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Psychological measurement and theories face a constant proliferation of allegedly new constructs and scales, leading to numerous semantic overlaps between these. Additionally, common-method variance can be responsible for construct overlap, which itself can be influenced by respondents' affectivity and mood. The construct of mindfulness may also be affected by such phenomena, as its boundaries are not yet clearly defined and because it shows noticeable conceptual overlap with other constructs, like the Big Five, emotion regulation, or mental health. This study examined semantic and sentiment similarities between widely used scales assessing mindfulness (FFMQ, FFMQ-S, KIMS, MAAS), the Big Five (NEO-PI-R, NEO-FFI, BFI), emotion regulation (ERQ, CERQ, PANRS), and mental health (SCL-90, BSI-53, BSI-18, STAI, PANAS, BDI-2, PSS, PSWQ). Construct overlap was assessed via latent semantic analysis, sentiment analysis, and a qualitative content analysis. Mindfulness scales showed high construct overlap among each other (semantic and sentiment similarity: 0.93 and 0.63) and the Big Five (0.85 and 0.64), as well as substantial construct overlap with emotion regulation (0.84 and 0.51) and mental health scales (0.74 and 0.42). These findings suggest that semantic and sentiment similarities contribute to the high correlations of mindfulness measures with these other measures observed in extant research. • Mindfulness shows conceptual overlap with other constructs. • Semantic and sentiment similarities of item content may be responsible for this. • Similarities are high with Big Five, emotion regulation, and mental health scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlight • Confirmatory factor analysis indicated support for the 4-factor structure of SPQ-G. • Other models (2- and 3-factor models) had poorer fit indices. • Partial measurement invariance was obtained across migrational group and sex. • Non-migrants had higher Cognitive-Perceptual scores than German migrants. Abstract The Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) is a widely-used self-report instrument for the assessment of schizotypal personality traits. However, the factor structure of scores on English and non-English translations of the SPQ has been a matter of debate. With little previous factorial evaluation of the German version of the SPQ (SPQ-G), we re-assessed the higher-order factor structure of the measure. A total of 2,428 German-speaking adults from Central Europe (CE) and the United Kingdom (UK) completed the SPQ-G. Confirmatory factor analysis – testing proposed 2-, 3-, and 4-factor models of SPQ-G scores – indicated that the 4-factor solution had best fit. Partial measurement invariance across cultural group (CE and UK) and sex was obtained for the 4-factor model. Further analyses showed CE participants had significantly higher scores than UK participants on one schizotypal facet. These results suggest that scores on the SPQ-G are best explained in terms of a higher-order, 4-factor solution in German migrant and non-migrant adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Belief in conspiracy theories has been associated with a range of negative health, civic, and social outcomes, requiring reliable methods of reducing such belief. Thinking dispositions have been highlighted as one possible factor associated with belief in conspiracy theories, but actual relationships have only been infrequently studied. In Study 1, we examined associations between belief in conspiracy theories and a range of measures of thinking dispositions in a British sample ( N = 990). Results indicated that a stronger belief in conspiracy theories was significantly associated with lower analytic thinking and open-mindedness and greater intuitive thinking. In Studies 2–4, we examined the causational role played by analytic thinking in relation to conspiracist ideation. In Study 2 ( N = 112), we showed that a verbal fluency task that elicited analytic thinking reduced belief in conspiracy theories. In Study 3 ( N = 189), we found that an alternative method of eliciting analytic thinking, which related to cognitive disfluency, was effective at reducing conspiracist ideation in a student sample. In Study 4, we replicated the results of Study 3 among a general population sample ( N = 140) in relation to generic conspiracist ideation and belief in conspiracy theories about the July 7, 2005, bombings in London. Our results highlight the potential utility of supporting attempts to promote analytic thinking as a means of countering the widespread acceptance of conspiracy theories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on socially aversive personality traits has increasingly been concerned with establishing common elements between these constructs and recently has introduced the dark factor of personality (D). However, investigations into D have not yet considered the role of vulnerable narcissism. Drawing on a discovery-replication sample approach with two large samples (total N > 2400), we present two studies on the relation of vulnerable narcissism with D. Study 1 investigated the factorial structure of popular measures of Dark Triad Traits exploratorily, while Study 2 tested the obtained structures with confirmatory factor analysis and fitted a D-factor model on the data. We show that the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale is not a unidimensional measure, but is better represented by two weakly correlated factors, sensitivity towards judgment and egocentricity. Only egocentricity had a salient loading on D, which suggests that egocentricity, but not sensitivity towards judgment, should be considered a dark trait. We discuss the implications of these findings for organizational and industrial psychology, particularly with regards to leadership narcissism and possible clinical-subclinical differences in vulnerable narcissism, especially concerning the relationship of egocentricity and D. • Investigations into D have not considered the role of vulnerable narcissism. • We present factor-analytic