Due to recent advances within the field of machine learning and computing power becoming more readily available, the use of machine learning within the field of psychology has increased. However,...Show moreDue to recent advances within the field of machine learning and computing power becoming more readily available, the use of machine learning within the field of psychology has increased. However, potential remains for greater use of machine learning within the field of psychology. In this study the usability and performance of 3 machine learning models namely K-nearest neighbors, the Random forest, and the Support vector machine algorithms were assessed when predicting gender, marital status, and family size from Big 5 personality measures and the Holland Code Career Test. Repeated cross-validation was combined with grid search to ensure performance measure accuracy and to optimize model accuracy and F1-score. The performances of the 3 models were compared to the performance of logistic regression to assess whether these models could outperform a model regularly used within psychology. The 3 models consistently outperformed the logistic regression under almost all conditions and proved far superior for groups sizes over 500 even outperforming logistic regression by 10 percentage points under some conditions. However, caution was advised due to wide confidence intervals for small group sizes (n ≤ 200). Therefore, a study was proposed with the aim to enhance predictions for small group sizes, focusing on feedforward neural networks, known to be able to capture complex relationships even with limited data. Addressing these aspects could improve the usability of machine learning in psychology settings involving small group sizes.Show less
Emotion recognition is an important skill for individuals to acquire, leading to effective communication and smooth social interactions. While previous research has extensively studied emotion...Show moreEmotion recognition is an important skill for individuals to acquire, leading to effective communication and smooth social interactions. While previous research has extensively studied emotion recognition in childhood, many of these studies are limited by the use of non-authentic expressions produced by actors and assuming a direct correspondence between facial expressions and felt emotions, disregarding individual context. This study aimed to measure children’s emotion recognition using a more naturalistic approach by comparing self-reported and observer-reported emotions in children. In the first phase of the study, children (8 to 12 years old; N = 10) and adults (18 to 40 years old; N = 10) were filmed while watching emotion-inducing videos and self-reported their emotional experiences. In the second phase, a separate group of children (8 to 12 years old; N = 15) rated the expressed emotions of the participants from the first phase of the study. The concordance between self-reported and observer-reported emotions was examined, with a focus on whether concordance differed across emotions and the age of the stimulus actors. The results indicated that children exhibited similar accuracy in recognizing happiness, sadness, fear and disgust. Additionally, children demonstrated an own age bias, which reflects a better emotion recognition accuracy for own-age faces compared to other-age faces. These findings highlight the importance of considering self-reported emotions and the age of the stimulus actors in understanding the development of emotion recognition. Further research should explore the underlying factors that influence emotion recognition in children using a naturalistic approach.Show less
Background: Organ transplantation recipients have been shown to struggle with medication adherence, which has severe consequences on their health. Research on medication non-adherence has...Show moreBackground: Organ transplantation recipients have been shown to struggle with medication adherence, which has severe consequences on their health. Research on medication non-adherence has demonstrated an inconsistent relationship between social integration and support (SIS) and adherence. Two theories can be used to explain a positive association between SIS and adherence. Firstly, according to the Self-Determination Theory, SIS can influence intrinsic motivation, further influencing adherence. Secondly, the Buffer Hypothesis states that high SIS can buffer the impact of negative life experiences that increase non-adherence. Additionally, some studies have suggested that the relationship between SIS and adherence is different for men and women. Aims: The current study studied the effect of SIS on adherence, hypothesizing that higher SIS would be related to adherence. The second hypothesis was that this effect would be stronger among men compared to women. Methods: To investigate the hypotheses in a cross-sectional study, transplant recipients completed questionnaires about their SIS (Health Education Impact Questionnaire) and medication adherence (Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medication Scale). Recipients were recruited from seven transplant departments of five University Medical Centres. Analyses of the following associations were conducted using logistic regression: (1) SIS and medication adherence, (2) SIS and medication adherence with gender as a covariate. Results: Overall, 168 transplant recipients completed the questionnaires. The mean age was 53.87 (SD: 13.8), most participants were male (62.5%) and 17% of the patients were considered medication non-adherent. There was no significant association between SIS and adherence, (OR = 0.955, 95% CI [0.472 – 1.933). This effect was not significantly influenced by gender, (OR = 0.83, 95% CI [0.149 – 4.624]. Conclusion: No significant associations between SIS, gender and medication adherence were reported. A possible explanation for these findings is that other moderating and mediating factors exist and that the relationship between SIS and medication adherence is more complicated than this study was able to examine. Alternatively, the type of SIS studied was not specific enough to be associated with adherence. Future studies should investigate the factors that influence medication adherence and specify the type of SIS that is crucial for increasing medication adherence.Show less
