Thesis (M. Med. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

Thesis--Princeton University, 1973. / Bibliography: p. 506-524.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Iowa, 2006. / Leaf 133 blank. Supervisor: David H. Nielsen. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-132)

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2005. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (M. Med. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006.

Intentions have a special status in such important cognitive operations as prospective memory, or remembering to execute actions in the future. Indeed, recent research has shown that future-oriented information (such as intentions) have a higher and more sustained level of activation in mind than do other forms of to-be-remembered information. Such enhanced activation increases the accessibility of intentions for future retrieval operations, a phenomenon known as the “intention superiority effect.” Thus far, all research on the intention superiority effect has used facilitation paradigms, in which attending selectively to relevant stimuli facilitates performance on tasks that benefit from the processing of that information. The current investigation examines whether the intention superiority effect is also observed in an interference paradigm, in which sources of influence are in opposition. No previous research has demonstrated that the intention superiority effect is robust across such paradigm characteristics. Therefore, the first objective of the present study is to use a Stroop task to test the intention superiority effect within an interference paradigm. Previous research on the intention superiority effect has been conducted largely with undergraduate university students. Little is known about whether this effect exists for cognitively vulnerable populations, such as older adults. Arguably, the absence of an intention superiority effect could account for lower performance in such related cognitive tasks as prospective memory. Therefore, the second objective of this research was to examine whether the intention superiority effect, as produced by an interference paradigm, exists also for older adults. In a series of four experiments, participants received a brief Stroop word list including critical words from a previously encoded intention. We predicted that there would be more interference with colour naming for words that belonged to an intention that participants intended to carry out versus an intention that they did not have to carry out (i.e., intention superiority effect). Results of the four experiments for both young and older adults revealed longer latencies for words belonging to an intention that they intended to carry out. These data are the first demonstration of an intention superiority effect in an interference paradigm as well as the first demonstration of this effect in an older adult age group. / Graduate

Financial provision for the years of retirement calls for consideration and preparation by every thinking citizen. Knowledge gained from past experience may prove of benefit to planners for the future. Keeping this principle in mind, this thesis, has been prepared as a review of the establishment and evolution of the present system of old age pensions in Canada, with details concerning the province of British Columbia. Information embodied in the thesis was obtained from numerous documents; other than those mentioned in the Bibliography, the Canada Gazette and the British Columbia Gazette should be noted as sources for legislation. Sample cases were obtained from an-analysis of the applications for old age pension in British Columbia which were refused during the year 1947. Review of popular opinions expressed over the years, and discussion of eligibility requirements in 1947 reveals the inadequacy of the present scheme, thus pointing to the necessity of expanding the scope for financial security in old age. All proposals to secure greater coverage entail the establishment of a contributory pension plan. In the light of ever-changing legislation, and in the absence of any chronological compilation of the provisions made by the British Columbia government for old age pensions, it was felt that an account of the growth of the present system would be of reference value. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

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