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Self-compassion is a non-evaluative, protective, and positive attitude comprised of three components: (a) self-kindness, whereby in times of suffering or failure, one is understanding towards themselves, (b) common humanity, referring to the understanding that one’s experiences are part of a larger collective experience, and (c) mindfulness, where one remains conscious of painful thoughts without over-identifying with them (Neff, 2003a). Increasing self-compassion has been shown to improve mental health outcomes, and is related to the concepts of perfectionism, trait resilience, and the five-factor model of personality (Macbeth & Gumley, 2012). The current study assessed the relationships between adaptive, maladaptive, and non-perfectionism with self-compassion using an ANOVA. A correlational approach was also used to examine self-compassion, trait resilience, the “Big Five” traits, and perfectionism. Results showed that the three perfectionism groups differed from self-compassion significantly, and that maladaptive perfectionists exercised significantly less self-compassion than adaptive perfectionists. Further, neuroticism was found to be the only personality variable outside of perfectionism to significantly relate to self-compassion, where high levels of neuroticism were associated with low self-compassion. This study lends additional support for the relationships between perfectionism, neuroticism, and self-compassion.

Despite growing attention surrounding impostor phenomenon (also known as “imposter syndrome”), recent reviews have suggested that current measures may be inadequate in capturing the complex and multifaceted nature of this construct (i.e., thoughts, feelings, and behaviours). The objective of my dissertation research program was to clarify the theoretical conceptualization of impostor phenomenon based on experiences in an achievement-oriented setting, and to develop a novel and psychometrically valid method of measuring this construct. I began by conducting an extensive review of the literature and developing an item pool for a novel impostor phenomenon assessment. I then conducted exploratory factor analyses (Study 1) and confirmatory factor analyses (Study 2) to assess the initial item pool and to determine the factor structure and initial psychometric properties (e.g., convergent and divergent validity) of the novel Impostor Phenomenon Assessment (IPA; Study 2 and 3). As an extension to Study 3, I also examined the longitudinal stability of impostor phenomenon and correlates with trait variables and psychological distress across the academic year (baseline and six follow-up timepoints). Results suggested excellent psychometric properties for the novel IPA. Longitudinal findings demonstrated that impostor phenomenon was relatively stable in individuals over time, with intercepts significantly varying as a function of gender and academic year. Model findings for impostor phenomenon showed that self-esteem, self-critical perfectionism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and rigid perfectionism were significant predictors. Additionally, cross-lagged panel analyses suggested partial support for a causal effect of impostor phenomenon on psychological distress across time. These findings offer preliminary evidence for the reliability and validity of the IPA as a novel measure of impostor phenomenon and are the first to examine the stability of impostor phenomenon in individuals over time.

Humor styles provide a better understanding of one’s personality and may vary based on individual difference variables. This study explores humor by looking at how different humor styles may correlate with other variables such as, loneliness, depression, the Big Five traits, self-esteem, age and sex. The following poster outlines the methodology used, as well as the proposed means of data analysis that will be conducted.

This poster describes a review of the Meaning in Life psychological research. The project aimed to find current issues with the field and to provide new directions for it, along with a research proposal to be done in the fall.

I had the pleasure of working with Colin King under the Mary J. Wright Child and Youth Development Clinic to aid in their new research project. Studying children, the goal for the project is to assess the psychological impacts that long-term, intensive PCCU care has on the youth. Throughout the summer, I worked as an intern, helping to establish a base from which the project can stem from. This short slide show highlights the current progress that has been made towards setting up the study. I am looking forward to inspecting the study results once it is completed.

Within Social and Personality Psychology, we have not done a good job of integrating the knowledge base of habit formation into our theoretical models, even though it is clear that habits fall within the larger domain of traits. This project reviewed the literature on the hostile attribution bias as well as habits, and found a connection between these two topics that has scarcely been explored. Both context cues and self control were found to be important for the development of bad habits as well as the presence of the hostile attribution bias. Based on the connections made, habit formation may be influential in the formation of the hostile attribution bias. Finally, a research proposal is presented to demonstrate a direction for future research to explore these two topics together.

Ideology is central to political psychology, but despite recent renewed interest in studying political ideology, its measurement is inconsistent. Ideology scales are numerous and heterogeneous in content. Further, there is disagreement on whether ideology is unidimensional multi-dimensional, and what the nature of these dimensions are. These inconsistencies limit the generalizability of conclusions made about ideology as it relates to political views and behaviour. There is a clear need for a conceptual model that is grounded in theory, and for a well-validated scale that organizes and quantifies ideology. Chapter 1 reviews the state of ideology measurement and identifies plausible dimensions supported by the literature. Chapter 2 involves the development of the new political ideology scale (NPIS) and two exploratory factor analyses (EFA) with samples of 426 postsecondary students and 239 Canadian adults, respectively, which explored the latent structure of the items. Chapter 3 involved three studies using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with samples of 484 (Time 1) and 388 (Time 2) Canadian adults, 522 postsecondary students, and 191 Canadian adults, respectively. These studies tested the fit of the refined item pool and established a three-factor structure of ideology comprising egalitarianism, traditionalism, and authoritarianism factors. Construct and criterion validity analyses were also conducted. The three factors were associated to varying degrees with personality traits; social dominance and right-wing authoritarianism; party affiliation and voting behaviour; support for normative and radical collective action; views on Canadian political policies; and perceptions of the COVID-19 virus, government response, and vaccination intentions. Chapter 4 involves a latent profile analysis (LPA) suggesting four patterns of scores, which were associated with different demographic features and views on collective action: a highly egalitarian, very anti-authoritarian and very progressive profile; an egalitarian, moderately authoritarian, and moderately progressive profile; a highly authoritarian, slightly anti-egalitarian, and highly traditional profile; and a very anti-egalitarian, moderately authoritarian, highly traditional profile. Chapter 5 involves an experimental study on persuasive messaging and ideology as it relates to COVID-19 vaccination intentions. The studies provide a foundation for a more cohesive study of ideology, and the scale has potential applications for any research requiring measurement of core political values.

Trait emotional intelligence (EI) and the Big Five personality factors represent promising constructs in the individual differences literature that have been investigated in relation to help-seeking behaviour. This quantitative work explores the relationship between individual differences in trait EI, personality, and attitudes toward – as well as future intentions to engage in – help-seeking behaviour among undergraduate students at Western University. Stepwise regression modelling was used to determine which dimensions of personality and trait EI best predicted help-seeking outcomes and whether attitudes toward help-seeking predicted intentions to seek help from university-provided mental health sources. Resultsindicated that several individual facets of trait EI were more closely associated with and better predictors of both general attitudes toward help-seeking behaviour and intentions to seek help from formal support sources than the Big Five. Attitudes toward help-seeking were found to be significantly predictive of intentions to seek help from Student Health Services and Psychological Services.

