Journal Description
Behavioral Sciences
Behavioral Sciences
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, behavioral biology and behavioral genetics published monthly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SSCI (Web of Science), PubMed, PMC, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Psychology, Multidisciplinary) / CiteScore - Q2 (Development)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 27 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.6 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
2.5 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.7 (2023)
Latest Articles
What Are the Barriers Impeding Female Graduates in Higher Education from Pursuing Entrepreneurship in China? An Investigation from a Theory of Planned Behaviour Perspective
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080651 (registering DOI) - 27 Jul 2024
Abstract
This study investigates the obstacles encountered by female graduates in China’s higher education system when considering entrepreneurship by employing the Theory of Planned Behaviour as an analytical framework. Although entrepreneurship is widely acknowledged as crucial for economic and personal growth, gender inequalities remain,
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This study investigates the obstacles encountered by female graduates in China’s higher education system when considering entrepreneurship by employing the Theory of Planned Behaviour as an analytical framework. Although entrepreneurship is widely acknowledged as crucial for economic and personal growth, gender inequalities remain, with women being severely underrepresented. The primary objective of this study is to gain insight into the underlying reasons behind the reluctance of female university students, specifically in China, to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. In this study, we conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with female university students from different majors to identify the key barriers that discourage them from starting their businesses. The factors discovered are instrumental and affective attitudes towards entrepreneurship, subjective norms (family, friends, teachers, and others), and perceived behavioural control (encompassing past experiences, second-hand information, and anticipated obstacles). The results showed that a conservative familial atmosphere, risk-averse cultural norms, and limited access to helpful resources and experiences in universities are major obstacles. This study enriches the present knowledge by providing a detailed explanation of the gender-specific obstacles in entrepreneurship in the Chinese context. It proposes that interventions at the educational and governmental levels are imperative to promote female entrepreneurship.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
Promoting Psychosocial Adjustments of Cross-Border Students in Hong Kong: A Resilience and Social Capital Framework
by
Qiaobing Wu and Hui Qiu
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 650; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080650 (registering DOI) - 27 Jul 2024
Abstract
Nearly 28,000 children, ranging from kindergarten to secondary-school age, commute between mainland China and Hong Kong for education on a daily basis. They are known as cross-border students (CBS)—those who legally hold permanent Hong Kong citizenship and attend schools in Hong Kong, but
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Nearly 28,000 children, ranging from kindergarten to secondary-school age, commute between mainland China and Hong Kong for education on a daily basis. They are known as cross-border students (CBS)—those who legally hold permanent Hong Kong citizenship and attend schools in Hong Kong, but reside in mainland China, a unique population in the context of cross-border migration. Social media has reported various challenges faced by CBS, but systematic research on this population is limited. This study proposes a resilience and social capital framework to understand the psychosocial adjustments of CBS when faced with different levels of adversities. Using data from a cross-sectional survey of 445 CBS, this study examines how family and community social capital promote the self-esteem, mental well-being, happiness, and life satisfaction of CBS through individual resilience in the face of single and multiple adversities. The results of structural equation modelling suggest that family social capital serves as a significant promotive and protective factor for the self-esteem, mental well-being, happiness, and life satisfaction of CBS in the presence of both single and multiple adversities, while community social capital can promote only mental well-being of CBS in the presence of single or no adversity. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings for researchers, parents, and service professionals are also discussed.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Satisfaction and Mental Health in Migrant Children)
Open AccessArticle
Qualitative Evaluation of the Impact of a School Mental Health Literacy Curriculum on Student–Teacher Relationships
by
Kristen Figas, Tucker Chandler, Madison Niles, Brooke Chehoski, Brittany Parham and Mark D. Weist
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 649; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080649 (registering DOI) - 27 Jul 2024
Abstract
Mental health literacy (MHL) programs, which aim to improve knowledge, reduce stigma and promote help-seeking behavior, are a promising approach to meeting the growing mental and behavioral health needs of youth. This study aimed to understand the relational impacts of a MHL curriculum