results with a discovery-replication sample approach. • Vulnerable narcissism, as measured with the HSNS, consists of two factors. • One of these factors, egocentrism, loads on D and thus appears to be a dark trait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Three new studies (N= 132, 623, 1112) did not yield hypothesized associations between digit ratio (2D:4D), an assumed negative correlate of prenatal testosterone, and psychometrically measured sex-role orientation (positive association with femininity, negative ones with masculinity and masculinity-femininity difference scores) among heterosexuals of either sex. Meta-analysis of the pertinent literature (N= 6311, 28 studies from 10 countries, 46% unpublished) showed only men’s (but not women’s) left-hand (but not right-hand) 2D:4D reliably related as expected (positively) to femininity. This effect was tiny (0.14% attributable variance) and possibly non-robust (crucially dependent on one large study included). Hence, the cumulative evidence does not support systematic, robust, noteworthy within-sex correlations between 2D:4D and the masculinity/femininity personality dimensions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The sexually differentiated second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is currently frequently utilized in individual differences research as a putative indicator of the masculinizing brain organization effects of prenatal testosterone. This preamble introduces the journal special issue on this theme, entitled “Digit ratio (2D:4D) and individual differences research”. Notes regarding the background, history, and recent progress of 2D:4D research are provided, and the background of the special issue and the contents of its 11 research articles are briefly summarized. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Generational changes of intelligence test performance in the general population (the Flynn effect) have been observed all over the world since the early 1940s. These changes are known to be country- and intelligence test domain-specific. To investigate whether such IQ gains are observable in three distinct domains of intelligence (verbal reasoning, spatial ability, mathematical reasoning) in German-speaking individuals, we examined a mixed-sex sample of 449 university students in a cross-sectional design. We assessed students’ IQs on three original (standardized in 1970) and revised subscales (standardized in 2000) of a widely used German intelligence test battery, thus allowing investigation of test score changes over a time span of 30years. Participants scored significantly higher on all subscales of the original test. Additionally, we observed higher performance of men than of women on all subscales, but only little evidence for sex differences regarding test score gains. In all, the Flynn effect appears to be progressive, robust, largely sex-independent, and intelligence domain-specific in respect to the magnitude of gains in German-speaking individuals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two studies examined beliefs about the personality of male butchers and hunters and the factuality of such beliefs. These professions’ daily routines involve killing animals and handling their carcasses, acts that could be facilitated by specific personality constellations. Study 1 (102 raters) evidenced perceptions of higher aggressiveness and masculinity of butchers/hunters and higher self-esteem (hunters only), as compared with average men. In contrast, Study 2 found little evidence for the factuality of such beliefs, based on multi-method personality assessments in a case-control design of 96 men (23 and 25 dyads including one butcher or hunter, matched with same-generation, other-occupation friends or relatives). Only implicit, but not explicit, aggressiveness (measured with an Implicit Association Test) was higher in butchers/hunters than in controls. Both masculinity (whether measured unobtrusively [digit ratio, 2D:4D] or explicitly) and self-esteem (whether measured implicitly [name-letter effect] or explicitly) were comparable for butchers/hunters and controls. Lower self-reported conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness in butchers/hunters than controls were not generalizable to informant reports of these Big Five dimensions. Discussion focuses on the merits of utilizing belief-factuality contrasts, controlled designs, and multi-method assessments in personality research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The transient enhancement of performance on spatial tasks in standardized tests after exposure to the first movement “allegro con spirito” of the Mozart sonata for two pianos in D major (KV 448) is referred to as the Mozart effect since its first observation by . These findings turned out to be amazingly hard to replicate, thus leading to an abundance of conflicting results. Sixteen years after initial publication we conduct the so far largest, most comprehensive, and up-to-date meta-analysis (nearly 40 studies, over 3000 subjects), including a diversity of unpublished research papers to finally clarify the scientific record about whether or not a specific Mozart effect exists. We could show that the overall estimated effect is small in size (d =0.37, 95% CI [0.23, 0.52]) for samples exposed to the Mozart sonata KV 448 and samples that had been exposed to a non-musical stimulus or no stimulus at all preceding spatial task performance. Additionally, calculation of effect sizes for samples exposed to any other musical stimulus and samples exposed to a non-musical stimulus or no stimulus at all yielded effects similar in strength (d =0.38, 95% CI [0.13, 0.63]), whereas there was a negligible effect between the two music conditions (d =0.15, 95% CI [0.02, 0.28]). Furthermore, formal tests yielded evidence for confounding publication bias, requiring downward correction of effects. The central finding of the present paper however, is certainly the noticeably higher overall effect in studies performed by Rauscher and colleagues than in studies performed by other