Differences In Response Behaviour Research Articles

Regional differences in the assessment of depressive symptoms in the former German Democratic Republic and Federal Republic of Germany.

The present study investigated regional differences in response behaviour for the Patient Health Quetionnaire-9. We tested for measurement invariance and differential item and test functioning between formerly divided East- and West-Germany: the former German Democratic Republic and Federal Republic of Germany. Diverging socialization experiences in socialist versus capitalist and collectivist versus individualist systems may affect culturally sensitive assessments of mental health. To test this empirically, we used factor analytic and item-response-theoretic frameworks, differentiating between East- and West-Germans by birthplace and current residence based on several representative samples of the German general population (n=3802). Across all survey, we discovered slightly higher depression sum scores for East- versus West-Germans. The majority of items did not display differential item functioning-with a crucial exception in the assessment of self-harm tendencies. The scale scores were largely invariant exhibiting only small amounts of differential test functioning. Nonetheless, they made up on average about a quarter of the observed group differences in terms of effect magnitude. We explore possible causes and discuss explanations for the item-level differences. Overall, analyses of East- and West-German depressive symptom developments in the wake of reunification are feasible and statistically grounded.

Bayesian hierarchical response time modelling-A tutorial.

Response time modelling is developing rapidly in the field of psychometrics, and its use is growing in psychology. In most applications, component models for response times are modelled jointly with component models for responses, thereby stabilizing estimation of item response theory model parameters and enabling research on a variety of novel substantive research questions. Bayesian estimation techniques facilitate estimation of response time models. Implementations of these models in standard statistical software, however, are still sparse. In this accessible tutorial, we discuss one of the most common response time models-the lognormal response time model-embedded in the hierarchical framework by van der Linden (2007). We provide detailed guidance on how to specify and estimate this model in a Bayesian hierarchical context. One of the strengths of the presented model is its flexibility, which makes it possible to adapt and extend the model according to researchers' needs and hypotheses on response behaviour. We illustrate this based on three recent model extensions: (a) application to non-cognitive data incorporating the distance-difficulty hypothesis, (b) modelling conditional dependencies between response times and responses, and (c) identifying differences in response behaviour via mixture modelling. This tutorial aims to provide a better understanding of the use and utility of response time models, showcases how these models can easily be adapted and extended, and contributes to a growing need for these models to answer novel substantive research questions in both non-cognitive and cognitive contexts.

Characterising hillslope–stream connectivity with a joint event analysis of stream and groundwater levels

Abstract. Hillslope–stream connectivity controls runoff generation, during events and during baseflow conditions. However, assessing subsurface connectivity is a challenging task, as it occurs in the hidden subsurface domain where water flow can not be easily observed. We therefore investigated if the results of a joint analysis of rainfall event responses of near-stream groundwater levels and stream water levels could serve as a viable proxy for hillslope–stream connectivity. The analysis focuses on the extent of response, correlations, lag times and synchronicity. As a first step, a new data analysis scheme was developed, separating the aspects of (a) response timing and (b) extent of water level change. This provides new perspectives on the relationship between groundwater and stream responses. In a second step we investigated if this analysis can give an indication of hillslope–stream connectivity at the catchment scale. Stream water levels and groundwater levels were measured at five different hillslopes over 5 to 6 years. Using a new detection algorithm, we extracted 706 rainfall response events for subsequent analysis. Carrying out this analysis in two different geological regions (schist and marls) allowed us to test the usefulness of the proxy under different hydrological settings while also providing insight into the geologically driven differences in response behaviour. For rainfall events with low initial groundwater level, groundwater level responses often lag behind the stream with respect to the start of rise and the time of peak. This lag disappears at high antecedent groundwater levels. At low groundwater levels the relationship between groundwater and stream water level responses to rainfall are highly variable, while at high groundwater levels, above a certain threshold, this relationship tends to become more uniform. The same threshold was able to predict increased likelihood for high runoff coefficients, indicating a strong increase in connectivity once the groundwater level threshold was surpassed. The joint analysis of shallow near-stream groundwater and stream water levels provided information on the presence or absence and to a certain extent also on the degree of subsurface hillslope–stream connectivity. The underlying threshold processes were interpreted as transmissivity feedback in the marls and fill-and-spill in the schist. The value of these measurements is high; however, time series of several years and a large number of events are necessary to produce representative results. We also find that locally measured thresholds in groundwater levels can provide insight into the connectivity and event response of the corresponding headwater catchments. If the location of the well is chosen wisely, a single time series of shallow groundwater can indicate if the catchment is in a state of high or low connectivity.

On shock response of nano-void closed/open cell copper material: Non-equilibrium molecular dynamic simulations

Non-equilibrium molecular-dynamic simulations were carried out on model three-dimensional nano-void copper material with different idealised pore structure and porosity to highlight differences in response behaviour between them when subjected to various piston velocities simulating planar shock loading of different intensities. This article demonstrates and explains from a mechanistic perspective the differences in response observed with respect to Hugoniot elastic limits, dislocation line and jet formation, void collapse mechanism and hot spot generation, specific volume, partial recrystallisation and temperature evolution in void collapsed regions, shock and particle velocity curves.

Acoustic divergence in the communication of cryptic species of nocturnal primates (Microcebus ssp.)

