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20 September 2026, Volume 24 Issue 5 Previous Issue   

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The Word Boundary Effect of Chinese Character Position Processing in Overlapping Ambiguous Strings GU Junjuan, ZHANG Xiaoran, LYU Shaobo, LOU Ya 2026, 24(5):  577-583.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.001 Abstract ( )   PDF (574KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics In the present study, we explored whether the word boundary information affects character position processing of overlapping ambiguous strings in Chinese. We used four-character overlapping ambiguous strings (e.g., 全书记载) and two two-character words (e.g., 全书介绍) as our targets. We embedded the targets into sentences and then manipulated the previews of the targets using the boundary paradigm. The preview was identical to the targets (identity condition), had the middle two characters of the targets transposed (TC condition), or had the middle two characters that were different from those in the targets (SC condition). In later measures of processing, for overlapping ambiguous strings, the fixation durations on the targets in the TC condition were significantly longer than those in the identity condition, and were significantly shorter than those in the SC condition. For two two-character words, the fixation durations on the targets in the TC condition were significantly longer than those in the identity condition, but were not significantly different between the SC and TC conditions. These results indicate that the ambiguous boundary has an effect on character position processing, and the word boundary effect exists in character position processing of overlapping ambiguous strings.

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The Role of Individual Anxiety in the Processing of Emotional Words: An Eye-Tracking Study of Natural Reading ZHANG Zhichao, ZHAO Junwei, YI Han, ZANG Chuanli 2026, 24(5):  584-591.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.002 Abstract ( )   PDF (573KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics Individual anxiety influences attentional biases toward emotional information, particularly patterns of early attention and later avoidance. However, how these biases unfold across parafoveal and foveal vision during natural reading remains unclear. By using eye tracking, we employed a 2(anxiety level: high vs. low)×3(emotional word type: positive, neutral, negative) mixed design to examine how anxiety modulates attention to emotional words in parafoveal and foveal visions. Results revealed two main findings. First, in the pre-target word region, parafoveal positive words elicited longer first fixation durations and gaze durations than neutral words. In the target word region, there were shorter total fixation durations and lookback fixation times for foveal positive words than for both negative and neutral words. These findings indicate an attentional bias toward positive words during reading. Second, a significant interaction between anxiety level and emotional word type emerged in the pre-target region. Follow-up comparisons showed that high anxiety readers had longer go past times for negative than for neutral words, whereas no corresponding effect was observed among low anxiety readers. This pattern suggests an attentional bias toward parafoveal negative information in high anxiety readers and provides some support for the vigilance-avoidance hypothesis.

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Effects of Vocabulary Breadth and Depth on Reading Comprehension in Chinese-Speaking Children in Grades 1 to 3: The Mediating Role of Character Recognition Accuracy DONG Qiong, ZHANG Yuping, LI Hong, WU Xinchun 2026, 24(5):  592-599.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.003 Abstract ( )   PDF (684KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics This study examined how vocabulary breadth and depth contributed to reading comprehension via character recognition accuracy among 421 Chinese-speaking children in Grades 1 to 3. Results revealed grade-related differences: breadth’s total effects decreased across grades, whereas depth’s total effects increased. In Grade 1, breadth predicted comprehension through direct and character recognition accuracy-mediated indirect pathways, while the effects of depth were not significant. In Grade 2, breadth operated solely through indirect pathways, whereas depth exerted direct effects. In Grade 3, breadth remained indirect while depth operated through both pathways. Within-grade comparisons indicated breadth’s total and indirect effects significantly exceeded depth’s total and indirect effects solely in Grade 1. In Grades 2 and 3, no significant differences emerged between breadth and depth in total, indirect, or direct effects. These findings reveal divergent mechanisms for vocabulary breadth and depth across early grades, supporting and refining the direct and indirect effects model of reading and the lexical quality hypothesis.

