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1
Jolley, Daniel. "The social psychological consequences of conspiracy theories." Thesis, University of Kent, 2014. https://kar.kent.ac.uk/47912/.
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Conspiracy theories point accusing fingers at authorities, and offer alternatives to official explanations. Scholars have argued that in doing so, they may therefore subvert social systems and undermine confidence in established political, health and environmental positions. In this thesis we empirically put these arguments to the test. In four experiments, we found that exposure to conspiracy theories reduced people’s intention to engage in (a) the political system, (b) environmentally-friendly initiatives and (c) childhood vaccination (Chapters 2 and 3). Ironically however, instead of undermining the social status quo, we found in four experiments that conspiracy theories appear to bolster satisfaction with social systems. They appear to do so because they explain tragedies, disasters and social problems on the actions of destructive individuals and groups, rather than inherent flaws in society. By drawing attention away from the deeper limitations of social systems, conspiracy theories may therefore reduce, rather than increase, the likelihood of social and political change (Chapter 4). Finally, we found that once people have been exposed to conspiracy theories, the negative effects are difficult to attenuate. In two experiments we tested interventions based on counter-arguments (e.g., that vaccines are safe instead of harmful) and a pre-warning that detailed people’s tendency to rely on retracted information. However, both were found to be ineffective in improving intentions to vaccinate a fictional child (Chapter 5). Overall, the research outlined in this thesis highlights some of the potentially damaging consequences of conspiracy theories. This research opens up new avenues for enquiry and calls for ongoing investigations to address the growth of conspiracism in society.
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Kuntsi, Jonna Pauliina. "Psychological theories of hyperactivity : a behaviour genetic approach." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 1998. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1318000/.
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This study was an attempt to combine two research literatures on hyperactivity: the behaviour genetic research and the studies testing psychological theories of hyperactivity. We obtained behavioural ratings from the teachers of 1316 twin pairs, aged 7-12, from the general population. For a subsample of 268 twin pairs we obtained ratings also from their parents. Forty-six hyperactive twin pairs (pairs in which at least one twin was pervasively hyperactive) and 47 control twin pairs were then assessed on tests relating to three theories of hyperactivity, those of response inhibition deficit, working memory impairment and delay aversion. Confirming previous findings, genetic factors accounted for 50-70% of the variance in hyperactivity when considered as a continuous dimension. There was also significant evidence of genetic effects on extreme hyperactivity, although the present group heritability estimates were somewhat lower than previous estimates. The hyperactive group performed worse than the control group on the delay aversion measure and some of the working memory tasks. Controlling for IQ removed the significant group differences on the working memory measures, however. Although there were no significant group differences on the inhibition variables, the inhibition measure, stop task, produced evidence of a pattern of responding that was strongly characteristic of hyperactivity: hyperactive children were variable in their speed, generally slow and inaccurate. This pattern of responding may indicate a non-optimal effort/activation state. To investigate the possibility that the cognitive impairments or task engagement factors associated with hyperactivity mediate the genetic effects on the condition, bivariate group heritability analyses were carried out. There was significant evidence of shared genetic effects only on extreme hyperactivity and the variability of speed. The findings are interpreted as supporting the state regulation theory of hyperactivity. Although delay aversion is a characteristic of hyperactivity, it seems to have an environmental rather than a genetic origin.
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Strang, Lynn Reglyn Marie. "Psychological impact on retirement : continuity theory vs. three competing theories /." Title page, contents and introduction only, 1999. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PM/09pms897.pdf.
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Soyland, A. J. "Describing psychological objects : metaphor and rhetoric in theories of psychology." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 1992. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.240843.
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Davies, Philippa. "The use of psychological theories in clinical guideline implementation research." Thesis, University of Aberdeen, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.401492.
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Clinical guidelines are a feature of any health care systems. They have the potential to improve clinical practice, but a well-developed evidence base to guide the choice of strategies to disseminate and implement guidelines is currently lacking. Psychology has produced theories that have been successful in explaining behaviour and behaviour change across circumstances. They help to explain how interventions to implement guidelines operate to change clinical practice (a form of behaviour), and the circumstances in which interventions may be effective. Aims: 1) To explore the theoretical base of dissemination and implementation strategies currently used in research studies; 2) To consider ways of using psychological theories in implementation research. Study 1: A review of theory use in a systematically selected sample of 235 studies of interventions to disseminate and implement guidelines. Studies were classified according to level and stage of theory use. Fifty-three studies (23%) were judged to have used theories, of which fourteen (6%) were explicitly theory-based. In the majority of cases theory was used to guide the choice or design of interventions. Study 2: The Theory of Planned Behaviour (The TPB) was used alongside a trial of an intervention to implement preventive health care practice among Canadian family physicians (n = 73). The TPB explained 54% and 34% of the variance in intentions to offer lifestyle counselling and screening tests respectively. Physicians possessed strong attitudes and intentions towards offering preventive procedures to patients but perceptions of control over the behaviours were lower. Use of the TPB to guide the choice, design and evaluation of interventions to change practice was considered. Conclusion: Psychological theories represent a useful tool for the development of effective interventions to implement clinical guidelines. More studies that make explicit use of theory are needed. Recommendations for the conduct of theory-based research are discussed.
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Roberts, Nicholas John. "Psychological and theological theories of addiction : towards an integrated study." Thesis, King's College London (University of London), 2015. http://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/psycholigical-and-theological-theories-of-addiction(86596529-358c-42d7-b420-4e01eca61d19).html.
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This thesis undertakes a study of human addictions, particularly drug and alcohol dependency, from the disciplines of psychology and theology, working towards an integrated study. In the first instance it sets out to understand the aetiology of addictive behaviour, as an important stage in the process of helping addicted people to overcome their substance dependency. Secondly, it aims to provide a well-researched and robust framework for the pastoral care of people who are addicted as part of the Christian Churches’ response to serious social problems both for individuals and families. It is argued that confusion about the aetiology of addiction, and how best to treat addicted people, contributes to the failure of many treatment modalities to provide effective long term relief. A new model for understanding addiction is proposed. This model begins in a different place: it argues that we would have a better understanding of addiction and how to treat it if we began by investigating human desires and aspirations, before attempting to understand why for some people desire for drugs becomes excessive or distorted. It is suggested in the final section of the thesis that, in line with Augustinian thought, all human longing has its roots in desire for God, even though people may not be aware that the ultimate goal of their quest is an experience of the divine. In the concluding discussion and conclusion, we suggest that this model has important contributions to make as a discrete element in the clinical care of addicts and in the area of pastoral and spiritual care whether in parishes or other institutions where pastoral care is provided. The new model is then related to existing models of pastoral care, and examples are given of how the model is currently being presented in training programmes for pastoral ministry.