Research investigating individual differences in personality and altruistic behaviour has focused predominantly on traits described within the Five-Factor Model (FFM). The objective of the present study was to explore the role of age, gender, and 10 personality traits outside of the common FFM in predicting altruism. An online survey including the Supplementary Personality Inventory (Paunonen, 2002), the Self-Report Altruism Scale (Rushton et al., 1981), and the Compassionate Altruism Scale (O’Connor et al., 2015) was completed by 256 participants. Regression analysis revealed the SPI to account for significant variance in both measures of altruism. Specifically, age, integrity, and risk-taking positively predicted scores on the Self-Report Altruism Scale. Humorousness positively predicted compassionate altruism towards family, while compassionate altruism towards strangers was positively predicted by religiosity, and negatively predicted by femininity. Overall, the results highlight the importance of incorporating additional dimensions of personality into explorations of altruism and related prosocial behaviours. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

The purpose of the overall program of research was to investigate whether there are individual differences that facilitate the acceptance of, or preferences for, social-comparative performance feedback. In doing so, we aimed to establish how individual differences could be leveraged to mitigate the negative reactions that some individuals experience in response to social-comparative feedback (Feeney, Goffin, & Schneider, 2016; Roch et al., 2007). Likewise, we sought to determine whether individual differences were associated with a preference for social-comparative feedback. The results of the first study (N = 255) advanced a novel experimental design and found that, with limited exception, the individual differences examined in the study were not related to ratees’ reactions to and acceptance of social-comparative performance feedback. In our second study (N = 145) participants were presented with a vignette and indicated whether they would prefer to work for a company that used a social-comparative performance management system or a traditional absolute performance management system. The results of the study found that individuals who preferred a social-comparative performance management system were high on two narrow facets of Conscientiousness (i.e., Diligence, and Organization) prefer social-comparative performance ratings over traditional absolute performance ratings. The details and implications of these findings across both studies are discussed and we conclude that more research on this topic is needed.

The State-Trait Cheerfulness Inventory (STCI) measures the temperamental basis of the sense of humor involving cheerfulness, seriousness, and bad mood. This manuscript-based dissertation introduces novel research findings that incrementally advances knowledge and understanding of the state-trait model of cheerfulness. The present research addresses two main objectives to: (1) assess the reliability and validity of the newly constructed measures of the STCI and (2) broaden the understanding of the theoretical framework of the STCI and its association with humor and well-being. Studies One to Four provide evidence for the reliability and validity of the English (state and trait short forms), Italian (standard trait form), and Chinese (standard trait form) versions of the STCI. While the association between the state-trait model of cheerfulness with well-being has been documented in the literature, it has traditionally lent itself readily to zero-order correlational research. To meet the second objective, analysis of individual differences may further clarify the association between traits cheerfulness, seriousness, and bad mood with well-being. Studies Five to Eight address the association between cheerfulness and well-being through the lenses of humor traits (Study Five), self-esteem and behavioural activation (Study Six), resiliency (Study Seven), and creativity (Study Eight). The results provide psychometric evidence for the newly developed versions of the tool and new insight that advances a coherent and multifaceted theoretical framework on the pathways in which the state-trait model of cheerfulness is associated with humor and psychological well-being.

The current study aimed to assess whether individual differences in fluid intelligence, as measured by abstract reasoning, emotional intelligence, and the Big Five personality traits would predict susceptibility to the continued influence effect. A total of 29 undergraduate students at Brescia University College read a news story that contained both misinformation and a retraction and were then tested on that news story. Participants also completed three additional questionnaires measuring personality traits, emotional intelligence, and abstract reasoning. It was predicted that individuals with lower levels of fluid and emotional intelligence, as well as those who scored higher in neuroticism and extraversion would be the most susceptible to the continued influence effect. Results indicated that fluid intelligence, emotional intelligence, and the personality traits were not significant predictors of susceptibility to the continued influence effect, although individuals who exhibited higher levels of fluid intelligence were more likely to remember the retraction.

Research has already established the importance of social networks in developing and maintaining well-being. Furthermore, different types of social relationships have been found to influence individuals’ lives in unique ways. There is little understanding, however, of the manner in which relationship types compare in their effects on individuals’ psychological well-being. Using a correlational design, this study investigated the associations between relationship intimacy and psychological well-being. Relationship intimacy was measured for respondents’ parents, significant others, close friends, and pets. The surveys were distributed to 91 undergraduate students and combined the Miller Social Intimacy Scale (MSIS) and Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-being (SPWB) to assess respondents’ relationships and psychological well-being, respectively. The results of two regression analyses revealed that intimacy in relationships with one’s significant other and close friends were significant predictors of wellbeing, though specific mechanisms of influence could not be established. Further research opportunities include diversifying the study sample and investigating the creation of a standardized scale to more accurately measure intimacy across different relationship types.

This thesis reports on a life history narrative on the experiences of Iraqi refugees who resettled in Canada after living through war. The aim of this study is to help change the narrow perspectives on the mental health of war affected populations to a broader perception shaped by cultural and social aspects and to inform the development of meaningful and cultural relevant programs and policies with a particular attention to the concept of resilience. The first part of the study presents the chronological narratives, or profiles. of eight participants. The second part of the study is a thematic discussion of their experiences with war and resilience. Six major themes are presented. The first major theme describes the war-related experiences the participants faced, and the impact that those experiences had on their daily lives while they were living In Iraq. The second major theme describes the impact that living amidst war had on the social structure of society which then affected participants in various ways depending on their class, gender, ethnicity and religion. The third theme discusses how participants managed the adversities of war in the context of their socio-cultural development. The fourth theme addresses the after-effects of war and describes the meaning-making that resulted from living through traumatic war experiences and how these experiences continue to shape their lives. The fifth theme describes the resilience strategies that participants enacted to manage the negative impacts of war experiences. The final theme describes how participants adapted to resettling in Canada and some of their current major concerns. The results of this study show that the experiences of the Iraqi war refugees who resettled in Canada vary. Participating in this study afforded safe social spaces to express their narratives and memories. This process enabled the participants to attain political and social acknowledgement and develop new perspectives or modify existing ones. The findings of this study highlights the need for mental health services and public sectors to develop or modify their services to attend to the needs of the refugees and immigrants by adapting more culturally informed approaches.