Abstract: It is not fully understood how effortful control is influenced by environmental factors. Effortful control is an important underpinning of self-regulation and plays influences...Show moreAbstract: It is not fully understood how effortful control is influenced by environmental factors. Effortful control is an important underpinning of self-regulation and plays influences developmental outcomes such as conscious development and externalizing behavior. We investigated if internalized conduct mediated the relation between parental sensitivity and effortful control in children aged 5-8. To do so, questionnaires were used to measure internalized conduct and effortful control and a parent-child drawing task was used to measure sensitive parenting. In the questionnaire for effortful, questions about the levels of effortful control of the child were answered by the primary parent. In the questionnaire for internalized conduct, questions about the levels of internalized conduct of the child were answered by the other parent. The drawing task for parental sensitivity was done by the child and the primary parent. Significant effects were found in parental sensitivity as a predictor of both internalized conduct and effortful control. In addition a significant effect was found in internalized conduct as a predictor of effortful control. However, internalized conduct was not found to be a mediator in the relation between parental sensitivity and effortful control in this study.Show less
Replication is a vital aspect of the scientific process. Yet, research by Makel et al. (2012) found that only 1.57% of psychology articles published between 1945-2011 contained the term “replicat*”...Show moreReplication is a vital aspect of the scientific process. Yet, research by Makel et al. (2012) found that only 1.57% of psychology articles published between 1945-2011 contained the term “replicat*” and only 68.4% thereof were actual replications, resulting in a prevalence estimate of 1.07%. The recent reforms in psychology raise the question whether this has improved. The current study thus aims to replicate Makel et al. (2012) in a new decade. Study 1 showed that the use of “replicat*” almost doubled between 1945-2010 and 2011-2020. In addition, we investigated whether focussing on articles from the top 100 journals based on journal impact factor accurately reflects the prevalence in all journals. We found that “replicat*” use was higher in the top 100 than in all psychology journals. This suggests that restricting the search to the top 100 does not provide the most accurate representation of the field. Thus, in study 2, we manually coded a sample of 343 articles that contained the term “replicat*” from all psychological journals. This showed that 72.60% of the coded articles were actual replications, resulting in an estimate for the prevalence of replications in psychology between 2011 and 2020 of 2.55%. Furthermore,“replicat*” was used to state that replication was needed (20.67%), results were in line with previous findings (8.45%) or to discuss the topic in a theoretical manner (2.62%). Like Makel et al. (2012), we found that conceptual replications are five times more prevalent than direct replications. Further characteristics of the replication studies are discussed. Taken together, the prevalence of replications in psychology has increased. Limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed.Show less
A Jungian approach to Harry Potter would entail the idea that for the story to be complete, the characters must confront and integrate these many aspects of their psyche. However, as implied by the...Show moreA Jungian approach to Harry Potter would entail the idea that for the story to be complete, the characters must confront and integrate these many aspects of their psyche. However, as implied by the title of this thesis, not every significant character is capable of doing so for a variety of reasons. This thesis will largely concentrate on The Helper, The Villain, and The Hero; namely, Remus Lupin, Voldemort, and Harry Potter. This thesis will examine these characters’ journeys towards wholeness and will explore to what extent they are successful in completing their “quests.” By dividing this thesis into four parts, one for each character, and one for an in-depth literary examination of Jung’s theory of Individuation, this thesis will shed a light on Lupin, Voldemort, and Harry’s Shadow selves. After a comprehensive study of the seven books and an in-depth examination of these three characters, this thesis will conclude that not every character is capable of confronting their Shadow for a number of internal and external reasons. Using the characters of Remus Lupin, Tom Riddle, and Harry Potter, this study asserts that although Remus is incapable of embracing his Shadow Self and Tom is opposed to it, Harry eventually does so. Additionally, this thesis will illustrate that, much as Lily Potter’s love for Harry saved his life, it is love that enables him to embrace his whole Self; his dark and light Persona.Show less
