366 research outputs found
A re-examination and attempted replication of the structure of cattells sixteen personality factor questionnaire.
Cattell's Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire is\ud
amongst the most widely used of psychometric measures of\ud
personality, yet little support for its structure is to be found in the\ud
critical literature. Consideration of what might constitute a\ud
decisive analysis leads to the view that previous studies have been\ud
deficient in concentrating unduly on technical criteria in the conduct\ud
of factor analysis to the exclusion of an analysis of psychometric\ud
and statistical features which could give rise to observed results.\ud
Using a large sample of undergraduate subjects, both\ud
within-scale and between scale analyses were performed. The\ud
claim that the scales of the questionnaire are heterogeneous,\ud
accepted by Cattell, is shown to be invalid in statistical terms,\ud
with a few exceptions. Evidence for a limited but substantial\ud
degree of support for the structure proposed by Cattell is adduced\ud
from both traditional forms of factor analysis and the newer\ud
technique of structural analysis of covariance matrices. In the\ud
process doubt is cast on the relevance of certain technical\ud
disputes regarding the conduct of factor analysis, and the value\ud
of Cronbach's coefficient alpha as an index of psychometric\ud
adequacy is supported. The importance of reliability of variables\ud
in factor analysis is emphasised, and attention is drawn to the\ud
problems associated with the use of heterogeneous samples and\ud
ad libitum selection of variables.\ud
Consideration of the results of the analyses suggests a\ud
reinterpretation of Cattell's scales in terms of homogeneity of\ud
content and possibly a facet analysis of the questionnaire\ud
synthesising a variety of viewpoints often presented as conflicting
Factors that predict the referral of adult Modern Day Slavery cases to the UK's National Referral Mechanism
There is a high drop-out or attrition rate of Modern Day Slavery (MDS) cases in the Criminal Justice System although there has been a paucity of academic research examining the factors that could be related to this attrition. Similar work has been carried out examining attrition in rape cases (Feist A, Ashe J, Lawrence J et al. (2007) Investigating and detecting recorded offences of rape. Home Office Online Research Report, 18/07. London: Home Office). The aim of this study was to examine whether factors of MDS cases were associated with and could predict referral to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) (either by the police or other agencies). Two hundred and sixteen suspected cases of MDS were examined, 29 of which had been referred to the NRM. Content analysis was used to extract variables from the cases. These pertained to aspects of the offence (e.g. types of exploitation, offender strategies), the victim (e.g. gender, ability to speak English), and the offender (e.g. details on any recruiter, transporter and exploiter). Cases were more likely to be referred when the victim was locked, controlled or had their movement restricted, not recruited in the UK, when the trafficking flow was non-domestic, when debt bondage had occurred and when the recruiter was not in the UK when they recruited the victim. Cases were less likely to be referred when sexual exploitation was suspected, there was more than one victim and when the exploitation was thought to be occurring/have occurred in a brothel, massage parlour and or via a website. These findings may indicate that certain victims are more likely to come forward and/or that the cases are more likely to be considered MDS by those investigating the cases. Recommendations for practice include a consideration of the best way to handle suspected cases of sexual exploitation, considering adopting investigative strategies from domestic violence investigations, proactively addressing the gaps in the data and better linking of data. Limitations and future research ideas are discussed
Homo sapiens lithic technology and microlithization in the South Asian rainforest at Kitulgala Beli-lena (c. 45 â 8,000 years ago)
Recent archaeological investigations in Sri Lanka have reported evidence for the exploitation and settlement of tropical rainforests by Homo sapiens since c. 48,000 BP. Information on technological approaches used by human populations in rainforest habitats is restricted to two cave sites, Batadomba-lena and Fa-Hien Lena. Here, we provide detailed study of the lithic assemblages of Kitulgala Beli-lena, a recently excavated rockshelter preserving a sedimentary sequence from the Late Pleistocene to the Holocene. Our analysis indicates in situ lithic production and the recurrent use of the bipolar method for the production of microliths. Stone tool analyses demonstrate long-term technological stability from c. 45,000 to 8,000 years BP, a pattern documented in other rainforest locations. Foraging behaviour is characterised by the use of lithic bipolar by-products together with osseous projectile points for the consistent targeting of semi-arboreal/arboreal species, allowing for the widespread and recurrent settlement of the wet zone of Sri Lanka.Introduction Mobility and hunter-gatherer tool-kits Kitulgala Beli-lena rockshelter Materials and methods Results - Late Pleistocene (c. 45,000â31,000 cal BP) - Terminal Pleistocene (17,157â11,314 cal BP) - Holocene (10,577â8,029 cal BP) Summary Discussio
Homo sapiens lithic technology and microlithization in the South Asian rainforest at Kitulgala Beli-lena (c. 45 â 8,000 years ago)
