Belief In Value Research Articles

Burdens of reliabilism: a reply to Goldberg

Abstract Sanford Goldberg has recently proposed a solution to the swamping problem for process reliabilist truth-monism (PRTM). In short, he argues that reliably formed true beliefs have a property he calls the ‘modal reliability property’, the epistemic value of which is explained in terms of the value of true belief but is not swamped by it. He offers two arguments to this effect. I claim that both of his arguments are valid, but they employ premisses the truth of which needs to be explained. However, it is not obvious how a proponent of PRTM could explain them without abandoning her preferred order of explanation. I do not argue that it is impossible in principle to discharge this burden. However, I do claim that Goldberg has yet to show us that it is possible. The result is that the swamping problem is no less problematic for PRTM than it was previously.

Perceived benefits and tourist willingness to pay more in national forest parks: The moderating roles of ecocentrism, collectivism, and power distance

Based on social exchange theory and value–belief–norm theory, this study examines the effects of perceived benefits on tourists’ willingness to pay more (WTPM) in a national forest park in China, and the moderation roles of ecocentrism, collectivism, and power distance in these effects. The analyses on a sample of 556 tourists visiting Qiandao Lake National Forest Park showed that relaxation benefits and health benefits had a positive effect on tourists’ WTPM. In addition, collectivism and power distance positively moderated the effect of relaxation benefits on tourists’ WTPM; collectivism moderated the effect of health benefits on tourists’ WTPM. The research contributes to an enriched understanding of tourists’ WTPM in nature-based tourist attractions. Insightful management implications are provided for forest park destinations to better understand and manage tourist perceptions and behaviors.

Girls and Boys Typically Have Similar Math Value Beliefs: Replication Evidence Across Historical Time, High School, and Racial/Ethnic Groups.

Individuals' math value beliefs are theorized to influence who persists in STEM. However, the existing findings on gender differences in adolescents' math value beliefs are inconsistent. The goal of this study was to use three existing datasets to help clarify when gender differences emerge for high school adolescents and for whom (i.e., adolescents across historical time, grade level, and race/ethnicity). Specifically, we examined the extent to which gender differences in adolescents' math value beliefs (i.e., interest, utility, and attainment) replicated (1) across three datasets spanning the 1990s to 2010s, (2) from 9th-12th grade, and (3) within each of the four largest U.S. racial/ethnic groups (i.e., Asian, Black, Latine, and White adolescents). We tested these aims with three existing longitudinal U.S. datasets: the California Achievement Motivation Project (CAMP) (n = 8855), the Childhood and Beyond Study (CAB) (n = 582), and the High School Longitudinal Study (HSLS) (n = 21,000). Students were in high school (9th-12th grade) and half were girls (49%-53%). All three datasets included measures with the same or similar math value belief items, making conceptual replication possible. Overall, we did not find strong evidence for meaningful gender differences in adolescents' math value beliefs overall. We did find meaningful gender differences in the oldest data set (CAB). When examined within each racial/ethnic group, we found no evidence of gender differences in math value beliefs among Black or Latine adolescents, but some differences among Asian and White adolescents. The findings align with the gender similarities hypothesis, suggesting adolescent girls and boys had similar math value beliefs.

“It’s safer to believe that others don’t like me” – A qualitative study on the paradoxical value of negative core beliefs in depression

Depression is related to difficulty revising established negative self-beliefs in response to novel positive experiences. This propensity is in some way paradoxical because negative beliefs usually have many obvious negative consequences for the individual (e.g., feeling upset). Using a qualitative approach, the present study sought to explore what makes such negative self-beliefs valuable from the patients’ perspectives. In 14 patients with major depression, we conducted semi-structured interviews that explored the perceived benefits of retaining an individually specified negative core belief as well as the perceived costs of changing it. In a deductive-inductive approach based on a recent theoretical model of the value of beliefs, we found eight themes that may explain why people with depression uphold negative beliefs (intercoder agreement: κ=.81): expectation management, certainty and control, avoiding cognitive dissonance, adaptivity in the past, protection of higher values, attachment and belonging, saving resources, short-term counterevidence. The two most frequently mentioned themes were that retaining negative beliefs helps patients sustain certainty and keep expectations low to prevent future disappointments. While previous research has advanced the understanding of how (i.e., through which mechanisms) people with depression maintain negative self-beliefs, the present study provides novel insights into why they do so.