The relationship between perfectionism and procrastination has been established in the literature; however, findings regarding the magnitude of this correlation are inconsistent. Some studies found small-to-medium effects between trait-perfectionism and trait-procrastination, while others found large effects between perfectionistic cognitions and procrastinatory cognitions, suggesting that the association may be stronger when assessed from a cognitive perspective. The present study addressed this inconsistency, by exploring this association using both trait and cognitive measures. There was a significant and positive correlation between perfectionism and procrastination, and the largest effect size was observed between perfectionism (trait and cognitive measures) and procrastinatory cognitions, suggesting that perfectionists are not necessarily procrastinating more but are rather more cognitively distressed by their procrastinatory tendencies. This study also addressed the mediating roles of two variables: fear of failure (FF), and overgeneralization of failure (OGF). While previous research showed that FF is linked to both perfectionism and procrastination, the role of OGF in this association has been unexamined. Findings in this study showed that FF mediated all (trait and cognitive) pathways between perfectionism and procrastination, and OGF mediated almost all pathways. Further, there was a sequential mediation, via FF followed by OGF, for all (but one) pathways between perfectionism and procrastination. This finding suggests that fear of failure predicts the tendency to overgeneralize failures to one’s global sense of self, and this combination of effects drives the association between perfectionism and procrastination.

The study of resilience, or positive adaptation in the face of adversity, is important across the lifespan, but may be particularly relevant for older adults who tend to experience an increasing number of challenges. Traditionally, resilience assessment has largely focused on child and young-to-middle aged adult populations, and as such, the literature is lacking a validated resilience measure developed specifically for older adults. This dissertation aimed to improve the measurement of resilience in older populations by developing and validating a new resilience measure that is relevant and appropriate for older adults. In Study 1, a qualitative metasynthesis was conducted to develop a theoretical model of resilience in older adulthood that is grounded in numerous qualitative studies examining resilience from older adults’ perspectives. Using this new theoretical model, Studies 2a, 2b and 2c employed exploratory factor analyses, confirmatory factor analyses, and analysis of gender invariance to develop and provide initial validation for the Resilience Scale for Older Adults (RSOA). The RSOA consists of four factors that measure resilience protective factors in the following domains: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Spiritual, and Experiential. Lastly, Study 3 evaluated the practical applicability of the RSOA by using this new measure to explore the relationship between perceived stress, adverse life events, and quality of life (QOL) in older adults. Overall, results provide promising initial validity evidence for the RSOA and findings suggest it is generally appropriate for an older adult population, although the Spiritual factor may be better suited as a supplemental, rather than core protective factor. Additionally, resilience as measured by the RSOA mediates the relationship between perceived stress and QOL, but only the Interpersonal resilience factor plays a key role in the relationship between cumulative adverse life events and QOL. The implications for resilience assessment in research and practice are discussed.

Self-compassion involves reappraising negative events, accepting uncomfortable emotions, and practicing self-kindness. This thesis examined the effect of cultivating self-compassion via daily self-compassionate writing completed online for one week on stigmatizing and affirming self-perceptions in young undergraduate women. Undergraduate women (N = 254) were randomly assigned to one of the three conditions (i.e., self-compassionate writing, attentional-control, wait-list control) and completed measures of trait self-compassion, fear of self-compassion, affirming self-perceptions (i.e., body appreciation and broad conceptualization of beauty), and stigmatizing self-perceptions (i.e., self-objectification and phenomenological body shame) at baseline, post-test, and one-month follow-up. Hypotheses were tested using MANCOVA and a latent growth modelling (LGM) approach. MANCOVA revealed no change across conditions. LGM revealed a significant increase in the slope for self-compassion and a significant decrease in the slope for self-objectification and overidentification across time in the self-compassion condition, but the effects were small. Implications and future directions for self-compassion interventions are discussed.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an international public health concern that poses significant mental and physical health risks for affected individuals. To improve prevention and intervention efforts, it is imperative that researchers and government bodies understand risk factors for IPV. This dissertation sought to evaluate individual differences in personality and childhood experiences as risk factors for various forms of IPV. The first two studies in this dissertation assessed whether the Dark Tetrad personality traits moderated the relationships between participants’ and their partners’ levels of IPV perpetration. In these studies, we assessed whether the Dark Tetrad traits operated differently in their associations with bidirectional IPV (i.e., both partners perpetrating violence against each other). The first sample comprised 109 men and 290 women (age range = 17-33, Mage = 18.74, SDage = 1.84) recruited through the psychology participant pool at the University of Western Ontario. Results showed that the relationships between participants’ and their partners’ frequency of IPV varied depending on their levels of specific Dark Tetrad traits. Participants in Study 2 were 153 men and 207 women recruited from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (age range = 18-73, Mage = 34.39, SDage = 10.96). Results showed that being female, higher levels of partner IPV perpetration severity, and Factor 2 psychopathy resulted in significantly higher odds of engaging in more severe IPV perpetration. Finally, the third study investigated whether the Dark Tetrad traits mediated the relationships between exposure to violence in childhood and subsequent IPV perpetration in adulthood. A total of 153 men and 246 women (age range = 18-73, Mage = 33.50, SDage = 10.26) were recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Results showed no relationship between IPV perpetration and childhood IPV exposure. Therefore, mediation analyses were not possible. Follow-up exploratory analyses demonstrated that gender moderated the relationships between childhood IPV exposure and levels of Factor 1 psychopathy and Machiavellianism. Results from this research have implications for future implementation of appropriate interventions in the context of IPV perpetration. It is also important to implement better education on individual differences as mechanisms underlying IPV perpetration for society as a whole.

This study investigated whether students who scored high in Perfectionistic Concerns (i.e., unhealthy perfectionists) would have higher Imposter Phenomenon and stress scores, as well as lower self-efficacy, belonging, and social acceptance scores. Additionally, the study sought to clarify how the two dimensions of perfectionism, Concerns and Strivings, are associated with the Imposter Phenomenon. The sample consisted of 48 female undergraduate students at a university in London, Ontario. A Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between Perfectionistic Concerns and the Imposter Phenomenon. A significant positive correlation was also found between stress and the Imposter Phenomenon. Additionally, a significant negative correlation was found between university belonging and the Imposter Phenomenon. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between Perfectionistic Concerns and Perfectionistic Strivings. Together, these findings suggest that stress, Perfectionistic Concerns, and a sense of university belonging may affect the extent to which students experience imposter-related characteristics.

It is difficult to study the final thoughts of people who die by suicide. To compensate for this gap in knowledge, this study explored the life stories found in the suicide notes of well-known creative individuals. A 6-phase thematic analysis was used to explore the phenomenon of final thoughts. This study presents the narrative trends across entries, which consisted primarily of the artists communicating their suffering and expressing their coping strategies. The artists circled back to the same themes of suffering, mainly the negative view of themselves, the striving to be better, and the paradox of choice. This cycle of suffering gave rise to feelings of being trapped in existence, in which death was perceived to be the only escape. The act of leaving behind a note represents the artists’ last attempt to connect to life. This yearning for connection is discussed as the final barrier to suicide.

