Significant Predictors Of Attitudes Research Articles

Examining the Need for Social Approval as a Predictor of Attitudes Towards the Teaching Profession

The aim of the study is to reveal the effect of the need for social approval on the prediction of attitudes towards the teaching profession, which has an important role in teachers’ behaviors in educational settings. In this way, the effect and importance of the need for social approval such as sensitivity to the judgments of others, social retreat, and making a positive impression on others were examined. The research model was carried out according to relational scanning patterns from quantitative research methods. The population of the study has consisted of university students studying at the Faculty of Education in a university located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, and the sample has consisted of 478 pre-service teachers. The sample of the study was determined according to the non-selective sampling method. The data in the study were obtained by “Attitude scale towards the teaching profession” and “Social approval needs scale”. Independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson Moments Correlation, and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data. As a result of the research, it was determined that the attitudes of pre-service teachers towards the teaching profession were “high” and social approval needs were “moderate”. In the study, it was determined that the variables of the teachers’ sensitivity to the judgments of others, social retreat, and leaving a positive impression on others had a significant relationship with the attitude of the pre-service teachers towards the teaching profession. These variables explain 10% of the total variance in pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards the teaching profession. It has been determined that the variables of sensitivity to the judgments of others and leaving a positive impression on others are significant predictors of attitudes towards the teaching profession, while the social retreat variable does not predict significantly.

An Empirical Study of Renewable Energy Technology Acceptance in Ghana Using an Extended Technology Acceptance Model

Energy consumption, and its impact on the environment, has become an increased focal point in Ghana, a sub-Saharan African country, following population growth and rapid urbanization. Ghana has high potential for renewable energy generation; nevertheless, low acceptance and usage have been found. An extensive study is required to understand the causes driving poor acceptability and the intentions to use renewable energy. This study aims to empirically investigate the acceptance of renewable energy using an extended technology acceptance model (TAM). A cross-sectional survey was conducted, from 1 February 2021 to 30 June 2021, using a self-administered questionnaire. The survey was carried out on Ghanaian adults of the age 18 years and above. Data was collected from 1068 respondents from Ghana’s northern and southern parts and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS software. The results of the data analysis reveal that environmental awareness is the biggest predictor of the intention to use renewable energy in Ghana. Perceived affordability was also found to be the most significant predictor of attitudes towards the use of renewable energy in Ghana. The findings of this research will give policymakers, manufacturers, and the providers of renewable energy appliances a better understanding of the factors that determine the intention to use renewable energy.

Physical Activity and Attitudes Toward Social Media Use of Active Individuals During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia: Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: Social media became an integral part of the lives of people because it encourages social relations and shares interests, activities, and real-life connections. As quarantine and lockdown orders are prolonged, many people, as well as those physically active individuals, typically responded to this stressful condition by using social media platforms.Objective: This study aimed to examine the level of physical activity of physically active individuals and their attitudes toward social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among physically active individuals in Saudi Arabia between June 2020 and July 2020. An online survey was employed among eligible participants who completed a self-administered questionnaire that covered reasons for physical activity and attitudes toward social media platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: Of these 323 participants, 29.1% were in the age group of 18–24 years, 66.6% were women, and 67.8% were single. The proportion of participants whose metabolic equivalent of tasks-min/week from vigorous activity <1,680 was 31.9%, and all of the participants follow people or pages in social media related to sports teams and fitness models. The average number of hours spent on social media per day was 2.95 ± 0.90 h. The majority of the participants showed positive attitudes toward social media used for exercise and physical activity. Of the eight variables, age, level of physical activity, and the average of hours spent on social media emerged as significant predictors of attitudes toward the use of social media (P < 0.05).Conclusions: The present survey results indicate adverse consequences of home quarantine as reflected by a small proportion of participants who had differences in levels of vigorous activities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Social media appears to be a key avenue to promote and disseminate health interventions to promote physical activity during this COVID-19 pandemic.

How vegans, vegetarians and carnists differ in personality traits and attitudes towards animals.

Food decisions and dietary preferences are affected by a complex set of different cultural or regional factors, but personality traits seem to play an important role too. Previous research suggested that the food preferences related to veganism, vegetarianism, or carnism can be predicted by the Big Five model of personality and reflected in the attitudes towards animals. The present study examined personality traits and attitudes towards animals of 190 (M = 24.90, SD = 7.18) Slovak participants, of whom 57 were vegans, 56 vegetarians, and 77 carnists. To measure Big Five personality traits, the Big Five Inventory-2 (BFI-2) was used. Attitudes towards animals were measured by the short 10-item version of the Animal Attitude Scale (AAS-10). Vegans and vegetarians scored significantly higher than carnists in open-mindedness and attitude towards animals; there was no difference between scores of vegans and vegetarians. No relationship between the diet groups and demographic variables (gender, education, and age) was identified. From personality traits and sociodemo-graphic variables, only open-mindedness was a significant predictor of attitudes towards animals. Vegans and vegetarians differ from carnists primarily in one trait: open-mindedness. Vegans and vegetarians also differ from carnists by holding more positive attitudes towards animals.

