The difficulties experienced by children in their middle school age resemble problems with emotional intelligence. It is increased by cultural differences between the child, therapist and social environment. This research problem led to a culturally sensitive Gestalt play therapy intervention programme, to enhance primary school children's emotional intelligence. An intervention was developed, applied and the outcomes thereof studied. The outcomes relate to play therapy techniques, emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity. The researcher made use of applied research, and thus focused on solving the social problem as stated above, and making a contribution to real life issues. A literature study, related to the concepts of the unit of analysis showed the following: The primary school child has high energy levels and presents concrete reasoning abilities. His self-esteem is based on good interpersonal relationships and achieving tasks. Emotions and other physical and cognitive systems are interdependent. Emotional intelligence is the awareness, management and control of emotions, relate to the functions of the frontal lobes and also to the requirements of a healthy individual according to Gestalt therapy. Culture is connected to the field in Gestalt theory. Cultural sensitivity in this research study meant an attitude of acceptance of cultural differences. Gestalt therapy is based on holism, which includes the environment or field. Gestalt play therapy in a group context was found to be an effective way to teach emotional intelligence skills in a culturally sensitive way to primary school children. The intervention programme was applied to pilot- and research groups, compiled from children who were assessed with the Das-Naglieri Cognitive Assessment System (Naglieri and Das, 1997a) and who presented weaker frontal lobe processes in relation to their other cognitive skills. The outcomes of the research study identified the most effective Gestalt play therapy techniques, which are: The healing therapeutic relationship The use of experiential learning The Gestalt principle of "biding one's time" The study also delivered some unsuspected outcomes namely a relation between right-hemisphere processes and emotional intelligence. This study is still open for further research relating to the concepts discussed above, the intervention programme as well as the unsuspected outcomes. / Social Work / D.Diac.

The changing nature of work and its competitive characteristics are global phenomena and are mainly fuelled by ongoing technological advancement. This creates unique challenges for talent attraction and the retention of high performing individuals. In addition, the global workforce is becoming more diverse due to demographic, societal and cultural changes and companies are placing greater demands on employee competency and performance. Managing the human factor as a strategic asset in organisations remains a primary challenge in securing a competitive advantage. The road construction industry in South Africa is no different. There is growing competition between civil engineering contractors to secure tenders and to maximise profitability. This is only possible with a sufficient and sustainable labour force. Valid selection processes are therefore required to ensure that the most productive individuals are selected for the most suitable jobs. Reliable and valid performance predictors will assist employers in making appropriate selection decisions. Selecting high performing individuals will support and enhance overall organisational performance. ix In this study the investigation focused on whether psychomotor ability and learning potential are statistically significant predictors of work performance - with specific reference to drivers and machine operators in a road construction company. A quantitative approach was followed to investigate the relationships between variables, or then the prediction of one dependent variable (driver and machine operator performance) by means of two independent variables (psychomotor ability and learning potential). Results from the study did not indicate any statistically significant relationships between the variables. Only scientifically validated assessment instruments were used in the study - which means the findings led to a renewed focus on the importance of performance measurement and the psychometric quality (reliability and validity) of performance data. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Lors d'une évaluation neuropsychologique, il est attendu du patient une mobilisation optimale de ses capacités cognitives, afin d’objectiver de la façon la plus précise possible son tableau clinique. Sa collaboration et son implication au cours de l'examen sont en effet fondamentales puisqu’elles participent fortement à la validité de ses résultats, et de ce fait à la solidité des conclusions diagnostiques. Le biais de réponse se définit aujourd’hui comme l’ensemble des comportements visant à intentionnellement modifier ses performances cognitives. Malgré une abondante littérature sur ce concept au cours des deux dernières décennies, plusieurs questions perdurent, particulièrement en regard de ses aspects qualitatifs et des mécanismes associés. A travers quatre études, ce projet de thèse a tenté de répondre à ces problématiques, en apportant des connaissances complémentaires sur le biais de réponse. Une première expérimentation s’est ainsi intéressée à préciser la nature des comportements liés au biais de réponse, en l’explorant de façon originale dans plusieurs domaines cognitifs et au sein d’un échantillon mixte, incluant notamment des patients présentant une altération cognitive. Elle a permis de mettre en lumière un large répertoire de ses manifestations, et a apporté des arguments en faveur d’une participation de facteurs cognitifs dans la production du biais de réponse. Les deux études suivantes se sont vouées à adapter et valider trois outils psychométriques spécifiques à l’évaluation du biais de réponse (Performance Validity Tests), en testant leur pertinence et leur efficacité dans une large population francophone clinique et générale. Enfin, le dernier volet a cherché à comprendre le rôle joué par les facteurs associés au biais de réponse, en analysant son lien avec les processus exécutifs et métacognitifs. L’analyse des observations a alors confirmé l’existence d’une influence du fonctionnement exécutif dans le biais de réponse. L’ensemble des résultats recueillis à l’issue de ce travail souligne la complexité et la richesse du biais de réponse et permet de suggérer une nouvelle modélisation de ce concept, tenant compte de son caractère multidimensionnel et possiblement multifactoriel. / During a neuropsychological evaluation, optimal mobilization of the patient’s cognitive capacities is required in order to accurately objectify their clinical picture. The collaboration and involvement of the patient during the examination are fundamental to the validity of the results and hence the strength of the diagnostic. The current definition of response bias is the set of behaviours intended to intentionally modify one's cognitive performances. Despite an extensive literature on this concept over the last two decades, several questions remain, particularly regarding the qualitative aspects and the associated mechanisms. Through four studies, this dissertation has tried to answer these issues by providing complementary knowledge on response bias. The first experiment aimed to clarify the nature of behaviours related to response bias, in several cognitive domains and in a mixed sample including patients with cognitive impairment. This has shed light on a broad repertoire of its manifestations and has provided arguments for the participation of cognitive factors in the production of response bias. The following two studies have adapted and validated three specific psychometric tools known as Performance Validity Tests, by testing their relevance and effectiveness in large French-speaking samples including neurological patients and the general population. Finally, the last part sought to understand the role played by the factors associated with response bias, by analysing its link with the executive and metacognitive processes. The observations analysis has confirmed the existence of an impact of the executive functioning in response bias. All the results gathered underline the complexity and richness of response bias and suggest a new modelling of this concept, considering its multidimensional and possibly multifactorial nature.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T18:27:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcelo Gulini Chiodi.pdf: 363388 bytes, checksum: 0578a0c625e8841b1da092c135b88eb8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-12-14 / Pontif?cia Universidade Cat?lica de Campinas / The study of intellectual evaluation has shown great diversity through out the time. Currently, the theory recognized as the most extensive to explain the mental functioning is the C-H-C (Cattell-Horn-Carroll). Among the tests internationally availables, the only one that meets this proposal is the theoretical battery Woodcock Johnson III (WJ - IIII). Accordingly, the objective of this study was to verify the convergence validity battery of Cognitives Abilities Woodcock-Johnson III, comparing it with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - WISC-III, already validated for our reality. The sample was composed of 30 students from public school of Primary and Secondary Education, being 15 men and 15 women aged between 13 and 15 years. It was applied to the participants, with parents permission, the two sets of Cognitive Abilities WJ-III and WISC-III. The results were analyzed according to the Pearson correlation and it was performed the Analysis of Variance between gender and age for each instrument. The results pointed to a significant correlation between the total score of Woodcock and the total score in the WISC of 0,865, between Woodcock and the scale implementation 0,766 and