Aging, technology, and psychology: Models of assistive device use viewed from an action-theoretical perspective on lifespan development

in European Psychologist (2020), 25(3), 211-228

Many older people suffer from functional declines and activity limitations, which reduce their autonomy and quality of life. Assistive technologies (ATs) could dampen such effects. However, many older people do not use ATs and it is important to understand, why they give away their benefits. In this article, we look at older peoples´ use of ATs from an action perspective on human development elaborated by Brandtstädter and colleagues. We review from this viewpoint models of AT use created mostly in information systems technology, business administration, and management sciences. The major focus is on the extent to which these models consider the relevant internal (mental) and external context of AT use, possible action alternatives, and autonomous, vicarious, and joint modes of decision-making about ATs use. Systematic literature searches in PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar led us to 23 models. None of them contained as central variables any perceived discrepancies between the actual and desired developmental situation or any goals to reduce these discrepancies. No model included action alternatives to AT use beyond non-use such as trying harder on oneself, making environmental adaptations or using personal support. All models conceive of AT use as an act of the individual user, but neglected decision making about AT use by other persons on his or her behalf or a joint decision making of a potential user together with other persons (e.g., relatives). We discuss the background of these gaps, possibilities of a more comprehensive modeling of AT use, and practical implications (e.g., developmental counseling).

Subjective Reasons for Using versus not Using Assistive Technologies in Aging Population: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Studies

Poster (2019, May 24)

The number of older people with limitations of activities of daily living in developing countries is predicted to increase by a factor of four between 2015 and 2050. One possibility to overcome such limitations is to promote the use of assistive technologies (ATs) in the aging population. Despite evident benefits of ATs in this context, the use rate is still low. To find out why this is the case, we performed systematic literature searches in PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar databases about subjective reasons of older people for use and non-use of these devices. We then performed a meta-synthesis of the relevant studies in order to arrive at a comprehensive view of older people’s reasons for the use or non-use of ATs. Beliefs about ease to use and reliability of AT use as well as perceived suggestion by significant others to use ATs were important reasons for using them. Beliefs about insecurity, uselessness and other attributes of ATs as well as desires to avoid burden for others were major reasons for not using of ATs. We systematized the identified subjective reasons for using versus not using as referring to (1) situation of need and demand for an AT, (2) suggestion by significant others, (3) act of using, and (4) consequences of AT use. Most of the reasons were reasons for non-use such as beliefs about negative attributes of ATs, and the consequences of their use. In contrast, desires were only rarely mentioned as reasons for use or non-use of ATs. Comparing subjective reasons of our meta-synthesis with predictors in ATs use models, we found that only 5 out of 25 identified subjective reasons have already been considered in these models. Thus, these models appear not yet to be sufficiently comprehensive. We suggest integrating the identified subjective reasons from our meta-synthesis as additional predictors in a comprehensive AT use model with an improved predictive power.

A qualitative meta-synthesis of reasons for the use or non-use of assistive technologies in the aging population

in GeroPsych: Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry (2019), 32(2), 79-92

Models of the use of assistive technologies (ATs) have only moderate value for predicting older people´s use of ATs. To find further predictors we performed a systematic literature review and – applying an action-theoretical approach – a meta-synthesis of seven qualitative studies about older people´s reasons for use or non-use of ATs. We found 25 reasons referring to user´s beliefs and desires (e.g., about demand, act of using ATs, its consequences) of which 18 were not contained in existing AT use models. Some reasons generalized across ATs (e.g., perceived unreliability), whereas others (e.g., privacy concerns, desire to avoid burden to others) appeared specific to tele-alarm or smart home technology. We discuss findings with respect to improving AT use models and developmental counseling.