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Mental health literacy (MHL) programs, which aim to improve knowledge, reduce stigma and promote help-seeking behavior, are a promising approach to meeting the growing mental and behavioral health needs of youth. This study aimed to understand the relational impacts of a MHL curriculum on students and teachers. A MHL curriculum was delivered in middle school classrooms across 11 schools in two diverse school districts in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. Fifteen teachers and counselors who delivered the MHL curriculum participated in focus groups to describe their experiences using the curriculum and perceptions of its impact. Qualitative focus group data were analyzed via team-based inductive thematic analysis following a grounded theory approach. Findings indicate that educators perceived the universal school MHL program to have a positive impact on relationships amongst students and between students and teachers. Participants reported that the MHL curriculum helped to open conversations about mental health and related topics by developing common language and providing an opportunity to model vulnerability. Having these conversations improved classroom rapport and helped teachers develop deeper connections with students. As a result, teachers and students achieved greater empathy and students advocated more for themselves and their peers. Implications for integrating MHL programs into multi-tiered frameworks in schools to expand access to mental health supports are discussed.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supporting Student Mental Health and Learning through Effective Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Professional Workforce Preparation)
Open AccessArticle
Identity Disturbance in the Digital Era during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Adverse Effects of Social Media and Job Stress
by
Bojan Obrenovic, Danijela Godinic, Gang Du, Akmal Khudaykulov and Hui Gan
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 648; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080648 (registering DOI) - 27 Jul 2024
Abstract
The empirical study aimed to explore the relationships among social media exposure, job stress, anxiety, and identity disturbance in a nonclinical setting in the COVID-19 pandemic context. An online questionnaire was administered to 282 participants in the United States of America (USA) during
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The empirical study aimed to explore the relationships among social media exposure, job stress, anxiety, and identity disturbance in a nonclinical setting in the COVID-19 pandemic context. An online questionnaire was administered to 282 participants in the United States of America (USA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study utilized a two-step Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach consisting of both measurement model and structural model testing. Relationships between the model variables of social media exposure, identity disturbance, anxiety, and job stress were analyzed using standardized beta coefficients, standard errors, t-values, and p-values. The results indicate that both social media exposure and job stress are associated with increased anxiety levels, which, in turn, influence identity disturbance. Moreover, there is a moderating effect of job stress on the relationship between social media exposure and anxiety, as well as the mediating effect of anxiety on the relationship between social media exposure and identity disturbance. The findings are valuable for organizations and can be used to develop programs aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of social media exposure on mental health. Prioritizing employee mental health through awareness and support initiatives is paramount, especially for those facing high stress and extensive social media use.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impacts of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Well-Being)
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Open AccessArticle
“All You Need Is Love” a Social Network Approach to Understanding Attachment Networks in Adulthood
by
Junnan Tian and Harry Freeman
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 647; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080647 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
This study examined five dimensions of attachment network structure in a large sample of adults (n = 930, 57% female) between 24 to 80 years of age. We employed a newly validated diagrammatic measure, the web-based hierarchical mapping technique (WHMT), to measure
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This study examined five dimensions of attachment network structure in a large sample of adults (n = 930, 57% female) between 24 to 80 years of age. We employed a newly validated diagrammatic measure, the web-based hierarchical mapping technique (WHMT), to measure the attachment strength to participants’ five closest relationships and the physical distance to and between network members. Our first aim was to replicate existing research on the composition of adult attachment networks, exploring variations in network patterns by age, romantic status, and parental status. Our second aim was to explore four new network dimensions, including physical distance to network members, hierarchical patterns, centrality, and density. The results replicated previous work on network composition, highlighting the pivotal role of romantic partners as primary attachment figures through adulthood. The analysis of the new network dimensions revealed a clear divide between adults in romantic relationships and those who are not. Compared to the single adults, the adults in romantic relationships were more hierarchical in their attachment preferences, reported lower emotional connection to friends and parents, and lived farther from their network, which was also more geographically dispersed. In other words, romantically involved adults put more of their attachment eggs in one basket. The results also showed that the older adults tended to live further away from their attachment network and had a more geographically dispersed network compared to the younger adults.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Science of Mating, Love, and Attachment in Romantic Relationships)
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Open AccessArticle
Parasomnias in Post-Secondary Students: Prevalence, Distress, and Coping Strategies
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Catherine S. Fichten, Eva Libman, Sally Bailes, Mary Jorgensen, Alice Havel, Yuxuan Qin, Laura Creti, Huanan Liao, Bianca Zlotea, Christine Vo, Jillian Budd, Abigaelle Vasseur, Tanya Pierre-Sindor and Georgiana Costin
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 646; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080646 - 26 Jul 2024
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Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders characterized by abnormal and unpleasant motor, verbal, or behavioral events that occur during sleep or during transitions between wake and sleep states. They disrupt sleep and can have a detrimental impact on the individual experiencing them.
