This research focuses on the willingness of people who experience(d) debt to contact their creditor and the role of the shame resilience theory, with two main components (feeling trapped and...Show moreThis research focuses on the willingness of people who experience(d) debt to contact their creditor and the role of the shame resilience theory, with two main components (feeling trapped and isolated and feeling powerless). The study had four different conditions and corresponding creditor letters. The first hypothesis was that reducing feeling trapped and isolated leads to more willingness to contact compared to baseline (H1). The second hypothesis was that inducing power leads to more willingness to contact compared to baseline (H2). Results showed that both conditions scored significantly higher on willingness to contact compared to the baseline condition. We explored if the combined condition leads to more willingness to contact compared to the reduced feeling trapped condition (Exploration analysis 1). Secondly, we explored if the combined condition scored higher on willingness to contact compared to the induced power condition (Exploration analysis 2). Results showed that the combined intervention was no more effective than a single intervention.Show less
This research focused on analysing the behaviour of ethnic leaders in autocratic ethnofederal regimes during changing economic situations of economic growth and contraction and in changing...Show moreThis research focused on analysing the behaviour of ethnic leaders in autocratic ethnofederal regimes during changing economic situations of economic growth and contraction and in changing political landscape of democratization and autocratization. More specifically, the focus was on the Russian Federation and its two ethnic republics: Republic Sakha and the Republic of Chuvashia. The cases were picked to represent a wealthy and a poor region of Russia. The analysis was conducted through qualitative content analysis of primary sourced speeches and secondary sourced interpretations of speeches given by ethnic elites such as heads of the republic, other political figures, or important business elites. The analysis was organized into two periods of democratization 1997-2000 and autocratization 2008-2011, and 4 sub-periods: 1997-1998 and 2008-2009 (economic contraction periods), and 1999-2000 and 2010-2011 (economic growth periods). The results found that Sakha as the wealthier republic is generally more secessionist during periods of economic contraction during both democratization and autocratization. Support was also found for the expectation that ethnic elites will prove more secessionist during democratization periods.Show less
Negotiations are important processes that can happen anywhere from an office to a private setting. Previous research has already stated that information exchange can help to come to a so called...Show moreNegotiations are important processes that can happen anywhere from an office to a private setting. Previous research has already stated that information exchange can help to come to a so called integrative agreement (win-win situation), which usually leads to better outcomes for both parties. However, there is still little known about the strategies to seek information. One way of seeking information is through asking either open or closed questions. Therefore, the current research investigates whether there is a difference between open and closed questions on negotiation outcomes. The prediction was that open questions generate a higher integrative agreement, higher subjective value and higher trust in the other party than closed questions. The experiment consisted of 48 duos who negotiated about organising a teamday. Both participants took on a role which was connected to a certain point distribution system. It has been found that, contradicting the predictions, there were no significant differences found between closed and open questions on integrative agreement, higher subjective value and higher level of trust. Certain experimental factors like the roleplay, time pressure and a participation lottery, could have influenced the results. Therefore, more research is needed on this topic to check if the results can be confirmed or rejected.Show less
Abstract The primary goal of this study was to investigate the effect of personal interest on reading comprehension. All eighteen participants received three texts that fit their personal interests...Show moreAbstract The primary goal of this study was to investigate the effect of personal interest on reading comprehension. All eighteen participants received three texts that fit their personal interests (high interest condition) and three texts that did not (low interest condition). After the participants read the texts, their reading comprehension was measured using two types of text questions. In addition, a measure of overall reading motivation was obtained. By differentiating between literal and bridging questions, the current study aimed to get insights into the underlying cognitive processes of reading comprehension. Repeated Measures ANOVA’ s did not show a significant effect of personal interest on reading comprehension, nor when using literal or bridging questions as outcome variables. There