Binge-Watching as a Predictor of Narrative Transportation Using HLM

ABSTRACT

This study explores the changing state of television by measuring binge-watching and its association with narrative transportation, using longitudinal data. The analysis based on a Hierarchical Linear Modeling found that the amount of binge-watching had a positive logarithmic association with transportation—the effect power lessens as binge-watching rate increases. Further, one’s typical binge frequency weakened the relationship between viewing session length and transportation. Overall, more frequent binge-watching reduces its effect power on transportation. Implications for theory and industry are also discussed.     

Developmental continuity in theory of mind: speed and accuracy of belief-desire reasoning in children and adults

On belief-desire reasoning tasks, children first pass tasks involving true belief before those involving false belief, and tasks involving positive desire before those involving negative desire. The current study examined belief-desire reasoning in participants old enough to pass all such tasks. Eighty-three 6- to 11-year-olds and 20 adult participants completed simple, computer-based tests of belief-desire reasoning, which recorded response times as well as error rates. Both measures suggested that, like young children, older children and adults find it more difficult to reason about false belief and negative desires than true beliefs and positive desires. It is argued that this developmental continuity is most consistent with either executive competence or executive performance accounts of the development of belief-desire reasoning.     

Organisational readiness and capacity building strategies of sporting organisations to promote health

This paper explored the readiness of Victorian State Sporting Organisations (SSOs) in Australia to implement health promotion (HP) programs and sought to understand how they implemented capacity building strategies to promote health. Ten SSOs that received funding to develop and implement HP were recruited for the study. Interviews were conducted with key staff from SSOs and focus groups were undertaken with their Boards of Management. Factors analysed were SSO organisational readiness and capacity building strategies to implement change in organisational processes, organisation and resources, and systems and controls. SSOs made a concerted effort to create and support sport and recreation contexts that promote healthy behaviours. A number of SSOs achieved changes in their culture and systems by implementing formalised and systematic programs such as the club development program. The club development program supported the implementation and sustainability of HP throughout the organisational system of the SSO. These changes, however, were dependent upon organisational readiness; particularly climate and capacity, whereby financially “well off” SSOs had the capacity to engage in HP in a significant way. This paper highlights opportunities and challenges for policy makers to fund HP within sporting organisations; especially when the delivery of sport is a more immediate responsibility than HP.     

The relationship between implicit theories of intelligence,attainment and socio-demographic factors in a UK sample of primary school children

Research emerging from the USA suggests that holding an incremental theory of intelligence (growth mindset) has a positive impact on academic success. However, limited empirical work has explored this relationship in a UK sample, and there has been a lack of research into the antecedents which might influence the development of certain intelligence beliefs. This study aimed to explore these gaps in the existing literature. Data was collected from 710 9-year-old pupils (UK Year 5). Participants completed attainment tests in Maths and English, and a questionnaire to assess their implicit theories of intelligence (mindset). Socio-demographic information—including gender, ethnicity, free school meal (FSM) status and special educational needs (SEN) status—was also collected. Results showed that pupils eligible for FSM or SEN endorsed more of an entity theory of intelligence than pupils not eligible for either. Analysis of the whole sample showed that attainment significantly correlated with implicit theories of intelligence, however, this relationship did not exist for children with FSM or SEN status. These findings help to elucidate the relationship between implicit theories of intelligence and attainment in the UK, but also suggest the importance of external support in potentially facilitating pupils’ belief systems. Results are discussed in relation to avenues for targeted intervention.     

Influence of cold-water immersion on limb blood flow after resistance exercise*

This study determined the influence of cold (8°C) and cool (22°C) water immersion on lower limb and cutaneous blood flow following resistance exercise. Twelve males completed 4 sets of 10-repetition maximum squat exercise and were then immersed, semi-reclined, into 8°C or 22°C water for 10-min, or rested in a seated position (control) in a randomized order on different days. Rectal and thigh skin temperature, muscle temperature, thigh and calf skin blood flow and superficial femoral artery blood flow were measured before and after immersion. Indices of vascular conductance were calculated (flux and blood flow/mean arterial pressure). The colder water reduced thigh skin temperature and deep muscle temperature to the greatest extent (P?<?.001). Reductions in rectal temperature were similar (0.2–0.4°C) in all three trials (P?=?.69). Femoral artery conductance was similar after immersion in both cooling conditions, with both conditions significantly lower (55%) than the control post-immersion (P?<?.01). Similarly, there was greater thigh and calf cutaneous vasoconstriction (40–50%) after immersion in both cooling conditions, relative to the control (P?<?.01), with no difference between cooling conditions. These findings suggest that cold and cool water similarly reduce femoral artery and cutaneous blood flow responses but not muscle temperature following resistance exercise.