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Comparison of DIF Detection Performances of Mantel Test and Likelihood Ratio Test
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 6, November 2016
Pages:
38-43
Received:
20 October 2016
Accepted:
3 November 2016
Published:
25 November 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajap.20160506.11
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Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate Type I error rate of the IRT-Likelihood Ratio (IRT-LR) statistic and Mantel Test in detecting DIF. A multiple replication Monte Carlo study was utilized for simulated data sets. In final study design, there were 18 conditions [3 (sample size) x 3 (group mean difference) x 2 (methods of DIF detection)]. WinGen3 was used to simulate ability estimates and to generate response data sets. MULTİLOG and DIFAS were used to conduct the Mantel and IRT-LR DIF analyses. Results indicated that with equal group distribution, Mantel Test and IRT-LR Test performed similarly under all testing conditions and had better Type I error rate control. Large sample size and presence of group mean difference tended to inflate the Type I error rates of both DIF detection tests. IRT-LR had higher Type I error rates than Mantel Test when large sample size and when group mean difference conditions.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate Type I error rate of the IRT-Likelihood Ratio (IRT-LR) statistic and Mantel Test in detecting DIF. A multiple replication Monte Carlo study was utilized for simulated data sets. In final study design, there were 18 conditions [3 (sample size) x 3 (group mean difference) x 2 (methods of DIF detection)]. W...
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Factorial Invariance of the Body Image Anxiety Scale Questionnaire on Health and Social Sciences Mexican College Students
Martha Ornelas,
Luis H. Blanco,
Jose Rene Blanco,
Miguel Conchas Ramirez,
Judith M. Rodriguez-Villalobos
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 6, November 2016
Pages:
44-50
Received:
28 October 2016
Accepted:
18 November 2016
Published:
21 December 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajap.20160506.12
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Abstract: The present study analyzes the psychometric properties of the Body Image Anxiety Scale (BIAS) trait-version test on Health and Social Sciences college students. The total sample included 1,113 participants: 524 Health Sciences students and 589 Social Sciences students with an average age of 18.20 years (SD=0.72) and 18.24 years (SD=0.74) respectively. The exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses showed a viable and adequate bifactorial structure for both, Health Sciences and Social Sciences, populations according to the established psychometric requirements set when the informants are the students themselves. Furthermore, the factorial structure, loads, and intercepts are invariant in both groups; nevertheless, there are average weight differences between both populations.
Abstract: The present study analyzes the psychometric properties of the Body Image Anxiety Scale (BIAS) trait-version test on Health and Social Sciences college students. The total sample included 1,113 participants: 524 Health Sciences students and 589 Social Sciences students with an average age of 18.20 years (SD=0.72) and 18.24 years (SD=0.74) respective...
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Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Turnover Intent: A Path Analysis of Nigeria Bankers’ Behavioural Variables
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 6, November 2016
Pages:
51-59
Received:
3 November 2016
Accepted:
17 November 2016
Published:
23 December 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajap.20160506.13
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Abstract: This study examined psychological factors influencing organizational citizenship behavior and turnover intent among bankers in a consolidated Nigerian Bank. Eight hundred and eighty five (885) bank workers were sampled across six geo-political zones in Nigeria. A battery of tests was used to elicit their opinions using questionnaire. The research was multivariate in nature. A multivariate regression analysis was used to establish the direct and indirect effects of the exogenous variables on the two endogenous variables through path analysis. Results revealed that affective commitment, procedural justice and psychological empowerment have direct effects on the negative relationship between citizenship behaviour and turnover intent. The study also revealed a negative relationship between turnover intent and organizational citizenship behaviour. However, there was no indirect relationship between affective commitment and psychological empowerment on the negative relationship between citizenship behaviour and turnover intent. It was recommended that bank managements will only be helping in retaining their top staff by encouraging organisational citizenship behaviour among them. This will not only boost workers performance and bank productivity but also lower their intent to leave the organisation no matter the odds on the job.
