At least since the time of Aristotle, it has been widely accepted that “man is by nature a social animal”. We eat, sleep, talk, laugh, cry, love, fight and create in ways that integrally depend on others and the social norms that we collectively generate and maintain. Yet in spite of the widely accepted importance of human sociality in underlying our daily activities, its exact manifestation and function is consistently overlooked by many academic disciplines. Cognitive science, for example, regularly neglects the manner in which social interactions and interactively generated norms canalise and constitute our cognitive processes. Without the inescapable ubiquity of dynamic social norms, any given agent simply could not cognise as a human. In this thesis, I aim to use a range of insights – from phenomenology, social psychology, neuroscience, cultural anthropology and gender studies – to clarify the role of sociality for human life. More specifically, the thesis can be broadly separated into three parts. I begin (chapters 1 and 2) with a broad explanation of how human agents are fundamentally tied to worldly entities and other agents in a way that characterises their ontological existence. In chapters 3 and 4, I criticise two recent and much-discussed theories of social cognition – namely, we-mode cognition and participatory sense-making – for failing to make intelligible the social constitution of human existence. In the later chapters (5-7), I then propose foundations for a more satisfactory theory of social cognition, as well as explicating a view of human selfhood as ‘biosocial', such that even the autonomy of biological bodies is socially codified from a human perspective. Taken together, the aforementioned chapters should contribute to calls for a new direction in social cognitive science, whilst also yielding novel insights into the nature of human selfhood.

Les tâches d’empan simples sont classiquement utilisées pour évaluer la mémoire à court terme, tandis que les tâches d’empan complexes sont généralement considérées comme spécifiques de la mémoire de travail. Par construction, les tâches d’empan complexes étant plus difficiles,en raison de l’utilisation d’une tâche concurrente, l’empan moyen est généralement plus faible (4 ± 1 items) que dans les tâches d’empan simples (7 ± 2 items). Une raison possible de cet écart est que sans tâche concurrente, les participants peuvent tirer profit du temps libre entre les stimuli pour détecter et recoder des régularités présentes dans la série de stimuli afin de regrouper les stimuli en 4 ± 1 chunks. Notre hypothèse principale est que la compression de l’information en mémoire immédiate est un indicateur pertinent pour étudier la relation entre la capacité de mémoire immédiate et l’intelligence fluide. L’idée est que les deux dépendent de la qualité du traitement de l’information, autrement dit, selon nos hypothèses, d’une interaction entre traitement et stockage. Nous avons développé plusieurs tâches de mesure d’empan de chunks dans lesquelles la compressibilité de l’information a été estimée en utilisant différentes mesures de complexité algorithmique. Les résultats ont montré que la compressibilité peut être utilisée pour prédire la performance en mémoire de travail, et que la capacité à compresser l’information est un bon prédicteur de l’intelligence fluide. Nous concluons que la capacité à compresser l’information en mémoire de travail est la raison pour laquelle à la fois traitement et stockage de l’information sont liés à l’intelligence. / Simple span tasks are tasks commonly used to measure short-term memory, while complex span tasks are usually considered typical measures of working memory. Because complex span tasks were designed to create a concurrent task, the average span is usually lower (4 ± 1items) than in simple span tasks (7±2 items). One possible reason for measuring higher spansduring simple span tasks is that participants can take profit of the spare time between the stimuli to detect, and recode regularities in the stimulus series (in the absence of a concurrent task), and such regularities can be used to pack a few stimuli into 4 ± 1 chunks. Our main hypothesis was that information compression in immediate memory is an excellent indicator for studying the relationship between immediate-memory capacity and fluid intelligence. The idea is that both depend on the efficiency of information processing, and more precisely, on the interaction between storage and processing. We developed various span tasks measuringa chunking capacity, in which compressibility of memoranda was estimated using different algorithmic complexity metrics. The results showed that compressibility can be used to predictworking-memory performance, and that fluid intelligence is well predicted by the ability to compress information.We conclude that the ability to compress information in working memoryis the reason why both manipulation and retention of information are linked to intelligence.