was neither an interaction-effect of overall reading motivation. The lack of significant results could be explained by a ceiling effect. An exploratory analysis showed significant chi-square relationship between personal interest and prior knowledge. Overall, we concluded that the study should be repeated with younger participants before final conclusions can be drawn. To get deeper understanding of the underlying cognitive processes, future research should also incorporate on-line measurements of reading comprehension. Abstract (Nederlands) Het voornaamste doel van de huidige studie was om de invloed van persoonlijke interesse op tekstbegrip te onderzoeken. Alle achttien participanten kregen drie teksten toegewezen over onderwerpen die bij hun persoonlijke voorkeur pasten (hoge interesse conditie) en drie onderwerpen die dat niet deden (lage interesse conditie). Na het lezen werd tekstbegrip met twee type tekstvragen gemeten en aanvullend werd een meting gedaan van de algemene leesmotivatie. Door onderscheid te maken tussen letterlijke en overbruggende tekstvragen werd voorzichtig beoogd inzicht te verkrijgen in onderliggende begripsprocessen. Repeated measures ANOVA ’s liet en geen significant effect zien van persoonlijke interesse op het tekstbegrip, ook niet met letterlijke- of overbruggende vragen als uitkomstvariabelen. Er was ook geen interactie-effect met algemene leesmotivatie. Het uitblijven van een effect zou verklaard kunnen worden door een plafondeffect. Met een exploratieve chi-kwadraattoets werd wel een significant resultaat gevonden wat suggereerde dat de mate van voorkennis samenhangt met persoonlijke interesse. Geconcludeerd werd dat de huidige studie zou moeten worden herhaald met jongere participanten voordat sluitende conclusies kunnen worden getrokken. Om dieper inzicht te verkrijgen in onderliggende begripsprocessen, zijn vervolgstudies nodig waarbij ook daadwerkelijk een meting tijdens het lezen wordt gedaan.Show less
Research master thesis | Developmental Psychopathology in Education and Child Studies (research) (MSc)
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This thesis is part of a multi-lab eye-tracking project investigating implicit Theory of Mind (ToM) in toddlers and adults (ManyBabies2). Given the recent number of unsuccessful replications in...Show moreThis thesis is part of a multi-lab eye-tracking project investigating implicit Theory of Mind (ToM) in toddlers and adults (ManyBabies2). Given the recent number of unsuccessful replications in this field, the focus of this thesis lies in investigating the impact of methodological considerations regarding data quality on the obtained results. Specifically, this thesis addresses differences in eye-tracking data quality (accuracy, precision, and data loss) between toddlers and adults. Further, it examines how differences in data quality (precision and data loss) affect the dependent variables in an anticipatory looking (AL) task to measure ToM, and whether the results of the AL task change by adjusting the parameters of a standard fixation classification algorithm (i.e., the Tobii I-VT filter) to account for low data quality. A total of 16 adults and 16 toddlers (N = 32) participated in the ManyBabies2 study at the Leiden University lab. The AL task included two test trials with an ignorance and knowledge condition, during which participants’ looking behavior (first look and proportion differential looking score [DLS]) was measured. The results showed a significant difference in average data quality between toddlers and adults, with toddlers having lower accuracy and precision and higher data loss than adults. Moreover, the results indicated that data loss significantly affects proportion DLS in the ignorance and knowledge condition. However, no differences in AL looking behavior were found between the Tobii I-VT default and adjusted parameters. The findings of this thesis emphasize the need for consistent reporting of data quality. Future research should conduct larger-scale studies to validate and expand upon the findings in this thesis, and focus on refining the fixation classification algorithm parameters of the Tobii I-VT filter to adjust for differences in data quality.Show less
Predictive coding postulates that our brain develop an internal model of the external world to predict incoming information. However, these internal models need to be constantly updated, since the...Show morePredictive coding postulates that our brain develop an internal model of the external world to predict incoming information. However, these internal models need to be constantly updated, since the expected stimulus and actual sensory input could not coincide. This discrepancy generates activations in the brain, the so-called prediction errors. There are two types of prediction errors: the positive prediction error is triggered when an unpredicted stimulus appears, whilst negative prediction error is triggered by the omission of a predicted stimulus. This fMRI study explores the involvement of auditory subcortical nuclei, specifically the inferior colliculus (IC) and the medial geniculate body (MGB), in eliciting and encoding negative prediction errors. Five healthy participants were involved in the study, employing a variation of the auditory oddball