Abstract: This study examined psychological factors influencing organizational citizenship behavior and turnover intent among bankers in a consolidated Nigerian Bank. Eight hundred and eighty five (885) bank workers were sampled across six geo-political zones in Nigeria. A battery of tests was used to elicit their opinions using questionnaire. The research w...
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Application and Simulation of Optimal Investment Strategy for Subjective Fault in Criminal Psychology Evaluation
Xian Wang,
Xiaoyan Lu,
Zhuye Zhang,
Zhengying Cai
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 6, November 2016
Pages:
60-69
Received:
17 October 2016
Accepted:
7 November 2016
Published:
29 December 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajap.20160506.14
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Abstract: Criminal psychology evaluation is too comprehensive to be easily made, but here the optimal investment strategy is proposed to solve this kind of problem in criminal psychology from the view of subjective fault. First, the investment strategy of subjective fault is modeled by the risk measurement of boundary value, and the complex strategy selection process subjective fault is analyzed. The psychology activity is modeled as a multistage process of strategy selection, and the revenue function of criminal psychology in multi strategy choice is also discussed. Second, considering the subjective fault of criminal psychology, an optimal strategy solution with the opportunity cost and robust portfolio model is described. Third, the optimal strategy is verified by an example, and the results showed that the criminal psychology evaluation problem can be established by using robust optimization model. Last, some practical suggestions, interesting conclusions, and future work are indicated at the end of the paper.
Abstract: Criminal psychology evaluation is too comprehensive to be easily made, but here the optimal investment strategy is proposed to solve this kind of problem in criminal psychology from the view of subjective fault. First, the investment strategy of subjective fault is modeled by the risk measurement of boundary value, and the complex strategy selectio...
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An Experimental Analysis on the Characteristics of Muller-Lyer Illusion About Young People
Xiaofei Lin,
Shouxin Song,
Huaiyuan Zhai,
Shuang Peng
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 6, November 2016
Pages:
70-76
Received:
25 November 2016
Accepted:
19 December 2016
Published:
29 December 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajap.20160506.15
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Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to find the variation of Muller-Lyer illusion and analyze the characteristics of the individuals. We carry on the experiment by an illusion instrument which produced by Beijing Jade Bird Tianqiao Instrument & Equipment Co., Ltd. and Muller lyer illusion test software which developed based on the illusion instrument by us. Then 474 samples are got through the illusion instrument and the test software totally. The statistical analysis shows that the illusion quantity increases while the angle decreases with the test order of 30°, 45°, 60° or 60°, 30°, 45°. But the illusion quantity of 45° is greater than 30° and the illusion quantity of 60° is less than 30° with the test order of 45°, 30°, 60°, which shows that the order of test has an effect on the experimental results and the adaptability is conducive to reduce the amount of illusion in this test group. At the same time the statistical analysis also shows that the illusion of females’ is higher than that of males’, and the female in the group of whose illusion quantity of 45° is the biggest were almost the students who achieved outstanding academic performance.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to find the variation of Muller-Lyer illusion and analyze the characteristics of the individuals. We carry on the experiment by an illusion instrument which produced by Beijing Jade Bird Tianqiao Instrument & Equipment Co., Ltd. and Muller lyer illusion test software which developed based on the illusion instrument by u...
