Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2016-08-18T13:27:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Maurilio Mendes da Silva.pdf: 832548 bytes, checksum: 01445547ce8e29d538d9fab788ede060 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-18T13:27:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maurilio Mendes da Silva.pdf: 832548 bytes, checksum: 01445547ce8e29d538d9fab788ede060 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-22 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This research aimed to establish possible relationships between teacher formation in pedagogy and teachers’ conception on science teaching in primary school. In this way, we carried out the characterization of the main aspects suggested in the National Curriculum of Natural Sciences. Four primary school teachers were chosen as subjects of the research, from whom their respective institutions were identified and their Pedagogy curricula were characterized. The contents of the disciplines related to science teaching were also analyzed. Based on semi-structured interviews and on the application of repertory grids, investigations were carried out concerning the conceptions of those four teachers on science teaching, using the Personal Construct Theory of George Kelly as the main theoretical and methodological framework. Through the data constructed during the research process it was possible to identify some relationships between the formation process of these teachers and their perceptions of what is to teach science, which were not considered enough for the implementation of a problem-solving teaching style. Such understanding derives from the fact that, despite the efforts carried out by the educational institutions, there are still many gaps in the formation process of Sciences, especially in relation to conceptual content and teaching strategies. In order to reach this objective, it is considered relevant to organize disciplines’ summaries more in accordance to what is proposed by the National Curriculum of Natural Sciences. / Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo estabelecer possíveis relações entre a formação docente em Pedagogia e a concepção dos professores sobre o Ensino de Ciências nos anos iniciais. Para tanto, realizou-se a caracterização dos principais aspectos sugeridos nos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais para o Ensino de Ciências. Foram escolhidos os quatro professores dos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental, sujeitos da pesquisa, a partir dos quais foram identificadas as suas respectivas instituições formadoras. Elaborou-se a caracterização das matrizes curriculares desses cursos de licenciatura em Pedagogia e analisou-se o conteúdo das ementas das disciplinas relacionadas ao Ensino de Ciências. Valendo-se de entrevistas semiestruturadas e da aplicação da matriz de repertório, foram realizadas investigações a respeito das concepções dos referidos professores dos anos iniciais sobre o Ensino de Ciências, utilizando como principal referencial teórico-metodológico a Teoria dos Construtos Pessoais de George Kelly. Através dos dados construídos durante o processo investigativo foi possível apontar algumas relações entre o processo formativo desses professores e as suas percepções sobre o que é ensinar Ciências, as quais foram consideradas insuficientes para a efetivação de um ensino problematizador. Tal compreensão decorre do fato de que, apesar do esforço das instituições formadoras, ainda existem diversas lacunas formativas na área de Ciências, sobretudo no que tange aos conteúdos conceituais e às estratégias de ensino. Considera-se relevante uma maior aproximação das ementas disciplinares em relação ao que é proposto pelos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais de Ciências Naturais.

The business environment of today is characterised by great risks for organisations as well as for individuals. New principles and ways of working that differ significantly from what was done even as little as a decade ago are required. To keep to traditional stances in the corporate environment may mean that existing competitive advantages may not be enough anymore to ensure success. This also applies to the financial services sector where there is currently a clear shift from a product focus to a client focus. In the light of changes taking place in the financial services sector, it is also necessary to think differently about the mediators (brokers) delivering related services since the delivery channels have also changed due to technological development. Competitive advantages lie in a client and market focus rather than a product focus, and a process focus rather than a functional focus. The client’s voice must be heard and it is possible that a successful person in this focus is different from a successful person in the old focus. For the sake of quality in service delivery and alignment in the same direction, it is necessary for management to have a shared mental model when looking at staff decisions concerning brokers. They must also be aware of their own thoughts about staff within the changing focus and they must realise the impact this can have on their decisions. The main objective of this study is to determine whether the managers under investigation have a shared mental model in terms of success criteria for brokers. In order to do this, it is necessary to first investigate the concepts mental model and shared mental model and the impact they may have in an organisational environment. The Repertory Grid technique was used for data collection. As a result of the wide variety of Repertory Grid techniques, together with the various ways of application, it is essential to be familiar with the techniques and modes of application in order to choose the most suitable technique and application method for a specific study. Kelly’s Personal Construct theory contains the assumptions underlying this technique and it is important for a researcher to be aware of these regardless of whether this is the theory s/he will be using since the underlying assumptions will definitely have an influence on the interpretation of the results. The data was presented as a qualitative description of each manager’s mental model in terms of the successful broker as well as a short description of the person’s construction system regarding success in their business environment. Conclusions were made from a synthesis of the results regarding the extent to which there could be referred to a shared mental model and its possible impact on decisions and efficiency in the work and business environment. The results confirmed that the objectives of this research project were met. It emerged that this management team does not effectively share a mental model and that this may impact negatively on their business decisions. Recommendations were made regarding the change or establishment of a client-focused mental model. Suggestions for future research regarding broker efficiency were also made. / Thesis (MA (Research Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Psychology / unrestricted