Humanity’s excessive consumptive behaviour is the primary cause of ecological destruction. Yet, neither lowering consumption nor production levels seem to be addressed in environmental policies and...Show moreHumanity’s excessive consumptive behaviour is the primary cause of ecological destruction. Yet, neither lowering consumption nor production levels seem to be addressed in environmental policies and thus remain notably high. Therefore, this dissertation investigates the psychological roots of humanity’s ecologically destructive consumptive behaviour. My hypothesis is that ecological alienation and self-alienation are the main, compounding factors of ecologically destructive consumptive behaviour. Ecological alienation leads to devaluation of nature. As environmental values are paramount to sustainability-driven behaviour, devaluation of nature decreases the prevalence of such behaviour. Additionally, I argue that humanity’s excessive consumption is driven by consumptive addiction whereby individuals substitute their authentic physical, mental and emotional needs with consumption; and that this consumptive addiction is rooted in self-alienation. I suggest that ecological alienation and self-alienation are themselves rooted in the modern industrial worldview and its related value systems, and that these factors influence and reinforce each other. Ultimately, what is necessary to counter ecologically destructive addictive consumptive behaviour might be exactly what runs the risk of being indefinitely destroyed because of it: humanity’s reconnection with nature.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges (LUC) (BA/BSc)
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In recent years, a debate has emerged around the potential of plastic pollution to direct attention away from other, arguably more urgent environmental issues, such as climate change. Little...Show moreIn recent years, a debate has emerged around the potential of plastic pollution to direct attention away from other, arguably more urgent environmental issues, such as climate change. Little research has examined pro-environmental behavior (PEB) spillover from engaging in action against plastic pollution (plastic PEB) to supporting climate change policy. In this study, 81 undergraduate students at a university in the Netherlands completed a plastic cleanup activity as part of a sustainability-focused course. Subsequently, these students, as well as 80 students in a control condition, completed an online survey assessing frequency of engagement in plastic PEB, climate change concern, environmental self-identity, and support for a campus climate change fund. Results showed no spillover from plastic PEB to climate change policy support. However, this study also investigated the potential mediating effect of climate change concern, which revealed that frequency of engagement in plastic PEB had a significant positive effect on climate change concern, but climate change concern had no effect on climate change policy support. These findings suggest that encouraging individuals to engage in plastic PEB can increase awareness and concern about climate change, yet there is a disconnect between climate change concern and climate change policy support. The results of this study have implications for those interested in PEB spillover between different environmental issues, specifically using widespread initiatives, such as plastic cleanup activities and recycling, to increase awareness and policy support for other sustainability efforts.Show less
Making unplanned decisions during data analysis can increase the likelihood of finding evidence that unjustly supports a hypothesis. To reduce this bias, Data blinding hides certain aspects of the...Show moreMaking unplanned decisions during data analysis can increase the likelihood of finding evidence that unjustly supports a hypothesis. To reduce this bias, Data blinding hides certain aspects of the data in order to allow researchers to make data-dependent decisions (e.g., checking assumptions to ensure the right analysis is chosen) without knowing the influence of these decisions on results of a hypothesis test. In this study, we examined the suitability of different blinding techniques for three common analyses in psychology: independent samples Student’s t-test, analysis of variance (Type III sum of squares and F-test), and linear least squares regression. For each analysis type, we evaluate whether data blinding techniques interfere with assumption checks and whether they constrain p-hacking. Based on these criteria, we recommend data blinders to center group means for the independent samples Student’s t-test and ANOVA, and to scramble predictor names for regression. We provide guidelines for researchers and data blinders for each step in the data blinding process and introduce a tool that allows data blinders to easily apply the data blinding techniques to a dataset (i.e., the “blindData” R-package). It is discussed how data blinding, combined with preregistration, benefits the integrity of research output.Show less