Career exploration and decision making can be a stressful experience, and is often accompanied by dysfunctional thinking regarding the world of work and one’s place in it. Individuals who are able to modify their negative career thoughts are more likely to navigate career exploration successfully. Factors which may influence a person’s ability to cope with dysfunctional thoughts include cognitive ability (IQ) and the inadequately explored construct of emotional intelligence (EI). Establishing the validity of EI by demonstrating its relationship to important outcomes is necessary. This study sought to determine the extent to which IQ and EI were associated with negative career thoughts and negative career thoughts change as a result of career exploration. This correlational study measured IQ using a standard measure and EI using an ability-based instrument. In addition, negative career thoughts were measured both before and after a career exploration program. One hundred ninety three unemployed adults between the ages of 25 and 60 participated in the study. Significant correlation relationships were found between IQ and aspects of negative career thoughts post program. Only one branch of the EI model, managing emotions, was seen to correlate significantly with all aspects of negative career thoughts, both before and after career exploration. No correlations were found between either IQ or EI with negative career thoughts change. Regression analysis indicated that IQ predicted overall negative career thoughts as well as decision-making confusion, but only after career exploration. Overall EI scores did not predict negative career thoughts. However, among the four branches of EI, managing emotions predicted negative career thoughts both before and after career exploration for all of global negative career thoughts, decision-making confusion, commitment anxiety, and external conflict. Neither IQ nor EI predicted negative career thoughts change. The results show that the ability to manage emotions is associated with reduced dysfunctional thinking both before and after career exploration, suggesting that EI managing may be a psychological resource that individuals use in coping with stress. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Es wird über die Entwicklung und Erprobung von Instrumenten zur Messung von Ingenieurskreativität und Fachinteresse am Studium der Elektrotechnik berichtet. Im Fall des Fachinteresses wird ein Algorithmus vorgeschlagen um effizient Skalen maßzuschneidern. Für spezifische Kreativität werden die Schwierigkeiten der Erfassung diskutiert und erste Möglichkeit der Lösung dieser Probleme diskutiert. / The development and testing of two scales measuring creativity in engineering and vocational interest is reported. Concerning the scale of vocational interest an algorithm for the efficient tailoring of such scales is proposed. In case of specific creativity the difficulties of the measurement are discussed and first solutions developed.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:48:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:57:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Neste estudo, foi determinado o dano celular em linfócitos periféricos após exposição ao 153Sm-EDTMP (Samário-153 etilenodiaminotetrametilenofosfonato) por meio da técnica de análise de micronúcleos e coloração diferencial. O 153Sm-EDTMP é um radiofármaco utilizado para alívio da dor em pacientes com metástase óssea. A análise da freqüência de micronúcleos em amostras sangüíneas de pacientes obtidas uma hora após a administração endovenosa do radiofármaco (41 MBq/kg) mostrou que não houve diferença estatística em relação aos valores basais em células binucleadas. Porém, a análise da distribuição do dano em células mononucleadas mostrou que os pacientes sem tratamento radioterápico prévio apresentaram um aumento significativo na freqüência de células com um micronúcleo e aqueles com tratamento radioterápico prévio, nas células com dois ou mais micronúcleos. Os experimentos in vitro realizados com exposição de sangue total a três concentrações radioativas de 153Sm-EDTMP (0,370; 0,555 e 1,110 MBq/mL) por uma hora mostraram um aumento na freqüência de micronúcleos e de células necróticas e apoptóticas com o aumento da dose de radiação. Foram construídas curvas dose-resposta para os indivíduos sadios e para os pacientes com metástases óssea sem prévio tratamento radioterápico. A comparação das curvas mostrou que os pacientes apresentaram uma radiossensibilidade mais alta que os indivíduos sadios tanto quanto a porcentagem de células com micronúcleos como de células mortas (necróticas e apoptóticas). / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

