Level Of Congruence Research Articles

Effects of Leader-Follower Extraversion Congruence and Sectoral Difference on Leader-Member Exchange: A Cross-Sectional Study

PurposeDrawing upon self-categorization theory and the comparative literature on public and private sectors, the purpose of this study is to examine whether leader-follower extraversion congruence is positively related to leader-member exchange (LMX) and whether congruence at high levels of extraversion results in higher LMX than congruence at low levels. Furthermore, the study aims to investigate the moderating role of sectoral difference in the relationship between extraversion fit and LMX.MethodsParticipants were 320 leader-follower dyads (53 leaders and 320 followers) from various public and private sectors in the Chinese cultural context. The extraversion part of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and leader-member exchange multidimensional measure (LMX-MDM) were used to measure extraversion and LMX, respectively. Hypotheses were tested using cross-level moderated polynomial regression and response surface analysis.ResultsLeader-follower extraversion congruence was not significantly associated with LMX, and there was no significant difference in LMX between congruence at high levels of extraversion and congruence at low levels. However, sectoral difference moderated the relationship between extraversion fit and LMX. Specifically, in the public sector, leader-follower extraversion congruence was positively related to LMX, and LMX was higher when leader and follower extraversion were both at a high level compared to when they were at a low level. In the private sector, this fit effect vanished.Practical ImplicationsThe results suggest that, in the public sector, when organizations deal with the deployment of staff, taking leader-follower extraversion fit into account may mitigate possible later relationship conflicts. However, in the private sector, by not emphasizing extraversion fit, organizations can focus resources on more crucial factors.Originality/ValueBy considering sectoral difference as the boundary condition of leader-follower extraversion fit, this study extends the comparative literature on public and private sectors and supports self-categorization theory.

Thinking alike or not: Performance implications of transactional psychological contract congruence in buyer–supplier new product development projects

AbstractA buyer–supplier new product development (NPD) project is an ambiguous and complex transaction, making neither formal contracts nor a collaborative relationship sufficient to ensure project success. NPD project performance could also be directly influenced by the transactional psychological contracts (TPCs) of project members due to their strong motivational effect. Adopting a dyadic view, we explore the performance implications of buyer–supplier TPCs (in)congruence using a matched, dyadic survey dataset from 279 NPD projects. We find that levels of congruence (congruent vs. incongruent), types of congruence (high–high vs. low–low), and directions of incongruence (buyer‐higher vs. supplier‐higher) all affect project performance. Challenging the conventional wisdom that buyer–supplier congruence is generally productive, we find that congruence in TPCs, a generally undesirable type of PC, lowers product quality in NPD projects. This is because congruence in TPCs locks project members in the status quo by creating psychological balance and removing healthy conflicts, which prevents a team from balancing between exploration and exploitation. The combination of buyer‐lower, supplier‐higher TPCs incongruence is most effective for improving both product quality and development efficiency. These results remind NPD project managers that buyer and supplier TPCs can interact to jointly affect project outcomes beyond individual influences of each party's TPC.

Mind the Gap: A Policy Gap Analysis of Programmes Promoting Timber Construction in Nordic Countries

The construction sector is one of the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and consumers of energy, making it one of the most relevant sectors when planning reduction strategies and policies. The use of timber in the built environment has been identified as a key strategy to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction sector. In this paper, we use the concept of policy gap analysis to identified underlying challenges in the implementation of timber construction on three Nordic countries, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. We carried out a series of semi-structured interviews with experts from the countries of study. The interviews came from industry, government, and construction companies. The use of the gap analysis approach was useful not only to identify areas that are being targeted but also those areas that were not covered by any programme at the time of study. The results showed that the studied programmes have a large level of coverage and congruence with the identified challenges. Moreover, they also showed that challenges related to fire safety regulations and insurance policies for timber buildings still need to be addressed, whereas the challenges of high price variability and lack of promotion are being addressed by multiple programmes. With this work, we have seen how timber construction is gaining momentum and how the challenges have been addressed systematically.

