Shawn M. Bergman

Twitter versus Facebook

Tweeting is the preferred method of active SNS usage for college age narcissists.No relationship between active Facebook usage and narcissism in college sample.Platform differences explain the differences in active usage on Facebook versus Twitter.Narcissistic motives mediate the relationship between narcissism and active usage. The amount of research on social networking sites (SNS) and narcissism is accumulating quickly requiring greater levels of variable specification and more fine-tuned hypothesis testing to clearly determine the relationships among key variables. The current investigation examines two of the most popular SNS, Facebook and Twitter, formulating hypotheses around the specific features of each site within college and adult samples. Unlike previous research that has focused almost exclusively on SNS usage, we focused on active usage (i.e., SNS content generation) as opposed to passive usage (i.e., SNS consumption) and included reasons for usage as a potential black box in the narcissism to SNS usage relationship. Results suggest that the features of Twitter make tweeting the preferred means of active usage among narcissists in the college sample, but not the adult sample, who prefer Facebook. In fact, we found no significant direct or indirect relationship with active usage on Facebook for the college sample, calling into question popular press articles linking Millennial narcissism with Facebook use. Additionally platform differences (i.e., microblogging versus profile-based) may explain the importance of active usage on Twitter relative to Facebook. That is, with Twitter, narcissistic motives for usage all manifest through tweeting while Facebook provides other mechanisms to achieve narcissistic motives.

Are Universities Creating Millennial Narcissistic Employees? An Empirical Examination of Narcissism in Business Students and Its Implications:

The authors investigate whether narcissism levels are significantly higher in undergraduate business students than psychology students, whether business schools are reinforcing narcissism in the classroom, and whether narcissism is influencing student salary and career expectations. Data were collected from Millennial students (n = 536) and faculty at an AACSB-accredited comprehensive state university. Results indicate that the current generation of college students has significantly higher levels of narcissism than college students of the past, business students possess significantly higher levels of narcissism than psychology students, narcissism does not have a significant (positive or negative) relationship with business school classroom outcomes, and narcissists expect to have significantly more career success in terms of ease of finding a job, salary, and promotions. Considering the well-documented and profoundly negative implications of narcissism for workplace environments, this finding suggests a need for future research on the impact of increasing student narcissism in business students and on successful intervention strategies.

A Taxometric Investigation of the Latent Structure of Worry: Dimensionality and Associations With Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

Worry has been described as a core feature of several disorders, particularly generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The present study examined the latent structure of worry by applying 3 taxometric procedures (MAXEIG, MAMBAC, and L-Mode) to data collected from 2 large samples. Worry in the first sample (Study 1) of community participants (n=1,355) was operationalized by worry engagement, absence of worry, and the worry feature of trait anxiety. Worry in the second sample (Study 2) of undergraduate participants (n=1,171) was operationalized by the tendency to experience worry, intolerance of uncertainty, beliefs about worry, and symptoms of GAD. Results across both samples provided converging evidence that worry is best conceptualized as a dimensional construct, present to a greater or lesser extent in all individuals. Findings from Study 2 also indicated that the latent dimension of worry generally has an equal association with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress across the entire continuum. These findings are discussed in relation to the conceptualization and assessment of worry in GAD and related disorders.

Narcissism, Materialism, and Environmental Ethics in Business Students

We investigate the relationships between narcissism, materialism, and environmental ethics in undergraduate business students. Data were collected from business students (n = 405) at an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business–accredited business school at a comprehensive state university. Results indicate that narcissism has an indirect effect on business students’ environmental ethics. Narcissism was significantly related to materialism, and materialism was significantly related to lower levels of environmental ethics. Considering increasing levels of narcissism among business students, we discuss the potential for future research and potential intervention strategies.

Identifying the Aggressive Personality

Abstract Acts of workplace aggression by coworkers take a tremendous toll on organizations and their employees. This paper explores the thought processes used by aggressive individuals to rationalize hostile behaviors and discusses various types of workplace aggression. This paper also presents a new personality test, the Conditional Reasoning Test of Aggression, which addresses some of the shortcomings of self-report personality tests that have traditionally been used to identify and screen out aggressive applicants.

University Students' Exercise Behavioral Regulation, Motives, and Physical Fitness

This study examined relationships between exercise motives, exercise behavioral regulations, and physical fitness in college students. It was hypothesized that more intrinsic motives and more self-determined regulations would be associated with better fitness. Exercise motives of students participating in physical activity classes (N = 194) were assessed using the Motives for Physical Activity Measure–Revised (MPAM–R) and behavioral regulations were assessed with the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire 2 (BREQ–2). Aerobic fitness was assessed using the PACER run test, and body composition was assessed using hand-held, bio-electric impedance analyzers. MPAM–R and BREQ–2 subscales were regressed onto the two fitness measures. For the MPAM–R, stronger competence and fitness motives predicted better fitness and stronger appearance motives predicted worse fitness. For the BREQ–2, higher intrinsic motivation predicted better aerobic fitness, and stronger, introjected regulation predicted higher body fat composition. These findings have implications for fitness professionals and physical educators.