Cognitive ratings that use bipolar constructs based upon similarity and contrast have been shown to be biased towards the similarity pole in approximately a 62/38 ratio. This bias has also been known to shift in the contrastive direction for individuals who have psychiatric problems. This quantitative measure of cognitive change has a potential for characterizing cognitive changes that occur during the disease process, including recovery from disease. The present study investigated changes in self-aspect ratings and bipolar construct use in adult male veterans who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Results indicated that treatment subjects' self-aspect and construct ratings were more negative than controls'. Results also indicated that all subjects rated core interpersonal self-aspects closest to the expected bias, while self-aspects related to cardiac recovery problems were rated in the most contrastive direction. The results finally suggested that the greatest degree of change for the treatment subjects were in emotionally generated constructs. The results suggested a preliminary validation for characterizing cognitive changes in the disease process by measuring shifts in bipolar construct ratings.

The purpose of this study is to explore the possibility of interpreting the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) in constructivist terms. This research project involved a qualitative approach, focusing on abductive discovery and phenomenological critique. From constructivist theory, the core ordering processes of reality, identity, power, value, and relatedness were used to interpret a subject's TAT narratives. The author of the study chose one subject from the three with which he worked to present a case study. Chapter One of the research project reviews the literature of both TAT studies and constructivist theory. The author first discussed reliability and validity studies involving the TAT. Second, the author discussed constructivist theory, focusing on its philosophical antecedents and its theoretical framework. Chapter Two of the project establishes the methods and procedures utilized during the project. The core ordering processes as taken from constructivist theory are defined and discussed in detail. Chapter Three represents the bulk of the study, presenting the results and discussion of the results. Following a discussion of the results, the author critiqued the results, and based on the critique discussed procedural changes and implications for future research.

Previous constructivist research was integrated with a field study to investigate the hypothesis that the subjective perceptions of the current social, security and economic situation of the high and low-income groups in South Africa differ to the extent that they could be said to be living in totally different worlds of phenomenological experience. The data demonstrated clear differences when coded in terms of worldviews along an Optimism-Pessimism Continuum. A number of additional processing phenomena and social dynamics able to influence these perceptions were also identified from an interpretative analysis of the data. The results were explained in terms of the cueing and activation of specific schemata constructed from income-related prior experiences associated with each group and led to the conclusion that income and living conditions could well be factors contributing to the ongoing confrontations between government and impoverished communities. A number of recommendations to improve inter-group relations were included. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Landau, Univ., Abt. Landau, Diss.--Koblenz, 2002. / Literaturverz. S. XV - XXXVIII.

Previous constructivist research was integrated with a field study to investigate the hypothesis that the subjective perceptions of the current social, security and economic situation of the high and low-income groups in South Africa differ to the extent that they could be said to be living in totally different worlds of phenomenological experience. The data demonstrated clear differences when coded in terms of worldviews along an Optimism-Pessimism Continuum. A number of additional processing phenomena and social dynamics able to influence these perceptions were also identified from an interpretative analysis of the data. The results were explained in terms of the cueing and activation of specific schemata constructed from income-related prior experiences associated with each group and led to the conclusion that income and living conditions could well be factors contributing to the ongoing confrontations between government and impoverished communities. A number of recommendations to improve inter-group relations were included. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