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Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders characterized by abnormal and unpleasant motor, verbal, or behavioral events that occur during sleep or during transitions between wake and sleep states. They disrupt sleep and can have a detrimental impact on the individual experiencing them. Our goal was to identify types of parasomnias and their prevalence in the current and recent post-secondary student population and to explore their coping strategies for parasomnias they found distressing. Seventy-seven post-secondary students completed the 21-item Munich Parasomnia Screening (MUPS) frequency scale. They also rated, on a 10-point scale, how disturbing each parasomnia experienced was. Not only did 92% percent of students report at least one parasomnia, but our results also indicate that the vast majority of students experienced several parasomnias. This led us to investigate the likelihood of the co-occurrence of different parasomnias. With respect to the level of subjectively experienced distress, the most prevalent parasomnias were not always the more disturbing. Coded open-ended responses about what students do about the disturbing parasomnias indicate that grounding strategies (i.e., coping strategies that help manage distressing feelings) and physical manipulation of one’s body were the most common, although most participants indicated that in spite of distress, they do nothing to cope. In conclusion, our study found a strikingly high prevalence of parasomnias in this sample of young adults and a lack of knowledge about effective means of dealing with these. Therefore, we provide some accepted ways of dealing with these.
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Open AccessArticle
Clinical Relevance of Food Addiction in Higher Weight Patients across the Binge Eating Spectrum
by
Alycia Jobin, Félicie Gingras, Juliette Beaupré, Maxime Legendre and Catherine Bégin
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 645; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080645 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
Food addiction (FA) is associated with greater severity on many eating-related correlates when comorbid with binge eating disorder (BED) but no study has established this relation across the whole spectrum of binge eating, i.e., from no BED to subthreshold BED to BED diagnosis.
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Food addiction (FA) is associated with greater severity on many eating-related correlates when comorbid with binge eating disorder (BED) but no study has established this relation across the whole spectrum of binge eating, i.e., from no BED to subthreshold BED to BED diagnosis. This study aims to examine the effect of the presence of FA on the severity of eating behaviors and psychological correlates in patients without BED, subthreshold BED or BED diagnosis. Participants (n = 223) were recruited at a university center specialized in obesity and eating disorder treatment and completed a semi-structured diagnostic interview and questionnaires measuring eating behaviors, emotional regulation, impulsivity, childhood interpersonal trauma, and personality traits. They were categorized by the presence of an eating disorder (no BED, subthreshold BED, or BED) and the presence of FA. Group comparisons showed that, in patients with BED, those with FA demonstrated higher disinhibition (t(79) = −2.19, p = 0.032) and more maladaptive emotional regulation strategies (t(43) = −2.37, p = 0.022) than participants without FA. In patients with subthreshold BED, those with FA demonstrated higher susceptibility to hunger (t(68) = −2.55, p = 0.013) and less cooperativeness (t(68) = 2.60, p = 0.012). In patients without BED, those with FA demonstrated higher disinhibition (t(70) = −3.15, p = 0.002), more maladaptive emotional regulation strategies (t(53) = −2.54, p = 0.014), more interpersonal trauma (t(69) = −2.41, p = 0.019), and less self-directedness (t(70) = 2.14, p = 0.036). We argue that the assessment of FA provides relevant information to complement eating disorder diagnoses. FA identifies a subgroup of patients showing higher severity on many eating-related correlates along the binge eating spectrum. It also allows targeting of patients without a formal eating disorder diagnosis who would still benefit from professional help.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Therapeutic Advances in Eating Disorders and Addictive Eating)
Open AccessReview
A Caregiver Perspective for Partners of PTSD Survivors: Understanding the Experiences of Partners
by
Christopher J. Cannon and Matt J. Gray
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 644; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080644 - 26 Jul 2024
Abstract
Research affirms that survivors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience psychological distress that affects their romantic partners, and that a bi-directional effect between PTSD symptoms and romantic relationship satisfaction exists, indicating that improvements in the romantic relationship may lead to the improved well-being
