Stronger Interests Research Articles

Educational choice has greater effects on sex ratios of college STEM majors than has the greater male variance in general intelligence (g)

In STEM fields other than biological sciences (math-intensive STEM), there is a greater ratio of males to females (M:F ratio) than that of the general population. The Ability Distribution Hypothesis suggests that this is mainly due to greater male variance in g. Others hypothesize that this is due to sex differences in occupational interests. There has not been an empirical study to evaluate which kind of differences has greater effects on the M:F ratios in math-intensive STEM fields. To fill the gap, we examine the test scores, application for majors and final admissions in a complete dataset of college entrance. We study the M:F ratios of four math-intensive STEM majors: Economics, Engineering, Computer Science and Physical sciences and Math. In summary, we find that greater male variance exists in total test scores; greater male variance partially explains the female underrepresentation in the upper tails of total test scores; men appear to have stronger interests in Engineering and Computer Science than women, while women appear to have stronger interests in Economics and to a lesser extent Physical sciences and Math than men; compared to sex differences in test scores, sex differences in major-choosing appear to have stronger effects on the M:F ratios of math-intensive STEM majors.

α-Satellite: An AI-Driven System and Benchmark Datasets for Dynamic COVID-19 Risk Assessment in the United States.

The fast evolving and deadly outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has posed grand challenges to human society. To slow the spread of virus infections and better respond for community mitigation, by advancing capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) and leveraging the large-scale and up-to-date data generated from heterogeneous sources (e.g., disease related data, demographic, mobility and social media data), in this work, we propose and develop an AI-driven system (named α-Satellite), as an initial offering, to provide dynamic COVID-19 risk assessment in the United States. More specifically, given a point of interest (POI), the system will automatically provide risk indices associated with it in a hierarchical manner (e.g., state, county, POI) to enable people to select appropriate actions for protection while minimizing disruptions to daily life. To comprehensively evaluate our system for dynamic COVID-19 risk assessment, we first conduct a set of empirical studies; and then we validate it based on a real-world dataset consisting of 5,060 annotated POIs, which achieves the area of under curve (AUC) of 0.9202. As of June 18, 2020, α-Satellite has had 56,980 users. Based on the feedback from its large-scale users, we perform further analysis and have three key findings: i) people from more severe regions (i.e., with larger numbers of COVID-19 cases) have stronger interests using our system to assist with actionable information; ii) users are more concerned about their nearby areas in terms of COVID-19 risks; iii) the user feedback about their perceptions towards COVID-19 risks of their query POIs indicate the challenge of public concerns about the safety versus its negative effects on society and the economy. Our system and generated datasets have been made publicly accessible via our website.

The Characteristics of Family Businesses: A Comparative Analysis of East European Countries

The characteristics of family businesses in the East European regions may be associated with the distinctive regional cultures suggesting support for the presence of culturally implicit theories in family business characteristics. The research design was used to develop samples of articles for content, analyzing the characteristics of family businesses in the East European cluster. This article provides an overview and comparative analysis of East European cluster differences of Anglo, Germanic and Nordic clusters and provides recommendations for the development of the family business in the East European cluster. This analysis is of East European countries, where family business cultures and family traditions have been broken. After regaining independence, entrepreneurs started to restore previous firms and wished to continue family traditions; entrepreneurship started to develop, and many started family businesses. Family businesses have become stronger interests in East European countries.

Interest in Virtual Reality for Injury Rehabilitation and Performance Enhancement Among Collegiate Soccer Athletes

Interventions using virtual reality (VR) in three or two-dimensional, multi-sensory, synthetic worlds have been used to enhance rehabilitation and performance (e.g., combat PTSD in military personal, increase motor control in stroke-recovery patients). VR also has potential as a method for rehabilitation from sporting injuries. PURPOSE: To assess athletes’ interest in VR as an intervention to enhance performance and injury rehabilitation, and to identify preferred components within a VR world. We also explored gender influences on these preferences. We focused on one collegiate sport, soccer, at three levels (NCAA, NAIA, Junior College). METHODS: Sixty-eight collegiate soccer (25 male; 43 female) athletes completed an electronic survey which included demographics, as well as the virtual reality interest survey created to assess VR use, interest and specific factors athletes may find useful in a VR environment. RESULTS: Participants’ responses on a 10-point Likert-type scale from not interested (1) to extremely interested (10), indicated strong interest in using VR, both in recovery from injury (M=7.06, SD=2.67), and to improve sport performance (M=7.89, SD=2.59). Additional items asked about interest in specific forms of VR with the same 10-point response scale. Athletes indicated strong interest in viewing sport-specific scenarios (M=7.26, SD= 2.66), sport-specific skills (M=6.89, SD=2.73), and physically touching a soccer ball while submerged in a virtual world (M=6.89, SD=2.83). Other items, such as seeing a crowd in the stands, presence of an avatar coach, or viewing a teammates perform a sport skill unsuccessfully, were rated of less interest. In terms of gender, men were more interested than women in using VR both for injury recovery (Male: M=8.24, SD=2.18; Female: M=6.34, SD=2.70) and to enhance performance (Male: M=9.00, SD=1.84; Female: M=7.21, SD=2.77) CONCLUSION: VR interest is high among collegiate soccer athletes, both for injury recovery and performance enhancement. The athletes were particularly interested in a VR environment that incorporates sport-specific scenarios and physically touching a soccer ball. Men had stronger interests in VR, but both men and women athletes at all levels indicated interest in engaging in VR to assist in injury recovery and performance enhancement.

