Empathy towards people of different race and ethnicity: Further empirical evidence for the Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy

The present study examined the generalizability of the factor pattern, structural parameters, and latent structure of a multidimensional hierarchical model of ethnocultural empathy in males and females. The Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy (SEE) (Wang et al., 2003) was administered to a sample of 610 Italian undergraduates to examine the generalizability and reliability of its factor structure across gender, the psychometric properties and the validity of the scale. Two models were tested through multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA): a confirmatory factor-analytic model that hypothesized a multidimensional model of ethnocultural empathy; and a structural equation model that proposed a multidimensional, hierarchical structure with global ethnocultural empathy as a superordinate construct that explained the covariances among the subdomains of the SEE. Both models satisfied multiple criteria for goodness-of-fit with the data. Full metric invariance of factor loadings and factor covariances, and partial invariance of error variances across gender for the four-factors model were supported. Scale reliability was also satisfactory, showing good internal consistency. As regard scale validity, evidence was found for a positive moderate association with a measure of general empathy and a negative high association with a measure of prejudice. Implications are discussed.     

单缺位Keggin型钨硅杂多酸盐结构、反应性和抗肿瘤活性

研究一缺位聚阴离子,SiW11O39^8-结构、反应性和抗肿瘤活性。用x-射线衍射、元素分析、UV光谱,结构表征研究SiW11O39^8-骨架的结构特点和与p2族金属离子Sn^4-和过渡金属离子Co^2＋、Cr^3＋的反应性。重点用小鼠移植性肿瘤S180、P388研究体内抗肿瘤作用。杂多酸盐K8[SiW11O39].13H2O（Ⅰ）为一缺位Keggin α-型结构;它在pH=4～4.5和一定温度下反应得到,六方晶系的饱和Keggin α-型三元杂多化合物α-K5SiSnW11O39（OH）.17H2O（Ⅱ）和α-K8[SiCrW11O39H2O].10H2O（Ⅳ）及四方晶系的饱和Keggin α-型化合物α-K6SiCoW11O39.14H2O（Ⅲ）。化合物（Ⅰ）对S180、P388有较强的抑瘤效果。化合物（Ⅰ）对S180抑瘤率峰值≥42.38%,荷瘤小鼠最大生命延长率≥36.94%;对P388生命延长率为37.5%。     

Stress reactivity after maximal exercise: The effect of manipulated performance feedback in endurance athletes

This study was designed to assess the effect of performance feedback on stress reactivity after recovery from maximal exercise. Forty competitive athletes were recruited to complete a maximal exercise test. Performance feedback was manipulated after the exercise test to give four groups: (1) high performance, (2) low performance, (3) accurate feedback and (4) no exercise control. Cardiovascular reactivity was assessed during psychological stress. The results indicate that accurate feedback participants experienced lower relative reactivity to stress (lower mean arterial pressure) than their no-exercise counterparts. These results demonstrate that the stressbuffering effect of exercise extends to maximal exercise. In addition, high-performance participants experienced lower relative reactivity than low-performance participants. Thus, low-performance feedback was sufficient to remove the buffering effect of exercise. There were no differences between the high-performance and accurate feedback conditions, or between the low-performance and control conditions.     

Using think-aloud protocol in self-regulated reading research

This paper reviews studies that have used think aloud protocol to explore self-regulated reading process. The review intends to identify its major contributions and key methodological concerns related to the use of think-aloud protocol in self-regulated reading research. It addresses the following three questions: 1) what does think-aloud protocol enable researchers to learn about self-regulated reading?; 2) what methodological concerns do researchers have when using think-aloud protocol to explore self-regulated reading?; and 3) how can these concerns be addressed when designing think-aloud protocol for self-regulated reading research? In light of this review, suggestions are provided for further discussion on methodological issues in self-regulated reading research. Such discussions will inform researchers’ efforts to use think-aloud methods in self-regulated reading research.     

Does Empathy Predict Instructional Assignment-Related Stress? A Study in Special and General Education Teachers

The role of empathy in the teaching profession has been vastly investigated in relation to its effect on students, but research on how teachers’ empathy affects their own well-being at work is limited. This study investigated empathy and instructional assignment-related stress factors of primary school teachers serving in general or special education; moreover, it investigated if empathy predicted instructional assignment-related stress. Data were collected from 190 primary school teachers using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and the Inventory of Job-related Stress Factors. Teachers reported moderately high levels of perspective-taking and empathic concern and lower levels of fantasising and personal distress. Also, they reported moderate to low levels of stress regarding instructional assignment-related factors. General and special education teachers did not differ in their reported scores on empathy or stress-related factors. Finally, it was found that instructional assignment-related stress factors can be predicted by personal distress and fantasising; however, the core empathy skills (empathic concern and perspective taking) were not found to be strong predictors of the stress factors tested.     

The UK and Italian research assessment exercises face to face

In the UK the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) is being replaced by the Research Excellence Framework (REF); similarly, in Italy the former Research Evaluation Exercise (VTR 2001–2003) has been revised and extended and a new cycle of assessment was activated in Autumn 2011 (VQR 2004–2010). The analysis of the development and the consequences of both British and Italian assessment exercises is carried out on the basis of three theoretical frameworks – new public management (NPM), neo-institutional sociology (NIS), and organisational control theory (OCT). This last framework is crucial because the control systems have an effective sense-making capacity and it also exposes a different awareness about control systems in the British and Italian experiences.