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

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The graying of America as a sociological and health care phenomenon continues to dictate the demand for creative and innovative interventions that can directly influence the quality of life of nursing home residents. Creative Reminiscence is a program that fosters the active reliving of the past through narration, such as in story-telling, and the use of creative art expression to uncover meaningful life events or valuable life experiences. The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the meaningful life events elicited by the experience of Creative Reminiscence using a phenomenographic approach. Existing (archived) data-transcribed interviews, poetry and painting on planters that were obtained from 20 participants of the Creative Reminiscence program entitled Le Jardin de Sante were analyzed. Five variations of meaningful memories evoked by Creative Reminiscence were identified. These are described as follows: (a) memories that rejuvenate the elder's sense of connectio n; (b) memories that revive the elder's sense of love and intimacy; (c) memories that restore the elder's sense of being; (d) memories that reassert the elder's sense of control; and (e) memories that reinstitute the elder's sense of purpose. In a caring interaction with Creative Reminiscence, the nursed are able to transcend, moving back in time (past) to appreciate segment(s) of their lives, with triumphs and disappointments that give meaning to their inner conflict/human struggle (present), and integrate a sense of confidence and acceptance of their lives to sustain well-being and a sense of wholeness. This research highlights the similarities and differences in the description of memories by the nursing home residents evoked during Creative Reminiscence. / The results of the study support Erikson's notion of the circular nature of the life cycle, wherein there is an inherent need at the last stage of life to re-integrate ascendant psychosocial themes.Taking into account the meaning that nursing home residents ascribe to their experiences provided data on strategies nurses and caregivers can use effectively to help these elders transcend despair. Further research is recommended using a more diverse sample and in more diverse geographical locations. Current standardized instruments may be revised to quantify effects on the ascendant psychosocial themes. / by Germina Emily Risos Rio. / Thesis (D.N.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2008. Mode of access: World Wide Web.