This thesis is about psychological constructions underpinning intentional action to improve well-being by people in a neighbourhood on the urban fringe of Bamako, Mali. There is a large deficit in the theorisation of psychological elements of agency and empowerment in the development literature. Instead empowerment is generally defined as a favourable opportunity structure, as choice or as the distribution of power. Further still, the examination of the psychological literature reveals a lack of empirical research related to non-Western contexts and development policy. In view of this, I present the results of an empirical study using the inductive mixed methods to examine the central factors contributing to initiatives people undertake to improve personal and collective well-being. Informants articulated that the psychological concepts of dusu (internal motivation) and ka da I yèrè la (self-efficacy) were most important to their purposeful agency. The empirical analysis is divided into three parts and based primarily on qualitative data, enriched by quantitative analysis. Firstly I will examine the concepts of dusu and ka da I yèrè la, which are characterised as having an instrumental and intrinsic significance to people’s purposeful agency. They were also characterised as important factors in supporting local social development initiatives. Secondly, I will show how these psychological concepts were not related to the agent’s socio-economic characteristics or decision making ability, rendering both variables weak proxies for measuring psychological agency. Instead I found that measures of intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy are more viable for evaluating psychological agency. Thirdly, however, whilst dusu and ka da I yèrè la are important to people’s agency and the social development of the neighbourhood, they cannot be viewed as a silver bullet to social development in Kalabankoro Nerekoro. Specifically, in the examination of collective purposeful agency in group work (associations), the functioning of groups is impacted by the internal dynamics within the group, causing sometimes breakdown of the group. Further still, gender and age norms as well as capability deprivation and conflicting world views all thwart the ability of associations to achieve their goals. I underline that agents cannot always succeed in the pursuit of their well-being goals, even though they demonstrate high levels of psychological agency unless structural inequality at the micro, meso and macro levels of Malian society are addressed. Through this empirical study, this thesis will contribute the closing of the gap between psychological and development literatures as well as work towards developing measures of psychological agency.

Forbidden to stand aims to provide a comprehensive account of how participation in sitting volleyball (SV) has impacted upon the lives of players with impairments. To achieve this aim, this study uses capabilities approach, a theoretical and methodological framework unexplored in sport contexts but widely appraised in political philosophy as one of the most comprehensive approaches to well-being and quality of life. One of the implications of the use of capabilities approach was the compulsory need to pay attention not only to personal capabilities per se, but also to the contextual elements of the individuals experience in SV. As such, whilst identifying, describing and assessing the main personal capabilities in which participation in SV had a significant impact, the present study presents simultaneously an anthropological account of the SV field in the United Kingdom (UK) as it developed. In connecting capabilities approach and disability sport for the first time, this study contributes to our understanding of the impact of sport on the whole lives of people and to the development of a holistic tool to measure personal development, helping to address an acknowledged omission of such instruments in the academic field of adapted physical activity. In order to respect the pluralism and complexity of capabilities approach, an ethnographic methodological design was used due to its flexibility in combining a plurality of theoretical insights; data sources and perspectives. During the study the researcher performed different roles within the SV community facilitating empirical data collection using the ethnographic tool kit. A key development in this process was the definition of an analytical thematic framework which directed the extensive analysis of the whole data set. A set of ten relevant capabilities were then identified as the most relevant for SV players with impairments, and SV impact on those capabilities described. This study reveals that while the potential to enact and promote capabilities is present in SV context in the UK, it is very dependent upon influential factors operating at a personal, cultural and environmental levels. At a personal level, the enjoyment and expansion of capabilities in players with impairments was very much influenced by the possession of substantial financial resources and previous sporting capital; thus the players who have expanded their capabilities the most were individuals who already possessed a good level of capabilities enjoyment. At the cultural level, while SV field detains important qualities to promote capabilities enjoyment such as an equalisation of the social worth between people with and without impairments, these were often overridden by the political and cultural dominance of an able-bodied volleyball ethos. At an environmental level, the overdependence of Volleyball institutions from the funding allocated by national sport agencies such as UK Sport, as well as the incipient development of SV grassroots stream clearly placed SV in a vulnerable position in relation to external political forces. The most important outcomes of the present study is the identification of life dimensions that are significantly affected by participation in SV as well as the identification of the most important factors mediating such impact. Beyond the fields of disability sport and adapted physical activity, a theoretical/methodological symbiotic relation between capabilities approach and social sciences of sport would encourage those involved in sport to refocus their mission on people and human development instead of on economic and institutional benefits.

