Peter Eachus

Developing the Computer User Self-Efficacy (Cuse) Scale: Investigating the Relationship between Computer Self-Efficacy, Gender and Experience with Computers

The article describes the development and validation of the 30-item Computer User Self-efficacy (CUSE) Scale. Self-efficacy beliefs have been identified as a factor which may contribute to the success with which a task is completed. Because of the increasing reliance on computer technologies in all aspects of life, it is important that the construct is measured accurately and appropriately. In particular, the article focuses on the measurement of computer self-efficacy in student computer users and its relevance to learning in higher education. The scale was found to have high levels of internal and external reliability and construct validity. Results also showed there to be significant positive correlations between CSE and computer experience, familiarity with computer software packages (which were significant predictors of CSE) and that owning a computer and computer training increased CSE. In addition, males showed significantly higher CSE than females. It is suggested that the scale may be used to identify individuals, in particular students, who will find it difficult to exploit a learning environment which relies heavily on computer technologies. Once identified, motivational and personal control issues can be addressed with these individuals.

Development of the Web Users Self-Efficacy Scale (WUSE)

The aim of this research was to develop a scale that could evaluate an individuals confidence in using the Internet. Web-based resources are becoming increasingly important within higher education and it is therefore vital that students and staff feel confident and competent in the access, provision, and utilisation of these resources. The scale developed here represents an extension of previous research (Cassidy & Eachus, 2002) that developed a measure of self-efficacy in the context of computer use. An iterative approach was used in the development of the Web User Self-Efficacy scale (WUSE) and the participants were recruited from the student body of a large University in the North West of the United Kingdom, and globally via a web site set up for this purpose. Initial findings suggest that the scale has acceptable standards of reliability and validity though work is continuing to refine the scale and improve the psychometric properties of the tool.

Using the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS) to predict holiday preferences

Abstract The aim of this research was to examine the utility of the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS) in predicting holiday preferences. The BSSS was administered to a convenience sample of 300 participants and of these 111 were returned. Holiday preferences were determined using a four factor scale designed to assess preferences for holidays whose central theme could be described as either, Adventurous, Beach, Cultural, or Indulgent. The results of this survey confirmed the psychometric properties of the BSSS and showed that it had utility in predicting holiday preferences. Significant correlations with the BSSS were obtained for Adventurous holiday preferences, Beach preferences, and Indulgent preferences. Within the four subscales of the BSSS, Experience Seeking was significantly correlated with Adventurous and Indulgent holiday preferences. Boredom Susceptibility was significantly correlated with Beach holiday preferences, as was Thrill and Adventure Seeking. Finally Disinhibition was found to be significantly correlated with Beach and Cultural holiday preferences. It was concluded that the sensation seeking personality, as measured using the BSSS scale, was predictive of holiday preferences.

Occupational stress within a U. K. higher education institution.

Occupational stress in a U.K. higher education institution was investigated during a period of considerable organizational change. All employees, including academic, support and manual staff, were invited to participate anonymously in the survey. The results, based on the Occupational Stress Indicator, showed that employees reported significantly poorer mental and physical well-being, and greater job dissatisfaction, than a normative group. The findings suggested that female employees were at greater risk from adverse effects of occupational stress. Predictors of distress and job dissatisfaction were identified. The study concluded that occupational stress is a significant problem, and that further investigation is required in other similar institutions.

A Brief Review of Research Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Measure Activation of the Prefrontal Cortex during Emotional Processing: The Importance of Experimental Design

During the past two decades there has been a pronounced increase in the number of published research studies that have employed near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure neural activation. The technique is now an accepted neuroimaging tool adopted by cognitive neuroscientists to investigate a number of fields, one of which is the study of emotional processing. Crucially, one brain region that is important to the processing of emotional information is the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and NIRS is ideally suited to measuring activity in this region. Compared to other methods used to record neural activation, NIRS reduces the discomfort to participants, makes data collection from larger sample sizes more achievable, and allows measurement of activation during tasks involving physical movement. However, the use of NIRS to investigate the links between emotion and cognition has revealed mixed findings. For instance, whilst some studies report increased PFC activity associated with the processing of negative information, others show increased activity in relation to positive information. Research shows differences in PFC activity between different cognitive tasks, yet findings also vary within similar tasks. This work reviews a selection of recent studies that have adopted NIRS to study PFC activity during emotional processing in both healthy individuals and patient populations. It highlights the key differences between research findings and argues that variations in experimental design could be a contributing factor to the mixed results. Guidance is provided for future work in this area in order to improve consistency within this growing field.

The Health Student Academic Locus of Control Scale.

The Health Student Academic Locus of Contro] Scale is a 20-item context-specific scale, developed to measure Internal and External control beliefs of students in courses allied to medicine. Psychometric properties are acceptable (N = 164) so the scale can be used to measure control beliefs in a longitudinal study.

Multidimensional health locus of control of health professionals.

The independence of the Internal, Powerful Others, and Chance scales of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale was confirmed; factor analysis supported the multidimensional structure of the health beliefs of 169 health professionals.

Health Locus of Control in Student Physiotherapists

Summary The importance of health belief, and in particular, health locus of control, in the teaching and practice of physiotherapy is discussed. Multidimensional health locus of control was assessed for three year groups on the graduate diploma in physiotherapy course at Salford College of Technology. Measures of internal, powerful others, and chance health locus of control beliefs were obtained and comparisons made with UK norms. Significant differences in health locus of control beliefs were found and it was suggested that these differences may have important consequences for both the teaching and practice of physiotherapy.

Hostile intent in public crowded spaces: A field study

Hostile reconnaissance is vital to successful terrorist activity. Individuals carrying out this activity are likely to experience raised levels of stress and this will manifest itself at biological, physiological, psychological and behavioural levels, providing an opportunity for detection. A field trial was undertaken in an ecologically valid environment measuring variables considered likely to be salient during hostile intent. The parameters examined in the field trial varied in a predictable manner and suggest that stressed individuals secrete a volatile steroid based marker that could form the basis for remote detection. Thus, overall the findings of this research provide a validated model of hostile intent that can be used by other researchers to test interventions aimed at detecting or deterring hostile intent.

Pets, people and robots: the role of companion animals and robopets in the promotion of health and well-being

Abstract An increasing body of research evidence now appears to support the view that pets and, in particular, companion pets, act as agents of health promotion. People who own pets, and who form a bond with that pet, benefit in terms of better physical, mental and social well-being, when compared with non pet owners. Although the exact mechanisms responsible for this have yet to be elucidated, it does appear that companion pets are able to act as a buffer against the stresses of daily life, to offer a degree of unconditional social support for the pet owner, and to encourage moderate physical activity that otherwise would not take place. Recent developments in computing and robotics have seen the emergence of robopets, small domestic robots which have the appearance and behavioural characteristics of companion pets. This paper explores this research and suggests that companion pets and their robotic equivalents may be useful agents in the promotion of health and well-being.