This arts-informed, phenomenological, and heuristic inquiry focuses on what it means to immerse deeply into experiences within the natural world. Through attention and reflection on emotional and somatic aspects of my own ocean SCUBA diving experiences, and those of beginner and practiced divers, a method and the significance of learning through personal experiences and others’ shared stories is illuminated. Readers are invited to imagine or revisit what it is like to be enveloped by ocean life through an artful narrative account of the ocean diving experience. Crafted in meandering ways, through the aesthetics of photographic images, divers’ evocative descriptions and poetic text, and interspersed with remembrances and imaginations and contemplations of self and world, the narrative reflects the diversity, richness and resonance of divers’ shared stories, and the reverberating and nurturing beauty and mystery of the ocean world. Through five narrative sections that embody a sense of movement deeper into the experience – into relations with the natural world, (‘Immersing’ ‘Opening Pathways of Exploration’, ‘Widening Circles of Compassion’, ‘Nature Reveals Her Open Secret’ and ‘Surfacing’), I encourage readers to wander amongst ocean life to expand ways of experiencing the natural world. It is important to look for new, creative ways that allow space for explorations of self and world, to uncover new ways to reconcile both the mind-body connection as well as the human-nature connection. This inquiry brings the notion of connectedness with nature to the forefront as humans’ alienation from the natural world is recognized as a significant contributor to the present ecological crisis. The exploration of ocean experiences was also a search for ways to encourage and sustain a lifelong inquiry into the relations with the non-human world as a way to continually build and reinforce a strong bond with the natural world for psychological, social and ecological wellbeing. The immersive nature of research methods and representation illuminated how ocean life and artful expressions of remembrances and imaginations build lasting impressions, further adding vitality to what is perceived in both aquatic and terrestrial worlds – enhancing a sense of connectedness with the natural world.

This arts-informed, phenomenological, and heuristic inquiry focuses on what it means to immerse deeply into experiences within the natural world. Through attention and reflection on emotional and somatic aspects of my own ocean SCUBA diving experiences, and those of beginner and practiced divers, a method and the significance of learning through personal experiences and others’ shared stories is illuminated. Readers are invited to imagine or revisit what it is like to be enveloped by ocean life through an artful narrative account of the ocean diving experience. Crafted in meandering ways, through the aesthetics of photographic images, divers’ evocative descriptions and poetic text, and interspersed with remembrances and imaginations and contemplations of self and world, the narrative reflects the diversity, richness and resonance of divers’ shared stories, and the reverberating and nurturing beauty and mystery of the ocean world. Through five narrative sections that embody a sense of movement deeper into the experience – into relations with the natural world, (‘Immersing’ ‘Opening Pathways of Exploration’, ‘Widening Circles of Compassion’, ‘Nature Reveals Her Open Secret’ and ‘Surfacing’), I encourage readers to wander amongst ocean life to expand ways of experiencing the natural world. It is important to look for new, creative ways that allow space for explorations of self and world, to uncover new ways to reconcile both the mind-body connection as well as the human-nature connection. This inquiry brings the notion of connectedness with nature to the forefront as humans’ alienation from the natural world is recognized as a significant contributor to the present ecological crisis. The exploration of ocean experiences was also a search for ways to encourage and sustain a lifelong inquiry into the relations with the non-human world as a way to continually build and reinforce a strong bond with the natural world for psychological, social and ecological wellbeing. The immersive nature of research methods and representation illuminated how ocean life and artful expressions of remembrances and imaginations build lasting impressions, further adding vitality to what is perceived in both aquatic and terrestrial worlds – enhancing a sense of connectedness with the natural world.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:25:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-12-16Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:53:23Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 alves_dz_me_mar.pdf: 953969 bytes, checksum: 976e357b345098e9424e02053aa842d0 (MD5) / O presente trabalho pretende delinear uma possível interpretação do behaviorismo radical como teoria da mente, o que significa, em outros termos, contextualizá-lo no âmbito da filosofia da mente. Para tanto, primeiramente apresentaremos as principais teorias que figuram na filosofia da mente contemporânea, incluindo suas teses centrais e seus respectivos problemas. Em seguida, trataremos dos fundamentos do behaviorismo radical enquanto filosofia da ciência e enquanto teoria do comportamento. Esses dois passos servirão ao propósito de estabelecer os parâmetros da discussão subseqüente entre behaviorismo radical e filosofia da mente. Nesse sentido, o primeiro problema que pretendemos responder é: o que é a mente? Trata-se de um problema conceitual que envolve o mapeamento dos fenômenos normalmente caracterizados como mentais. Veremos que, para o behaviorismo radical, a mente é comportamento. Já o segundo problema que pretendemos responder é: qual a natureza da mente? – problema que, no contexto do behaviorismo radical, deve ser substituído pelo seguinte: qual a natureza do comportamento? Discorrer sobre a natureza de um fenômeno implica investigar quais são as características essenciais à sua existência. Trata-se, portanto, de um problema ontológico. Sugeriremos que as características essenciais para a existência do comportamento podem ser contempladas pelo posicionamento metafísico denominado relacionismo substancial. Em tempo, além dessas duas questões principais, discorreremos ao longo do trabalho sobre diversos problemas levantados pelas teorias da mente contemporâneas, tais como o problema da subjetividade, o problema do fisicalismo, o problema dos limites da ciência, o problema mente-corpo, o problema da causalidade mental, o problema do significado, o problema do reducionismo, o problema das qualidades das experiências, o problema do conhecimento... / The aim of this work is to delineate a possible interpretation of radical behaviorism as a theory of mind. That means putting radical behaviorism in the context of philosophy of mind. To do so, firstly we will present the main theories of contemporary philosophy of mind, including its central thesis and its respective problems. Next, we will present the principles of radical behaviorism as a philosophy of science and as a theory of behavior. Those steps will serve to establish the parameters for subsequent discussion between radical behaviorism and the problems of philosophy of mind. The first problem with which we pretend to deal is the conceptual problem of mind: what is mind? As we will see, for radical behaviorism the mind is behavior. The second problem with which we pretend to deal is the ontological problem of mind: what is the nature of mind? In the radical behaviorist context, the question must be substituted by this: what is the nature of behavior? Discussions about the nature of things demands investigating what characteristics are essential to its existence. We will suggest that the essential characteristics of the existence of behavior can be contemplated by the metaphysical view denominated substantial relationism. Moreover, in addition to our two principal problems, we will discuss through this work several problems of philosophy of mind, such as the problem of subjectivity, the problem of physicalism, the problem of science limits, the mind-body problem, the problem of mental causation, the problem of meaning, the problem of reductionism, the problem of qualitative character of experiences, the problem of privileged knowledge, the problem of qualia, and others. In the end, we hope that this work may represent a step toward the construction of a radical behaviorist theory of mind