Comparative Evaluation of Models of Assistive Technologies’ Use

Scientific Conference (2018, July 06)

Many older people have functional limitations and are at risk of losing their ability to live autonomously. Assistive Technology (AT) could help to reduce that risk. However, many older people don’t use ATs. Our presentation reviews existing models of ATs use, their applicability to specific types of AT, predictive value, fundamental elements, and critiques of such models. In systematic literature searches in PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar 46 papers were identified that met our inclusion criteria. 32 papers covered models of ATs use, applicability to special types of ATs, components of models, and their predictive value. 14 papers cover criticisms of models of AT use. We classified the models into two groups: The first included 11 models focusing on individuals’ mental states (e.g., beliefs, desires) as factors explaining ATs use; the second included 22 models that also considered contextual factors (e.g., social influence, physical environment) in addition to individuals’ mental states. Across both groups the most frequently included explanatory components were subjective norm and personal attitudes towards AT use, followed by perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and then intention to use. Models were most frequently applied to information technologies followed by application to socially assistive robots. Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) and an extended version of Technology Acceptance Model showed the highest amount of explained variance in intention to use (56-74%) and an extended model of UTAUT in actual use of ATs (64%). We conclude with recommendations for further improvement of AT use models.

Emotional ambivalence in adult children of care-dependent older parents: Heuristic impulses from cognitive-motivational emotion theories

in Albert, Isabelle; Abbey, Emily; Valsiner, Jaan (Eds.) Trans-generational family relations: Investigating ambivalences (2018)

Emotional ambivalence of adult children of care-dependent older parents is analyzed from the perspective of cognitive-motivational theories of emotion. Emotional ambivalence is conceived of as the co-presence of positive and negative emotions toward the multifaceted care situation involving these major elements: Multiple problems of the elderly parent, multiple caregiving tasks of the adult child, and multiple gains and losses for the elderly parent and for the adult child. In line with cognitive-motivational theories, positive and negative emotions are thought of as arising from mental comparisons between what adult children desire and what they believe with respect to the various facets of the care situation. Perceived fulfillment of such desires is assumed to lead to positive emotions (happiness, hope, moral pride, etc.) and perceived frustration to result in negative emotions (pity, fear, guilt, etc.) related to the elderly parent, oneself, or other family members. Because adult children usually have multiple desires (e.g., own welfare, welfare of older parent, welfare of other family members) which may be perceived as fulfilled in some areas and unfulfilled in others, various combinations of positive and negative emotions and thus emotional ambivalence is assumed to arise toward various aspects of the care situation. An illustrative application of this theoretical approach is given to a major care-related event, namely, the transition of an elderly parent to a nursing home. In conclusion, benefits for research and practice in the field of elder care (measurement, description, understanding, management, and positive functions of emotional ambivalence) are discussed.

Scientific and legal concepts of care dependency: Role for understanding, emotional responding, and acting in the field of elder care

in Boll, Thomas; Ferring, Dieter; Valsiner, Jaan (Eds.) Cultures of care in aging (2018)

In this chapter, we analyze scientific and legal concepts of care dependency and explore their roles for understanding, emotional responding, and acting of various participants in the field of elder care. First, two comprehensive concepts from the nursing sciences are contrasted. Then we compare a scientific and two legal concepts (restrictive vs. inclusive) of care dependency from the German long-term care (LTC) system, the last of which regulate older persons´ access to LTC benefits. Here, we consider their different implications for the risk of unmet psychological, social, and temporary care needs. Next, we examine the theoretical and methodological roles of different care dependency concepts for assessment as well as the analysis of prevalence, antecedents, consequences, and the management of care dependency. Following this, we explore possible functions of care dependency concepts as cognitive mediators of various agents’ activities related to elder care, which opens new topics for further research. Among these, we include the ascription of care dependency by various actors, older people´s self-presentation, and family carers´ presentation and LTC administrators´ evaluation of an older person´s care dependency. Further issues addressed are the education of professional care workers and professionals´ provision of elder care. Here, special attention is devoted to the implications of a shift from a restrictive to a more inclusive legal concept of care dependency as recently happened in Germany. Finally, we discuss the implications of inclusive legal concepts of care dependency for the improvement of elder care quality

Culture in the Act of Caring: Bringing Geropsychology, other gerosciences, and Cultural Psychology together

in Boll, Thomas; Ferring, Dieter; Valsiner, Jaan (Eds.) Cultures of care in aging (2018)