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Blumen, Sheyla. "The development of cognitive abilities following the new outcomes of psychological theories." Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, 1997. http://repositorio.pucp.edu.pe/index/handle/123456789/101522.
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The most representative models of cognitive development following the new outcomes of psychological theories are presented. Then a brief analysis of the models in terms of six factors related to different areas in psychology and social sciences (importance of each stage, processes, knowledge, individual differences, context and limits in the cognitive development) is developed. Finally, an integration of the model developed by Sincoff and Sternberg (1989) is presented.Se presentan los modelos más representativos del desarrollo cognitivo según los avances en las teorías psicológicas. Luego se realiza un breve análisis de los modelos en función a seis factores relacionados con diferentes áreas de la psicología y las ciencias sociales (importancia de cada etapa, procesos, conocimiento, diferencias individuales, contexto y limitaciones en el desarrollo cognitivo). Finalmente se presenta una propuesta de integración de los modelos actuales del desarrollo cognitivo desarrollado por Sincoff y Sternberg (1989)
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Adam, Carole. "Emotions : from psychological theories to logical formalization and implementation in BDI agent." Phd thesis, Toulouse, INPT, 2007. http://ethesis.inp-toulouse.fr/archive/00000513/.
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Cette thèse s'intéresse aux émotions, et plus particulièrement à leur formalisation logique. La première partie est consacrée à l'état de l'art, du point de vue de la psychologie (exposé d'un historique des théories des émotions) et de l'informatique (présentation d'agents émotionnels et de leurs applications). La deuxième partie est consacrée à la formalisation logique des émotions. Elle introduit le formalisme logique utilisé, expose et argumente les définitions formelles de vingt émotions, et démontre certaines de leurs propriétés. Enfin la troisième partie est consacrée aux applications pratiques de ce travail et aux perspectives de continuation. Un tel travail apporte plusieurs contributions : il offre à la communauté agent un modèle formel d'un grand ensemble d'émotions ; il montre l'intérêt des logiques BDI ; enfin il ouvre des perspectives de recherche sur la dynamique des émotions et leur influence sur le comportement des agents, un domaine encore peu exploréThis thesis is about emotions, and more particularly about their logical formalization. The first part is dedicated to the state of the art, from the point of view of both psychology (history of theories of emotions) and computer science (presentation of emotional agents and their applications). The second aprt is dedicated to the logical formalisation of emotions. It introduces our logical framework, exposes and argues the formal definitions of twenty emotions, and proves some of their properties. Finally the last part is dedicated to practical applications and continuation prospects of this work. Such a work offers interesting contributions: it offers to the agent community a formal model of a great number of emotions; it shows the interest of BDI logics; and it opens research prospects about the dynamics of emotions and their influence on the behaviour of agents, a field not much explored for now
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Adam, Carole Herzig Andréas. "Emotions from psychological theories to logical formalization and implementation in BDI agent /." Toulouse : INP Toulouse, 2008. http://ethesis.inp-toulouse.fr/archive/00000513.
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湯旭瑜。 and Yuk-yue Tong. "Information organization and storage: the role of implicit theories." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1998. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31221737.
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Inderbitzin, Martin Pascal. "Verification of Psychological and Neurobiological Theories of Emotions Using Virtual and Situated Agents." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/51295.
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The investigation of the influence of emotions on human cognition and behavior challenges scientist since a long time. So far the most popular approach to investigate this phenomenon was to observe brain processes and behavior. In the recent decade the field of computational neuroscience proposed a new methodology: the construction of embodied models of emotions and their verification in real world environments.
In this thesis we present different studies that use computational models of emotions to control the behavior and the expressions of situated agents. Using different methodologies we evaluate both, the performance of the models and the behavioral responses of humans interacting with them. Our results add to a deeper understanding of the multidimensional phenomena of emotions on three levels: Perception, interaction and how the processing of emotional cues influences learning and behaviorLa investigació/recerca sobre la influència de les emocions en la cognició i el comportament humà constitueix un repte científic des de fa molt temps. Fins ara el mètode més popular per a investigar aquest fenòmen ha estat el d'observar els processos cerebrals i el comportament. En l'última dècada el camp de la neurociència computacional ha proposat una nova metodologia: la construcció dels models incorporats d’emocions i la seva verificació en entorns del món real. En aquesta tesi presentem diferents estudis que han utilitzat models computacionals de les emocions per controlar el comportament i les expressions d’agents localitzats. Utilitzant diferents metodologies, hem avaluat tant el rendiment d’aquests models així com les respostes conductuals dels éssers humans que han interactuen amb ells.Els nostres resultats se sumen a una comprensió més profunda dels fenòmens multidimensionals de les emocions en tres nivells: la percepció, la interacció i com el processament dels senyals emocionals influeixen en l'aprenentatge i el comportament
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Palizay, Richard A. "A comparison of Romans 7:14-25 and selected psychological theories of motivation." Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN), 1985. http://www.tren.com.
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Kanter, Jonathan. "Planting psychological theories : influencing the sequence of thoughts and emotions with treatment rationales /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/9008.
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Solomon, Y. J. "A critique of psychological theories of number development and a reorientation of the field." Thesis, Lancaster University, 1986. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.374154.
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Liu, Ying, and 劉穎. "The effects of implicit theories on motivation and performance in creative tasks." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2006. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B37091220.
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Kyngdon, Andrew Stuart, University of Western Sydney, and School of Psychology. "Three theories of psychological measurement in the assessment of subjective control in gambling behaviour." THESIS_XXX_PSY_Kyngdon_A.xml, 2002. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/655.