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Research affirms that survivors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience psychological distress that affects their romantic partners, and that a bi-directional effect between PTSD symptoms and romantic relationship satisfaction exists, indicating that improvements in the romantic relationship may lead to the improved well-being of the survivor. Indeed, as romantic partners of PTSD survivors are both negatively impacted by the distress of the survivor, and romantic relationship satisfaction can affect the distress of the PTSD survivor, partners are a key stakeholder for mental health. Unfortunately, theoretical models have not adequately captured the experience of this population to properly illuminate their experience and provide appropriate treatment directives. This paper examines the informal caregiving integrative model to determine its applicability to the romantic partners of PTSD survivors with respect to the determinants, mediators, and outcomes. The current literature on romantic partners is used to evaluate the adequacy of fit, as well as to provide the components unique to partners. Future directions, clinical implications, and limitations of current research are explored based on the results of this review.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Health Psychology)
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Open AccessReview
A Narrative Review of Compassion Focused Therapy on Positive Mental Health Outcomes
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Yasuhiro Kotera, Julie Beaumont, Ann-Marie Edwards, Matthew Cotterill, Ann Kirkman, Aiesha Carew Tofani, Merly McPhilbin, Simran Takhi, Kristian Barnes, Olamide Todowede, Benjamin-Rose Ingall, Kenichi Asano and Kohki Arimitsu
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 643; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080643 - 25 Jul 2024
Abstract
Background: Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) has been attracting attention in mental health practice and research. CFT is effective in reducing a variety of negative mental health symptoms. Positive mental health (PMH) focuses on an individual’s functioning, quality of life, and well-being, aiming to achieve
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Background: Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) has been attracting attention in mental health practice and research. CFT is effective in reducing a variety of negative mental health symptoms. Positive mental health (PMH) focuses on an individual’s functioning, quality of life, and well-being, aiming to achieve fulfilment. A need for PMH has been increasingly recognised such as national policies incorporating recovery-oriented approaches. However, how effective CFT is for PMH outcomes remains to be investigated. This narrative review aimed to identify the literature that reports evidence on CFT used against PMH outcomes. Methods: Our research questions (RQs) were as follows: RQ1. What PMH outcomes are targeted in CFT intervention research? RQ2. Is CFT effective for PMH?” Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO were searched on the Ovid platform. All studies that mentioned “compassion focused therapy” and “compassion-focused therapy” were searched. Results: Sixteen RCTs were included published since 2012. Nine studies were from Europe, four from Asia, two from Northern America, and one from Australia and New Zealand. CFT was used for diverse PMH outcomes, and the effects were overall positive. Self-compassion and compassion were the most frequently evaluated outcomes. Conclusions: The mechanism of action for CFT on PMH needs to be evaluated. CFT can be used as part of personal recovery in mental health. More evidence from non-WEIRD countries including LMICs is needed.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interventions for Depression and Anxiety: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
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Open AccessArticle
The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress of Student-Athletes from a Pre- to Post-COVID-19 World
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Georgia A. Bird, Jennifer Cumming and Mary L. Quinton
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 642; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080642 - 25 Jul 2024
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This study explored differences in student-athletes’ symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress pre- to post-COVID-19-pandemic. The WHO reported a 25% increase in depression and anxiety rates worldwide, with young people disproportionately affected. Student-athletes face many stressors related to their sporting and academic feats,
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This study explored differences in student-athletes’ symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress pre- to post-COVID-19-pandemic. The WHO reported a 25% increase in depression and anxiety rates worldwide, with young people disproportionately affected. Student-athletes face many stressors related to their sporting and academic feats, but what is not known is how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their experiences of symptoms of mental illness. A multiple-cohort cross-sectional study design was employed, and data collected using physical and online surveys. Participants (cohort 1 M age = 20.18 years, SD = 1.52; cohort 2 M age = 19.75 years, SD = 1.45) were recruited from UK universities (N = 807; 427 pre-pandemic cohort, 380 post-pandemic cohort). Results revealed statistically significant differences in mean depression (F (1, 805) = 23.92, p < 0.001), anxiety (F (1, 806) = 20.15, p < 0.001), and stress symptoms (F (1, 805) = 5.24, p = 0.022) scores between cohorts. Scores for the post-pandemic cohort were significantly higher than pre-pandemic, suggesting a worsening of symptom severity. Distributions of student-athletes across categories of symptom severity also worsened for depressive and anxiety symptoms post-pandemic and were skewed towards more severe categories. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were a concern pre-pandemic. Rates are higher in the post-pandemic cohort, suggesting a worsening of symptoms. These data add to evidence on student-athletes’ symptoms of mental illness by exploring a UK sample and comparing scores pre- and post-pandemic.