Degree of Awareness and the Antecedents of the Digital Media Platform: The Case of Mobile Wallets

Digitalization—a technology-driven innovation—is shaping the future of the economy and society at large. The impact of digitalization on digital payment industry has been phenomenal. The purpose of this article is (i) to examine the degree of awareness associated with mobile wallets and its relationship with demographic variables and (ii) to build a logistic model to predict the attitude towards mobile wallet using a group of antecedents. A total of 744 responses were obtained. Convenience and purposive sampling were used. The results show that 69% of the respondents had high awareness level with respect to mobile wallets. Further, it was found that out of the various demographic variables under consideration only gender, occupation and income significantly impact awareness levels. It was also revealed that awareness levels, perceived usefulness, trust, security and lifestyle compatibility are strong and significant predictors of attitude towards mobile wallets. The predictive ability of the model as is 89.11%, which is satisfactory. This study provides a framework for academicians to understand awareness, user behaviours and attitude related to mobile wallets. It can also guide mobile service providers to focus on important factors affecting user’s adoption decision.

A STUDY OF FACTOR INFLUENCING ATTITUDE TOWARDS LEARNING OF PHYSICS AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Physics is among the significant science subjects taught at the secondary school level in Nigerias education system. There has been a growing concern about the poor performance in physics in Nigeria. The present study was aimed to determine teachers likability as a factor that could influence students attitudes towards physics. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey. The population of the survey includes secondary school students in the Kogi State of Nigeria. Participants comprised males and females senior secondary school students. They were mainly pooled from the science class. One hundred and thirty-nine students participated in the study. Data was collected using a Teachers Likability Scale and the Physics Attitude Scale (PAS). The result revealed that most of the respondents indicated a negative attitude toward the subject (M = 0.87, SD = 0.35), while few (M = 0.18, SD = 0.39) showed a positive attitude towards the subject. A linear regression model was conducted to test the study hypothesis.The result showed that teachers likability statistically significantly predicted attitude towards physics F(1,137), 124.617 P&lt; .05. The study concluded that a teachers likability is a significant predictor of attitude towards physics. Thus, it is recommended that teachers should be more facilitators than strict instructors.

ROLE OF ACADEMIC SELF-EFFICACY ON ATTITUDE TOWARDS RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AMONG NIGERIAN UNDERGRADUATES

Research is a ubiquitous part of education at the tertiary level across the globe. Research is fundamental in the advancement and improvement of every aspect of our world. The demand for students participation in research activities has increasingly been adopted in many tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Therefore, this study aims to determine attitude towards research activities among Nigerias undergraduates based on academic self-efficacy. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The study population comprised students from two public tertiary institutions in Nigeria (Kogi State University and Benue State University). One hundred and twenty-seven undergraduates(n=127) comprising males and females wererandomly selected to participatein the study. The participants completed self-report measures, including a self-develop instrument designed to ascertain students attitudes towards research activities and the College Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (CASES). Linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the variation in attitude towards research activity based on students academic self-efficacy. The investigation revealed that academic self-efficacy statistically significantly predicted attitude towards research activity at F (1,125), 60.035, P&lt;.000. With adjusted R2,the predictor variable accounted for 22.2% of the variance in attitude towards research activity. The study concluded that academic self-efficacy is a significant predictor of attitude towards research activities.

Predictors of COVID-19 Preventive Behavior Adoption Intention in Malaysia.

Preventive behavior adoption is the key to reduce the possibility of getting COVID-19 infection. This paper aims to examine the determinants of intention to adopt preventive behavior by incorporating perception of e-government information and services and perception of social media into the theory of reasoned action. A cross-sectional online survey was carried out among Malaysian residents. Four hundred four valid responses were obtained and used for data analysis. A partial least-square-based path analysis revealed direct effects of attitude and subjective norm in predicting intention to adopt preventive behavior. In addition, perception of e-government information and services and perception of social media were found to be significant predictors of attitude toward preventive behavior. The findings highlight the importance of digital platforms in improving people’s attitudes toward preventive behavior and in turn contain the spread of the infectious disease.