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / A Psicologia é um ramo científico relativamente novo e que ainda carece de alicerces metodológicos consistentes para sustentar suas investigações. Dado sua imaturidade, essa ciência encontra dificuldades para delimitar seu estatuto ontológico, o que gera diversos equívocos epistemológicos e metodológicos. Diante disso, a Psicologia não tem conseguido demarcar de forma precisa seu objeto de estudo, ocasionando assim o surgimento de inúmeras concepções a respeito do psíquico, o que resultou na fragmentação dessa ciência. Na sua constituição a ciência psicológica herdou um complexo problema filosófico: a questão mente-corpo. Portanto, para definir seu estatuto a Psicologia deve ainda enfrentar esse problema, buscando elucidar: o que é a mente, o que é o corpo e como eles se relacionam. Em virtude da importância dessa questão e para uma demarcação rigorosa do objeto psicológico, buscou-se nessa pesquisa investigar o problema mente-corpo à luz da Psicologia Fenomenológica de Edith Stein (1891-1942), filósofa e fenomenóloga que empreendeu notáveis esforços para uma fundamentação da Psicologia. Para isso, a discussão foi subsidiada a partir dos aportes da Filosofia da Mente e das contribuições do método fenomenológico para o problema mente-corpo. A partir daí, através de uma metodologia qualitativa bibliográfica, procurou-se examinar o problema de pesquisa através da análise de algumas obras filosófico-psicológicas da filósofa, a saber: “Causalidade Psíquica” (Psychische Kausalität, 1922) e “Introdução à Filosofia” (Einführung in die Philosophie, 1920). Para essa investigação, realizou-se sem prejuízo à discussão uma equivalência terminológica entre os termos mente e psique, visto que a fenomenóloga utilizou esse último para se referir ao objeto da Psicologia. Procurou-se analisar, portanto, como Stein concebeu a psique, o corpo e a relação entre ambos. Apesar de não ser o foco da investigação, levou-se em conta também a dimensão espiritual, visto que a filósofa concebeu a pessoa humana como constituída por três dimensões: corpo, psique e espírito. Assim, Stein destacou o mecanismo causal da psique, o qual tem como fundamento as variações da força vital que desponta a partir da esfera vital. Em relação à dimensão corpórea, a filósofa, seguindo as análises de Edmund Husserl (1859-1938), destacou o duplo aspecto do corpo, que é ao mesmo tempo uma coisa material (Körper) e também corpo-vivo (Leib). Em face disso, entende-se que a psique e o corpo estão intimamente conectados, de modo que constituem uma unidade-dual que se manifesta no Leib. Essa compreensão do problema psique-mente/corpo proporciona uma rica análise dessa questão, propiciando a superação de algumas incoerências das posições clássicas monistas e dualistas. Diante disso, possibilita uma rigorosa elucidação do objeto da Psicologia, contribuindo para a fundamentação dessa ciência. / Psychology is a relatively new scientific branch and still lacks consistent methodological foundation to support its investigations. Given its immaturity, this science finds difficulties to delimit its ontological status, which spawnes several epistemological and methodological misconceptions. Given this, Psychology failed to demarcate precisely its object of study, leading, thus, the emergence of numerous conceptions about the psychic, which resulted in the fragmentation of this science. In its constitution, psychological science inherited a complex philosophical problem: the mind-body issue. Therefore, to define their status, Psychology must still face this problem, seeking to elucidate what is the mind, the body and how they relate. In light of the importance of this issue to a strict demarcation of psychological object, it was sought in this research, to investigate the mind-body problem in the Phenomenological Psychology of Edith Stein (1891-1942), phenomenologist philosopher who undertook efforts for a foundation of Psychology. For that, the discussion was subsidized from the contributions of the Philosophy of Mind and the support of the phenomenological method to the mind-body problem. From there, by a qualitative bibliographical methodology, it sought to examine the problem of research through the analysis of some philosophical-psychological philosopher's works, named: "Psychic Causality” (Kausalität Psychische, 1922) and “Introduction to Philosophy" (Einführung in die Philosophie, 1920). For this investigation, it was made, without prejudice to the discussion, a terminological equivalence between the terms mind and psyche, as the philosopher used the latter to refer to the object of Psychology. It sought to examine, therefore, how Stein conceived the psyche, the body and the relationship between them. Although it wasn't the focus of the investigation, it also took into account the spiritual dimension, as the philosopher conceived the human person as consisting of three dimensions: body, psyche and spirit. Given this, Stein highlighted the causal mechanism of the psyche, which is based on the variations of the vital force that emerges from the vital sphere. In relation to the corporeal dimension, the philosopher, following the analysis of Edmund Husserl (1859-1938), highlighted the dual aspect of the body, because it is at the same time something material (Körper) and also a linving body (Leib). On the face of it, it is understood that the psyche and the body are closely connected, so that it constitutes a dual-unit which is manifested in the Leib. This understanding of the problem psyche-mind/body provides a rich analysis of this issue, enabling the overcoming of some inconsistencies of the monistic and dualistic positions. Given this, it allows a strict elucidation of the Psychology object, contributing to the foundation of this science. / Dissertação (Mestrado)