D’après les théories inférentielles de la perception, notre cerveau tire parti des régularités statistiques présentes dans l’environnement pour générer des prédictions qui façonnent nos contenus perceptifs. Le travail réalisé pendant cette thèse inclut 3 études principales, dans le but de caractériser les déterminants neuronaux des fausses perceptions et la nature des prédictions neuronales.Les erreurs perceptives pourraient résulter d’une tentative de notre système visuel d’expliquer des entrées sensorielles imprécises par une hypothèse erronée. Dans une 1ère étude en Imagerie par Résonance Magnétique fonctionnelle (IRMf), nous montrons que les fausses détections sont associées à un état imprécis et biaisé des circuits sensoriels avant la perception.La répétition d’une image génère une activité neurale diminuée (‘Repetition Suppression’) et des temps de réponse plus courts (‘amorçage’). Ces phénomènes pourraient résulter de mécanismes prédictifs, sous une prédiction implicite de répétition. Dans une 2nde étude IRMf, nous montrons que cette prédiction ne peut pas être modulée par l’expérience, ce qui suggère une implémentation locale. Dans une série d’études comportementales, nous montrons que l’amorçage est modulé par les prédictions, suggérant un mécanisme prédictif. Notre 2nde étude IRMf montre aussi qu’une région de moyen niveau sensible aux visages code des prédictions liées à l’identité, ce qui nous informe sur la nature des prédictions visuelles.Nos résultats montrent que notre perception est façonnée par l’interaction de nos entrées sensorielles avec l’état des circuits neuronaux avant stimulation, qu’il s’agisse de l’activité spontanée ou des stimuli précédents. / According to theoretical frameworks casting perception as inference, our brain can learn the statistical regularities present in the sensory world, and use this prior information to generate predictions, which in turn shape our perceptual contents. The work conducted in this PhD includes three main studies aimed at characterizing the neural determinants of misperceptions, as well as the nature of neural predictions. Perceptual errors may arise from an attempt of our visual system to 'explain' impreciseinputs with an erroneous hypothesis. In a first functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) study, we show that during a detection task, hallucinations are associated with animprecise and biased state of sensory circuits preceding sensation. Stimulus repetition is associated with decreased neural responses, known as Repetition Suppression, and shorter response times, known as priming. These phenomena may reflectpredictive mechanisms under an implicit prior over repetition. In a second fMRI study, we show that this putative prior cannot be changed by experience, suggesting a local, possibly hard-wired neural implementation. In a series of behavioral experiments, we show thatpriming is modulated by predictions, supporting a predictive account of this phenomenon. Our second fMRI study also shows that a mid-level face-sensitive region codes for exemplarspecific predictions, which sheds light on the nature of the predictions encoded along thevisual hierarchy. Altogether, our results speak to the dependence of perception on prior brain states. Both spontaneous activity in sensory circuits and previous stimulation interact with sensory inputsto shape our perceptual contents.

Les pensées humaines changent constamment : on regarde, on se souvient, on prévoit... Mais comment les gens accèdent-ils à cette succession de leur propres pensées ? Cette thèse a étudié l’introspection de la dynamique des pensées en capitalisant sur le phénomène saillant et surprenant de la rêverie éveillée (Chapitre 1). Les rêveries sont ces pensées spontanées à propos de nos préoccupations personnelles. Je décris d’abord comment des fluctuations lentes permettent de prédire ces épisodes de rêverie (Ch. 2, 3). Mais ces dynamiques pourraient aussi déterminer le contenu et l’introspection des pensées. En effet, les patients avec des troubles de l’attention (TDAH) rapportent plus de pensées “vides” : ce qui pourrait venir de troubles de la dynamique et/ou de l’introspection de leurs pensées (Ch. 4). Par ailleurs, deux expériences et une étude sur smartphone suggèrent que le langage intérieur facilite la conscience de la rêverie (Ch. 5). Le langage contribue aux capacités de contrôle : les pensées verbales pourraient donc être plus stables et plus vives. Finalement, je suggère que la détection des pensées n’est pas un accès direct à des éléments bien définis. Il s’agirait plutôt