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The aim of this study was to argue for a new conception of subjective control and then to devise psychometric scales to test this new conception in the area of gambling behaviour. The 'Subjective Control'scales were constructed using Michell's (1994a, 1998) theory of the ordinal determinable. After extensive pilot testing, these scales were administered to a participant sample consisting of 57 students, 104 in situ club EGM players and 49 self-referred problem gamblers. The data collected consisted of paired comparisons judgements, ratings and rank orders. The limitations of the findings were discussed and suggestions for future research were made.Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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Stockdale, Winder Fern Nancy. "Meaning in life, an exploration of the relevance of psychological theories to older women." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/nq23883.pdf.
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Chan, Derwin King Chung. "Integrating social psychological theories of motivation and intention to explain health and safety behaviours." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2012. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/12826/.
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The work within the thesis aimed to integrate concepts from three psychological frameworks, including self-determination theory (SDT), the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), and the hierarchical model of motivation (HMM), into a model to understand the processes that underpin motivation and intention toward health and safety behaviours. The first tenet of the model (derived from SDT and HMM), namely the trans-contextual effect of motivation, hypothesised that self-determined motivation for a given activity related to self-determined motivation for undertaking health-promoting behaviour associated with the activity. The second tenet of the model (derived from the strength, limitation, and theoretical assumptions of SDT and the TPB) speculates that the effects of self-determined motivation for health and safety behaviour on intention and behaviour were mediated by social cognitive variables. A total of eight studies were employed to test the two tenets of the integrated model across various health contexts (i.e., sport injury rehabilitation and prevention (Study 1 to 5)), occupational injury rehabilitation and prevention (Study 6 and 7), and myopia prevention (Study 8), and these studies are presented in five related research chapters (Chapters 2 to 6) in this thesis. The results provided preliminary evidence in support of both tenets of the integrated model, in which motivation from a general life domain is transferred to motivation, and antecedent social cognitive variables, for behaviour in a health and safety domain. The final chapter (Chapter 7) of the thesis summarises the findings of the eight studies and offers explanations and interpretations of the overall pattern of results. Conclusions were then drawn with respect to the theoretical and practical implications of the findings. Consideration was also given to the methodological limitations of the thesis and the scope for further studies to improve the predictive power, utility, measurement reliability, and evidence base for the model.
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Weatherston, David William. "An examination of the current status of psychological and sociological theories of terrorist motivation." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.399566.
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Thomas, Nigel James Trehaine. "Psychological theories of perception, imagination and mental representation, and twentieth century philosophies of science." Thesis, University of Leeds, 1987. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.410576.
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Mozaffar, Farhang. "A suggested approach for school design based on psychological and communication theories for Iran." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.264435.
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Hallsworth, Michael. "Increasing compliance in policy settings by applying psychological theories of behaviour to message design." Thesis, Imperial College London, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/53134.
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This thesis examines how the design of messages affects the extent to which individuals comply with requests or requirements from public actors. More specifically, it presents results from seven field experiments on changing messages sent to the public and professionals as part of routine public sector activities: issuing requests for overdue tax payments, sending reminders for upcoming hospital appointments, and providing antibiotic prescribing feedback to general practitioners. These are all cases where non-compliance can create harm or inconvenience to others. The trial messages are constructed to test the two main approaches to increasing compliance: one, ‘deterrence’, sees individuals as utility maximizers who are concerned solely with advancing their private interests, and who respond only to the threat of sanctions; the other, ‘non-deterrence’, claims that compliance is influenced by factors such as social norms, perceptions of fairness, ethical concerns, and the provision of public goods. I attempt to increase the impact of both approaches by applying concepts from behavioural science, such as framing effects and the omission bias. The results indicate that deterrence-based messages consistently increase tax compliance, sometimes to a substantial extent. Non-deterrence messages also can increase compliance with both healthcare and taxation policies, although the effects are sometimes small. The largest effect sizes for non-deterrence approaches came from social norm messages. Non-deterrence approaches may be more effective for populations who had previously been compliant. Importantly, I provide evidence that both deterrence and non-deterrence messages can be enhanced through the application of concepts from behavioural science. These trials strengthen the limited evidence base on the real-world effects of messages intended to increase policy compliance. They demonstrate that compliance may depend on specific choices about how messages are constructed and delivered. In the process, they show how behavioural science offers a useful framework for governments making these important choices.
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Kyngdon, Andrew Stuart. "Three theories of psychological measurement in the assessment of subjective control in gambling behaviour." Thesis, View thesis, 2002. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/655.
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The aim of this study was to argue for a new conception of subjective control and then to devise psychometric scales to test this new conception in the area of gambling behaviour. The 'Subjective Control'scales were constructed using Michell's (1994a, 1998) theory of the ordinal determinable. After extensive pilot testing, these scales were administered to a participant sample consisting of 57 students, 104 in situ club EGM players and 49 self-referred problem gamblers. The data collected consisted of paired comparisons judgements, ratings and rank orders. The limitations of the findings were discussed and suggestions for future research were made.
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Kyngdon, Andrew Stuart. "Three theories of psychological measurement in the assessment of subjective control in gambling behaviour /." View thesis, 2002. http://library.uws.edu.au/adt-NUWS/public/adt-NUWS20031219.165037/index.html.
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Thesis (Ph.D.) (Psychology) -- University of Western Sydney, 2002.A thesis presented to the University of Western Sydney in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), December, 2002. Bibliography : p. 246-260.
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White, Marjorie Anne. "An Integrated Approach to Theories of Loss and Adaptation to Disability." PDXScholar, 1996. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/5143.
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Many theories have been proposed that attempt to explain response and adaptation to loss. However, no one theory has been shown to be universally applicable to all individuals suffering a loss. This paper presents an overview of many of these theories, paying special attention to the relationship between the theories of loss and adaptation to disability. The theories include the psychoanalytic model of loss, stage models of adaptation to loss, the value change theory of acceptance of loss, chronic sorrow, the cognitive adaptation theory, the stress and coping model, developmental theory, and the existential perspective on loss and grief. The possible influence that factors such as age, gender, culture and variables specific to disability may have on loss are also discussed. A new conceptualization of loss is introduced that tries to integrate many of the key ideas of these theories. This integrated approach takes into account the unique situation of each person, emphasizing the interaction between environmental and personal factors in adapting to loss. The model contends that due to the uniqueness of the individual, to the many possible combinations of environmental and psychological factors, and to the nature of the loss itself, any one or combination of loss theories could be in effect for any single loss. The intent of this thesis is to encourage the reader to become familiar with different perspectives on the subject of loss and grief to help select the method that best fits the individual situation of the person seeking counseling.
