Gintautas Valickas

The History of Lithuanian Psychology

The history of Lithuanian psychology parallels the sociopolitical history of the country. Due to repeated occupations of the country and other unfavorable conditions, scientific thought and innovations were delayed for decades. Development of psychology in Lithuania can be divided in three periods: (1) interwar (1918–1940), (2) Soviet occupation (1940–1990), and (3) regained independence (since 1990). Institutionalization of psychology is analyzed in four aspects: research, development of studies, applied practice, and scientific communication. The beginning of the professional psychology in Lithuania is inseparable from the establishment and activity of the University of Lithuania (later Vytautas Magnus University). Major tasks and activities that the first Lithuanian psychologists undertook during the interwar period were the dissemination of scientific psychological knowledge. Scientific research was consistent with the tendencies established in European psychology, in particular German psychology. Dur...

2016 LITHUANIAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS: IMPLICIT AND EXPLICIT ATTITUDES OF YOUNG ADULTS TOWARD THE POLITICAL PARTIES

Our study is directed toward the examination of attitudinal grounds of political decision-making among young (≤ 24 years old) Lithuanian voters in the national parliamentary elections. The focus is on their attitudes regarding politically specific evaluative dimensions (competence, honesty and leadership). To estimate the prognostic values of explicit/implicit attitudes toward different Lithuanian political parties, we asked participants to fill out a questionnaire and to perform three sets of ST-IATs respectively. Due to the low voting diversity among participants, an elaborate data analysis could only be conducted regarding two Lithuanian parties: the Liberal Movement (LRLS) and Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD). The results of our study suggest that explicit attitudes are more important than implicit attitudes in predicting voting behavior. We found that positive explicit and positive implicit attitudes toward the LRLS competence and leadership, respectively, predicted the decision to vote for this party (reference group: non-voters). On the same note, our findings suggest that positive explicit and implicit attitudes toward the TS-LKD honesty predicted the decision to vote for this party (reference group: non-voters). Positive implicit attitudes toward the party’s competence also predicted this decision. Finally, we found that political sophistication was an important factor by only considering explicit attitudes toward TS-LKD. Namely, the increase of explicit attitudes’ prognostic power on the decision to vote for TS-LKD was associated with the decrease of voters’ political sophistication (reference group: non-voters).

CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING OF ANESTHESIOLOGY RESIDENTS IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE

Background. The purpose of current work is to clarify characteristics of anesthesiologists“™ use of heuristics in emergency medical care. Two separate studies were carried out to evaluate the characteristics of anesthesiologists“™ use of heuristics: (a) according to gained experience; (b) and under stressful conditions. Methods. First (longitudinal design) study was comprised of two phases 10-11 months apart. In both phases, participants solved three vignettes that required the provision of emergency medical care. In the second study, participants solved three medical vignettes under stressful conditions (i.e. under the influence of the cold pressor test). Physiological data ““ participants“™ heart rate ““ was registered using finger plethysmograph before and after the cold pressor test. The adequacy of decisions were evaluated independently by two experts in anesthesiology. Results and conclusions . Results of quantitative content analysis of the first longitudinal design study showed a decrease in the use of availability and an increase in anchoring and adjustment of heuristic as anesthesiology residents become more experienced. Results of both studies indicate that 32-38% of all anesthesiology residents“™ thoughts are heuristic in nature and 3-11% of all thoughts are cognitive errors.Â

Teisėjų patiriamas stresas ir jo įveikos ypatumai

Background. Despite the large scientific interest in stress experienced by law enforcement officers (especially by police officers), it is little known about the stress experienced by judges. There has not been any research work conducted in Lithuania to evaluate how much stress do judges experience, what situations are the most stressful and what stress coping strategies they usually apply. Such studies are important for reducing the negative effects caused by stress on judges’ decision making, effectiveness of the justice system functioning and justice implementation. The aim of the study is to investigate judges’ job specific stress, its’ causes and used coping strategies. Methods. Ninety-eight Lithuania‘s judges from different type of courts participated in the investigation (65 female, 33 male). Stress was measured by our „Judges‘ experienced stress“ questionnaire of which one part was designed to evaluate the tension caused by different stressors, and the other part – the frequency of encountering with these stressors. Using explorative factor analysis the questionnaire statements’ were categorised into the five different scales, which Cronbach‘s alfa was varying from 0,875 to 0,961. Results. The largest stress experienced by judges was induced by interactions with politicians, media and citizens, while the other four groups caused moderate stress. The judges’ experience of stress is related with the sex, court type, age and work experience. They are most likely to apply the problem solving coping strategy, least likely – avoidance coping strategy. Furthermore, the more stress they have to deal with, the more likely they apply the social support coping strategy. Conclusion. The gathered data suggests that stress is a relevant topic for judges, and court leaders should give more attention to it.

LIETUVOS PSICHOLOGŲ SĄJUNGA: 50 METŲ TAPSMAS

Lithuanian Psychological Association: 50 Years of Development Albinas Bagdonas, Juvencijus Lapė, Gintautas Valickas