Using electromyography (EMG), it has been shown that facial muscles imperceptibly mirror the facial expressions of others, a phenomenon referred to as spontaneous facial mimicry. Facial mimicry may be involved in empathy processing, and is impaired in several empathy deficit disorders. It was previously believed to follow the direct-matching principle, a theory postulating that spontaneous facial mimicry involves the observer mirroring their partner’s expression exactly. However, several recent studies have demonstrated that context and individual differences may be influencing factors of spontaneous facial mimicry. In the present study, we propose to investigate the relationship between facial mimicry and empathy through measuring the EMG response of participants with high and low trait sadism. EMG recordings will be measured from the corrugator supercilii, zygomaticus major, lateral frontalis, and levator labii superioris. In Study 1, participants will view dynamic emotional expression videos, then identify the emotion and rate the genuineness and intensity of the emotion. In Study 2, participants will view images of limbs in pain or in similar neutral situations. In Study 3, participants will compete against an alleged opponent for the chance to punish their opponent. We hypothesize that mimicry does not follow the direct matching principle, but reflects the endogenous emotional state of the observer. This study will allow for a better understanding of the nuanced mechanisms of empathy, and may resolve the current debate regarding which theory best describes the operation of mimicry.

This study investigated the effects of spirituality and religiosity on subjective well-being. Religiosity was measured as intrinsic and extrinsic orientations using the Revised Religious Life Inventory (RLI-R) and spirituality was measured using the Spiritual Transcendence Scale (STS). Fifty-four participants were recruited from an all-female undergraduate population. Participants completed the RLI-R and STS followed by measures of subjective well-being including life satisfaction, self-esteem, positive and negative affect, and perceived stress. Participants were separated into groups using a median split based on their scores on the subscales of the RLI-R and combined STS scores. The results of the MANOVA indicated that low extrinsic religiosity mediates the relationship between high intrinsic religiosity, and low spirituality with the measures of subjective well-being, including high self-esteem, low negative affect and low perceived stress. Past research has not often separated intrinsic, extrinsic religiosity and spirituality, these findings indicate a need for such separation.

This study investigated the influence of personality, specifically conscientiousness, on organ donation attitudes (ODA), organ donor status and future registration intentions in an exclusively female sample. Forty-four female undergraduate students completed five questionnaires which measured the following variables: The Big Five personality dimensions, religiousness, organ donation knowledge, organ donation attitudes, altruism, social desirability, self-reported donor status, and intent to register as an organ donor. The results found no significant effect of personality on donor status or intent. However, ODA and religiousness significantly influence donor status and intent in female university students. Results offer valuable insight for how health professionals and organ donor campaigns should target prospective donors. Future research is needed to address the gap between positive attitudes towards organ donation and the act of registration

Background: Although considerable research has examined situational factors inprosocial behaviour,prosocial traitsare poorly defined. The same labelsare appliedto different constructs, and different labels are applied to the same construct (e.g., “empathy,” “sympathy,” “compassion”).Furthermore, trait altruism lacks both a solid theoretical definition and adequate measures. The goal of this study is to semantically and statistically distinguish betweenprosocial constructs by developing a personality scale assessingprosocial tendencies. Method: A review of literature, drawing from various domains, revealed three constructs that may compriseprosocial personality: empathy (recognizing, understanding, and sharing in others’ emotions), compassion (expressing concern for others, seeking toalleviate their suffering), and altruism (selflessly giving/helping). Conceptual definitions of each construct guided item generation, and expert ratersevaluated these itemsprior to administration. The sample will be approximately 300 students. Planned Analyses: For construct validation, the scale will be compared with other measures of empathy, compassion, altruism,as well as measures of alexithymia, gratitude, and self-compassion. Exploratory factor analysis will examine the underlying factor structure of the items, anditems with poor psychometric properties will be discarded. Although itis expected that a three-factor structure will emerge,other factor solutions will be considered. The final scale will be approximately 30 items (10 per subscale). Conclusion: Besides disentangling these constructs, the scale will also provide theoretical contrast to the Dark Triad/Tetrad. Future studies will attempt to replicate the factor structure of the scale and examine whether empathy, compassion, and altruism differentially predictprosocial behaviour.

Meditation programs and mindfulness interventions have become increasingly popular over the last 30 years in both clinical and non-clinical populations. However, challenges such as motivating participants in 8-week programs and adherence rates are issues in many mindfulness meditation interventions. The Meditation Intentions Questionnaire (MIQ) was developed as a measure intended to guide participants to set their own goals and intentions for meditation. The MIQ has six subscales with 8 items each. The subscales assess intentions for participating in meditation programs in the following domains: cognitive enhancement, increased emotional control, greater positive affect, stress relief, spiritual discovery and psychological discovery. Items in the MIQ were selected according to previous research undertaken by Pepping et al. (2016), Shapiro (1992) and the author’s previous experience with meditation facilitation. The MIQ was then administered to a sample of 145 graduate students from various Canadian faculties and universities. Both a confirmatory factor analysis and an exploratory structural equation modeling analysis confirmed the hypothesized factor structure of the questionnaire. As a result, a short form of the questionnaire, the MIQ-24, consisting of 4 items per scale was developed, and it was also found to have a strong model fit. We found the MIQ-24 to correlate with theoretically linked constructs in mental health. Overall, as a preliminary measure of meditation intentions, the MIQ-24 has promising psychometric characteristics. Further studies with diverse and larger participant pools are needed to demonstrate the MIQ-24’s efficacy as a general tool to help participants through the process of setting intentions and goals in meditation programs.

Most research on prosocial behaviour focuses on situational factors rather than individual differences. Empathy, compassion, and altruism are three constructs related to prosocial behaviour that also overlap theoretically. However, prosocial traits are rarely studied together, and measures of prosocial orientation are lacking. To address this gap, the Light Triad Scale (Light-3) was developed to assess individual differences in prosocial orientation. Three subscales with 12 items each, assessing empathy, compassion, and altruism, were created using existing measures of each construct. Items were selected according to theory and literature. The Light-3 was then administered to a sample of undergraduate psychology students at Western University (N = 451). To assess construct validity, participants also completed the Short Dark Triad (SD3; Jones & Paulhus, 2014), the Assessment of Sadistic Personality (ASP; Plouffe, Saklofske, & Smith, 2017), the Managing the Emotions of Others Scale – Very Short Form (MEOS-VSF; Austin, Saklofske, & Smith, Under Review), the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire – Short Form (TEIQue-SF; Petrides & Furnham, 2004), the Honesty-Humility scale of the HEXACO Personality Inventory (Lee & Ashton, 2004), and the Big Five Inventory – 10 Item scale (BFI-10; Rammstedt & John, 2007). First, the undiminensionality of each subscale was confirmed using exploratory factor analysis, and items with poor loadings were deleted. The sample was originally split for exploratory and confirmatory purposes; however, because good model fit could not be obtained in the second half of the sample regardless of the model attempted, the full sample was used for further analyses. Using Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling and Jackson’s Differential Reliability Index, items were deleted that loaded onto other subscales, had substantial negative loadings on other subscales, or had loadings greater than one. A final confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using the reduced 24-item Light-3. After three modifications, model fit was acceptable. Ultimately, the hypothesized hierarchical model with a higher-order Prosocial Orientation factor and three lower-order factors (Empathy, Compassion, Altruism) was supported. Overall, as a preliminary measure of prosocial orientation, the Light-3 demonstrates adequate factor structure and good support for the construct. Future studies should further refine the scale by writing items that specifically target and confirm the factor structure identified in the current study.