paradigm with abstract rules to manipulate subjects’ expectations. Notably, subjects were aware that within a 7-sound sequence, one sound would be omitted in one of three known positions. We conducted a two-level analysis: the first level used a General Linear Model (GLM) on single subjects, followed by a second analysis using a Linear Mixed Effect (LME) model at the group level. Both bilateral MGB and left IC showed activations in response to omitted sounds. Notably, only the bilateral MGB resulted in encoding negative prediction errors, showing a decreased activation as subjects’ expectations of sound omissions increased. Our findings suggest that the auditory brain dynamically updates the internal model of the external environment when the sensory input deviates from expectations, such as the omission of expected sounds. The results provide insights into the hierarchical organisation of the auditory pathway, paving the way for future research to explore the differential involvement of auditory lemniscal and non-lemniscal pathways in encoding negative prediction errors. Additionally, this study posits the first steps in comprehending the neural processes underlying auditory perception as well as in providing insights for understanding perceptual anomalies, such as hallucinations and delusions.Show less
Background: The intricate interplay of social factors (loneliness, the need to belong, social connectiveness), and maladaptive eating patterns is still not entirely understood. Reduced social...Show moreBackground: The intricate interplay of social factors (loneliness, the need to belong, social connectiveness), and maladaptive eating patterns is still not entirely understood. Reduced social connectiveness may contribute to a greater prevalence of maladaptive eating patterns, especially in individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The current study aimed to explore these associations. Methods: In the current study N=62 women with BPD and N=47 healthy women completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Need to Belong Scale, the revised Social Connectedness scale, and supplemental items of the Borderline Symptom List 23. Linear regression, group comparisons, and moderation analyses were performed to test within- and between-group associations. Results: The results revealed a significant positive association between loneliness as well as need to belong and maladaptive eating patterns. Conversely, a significant negative relationship emerged between social connectiveness and maladaptive eating patterns. Patients with BPD reported more loneliness, need to belong, and more maladaptive eating, while experiencing less social connectedness. At the same time, these associations were not significantly stronger in the BPD group than in the healthy group. Conclusion: These findings underscore that, in the whole group, experiences of loneliness, a heightened need to belong, and lower social connectiveness are linked to increased instances of maladaptive eating patterns. While social factors play a significant role in maladaptive eating patterns, the presence of BPD may not substantially alter these associations. More research including larger samples and prospective studies are needed in order to further clarify and understand the role of BPD in this context.Show less
Previous studies on uncertainty have acknowledged the efficacy of job control as a way to cope and enhance job satisfaction, although the literature using intolerance of uncertainty remains...Show morePrevious studies on uncertainty have acknowledged the efficacy of job control as a way to cope and enhance job satisfaction, although the literature using intolerance of uncertainty remains relatively scarce. Our study aimed to address this gap by investigating the mediating role of job control in the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and job satisfaction. The proposed hypotheses were that (i) there would be a statistically significant negative association between intolerance of uncertainty and job satisfaction and that (ii) the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and job satisfaction would be mediated by job control. The study was carried out on a sample of 109 adults, working in the Netherlands. Mediation analysis using PROCESS Procedure by Andrew Hayes was used. Contrary to expectations, hypotheses were not supported. A positive significant relationship was found between job control and job satisfaction. Results and implications of the study have been discussed.Show less
To understand how someone feels when they're bullied at work and no one steps in to help, we looked at what victims think, how they feel, and what they need most during bullying at work. We thought...Show moreTo understand how someone feels when they're bullied at work and no one steps in to help, we looked at what victims think, how they feel, and what they need most during bullying at work. We thought that those who didn't get any help would feel more like it’s their own fault, they would feel more down, and would have a stronger desire to fit in the group, to have control over the situation, to feel like their life has a purpose and to feel good about oneself. We asked 163 victims about their experiences through an online survey on Qualtrics. The independent sample t test showed that victims of workspace bullying who didn’t get help felt a stronger sense of not fitting in the group and a stronger sense of their life lacking purpose. Whether they got help or not didn't change how much they felt it was their own fault, how much they were feeling down and their need to have control over the situation and need to feel good about oneself. In the discussion we talk about what this means and its importance.Show less