In the introduction of a multidisciplinary book on the role of culture in elder care the editors set the stage for a substantive integration of contributions from geropsychology, other gerosciences, and cultural psychology. The authors present arguments for a life-span developmental perspective on care for the elderly and extend this to geropsychology as subsection of life-span developmental psychology. They further emphasize that these disciplines consider to some extent the role of cultural and other contextual factors and that other gerosciences specialized on historical, political, health-and nursing-related aspects of elder care can further supplement this effort. Then three major streams of cultural psychology are mentioned which are particularly relevant to topics of caring: Dialogical Self Theory, Theory of Social Representations, and Cultural Psychology of Semiotic Dynamics. The authors conclude that an increasing population aging and growing gaps between demand and supply of care create a serious practical need for an integration of geropsychology, other gerosciences, and cultural psychologies to achieve a better understanding of the individual, interpersonal, and macro social processes involved in elder care.

Cultures of care in aging

Book published by Information Age Publishing (2018)

Care for elderly persons has many facets and is influenced by many factors of the care-dependent person, the care giver(s) and the micro-, and macro-social context. A co-operation of multiple disciplines is required to better understand phenomena of elder care and to act adequately in this field. This is even more urgent given the increasing population aging and the impending gaps between demand and supply of care. The present book provides a first substantive integration of knowledge from geropsychology, other gerosciences, and cultural psychologies to reach these goals —through a multi-disciplinary and international cast of authors. Macro-social context—including demographic, historical, political, normative, and other cultural factors—turned out to open and limit the available options for individual care giving and receipt and shapes how these issues are experienced by the participants in elder care. Elder care is shown to be far more complex than previously thought, because its consequences extend beyond single care givers to multigenerational caring families. Thinking, feeling and acting in relation to care dependency, caregiving and care receipt emerged as being influenced by multiple individual and social level factors. Future issues of elder care are seen as being shaped to a large extent by macro level factors such as population aging, social trends in job and family life, and development of assistive technologies. All this has far reaching implications for ensuring quality of care and the life quality on part of care recipients and care providers and for the coherence of social communities.

School Psychologists and neoliberal schools: Marital problems and approaches to intervention

Presentation (2017, January)

Obituary: Dieter Ferring (1958-2017)

in GeroPsych: Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry (2017), 30(4), 135-136

Memorializes Dieter Ferring, who contributed to life-span developmental psychology, geropsychology, and cultural psychology in research, teaching, professional practice, and political consulting. His life work centered on life circumstances that included threats to people's well-being and on identifying and implementing solutions for such aversive conditions. His scientific approach was characterized by analysing phenomena in their micro and macro context, by interdisciplinarity, by emphasis on cognitive and semiotic mediation, and by using mixed-method approaches to data collection and analyses. Dieter Ferring had been much engaged in productive cooperations with researchers from other countries in Europe and in disseminating his insights and findings to study programs beyond his own field as well as to the general public. He also served as an expert and research partner to policymakers and community administrators and leaders in practical and applied fields.

Academic and legal concepts of care dependency: Role for understanding, emotional responding and acting

Scientific Conference (2015, September)

“This is not my town” - Feelings of closeness and security of older migrants and national residents

Scientific Conference (2015, July)

Social policy measures for improving subjective well-being in later life: Issues of theoretical and empirical foundation

Scientific Conference (2014, September 15)

