Thesis (M.Comm. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

The goal of this proposal is to design a neurobiologically-based model that describes the switching mechanism in category learning based on existing category learning theory and model. COVIS is a neurobiologically-detailed theory of multiple systems in category learning. COVIS postulates two systems that compete throughout learning—a frontal-based declarative hypothesis-testing system that uses logical reasoning and depends on working memory and executive attention, and a basal ganglia-mediated system that uses procedural learning. However, no biological mechanism has been proposed to account for the interaction between the COVIS systems. We propose a model that employs a neurobiological-based circuit that describes the interaction and switching between the hypothesis-testing system and the procedural learning systems in COVIS. With the hypothesis-testing system and procedural learning system modeled as black boxes, the model focuses on the network that facilitates switching. In COVIS, both learning systems generate a response signal in each trial based on the stimuli given. Our model incorporates the Izhikevich firing model that represents the activity of the neuronal cells from the hyperdirect pathway of the cortico-basal ganglia network. The hyperdirect pathway acts as a gate for the response signal of the procedural learning system to reach the premotor units for action selection. We propose that the procedural learning system’s response is inhibited from approaching the premotor units when the hypothesis-testing system is in control of the response. However, if rule-based strategies fail, inhibition to the procedural system’s response is reduced. The reduction in inhibition results in the acceptance of responses from both learning systems in the premotor units. To validate the proposed model, we fit the model to two groups of participants in a perceptual category-learning task. One group of participants used the optimal procedural strategy in the task and the other used a suboptimal rule-based strategy. The categorization task was an information-integration task, whereby participants had to switch away from rule-based strategies and learn to integrate the stimulus dimensions to be able to perform optimally. We were able to differentiate the switchers from the non-switchers by adjusting the parameters in the model. In addition, we fitted another task to the model in which participants from different age groups with or without Parkinson’s disease were asked to switch between rule-based and procedural strategies on a trial-by-trial basis. We were able to match the learning curve, accuracy switch cost, and proportion of switchers of the different groups of participants.

SAMMANFATTNING Bakgrund Sjuksköterskor möter regelbundet patienter som befinner sig i akuta krissituationer, vilket är ett naturligt tillstånd i svåra lägen. För att identifiera och ge möjlighet att lindra patienters lidande i dessa situationer samt stödja patienter i en konstruktiv återhämtning, har sjuksköterskor ett betydelsefullt ansvar. Insikt i krisprocesser, sorgbearbetning, Dual-Process Theory samt klinisk definition av lidande kan då vara ett viktigt stöd. Detta då lindring av lidande är ett av sjuksköterskors fundamentala ansvarsområden. Syfte Syftet var att belysa sjuksköterskors upplevelser och erfarenheter av att möta patienter i akuta kristillstånd. Metod Studien utfördes som en litteraturöversikt. Datainsamlingen utgick från databaserna PubMed, CINAHL och PsycINFO. Totalt inkluderades 16 vetenskapliga artiklar, varav 13 med kvalitativa och tre med kvantitativa ansatser. Dessa redovisades i en matris och i löpande text med en efterföljande integrerad analys. Resultat Efter analys av resultaten identifierades tre kategorier. ”Kunskaper och erfarenheter” skildrade sjuksköterskors brist på kunskap inom krishantering samt värdet av erfarenheter. ”Utmanande omvårdnadsarbete” beskrev sjuksköterskors utmanande yrkesroll i krissituationer. ”Sjuksköterskors hanteringsstrategier” belyste självinsikt, självreflektion, stöd samt hanteringsförmåga. Slutsats Kunskapsbrist i krishantering och behov av mer utbildning upplevdes hos sjuksköterskor. Med rätt kunskap kan patienters behov mötas i akuta kriser och onödigt lidande undvikas, vilket kan resultera i lägre vårdkostnader. Sjuksköterskerollen ansågs betydelsefull för krisens utveckling och bör präglas av närvaro, lyhördhet, empati och existentiell reflektion. Omvårdnadsarbetet upplevdes utmanande utifrån patienter och anhörigas krav, samt ett integrerat teamarbete, vilket blir avgörande i krissituationer. Behovet av emotionell vård var omfattande och vårdlidande uppstod genom olika livsvärldsperspektiv hos sjuksköterska och patient.

