Evaluating Validity Properties of 25 Race-Related Scales

Racial attitudes, beliefs, and motivations lie at the center of many of the most influential theories of prejudice and discrimination. The extent to which such theories can meaningfully explain behavior hinges on accurate measurement of these latent constructs. We evaluated the validity properties of 25 race-related scales in a sample of 1,031,207 respondents using modern approaches such as dynamic fit indices, Item Response Theory, and nomological nets. Despite showing adequate internal reliability, many scales demonstrated poor model fit and had latent score distributions showing clear floor or ceiling effects, results that illustrate deficiencies in measures’ ability to capture their intended construct. Nomological nets further suggested that the theoretical space of “racial prejudice” is crowded with scales that may not actually capture meaningfully distinct latent constructs. We provide concrete recommendations for scale selection and renovation and outline implications for overlooking measurement issues in the study of prejudice and discrimination.

The Sense of Coherence: Measurement Issues

In this chapter, measurement issues are addressed concerning Aaron Antonovsky’s original sense of coherence (SOC) questionnaires of 29 items and of 13 items, as well as several modified translations applicable to the individual, the family, the organization, and the community levels. Validity (face, construct, consensual, criterion, predictive) and reliability issues (test–retest, internal consistency) of the scales are discussed. Criticism of the original scales is deliberated.

Key Concepts in the Salutogenic Model of Health

Part II starts with a description of the theoretical framework of the salutogenic model of health, with special focus on the key concepts and reflection on the ontological and epistemological background of the health model, which so far is little explored and described (Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-79515-3_9). In Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-79515-3_10, the focus is on how the sense of coherence (SOC) influences stressor appraisal, positively as well as negatively. In Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-79515-3_11, measurement issues are addressed concerning Aaron Antonovsky’s original SOC questionnaires of 29 items and of 13 items, as well as several modified translations applicable at the individual, the family, the organization, and the community levels. Chapter 10.1007/978-3-030-79515-3_12 presents and discusses theoretical considerations and empirical findings regarding the concepts: generalized resistance resources (GRRs) and generalized resistance deficits (GRDs). Part II closes with a discussion of the conceptual and concrete differences between generalized and specific resistance resources in the salutogenic model of health (Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-79515-3_13).

On the Impact of Inequality on Growth, Human Development, and Governance

Inequality is a major international development challenge. This is so from an ethical perspective and because greater inequality is perceived to be detrimental to key socioeconomic and political outcomes. Still, informed debate requires clear evidence. This article contributes by taking stock and providing an up-to-date overview of the current knowledge on the impact of income inequality, specifically on three important outcomes: (1) economic growth; (2) human development, with a focus on health and education as two of its dimensions; and (3) governance, with emphasis on democracy. With particular attention to work in economics, which is especially developed on these topics, this article reveals that the existing evidence is somewhat mixed and argues for further in-depth empirical work across disciplines. It also points to explanations for the lack of consensus embedded in data quality and availability, measurement issues, and shortcomings of the different methods employed. Finally, we suggest promising future research avenues relying on experimental work for microlevel analysis and reiterate the need for more region- and country-specific studies and improvements in the availability and reliability of data.

Literature Review of Measurements of Personality Traits across Cultures

After more than one century’s exploration from academia, both researches and measurements related to human personality traits have been fully developed with the effort of many researchers. Big Five, as one of the most popular assessments for personality traits, was formed based on the etic approach assuming there should be a universal or generalizable measurement for personality traits across cultures. However, with the increasing impact from different cultures as well as in-depth understanding from researchers, more doubts of etic approach on measuring personality were proposed. Emic approach stressing the significance of specific-cultural method in anthropological research has been accordingly investigated. The following Big Six and Big Seven scales were constructed under this approach. These measurements were already examined to have higher validity and reliability on measuring personality traits when implementing in the relevant group of people. Therefore, this study was supposed to give a literature review summarizing the definition process towards personality traits, the specific content and development of the mentioned measurements using etic and emic approach, the measurement issues based on the relevant researches, and some further considerations for etic and emic approach in assessing personality traits