researchers, indicating systematically moderating effects of lab affiliation. On the whole, there is little evidence left for a specific, performance-enhancing Mozart effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Previously reported associations between low (male-typical) digit ratio (2D:4D), a putative pointer to prenatal testosterone exposure, and high (male-typical) sensation seeking have been inconsistent across studies (alternately present for men, women, either sex, or neither). Addressing this question again in three new studies (N =198, 188, 1118) produced similarly erratic findings. Meta-analysis of the entire literature (13 studies with nearly 3000 individuals, including unpublished accounts) showed that the current cumulative evidence does not support any negative correlations between 2D:4D and sensation seeking traits. The only significant meta-analytical finding was for right-hand 2D:4D and the experience seeking facet of sensation seeking in both sexes, but this effect accounted for merely 0.4% attributable variance, and moreover was directionally opposite to expectation (i.e., a positive correlation). Discussed are inherent limitations of narrow-scoped approaches (such as via 2D:4D) for elucidating the biological bases of individual difference variables with evidentially intricate neurochemical underpinnings (such as sensation seeking). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Multifaceted evidence (family, twin, adoption, molecular genetic, geographic, and surname studies of suicide) suggests genetic risk factors for suicide. The migrant study design is also informative in this context, but underused. In particular, immigrant studies of suicide with a continental European host country are unavailable. The correspondence of suicide prevalence among 22 immigrant groups in Austria (1970–2006) with those of the homelands during the same period was analyzed. Immigrant and homeland suicide rates were significantly positively associated. Controls for age of suicide victim, immigrant group size, national pride, and quality of life in the homelands left the finding essentially unchanged. This correspondence of immigrant and country-of-birth suicide rates is consistent with the assumption of population differences in the prevalence of genetic risk factors for suicide, for which there is emerging evidence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Associations of paranormal and superstitious beliefs with digit ratio (2D:4D) and absolute finger length (putatively indexing prenatal and pubertal-adolescent androgen levels, respectively), fluctuating asymmetry (FA; indexing developmental instability), and body measures at birth (indexing non-optimal fetal growth) were examined in a sample of 1118 adults. Higher (feminised) 2D:4D correlated with stronger beliefs in men, even when controlled for age, education, adult height and weight, and birth length and weight. Shorter (feminised) finger length correlated with more superstition among women, but not when controlled for the same covariates. Finger FA was unrelated to beliefs in both sexes. Shorter birth length (in men and women) and lighter adult weight (in women) were associated with stronger beliefs. Effects of 2D:4D on men’s beliefs were weak (1–3% attributable variance), but commensurable with those of known non-biological belief correlates (age: 1%; education: 2%). This evidence may be informative for narrowing down possible developmental pathways of paranormal and superstitious beliefs. Propensities contributing to sex and individual differences in these beliefs probably arise in utero, may partly be due to prenatal testosterone and other prenatal programming effects, but less likely due to pubertal-adolescent androgen action or developmental instability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the ecological association of dietary tryptophan intake and suicide rates across industrialized nations. Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is the rate-limiting precursor of serotonin biosynthesis. The serotonergic system has been strongly implicated in the neurobiology of suicide.Methods: Contemporary male and female suicide rates for the general population (42 countries) and the elderly (38 countries) were correlated with national estimates of dietary tryptophan intake.Results: Measures of tryptophan intake were significantly negatively associated to national suicide rates. Controlling for national affluence, total alcohol consumption and happiness levels slightly attenuated these associations, but left all of them negative.Limitations: The effect is an ecological (group-level) finding. Estimated per capita tryptophan supply is only a proxy for actual consumption.Conclusions: Developed nations ranking high in dietary tryptophan intake rank low in suicide rates, independent of national wealth, alcohol intake and happiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is sexually differentiated and is a likely biomarker for the organisational (permanent) effects of prenatal testosterone on the human brain. Recent research has highlighted a possible role of prenatal testosterone levels in both the etiology of autism-spectrum disorders and in sex and individual differences in cognitive styles of the normal mind (Baron-Cohen’s Extreme Male Brain Theory of Autism and Empathising/Systemising Theory). Importantly, autistic children present lower (hypermasculinised) 2D:4D than healthy controls. Based on these accounts, we investigated the relation of 2D:4D with Baron-Cohen’s measures of empathising (“Reading the Mind in the Eyes” test, RMET; Empathy Quotient, EQ), systemising (Systemising Quotient, SQ), and autistic-like traits (Autism-Spectrum Quotient, AQ) in the general population (N =423 Austrian adults). Whereas sex differences into the expected direction and of expected size were obtained for all variables and internal scale consistencies tallied to retrievable reference values, 2D:4D was unrelated to RMET, EQ, SQ, and AQ scores. Candidate explanations for this lack of correlation might be possible developmental timing differences in