Özel Eğitim Öğretmen Adaylarının Öğretmenlik Mesleğine Yönelik Tutumlarını Yordayan Değişkenler

This study aimed to determine the variables predicting the attitudes of Turkish special education preservice teachers towards the teaching profession. The study was carried out using a relational screening model among the quantitative research methods. The participants of the study consisted of 308 (163 females, 145 males) special education preservice teachers. The research data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Academic Motivation Scale, Life Satisfaction Scale, Professional Self-Esteem Scale, and Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale. The Pearson correlation coefficient and hierarchical regression analysis tests were used to analyze the data. The results of the study demonstrated that the preservice teachers' attitudes were predicted by the variables of professional self-esteem, amotivation, intrinsic motivation, and self-efficacy, while the life satisfaction and extrinsic motivation variables were not significant predictors of attitudes towards the teaching profession

A STUDY OF THE ATTITUDE OF NIGERIANS UNDERGRADUATES TOWARDS COMPUTER BASED EXAMINATION

This study was conducted to assess undergraduates overall attitude towards the trending computer-based test been deployed by tertiary institutions for assessments. A total of two hundred and forty-six undergraduates comprising male and female from science and non-science disciplines were randomly selected for the study. A self-developed scale was used to measure attitude towards CBT. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis, and the findings revealed that academic discipline statistically predicted attitude towards CBT. However, gender as a factor was found not to be a significant predictor of attitude towards CBT. Findings, recommendations, and conclusions are discussed.

Factors affecting online accounting education during the COVID-19 pandemic: an integrated perspective of social capital theory, the theory of reasoned action and the technology acceptance model

Online learning systems in developing countries such as Jordan face many challenges. Universities worldwide have dealt with obstacles in terms of continuing face-to-face education. An online learning system is an indispensable solution for all universities. However, students have not been adequately prepared to use online learning systems. This study examines the factors that impact the use of online learning systems by accounting students in Jordanian public universities. A model combining the critical factors from social capital theory (SCT), the theory of reasoned action (TRA), and the technology acceptance model (TAM) is proposed. Data obtained from 274 students through previously tested and validated questionnaires are used to test students’ actual use of the online learning system and to determine the factors that positively or negatively impact the use of this system. As hypothesized, the results show that social trust influences the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of online learning. In addition, the perceived usefulness of the online learning system is positively affected by its perceived ease of use and subjective norms. This study finds three significant predictors of attitudes toward use decisions: subjective norms, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness. The results are valuable to accounting educators, accounting students, universities, and higher education institutions.

Predictors of the Attitudes of Preservice Teachers Toward Teaching Students With Down Syndrome in Regular Schools in Ghana

AbstractWhile research suggests that the inclusion of students with Down syndrome (DS) in regular classrooms has a positive impact on their learning, in general, a supportive teacher with a positive attitude is fundamental in shaping these students' school experiences. In Ghana, despite a large number of children with DS, there is little research exploring preservice teachers' attitudes toward including students with DS in regular schools. In this study, we recruited preservice teachers from teacher training institutions to understand the predictors of their attitudes toward teaching students with DS in regular classrooms. Using the revised Sentiment, Attitude, and Concern about Inclusive Education scale (SACIE‐R), 855 preservice teachers were recruited from three colleges of education (n = 524) and two campuses of a public university (n = 331). Although the preservice teachers were ambivalent about teaching students with DS, several demographic variables—such as preservice training in inclusive education, practice experience, and confidence teaching students with disabilities—emerged as significant predictors of attitudes. The study limitations, recommendations for future research and implications for policymaking are discussed.

Attitudes toward persons with dementia : A population survey from Switzerland

HintergrundDemenzerkrankungen, vorrangig die Alzheimer-Demenz, nehmen weltweit zu. Ein adäquater Umgang mit dieser Entwicklung erfordert den Einbezug der Bevölkerung in entsprechende Maßnahmen; ebenso erfordert er Kenntnisse über die Einstellungen der Bevölkerung im Hinblick auf die Erkrankung und die Menschen, die von dieser Erkrankung betroffen sind. Um die Einstellung der Schweizer Bevölkerung zu Menschen mit Alzheimer-Demenz oder anderen Demenzformen (MmAD) zu erheben und Faktoren herauszuarbeiten, die diese Einstellung beeinflussen, wurde eine Erhebung durchgeführt.Material und MethodenDie schweizweite telefonische Befragung von 862 Personen ab 18 Jahren (M = 54,9 Jahre) fand in der Zeit von Juli bis September 2018 statt.ErgebnisseDas Alter und die Einstellung zum Alter zeigten sich als signifikante Prädiktoren für die Einstellung zu MmAD. Die Unterteilung dieser Einstellung in eine kognitive und eine affektiv-konative Komponente erwies sich als hilfreich. Kontakt zur Zielgruppe, Informiertheit, erlebte Freuden und eine positive Einstellung zum Alter zeigen einen positiven Zusammenhang bei der affektiv-konativen Komponente, während sich Bildung, Geschlecht und Alter stärker auf die kognitive Komponente auswirken. Dennoch konnten die unabhängigen Variablen nur einen Teil der Varianz erklären.SchlussfolgerungTrotz der insgesamt positiven Einstellung gegenüber MmAD in der Schweizer Bevölkerung ergeben sich aus den Ergebnissen dieser Studie Implikationen für die Praxis, die anzeigen, dass neben der Informiertheit auch die erlebten Kontakte zu MmAD die Einstellung zu diesen Personen positiv beeinflussen. Daraus ergibt sich, dass diese Kontakte gefördert werden sollten, um mögliche negative Bilder gegenüber MmAD zu revidieren.