The present study investigates the utility of psychological hardiness as well as the differences between rumination and worry. Undergraduate students completed questionnaires assessing hardiness, worry, rumination, mindfulness, neuroticism, anxiety, somatization, coping, and health. Correlations and partial correlations controlling for neuroticism were examined. Hardiness was negatively correlated with neuroticism, rumination, worry, and anxiety and positively correlated with mindfulness, coping, and health. When neuroticism was statistically controlled, the relationships between hardiness and rumination, health, and coping became nonsignificant, and the relationships between hardiness and worry, mindfulness, and anxiety although attenuated, remained significant. Rumination and worry positively correlated, but when neuroticism was statistically controlled, this relationship became nonsignificant. The results suggest that hardiness is better conceptualized as a personality style that contributes to psychological well-being. Furthermore, our findings suggest that rumination and worry are distinct cognitive processes.

This study investigated different factors relating to undergraduate burnout and whether social media could act as a protective factor. The study group was comprised of 66 female undergraduate psychology students at Brescia University College. Participants completed one questionnaire with seven subscales which measured the following variables: subjective well-being, student subjective well-being, personality traits, social support, stress, online support, and burnout. The participants were divided into three groups based on their burnout scores. The results of the ANOVA indicated that there were significant differences between the three burnout groups on: subjective well-being, student subjective well-being, conscientiousness, extraversion, openness, social support, and stress.

There is no evidence for a strong correlation between intelligence and the Dark Triad (O’Boyle, Forsyth, Banks, & Story, 2013). However, the existence of an indirect relationship between the two traits was unknown. Following the recommendation of a meta-analysis conducted by Muris, Merckelbach, Otgaar, and Meijer (2017), the present study sought to confirm whether cognitive ability interacts with the Dark Triad traits to predict deviant, smart lying workplace behaviours. Undergraduate psychology students who were currently working full-time or part-time, or have worked in the past, participated in the study (N = 77). They completed a battery of measures entirely online. The study included assessments of cognitive ability, Dark Triad traits, and a situational judgment test (SJT) which afforded the participants the opportunity to manipulate coworkers and supervisors in fictional scenarios. A series of hierarchical multiple regressions were performed to understand the ability of each predictor and moderator variable to predict unique variance in SJT scores, the criterion variable. It was hypothesized that the highest intent to engage in smart lying behaviour would result from an interaction between high levels of intelligence and high levels of Dark Triad traits. Non-significant results were reported for all hypotheses; intelligence was not a moderator of the Dark Triad–smart lying relationship. Additionally, there was no evidence to show that Machiavellianism accounted for significantly more variance within smart lying scores above and beyond either narcissism or psychopathy alone. Instead, psychopathy emerged as the strongest independent predictor of smart lying. Implications and future recommendations are discussed.

This article-based dissertation incrementally advanced our understanding of the contentiously debated (mal)adaptiveness of perfectionistic strivings (i.e., self-oriented perfectionism and personal standards). Perfectionistic strivings’ relations with negative emotionality, narcissism, depressive symptoms, and suicide were examined using structural equation modeling, path analysis, and meta-analysis. Additionally, bifactor modeling was used to explore how controlling for perfectionistic concerns (i.e., socially prescribed perfectionism, concern over mistakes, and doubts about actions) impacts perfectionistic strivings’ factor structure. Results suggest perfectionistic strivings are neither adaptive, healthy, positive, functional, nor advisable. Indeed, perfectionistic strivings exacerbated perfectionistic concerns’ relationship with negative emotionality. Likewise, controlling for perfectionistic concerns rendered perfectionistic strivings an unreliable factor. Self-oriented perfectionism also had a small, unique positive relationship with narcissistic grandiosity. Furthermore, perfectionistic strivings predicted small longitudinal increases in depressive symptoms beyond neuroticism. Similarly, daughters’ self-oriented perfectionism conferred risk for daughters’ depressive symptoms by eroding daughters’ social self-esteem. Lastly, perfectionistic strivings had a small positive relationship with suicide ideation. Overall, findings lend credence and coherence to theoretical accounts suggesting self-imposed pressures to be perfect are part of the premorbid personality of people prone to depression, suicide, social disconnection, negative emotionality, and narcissistic grandiosity. Investigators are strongly advised to cease a-priori labeling perfectionistic strivings “adaptive perfectionism”; doing so is an oversimplification of a double-edged, potentially lethal, construct. Researchers are also encouraged to explore further the perils of partialling.

The objective of this study was to expand interpersonal theories of depression by incorporating online social behaviour. This study assessed the influence of Facebook reassurance seeking on concurrent depressive symptoms, as well as the moderating role of attachment anxiety in this relation. A sample of 458 undergraduates (68% female; mean age 18.54) completed self-report computer-based questionnaires of offline reassurance seeking, Facebook reassurance seeking, attachment style, and depression. Contrary to hypotheses, Facebook reassurance seeking was not associated with depressive symptoms. However, there was an interaction whereby, for those higher in attachment anxiety, more Facebook reassurance seeking was associated with lessened depressive symptoms. Findings indicate that reassurance seeking in the form of seeking “likes” may not be as harmful as offline reassurance seeking. Future studies may attempt to create online-equivalent measures of interpersonal vulnerabilities, and may include additional risk factors to understand how depressive interpersonal vulnerabilities are manifested online.

Mixture models are used for identifying profiles or combinations of profiles and dimensions that explain observed variables. Given that these techniques can be misapplied (Lubke & Miller, 2014), much research is needed to understand their properties when applied to various data sets. The current study tests and compares the fit of mixture models to factor analytic models of personality trait facets based on the HEXACO Personality Inventory-Revised (Ashton & Lee, 2009a). This study also examines the relative amounts of variance in the facet variables that can be explained by underlying dimensions, latent profiles, and other sources. Ashton and Lee (2009b) concluded from a cluster analysis of the HEXACO traits that profiles did not explain much variance in the observed trait measures beyond the variance explained by the factors themselves. The present study builds on that research using a more sophisticated modeling approach, namely factor mixture modeling at the facet level.