d’un mécanisme décisionnel ajustable, qui s’applique à des variables internes continues et dynamiques, comme dans la perception où une décision s’applique à des variables externes (Ch. 6). En somme, ces études jettent une lumière nouvelle sur l’introspection humaine et retrouvent des intuitions anciennes (Ch. 7). En effet, nos données appuient une proposition philosophique faite il y a 125 ans par William James, un des pères fondateurs de la psychologie scientifique : nos pensées sont un flux continu, et détecter la rêverie dépend aussi des dynamiques de ce flux. / Humans’ conscious experience is always changing: now seeing, now remembering, now planning. Yet, how people notice the unfolding of their own thoughts remains unclear. The present thesis studied the dynamics and introspective monitoring of thoughts, by capitalizing on the salient and often unnoticed phenomenon of mind-wandering (Chapter 1). Mind-wandering is the rise of thoughts about personal concerns. Against the idea that this rise is unpredictable, I first describe the characteristics of slow rhythms that predict mind-wandering occurrences during goal-directed tasks (Ch. 2, 3). Interestingly, these dynamics may determine thought content and introspection. Indeed, patients with Attention deficits (ADHD), who would likely experience alterations in both the dynamics and introspection of mind-wandering, report more “empty thoughts” (Ch. 4). Also, two experiments and a study using smartphones suggest that inner speech facilitates awareness of mind-wandering (Ch. 5). Inner speech contributes to monitoring capacities, thus verbal thoughts could be better sustained in time, increasing their vividness. Finally, I suggest that the detection of inner thoughts is not a direct access to clear-cut elements, but rather an adjustable decision mechanism applied to internal continuous and dynamic variables, similar to what happens in perception (Ch. 6). In sum, these studies shed a new light on human’s introspection and confirm old insights (Ch. 7). Indeed, they provide empirical support to a philosophical claim made 125 years ago by William James, one of the fathers of scientific psychology: we experience a continuous stream of thought, and detecting mind-wandering may depend on these dynamics.

L’anorexie mentale (AM) est une pathologie psychiatrique caractérisée par sa gravité et la sévérité de son pronostic. A ce jour, si une approche pluridisciplinaire et multifocale est privilégiée pour prendre en charge les patients, il n’en demeure pas moins qu’aucun traitement n’a démontré sa supériorité chez l’adulte. Des avancées récentes dans le domaine des neurosciences cognitives et affectives ont permis d’ouvrir la voie au développement de nouvelles modalités thérapeutiques. Ainsi, la thérapie de remédiation cognitive (CRT) a été adaptée à l’AM par l’équipe du Pr. Tchanturia. Cette approche se base sur les difficultés cognitives mises en évidence chez ces patients (notamment le manque de flexibilité et de cohérence centrale) et propose leur remédiation par une approche courte, motivationnelle et décentrée des problématiques alimentaires, de manière complémentaire aux soins habituels. Plusieurs études ont été menées sur les apports de la CRT et soulignent son intérêt dans l’amélioration de certains critères cognitifs ainsi que sa bonne acceptabilité. L’essai clinique randomisé Trecogam développé par notre équipe avait pour objectif l’adaptation en français de la CRT dans l’AM ainsi que son évaluation en comparaison à une thérapie « contrôle » appelée PER (Personnalité-Emotions-Relations) axée sur les difficultés socio-émotionnelles mises en évidence dans l’AM. La partie expérimentale de ce travail de thèse s’inscrit dans le cadre de cette étude plus large. Soixante-quatre patientes hospitalisées pour AM sévère ont été recrutées dans 4 hôpitaux parisiens et randomisées dans l’un ou l’autre des bras de traitement. Le fonctionnement cognitif et émotionnel ainsi que la sévérité clinique ont été évalués avant et après la prise en charge. Ce travail s’organise donc autour de deux axes. Dans un premier axe ciblant le fonctionnement cognitif, nous nous sommes tout d’abord intéressés au développement et à l’étude de versions alternatives aux évaluations neuropsychologiques fréquemment employées dans le cadre de l’évaluation de la CRT, afin de contrôler l’effet d’apprentissage. Une seconde étude avait pour objectif d’évaluer les apports de la CRT sur le fonctionnement cognitif objectif et auto-rapporté, en comparaison à une thérapie basée sur les émotions et relations interpersonnelles (PER). Le second axe de ce travail concerne les difficultés émotionnelles dans