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Vilarroya, Oliver Óscar. "The psychological reality of cognitive theories: conceptual room for the brain as a functional bricoleur." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/5181.
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Graham-Rowe, Ella. "No time to waste : applying social psychological methods and theories to household food waste reduction." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2015. http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/53562/.
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The amount of food thrown away by UK households is substantial and, to a large extent, avoidable. Despite the obvious imperative for research to identify key factors that motivate, enable or prevent household food waste reduction, little research to date has directly addressed this objective. The research presented in this thesis had two clear aims: (1) to investigate antecedents of household food waste reduction and barriers to change, and (2) to explore whether self-affirmation techniques can increase motivation to reduce household food waste. Four empirical studies were conducted. The first study qualitatively explored thoughts, feelings and experiences of 15 UK household food purchasers. Analysis revealed seven core categories representing both motivations and barriers to household food waste reduction. The second study (N = 279) applied an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model to predict household food waste reduction intention and behaviour. Results revealed that the extended TPB variables predicted 64.55% of intention to reduce household food waste and 5.03% of the variance in household food waste behaviour. Studies 3 and 4 explored whether self-affirmation techniques would promote openness to information detailing the negative consequences of household food waste. Study 3 (N = 224) found that self-affirmed participants reported more positive cognitions towards household food waste reduction on a number of outcomes compared to their nonaffirmed counterparts. However, there was no impact of the self-affirmation manipulation on behaviour at follow-up. Study 4 (N = 362) failed to replicate the impact of selfaffirmation on cognitions. However, self-affirmed participants reported that they threw away less household food waste at follow-up. Further research in the context of selfaffirmation on food waste reduction behaviour is required.
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Fatkin, Jane-Marie. "'Pro' social media : using key social psychological theories to increase prosocial engagement on social media sites." Thesis, Heriot-Watt University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10399/2907.
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Prosocial Behaviour has a strong history rooted in Social Psychology. However, it has yet to be researched in the realm of social media. This line of research aims to better understand Prosocial Behaviour in social media environments and learn how to increase positive engagement online through the theoretical framework of Walther’s (1996) hyperpersonal model of computer-mediated communication. Four studies were conducted to obtain this goal. The first two studies explore what factors affect prosocial behaviour on social media sites. In particular, study one examines how gender, appearance, and number of social media friends affect whether or not individuals will give aid to their friends. The outcome suggested that the less social media friends a person had, the less likely the individual would help. Study two delves into whether the bystander effect and personalisation affect Prosocial Behaviour on social media sites. The bystander effect did not affect helping but personalising a message made it more than two times more likely that an individual would receive help. The third study looks at some barriers that prevent prosocial behaviour on social media sites. Three main barriers resulted including ‘Information Overload,’ ‘Can’t Live with It, Can’t Live without It,’ and ‘Privacy and Permanence of Information.’ The final study examines Prosocial Behaviour in a social media context through the means of two events where social media played an important role in helping behaviour. These events exemplified that social media is a powerful tool and can be used to effectively promote Prosocial Behaviour and also provided support for Walther’s hyperpersonal model. As the first to delve into helping behaviour on social media sites, this thesis advances the current body of knowledge on Prosocial Behaviour. In addition, the four studies provide vital knowledge on how to increase prosocial behaviour online using Walther’s (1996) hyperpersonal model on CMC. With the current Social Media Revolution and time spent online, it is vital to make social media engagement more positive and user friendly. The three main ways to increase positive online engagement gleaned from this thesis are 1) Make things personal, 2) Create a social media group with a hierarchical structure, and 3) Edit privacy settings and friend/follower settings on personal social media pages to fit one’s individual needs.
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Turner, Léon Paul. "First person plural : multiplicity and unity at the interface between theological and psychological theories of self." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2004. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.615982.
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Shaw, Thomas Russell. "An empirical study of webmasters' attitudes toward privacy based on ethical decision making and psychological theories /." Full text (PDF) from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International, 2000. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/utexas/fullcit?p3004375.
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Wellman, David Allen, and mikewood@deakin edu au. "Towards an integration of theories of achievement motivation." Deakin University. School of Psychology, 2001. http://tux.lib.deakin.edu.au./adt-VDU/public/adt-VDU20051017.123821.
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This thesis investigated children's school achievement in terms of an integration of three theories of achievement motivation. The three theoretical outlooks were expectancy-value theory (EVT), implicit theories of intelligence (ITI), and flow theory (FT). The first of two studies was an exploratory investigation of the effectiveness of each theory independently and combined to predict children's achievement in four school subjects. The subject areas were maths, reading, instrumental music and sport. Participants were 84 children (40 females and 44 males) aged 9 to 10 years, one of each child's parents, and school teachers of each child in the four subject areas. All data were collected through questionnaires based on the three models. The results indicated that EVT and FT but not ITI accounted for a significant amount of the variance in children's achievement, including effects for subject area and gender. A second confirmatory study tested EVT, FT and an integrated model for the prediction of achievement in maths, reading and instrumental music. The participants were a further 141 children (74 females and 67 males) aged 10 to 11 years, and a parent and teachers of each child. Data collection using questionnaires occurred early in the school year (Timel) and approximately five months later (Time2). For EVT, children and parents competence beliefs were significant predictors of children's achievement in each subject area. Females tended to believe themselves more competent at reading and instrumental music and also valued these subjects more highly than boys. Modeling results for flow theory indicated that children's emotional responses to classes (happiness and confusion) were significant predictors of achievement, the type of emotion varying between subject areas and time periods. Females generally had a more positive emotional reaction to reading and instrumental music classes than males did. The integrated model results indicated significant relationships between EVT and flow theories for each subject area, with EVT explaining most achievement variance in the integrated model. Children's and parents competence beliefs were the main predictors of achievement at Timel and 2, Subject area and gender differences were found which provide direction for future research. Anecdotal reports of parents and teachers often attest to individual differences in children's involvement in various school domains. Even among children of apparently similar intelligence, it is not uncommon to find one who likes nothing better than to work on a mathematics problem while another much prefers to read a novel or play a musical instrument Some children appear to achieve good results for most of the activities in which they are engaged while others achieve in a less consistent manner, sometimes particularly excelling in one activity. Some children respond to failure experiences with a determination to improve their performance in the future while others react with resignation and acceptance of their low ability. Some children appear to become totally absorbed in the activity of playing sport while others cannot wait for the game to end. The primary research objective guiding the current thesis is how children's thoughts and feelings about school subjects differ and are related to their school achievement. A perusal of the achievement motivation literature indicates several possible models and concepts that can be applied to explain individual differences in children's school achievement. Concepts such as academic self-concept, multiple intelligences, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, self-beliefs, competence beliefs, subjective task values, mastery and performance goals, Flow experiences and social motivation are just some of the constructs used to explain children's achievement motivation, both within and between various activity domains. These constructs are proposed by researchers from different theoretical perspectives to achievement motivation. Although there is much literature relevant to each perspective, there is little research indicating how the various perspectives may relate to each other. The current thesis will begin by reviewing three currently popular theoretical orientations cited in achievement motivation research: subjective beliefs and values; implicit theories of intelligence, and flow experience and family complexity. Following this review, a framework will be proposed for testing the determinants of children's school achievement, both within each of the three theoretical perspectives and also in combination.