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Open AccessArticle
Medical Professionalism and Its Association with Dropout Intention in Peruvian Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Dante E. Hancco-Monrroy, Luz M. Caballero-Apaza, Denices Abarca-Fernández, Jesus M. Castagnetto, Fany A. Condori-Cardoza, Raul de Lama Moran, Jose R. Carhuancho-Aguilar, Sandra Gutierrez, Martha Gonzales, Nancy Berduzco, Roberto C. Delgado Bolton, Montserrat San-Martín and Luis Vivanco
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 641; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080641 - 25 Jul 2024
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges to medical education systems and medical students worldwide, making it necessary to adapt teaching to a remote methodology during the academic year 2020–2021. The aim of this study was to characterize the association between medical professionalism
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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges to medical education systems and medical students worldwide, making it necessary to adapt teaching to a remote methodology during the academic year 2020–2021. The aim of this study was to characterize the association between medical professionalism and dropout intention during the pandemic in Peruvian medical schools. Methods: A cross-sectional online-survey-based study was performed in four Peruvian medical schools (two public) during the academic year 2020–2021. Medical students, attending classes from home, answered three scales measuring clinical empathy, teamwork, and lifelong learning abilities (three elements of medical professionalism) and four scales measuring loneliness, anxiety, depression, and subjective wellbeing. In addition, 15 demographic, epidemiological, and academic variables (including dropout intention) were collected. Variables were assessed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The study sample was composed of 1107 students (390 male). Eight variables were included in an explanatory model (Nagelkerke-R2 = 0.35). Anxiety, depression, intention to work in the private sector, and teamwork abilities showed positive associations with dropout intention while learning abilities, subjective wellbeing, studying in a public medical school, and acquiring a better perception of medicine during the pandemic showed a negative association with dropout intention. No association was observed for empathy. Conclusions: Each element measured showed a different role, providing new clues on the influence that medical professionalism had on dropout intention during the pandemic. This information can be useful for medical educators to have a better understanding of the influence that professionalism plays in dropout intention.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emotional Well-Being and Coping Strategies during the COVID-19 Crisis)
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Open AccessArticle
The Reliability of Field-Based Static and Dynamic Balance Tests in Primary School-Aged Autistic Children
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Emma Baldwin, Sharon Kinsella and Paul J. Byrne
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 640; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080640 - 25 Jul 2024
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Previous research has proven that the balance of autistic children is poor. However, the reliability of assessing balance in this cohort has been inadequately researched. This study therefore aimed to examine if field-based static and dynamic balance tests can be reliably assessed in
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Previous research has proven that the balance of autistic children is poor. However, the reliability of assessing balance in this cohort has been inadequately researched. This study therefore aimed to examine if field-based static and dynamic balance tests can be reliably assessed in autistic children, to determine the number of familiarisation sessions required and whether autistic severity impacts on the reliability of these balance tests. The balance of eighteen primary school-aged autistic children was assessed three times a week over five weeks, using the flamingo balance test, a modified version of the balance error scoring system (BESS), the low beam walking test, and the heel to toe walking test. Reliability criteria included an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) level of ≥0.75 and a coefficient of variance (CV%) of ≤46% for the low beam walking test, the heel to toe walking test, and the BESS, and a CV% of ≤82% or the flamingo balance test. Inter-session reliability was achieved and required the least number of familiarisation sessions for the flamingo balance test, compared to the low beam walking test, which required a greater number of familiarisation sessions to achieve inter-session reliability. The heel to toe walking test and the BESS achieved inter-session reliability and familiarisation in an acceptable time frame. Due to the large CV% values reported in the current study, practitioners need to be aware that balance interventions need to achieve improvements greater than the CV% in this cohort.
