How Your Partner Can Control Your Brain

a post by Darlene Lancer for the World of Psychology blog



A new study sheds light on how a person could influence and control the mind of someone else. Research on mice reveals that our brains are affected by those around us. The key factor is dominance. The brain of the subordinate mouse synchronised to the dominant mouse. This likely applies to our relationships. Typically, people with stronger personalities make the decisions and get their needs met more often than their partners do.

Other factors play a part. The more the mice interacted with each other, the more their brain activity was synched. Similarly, the longevity and intensity of a relationship affects our partner’s influence on us. A further twist on brain synchrony turns on two types of brain cells we have. One set is focused on our own behaviour and a second on other people. How we think and where we place our attention matters. At Carnegie Mellon University, neuroscientists are tracking our thoughts in fMRI’s brain scans to see which areas and neurons light up. Self and other neurons light up in varying degrees among certain populations.

Continue reading

I would have liked to see links to the scientific evidence but this piece certainly set me thinking, thinking hard. Hazel.

---

The other self-actualization: What's the difference between Maslow and Rogers?

a post by Matt Davis for the Big Think blog

Most of us have heard of Abraham Maslow and his hierarchy of needs, but Maslow doesn't have a monopoly on self-actualization.

• Along with Maslow, Carl Rogers helped pioneer the field of humanistic psychology.
• Although most associate the term "self-actualization" with Maslow, it's a concept that's frequently found in humanistic psychological literature.
• What's the difference between Maslow's and Rogers' versions of self-actualization, and what can we learn from Rogers?

One could be forgiven for thinking that the term "self-actualization" was developed entirely by Abraham Maslow. Today, there are very few contexts where one can hear the term outside of Maslow's famous hierarchy of needs. But in fact, the twentieth century featured many humanistic psychologists who used the term to mean one thing or another. It was first coined by psychologist Kurt Goldstein, who used it to refer to something very similar to what Maslow would later focus on: the tendency for human beings to become all that they can, that "what a man can be, he must be."

Continue reading

---

The Reciprocal Influences among Motivation, Personality Traits, and Game Habits for Playing Pokémon GO

an article by Barbara Caci and Maurizio Cardaci (Universita degli Studi di Palermo, Italy), Marco Elio Tabacchi (University of Rouen, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France0 and Marco Elio Tabacchi (Università degli Studi di Palermo, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Ricerche Demopolis, Italy) published in International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction Volume 35 Issue 14 (2019)

Abstract

This article reports a study exploring motivations of Pokémon Game use, individual differences related to personality traits, and game habits.

First, it analyzed Pokémon GO motivations through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) by administering online the Pokémon GO Motivational Scale to a group of Italian gamers (N = 560).

Successively, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted testing three factorial models of Pokémon Game motivations on a selected random sample (N = 310). Results showed a three-factor model of Pokémon GO Game motivations (i.e. Personal Needs, Social Needs and Recreation), accounting for 68.9% of total variance plus a general higher order factor that best fits the data.

Individual differences in Pokémon GO motivations and personality traits have been explored showing that high involved Pokémon GO players are introverted, low agreeableness, and conscientiousness people, driven by personal social and recreational needs. Reciprocal influences on motivational involvement, personality, and game habits were discussed.

---

Toward understanding the relationship between personality and well‐being states and traits

an article by Carly Magee and Jeremy C. Biesanz (University of British Columbia, Canada) published in Journal of Personality Volume 87 Issue 2 (April 2019)

Abstract

Objective
Although there is a robust connection between dispositional personality traits and well‐being, relatively little research has comprehensively examined the ways in which all Big Five personality states are associated with short‐term experiences of well‐being within individuals. We address three central questions about the nature of the relationship between personality and well‐being states:
First, to what extent do personality and well‐being states covary within individuals?
Second, to what extent do personality and well‐being states influence one another within individuals?
Finally, are these within‐person relationships moderated by dispositional personality traits and well‐being?

Method
Two experience sampling studies (N = 161 and N = 146) were conducted over 2 weeks.

Results
Across both studies, all Big Five personality states were correlated with short‐term experiences of well‐being within individuals. Individuals were more extraverted, emotionally stable, conscientious, agreeable, and open in moments when they experienced higher well‐being (greater self‐esteem, life satisfaction and positive affect, and less negative affect). Moreover, personality and well‐being states dynamically influenced one another over time within individuals, and these associations were not generally moderated by dispositional traits or well‐being.

