Exploratory Principal Component Analysis Research Articles

The self-efficacy in patient-centeredness questionnaire - a new measure of medical student and physician confidence in exhibiting patient-centered behaviors.

BackgroundPatient-centered communication is a core competency in modern health care and associated with higher levels of patient satisfaction, improved patient health outcomes, and lower levels of burnout among physicians. The objective of the present study was to develop a questionnaire assessing medical student and physician self-efficacy in patient-centeredness (SEPCQ) and explore its psychometric properties.MethodsA preliminary 88-item questionnaire (SEPCQ-88) was developed based on a review of the literature and medical student portfolios and completed by 448 medical students from Aarhus University. Exploratory Principal Component analysis resulted in a 27-item version (SEPCQ-27) with three underlying self-efficacy factors: 1) Exploring the patient perspective, 2) Sharing information and power, and 3) Dealing with communicative challenges. The SEPCQ-27 was completed by an independent sample of 291 medical students from 2 medical schools and 101 hospital physicians.ResultsInternal consistencies of total and subscales were acceptable for both students and physicians (Cronbach’s alpha (range): 0.74–0.95). There were no overall indications of gender-related differential item function (DIF), and a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) indicated good fit (CFI = 0.98; NNFI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.05; SRMR = 0.07). Responsiveness was indicated by increases in SEPCQ scores after a course in communication and peer-supervision (Cohen’s d (range): 0.21 to 0.73; p: 0.053 to 0.001). Furthermore, positive associations were found between increases in SEPCQ-scores and course-related motivation to learn (medical students) and between SEPCQ scores and years of clinical experience (physicians).ConclusionsThe final SEPCQ-27 showed satisfactory psychometric properties, and preliminary support was found for its construct validity, indicating that the SEPCQ-27 may be a valuable measure in future patient centered communication training and research.

Discrimination of the Coptis chinensis geographic origins with surface enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy

In this paper, we have developed a novel method which can identify the geographic origins of the Coptis chinensis using the surface enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS) without requiring the strict separation and complex preprocessing. The main characteristic Raman peaks information can be employed to distinguish the Coptis chinensis from different origins. The unsupervised exploratory analysis principal component analysis (PCA) is applied to raw SERS spectra as well as the SERS spectra treated with the improved asymmetric least squares (IAsLS) baseline correction method. The supervised DPLS model is employed to validate the discrimination of Coptis chinensis origins. The results indicate that the main characteristic Raman peaks information of Coptis chinensis, which is consistent with the liquid chromatography analysis results, is different from their geographic origins. Moreover, PCA and DPLS score plots results further depict SERS spectroscopy can be applied to discriminate the origins of Coptis chinensis. Therefore, SERS spectroscopy is a suitable method for identifying the origins upon the berberine content in Coptis chinensis as well as many other detection applications.

Dimensionality of stress experiences: Factorial structure of the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) in a population‐based Swedish sample

We investigated the factorial structure of the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ-recent; Levenstein, Prantera, Varvo et al., 1993) in a large (N = 1516; 35-95 years) population-based Swedish sample (Nilsson, Adolfsson, Bäckman et al., 2004; Nilsson, Bäckman, Erngrund et al., 1997). Exploratory principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted on a first, randomly drawn subsample (n = 506). Next, the model based on the PCA was tested in a second sample (n = 505). Finally, a third sample (n = 505) was used to cross-validate the model. Five components were extracted in the PCA (eigenvalue > 1) and labeled "Demands," "Worries/Tension," "Lack of joy," "Conflict," and "Fatigue," respectively. Twenty-one out of the 30 original PSQ items were retained in a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model that included the five (first-order) factors and, additionally, a general (second-order) stress factor, not considered in prior models. The model showed reasonable goodness of fit [χ(2)(184) = 511.2, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.904; RMSEA = 0.059; and SRMR = 0.063]. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses supported the validity of the established model. The results are discussed in relation to prior investigations of the factorial structure of the PSQ.