Effects of athletic performance and marketable lifestyle on consumers' engagement with sport celebrity's social media and their endorsements

PurposeIn this study, we empirically analyse the effects of sports celebrities' image on consumers' engagement with them via social media and with their endorsed brand. In particular, we focus on the sport celebrity's athletic performance and marketable lifestyle image dimensions.Design/methodology/approachAn online consumer survey was conducted regarding sports celebrities' endorsement campaigns and consumers' ad recall. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Moderation and mediation effects were examined, and a multigroup analysis was used to test the existence of significant differences between groups.FindingsThe motivation to engage with sports celebrities' social media platforms transcends athletic performance and is positively related with the marketable lifestyle. Sports celebrities who highly engage consumers through social media can promote stronger engagement with the endorsed brand, and this effect is positively moderated by the perceived level of congruence between the sport celebrity and the endorsed brand. The effect of the sport celebrity's marketable lifestyle on the endorsed brand is partially mediated by their social media engagement with consumers. Moreover, a multigroup analysis shows no statistically significant differences among gender and age groups.Originality/valueThis study's contribution is a better understanding of the effect of sport celebrities' image dimensions on consumers' engagement with the celebrities' social media platforms. The marketable lifestyles of celebrities are an important asset that promotes engagement with their social media platforms by consumers that in turn, raises their marketing value in terms of endorsement contracts.

Assessment of Psychological Distress and Peer Relations among Trans Adolescents-An Examination of the Use of Gender Norms and Parent-Child Congruence of the YSR-R/CBCL-R among a Treatment-Seeking Sample.

Among trans adolescents, increased psychological distress is reported in the literature. The goal of this study was to examine psychological distress, associated peer relations and parent report congruence among the treatment-seeking sample of the Gender Identity Special Consultation (GISC) for youth at the Charité Berlin. Further, differences between the instruments’ binary gender norms were investigated. Retrospectively, we analyzed clinical data derived from the GISC. By initial interviews and using the Youth Self-Report and Child Behavior Checklist, n = 50 trans adolescents aged 12–18 years (M = 15.5) were examined for psychological problems and peer relations. Congruence between self and parent report was analyzed by correlations. Half of the sample reported suicidality, self-harm and bullying. Trans adolescents showed significantly higher internalizing and total problems than the German norm population. The congruence between self and parent report proved to be moderate to high. The level of congruence and poor peer relations were identified as predictors of internalizing problems. Significant differences between the female vs. male gender norms emerged regarding mean scores and the number of clinically significant cases. Data provide valuable implications for intervention on a peer and family level. There are limitations to the suitability of questionnaires that use binary gender norms, and further research on adequate instruments and assessment is needed.

Issue congruence between voters and parties: examining the Democratic Party mandate in Ireland

ABSTRACT Political parties often employ the rhetoric of electoral mandates, claiming that the people who voted for them endorsed their policies. However, the level of voter-party issue congruence may vary across parties, issues, and elections; and the views of certain types of voters may be better represented by their party than others. This paper puts forward a series of hypotheses to explain variation in issue congruence, relating to how well-informed voters are about party policy, the role of non-policy determinants of vote choice, and the nature of policy competition between parties. The hypotheses are tested using data from surveys of voters and parties conducted during the 2020 general election and the 2019 European Parliament election in Ireland. Congruence is found to be higher when a party is particularly associated with an issue. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, for whom non-policy attributes play a significant part in voters’ assessments, are found to have lower policy congruence with their voters overall than other parties. While there is no evidence that certain socio-demographic groups are systematically more or less well represented by their parties across all policy areas, some gaps in representation are identified, particularly in relation to so-called ‘cultural’ issues.

Is Phylogeographic Congruence Predicted by Historical Habitat Stability, or Ecological Co-associations?

