Apprehension or motivation to defend attitudes? Exploring the underlying threat mechanism in inoculation-induced resistance to persuasion

This study questions the traditional conceptualization of the threat component of inoculation and compares it to an alternative operationalization that was hypothesized to better capture the psychological function of threat according to inoculation theory, focusing less on an apprehensive response in favor of how inoculation treatments cognitively function to motivate resistance. Two measures of threat were contrasted by examining resistance to 9/11 Truth conspiracy propaganda. The results revealed motivational threat was conceptually distinct from the traditional threat measure, better predicted by inoculation treatments, less related to fear, more predictive of resistance to attitude change, and more supportive of inoculation theory when mediating the relationship between inoculation and resistance.     

Generalization gradients following training on a symbolic matching-to-sample task

The major finding in the present experiment was that line orientation controlled pigeons’ responding after training on a one-key symbolic matching-to-sample task. When the vertical line appeared as the sample, testing along the line dimension produced incremental and decremental generalization gradients, depending on the color of the comparison. Conversely, when the vertical line served as the comparison, incremental and decremental gradients also emerged, but here the type of gradient depended on the color of the sample. Thus, both the color of the sample (comparison) and line orientation exerted control of behavior.     

Book reviews

Galmés de Fuentes, Aivara. Toponimia de Alicante (La oronimia). Alicante: Universidad de Alicante, 1990.91 pp., index of names; paperback.

Arié, Rachel. L'Occident musulman au Bas Moyen Age. Paris: De Boccard, 1992.131 pp.

Lev, Yaacov. State and Society in Fatimid Egypt (Arab History and Civilization: Studies and Texts, 1) Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1991. x+217 pp. Hfl. 110.‐

Melville, Charles and Ubaydli, Ahmad, eds. Christians and Moors in Spain, vol. III: Arabic Sources (711–1501). Warminsten Aris & Phillips, 1992. xviii+202 pp. £35 (cloth), £11.95 (paperback).

López Baralt, Luce. Islam in Spanish Literature from the Middle Ages to the Present. Leiden and San Juan: E.J. Brill and Universidad de Puerto Rico, 1992.323pp. Hfl. 145.‐

Baer, Eva. Ayyubid metalwork with Christian images. (Studies in Islamic Art and Architecture / Supplements to Muqarnas, 4). Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1989.55pp. 128 ills. (b/w). Hfl. 65.‐

Stroumsa, Sarah. Dāwūd Ibn Al‐Maqammis's Twenty Chapters (^cIshrūn Maqāla) (Études sur le Judaïsme Médiéval, XIII). Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1989. 320pp. Hfl. 135.‐

Cassoia, Arnold (Ed). The Biblioteca Vallicelliana Regole per la Lingua Maltese. Malta: Said International, 1992. xlviii+193 pp.     

Virtual Reality Simulations and Writing: a Neuroimaging Study in Science Education

Journal of Science Education and Technology - This study investigates the role that textbooks, virtual reality (VR), and mixed approaches (i.e., text and VR) can play in the development of the two...     

Evaluation parameters for computer-adaptive testing

With the proliferation of computers in test delivery today, adaptive testing has become quite popular, especially when examinees must be classified into two categories (pass/fail, master/nonmaster). Several well‐established organisations have provided standards and guidelines for the design and evaluation of educational and psychological testing. The purpose of this paper was not to repeat the guidelines and standards that exist in the literature but to identify and discuss the main evaluation parameters for a computer‐adaptive test (CAT). A number of parameters should be taken into account when evaluating CAT. Key parameters include utility, validity, reliability, satisfaction, usability, reporting, administration, security, and thoseassociated with adaptivity, item pool, and psychometric theory. These parameters are presented and discussed below and form a proposed evaluation model, Evaluation Model of Computer‐Adaptive Testing.     

Fathers’ and mothers’ performances in father-mother-baby games

Until now studies comparing fathers and mothers have mostly been realized in dyadic situations, father-infant versus mother-infant. The aim of the present paper was to bring to the core similarities and differences, between fathers and mothers, in terms of performance (N=42 families) in a triadic context. Father, mother and baby, seated in a triangular formation were invited to play as usual: first, one parent played with the infant and the other was participant-observer, and then they reversed their roles. Globally, no differences were observed between fathers and mothers in terms of being available, keeping their assigned roles, sharing a common focus of interest and co-creating games with their three month old infant. However a difference emerged when the order in which parents began as active parent versus third party parent was taken into account. Mothers who played first were better active partners than fathers, for keeping roles, sharing focus and co-creating games; and fathers who were first third party parent were better than third party mothers for sharing a common focus.     

Understanding Mental Health Scale: Development,Validation, and Implications for College Counselors

The development and validation of the 29‐item Understanding Mental Health Scale (UMHS) is described. This new questionnaire measures college students' understanding of mental health issues. The authors also identified significant demographic differences in students' understanding of mental health issues. A principal factor analysis revealed a 2‐factor solution. The dimensions were labeled Risk‐Factor Awareness and External Support Awareness. Findings suggest the UMHS demonstrates adequate reliability and validity. Implications for college counseling are discussed.