Homework Assignment Preference Scale for Science Courses: A Validity and Reliability Study

&lt;p&gt;Homework assignments are have important role in learning process. In literature emphasizes&lt;br /&gt;that homework assignments do not attract students’ attention and that students do homework&lt;br /&gt;assignment just for the sake of formality. It is concretely argued that assigned homework&lt;br /&gt;assignment should take into consideration students’ preferences, interests, and needs. In this&lt;br /&gt;study, the “Homework Assignment Preference Scale” was developed to determine students’&lt;br /&gt;homework assignment preferences within the scope of a science course. A pilot study was&lt;br /&gt;conducted with 155 middle school students, and the main study was conducted with 924&lt;br /&gt;middle school students. Exploratory factor analysis and principal components analysis were&lt;br /&gt;conducted to ensure the construct validity of the scale. Hierarchical cluster analysis and&lt;br /&gt;confirmatory factor analysis were performed to confirm the emergent factor structures.&lt;br /&gt;Results showed that the scale was a valid and reliable tool.&lt;/p&gt;

Preferencias de los y las estudiantes universitarias sobre el empleo desde una perspectiva de género

Se presenta un estudio de encuesta sobre las preferencias que tiene el alumnado universitario al decidirse por un trabajo, lo que creen que les debe aportar y cómo debe ser la empresa en la que desearían trabajar en función de la variable género. Diferentes investigaciones, señalan que las personas desarrollan valores, expectativas y habilidades profesionales diferentes asociadas a la carrera y a la profesión en función del género. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar los factores que llevan a los y las jóvenes a percibir el trabajo o profesión y determinar si dicha percepción es diferente por ser hombre o mujer. A través de un cuestionario ad hoc compuesto por 52 ítems de escala Likert se recoge la información a 1295 estudiantes universitarios seleccionados a través de un muestreo no probabilístico por accesibilidad y que realizan sus estudios en 28 universidades y 53 facultades españolas públicas y privadas durante el curso académico 2010-11. Las respuestas aportadas en dicho cuestionario son analizadas con la prueba U de Mann-Whitney y el Análisis factorial de componentes principales exploratorio con rotación varimax diferenciado por sexo. Los resultados obtenidos constatan que el alumnado universitario, desarrolla sus preferencias laborales sesgadas por estereotipos de género, aunque también se observan pequeños cambios de tendencias en dichas preferencias como, la valoración de la conciliación familiar ante la decisión de un empleo por parte de los universitarios o la búsqueda de trabajos que les lleven a retos constantes en el caso de las universitarias.

Exploring the factor structure of neurocognitive measures in older individuals.

Here we focus on factor analysis from a best practices point of view, by investigating the factor structure of neuropsychological tests and using the results obtained to illustrate on choosing a reasonable solution. The sample (n=1051 individuals) was randomly divided into two groups: one for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and principal component analysis (PCA), to investigate the number of factors underlying the neurocognitive variables; the second to test the “best fit” model via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). For the exploratory step, three extraction (maximum likelihood, principal axis factoring and principal components) and two rotation (orthogonal and oblique) methods were used. The analysis methodology allowed exploring how different cognitive/psychological tests correlated/discriminated between dimensions, indicating that to capture latent structures in similar sample sizes and measures, with approximately normal data distribution, reflective models with oblimin rotation might prove the most adequate.

Geographical region as a factor influencing consumers’ perception of functional food – case of Croatia

Purpose – In recent years, consumers have developed an interest in the type and the quality of food they eat. As consumers’ opinion is very important in identifying development strategy for food industry it seems justified finding out if geographical region had an influence on consumers’ opinion. Furthermore, this is the topic that is still under researched. The purpose of this paper is to investigate consumers’ perception of functional food (FF) relative to geographical region. Design/methodology/approach – Questionnaire based survey was conducted on a representative national sample with participants aged 18 and older (n=687). Participants were divided according to their place of residence taking into account difference in dietary habits, which created two geographical sets: Coastal (Adriatic) Croatia and Continental Croatia. Data were analyzed using univariate statistics and multivariate analysis as exploratory factor analysis, cluster analysis and principal component analysis. Findings – The results indicate that Croatian consumers are familiar with the term “FF” and that there are significant differences between two geographical sets of respondents (Coastal Croatia and Continental Croatia) in their willingness to pay for FF. Furthermore, research showed that there is a general lack of confidence in the information provided on the product labels especially in the continental region. The results have shown that “taste” and “price quality ratio” are the most important features in choosing the FF and are equally important to the consumers’ in both geographical region. Practical implications – Research results indicate a need for development of consumers’ confidence and need to focus mainly on educating consumers in label comprehension. This is particularly true for the Continental Croatia. Targeted advertising should take into account consumers’ preferences, confidence and label comprehension according to their geographical regions. Originality/value – The case study represents consumers’ opinion coming from different geographical regions (Coastal Croatia and Continental Croatia) regarding FF. In this research the most important attributes in choosing the FF were extracted.