Conclusions
Behavior and well‐being are interconnected within the context of the Big Five model of personality.

---

Why insecure people buy more things

a post by Matthew Davis for the Big Think blog

Money may not buy you love, but it won't break your heart either.

• The link between a poor interpersonal life and materialism has been known for decades, but the exact reason for this connection hasn't been clear.
• New research shows that two problematic attachment styles can push people towards seeking the love and affection they crave in material wealth.
• The study shows both how broken-hearted people use materialism as a crutch and how this dependency can be reversed.

Continue reading

---

Anxiety about digital security and terrorism, and support for counter-terror measures

an article by Viktoria Gallova (The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK), Marek Palasinski (Liverpool John Moores University, UK), Neil Shortland (University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA), Michael Humann, (Liverpool, UK) and Lorraine Bowman Grieve, (Watford, Ireland) published in Safer Communities Volume 17 Issue 3 (2018)

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the potential predictors of anxiety about digital security, terrorist threats and support for high-tech counter measures.

Design/methodology/approach
In Study 1, 195 participants indicated their anxiety about digital security systems, data protection and social networking sites. In Study 2, 107 participants indicated their anxiety about domestic terrorism, international terrorism and extremist groups. In Study 3, 261 participants indicated their support for high-tech counter-terrorism measures.

Findings
Study 1 suggests that whereas anxiety about digital security systems, data protection and social networking sites was positively predicted by right-wing authoritarianism, anxiety about social networking was also negatively predicted by time spent online. Study 2 shows that time spent online was a negative predictor of anxiety about domestic terrorism. Study 3 indicates that the strongest positive predictor of support for all the measures was right-wing authoritarianism, followed by national identity.

Research limitations/implications
The findings show the relevance of terror management theory to digital security and counter-terrorism.

Practical implications
It appears that right-wing authoritarianism and national identity may serve as mechanisms for people to subjectively counter the presented threats. This notion may inform relevant policy and practice aimed at making communities safer and potentially helps introduce counter-terror measures with less public backlash.

Social implications
When designing counter-terror measures, policy makers should consider compound national identities (e.g. Catalan or Basque people).

Originality/value
The paper makes contribution to under-explored areas of terrorism anxiety and support for counter-terror measures.

---

Beauty still matters: The role of attractiveness in labour market outcomes

an article by Petra Anýžová and Petr Matějů (Institute for Social and Economic Analyses, Czech Republic) published in International Sociology Volume 33 Issue 3 (May 2018)

Abstract

The main objective of the study is threefold:

• first, to examine the role of attractiveness in the Czech labour market;
• second, to assess gender differences in returns of attractiveness; and
• third, to show that the positive association between attractiveness and earnings does not disappear even when cognitive skills, social background, occupational status and individual characteristics are controlled for.

The study uses data from the first large-scale sociological survey focusing on attractiveness carried out in the Czech Republic. The results provide strong evidence for the hypothesis that, in general, more attractive people have a better chance of higher socioeconomic occupational status as well as higher incomes than less attractive individuals even when controlling for cognitive skills, social background, occupational status and personality.

However, the analysis also shows that the relationships are different for men and women. The study finds that the income premium for attractiveness is markedly higher among prime-aged women than men.

The authors conclude that there have been profound changes in the last 30-40 years in the Western world and that the importance of physical attractiveness and erotic capital has been increasing, especially for women.

Full text (PDF 23pp)

---

Identifying the influences of demographic characteristics and personality of inveterate drunk drivers on the likelihood of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUIA) recurrence

an article by Do-Gyeong Kim (University of Seoul, Republic of Korea) and Yuhwa Lee (Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea) published in International Journal of Urban Sciences Volume 21 Issue 2 (2017)

Abstract

Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUIA) is one of the main factors that cause severe traffic crashes and is considered a grave offence under the law. As shown by existing research and statistics, one of the characteristics associated with DUIA is that DUIA offenders are more likely to be rearrested for DUIA conviction.

This means that in order to eradicate DUIA, the personal, psychological, and socio-cultural characteristics of habitual drunk drivers should be examined and intensive efforts are required to manage these types of offenders. This study aims to identify how the personality traits of DUIA recidivists influence the likelihood of DUIA recurrence on urban roads.

