Le paradigme des auto-prophéties est abordé sous l'angle de la théorie de la dissonance cognitive. Prédire son comportement rendrait accessible deux éléments de pensée potentiellement contradictoires. D'une part, les croyances normatives associées au comportement qui relèvent du prescriptif, d'autre part, le comportement passé transgressif. Un individu n'agissant pas en accord avec son système de croyances serait sujet à une inconsistance cognitive génératrice de dissonance. En prédisant son comportement cet individu prendrait conscience qu'il n'agit pas toujours comme il le devrait. Cette thèse comprend 6 expériences (N=788). Nous testons les effets de la réalisation d'une prédiction sur le recyclage des déchets. Le recyclage est perçu comme un comportement normatif auprès d'une population universitaire (expérience 1). Les auto-prophéties réalisées en contexte de libre-choix et en l'absence de fausse attribution amènent les participants à exprimer une attitude favorable au recyclage (expérience 2). Nous montrons qu'une prédiction est source d'inconfort psychologique uniquement en contexte de libre-choix (expérience 3) et lorsque l'habitude de recycler est faible (expérience 4). Les croyances normatives sont également impliquées dans le processus de dissonance et médiatisent l'effet de l'habitude sur l'inconfort psychologique (expérience 5). La justification du comportement passé, qui est un mode de réduction de la dissonance, réduit l'inconfort psychologique en situation de prédiction (expérience 6). Nous proposons des pistes de recherches ainsi que des applications possibles au paradigme des auto-prophéties. / Paradigm of self-prophecies is discussed under the cognitive dissonance theory. Predict his behavior would make accessible two potentially contradictory elements of thought. Firslty, normative beliefs associated with behavior that fall within the prescriptive, on the other hand, the transgressive past behavior. An individual not acting in accordance with his belief system, would be subject to a cognitive inconsistency that generates dissonance. By predicting his behavior this individual would realize that he does not always act as they should. This thesis includes six experiments (N=788). We test the effects of performing a prediction on waste recycling. Recycling is perceived as normative behavior near university population (experiment 1). Self-prophecies realized in a free-choice context and in the absence of misattribution bring the participants to express a favorable attitude for recycling (experiment 2). We show that a prediction is a source of psychological discomfort only in a free-choice context (experiment 3) and when habit of recycling is low (experiment 4). Normative beliefs are also involved in the dissonance process and mediate the effect of habit on psychological discomfort (experiment 5). The justification of past behavior, which is a mode of dissonance reduction, reduced psychological discomfort in situation of prediction (experiment 6). We propose tracks of research and possible applications to the paradigm of self-prophecies.

Fedmis Pty (Ltd) situated in Palaborwa, South Africa produces phosphoric acid using the wet process production process. For this study, two main areas of concern in the wet process phosphoric acid production were investigated. The first area is the formation of sludge in the system due to impurities that reduces the grade of the acid produced, thereby lowering the selling price. The second area is the crystallisation of the gypsum that influences filtration and thereby affects plant productivity. These two aspects were investigated separately as they occur in different steps of the production process at different acid concentrations. A major component of the acid sludge is known as x-compound, ((Fe,Al)3KH)14 (PO4)8.4H2O). The purpose of the investigation of x-compound is to determine what effects different ionic impurities have on its precipitation and to determine if these effects could be used to decrease the amount of sludge formation. Due to the complexity of the system and the wide variety of impurities only the major impurities were considered in this study. These impurities included potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), magnesium (Mg2+), aluminium (Al3+) and iron (Fe3+). For all the experiments investigating the effect of impurities, analytical reagents were used on laboratory scale. For the silica experiments, commercially available samples were used. For the experiments investigating the impurity effects on the precipitation of x-compound it was found that: <ul> <li> Agitation increases x-compound precipitation and can be used commercially to increase the precipitation rate to a point where sludge can be removed before transportation.</li> <li> Adding x-compound seeding crystals or magnesium ions also increases precipitation.</li> <li> Adding gypsum, sodium, hexafluorosilicates or fluorosilic acid reduces the precipitation, with sodium ions producing the lowest yield. This reduction is however not sufficient to be used commercially.