Key words: perspective taking, age differences, motivational trigger hypothesis, experimental manipulation / Moreover, in Experiment 2, with a distance manipulation, both younger and older adults showed impaired performance in emotion recognition. Findings from these two experiments supported the Motivational Trigger Hypothesis , such that the well-documented poor performance in perspective taking tasks of older adults might be due to a lack of motivation instead of a lack of ability to perform in laboratory settings. In daily contexts, especially with someone close to them, older adults might be more motivated to take others' perspective and thus perform better on the perspective-taking tasks. / There was a folk notion of increased perspective taking abilities with age, such that older adults should be better at understanding others' behavior and intention, and show greater empathy to others. However, empirical studies on older adults showed the reverse pattern. In a series of experiments, I investigated the phenomenon from a motivational perspective. In Experiment 1, I manipulated perceived closeness between participants and the experimenter in a faux pas recognition task, and in Experiment 2, I manipulated perceived closeness as well as distance between participants and the target in an emotion recognition task, to examine whether the experimental manipulations could influence participants' performance in the two perspective taking tasks. The results revealed that in the control condition without any experimental manipulation, the well-documented negative age effect was only replicated in both faux pas recognition and emotion recognition. However, in the closeness manipulation condition, older adults significantly enhanced their performance in both tasks, such that they now performed at a comparable level with younger adults; whereas younger adults did not show such enhancement effects. / Zhang, Xin. / Advisers: Helene Fung; Alan Wong. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-06, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-92). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wyoming, 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on June 25, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 64-78).

The need for the study arose with the discovery that many older adults make significant contributions in volunteer work. However some do not feel as though these contributions are worthwhile (Morrow-Howell & Mui, 1989; Chambre, 1987). They may feel that the work they are doing is meaningless (Morrow-Howell & Mui, 1989; Chambre, 1987; Flynn & Webb, 1975). The study was conducted to determine the relationship of individuals who perceived they were making a significant contribution in volunteer work and their level of subjective morale. The number of hours, length of time, number of various jobs, and the use of a volunteer's skills, knowledge, and talents devoted to volunteer service are specifically identified as they relate to subjective morale.A pilot study was conducted on the telephone using 10-12 volunteers from a random sample of retired Ball State employees. These individuals were asked open-ended questions concerning several aspects of volunteering. Once the data was collected a Liekert questionnaire was developed using the common patterns noted in the volunteer's answers. The Liekert questionnaire was distributed to 50 volunteers, recruited from the Muncie, Indiana andthe New Castle, Indiana RSVP (The Retired Senior Volunteer Program) branches. The volunteers completed the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale: A Revision (PGC) and the Volunteer Attitude Questionnaire (VAQ).The results indicated no statistically significant relationship between volunteers who perceived they were making a significant contribution and their level of subjective morale. Likewise, the data indicated no statistically significant relationship between subjective morale and number of hours, length time, number of various jobs, and use of skills, knowledge, and talents devoted to volunteer services. The volunteers in the study reported a wide variety of subjective morale levels regardless of the factors examined in the study. It is apparent that older volunteers who perceived they were significantly contributing do not all develop increased morale. Morale appears to be a very complex factor which is individually determined depending upon the lifestyle of the older adult. / Institute of Gerontology

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the mediating effect of two types of goal setting conditions (self-set and assigned set goals) on exercise intensity, exercise efficacy and perceived physical ability of efficacious older adults participating in a fitness program. In addition, this study examined the extent to which the four sources of self-efficacy influenced walking self-efficacy and perceived physical ability. Sixteen older adults, who were participating in a fitness program, were randomly assigned to either the self-set or assigned set goal condition. The self-set group selected an exercise intensity (i.e., target heart rate range) each week prior to the walking bout, while the assigned set group were designated an exercise intensity (i.e., target heart rate range) each week before their walking session. The same walking duration was implemented for both goal groups throughout the eight-week goal-setting program. Heart rate monitors were used to collect information on exercise intensity. In week one, walking self-efficacy (WSE), exercise intensity and perceived physical ability (PPA) were collected. For weeks two through seven WSE, exercise intensity, goal setting post-questionnaire (only for the assigned group) were collected. In week eight, WSE, PPA, exercise intensity, and sources of self-efficacy were collected. The results revealed that goal condition had no significant effect on exercise intensity, perceived physical ability, and walking self-efficacy. However, this study assisted participants in becoming more aware of their heart rate (exercise intensity) by observing their heart rate monitors. / School of Physical Education

This explorative study originated from the researcher’s personal encounters with “disappointment, regret and purposelessness” in retirement. The aim of this research study is thus exploring what the opposite of these negative sentiments, namely “successful” aging or "successful" adaptation to retirement could constitute and, most importantly, the role of FLOW therein. Initial indications are that FLOW could play a key role in “successful” retirement. Another focus has been to explore whether and how retirees with post-matric qualifications or training could redeploy their accumulated expertise in the post-retirement years. Various models of social entrepreneurship, ranging from voluntary work to paid work, were found to enhance successful adaptation to retirement, addressing society’s needs at the same time. In this qualitative research study, I have followed a case study approach, interviewing nine participants, whose results were analysed individually and then integrated in a comparative fashion to answer the research questions. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

This explorative study originated from the researcher’s personal encounters with “disappointment, regret and purposelessness” in retirement. The aim of this research study is thus exploring what the opposite of these negative sentiments, namely “successful” aging or "successful" adaptation to retirement could constitute and, most importantly, the role of FLOW therein. Initial indications are that FLOW could play a key role in “successful” retirement. Another focus has been to explore whether and how retirees with post-matric qualifications or training could redeploy their accumulated expertise in the post-retirement years. Various models of social entrepreneurship, ranging from voluntary work to paid work, were found to enhance successful adaptation to retirement, addressing society’s needs at the same time. In this qualitative research study, I have followed a case study approach, interviewing nine participants, whose results were analysed individually and then integrated in a comparative fashion to answer the research questions. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)