l’AM. Une première étude a permis la validation d’un instrument de mesure de l’Intelligence Emotionnelle Perçue (IEP) dans un échantillon de 824 jeunes adultes issus de la population générale et la caractérisation des difficultés rencontrées par les patientes souffrant d’AM comparativement à ces données normatives. Une seconde étude a concerné l’évaluation des apports de la PER sur les dimensions de l’IEP et sur les symptômes anxio-dépressifs, en comparaison à la CRT. Sur le plan méthodologique, ce travail a permis de mettre à disposition des cliniciens-chercheurs des outils d’évaluation fiables, tant concernant le fonctionnement cognitif (versions alternatives au Brixton et à la Figure de Rey) qu’émotionnel (Trait Meta-Mood Scale). Concernant l’efficacité thérapeutique des approches testées, nos résultats ne mettent pas en évidence de supériorité de l’une ou l’autre sur les variables théoriquement ciblées. Cependant, nous faisons le constat d’une bonne acceptabilité de la CRT et de la PER ainsi que d’une satisfaction importante de la part des patientes, et faisons l’hypothèse qu’ils pourraient constituer de bons leviers thérapeutiques dans un parcours de soins pour AM. Ce travail a également nourri des réflexions concernant les potentielles améliorations pouvant être apportées à ces programmes. / Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a complex and difficult-to-treat illness characterised by the severity of its prognosis. There is growing evidence suggesting that some cognitive difficulties (poor set-shifting, lack of central coherence) may be critically involved in the development and maintenance of AN. Studies in schizophrenia showed that it is possible to translate evidence-based research into clinical practice and to improve neuropsychological and cognitive functioning using Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT). CRT for AN was developed by Pr Tchanturia and colleagues to address the AN patients’ thinking styles. Rather than targeting eating symptoms, CRT is designed to encourage the patients to reflect on and try to modify their information-processing styles and behaviors, by using simple cognitive exercises, delivered in a motivational style. To date, studies on CRT for AN showed some improvements in cognitive functioning but also a good acceptability. The aims of the randomized controlled trial Trecogam were to adapt CRT for AN in French, then to compare its effectiveness with a sham therapy. The sham therapy has been designed to match the CRT format: an individual manualized therapist-led 10-sessions program (2 sessions/week). It avoids set-shifting and central coherence training but rather taps 3 domains: emotional expression and recognition, personality exploration and interpersonal functioning (PER: Personality – Emotions – Relationships). We recruited 64 AN inpatients in 4 specialized care units (Parisian area); they were randomized in CRT or PER arm. Clinical status, cognitive and socio-emotional functioning were assessed before and after intervention. Our first line of research (two studies) concerned cognitive functioning. First, in order to control for learning effects, we developed and explored, in the entire AN sample, alternative versions of neuropsychological tests that are widely used in the context of the evaluation of CRT. The aim of the second study was to assess the contribution of CRT (relative to the PER) on objective and subjective cognitive functioning. Our second line of research (two studies) concerned emotional difficulties in AN. A first study was conducted in a general sample of 824 young adults to validate a measure of Perceived Emotional Intelligence (PEI): the Trait-Meta-Mood-Scale (TMMS). The TMMS was completed by the AN patients and this study allowed to further characterize their emotional difficulties, in comparison with our normative sample. In a second study, we explored contributions of the PER intervention (versus the CRT) on the PEI dimensions and anxio-depressive symptoms. From a methodological perspective, this work helped to provide reliable measures of cognitive (alternative versions of Brixton task and Rey Complex Figure) and emotional functioning (TMMS). Regarding the interventions (CRT and PER), our results do not show superiority of one over another on our variables of interest. However, we observed a good retention and acceptability of both interventions, and an important satisfaction from patients’ perspective. We believe that they could be useful first steps and complementary approaches to the treatment as usual of patients with severe AN. We also discuss future potential improvements of these interventions.