What Predicts Attitudes toward Transgender and Nonbinary People? An Exploration of Gender, Authoritarianism, Social Dominance, and Gender Ideology

Transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) people face discrimination based on negative societal attitudes toward TGNB identities. Our study explored factors contributing to negative TGNB attitudes, including participants’ gender, age, religion, right-wing authoritarianism (RWA), social dominance orientation (SDO), and adherence to traditional gender ideologies. Our sample of 808 U.S. Mechanical Turk participants completed measures of RWA, SDO, traditional masculinity and femininity, and transgender attitudes and beliefs. Because TGNB people have diverse identities, we modified the transgender attitudes and beliefs scale to measure attitudes toward trans man, trans woman, and nonbinary targets instead of the single “transgender” umbrella. Results of multiple regression analyses indicated that gender was a significant predictor of attitudes toward trans men and trans women. Higher levels of RWA, traditional masculinity, and anti-egalitarianism (a domain of SDO) predicted negative attitudes toward all TGNB identities, with RWA generally being the strongest predictor. Traditional femininity and the dominance domain of SDO did not significantly contribute to our predictive model for most groups, although we were surprised to find that for nonbinary people, higher levels of traditional femininity predicted positive attitudes. These results can inform targeted interventions aimed at reducing transprejudice.

Hospital healthcare professionals' knowledge of dementia and attitudes towards dementia care: A cross-sectional study.

To explore hospital healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes towards dementia care in China. Hospital healthcare professionals deliver most diagnosis and treatment for people with dementia in China. Literature shows that healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes are of great importance in providing optimum dementia care. However, there is limited research of healthcare professionals' dementia knowledge and attitudes within hospital contexts in China. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and December 2019. A self-report questionnaire composed of demographics and knowledge and attitude scales related to dementia was used for doctors and registered nurses working in settings where people with dementia are cared for in eleven public tertiary hospitals in Hebei Province, China. The STROBE checklist was adhered to in this study. In total, 603 healthcare professionals completed the study. The majority of respondents were registered nurses (71.3%). The overall mean knowledge score was 20.7 (SD=2.9) out of a maximum possible score of 30. The overall mean score for attitudes was 91.3 (SD=15.9) out of a maximum possible score of 140. Standard multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the highest level of education, the experience of searching for dementia-related information and willingness to receive dementia training or education were significant predictors of knowledge scores. The department, the experience of working with people with dementia, length of dementia care, interest in dementia care and training type were significant predictors of attitude scores. Deficits in the knowledge of dementia and a low level of positive attitude were identified among the healthcare professionals who work in hospital settings where people with dementia are cared for in China. Education and training in dementia care should be integrated into undergraduate nursing and medical programmes and provided for healthcare professionals after commencing employment.

Attitudes toward Civil Human Rights among Italian Students of Sociology: The Effects of Religion and Theology

Connecting with and building on the research tradition established by The International Empirical Research Programmes in Religion and Human Rights, this study explores the power of two measures shaped within empirical theology (the Theology of Religions Index that distinguishes seven ways in which religions may be viewed and the New Indices of God Images that distinguishes between the God of Grace and the God of Law) to predict individual differences in attitude toward civil human rights among students of sociology under the age of thirty who had lived in Italy all their lives, after taking into account the effect of baptismal status (Catholic or not Catholic) and frequency of mass attendance. Data provided by 1046 participants demonstrated that more positive attitudes toward civil human rights are associated with being male, with not being baptised Catholic, with not attending mass, and with the God of Grace, but not with the God of Law. Five of the positions identified within the framework of the theology of religions are significant predictors of attitude toward civil human rights: the most positive attitude is associated with atheism and the least positive attitude is associated with exclusivism.