the scale verbal 0,843. As for the Analysis of Variance, in the instrument WISC-III there was no significant difference in age and in subtestes Complete Figures and Cubes Sex x Age to the subtest vocabulary. In addition, for the instrument WJ-III there were differences of Sex X Age only for subtest Verbal Understanding. The Battery Woodcock Johnson III is considered the most complete in order to allow the evaluation of different differents cognitive abilities of the model C-HC, and therefore, according to the presents results, the battery WJ-III can be used in Brazil to replace the WISC - III. / O estudo da avalia??o intelectual tem apresentado grande diversidade atrav?s dos tempos. Atualmente, a teoria reconhecida como sendo a mais ampla para explicar o funcionamento mental ? a C-H-C (Cattell-Horn-Carroll) . Dentre os testes dispon?veis internacionalmente, o ?nico que atende a esta proposta te?rica ? a Bateria Woodcock-Johnson III (WJ-IIII). Neste sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a validade convergente da Bateria de Habilidades Cognitivas Woodcock Johnson-III, comparando-a com a Escala Wechsler de Intelig?ncia para Crian?as WISC- III, que j? apresenta evidencias de validada para a nossa realidade. A amostra foi composta por 30 estudantes de escola p?blica do Ensino Fundamental e M?dio, sendo 15 homens e 15 mulheres com idades entre 13 e 15 anos. Foram aplicadas nos participantes, com a autoriza??o dos pais, as duas baterias de Habilidades Cognitivas WJ-III e WISC-III. Os resultados obtidos foram analisadas segundo a correla??o de Pearson e foi realizada a An?lise de Vari?ncia entre sexo e idade para cada instrumento. Os resultados apontaram para uma correla??o significativa entre a pontua??o total do Woodcock e a pontua??o total no WISC de 0,865, entre o Woodcock e a escala execu??o 0,766 e com a escala verbal 0,843. Com rela??o a An?lise de Vari?ncia, no instrumento WISC-III houve diferen?a significativa da Idade nos subtestes Completar Figuras e Cubos e de Sexo X Idade para o subteste Vocabul?rio. J? com o instrumento WJ-III houve diferen?as de Sexo X Idade somente para o subteste Compreens?o Verbal. Tais dados nos indicam que a Bateria de Habilidades Cognitivas Woodcock-Johnson- III- WJ-III permite uma avalia??o e um diagn?stico mais detalhado das v?rias habilidades cognitivas, podendo enriquecer ainda mais as possibilidades de instrumentos para avalia??o intelectual.

OF MASTER THESIS Author: Bc. Kateřina Králová Supervisor: MUDr. Tereza Gueye Title of master thesis: Evaluation of Occupational Therapy Intervention in Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation of Cerebrovascular Units Abstract This diploma thesis deals with the evaluation of occupational interventions on the specific separation of beds of early rehabilitation of the cerebrovascular center of the General University Hospital in Prague. The subject of interest is primarily the results of the assessment obtained through the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The thesis has two main objectives, namely mapping and analyzing the tools used to assess self-sufficiency and cognitive functions in the department. You can find the description of the evaluation tools in the theoretical part of the thesis. It is also an overview of the topic of the selected topic and a brief description of the system of cerebrovascular care in the Czech Republic. The second objective was to evaluate variables such as length of hospitalization and cognitive status in relation to patient self-sufficiency at the end of hospitalization. Three hypotheses have been identified to meet this goal. The practical part describes the results of the used tools for a particular department. The research group...

OF MASTER THESIS Author: Bc. Kateřina Králová Supervisor: MUDr. Tereza Gueye Title of master thesis: Evaluation of Occupational Therapy Intervention in Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation of Cerebrovascular Units Abstract This diploma thesis deals with the evaluation of occupational interventions on the specific separation of beds of early rehabilitation of the cerebrovascular center of the General University Hospital in Prague. The subject of interest is primarily the results of the assessment obtained through the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The thesis has two main objectives, namely mapping and analyzing the tools used to assess self-sufficiency and cognitive functions in the department. You can find the description of the evaluation tools in the theoretical part of the thesis. It is also an overview of the topic of the selected topic and a brief description of the system of cerebrovascular care in the Czech Republic. The second objective was to evaluate variables such as length of hospitalization and cognitive status in relation to patient self-sufficiency at the end of hospitalization. Three hypotheses have been identified to meet this goal. The practical part describes the results of the used tools for a particular department. The research group...

