The purpose of this study was to examine the effect Social Physique Anxiety (SPA) levels have on college students' preferences for different exercise settings. Those exercise settings included exercising with people of same gender, exercising with people who were physically fit, and exercising with people of similar body shapes. In addition, the study investigated the role of gender concerning these exercise setting preferences. Furthermore, this study examined the relationship between SPA levels and students' preferences for different type of physical fitness activities and their perceived physical fitness (PPF). A sample of 375 undergraduate male and female students at Ball State University were selected using a purposeful sampling procedure. The participants were enrolled in the coeducational Physical Education Fitness/Wellness course (PEFWL) during spring 2000 semester. During a scheduled class, the participants completed a 35item questionnaire which assessed SPA levels, PPF, and other items related to exercise setting.In this study, male participants were significantly higher in PPF than female participants, whereas female participants were significantly higher in SPA than male participants. To address the five research hypotheses, logistic and multiple regression analyses were used (p<.05). Both SPA and gender were significant predictors of participants' preference for exercising with people of same gender, participants' preference for exercising with people physically fit, and participants' preference for exercising with people of same body shape. Gender significantly predicated the preference of participating in the physical activity groups of physical conditioning and swimnastics/fitness swimming. Finally, SPA was the only significant predicator (p<.001) of participants' PPF. Based on the results of this study, SPA played a critical role in college-age students' exercise setting preferences. Students' self-presentational concerns about their physiques being negatively evaluated by others may indeed influence their exercise setting preferences. / School of Physical Education

It is widely acknowledged in the literature that grief is most intense when it is experienced by parents whose children have died. However, as recently as 20 years ago, mothers whose children died at birth or before the pregnancy had reached full term were often dismissed as merely medical patients, and their psychological reactions were not considered or acknowledged by professionals, their friends, or their families. More recently fields such as psychology have recognized that women who have experienced pregnancy loss have complex psychological reactions to their loss. The present study examined the patterns of grief of women who have had a pregnancy end in spontaneous abortion or stillbirth and the ways in which these women gave meaning to their experiences. Participants were asked to complete several measures including the Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS), the Hogan Grief reaction Checklist (HGRC), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSS), and the Inventory of Social Support (ISS). The participants also wrote a narrative account of their loss experience. These narratives were content analyzed to delineate common themes. The findings indicated several important factors which may be useful in understanding and assisting in post-loss adjustment.

The purpose of this study was to determine differences between the same subjects' music preferences at the elementary and high school levels, and the relationship between these findings and the following variables: peer preferences, musical training, excerpt familiarity, grade, gender, and race.

Degree: MA in Psychology by Coursework and Research Report, 2016 / A comprehensive study has demonstrated that language experience provides cognitive benefits above the attainment of a second language (Bialystok, Craik, Green & Gollan, 2009) and thus it is purported that being a bi/multilingual stimulates memory and other executive functions (Jessner, 1999).The relation between language experience and verbal working memory and visual and verbal long-term memory was explored by assessing 30 healthy, young multilingual adults. The instruments that were used for this study are as follows: The Language Experience and Proficiency Questionnaire (LEAP-Q) which rated self-reported language experience/s, the Letter-Number Sequencing subtest from the WAIS-IV which assessed verbal working memory, the Visual Reproduction (VR) subtest from the WMS-IV which evaluated visual long-term memory and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) which measured verbal memory and learning. The results of the ANOVA statistics found that there was a correlation between language experience and verbal long-term memory (which was measured by utilising the RAVLT), but no links between language experience and verbal working memory and visual long-term memory were found. The results suggest that the language experience of young, multilingual adult South Africans is not related with verbal working memory and visual long-term memory. / MT2017

Lau Wing Yin, Verena. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-78). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Acknowledgments --- p.2 / Abstract in English --- p.3 / Abstract in Chinese --- p.4 / Introduction --- p.5 / Major features of the Chinese language and processes in Chinese reading comprehension / Different paradigms in Chinese reading comprehension / Research questions of the present study / Research design of the present study / Experiment1 --- p.24 / Experiment2 --- p.32 / Experiment3 --- p.39 / General Discussion --- p.57 / Conclusion --- p.73 / References --- p.74 / Appendix A --- p.79 / Appendix B --- p.84