Abstract Comparative phylogeographic studies can distinguish between idiosyncratic and community-wide responses to past environmental change. However, to date, the impacts of species interactions have been largely overlooked. Here we used non-genetic data to characterize two competing scenarios about expected levels of congruence among five deadwood-associated (saproxylic) invertebrate species (i.e., a wood-feeding cockroach, termite, and beetle; a predatory centipede, and a detritivorous millipede) from the southern Appalachian Mountains—a globally recognized center of endemism. Under one scenario, abiotic factors primarily drove species’ responses, with predicted congruence based on the spatial overlap of climatically stable habitat areas estimated for each species via ecological niche modeling. The second scenario considered biotic factors to be most influential, with proxies for species interactions used to predict congruence. Analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences focused on four axes of comparison: the number and geographic distribution of distinct spatial-genetic clusters, phylogeographic structure, changes in effective population size, and historical gene flow dynamics. Overall, we found stronger support for the ecological co-associations scenario, suggesting an important influence of biotic factors in constraining or facilitating species’ responses to Pleistocene climatic cycles. However, there was an imperfect fit between predictions and outcomes of genetic data analyses. Thus, while thought-provoking, conclusions remain tentative until additional data on species interactions becomes available. Ultimately, the approaches presented here advance comparative phylogeography by expanding the scope of inferences beyond solely considering abiotic drivers, which we believe is too simplistic. This work also provides conservation-relevant insights into the evolutionary history of a functionally important ecological community.

Image congruence and visual object structure of anthropomorphic advertisement-eye movement research based on self-construct

PurposeEnterprises often use anthropomorphic images to display products. In this study, by discussing the differences of the anthropomorphic images of juxtaposition and fusion, the authors can distinguish the boundary conditions of the influence of different visual object structures on consumers' attention.Design/methodology/approachBased on schema theory and information processing theory and using eye movement methods, this study analyzed the attractiveness of anthropomorphic images to consumers under different congruence levels through experiments of 2 (congruence: high and low) *2(visual object structure: juxtaposition and fusion)*2(self-construct: interdependent and independent). This study discusses the difference in the attractiveness of interdependent and independent consumers in the context of high congruence, juxtaposition and fusion of two visual object structures.FindingsThe results show that compared with the low congruence anthropomorphic image, the high congruence anthropomorphic image can attract more attention of consumers. In the case of low compatibility of anthropomorphic images, the juxtaposition structure of anthropomorphic images is more attractive to consumers than the fusion structure. In the case of high compatibility of anthropomorphic images, for independent self-consumers, the attraction of fusion structure image is higher than the juxtaposition image, and for interdependent self-consumers, the attraction of juxtaposition image is higher than the fusion image.Originality/valueThe conclusion enriches the anthropomorphic marketing theory. It reveals different degrees of attention paid to anthropomorphic image by consumers of different types of self-construct. Eye movement methods provide a new perspective for the study of anthropomorphic marketing and provide a reference for enterprises to publicize products or services through anthropomorphic image.

Taxonomic study of Mesomeloe coelatus (Reiche amp; Saulcy, 1857) (Coleoptera: Meloidae: Meloini), with the description of an overlooked new species.

A new species of the genus Mesomeloe (Meloidae) is described from Qatar on the north-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Mesomeloe ottomerkli sp. nov., which is currently only known from the type locality, was previously identified as Meloe (Mesomeloe) coelatus. Both the morphological and molecular variability of M. coelatus across its wide distribution range are studied to determine the level of congruence between the morphological and genetic differentiation of M. coelatus and the new species. Mesomeloe ottomerkli is distinguishable from all other congeneric species in various traits: it presents a body tegument and appendages that are black in colour and shiny in appearance; an elytral surface absent of impressed longitudinal shallow ridges; a pronotal surface absent of depressed areas and longitudinal midline; and a pronotal base that is slightly arcuate. In addition, males of M. ottomerkli have antennae that gradually widen towards the apex; protarsomeres with a brush patch of yellowish setae on the ventral surface of the first two segments; genitalia in which the gonostyli, in lateral view, become slenderer towards the apex and an aedeagus that is relatively wide and rounded in the distal portion. The distribution records of M. coelatus are also updated and summarized.