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A Comparison of the Processing of Counterfactual Semantics Between Li-Han Diglossic Children and Monolingual Children ZHANG Xiao, XIAO Shaobei 2026, 24(5):  600-607.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.004 Abstract ( )   PDF (700KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics Existing research has predominantly focused on cross-linguistic comparisons of counterfactual semantics, yet the impact of diglossic experience on the cognitive processing of counterfactual semantics remains unclear. A combination of behavioral experiments and eye-tracking technology was adopted to explore the differences in the processing of counterfactual semantics between diglossic children and monolingual children. In the behavioral experiment, a semantic judgment task was administered, and the results revealed that diglossic children exhibited significantly shorter reaction times than monolingual children. In the eye-tracking experiment, a semantic violation paradigm was adopted, and the findings indicated that diglossic children initiated the processing of counterfactual semantics at an earlier stage compared to monolingual children. Collectively, these results demonstrate that diglossic switching experience facilitates the processing of counterfactual semantics, with diglossic children exhibiting a bilingual advantage effect in sentence processing that manifests specifically during the early stages of cognitive processing.

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Sensitive Period Effects and Interventions on Early Adolescent Creativity: Empirical Evidence from Grades 4 to 7 GU Xiaojing, SHI Peiqi, LIU Hao, WANG Naiyi 2026, 24(5):  608-615.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.005 Abstract ( )   PDF (726KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics Evidence on developmental patterns and training effects across creativity components in early adolescence remains inconsistent. Using a mixed design, this study implemented a 4-week training program with 222 students in grades 4-7 to examine grade differences and training effects. Results showed that: 1) All components varied by grade: grades 6-7 outperformed grades 4-5 in divergent thinking flexibility and fluency, but not originality; convergent thinking increased with grade; scientific creativity fluency was higher in grade 6, with no grade differences in originality and usefulness; creative self-efficacy was higher in grade 5.2) Although higher initial performers maintained higher post-test scores, lower performers showed greater gains, indicating a compensatory effect. These findings provide evidence for sensitive periods of creativity and support differentiated education.

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Family-School Collaboration: The Bidirectional Relationship Between Parent-Child Relationship and Adolescents’ Psychological Literacy and the Moderating Role of School Connectedness GE Wenjing, FANG Yansu, ZHANG Yilin, NIU Gengfeng, SUN Xiaojun 2026, 24(5):  616-623.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.006 Abstract ( )   PDF (636KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics To examine the family-school cooperative mechanisms underlying the development of adolescents’ psychological literacy, a two-wave longitudinal survey was conducted among 1097 middle school students. The results showed that: 1) parent-child relationship at Time 1 (T1) positively predicted psychological literacy at Time 2 (T2), and T1 psychological literacy also positively predicted T2 parent-child relationship; 2) T1 school connectedness positively moderated the predictive effect of T1 parent-child relationship on T2 psychological literacy, such that this effect was stronger at higher levels of school connectedness. These findings reveal a reciprocal longitudinal relationship between parent-child relationship and psychological literacy and indicate that school connectedness may enhance the positive association between parent-child relationship and adolescents’ psychological literacy, providing empirical evidence for understanding the family-school collaborative mechanisms underlying adolescents’ psychological literacy development.

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Relationship Between Parenting Style and Depression of Elementary School Students: The Chain Mediating Effect of Social Support and Resilience HOU Jing, LIU Hongyun 2026, 24(5):  624-631.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.007 Abstract ( )   PDF (730KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics To explore the relationship between parenting style and depression of elementary school students and the chain mediating effect of social support and resilience of elementary school students, CES-D(Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), Resilience Scale, Social Support Rating Scale, and EMBU(Egma Minnen av Bardndosnauppforstran) were used to investigate 3425 elementary school students. The results showed that: 1) Positive parenting styles had significant positive correlation with social support and resilience of elementary school students, and had significant negative correlation with depression of elementary school students; on the contrary, negative parenting styles had significant negative correlation with social support and resilience of elementary school students, and had significant positive correlation with depression of elementary school students. 2) Positive parenting styles and negative parenting styles had an impact on the depression of elementary school students through individual mediating effects of social support and resilience of elementary school students as well as through chain mediating effects of social support and resilience of elementary school students. This study clarifies the influence mechanism of parenting style on the depression of elementary school students and provides effective path for prevention and intervention of depression of elementary school students.