Prominent measures of masculinity focus on traditional masculine norms, such as high aggression, low emotional expression, and heteronormativity. However, recent qualitative research has indicated that a variety of men embrace alternative forms of masculinity that include unique characteristics not represented by traditional norms. I developed the Alternative Masculinity Measure (ALT-M) to address this gap. The ALT-M was designed to measure individual differences on constructs derived from a modern, socially progressive representation of masculinity. Concepts, scales, and items were developed primarily from readings of qualitative research on alternative masculinities. Nine dimensions with 14 items each was sent to 15 experts for content validity assessment. A final pool of 101 items distributed across 9 constructs (10 -12 items per scale) was distributed to undergraduate males at Western University (N = 497). Participants also completed the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI-46; Parent & Moradi, 2009), the Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992), the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire – Short Form (TEIQue-SF; Petrides, 2009) and the HEXACO Personality Inventory-short version (Ashton & Lee, 2009) for construct validation purposes. Item descriptive statistics and separate factor analyses were inspected for each construct to evaluate unidimensionality. One scale was removed due to its inability to adequately represent a homogeneous set of items. The other 8 scales displayed evidence of unidimensionality and were analysed together using a combination of Exploratory Structural Equation Model (ESEM) with a target rotation and CFA. Weak items, defined as items with loadings below .30 on their hypothesized scales or high loadings on other scales were removed one at a time using an iterative process. During this process, another full scale and multiple items were removed. In the end, I retained 7 scales with 6 items each, for a total of 42 items. All items load strongly on their scales (range .414 - .823) and have low cross-loadings on other scales. The seven remaining scales are labelled Homophilia, Emotional Openness, Cooperation, Avoidance of Physical Aggression, Reticence, Gender Egalitarian, and Intimacy Orientation. A higher order factor structure reveals all scales load significantly onto a latent “progressive masculinity” construct, loadings range from .506 - .771. Final CFA and ESEM models show good level of fit. Average scores for the scales and full measure were created and compared to the scale and full measure scores of the CMNI, revealing a good level of convergent and discriminant validity. In order to evaluate the distinctiveness of the ALT-M from the CMNI, these two instruments were compared in terms of their relationships with the HEXACO, Aggression Questionnaire, and Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire. Strong evidence of construct distinctiveness is provided. Finally, a Latent Profile Analysis was conducted on the measure, revealing four unique masculinity profiles that differ in shape, ethnic composition, and trait aggression levels. Overall the ALT-M has sound psychometric properties and can be used to delineate multiple unique masculinities. It will benefit from future cross validation in terms of its factorial structure and profiles.

Individual differences are pivotal in predicting sociopolitical views, which in turn guide behaviours like voting decisions, career choices, or engagement in activism. Compassion, a trait related to empathy and prosocial behaviour, has shown promise in predicting reduced hostile, anti-egalitarian attitudes. Certain kinds of political beliefs can be termed hierarchy-legitimizing in that they perpetuate or enhance existing societal hierarchies, such as economic inequality or racial discrimination. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between compassion for others and hierarchy-legitimizing viewpoints, as mediated by the characteristic of Social Dominance Orientation (SDO). A sample of 590 undergraduate students completed measures of compassion, SDO, empathic concern, and a social policy questionnaire. A partially latent structural equation model was constructed, finding that SDO mediated the relationship between compassion and hierarchy-legitimization. The results have implications for the relevance of prosocial individual differences in political psychology, and for understanding the personality underpinnings of anti-egalitarianism.

Recent research has conceptualized self-destructive behaviours (SDB; e.g., self-injury) as being performed to serve specific functions; however, few measures exist that examine common functions across a range of SDB types. In addition, although dissociative experiences (e.g., depersonalization) are often endorsed by individuals who engage in SDB, measurement of these experiences as reasons for SDB are rarely assessed. In this thesis, we used a trauma-informed approach to evaluate motivations for SDB by initially developing the Reasons for Reckless and Destructive Behaviours Inventory (RRDI). Basic psychometric statistics of reliability, mean item-endorsement, convergent validity, and construct validity were performed across the scales of the RRDI. In addition, for the RRDI self-injury subsection, we evaluated the factor structure, sex invariance, and examined different profiles of individuals in terms of motivations for self-injury. This study has implications for research pertaining to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and motivational models of self-injury.

This research reports the development and validation of the Self-Defeating Interpersonal Style Scale (SELF-DISS), a measure for the assessment of the propensity to engage in the chronic tolerance of mistreatment in relationships. Studies 1 and 2 followed a strategical 7-step process for developing valid and reliable measures. Study 1 proposed a theoretical model and developed a reliable measure to tap the three proposed factors on three scales: Insecure Attachment, Undeserving Self-Image, and Self-Sacrificing Nature. Study 2 replicated Study 1 as well as refined the SELF-DISS model to 35 items that indicated an excellent fit. Study 2 tested construct validity via correlational and modelling analyses using the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI), the Hogan Development Survey (HDS), and the Motives, Values, and Preferences Inventory (MVPI). Results showed strong support for the reliability and validity of the SELF-DISS as a second-order construct with three distinct factors.

Intelligence is a powerful correlate of human behaviours and characteristics, and has an important impact on many life outcomes including educational and career success, mental health, and longevity. Given the widespread influence, it is imperative that intelligence and intelligence tests are interpreted accurately. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of demographic differences on the intelligence test scores of Canadian children using the WISC-V. Drawing from the WISC VCDN standardization data, the results suggest that ethnicity and socioeconomic status are significant predictors of IQ scores, and that differences in these variables significantly affect test performance. Further, there is some evidence that socioeconomic status acts as a mediator in the relationship between ethnicity and IQ. Given the use of the WISC-V across Canada, the results are not only important for interpretation of the test scores, but also provide valuable insight for Canadian psychological and education communities.

Within organizations, fairness is an important concept and has received considerable research attention. Some research, interestingly, suggests that individuals differ in their perceptions of equity. Building on this research, four empirical studies were conducted to develop a measure of a new construct (i.e., equity orientation) and examine its predictive validity. In Study 1 (N = 836) and Study 2 (N = 600), the Equity Orientation Scale (EOS) was created and its relations with two popular personality models – the HEXACO and the Dark Tetrad – were examined across self- and peer-ratings. In Study 3 (N = 433) and Study 4 (N = 490), the EOS was measured in a team setting and predicted individuals’ task and contextual performance. Further, Study 4 examined social loafing as a mediating mechanism between the EOS and the performance-related behaviours with full and partial mediations being found. Conclusions and future research directions are discussed.