This thesis examines how brain drain can be problematized in light of relational egalitarianism. This approach views the existing economy as that of joint production as it relies heavily on mutual...Show moreThis thesis examines how brain drain can be problematized in light of relational egalitarianism. This approach views the existing economy as that of joint production as it relies heavily on mutual dependency between citizens. Here, it aims to find whether the moral duty citizens hold towards one another can legitimately place restrictions on freedom of movement in the case of brain drain. Through taking relational egalitarianism to its normative furthests, it becomes clear that the right to exit can legitimately be constricted.Show less
Background. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a rare neurogenetic disorder. Little longitudinal research has been conducted on the development of intelligence in children with NF1. The purpose of...Show moreBackground. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a rare neurogenetic disorder. Little longitudinal research has been conducted on the development of intelligence in children with NF1. The purpose of this research was to explore the development of total IQ (TIQ), verbal IQ (VIQ), and performance IQ (PIQ) in children with NF1, as well as to determine whether ADHD can affect this development, expecting TIQ, VIQ, and PIQ to decrease over time. Method. To test these hypotheses, intelligence scores (WPPSI-III) were examined in a sample of children with NF1 (N=171) by comparing 2–4-year-olds (T3) and 5–7-year-olds (T6) in both a longitudinal and cross-sectional design. For the longitudinal study, 40 participants were analysed with paired samples t-tests to examine whether TIQ, VIQ, and PIQ decrease over time. To examine how ADHD influenced intelligence, a multivariable regression was conducted. For the cross-sectional study, 45 children participated in T3 and 86 in T6. Multiple independent samples t-tests were conducted to examine changes in TIQ, VIQ, and PIQ, followed by an analysis that examined whether children with ADHD scored differently than children without ADHD. Results. Results of the longitudinal study revealed a significant increase in TIQ from T3 to T6 (p = .015, d = .36), as well as for VIQ (p = .021, d = .34) and PIQ (p = .020, d = .34). However, no significant effect was found for ADHD. Exploring the cross-sectional hypotheses, no significant change was found in TIQ, VIQ, and PIQ. In addition, ADHD also produced no effect on intelligence in these groups. Conclusion. This study has identified an increase of TIQ, VIQ, and PIQ scores in the longitudinal group. In contrast, the results in the cross-sectional study revealed no change in intelligence scores. These findings challenge the assumption that intelligence either decreases or increases meaning for researchers and clinicians to thoroughly evaluate intelligence scores and carry out diagnosis of ADHD so that guidance and education can be tailored, as children with NF1 remain a vulnerable and diverse group.Show less
This research focused on women and their children who have recently moved in to a women’s shelter after experiencing domestic violence. Women who have suffered domestic violence have a high chance...Show moreThis research focused on women and their children who have recently moved in to a women’s shelter after experiencing domestic violence. Women who have suffered domestic violence have a high chance of developing trauma-related symptoms, which can affect their mental health and parenting skills. Often, these women’s children are at risk of developing externalizing behaviour, which can lead to violent and criminal behaviour in the future. This research aimed to study the relationship between trauma-related symptoms in mothers and externalizing behaviour of their children. The age at which mothers had their first child was used as a moderator. Data was collected within the research project Samen Stap Voor Stap Vooruit, by visiting women in their shelter. There were three visits per participant, each consisting of a set of questionnaires being taken and video recordings being made of the interaction between mother and child. Data from questionnaires of the first visit were used for this paper. After performing regression analyses with trauma-related symptoms and age of first becoming a mother as independent variables and children’s externalizing behaviour as dependent variable, no relation was found between these variables for the total model. However, there was a positive relation between the age at which a mother had her first child and the externalizing behaviour of the participating child. Children of mothers who were older at first conception were more likely to score higher on externalizing behaviour. The idea of social timing can possibly explain this, with older mothers perhaps having a smaller social safety net, more health issues, less energy, or having stayed longer in the abusive relationship. Further research about the possible relation between being a relatively older mother and externalizing problems in the children is encouraged, as current literature about this topic is slim.Show less