the expression of 2D:4D and empathising/systemising, qualitative (as opposed to quantitative) functional differences between the normal and the autistic mind, or the suboptimal psychometric properties of the measures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: The number of sexual partners per individual (NSP) is an important component of sexual behaviour. Here, we report two studies concerning the relationship between a probable negative correlate of prenatal testosterone, the ratio of the length of 2nd and 4th digits (2D:4D), and NSP in men. The right hand 2D:4D ratio appears to be more strongly related to prenatal testosterone than does the left hand. Accordingly we found: (a) in a sample of 99 German heterosexual male undergraduates right hand 2D:4D (but not left hand 2D:4D) was significantly negatively associated with reported lifetime NSP. The relationship between NSP and 2D:4D was independent of free testosterone, but free testosterone also showed a weak positive association with NSP (b) in a sample of 79 heterosexual and 95 homosexual Austrian men we found a significant negative association between right hand 2D:4D (but not left hand 2D:4D) and reported NSP in past year for heterosexual but not for homosexual men. The association in heterosexuals was independent of age, years of education, occupation and relationship status. We conclude that male NSP is likely to be influenced by the long-term organisational effects of prenatal testosterone. The relationship between NSP and 2D:4D appears to be confined to heterosexual men. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

According to de Catanzaro’s (1981) evolutionary theory of human suicide, a threshold intelligence is necessary for suicidality. Intelligence and suicide mortality should thus be positively related. This prediction was tested and confirmed in an ecological study of 85 countries. National IQ was significantly positively related to the national male and female suicide rate. The relation was not attenuated when countries’ per capita Gross Domestic Product and the type of national IQ estimation were controlled. The relation was still positive, though not statistically reliable, when three further indicators (rates of the divorced, aged, and unemployed), salient for suicide rates and available for a subset of 36 countries, were additionally partialed out. Further evidence for a positive relation of intelligence and suicide mortality is provided by the observation of excess suicide prevalence in the Terman Genetic Study of Genius sample, relative to the general population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Suicide-epidemiological research on short-term effects of elections on national/regional suicide and parasuicide incidence has yielded contradictory evidence. Reversing the cause–effect relationship of this line of research we investigated whether preceding regional suicide rates are related to subsequent election results. Methods: For Austria’s 121 districts, we regressed averaged standardized suicide rates for the preceding period (1988–1994) on political parties’ subsequent electoral gains/losses (1999-to-1995) while controlling for a set of 12 domain-relevant psychosocial/economic indices. Results: Stepwise weighted multiple regression led to a significant model. The 1999-to-1995 electoral gains/losses of two opposition parties, together with the population variation caused by migration balance and by births/deaths balance, accounted for a substantial part (30%) of the variability in preceding district-level suicide rates. Various other social indices failed to contribute further substantial increments to this model. Conclusions: This finding suggests that variations in preceding regional suicide incidence might be mirrored in subsequent changes in voting behavior. A speculative post hoc explanation for the finding is offered: on a community level, suicide’s aftermath might produce socially and politically alienated survivors of suicide who co-shape swings towards opposition parties in subsequent general elections. The finding calls for more research on suicide’s long-term aftermath. Limitations: Within-country replicability and cross-national generalizability await further investigation. At present, the factor/mechanism accounting for this finding is neither well-established nor has been directly tested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Right-hand preference is related to stronger right-directional asymmetry in the length of proximal upper-limb bones, although the relationships of hand preference with directional asymmetry in phalangeal bone lengths are not known. Furthermore, dorsal digit length is an easy-to-measure, faithful proxy of X-rayed phalangeal bone length (which is costly and difficult to measure).Aim: To study the effects of hand preference, sex, and age on right-left (R-L) asymmetry in dorsal digit lengths.Methods: We measured all dorsal digit lengths (except the thumb) in comparable numbers of left-handers and right-handers in samples of adults (N = 151, age: M = 22.6 years, SD = 3.3) and children (N = 65, age: M = 5.0 years, SD = 1.0).Results: Right-handers and adults had stronger right-directional asymmetry in digit lengths than left-handers and children. A Bayesian analysis yielded an 'extremely strong likelihood' of no sex differences in the R-L asymmetry of dorsal digit lengths 2 and 4.Conclusions: The effects of hand preference, sex, and age on R-L asymmetry appear to be similar for phalangeal bone length and other (proximal) upper-limb bone lengths. Two distinct biologic mechanisms (i.e., a general right-directional asymmetry mechanism and a handedness-related directional asymmetry mechanism) may contribute to observed R-L asymmetry in limbs. Fingertip fat and bone digit length do not seem to contribute to sex differences in the R-L asymmetry (Dr-l) of the widely studied second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed-handedness was reported indicative of schizotypy, relevant to psychosis and schizophrenia. However, studies suffered from validity threats and did not systematically