the academic environment and increase student retention.

Adapting political communication to technology. Case study: evolutionary aspects on social networks in Romania

Author(s): Mihaela Bărbieru / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2022

In recent years, studies on social networks have begun to become more and more numerous in the literature, with scientists showing a real interest in an influential analysis that they have on societies. Social networks are tools through which political candidates have the opportunity to distribute their political message during election campaigns, as well as outside them, to a growing audience. A very strong connection has been made between technology and communication, outside of which we, as individuals, can no longer exist, the virtual space managing to exploit communication in all its aspects. Online political communication, an easily accessible form of manifestation that attracts disinterested political groups, offers the possibility of avoiding information bottlenecks for citizens by changing content in real time, with low information costs, which means a real advantage for politicians.The importance of social networks in political communication is even greater as its role is the main channel of communication and occupies a special place in election campaign strategies. The present study aimes to analyze the phenomenon of social networks in terms of the benefits it offers to politics, through an online political communication with content transmitted in real time, without time limit and with low costs.

Addictive use of social networking sites can be explained by the interaction of Internet use expectancies, Internet literacy, and psychopathological symptoms

Author(s): Elisa Wegmann,Benjamin Stodt,Matthias Brand / Language(s): English Issue: 3/2015

Most people use the Internet in a functional way to achieve certain goals and needs. However, there is an increasing number of people who experience negative consequences like loss of control and distress based on an excessive use of the Internet and its specific online applications. Some approaches postulate similarities with behavioral addictions as well as substance dependencies. They differentiate between a generalized and a specific Internet addiction, such as the pathological use of social networking sites (SIA–SNS). Prior studies particularly identified the use of applications, personal characteristics, and psychopathological symptoms as significant predictors for the development and maintenance of this phenomenon. So far, it remains unclear how psychopathological symptoms like depression and social anxiety interact with individual expectancies of Internet use and capabilities of handling the Internet, summarized as Internet literacy. Methods: The current study (N = 334) investigated the interaction of these components in a structural equation model. Results: The results indicate that the effects of depression and social anxiety on SIA–SNS were mediated by Internet use expectancies and self-regulation. Discussion: Thus, Internet use expectancies seem to be crucial for SIA–SNS, which is in line with prior models. Conclusions: SNS use may be reinforced by experienced gratification and relief from negative feelings. Individual competences in handling the Internet may be preventive for the development of SIA–SNS.

ADDRESSING SERVICE ACCESS BARRIERS FOR HOMELESS YOUTH: A CALL FOR COLLABORATION

Author(s): Jeffrey L. Perron / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2014

Homeless youth are among the most vulnerable individuals in North American society. The day-to-day stressors they face while living on the streets pose a great threat to their mental and physical health. A number of barriers that youth face in accessing care have been identified in the literature. This discussion article highlights work that has been done to apply geographic theory to issues of service access among homeless youth. To date, most such work has been theoretical in nature, with collaborations between geographers and homeless youth researchers to make applied recommendations for the location of services. Urban geographers and homeless youth researchers are implored to collaborate in order to make recommendations that will increase the access to service, particularly for rural homeless youth.

Adela Hîncu, Victor Karady, Social Sciences in the “Other Europe” since 1945, Budapest, Central Europe University, 2018

Author(s): Dana Costin / Language(s): English Issue: 43/2019

ADHD i choroba Aspergera a wykluczenie społeczne

Author(s): Andrzej Mirski,Natalia Mirska-Tomasz / Language(s): Polish Issue: 4/2018

The article presents the question of possible forms of social exclusion towards people affected Asperger’s and ADHD. These diseases, although share their considerable differences, are alike in that they seriously hinder interpersonal relationships, which can cause a very negative reactions from the environment, even taking the form of a social exclusion. Their common feature is also the fact that these diseases appear in early childhood, and therefore in a particularly vulnerable period of life when needed for proper development are the best contacts with the social environment. Often, the consequences of psychological trauma caused by social rejection may be more severe and prolonged than the disease itself. For example, ADHD often disappears spontaneously in adolescence (most likely due to the maturation of the brain, especially the frontal cortex areas), and the psychological effects of rejection by peers, teachers and even his own family may persist for a long time, assuming eg. the tendency to form depressive episodes. The article presents the most important symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome and ADHD, which to the greatest extent may contribute to social isolation and the most important forms of therapeutic, pedagogical and educational impacts in order to improve the social relations of these children and provide them with the proper functioning of the social environment.