This study used a mixed qualitative-quantitative design to describe attachment in a sample of one-hundred fifty-four healthy community-living older adults. Life-span development and attachment theory combined to define the philosophical and theoretical orientation that guided the investigation. The idea of an "attachment structure" was conceptualized by the investigator to frame attachment--an approach that allowed attachment to involve multiple attachment objects from any or all of six different attachment object types (things, ideas, people, groups of people, animals, or places). The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the attachment structure as it presented in, and developed in later life. In phase one of the study, 154 older adults were administered a questionnaire designed to elicit descriptive information about the newly conceptualized "attachment structure". This information was used to guide theoretical sampling in the qualitative, second phase. In phase two, a grounded theory methodology was used to explore the developmental changes that occurred in attachment structures in later life. Sixteen subjects from phase one were selected, based on their responses to the quantitative phase, as those subjects most likely to advance the theory developing focus of this study. Analysis supported the attachment structure as a meaningful representation of socio-emotional development in later life. The existence of multiple attachment objects of multiple object types was supported by both quantitative and qualitative data. Significantly, in addition to close family and friends, subjects reported attachments to ideas like independence and freedom. A grounded process called "reconfiguring" was identified from qualitative analysis that described how older people make changes in their attachment structures to maintain a sense of security in the face of diminishing contact with attachment objects. Two pathways, the structural stimulation pathway and the reconfiguring pathway, describe the dynamics of the attachment structure. The reconfiguring pathway was identified as a developmental resource of aging--a process available to older people to address developmental challenges in aging that affect one's quality and quantity of interaction with attachment objects.

<p> Cortical Interneurons are an incredibly diverse population of locally connecting GABAergic inhibitory neurons. In rodents, cortical interneurons originate from the ventral telencephalon during embryogenesis, and migrate tangentially into the neocortex following their specification. Despite our understanding of the early patterning of the telencephalon, established through sonic hedgehog (SHH), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling, and wingless-int (WNT) we still know very little about the downstream effectors responsible for establishing interneuron diversity. This work has aimed to elucidate the role of secreted morphogens in interneuron specification, specifically FGF and WNT.</p><p> I began by investigating the role of FGF signaling in the specification of cortical interneurons by targeting downstream effectors, a critical adaptor protein, and receptors for FGF signaling. In particular, I examined the role of two candidate transcription factors classically found downstream of FGF: <i> Ets1</i> and <i>Ets2.</i> Previously identified by microarray as enriched in cortical interneurons at developmental timepoints, <i> Ets1</i> and <i>Ets2</i> single and double mutants had no obvious defects in interneuron specification as assessed by immunohistochemistry. Using both forebrain and interneuron specific <i>Cre</i> recombinase drivers, I also generated conditional knockouts of the adaptor protein <i> FRS2&alpha;,</i> which is critical for FGF signaling through the MAP kinase and PI3 kinase signaling pathways (Hadari <i>et al,</i> 2001). Interestingly, pan-forebrain loss of <i>FRS2&alpha;,</i> failed to replicate the phenotype of forebrain removal of <i>FGF receptors 1, 2</i> and <i>3.</i> Similarly, interneuron specific removal of <i>FRS2&alpha;,</i> did not affect interneuron migration or fate. Additionally, through a complex set of genetic crosses, I generated an interneuron specific triple knockout of <i>FGFRs 1, 2,</i> and <i>3;</i> this animal also did not exhibit any gross interneuron specification defects. These results together suggest that the development of cortical interneurons is likely not regulated by FGF signaling, at least not after their initial specification.</p><p> Previous work in the developing spinal cord has shown that cell identity can be conferred by exposure to diffusible morphogen gradients. Despite previous attempts, delineation of cell types by morphogen gradient in a "spinal cord" fashion has not yet been discovered in the forebrain. We have discovered a novel rostral-caudal regionality within the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) that delineates the specification of the two main classes of cortical interneuron subtypes based on their exposure to a non-canonical WNT signaling gradient. Caudally located MGE progenitors receiving high levels of WNT signaling give rise to cortical interneurons labeled by somatostatin (SST). Parvalbumin (PV) expressing basket cells, in contrast, originate primarily from the most rostral region of the MGE, and do not signal highly through WNT pathways. Interestingly, canonical WNT signaling through &beta;-catenin is not required for this process. WNT signals transmitted via cleavage of the intracellular domain of the non-canonical WNT receptor RYK, however, are sufficient to drive interneuron progenitors to a SST fate.</p>