</li> </ul> From the Raman study it became clear why x-compound precipitation is such a slow process. E At low acid concentrations, more H2PO4 - ions are present that form a complex with iron and aluminium. E As the acid concentration increases the concentration of H2PO4- ions decrease as the degree of dissociation of phosphoric acid decreases. The ferric- H2PO4- and aluminium- H2PO4- complexes become less stable and ultimately precipitation of the x-compound is favoured above solvation. E Addition of potassium impurities to the solutions had no visible effect on the Raman spectra and is suspected not to form a complex with the acid. From the silica sources investigated namely Dicalite, Serina Kaolin, Foskor silica and Aerosil 200 it can be concluded that none of the sources will be useful for the removal of potassium through formation of potassium hexafluorosilicates. For the determination of the concentration of impurities present in the production of phosphoric acid, the Fedmis monitoring program was initiated. It included the monitoring of Foskor rock analyses on a daily basis, and the monitoring of the 27%, 39% and 54% P2O5 phosphoric acid and precipitate, from these acid solutions on a weekly basis. From the investigation of the effect of these impurities on the solubility of potassium hexafluorosilicates, it was found that magnesium causes K2SiF6 to be the most soluble and fluoride the least. Unfortunately, the impurities did not help to reduce the potassium concentrations in the acid to below the required amount for sludge formation. For the calcium sulphate dihydrate surfactant experiments, the purpose of the investigation was to determine whether higher crystallisation qualities could be obtained to improve plant productivity. The investigation was limited to using surfactants with sulphate or phosphate functionalities and experiments were done on laboratory scale using analytical reagents. Atphos E3205, Atpol E3202 and Atpol E1231 are polyethoxylated alkyl phenol phosphate esters that had no visible effect on the crystal structure of the precipitated gypsum, but differences in the crystal sizes were observed. Smaller crystal structures with relatively equal masses compared to reference experiments are an indication of a growth inhibitor and a nucleation promoter as seen with Atphos E3205 and Atpol E3202. Increased crystal sizes were obtained using Atpol E1231. The use of Calsoline Oil caused a wider crystal size distribution in the precipitated crystals as thin and broad crystals with approximately the same length are found. The crystal mass obtained is also approximately the same as that of the reference experiment. Thus, it can be concluded that the surfactant affects the growth of the crystals and not the nucleation. Arlatone 1489, calcium gluconate monohydrate, Dowfax Hydrotrope and Tamol NN 8906 had no visible effect on the structure or size of the precipitated gypsum crystals. With the use of Nansa SS30, drastic effects were seen on the crystallisation of the calcium sulphate as small hexagonal rods were found. With an increase in surfactant concentration, there is a clear decrease in the mass of crystals obtained as well as crystal size. An increase in the crystal size distribution and a decrease in crystal size reduced the filtration rate dramatically. Experiments carried out for 24 hours exhibited the same trends where there is a decrease in yield with an increase in surfactant concentration. Higher yields were however obtained proving that mass transfer barriers were overcome. The results from these experiments again indicate that the surfactant affects crystal growth and nucleation. With the use of Dowfax 3B2 there is definite reduction in yield with an increase in surfactant concentration reaching a minimum at approximately 70% yield. Due to the presence of large amounts of smaller crystals and the almost constant yield obtained compared to the reference experiment, it can be concluded that this surfactant is a growth and not a nucleation inhibitor. As with Nansa SS30, experiments where Empicol LZ/D was used show a continuous decrease in the yield obtained with an increase in the surfactant concentration. At higher concentration of Empicol LZ/D, it seems as if this surfactant changed from a growth promoter to a growth inhibitor because although broad longer crystals are present, there are now also much smaller crystals formed. The crystal size distribution also broadens considerably. Overall, very high yields were obtained using Empimin KSN70 and the observed crystal size distributions were very narrow. The only difference was that the crystals appeared to be more porous or fibrous compared to the reference experiment. It is recommended that the experiments showing promise as crystal habit modifiers like Nansa SS30 and Empicol LZ/D be investigated in more detail as well as combinations of surfactants. Both the areas of concern in the process were investigated successfully. For the sludge formation problem, it is now clear what effects the precipitation of x-compound as well as what affect the impurities and operating conditions have. For the crystallisation of gypsum using surfactants, it was proven that surfactants could be used to affect crystal growth, shape and distribution and in this way influence filtration. / Dissertation (MSc(Chemical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Chemical Engineering / unrestricted

The goal of the thesis is to analyse the current condition of technical facilities in order to plan expansion of production. Next goal is to analyse the motivation of workers to accept changes. The theoretical part defines coaching, force of habit and method GROW, which is used in coaching. In the practical part there are coaching interviews with chosen employees of the chosen company. On the basis of interviews it is shown how to remove potential barriers that hinder the smooth implementation of changes, and recommendations for introduction of changes are suggested.

