Volume 23, Issue 1, 2015

Predicting positive and negative affect based on emotion and thought regulation strategies
Măirean, C. Pages 7-22Author(s): Cornelia Măirean
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1/XXIII/2015
Page Range: 7-22
No. of Pages: 16
Keywords: suppression; reappraisal; anxiety; positive affect; negative affect
Summary/Abstract: This study examined the relationship between two emotions and thought regulation strategies - expressive suppression and cognitive reappraisal - and its affective state following exposure to a trauma-related event. We predicted that these relationships would be moderated by peritraumatic state anxiety. An experimental design was used where participants were exposed to an aversive film. Individual differences in emotions and thought regulation strategies were measured before exposure. After the film, the participants completed scales for measuring peritraumatic anxiety, as well as positive and negative affect. The analyses indicated that emotions and thought suppression predicted negative affect. Moreover, peritraumatic anxiety predicted both positive and negative affect, but it did not moderate the relation between emotion and thought regulation strategies and its affect. The practical implications of these results for personal wellbeing are discussed.
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The reliability and construct validity of the Critical Thinking Disposition Scale
Poondej, C., & Lerdpornkulrat, T. Pages 23-36Author(s): Chanut Poondej, Thanita Lerdpornkulrat
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1/XXIII/2015
Page Range: 23-36
No. of Pages: 14
Keywords: critical thinking; critical thinking disposition; construct validity; confirmatory factor analysis
Summary/Abstract: The Critical Thinking Disposition Scale guided by the literature of ways of knowing concept was applied for the first time in Thailand in 2013 on the study conducted by Poondej, Koul, and Sujivorakul but still needed to be validated. The purpose of the present study was to expand on previous finding by evaluating construct and factorial validity of the Critical Thinking Disposition Scale. This scale consisted of 20 items measuring the four-factor structure of a critical thinking disposition (cynical, analytical, empathic, and pluralistic disposition). The participants of this study were 488 undergraduate students in Thailand. To measure the internal consistency of the factors, we conducted reliability estimates. In terms of construct validity, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to test the validity. The results confirmed the validity of the four-factor structure of the Critical Thinking Disposition Scale which would be a useful tool for educators and scholars for measuring the tendencies toward particular patterns of thinking critically.
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Psychological determinants of errors in solving political tasks
Traverse, T. Pages 37-53Author(s): Tatyana Traverse
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1/XXIII/2015
Page Range: 37-53
No. of Pages: 17
Keywords: tasks solving; actors; political thinking
Summary/Abstract: This article is devoted to the problem of rational orientation of actors in the political reality and the influence of political thinking on this process. The main objective of the study is the analysis of political errors made by the actors during the solution of political problems, and identification of the main factors that cause them. The following actors participated in the study: a group of deputies of different district and local councils of Ukraine, as well as students involved to a different extent into political activities, namely: a) students-political scientists; b) students having non-political and non-humanitarian profile (specialty: mechanical engineering, mathematics); c) Students specialized in psychology, religion, philosophy; g) students participating in political events on the Maidan during autumn 2013 - winter 2014. The participants had to solve four types of political information problems aimed at the analysis, forecasting, decision making, management. The study founded that the errors of political thinking were determined by the following factors: 1) the extent, quality of the functioning and the ratio of political thinking components (cognitive, operational, regulative and personal); 2) properties of political thinking (objectivity, notion-based thinking, practicality, creativity); 3) mental actions that provided staging and integrity of the search process (preparation, planning, evaluation, implementing, testing); 4) using mechanisms of solving the political problems, in particular strategic organization, particularly, the strategies of combination, analogy, reconstruction, universal or mixed, and the random act strategy; 5) the type of political problem. The study of this topic is highly relevant as political actors have great impact on the formation of the state and public policy in different areas. This study is especially relevant keeping in mind active political transformations in the Ukrainian politics, which directly influence the formation of the country’s development strategies. The study results showed numerous errors made by the participants during the solution of problems. Thus we can conclude that preparation of strong and active political actors requires more thorough training, quality control of tasks which, in turn, will significantly reduce and prevent errors in the interpretation political reality by the actor.