The difficulties experienced by children in their middle school age resemble problems with emotional intelligence. It is increased by cultural differences between the child, therapist and social environment. This research problem led to a culturally sensitive Gestalt play therapy intervention programme, to enhance primary school children's emotional intelligence. An intervention was developed, applied and the outcomes thereof studied. The outcomes relate to play therapy techniques, emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity. The researcher made use of applied research, and thus focused on solving the social problem as stated above, and making a contribution to real life issues. A literature study, related to the concepts of the unit of analysis showed the following: The primary school child has high energy levels and presents concrete reasoning abilities. His self-esteem is based on good interpersonal relationships and achieving tasks. Emotions and other physical and cognitive systems are interdependent. Emotional intelligence is the awareness, management and control of emotions, relate to the functions of the frontal lobes and also to the requirements of a healthy individual according to Gestalt therapy. Culture is connected to the field in Gestalt theory. Cultural sensitivity in this research study meant an attitude of acceptance of cultural differences. Gestalt therapy is based on holism, which includes the environment or field. Gestalt play therapy in a group context was found to be an effective way to teach emotional intelligence skills in a culturally sensitive way to primary school children. The intervention programme was applied to pilot- and research groups, compiled from children who were assessed with the Das-Naglieri Cognitive Assessment System (Naglieri and Das, 1997a) and who presented weaker frontal lobe processes in relation to their other cognitive skills. The outcomes of the research study identified the most effective Gestalt play therapy techniques, which are: The healing therapeutic relationship The use of experiential learning The Gestalt principle of "biding one's time" The study also delivered some unsuspected outcomes namely a relation between right-hemisphere processes and emotional intelligence. This study is still open for further research relating to the concepts discussed above, the intervention programme as well as the unsuspected outcomes. / Social Work / D.Diac.

The changing nature of work and its competitive characteristics are global phenomena and are mainly fuelled by ongoing technological advancement. This creates unique challenges for talent attraction and the retention of high performing individuals. In addition, the global workforce is becoming more diverse due to demographic, societal and cultural changes and companies are placing greater demands on employee competency and performance. Managing the human factor as a strategic asset in organisations remains a primary challenge in securing a competitive advantage. The road construction industry in South Africa is no different. There is growing competition between civil engineering contractors to secure tenders and to maximise profitability. This is only possible with a sufficient and sustainable labour force. Valid selection processes are therefore required to ensure that the most productive individuals are selected for the most suitable jobs. Reliable and valid performance predictors will assist employers in making appropriate selection decisions. Selecting high performing individuals will support and enhance overall organisational performance. ix In this study the investigation focused on whether psychomotor ability and learning potential are statistically significant predictors of work performance - with specific reference to drivers and machine operators in a road construction company. A quantitative approach was followed to investigate the relationships between variables, or then the prediction of one dependent variable (driver and machine operator performance) by means of two independent variables (psychomotor ability and learning potential). Results from the study did not indicate any statistically significant relationships between the variables. Only scientifically validated assessment instruments were used in the study - which means the findings led to a renewed focus on the importance of performance measurement and the psychometric quality (reliability and validity) of performance data. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:40:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniela Aguilera Moura Antonio.pdf: 3227595 bytes, checksum: 13f68f34c956d0858fb8c908b4721f80 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-08 / Fundo Mackenzie de Pesquisa / The cognitive assessment in childhood enables early detection of cognitive deficits, allowing for more effective intervention. In Brazil, there is a shortage of cognitive assessment instruments available for children under 5 years old. Among the international instruments, highlights the Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised (Leiter-R) used for the evaluation of nonverbal intelligence. The Leiter-R covers the age range from 2 to 20 years old and it composed by Visualization and Reasoning Battery (VRB) and the Attention and Memory Battery (AMB). The aim of this study was to determine validity and reliability of VRB in children aged 2 and 3 years old. The study included 107 children of both genders, which 49 are children aged 2 years and 58 are children aged 3 years. All children attending