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Moir, James. "Psychological theories and lay accounts of occupational choice : a comparative study of mechanical engineering and nursing undergraduates." Thesis, University of Abertay Dundee, 1990. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.237816.
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Psychological investigation of occupational choice has traditionally followed one of two dominant approaches. The structural (or 'personality-matching') approach (e.g., Holland, 1985) has used pysychometric testing to predict occupational choice on the basis of personality assessments whilst the process (or 'developmental') approach (e.g., Ginzberg et al., 1951) has mainly used interview responses to identify stages in the maturation of vocational thinking culminating 'realistic' decision-~aking. The aim of this study was to test the utility of these approaches in undertaking a detailed analysis of interview data. Garfinkel's (1967) proposal that decisions can be viewed as the retrospective construction of 'sense-able' accounts provided a useful perspective on collected interview responses. A discourse analysis approach was adopted in which the functional nature of language, as achieving interactive purposes, was stressed (Potter and Wetherell, 1987). Finally, use was made of the conversation analytic focus on turn-taking in order to examine the interdependent nature of the question-and-answer turns of the interviews (e.g., Sacks, 1972). Forty undergraduate students following the BSc courses in mechanical engineering and nursing at Dundee Institute of Technology were interviewed. The sample consisted of twenty students from each course, ten from the first year and ten from the final year. Comparisons were made between the two vocational groups and between first and final year students. A preliminary examination of course selection interviews was also undertaken. The data could not be categorized in accordance with Holland's 'personality patterns' for mechanical engineering and nursing, nor in terms of Ginzberg's 'realistic stage' of vocational thinking, due to categorization conflicts and within-interview response variability. The apparent contradictions and complexities generated by categorizing responses in these terms were clarified when accounts were analyzed as ongoing constructions of 'sense-able' choices within which 'personality-expressive' and 'developmental-stage' talk served specific conversational functions. The findings call into question methods of careers guidance based on these theories and it is argued that attention should be directed at career-selection preparation. However, it should be noted that a focus on the conversational skills required to succeed in selection interviews could challenge faith in a meritocratic selection system.
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Mok, Jue Young. "USING PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES TO UNDERSTAND CITIZEN ATTITUDES TOWARD GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND COLLABORATIVE BEHAVIORS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR." UKnowledge, 2018. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/msppa_etds/28.
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There have been various approaches to studying the effectiveness of government performance in public administration. While some have focused on broad organizational factors, others have taken an individual level approach by applying concepts and methods from psychology and behavioral economics. This three-essay dissertation continues this latter approach by examining the role of cognitive mechanisms in explaining citizen attitudes toward government performance as well as collaborative behaviors in the public sector.
The first essay explored the role of detailed versus abstract mental construals in understanding the relationship between expectations of public service performance and attitudes toward a government. Type of thinking, when it fit well with the information about either how or why public services were provided, was predicted to produce more positive attitudes toward government than in the absence of fit. However, these predictions were not confirmed.
The second essay induced either an abstract or a detailed mode thinking in participants. Because abstract thinkers are more likely to focus on the desirability of outcomes, and detailed thinkers are more likely to focus on the feasibility of outcomes, it was predicted that abstract thinking, compared to detailed thinking, would create higher expectations of public services and lower perceived government performance. The findings were inconclusive.
The final essay, combining prospect theory and expectancy-disconfirmation concepts, proposed a new model testing the relationship between citizen attitudes and collaborative behavior. Using a cross-sectional data set of US citizens, the results revealed a predicted non-linear relationship between citizen satisfaction with government performance and co-production.
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Chesham, David J. "Applying social-psychological theories of behaviour to the problem of accident prevention : reducing the accident liability of motorcyclists." Thesis, University of Kent, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.297344.
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Flynn, Sydney. "Applying Psychological Theories of Personality, Identity, and Intergroup Conflict to Radical Violence: A Case Study of Extremist Behavior." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2018. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/1890.
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This paper aims to address possible psychoanalytical explanations for the heinous acts in which terrorists, particularly ISIS, engage. It focuses on Harold D. Lasswell’s principles of the id, ego, and superego as well as Tajfel and Turner’s social identity theory. Within the framework of these two theories, relevant psychological and social psychological theories are discussed in order to explore a possible connection between the psyche of violent perpetrators and their actions. By exploring these connections, I find that there may be more nuanced psychological explanations for these violent acts, which could lead to new methods of weakening perceived biases, intergroup conflicts, and extremist behavior.
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Driggers, Dyann Maureen. "White adolescent racism: An integrative assessment including white racial identity theories." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 1999. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/1949.
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Chan, Wan-man Edna, and 陳韻掞. "The influence of accountability on stereotypic perception as a function of implicit theories." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2003. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31227193.
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Wilhite, Thomas R. (Thomas Ray). "Interpersonal Reactions to Bereaved Parents: An Exploration of Attachment and Interpersonal Theories." Thesis, University of North Texas, 1990. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc331156/.
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The experiment examined negative social reactions to bereaved parents from unrelated others. Both the behavior displayed by the parent and attachment style of the perceiver were expected to influence reactions to bereaved parents. Undergraduates at a southern university (N = 239) completed both attachment measures and measures of reactions to videotapes of bereaved parents. Results indicated that bereaved parents do indeed receive negative evaluations from unrelated others, in the form of decreased willingness to interact in various roles. However, a nonbereaved parent displaying depressive symptoms also received negative evaluations.