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Social Mobility Beliefs and Academic Procrastination Among College Students: The Mediating Role of Future Temporal Focus LU Wenqian, MO Liqinzi, BAI Baoyu, ZHONG Nian 2026, 24(5):  632-639.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.008 Abstract ( )   PDF (716KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics Previous research has categorized academic procrastination into passive and active types. The present study examined the associations between social mobility beliefs and these two types of academic procrastination, as well as the mediating role of future temporal focus. Across three studies, the results showed that social mobility beliefs were negatively associated with passive procrastination and positively linked to active procrastination. In addition, future temporal focus mediated the relationships between social mobility beliefs and each type of procrastination. This study reveals the differential relationships between social mobility beliefs, as a cognitive factor, and the two types of academic procrastination, providing targeted implications for interventions aimed at reducing academic procrastination.

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How Does Belief in a Just World Relate to Materialistic Values in Adolescents? The Mediating Role of Meaning in Life and the Moderating Role of Peer Attachment ZHANG Yaohua, XU Xiaohui, XU Min, XIN Sufei 2026, 24(5):  640-647.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.009 Abstract ( )   PDF (610KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics Materialistic values have a negative impact on the psychosocial development of adolescents, and materialistic values themselves serve as a defensive strategy for individuals to cope with psychological threats. To explore the relationship between adolescent materialistic values, belief in a just world, and meaning in life, as well as the role of peer attachment, this study used a questionnaire survey with 2045 adolescents. The results indicated that belief in a just world negatively predicted materialistic values, with meaning in life playing a mediating role. Peer intimacy, a composite of the positive dimensions of peer attachment, moderated the associations of both belief in a just world and meaning in life with materialistic values. This study suggests that adolescents’ belief and meaning systems are associated with lower levels of materialistic values, and that positive peer relationships operate as a positivity enhancer, amplifying the mitigating effects of belief in a just world and meaning in life on materialistic values.

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The Relationship Between Scarcity Mindset and Ego Depletion in Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model LI Jiaojiao, YUAN Hailong, LIN Xiaokang, WU Lianning, HU Xiaojuan 2026, 24(5):  648-654.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.010 Abstract ( )   PDF (664KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics Based on the scarcity theory, this study explored the relationship between adolescents’ scarcity mindset and ego depletion, with a focus on the mediating role of uncertainty and the moderating role of future orientation. A questionnaire survey was administered to 2036 high school students. The results demonstrated that: 1) Scarcity mindset positively predicted ego depletion. 2) Uncertainty exerted a mediating effect between adolescents’ scarcity mindset and ego depletion. The first half path of this mediation model was moderated by the level of future orientation. Compared with individuals with high future orientation, scarcity mindset had a stronger impact on the uncertainty of those with low future orientation. This study provides evidence-based reference for developing differentiated intervention programs targeting adolescents’ ego depletion.

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Cognitive Control Styles of Emotional Processing in Older Adults: The Effects of Emotional Information and Task Relevance ZHANG Ni, WANG Jingxin 2026, 24(5):  655-663.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.011 Abstract ( )   PDF (1787KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics Within the framework of dual cognitive control, this study, through two experiments, examined how the task-relevance of emotional information modulates the cognitive control mechanisms underlying emotional processing in older adults. In Experiment 1, emotional faces served as a task-irrelevant background, while in Experiment 2, they were presented as task-relevant targets. The results revealed that when emotional information was task-irrelevant, the cognitive control strategies of older adults tended to align with those of young adults; when it was task-relevant, older adults maintained proactive control over happy faces comparable to that of young adults, whereas for sad faces, their proactive control decreased and reactive control increased. These findings indicate that the cognitive control strategies underlying emotional processing in older adults are systematically modulated by the task-relevance of emotional information, revealing the situational dependence of the “positive effect”.