Development and psychometric evaluation of a scale to measure impaired self-awareness of hyper- and hypokinetic movements in Parkinson's disease.

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) can show impaired self-awareness of motor deficits (ISAm). We developed a new scale that measures ISAm severity of hyper- and hypokinetic movements in PD during medication on state and defined its psychometric criteria. Included were 104 right-handed, non-depressed, non-demented patients. Concerning ISAm, 38 motor symptoms were assessed using seven tasks, which were performed and self-rated concerning presence of deficit (yes/no) by all patients. The whole procedure was videotaped. Motor symptoms were then evaluated by two independent experts, blinded for patient's ratings, concerning presence, awareness of deficit, and severity. Exploratory principal component analysis (promax rotation) was applied to reduce items. Principal axis factoring was conducted to extract factors. Reliability was examined regarding internal consistency, split-half reliability, and interrater reliability. Validity was verified by applying two additional measures of ISAm. Of the initial 38 symptoms, 15 remained, assessed in five motor tasks and merged to a total severity score. Factor analysis resulted in a four factor solution (dyskinesia, resting tremor right hand, resting tremor left hand, bradykinesia). For all subscales and the total score, measures of reliability (values 0.64-0.89) and validity (effect sizes>0.3) were satisfactory. Descriptive results showed that 66% of patients had signs of ISAm (median 2, range 0-15), with ISAm being most distinct for dyskinesia. We provide the first validation of a test for ISAm in PD. Using this instrument, future studies can further analyze the pathophysiology of ISAm, the psychosocial sequelae, therapeutic strategies and compliance with therapy.

Measurement of resilience in Chinese older people.

Resilience has been identified as a personal construct that may contribute to the process of healthy ageing in older people. To date, no measurement instrument has been tested to evaluate resilience in Chinese older people. To examine the psychometric testing and clinical application of the Chinese version of the Resilience Scale (RS) in Chinese older people. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. Forward and backward translation procedures were used to obtain semantic equivalence of the original English version of the RS. Content validity was examined by identified experts, followed by exploratory factor analysis, item-to-total correlation, Cronbach's α coefficients and test-retest reliability. The 25-item Chinese version of Resilience Scale (RS-CN) was fully completed by 461 Chinese older people. Cronbach's α for the total Chinese version of the Revised Resilience Scale was 0.95, with a range of 0.85-0.89 for the sub-scales. Item-to-total correlation coefficients ranged from 0.51 to 0.75 and items were excluded with item-to-total correlations coefficients lower than 0.4. The test-retest reliability of the total scale was 0.80, sub-scale test-retest reliability ranged from 0.61 to 0.620. The exploratory principal component analysis with varimax rotation revealed RS-CN to have a four-factor structure. The RS-CN is a valid and reliable instrument for the measurement of the concept of resilience in Chinese older people. The results of this study provide cross-cultural evidence for the potential application of this scale in Chinese older people. Greater insight into the psychological constructs of resilience in Chinese older people can lead to international comparisons and to the potential development of interventions for this population around the world.

Abnormal white matter integrity in antipsychotic-naïve first-episode psychosis patients assessed by a DTI principal component analysis

IntroductionDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies in patients with schizophrenia have shown abnormalities in the microstructure of white matter tracts. Specifically, reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) has been described across multiple white matter tracts, in studies that have mainly included patients treated with antipsychotic medications. ObjectiveTo compare FA in antipsychotic-naïve patients experiencing a first episode of psychosis (FEP) to FA in healthy controls to demonstrate that the variance of FA can be grouped, in a coincidental manner, in four predetermined factors in accordance with a theoretical partition of the white matter tracts, using a principal components analysis (PCA). MethodsThirty-five antipsychotic-naïve FEP patients and 35 age- and gender-matched healthy controls underwent DTI at 3T. Analysis was performed using a tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) method and exploratory PCA. ResultsDTI analysis showed extensive FA reduction in white matter tracts in FEP patients compared with the control group. The PCA grouped the white matter tracts into four factors explaining 66% of the total variance. Comparison of the FA values within each factor highlighted the differences between FEP patients and controls. DiscussionOur study confirms extensive white matter tracts anomalies in patients with schizophrenia, more specifically, in drug-naïve FEP patients. The results also indicate that a small number of white matter tracts share common FA anomalies that relate to deficit symptoms in FEP patients. Our study adds to a growing body of literature emphasizing the need for treatments targeting white matter function and structure in FEP patients.