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Personality Traits Structuring Can Lead to Uncovering Its Adaptive Function
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 6, November 2016
Pages:
77-84
Received:
30 October 2016
Accepted:
16 December 2016
Published:
29 December 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajap.20160506.16
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Abstract: There exists a clear distinguishable personality variation along a big amount of dimensions, such as dependability, honesty, cooperativeness, generousness, humorousness, friendliness, competitiveness, and so on. The practice of classification of trait words indicates that each original list consisting of hundreds of these words of personality lexicon can be replaced by 5-6 broad factorial dimensions. Usually, the personality psychologists do not explain the nature of such empirically derived personality traits structures. Instead, they often stress that neither theory is supported by such factorial models of personality traits structure due to their pure empirical origin. The author proposed a three-dimensional (“rugby cake”) model allowing the replacement of a six-factor representation of personality traits structure by a more parsimonious representation with only three spatial (underlying) dimensions named Advantageousness (A), Benignity (B), and Controllability (C). In the present paper he proposed that the human capability to distinguish between numerous personality traits dimensions evolved as an essential life skill determined by a relatively autonomous, automatic, and specialized computational device. This device makes nearly everyone well enough in navigating between hundreds of narrow personality traits dimensions without much effort and outside of awareness. People can unconsciously organize the personality perception process in the framework of a very parsimonious three-dimensional ABC system. It provides a sense to which extent a particular narrow personality trait is advantageous (A), benign (B), and controlled (C) to solve the adaptive problems of predicting and controlling others’ behavior via perception, classification, judgment, and signaling of fitness correlated personality traits.
Abstract: There exists a clear distinguishable personality variation along a big amount of dimensions, such as dependability, honesty, cooperativeness, generousness, humorousness, friendliness, competitiveness, and so on. The practice of classification of trait words indicates that each original list consisting of hundreds of these words of personality lexic...
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Prospective Memory Is (Also) Not Immune to Imagery
Philip Chukwuemeka Mefoh,
Sampson Kelechi Nwonyi
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 6, November 2016
Pages:
85-88
Received:
30 April 2016
Accepted:
10 May 2016
Published:
30 December 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajap.20160506.17
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Abstract: The study adopted a study-test paradigm to investigate whether imagery has a similar effect on prospective memory as it does on retrospective memory. The sample consists of 160 introductory psychology students. The participants were randomly assigned into 2 between groups of imagery: no-imagery and imagery groups. All the participants first studied paired-associate words (List A-B) and were later tested on the paired-associate recall test and sentence construction task. The 2 tests were performed simultaneously. Results of data analyses using the multivariate statistical model showed that memory was better for participants in the imagery group than for participants in the no-imagery group for retrospective memory (p < .001), as well as for prospective memory (p < .001). The obtained effect sizes (ES) of 0.26 and 0.21 for retrospective and prospective memory respectively demonstrate that imagery affects not only retrospective memory, but also prospective memory.
Abstract: The study adopted a study-test paradigm to investigate whether imagery has a similar effect on prospective memory as it does on retrospective memory. The sample consists of 160 introductory psychology students. The participants were randomly assigned into 2 between groups of imagery: no-imagery and imagery groups. All the participants first studied...
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Extraversion and Involvement in Risky Sexual Behaviour Among Students in Secondary Schools in Nyakach Sub-county Kisumu County, Kenya
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 6, November 2016
Pages:
89-97
Received:
17 October 2016
Accepted:
1 November 2016
Published:
30 December 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajap.20160506.18
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Abstract: Risky sexual behaviour is a common habit among young people in the world, but its relation with extraversion has not been explored exhaustively, especially in Kenya. The study aimed at establishing relationship between extraversion and involvement in risky sexual behaviour among students in secondary schools in Nyakach Sub-county using a Correlational research design. A multistage random sampling was used to determine a sample size of 46 schools (88%) and 390 students (22%). Data was collected using Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and Risky Sexual Behaviour Questionnaires. The reliability of questionnaires was obtained through internal consistency, with Cronbach’s constant at 0.632 while validity through experts reviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages and mean) as well as inferential statistics (Pearson Correlation). The major findings of the study showed a significant relationship between extraversion and involvement in risky sexual behaviour (r=0.786). In conclusion the relationship is very strong and positive hence extroverts are more likely to participate in risky sex. The study recommended that categorizing and profiling the students into their most dominant personality subtypes is one way that can be used to offer strategic counseling so as to handle various students depending on their personality subtypes.
