Empirical Psychological Research Research Articles

Differential cognitive correlates in processing symbolic and situational mathematics

AbstractSymbolic and situational mathematics are the two major representations of mathematical knowledge. Although previous literature has studied the relationship between the two from the perspective of teaching practice, learning effectiveness and behavioural performance, there is still a lack of empirical psychological research on cognitive mechanisms to explore the psychological processes of the two. The current study investigated the relationship between symbolic and situational mathematics by determining the differences in cognitive correlates between the two in fourth‐grade children. Their symbolic and situational mathematics abilities were assessed using symbolic and situational enumeration tests under the same conditions. Several types of general cognitive abilities, language processing and academic achievements were also examined. Results showed that both situational and symbolic mathematics are crucial for mathematical achievement. Arithmetic computation is closely correlated with symbolic mathematics, whereas spatial processing and inductive reasoning ability are uniquely correlated with situational mathematics. The results suggest that situational and symbolic mathematics have separate cognitive correlates, which means the two are distinct in terms of psychological processing.

Opening the heart: exploring the interpersonal neurobiology of spiritual practices suitable for public education

ABSTRACT Modern education has prioritised the intellectual dimension, while giving insufficient attention to children’s emotional and spiritual development. This article offers an interdisciplinary understanding of how public education can nurture spirituality and the human capacities for compassion and love, also called the ‘qualities of the heart’. The paper explores the interpersonal neurobiology that underlies ‘heart opening’ spiritual practices, conceptualised as both spiritual and neurobiological phenomena. I discuss the scientific foundations for spiritual practices that can be suitable for education in secular public schools. Starting with my own empirical research in transpersonal psychology, the paper brings together research in interpersonal neurobiology with perspectives from spiritual traditions of yoga and meditation. The aim is to contribute to developing a framework for pedagogical practices that helps children develop their spirituality and loving and compassionate relationships, and feel more connected to themselves, others and the world, suitable for promoting children’s spiritual development through religious education, moral education, and life skills education in secular public schools.

A Job satisfaction and work environment with happiness among Indonesian police personnel

This study aimed to determine the relationship between job satisfaction, work environment, and personnel happiness. The method used is quantitative descriptive correlative type, which takes samples using proportional random sampling totaling 109 people. In collecting data, it used instruments of job satisfaction, work environment, and personnel happiness, then tested it with multiple linear regression formulas. The results of the research data analysis show there is a relationship between job satisfaction and personnel happiness. There is a relationship between the work environment and personnel happiness, and there is a relationship between job satisfaction and the work environment with personnel happiness. Seeing the relationship between job satisfaction and work environment with personnel happiness, it is hoped that the leadership of Tebing Tinggi Police Station will pay attention to providing increased awareness that supports the creation of happiness in personnel members. These theoretical findings can be used to develop empirical quantitative research in psychology.

Perspectives and Potentials of Open Data for the Sports Sciences

Abstract: Open Science practices have become well established in recent years. In this position paper, we argue that Open Data in particular holds great potential for empirical research in sports science, and sport and exercise psychology in particular, since it fosters the reintegration of scientific knowledge as primary research data in subsequent research life cycles. On that account, the sports science community has to develop a unified position on research data management, which supports the implementation of Open Science practices and standards. To this end, in this article we first define Open Science and research data management (RDM) and describe them in the context of sports science. We then present examples of existing, relevant RDM solutions, with a particular focus on sport and exercise psychology and neighboring disciplines. Finally, we derive perspectives for the development of a sustainable RDM structure and present current developments within the German sports science community.

Well-Being Measurements and the Linearity Assumption: A Response to Wodak

ABSTRACT Wodak (2019) persuasively argues that we are not justified in believing that well-being measurements are linear. From this, he infers grave consequences for both political philosophy thought experiments and empirical psychological research. Here I argue that these consequences do not follow. Wodak’s challenges to the status of well-being measurements do not affect thought experiments, and well-being empirical researchers may be justified in making average comparisons even if their measurements are not linear.

Joyful Stoic Death Writing: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Newcomers Contemplating Death in an Online Group

Death awareness, which is an integral part of Stoic philosophy, has received little attention in either therapeutic training or empirical psychological research. This study seeks to address this gap by investigating participants’ experiences of completing a Stoic death writing intervention. To understand newcomers’ experiences being in-daily-death-contemplation, in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted in December 2021 with six adult participants in a UK program, 28 Days Joyful Death Writing with the Stoics, were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Analysis generated two primary themes: Contemplative Context and Death Contemplation Significance. Contemplative Context included the experiences of a temporary, unstable community (called communitas), otherness (called alterity), and the wider world. Death Contemplation Significance included death and other personal losses, and gains such as personal purpose, positive emotions/experiences, and beneficial behaviors/activities. Findings indicate daily death writing in communitas appears to have potential to provoke personal death awareness and undermine death taboos, accompanied by self-reported changes in emotional clarity, psychological flexibility, worry, and rumination. Furthermore, operationalizing open programs like 28 Days could contribute to idiographic approaches emerging in intervention science, including via augmenting practitioner training. Future studies could investigate practitioners, trainees, and more experienced Stoics as well as develop novel assessment means for evaluating death awareness.