The Impact of Intercultural Perspectives on Environmental Ethics

Intercultural environmental ethics is one of the most recent research projects to analyze a wide range of ethical issues arising from the multidisciplinary perspective of societies and cultures. Intercultural environmental ethics seeks to identify the existing different cultural, value beliefs, to define universal environmental ethical principles. Different cultures disagree on common universal moral decisions because they are based on unique worldviews and value systems, and there is no universally accepted epistemically sound way to resolve such moral disagreements. The question is, what are the basic assumptions underpinning the impact of intercultural ethics that would enable the common development and application of a system of universal environmental ethical principles in different regions and cultures of the world? The article hypothesizes that a synthesis of classical Aristotelian virtue ethics, Confucian ethics, and African ubuntu philosophical ethics could underpin intercultural ethics, embodying the universal environmental ethical values of Western and Eastern cultures in intercultural environmental ethics theory.

Students’ Perceived Value and Emotions in Turkish Physical Education

Physical Education (PE) has been recognized as a key element in developing student enjoyment for physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits. Student emotions may dictate learning and motivation, but less is known regarding the perceptions of value and control that shape these emotions. Specifically, within certain K-12 PE national curriculums and cultures, the goals and objectives of PE, along with its emphases on physical activity and sport, may influence the emotional response of students and their perceived value of PE. If students feel a lack of value, negative emotions, and marginalized by the content, then it is unlikely their experiences in PE will lead to lifetime physical activity. This study aimed to explore one culture and how students’ perceived values for PE affects their emotions and the potential moderating role of gender and sports. Turkish middle school students (N=469) completed a survey regarding their value beliefs, PE emotions, and their involvement in sport outside of PE. The findings revealed that the value placed on PE was significantly associated with positive and negative emotions. Gender and sports involvement had no moderating role in this effect, despite the importance of sport in the local PE curriculum. In conclusion, higher perceived value for PE corresponded to increases in positive emotions and decreases negative emotions, thereby emphasizing the importance of raising the value students place on PE. The value and emotional experience of students in PE is likely to be influenced by content and this study speaks to the importance of not limiting curriculum to sport and other gendered activities.

Socio-legal anomie: the anthropological dimension

The article is devoted to the philosophical and legal analysis of social and legal anomie based on an anthropological approach, given that the loss of value, legal, and moral guidelines for a person during social anomie, first of all, puts him before the choice of a way of existence through self­realization in a legitimate, or misconduct. It is emphasized that socio-legal anomie, as a crisis-transitional state of the development of society, is inherent in a certain period to all socio-legal formations. In order for society to restore full-fledged civilizational development, it is necessary to form value guidelines based on the norms of natural law according to the principle of anthropocentrism, which provides for the supremacy of the rights and freedoms of man and citizen and their protection by all legal methods and means. It has been found that with socio-legal anomie, the person comes to the fore, namely the need to observe and preserve their rights, freedoms, and human dignity, that is, the principle of human- centeredness is activated. A person with formed legitimate beliefs implements them in his own behavior, and also tries to direct the behavior of others in a legitimate direction, which allows him to avoid deviant behavior. The presence of stable value beliefs and orientations also prevents the manifestation of conformist behavior, in particular among young people. It is noted that today society is used to being guided by legal norms established and sanctioned by the state, and even a slight destabilization of this sphere can cause a certain collapse not only in the sphere of social and legal relations, but also in the personal self-realization of a person. This happens because a person ceases to feel fully protected by the state-legal mechanism and can disregard the principles of social coexistence for the purpose of self-realization. Such a situation often leads to manifestations of deviant behavior, or illegal and criminal behavior. We focus on the fact that natural and legal norms, as an ideal regulator of social relations, become a criterion for determining the lawful behavior of a person. Of course, such norms have always been taken as a basis for the formation of the legal framework in democratic, legal states, because if positive law did not contain the norms of natural law, then it would be purely an instruction of behavior, and not a living and effective law.