There are two main parts in this thesis. In the first one, we are focused on different approaches to the relationship of religion and government. We point out the influence of religion (both positive and negative) on individual. These issues are viewed from the perspective of some famous theories. For example: G.S. Becker's Accounting for Tastes, F. A. Hayek's theory of spontaneous order, H. Bergson's philosophy or M. Weber's sociology of religion. The second part analyses situation in Czech Republic and compares it to situations in Austria and Sweden. There are appendixes, which can be used as bases for new research.

Most contemporary commentaries on the ethical thought of William James and John Dewey attempt to fit them into the framework of contemporary ethics. On such readings, many of James and Dewey’s most distinctive ethical concerns fade away so that they seem interested, above all, in meta-ethical questions about the nature of moral judgment and in normative questions about moral deliberation. Foregrounding the influence of Ralph Waldo Emerson on both these thinkers, this dissertation attempts to provide fresh interpretations of the ethical thought of James and Dewey. The locus of James’ most important ethical thought, I argue, comes in his religious writings, where he attempts to find ethical resources in religious belief that help us respond to the problems of suffering and uncertainty: the problem of how to acknowledge the suffering of others, and the problem of how to act with ethical conviction in the absence of social approval for one’s actions. Dewey’s most important work in ethics, I argue, is located in his rich and sophisticated theory of habit, where he reworks the Aristotelian tradition of virtue ethics to emphasize the contingency of our habitual systems and the importance of the ideal of growth.

Tho present thesis represents a summary or research done by the author (and others) that was conducted with heroin addicts and drug abusers undergoing behavioral and pharmacological therapy at Stockton State Hospital, Stockton, California. From June 1970 to December 1970 the Research Department of Stockton State Hospital, in conjunction with the Drug Abuse Program at Stockton State Hospital, conducted research investigating a number of difference facets relating to inpatient programs for heroin addicts undergoing methadone maintenance and drug abusers. These facets included the investigation and evaluation of (a) motivational factors; affecting the voluntary participation of inpatient heroin addicts and drug abusers in behavioral and pharmacological therapy, (b) the effectiveness of the synthetic narcotic methadone hydrocloride as a primary reinforcing technique for appropriate behavior, (c) the effectiveness of various therapeutic approaches used in conjunction with behavioral modification techniques, and (d) the effect of methadone on perceptual and motor functioning in the heroin addict under-going methadone maintenance. The present thesis is a compilation cf these research projects.

