0000000000161279
AUTHOR
Oliver Decker
From Bi-Dimensionality to Uni-Dimensionality in Self-Report Questionnaires
Abstract. The common factor model – by far the most widely used model for factor analysis – assumes equal item intercepts across respondents. Due to idiosyncratic ways of understanding and answering items of a questionnaire, this assumption is often violated, leading to an underestimation of model fit. Maydeu-Olivares and Coffman (2006) suggested the introduction of a random intercept into the model to address this concern. The present study applies this method to six established instruments (measuring depression, procrastination, optimism, self-esteem, core self-evaluations, and self-regulation) with ambiguous factor structures, using data from representative general population samples. I…
Authoritarianism and the transgenerational transmission of corporal punishment.
Abstract Background Authoritarianism, firstly described by Horkheimer in 1936, is characterized by submission to authorities, aggression against subordinates and conventionalism. Authoritarianism is discussed as major contributor for right-wing attitudes. Horkheimer hypothesized that authoritarianism has its origin in the experience of harsh parenting and exposure to corporal punishment (CP) by authoritarian parents. The other way around, literature points towards an association between conventionalism and support of CP as disciplinary method, suggesting a role of authoritarianism in the vicious cycle of transgenerational transmission of CP. Objective We aimed to assess the association of a…
Early-Career Researchers’ Perceptions of the Prevalence of Questionable Research Practices, Potential Causes, and Open Science
Abstract. Young researchers of today will shape the field in the future. In light of current debates about social psychology’s research culture, this exploratory survey assessed early-career researchers’ beliefs (N = 88) about the prevalence of questionable research practices (QRPs), potential causes, and open science as a possible solution. While there was relative consensus that outright fraud is an exception, a majority of participants believed that some QRPs are moderately to highly prevalent what they attributed primarily to academic incentive structures. A majority of participants felt that open science is necessary to improve research practice. They indicated to consider some open s…
Life satisfaction, distress, and resiliency across the life span of women.
Objective: This study aimed to determine (1) the relationship between life satisfaction, mental disorders, and aging in the female community and (2) to identify the impact of vulnerability factors, personal (resilience, self-esteem), and social resources on life satisfaction and distress. Methods: A stratified random sample of the German female population (N = 2,540) was investigated using standardized questionnaires of life satisfaction (Questions on Life Satisfaction), depression, anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire), resilience scale (RS-11), and self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale). Results: When participants were divided into six age groups (18-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, an…
Welche Auswirkungen haben Flucht und Vertreibung auf Lebensqualität und Befindlichkeit? Repräsentative Erhebung mit den vor 1946 Geborenen in Deutschland
Zusammenfassung Fragestellung: Zum Ende des Zweiten Weltkrieges war ein groser Teil der deutschen Bevolkerung Flucht und Vertreibung ausgesetzt. Massive Belastungen und Traumatisierungen wurden in zahlreichen Einzelfallschilderungen beschrieben. Erste systematische Untersuchungen an ausgewahlten Stichproben ergaben Hinweise auf nachhaltige psychische Langzeitfolgen der Vertreibung; reprasentative Erhebungen in der deutschen Bevolkerung fehlen aber bisher. Ziele der vorliegenden Studie waren daher zu bestimmen, wie sich Lebensqualitat, psychisches und korperliches Befinden von Vertriebenen aus den ostlichen Siedlungsgebieten im hoheren Lebensalter entwickelt haben im Vergleich zu Nichtvertri…
Detecting Authoritarianism Efficiently: Psychometric Properties of the Screening Instrument Authoritarianism – Ultra Short (A-US) in a German Representative Sample
With right-wing-extremist and -populist parties and movements on the rise throughout the world, the concept of authoritarianism has proven to be particularly valuable to explain the psychological underpinnings of these tendencies. Even though many scales to measure the different dimensions of authoritarianism exist, no short screening instrument has been tested and validated on a large scale so far. The present study examines the psychometric properties of the screening instrument Authoritarianism ��� Ultrashort (A-US) in three representative German samples (n = 2,524, n = 2,478, and n = 2,495). Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the A-US demonstrated acceptable internal co…
Between commodification and altruism: gender imbalance and attitudes towards organ donation. A representative survey of the German community
The German transplant law (TGP) of 1997 only recognises organ donation if the donor agrees (‘extended consent’) and if done for altruistic reasons. Several alternatives will be discussed here, including incentives and passive agreement. Based upon a representative survey, the authors examined the attitudes of Germans towards several European models of organ donation and their attitude towards organ donation in general whilst living and after death. The acceptance of possible compensation systems was also explored. In Germany the majority do not favour compensation systems, but rather passive agreement. There is evidence of gender difference with respect to this attitude. Men tend to favour …