The COVID-19 pandemic and journalistic ethics: Spanish citizens’ demand for external control of health communication in the media

The disinformation that threatened media coverage in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic was perceived as a serious threat by the population, which became a crucial ethical challenge for health information. This nationwide study is part of a global research project whose primary objective was to know and delve further into the behavior of citizens in the face of journalistic information related to COVID-19, to determine the channels used by audiences to learn about the pandemic and their personal informative interaction through social networks (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram). The field sample (June 2022) comprised 1,800 online surveys (carried out using the CAWI system) of persons aged 18 years and older residing in the country. Quotas were established by sex, age and Autonomous Community. The sampling error is ±2.34, with a confidence level of 95.5% and p = q = 0.5. The data collected were processed with the IBM SPSS Statistics 26 package. The results confirm a majority belief (values 4 + 5/5) that journalism pursues the truth (59.5%). They also show in adults the predominance of a high confidence in their ability to detect falsehoods, as opposed to the low self-perception confessed by young people. Inversely proportional is the verifying effort of these population groups. There is no homogeneous agreement that discrimination against vulnerable groups (obese people, smokers, the elderly, migrants) was encouraged despite the medium-high caliber of the assessment (3.35/5.00). The most notorious finding was to confirm the majority social demand (values 4 + 5/5 = 72.6%) to implement some external control on the professional collective that guarantees ethical adequacy and quality in the informative coverage of health issues, which suggests a system of journalistic co-regulation.

Neuropsychology of social cognition: culture, display rules, and emotional expressivity

ABSTRACT Introduction We investigated the roles of group ethnicity and display rules of emotions in the neuropsychology of social cognition in Asian American and White participants recruited from a majority-minority college campus. Method 128 participants (mean age = 24.9 years) completed: 1) Advanced Clinical Solutions-Social Perception (ACS-SP), which includes separate measures of affect naming of facial expressions and emotional prosody interpretation of audio statements; 2) Display Rule Assessment Inventory (DRAI), a self-report measure of emotional expressivity across four settings (family, close friends, colleagues, and strangers) and in two distinct domains (should/actual) that asks participants what they believe people should do (social value) and what they would actually do (behavioral self-report). Results ACS-SP revealed evidence of cultural bias, as reflected by group ethnicity differences, for recognition of emotional prosody but not emotional facial expressions for Asian American versus White participants. The DRAI showed significant cultural differences only for family relationships with White participants endorsing stronger belief in the social value of expressing negative emotions of sadness, aversion, and fear. These AC-SP and DRAI group differences remained significant when covarying for spoken English language, as measured by an oral word reading test. Hierarchical regression results indicated that group ethnicity and family display rules each made specific and significant contributions to neuropsychological performance but did so in very different and distinct ways. Group ethnicity exerted its greatest effect on prosody interpretation whereas family display rules had its most pronounced influence on affect naming. Conclusions The current results may help inform and advance culturally responsive neuropsychological models of social cognition.

Paths into and out of STEM fields: A qualitative study of women and students of color at a predominately white institution

AbstractThis phenomenological study examines how women and Students of Color who attend a small undergraduate predominately white institution (PWI) make meaning of their experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and how individual and contextual factors influence whether they decide to stay, leave, or add an STEM major. We conducted qualitative interviews with 50 juniors and seniors across three participation pathways: (1) students who entered college with an interest in an STEM major and are still an STEM major, (2) students who entered college with an interest in a non‐STEM major and switched to an STEM major, and (3) students who entered college with an interest in an STEM major and changed to a non‐STEM major. Students' descriptions of the factors that influenced their academic choices support the tenets of the situated expectancy‐value theory. Themes related to expectancies for success, value beliefs, and teachers and peers are presented. Implications of these findings for retaining underrepresented students in STEM majors are discussed.