The personalities of the drivers were divided into four dimensions

• psychoticism,
• extroversion,
• neuroticism, and
• lie

based on the Korean version of the Eysenck personality test.

Four additional attributes related to drivers’ information were included:

• gender,
• blood alcohol concentration (BAC),
• drinking frequency, and
• educational background.

From the analysis results, six variables were found to be significant and five variables except for educational background had a positive correlation with the possibility of DUIA recurrence.

Regarding drivers’ personality traits, drivers with a higher psychoticism (P) and lie (L) had a 118% and 102% higher possibility of DUIA recurrence, respectively.

The results of this study are expected to contribute to a reduction in DUIA-related traffic accidents by preventing DUIA recidivism through follow-up management such as a continuous monitoring for drivers with a higher propensity for DUIA recurrence and by establishing regulations that can administer strong punishments for DUIA recidivists.

I cannot work out any stronger punishment than lose your licence, lose your car, lose your spouse and home, and lose your job except that once someone gets to that stage they are on the streets begging and are no longer a candidate for a DUIA conviction.

---

Retirement, Personality and Well-being

an article by Dusanee Kesavayuth and Vasileios Zikos (University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok) and Robert E. Rosenman (Washington State University, Pullman, USA) published in Economic Inquiry Volume 54 Issue 2 (April 2016)

Abstract

This study investigates how two sources of individual heterogeneity – personality and gender – impact the well-being effects of retirement. Using data on older men and women from the British Household Panel Survey and its continuation, Understanding Society, we estimate the causal effect of retirement on satisfaction with overall life and domains of life in the presence of personality characteristics.

As retirement is often considered to be a choice and thus may be endogenous to individual-level characteristics, we use the eligibility ages for basic state pension in the United Kingdom as instruments for retirement. We find that retirement increases leisure satisfaction of both males and females but not necessarily life satisfaction and income satisfaction.

We further show that certain personality characteristics affect the well-being of female retirees. For males, however, personality does not seem to matter in how they cope with retirement.

JEL codes: I31, J26, A12, C23

---

Does Trait Emotional Intelligence Predict Unique Variance in Early Career Beyond IQ and Personality Success

an article by José Manuel de Haro García (Agbar water company (GDF SUEZ), Comunidad Valenciana, Spain) and Juan Luis Castejón Costa (Alicante University, Spain) published in Journal of Career Assessment Volume 22 Number 4 (November 2014)

Abstract

In order to determine the contribution of emotional intelligence (EI) to career success, in this study, we analysed the relationship between trait EI (TEI), general mental ability (GMA), the big five personality traits, and career success indicators, in a sample of 130 graduates who were in the early stages of their careers.

Results from hierarchical regression analyses indicated that TEI, and especially its dimension “repair,” has incremental validity in predicting one of the career success indicators (salary) after controlling for GMA and personality.

These findings provide support for the use of TEI measures as predictors of career success in the early stage.

---

Building Evidence of Validity: The Relation Between Work Values, Interests, Personality, and Personal Values

an article by Melanie E. Leuty (University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, USA) and Jo-Ida C. Hansen (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA) published in Journal of Career Assessment Volume 21 number 2 (May 2013)

Abstract

The current study used work values components (WVC) to examine the relationship between work values, vocational interests, personality, and personal values.

Most intercorrelations between work values and other constructs were in the small effect range. Overall correlations between scale scores provided evidence of convergent and discriminant validity for values scales. Results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses suggested personal values were the most significant predictor of WVC. Interests and personality also contributed a small amount of additional variance in predicting work values.

Overall, results suggested that other variables (e.g., personal values, vocational interests, and personality) accounted for 22% (Autonomy) to 48% (Status) in WVC.

Results supported growing evidence of construct validity for work values, given study findings. Implications for the study of values and career counselling interventions are discussed.

---

The impact of role stressors on workplace bullying in both victims and perpetrators, controlling for personal vulnerability factors: A longitudinal analysis

an article by Cristian Balducci (University of Bologna, Italy), Monica Cecchin (ULSS Asolo, Asolo, Italy) and Franco Fraccaroli (University of Trento, Italy) published in Work & Stress Volume 26 Issue 3 (July 2012)

Abstract

Although it has been suggested that a poor work environment can be related to the incidence of bullying, little work with robust research designs has been conducted on the matter.

