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Author(s): Donna E. Youngs [sup.1] , Miroslava A. Yaneva [sup.1] , David V. Canter [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.15751.37, 0000 0001 0719 6059, International Research Centre for Investigative Psychology, School [...], In the spirit of the growing developments in positive psychology, there is an increasing interest in how kind people are to each other. Yet, this area lacks any strong psychometric instrument. An initial exploratory study demonstrated that a 40-item questionnaire, completed by 165 people, revealed distinct aspects of kindness when subjected to multivariate analysis. A subsequent study is reported, using the structure of the exploratory results to further clarify the conceptual framework (Study 1). The revised 45-item questionnaire was administered to 1039 individuals from the general British population. Smallest Space Analysis of the variables, supported by Factor analysis, confirmed the hypothesis of two facets to kindness, the psychological source of the action (from principles or empathy), and the form of expression (through psychological involvement or following social prescription. It also revealed an additional general, core kindness, labelled Anthropophilia. Reliable scales derived from the combinations of the two elements from each facet were identified: Affective-Socially Prescribed; Affective-Proactive; Principle-Socially Prescribed and Principle-Proactive. Intercorrelations between the scales revealed that they measure different modes of kindness. Comparisons between male and female respondents provided external validity for the questionnaire. Study 2 (N = 251) reported that the scales measure independent dimensions when correlated with similar and dissimilar concepts.

The need for empirical research that contributes to the prevention and arrest of marital distress is increasing. Factors identified through research as being influential in the stability of marriage include [...]

Male rape is clearly one of the easiest crimes to get away with in this country at the moment. The likelihood of being convicted is remote in the extreme. (Commander [...], Within the literature, two differing accounts of male sexual assault are hypothesized -- one is the view that it is perpetrated by offenders who are characteristically homosexual, and the other that it is an example of heterosexual violence. Two studies were conducted that explored these opposing possibilities. The first was an analysis of data collected from two sources -- 83 victim self-report questionnaires and review of 36 investigated police reports. The results indicated that homosexual offenders were more likely to have known their victims for some time and target those under the age of 25. Heterosexual offenders tended to attack strangers of all ages and were more likely to operate in gangs. A comparison of the two samples indicated that the acquaintance sexual assault was less likely to be reported to the police, drawing attention to the fact that differing explanations may be strongly influenced by the particular sample under study.

It is becoming increasingly common for academics in the UK to be forced to address issues relating to harassment. In some cases, academics may be placed under unacceptable pressure by students, possibly receiving many telephone calls or e-mails. In other cases, the harassment may come from colleagues or from other members of the university staff, such as a secretary. Stalking is a complex psychological problem, and it can be very difficult for the victim to know how best to respond. Taking legal action can be very stressful, and the victim may be left feeling extremely vulnerable.

Biomedical scientists should be wary of confusing the distinction between violation of the person and violation of the body. Advances in genetic research may challenge self-perception and are in opposition to all social interaction which encompasses the belief that individuals are more than just their bodies. Some people may be comforted by self-injury as this distances the person from the body. Psychopathic murderers may focus on manipulating the victim as a person rather than as a body, while paedophiles may focus on the victim's body.