Depressed targets in the present study did receive negative evaluations, supporting the predictions of Coyne's interpersonal-process theory of reactions to depressed individuals. Contrary to the predictions of interpersonal-process theory, a bereaved parent displaying loss content without depressive symptoms also elicited negative evaluations. Coyne's hypothesis that the amount of induced negative affect in the perceiver leads to negative evaluations was not supported by the data. Subjects appear to react to a complex set of factors when forming these evaluations, including both personal and situational information. Two factors may have undermined the present study s ability to adequately test this theory. Subjects may have perceived depressive symptoms in loss content in the present study. Further, subjects may not have identified with the parent in the present study as anticipated. Research is necessary to identify the amount and focus of subjects' identifications with depressed and bereaved targets.
Only minor support was found for the prediction that attachment style would be related to reactions to bereaved parents. Continuous measures of attachment style were related to amount of induced negative affect. However, grouping subjects by attachment patterns was not related to either induced negative affect or evaluations. The present study and previous research suggest the possibility that conceptually attachment may contain several components which relate to behavior in varying degrees and ways. Further study of the components of attachment is necessary to clarify what behaviors are related to attachment disturbance.
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BRADEN, CARRIE JO GIFFORD. "SELF-HELP AS A LEARNED RESPONSE TO CHRONIC ILLNESS EXPERIENCE: A TEST OF FOUR ALTERNATIVE THEORIES (ADAPTATION, HELPLESSNESS, RESOURCEFULNESS)." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/183879.
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The purposes of this study were: (a) to identify which of four competing theories best accounted for self help as a learned outcome of chronic illness experience, and (b) to generate a Self Help Model that could be used to explicate self help as a learned response to chronic illness. The concepts of severity of chronic illness, intimate dependency reinforcers, self induced dependency reinforcers, cue outcome independence reinforcers, enabling skill, self help and life quality were specified in a causal format that allowed a competitive test of four different theories. The theories tested were instrumental passivity theory, self induced dependency theory, an adaptation of learned helplessness theory and learned resourcefulness theory. The study utilized a causal modeling design to assess a five stage model. A judgment sample of 786 individuals having a diagnosis of arthritis or an arthritis related condition were mailed questionnaires. Two hundred seventy-eight subjects responded, a 36 percent return rate. Seven scales using a visual analogue response format indexed the theoretical concepts. Reliability and validity estimates were conducted to assess psychometric properties of the instruments. Model parameters were estimated using multiple regression statistical techniques. Residual analysis was conducted to estimate violations of the causal model and statistical assumptions. Factors from one theory, the learned resourcefulness theory, emerged as more credible than factors from any single other theory. However, the data did evidence factors from other theories that were significant. Self induced sick role reinforcers and cue outcome independence reinforcers were found to slightly reduce perception of enabling skill (B = -.31 and B = -.12, respectively; R² = .11). Intimate dependency reinforcers and cue outcome independence reinforcers were found to slightly reduce perception of self help (B = -.34 and B = -.24, respectively; R² = .19). These factors helped to identify environmental and intra-person contingencies that led to reduction in self help. The learned resourcefulness factor, enabling skill, demonstrated the mediating skills that worked to enhance self help (B = .44; R² = .29). The Self Help Model generated to explicate self help as a learned response to chronic illness explained 50 percent of the variance in perceived self help. Self help had a direct positive impact on life quality (B = .61; R² = .46). By knowing the factors influencing a patient’s self help response to chronic illness experience, the nurse is better able to plan more effective self help promoting interventions for individuals, or groups of patients. Nurses who promote a self help response in those having a chronic illness could improve their life quality.
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Godfrey, David Wayne. "The Behavioral Changes that can be Realized when Leaders are Exposed to the Theories and Metaphors Found in Quantum Physics." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2009. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc12129/.
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Many are beginning to see the promise that the quantum world has offered those who manage and lead organizations (Wheatley, 1992; Zohar, 1997). The Newtonian world is one in which all "things" are reduced to their smallest parts, separated, divided, and analyzed with predictability, with complete control being the ultimate goal. The quantum world is one of infinite possibilities, infinite fields of influence, and infinite relationships. The hallmark characteristics found in a manager who has been schooled in the quantum sciences are flexibility, responsiveness, synchronicity, serendipity, creativity, innovation, participation, and motivation. In a quantum organization there is the constant awareness of the whole system, but there is also diversity (wave or particle), which allows for self-organization that is based on the environment and its requirements. In the quantum world many paths lead from A to Z, and depending on the path chosen, numerous realities wait to unfold. It was the goal of this research to explore the changing of leader behaviors through exposure to the models and theories found in quantum physics. From a quantum perspective this behavior change is possible; the only question is the readiness, willingness, and ability of the leaders to allow their behaviors to be surfaced and challenged. These are indeed the greatest challenges for all people as they proceed through life and work - readiness for change, willingness to change, and ability to surface key areas where change is needed.
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Durkin, Keith F. "Anabolic steroid use among non-competitive male bodybuilders : an application of two theories of deviant behavior /." Thesis, This resource online, 1992. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-03302010-020622/.
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Shyamsunder, Aarti. "The Influence of Dispositional and Induced Implicit Theories of Personality on the Relationship between Self-Reported Procrastination and Procrastination Behaviors." University of Akron / OhioLINK, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1226941146.
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Čaládiková, Zuzana. "Vyhodnocování, zvládání a snižování stresu." Master's thesis, Vysoké učení technické v Brně. Fakulta podnikatelská, 2012. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-223665.
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The Master's Thesis "Stress evaluation, coping and reduction" deals with studying and analyzing stress in sample of employees from Slovenské elektrárne, a.s. The theoretical part analyzes psychological overloading and pressure, stress itself, theories of stress, pathological effects of stress in society, coping with stress and reduction of stress. The practical part deals with stresors, which have an influence on respondents, their (dis)satisfaction with work and dependence between them. Conclusion contains suggestions how to deal with stress and its economic analysis.
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Auster, Josephine Frances. "Determinants of skin self-examination (SSE) in men aged 50 years or older." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2011. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/46236/1/Josephine_Auster_Thesis.pdf.