This study sought to determine the therapeutic effectiveness of client-therapist dyads in a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed adolescents. The theories of George Kelly's personal construct psychology were utilized in assessing the dyadic relationship. The four elements investigated were organizational similarity, understanding, organizational congruency and predominant selves. The sample consisted of 140 dyads comprised of 10 adolescent boys and girls and 14 therapeutic staff of a residential treatment center in the southwest United States. Responses to Kelly's Role Construct Repertory Test were compared to four relational factors—parental/respect, identity, problem-solving, and sexual/affection—and two rating scales of client-therapist preference and ratings of therapeutic effectiveness. Contrary to expectations, as content similarity among dyads composed of clients and staff increased, there was not an increase in functional aspects of the therapy relationship. Possible mitigating factors may have been level of client disturbance and/or methodological issues relating to how organizational similarity was determined. Dyadic understanding was not found to be related to perceptions of the therapy relationship. This may be a function of adolescent of adolescent clients' need for independence and resistance to adult understanding and control. Therapy dyads with a moderate level of lateral or vertical organizational congruence were not found to be curvilinearly related to functional aspects of the therapy relationship. However, a weak linear relationship regarding client perceptions of the therapy relationship was noted on four measures. Several methodological recommendations related to the instruments used to determine therapeutic effectiveness and the means of eliciting personal constructs on the REP test.

This PhD by project consists of a Manual for workers engaged in men’s behaviour change programs and a dissertation that theorises the principles underpinning the approach. The Manual and the dissertation examine a constructivist approach to challenging men’s violence against women. / The project, which is situated in rural Australia, is called the Men’s SHED (Self Help Ending Domestics) Project. The SHED Manual is based on a constructivist approach to men’s violence against women that reflects best practice principles within a profeminist framework. The Manual is comprised of eight sections that articulate various aspects of challenging men’s violence against women, with individuals, groups and communities. The dissertation details the journey of the project from its inception in 1994 to the beginning of 2002. / Personal construct theory provides a philosophical basis for the approach being enunciated in this study and it enables an exploration of constructive alternatives in engaging and challenging men towards behaviour change. As such, it is utilised both in engaging men to become non-violent and at the same time, reflexively enabling workers and facilitators to examine ways in which they can construct more effective ways for this to happen. The project is thus one of hopeful anticipation leading to new constructive alternatives in the endeavour to stop men’s violence against women.