Recent archaeological investigations in Sri Lanka have reported evidence for the exploitation and settlement of tropical rainforests by Homo sapiens since c. 48,000 BP. Information on technological approaches used by human populations in rainforest habitats is restricted to two cave sites, Batadomba-lena and Fa-Hien Lena. Here, we provide detailed study of the lithic assemblages of Kitulgala Beli-lena, a recently excavated rockshelter preserving a sedimentary sequence from the Late Pleistocene to the Holocene. Our analysis indicates in situ lithic production and the recurrent use of the bipolar method for the production of microliths. Stone tool analyses demonstrate long-term technological stability from c. 45,000 to 8,000 years BP, a pattern documented in other rainforest locations. Foraging behaviour is characterised by the use of lithic bipolar by-products together with osseous projectile points for the consistent targeting of semi-arboreal/arboreal species, allowing for the widespread and recurrent settlement of the wet zone of Sri Lanka
Psychopathy, pain, and pain empathy: A psychophysiological study
The present study examined whether people higher in psychopathy experienced less self reported and psychophysiological nociceptive pressure than people lower in psychopathy. We also examined whether psychopathy affects empathy for othersâ pain via self-reported and psychophysiological measures. Three hundred and sixty-nine students (18â78 years; M = 26, SD = 9.34) were screened for psychopathic traits using the Youth Psychopathy Inventory (YPI). Stratified sampling was used to recruit 49 adults residing in the highest (n = 23) and lowest (n = 26) 20% of the psychopathy spectrum. Using skin conductance response (SCR) and self-report responses, participants responded to individually adjusted intensities of pneumatic pressure and othersâ pain images and completed self-reported psychopathy and empathy measures (Triarchic Psychopathy Measure, TriPm; Interpersonal Reactivity Index, IRI). People higher in psychopathy self-reported feeling less nociceptive pressure compared to people lower in psychopathy, yet we did not find any differences in SCR to nociceptive pressure. However, when viewing other people in pain, the high psychopathy group displayed lower SCR and lower self-reported empathy compared to those lower in psychopathy. Our results suggest psychopathic traits relate to problems empathising with othersâ pain, as well as the perception of nociceptive pressure. We also show support for the theory of dual harm which has been receiving increasing attention. Consequently, psychopathy interventions should focus both on recognising and empathising with the pain of others
Understanding offender managersâ views and experiences of psychological consultations
Few studies have investigated the effectiveness of the psychological consultation process specifically for offender managers. This study involves a total of 23 offender managersâ views and perceptions of the consultation process within four areas of the North West of England. Within each location, a focus group was conducted involving between four and eight participants and interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyse the responses. The analysis revealed four main themes: validation of thoughts, feelings and practice; professional support; a personal touch; and room for improvement. These findings are discussed along with implications for further research
First evidence for human occupation of a lava tube in Arabia: The archaeology of Umm Jirsan Cave and its surroundings, northern Saudi Arabia
Recent advances in interdisciplinary archaeological research in Arabia have focused on the evolution and historical development of regional human populations as well as the diverse patterns of cultural change, migration, and adaptations to environmental fluctuations. Obtaining a comprehensive understanding of cultural developments such as the emergence and lifeways of Neolithic groups has been hindered by the limited preservation of stratified archaeological assemblages and organic remains, a common challenge in arid environments. Underground settings like caves and lava tubes, which are prevalent in Arabia but which have seen limited scientific exploration, offer promising opportunities for addressing these issues. Here, we report on an archaeological excavation and a related survey at and around Umm Jirsan lava tube in the Harrat Khaybar, north-western Saudi Arabia. Our results reveal repeated phases of human occupation of the site ranging from at least the Neolithic through to the Chalcolithic/Bronze Age. Pastoralist use of the lava tube and surrounding landscape is attested in rock art and faunal records, suggesting that Umm Jirsan was situated along a pastoral route linking key oases. Isotopic data indicates that herbivores primarily grazed on wild grasses and shrubs rather than being provided with fodder, while humans had a diet consistently high in protein but with increasing consumption of C3 plants through-time, perhaps related to the emergence of oasis agriculture. While underground and naturally sheltered localities are globally prominent in archaeology and Quaternary science, our work represents the first such combined records for Saudi Arabia and highlight the potential for interdisciplinary studies in caves and lava tubes
An assessment of dental caries among young Aboriginal children in New South Wales, Australia: a cross-sectional study
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