This dissertation consists of three essays on monetary economics. The first two essays have a focus on the zero lower bound on the nominal interest rate (ZLB) and the Great Recession. In the first essay, I investigate optimal discretionary monetary policy under the ZLB in the case of a distorted steady state due to monopoly and taxation. I find that the central bank in a more distorted economy would cut the interest rate less aggressively under a particular adverse demand shock. This occurs because the ZLB is less likely to bind and the economy escapes from the ZLB sooner. In addition, I show that the conventional linear-quadratic method is not accurate when the ZLB binds. In the second essay, I model the role of subprime lending, deleveraging and an incomplete financial market in driving an economy to the liquidity trap with binding ZLB. There are two key features that differentiate my work from the current literature of deleveraging and the ZLB. First, I endogenize the debt limit of borrowing-constrained households by tying it to the market value of collateral assets. Second and more importantly, I allow for subprime lending. I am able to show that the second feature drives the economy to the ZLB more likely under an adverse shock to the credit market. When the ZLB binds, a great recession emerges with a free fall in output and the price level, mostly due to the Fisherian debt deflation that puts more debt burden on the borrowers. The third essay examines the role of habit formation in solving the persistence problem - output response is transient and not hump-shaped under a monetary shock - in the conventional state dependent pricing model. Intuitively, incorporating habit formation makes consumers less aggressive in spending under a shock, resulting in more persistent response of output. With a moderate habit formation, I am able to show that the model produces hump-shaped and very persistent response of output under a monetary growth shock.

An essential part on the way to a sustainable society is each individual’s perspective on handling consumption. To develop a sustainable attitude towards one step in the consumption process, such as recycling, is a way to prevent environmental problems. This project aims to design through informal education and social innovation a solution for increasing the rate of waste separation among students in Sweden. In order to do so, it focuses on students at Linnaeus University in Växjö as an example and it responds to the local needs. It supposes collaborations with student associations, Linnaeus University, recycling companies and Växjö municipality. The solution proposes an innovative framework formulated to develop the habit of separating waste. Through informal education, it intends to deliver the knowledge and create the social space for practice and connection necessary in developing the proposed habit. The theoretical perspectives include design for learning in the context of waste separation, while gamification and learning by doing are tools for development. Several methods are used throughout the innovation process. Among these, conducting a workshop is the main one for defining the design project.  The project can be considered a social innovation because it responds to the students’ needs of connection and self-worth, addressed through knowledge about recycling, awareness and interaction, and to the needs of the Swedish society of a higher rate of waste reparation.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by severely low bodyweight, fear of weight-gain, and a subjective believe to be “fat”. An elevated need for control and fear of losing control are considered core aspects in the development and maintenance of AN and restricting food intake is thought to function as a means to gain feelings of control (Fairburn, Shafran, & Cooper, 1999; Schmidt & Treasure, 2006). Feelings of inefficiency (i.e. lack of control regarding personal goals) have been found to predict longer duration of treatment and worse treatment outcome, underlining the relevance of the need for control in AN (Olatunji, Levinson, & Calebs, 2018; Pinto, Heinberg, Coughlin, Fava, & Guarda, 2008; Surgenor, Maguire, Russell, & Touyz, 2007). The constant striving for control could lead to rumination and negative affect – two further important symptoms associated with AN. The Goal Progress Theory of rumination (GPT; Carver & Scheier, 1990; Martin & Tesser, 1996) proposes that perceived discrepancies between desired goals (in the case of AN e.g. goals regarding lowest possible calorie intake, weight, etc.) and the current state (in the case of AN e.g. the subjective conviction of having eaten or weighing too much) trigger ruminative thoughts, which subsequently lead to negative affect. Following this theory, it could be suggested that gaining feelings of goal-progress and control could lessen the burdening repetitive thoughts and negative affect and that individuals with AN try to achieve this by restricting food intake. This dietary restriction requires self-control. However, previous research has shown that patients with AN typically not only show such elevated self-control, but also display rigid habitual behaviours and routines, struggle with set-shifting, and often display comorbid obsessive-compulsive symptoms (Treasure & Schmidt, 2013; Halmi et al., 2003). This raises the question of whether food restriction in AN is indeed an act of self-control or rather a habit. Recent scientific development has challenged the traditional dichotomy between controlled and