Winning over a crisis: Understanding the ‘ποιεῖν’ in Matthew 7:24–27 from the nostalgia perspective

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5–7 has played a pivotal role in the history of Christianity. Occupying a crucial place in Christianity, Matthew 7:24–27 was considered to be the closing entry, as well as the passage’s concluding remark. In the passage, Jesus emphasises the importance of the ποιεῖν [to do] in his teachings rather than merely hearing Him. What does the meaning of the word ποιεῖν truly entail? What exactly did Jesus hope to accomplish through the word for a community that was entrenched in deep crisis? Utilising the notion of nostalgia in psychology research, this article concluded that, through Jesus’ word ποιεῖν, He urged believers to lead a ποιεῖν lifestyle, in order to evoke personal nostalgia apropos of God. This personal nostalgia is then expected to build up the ‘inner resource’ of the gospel’s readers, so that they can face the various life crises, which were portrayed as three forms of natural phenomena. Thus, the conclusion was aligned with the notion of ‘God with us’, which became the main theme of this gospel.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article demonstrates the role and benefits of empirical psychological research on nostalgia in understanding ποιεῖν in Matthew 7:24–27.

Fear of the Past

A widespread (and often tacit) assumption is that fear is an anticipatory emotion and, as such, inherently future-oriented. Prima facie, such an assumption is threatened by cases where we seem to be afraid of things in the past: if it is possible to fear the past, then fear entertains no special relation with the future—or so some have argued. This seems to force us to choose between an account of fear as an anticipatory emotion (supported by pre-theoretical intuitions as well as empirical research in psychology) and admitting cases of past-oriented fear. In this paper, we argue for a proposal that dissolves this dilemma. Our claim is: with the right account in place, the future-orientation of fear can be made compatible with, and is actually explanatory of, cases where we are genuinely afraid of something in the past. So, there is no need to choose: fear is still future-oriented, even when we are genuinely afraid of things in the past. The key is a correct understanding of what fear’s temporal orientation amounts to, and the framework we offer here provides us with such an understanding.

Grupos Focais na Pesquisa Brasileira: Cenário Atual e Desafios Metodológicos

Abstract Based on an integrative review, this study aimed to critically discuss the use of focus groups in empirical research in Brazilian Psychology over the last two decades and to qualify the methodological decisions of those who opt for this approach. Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO were consulted, finding 62 articles in national journals in the area. The primary contexts of use were work, education, health, and social, with wide theoretical diversity. There has been a significant growth of the technique in research in Psychology since 2002, despite the need for improvement in the description of selection procedures, group composition, number of participants, the script for conducting, analysis, and presentation of results. However, it is necessary to ensure alignment between objective, theory, and method to improve the use of focus groups in psychological interventions.

Підводні камені анахронічного аналізу: книга Проповідника, сенс життя і сенс у житті

The article carries out a critical analysis of Arthur Kiefer's methodology (described in the “Ecclesiastes and the meaning of life in the ancient world”, Cambridge University Press, 2022), namely his concept of “meaning of life” applied to the analysis of the book of Ecclesiastes. The core argument made here is that the “threefold conceptual scheme” of the meaning of life, borrowed from the field of empirical psychological research (coherence – purpose – significance), cannot be effective in the analysis of theological or philosophical texts, which involve a high level of generalization. On the other hand, since the concept of “meaning of life” is absent from the language of Ecclesiastes and other ancient texts, and its own meaning is extremely vague, it is unable to play the role of a useful analytical tool.

Psychological content of the concept of subjective personal well-being

Introduction. The problem of subjective well-being of the individual is taking on added importance at the time of increasing tension of globalization, crises and armed conflicts. Aim. To determine the psychological meaning of the concept of “subjective well-being of a personality”. Methods. Theoretical research methods are applied: analysis, systematization, comparison and generalization, interpretation of modern theoretical and empirical research in Ukrainian and foreign psychology. Results. The article carried out a theoretical and methodological analysis of research on the problem of the subjective well-being of a personality, which showed that scientists considered this concept in the context of hedonistic, eudemonistic approaches, basing well-being on the basis of positive, resource-based functioning of the personality. It was found out that as they delved into the content aspects of the personality's well-being through the different contexts of the subject's existence and activity, researchers began to single out various constructs in the characteristics of well-being, which were described in detail within the concepts of quality of life, axiological and subject-activity approaches. Conclusions. Subjective well-being is a multifaceted integrative phenomenon that reflects the individual's satisfaction from their optimal self-realization according to their value systems in various life areas and life in general.

