The nomological network of anomalous self-experiences and schizotypal personality in a nonclinical sample.

Bias against disconfirmatory evidence (BADE) is associated with delusion-like ideation and delusion-related aspects of schizotypy in nonclinical populations. Using a well-validated BADE assessment, we sought to demonstrate that only one of two facets of BADE (Evidence Integration Impairment, but not Positive Response Bias) accounts for these associations. To this end, 738 MTurk participants completed a survey which included the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and a version of the aforementioned BADE assessment. Using multiple regression, it was found that only Evidence Integration Impairment accounted for unique variance in delusion-related SPQ subscale scores. These results suggest, consistent with our hypothesis, that Evidence Integration Impairment might solely account for previously observed associations between BADE more generally and various cognitions/personality traits. It follows from this suggestion that in the general population ambiguous situations may combine with cognitive biases to maintain delusion-like ideation.

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Ethical Issues Relevant to the Assessment of Suicide Risk in Nonclinical Research Settings

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000110 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 54-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Carolyn M. Wilson ◽

Bruce K. Christensen

Keyword(s):

Undergraduate Students ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Ethical Issues ◽

Current Paper ◽

Self Report ◽

Ethical Guidelines ◽

Schizotypal Personality ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Genetic Features ◽

Conducting Research

Background: Our laboratory recently confronted this issue while conducting research with undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo (UW). Although our main objective was to examine cognitive and genetic features of individuals with schizotypal personality disorder (SPD), the study protocol also entailed the completion of various self-report measures to identify participants deemed at increased risk for suicide. Aims and Methods: This paper seeks to review and discuss the relevant ethical guidelines and legislation that bear upon a psychologist’s obligation to further assess and intervene when research participants reveal that they are at increased risk for suicide. Results and Conclusions: In the current paper we argue that psychologists are ethically impelled to assess and appropriately intervene in cases of suicide risk, even when such risk is revealed within a research context. We also discuss how any such obligation may potentially be modulated by the research participant’s expectations of the role of a psychologist, within such a context. Although the focus of the current paper is on the ethical obligations of psychologists, specifically those practicing within Canada, the relevance of this paper extends to all regulated health professionals conducting research in nonclinical settings.

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Validation of the Short Dark Triad in a German Sample

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000617 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Caroline Wehner ◽

Ulrike Maaß ◽

Marius Leckelt ◽

Mitja D. Back ◽

Matthias Ziegler

Keyword(s):

Sensation Seeking ◽

Factor Model ◽

Structural Models ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Dark Triad ◽

Fit Indices ◽

Nomological Network ◽

Competitive Test ◽

Three Factor ◽

Behavioral Criteria

Abstract. The structure, correlates, and assessment of the Dark Triad are widely discussed in several fields of psychology. Based on the German version of the Short Dark Triad (SDT), we add to this by (a) providing a competitive test of existing structural models, (b) testing the nomological network, and (c) proposing an ultrashort 9-item version of the SDT (uSDT). A sample of N = 969 participants provided data on the SDT and a range of further measures. Our competitive test of five structural models revealed that fit indices and nomological network assumptions were best met in a three-factor model, with separate factors for psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism. The results provided an extensive overview of the raw, unique, and shared associations of Dark Triad dimensions with narcissism facets, sadism, impulsivity, self-esteem, sensation seeking, the Big Five, maladaptive personality traits, sociosexual orientation, and behavioral criteria. Finally, the uSDT exhibited satisfactory psychometric properties. The highest overlap in expected relations between SDT and uSDT, and convergent and discriminant measures was also found for the three-factor model. Our study underlines the utility of a three-factor model of the Dark Triad, extends findings on its nomological network, and provides an ultrashort instrument.

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The Multiple Faces of Risk-Taking

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000335 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 17-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Florian Schmitz ◽

Karsten Manske ◽

Franzis Preckel ◽

Oliver Wilhelm

Keyword(s):

Risk Taking ◽

Basic Research ◽

Formal Models ◽

Experimental Paradigm ◽

Nomological Network ◽

Balloon Analogue Risk Task ◽

Parameter Recovery ◽

Task Specificity ◽

Available Information ◽

Criterion Variables

Abstract. The Balloon-Analogue Risk Task (BART; Lejuez et al., 2002 ) is one of the most popular behavioral tasks suggested to assess risk-taking in the laboratory. Previous research has shown that the conventionally computed score is predictive, but neglects available information in the data. We suggest a number of alternative scores that are motivated by theories of risk-taking and that exploit more of the available data. These scores can be grouped around (1) risk-taking, (2) task performance, (3) impulsive decision making, and (4) reinforcement sequence modulation. Their theoretical rationale is detailed and their validity is tested within the nomological network of risk-taking, deviance, and scholastic achievement. Two multivariate studies were conducted with youths (n = 435) and with adolescents/young adults (n = 316). Additionally, we tested formal models suggested for the BART that decompose observed behavior into a set of meaningful parameters. A simulation study with parameter recovery was conducted, and the data from the two studies were reanalyzed using the models. Most scores were reliable and differentially predictive of criterion variables and may be used in basic research. However, task specificity and the generally moderate validity do not warrant use of the experimental paradigm for diagnostic purposes.

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