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Syftet med den här studien var att undersöka om mental trötthet leder till ökad diskriminering av överviktiga. Genom att använda en dual process-modell, inleddes undersökningen med en bedömningsuppgift som deltagarna fick utföra i labbmiljö. Vid ett senare tillfälle fick var och en ombesörja att de genomförde ett implicit associationstest (IAT), följt av en explicit graderingsfråga, där deltagarna uppskattade en eventuell skillnad i normal- kontra överviktigas mentala prestation. Syftet med dessa tester var att ta reda på om diskriminering mot överviktiga existerade inom gruppen i sin helhet på såväl implicit som explicit nivå. Hälften av gruppen hade genomgått en kraftig mental trötthetsbelastning före bedömningsuppgiften, med avsikt att se om bias mot överviktiga ökade vid mental trötthet. Resultatet för alla testningar var för sig visade på diskriminering mot överviktiga, men inte att det förekom någon högre diskriminering vid mental trötthet. Möjliga förbättringar i undersökningsdesignen diskuteras, liksom praktiska implikationer. / This study examined whether mental fatigue leads to increased discrimination against the obese. Using a dual process model, participants took part in an assessment task in a controlled laboratory setting, and thereafter completed an implicit association test (IAT), followed by an explicit question, where participants were asked to grade variances in the mental capacity between normal- versus overweight individuals. The intention was to explore possible obesity discrimination. Half of the group previously completed a strenuous memory task, with the purpose of achieving severe fatigue, in order to explore whether the bias increases with mental fatigue. Although the results revealed discrimination in all tests, there was no evidence of increased discrimination in mental fatigue. Possible improvement in the research design is discussed, as well as practical implications.

Stress and time pressure is more present in todays labor markets. In financial markets a securities broker is forced to take decisions on investments under high cognitive load and under extreme time pressure. The research of decision under risk gained new ground with the development of the prospect theory and gave us new insights to the decision making of men. Prospect theory has shown that people are risk seekers when dealing with loss decisions and risk avert when dealing with profit decisions. The value function are defined over gains and losses. Losses looms larger then gains. Although much research conducted on the decision making under risk no previous research have been done showing how time pressure affects decision at risk by using skin conductance. This paper aimed through a randomized experiment with 23 participants examine how time pressure affects individuals' decisions related to risk. Furthermore, it intends to analyze whether time pressure mediate a possible effect of stress by using skin conductance. The results show that there is an increase in risk aversion for gains. This risk aversion was also statistically significant at the 1% level when each participant's responses were used and almost at 5% level when the mean values from each participant was used. Upon loss a risk -seeking behavior could be noticed but it was not statistically significant at the 5 % level. Stress levels as measured by skin conductance showed that the time-pressed group showed signs of stress. However, no stress data was significant at the 5 % level. / Stress och tidspress är idag allt mer närvarande på arbetsmarknaden. På de finansiella marknaderna kan en värdepappersmäklare tvingas ta beslut om investeringar under hög kognitiv belastning och under en extrem tidspress. Forskningen av beslut under risk har genom prospect theory gett oss nya insikter om vilka beslut vi människor tar. Prospect theory har visat att människor är risksökande vid förlustfrågor och riskaversiva vid vinstfrågor. Prospect theorys värdefunktion är definierad över vinst och förlust. Förluster väger tyngre än vinster. Trots att mycket forskning genomförts på beslut vid risk har ingen tidigare forskning hur tidspress påverkar beslut vid risk med hjälp av hudkonduktans tidigare genomförts. Denna uppsats hade som mål att genom ett randomiserat experiment med 23 deltagare undersöka hur tidspress påverkar individers beslut kopplade till risk. Vidare är syftet att också analysera om upplevd stress medierar en eventuell effekt av tidspress genom att använda hudkonduktans. Resultatet visar att det finns en ökad riskaversion vid vinstfrågor. Denna riskaversion var även statistiskt säkerställd på 1% nivå när varje deltagares svar användes och nästan på 5% nivå då medelvärden från varje deltagare användes. Vid förlustfrågor fanns ett risksökande beteende men den var ej statistiskt säkerställd på 5% nivå. Stressnivåerna som uppmättes med hudkonduktans visade att den tidspressade gruppen blev stressade. Dock var inga stressdata signifikanta på 5% nivå.