Liao, Yuan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-57). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / 摘要 --- p.iii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.iv / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.v / LIST OF TABLES --- p.vii / LISTS OF FIGURES --- p.viii / Chapter CHAPTER ONE: --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / THE DONOR'S PERSPECTIVE --- p.8 / Reciprocation --- p.9 / Positive self-evaluation --- p.11 / Social norms and approval --- p.12 / THE RECIPIENT'S PERSPECTIVE --- p.13 / Benefits of accepting help --- p.13 / Costs of accepting help: The Threat to Self-Esteem --- p.14 / INFLUENCE OF CHINESE CULTURE --- p.15 / OVERVIEW OF THE PRESENT STUDIES --- p.16 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO: --- EMPIRICAL STUDIES --- p.20 / STUDY ONE: HELP-GIVING SITUATION --- p.20 / Method --- p.20 / Results --- p.23 / Discussion --- p.28 / STUDY TWO: HELP-RECEIVING SITUATION --- p.31 / Method --- p.31 / Results --- p.33 / Discussion --- p.38 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE: --- GENERAL DISCUSSION --- p.40 / INTEGRATIVE MODELS IN TWO SITUATIONS --- p.40 / POSSIBLE FUNCTIONS OF CHINESE CULTURE --- p.43 / PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS --- p.44 / LIMITATION AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS --- p.45 / CONCLUSION --- p.47 / References --- p.48 / Appendices --- p.58 / Appendix 1 --- p.58 / Appendix 2 --- p.61

Cheng Oi Yin, Carolina. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-62). / Abstract and questionnaire also in Chinese.

Huang, Xun. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-87). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Mao, Yina. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-73). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / List of Tables --- p.2 / List of Figures --- p.3 / Abstract --- p.4 / 摘要 --- p.5 / Acknowledgement --- p.6 / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.7 / Chapter 2. --- Theories and hypotheses --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1 --- actors and third parties --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Belief in a just world --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Threat to the belief in a just world --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Maintenance of the belief in a just world --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Current research focus and the research gap --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Actors and third parties --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Hypothesis development --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2. --- Heuristic cues --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3 --- Multiple strategies --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Co-occurrence of strategies --- p.29 / Chapter 3. --- Method --- p.37 / Chapter 3.1 --- Research design --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2 --- Scenarios --- p.38 / Chapter 3.3 --- Pilot study --- p.40 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Measurements --- p.40 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Description of the sample --- p.43 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Analysis --- p.43 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Adjustments --- p.45 / Chapter 3.4 --- Power analysis --- p.45 / Chapter 3.5 --- Main study --- p.47 / Chapter 3.6 --- results --- p.48 / Chapter 4. --- Conclusions and implications --- p.58 / References --- p.67 / Appendix: Questionnaire used in this study (Chinese version) based on scenario 1 --- p.74