BackgroundA central question in evolutionary biology is how cryptic species maintain species cohesiveness in an area of sympatry. The coexistence of sympatrically living cryptic species requires the evolution of species-specific signalling and recognition systems. In nocturnal, dispersed living species, specific vocalisations have been suggested to act as an ideal premating isolation mechanism. We studied the structure and perception of male advertisement calls of three nocturnal, dispersed living mouse lemur species, the grey mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus), the golden brown mouse lemur (M. ravelobensis) and the Goodman's mouse lemur (M. lehilahytsara). The first two species occur sympatrically, the latter lives allopatrically to them.ResultsA multi-parameter sound analysis revealed prominent differences in the frequency contour and in the duration of advertisement calls. To test whether mouse lemurs respond specifically to calls of the different species, we conducted a playback experiment with M. murinus from the field using advertisement calls and alarm whistle calls of all three species. Individuals responded significantly stronger to conspecific than to heterospecific advertisement calls but there were no differences in response behaviour towards statistically similar whistle calls of the three species. Furthermore, sympatric calls evoked weaker interest than allopatric advertisement calls.ConclusionOur results provide the first evidence for a specific relevance of social calls for speciation in cryptic primates. They furthermore support that specific differences in signalling and recognition systems represent an efficient premating isolation mechanism contributing to species cohesiveness in sympatrically living species.

The Live or Digital Interviewer - a Comparison between CASI, CAPI and CATI with Respect to Differences in Response Behaviour

The Live or Digital Interviewer - a Comparison between CASI, CAPI and CATI with Respect to Differences in Response Behaviour

Cross‐cultural differences in survey response patterns

PurposeThe existence of variable response styles represents a major threat to the correct interpretation of market research findings. In international marketing, this threat is further increased due to samples of respondents from different cultural backgrounds. The purpose of this paper is to extend the investigation of differences in cross‐cultural response styles by studying full response patterns instead of extreme values, quantify the extent of the potential mistake of not accounting for cross‐cultural differences in response behaviour and present a simple way of testing whether or not data sets from various cultural backgrounds can be used without correcting for cross‐cultural response styles.Design/methodology/approachTwo independent data sets are used. Extreme response style (ERS) scores are compared by testing for equality of proportions. Respondents' answer patterns are partitioned using the k‐means algorithm, the resulting differences between cultures tested using a Fisher's exact test for count data. The extent of inter‐cultural difference in responses is assessed using ANOVA.FindingsAsian and Australian respondents differ significantly in ERS and full response patterns. Differences in cross‐cultural response patterns account for up to 6 per cent of the variance in the data, thus representing a significant potential source for misinterpretation in cross‐cultural studies.Practical implicationsInternational market researchers using samples including respondents from more than one cultural background have to be aware of the potential source of misinterpretation caused by cross‐cultural differences in response patterns. A simple ANOVA‐based procedure allows researchers to determine whether data can be used in its uncorrected form.Originality/valueThe paper investigates cross‐cultural response styles for new groups of respondents (Australian vs Asian), extends the study from the investigation of extreme values to full response patterns and gives market researchers in the international marketing context an indication of how high the level of potential misinterpretation can be and presents a simple means of checking how necessary it is to account for cross‐cultural differences in response behaviour.

Decision-making with explicit and stable rules in mild Alzheimer's disease

Decision-making in mild dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT) was assessed in a gambling task with stable and explicit rules [Game of Dice Task; Brand, M., Labudda, K., Kalbe, E., Hilker, R., Emmans, D., Fuchs, G., et al. (2004). Decision-making impairments in patients with Parkinson's disease. Behavioural Neurology, 15, 77–85]. DAT patients in an early stage of the disease chose safe alternatives as frequently as healthy elderly persons and did not show risky behaviour as has been reported for other neurological patient groups. However, a more detailed analysis disclosed important differences between DAT and healthy elderly. Compared to healthy controls, DAT patients shifted more frequently between safe and risky alternatives and showed less consistent response patterns. Frequent changes between strategies indicate that decisions were taken randomly, that no advantageous strategy was established and that no consistent response pattern was developed over time. As regards performance changes over the task, healthy participants had a stronger tendency towards safe and advantageous responses than DAT patients. While healthy controls showed learning as the task proceeded, DAT patients did not adapt their strategies. The proportion of “consistently safe responders” was significantly higher in the control group than in the DAT group. Analysis of reaction times indicated that differences in response behaviour were not due to fast and impulsive decision taking in the DAT group. DAT patients’ response pattern may be attributed to deficits in learning and in executive functions. The frequency of changes between safe and risky choices proved to be a fair predictor for the distinction between mild DAT and healthy aging.

Developmental Progression in Children’s Strategic Memory Regulation

A developmental study was conducted that investigated 7- to 11- years-olds’ ability to strategically regulate their memory performance. The study, based on Koriat and Goldsmith’s (1996) theoretical framework, sought to stimulate strategic regulation processes. In order to do so, the threshold to provide or withhold answers was manipulated and included bonuses for correct responding and penalties for incorrect answers. Participants were shown a video concerning the production of sugar from beets and were individually interviewed a week later. Responses had to be made to both answerable and unanswerable questions in both an open-ended and a yes/no question format. The results revealed that depending on the question format, there were different effects of the threshold manipulations on the frequencies of correct, incorrect, and “I don’t know” responses. Although there were no differences in response behaviour between the 1:0 and 1:1 incentives conditions when the questions were open-ended, children were able to differentially respond to the two bonus-to-penalty ratios when the questions were in yes/no format. Consistently, there were no interactions between age and response threshold indicating that strategic regulation competencies develop slowly but continuously during the primary school years showing the first signs of emerging competencies from an age of 7 onwards.