The researcher aimed to determine the effect of a dance and movement intervention on the perceived emotional well-being and self-esteem of a group of in-patient adolescents in Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital. A quantitative study, using a quasi-experimental design, was carried out using the positive and negative affect scale for children (PANAS-C) and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale to measure the two independent variables, namely perceived emotional well-being and self-esteem. There were four participants in the experimental group and six in the control group. A between-group comparison was made between the pre-test and post-test scores of the two groups. Both groups completed the positive and negative affect scale for children (PANAS-C) and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale at which point the experimental group took part in a two week, twelve session, dance and movement intervention program. After two weeks both groups once again completed these two measures. Although the results were statistically non-significant, effect size and outcome patterns pointed to an improvement in these two variables due to the intervention program. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Psychology / unrestricted

Through perspectives from neuroscience, transpersonal psychology, and transcendentalist philosophy, the art of yoga is proposed as a supporting modality for healing through complex trauma. Personal narrative and original paintings further speak to a process of coming back Home. Where trauma strips one of self, yoga breeds connection back to Self. Yoga is union of individual consciousness with universal consciousness. Yogic philosophy invites one into a space of grey, somewhere between object and subject, physical and spiritual, tangible and ineffable. It is there one comes to find healing by sitting back as a pure observer. In the journey of trauma uncovery, one comes to meet an embodied sense of safety that prevails across levels of body, mind, and soul. The stars begin to shine once again in the universe held within.

