scholarly journals The role of gender and academic degree on preference for smooth curvature of abstract shapes

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e10877
Author(s):  
Letizia Palumbo ◽  
Giulia Rampone ◽  
Marco Bertamini
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Aesthetic Appreciation ◽  
Academic Degree ◽  
Emotional Sensitivity ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Abstract Shapes

Background Preference for smooth contours occurs for a variety of visual stimuli. However, there are individual differences. Openness to experience, a trait associated with aesthetic appreciation, emotional sensitivity and abstract thinking, correlates with this preference. The evaluation of meaningless stimuli entails automatic associations influenced by knowledge, intellectual interests and individual experiences which are diverse. However, it is difficult to capture this variability in studies restricted to Undergraduate students in Psychology with a prevalence of female participants. Methods Here we examined preference for curvature with 160 undergraduate students in Psychology, Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science, balanced for gender. Participants viewed abstract shapes varying for contour (angular vs. curved). The shapes presented variations in Vertices (10, 20, 30) and Concavity (30%, 40%, 50%) to increase complexity. Participants rated how much they liked each shape on a 0 (dislike) to 100 (like) scale. Furthermore, because students in pure Science disciplines present autistic-like traits as measured with the Autism Quotient (AQ), and there is evidence that individuals with autism respond positively to edgy abstract shapes, participants also completed the AQ. Results Overall participants preferred curved shapes to angular shapes. We confirmed past research showing that complexity played a key role, with simple shapes with less vertices (10 vertices) being preferred over shapes with larger number of vertices (20 and 30 vertices). Furthermore, simple shapes (10 vertices) were preferred more with more concavities (50%). Importantly, an interaction between academic degree and gender revealed that preference for smooth curvature was stronger for Psychology female participants. Science students scored higher than Psychology students on the AQ. Interestingly, multilevel analyses showed that the variability of AQ traits in the sample did not contribute to this interaction. The results are discussed in relation to theories of preference formation and individual differences.

Individual Differences in Social Networking Site Adoption

2010 ◽  
pp. 1569-1586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harsha Gangadharbatla
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Social Networking Site ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Acceptance Model

This chapter focuses on detailing the role of five individual level factors—Internet self-efficacy, self-esteem, need to belong, need for information, and gender—in influencing the attitudes toward social networking sites (SNS) and the adoption of such sites. First, the growing importance of social networking sites in business is discussed, and their usage as advertising vehicles is outlined. Individual differences in SNS adoption are presented from a technology acceptance model framework. A paperpencil- based survey is conducted and data obtained is used to test a structural model that explains the role of individual-level factors in influencing individuals’ attitudes toward SNS, their willingness to join SNS, and their actual membership on SNS. Results are presented and managerial implications are drawn.

scholarly journals Spanish adaptation of a film music stimulus set (FMSS): Cultural and gender differences in the perception of emotions prompted by music excerpts

2020 ◽  
pp. 030573562095846
Author(s):  
Nieves Fuentes-Sánchez ◽  
Raúl Pastor ◽  
Tuomas Eerola ◽  
M Carmen Pastor
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Film Music ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Basic Emotions ◽  
Perception Of Emotions ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Music Stimulus ◽  
Music And Emotion ◽  
Affective Dimensions

The literature review reveals different conceptual and methodological challenges in the field of music and emotion, such as the lack of agreement in terms of standardized datasets, and the need for replication of prior findings. Our study aimed at validating for Spanish population a set of film music stimuli previously standardized in Finnish samples. In addition, we explored the role of gender and culture in the perception of emotions through music using 102 excerpts selected from Eerola and Vuoskoski’s dataset. A total of 129 voluntary undergraduate students (71.32% females) from different degrees participated voluntarily in this study, where they were instructed to rate both discrete emotions (Happiness, Sadness, Tenderness, Fear, Anger) and affective dimensions (Valence, Energy Arousal, Tension Arousal) using a 9-point scale after presentation of each excerpt. Strong similarities between Finnish and Spanish ratings were found, with only minor discrepancies across samples in the evaluation of basic emotions. Taken together, our findings suggest that the current database is suitable for future research on music and emotions. Additional theoretical and practical implications of this validation are discussed.

scholarly journals Students anxiety and recruitment during Covid-19 pandemic: role of university, specialization and employment expectation

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 403-413
Author(s):  
Abdullah M. Al-Ansi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Natural Science ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Medical Science ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Main Method ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Yogyakarta City