Borderline conscious creatures are neither definitely conscious nor definitely not conscious. In this thesis, I explain what borderline consciousness is and why it poses a significant epistemological challenge to scientists who investigate phenomenal consciousness as a natural kind. When these scientists discover more than one overlapping kind in their samples of conscious creatures, how can they identify the kind to which all and only conscious creatures belong? After assessing three pessimistic responses, I argue that different groups of scientists can legitimately use the concept of phenomenal consciousness to refer to different kinds, in accord with their empirical interests. They can thereby resolve three related impasses on the status of borderline conscious creatures, the neural structure of phenomenal consciousness, and the possibility of artificial consciousness. The thesis has three parts: First, I analyse the concept of borderline consciousness. My analysis counters several arguments which conclude that borderline consciousness is inconceivable. Then I explain how borderline consciousness produces the multiple kinds problem in consciousness science. Second, I assess three recent philosophical responses to this problem. One response urges scientists to eliminate the concept of consciousness, while another judges them to be irremediably ignorant of the nature of consciousness. The final response concludes that scientific progress is limited by the concept's referential indeterminacy. I argue that these responses are too pessimistic, though they point to a more promising approach. Third, I propose that empirically constrained stipulation can solve the multiple kinds problem. Biologists face the same problem because of their longstanding controversy over what counts as a species. Building on new arguments for stipulating the reference of species concepts, I demonstrate that this use of stipulation in biology is neither epistemologically complacent nor metaphysically capricious; it also need not sow semantic confusion. Then I defend its use in consciousness science. My approach is shown to be consistent with our understanding of natural kinds, borderline cases, and phenomenal consciousness.

Les environnements virtuels sont des outils de plus en plus fréquemment utilisés dans le domaine de la formation sans que leur conception soit systématiquement guidée par des préconisations ergonomiques. Ce travail de thèse propose d’élaborer et d’évaluer des recommandations ergonomiques relatives au guidage de l’apprenant au cours de son apprentissage en EVAH (Environnement Virtuel pour l'Apprentissage Humain). Après avoir évalué l’utilité pour l’apprentissage d’un EVAH destiné à des techniciens de laboratoire, deux expériences ont été menées afin de déterminer un guidage optimal de l’apprenant lors de sa formation au lancement de tests de coagulation. La première expérience analysait l’impact d’une organisation hiérarchique d’instructions sonores sur l’apprentissage. La deuxième évaluait les modalités de présentation d’un guidage visuel et leurs conséquences sur l’acquisition de la procédure. Les résultats obtenus à l’issue de ces deux expériences ont permis de proposer des recommandations ergonomiques quant à la conception d’un guidage sonore et d’un guidage visuel de l’apprenant lors de l’acquisition d’une procédure. Enfin, ces recommandations ont été implémentées dans l’EVAH. Ainsi « amélioré », il a été confronté à l’environnement virtuel de référence dans le but d’évaluer l’efficacité des préconisations. Les résultats montrent que la prise en compte des recommandations ergonomiques proposées améliore les performances des apprenants. / Virtual environments are tools that are becoming more frequently used in the field of training, however their design is not systematically guided by ergonomic considerations. This thesis presents the development and evaluation of ergonomic recommendations to guide the learner during VET (Virtual Environment for Training) training. After evaluating the usefulness of STA-R Virtuel, a VET for laboratory technicians, two experiments were conducted to determine optimal ways of cueing the learner during their training in the execution of coagulation tests. The first experiment analyzed the impact on learning of a hierarchical organization of auditory instructions. The second evaluated different ways of presenting a visual guide and their impact on learned proficiency in the procedure. The results obtained at the end of these two experiments were then used to develop ergonomic recommendations for the design of auditory and visual cues to enhance learner performance. Finally, these recommendations were implemented in the VET. The improved version was compared with the reference virtual environment in order to assess the effectiveness of the recommendations. The results show that the inclusion of the proposed ergonomic recommendations improves the learners' performance.