Background. Primary and secondary prevention trials have shown that implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) reduce the risk of cardiac death, but concerns have been raised regarding the psychological well-being of ICD patients. Anxiety can affect a significant proportion of these patients, but there is limited information about prevalence and determinants of anxiety after the implementation of the more recent guidelines for ICD implantation. Several behavioral interventions have been effective in improving anxiety in these patients, however the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) has not been investigated in ICD patients, and there is limited information regarding the characteristics of pre-intervention, “dispositional” mindfulness in patients with cardiovascular disease never exposed to mindfulness training. The aims of this dissertation project were: 1) To determine the feasibility of a randomized clinical trial of a phone-administered, mindfulness-based training program, as measured by recruitment and retention rates, treatment adherence and fidelity; 2) To evaluate the current baseline prevalence and determinants of anxiety in the study population and 3) To describe the correlates of dispositional mindfulness in the study population. Methods. The study was conducted at the Electrophysiology Service at the UMass Memorial Medical Center. All consecutive patients who recently underwent an ICD procedure or received ICD shocks were screened for eligibility to participate in a pilot randomized controlled trial in which an eight session, phone-delivered, weekly MBI was compared to a usual care condition. Assessments were performed at baseline and post-intervention. A cross-sectional design was used for aims 2 and 3. Anxiety was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; a shortened version of the Five Facets of Mindfulness questionnaire was used to evaluate mindfulness. Results. Thirty patients (21 M, 9 F; mean age 63.1 ±10.3 years) were enrolled in the study. The methods ultimately adopted to screen, recruit, and retain study participants were feasible to conduct and satisfactory to ICD outpatients, and the study intervention was safe. Phone delivery resulted in excellent retention rates and limited costs. Assessments of treatment fidelity showed that the content of the intervention was delivered as intended in almost 100% of cases. The study findings do not show a decrease in the overall prevalence of anxiety in ICD patients compared with earlier cohorts; anxiety was associated with young age, low socio-economic status and previous psychological morbidity, but not with ICD-related factors including prior shock delivery. Finally, baseline mindfulness was most strongly associated with previous psychological morbidity (in particular, depression), and current anxiety symptoms. Conclusion. Psychological morbidity appears to be the major determinant of anxiety in the patients currently enrolled in the study. Dispositional mindfulness is inversely associated with current anxiety and depression and with prior psychological morbidity, supporting the hypothesis of a modulating role of mindfulness on the processing of negative emotions. A phone-delivered, individual MBI is feasible, acceptable to patients and can be adequately delivered by trained instructors. The findings from this dissertation work support the need for larger clinical trials of MBI in ICD patients.

As the greatest considerations in health-care design have traditionally been functional —hygiene, efficiency, and flexibility for changing technology— hospitals have evolved to become dehumanizing spaces. In this thesis two specific groups of chronically ill children who have among the longest inpatient stays are studied: cancer and organ transplant patients. Being under immunosuppressive drugs, these children are physically vulnerable thus are kept completely isolated. These long stays and isolation can be very depressing for them. This thesis undertakes the challenge of designing a fully isolated space that doesn’t feel like one or in other words “a micro-town within a bubble”. The author intends to achieve this goal through strong visual connections, natural lighting, and creative space planning.

Massage is often recommended to athletes to facilitate recovery and attenuate DOMS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of massage on perceived muscle soreness and pain, inflammatory and immune markers, ROM, and mood state. Fourteen, recreationally active, women participated in a randomized crossover design study, consisting of 1) 60 min. full body massage following unaccustomed exercise and 2) 60 min. of rest. following unaccustomed exercise. Perceived muscle soreness and pain, active range of motion (ROM), mood state, along with blood concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), creatine kinase (CK), and neutrophil count (NC), was assessed at baseline, 4hrs, and 24hrs following both treatment and control conditions. The aims of this study were 1) to decrease the effects of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and increase time to recover, and 2) to investigate the effect of massage vs. passive rest on inflammatory and immune markers within the blood. We hypothesized 1) an increase in ROM, a decrease in perceived physical soreness and perceived physical pain, as a result of the massage, compared to control, and 2) a decrease in blood plasma inflammatory markers, CRP, NC, CK, and IL-6, as a result of the massage, compared to control. We found massage following exercise to 1) significantly decreased perceived pain (p=0.001), 2) significantly increased immune iv markers (WBC (p=0.012) and NC (p=0.012)), and 3) significantly decreased ROM (p=0.02), compared to control. Massage had no impact on inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP, and CK), or mood.

No description available.