The present study aims to investigate the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty at workplace on employee’s intentions of turnover and the effect of perceived organizational support on...Show moreThe present study aims to investigate the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty at workplace on employee’s intentions of turnover and the effect of perceived organizational support on this relationship. The study hypothesizes that employees who are intolerant to uncertainty will report more intentions of turnover. Furthermore, it is also expected that perceived organizational support will moderate this relationship. The hypotheses were investigated on 137 working participants, age ranged from 18 to 64 years old, via online survey. Participants filled out demographics form, intolerance of uncertainty scale, perceived organizational support scale and turnover intention scale. Findings have found no significant support for both hypotheses. However, a significant, negative relationship between perceived organizational support and turnover intention has found, suggesting that when organizational support is perceived high, employees are less intended to turnover.Show less
This study explores whether generating more options influences how satisfied people feel about their decisions, whether they are choosing for themselves or someone else. This is relevant because it...Show moreThis study explores whether generating more options influences how satisfied people feel about their decisions, whether they are choosing for themselves or someone else. This is relevant because it provides insights into the complexity of consumer behavior, where factors such as the variability in the number of alternatives influence this decision-making process and the satisfaction of consumers. Participants were asked to respond to open-ended questions about various real-life situations where a choice had to be made. Subsequently, they selected their preferred option and rated their satisfaction with it. Surprisingly, the results showed no significant differences in satisfaction, regardless of having more or fewer options to choose from. Additionally, the placement of the chosen option in the list of all generated options made also no difference in satisfaction level. Furthermore, participants generated more options for someone else compared to for themselves. However, again in this condition, their satisfaction remained the same.Show less
The selective attention towards specific emotional concerns, such as itch- related stimuli, is referred to as attentional bias (AB). The relationship between AB and itch has been scarcely...Show moreThe selective attention towards specific emotional concerns, such as itch- related stimuli, is referred to as attentional bias (AB). The relationship between AB and itch has been scarcely researched, with contradictory findings among healthy individuals. While some studies report no attentional bias for itch in this population, others establish a relationship. In individuals experiencing chronic itch, findings are more harmonious and indicate a relationship between attentional bias and itch. The influence of negative affect on attention towards itch, regarding itch-related symptoms, remains unclear in the scientific field. In light of these gaps, this study aimed to investigate AB towards itch in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) or psoriasis compared to a healthy control group. We also explored the potential influence of catastrophizing thoughts about itch and the degree of experienced itch on AB towards itch. We conducted an online study, utilising a pictorial dot-probe task to measure attentional bias in a total of 70 participants: half were patients suffering from AD or psoriasis, and the other half were healthy controls. Various measures were employed, including a dot-probe task, a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) to report the current level of itch, and Pain Catastrophizing Scale Adjusted for Itch (PCS-I). In line with the initial hypothesis, the study did reveal the presence of a significant AB towards itch in the patient group, but an absence of one in the control group. Additionally, we found that a higher degree of catastrophizing thoughts about itch and experienced itch did not predict AB towards itch in either group, which contradicted the initial hypothesis. Implications of this study suggest the need for further exploration into the influence of beliefs, expectancies, and stigmatisation on AB towards itch in patients suffering from AD or psoriasis. Moreover, in addition to physiological treatment, mindfulness cognitive therapy could be effective to target AB in individuals suffering from chronic itch. In conclusion, although the study did not yield all the anticipated results, it contributes valuable information to future research on the topic.Show less