investigate associations with footedness. Moreover, there is a dearth of studies in the general population and it is currently untested whether widely used self-report scales measure schizotypy in a comparable way in student and community samples. The present study used two large and independent community and student samples (total N >2800) and utilized latent class analysis (LCA) for the classification of handedness and footedness. Psychometric properties and measurement equivalence of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire–Brief form (SPQ-B) in the two samples were also examined. We found that mixed-handedness (<6% prevalence), but also much more common mixed-footedness (25% prevalence), was specifically and similarly associated with higher schizotypy in both samples, Cohen d =0.15–0.18. Findings indicate that schizotypal traits in conjunction with mixed lateral preferences are thus more prevalent in the overall population than previously assumed, and that footedness may be the more relevant predictor of schizotypy than handedness. Findings are further consistent with evidence on neurodevelopmental instability, but also epigenetic mechanisms involving the sex chromosomes, regarding possible common causes of both mixed-handedness and psychosis-relevant traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lateral preferences are important for the study of cerebral lateralization and may be indicative of neurobehavioral disorders, neurodevelopmental instability, and deficits in lateralization. Previous studies showed that self-reported preferences are also concordantly interrelated, suggesting a common genetic or biological origin, sidedness. However, with regard to the assessment and classification of lateral preferences, there is a dearth of psychometric studies, but a need for psychometrically validated instruments that can be reliably used in applied research. Based on three independent large samples (total N >15,100), this study investigated the psychometric properties of widely-used lateral preference scales of handedness, footedness, eyedness, and earedness. Preferences were consistently and replicably categorical, consisting of right, mixed, and left preferences each, underlining that primarily qualitative, rather than quantitative, differences differentiate lateral preferences. Right-, mixed-, and left-sidedness underlay the individual preferences, but sidedness alone could not fully explain the observed inter-relations. Footedness was the single most important indicator of sidedness. Our data were further consistent with predictions of right shift theory and corroborated a ‘pull-to-concordance’ in hand–foot preferences. We recommend the use of psychometrically validated scales and of a trichotomous classification of lateral preferences in future research, but conclude that handedness may be a biased indicator of underlying sidedness. Footedness needs to be examined more closely with regard to cerebral lateralization, neurodevelopmental disorders, and neurodevelopmental instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Left-handed women are assumedly more masculine, left-handed men more feminine. [•] Previous research did not distinguish between mixed- and left-handedness. [•] Mixed-handers, but not left-handers, are less sex-congruent stereotyped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Potential explanations for generational intelligence test score gains continue to be subject to intense debate and scrutiny in the scientific community. However, the explanatory value of some of the proposed causes remains difficult to determine, since only little empirical evidence is available. To clarify the role of two scarcely investigated theories accounting for the Flynn effect, this study set out to examine the role of changing test-taking behavior (Brand's hypothesis) and of a narrowing of the IQ ability distribution (Rodgers' hypothesis). Archival records of crystallized intelligence test performance over a time-span of 17years of a large number of psychiatric inpatients and outpatients in Austria were investigated (N =5445; 1978–94). This sample was particularly suitable to investigate our hypotheses since participants were under no pressure to perform which makes observed changes in test taking behavior attributable to personal style and ability rather than differential performance in pressure situations. Analytical approaches of both classical test theory and item response theory (IRT) yielded gains of 1.0 to 2.4 IQ points per decade. Test-taking behavior indicative of guessing and decreasing population IQ variability appeared to contribute both to IQ test score gains. IRT-based analyses showed that gains were largely preserved when controlling for highest educational qualification, while the test instrument showed measurement invariance between cohorts. However, IRT-based results also suggested that changes in test-taking behavior might not necessarily reflect increased guessing, but item drift instead. In all, this evidence emphasizes better performance of individuals of the lower tail of the IQ ability distribution in more recent years as one important contributing factor for generational IQ test score gains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Research on romantic jealousy and self-esteem mostly relies on the measurement of explicit (i.e., conscious, deliberate) aspects, without taking recent developments of the measurement of implicit (i.e., automatic) aspects into account. In this study (N =154), we applied several measures of romantic jealousy and self-esteem (explicit, implicit), finding sex-specific as well as measurement-specific effects. Men (but not women) higher in jealousy had lower explicit self-esteem, whereas women (but not men) higher in jealousy had higher implicit self-esteem, but only when using the Implicit Association Test (whereas not the Initial Preference Task) for measuring implicit self-esteem. Individuals with damaged (i.e., low explicit and high implicit) self-esteem were more jealous than those with fragile (i.e., high explicit and low