The problem and the aim of the study. Most undergraduate students at last year of university have anxiety to seek for the future job. Looking for job and moving to new chapter of their life is often accompanied by anxiousness and generates psychological stress. The purpose of this paper is to indicate the role of university, specialization and employment expectation in decreasing the students’ anxiousness. Research methods. The main method of this research is quantitative approach by using surveys. Data were collected by surveying of 400 students at the last year of university distributed under three categories: medical science, natural science and social studies in Yogyakarta city, Indonesia. Purposive sampling was used to select students based on their specialization of study. Regression path analysis was employed to examine the role of university, specialization and possibility of employment on decreasing the students’ anxiety in finding suitable job. Results. The Results indicate that university has no direct role in helping students get job but has indirect impact on shaping students’ knowledge, skills and self-confidence to prepare them for future job and this leads to negative and significant impact on students’ anxiousness with (β = -.138 and -.260; p < 0,01) respectively. Specialization has negative and significant impact (β = -.207, -.198; p < 0,01) for medical and natural science students and low negative and significant (β = -.018; p < 0,01) for social science students on their anxiety. Finally, employment expectation for most of the students was fair and has positive impact on their anxiety (β = .012, .090 and .124; p < 0,05) respectively. Conclusion. This research revealed the increasing impact of Covid-19 pandemic to the students’ anxiety due to continuous influence of the virus during the 2020. Theoretical, social and practical implications have been discussed as part of this research as well.

Individual Differences in Social Networking Site Adoption

2011 ◽  
pp. 1162-1178
Author(s):  
Harsha Gangadharbatla
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Social Networking Site ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Acceptance Model

This chapter focuses on detailing the role of five individual level factors—Internet self-efficacy, self-esteem, need to belong, need for information, and gender—in influencing the attitudes toward social networking sites (SNS) and the adoption of such sites. First, the growing importance of social networking sites in business is discussed, and their usage as advertising vehicles is outlined. Individual differences in SNS adoption are presented from a technology acceptance model framework. A paper-pencil-based survey is conducted and data obtained is used to test a structural model that explains the role of individual-level factors in influencing individuals’ attitudes toward SNS, their willingness to join SNS, and their actual membership on SNS. Results are presented and managerial implications are drawn.

Transphobia and Gender Bashing in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: The Role of Individual Differences and Psychosocial Variables

2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412110021
Author(s):  
Cristian Cabrera ◽  
Jorge-Manuel Dueñas ◽  
Sandra Cosi ◽  
Fabia Morales-Vives
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Big Five ◽  
Big Five Personality Traits ◽  
Big Five Personality ◽  
Transgender People ◽  
Social Reputation ◽  
And Gender

Although research in recent years has revealed widespread discrimination against transgender people, few studies have addressed the attitudes of those who discriminate. In fact, although studies report that bullying is very common in adolescence, little is known about the attitudes of adolescents towards transgender people. This study aimed to determine the roles of social reputation, family socialisation, the big five personality traits and aggressiveness in transphobia and gender bashing among adolescents. The sample consisted of 479 students (50.1% boys) aged 14–19 (M = 15.04; SD = 1.06). The results revealed that transphobia and gender bashing were significantly related to the study variables. Specifically, the results showed that transphobia is largely predicted by variables of the type related to affect and personality, while gender bashing is largely related to variables of a social and reputational nature. Similarly, differences were found between genders, with boys having significantly higher scores than girls for transphobia and gender bashing, as well as specificity of predictors. The implications of these findings are discussed.

FORMAL VERSUS INFORMAL L2 LEARNING

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Vanessa De Wilde ◽  
Marc Brysbaert ◽  
June Eyckmans
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Word Frequency ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Receptive Vocabulary ◽  
Vocabulary Test ◽  
And Gender ◽  
French Words ◽  
Out Of School

Abstract A second language can be learned inside and outside the classroom. In this study we investigated the English and French vocabulary knowledge of 110 Dutch-speaking children (age 10–12), who received 100 hours of instruction in French, whereas their contact with English came from out-of-school exposure only. We examined the role of individual differences (out-of-school exposure and gender) and word-related variables (cognateness, frequency, and language). The children completed a receptive vocabulary test in English and French and filled in a questionnaire. The results showed that the children had a larger vocabulary knowledge in English than in French, illustrating the power of contextual language learning. Word learning was influenced by the amount of exposure, word frequency, and cognateness. Additionally, English words were easier to learn than French words for the participants we tested. Our results point to the need for out-of-school exposure to supplement language learning in the classroom.