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Open AccessArticle
Insights from the Active Use of Neuroscience Findings in Teaching and Learning
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Ausra Daugirdiene, Jurate Cesnaviciene and Agne Brandisauskiene
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 639; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080639 - 25 Jul 2024
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to show how teachers apply teaching and learning strategies related to the principles of the nervous system’s functions. In our view, understanding what constitutes good teaching is about identifying how it engages the underlying cognitive and neurosystemic
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The aim of this paper is to show how teachers apply teaching and learning strategies related to the principles of the nervous system’s functions. In our view, understanding what constitutes good teaching is about identifying how it engages the underlying cognitive and neurosystemic processes within the human brain in relation to learning. Using a student self-assessment questionnaire, we have investigated several key processes involved in neurodidactics (excitation, perception, memory, and the use, transfer, and adaptation of information and/or actions). The sample consisted of 884 7–10th grade students. The results showed that students’ excitation, understanding, and consolidation of educational material are directly related to the work of the teacher and the teaching strategies they apply to attract and stimulate the student’s attention and to help the student to understand and remember information. The learning strategies used by the students reflect the learner’s learning activity, i.e., the use and application of strategies that allow internal knowledge to emerge. The consolidation of the learning material and the learning strategies used by the students was statistically significantly higher among the female participants. There are significant differences between low- and high-achieving students in terms of the effectiveness of teaching strategies for consolidation and the learning strategies applied by learners. The paper provides practical recommendations for teachers.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Active Strategies for the Development of Behavior and Cognition in Young People)
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Open AccessArticle
The Impact of Cognitive Load on Cooperation and Antisocial Punishment: Insights from a Public Goods Game Experiment
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Yanru Zhao, Zhuoran Li, Shan Jin and Xiaomeng Zhang
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 638; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080638 - 25 Jul 2024
Abstract
This paper investigates the impact of cognitive load on the formation and maintenance of cooperation within a public goods game experiment featuring a punishment option. By integrating the experimental designs of prior studies and manipulating cognitive load through the memorization of numbers with
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This paper investigates the impact of cognitive load on the formation and maintenance of cooperation within a public goods game experiment featuring a punishment option. By integrating the experimental designs of prior studies and manipulating cognitive load through the memorization of numbers with varying digits, we reveal that high cognitive load accelerates the breakdown of cooperation, irrespective of the presence of a punishment system. Furthermore, under high cognitive load, participants are more likely to engage in antisocial punishment, while the punishment of free riders remains unaffected. These findings suggest that increased cognitive load depletes the cognitive resources needed for deliberative decision-making, leading to a higher propensity for antisocial punishment. Our study contributes to the literature by demonstrating the significant influence of cognitive load on cooperative behavior and providing new insights into the causes of antisocial punishment.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Behavioral Economics)
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Open AccessArticle
Exploring the Relationship between Surface Acting, Job Stress, and Emotional Exhaustion in Health Professionals: The Moderating Role of LMX
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Ibrahim Yikilmaz, Lutfi Surucu, Ahmet Maslakci, Alper Bahadir Dalmis and Emete Toros
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 637; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080637 - 25 Jul 2024
Abstract
Rapid organizational changes due to technological advancements, high-efficiency expectations, and uncertainties, particularly in healthcare, have led to a global stress epidemic among em-ployees. This has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving workplace practices. Surface acting, or the suppression and faking of
