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Objectives. The aim of the study was estimation of basic psychometric properties of the Czech adaptation of the International Personality Item pool - Big Five Markers - 50 (IPIP-BFM-50) measuring five basic personality dimensions and its short version the Mini IPIP-BFM-20. Subject and settings. The sample consisted of 715 participants (318 males and 397 females) ranging in age from 15 to 26 years (M = 18.74, SD = 2.77). Hypothesis. Authors expected expected that the Czech adaptation of the IPIP-BFM-50 and the Mini IPIP-BFM-20 will retain comparable psychometric properties to the original versions. Statistical analysis. The internal structure was estimated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Authors estimated composite reliability; test-retest stability was estimated using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Convergent and discriminant validity was assesed by average variance extracted (AVE) and maximum shared variance (MSV). The ability of the Mini IPIP-BFM-20 scales to represent IPIP-BFM-50 scales was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results showed an acceptable fit with the original structure on the item level in both versions. Composite reliability ranged from 0.86 to 0.90 (M = 0.87), test-retest reliability from 0.78 to 0.87 (M = 0.82). Correlations with Big Five Inventory-2 ranged from 0.73 (Intellect/Imagination) to -0.88 (Emotional Stability). Reliability of the Mini IPIP-BFM-20 was better than in the original study, retest reliability was excellent for four dimensions, good for one dimension, validity was good or excellent, measurement equivalence for women and men was established and the same gender differences as in alternative Big Five measures were observed. The Mini-IPIPBFM-20 shared 86% of the variance with the full IPIP version. The results indicate that both metods are psychometrically acceptable and practically useful measures of the Big Five factors of personality. Study limitation. The self-other agreement was not evaluated, and age norms were not established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The aim of the study was estimation of basic psychometric properties of the Czech adaptation of the Big Five Inventory 2 (BFI-2) measuring five basic personality dimensions and their short and extra short versions (BFI-2-S, BFI-2XS). Subject and settings. The BFI-2 was administered to 1,733 participants (42.1% men, 57.9% women) in age range from 15 to 26 years (M = 20.06, SD = 2.53). Hypothesis. Authors expected that the Czech adaptation of the BFI-2, BFI-2-S, BFI-2XS will retain comparable psychometric properties to the original versions. Statistical analysis. Internal consistency of BFI- 2, BFI-2-S, BFI-2XS domains and BFI-2, BFI- 2-S facets was estimated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and ordinal McDonald's omega coefficient. Test-retest stability of the three methods was estimated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The structure of the BFI-2 at the level of items was explored using Principal Component Analysis with Varimax rotation; structures of domains were confirmed using Confirmatory Factor Analyses. The ability of the BFI-2-S and BFI-2-XS scales to represent BFI-2 scores was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results. The BFI-2 domains showed good internal consistency, ranging from 0.81 to 0.89. Internal consistency of individual facets ranged from 0.56 to 0.83 (M = 0.74). Average BFI-2 test-retest reliability estimated over a 6 month period was r = 0.86 for domains and r = 0.80 for facets. All items of the BFI-2 showed factor loadings 0.30 or higher on intended factor. The BFI-2 hierarchical structure with 15 facets was confirmed using CFA. Short versions BFI-2-S and BFI-2-XS captured 91% and 77% of the domains of the full version of BFI-2 inventory. Study limitation. Convergent validity of the instrument and the self-other agreement was not evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The aim of the study was estimation of basic psychometric properties of the Czech version of the NEO Personality Inventory 3 (NEO-PI-3) for measuring five basic personality dimensions. Subject and settings. The NEO-PI-3 for selfreport were administered to 1,639 participants in age from 20 to 76 years. Hypothesis. It was expected that the Czech version of the NEO-PI-3 will have the same or better psychometric properties then the NEO-PI-R. Statistical analysis. Internal consistency of the NEO-PI-3 domains and facets was estimated using Cronbach alpha coefficient. The structure of the NEO-PI-3 was derived from Principal Component Analysis with Varimax rotation and confirmatory factor analysis. The NEO-PI-3 structure was compared using congruence coefficients with the structure of the NEO-PI-R and with the American normative structure of the NEO-PI-3. Gender and age of participants were correlated with domains and facets of the NEOPI-3. The correspondence of the short version The NEO-FFI-3 and The NEO-PI-3 was estimated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results. The NEO-PI-3 domains showed excellent internal consistency, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94. Facets' internal consistency ranged from 0.43 to 0.83, median 0.79. All facets of the NEO-PI-3 