Curiosity, model change and trainted heart - June article recommendation
How can curiosity be revived? Is there a link between high parental expectations and addiction to play? How does the level of trust influence the role of boards of trustees in model-shifting universities? What are the characteristics of a hardened heart? Below is our June selection of publications by ELTE PPK faculty. Click on each title to read short summaries of the articles with the place of publication and links to the articles.
Contents
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Influencing prior knowledge through a short reading impacts curiosity and learning
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The approximate number system cannot be the leading factor in the acquisition of the first symbolic numbers
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The aversive bystander effect whereby egalitarian bystanders overestimate the confrontation of prejudice
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Myths and Reality About Confronting Anti-Gay Prejudice: Who Confronts and Why (Not)?
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Pursuing virtual perfection: Preoccupation with failure mediates the association between internalized parental criticism and gaming disorder
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The role of boards in Hungarian public interest foundation universities
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Developing older adults’ learner autonomy through one-to-one counselling: Results of an exploratory investigation
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Why Men Masturbate: Reasons and Correlates in Men with and without Sexual Dysfunction
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Digital marketing adoption of microenterprises in a technology acceptance approach
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Work Addiction and Stimulant Use
Influencing prior knowledge through a short reading impacts curiosity and learning
Curiosity predicts memory performance and it is influenced by prior knowledge. Reading a well-organized text can increase curiosity in a classroom setting, however it is not clear if reading a short text written in an encyclopedic style can increase curiosity and learning without explicit educational goals. We presented participants with a short text and examined if questions related to this reading could elicit higher curiosity ratings and better recall in a thematized version of the trivia task. In the first experiment, participants subjectively judged their prior knowledge of trivia questions. The curiosity of the participants was not influenced by the reading, but the memory effect of curiosity was amplified for the questions related to it. In the second experiment, we objectively verified whether the participants knew the answers. The curiosity ratings were higher for the questions related to the reading, but only the curiosity ratings influenced recall performance. These results show that prior knowledge induced by reading can have an effect on curiosity and learning, but it depends on how this knowledge is assessed by the learner.
The approximate number system cannot be the leading factor in the acquisition of the first symbolic numbers
When learning the meaning of symbolic numbers, children learn the numbers up to 4 sequentially. A prominent account of this learning process proposes that the increasing sensitivity of the preverbal approximate number system (ANS) allows for reliable discrimination of increasingly large neighboring numbers, which, consequently, leads to the sequential acquisition of the first symbolic numbers. In this work, a more complete quantitative description of this account is provided. This description is based on the mathematical model of the ANS and on additional relevant parameter values reported in the literature. The quantitative description demonstrates that, in the time period during which children learn the meaning of the first number words, the improvement of ANS sensitivity cannot provide the assumed changes in the discriminability of these numbers. The present result challenges the role of the ANS as a leading factor in the acquisition of the first symbolic numbers.
The aversive bystander effect whereby egalitarian bystanders overestimate the confrontation of prejudice
Everyday expression of prejudice continues to pose a social challenge across societies. We tend to assume that to the extent people are egalitarian, they are more likely to confront prejudice—but this might not necessarily be the case. We tested this assumption in two countries (US and Hungary) among majority members of society, using a behavioral paradigm for measuring confronting. Prejudice was directed at various outgroup minority individuals (African Americans, Muslims and Latinos in the US, and Roma in Hungary). Across four experiments (N = 1116), we predicted and found that egalitarian (anti-prejudiced) values were only associated with hypothetical confronting intentions, but not with actual confronting, and stronger egalitarians were more likely to overestimate their confronting than weaker egalitarians—to the point that while intentions differed, the actual confronting rate of stronger and weaker egalitarians were similar. We also predicted and found that such overestimation was associated with internal (and not external) motivation to respond without prejudice. We also identified behavioral uncertainty (being uncertain how to intervene) as a potential explanation for egalitarians’ overestimation. The implications of these findings for egalitarians’ self-reflection, intergroup interventions, and research are discussed.