In today’s world there are 2.6 billion people that lack basic sanitation (37% of world inhabitants). In August of 2012, Cranfield University was awarded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with $810,000 to produce a prototype of the Cranfield’s innovative Nano-membrane Toilet (NMT). Finally, the prototype is going to be exhibited at the “Reinvent the Toilet Fair” during 21st and 22nd of March 2014 in the Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi (India). Cranfield’s NMT demands electricity for its daily performance. Nevertheless, it is targeted to off-grid communities. Consequently, a human-powered generator (HPG) was selected as a backup solution. The current MSc by Research aimed to design and test of a prototype of the aforesaid HPG. Moreover, to promote its usage, a portable power supply unit is designed to store energy and power small-loads like charging mobile phones and electric lighting. To select the most suitable design for our case study, a methodology using the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution has been developed. As a result the plugged-in bike HPG alternative was selected. Next, prototypes of this generator and the portable power supply unit were developed, tested and shipped for display. While testing of the plugged-in generator and portable power supply unit, 26 Watt-hours (Wh) were harvested over 15 minutes, with its corresponding average charging power of 105 Watts. Nevertheless, the present study concludes 96 Wh as a more accurate energy level to be harvested during one hour of pedalling. Considering 96 Wh of energy, a round-trip battery efficiency of 70% (lead-acid), and a NMT’s demand of 283 Wh; a 10 people household needs to pedal the HPG over 4 hours and 20 minutes. Nevertheless, if considering an 85% inverter efficiency, 57.12 Wh are available to fully charge one mobile phone (5.6 Wh) and provide 4.5 hours of room and desk lighting (11 Watts bulb).

Ein besonderer Kreis von Ländern sind die Transformationsländer. Ziel der Transformation ist es, die totalitären Gesellschaften mit ihrer ineffizienten Kommandowirtschaft in liberale demokratische Zivilgesellschaften mit einer marktwirtschaftlichen Struktur umzuwandeln und dadurch die Entwicklungskräfte dieser Gesellschaften zu befreien und zu entfalten. Die neu gewonnene Freiheit und die Selbstverantwortung der Menschen können das oben umschriebene Niveau der menschlichen Entwicklung besonders in diesen Ländern erhöhen. Auf der anderen Seite wird seit Anfang der 90er Jahre diese Entwicklung in den meisten Transformationsländern immer wieder von wirtschaftlichen Turbulenzen begleitet. So wirkt sich die neu gewonnene Freiheit noch sehr unterschiedlich und eher zögerlich auf das humanitäre Entwicklungsniveau der Transformationsländer aus. Dies schlägt sich in den bisher publizierten jährlichen Human-Development-Reports durch die Verminderung des Human-Development-Indexes (HDI) vieler Transformationsländer nieder.

The aim of this article is to examine the relations between two approaches to the measurement of life history (LH) strategies: A traditional approach, termed here the biodemographic approach, measures developmental characteristics like birthweight, gestation length, interbirth intervals, pubertal timing, and sexual debut, and a psychological approach measures a suite of cognitive and behavioral traits such as altruism, sociosexual orientation, personality, mutualism, familial relationships, and religiosity. The biodemographic approach also tends not to invoke latent variables, whereas the psychological approach typically relies heavily upon them. Although a large body of literature supports both approaches, they are largely separate. This review examines the history and relations between biodemographic and psychological measures of LH, which remain murky at best. In doing so, we consider basic questions about the nature of LH strategies: What constitutes LH strategy (or perhaps more importantly, what does not constitute LH strategy)? What is gained or lost by including psychological measures in LH research? Must these measures remain independent or should they be used in conjunction as complementary tools to test tenets of LH theory? Although definitive answers will linger, we hope to catalyze an explicit discussion among LH researchers and to provoke novel research avenues that combine the strengths each approach brings to this burgeoning field.