Thinking Does Not Make It So

Thinking Does Not Make It So

Transpersonal Psychology: Trends in Empirical Research and Diversity During the First Five Decades of the Field

Prior research on the role of empirical research in transpersonal psychology is updated, along with trends in gender diversity and geographical distribution of authorships. Data was compiled from a review of articles published in the two main journals of the field, The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology and the International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, over the first five decades of the field. Based on these records of the field's published work, it appears that empirical research has played a small though gradually growing role in the literature, and that there has been substantive correction from early skews toward male authorship in North America. Despite this, gender imbalance remains somewhat greater in the transpersonal field than within the broader field of psychology. While there is continued growth of international authorship, it has not kept pace with growth in North American authorship.

Game Technologies and Gamification Techniques in Teaching English: An Analysis of Pedagogical Experience

Game technologies (including computer-based ones) applied for teaching English have long occupied an important and permanent place in the structure of the lesson. They are very helpful in developing intercultural communicative competences as well as increasing motivation and self-organization. The purpose of this study is to objectively show how game methods of work and gamification techniques are actually implemented by modern teachers in English classes in both full-time and distance education. The theoretical significance of the study lies in the analysis of empirical psychological and pedagogical research on the problems of teaching English by both domestic and foreign scientists, on the basis of which the authors have compiled a questionnaire to summarize the experience of English teachers, classify electronic games and gamification techniques in the classroom. The study sample consisted of 48 English teachers with teaching experience from 1 to 13 years, the age range of their students being from 3 to 60 years old. The teachers used the questionnaire to analyze their experience in using gamification techniques and game technologies both in face-to-face and online lessons. All the teachers used game methods of work and gamification techniques in their classes regardless of the students’ age. The games that the teachers included in their lessons could be conveniently classified into didactic games (used by two-thirds of the teachers), multiplayer cooperation games (included by every fifth teacher) and hidden object games with a non-linear plot (used in class by a quarter of the teachers in the sample). Most of the teachers who used the gamification techniques noted a steady increase in students’ motivation in the classroom. The practical significance of the research results lies in the possibility of building an individual trajectory of self-education and professional development of English language teachers both in basic and in supplementary education. The generalized practical experience of the teachers who participated in the study can be used as the basis for methodological and pedagogical recommendations for improving informational and communicational competences and pedagogical skills of English language teachers.

Beyond Free Will: Variety in Understanding of Choice, Luck, and Necessity

Contemporary Western discourse on freedom and choice – some of the most championed modern values – is usually anchored in the concept cluster of free will and autonomous choice. In turn, academic research on free will in philosophy (including experimental philosophy) and psychology is largely based on a limited conceptual framework with roots in particular debates in Christianity and European philosophy. This framework is currently challenged by multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches applied in the fields of area and Asian studies, comparative philosophy, and also empirical research in cross-cultural psychology, and anthropology. One reason for this challenge is that the dominant Western academic approach, with its almost exclusive focus on concepts of free will and causal determinism, neglects the multitude of non-Western cultural traditions. In most parts of the world, these traditions continue to shape everyday practices and conceptualizations of free action, choice, and decision. Traditions also provide various strategies for navigating the constraints on human agency.In the present multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary conference, we invited scholars from philosophy, psychology, anthropology, Asian studies, religious studies and other related fields to discuss theoretical alternatives to the dominant framework that are sensitive to cultural differences and local contexts as well as empirical research – especially crosscultural and cross-linguistic – on conceptualizations of free and constrained action and cultural practices in dealing with these constraints.This project “Between choice and determinism: cultural variations in experiencing and conceptualizing free will, luck and randomness” has received funding from European Social Fund (project No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-01-0111) under grant agreement with the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT).

Anxiety, “Concerned Consciousness” and Their Manifestation in the COVID-19 Pandemic in China

The article examines the specifics of the Chinese containment measures of the COVID-19 pandemic and their social consequences at the beginning of 2021. The author analyses empirical psychological research results on distress and anxiety of people in times of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, and explores to what degree the individual feelings of anxiety in contemporary China are conditioned by the traditionally prevailing absence of faith in higher transcendent forces on the one hand, and social isolation on the other. It proceeds from Xu Fuguan’s interpretation of the origins of a traditional Chinese concept of “concerned consciousness” (youhuan yishi 憂患意識). The author shows that this concept can be compared to the feeling of anxiety, but highlights important differences which separate it from the anxiety as developed and understood in the framework of modern Western philosophy. The paper aims to provide some preliminary answers to the questions of whether and in what way such a traditional feeling of anxiety in the sense of a “concerned consciousness” manifested itself in the period of social isolation that was implemented as a part of the government measures for the COVID-19 pandemic in China. These questions are being investigated through an analysis of philosophical studies on concerned consciousness on the on hand, and a contemporary case study on the other. The results show that the specifically Chinese kind of anxiety, which is rooted in concerned consciousness, is tightly linked to the relational nature of Chinese ethics and the corresponding understanding of individual identity. In addition, it is connected with the traditional understanding of human destiny, which is not fatalistic or determinist, but rather based on autonomous decisions based on the social responsibilities of a free human self.