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Effect of slow-deep breathing exercise to reduce anxiety among adolescent school students in a selected higher secondary school in Coimbatore, India
Sellakumar, G. K. Pages 54-72Author(s): George Kannaiah Sellakumar
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1/XXIII/2015
Page Range: 54-72
No. of Pages: 19
Keywords: anxiety; slow-deep breathing exercise; adolescents; school students
Summary/Abstract: The present study explored the effect of slow-deep breathing exercise to reduce the level of anxiety among adolescent students. The study was designed as pre test post test control group design. Stratified random sample of 100 adolescent students studying in a higher secondary school was recruited for the study. The selected participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Speilberger’s state -trait anxiety inventory was administered to assess the level of anxiety. Slow- deep breathing exercise was taught and instructed the participants to practice 30 minutes every day for a period of 45 consecutive days. A post test was conducted to evaluate the effect of slow-deep breathing exercise after 45 days. The collected data were statistically treated. The result revealed that there is a significant effect of slow deep breathing exercise in reducing the level of anxiety. Hence, it can be concluded that slow deep breathing exercise facilitate to reduce anxiety. Furthermore, slow-deep breathing exercise can be incorporated in the daily activities of school students which will help students to perform well in the academic activities.
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Better together: teams and discourse in asynchronous online discussion forums
Szabo, Zs. Pages 73-88Author(s): Zsuzsanna Szabo
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1/XXIII/2015
Page Range: 73-88
No. of Pages: 16
Keywords: online asynchronous teaching; team facilitation; quantitative and qualitative analysis
Summary/Abstract: This action research study was conducted in an online asynchronous graduate level advanced educational psychology course, which is part of the teacher education program. Teaching methods used constructivist methods employing instructor-facilitated and team peer-facilitation for asynchronous online discussions. The quantitative and qualitative analysis compared individual participation in the asynchronous forums by type of instruction, type of posting, and changes in the quality of discussions across the semesters. Results show that the use of peer-facilitation in asynchronous online forum discussions increased student participation and content quality, while instructor-only facilitation resulted in longer and more developed individual forum postings. Lessons learned and educational implications for online teaching are presented.
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Managing the double agenda in executive coaching
Wild, K., Macavei, B., & Podea, D. Pages 89-99Author(s): Delia Podea, Bianca Macavei, Karol Wild
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1/XXIII/2015
Page Range: 89-99
No. of Pages: 11
Keywords: executive coaching; coaching framework; dysfunctional belief systems
Summary/Abstract: The primary problems addressed in executive coaching are business and management issues; increasing performance; stimulating employees' motivation; applying different kinds of strategies to conflict management; and answering critical questions. It should be noted however, that in almost every case where executive coaching is sought, executives present dysfunctional belief systems that interfere with their management and leadership tasks. This situation creates the need to work on a double agenda in order to achieve long term results, namely: (a) devising work-related action plans, and (b) teaching executives to challenge and restructure their dysfunctional belief systems. In general, in clinical settings, it is relatively common to start working on emotional problems and tackle practical problems later on (Dryden & DiGiuseppe, 1990). However, in organizational settings this may not be always feasible. Making executives aware of how their own emotions interfere with their work-related tasks is not always enough, because of the consequences and the urgent need to resolve practical problems. In this context, we have developed an original framework that enables us to intervene on the double agenda, integrating coaching models from two approaches into the problem solving process: (a) solution focused coaching, and (b) cognitive-behavioral coaching. Our coaching framework increases the level of rationality employed in assessing options and the probability of applying the agreed action plan. Finally, we show how our integrative coaching model can be applied using a case study from our own practice and the implications for future coaching training programs and research.
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A holistic perspective of the conceptual framework of resilience
Marici, M. Pages 100-115Author(s): Marius Marici
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1/XXIII/2015
Page Range: 100-115
No. of Pages: 16
Keywords: resilience; parental practices; children; conceptual framework
Summary/Abstract: Doing research in the field of resilience can prove to be a rather challenging attempt for a scientist, as long as perspectives are multiple, the consensus regarding resilience boundaries is limited, and the reality is complex and multi-level. The aim of this research was to investigate the conceptual framework of resilience in case of children and adolescents and to perform a pilot study in order to identify the core concepts/protective factors of resilient development. The theoretical inquiry aims at determining controversial difficulties in selecting protective factors, while the qualitative approach focuses on the methodological process of categorization, through which protective factors, regarding resilience in children and adolescents were analysed. The practical investigation relied on the empirical literature which provided summaries or lists of variables considered to be protective factors. Study results identified core protective factors in the individual, family or social domain that seem to count the most for resilience development. Future research should integrate contradicting views into a holistic resilience model and take into account the multiple problems identified in literature in order to improve the understanding of protective factors against adversity.
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