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Will I Still Trust Him? The Impact of Misinformation Correction on Interpersonal Trust and Its Cognitive Mechanisms LIU Ting, ZHOU Guangfang, JIN Hua, ZHANG Shanshan, TANG Hui 2026, 24(5):  664-671.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.012 Abstract ( )   PDF (734KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics Studies of the continued influence effect (CIE) suggest that once corrected, person-related misinformation does not continue to influence reasoning. It is unclear whether this effect also occurs in online strangers’ high-coherence misinformation. Across two experiments, we investigated the impact of online strangers’ misinformation and its correction on interpersonal trust and the psychological mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon. Our results showed that: 1) No CIE was observed in trust beliefs or behaviors toward strangers after misinformation correction. 2) Correcting person-related misinformation, compared to confirming information, caused stronger discomfort and less belief in it, but neither predicted final trust beliefs or behaviors. These findings refine the mental-model theory, suggesting that the absence of CIE after correcting strangers’ misinformation stems not from participants’ lack of motivation to maintain the integrity of their mental models, but from a rapid-updating mechanism that drives individuals to reinterpret misinformation.

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The Effects of Perceived Social Mindfulness and Anthropomorphic Avatar on Internet Altruistic Behavior: Evidence from Behavior and ERP ZHENG Xianliang, LIU Zhiqing, FAN Hao, GUAN Ping, LIU Xiyu 2026, 24(5):  672-679.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.013 Abstract ( )   PDF (924KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics The relationship and time process between perceived social mindfulness (PSM) and internet altruistic behavior (IAB) under different anthropomorphic network avatar (ANA) conditions were examined using the SoMi paradigm combined with ERP techniques. The results showed that: 1) High (vs. low) PSM produced more IAB. 2) High (vs. low) PSM induced smaller N2 amplitude (reflecting conflict monitoring) and larger P3 amplitude (reflecting motivation assessment) when triggering IAB. 3) ANA moderated the differences in N2 and P3 wave amplitudes when performing IAB under different PSM. Specifically, in the face of high ANA, the N2 wave amplitude induced by implementing IAB in the low PSM condition was greater than that in the high PSM condition, and the difference was more significant in the face of low ANA. And in the face of low ANA, the P3 wave amplitude induced by implementing IAB in the high PSM condition was greater than that in the low PSM condition, and the difference was more significant in the face of high ANA. The findings provide a new perspective for understanding the underlying mechanism of IAB.

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Machiavellianism Modulates Generalized Trust Decisions and Outcomes Evaluation: Evidence from an ERPs Study GUO Fengbo, LI Siyuan, CHENG Hang, GUO Hongyu, DENG Xi, LIANG Xiuling 2026, 24(5):  680-687.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.014 Abstract ( )   PDF (2100KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics Generalized trust permeates interpersonal interactions and is influenced by personality traits. Machiavellianism is a personality trait characterized by a utilitarian orientation, disregard for moral norms, and interpersonal manipulation, which may lead individuals with Machiavellianism to exhibit reduced trust during social decision-making. However, the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying generalized trust in such individuals remain poorly understood. To address this issue, 48 undergraduates were recruited and divided into high- and low-Machiavellian groups based on their Mach-IV scores, and then acted as trustors in a one-shot anonymous trust game with strangers, while electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded. The results showed that individuals high in Machiavellianism displayed lower levels of trust toward strangers. Moreover, individuals high in Machiavellianism exhibited a more negative N2 during distrust decisions, and a larger feedback-related negativity difference wave (dFRN) reflecting expectation violation after receiving feedback from the trustee. These findings suggest that individuals high in Machiavellianism possess lower generalized trust, require greater cognitive control for distrust decisions, and experience stronger disappointment when their expectations of reciprocity are violated. This study provides preliminary evidence for the characteristics and cognitive processes underlying generalized trust in Machiavellianism.