Perceptions of Police Scale (POPS): Measuring Attitudes towards Law Enforcement and Beliefs about Police Bias

The current study provides data supporting the Perceptions of Police Scale (POPS), an instrument designed to measure perceptions of police and police bias. Three hundred and twenty-six participants completed a demographics questionnaire, the POPS, and POPS Evaluation. The Perceptions of Police Scale (POPS) included twelve statements that measure an individual’s attitudes toward police. The POPS Evaluation asked participants for feedback on the content and clarity of the questions. In Study 1, an exploratory principal components analysis (N = 162) revealed two factors: (1) General Attitudes toward Police, and (2) Perceptions of Bias, explaining 64.95% of the variance. The POPS produced a Cronbach’s alpha of .92 overall, and .91 for Subscale 1 and .87 for Subscale 2. Study 2 utilized a confirmatory factor analysis (N = 162) to verify the two subscales. The two-factor solution accounted for 70.44% of the variance, supporting the results of Study 1. The POPS overall resulted in a Cronbach’s alpha of .94, with .93 for Subscale 1 and .88 for Subscale 2.Using the POPS, future researchers can assess community perceptions of the police succinctly, particularly examining views of individuals from historically marginalized groups and impacts of police interaction on psychological processes and mental health outcomes.

Relationship between alexithymia and dependent personality disorder: A dimensional analysis

The present study had two aims and used two different samples. The first aim was to determine if alexithymia and dependent personality disorder (DPD) are distinct or overlapping constructs. The second aim was to determine the specificity and the stability of the relationship between alexithymia and DPD. The first study used exploratory principal components analysis (PCA) in a sample of 477 non-clinical subjects who completed three questionnaires measuring alexithymia (Twenty item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, i.e. TAS-20), dependent personality disorder (Dependent Personality Questionnaire, i.e. DPQ) and depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II, i.e. BDI-II). The second study used a sample of 305 subjects consecutively admitted to an outpatient department of legal medicine. The subjects completed (at admission and 3 months later) the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, screen questionnaire (SCID-II-SQ), the TAS-20 and the BDI. Multiple regressions were done. For the first study, the PCA yielded a four-factor solution with no overlap of the significant factor loadings for the items from each scale and with the factors corresponding to their respective construct. For the second study, multiple regressions showed that only avoidant personality disorder was an independent predictor of the TAS-20 scores. Alexithymia is a construct that is distinct and separate from DPD and depression. Alexithymia is not a stable feature of DPD while it is a core feature of avoidant personality disorder.

Positive aspects of caregiving (PAC): Scale validation among Chinese dementia caregivers (CG)

ObjectivesThis study validates the psychometric properties of the PAC scale among Hong Kong Chinese informal dementia caregivers. MethodsThree hundred and seventy-four caregivers responded to questionnaires including the Chinese version of the PAC scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), occurrence of problem behaviors, caregiver bother, caregiver confidence, and self-rated health (SRH). Translation and back translation were conducted in translating the PAC scale. ResultsResults of an exploratory principal component analysis (PCA) suggest two components in the 11-item Chinese PAC (C-PAC) scale, namely enriching life and affirming self. C-PAC demonstrates satisfactory reliability. Criteria-related validity of C-PAC is suggested by significant correlations with CES-D, SRH, occurrence of problem behaviors, caregiver bother, and caregiver confidence. ConclusionOur results support the psychometric properties of C-PAC among Hong Kong Chinese caregivers. This brief measure may help interventionists identify psychological resources of caregivers and capitalize these resources during strength-based interventions.