Background: Exercise behaviour has largely been studied via reflective social cognitive approaches over the last thirty years. Emerging findings have shown habit to demonstrate predictive validity with physical activity. Habit represents an automatic behaviour that becomes developed from repeated stimulus-response bonds (cued and repetitive action) overtime. Despite the correlation with PA, the literature lacks research in understanding habit formation in new exercisers and experimental evidence of this construct. Hence, the purpose of this dissertation was to: i) understand the behavioural and psychological requirements of habit formation in new gym members, ii) investigate how regular gym members maintain their exercise habit, and iii) incorporate these findings to design a randomized-controlled trial (RCT) to test the effectiveness of an exercise habit building workshop in new gym members. In particular, the RCT sought to test if the habit group would develop greater exercise improvement over a control condition and another intervention group that employed a variety-based approach. Methods: Participants for all three studies were healthy adults (18-65) who were recruited from local gym and recreation centres in Victoria, BC. Studies I and III included only new gym members who were not meeting the Canadian Physical Activity guidelines upon recruitment while study II were a sample of gym members who have been exercising for at least one year. The first two studies were prospective, observational designs (twelve and six weeks respectively) while the third was a CONSORT based experimental study. Results: The first study found that exercising for at least four bouts per week for six weeks was the minimum requirement to establish an exercise habit. Trajectory change analysis revealed habit and intention to be parallel predictors of exercise in the trajectory analysis while consistency of practice revealed to be the best predictor. The second study highlighted the distinction between the preparatory and performance phases of exercise and further found intention and preparatory habit to be responsible for behaviour change across time. This study also found consistency to be the strongest predictor for habit formation. The intervention found the habit group to increase in exercise time compared to the control (p<.05, d=.40) and variety (p<.05, d=.36) groups. Mediation analysis found habit to partially mediate between group and behaviour. Contextual predictors revealed cues and consistency to mediate habit formation and group type. Conclusions: This dissertation provided significant novel contributions to the literature which included: i) calculating the behavioural and psychological requirements for establishing an exercise habit, ii) distinguishing two behavioural phases of exercise and iii) conducting the first exercise habit-based RCT. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed habit-based worksheet which could be helpful for trainers and new gym members in facilitating an exercise habit. / Graduate / kaushal@uvic.ca

The internet has become an important social context in adolescence, and communicating online with friends has become a natural part of everyday life. The present cross-sectional study examined the effects of social cues and popularity on developing adolescent social cognitions in online settings using a sample of 90, 11- to 14-year-old students from British Columbia, Canada. Participants completed self-report cyber-bullying, cyber-victimization, and cyber-aggression motivation measures. Hostile intent attributions were obtained using an instrument containing 8 hypothetical vignettes, where potentially harmful messages were sent to the protagonist, but the sender’s intentions were ambiguous. The results show an increasing cyber-bullying and cyber-victimization trend from early- to mid- adolescence. There was some evidence to suggest that individuals in mid-adolescence were more sensitive to online social cues and popularity. Individuals in mid-adolescence were more likely to engage in cyber-aggressive behavior to obtain a material or social reward. Despite having a small sample size, this study provides a good foundation for further research examining developmental processes that underlie cyberbullying behavior. / Graduate