Subjective well-being (SWB) in later life is important not just as an indicator of life quality, of mental health and of successful aging of older people, but also because of its effects on individually or socially relevant outcomes (e.g. health, social engagement). This raises the question about the extent to which and under what conditions SWB of older people can be improved by social policy measures (SPM). Our presentation examines theoretical and empirical issues related to answering this question. A first theoretical topic considers the relevance of bottom-up vs. top-down approaches conceptualizing the link between domain-specific satisfaction (e.g., with health, financial situation, social relationships) and global life satisfaction in old age. A second issue concerns the theoretical status of SWB in causal networks, i.e., SWB as consequence, as cause, as mediator and as moderator variable. A third topic refers to what can be derived from different theoretical approaches to SWB about whether and when SPM should have an effect of SWB in later life. Following that several empirical questions with respect to improving SWB of older people through SPM are considered. First, we discuss whether the present level of SWB in older adults (or subgroups thereof) indicates a demand for improving SWB. Second, we look at the importance of SWB for individually and socially desirable outcomes (e.g., on health, community involvement) by providing specific evidence which can provide further reasons for improving SWB through SPM. Third, we examine which life circumstances (e.g., financial situation, functional status), life events (e.g., becoming disabled) and individual activities (e.g., volunteering) are known to be significantly related to SWB and which of these conditions could principally be improved through SPM. Fourth, we discuss existing and needed empirical evidence for the effects of local, regional, national SPM on SWB in later life. We emphasize that past research has already produced an impressive body of knowledge relevant for improving SWB in older people through SPM, but that further theoretical and empirical efforts are needed to provide such SPM with a richer foundation. We conclude that better strategies for communicating results of research about SWB to policy makers should be elaborated so that these can have more impact on policy decisions about SPM.

Pflege alter Menschen in der Familie: Emotionen, Ziele und Handlungsmöglichkeiten von Angehörigen

Scientific Conference (2013, November 27)

Familienangehörige sind die wichtigsten informellen Pflegepersonen alter Menschen. Der vorliegende Beitrag beleuchtet aus emotions- und handlungstheoretischer Sicht affektive und aktiv-gestalterische Prozesse in der Familienpflege, die in der traditionellen Forschung zu "caregiver burden" und "caregiver gain" bislang nur unzureichend behandelt wurden. Einleitend werden verschiedene objektive Facetten der Pflegebedürftigkeit im Alter inclusive der daraus erwachsenden Aufgaben und Leistungen pflegender Angehöriger sowie der positiven und negativen Auswirkungen auf andere Lebensbereiche der Pflegenden und Gepflegten beschrieben. Im Anschluss daran wird die subjektive Bedeutung der Pflegesituation für die pflegenden Angehörigen thematisiert. Hierbei wird zunächst das breite Spektrum positiver und negativer Emotionen pflegender Angehöriger, deren Genese aus der subjektiven Einschätzung der Pflegesituation und die mit den ausgelösten Emotionen einhergehenden Handlungsbereitschaften der pflegenden Angehörigen dargestellt. Einen weiteren Schwerpunkt bilden zentrale Entscheidungen pflegender Angehöriger für das Leben der Gepflegten und für ihr eigenes Leben (z.B. Übernahme der Pflegerolle, Veranlassung einer Heimunterbringung). Hierbei wird auf die multiplen Ziele pflegender Angehöriger (z.B. Wohlergehen der Gepflegten, eigenes Wohlergehen, Wohlergehen Dritter), mögliche Zielkonflikte und die Bedeutung von Zielen für das Handeln pflegender Angehöriger eingegangen. Möglichkeiten der konsequenten Zielverfolgung in der Pflege werden ebenso behandelt wie solche der flexiblen Zieladjustierung im Falle unerreichbar gewordener Pflegeziele. Abschließend wird resümiert , dass die Anpassung von pflegenden Angehörigen ein komplexes Geschehen darstellt: Die Familienpflege ist mit vielen Aufgaben, Leistungen und Auswirkungen auf andere Lebensbereiche verbunden, wodurch multiple Ziele der Pflegenden tangiert (erfüllt oder frustriert) werden können; solche Ziele können je nach Lage der Situation auf sehr verschiedene Weise verfolgt oder auch an das Realisierbare angepasst werden.