Pre‐Service Teachers’ Technology Integration in Pronunciation Instruction: Professional Identity and Value Beliefs

ABSTRACTTechnology brings new promises to transform second language teaching and learning. Successful technology integration depends on various factors, such as teachers’ professional identity and value beliefs. While scholars have investigated the influential factors for technology integration in language teaching holistically, studies focusing on specific language skills remain limited. With domain‐specific theories and technology applications, pronunciation instruction merits particular attention. In this study, the authors investigated how pre‐service teachers’ professional identity and value beliefs shaped their intended use of technology for pronunciation instruction. Five hundred ninety‐seven pre‐service English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers from China participated in this study. Structural equation modeling analysis identified educator identity orientation, learner‐centered orientation, didactic‐pedagogical orientation, and utility value beliefs of technology as significant predictors of technology integration for pronunciation instruction. In addition, results showed that utility value beliefs mediated the associations between professional identity and participants’ intended use of technology. These findings highlight the crucial role of professional identity and value beliefs in pre‐service teachers’ intended use of technology for language instruction. Findings suggest that teacher educators and teacher training programs may prepare innovative educators by fostering broad identity constructs and enhancing pre‐service teachers’ utility value beliefs of technology.

Patients' beliefs as predictors of patient satisfaction and health-related quality of life in pediatric rehabilitation.

This study investigated the predictive value of illness and treatment beliefs for patient satisfaction and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents receiving inpatient rehabilitation treatment. In addition, we examined the relationship between fulfilled rehabilitation-related treatment expectations and patient satisfaction. In this longitudinal study (recruitment between April 2019 and March 2020), 170 participants (M = 14.3 years [SD = 1.6]) answered self-report questionnaires before and at the end of rehabilitation (6 weeks later). We applied multiple hierarchical regression analyses, controlling for sociodemographic and diagnoses variables. The results showed fulfilled expectations of treatment success and sustainability to be a significant predictor of patient satisfaction (p < .01). The illness belief dimension of emotional representation predicted HRQOL (p < .01). Rehabilitation-related treatment beliefs were not predictive of any outcome. This study provides a first insight into the relationships between these constructs in the context of inpatient pediatric rehabilitation. However, future research is needed to further examine illness and treatment beliefs in this specific treatment setting. Practical implications concern the incorporation of children's and adolescents' beliefs into treatment management to optimize rehabilitation outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Factors affecting compliance with vehicular environmental laws and pro-environmental behavior in Lahore, Pakistan

Lahore, Pakistan, is considered the most polluted city in the world and is suffering from environmental injustice due to a lack of compliance with vehicular environmental laws and deficient observance of pro-environmental behavior. This study analyzes factors affecting public compliance with vehicular environmental laws among drivers in Lahore with an extended pro-environmental behavior approach. The study utilized several factors such as personal benefits prioritization (PBP), economic incentives perception (EIP), government system (IGS), perceived eco-policy effectiveness and enforcement (PEPEE), environmental knowledge and awareness (EKA), theory of planned behavior (TPB), and value belief norm theory (VBNT). Using purposive sampling in the data collection, two hundred fifty-one participants voluntarily answered the survey through a self-administered online questionnaire utilizing the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results showed that personal benefits prioritization (PBP) significantly affected economic incentive perception (EIP). EIP and perceived eco-policy effectiveness and enforcement (PEPEE) showed a significant direct relationship with environmental knowledge and awareness (EKA). Interestingly, the government system (IGS) has the highest direct significance with PEPEE. EKA significantly affected the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the value belief norm theory (VBNT). Thus, this study can be a foundation for related sectors to enhance the air quality of Lahore, Pakistan, by enhancing vehicular environmental laws and ensuring compliance. Increasing awareness through improving education and enforcement strategies is expected to contribute to successful compliance among Lahore residents, eventually aligning with national ecological sustainability policies. Moreover, the paper provides a comprehensive roadmap for stakeholders to address the environmental challenges identified and contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally just future globally.