reached component loadings higher or equal 0.40 on intended component. Only in five cases, facet had secondary component loading higher than 0.40 on another component. Domain congruency of the NEO Inventories when comparing Czech NEO-PI-R and NEO-PI-3 structures ranged from 0.98 to 0.99; when comparing Czech NEO-PI-3 structure with American normative NEO-PI-3 structure congruence ranged from 0.97 to 0.98. Neuroticism, Extraversion and Openness to Experience decreased with age and Agreeableness and Conscientiousness increased with age. Women described themselves as more neurotic and agreeable in comparison with men. Short version of the NEO-FFI-3 captured 83% of the full NEO-PI-3 variance. Study limitation. The study did not include test of convergent validity of the instrument, testretest reliability and self-other agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acculturation is most commonly defined as the process of cultural and psychological changes that occur when individuals from different cultural backgrounds come into direct and prolonged contact. Acculturation applies to indigenous peoples (e.g. Aborigines in Australia); established ethno-cultural groups which identify with their country of origin and its language (e.g. the Vietnamese minority in the Czech Republic); immigrants; people coming to the host country voluntarily for a limited period of time (e.g. students, diplomats, laborers); refugees and asylum seekers coming to the host country involuntarily. This review study introduces current knowledge of acculturation, briefly describes the history and development of its investigation, and defines the term acculturation in relation to ethnic identity, assimilation and multiculturalism. It briefly summarizes the sociological and anthropological approach. The study provides a critical review of the most important theories and models based on contact (e.g. Berry's model of acculturation strategies), adoption of the host culture (e.g. Bourhis interactive acculturation model) and models aimed at identity (e.g. Bicultural identity integration by Benet-Martinez). The study also introduces the acculturation research in the Czech Republic and offers new directions of future research. Last but not least, two approaches to measuring acculturation are mentioned and some examples of the measuring methods are introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The study assessed basic psychometric properties of Czech versions of the Big Five Inventory measuring five basic personality dimensions that differ with respect to number of items (BFI-44 and BFI-10). Subject and settings. BFI-44 and BFI-10 for self-report were administered to six groups of 6.292 participants ageing from 11 to 84 years. Hypothesis. Authors expected that Czech version of BFI would have good psychometric properties. Statistical analysis. Internal consistency of BFI-44 scales was estimated using Cronbach alpha coefficient, internal consistency of BFI-10 was estimated using Spearman-Brown coefficient. The test-retest stability for BFI-10 was estimated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The structure of BFI-44 items was derived from Principal Component Factor Analysis with Varimax rotation. The correspondence between BFI-10 and BFI-44 was estimated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results. The BFI-44 scales showed adequate reliability, ranging from .65 to .83, Mdn = .73, across three samples of participants. The testretest stability of BFI-44 estimated over a two month period was satisfactory, r = .79. The testretest stability of BFI-10 estimated over a month period averaged to r = .69, the test-retest stability estimated over a two month period in another sample averaged to r = .66. An average factor loading of BFI-44 items on intended factors was .50. The BFI-10 scales captured 60% of the full BFI-44 variance after including an additional item for measuring agreeableness. Study limitation. The study did not test convergent validity of instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The research deals with accuracy and consistency of regional stereotypes (a typical Bohemian, Moravian, Czech Silesian). The five-factor model of personality was used as a framework for ratings of regional stereotypes and self-reports. Subjects and setting. Altogether, 945 university students (79% women) rated personality characteristics of a typical inhabitant of three regions in the Czech Republic as well as their personality characteristics on National Character Survey (NCS). In addition 186 social scientists provided self-reports on NCS. On NCS 2.241 university students form Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland and Slovakia rated national auto- and heterostereotypes. Hypothesis. When the same method for assessing stereotypical and real people traits is used, stereotypes are moderately related with personality traits of real people Statistical analysis. Profile agreement was calculated as an intraclass correlation (ICC) across the 30 NCS facets, using the double-entry method. Results. In consistency of regional stereotypes, high agreement in ratings of a typical Moravian and Bohemian, and average agreement for rating typical Silesian were found. The comparison of regional stereotypes with self-reports of real people from the corresponding region