implicit) self-esteem. This differential effect was due to higher implicit self-esteem among women, whereas lower explicit self-esteem among men. These novel findings not only add to the expanding literature on romantic jealousy research, but also to research on self-esteem discrepancies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: This study examined free flap reconstruction of surgical defects of the oral cavity and oropharynx after preoperative radiochemotherapy. Included in this analysis are 303 prospectively followed patients who underwent a multimodal treatment regime for advanced oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma. All patients received preoperative radiochemotherapy (Mitomycin C, 5-FU, 50Gy), ablative surgery, and primary free flap reconstruction. Patient characteristics, surgical parameters like duration of surgery and ischaemia, size of defect, type of transplant, and clinical outcome parameters like duration of intensive care and hospitalization, type of complications, necessity and type of revision surgery were statistically evaluated. Overall flap success rate was 93.1%. Sixty seven patients required revision and 21 flaps (6.9%) were lost. Overall complication rate was 22.1%. Mean duration of intensive care (DOIC) and duration of overall postoperative hospitalization (DOH) were 11.0±9.6days and 35.9±26.3days, respectively. Flap success and flap related complications after 50Gy focal radiation dosage were found in a comparable range as in published series of reconstructions in uncompromised tissue. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Prenatal sex hormones may not exclusively determine effects of hand preference on digit ratios. Genetic determination is an alternative possibility.Aim: To study the likelihood of similar effects of hand preference on digit lengths and digit ratios.Methods: We selected similar numbers of left-handers and right-handers in samples of kindergarten children (N = 101, age range: 3.5-7 years) and adults (N = 189, age range: 17-28 years) and measured digit lengths (excluding the thumb) directly on the palmar hand.Results: Compared to right-handers, left-handers had longer digits and lower third-to-fourth (3D:4D) digit ratios among children, whereas an opposite pattern of handedness differences occurred among adults.Conclusions: Effects of hand preference on digit lengths and ratios might be genetically/ontogenetically determined. Also discussed are implications of this set of findings for digit ratio research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispositional mindfulness (i.e., its trait-like and universal component) and the Big Five personality dimensions empirically overlap on both the aggregate and facet levels. This overlap is strongest for neuroticism and conscientiousness, two major correlates of mental health. Associations of dispositional mindfulness with mental health could thus be due to underlying personality configurations. We investigated the latent structure and the incremental validity of dispositional mindfulness and the Big Five in accounting for mental health (perceived stress, anxiety, depression) in a community sample of N = 430 adults. Facets of dispositional mindfulness and the Big Five (using aggregate-level measures for openness, extraversion, and agreeableness) shared a common latent structure, which successfully recovered the Big Five. The incremental validity of mindfulness facets for mental health was small and negligible, only increasing in analyses of manifest (vs. latent) scores and when using aggregate (vs. facet-level) measures of neuroticism and conscientiousness. Predictor commonality and dominance analyses corroborated that the concurrent validity of dispositional mindfulness for mental health largely is qualified by personality dimensions. Emphasized are definitional overlaps of personality and dispositional mindfulness, and present-moment awareness as a possibly unique feature of dispositional mindfulness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dark Triad of personality (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy) is widely considered conceptually important for individual differences research into personality and interpersonal behavior. Recent research suggests to add trait sadism to its defining constructs (i.e., to form a Dark Tetrad), and that a single common dimension (the Dark Core) underlies these dark personality traits. Taxometric studies suggest the Dark Triad traits are dimensional (i.e., quantitative), but investigations on the facet level are lacking and sex differences in dark personality traits have not been considered. Utilizing widely-used scales, this study investigated the Dark Triad traits, sadism, as well as the Dark Core of personality, with taxometric methods on both the aggregate and facet level and separately among men and women (total N  = 2463, 56% women, mean age: 41.4 years). Dark personality traits mostly were dimensional, on both the aggregate and the facet level, and for both sexes. The Dark Core appeared to be taxonic among men, but dimensional among women. Taxon members were characterized by uniformly elevated dark personality traits and younger age. Future studies might profitably investigate the incremental predictive validity of this identified taxon and focus on further sex differences in dark personality traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dark Triad of personality has received considerable attention since its introduction to the literature. However, this personality configuration has been assumed to be merely based on observed positive intercorrelations between narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, whereas the underlying factorial structure has not yet been thoroughly investigated. This study set out to test the factorial structure of the Dark Triad, and further examined one proposed conceptual extension, namely the Dark Tetrad, with trait sadism included. A large, community-based sample ( N = 2463, 56% women, mean age = 41.4 yr.) completed self-report measures of the adverse personality traits narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism. Structural equation modelling indicated a better fit for a single latent Dark Core, as compared with assuming the Dark Triad traits as independent constructs. Adding sadism did not improve the explanatory value of the construct. These findings suggest that aversive personalities may best be represented by a single Dark Core of personality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging evidence suggests that there are few differences in the personality profiles of tattooed and non-tattooed adults. To add to this literature, we compared tattooed and non-tattooed adults in terms of their willingness to take risks in multiple domains, as well as their impulsivity and boredom proneness. Adults from central Europe (N = 1006) completed measures of the afore-mentioned concepts and reported the number of tattoos they had. In total, 19.1% of respondents had at least one tattoo, with no significant differences as a function of sex, nationality, education, or marital status. We also found that tattooed adults had higher motor impulsivity and were more willing to take risks in recreational and health and safety domains. However, effect sizes of these differences were negligible to small. Among tattooed adults, there were no significant associations between the number of tattoos possessed and any of the measured variables. These results suggest that tattooed and non-tattooed adults nowadays are more similar than different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive associations between human intelligence and brain size have been suspected for more than 150 years. Nowadays, modern non-invasive measures of in vivo brain volume (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) make it possible to reliably assess associations with IQ. By means of a systematic review of published studies and unpublished results obtained by personal communications with researchers, we identified 88 studies examining effect sizes of 148 healthy and clinical mixed-sex samples (>8000 individuals). Our results showed significant positive associations of brain volume and IQ ( r = .24, R 2 = .06) that generalize over age (children vs. adults), IQ domain (full-scale, performance, and verbal IQ), and sex. Application of a number of methods for detection of publication bias indicates that strong and positive correlation coefficients have been reported frequently in the literature whilst small and non-significant associations appear to have been often omitted from reports. We show that the strength of the positive association of brain volume and IQ has been overestimated in the literature, but remains robust even when accounting for different types of dissemination bias, although reported effects have been declining over time. While it is tempting to interpret this association in the context of human cognitive evolution and species differences in brain size and cognitive ability, we show that it is not warranted to interpret brain size as an isomorphic proxy of human intelligence differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The large number of published meta-analyses on the associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and suicidal behavior mirrors the enormous research interest in this topic. Although meta-analytic evidence is abundant and certain patterns are apparent, those have not been integrated into a general framework as of yet. In a systematic review, genetic association studies between SNPs and suicidal behavior were identified. Previously published meta-analyses for eight SNPs were updated and the results of the different meta-analyses were compared. Meta-analyses for 15 SNPs, which had not been subjected to meta-analysis before, were conducted. The present meta-analytical field synopsis showed five major similarities between new and published analyses: 1) Summary effect sizes were small and rarely statistically significant, 2) heterogeneity between studies was often substantial, 3) there were no time trends, 4) effects were easily swayed and were largely dependent on individual studies, and 5) publication bias does not play a role in this field of research. Meta-analytic data show once more that major contributions of single genes are unlikely. However, association studies and corresponding meta-analyses have been an important and necessary stepping stone in the development of modern and more complex approaches in the genetics of suicidal behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Previous work has shown that the tendency to positively perceive a romantic partner’s physical attractiveness (i.e., the love-is-blind bias) is associated with positive self and relationship outcomes. Here, we examined possible associations between the love-is-blind bias and a negative relational outcome, namely the experience of jealousy. A total of 217 participants provided ratings of the overall physical attractiveness of the self and their romantic partners and also completed measures of three types of jealousy (anxious, reactive, and possessive), lovestyles, and relationship satisfaction. Results showed that the love-is-blind bias positively predicted the experience of anxious jealousy even after controlling for the effects of lovestyles and relationship satisfaction. Furthermore, the love-is-blind bias was significantly and positively correlated with possessive jealousy, but did not emerge as a significant predictor once the effects of lovestyles had been taken into account. Finally, the love-is-blind bias was not significantly correlated with reactive jealousy. These results indicate that the love-is-blind bias may have a negative relational outcome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigates experts’ and laypeople''s social representations of the financial and economic crisis, as widely discussed in the media after the fall of Lehman Brothers in 2008. Financial experts (n =156) and laypeople (n =153) with low versus high confidence in the economic recovery spontaneously associated thoughts and beliefs about the crisis and to economic and political