Risk factors associated with online game addiction: A hierarchical model

Online gaming addiction has been increasingly recognized as a mental disorder. However, the predictive factors that lead to online gaming addiction are not well established. The aim of this study was to identify factors that may influence the development of online gaming addiction. A total of 263 patients with problematic online gaming addiction (255 males (97%) and 8 females (3%), age: mean = 20.4 ± 5.8 years) and153 healthy comparison subjects (118 males (77%) and 35 females (23%), age: 21.2 ± 5.5 years, range) were recruited for participation in the current study. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses among each set of variables were conducted. Individual factors (sex and age), cognitive factors (IQ and perseverative errors), psychopathological conditions (ADHD, depression, anxiety, and impulsivity), and social interaction factors (family environment, social anxiety, and self-esteem) were evaluated in a stepwise fashion. All four factors were associated with online gaming addiction, with psychopathological conditions being the strongest risk factors for the addiction. Individual factors, psychological factors, and social interactions were associated with the development of pure online gaming addiction. As before, psychological factors (attention, mood, anxiety and impulsivity) were the strongest risk factors for online gaming addiction in patients with pure online gaming addiction. Psychopathologies, including ADHD and depression, were the strongest factors associated with the development of online gaming addiction in individuals.     

On keys' meanings and modes: the impact of different key solutions on children's efficiency using a mobile phone

The present study investigates the impact of different key solutions of mobile phones on users' effectiveness and efficiency using the devices. In the first experiment, 36 children (9 - 14 years) and in the second experiment 45 young adults (19 - 33 years) completed four common phone tasks twice consecutively on three simulated phones that had identical menus, but different key solutions. An approach was undertaken to quantify the complexity of keys in three models, incorporating different factors contributing to the keys' complexity (number of key options, number of modes and number of modes with a semantically dissimilar meaning), in order to predict users' performance decrements. As a further main factor, the degree of the users' locus of control (LOC) was measured and interactions with performance outcomes were studied. As dependent measures, the number of inefficient keystrokes, the number of tasks solved and the processing time were determined. Results showed a significant effect of control key solutions on users' efficiency and effectiveness for both children and young adults. Moreover, children's LOC values significantly interacted with performance: children with low LOC values showed the lowest performance and no learnability, especially when using keys with a high complexity. From the three factors contributing to the complexity of keys, keys exerting different functions with semantically inconsistent meanings had the worst effect on performance. It is concluded that in mobile user interface design keys with semantically inconsistent meanings should be generally avoided.     

Sociotechnical systems, risk management, and public health: comparing the North Battleford and Walkerton outbreaks

Accidents in different complex sociotechnical systems are rarely compared using the same theoretical framework for risk management. We conducted a comparative analysis of two Canadian public health disasters involving drinking water distribution systems, the North Battleford Cryptosporidium parvum outbreak in April 2001 and the Walkerton E. coli outbreak in May 2000. Both accidents resulted from a complex interaction between all levels of a complex sociotechnical system. However, the low-level physical and individual factors differed in the two cases, whereas, the high-level governmental and regulatory factors tended to be the same. These findings may have implications for the design of public policies to minimize risk in complex sociotechnical systems.     

David W. Johnson: Award for Distinguished Contributions of Applications of Psychology to Education and Training.

Provides the biography of David W. Johnson and announces that he has won the Award for Distinguished Contributions of Applications of Psychology to Education and Training for programmatic research, comprehensive research reviews, and revision of theory over four decades of persistence that have provided the knowledge foundation for cooperative learning, constructive controversy, conflict resolution, and peer mediation training. A selected bibliography is also provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

2003 Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in the Science of Psychology.

Presents the 2003 American Psychological Foundation's Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in the Science of Psychology, which was presented to Robert Rosenthal. A biography of Rosenthal is provided, along with a selected bibliography and the text of the award citation: "For outstanding scientific contributions that have had a profound influence on research methods, empirical investigations, theory, and applications. Robert Rosenthal's seminal research on interpersonal expectancy inspired hundreds of studies with applications within and beyond psychology. His amplification of experimenter- and subject-related artifacts and his insights about ethical issues have improved the way that research is conducted. His statistical contributions are classic and wide ranging, including his body of work on meta-analysis and contrast analysis and his formulation of valuable procedures, such as the binomial effect-size display and counternull statistics. An exceptional scientist, teacher, mentor, and author, Rosenthal, with his generous and brilliant touch, has shaped the lives and work of countless others." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in the Practice of Psychology.

Announces the 2007 recipient of the Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in the Practice of Psychology: Patricia M. Bricklin. A brief biography, highlighting areas of special focus in Bricklin's work, is provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Karl G. J?reskog: Award for Distinguished Scientific Applications of Psychology.

Presents the citation, biography, and selected bibliography for Karl G. J?reskog, one of the 2007 recipients of the American Psychological Association's Award for Distinguished Scientific Applications of Psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

J?rn Diedrichsen: Award for Distinguished Scientific Early Career Contributions to Psychology.

Presents the citation, biography, and selected bibliography for J?rn Diedrichsen, one of the 2007 recipients of the American Psychological Association's Award for Distinguished Scientific Early Career Contributions to Psychology (perception/motor performance). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Patrik O. Vuilleumier: Award for Distinguished Scientific Early Career Contributions to Psychology.

Presents the citation, biography, and selected bibliography for Patrik O. Vuilleumier, one of the 2007 recipients of the American Psychological Association's Award for Distinguished Scientific Early Career Contributions to Psychology (behavioral and cognitive neuroscience). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Larke Nahme Huang: Award for Distinguished Senior Career Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest.

Presents the citation, biography, and selected bibliograpy for Larke Nahme Huang, the 2007 recipient of the American Psychological Association's Award for Distinguished Senior Career Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)