Erin L. O'Connor

The Effect of Social Support Derived from World of Warcraft on Negative Psychological Symptoms

Previous research examining players of massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) suggests that players form meaningful relationships with each other. Other research indicates that people may derive social support from online sources, and this social support has been associated with greater well-being. This study used an online survey of players (N = 206) of the MMOG World of Warcraft (WoW) to examine if social support can be derived from MMOGs and to examine its relationship with negative psychological symptoms. Players of WoW were found to derive social support from playing and a positive relationship was found between game engagement and levels of in-game social support. Higher levels of in-game social support were associated with fewer negative psychological symptoms, although this effect was not maintained after accounting for social support derived from the offline sources. Additionally, a small subsample of players (n = 21) who played for 44 to 82 hours per week (M = 63.33) was identified. These players had significantly lower levels of offline social support and higher levels of negative symptoms compared to the rest of the sample. This study provides evidence that social support can be derived from MMOGs and the associated potential to promote well-being but also highlights the potential harm from spending excessive hours playing.

Psychosocial predictors of the use of enhanced podcasting in student learning

The current study examined the influence of psychosocial constructs, from a theory of planned behavior (TPB) perspective, to predict university students’ (N = 159) use of a newly offered on-line learning tool, enhanced podcasts. Pre-semester, students completed questionnaires assessing the TPB predictors (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control) related to intended enhanced podcast use until the middle of semester. Mid-semester, students completed similar items relating to podcast use until the end of semester. Self-report measures of podcast use were obtained at the middle and end of semester. At both time points, students’ attitudes predicted their intentions and, at the initial time point, subjective norm also predicted intended podcast use. An examination of the beliefs underlying attitudes, the only construct to predict intentions at both time points, revealed differences between those students higher, rather than lower on intentions to use the podcasts, especially for the perceived educational benefits of podcast use later in the semester. Intentions to use enhanced podcasting only predicted self-reported use in the second half of the semester. Overall, this study identified some of the determinants which should be considered by those aiming to encourage student use of novel on-line educational tools.

Intentions and willingness to use complementary and alternative medicines: What potential patients believe about CAMs

This paper explores the intentions and willingness of a sample of Australian consumers (N=356) to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Participants considered using CAMs at least once in the next 2 months and rated the likelihood of certain consequences of CAM use, whether important others would approve, and if barriers would prevent them from using CAMs. People intending to use CAMs (high intenders) were more likely than those low on intention (low intenders) to endorse positive outcomes of CAM use and believe that important others would support their CAM use. High intenders were less likely than low intenders to believe that barriers would prevent use. Low intenders (n=200) were also asked to consider their response to a free CAM trial. Those willing to accept a trial were more likely than those unwilling to believe that CAMs could improve health and less likely to believe that laziness would prevent use. These results identify important beliefs which may influence peoples decisions to use CAMs.

Work Placement for International Student Programmes (WISP): A Model of Effective Practice

With a marked increase in the number of international students enrolling in university programs across the globe it is important that personal and professional experiences are positive. Of interest is the workplace component of international students’ study programs, as these experiences provide opportunities for students to socialise into new workplaces and cultural contexts. This chapter presents a theoretical model that takes into account the relationship between the concepts of internationalisation, professional socialisation, reflection and cultural development. It explores Knight’s (1999) work on internationalisation; research on personal and professional socialisation; effective reflective practice; and the notion of cultural development (Wells, 2000). We argue that an enhanced ethos approach, together with strong personal and professional student and staff agency and reflective practice, enhances the work placement experience. If all these elements are taken into account and the interrelationship between them is understood, we contend that it is more likely for workplace experiences to be positive and meaningful for all stakeholders.

International Psychology Students Use Multiple Strengths to Enhance Their Learning and Performance on Work Placements: International students’ placement strengths

Objective Despite increasing emphasis on work placements in higher education, there has been limited research into international students’ experiences in undertaking work placements, particularly for psychology postgraduate students. Moreover, much research on international students emphasises the difficulties they experience. We argue a shift to acknowledging and building on the strengths of international students may bring benefits to both students and workplaces. Our project examined the strengths international postgraduate psychology students brought to their work placements, and the benefits of those strengths for both the students and the workplaces. Method Semi‐structured interviews with eleven international students and six supervisors. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, as part of a qualitative research paradigm. Results We identified four key strengths international students used to enhance their learning and performance on work placements: intercultural competencies, personal attributes, transition skills, and situation awareness. The use of effective reflection and supervisory practices facilitated the use of these skills. Conclusion We discuss the implications of our findings for higher education providers using a strengths‐based approach to support international psychology students on work placements. We outline suggested changes to student orientation and professional development for supervisors that higher education providers can make to enhance the training and preparation of both students and their supervisors. Further, we suggest that some of these changes would also improve the experience of domestic students.

Medical Culture's Bias to Actively Intervene Can Undermine Patient Empowerment and Welfare

Within the shared decision-making model, clinicians have a responsibility to help patients understand the benefits and risks of all of their health management options so that patients can come to decisions from a position of empowerment. Alongside discussions about the relative benefits and risks of various “active” treatment options, guidelines on shared decision making acknowledge the importance of discussing nonintervention for any given condition. This is naturally assumed to be unbiased information that helps patients arrive at their preferred model of care, taking into account their broader values. However, shared decision making and patient empowerment would be facilitated if doctors and patients recognized that medical culture is deeply inclined toward recommending active treatments in the first place, even in many instances where these interventions tend to result in outcomes that are no better (or worse) than nonintervention.

Applying Cognitive Science to Critical Thinking among Higher Education Students

One of the main aims of higher education is for students to develop their analytical and critical thinking in order for graduates to function as competent professionals (e.g., Burton, Westen, and Kowalski 2012). The importance of this supposed generic skill is reflected in the ubiquitous inclusion of critical thinking as a graduate capability in universities (Moore 2011). While there exist many ways of defining and understanding critical thinking, at its core, critical thinking involves addressing our assumptions about how the world works. It is, therefore, essential for competent practice as a professional (Moon 2008). Without exposure to effective training in critical thinking, assumptions are more often than not based on the cognitive biases that are either inherent or conditioned through experience. The cognitive and emotional processes underpinning biases in thinking are often difficult to overcome. Our natural tendency to take mental shortcuts has allowed us to effectively navigate our environment and process only those stimuli that are of immediate value to us and to our survival. These shortcuts, however, often make it difficult for students to engage deeply with a complex concept, idea, or discipline in a higher education context. Ensuring that graduates are capable of thinking beyond their tendency to take mental shortcuts therefore poses a significant challenge for teaching critical thinking in higher education institutions.