Exploring the Relationship between Value Belief, Behavioral Engagement, and Academic Achievement in the Chinese EFL Learning Context

Previous research has established a positive link between behavioral engagement and academic achievement. However, the mediating role of behavioral engagement between value belief and academic achievement, particularly in the context of English as a Foreign Language (EFL), has received limited attention. This study examined this mediation using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with a sample of 657 secondary EFL students. Results revealed that value beliefs positively influenced behavioral engagement, which in turn enhanced academic achievement. The indirect path from value beliefs to academic achievement through behavioral engagement was statistically significant, indicating partial mediation, alongside a direct effect of value beliefs on academic achievement. Descriptive statistics showed high mean scores for both value beliefs and behavioral engagement, reflecting strong perceptions of the importance of language learning and active class participation. No significant differences in value beliefs were found among participants. Possible explanations behind the observed results, as well as implications, limitations, and proposed directions for future studies are discussed.

Fishing tourism and the environment: Examining fishing tourists’ resource consumption reduction and recycling behaviors at fishing destinations

With increasing climate change, it is becoming imperative to implement pro-environmental practices. The present study aimed to delineate the determinants of fishing tourists’ eco-friendly behaviors by adopting a fuzzy-set approach. The results revealed the complex interplay of VBN (value–belief–norm) factors, perceived barriers, and motives in shaping fishing tourists’ environmental behaviors. While no single factor emerged as a necessary condition for pro-environmental behaviors, the findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and tourism professionals seeking to promote sustainability in fishing tourism sites. Moreover, the results offer insights that will help in the understanding of fishing tourists’ underlying psychological structure and in devising tactics to promote pro-environmental measures for recreational wildlife tourists.

Research Progress of Bronze Ware Ornamentation in the Shang Dynasty of China

Bronze ware is an important representative of ancient Chinese culture, and the Shang Dynasty is the peak of China’s bronze casting technology. As an important symbol of ancient culture, the bronze ornaments of Shang Dynasty in China. Deeply reflect the religious belief, social structure and cultural value at that time. Through a systematic literature review of the origin, classification and evolution of the bronze ornament, this paper aims to deepen the understanding of the Shang Dynasty bronzes and their cultural connotation. Among the existing studies, the current research on Shang Dynasty bronze ornament mainly focuses on the categorization of ornament, its relationship with culture and the evolution rules. Specifically, the classification of bronze ornament is diverse and represents the different symbolic meanings. Shang Dynasty bronze ornaments are closely related to religious beliefs and social structures, and evolved over time. In general, these studies have enriched the cultural knowledge of Shang Dynasty bronzes, while some rare ornaments have been understudied and the research methods need to be further innovated. The significance of this study is clear: by examining Shang dynasty bronze ornament, it can increase people’s understanding of ancient Chinese religious culture and feudal social structure, and also contribute to the identification and conservation of modern bronzes. Future research can apply modern scientific and technological tools to further reveal the deeper connotations and historical value of Shang culture.

Analyzing early childhood allergy prevention motivation of mothers of infants and its predictors using latent class analysis and structural equation modelling

BackgroundAllergic diseases are among the most common chronic diseases in childhood. Early childhood allergy prevention (ECAP) behaviors of those caring for the infant during pregnancy and the first months of life may influence the risk of allergy development over the life course. Motivation and intention to use appropriate primary ECAP measures are thus of critical importance.AimsTo characterize parental ECAP motivation, (a) valid indicators will be developed and (b) typical parental characteristics will be identified. (c) According to socio-cognitive models, the predictive value of parental risk perception, control belief and self-efficacy for parental ECAP motivation shall be determined.MethodA sample of N = 343 (expectant) mothers of infants completed a questionnaire on self-reported ECAP motivation, risk perception, control belief, and self-efficacy. The cross-sectional data were analyzed using latent class analysis and structural equation modelling including nominal regression models.ResultsFour typical maternal response profiles (motivated to a customary degree, 70%; motivated to use primary preventive measures, 17.8%; reluctant towards new prevention measures, 6.4%; highly motivated to apply preventive measures in case of an existing allergy, 5.8%) could be identified for the items on ECAP motivation. After splitting the model variables “risk perception” (allergy vs. allergy-associated general health problems) and “self-efficacy” (trust vs. insecurity) a satisfactory model-fit was achieved (CFI = .939; RMSEA = .064). Particularly, increased “risk perception-allergy” (OR = 1.655) and “self-efficacy-insecurity” (OR = 2.013) as well as lower “risk perception-general health” (OR = 0.555) and “control belief” (OR = 0.217), respectively, are associated with higher ECAP motivation.ConclusionThe use of ECAP-measures by parents to protect their newborns from allergies is important, but there are deficiencies in their implementation. Based on a social cognitive model approach, predictive characteristics could be identified, which are associated with increased motivation to implement ECAP-measures. For public health our findings provide a promising basis for conception of behavioral and environmental ECAP prevention measures and their motivated implementation by parents.