The increasing influence of peers in adolescence is related to a developing array of skills, aspirations, attitudes, and behaviours. The nature and magnitude of this influence and the potential association of certain youth with deviant peers is among the most prominent risk factors in predicting youth crime. This becomes of greater concern for economically disadvantaged youth, whose neighbourhoods harbour greater susceptibility to negative peer influence. With social affiliations at the forefront of youth development and criminality, research efforts need to further characterize the nature, constitution, and influence of peers on adolescent offending. Two hundred and eighty-one Canadian youth were sampled from an urban-based court clinic who had been referred during the years 2010 to 2015. Information was drawn from case file content. Exploratory analyses were conducted to characterize relevant demographics, trends, and dispositions of youth according to their social networks, offending patterns, and socio-economic status. Experiences of poverty and negative peers were prevalent in this sample of young offenders. A negative peer environment was correlated with poverty, criminality, number of mental health diagnoses and symptoms. An interaction was found between offending pattern and level of antisocial behaviour. Post-hoc analysis revealed an additional interaction between gender and peer influence. Lastly, unique psychological correlates were identified according to friendship influence and friendship status. Findings point to the unique role of adolescent social patterns in both guiding and investigating the motives and struggles of young offenders. The relevance of the findings is discussed as they pertain to assessment, intervention, and future research.

According to the Dimensional Comparison Theory (DCT), individuals’ self-concepts of abilities are influenced not only by external sources of evaluation within the same domain, but also internal comparisons of abilities across different domains, resulting in negative contrast effects for self-concepts in dissimilar domains and positive assimilation effects for self-concepts in similar domains. These dimensional comparisons have been primarily tested with academic domains to date, yet social-emotional learning is an important complement to academic learning. The present study sought to extend the DCT to Emotional Intelligence (EI) self-concepts in a sample of 1,069 Canadian children and adolescents, aged 9-18 years. Using parent appraisals as an external source of evaluation, and the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory: Youth Version as a measure of EI self-concept, four EI domains were tested for dimensional comparisons: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Stress Management, and Adaptability. Age and gender were tested as moderators. Structural equation modelling revealed contrast effects between Interpersonal and Adaptability domains, and assimilation effects between Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Stress Management domains. Effects were only significant in the younger age groups (9-12 and 13-15 years), suggesting a weaker overall effect of dimensional comparisons on EI self-concepts of older adolescents (16-18 years). Assimilation effects were more prevalent in boys, and their EI self-concepts were less differentiated than those of girls, particularly at the younger ages. The results generally support the application of the DCT to EI domains, raising important considerations for educational programs and opening up new possibilities for future research in the field.

The aim of the current research was to evaluate psychometric properties of personality questionnaire items that can affect their validity, as measured by comparing self-ratings with roommate ratings on a series of personality questionnaires. The item properties under investigation included item content saturation, item social desirability, and mean item responses. Archival data collected between 1981 and 2004 representing various groups of same-sex undergraduate roommate dyads were used for the purpose of this research. Results demonstrated that item content saturation was the most consistent predictor of item response accuracy. Mean item responses also predicted accurate responding curvilinearly, with moderate mean item responses eliciting the most accuracy. In order to better predict outcome variables in education, clinical, and vocational contexts using scores on personality questionnaires, it is important for researchers to employ item selection procedures that take into account the specific item properties that we know can affect personality test validity.

Dual concern models of conflict postulate that people employ various conflict resolution strategies based on their degree of concern for the self and others. Previous studies have demonstrated that individual difference variables play an important role in determining what strategies people use. The purpose of the current mixed-methods study was to increase understanding of how individual differences influence both general and situation-specific conflict resolution. A sample of 486 university students completed questionnaires assessing trait emotional intelligence (EI), ability EI, self-compassion, compassion for others, and general conflict resolution strategies. Participants also gave an open-ended response to a hypothetical task conflict scenario to assess what individual difference variables influence situation specific conflict resolution. Results of an exploratory factor analysis suggest the use of a four-factor model of conflict strategies: problem solving (which includes compromise), forcing, yielding, and avoiding. A structural equation model revealed that both compassion and EI components significantly predict conflict resolution strategies. Furthermore, compassion for others mediated the relationship between EI and problem solving. A qualitative content analysis uncovered six themes regarding what individual differences influence conflict resolution: decision-making, acceptance of threatening information, guiding principles, assessment of people, interpersonal behaviours, and emotional response.

The present series of investigations focused on an assessment of four humor styles—two positive styles (affiliative, self-enhancing), and two negative styles (aggressive, self-defeating)—individual differences in which are measured using the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ). These styles of humor stand in contrast to the traditional concept of sense of humor, which has been shown to be vague and ultimately incapable of differentiating between positive and negative manifestations of humor. Across the investigations, the humor styles were assessed in relation to adaptive and maladaptive constructs to clarify the extent to which these functions of humor relate to indicators of adjustment and psychological well-being. Specifically, the variables were tested in conjunction with the intrapersonally adaptive construct of mental toughness, reflecting individual differences in resiliency and measured using the Mental Toughness 48 Inventory. They were also examined in relation to the Dark Triads traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy), representing interpersonally malevolent social strategies and assessed using three measures: the MACH-IV, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, and the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale. The humor styles were also tested in relation to two models of personality: the six-factor HEXACO model measured using the HEXACO 60, and a tripartite trait-temperament model assessed via the Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality Self-Report Form. The goal of these latter investigations was to situate the humor styles within personality models that provide an alternative framework to contemporary five-factor structures, and to further assess the construct validity of the HSQ. Results revealed that the two positive humor styles are largely adaptive, reflecting tendencies toward greater mental toughness, convivial social strategies, proactivity, and positive affect. In contrast, the negative humor styles are predominantly maladaptive, correlating with poor mental toughness, avid interpersonal exploitation, diminished reciprocal altruism, and a propensity toward negativity affectivity and poor impulse control. Further, all four humor styles exhibited interpretable associations with the two alternative models, thereby demonstrating the construct validity of the HSQ. At the same time, the HEXACO model was deemed to be more effective than five-factor models in reliably capturing the nuances of adaptive and maladaptive humor styles in an etiologically informative manner.

Structural work on the nature of child temperament has lagged far behind parallel research with adults. Further, the structure of extant parent-report questionnaires has been examined only at the higher-order level, using small samples of children. This dissertation addresses this important gap in three studies, examining the lower- and higher-order structure of two widely used parent-reports of child temperament (Studies 1 and 2) and an observational battery of temperament (Study 3). The first study examined the lower- and higher-order structure of the Children’s Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ; Rothbart, Ahadi, Hershey, & Fisher, 2001) in a large community sample of children at ages 3 (N=944) and 5/6 (N=853). The second study extended this work by examining the structure of the Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire (TMCQ; Simonds & Rothbart, 2004) in a large (N = 654) sample of 9-year-olds. Fewer than half of the lower-order structures resembled original CBQ and TMCQ scales. Higher-order EFAs indicated that a four-factor structure consisting of Sensation Seeking, Disinhibition/Anger, Low Negative Affect (NA)/Soothability, and Smiling/Approach was the best fit for preschoolers, and that a three-factor structure consisting of Impulsivity/Anger, NA, and Social Dominance best fit the TMCQ data. The higher-order models obtained were only modestly similar to the models proposed by their developers. In the third study, we extended the scarce extant literature on the structure of observed temperament. Using exploratory structural equation modeling, we derived a four-factor model (Positive Affect/Activity, Impulsivity/Anger, Surgency, and Dysphoria) of preschool-aged temperament. These factors showed meaningful concurrent associations with children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms, providing further support for the use of observational measures. Findings from these studies contribute to the development of a unified taxonomy of child temperament/personality.