By drawing on the concept of hindrance stressors and using a longitudinal research design, we investigated whether role conflict and role ambiguity predicted being a victim of bullying twelve months later, over and above personal vulnerability factors.

With a parallel analysis we also investigated whether the same role stressors predicted the enactment of bullying. The sample consisted of 234 employees of a National Health Service agency in Italy, including medical, nursing and administrative staff.

The results indicated that role conflict positively affected both being bullied and bullying enactment, with personal vulnerability (reporting a doctor’s diagnosis of depression at baseline) affecting only the first of the two outcomes. However, some evidence also emerged of reciprocal relationships between role stressors and bullying.

Directions for future research on the relations between working conditions and bullying are discussed.

---

Hard evidence on soft skills

an article by James J. Heckman (University of Chicago, USA, American Bar Foundation, Chicago and University College Dublin, Ireland) and Tim Kautz (University of Chicago, USA) published in Labour Economics Volume 19 Issue 4 (August 2012)

Abstract

This paper summarizes recent evidence on what achievement tests measure; how achievement tests relate to other measures of “cognitive ability” like IQ and grades; the important skills that achievement tests miss or mismeasure, and how much these skills matter in life.

Achievement tests miss, or perhaps more accurately, do not adequately capture, soft skills – personality traits, goals, motivations, and preferences that are valued in the labour market, in school, and in many other domains.

The larger message of this paper is that soft skills predict success in life, that they causally produce that success, and that programs that enhance soft skills have an important place in an effective portfolio of public policies.

Highlights

► Achievement tests miss – or mis-measure – soft skills including personality traits, goals, motivations, and preferences.
► Soft skills predict and produce success in life.
► Programs that enhance soft skills have an important place in policy portfolios.

JEL classifications: I20; D01

---

Dating deception: Gender, online dating, and exaggerated self-presentation

an article by Bradley M. Okdie (Ohio State University at Newark, USA) and Rosanna E. Guadagno and Sara A. Kruse (The University of Alabama, USA) published in Computers in Human Behavior Volume 28 Issue 2 (March 2012)

Abstract

This study examined how differences in expectations about meeting impacted the degree of deceptive self-presentation individuals displayed within the context of dating. Participants filled out personality measures in one of four anticipated meeting conditions:

• face-to-face, 
• email, 
• no meeting, and 
• a control condition with no pretence of dating.

Results indicated that, compared to baseline measures, male participants increased the amount they self-presented when anticipating a future interaction with a prospective date. Specifically, male participants emphasized their positive characteristics more if the potential date was less salient (e.g., email meeting) compared to a more salient condition (e.g., face-to-face meeting) or the control conditions.

Implications for self-presentation theory, online social interaction, and online dating research will be discussed.

---

The relationship between networking behaviors and the Big Five personality dimensions

an article by Hans-Georg Wolff, (University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany) and Sowon Kim, (University of Geneva) published in Career Development International Volume 17 Issue 1 (2012)

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to suggest a comprehensive framework to elucidate the relationship between personality and networking. Using the Five Factor Model as a framework, the paper aims to argue that traits tapping into social (i.e. extraversion, agreeableness) and informational (i.e. openness to experience) features are relevant in explaining how individual dispositions facilitate networking behaviours. Moreover, it aims to delineate structural and functional differences in networking (i.e. building, maintaining, and using contacts within and outside the organisation) and to theorise how these differences yield differential relationships of personality traits with networking dimensions.
Design/methodology/approach
Online surveys were administered to two samples, from Germany and the UK, respectively (n=351). Structural equation modelling is used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
Personality traits reflecting social (extraversion) and informational aspects (openness to experience) are broadly related to networking in general. The paper also finds support for differential relationships, for example, agreeableness is related to internal, but not external networking. Both conscientiousness and emotional stability are not related to networking behaviours.
Practical implications
The findings help explain why some individuals experience more barriers to networking than others and can be used in networking trainings. Practitioners should also note that there is more than extraversion to accurately predict networking skills in selection assessments.
Originality/value
The paper provides further insights into determinants of networking, which is an important career self-management strategy. It also offers an integrative framework on the personality-networking relationship as prior research has been fragmentary. Establishing differential relations also furthers understanding on core differences between networking dimensions.