Family caregiving for older people from a life-span developmental point of view

in Albert, Isabelle; Ferring, Dieter (Eds.) Intergenerational relations: European perspectives in family and society (2013)

Family members are the most important informal carers for older people. The present paper analyses their situation with core concepts from life-span developmental psychology such as critical life events, developmental tasks, development-related goals, emotions, and actions. From that perspective two mayor branches of past caregiver research (on caregiver burden and on caregiver gain) are reviewed and criticized as underestimating the active role of family carers as authors of important decisions for their own and the care-recipients’ life and as neglecting the carers’ differentiated emotions. Following this, hypotheses are generated about how the multi-facetted caregiving situation partly frustrates and partly fulfills family carers’ goals concerning their own development and that of the care recipient and how this gives rise to family carers’ emotions, action tendencies, and actions. Moreover, family carers’ goals, goal conflicts, and major action possibilities are considered as well as carers’s goal adjustments and development of competencies and personality attributes in response to caregiving. It is concluded that concepts from life-span developmental psychology enable a more comprehensive analysis of family caregiving and promise future progress in research, especially if they also take into account the socio-cultural constraints and options of family carers’ actions and development.

Problematische Verhaltensweisen von pflegebedürftigen alten Menschen aus der Sicht von pflegenden Angehörigen: Eine clusteranalytische Studie

in Verhaltenstherapie (2011), 21(21, Supplement 1), 14-14

Le Gouvernement du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg (2011). Apprendre le développement durable - agir pour l’avenir. Stratégie nationale d’éducation pour un développement durable

Book published by Ministère de l'Education nationale et de la Formation professionnelle (2011)

Subjective well-being in older adults: Current state and gaps of research

in Bovenberg, Lans; Van Soest, Arthur; Zaidi, Asghar (Eds.) Ageing, health and pensions in Europe (2010)

Reviews research on subjective well-being in older adults and describes remaining desiderata. After introducing the topic of subjective well-being (SWB) in older adults, various policy questions related to that topic are formulated. Then the major advances in research are described. These refer to a conceptual clarification and measurement issues of SWB and related concepts (e.g., life satisfaction), the internal structure of SWB, the theoretical status of SWB in causal networks, main findings about the developmental course, causes, and consequences of SWB in older adults, and theoretical models about SWB regulation in this population. Based on that, remaining gaps in knowledge and potential research directions for SWB especially in older adults are highlighted. These are related to the measurement of SWB, the limited age range and age segmentation in empirical studies on SWB, the causes of SWB and its regulation as well as effective policy measures to promote SWB. Then, the current state of European infrastructures and desirable developments related to research on SWB in older adults are described (large-scale longitudinal studies on aging, regular representative surveys of the general and the older population, international research cooperations and networks). Finally, the significance of the available and expected future knowledge for social policy decision making is discussed.

Emotional relationship quality of adult children whith ageing parents: On solidarity, conflict and ambivalence.

in European Journal of Ageing (2009), 6

Emotions toward a relationship partner provide relevant and specific information about relationship quality. Based on this assumption the present study was performed to identify different types of emotional relationship quality of middle-aged adult children with their aging parents. This was done by cluster analytic procedures in a sample of 1,208 middle-aged adult children (482 men, 726 women). Using ratings of positive and negative emotions toward their mother and their father as grouping variables, the same four-cluster solution emerged for both the child-mother relationship and the child-father relationship. Clusters were labelled as amicable, disharmonious, detached, and ambivalent relationships. Results showed that especially amicable relationships clearly prevailed followed by ambivalent, detached, and disharmonious relationships. Clusters differed significantly with respect to gender of adult child, willingness to support, expected parental support, and overt conflicts. In a cross-classification of cluster membership regarding the child-mother relationship (4 clusters) and the child-father relationship (4 clusters), all possible 16 combinations were observed, with a considerable degree of divergence regarding the type of relationship quality within the same family. Results are discussed with respect to types of emotional relationship quality, within family differences, and the intrafamilial regulation of relationship quality.