Myths and Reality About Confronting Anti-Gay Prejudice: Who Confronts and Why (Not)?
There are lay theories about who would confront heterosexist prejudice, with people often citing women, educated, and liberals as being more likely to speak up. However, prior work is inconclusive about such predictors of confrontation. We tested which individual-level characteristics predict bystander confrontation, and what motivates or prevents straight individuals from confronting—focusing on socio-political ideology and gender. We conducted our study among Eastern-Southeastern Europeans (N = 132), and we employed a behavioral paradigm, where participants believed they witnessed and had an opportunity to confront anti-gay discrimination. We found 24% confrontation rate, which was not predicted by age, socioeconomic status, education level, or heterosexism. Moreover, we found that women or liberals were as likely to confront as men or conservatives were, respectively, however, their motivations and obstacles differed. Opposed to our prediction, men were not discouraged from confronting because of fear of being misidentified as gay, while as predicted, women were discouraged due to concerns about their assertiveness and efficacy. We also found that as predicted, liberals were encouraged to confront for equality/intergroup-oriented reasons, and conservatives were encouraged by individual/merit-oriented reasons. We suggest that intervention programs relying on personalized messages can be utilized to motivate confronting heterosexist prejudice along ideological lines.
Pursuing virtual perfection: Preoccupation with failure mediates the association between internalized parental criticism and gaming disorder
The present study examines the potential roles of perfectionism and reactions to failure in understanding gaming disorder. Specifically, we investigate whether parental perfectionism predisposes players to risk of gaming disorder through internalized perfectionism and maladaptive reactions to failure. Hungarian gamers (N = 2,097, 88.5% male, Mage = 26.2 years, SD = 6.8) completed an online survey measuring perfectionism (parental and self-oriented), reactions to failure in gaming, and gaming disorder. Initially, we developed the Reactions to Failure in Gaming Scale and established its psychometric properties. Subsequently, we constructed a path model using a structural equation modeling technique. Parental criticism was associated with over-engagement with failure via the indirect path of self-critical perfectionism, which was positively associated with gaming disorder. In addition, higher parental expectations were associated with disengagement from failure via narcissistic perfectionism, while parental criticism was associated with disengagement through self-critical perfectionism. The model explained a substantial proportion (42%) of the total variance of gaming disorder, indicating that parental criticism and self-critical perfectionism have key roles in ruminative responses to failure in gaming. These results suggest that critical parental and personal attitudes towards performance and over-engagement with failure make fundamental contributions to the development of addictive gaming behaviors.
The role of boards in Hungarian public interest foundation universities
Between 2019 and 2022, 21 Hungarian public institutions were placed under the control of so-called public interest foundations (trust funds) instead of the state. As a result, the board of each foundation gained considerable power and authority over the institutions and thus paving the way for radical changes in the university management and internal governance. Although the governance reform is in line with international trends in many respects, we identified the unique characteristics of the Hungarian reform, such as the high proportion of politicians among members or their lifetime employment. Based on 38 interviews and document analysis, we examined the rationale behind the reform and the different interpretations of the role of boards. The results show that the perception of the role of boards depends on the level of trust that the board has in the institution and its management. Where boards treat universities as minors, a micro-managerial, supervisory role is more prevalent. Where, on the other hand, the university management is seen by the board as a more responsible, mature grown-up, a more empowering partnership role is possible.
Developing older adults’ learner autonomy through one-to-one counselling: Results of an exploratory investigation
Developing autonomous learning to maintain independent learning practice in an effective way is a crucial ability in adult education (Confessore & Park, 2004). Therefore, this study investigates the potential of one-to-one learning counselling to promote older learners' learner autonomy (aged 50 and older). Twenty-five older learners participated in the exploratory study. Reflective learning diaries and qualitatively oriented questionnaires were used as research tools to track participants' autonomous learning behaviour. We applied grounded theory and network analysis to see the complex interrelations of underlying constructs. Results show that comprehension and speaking development are significant incentives for older adults' language learning. Further, self-awareness in learning and metacognitive knowledge were identified as important constructs for self-study practice. Cognitive stimulation, sustained learner motivation and certain self-relating constructs continuously affected older adults’ learning behaviour. Application of cognitive- and memory-enhancing learning strategies, as well as technology-supported learning materials, played an important role in independent learning practice. General perceived self-efficacy and self-management were areas developed beyond language learning.