Text in Afrikaans / Dit is belangrik vir bemarkingsorganisasies om die effek van bemarkingsaksies en meer spesifiek reklame te meet van wee eskalerende koste-oorwegings. Wat die rol van reklame in verbruikersgedrag betref, is die belewing van of houding-teenoor-reklame konsepte van sentrale be lang. Aangesien die term bel ewing meer beskrywend is oor die impak wat advertensies op verbruikers het word hierdie term algemeen gebruik. Hierdie studie ondersoek die konsep advertensiewaardering en ontleed die invloed daarvan op advertensiebelewing. Die kyker-responsprofiel soos deur Schlinger (1979) ontwikkel, word algemeen gebruik om televisiekykers se houding teenoor televisie-advertensies te meet. Hierdie studie poog om die toepaslikheid en geldigheid van die kyker-responsprofiel onder Suid-Afrikaanse televisiekykers te ondersoek. Die navorsingsmetode het uit twee fases bestaan. Die eerste fase was meer kwalitatief van aard, en ondersoek kykers se kognitiewe struktuur van houding teenoor televisie-advertensies. Die teoretiese uitgangspunt tydens hierdie fase is persoonlike-konstrukteorie. Repertoriumrooster onderhoude is met 50 volwasse televisiekykers (ouer as 16 jaar) uit verskillende taalgroepe gevoer. Daar is bevind dat kykers gemiddeld ses konstrukte gebruik ten einde die waarderingsvlak van advertensies te bepaal. 313 Konstrukte is in totaal deur die 50 respondente ontlok. Hierdie konstruke is deur individuele roosterontledings en ooreenkomsanalise tot 'n aantal konstrukgroepe gereduseer. Beskrywings van konstrukgroepe is aan die hand van n literatuurnavorsing gedoen. Die konstrukgroepe (tevredenheid, vermaaklikheid, interessantheid, sosialiteit, duidelikheid, realiteit, tempo en emosialiteit) toon 'n mate van ooreenstemming met die sewe Schlinger basisfaktore. Die onderliggende indiwiduele konstrukte wat vermaaklikheid, sosialiteit tempo en interessantheid beskryf, toon hoe korrelasies met waardering wat daarop dui dat waardering meer as net vermaaklikheid behels. Fase twee was meer kwantitatief van aard en het die ontleding van 382 kykerresponsprofiele behels. 'n Faktorontleding van die 32 Schlinger-items het sewe basisfaktore tot gevolg. Die eerste vyf faktore (vermaaklikheid, verwarring, relevante nuus, handelsmerkversterking en empatie) beskik oor soortgelyke faktorladings as faktorontledings wat in die V.S.A. gedoen is. Hierdie bevinding dui daarop dat die affektiewe belewingstruktuur van televisiekykers in Suid-Afrika grootliks dieselfde is as kykers in die Verenigde State. Die ander twee faktore (familiariteit en vervreemding) se ladings verskil van die in die Verenigde State maar hierdie verskille kan gegewe die aard van die advertensies ( bestaande en nuwe advertensiekonsepte) en die kruiskulturele aard van Suid-Afrikaanse kykers verklaar word. Die Schlingeritems is statisties beskryf en ontleed deur die rol wat die tipe advertensie (bestaande versus nuwe), produk-kategorie en kulturele teikenmark speel in waardering van advertensies te ondersoeK. Nuwe konsepte is geneig om meer vermaaklik en relevant te wees. Zulu, Sotho en Xhose kykers is geneig om advertensies as meer positief te beleef. Kosmetika en medisinale-, korporatiewe- en motoradvertensies is verder minder vermaaklik as voedsel en handelsadvertensies. Die Schlingeritems wat advertensiewaardering die beste beskryf en voorspel is bepaal deur bondelontledings en meerdimensionele verskaling. Daar is gevind dat waardering die mate waartoe 'n advertensie aan die vermaaklikheids, empatie en relevante nuus doelwitte voldoen sonder om verwarrend, vervreemdend of oorbekend te wees. Dit wil voorkom of daar twee dimensies bestaan wat die meeste variansie in Schlingeritems verklaar naamlik waardering (positief of negatief) en relevansie. Bondelontleding dui verder daarop dat 'n positiewe persepsie van 'n geadverteerde handelsmerk kykers ontvanklik maak om meer van 'n advertensie te hou of te waardeer. / It is important that, given escalating cost considerations, marketing organisations determine the effect that their marketing efforts have. With regard to the role of advertising m consumer behaviour, attitude towards commercials is of utmost importance. This study examined the liking of television advertisement concept and analyses the effect of this concept on attitude towards television advertising. The viewer response profile as developed by Schlinger (1979) is commonly used to evaluate viewer's attitude towards television commercials. This study attempted to investigate the applicability and validity of this instrument amongst South African television viewers. The study consisted of two phases. Phase one was more qualitative in nature and investigated the viewer's cognitive structure of attitude towards television commercials. The theoretical approach used during this phase was personal construct theory. It was found that viewers on average use six constructs to evaluate whether they like or dislike commercials. 313 Constructs were elicited and based on individual grid analyses and correspondence analysis a reduced number of construct groups was identified. These construct groups ( contentness, entertainment, interesting, sociality, clearness, reality, emotionality, and tempo) show a measure of similarity to the seven Schlinger factors or dimensions. The individual constructs, which make up entertainment, sociality, emotionality, tempo and interesting, show high levels of correlation with advertisement liking. This finding suggests that advertisement liking involve more than pure entertainment. Phase two was more quantitative and consisted of analysing 382 viewer response profiles. A factor analysis of the 32 items, which make up the viewer response profile, resulted in seven factors. The first five factors (entertainment, confusion, relevant news, brand reinforcement and empathy) show similar factor loading to factor analytical studies done in the United State of America. The other two factors (familiarity and alienation) show different loading to the United States of America study but these differences could be explained given the nature of commercials tested (existing commercials and new commercial concepts) and the cross cultural nature of South African viewers. The Schlinger items were analysed in greater detail by investigating the role which type of commercial (existing versus new), product category and cultural target market play in liking of commercials. New concepts are proven to be more entertaining, creative and relevant. Zulu and Sotho viewers are likely to be more positively disposed towards television commercials while cosmetic, medicine, corporate and motor vehicle commercials are less entertaining than food and commercial commercials. Those Schlinger items, which best describe and predict commercials liking were determined by using cluster and multi dimensional scaling techniques. It is apparent from this analysis that likability is the extent to which the objective of entertainment, empathy or relevant news is achieved without confusion, alienation or familiarity. Cluster analysis furthermore suggests that a positive perception of an advertised brand predispose viewers to higher levels of commercial liking. Multi dimensional scaling suggest two dimensions explaining most of the Schlinger factor variance namely liking (positive of negative) and relevance. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D. Com. (Bedryfsielkunde)