automatic processes (Shiffrin & Schneider, 1977), instead suggesting that they are intertwined in such a way that often self-control works via the establishment of goal-serving habits and routines (Gillebaart & de Ridder, 2015; Galla & Duckworth, 2015). These theoretical considerations can generally draw support from previous research, but have not been investigated explicitly in the context of AN. It was the main goal of this thesis to analyse associations between feelings of inefficiency, rumination and negative affect, controlled and habitual behaviour, and eating behaviour to establish an empirical foundation for the proposed relationships between these aspects of AN. Study 1 (Fürtjes, Seidel, et al., 2020) employed ecological momentary assessment (EMA; data collection several times a day over a period of several days in the natural environment of the participants) to investigate associations between feelings of inefficiency, rumination, and affect in a sample of individuals with a history of AN who had recovered from the disorder in terms of eating behaviour and bodyweight and age-matched healthy control participants (HC). AN participants displayed elevated rumination about bodyweight/figure (but not food) and negative affect compared to HC, suggesting that these cognitive-affective symptoms are persistent even after recovery. Analyses investigating associations with inefficiency showed that inefficiency was associated with heightened rumination and negative affect, which is in line with the GPT. Furthermore, AN participants showed higher levels of inefficiency than HC and stronger associations between rumination and negative affect. These findings indicate that feelings of lack of goal-progress and control are a central aspect of AN, likely contributing to maintenance of the disorder by triggering dysfunctional cognitive-affective processes. The fact that these associations were still present in a sample of recovered individuals underlines the persistence of these processes, suggesting that they might not only maintain the disorder but could also present a vulnerability factor or contribute to risk of relapse. Study 2 (Fürtjes et al., 2018) made use of EMA and leptin, an endocrinological marker of undernutrition, to further investigate associations between rumination and affect in a sample of patients with acute AN, once at the beginning of treatment and again after weight-restoration. In line with Study 1, results confirmed that rumination about bodyweight/figure and negative affect are closely linked in AN and that this association persists even after weight-gain. Thoughts about food on the other hand were associated with leptin levels, declined with weight-gain, and showed weaker associations with affect. This suggests that thoughts about food may reflect a physiological symptom of the disorder, connected to undernourishment, whereas thoughts about bodyweight/figure might present a cognitive-affective symptom which could be involved in maintenance of the disorder (as suggested by Study 1). To test supporting evidence for the interaction of self-control and habits in the regulation of eating behaviour, Study 3 (Fürtjes, King, et al., 2020) employed task-based measures of controlled and automatic processing as well as self-report measures of self-control, habitual behaviour, and eating behaviour in a large female sample representative of the general population through an online study design. Results obtained via structural equation modelling (SEM) revealed that eating behaviour appears to be largely guided by habits and automatic behavioural tendencies, whereas controlled aspects have an indirect influence via this association. These findings could be interpreted as support for the proposal that self-control might work via the establishment of goal-serving habits and routines, which outlines the possibility that the restrictive eating behaviour in AN might be achieved and maintained via a combination of self-control and rigid routines and habits. Taken together, the research presented in this thesis was able to demonstrate how striving for control as a core aspect of AN might play a role in triggering dysfunctional cognitive-affective processes, likely contributing to development and maintenance of the disorder, and that self-control and habitual behaviour interact inguiding human eating behaviour, carrying implications for the mechanisms behind restrictive eating in AN. Clinical implications that can be derived from this research include addressing need for control and feelings of inefficiency in therapy to enable improvement of dysfunctional cognitive-affective processes as well as eating behaviour.

User inertia is a real innovation adoption problem that cannot be seen or grasped. How to overcome user inertia while introducing innovation has become a key factor in today's society. Based on the background of requirements engineering, the goal of this thesis is to study and understand the relationship between user inertia and innovation adoption, including whether the type of innovation has an impact on user adoption and how to use strategies to reduce this impact. Through an online survey of 60 users and a systematic literature review of a series of articles, we have concluded the following points: RI has a greater impact on user inertia, while II has almost no impact; neither RI nor II has a significant impact on user satisfaction. Not only that, but through literature review, we have also concluded a comprehensive strategy to deal with the adoption problem caused by user inertia.