Effects of parental differential treatment on relationship quality with siblings and parents: Justice evaluations as mediators

in Social Justice Research (2005), 18(2), 155-182

Based on equity theory, the present study analyzes to what extent justice evaluations mediate the effects of perceived parental differential treatment (PDT) on relationship quality with siblings and parents as experienced in middle adulthood. Middle-aged adult offspring (N = 709) rated how often they and a sibling received parental recognition, nurturance, and demands for assuming filial responsibility. In addition, they indicated their justice evaluations of PDT and completed measures of relationship quality to sibling and parents. Justice evaluations emerged as either partial or complete mediators between PDT and relationship quality. Moreover, justice evaluations turned out to be more powerful predictors of relationship quality to parents than PDT per se. Implications are discussed concerning factors contributing to justice evaluations and the role of PDT within the context of other justice issues in families.

Perceived parental differential treatment in middle adulthood: Curvilinear relations with relationship quality to sibling and parents

in Journal of Family Psychology (2003), 17(4), 472-487

Guided by predictions from equity theory and the self-esteem maintenance model, links between perceptions of current parental differential treatment and the perceiver's experienced relationship quality with sibling and parents were analyzed in a sample of 1,020 adult (middle-aged) offspring. Participants rated how often they and a sibling receive parental recognition, nurture, and demands for filial responsibility. In addition, they indicated their emotions and behaviors toward sibling and parents. Data analyses showed that an individual's experienced relationship with sibling was best when both were treated equally and diminished with increasing favoritism or disfavoritism. Experienced relationship with parents was best when participants were favored a bit; the relationship worsened when participants were disfavored and worsened only slightly when they were extremely favored. Results are discussed regarding mediating processes and implications for practical applications.

Soziale Vergleiche zwischen Geschwistern im frühen Erwachsenenalter: Eine explorative Studie

in Zeitschrift für Entwicklungspsychologie und Padagogische Psychologie (2002), 34(3), 174-193

The present study focuses on social comparisons in sibling relations in early adulthood. Starting from theoretical and empirical evidence of social comparison theory as well as research and findings on sibling relations, the thesis of a self-serving use of social comparisons in sibling relations is elaborated. A sample of N = 100 subjects had to name up to ten positive and ten negative personal characteristics which were additionally rated with respect to their personal importance; resulting comparison judgments were analyzed with respect to inferred similarity and/or inferiority as well as superiority towards the sibling. Furthermore, relations between comparison judgments and structural variables of sibling relations (i.e., sex of siblings) as well as self-esteem were explored; the effects of social comparison on indicators of relationship quality were investigated in the final step of the analysis. Findings showed that subjects formulated more dissimilarity than similarity in their judgments. Personal characteristics from which subjects inferred inferiority towards the sibling were rated as significantly less important than characteristics from which superiority was inferred. Furthermore, social comparisons were weakly related to structural characteristics and self-esteem but showed a more substantial and differential association with indicators of relationship quality.

Positivity in aged’s perceptions of intergenerational relationships: A “stake” or a “leniency” effect?

in International Journal of Behavioral Development (2000), 24(2), 173-182

The ‘‘developmental stake hypothesis’’ has been proposed for the frequent finding that aged parents consistently report higher levels of closeness to and consensus with their (adult) children than these children do themselves. This study investigated an alternative hypothesis: Drawing on research on prosocial behaviour in old age, it proposes that the aged tend to construe all social relationships in a positively biased manner (‘‘leniency hypothesis’’). Using a quasi-experimental (vignette) approach, scenarios describing two family members discussing a controversial issue were presented to 809 middle-aged (aged 40 to 50 years) and aged subjects (65 to 75 years). The lineage composition of the dyads of family members in the scenarios (i.e. aged parent and adult child vs. two adult siblings) was varied systematically as a between-subjects factor, and the controversial issue was varied as a within-subjects factor. Dependent variables were the participants’ evaluative and prescriptive judgements on the protagonists’ behaviour and the quality of their relationship. Overall, results showed that the aged perceived all scenarios in a significantly more positive light than middle-aged participants, regardless of their lineage composition. Thus, a ‘‘positivity bias’’ was observed in judgements of both intergenerational as well as intragenerational dyads, and it is concluded that the leniency hypothesis provides a better account of these findings than the stake hypothesis.