This paper includes an analysis of the Milgram Experiment in order to compare the behaviour of both the subjects in the experiment to the My Lai massacre war veterans of the Vietnam War. There is a...Show moreThis paper includes an analysis of the Milgram Experiment in order to compare the behaviour of both the subjects in the experiment to the My Lai massacre war veterans of the Vietnam War. There is a comparison possible, however Milgram has failed to include some aspects of a real life case study.Show less
This thesis explores the introduction and application of industrial psychology at the Rowntree's Cocoa Works in Britain during the interwar years. It reflects on the ways in which industrial...Show moreThis thesis explores the introduction and application of industrial psychology at the Rowntree's Cocoa Works in Britain during the interwar years. It reflects on the ways in which industrial psychology integrated itself within labour management.Show less
There is increasing awareness of the importance of the body in psychology and philosophy of mind. Embodied accounts of the self are promising in explaining the perceived unity and continuity...Show moreThere is increasing awareness of the importance of the body in psychology and philosophy of mind. Embodied accounts of the self are promising in explaining the perceived unity and continuity characteristic of it: the body provides spatiotemporal locatedness, and embodied experience provides relationships to and interaction with the environment. Given this emphasis on the body, it is surprising to find a lack of consideration of how the embodied self persists through time: as a three-dimensional entity, or rather as a four-dimensional one with temporal parts as well as spatial parts? Conversely, in discussions on persistence over time, a purely mental approach is dominant. I set out to detail the metaphysical debate on persistence, how it is typically applied to persons, and develop a novel account merging various influential lines of thought. The result is an embodied self as a perduring, bio-processual entity.Show less
The omnipresence of references to nostalgia in contemporary culture confirms its popular reputation as the strongest drug. The nostalgia market is booming: from entertainment and business to...Show moreThe omnipresence of references to nostalgia in contemporary culture confirms its popular reputation as the strongest drug. The nostalgia market is booming: from entertainment and business to politics. The very status of the emotion of affection for things past, however, remains a passionately contested notion on many fronts. What is there that can be said about the virtues of nostalgia? In brief, is nostalgia good or bad for us? I will approach these questions by exploring the answers already available in the academic discourses of psychology and historiography. There are two features particular to nostalgia: it is an emotion and it is concerned with the past; hence, psychology and historiography were selected here as the two disciplines most closely engaged with the said areas. The pool of studies from these two disciplines selected here represent strikingly opposing perspectives on nostalgia and thus an investigation of the viewpoints which they exemplify promises fertile learning grounds.Show less
This thesis investigates the persuasion methods used by ISIS in several propaganda videos and how these methods psychologically appeal to western male youths.
This thesis raises the point that incorporating bottom-up understandings of psychology in Chinese society can give us a more complete outlook on the level of development of psychology in the nation...Show moreThis thesis raises the point that incorporating bottom-up understandings of psychology in Chinese society can give us a more complete outlook on the level of development of psychology in the nation. This is done by using academic stress as the focus of research. By looking at Chinese internet sources of everyday situations of academic stress and analyzing these with the help of Foucauldian thought and the theory of “Interpretive Perspective”, these results are compared to the current state of psychology as an academic discourse in China. It is concluded that psychology is indeed much more developed in China than top-down academic discourse may give it credit for. Furthermore, a more complete account on how academic stress is experienced by students in China is given by integrating primary internet sources with secondary literature and finds that academic stress is not expressed the same by all students.Show less
In daily life, we speak of ‘waiting for inspiration’, for instance when starting with a new work of art. However, it is not clear what this means. Is it possible to lie on a couch and literally...Show moreIn daily life, we speak of ‘waiting for inspiration’, for instance when starting with a new work of art. However, it is not clear what this means. Is it possible to lie on a couch and literally wait for inspiration to come? And if inspiration is indeed such a passive process, what does this tell us about our own responsibility? This thesis therefore focuses on inspiration and its relation to control and (moral) responsibility. Firstly, I will discuss the phenomenon ‘inspiration’ by means of the multi-disciplinary literature search that I conducted. Secondly, I will place the subject of inspiration in the debate on control and (moral) responsibility. I will conclude that popular notions (such as ‘alternative possibilities’ or ‘reason-responsiveness’) are difficult to apply to inspiration. Inspiration seems to be a ‘curious case’; the relation to control and responsibility is not easily defined.Show less
