This article describes (a) the origins of, (b) rationale underlying, and (c) preliminary validity evidence for, a new ability measure of emotional understanding (EU), a major component of emotional intelligence. A novel conceptual approach-the empathic agent paradigm (EAP)-provided the theoretical foundation. The EAP results in a veridical, logically defensible scoring key, a major development for the assessment of EI, which otherwise has relied on less defensible approaches. Validity evidence for test score interpretations of the Empathic Agent Paradigm Test (EAPT) was subsequently obtained in two studies. In Study 1, participants (N ϭ 321) completed the EAPT (␣ ϭ .72 at testlet level), along with measures of classical intelligence, the Big Five personality traits, and a situational judgment measure of EU. This study provides factorial, convergent, and discriminant validity evidence for EAPT test score interpretations. In Study 2 (N ϭ 158), an important assumption about the response processes in the EAPT was verified experimentally, in the process providing further validity evidence for test score interpretations. In sum, findings suggest that the EAPT is a promising new maximum performance measure for the assessment of EU.
Public Significance StatementFindings from this paper suggest that the assessment of emotional understanding-a core component of emotional intelligence-can be improved using a test design that ensures responses can be scored unambiguously: right or wrong. This measurement approach results in maximum, rather than typical, performance indicators. This makes the current approach different from widely used self-report measures of EI but consistent with the measurement intention to assess human cognitive abilities.
Abstract. Background: Physical activity (PA) is recommended by heart failure treatment guidelines. Adherence to exercise prescriptions is low and not much is known about everyday PA in this patient group. Aims: This study describes objectively assessed everyday PA/sedentary behavior in men and women with chronic heart failure and examines associations of potential barriers for engaging in PA, namely fear of physical activity (FoPA), general anxiety, and depression, with indicators of PA and sedentary behavior. Method: In 61 outpatients with heart failure (67.5 ± 10.7 years of age) the impact of FoPA, trait anxiety, and depression on 6-day accelerometer measures was evaluated using linear regression models. Results: Sedentary behavior was prevalent in men and women alike, with lying down and sitting/standing as predominant activity classes during daytime. Men had higher PA energy expenditure (726 vs. 585 kcal/d, Cohen’s effect size d = 0.74) and walked up/down more often (0.21% vs. 0.12% of total PA, d = 0.56) than women. FoPA did not differ between sexes. FoPA, but not anxiety and depression, significantly and consistently predicted less walking up/down independent of covariates (β-values between −0.26 and −0.44, p-values < 0.024). Limitations: The self-selected sample included few women. Medical data were assessed via self-reports. Conclusion: FoPA, but not anxiety and depression, significantly and consistently predicted less walking up/down independent of covariates. These preliminary findings highlight FoPA as a barrier to everyday PA in patients with heart failure.
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