這項研究利用多角度方法，去探索簡短靜觀訓練對因被排斥而導致的心理困擾有否影響;更會將靜觀訓練與自律鬆弛法和控制組作比較。本實驗的參加者包括了161名香港中文大學的本科生和研究生。並用了Cyberball遊戲去模擬社會排斥。所有參加者被隨機分成三組: 1) 靜觀、 2) 自律鬆弛、 3) 控制組。我根據他們的生理反應測量 (如皮膚電導、心率), 混合動機任務，隱含測試(i.e. lexical decision task)，和自我評估去度量情緒困擾、互動模式、對自己和他人的態度、和在靜觀能力及態度的改變。 本實驗採用了生理反應測量 (如皮膚電導, 心率), 混合動機任務、隱含測試、和自我報告去評估幾方面的反應:情緒困擾、 與別人互動樣式、對自己和他人的態度、和靜觀能力的改變。結果顯示，靜觀組 的自尊心和存在意義感相比其他兩組高; 然而，靜觀組和自律鬆弛組之間沒有顯著差異。在靜觀的改變上，我們使用兩套問卷: （一）Southampton Mindfulness Questionnaire (SMQ), （二）Self-Other Four Immeasurables (SOFI) 。結果顯示，靜觀組在 SOFI Positive-Self 方面有明顯的提升; 而在SOFI Positive-Other能維持不變，相反其他兩組就有顯著的下降。可是，SMQ 和 SOFI問卷的其餘部分 (例如：SOFI Negative-Self, SOFI-Negative-Other)，沒有發現顯著的組間差異。除了採用兩份靜觀問卷外，我也使用了Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) 來測量慈心品性對結果的影響。結果顯示，性格較為靜觀及慈心的人, 沒有那麽容易受排斥而引至有不良影響。有趣的是，不同層次的靜觀性格和自我慈悲能有不同的訓練受益。例如，慈心的人在靜觀後會更為慷慨。然而，對於那些SOFI Negative-Other 低分的人，在靜觀後會減少對別人指責的傾向。可是，其他結果 (例如: 混合動機任務、隱含測試 ) ，卻找不到跨組的差異。在生理反應測量方面，結果便與預期不太一致: 靜觀組和自律鬆弛組的皮膚電導，在post-Cyberball 期間甚至比控制組為高; 而其他時段則找不到跨組間差異。在這篇文章的總結中，我也提到這個實驗之不足之處以及可以改善的方法。總括而言，雖然實驗結果所發現的成效不是太明顯，但我們不能忽視靜觀簡化版本的實用價值。尤其是對那些被邊緣化的人來說，簡化版本能使他們更容易參與訓練並從中受益。在文章的末尾，我會提及更具體的意義和建議，希望能對今後的研究有所影響。 / This study utilized the experimental multimodal approach to explore the effectiveness of brief mindfulness training in reducing the psychological distress induced by ostracism, comparing with brief relaxation training and no intervention control. Participants included 161 undergraduate and graduate students from CUHK. Cyberball game paradigm was used to simulate social exclusion. All participants were randomized into 3 groups: 1) meditation, 2) relaxation, 3) no intervention control. Physiological measures (i.e., skin conductance, heart rate), mixed-motive task, and implicit test (i.e. lexical decision task), and self-reports were used to assess emotional distress, interactions styles, attitudes toward self and others, and change in mindfulness. Results indicated that meditation group expressed higher level of self-esteem and sense of meaningful existence despite of social rejection in comparison with no intervention control. However, there was no significant difference between meditation and relaxation group. In terms of the mindfulness qualities as measured by Southampton Mindfulness Questionnaire (SMQ) and Self-Other Four Immeasurables (SOFI), meditation group reported greater enhancement in SOFI Positive-Self, while other two groups remain statistically unchanged. For SOFI Positive-Other, only meditation group remained as positive as before while other two groups dropped. However, the result from other mindfulness measurement (i.e. SMQ) and dimensions (i.e. SOFI Negative-Self, SOFI Negative-Other) revealed no significant group difference. In addition to the two mindfulness scales, the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) was also used to capture the baseline self-compassion disposition. Correlational result showed that, being more mindful and self-compassionate was in general associated with feeling less threatened by the exclusion task. Interestingly, people of various levels of mindfulness and self-compassion could benefit from mindfulness training differently. For example, participants who were more self-compassionate would display more generous behavior only if they were in meditation group. However, for those who scored low on baseline SOFI Negative-Other, meditation reduced their tendency to blame others. Contrary to expectation, no statistically significant difference was found across conditions in implicit self-other attitudes and interaction styles. For physiological arousal, no significant cross group difference was identified with the exception of during the post-Cyberball period, in which skin conductance was significantly higher for meditation and relaxation groups relative to no-intervention control. . Limitations in the Cyberball manipulation and intervention implementation were noted, which may impact the study findings. In sum, despite the small effect observed in the mindfulness training condition, the practical value of an abbreviated mindfulness format cannot be ignored, particularly for the socially ostracized population whom may not have the luxury to experience the full-scale mindfulness training. More specific implications and suggestions for future research were discussed. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Chan, Tsz Ying Amy. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-79). / Abstracts also in Chinese; appendix A includes Chinese. / Abstract --- p.iv / Introduction --- p.1 / Stigmatization and Ostracism --- p.1 / Ways to Combat Stigma --- p.2 / Existing Efforts --- p.2 / Mindfulness Mechanism in Reducing the Negative Impacts of Being Socially Excluded --- p.3 / What is Mindfulness? --- p.3 / Suggested Mechanism on How Mindfulness Deals with Ostracism --- p.7 / Mindfulness Based Approach --- p.9 / Evidence of Mindfulness on Stigma Reduction --- p.10 / Constraint Of Current Mindfulness Intervention --- p.11 / Objectives of This Study --- p.13 / Main Hypothesis --- p.13 / Hypothesis 1 --- p.14 / Hypothesis 2 --- p.15 / Hypothesis 3 --- p.15 / Hypothesis 4 --- p.15 / Hypothesis 5 --- p.16 / Method --- p.17 / Pilot --- p.17 / Participants --- p.17 / Measures --- p.17 / Screening Measure --- p.17 / Baseline Measure --- p.18 / Procedure --- p.22 / Result --- p.28 / Hypothesis 1.1: Meditation Group Has the Lowest Physiological Arousal (i.e. HR, SC) Followed by Relaxation and Control Groups during and after Cyberball Game --- p.29 / Hypothesis 1.2: Meditation Group was Least Threatened by the Social Exclusion Effect of the Cyberball Game, Followed by Relaxation and Control. --- p.31 / Hypothesis 1.3: Meditation Group had the Most Positive Attitude and Least Negative Attitude toward Self and Other, Followed by Relaxation and Control. --- p.32 / Hypothesis 2: Meditation Group was the Most Mindful, Measured by SMQ and SOFI, Followed by Relaxation and Control Groups. --- p.33 / Hypothesis 3 Meditation Group has the Most Positive Communication Style (3.1) and Give the Largest Amount of Points to Opponents (3.2), Followed by Relaxation and Control Groups --- p.36 / Hypothesis 4: Mindfulness Trait’s Interaction with Group Assignment in Affecting Outcomes --- p.36 / Correlational Analysis --- p.36 / Group X Baseline Mindfulness Interaction Effect --- p.39 / Hypothesis 5: Trait Self-Compassion’s Interaction with Group Assignment in Affecting Outcomes --- p.41 / Discussion 43 / Was the Brief Mindfulness Training Successful in Reducing the Negative Effect of Ostracism? --- p.43 / Decrease in Physiological Arousal --- p.43 / Stronger Resilience toward Ostracism? --- p.44 / Does Mindfulness Increase Selfless Behavior? --- p.45 / Implicit Attitudes toward Self and Others --- p.46 / Was Brief Mindfulness Session Successful in Improving Mindfulness? --- p.47 / How Does the Mindfulness and Self-Compassionate Predisposition Affect One’s Receptivity toward Brief Mindfulness Training? --- p.48 / Limitations --- p.50 / Implications and Conclusion --- p.52 / APPENDIX A --- p.57 / Instruction for meditation group --- p.57 / Instruction for relaxation group --- p.60 / APPENDIX B --- p.64 / DASS 21 --- p.64 / APPENDIX C --- p.65 / Self-Compassion Scale (26 Items) --- p.65 / APPENDIX D --- p.66 / Southampton mindfulness questionnaire (SMQ) 16 item --- p.66 / APPENDIX E --- p.67 / Self-Other Four Immeasurable (SOFI) --- p.67 / APPENDIX F --- p.68 / Assessment of manipulations, need satisfaction, and mood following ostracism (31 items) --- p.68 / APPENDIX G --- p.70 / Communication Checklist-Key --- p.70 / REFERENCES --- p.72