public kindergartens in city of São Paulo. The Spearman-Brown coefficients were around 0.90 and the Cronbach's Alpha around 0.70, indicating good accuracy of the instrument. The analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences by age for all subtests. In addition, BVR showed significant positive correlations with the Columbia Mental Maturity Scale (CMMS), the Test of Infant Working Memory (TIWM) and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT). The analyzes revealed no significant differences between boys and girls. Thus, the results indicate good fit of the psychometric parameters of the BVR Leiter-R for assessing 2 and 3 years old children. These results fulfill basic requirements indicate good psychometric quality. / A avaliação cognitiva na infância possibilita a detecção precoce de déficits cognitivos, permitindo uma intervenção mais eficaz. No Brasil, há uma escassez de instrumentos de avaliação cognitiva disponíveis para crianças menores de 5 anos. Dentre os instrumentos internacionais, destaca-se a Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised (Leiter-R), utilizada para avaliação da inteligência não verbal. A Leiter-R abrange a faixa etária dos 2 aos 20 anos e é composta pela Bateria de Visualização e Raciocínio (BVR) e pela Bateria de Atenção e Memória (BAM). O objetivo do presente trabalho foi verificar evidências de validade e fidedignidade da BVR em crianças de 2 e 3 anos de idade. Participaram do estudo 107 crianças de ambos os sexos, sendo 49 crianças de 2 anos e 58 de 3 anos. Todas as crianças frequentavam creches públicas da cidade de São Paulo. Os coeficientes de Spearman- Brown ficaram em torno de 0,90 e de Alfa de Cronbach em torno de 0,70 indicando boa precisão do instrumento. As análises de variância mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas em função da idade para todos os subtestes. Além disso, a BVR apresentou correlações positivas e significativas com a Escala de Maturidade Mental Columbia (EMMC), o Teste Infantil de Memória de Trabalho (TIMT) e o Teste de Vocabulário por Imagens Peabody (TVIP). As análises não revelaram diferenças significativas entre meninos e meninas. Desta maneira, os resultados encontrados indicam boa adequação dos parâmetros psicométricos da BVR da Leiter-R para avaliação de crianças de 2 e 3 anos de idade. Esses resultados preenchem requisitos básicos que indicam boa qualidade psicométrica do instrumento.

L’objet de ce travail est de mieux comprendre les modifications cognitives et cérébrales liées à la sclérose en plaques (SEP) et les facteurs pouvant les affecter afin de contribuer à améliorer la prise en charge cognitive des personnes vivant avec une SEP. Nous avons orienté nos travaux selon 2 axes. Le premier visait à optimiser les évaluations cognitives. Nous avons montré une diminution de la qualité de vie (QdV) liée à l’atteinte cognitive et à son retentissement sur le statut professionnel, ainsi que l’intérêt d’utiliser l’Echelle d’Humeur Dépressive version auto-questionnaire que nous avons validée et dont la dimension « perte de contrôle émotionnel » était particulièrement associée à la QdV. Nous avons aussi élaboré des tâches « écologiques » en environnement virtuel et montré leur potentiel à évaluer plusieurs composantes cognitives, voire leurs interactions, suggérant leur intérêt pour évaluer l’impact des troubles cognitifs dans les activités quotidiennes. Le second, pour lequel nous avons présenté les bases théoriques, la méthodologie et les résultats préliminaires, consistait à améliorer la prise en charge cognitive grâce à son évaluation et à la réhabilitation (étude REACTIV, en cours). Nous avons créé des paradigmes en IRMf et un programme de réhabilitation spécifique visant à guider les phénomènes de plasticité cérébrale afin d’optimiser le transfert des acquis dans la vie quotidienne et améliorer la QdV. Lors des résultats préliminaires, nous avons identifié en imagerie multimodale des mesures IRM de deux structures prédictives de la progression de certaines performances cognitives au cours de nos thérapies : le thalamus et le corps calleux. / The purpose of this work is to better understand the cognitive and brain changes associated with multiple sclerosis and the influencing factors to help improve cognitive support for people living with MS. We organized our work according to two axes. The first one was to optimize cognitive assessments. We have shown i) a decrease in quality of life (QoL) linked to cognitive impairment and its impact on the professional status and ii) interest in the use of Depressed Mood Scale self-questionnaire that we validated and whose lack of emotional control dimension was particularly associated with QoL. We also developed ecological tasks in virtual environment and showed their potential to evaluate several cognitive components or their interactions, suggesting an interest in evaluating the functional impact of cognitive impairment in daily activities of PwMS. The second, for which we presented the theoretical basis, methodology and preliminary results, was to improve cognitive care through its assessment and rehabilitation (REACTIV study in progress). We created fMRI paradigms and a specific rehabilitation program to guide brain plasticity phenomena in order to optimize the transfer of training in daily life and improve QoL. Preliminary results in multimodal imaging revealed MRI measures of two structures, the thalamus and the corpus callosum, which would be predictive of progression of certain cognitive performance during our therapies.