Adaptation and validation of an inventory for assessing subjective task value beliefs regarding the decision to pursue postgraduate studies

The desire to pursue postgraduate studies is motivated by several interrelated and multifaceted factors ranging from intrinsic to extrinsic. However, little consensus exists in the literature regarding an instrument that assesses an individual's motivation for pursuing postgraduate education. In this study, we adapted and validated a pre-existing inventory that evaluates the individuals' motives for pursuing postgraduate studies using the subjective task value beliefs framework. The study, in particular, focused on assessing the factor structure, construct validity, and reliability of the adapted scale. Study participation invitations were sent to a pool of postgraduate students in two higher education institutions, of which 501 students finally responded to the online questionnaire. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to analyse the data to address the research objectives. The results revealed a five-factor structure for the adapted scale with excellent construct validity and reliability indicators. The findings of the research add value to the psychometric literature and also provide a useful instrument for use among instructors, researchers, and university administrators in their line of duty.

Determinants of energy conservation behaviour in small hospitality firms: application of the extended value belief norm theory

The study aims to investigate the energy conservation behaviour of owners and managers of small hospitality firms by incorporating social norms into an extended Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) model. In addition, the study examines the mediating effects of causal chain of the VBN model in the context of energy conservation behaviour. The world faces serious environmental challenges such as loss of biodiversity, pollution, depletion of natural resources and global warming. One of the causes of these environmental challenges is the production and consumption of energy by households and firms. The hospitality sector uses a significant amount of energy in its operation leading to negative environmental impacts. Reducing energy use will improve environmental and financial sustainability of hospitality firms. Energy conservation behaviour is one of the significant ways to reduce energy consumption. The study adopts the survey method for data collection and the respondents are conveniently sampled. The Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling is used for data analysis. Based on a dataset of 360 respondents, the study finds that the extended VBM model that includes social norms is applicable in explaining the energy conservation behaviour of owners/managers of small hospitality firms. The mediating effects of the causal chain of the VBN model are significant. The theoretical implication is the applicability of an extended VBN model that includes social norms to predict energy conservation behaviour. Recommendations on how to improve energy conservation behaviour include improving the level of awareness of ecological problems caused by energy consumption. The study aims to investigate the energy conservation behaviour of owners and managers of small hospitality firms by incorporating social norms into an extended Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) model. In addition, the study examines the mediating effects of causal chain of the VBN model in the context of energy conservation behaviour. The world faces serious environmental challenges such as loss of biodiversity, pollution, depletion of natural resources and global warming. One of the causes of these environmental challenges is the production and consumption of energy by households and firms. The hospitality sector uses a significant amount of energy in its operation leading to negative environmental impacts. Reducing energy use will improve environmental and financial sustainability of hospitality firms. Energy conservation behaviour is one of the significant ways to reduce energy consumption. The study adopts the survey method for data collection and the respondents are conveniently sampled. The Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling is used for data analysis. Based on a dataset of 360 respondents, the study finds that the extended VBM model that includes social norms is applicable in explaining the energy conservation behaviour of owners/managers of small hospitality firms. The mediating effects of the causal chain of the VBN model are significant. The theoretical implication is the applicability of an extended VBN model that includes social norms to predict energy conservation behaviour. Recommendations on how to improve energy conservation behaviour include improving the level of awareness of ecological problems caused by energy consumption.

Trying to decrease food-wasting behavior with combined theory plan behavior, value belief norm, and norm activation model: A behavioral approach for sustainable development

Trying to decrease food-wasting behavior with combined theory plan behavior, value belief norm, and norm activation model: A behavioral approach for sustainable development