Analyse kognitiver und motivationaler Aspekte spezifischer Emotionen. Am Beispiel von Schuldgefühlen und Empörung nach Führerscheinentzug

Book published by Kovač (1998)

Kognitiv-evaluative Bedingungen und motivationale Folgen spezifischer Emotionen werden am Beispiel von Schuldgefühlen und Empörung nach Führerscheinentzug theoretisch und empirisch analysiert. Den theoretischen Hintergrund bildet die Sicht von Emotionen als intentionalen Zuständen. Danach werden Emotionen wesentlich durch den Bezug auf ein mental repräsentiertes Objekt konstituiert, das Wünsche, Ziele oder Normen des Emotionssubjekts erfüllt oder verletzt, woraus weitere Wünsche oder Handlungsbereitschaften des Subjekts erwachsen können. Innerhalb dieses Rahmens werden die Emotionskonzepte Schuldgefühl und Empörung expliziert. Daraus werden in Verbindung mit Informationen über die emotionsauslösenden Situationen (Fahren unter Alkoholeinfluss, Entzug und Verweigerung der Fahrerlaubnis) und über die Emotionssubjekte (alkoholauffällige Kraftfahrer) Hypothesen über Verantwortlichkeitsüberzeugungen, moralische und gerechtigkeitsthematische Bewertungen und Rechtfertigungen eigenen und behördlichen Handelns als Bedingungen von Schuldgefühlen und Empörung gebildet. Weitere Hypothesen werden zu den Folgen beider Emotionen im Bereich konkreter Wünsche, Handlungsbereitschaften und Vorsätze mit Bezug zum Fahren unter Alkoholeinfluss und zur Verweigerung der Fahrerlaubnis generiert. An einer Stichprobe von 182 alkoholauffälligen Kraftfahrern wurden die angeführten Variablen mit vom Autor konstruierten Fragebogenskalen erfasst. Zentrale empirische Ergebnisse waren unter anderem: (1) Schuldgefühle werden durch spezifische Überzeugungen eigener Verantwortlichkeit und negative moralische Bewertungen des eigenen Fahrens unter Alkoholeinfluss gesteigert und durch die Interpretation erfahrener Sanktionen (Geldstrafe, Führerscheinsperre) als Sühne reduziert. (2) Schuldgefühle disponieren zu diversen Handlungsbereitschaften (z. B. Wiedergutmachung, Schadenersatz), wobei weitere Überzeugungen, Wünsche und Normen als moderierende Randbedingungen und additive Einflussfaktoren ins Spiel kommen. (3) Empörung wird durch diverse Ungerechtigkeitsbewertungen zur Verweigerung der Fahrerlaubnis und Überzeugungen zur Verantwortlichkeit der Beamten (böswilliges Handeln, nachlässiges Handeln) gesteigert und durch Rechtfertigungsgründe (z. B. Wahrung der Verkehrssicherheit) gehemmt, wobei deren Effekt von Randbedingungen abhängt. (4) Empörung erhöht sowohl Bereitschaften zu eigenen Auflehnungshandlungen (Anklage und Aggression gegenüber Beamten; Einlegen von Rechtsmitteln) als auch Wünsche nach Auflehnung Dritter (mächtige Personen in der Behörde). Abschliessend werden Konsequenzen für die Analyse von Schuldgefühlen und Empörung in anderen Situationen aufgezeigt sowie methodische und theoretische Implikationen für die Analyse kognitiver und motivationaler Aspekte anderer Emotionen herausgearbeitet.

Konflikte zwischen den Generationen im Erwachsenenalter: Daten zu Verbreitung und Manifestationsformen aus einer Repräsentativerhebung

in Psychologische Beiträge : Vierteljahresschrift für alle Gebiete der Psychologie (1998), 40(3/4), 235-253

The prevalence of inter- and intragenerational conflicts is assessed in a large sample of the middle-aged and old-aged German population. N = 4017 adult subjects ranging in age from 40 to 85 years indicated current personal conflicts with regard to the relative age of conflict partners (e.g., younger, older, same age), intra- vs. extrafamilial location of conflict, and conflict behaviour. More than ten percent of the subjects reported current intergenerational conflicts, involving family members more often than persons not belonging to one’s family. The prevalence of intergenerational conflicts increased and prevalence of intragenerational conflicts decreased with respondents’ age. Women were more frequently engaged in conflicts with older persons, especially family members. Results are discussed with respect to underlying processes that could mediate the covariation between sociodemographic variables and frequency of intergenerational conflicts. A strategy for further research on intergenerational conflicts is sketched.