stakeholders. Following a mixed-methods approach, they evaluated economic stakeholders with regard to six trust items. The study was conducted in March 2010 in Austria, which was moderately affected by the crisis. The results indicate that economic variables (e.g., unemployment) were central to the social representations of the crisis, while underlying feelings of unfairness and egoism surfaced during the ongoing process of association. The social representation did not comprise a general criticism of the economic system. The differences between the subgroups depended on identification-based self-protection and economic knowledge. Experts and laypeople tended to attribute the economic crisis to specific stakeholders in a self-protecting way: experts blamed the media, laypeople blamed the managers, and both blamed the politicians. Interestingly, the subgroups tended to evaluate the banks as being relatively neutral. Expertise and differentiated economic knowledge was related to confidence in the economic recovery. Thus, the perceived capability of politicians in terms of competence and morality seems crucial for regaining public confidence in the economy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study examined associations between attitudes toward human rights and civil liberties (HR-CL) and a range of ideological, personality, and individual difference traits. A total of 474 German-speaking participants completed measures of attitudes toward HR-CL, right-wing authoritarianism (RWA), Big Five personality traits, conspiracist ideation, and political cynicism. Preliminary analyses showed no significant sex differences on attitudes toward HR-CL. When these predictors were entered into a multiple regression, the only significant predictors were RWA, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and Openness-Intellect. Further analyses showed that the relationship between Openness-Intellect and attitudes toward HR-CL was mediated by RWA. These results are discussed in relation to intervention programmes aimed at promoting more egalitarian HR-CL attitudes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There currently exists a dearth of research on the transmission and assimilation of myths. To overcome this limitation, we developed a novel scale that measures belief in science-related myths. A total of 363 participants completed this new scale along with measures of personality (the Big Five factors), anti-scientific attitudes, and New Age orientation. Exploratory factor analysis showed that the items of the belief in myths scale could be reduced to two factors concerning human-related and non-human-related myths. Both factors were internally reliable, were moderately inter-correlated, and were not rated significantly differently by women and men (although human-related myths were rated as significantly more believable than non-human-related myths). Further analysis showed that only human myths were significantly predicted by anti-scientific attitudes and the Big Five factor of Extraversion. These results are discussed in relation to the promotion of scientific literacy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Previous studies that have examined the association between aesthetic preferences and individual difference variables have relied on static artistic compositions. In contrast, the present study examined the individual difference antecedents of preferences for surrealist motion pictures. A total of 240 participants rated ten clips of surrealist film for liking and familiarity, and completed measures of the Big Five personality factors, sensation seeking, and ambiguity tolerance. Results of a multiple regression showed that, controlling for familiarity, greater preference for surrealist motion pictures was significantly associated with higher Openness to Experience, greater sensation seeking, and greater ambiguity tolerance. Limitations of the current study are highlighted and results are discussed in relation to previous work on aesthetic preferences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate whether the risk of increased suicide occurrence after reports on suicide is associated with the social characteristics of the reported suicides and whether this varies with similarity between the reported suicides and suicides in the population. We collected reports on all 179 individual suicides named in the 13 largest Austrian nationwide newspapers from 1996 to 2006. Information on social status and sociodemographic characteristics of the reported suicides, on certainty of labelling the death as a suicide, and on the suicide methods applied were extracted from the articles. We conducted logistic regression analyses, with the increase of post-report suicides within 28 days after the reports as dependent variable. In model 1, the increase of suicides that matched the reported individual suicide with regard to age group, sex and suicide method was used as outcome variable. In model 2, the increase of suicides that were different from the reported suicide with regard to these characteristics was the outcome. In model 3, the post-report increase of total suicides was the dependent variable. Celebrity status of the reported suicide, age of the reported suicide between 30 and 64 years, and definitive labelling as a suicide were associated with an increased risk of a post-report increase of similar suicides; criminality (i.e. the individual was reported as suspected or convicted of crime) of the reported suicide was associated with a lower risk of a post-report increase. In dissimilar suicides, none of the variables was associated with a post-report increase of suicides. Celebrity status of the reported suicide was the only predictor of a post-report increase of total suicides. The findings support the hypothesis that social variables of reported suicides impact the risk of post-report copycat behaviour. Evidence of copycat effects seemed to be strongest in suicides that were similar to the respective model with regard to age group, sex, and suicide method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]