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Rapid organizational changes due to technological advancements, high-efficiency expectations, and uncertainties, particularly in healthcare, have led to a global stress epidemic among em-ployees. This has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving workplace practices. Surface acting, or the suppression and faking of emotions, significantly contributes to this stress and burnout, impacting not only individual healthcare professionals but also healthcare systems’ overall effectiveness and sustainability. Providing adequate resources in high-demand work environments is, thus, essential to mitigate these negative experiences. Leader–member exchange (LMX) can play a pivotal role in understanding and addressing the needs and expectations of healthcare professionals. Drawing on Conservation of Resources (COR), Job Demands-Resources (JD-R), Social Exchange theories, and Grandey’s Emotional Regulation Model, this study analyzed data from a convenience sample of 350 healthcare professionals. The results reveal that surface acting intensifies healthcare professionals’ experiences of job stress and emotional exhaustion. Notably, the study empirically demonstrated that high levels of LMX in healthcare professionals’ relationships with their leaders can mitigate the impact of surface acting on job stress and emotional exhaustion. These findings offer valuable insights for managers and policymakers, highlighting the importance of LMX in maintaining sustainable management practices in complex and stressful healthcare organizations.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stress, Anxiety, and Depression among Healthcare Workers)
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Open AccessSystematic Review
Why We Share: A Systematic Review of Knowledge-Sharing Intentions on Social Media
by
Jia Hu and Shuhaida Md Noor
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 636; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080636 - 25 Jul 2024
Abstract
Social media’s potential for knowledge dissemination is under-utilized due to limited user participation. This study systematically reviews factors affecting knowledge-sharing intentions on social platforms using the ROSES protocol. We searched Scopus and Web of Science for quality, relevance, and rigor, finding that 65%
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Social media’s potential for knowledge dissemination is under-utilized due to limited user participation. This study systematically reviews factors affecting knowledge-sharing intentions on social platforms using the ROSES protocol. We searched Scopus and Web of Science for quality, relevance, and rigor, finding that 65% of the articles shared were published in high-quality journals (Q1 or Q2), with the Journal of Knowledge Management accounting for 15%. Since 2015, 62.5% of research has been published, highlighting increased activity. Quantitative methods dominated (95%), with Zhihu being the most studied platform. We identified four key themes—psychological, technological, environmental, and social—covering 47 determinants centered on trust and attitude, primarily based on individual and social behavior theories. This is the first systematic exploration of elements influencing knowledge-sharing intentions on social media, providing insights to enhance user interaction and guide social media strategies in knowledge-centric organizations.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Social Psychology)
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Open AccessArticle
The Roles of Rule Type and Word Term in the Deductive Reasoning of Adults with and without Dyslexia
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Janette B. Jacobs, James H. Smith-Spark and Elizabeth J. Newton
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 635; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080635 - 25 Jul 2024
Abstract
Despite its importance to everyday functioning, reasoning is underexplored in developmental dyslexia. The current study investigated verbal deductive reasoning on the Wason selection task, not previously used in dyslexia research despite its well-established pedigree. Reasoning rule was manipulated, with the conditional rules varying
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Despite its importance to everyday functioning, reasoning is underexplored in developmental dyslexia. The current study investigated verbal deductive reasoning on the Wason selection task, not previously used in dyslexia research despite its well-established pedigree. Reasoning rule was manipulated, with the conditional rules varying in the logical values presented. The word frequency and imageability of the word terms was also manipulated. Twenty-six adults with dyslexia and 31 adults without dyslexia completed Wason selection task problems. No group difference in reasoning accuracy or completion time was found. However, the participants were most accurate when reasoning with the rule type “If p, then not q” and least accurate with the rule type “If p then q”. More trials were also answered correctly when the word terms were highly imageable but of average word frequency. These findings are in line with the general reasoning literature. Dyslexia status did not interact with either rule type or word term type. The study expands upon previous research by testing verbal deductive reasoning in dyslexia, highlighting the role of imageability in facilitating reasoning performance for all, regardless of the presence or absence of dyslexia. Implications for the design of educational materials are considered.
