This document discusses and analyzes the theoretical implications as of developmental psychology, relating to variables that are essential for the study of socialization, such as parental ethno-theories and the context of the mother-child interaction, from the specificity of a cultural context. A relevant subject for psychology is approached, focusing on subjects of cultural, trans-cultural, and developmental psychology. Parental beliefs, conflict resolution strategies, and cultural orientation were assessed in two Costa Rican samples, a rural (n=14) and an urban (n=14). 28 mothers and their pre-school children were assessed in three interaction episodes (free play and two scenario conflict situations). Collectivis Scale (Yamaguchi, 1984), Family Allocentrism Scale (Lay & others, 1998) and Socialization Goals Inventory (Harwood, 1992) plus a semi-structured interview were applied. Interdependent cultural orientation among Costa Rican mothers and differences among zone were tested. Despite an interdependent cultural orientation, urban and rural samples showed certain variability concerning interactive compenents, parental beliefs and cultural values related to conflict resolution and conflict resolution styles. Results allow to detail certain cultural specific values concernin parenting, interaction patterns, parental beliefs and social values related to conflict resolution.

In this dissertation a formalisation of nonmonotonic reasoning, namely Default logic, is discussed. A proof theory for default logic and a variant of Default logic - Prioritised Default logic - is presented. We also pursue an investigation into the relationship between default reasoning and making inferences in a neural network. The inference problem shifts from the logical problem in Default logic to the optimisation problem in neural networks, in which maximum consistency is aimed at The inference is realised as an adaptation process that identifies and resolves conflicts between existing knowledge about the relevant world and external information. Knowledge and data are transformed into constraint equations and the nodes in the network represent propositions and constraint equations. The violation of constraints is formulated in terms of an energy function. The Hopfield network is shown to be suitable for modelling optimisation problems and default reasoning. / Computer Science / M.Sc. (Computer Science)

Les conflits dans les couples sont souvent perçus négativement et ayant un impact sur la qualité du couple et l'adaptation des enfants. En revanche, ce ne sont pas tous les conflits qui sont négatifs. En effet, dans un contexte où les parents utilisent des stratégies de résolution positives, les situations de conflits pourraient devenir un terrain d'apprentissage pour les jeunes enfants et leur permettent de réutiliser ces modèles afin d'être plus compétents socialement. La présente étude vise à évaluer le lien entre les stratégies de résolution de conflits conjugaux et la compétence sociale des enfants d'âge préscolaire en fonction du sexe du parent et du sexe de l'enfant. Les données ont été recueillies auprès de 160 familles ayant un enfant âgé entre 4 et 6 ans. Il s'agit d'un devis de recherche transversal. Les résultats montrent que les stratégies de résolution des conflits conjugaux des parents sont marginalement liées au niveau de compétence sociale de l'enfant, mais ce, uniquement pour le père. En outre, le sexe de l'enfant modère marginalement ce lien, les garçons étant plus compétents lorsqu'exposés au rapport élevé des stratégies positives du père. Une différence significative a été observée entre les garçons et les filles quant à leur niveau de compétence sociale, les filles étant plus compétentes socialement que les garçons. / In couples, conflict is often viewed negatively and affecting the quality of the relationship and children's adjustment. On the other hand, not all conflicts are negative. Indeed, in a context where parents use positive resolution strategies, conflicts can become a learning environment for young children and allow them to reuse these models to be more socially competent. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between marital conflict resolution strategies and the social competence of preschool children depending on the sex of the parent and the child's sex. Data were collected from 160 families with a child aged between 4 and 6 years old. This is a transversal research design. Results show marital conflict resolution strategies are marginally related to the level of social competence of the children, but only for the fathers. In addition, children's gender marginally moderate this relation, boys being more socially competent when more exposed to a high ratio of positive resolution strategies from their fathers. A significant difference was observed between boys and girls as to their level of social competence, girls being more competent socially than boys.

In this dissertation a formalisation of nonmonotonic reasoning, namely Default logic, is discussed. A proof theory for default logic and a variant of Default logic - Prioritised Default logic - is presented. We also pursue an investigation into the relationship between default reasoning and making inferences in a neural network. The inference problem shifts from the logical problem in Default logic to the optimisation problem in neural networks, in which maximum consistency is aimed at The inference is realised as an adaptation process that identifies and resolves conflicts between existing knowledge about the relevant world and external information. Knowledge and data are transformed into constraint equations and the nodes in the network represent propositions and constraint equations. The violation of constraints is formulated in terms of an energy function. The Hopfield network is shown to be suitable for modelling optimisation problems and default reasoning. / Computer Science / M.Sc. (Computer Science)

<p>  </p> <p>The overarching goal of this dissertation was to understand how between-partner feedback loops facilitate adjustment in the year following a military deployment (i.e., reintegration). Reintegration encompasses a period of family transitions and can be a challenging and turbulent time for couples as they attempt to reconnect and reorganize household dynamics. Couples may experience changes in how they interact, and partners may be able to act as a catalyst for promoting positive change in each other. Guided by Family Systems and Interdependence Theories, this study tested a specific feedback loop of a between-partner mechanism across a period of family stress and transitions. Whereas the demand/withdraw dynamic is one example of a feedback loop that is consequential for relationship well-being, the present study examined an alternative feedback loop where partners may respond to individuals’ withdrawal with a type of constructive partner support that encourages discussions and facilitates effective collaboration (i.e., active engagement). Relationship happiness, an indicator for relationship climate, was considered as a moderator in this proposed feedback loop as it intersects with individuals’ tendencies to withdraw, partners’ attempts at support provision, and global relationship functioning during periods of stress and transition. </p> <p>This study utilized longitudinal dyadic data from 124 couples at three time points in the year following service members’ return from deployment to examine the 1) longitudinal interpersonal dynamics of individuals’ tendencies to withdraw, 2) mediating role of partners’ active engagement in the change in individuals’ withdrawal, and 3) moderating role of relationship happiness in the interpersonal dynamics. Study aims were evaluated with a series of actor-partner interdependence models and path models in a structural equation modeling framework. Results suggest three interpretations. First, whereas this study sought to examine change in individuals’ tendencies to withdraw, the data indicate high levels of within-person stability. Second, this study modeled a possible feedback loop where partners’ attempts at active engagement would result in less individual withdrawal. While I did not find evidence of this feedback loop as proposed, it appeared that (female) significant others’ withdrawal was salient for reductions in (male) service members’ active engagement. Finally, I sought to understand how relationship climate (operationalized by a dyad-level indicator of relationship happiness) was associated with the interpersonal dynamics. Couples defined by a happier relationship climate had a stronger negative association between significant others’ withdrawal and service members’ active engagement. This finding may be evidence of happier couples being more apt to shift between levels of independence and interdependence, which may be especially useful for postdeployment transitions. Taken together, findings from this study suggest that individuals’ tendencies to withdraw are relatively robust to the perturbations of deployment and the utility of flexibility and adaptability in couples’ patterns across reintegration. This dissertation concludes with a discussion of the theoretical implications, avenues for future research, and potential applications of these findings.  </p>