2022 Publications
Measuring Epistemic Weather Curiosity: Initial Development and Validation of an Individual Difference Questionnaire
Matthew J. Bolton1,2
Lara K. Ault & Keith Burton1
Dylan R. Allen2
1Saint Leo University
2How The Weatherworks
This paper addresses work at the intersection of meteorology and the psychology of curiosity and learning (Bolton et al., 2020; Stewart et al., 2015, 2018). Specifically, we report on the development and validation of the first self-report measure of epistemic (i.e., information-based) weather curiosity. An 11-item self-report scale (the Epistemic Weather Curiosity Questionnaire; ECWQ) measuring general interest in learning about weather and curiosity for the science behind weather was derived from two studies. The EWCQ demonstrated good convergent validity overall. It was significantly and positively correlated with measures of weather salience and analytical (systemizing) cognitive style in both studies: weather warning awareness and beliefs about one’s ability to prepare for severe weather in study 1; and trait epistemic curiosity, trait openness, and interest in learning science in study 2. Psychometric properties and implications of the scale for use by meteorologists, educators, and academic researchers are discussed.
Matthew J. Bolton1,2
Lara K. Ault & Keith Burton1
Dylan R. Allen2
1Saint Leo University
2How The Weatherworks
This paper addresses work at the intersection of meteorology and the psychology of curiosity and learning (Bolton et al., 2020; Stewart et al., 2015, 2018). Specifically, we report on the development and validation of the first self-report measure of epistemic (i.e., information-based) weather curiosity. An 11-item self-report scale (the Epistemic Weather Curiosity Questionnaire; ECWQ) measuring general interest in learning about weather and curiosity for the science behind weather was derived from two studies. The EWCQ demonstrated good convergent validity overall. It was significantly and positively correlated with measures of weather salience and analytical (systemizing) cognitive style in both studies: weather warning awareness and beliefs about one’s ability to prepare for severe weather in study 1; and trait epistemic curiosity, trait openness, and interest in learning science in study 2. Psychometric properties and implications of the scale for use by meteorologists, educators, and academic researchers are discussed.
| Measuring Epistemic Weather Curiosity |
There is Nothing Certain but Uncertainty: Manipulation of Uncertainty and its Association with Worry and Intolerance of Uncertainty
Casey Brugh
Central Michigan University
Amanda Joyce
Murray State University
Intolerance of uncertainty is related to a variety of clinical and nonclinical concepts including clinical and nonclinical levels of worry (Buhr & Dugas, 2002) as well as several disorders, including general anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and social anxiety disorder (Einstein et al., 2014). Since it has been found to be a transdiagnostic concept, research has suggested that it could be a target of intervention (Dugas & Ladouceur, 2000). However, little research about the manipulation of uncertainty exists. This study sought to examine how manipulation of uncertainty in a vignette-based intervention alters individuals’ levels of global worry, as well as their worry about the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this study hypothesized that this relationship would be moderated by an individual’s preexisting intolerance of uncertainty. The results of this study support the idea that intolerance of uncertainty is associated with increased worry and GAD symptoms. However, the study failed to find an association between manipulation of uncertainty through a vignette-based intervention and overall levels of worry.
Casey Brugh
Central Michigan University
Amanda Joyce
Murray State University
Intolerance of uncertainty is related to a variety of clinical and nonclinical concepts including clinical and nonclinical levels of worry (Buhr & Dugas, 2002) as well as several disorders, including general anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and social anxiety disorder (Einstein et al., 2014). Since it has been found to be a transdiagnostic concept, research has suggested that it could be a target of intervention (Dugas & Ladouceur, 2000). However, little research about the manipulation of uncertainty exists. This study sought to examine how manipulation of uncertainty in a vignette-based intervention alters individuals’ levels of global worry, as well as their worry about the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this study hypothesized that this relationship would be moderated by an individual’s preexisting intolerance of uncertainty. The results of this study support the idea that intolerance of uncertainty is associated with increased worry and GAD symptoms. However, the study failed to find an association between manipulation of uncertainty through a vignette-based intervention and overall levels of worry.
| There is Nothing Certain but Uncertainty |