The latent structure and reliability of the emotional trait section of the Affective and Emotional Composite Temperament Scale (AFECTS)

Abstract Background The Emotional and Affective Composite Temperament (AFECT) model describes originally six traits of volition, anger, inhibition (fear and caution subordinate factors), control, sensitivity, and coping. However, fear and caution have shown opposite relatioships with criteria-variables, indicating factor independence. Objective The current investigation aimed to advance in the evaluation of the psychometric properties of the emotional trait section of the Emotional and Affective Composite Temperament Scale (AFECTS) by examining the suitability of a 7-factor structure and the reliability of each scale using data from a population-based sample. Methods AFECTS was administered via face-to-face assessments in a single-session, population-based cross-sectional survey. Samples was composed of teenagers and adults (14 to 35 years). The latent structure and reliability were analyzed via structural equation modeling: confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the a priori correlated 7-factor model (with fear and caution designed as single-factors) and trait-scores reliability was assessed by the estimation of information curves. Results Findings attested the suitability of the 7-factor model presumed to underline the item set of the traits section of AFECTS and information curve interpretation showed adequate levels of reliability for all trait-scores. Discussion The 7-factor model showed robust indicators of construct validity for the AFECTS.

Linking Psychological Traits With Criminal Behaviour: A Review

Objective: Apart from environmental and social factors, psychological traits is largely linked with criminal and delinquent behaviour. The purpose of this article is to review four critical psychological traits of individuals that may lead to criminal behaviour in a nutshell. Methods: An archival research methodology was employed in this study where relevant search for literatures on these four psychological traits was made across search engines such as Google Scholar with relevant articles selected for this review. The literatures were microscopically reviewed in order to demonstrate the linkage between psychological traits and criminal behaviour. Results: Four psychological traits: personality trait, low self-control, aggression behaviour, and cognitive distortion were chosen to address such linkages. All these four traits were discussed thoroughly in relation to crime and criminality contexts. Conclusion: It is crucial to understand the role of these traits and in-depth understanding of each psychological trait with relation of criminal behaviour offers and opportunity to the public at large to expand their knowledge on the importance of practicing and equipping oneself with healthy psychological traits to hinder criminal and delinquent acts.

Psychological traits underlying different killing methods amongMalaysian male murderers

Murder is the most notorious crime that violates religious, social and cultural norms. Examining the types and number of different killing methods that used are pivotal in a murder case. However, the psychological traits underlying specific and multiple killing methods are still understudied. The present study attempts to fill this gap in knowledge by identifying the underlying psychological traits of different killing methods among Malaysian murderers. The study adapted an observational cross-sectional methodology using a guided self-administered questionnaire for data collection. The sampling frame consisted of 71 Malaysian male murderers from 11 Malaysian prisons who were selected using purposive sampling method. The participants were also asked to provide the types and number of different killing methods used to kill their respective victims. An independent sample t-test was performed to establish the mean score difference of psychological traits between the murderers who used single and multiple types of killing methods. Kruskal-Wallis tests were carried out to ascertain the psychological trait differences between specific types of killing methods. The results suggest that specific psychological traits underlie the type and number of different killing methods used during murder. The majority (88.7%) of murderers used a single method of killing. Multiple methods of killing was evident in ‘premeditated’ murder compared to ‘passion’ murder, and revenge was a common motive. Examples of multiple methods are combinations of stabbing and strangulation or slashing and physical force. An exception was premeditated murder committed with shooting, when it was usually a single method, attributed to the high lethality of firearms. Shooting was also notable when the motive was financial gain or related to drug dealing. Murderers who used multiple killing methods were more aggressive and sadistic than those who used a single killing method. Those who used multiple methods or slashing also displayed a higher level of minimisation traits. Despite its limitations, this study has provided some light on the underlying psychological traits of different killing methods which is useful in the field of criminology.

Effect of systemic family dynamics, egma minnen bardndom on psychological traits and treatment efficacy of the first onset schizophrenia / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

[Abstrict] Objective To explore the effect of systemic family dynamics,egma minnen bardndom on the psychological traits,treatment efficacy of the first onset schizophrenia.Methods 53 schizophrenia patients with first onset were assessed by Self-rating Scale of Systemic Family Dynamics (SSFD),Egma Minnen Bardndom Uppforstran (EMBU),Neurotism Scale (Nf),Psychoticism (PSY),Paranoia Scale (Pa),Psychopathic Deviate Scale (Pd),Tolerance Scale(To) of MMPI-2,and lie Scale (L) was used to control assessment effectiveness.40 normal control cases were assessed by SSFD and EMBU.The scale scores between study group and control groupwere compared,and correlation and regression of study group were analyzed.Results Scores of family atmosphere,individuation,system logic of SSFD were higher in study group than those in control group (t=4.04,3.295,2.44,all P＜0.05),scores of emotional warmth and understand of EMBU in father and mother were lower in study group than those in control group (t=2.925,3.45,all P＜0.01),scores of refused and deny and punishment and stern of EMBU in father and mother were higher in study group than those in control group((t=4.715,4.971,4.331,4.067,all P＜0.01)).And correlation analysis showed that refused and deny of EMBU of father and mother,punishment and stern of EMBU of mother and PSY had significantly positive correlation(r=0.3378,0.4677,0.2895,all P＜0.05),refused and deny and punishment and stern of EMBU of father and mother and Pa had significantly negative correlation (r=-0.2913,-0.3254,-0.5003,-0.3242,all P＜0.05),punishment and stern and excessive interference of EMBU of father and Pd had significant positive correlation (r=0.3417,0.2958,all P＜0.05),PSY of MMPI-2 and treatment effect had significant negative correlation (r=-0.3194,P＜0.05).Regression analysis showed that psychoticism to forecast the poor treatment effect the rate was 10.2％,father and mother the refused and deny to forecast psychoticism high mark the rate respectively were 11.41％ and 21.87％,mother the severe punishment to forecast the psychoticism high mark the rate was 8.13％,Conclusion Father and mother the refused and deny,mother severe punishment have effects on psychological traits of the first onset schizophrenia,psychoticism of psychological traits has an affect on treatment efficacy,the psychoticism high mark presages the poor treatment efficacy.

A behavioral study of psycho-physiological characteristics of experimental tonic cold and heat pain / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the psycho-physiological characteristics of experimental tonic cold and heat pain in a behavioral study. Methods Sixty healthy subjects went through the tonic cold and tonic heat stimulation in a counter-balanced order. Psychological traits were measured before the experiment. Pain intensity ratings were recorded together with continuous Infrared thermal imaging recording. SF-MPQ was employed to assess pain intensity and affective measures. Results Anxiety and fear were positively correlated with cold pain intensity on SF-MPQ,while GESE was negatively correlated with that of heat pain (r =0.57,P <0.05; r =0.45,P <0.05,respectively). Verbal descriptors chosen from SF-MPQ for cold and heat pain significantly differed(χ2=18.6,P =0.04). Infrared thermal imaging results showed after stimulation,heat pain intensity ratings decreased simultaneously with skin surface temperature recovery to baseline. In contrast,skin surface temperature began to return to baseline well before the cold sensation began to diminish(t =34.57,P <0.05; t =23.66,P <0.05). Conclusion Experimental tonic cold and heat pain are not psychophysically identical,but may be predicted by different psychological traits,and may reside in differential peripheral and central processing in human.