Characterizing the Genetic Overlap Between Psychiatric Disorders and Sleep-Related Phenotypes

BackgroundA range of sleep disturbances are commonly experienced by patients with psychiatric disorders, and genome-wide genetic analyses have shown some significant genetic correlations between these traits. Here, we applied novel statistical genetic methodologies to better characterize the potential shared genetic architecture between sleep-related phenotypes and psychiatric disorders. MethodsUsing the MiXeR method, which can estimate polygenic overlap beyond genetic correlation, the shared genetic architecture between major psychiatric disorders (bipolar disorder [N = 51,710], depression [N = 480,359], and schizophrenia [N = 77,096]) and sleep-related phenotypes (chronotype [N = 449,734], insomnia [N = 386,533] and sleep duration [N = 446,118]) were quantified on the basis of genetic summary statistics. Furthermore, the conditional/conjunctional false discovery rate framework was used to identify specific shared loci between these phenotypes, for which positional and functional annotation were conducted with FUMA. ResultsExtensive genetic overlap between the sleep-related phenotypes and bipolar disorder (63%–77%), depression (76%–79%), and schizophrenia (64%–79%) was identified, with moderate levels of congruence between most investigated traits (47%–58%). Specific shared loci were identified for all bivariate analyses, and a subset of 70 credible genes were mapped to these shared loci. ConclusionsThe current results provide evidence for substantial polygenic overlap between psychiatric disorders and sleep-related phenotypes, beyond genetic correlation (|rg| = 0.02 to 0.42). Moderate congruency within the shared genetic components suggests a complex genetic relationship and potential subgroups with higher or lower genetic concordance. This work provides new insights and understanding of the shared genetic etiology of sleep-related phenotypes and psychiatric disorders and highlights new opportunities and avenues for future investigation.

Application of multi-objective optimization on the basis of ratio analysis (MOORA) for selection of cotton fabrics for optimal thermal comfort

PurposeSelection of fabrics for particular purposy-e has created lots of research interest over the years, and the said problems have been addressed by several researchers using various multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods. The main purpose of this paper is to highlight a maiden approach to handle one such fabric selection problem using multi-objective optimization by ratio analysis (MOORA) as a simple yet potent MCDM tool.Design/methodology/approachTwo approaches of MOORA method (namely, ratio system and reference point) have been demonstrated for ranking of 13 candidate fabrics based on four fabric attributes, namely, fabric cover, thickness, areal density and porosity.FindingsIn both the approaches, candidate fabric F3 secures rank 1 (the best alternative) whereas fabric F6 occupies rank 13 (the worst alternative). Moreover, ranking orders of these two approaches are alike and also show very high level of congruence with those of other approaches reported by earlier researchers, as evidenced from extremely high rank correlation coefficients (Rs > 0.89). During sensitivity analysis, each of the ranking results obtained from the four simulated weight sets do demonstrate very high degree of correlation (Rs > 0.90 for ratio system, and Rs > 0.81 for reference point). Besides, no occurrence of rank reversal is observed even when the initial decision-making matrix is changed.Originality/valueMost the methods adopted so far for fabric selection purpose involve huge mathematical equations, complex computation and/or logic. The uniqueness of the MOORA method is that it involves minimal and thus very simple mathematical operations although possesses higher level of robustness and reliability.

Comparative population genetics of swimming crab host (Portunus pelagicus) and common symbiotic barnacle (Octolasmis angulata) in Vietnam.

BackgroundBy comparing spatial geographical structures of host populations with that of their symbionts light can be shed on their biological interactions, and the degree of congruence between host and symbiont phylogeographies should reflect their life histories and especially dispersal mechanisms.MethodsHere, we analyzed the genetic diversity and structure of a host, the blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus, and its symbiotic pedunculate barnacle Octolasmis angulata from six location sites representing three geographic regions (north, central and south) along the Vietnam coastline. High levels of congruence in their phylogeographic patterns were expected as they both undergo planktonic larval stages.ResultsBased on the COI mtDNA markers, O. angulata populations showed higher genetic diversity in comparison with their host P. pelagicus (number of haplotype/individuals, haplotype and nucleotide diversity are 119/192, 0.991 ± 0.002 and 0.02; and 89/160, 0.913 ± 0.02 and 0.015, respectively). Pairwise Fst and AMOVA analyses showed a more pronounced population structure in the symbiotic barnacle than in its crab host. The DAPC analyses identified three genetic clusters. However, both haplotype networks and scatter plots supported connectivity of the host and the symbiotic barnacle throughout their distribution range, except for low subdivision of southern population. Isolation by distance were detected only for the symbiont O. angulata (R2 = 0.332, P = 0.05), while dbMEM supported spatial structure of both partners, but only at MEM-1 (Obs. 0.2686, P < 0.01 and Obs. 0.2096, P < 0.01, respectively).

‘Tell me where the birds have gone’ – Reconstructing historical influence of major environmental drivers on bird populations from memories of ornithologists of an older generation

Historical perspective is important to understand the mechanisms of current environmental impacts on biodiversity. It may be achieved through long-term monitoring schemes aiming to record biodiversity changes over time. However, even the monitoring of bird populations, a taxon with the broadest spatial coverage and the longest time series among all organisms, does not usually cover more than 30–50 years. It is thus possible that the population status recorded by the monitoring schemes resulted from impacts preceding the monitoring data. In European birds for example, most studies use the beginning of 1980s as a baseline, even though major environmental changes likely acted earlier and its possible that many species have already depleted populations at that time. To fill this knowledge gap, we performed a unique survey among ornithologists of an older generation who performed bird observations in the Czech Republic from 1950s or 1960s up to now. They were asked to fill in a questionnaire to record relative abundance of each species in the region of their expertise during three time periods: 1950s/1960s, 1980s, and 2010s. Comparison of relative abundance between 1950s/1960s and 1980s should reflected population change prior to the time period typically set a as baseline, whereas population change between 1980s and 2010s aimed to assess the reliability of the ornithologists’ assessment by comparison with objective atlas mapping data. As expected, ornithologists of an older generation reported major population declines between 1950s/1960s and 1980s, especially among species depending on insects in their diet corresponding with steep intensification of land use for agriculture. Species associated with wetlands increased their populations, likely due to a higher nutrient input into water bodies. Interestingly, bird populations showed opposite pattern to the currently observed climate change impact, probably due to the modest climate change over these time periods. Importantly, population change between 1980s and 2010s estimated by the ornithologists corresponded well with the change based on atlas mapping data between the same time periods. Such a high level of congruence indicates suitability of memories of older generation naturalists for inferring indicators of historical biodiversity changes. We urge for performing of such assessments in other regions and for other taxa before this source of information will be lost forever.

Initial Motivation of Mentors in Formal Youth Mentoring Relationships

ABSTRACT The paper presents results of a phenomenological longitudinal qualitative study undertaken with mentors associated with the Big Brothers Big Sisters programme in the Czech Republic. Ten mentors were interviewed during the first month and after 5 and 10 months of their mentoring involvement employing phenomenological in-depth semi-structured interviews. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was subsequently applied using QSR NVivo software for data analysis. This paper reports the findings of an IPA analysis of one of the central theme of mentors‘ experience, common to all interviewed mentors: initial motivation to volunteer in formal youth mentoring relationships (FYMRs). The findings of the IPA analysis are discussed using the framework of self-determination theory (SDT) with its continuum of autonomous and controlling motivations. As a result, we argue that the initial motivations of mentors can be assessed according to the level of autonomy in mentors' motivation, in other words, congruence of their motivations with the authentic self. We argue that the level of congruence of mentors‘ motivation with the authentic self can be considered as the quality feature of the mentors’ motivation. We conclude that, in theory, this feature has an impact on the subsequent dynamics and perceived satisfaction of formal youth mentoring relationships. We recommend that the mentors‘ motivation, and specifically, the level of autonomy in mentors‘ motivation to volunteer with socially disadvantaged children be assessed in mentoring programmes as a qualitative feature in mentorś training and recruitment.

Destination authentic value advantage: an SDL perspective

Abstract This study aims to build a destination marketing conceptual model to bridge the research gap concerning managing a destination service-scape quality for enhancing destination loyalty. The convenience sample data were collected from an unknown population of Indonesian domestic tourists who visited tourist destinations in Indonesia. Data were analysed using AMOS SEM Software. The findings demonstrate the significant impacts of destination servicescape quality on destination authentic value advantage. The research findings resulted in a complete significant pathway to enhancing loyalty by mediating an authentic destination advantage through destination congruence. This study is evidence for the application of SDL-Service Dominant Logic Theory. The possibility of enhancing an authentic value experience superiority would be a strategic process for achieving any level of destination congruence as a step towards creating and sustaining loyalty. Destination planning could consider crafting the hardscape and soft-scape of a destination equally. A company should provide services that encourage positive emotions as the basis for building congruency. The originality of this study is the concept of destination servicescape quality with two new dimensions of destination service, hard-servicescape and soft-servicescape, and the development of destination authentic value advantage for enhancing authentic value advantage.