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(This article belongs to the Section Cognition)
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Open AccessArticle
Consumers’ Behavioral Willingness to Use Green Financial Products: An Empirical Study within a Theoretical Framework
by
Xiangwei Xie, Chunxi Gong, Zhenqing Su, Yufei Nie and Woohyoung Kim
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 634; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080634 - 24 Jul 2024
Abstract
In an era marked by the expansion of the Internet economy and the intensification of environmental concerns, the convergence of digital finance and green finance has emerged as a significant global trend. China’s Alipay Ant Forest, an innovative green financial product, has successfully
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In an era marked by the expansion of the Internet economy and the intensification of environmental concerns, the convergence of digital finance and green finance has emerged as a significant global trend. China’s Alipay Ant Forest, an innovative green financial product, has successfully quantified carbon emission reductions resulting from users’ green consumption patterns, establishing the first carbon account-based green financial product and pioneering an innovative “green finance plus gamification” model. However, the academic literature has not fully explained the underlying mechanisms that drive consumer engagement with such green financial products. This study, motivated by the academic question of what factors influence consumers’ willingness to use green financial products, employs Ant Forest as a case study and develops a novel structural equation model based on self-determination theory, customer-perceived value, and the technology acceptance model. The model incorporates user type as a control variable and considers autonomy, gamification, and bonuses as key independent variables, with customer-perceived value serving as a mediating variable. Data collection involved 606 participants, enabling a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing users’ willingness to engage with green financial products. The findings support the proposed hypothesis, identifying several significant predictors of users’ willingness to use green financial products, with the exception of age. This study advances the theoretical understanding of consumer behavior towards green financial products by integrating self-determination theory, customer-perceived value, and the technology acceptance model, while also offering practical insights for marketing strategies. It explores the interface between digital finance, environmental sustainability, and consumer behavior, highlighting opportunities for financial institutions to leverage Internet applications to promote green financial services and enhance their marketing approaches to influence consumer adoption.
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(This article belongs to the Section Behavioral Economics)
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The Impact of Empowering Leadership on Taking Charge Behaviors: Mediating Strengths Use and Moderating Ambition
by
Lingnan Kong, Yang Liu, He Ding, Sha Liu and Shunkun Yu
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 633; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080633 - 24 Jul 2024
Abstract
Drawing on conservation of resources theory, this study aims to explore the mediating role of employees’ strengths use and the moderating role of employees’ ambitions in the relationship between empowering leadership and employees’ taking charge behaviors. A total of 333 Chinese employees from
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Drawing on conservation of resources theory, this study aims to explore the mediating role of employees’ strengths use and the moderating role of employees’ ambitions in the relationship between empowering leadership and employees’ taking charge behaviors. A total of 333 Chinese employees from various organizations across China (including industries such as manufacturing, IT, and education) completed our survey at two time points, with a two-week lag. We used structural equation modeling and moderated mediation path analysis to test our hypotheses. The research revealed that strengths use partially mediated the relationship between empowering leadership and employees’ taking charge behaviors, and ambition positively moderated the relationship between empowering leadership and strengths use, as well as the indirect relationship between empowering leadership and employees’ taking charge behaviors through strengths use. It extends the application field of strengths use, providing a new theoretical perspective on behavioral mechanisms for understanding the empowering leadership–employees’ taking charge behaviors relationship, and offers valuable strategies for organizations and leaders to promote employees’ taking charge behaviors more effectively.
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(This article belongs to the Section Organizational Behaviors)
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The Critical Trigger for Cognitive Penetration: Cognitive Processing Priority over Perceptual Processing
by
Jiejie Liao, Yidong Yang, Zhili Han and Lei Mo
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 632; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080632 - 24 Jul 2024
Abstract
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The visual perception system of humans is susceptible to cognitive influence, which implies the existence of cognitive perception. However, the specifical trigger for cognitive penetration is still a matter of controversy. The current study proposed that the cognitive processing priority over perceptual processing
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The visual perception system of humans is susceptible to cognitive influence, which implies the existence of cognitive perception. However, the specifical trigger for cognitive penetration is still a matter of controversy. The current study proposed that the cognitive processing priority over perceptual processing might be critical for inducing cognitive penetration. We tested this hypothesis by manipulating the processing priority between cognition and perception across three experiments where participants were asked to complete a size-judging task under different competing conditions between cognition and perception. To sum up, we proved that the cognitive processing priority over perceptual processing is critical for cognitive penetration. This study provided empirical evidence for the critical trigger for cognitive penetration.
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