scholarly journals ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION AMONG INFORMATION SYSTEMS STUDENTS: INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF FAMILY BACKGROUND, SELF-EMPLOYMENT, AND GENDER IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION

2021 ◽  
pp. 21-40
Author(s):  
Moises Israel Belchior de Andrade Coelho ◽  
Elsianne Serudo Marinho Lira
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Family Background ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intention ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Self Employment ◽  
Technical Procedure ◽  
And Gender

This research aims to investigate family background, self-employment, and gender in undergraduate students of information systems. Regarding the approach to the problem, this research is characterized as quantitative and as for the objectives, there is exploratory research. The technical procedure adopted was the case study in information systems students (number of respondents equal to 100). The main results that most students intend to become entrepreneurs in the future: Students who have a family background tend to support entrepreneurship more; and high entrepreneurial behavior in females concerning males. The importance of this study is to indicate how such factors (family background, self-employment, and gender) affect undergraduate students, contributing to the theoretical and managerial aspects of studies in entrepreneurial intention in the context of the Amazonia region.

scholarly journals Reflexivity and Structural Positions: The Effects of Generation, Gender and Education

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 248
Author(s):  
Tea Golob ◽  
Matej Makarovič
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Cultural Transformations ◽  
Gender And Education ◽  
The Social ◽  
Inner Dialogue ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Cultural Shifts

This article examines how reflexivity, as understood by Margaret Archer, is affected by the structural settings in the context of morphogenetic social and cultural transformations. It draws on the Slovenian national case as an example of swift structural and cultural shifts towards late modernity. For that purpose, we apply a new measurement tool developed through our previous research, which upgrades Archer’s existing ICONI model by distinguishing between the intensity and the concurrent practicing of the reflexivity modes within the inner dialogue. Based on a general national sample, we confirm not only the reflexivity changes from the older to the younger generations but also the role of education and gender in reflexivity levels and modes. We refer to the problem of deprivation and the importance of linking fractured reflexivity to the challenges, women are facing nowadays. Thus, the article confirms some of the critics of Archer’s work, demonstrating—despite significant individual differences—the clear impact of the individual’s background and her/his position in the social structure.

scholarly journals Investigating Undergraduate Science Students’ Conceptions and Misconceptions of Ocean Acidification

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. ar29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn I. Danielson ◽  
Kimberly D. Tanner
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Science Education ◽  
Education Research ◽  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Environmental Studies ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Undergraduate Biology ◽  
Undergraduate Science

Scientific research exploring ocean acidification has grown significantly in past decades. However, little science education research has investigated the extent to which undergraduate science students understand this topic. Of all undergraduate students, one might predict science students to be best able to understand ocean acidification. What conceptions and misconceptions of ocean acidification do these students hold? How does their awareness and knowledge compare across disciplines? Undergraduate biology, chemistry/biochemistry, and environmental studies students, and science faculty for comparison, were assessed on their awareness and understanding. Results revealed low awareness and understanding of ocean acidification among students compared with faculty. Compared with biology or chemistry/biochemistry students, more environmental studies students demonstrated awareness of ocean acidification and identified the key role of carbon dioxide. Novel misconceptions were also identified. These findings raise the question of whether undergraduate science students are prepared to navigate socioenvironmental issues such as ocean acidification.

The Relevance of the Dual Systems Model for Predicting Offending Among College Students: The Moderating Role of Deviant Peer Influence

2021 ◽  
pp. 073401682110369
Author(s):  
Thomas Wojciechowski
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Peer Influence ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Dual Systems ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Systems Model

Past research as indicated the relevance of the dual systems model for understanding offending. However, there is a dearth of research focused on how deviant peer influence may condition the relationships between dual systems constructs (impulsivity and sensation seeking) and offending. The present study utilized data from 248 undergraduate students to better understand these relationships. A series of logistic regression models first examined the direct effects of these three constructs and then predicted interactions. Deviant peer influence interacted significantly with both dual systems constructs, indicating that the greatest risk of offending was observed among participants reporting high levels of all of these constructs. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the impulsivity interaction may be more relevant. This indicates the importance of screening college students in psychosocial domains upon entrance into college and providing opportunities for mentorship among those who may be at high risk of offending.

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