Why Men Masturbate: Reasons and Correlates in Men with and without Sexual Dysfunction
Men purportedly masturbate for a variety of reasons, but systematic investigation of men’s reasons has been lacking. We analyzed reasons why men masturbate (n = 2967, mean age = 37.7, SD = 12.9), whether men with and without sexual problems differ in their reasons, and whether those reasons vary with the frequency of masturbation and partnered sex. Results indicated that deriving pleasure, decreasing sexual tension, and reducing anxiety/stress were among the top motives, whereas partner issues were cited less frequently. Men with sexual dysfunctions showed only minor differences from men without sexual dysfunctions, the former more often citing anxiety/stress reduction as a motive. In addition, samples tapping participants from two world regions showed only minor differences in their patterns of responding. Motives for masturbation were also related to both the frequency of masturbation and the frequency of partnered sex. Overall, these findings indicate that men, like women, masturbate primarily for the positive reinforcing effects of pleasure, but in contrast with women, men are also more likely to use masturbation for the negatively reinforcing effects of reducing anxiety/distress. Unsatisfying sex with the partner and/or relationship issues were cited as a reason for masturbation in only a minority of men.
Digital marketing adoption of microenterprises in a technology acceptance approach
External knowledge sources such as professional social media accounts represent anunderstudied domain in the digital media adoption literature of small enterprises. This article extendsthe Technology Acceptance Model with two additional factors – external knowledge source and trustin digital marketing professionals – to better understand the digital marketing adoption ofmicroenterprises. We collected and analyzed data from 181 microenterprises using online survey andstructural equation modeling methodology. Results indicate that participation in events and followingprofessional Facebook groups are positively related to perceived ease of use, while following professionalFacebook groups, blogs, and vlogs, and meeting consultants are positively related to perceivedusefulness. Besides, trust in marketing professionals has a significant effect on both perceived ease ofuse and perceived usefulness. By applying the technology-in-practice literature to digital marketingadoption, the article highlights that marketing professionals can be a bridge between academia andsmall business managers by contextualizing and translating formal knowledge to practical easy-to-understand knowledge.
Work Addiction and Stimulant Use
Research shows that workaholics exhibit personality and lifestyle characteristics that suggest an increased tendency to use stimulants. They often feel a constant sense of rush, experience a lack of time, desire to spend more time working, and consequently feel more tired and impatient due to overwork. Workaholics tend to have lower self-esteem, yet they are also highly perfectionistic and driven to achieve more. While there is a considerable body of knowledge regarding the personality and psychological traits of workaholics, no research has been conducted on the specific characteristics of their stimulant use. However, stimulants are known to provide energy and enhance activity levels, as well as boost self-confidence. The aim of this study was to investigate this question using a representative sample. We analyzed data from Wave 1 of the Budapest Longitudinal Study, which included 3076 participants between the ages of 18 and 34 residing in Budapest. Through our statistical analysis, we were able to identify three groups of individuals: non-workaholics, moderately workaholics, and workaholics. When comparing these three groups, we discovered that workaholics, contrary to our expectations, consumed less coffee but had higher intake of energy drinks and were more likely to smoke compared to non-workaholics. Furthermore, they exhibited greater usage of illegal stimulants such as amphetamines, cocaine, and new types of stimulants. In sum, our findings provide evidence that workaholics do indeed engage in more frequent use of both legal and illegal stimulants. These results emphasize the association between work addiction and health risk behaviors, underscoring the importance of screening, prevention, and treatment interventions for this issue.