Pediatrician prescriptions for outdoor physical activity among children: A pilot study

Research indicates that promoting time spent in the outdoors and outdoor physical activity increases childrens daily physical activity and improves health. One method showing promise is doctor prescriptions for outdoor physical activity for children; however, no empirical evidence currently exists on prescriptions for childrens outdoor physical activity. A pilot study was conducted at one pediatric practice in western North Carolina during 2015 to test the feasibility and potential effectiveness of conducting an outdoor physical activity prescription program for children aged 5–13 years. Three pediatricians wrote prescriptions for children (n = 38), discussed benefits of outdoor physical activity, and provided information packets to parents on nearby places for physical activity. Parents of patients of five pediatricians served as control (n = 32). Prior to seeing a pediatrician, parents completed a baseline survey that asked height and weight, assessed their views of childrens physical activity, and their personal and childs physical activity/sedentary behaviors. A nurse measured childrens height and weight. Parents were emailed one-month and three-month follow-up surveys that asked the questions listed above. Changes in childrens physical activity, outdoor physical activity, time spent in the outdoors, and sedentary activities were not significant between intervention and control groups. About half of parents (49%) viewed prescriptions as beneficial for their children and most used the intervention materials at home (70%). A larger study is needed to assess whether prescriptions increase childrens physical activity. A critical examination of the intervention, pilot study design, and suggestions for a larger future study are provided.

What keeps athletes in the gym? Goals, psychological needs, and motivation of CrossFit™ participants

The CrossFit™ workout methodology has experienced tremendous growth and popularity over the last 10 years. This programme utilises high-intensity workouts that incorporate a wide variety of calisthenics and weight lifting movements, and is typically delivered in a group format by a qualified instructor. Gaining an understanding of the motivational factors underlying CrossFit participation will benefit fitness trainers of all types. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among goal contents, psychological need satisfaction, behavioural regulation, and participation frequency in a sample of CrossFit athletes. Participants (n = 322) completed instruments assessing exercise goal contents, basic psychological need satisfaction, and behavioural regulations in exercise, and a survey of demographic and participation variables. Having intrinsic goals, such as developing skills or improving health, was found to predict greater psychological need satisfaction. Competence and autonomy need satisfaction were found to predict higher levels of intrinsic and identified regulations. Participation frequency was positively predicted by intrinsic regulation, intrinsic goal contents, competence need satisfaction, and was negatively predicted by external regulation. When examining the full path-analysis model, competence and autonomy basic psychological need satisfaction were found to partially mediate the relationship between goal content and intrinsic regulation. Based on these findings, health and fitness leaders can maximise participant’s intrinsic motivation by emphasising goals focused on skill learning and health. Additionally, fitness leaders should make efforts to enhance participants’ feeling of competence and autonomy.

Social Media and Employee Recruitment: Chasing the Run Away Bandwagon

One particular area for which organizations have turned to social media is employee recruitment. Common uses of social media for recruiting include searching for candidates and screening job applicants; with 73 % of recruiters reporting to have hired through social networking sites (SNSs) and 93 % reporting intentions to review candidates’ social profiles. However, common as they are, the effectiveness of these practices in terms of delivering the intended results and recommendations regarding best practices are largely lacking from the literature. There is also a gap in the literature regarding how the addressees of these applications, namely candidates, view social media recruiting. This chapter will begin to fill this gap by discussing what recruiters are attempting to accomplish on SNSs, their perceptions regarding best practices, and whether or not these alleged best practices align with candidates’ perceptions about the utility of various SNSs in the job search process.

Relationships Among Goal Contents, Exercise Motivations, Physical Activity, and Aerobic Fitness in University Physical Education Courses

The current research examined the relationships among exercise goal contents, behavioral regulation, physical activity, and aerobic fitness within the context of eight-week university physical education courses. Participants were undergraduate students (M age = 20.2 year, SD = 2.3) enrolled in activity courses (N = 461) during the 2010 Fall semester. At pretest, participants completed a demographic survey, Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire and the Goal Contents in Exercise Questionnaire. At eight-week posttest, participants completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adults and the PACER aerobic fitness test. Relative intrinsic goal content was found to predict physical activity indirectly and aerobic fitness via behavioral regulation. Specific goal contents related to health management and skill development were found to predict physical activity and aerobic fitness via a fully mediated path through identified and intrinsic regulation. Results supported the efficacy of goal contents and self-determination theory in describing physical activity behavior and fitness. Examining specific types of goal contents and behavioral regulations revealed relationships that were masked by the utilization of omnibus scoring protocols.