A previous unpublished study found positive associations between jealousy (cognitive, emotional, behavioural) and the Dark Triad (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy) (Raheb, Atkinson, Chin, Vernon, submitted). The present study investigates whether self-esteem and entitlement mediate these positive relationships. To test this question, 453 participants (311 females, 140 males, 2 other) between the age of 17 to 81 years (M = 33.19, SD = 10.32) completed the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale, the Short-D3, the Psychological Entitlement Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. One model showed significant mediation: higher psychopathy was related to higher cognitive jealousy, and this relationship was significantly mediated by lower self-esteem. Therefore, individuals higher in psychopathy may be especially prone to cognitive jealousy if they have low self-esteem. These findings identify dimensions of the Dark Triad and other personality traits that influence the propensity to experience types of jealousy.

Personality measures have been criticized for their lack of coverage of some traits. As a result, researchers have examined and combined measures to better understand and predict target behaviours. The Supernumerary Personality Inventory (SPI; Paunonen, 2002) was designed to measure a wide range of personality traits, including antisocial tendencies. The Dark Triad (Paulhus & Williams, 2002) was developed specifically to measure the socially malevolent traits of psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism. Previous studies revealed significant correlations between the SPI traits and the Dark Triad traits, which suggest that the two measures may share some of the same theoretical underpinnings. The present study investigated the Dark Triad’s incremental validity beyond the SPI in predicting both prosocial and risky behaviours. Participants were 118 university students (31 males, 87 females) who completed self-report measures of the SPI and the Dark Triad traits. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted with the 10 SPI traits inputted in the first model, and the three Dark Triad traits inputted in the second model in order to predict a series of behavioural criteria. Results showed that the SPI significantly predicted risky behaviours, but not prosocial behaviours. It was also showed that the Dark Triad did not add incrementally to the SPI’s prediction of prosocial and risky behaviours.

The purpose of this dissertation was to add to the literature on the use of social networking sites (SNSs) for personnel selection. The first goal was to evaluate whether SNSs have the potential to be used as a valid source of information for selection. Specific SNS Indicator scales were created to test whether they have better validity evidence than the more traditionally-used Global SNS Rating. In a study of 141 undergraduate students at a large Canadian university, the Specific SNS Indicators demonstrated fairly weak evidence of interrater reliability, but some evidence of structural validity, and construct validity (convergent and discriminant). Specific SNS Indicator scales offered incremental prediction beyond a Global SNS Rating in the prediction of their traditional selection scales. This supported previous research suggesting that making info-processing easier for raters should lead to better validity (Heneman, 1986). The second goal was to investigate some of the practical realities of attaining SNS information. In a study of 892 employed or previously-employed participants, participants were given a hypothetical employer request for their SNS password as part of a job application. The study found that 57.87% applicants would refuse the request, and would thus remove themselves from the applicant pool. This substantial loss of applicants could lower the utility of an organizations selection system and thereby impact an organization’s bottom line. Also, the password request could result in adverse impact for protected groups, and lead to legal action on behalf of applicants within these groups. There was only a slight potential benefit to the loss of applicants in that those remaining in the pool were slightly higher on Agreeableness and Conscientiousness, and lower on Psychopathy. However, the effect sizes were small, and those remaining in the applicant pool scored higher on Impression Management, suggesting that their more favorable personality scores may have been dissimulated. I recommend that hiring managers refrain from using SNSs for selection until more validation research can be conducted on SNS information.

The Dark Triad (i.e., psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism) is a cluster of socially aversive personality traits that account for the “darker” side of human behavior. While traditional views have focused on the maladaptive nature of these traits, recent work in the field of evolutionary psychology suggests these traits may be adaptive in terms of pursuing a life strategy; one that is characterized by immediate gratification and risk-taking. The present study examined links between the Dark Triad traits and ability to delay gratification in a sample of 364 undergraduate students (136 males). Psychopathy was the most strongly linked to an inability to delay gratification, followed by Machiavellianism and narcissism. Sex also moderated these relationships, such that women who scored high on Machiavellianism were less likely to delay gratification than men; however these associations were no longer significant when a more conservative Bonferroni correction was applied. Findings are discussed within the evolutionary framework of Life History Theory.

Two preregistered studies examined the interplay between directional bias and tracking accuracy in perceptions of relationship triggers, partner-enacted irksome or hurtful behaviors that elicit immediate negative emotions (e.g., clinginess). Study 1 identified 24 relationship triggers that the general public considered to be important for predicting relationship outcomes. Study 2 used recently developed statistical techniques to simultaneously test (a) whether partners were able to track the unique pattern of each other’s triggers and (b) if they overestimated or underestimated the extent to which a given behavior irked one another. Study 2 additionally explored attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance as potential moderating influences on bias and accuracy, as well as the implications of partners’ biased and accurate trigger knowledge for relationship outcomes (e.g., satisfaction, conflict management). Results revealed that partners, indeed, were able to correctly detect the pattern of each other’s triggers, though they did not demonstrate directional bias. Attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance moderated bias and accuracy in different ways; however, a common theme emerged such that more securely attached persons were better “trackers” and were more easily “tracked.” Finally, biased and accurate trigger perceptions predicted relationship satisfaction, negotiating strategies during conflict, and overall conflict management for the partner for whom judgments were being made. Implications of these findings for theory and relationship dynamics are discussed.

Intercultural sensitivity represents a well-studied interdisciplinary construct which is measured using multiple tools. However, more effective measurement methods are possible and also needed. This study was intended to refine a well-known tool, i.e., the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale-ISS. New items were written and tested with existing items. 269 undergraduate students completed questionnaires assessing Big Five personality variables, emotional intelligence, Honesty-Humility, intercultural sensitivity, social desirability, and social dominance orientation. Exploratory factor analyses suggested two plausible final scales: 30-items with four-factors (RISS-V1) and 25-items with three-factors (RISS-V2). Both RISS versions demonstrated full scale, subscale, and test-retest reliability. Social dominance orientation correlated negatively while Extraversion, Agreeableness, Imagination/Intellect, Conscientiousness, and emotional intelligence correlated positively with intercultural sensitivity. Honesty-Humility correlations differed based on RISS version, and Neuroticism showed no link. These findings support the reliability and validity of both RISS versions and could help in understanding the nature of intercultural relations.