Adolescent Coping Strategies in Social Conflict in Relation to Self-Esteem and Cognitive Appraisal of a Conflict

Author(s): Danuta Borecka-Biernat / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2020

The aim of the research was to assess the role of self-esteem and cognitive appraisal of a conflict in generating destructive and constructive strategies of coping used by adolescents in social conflict situations. The following research tools have been used in the research: the Self-Esteem Scale (SES) developed by M. Rosenberg, adapted by M. Łaguna, K. Lachowicz-Tabaczek, and I. Dzwonkowska; the Stress Appraisal Questionnaire (SAQ) (Polish: KOS – Kwestionariusz Oceny Stresu) by D. Włodarczyk and K. Wrześniewski; as well as the Questionnaire for the study of adolescents 'coping strategies employed in social conflict situations (Polish: KSMK – Kwestionariusz strategii radzenia sobie młodzieży w sytuacji konfliktu społecznego) developed by D. Borecka-Biernat. The empirical research was carried out in middle schools (Polish: gimnazjum). The research involved 893 adolescents (468 girls and 425 boys) aged 13–15. Analysis of research results indicates that in the case of adolescents, lower assessment of one’s capacities and the appraisal of conflict in terms of threat or harm/loss, generally coincides with the tendency to react destructively when faced with a conflict. The research has also indicated that an adolescent with higher self-esteem, when involved in a conflict that is not assessed as threatening, implements a constructive strategy to cope with the situation.

Adolescent psychosocial development in Brno: An ELSPAC Study 2005–2011

Author(s): / Language(s): English

Our longitudinal findings are in line with published research describing current adolescence as a dynamic stage of life during which an individual‟s personal participation or influence on his or her development sharply increases. This leads, amongst other things, to higher variability of developmental changes and to an erosion of some stereotypes about the psychological and social life of adolescents. The respondents of the Brno longitudinal study (ELSPAC) represent a new generation of Czech adolescents. They were born in the time of turbulent social changes when political, economic and cultural conditions were significantly changing bringing along shifts in lifestyles, social norms and values of all generations including the parents of current adolescents. It can be hypothesised this society-wide change partially moderated the traditional inter generational conflict between adolescents and adults. We can speculate that the adults, not only the adolescents, partially spent the past two decades searching for a new personal and social identity (e.g. career changes, social security decrease, increase in personal freedom and responsibility of own life course). What was appreciated in the beginning of the 1990s as new possibilities – e.g. freedom in opinions and attitudes, opportunity to attain quality education, foreign travel, opportunities for self-actualisation etc. – is perceived as commonplace by today‟s adolescents.

Adolescent stealing treated with motivational interviewing and imaginal desensitization – Case report

Author(s): Jon E. Grant,Brian L. Odlaug,Christopher B. Donahue / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2012

Adolescent shoplifting occurs in an estimated 15% of the United States population. Although adolescent stealing is associated with significant psychosocial consequences there is limited research concerning efficacious treatments. Case study: A 17-year-old male with a history of compulsive stealing was treated using a six-session, individualized cognitive-behavioral therapy protocol which included motivational interviewing, psycho-education, behavioral modification, and an exposure script using imaginal desensitization. After the six-session therapy, the patient continued for eight further sessions of therapy to maintain treatment gains. His Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores dropped from a 22 pre-treatment to a 3 at the end of the 14 sessions of therapy and he remained abstinent from stealing. Discussion: This case reports on the successful use of an individualized, cognitive behavioral therapy on an adolescent with compulsive shoplifting and other antisocial behaviors. This treatment provides a promising step towards the treatment of a relatively common adolescent behavior.

Adolescenti, fertilitet i reproduktivno zdravlje mladih u Republici Srpskoj

Author(s): Milorad Živković / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 2/2009

This paper presents data which clearly reveal that the behavior model of young people in the Bosnian Serb Republic is characterized by an insufficient degree of information and poor knowledge on reproductive health, an increase in the number of alcohol consumers, drugs and cigarettes which leads to an increase in risky behavior, entering sexual relations and an earlier age, an increase in the number of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies which often result in abortions or premature birth. At the same time young people recognize the necessity for more information, mention competent authorities and expect help from them. At the same time, they show readiness to learn through peer education. On the other hand, the estimated results which we obtained by using available sources, because of the lack of a population census, give us information on the grave demographic situation in the Bosnian Serb Republic and negative tendencies in the future. When we speak of the total fertility rate and compare these data with countries of Europe and the surrounding areas, we can unfortunately only state that many factors – the most important being: war events, insecurity, unfavorable economic and social situation, significant migration of not only young people but of whole families – caused severely low total fertility rate in the Bosnian Serb Republic. Even worse, these tendencies are further decreasing and society is moving towards open depopulation with unforeseeable demographic, economic and national consequences. At the same time, it has been ascertained that young people are getting married at a later age, deciding on becoming parents at a later age and acting more riskily which decreases their fertility capacity and decreases their share in the total fertility capacity, making the already bad demographic picture of the Bosnian Serb Republic even worse.