---

Who uses Facebook? …

An investigation into the relationship between the Big Five, shyness, narcissism, loneliness, and Facebook usage

 an article by Tracii Ryan and Sophia Xenos (RMIT university, Melbourne, Australia) published in Computers in Human Behavior Volume 27 Issue 5 (September 2011)

Abstract

The unprecedented popularity of the social networking site Facebook raises a number of important questions regarding the impact it has on sociality. However, as Facebook is a very recent social phenomenon, there is a distinct lack of psychological theory relating to its use. While research has begun to identify the types of people who use Facebook, this line of investigation has been limited to student populations. The current study aimed to investigate how personality influences usage or non-usage of Facebook. The sample consisted of 1,324 self-selected Australian Internet users (1,158 Facebook users and 166 Facebook nonusers), between the ages of 18 and 44. Participants were required to complete an online questionnaire package comprising the Big Five Inventory (BFI), the Narcissistic Personality Inventory – 29-item version (NPI-29), the Revised Cheek and Buss Shyness Scale (RCBS), and the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults – Short version (SELSA-S). Facebook users also completed a Facebook usage questionnaire. The results showed that Facebook users tend to be more extroverted and narcissistic, but less conscientious and socially lonely, than nonusers. Furthermore, frequency of Facebook use and preferences for specific features were also shown to vary as a result of certain characteristics, such as neuroticism, loneliness, shyness and narcissism. It is hoped that research in this area continues, and leads to the development of theory regarding the implications and gratifications of Facebook use.

Hazel’s comment:
As you are aware I rarely comment on the articles I read. I leave it to you to decide if the topic interests you as much as it interested me based on the abstract (which is often all that I’ve read). My typical reader, who is in my mind all the time when I’m reading all these hundreds of journals, is, you will not be surprised to learn, a lot like me.
In this case I was sufficiently interested to wait until I could read the whole article and was fascinated. If you can get hold of the full text, and you have an interest in the psychology of social media, then this is highly recommended reading.
All ScienceDirect articles are available to rent from DeepDyve for prices around $3-5 depending on the publication.

---

… parents’ career interests and the career interests of young adults

An exploratory study on the relationship between … parents’ career interests and the career interests of young adults

An article by Chi Sum Wong, Ping Man Wong and Kelly Z Peng published in the International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance (Volume 11 Number 1 (March 2011))

In this study, we attempt to investigate the potential effects of parents’ career interests on young adults’ career interests. Using a sample of 113 freshmen in Hong Kong, results indicated that after controlling for personality, gender, general mental abilities and emotional intelligence, some of the parents’ career interests were still related to the young adults’ respective career interests. For some types of interests, the extent of influences is found to be contingent on the gender of the respondents. Implications are discussed.

Hazel’s comment:

I don’t think that this abstract provides you with enough information to be moved to read the whole article but it is, believe me, worth reading. I probably wouldn’t have done it if I hadn’t been in the full text version of the journal. As I glanced at the screen whilst scrolling through, not really reading the words, I noticed one or two pertinent points and slowed down.

It is really amazing to discover just how much influence parents’ ideas have on their offspring at an age when young people rebel against anything parents say!

---

Noncognitive skills, occupational attainment, and relative wages

an article by Deborah A Cobb-Clark (The University of Melbourne and IZA) and Michelle Tan (Australian National University) published by ScienceDirect: Labour Economics as an accepted manuscript on 6 August 2010

Abstract
This paper examines whether men’s and women’s noncognitive skills inuence their occupational attainment and, if so, whether this contributes to the disparity in their relative wages. We find that noncognitive skills have a substantial effect on the probability of employment in many, though not all, occupations in ways that differ by gender. Consequently, men and women with similar noncognitive skills enter occupations at very different rates. Women, however, have lower wages on average not because they work in different occupations than men do, but rather because they earn less than their male colleagues employed in the same occupation. On balance, women’s noncognitive skills give them a slight wage advantage. Finally, we find that accounting for the endogeneity of occupational attainment more than halves the proportion of the overall gender wage gap that is unexplained.

This paper uses confidentialised unit record file data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. The HILDA Project was initiated and is funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services, and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and is managed by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research (MIAESR). The findings and views reported in this paper, however, are those of the authors and should not be attributed to FaHCSIA or MIAESR.

---