Webbing clothes moth catch and the management of heritage environments

Webbing clothes moths damage our tangible heritage and, in historic properties and museums, are increasingly monitored using pheromone traps. Following >5000 trapping periods in museums in Austria and Germany and historic properties in the UK, catch rates showed big changes over time, resulting from infestations and pest control activities. The number of moths caught in traps is highly skewed and, with respect to Poisson and Hermite distributions, over-dispersed. Principal components analysis reveals two distinct types of catch: a low catch and another showing much dispersion at high catch. Lorenz curves and the associated Gini coefficients were useful but, in their representation of the data, there is a loss of scale. The Gini coefficient is higher when a location is infested. Scaled cumulative plots revealed changes in infestations over time and location. The exploratory statistics and principal component analysis suggested four levels of moth presence in museums: (i) no moths, (ii) low catch, (iii) high catch and (iv) infestation. This categorisation offers a guide to interpreting insect catch and could aid the choice of management approaches to minimising this biological degradation of heritage collections/materials.

Exploratory Factor Analysis as a Construct Validation Tool: (Mis)applications in Applied Linguistics Research

Factor analysis has been frequently exploited in applied research to provide evidence about the underlying factors in various measurement instruments. A close inspection of a large number of studies published in leading applied linguistic journals shows that there is a misconception among applied linguists as to the relative merits of exploratory factor analysis and principal components analysis (PCA) and the kind of interpretations that can be drawn from each method. In addition, it is argued that the widespread application of orthogonal, rather than oblique, rotations and also the criteria used for factor selection are not in keeping with the findings in psychometrics. It is further argued that the current situation is partly due to the fact that PCA and orthogonal rotation are default options in mainstream statistical packages such as SPSS and the guidebooks on such software do not provide an explanation of the issues discussed in this article.

Alinhamento dos projetos de TI aos modelos de negócio das organizações

A necessidade de alinhar objetivos e estratégias da organização à execução dos portfólios, programas e projetos não é uma tarefa trivial. Muitas vezes, os projetos de TI são entregues com tecnologia revolucionária, no entanto, não em aderência plena às necessidades do negócio. O modelo de negócio (MN) pode ser visto como ferramenta conceitual essencial para capturar, compartilhar e criar uma visão comum do modelo da organização. O presente estudo buscou identificar o nível de maturidade do alinhamento dos projetos de tecnologia da informação (TI) aos modelos de negócio nas organizações no Brasil. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa exploratório-descritiva de natureza quantitativa com utilização do método levantamento de campo (survey). Responderam ao questionário 327 profissionais atuantes em projetos de TI de fevereiro a abril de 2012. Foram aplicadas técnicas estatísticas descritivas e univariadas, como a distribuição das frequências percentuais, além da análise multivariada, especificamente a técnica exploratória de Análise de Componentes Principais para Dados Categóricos (CATPCA). Em resposta ao objetivo principal desta pesquisa, obteve-se um escore de 3,42, classificado como nível de maturidade '3-estabilizado/ focado', isto indica o início da utilização da TI de forma estratégica nos negócios. A análise dos resultados também demonstrou que a formalização de uma sistemática de gestão de projetos de TI é um processo em solidificação crescente dentro das organizações, a estrutura organizacional funcional ainda é a mais praticada, embora a estrutura 'projetizada' tenha conquistado seu espaço, apresentando-se na segunda posição. O escritório de projetos lidera como sendo a área que seleciona, prioriza e monitora projetos. Por meio de testes de hipóteses, verificou-se que o escritório de projetos e a estrutura organizacional 'projetizada' são aspectos positivos e significativos no alinhamento dos projetos de TI aos modelos de negócios.

The Specific Level of Functioning Scale: Construct validity, internal consistency and factor structure in a large Italian sample of people with schizophrenia living in the community

BackgroundThe study aimed to assess the construct validity, internal consistency and factor structure of the Specific Levels of Functioning Scale (SLOF), a multidimensional instrument assessing real life functioning. MethodsThe study was carried out in 895 Italian people with schizophrenia, all living in the community and attending the outpatient units of 26 university psychiatric clinics and/or community mental health departments. The construct validity of the SLOF was analyzed by means of the multitrait–multimethod approach, using the Personal and Social Performance (PSP) Scale as the gold standard. The factor structure of the SLOF was examined using both an exploratory principal component analysis and a confirmatory factor analysis. ResultsThe six factors identified using exploratory principal component analysis explained 57.1% of the item variance. The examination of the multitrait–multimethod matrix revealed that the SLOF factors had high correlations with PSP factors measuring the same constructs and low correlations with PSP factors measuring different constructs. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) corroborated the 6-factor structure reported in the original validation study. Loadings were all significant and ranged from a minimum of 0.299 to a maximum of 0.803. The CFA model was adequately powered and had satisfactory goodness of fit indices (comparative fit index=0.927, Tucker–Lewis index=0.920 and root mean square error of approximation=0.047, 95% CI 0.045–0.049). ConclusionThe present study confirms, in a large sample of Italian people with schizophrenia living in the community, that the SLOF is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of social functioning. It has good construct validity and internal consistency, and a well-defined factor structure.