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The Associations of Work-Family Conflict, Co-Parenting, and Mindful Parenting: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model ZENG Lianping, SONG Mingyi, ZHANG Ranran, XU Xiufen, TONG Xian 2026, 24(5):  688-695.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.015 Abstract ( )   PDF (750KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics The associations of work-family conflict and mindful parenting were examined with an actor-partner interdependence model. Furthermore, the mediating roles of co-parenting in both actor effects and partner effects were also tested. A total of 498 parent dyads participated. Results showed that: 1) Both paternal and maternal work-family conflict negatively predicted their own mindful parenting, while paternal work-family conflict significantly and negatively predicted maternal mindful parenting. 2) The mediating actor effects showed that co-parenting played a mediating role in their own work-family conflict and mindful parenting. Specifically, work-family conflict negatively predicted co-parenting, and co-parenting positively predicted mindful parenting. 3) Regarding mediating partner effects, paternal work-family conflict predicted maternal mindful parenting only through maternal co-parenting. This study demonstrated that parent work-family conflict influences mindful parenting through their own or their partners’ co-parenting. This study has implications for reducing the effects of work-family conflict to promote mindful parenting.

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Chinese Revision of the Sensitivity to Threat and Affiliative Reward Scale (Parent Version) in Early Childhood TAN Ruifeng, WANG Jiangyang, CHEN Suiqing 2026, 24(5):  696-703.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.016 Abstract ( )   PDF (652KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics This study revised the Chinese version of the Sensitivity to Threat and Affiliative Reward Scale (STARS) for parents. Following standard psychometric procedures, it assessed parents of children aged 2~8 years old and conducted item analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), criterion validity analysis, reliability testing, and measurement invariance testing across children’s gender. The results indicated that the revised STARS scale shows good internal consistency, structural validity, criterion validity, and measurement invariance. Therefore, the revised Chinese version STARS can serve as an effective tool for measuring early-childhood sensitivity to threat and affiliation in China, as well as for predicting factors related to callous-unemotional traits.

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The Scale of Reward and Punishment Sensitivity Based on Temporal Dimension: Development and Validation HUO Zhenzhen, LI Yuhua, FENG Tingyong 2026, 24(5):  704-712.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.017 Abstract ( )   PDF (650KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics Due to the lack of temporal orientation in existing measurement tools for reward and punishment sensitivity, this study developed the scale based on literature analysis, interviews and expert recommendations. Through item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and reliability and validity testing, a formal 32-item Reward and Punishment Sensitivity Based on Temporal Dimension Scale was ultimately formed, which meets psychometric requirements. This scale serves as an effective instrument for measuring reward and punishment sensitivity with temporal attributes.

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Predictive Effect of Covert Narcissism on Adolescent Social Anxiety and Intervention WANG Yuetan, YAN Xianle, HE Liang, ZHANG Yan, DING Xiaobin 2026, 24(5):  713-720.  DOI: 10.12139/j.1672-0628.2026.05.018 Abstract ( )   PDF (739KB) ( )   References | Related Articles | Metrics Social anxiety is a common form of psychological distress among adolescents. Covert narcissism is a personality trait closely associated with social anxiety, yet the mechanisms underlying this association and possible pathways for intervention remain to be explored. In Study 1, a survey of 972 high school students revealed that covert narcissism positively predicted social anxiety, with self-concept clarity and self-esteem serving as serial mediators in this relationship. In Study 2, 56 high school students with high social anxiety were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group; after an 8-week group intervention program, the intervention group showed significant increases in self-concept clarity and self-esteem and a significant reduction in social anxiety. These findings reveal a cognitive-appraisal pathway through which covert narcissism influences social anxiety and demonstrate the effectiveness of group intervention focused on self-concept clarity in reducing adolescent social anxiety.