Revisiting the Santa Barbara sense of direction scale, mental rotations, and gender differences in spatial orientation

Angular direction estimation to landmarks of varying distance in the physical environment was utilised to investigate the ecological validity of the Santa Barbara sense of direction scale (SBSOD). Two- and three-dimensional MR measures were included to enable further the scale applicability. Results showed a moderate correlation between SBSOD and angular deviation from landmarks in the immediate landscape, but not with local or distant landmarks. Moreover, the findings suggest that skills which underlie three-dimensional MR better relate to pointing accuracy (PA) of distant landmarks and the cardinal direction, North. Results also showed a gender-related systematic biases in landmark estimation

Predicting burnout syndrome in Greek mental health professionals

The aim of this research study was to explore predictors of burnout in clinicians working across different mental health settings in Greece. The Maslach & Jackson Inventory (MBI; Maslach & Jackson, 1981) was used to evaluate burnout syndrome and assess the relationship between demographic factors (age, children, education & job experience) and each sub-factor (emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation & personal accomplishment) of the MBI. Results revealed that out of three burnout factors, emotional exhaustion (EE) and personal accomplishment (PA) demonstrated one significant predictor each whereas depersonalisation (DP) showed no significant predictors. In addition, job experience (years in the job) was found to be a significant predictor of emotional exhaustion in clinical staff. Further analysis showed no significant differences across job type for emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and personal accomplishment. The findings are discussed with a focus on prevention and coping strategies for clinicians working in mental health settings

The use of ‘R’ statistical software in psychology research.

The following article is designed to bring to the attention of researchers the possibilities of using statistical software other than SPSS, which has become something of a convention in psychology. It will briefly highlight the considerable advantages of using R (Ihaka & Gentleman, 1996) as well as offer directions for pursuing a more comprehensive ‘R’ education

Improving the use of technology enhanced learning environments in higher education in the UK: A qualitative visualisation of students’ views

In recent years, the use of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) has risen exponentially throughout higher education in the UK. Whilst TEL is an umbrella term for a range of technologies, evidence suggests that in the UK, TEL is usually delivered via the medium of Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) for the provision of lecture materials and additional content. An emerging literature has established both the pedagogical potential and students’ perceived usefulness of TEL. However, researchers have yet to establish how the use of TEL via VLEs can be improved – a core requirement of establishing best practice. The current study sought to address this in a sample of 487 predominately undergraduate students. Content analysis revealed that views were overwhelmingly positive, but that students had clear views on what they wanted to see improved. Students expressed clear desires for the more consistent and more frequent use of TEL within lectures. Further, they felt that the potential of TEL to encourage and facilitate interactions, both within their University and with external stakeholders, has thus far gone unexploited. Implications for teaching practice and future research are discussed

Technology enhanced learning in higher education; motivations, engagement and academic achievement

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) has become a common feature of Higher Education. However, research has been hindered by a lack of differentiation between usage and engagement and not recognising the heterogeneity of TEL applications. The current study aimed to assess the impact of emotional, cognitive and behavioural engagement with TEL on students’ grades and to also look at how motivation levels differentially predict engagement across different types of TEL. In a sample of 524 undergraduate students, we measured engagement and usage of TEL, student learning motivations and self-report student grades. Our results indicate that intrinsic motivations predict engagement, whilst extrinsic motivations predict usage. Importantly, engagement was predictive of grades whereas usage was not. Furthermore, when TEL was broken down by type, the use of social media groups was a significant predictor of grade, whereas reviewing lecture slides/ recordings, reading additional content and using course blogs/ discussion boards were not. We conclude that a sole focus on usage of TEL is misleading. Implications for researchers and educators are discussed

The Robustness of Anti-Atheist Prejudice as Measured by Way of Cognitive Errors

Over the past decade, distrust of atheists has been documented in psychological literature yet remains relatively understudied. The current research sought to test the robustness of anti-atheist prejudice. Specifically, it examined the extent to which an individual’s anti-atheist prejudice remained unchanged in light of new information. 100 participants from the UK completed an online experiment. The experiment involved reading a vignette describing the actions of an untrustworthy individual. Participants were asked to make a judgment with regards to the untrustworthy individual’s identity. The occurrence of a cognitive bias, namely the conjunction fallacy, was used to measure the frequency of anti-atheist prejudice. An examination of judgment errors (i.e., conjunction fallacies) under different conditions was used to test the robustness of anti-atheism prejudice. The results show that anti-atheist prejudice is not confined either to dominantly religious countries or religious individuals but rather appears to be a robust judgment about atheists