revealed no convergence. Personality traits of a typical Bohemian, Moravian and Silesian bore no resemblance. Concerning formation of regional stereotypes, we found mirroring or polarization of stereotypical traits in stereotypical profiles of typical Moravian and Bohemian. In several traits, a typical Moravian mirrors personality traits of a typical Bohemian. Regional stereotypes correspond with national stereotypes of neighboring countries. Economical prosperity or wealth and geographical closeness of regions/ nations thus could play a role in stereotype formation and sharing. Study limitations. The present study was based on comparison of whole profiles of personality characteristics only not on comparison of particular traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The presented research deals with Czech national stereotypes as perceived from the inside (autostereotype) as well as outside (heterostereotype) perspective. The Five-Factor Model was used for assessing personality traits of a typical country representative. Subject and setting. Altogether, 5.663 respondents from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, and Austria rated personality characteristics of a typical Czech on the National Character Survey (NCS). Self-reports and observerratings on NEO-PI-R were taken from the Czech normative sample (N = 1.836). Self-report on NCS was provided by 994 Czech university students. Hypotheses. The authors supposed that the Czech national heterosterotypes agree with ratings of real Czechs better than Czech national autostereotypes. Statistical analysis. Auto- and heterostereotype accuracy were estimated using the profile-correlation approach. Profile agreement was calculated as an intraclass correlation (ICC) across 30 facets. Results. In the Czech sample, a convergence in stereotype ratings with respect to respondents' gender, place of their residence, type of administration, as well as time of administration (2005 and 2008) was found. Participants from four countries neighboring to the Czech Republic did not agree in their perception of a typical Czech due to a specific rating by Slovak respondents. Czech heterostereotypes did not correspond to Czech autostereotype. The comparison with self- and observer-ratings of real Czechs showed a low agreement with Czech autostereotype and no agreement with either of the Czech heterostereotypes. Study limitation. The rating of a typical Czech in four neighboring countries was provided by university students only, which does not allow for broader generalizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines relations between personality traits (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness) and subjective well-being. Two groups participated in the study: university students (N = 2317) and adults in age 40-83 years (N = 196). Regression analysis showed that four personality traits predict well-being in the group of university students (in the order N, C, E, A), whereas in the group of adults only two personality traits predicted well-being (N, E). Stepwise regression analyses were carried out separately for men and women. The results showed different number of well-being predictors in men and women in both groups. In the group of female university students, subjective well-being was predicted by the same personality traits as mentioned above, whereas in male university students, Agreeableness was missing as a predictor of well-being. Neuroticism was the only predictor of well-being in the group of adult men, whereas in the group of adult women Neuroticism did not appear as a predictor of well-being. In this latter group, the strongest predictor of well-being was Extraversion, followed by Conscientiousness and Agreeableness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gelotophobia is defined as the fear of being laughed at. First empirical studies revealed that it is a valid and useful new concept. Furthermore, it was shown that it is of relevance among non-clinical groups and that it should be best conceptualized as a one-dimensional individual differences phenomenon. The present study presents first empirical data on the fear of being laughed at in the Czech Republic (N = 286) and in Slovakia (N = 440). It describes the adaptation of an instrument for the subjective assessment of gelotophobia. The translations yielded good psychometric properties in terms of a high reliability (α ≥ ,87). Especially, items referring to the avoidance of places where one has made an embarrassing impression (Czech Republic) and to controlling oneself strongly for not attracting negative attention for not making a ridiculous impression on others (Slovakia) yielded higher endorsements. Gelotophobia was not related to demographics, such as age, sex, and marital status (Czech Republic), but related to personality traits included in five-factor model. A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the five broad personality dimensions explained 41 % (Czech sample) and 21 % (Slovak sample) of fear of being laughed at. 6,29 % (Czech Republic) and 6,14 % (Slovakia) of participants exceeded a cut-off score indicating at least a slight expression of gelotophobic symptoms. The GELOPH seems to be a useful instrument for further research on gelotophobia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]