When HIV/AIDS first emerged from the shadows decades ago, few people could visualise how the epidemic would evolve, and fewer still could describe with any certainty the best ways of combating it. Today, we know from experience that the impact of HIV/AIDS thrives in conditions of socio-economic vulnerability and inequity. We are witnessing how HIV/AIDS is devastating regions, widening the gap between the rich and the poor, pushing the already stigmatised groups further away and destroying the sustainability of communities and their development conditions. The burden lies on local governments, National as well as regional authorities to take a more proactive role in confronting the pandemic and to prioritise activities geared towards the prevention of the spread of the disease. To fight poverty is to promote human development thus broadening people’s choices. This research project assesses the current practices that Johannesburg government has taken as an appropriate strategy to fight HIV/AIDS in Informal Settlements using the Human Development Strategy. Assessing the appropriateness of Human Development Strategy, an Informal Settlement named Sol Plaatjies, which is situated in Region 5 of Johannesburg, is used as a case study. The appropriateness of this strategy is measured against its ability to reduce the effects that are brought about by the HIV/AIDS since this strategy has been implemented in Sol Plaatjies.

Mudar não é uma tarefa fácil. Desvencilhar-se de hábitos arraigados implica mobilizar recursos próprios e pode ser muitas vezes desafiador. Para Kegan e Lahey (2009), a iminência de uma mudança pessoal que requer alterar padrões de comportamento dispara mecanismos inconscientes de impedimento à mudança, conceito chamado imunidade a mudanças. Neste trabalho, aplicou-se o método desenvolvido por esses autores a fim de verificar a sua efetividade no sentido de tornar consciente a crença que limita o alcance de um objetivo de melhoria legítimo para o indivíduo. Numa primeira etapa, foram apresentados conceitos-chave para compreensão do fenômeno, como desenvolvimento humano, resistência à mudança, adaptação e inteligência. Num segundo momento, foram conduzidas seis entrevistas estruturadas, por meio das quais o sujeito foi direcionado a realizar um autodiagnóstico sobre os pressupostos que o impediam de avançar na consecução de sua meta. O produto de cada entrevista foi a criação do raio-X do sistema imune do sujeito: um retrato paradoxal no qual, por um lado, ele identifica o desejo genuíno por mudança; por outro, conscientiza-se de objetivos concomitantes reforçados por crenças que apontam os seus esforços na direção contrária da transformação desejada. As entrevistas realizadas forneceram dados empíricos para análise qualitativa, que confirmou a eficácia da ferramenta de superação de imunidade a mudanças. O estudo contribui com a agenda de pesquisa sobre mudança, esclarecendo as dimensões e os mecanismos que afetam a consecução de objetivos de melhoria pessoal e trazendo à tona elementos que podem ser aprofundados em futuras pesquisas / Changing is not an easy task. In order to get rid of entrenched habits, a person must utilize their own resources, and this can often be particularly challenging. For Kegan and Lahey (2009), the imminence of a personal change that requires shifting patterns of behavior triggers an unconscious immunity that creates mechanisms of impediment to change, a concept called \"immunity to change\". This research applied the method developed by these authors to verify its effectiveness regarding the increase of awareness about the core assumption that limits the reach of a personal improvement goal. In the first step, key concepts were presented to understand the phenomenon, such as human development, resistance to change, adaptation and intelligence. In a second moment, six structured interviews were conducted through which the subject was directed to perform a self-diagnosis on the assumptions that prevented him from advancing in the accomplishment of his goal. The outcome was the creation of the X-ray of the immune system: a paradoxical portrait in which, on the one hand, the subject identified the genuine desire for change; on the other hand, it was aware of concomitant goals reinforced by beliefs that direct their efforts in the opposite direction of the desired transformation. The interviews provided empirical data for qualitative analysis that confirmed the effectiveness of the change immunity method. The study contributes to the research agenda on change, clarifying the dimensions and mechanisms that affect the achievement of personal improvement goals and bringing out elements that can be further explored in future researches

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