ADOLESCENTKE

Author(s): Tanja Rener / Language(s): Slovenian Issue: 34-35/2000

Članek temelji na rezultatih empirične študije z naslovom “Socialna ranljivost mladih”, ki je bila opravljena v letu 1998 v okviru Centra za socialno psihologijo - študije mladine na FDV. V predhodnih raziskavah mladine nismo opazili pomembnih razlik med spoloma v življenjskih in vrednotnih orientacijah. Raziskava, ki je bila opravljena na vzorcu 1687 osmošolk in osmošolcev, pa je nakazala vrnitev tradicionalne podobe o “pridnih deklicah in jeznih dečkih”. Poleg tega rezultati študije nakazujejo dve tendenci: povečevanje pomena “terapevtske vloge” mater v družinah in to, da so dečki pomembno bolj kot deklice opremljeni z interakcijskimi viri, ki so pomembni za dobro socialno vključenost. Če naša teza o pomenu interakcijskih kompetenc drži, potem so deklice skrite poraženke tranzicijskega obdobja v Sloveniji.

Adolescents’ Social Emotional Health and Empathy in Lithuanian Sample

Author(s): Ala Petrulytė,Virginija Guogienė / Language(s): English Issue: 22/2018

Non-decreasing extent of bullying, increasing rates of various dependencies and suicides, high level of adolescents’ behavioural and emotional problems are observed in Lithuanian schools at present. Academic literature sources have revealed that adolescents’ mental health is mainly researched from the deficitoriented perspective, i.e. factors under research are related to various impairments, encountered difficulties or their risk. It is particularly important to conduct research on the positive adolescent development, its strengths, emotional and social areas of health that can be developed. The present research emphasizes a positive development of youth and social emotional aspects of such development. Aim. To investigate differences in adolescents’ social and emotional health and empathy by age and gender in the Lithuanian sample. Method. Social and Emotional Health Survey (Furlong et al., 2014) and Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) (Davis, 1980). The sample: 600 adolescents (12–18 year olds) from various Lithuanian schools. Research results and conclusions. The scores of SEHS–S scales of belief-in-self and engaged living are statistically significantly higher in the group of junior adolescents (12–15 year olds) and those of empathy (IRI) are higher among senior adolescents (16–18 year olds); significantly higher scores of empathy scales are observed in the group of girls compared to boys. The results of the conducted research contribute to the development of expression of school learners’ social and emotional health and empathy.

Adult sexual dynamics in persons with the history of sexual abuse

Author(s): Tanja Repič Slavič / Language(s): English Issue: 9/2019

Sexuality is most natural and healthy when it is part of an emotionally genuine relationship, not even as its central part but rather as an upgrade of the intimacy of two people who are mutually loyal, committed, loving and respectful. However, if an individual was sexually abused in childhood, they may have suffered the severest consequences of sexual abuse trauma in the area of sexuality, and their experience of sexuality will be completely different from those who were not sexually abused. The article first describes what children learn about sex if they have been sexually abused, as this experience is very much related to the most common behaviours and experiences in adult sexuality. Then we present a theoretical overview of research on sexuality in adults who suffered childhood sexual abuse. The theory will be supplemented and supported by the statements of individuals who have been attending a therapeutic group for the sexually abused in childhood for two years. The statements quoted in the article refer to the period prior to the therapeutic process. Clinical experience shows that, until the victim has resolved the trauma of sexual abuse, the dynamics between the offender and the victim during childhood abuse is most often very similar to the dynamics of the abused with their partner, even in their sexual life.

Advancing entrepreneurial career success: the role of passion, persistence, and risk-taking propensity

Author(s): Hussein-Elhakim Al Issa / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2021

Objective: The objective of the article is to investigate the influence of passion on entrepreneurial career success while the mediating effects of persistence and risk-taking propensity between passion and success are explored. Research Design & Methods: Questionnaires were administered to collect data about passion, persistence, entrepreneurial career success, and risk-taking. PLS-SEM was applied for testing the hypotheses with the use of 256 usable responses. Findings: Statistically significant and positive relationships were found in the direct relationships: passion-persistence, passion-risk-taking, passion-success, persistence-success, and risk-taking-success, while persistence and risk-taking were found to mediate the passion-success association. Implications & Recommendations: The importance of passion as an influence is verified and can be utilised for nurturing efforts that drive positive persistence and risk-taking propensity for entrepreneurial career success. Contribution & Value Added: The shortage of studies that explored the relationships between passion, persistence, and risk-taking for the career success of entrepreneurs motivated the present research. Exploring the intervening effect of risk-taking propensity and persistence between passion and success is unprecedented.