Stephen Nowicki

Individual differences in the nonverbal communication of affect: The diagnostic analysis of nonverbal accuracy scale

The Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy (DANVA) was designed to measure individual differences in the accurate sending and receiving of nonverbal social information. The DANVA consists of four receptive and three expressive subtests that measure nonverbal processing accuracy in children from 6 to 10 years of age. Four propositions were offered to guide the gathering of construct validity data for the DANVA. In support of the propositions, researchers found that DANVA accuracy scores increased with age, were internally consistent and reliable over time, and snowed significant relationships with indices of personal and social adjustment and academic achievement but were not related to IQ. Evidence for construct validity was stronger for receptive, as compared to expressive, subtests. Future research should include additional populations of subjects and study of the impact of intensity of emotion being sent or received.

A Locus of Control Scale for Noncollege as Well as College Adults

Summary In an effort to overcome some of the shortcomings of existent locus of control scales, the authors developed a new adult scale suitable for use on Ss with as little as fifth grade reading ability. Psychometric characteristics were assessed in 12 studies on 766 Ss.

The Association of Children's Nonverbal Decoding Abilities With Their Popularity, Locus of Control, and Academic Achievement

ABSTRACT The present study examined the relation between childrens abilities to decode the emotional meanings in facial expressions and tones of voice, and their popularity, locus of control or reinforcement orientation, and academic achievement. Four hundred fifty-six elementary school children were given tests that measured their abilities to decode emotions in facial expressions and tones of voice. Children who were better at decoding nonverbal emotional information in faces and tones of voice were more popular, more likely to be internally controlled, and more likely to have higher academic achievement scores. The results were interpreted as supporting the importance of nonverbal communication in the academic as well as the social realms.

Effects of a Structured Camp Experience on Locus of Control Orientation.

Summary Inner-city teenagers (n = 261) experienced a structured camp program for a week. It was predicted and found that this experience led to a change toward internality, in the locus of control orientation of these youngsters. The trend toward internality continued in a group of youngsters (n = 27) who returned for an additional week. Item analyses revealed the specific items on which the changes occurred and indicated that a rather general change of orientation had occurred. The results were discussed in terms social learning theory and suggestions were made to improve future programs of this sort.

A test of the ability to identify emotion in human standing and sitting postures: the diagnostic analysis of nonverbal accuracy-2 posture test (DANVA2-POS).

The purpose of the present study was to introduce the Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy for Postures (DANVA2-POS), a test that measures an individuals ability to identify emotion in human standing and sitting postures. The authors describe the construction and selection of the test items. Types of standing and sitting postures were generated from a set of dimensions gleaned from a review of relevant theoretical and empirical literature. Two men and 2 women portraying standing and sitting postures were photographed. An empirical norming procedure was used to select 32 high- and low-intensity standing and sitting postures representing happiness, sadness, anger, and fear. Three hypotheses guided the collection of construct validity evidence. Consistent with the hypotheses, data from 243 participants showed that DANVA2-POS scores increased in accuracy with age, were internally consistent and reliable over time, and were related to self-reported loneliness, fear of negative evaluation, and locus of control. The authors report construct validity evidence from 6 additional studies. Future applications of the DANVA2-POS test are described.

Emotion recognition abilities and empathy of victims of bullying

Original article can be found at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01452134 Copyright Elsevier Ltd. DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2008.11.002

The Relation of Nonverbal Processing Ability of Faces and Voices and Children's Feelings of Depression and Competence

The relation between nonverbal processing ability and feelings of depression and competence was evaluated in children between the ages of 7 and 11 years (N = 142). They were administered tests to measure their receptive nonverbal ability and feelings of depression and competence. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that nonverbal ability was related to feelings of competence in boys and girls, but to feelings of depression only in boys. It was concluded that specific nonverbal deficits are associated with generalized negative feelings in children. Implications for adjustment are discussed.

Factor Structure of Locus of Control in Children

The purpose of the present study was to identify the factor structure of the Childrens Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Control scale. To this end, the responses of Ss at the elementary (n = 449), junior high (n = 388) and high school (n = 389) were subjected to factor analysis procedures. Both general and specific factors were found. It was suggested that locus of control scales be prepared so as to yield a general as well as specific, score to allow the investigator to choose the appropriate measure of locus of control for his purposes.

Locus of Control and Achievement—the Confirmation of a Theoretical Expectation

Summary In an attempt to assess the relationship between locus of control and achievement, a newly developed locus of control (ANSIE) scale was administered to 48 Ss. Internality was related to high achievement for males, and externality for females. This unexpected result was replicated in two further studies. As in the past the Rotter I-E scale did not correlate with achievement. Results were discussed from a cultural role expectancy point of view.

The Determination of Locus of Control in a Geriatric Population and a Subsequent Test of the Social Learning Model for Interpersonal Distances

Summary An attempt was made to measure locus of control in a geriatric population and to apply this measurement to the social learning model for interpersonal distance. Results suggested that the elderly group studied were no more external than middle-aged adults. This was discussed from several theoretical points of view. Interpersonal distance results, although not in direct support of theory, provided a source for further development and alteration of the model.