Fundamental analysis in research on well-being: distress and the sense of control

The Gerontologist
J Mirowsky, C E Ross

Abstract

Fundamental analysis defines the basic terms of social and behavioral research. It usually follows the rule "one concept to a measure." However, some responses inherently reflect more than one underlying attribute, as when a test score reflects both knowledge of the subject and practice with taking tests. The standard methods of fundamental analysis break down in the presence of such cross-cutting factors. In this article, we discuss two instances of confusion and disagreement among social and behavioral scientists generated by the effects of cross-cutting factors on critical measures. In the first instance, a tendency to agree with the statements of others can make beliefs about personal control over events and outcomes seem unrelated to beliefs about control by chance, fate, or powerful others. The tendency to agree correlates positively with age. In the second instance, emotional expressiveness can make the frequency or intensity of sadness seem unrelated to the frequency or intensity of happiness. Women, who make up the large majority of older Americans, express themselves more freely than men. The apparent disjointedness of internal and external attributions of control, or of positive and negative emotions, results from me...Continue Reading

Citations

Feb 25, 2011·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Paul R Benson, Joanne Kersh
Oct 12, 2000·Health & Place·M Elliott
Jul 25, 2003·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Fredric D WolinskyWilliam M Tierney
Aug 31, 2001·Women & Health·M Elliott
Sep 24, 2013·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Fredric D WolinskyDouglas K Miller
Mar 15, 2008·Social Science & Medicine·Catherine E Ross, John Mirowsky
Jun 21, 2005·Journal of Advanced Nursing·Pao-Feng Tsai
Jan 26, 2006·Journal of Health and Social Behavior·Sarah RosenfieldHelene Raskin White
Nov 22, 2000·International Journal of Aging & Human Development·R Ranzijn, M Luszcz
Nov 22, 2000·International Journal of Aging & Human Development·P S Fry

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Fredric D WolinskyDouglas K Miller
The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
J Mirowsky
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved