216,360 research outputs found
Competence measure in social networks
The current research aims to gain insight on user competence in detecting security threats in the context of online social networks (OSNs) and investigates the multidimensional space that determines this user competence level. The role of user competence and its dimensions in facilitating the detection of online threats is still a controversial topic in the information security field. The dimensions used to measure the concept are self-efficacy, security awareness, privacy awareness, and cybercrime experience. The scales used to measure those factors can determine the level of user competence in evaluating risks associated with social network usage. The measurement scales employed here have been validated using an item-categorization approach that, to our knowledge, has never before been used in information security research. The result of this study provides evidence for the suitability and validity of the user competence dimensions and associated measurement scales
Young Childrenâs cliques : a study on processes of peer acceptance and cliques aggregation
A considerable amount of research has examined the link between childrenâs peer
acceptance, which refers to the degree of likability within the peer group, social
functioning and emotional wellbeing, at a same age and in a long term perspective,
pointing out to the contribution of peer acceptance for mental wellbeing. Our study
proposes a sociometric methodology that, differently from many studies focused on
individual classifications of social status, moves to the analysis of affiliative social
networks within the class group. This study describes how individual factors such as
socio-emotional competence, temperament, and linguistic skills are related to positive
reciprocated nominations (=RNs) and examines the cliques generated by reciprocal
nominations according to similarities (socio-emotional competence, temperament and
linguistic skills) among cliquesâ members. Eighty-four preschool children (M age = 62.5
months) were recruited. The Sociometric Interview to assess RNs and the Peabody
Picture Vocabulary Test - Revised (PPVT-R; Dunn & Dunn, 1981) to assess receptive
language were administered; the Social Competence and Behaviour Evaluation Short
Form questionnaire (SCBE-30; LaFreniere & Dumas, 1996) and the Quit Temperament
Scale (Axia, 2002) were filled in by the teachers. Results showed that children with
higher RNs presented higher scores in social orientation, positive emotionality, motor
activity, linguistic skills and social competence (trend), and exhibited lower anxietywithdrawal.
The analysis of cliques revealed that children preferred playmates with
similar features: social competence, anger-aggression (trend), social orientation, positive
emotionality, inhibition to novelty, attention, motor activity (trend) and linguistic skills.
These findings provide insights about processes of peer affiliation, highlighting the role
of socio-emotional functioning and linguistic skills.peer-reviewe
Developing the scales on evaluation beliefs of student teachers
The purpose of the study reported in this paper was to investigate the validity and the reliability of a newly developed questionnaire named âTeacher Evaluation Beliefsâ (TEB). The framework for developing items was provided by the two models. The first model focuses on Student-Centered and Teacher-Centered beliefs about evaluation while the other centers on five dimensions (what/ who/ when/ why/ how). The validity and reliability of the new instrument was investigated using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis study (n=446). Overall results indicate that the two-factor structure is more reasonable than the five-factor one. Further research needs additional items about the latent dimensions âwhatâ âwhoâ âwhenâ âwhyâ âhowâ for each existing factor based on Student-centered and Teacher-centered approaches
Initial Development and Validation of the Mexican Intercultural Competence Scale
The current project sought to develop the Mexican Intercultural Competence Scale, which assesses group-specific skills and attributes that facilitate effective cultural interactions, among adults of Mexican descent. Study 1 involved an exploratory factor analysis (N = 184) that identified 5 factors including Ambition/Perseverance, Networking, the Traditional Latino Culture, Family Relationships, and Communication. In Study 2, a confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence for the 5-factor model for adults of Mexican origin living in the Midwest (N = 341) region of the United States. The general findings are discussed in terms of a competence-based formulation of cultural adaptation and include theoretical and clinical implications
Tying Knots With Communities: Youth Involvement in Scouting and Civic Engagement in Adulthood
Using data from a nationally representative sample of American adult males (N = 2,512), this study examines (a) whether duration of membership in the Boy Scouts of America is associated with adult civic engagement and (b) whether five characteristics of positive youth development (confidence, competence, connection, character, and caring) account for the relationship between duration of Scouting membership and adult civic engagement. The results from structural equation modeling indicate that duration of participation in Scouting is positively associated with four indicators of civic engagement: community involvement, community volunteering, community activism, and environmental activism. Among the five positive characteristics, confidence and competence were found to fully mediate the effects of Scouting on all four types of civic engagement, whereas the other three only to partly mediate the effects
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Centrality in children's best friend networks: the role of social behaviour
Centrality is an indicator of an individual's relative importance within a social group. Predictors of centrality in best friendship networks were examined in 146 children (70 boys, 76 girls, Mage= 9.95). Children completed measures of social confidence, social desirability, friendship quality, school liking, and loneliness, and nominated their best friends from within their class at two time points, 3 months apart. Multigroup path analysis revealed gender differences in the antecedents of centrality. Social confidence, social desirability, and friendship quality predicted changes in the indicators of centrality in best friend networks over time. In boysâ social behaviour positively predicted changes in centrality whereas in girlsâ social behaviour negatively predicted changes in centrality. Together, these findings suggest that some aspects of social behaviour are influential for centrality in best friend groups
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