Abstract: Risky sexual behaviour is a common habit among young people in the world, but its relation with extraversion has not been explored exhaustively, especially in Kenya. The study aimed at establishing relationship between extraversion and involvement in risky sexual behaviour among students in secondary schools in Nyakach Sub-county using a Correlatio...
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Artificial and Biological Intelligence: Hardware vs Wetware
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 6, November 2016
Pages:
98-103
Received:
9 December 2016
Accepted:
22 December 2016
Published:
30 December 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajap.20160506.19
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Abstract: By starting from physical principles, the paper formulates the basis of the biological intelligence and coscience formation. The work shows that far from equilibrium, the principle of maximum energy dissipation, in a fluid phase, brings the molecules to organize themselves in living systems (ordered stationary states) that sustain energy-matter fluxes that determine the architecture of the dissipative system. The driver of the process is the energy; the matter is the substrate. On this base, and thanks to a “selection rule”, the living systems developed a bi-phasic structure consisting of a solid network permeated by a liquid where fluxes of ions and molecules can be maintained. In this way they realize a “wetware” where the energy and the organization/information are handled, and where a high specialization of functions can be obtained by using the spatial delocalization leading to the development of the complexity of the shape. The outputs of a living system can be divided in two categories: 1) macroscopic outputs: Movements, definition of an organized reaction or plan of action, and 2) microscopic ones: Plastic rearrangement of structures, migration of chemical species and electrochemical dynamics (transportation of matter, rearrangement, sensing, storage and information handling). The biological intelligence is a product of these basic processes where the wetware (matter substrate) is continuously modified by the energy-matter fluxes. On this base, the artificial intelligence of computers can be seen as a subclass of intelligent processes since it owns some limitations due to the invariance of the material substrate (that is not self-modified by the energy fluxes) and by the unique form of the flux of matter that is given by the electron current. Finally, the definition of a bio-inspired artificial intelligence is discussed.
Abstract: By starting from physical principles, the paper formulates the basis of the biological intelligence and coscience formation. The work shows that far from equilibrium, the principle of maximum energy dissipation, in a fluid phase, brings the molecules to organize themselves in living systems (ordered stationary states) that sustain energy-matter flu...
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Economic Choices Among Different Groups According to the Cognitive Economics and Social Judgement Theory
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 6, November 2016
Pages:
104-110
Received:
31 October 2016
Accepted:
21 December 2016
Published:
31 December 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajap.20160506.20
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Abstract: Decision making, social judgement and human reasoning process is an important research area for experimental micro-economics. Social judgement happens with previous learning, reasoning and decision making processes and by the synchronized appearance of these cognitive functions, so the brain relates decision utility to anticipated and experienced utility. In the brain system, this neural synchronization is realized by the executive functions which seem to be located in the limbic system and frontal lobes. These neuroscientific researchs are also effective on social sciences and ethical discussions. This study generally provides examples from the relevant literature about the instruments used by the neurological applications to investigate the behaviours of individuals, how they are used to study interactions between individuals and how they can be used in modelling social dynamics as well as evaluating the effects of these studies on individuals and society. In this study, some behavioral perspectives on trust and reciprocity, fairness and altruism, justice and social norms were searched with the help of behavioral experiments presented in the game theory literature. The research part of the study includes the design, statistical results and findings of the experiment that we applied to the undergraduate students and public staff in Istanbul. The data was evaluated by ANOVA difference tests were conducted. The results of the analyses show that individuals don’t only try to behave rationally when they make economic judgements but also take decisions by involving their educations and social roles into the judgement processes. There are also significant differences between university students and public employees. The last part discusses the practical results of these studies and their possible effects on social sciences. One of the basic criticisms on the experimental studies of economic decision making is that the experiments in a laboratory environment may systematically vary from the behaviours in real life.
Abstract: Decision making, social judgement and human reasoning process is an important research area for experimental micro-economics. Social judgement happens with previous learning, reasoning and decision making processes and by the synchronized appearance of these cognitive functions, so the brain relates decision utility to anticipated and experienced u...
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