Quantum State Tomography of Complex Multimode Fields using Array Detectors

We demonstrate that it is possible to use the balanced homodyning with array detectors to measure the quantum state of correlated two-mode signal field. We show the applicability of the method to fields with complex mode functions, thus generalizing the work of Beck (Phys. Rev. Letts. 84, 5748 (2000)) in several important ways. We further establish that, under suitable conditions, array detector measurements from one of the two outputs is sufficient to determine the quantum state of signals. We show the power of the method by reconstructing a truncated Perelomov state which exhibits complicated structure in the joint probability density for the quadratures.Comment: 14 pages text and 3 figures. To be submitted to PR

Existential threats of immigration and terrorism predict voting for Brexit and Trump

2016 witnessed historic political change with the ascension to power of Donald Trump and the UK’s vote to leave the European Union (i.e., Brexit). Research has sought to explain these once-deemed unlikely events, yet an evolutionary theoretical account remains unexplored. From a life-history perspective, a rise in existential threat, potentially caused by increased media coverage of the War in Syria and immigration issues, may have prompted a shift to a faster life-history strategy (LHS)/pace of life syndrome (POLS). Immediate answers were sought despite long-term consequences. In this multiple study paper, we shed light on this thesis. Firstly, in establishing a perceived increase in existential threats between 2014 and 2016. Secondly, by examining if LHS/POLS and associated proxies, as well as fear of terrorism and immigration predicted voting for Brexit or Trump. Trump voters feared terrorism, and Brexit voters feared immigration, but LHS/POLS was not directly, nor ultimately influential in their vote choice, however, for those that did not vote, it was. Nevertheless, other life-history proxies were important factors in voting. Thus, the link between LHS/POLS and voting is complex but affords new insight into voter psychology during the EU referendum and US presidential election

Assessing externalizing and internalizing behaviour in children: use of the motor behaviour checklist in a typical school-age Polish sample

The study was designed to investigate externalizing and internalizing behaviours in a typical school-aged sample of children (N=112) using the Polish version of the Motor Behaviour Checklist for Children. The instrument was translated into Polish and teachers observed and recorded the motor behaviour of their students in school settings during physical education and free play situations. Findings demonstrated a psychometrically robust application of the MBC in a Polish sample as well as gender differences in total externalizing scores. In addition, age was found to be significant correlated with internalizing scores and especially with the social interaction factor. Teachers reported boys as more inattentive and more hyperactive/impulsive than girls and more likely to display externalising symptoms connected with ADHD particularly in school settings. Findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis and have practical implications when designing behavioural management programs and educational interventions in school settings

Comparing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on training of public health Specialty Registrars starting before or after its onset

ObjectivesTo capture and compare the differences in experiences of public health Specialty Registrars who commenced training prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (pre-pandemic Registrars) and those who commenced training during the pandemic (post-pandemic Registrars). Study designThis is a mixed methods study comprising a cross-sectional survey and participatory action research. MethodsA questionnaire of 10 open and 5 closed questions exploring participants experience of training during the pandemic was sent to East Midlands Specialty Registrars. Thematic analysis and double coding were undertaken, coded based on pre- or post-pandemic Registrar status. Participatory action research was then undertaken in 2 rounds with 2 groups, based on pre/post-pandemic status to consolidate themes. ResultsThe survey was completed by 17 Registrars (8 pre-pandemic, and 9 post-pandemic) and 19 Registrars took part in participatory action research. The findings showed pre-pandemic Registrars noted the importance of negative impacts on their mental health whilst post-pandemic Registrars were more positive and felt well supported in their training. ConclusionsThere is a stark difference in the impact of the pandemic for Registrars who started training before compared to during the pandemic. The training programme was not resilient to the impact of the pandemic. Robustness could be increased by encouraging early leadership experience and providing wellbeing support, particularly for post pandemic Registrars now and in future