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Background: Queensland men aged 50 years and older are at high risk for melanoma. Early detection via skin self examination (SSE) (particularly whole-body SSE) followed by presentation to a doctor with suspicious lesions, may decrease morbidity and mortality from melanoma. Prevalence of whole-body SSE (wbSSE) is lower in Queensland older men compared to other population subgroups. With the exception of the present study no previous research has investigated the determinants of wbSSE in older men, or interventions to increase the behaviour in this population. Furthermore, although past SSE intervention studies for other populations have cited health behaviour models in the development of interventions, no study has tested these models in full.
The Skin Awareness Study: A recent randomised trial, called the Skin Awareness Study, tested the impact of a video-delivered intervention compared to written materials alone on wbSSE in men aged 50 years or older (n=930). Men were recruited from the general population and interviewed over the telephone at baseline and 13 months. The proportion of men who reported wbSSE rose from 10% to 31% in the control group, and from 11% to 36% in the intervention group.
Current research: The current research was a secondary analysis of data collected for the Skin Awareness Study. The objectives were as follows:
• To describe how men who did not take up any SSE during the study period differed from those who did take up examining their skin.
• To determine whether the intervention program was successful in affecting the constructs of the Health Belief Model it was aimed at (self-efficacy, perceived threat, and outcome expectations); and whether this in turn influenced wbSSE.
• To determine whether the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) was a better predictor of wbSSE behaviour compared to the Health Belief Model (HBM).
Methods: For objective 1, men who did not report any past SSE at baseline (n=308) were categorised as having ‘taken up SSE’ (reported SSE at study end) or ‘resisted SSE’ (reported no SSE at study end). Bivariate logistic regression, followed by multivariable regression, investigated the association between participant characteristics measured at baseline and resisting SSE.
For objective 2 proxy measures of self-efficacy, perceived threat, and outcome expectations were selected. To determine whether these mediated the effect of the intervention on the outcome, a mediator analysis was performed with all participants who completed interviews at both time points (n=830) following the Baron and Kenny approach, modified for use with structural equation modelling (SEM).
For objective 3, control group participants only were included (n=410). Proxy measures of all HBM and HAPA constructs were selected and SEM was used to build up models and test the significance of each hypothesised pathway. A likelihood ratio test compared the HAPA to the HBM.
Results: Amongst men who did not report any SSE at baseline, 27% did not take up any SSE by the end of the study. In multivariable analyses, resisting SSE was associated with having more freckly skin (p=0.027); being unsure about the statement ‘if I saw something suspicious on my skin, I’d go to the doctor straight away’ (p=0.028); not intending to perform SSE (p=0.015), having lower SSE self-efficacy (p<0.001), and having no recommendation for SSE from a doctor (p=0.002).
In the mediator analysis none of the tested variables mediated the relationship between the intervention and wbSSE. In regards to health behaviour models, the HBM did not predict wbSSE well overall. Only the construct of self-efficacy was a significant predictor of future wbSSE (p=0.001), while neither perceived threat (p=0.584) nor outcome expectations (p=0.220) were. By contrast, when the HAPA constructs were added, all three HBM variables predicted intention to perform SSE, which in turn predicted future behaviour (p=0.015). The HAPA construct of volitional self-efficacy was also associated with wbSSE (p=0.046). The HAPA was a significantly better model compared to the HBM (p<0.001).
Limitations: Items selected to measure HBM and HAPA model constructs for objectives 2 and 3 may not have accurately reflected each construct.
Conclusions: This research added to the evidence base on how best to target interventions to older men; and on the appropriateness of particular health behaviour models to guide interventions.
Findings indicate that to overcome resistance those men with more negative pre-existing attitudes to SSE (not intending to do it, lower initial self-efficacy) may need to be targeted with more intensive interventions in the future. Involving general practitioners in recommending SSE to their patients in this population, alongside disseminating an intervention, may increase its success.
Comparison of the HBM and HAPA showed that while two of the three HBM variables examined did not directly predict future wbSSE, all three were associated with intention to self-examine skin. This suggests that in this population, intervening on these variables may increase intention to examine skin, but not necessarily the behaviour itself. Future interventions could potentially focus on increasing both the motivational variables of perceived threat and outcome expectations as well as a combination of both action and volitional self-efficacy; with the aim of increasing intention as well as its translation to taking up and maintaining regular wbSSE.
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Bush, Randall B. "Recent ideas of divine conflict : the influences of psychological and sociological theories of conflict upon the trinitarian theology of Paul Tillich and Juergen Moltmann." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1990. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.304822.
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Sánchez, Málaga Carrillo Armando. "Mens rea: a spiritual phenomenon or a normative attribution?" THĒMIS-Revista de Derecho, 2016. http://repositorio.pucp.edu.pe/index/handle/123456789/108496.
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Mens Rea is a figure of Criminal Law which is very difficult to determine, especially if it is intended to appreciate the intention that a person has while commiting a crime, as well as the difference between intent and guilt is not clear in many cases.For that reason, the author of this article explains different theories that aim to determine when intent exists. Some of these theories are centered in objective factors (normative), which come from the law; and other theories are centered in internal, subjective factors (psychological). Then, the author presents the problems that affect each of the mentioned theories and explains what should be taken into account to elaborate a more efficient theory of Mens Rea.El dolo es una figura de difícil determinación en el Derecho Penal, en especial si se pretende valorar la intención que tiene una persona al momento de cometer un delito, así como la diferencia entre el dolo y la culpa no es clara en muchos casos.Por ese motivo, el autor del presente artículo explica distintas teorías que pretenden establecer cuándo existe dolo; algunas centradas en factores objetivos, provenientes de la norma (normativas); y otras orientadas a factores internos, subjetivos (psicológicas). Luego, plantea los problemas que afectan a cada una de las teorías planteadas y explica lo que se debería tomar en cuenta para elaboraruna teoría del dolo más eficiente.
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Rousis, Gregory. "The Truth is Out There: The Use of Conspiracy Theories by Radical Violent Extremist Organizations." UNF Digital Commons, 2018. https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/822.