A canonical variate analysis of personal traits and physical activity interests: furthering the sport personology debate

ABSTRACTTwo studies employing canonical variate analysis generated evidence that related personality to both activity interests and involvement. In the first study of 1885 participants, significant canonical correlations allowed the following interpretations of three canonical functions: higher trait scores on competitiveness, thrill-seeking and assertiveness corresponded to stronger interests in martial arts, outdoor activities and competitive sports; higher thrill seeking and spontaneity scores related to greater interests in martial arts and outdoor activities; greater self-reliance, mental focus and control aligned with stronger interests in weight training but reduced interest in class training. A second and smaller study (N = 286) yielded support for the first investigation, and added evidence related to relationships between personality and self-reported participation in different physical activities. In conjunction, these studies argue for continued employment of this methodology in sport personology research with an eye to creating tools for guiding individuals towards rewarding and sustainable physical activity choices.

Looking inside the brain: the power of neuroimaging

Looking inside the brain: the power of neuroimaging

Low-Achievement Syndrome Among Bright Junior High School Boys.

AbstractThis investigation was undertaken to determine whether academically bright junior high school male high and low achievers differed significantly on certain non-intellective variables chosen on the basis of related research as being especially promising as significant factors. The School Interest Inventory, the Minnesota Counseling Inventory, and the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule were administered to 284 academically bright junior high school high- and low-achieving boys to determine whether the two groups differed significantly on certain of the scales. It was found that the low achievers had described themselves as having weaker achievement motivation, as having less satisfactory family relationships, as being less aggressive, less persistent, and less conforming, and as having stronger heterosexual interests.

A national survey of residents in combined Internal Medicine and Dermatology residency programs: educational experience and future plans

In response to a perceived erosion of medical dermatology, combined internal medicine and dermatology programs (med/derm) programs have been developed that aim to train dermatologists who take care of medically complex patients. Despite the investment in these programs, there is currently no data with regards to the potential impact of these trainees on the dermatology workforce. To determine the experiences, motivations, and future plans of residents in combined med/derm residency programs. We surveyed residents at all United States institutions with both categorical and combined training programs in spring of 2012. Respondents used visual analog scales to rate clinical interests, self-assessed competency, career plans, and challenges. The primary study outcomes were comfort in taking care of patients with complex disease, future practice plans, and experience during residency. Twenty-eight of 31 med/derm residents (87.5%) and 28 of 91 (31%) categorical residents responded (overall response rate 46%). No significant differences were seen in self-assessed dermatology competency, or comfort in performing inpatient consultations, cosmetic procedures, or prescribing systemic agents. A trend toward less comfort in general dermatology was seen among med/derm residents. Med/derm residents were more likely to indicate career preferences for performing inpatient consultation and taking care of medically complex patients. Categorical residents rated their programs and experiences more highly. Med/derm residents have stronger interests in serving medically complex patients. Categorical residents are more likely to have a positive experience during residency. Future work will be needed to ascertain career choices among graduates once data are available.

The Snowden Disconnect: When the Ends Justify the Means

People react to Edward Snowden and his national security disclosures in radically different ways. Security hawks want his head and call him a traitor; privacy advocates think him a whistleblower and a national hero. This essay examines those positions and finds that there is a fundamental disconnect between them, which influences and prohibits an important national conversation concerning the scope of the NSA’s work, the laws under which it operates, and privacy rights of United States citizens. This essay concludes that the privacy advocates have the stronger interests, and that it is wildly inconsistent for the government to simultaneously seek Snowden’s prosecution at the same time it engages in substantive national-security legal reforms.

Gender and Predictors of Multiplatform Media Uses: A Case Study of the Super Bowl

The 2012 Super Bowl was the most-watched television program in U.S. history and represented a wide-scale expansion to online and digital environments. This case study examined the role of gender in explanations for viewing the Super Bowl and for simultaneous media uses during the game. Results indicate that both men and women still relied on the traditional television for Super Bowl viewing. Newer media were used as a second-screen experience to complement the telecast or to gain additional information and social interaction. Gender differences underlie explanations for watching the Super Bowl on television and for simultaneous media uses. Findings suggest that women engaged with nonfootball elements that propel the Super Bowl from a sporting event to a societal event, whereas men indicated stronger interests in the game itself.

Are occupational interests hormonally influenced? The 2D:4D-interest nexus

Occupational interests constitute a psychological variable with pronounced sex differences. Whereas males are more interested in things, females primarily take an interest in people. As various studies with mammals and humans documented the role of androgen exposure on sex-typical behavior, we assumed that androgen levels are associated with occupational interests. In our study, we used 2D:4D digit ratio as an indicator of prenatal androgen levels and finger lengths as an indicator of post-pubertal androgen levels. Occupational interests were measured with a standard interest inventory. We hypothesized that finger lengths and ratios indicating high androgen levels are associated with stronger interests in things and weaker interests in people. All measures were gathered using an online interest inventory thereby leading to sufficient statistical power ( N = 8646). Results partly confirmed our hypotheses. We found significant correlations between finger lengths and interests in things for males. Moreover, in the case of males we identified significant correlations between finger lengths (positive) as well as digit ratios (negative) with realistic interests and significant correlations between finger lengths (negative) and social interests, which are a marker variable of the people-things dimension.

Assessing the Integrity of Community Organization and Administration Content in Field Practice

The effort to ensure that students acquire knowledge and skills in macro social work practice requires considerable attention in the face of stronger interests in micro practice on the part of students and their field instructors. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the field component at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to provide learning opportunities for the development of macro practice skills and knowledge. Over 85% of the student respondents had responsibility for at least one macro practice activity during their first field placement. Although a majority of the macro practice assignments were related to organizational interventions and very few to community interventions, the study provides guidance for improving the teamwork of faculty and field instructors in an articulated approach to field learning.