Psicothema

BOOK REVIEW. Morales, J. F. (2025). Invitación a la psicologia social. Sanz & Torres. Reviewed by Itziar Fernández

Itziar Fernández — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Reseña:

Morales, J. F. (2025). Invitación a la psicologia social. Sanz & Torres. Reviewed by Itziar Fernández

Likert Scales: A Practical Guide to Design, Construction and Use

Pere J. Ferrando, Fabia Morales-Vives, José M. Casas, José Muñiz — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Background: Likert-type scales, first introduced by Rensis Likert in 1932, have become one of the most widely used assessment tools across a range of scientific and professional domains, owing to their simplicity and effectiveness. The purpose of the present study is to critically review their use and to propose a set of practical guidelines aimed at optimizing their construction, analysis, and application. Method: A systematic literature review of guidelines focused on the development, analysis, scoring, use, and interpretation of Likert scales was carried out. Results: Several key areas for improvement in the construction and use of Likert-type scales were identified, including the operational definition of constructs, item formulation, selection of the number of response categories, response analysis, collection of validity evidence, item calibration, and score interpretation. Conclusions: Based on the findings, a practical guide comprising fifteen recommendations is proposed: ten focused on the appropriate design, construction, and analysis of Likert scales, and five aimed at guiding appropriate use of pre-existing scales by researchers and practitioners.

Selective Review of Empirically Supported Psychological Treatments for Pediatric Health Problems

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Background: Significant progress has been made in providing empirical support for psychological interventions designed to improve the health and behavior of children and young people with pediatric health problems. The objective of this study was to carry out a review of empirically supported psychological treatments for various health problems in the child and adolescent population. Method: Psychological treatments with empirical support for 12 pediatric health problems were reviewed based on the levels of evidence and how much they are recommended in the Spanish national health system Clinical Practice Guides. Results: Psychological treatments to address various health problems in the child and adolescent population have empirical support. The level of evidence ranges from low to high depending on the health problem. The review shows uneven deployment in different health problems. Conclusions: This review will help psychology professionals and healthcare managers to make decisions regarding psychological treatments for addressing pediatric health problems.

Relationship Between Online Trolling and Dark Tetrad Personality Traits: A Meta-Analysis

Sergio Hidalgo-Fuentes, Elisa González-Pérez, Isabel Martínez-Álvarez — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Background: Online trolling refers to a specific form of disruptive behavior in digital environments, aimed at interrupting interactions, provoking other users, and drawing them into fruitless arguments. The Dark Tetrad personality traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy and sadism) have been linked to various forms of antisocial behavior in virtual contexts. Method: A systematic literature review was conducted across the PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, ERIC, and Web of Science Core Collection databases to identify relevant studies examining these variables. A total of 24 relevant articles from 11 countries were identified, comprising a combined sample size of 14,044 participants. Four random-effects meta-analyses were performed using Pearson’s r coefficients. Results: The results reveal a positive association between all four personality traits and greater tendency to engage in online trolling. Meta-regression analyses show that the assessment instruments used moderated some of the observed associations. No evidence of publication bias was detected. Conclusions: In general, the relationship between Dark Tetrad traits and online trolling was found to be positive, helping to explain individual differences in it.

Extended Persuasion: Elaboration Moderates Indirect Attitude Change

Diego Bustos, Borja Paredes, Lorena Moreno, Pablo Briñol, Richard E. Petty — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Background: Indirect attitude change effect occurs when a change in attitudes toward an object (i.e., focal attitude) is accompanied by a change in attitudes toward other related objects (i.e., distal attitude). The current research examines to what extent the amount of thinking (elaboration) involved in changing focal attitudes can moderate this indirect change effect. We expect that indirect change will be more likely to occur under high elaboration conditions (i.e., elaboration-indirect change effect). Method: Across two studies, participants’ thought valence toward a healthy diet (Study 1) and toward coffee (Study 2) was manipulated to be positive or negative. The amount of elaboration accompanying the thought generation tasks was either measured (Study 1) or manipulated (Study 2). Finally, focal and distal attitudes were assessed in both studies to test the proposed elaboration-indirect change effect. Results: Focal attitudes were generally associated with distal attitudes. More importantly, the amount of thinking moderated
this effect, with increased elaboration leading to more indirect change from focal to distal attitudes. Conclusions: Elaboration moderates indirect attitude change.

Development and Validation of a Scale to Detect Late Language Emergence in Spanish-Speaking Children

Verónica Martínez, Paula Solano, José Carlos Núñez — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Background: Detecting late talkers among children is important because they are at greater risk of subsequently manifesting persistent disorders in language development. Therefore, it would be beneficial to have quick measurement tools with adequate psychometric properties, which have not yet been developed. This study set out to develop, analyse and validate the factor structure of an observational scale for detecting Late Language Emergence (LLE) in Spanish-speaking children aged 2-3 years that could be applied not only by language professionals but also teachers in early childhood education centres for children aged 0-3 years. Method: The sample comprised 364 children aged 24-38 months (M = 31.93; SD = 3.512; 49.7% girls). Results: The estimated reliability coefficients ranged from ω = .77 to ω = .97. Factor analyses indicated that the best model explaining the scale’s assessment criteria was articulated around five factors: phonology, lexical semantics, morphosyntax, comprehension and communication. The correlations between the dimensions of the scale and those of the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory were statistically significant. Conclusions: The scale to detect late talkers among Spanish children appears to be a concise, simple instrument with suitable psychometric properties.