Treatment and Non-Treatment Professionals in Texas: Race, Sex, Age, and Level of Education Influencing Attitudes About Addiction

Using a two-step process, attitudes about addiction among Texas professionals working primarily with youth were examined. In Step 1, researchers examined attitudes about addiction in Texas ( n = 1,078), across professionals working with youth. In Step 2, researchers selected a subset of treatment and non-treatment professionals ( n = 522) and tested two hypotheses related to differences in attitudes between the two professional groups. Two research questions were also explored. Step 1 analyses revealed stronger endorsement of attitudes related to the psychological and sociological models, and that demographic variables were modest but significant predictors of attitudes about addiction. Step 2 analyses revealed that professional status and demographic variables were significant predictors of attitudes about addiction. Findings have implications for treatment seeking, treatment and non-treatment professional behavior toward adolescents with substance use issues, and the need for continuing education to reduce stigma.

Early childhood educators' knowledge and attitudes toward young children who stutter.

Attitudes of 74 early childhood educators toward young children who stutter were explored using a Greek translation of Teacher Attitudes Toward Stuttering (TATS) Inventory and the Alabama Stuttering Knowledge Test (ASK). Results indicated a significant positive correlation between educators' attitudes towards stuttering (TATS) and knowledge of stuttering (ASK). Multiple regression analysis showed that age, years of experience and educational level were not significant predictors of attitudes (TATS) toward young children who stutter. Participants' responses appeared to indicate positive attitudes towards young children who stutter. This study highlighted the need for awareness campaigns and education opportunities to ensure fewer negative perceptions for very young children who stutter.

The positive impact of knowledge and quality of contact on university students’ attitudes towards people with intellectual disability in the Arab world

BackgroundThis study examines undergraduate students’ attitudes towards people with intellectual disability (PWID) in relation to their frequency of contact with people with intellectual disability, the quality of this contact, and their knowledge of intellectual disability (ID). MethodThe study sample comprised 1001 undergraduate students (458 male students [46 %]; 543 female students [54 %]; mean age = 20.6 years) from Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The Arabic version of the Mental Retardation Attitude Inventory–Revised (MRAI-R) was used to examine attitudes towards PWID. ResultsKnowledge about ID, quality of contact with PWID, and gender were significant predictors of attitudes. Frequency of contact, as well as having relatives with a disability, were not significant predictors of attitudes. No differences were found between participants from the two countries. ConclusionThe results of the study indicate that high-quality contact is a major predictor of students’ attitudes. Therefore, society needs to ensure more than just simple forms of contact between people with and without disabilities.

Household waste separation intention and the importance of public policy

PurposeThe key challenge that urban cities in most developing and transitional economies is confronting is municipal solid waste (MSW) management. Waste separation is a critical component to successful recycling management in terms of enhancing the quality of recyclables, reducing MSW and optimizing incineration. The urge to actualizing sustained waste separation behavior has been hindered by potential barriers. This study aims to examine the influences of external and internal stimuli of targeted households' waste separation intention in parts of China.Design/methodology/approachA multifactor framework predicting the process that leads to waste separation attitude and behavioral intention is proposed. SEM analysis is conducted in SmartPLS based on 371 survey questionnaires collected in Nanning city in China.FindingsPolicy regulation is the biggest determinant of attitude among external stimuli, while awareness of consequence has the strongest relationship with an attitude among internal stimuli. Facilitating conditions, subjective norms and moral norms are all significant predictors of attitude. As a result, increasing positive attitude leads to enhance waste separation lifestyle.Research limitations/implicationsThis study adopts a cross-sectional design to investigate the waste separation intention of local households. Data collection is restricted to one point in time for every individual. A mixed method is recommended. Quantitative research can examine variables provided in existing literature with numerical analysis. Qualitative research might be helpful to identify other unknown factors. Also, the survey questionnaires employ a self-reported manner, and respondents might be overrating to avoid embarrassment.Practical implicationsFuture research is recommended to engage observation at houses or at the waste-collecting points for actual waste separation behavior. Moreover, this study measures intention toward household waste separation, but whether this intention will eventually lead to waste separation behavior is not a guarantee. Future study is recommended to examine whether intention translates into actual waste separation behavior.Originality/valueEmphasizing the importance of policy element as a direct influence toward attitude, this paper focuses on the waste separation attitude accumulated from external and internal stimuli, and, concurrently, waste separation behavioral intention is influenced by accumulated attitudes. The study provides relevant policy development information of three Asian countries to enhance their present and future policy directions for a sustainable household waste separation management process