Great chemistry between us: The link between plant chemical defenses and butterfly evolution.

Plants constantly cope with insect herbivory, which is thought to be the evolutionary driver for the immense diversity of plant chemical defenses. Herbivorous insects are in turn restricted in host choice by the presence of plant chemical defense barriers. In this study, we analyzed whether butterfly host–plant patterns are determined by the presence of shared plant chemical defenses rather than by shared plant evolutionary history. Using correlation and phylogenetic statistics, we assessed the impact of host–plant chemical defense traits on shaping northwestern European butterfly assemblages at a macroevolutionary scale. Shared chemical defenses between plant families showed stronger correlation with overlap in butterfly assemblages than phylogenetic relatedness, providing evidence that chemical defenses may determine the assemblage of butterflies per plant family rather than shared evolutionary history. Although global congruence between butterflies and host–plant families was detected across the studied herbivory interactions, cophylogenetic statistics showed varying levels of congruence between butterflies and host chemical defense traits. We attribute this to the existence of multiple antiherbivore traits across plant families and the diversity of insect herbivory associations per plant family. Our results highlight the importance of plant chemical defenses in community ecology through their influence on insect assemblages.

How to Get There When You Are There Already? Defining Presence in Virtual Reality and the Importance of Perceived Realism.

The aim of the current opinion paper is to challenge the current definition of presence in the context of virtual reality (VR). Opticians do not only measure visual acuity but also the visual field, stereoscopic vision, and color vision. In the same vein, presence researchers are encouraged to not only measure the experience of “being there” in the sense of attentional allocation to the virtual environment (VE), but also the perceived realism of the VE. Perceived realism is the result of an evaluation of the virtual world regarding (1) the subjective degree of reality of the depicted environment and (2) its overall plausibility and credibility. Thus, the sense of presence in a VE is conceived as a composite of being there and perceived realism. When in VR, a user will inevitably compare the look of virtual objects to real-world objects and judge the level of congruence (Sutcliffe and Gault, 2004). The user evaluates the plausibility and naturalness of the depicted world as well as the ease of interaction within the VE by answering questions such as: is there a shadow cast? Are the proportions of objects correct? Does the environment correspond to my own movements? Does my virtual body match the proportions of my real body? Just like the visual features, a story and its characters are also evaluated in terms of consistency and plausibility (Park et al., 2010; Gorini et al., 2011): are the consequences of actions plausible? Is the story coherent in itself? Does the causal sequence of events make sense? The answers to these questions define the degree of perceived realism. Perceived realism leads to the experience that a user not only feels surrounded by the VE, but rather has a compelling sense of reality and in extreme cases even forgets that he or she is wearing a head-mounted display (HMD). Previous papers on presence are based on the assumption that realism enhances presence (e.g., Heeter, 1992; Welch et al., 1996; Lombard and Ditton, 1997; Bystrom et al., 1999) suggested a conceptualization of presence as the degree to which a medium seems realistic. Interestingly, perceived realism is nevertheless not part of the most widely used presence definitions. It is either a possible trigger of presence or is blended in with the term being there. The conceptualization of presence as the experience of being there in a mediated environment dominates current presence definitions. Being there is strongly associated with attentional allocation and the sensation of being surrounded and absorbed by a mediated world. However, we claim that presence in VR requires much more than just being there. With the widespread use of immersive VR technology, it has become an easy task to absorb users in a VE. Thus, judgments about the realism of the VE become increasingly important. Being there and perceived realism are both important but yet different aspects of presence. They need to be combined in order to (1) adequately describe and define the experience of presence and (2) to obtain an appropriate and more complete assessment of presence in VR. Thus, theories and measures of presence need to be extended and establish perceived realism as an important domain besides being there. Presence in VR as a Two-Dimens

Adjustments of selective attention to response conflict \u2013 controlling for perceptual conflict, target-distractor identity, and congruency level sequence pertaining to the congruency sequence effect