Der Wal ist kein Fisch, und doch ist er ein „Walfisch“. Antwort auf die Essenz der Emotionen: Bedeutungskonstituenten der Alltagssprache oder multikomponentiale Verlaufsmuster?

in Sprache und Kognition (1989), 8

Discusses some of the points raised in K. Scherer's reply to the authors' criticism of his component process model of the emotions (both in Sprache & Kognition 1989, 8 (1)). The first point considered is Scherer's doubts about the hypothesis that the explication of the semantic structures of the words used to describe emotions in everyday language forms the precondition for scientific concept formation and empirical research into specific emotions in psychology. Then his doubts about the possibility of implementing a standardized language analysis in this context are considered. He justifies these doubts by pointing to the interindividual differences in the use of words describing emotions. Finally, a reply is given to his doubts about the implications of using language analysis for psychological research on specific emotions in different language communities and cultures.

Auslösung und Dämpfung von Feindseligkeit

in Untersuchungen des Psychologischen Dienstes der Bundeswehr (1988), 23

Auf der Basis einer kognitionspsychologischen Analyse verschiedener aggressionsbezogener Gefühle (Wut, Ärger, Hass, Neid, Empörung) werden bei Wehrpflichtigen Bedingungen der Entstehung und Dämpfung von Feindseligkeit im Sinne von Hass gegenüber einem Vorgesetzten untersucht. Drei Indikatoren der Feindseligkeit wurden erhoben: (1) positive Gefühle bei einer Schädigung des Vorgesetzten, (2) Häufigkeit unwillkürlich interferierender Schädigungsvorstellungen und (3) negative Bewertung des Vorgesetzten. Feindseligkeit wurde im Wesentlichen als Funktion von fünf Variablen erwartet: (1) erlebte Beeinträchtigung durch den Vorgesetzten, (2) wahrgenommene Absichtlichkeit der Beeinträchtigung, (3) wahrgenommene Machtlosigkeit gegenüber dem Vorgesetzten, (4) Ablehnung von Rechtfertigungsgründen für das Handeln des Vorgesetzten und (5) Widerstandswille gegenüber diesem. Dämpfende Effekte auf Feindseligkeit sollten erlebte Sicherheit in sozialen Kontexten haben (Selbstvertrauen, wahrgenommene Unterstützung durch Kameraden oder höhere Vorgesetzte, Gerechtigkeit in der eigenen Einheit) sowie positive Bewertung der Bundeswehr und der Wehrpflicht. Alle Variablen wurden mit eigens konstruierten Fragebogen an einer Untersuchungsstichprobe von 426 Soldaten aus fünf Ausbildungsquartalen und unterschiedlich "harten" Einheiten erhoben. Wesentliche Ergebnisse waren: Die Kernvariablen wirkten in erwarteter Richtung auf Feindseligkeit. Die Indikatoren für erlebte Sicherheit wirkten insgesamt erwartungsgemäß dämpfend auf Feindseligkeit, was die direkten linearen Effekte anbelangt. Die Moderatoreffekte von Sicherheitsvariablen auf die Beziehung zwischen erlebter Beeinträchtigung und Feindseligkeit waren größtenteils erwartungswidrig: je höher die Sicherheit, um so grösser die Effekte erlebter Beeinträchtigung auf Feindseligkeit. Die Validität der Feindseligkeitsmaße wird diskutiert, und praktische Schlussfolgerungen, die die Vermeidung oder Dämpfung von Feindseligkeit betreffen, werden gezogen.