Effective Learning in Virtual Conferences: The Application of Five Principles of Learning

ABSTRACT In this article, we examine the adaptation of learning among scientists and healthcare professionals in conferences and symposia from face-to-face to fully virtual meetings accelerated in the last years. Advantages and limitations for both settings have been described in different research studies but the effectiveness of learning can be reflected similarly by applying five fundamental principles of learning, which are based on empirical research in cognitive psychology. From a practical context, we compared the individual learning outcomes from two satellite symposia conducted face-to-face in 2019 and virtually in 2021 at the European Congress of Urology, EAU. Although both conference formats were almost identical, the five principles of learning were applied in both symposia. There were also some differences due to adaptation to online conferences, and our findings suggest that the virtual conference was perceived as significantly more effective than the face-to-face conference on all five criteria, and digital learning is a valid alternative to face-to-face conferences. What still needs to be better understood and analysed is the informal learning that is taking place during conferences, but suggesting an active design of any digital event by combining “technical literacy· with “learning literacy” will enable us to better analyse and study the impact of learning using the five learning principles in the design of other events in the future.

Perhaps Psychology’s Replication Crisis is a Theoretical Crisis that is Only Masquerading as a Statistical One

The “replication crisis” may well be the single most important challenge facing empirical psychological research today. It appears that highly trained scientists, often without understanding the potentially dire long-term implications, have been mishandling standard statistical procedures in the service of attaining statistical “significance.” Exacerbating the problem, most academic journals do not publish research that has not produced a “significant” result. This toxic combination has resulted in journals apparently publishing many Type I errors and declining to publish many true failures to reject H0. In response, there has been an urgent call from some psychologists that studies be registered in advance so that their rationales, hypotheses, variables, sample sizes, and statistical analyses are recorded in advance, leaving less room for post hoc manipulation. In this chapter, I argue that this “open science” approach, though laudable, will prove insufficient because the null hypothesis significance test (NHST) is a poor criterion for scientific truth, even when it is handled correctly. The root of the problem is that, whatever statistical problems psychology may have, the discipline never developed the theoretical maturity required. For decades it has been satisfied testing weak theories that predict, at best, only the direction of the effect, rather than the size of effect. Indeed, uncritical acceptance of NHST by the discipline may have served to stunt psychology’s theoretical growth by giving researchers a way of building a successful career without having to develop models that make precise predictions. Improving our statistical “hygiene” would be a good thing, to be sure, but it is unlikely to resolve psychology’s growing credibility problem until our theoretical practices mature considerably.

Theoretical proposal for the relationship between epistemology and ethics in psychology

The concept of epistemological violence and recommendations on how to avoid it have been extensively developed by Thomas Teo. The objective of this article is to elaborate a conceptual proposal to investigate the relationship between ethics and the epistemology of empirical research in psychology. It is contended that some concepts of Axel Honneth’s theory of recognition strengthen the ethical scope of the concept of epistemological violence. This article presents the concept of epistemological violence and shows how the production of psychological knowledge can have negative consequences for groups and individuals. The relevance of broadening the ethical dimension of the concept, theorizing the negative consequences of knowledge as probabilities of misrecognition, is discussed. To this end, central aspects of the theory of recognition are developed that will allow the consideration of epistemological violence as an accomplice in the practice of social injustices.

System approach and psychological research in a pandemic

In psychological science, a line of research related to the pandemic (covid-19) is gaining popu- larity. In this regard, it is relevant to carry out a theoretical analysis of the problems of such studies, carried out on the basis of the latest foreign sources. The novelty of such an analysis is associated with the use of a systemic psychological approach, which has proven itself as a reliable methodological basis for systematizing and classifying data. The purpose of this article is to attempt to conduct a sys- temic psychological analysis of empirical data on human behavior in a pandemic situation. To analyze the problems of the pandemic, empirical data were taken from the implementation of a large-scale international project on human behavior to comply with the requirement to stay at home, announced in different countries. This study found that despite the harsh government response to the pandemic, there are individual differences in behavior. However, not all Big Five traits have the same impact on behavior. Recommended for the Kazakhstani reader, the latest sources on the pandemic, its psychological aspects, can be used in empirical psychological research, as they contain a description of hypotheses, procedures and conclusions of specific empirical work. Key words: psychology, pandemic, personality traits, systemic approach, latest research.