The congruency sequence effect (CSE) describes the performance difference of congruent trials (in which target and distractor stimuli are associated with the same response) compared to incongruent trials (in which target and distractor stimuli are associated with different responses) as a function of the preceding congruency level (congruent trials relative to incongruent trials). The CSE is commonly interpreted as a measure of conflict-induced attentional adjustment. Although previous research has made substantial progress aiming at controlling for alternative explanations of the CSE, both task-specific and fundamental confounds have remained. In the current study, we used a temporal flanker task, in which two stimuli (i.e., distractor and target) are presented in rapid succession, and extended previous demonstrations of a CSE in flanker tasks by deconfounding target-distractor congruency from perceptual similarity. Using a four-choice task, we could also control for the reversal of distractor-response priming after incongruent trials (which is only feasible in two-choice tasks). Furthermore, we controlled for all confounds based on the sequence (i.e., repetition versus alternation) of the congruency level – such as feature sequence effects, distractor-response contingency switch costs, or temporal learning – by probing the allocation of attention to the points in time of presentation of the first and the second stimulus of a trial. This was achieved by intermixing trials of a temporal search task. The performance accuracy results in this task were consistent with a stronger attentional bias in favor of the target stimulus’ temporal position after incongruent than after congruent trials.

Interpersonal Perception of Time-Use Patterns in Romantic Relationships: Protocol for the IP-COUPLES Study.

BackgroundPerceptual congruence has been defined as the level of agreement between partners on various aspects of their shared lives, including perceived engagement in individual and jointly performed activities. While the level of adjustment made by partners to such activities is thought to contribute to a couple’s sense of mutuality, perceptions of time use concerning activity engagement has yet to be considered. As such, this study will determine the level of perceptual congruence between partners with respect to perceived time use in their respective and shared activities.ObjectiveThe primary objective of the IP-COUPLES study is to determine the similarities and differences between partners in terms of their perceptual congruence with respect to independent and jointly performed activities. This study will also examine the association between independent and joint activities in terms of perceptual congruence of time use and the strength of this association.MethodsThis descriptive observational study includes 100 couples from Western Switzerland who are recruited using snowball sampling methods. The Life Balance Inventory (LBI), a self-report questionnaire that captures activity configuration congruence, will measure independent and joint perceptions of both time use allocated to daily activities and corresponding satisfaction. Due to COVID-19, the protocol can be administered virtually by the primary investigator. The mean scores of perceptual congruence variables will be used for analysis, namely perceived congruence of time use in terms of independent and jointly performed activities. For the first objective, an independent t test will be used for each variable to compare the mean score between activities on the LBI. For the second objective, the correlations between the mean scores for these activities will be calculated for each variable using the Pearson correlation.ResultsThe IP-COUPLES study protocol was developed in 2019 and 2020. Enrollment began in June 2020. Data collection will continue until October 2021 to account for time needed for recruitment due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Analysis and presentation of results are expected in 2022.ConclusionsThis study is exploratory, as it is the first to our knowledge to investigate how perceived time-use patterns with respect to independent or jointly performed activities are similar or different among romantic couples. By investigating the interpersonal perception of time-use patterns among couples, the IP-COUPLES study is an important first step to understanding how romantic partners’ daily activities are contributing to the level of satisfaction as a partner and as a couple and to the sense of mutuality between partners in a romantic relationship.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/21306

The background music-content congruence of TV advertisements: A neurophysiological study

Music affects viewers’ responses to advertisements. In this study we present the findings of an experiment that investigates the emotional and cognitive reactions of subjects’ brains during exposure to television advertisements with music congruent, and incongruent, with the advertisement content. We analyze the electroencephalography signals and eye-tracking behaviors of a group of 90 women watching six TV advertisements. The study's findings suggested that incongruent music generates higher levels of attention and advertisement recall. On the other hand, frontal asymmetry measured through electroencephalography was shown to be higher with congruent music. Similarly, cognitive workload was higher when the music was incongruent with the advertisement content. No significant differences were found in terms of advertisement likeability based on incongruent versus congruent music. The results demonstrated the validity of neurophysiological techniques for assessing the effects of levels of music congruence in advertisements.