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This paper sought to examine conspiracy theory (CT) use across three types of groups: radical violent extremists (RVE), non-violent extremists, and moderates. Using the theory of significance quest, or the desire for one’s life to have meaning (Kruglanski, Chen, Dechesne, Fishman, & Orehek, 2009), I sought to determine whether RVE groups were more likely to use CTs, invoke need for cognitive closure (NFCC) via the use of time pressure, elicit anomie, and promote significance quest through violence than the other groups. Using text analysis software, I pulled passages from six groups – two from each level of extremism - that had conspiratorial language and then coded for the variables described above. RVE groups were significantly more likely than the other groups to use CTs and invoke NFCC through time pressure but were less likely than non-violent groups to elicit anomie. In addition, RVE groups were more likely to promote significance gain through action, but not significance restoration or prevention of significance loss. Implications of the findings are discussed.
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Brügger, Adrian. "Fear appeals and localising climate change : neither is a panacea to motivate action on climate change : a social psychological perspective." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/14445.
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This thesis was interested in exploring the questions of why individuals typically do not respond strongly to climate change, and how individual motivations to do so might be strengthened. More specifically, this thesis explored two widely cited barriers to climate change action and the solutions commonly suggested to overcome them. The first barrier is the lack of personal experience with climate change, which is believed to inhibit relevant emotional processes. The second, not unrelated, barrier is that people typically perceive climate change as a distant threat, one that is not relevant to them personally, where they live, and in the present time. To test these explanations, two public surveys of residents of both the UK (n = 616) and Switzerland (n = 316) explored the relationships among negative emotions, perceptions of geographically proximal and distant climate change risks, and variables that capture people’s willingness to address climate change. The findings supported the idea that stronger negative emotions were positively related to more readiness to act against climate change. The relationship between spatially close versus distant risk perceptions and measures of different forms of action was, however, more complex. Specifically, the findings revealed a strong association between global risk perceptions and policy support and a strong association between local risk perceptions and personal intentions. One explanation for these (unexpected) associations is that they are due to spontaneous matches with regard to psychological distance: Local risk perceptions are psychologically proximal on the spatial dimension and personal intentions can be regarded as proximal on the social dimension. Likewise, the spatially remote global risk perceptions can be matched to support for policies, which can be regarded as distant on the social dimension. Studies 3 and 4 tried to experimentally untangle the complex relationships between psychological distance and people’s perceptions and actions that were 2 observed in the survey research. Specifically, in both studies participants were manipulated to adopt either a spatially proximal or distant perspective on climate change. Study 3 (n = 80) measured participants emotional responses to climate change and looked at how these predicted different attitudinal and behavioural responses under a proximal or distant framework, whereas Study 4 (n = 330) more directly explored the possible effects of activating negative emotions (i.e., fear) in combination with different distance frames as part of attempts to promote action on climate change. The findings of Studies 3 and 4 suggest that decreasing the psychological distance of climate change and inducing fear can both be potentially useful strategies to promote action on climate change. However, the operation of both these strategies is more complex than is often assumed and these complexities have implications for the effectiveness of each strategy. For one thing, both attempts to reduce distance and increase fear can initiate multiple psychological processes that simultaneously increase and decrease the likelihood of acting on climate change. Because these processes work in opposition, reduced distance and increased fear can have positive effects, negative effects, or no effect at all. Together, the findings across studies highlight that psychological distance is neither an insurmountable obstacle to action against climate change – it depends on what kind of action is being considered (Studies 1 & 2) – and nor is decreasing psychological distance a panacea to motivate action – this can trigger the same kind of defensiveness that have been observed in response to other strategies, such as the use of emotion (Studies 3 & 4). In the general discussion, the theoretical implications of these insights for different theoretical models of distance, emotion, and action are considered, as are the implications for the practice of promoting public engagement with and action on climate change.
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Nite, Leesa C. (Leesa Celeste). "Cognitive Decline in Chronic Pain Patients: A Neuropsychological Evaluation." Thesis, University of North Texas, 1990. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc331398/.
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The purpose of the present study was to investigate cognitive functioning in a group of 30 chronic pain patients (CPG) as compared to a group of 39 acute pain patients (APG). In order to assess cognitive performance, certain subtests were selected from the McCarron-Dial System (MDS) of Neuropsychological Evaluation. Specifically, a measure of haptic discrimination was used along with the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test. As such, completion of these subtests required a cortically mediated, central nervous system processing of sensory information. This particular method of assessment was chosen because it provided a nonverbal measure of higher-order cognitive performance. Additionally, the haptic measure provided separate scores for right and left hemispheric functioning. Data analysis revealed significantly poorer Bender performance among CPG members (t(69) = -5.09, E - •0004, two tailed). Further data analysis revealed that the CPG performed significantly poorer on certain of the haptic discrimination subtests. Specifically, both texture and configuration scores for the right hemisphere were significantly lower among CPG members (texture, p = -042 and configuration, p = .002). Subsequent analyses were conducted to determine predictive relationships between important variables. These data are discussed in terms of their clinical significance and importance for future research.
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Radoja, Stevan. "Can school lessons devised using psychological theories and therapeutic approaches positively impact on the mental health and emotional intelligence of young people affected by war including ex-child soldiers in Northern Uganda?" Thesis, Cardiff University, 2018. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/110119/.
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The aim of this investigation was to identify if school lessons, which were designed to incorporate psychological theories and therapeutic approaches, could improve the mental health and/or emotional intelligence of the students being taught the lessons (N=76). The lessons (the intervention program) were designed by the researcher and taught by local teachers at 11 secondary schools to year 7 and year 8 pupils in an area of Northern Uganda where a civil war had taken place during the previous 22 years between a rebel group and government forces. The study comprised the intervention group who were taught the lessons over 2 years and a control group living in the same area that were not taught the lessons. Both groups were given a Mental Health (MH) and Emotional Intelligence (EI) questionnaire designed by the researcher at the beginning of the intervention period and at the end. Volunteers from the intervention group also took part in a semi structured interview. Teachers who taught the program were also given a questionnaire to elicit their views on the benefits and workability of the program. The findings indicated a significant effect of the intervention on most aspects of MH and EI in the intervention group compared with the control group. The effects of the intervention did not vary significantly between genders. Teachers’ questionnaires indicated an overall positive effect on teacher student relationships, behavior and general benefits to students. The elements of the program such as the teaching approach, methods of learning, content and effect on relationships between students were not examined but form part of a discussion into the potential future direction /further research for programs with similar aims.