Meta-cognitions in tourette syndrome, tic disorders, and body-focused repetitive disorder.

To explore if self-reported presence of thinking about tics or body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs; gests) are direct triggers of tic or gest onset in 3 groups: Tourette syndrome (TS; n =18), persistent chronic tic disorders (TDs; n = 42), and a comparison group with BFRB (n = 36). The 3 groups completed a thinking about tics inventory, listing 22 items derived from clinician consensus that asked whether thoughts always, sometimes, or never exclusively triggered tic onset. Other questionnaires measured mood, perfectionism, impulsivity, premonitory urge, and self-rated tension. Sixty-three participants completed the inventory twice, and the inventory was completed pre- and post-behavioural intervention by a further 54. The ranking of the thoughts reported as likely to trigger tics or gests was positively correlated across TD and BFRB groups. Exploratory principal components analysis of a reduced 12-item set (the thinking about tics inventory) in TS and TD groups revealed that such thoughts could be grouped into 3 separate subscales: thoughts about the interference of tics or gests, thoughts anticipating tics or gests, and thoughts about whether the person has permission to perform the tic or the gest. The 3 sets of subscales showed good and acceptable internal consistency and overall score showed good test-retest reliability, suggesting thoughts about tics or gests are robust and measurable. The subscales correlated with impulsivity, tic or behaviour severity, and ratings of frequency decreased post-behavioural treatment. Thinking about tics or gests is reported as triggering tics or gests in both TD and BFRB, and meta-cognition seems independent of premonitory sensations and relates to distinct clinical characteristics in each clinical group.

Psychometric evaluation of dietary self-efficacy and outcome expectation scales in female college freshmen.

Lifestyle interventions commonly measure psychosocial beliefs as precursors to positive behavior change, but often overlook questionnaire validation. This can affect measurement accuracy if the survey has been developed for a different population, as differing behavioral influences may affect instrument validity. The present study aimed to explore psychometric properties of self-efficacy and outcome expectation scales-originally developed for younger children-in a population of female college freshmen (N = 268). Exploratory principal component analysis was used to investigate underlying data patterns and assess validity of previously published subscales. Composite scores for reliable subscales (Cronbach's α ≥ .70) were calculated to help characterize self-efficacy and outcome expectation beliefs in this population. The outcome expectation factor structure clearly comprised of positive (α = .81-.90) and negative outcomes (α = .63-.67). The self-efficacy factor structure included themes of motivation and effort (α = .75-.94), but items pertaining to hunger and availability cross-loaded often. Based on cross-loading patterns and low Cronbach's alpha values, respectively, self-efficacy items regarding barriers to healthy eating and negative outcome expectation items should be refined to improve reliability. Composite scores suggested that eating healthfully was associated with positive outcomes, but self-efficacy to do so was lower. Thus, dietary interventions for college students may be more successful by including skill-building activities to enhance self-efficacy and increase the likelihood of behavior change.

Personality and behavior in a massively multiplayer online role-playing game

Massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) present new and important opportunities for studying the connections between personality and behavior. Players of the MMORPG World of Warcraft were surveyed on their personalities and frequency of different behaviors within the game. An exploratory principal components analysis of a World of Warcraft in-game behavior survey revealed six components: Player-versus-Player, Social Player-versus-Environment, Working, Helping, Immersion, and Core Content. Significant correlations with HEXACO personality traits were found for each component. Player-versus-Player activities were primarily related to low levels of Honesty-Humility and also to high levels of psychopathic traits. Social Player-versus-Environment activities were primarily positively correlated with Extraversion, Working activities were positively correlated with Conscientiousness, Helping and Immersion activities were positively correlated with Openness to Experience, and Core Content activities were positively correlated with Emotionality. The authors discuss the implications of these results for future research and game design.