Esta tese descreve um estudo quase experimental que teve como objetivo: investigar a relação entre a construção do Pensamento Computacional e o desenvolvimento do raciocínio de estudantes dos últimos anos do Ensino Fundamental. A pesquisa foi realizada utilizando um curso de extensão em Desenvolvimento de Games, ofertado em 2 escolas particulares de Porto Alegre, tendo a participação de 50 alunos. A prática de ensino-aprendizagem proposta foi construída com base em pressupostos teóricos da aprendizagem significativa e aprendizagem experiencial. O Pensamento Computacional e o raciocínio dos alunos foram avaliados antes e após o término do curso, sendo utilizados para este fim o Teste de Pensamento Computacional e as provas que compõe a Bateria de Provas de Raciocínio – BPR-5. A análise estatística dos dados permitiu evidenciar um incremento do Pensamento Computacional, bem como do Raciocínio Verbal, Raciocínio Abstrato e Raciocínio Mecânico dos alunos que participaram do experimento. Comprovou-se também uma correlação positiva entre o Pensamento Computacional e os cinco tipos de raciocínio avaliados. Os resultados deste estudo demonstram como a construção do Pensamento Computacional contribuí no desenvolvimento cognitivo dos alunos e é apresentada uma proposta pedagógica que pode servir de referência para novos estudos na área. / This thesis describes a quasi-experimental study aimed to investigate a relationship between the construction of Computational Thinking and the development of students' reasoning in Middle School. A research was carried out during a course about Games Development, offered in two private schools in Porto Alegre, with 50 students. The proposed teaching-learning practice was built on the theoretical assumptions of meaningful learning and experiential learning. Both, Computational Thinking and reasoning, of the students were measured before and after the course, using a Computational Thinking Test and a set of reasoning evidence tests (BPR-5). The statistical analysis of the data showed an increase in Computational Thinking, as well as Verbal Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Mechanical Reasoning of the students participating in the experiment. There was also a positive observation between Computational Thinking and the five types of reasoning. The results of this study demonstrate how the construction of Computational Thinking contributes to the cognitive development of students and presents a pedagogical proposal that can serve as a reference for new studies in the area.

Esta tese descreve um estudo quase experimental que teve como objetivo: investigar a relação entre a construção do Pensamento Computacional e o desenvolvimento do raciocínio de estudantes dos últimos anos do Ensino Fundamental. A pesquisa foi realizada utilizando um curso de extensão em Desenvolvimento de Games, ofertado em 2 escolas particulares de Porto Alegre, tendo a participação de 50 alunos. A prática de ensino-aprendizagem proposta foi construída com base em pressupostos teóricos da aprendizagem significativa e aprendizagem experiencial. O Pensamento Computacional e o raciocínio dos alunos foram avaliados antes e após o término do curso, sendo utilizados para este fim o Teste de Pensamento Computacional e as provas que compõe a Bateria de Provas de Raciocínio – BPR-5. A análise estatística dos dados permitiu evidenciar um incremento do Pensamento Computacional, bem como do Raciocínio Verbal, Raciocínio Abstrato e Raciocínio Mecânico dos alunos que participaram do experimento. Comprovou-se também uma correlação positiva entre o Pensamento Computacional e os cinco tipos de raciocínio avaliados. Os resultados deste estudo demonstram como a construção do Pensamento Computacional contribuí no desenvolvimento cognitivo dos alunos e é apresentada uma proposta pedagógica que pode servir de referência para novos estudos na área. / This thesis describes a quasi-experimental study aimed to investigate a relationship between the construction of Computational Thinking and the development of students' reasoning in Middle School. A research was carried out during a course about Games Development, offered in two private schools in Porto Alegre, with 50 students. The proposed teaching-learning practice was built on the theoretical assumptions of meaningful learning and experiential learning. Both, Computational Thinking and reasoning, of the students were measured before and after the course, using a Computational Thinking Test and a set of reasoning evidence tests (BPR-5). The statistical analysis of the data showed an increase in Computational Thinking, as well as Verbal Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Mechanical Reasoning of the students participating in the experiment. There was also a positive observation between Computational Thinking and the five types of reasoning. The results of this study demonstrate how the construction of Computational Thinking contributes to the cognitive development of students and presents a pedagogical proposal that can serve as a reference for new studies in the area.

The purpose of the current study was to examine neuropsychological functioning in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) with psychotic features. Data from a large, epidemiological study of patients with first-episode psychosis was used to examine verbal learning and working memory 10 years after onset of psychosis in patients with BD relative to patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and patients with psychotic major depressive disorder (MDD). Cross-sectional comparisons of verbal learning and working memory at the 10-year follow-up mirrored findings of relative performance at the 2-year follow-up (Mojtabai, 2000), as patients with SZ performed significantly worse than patients with psychotic affective disorders. When FEP patients' cognitive performance was examined longitudinally, all groups showed non-significant decline over time, with no significant diagnostic group differences after accounting for current symptoms. More frequent hospitalizations and longer treatment with antipsychotics were associated with poorer performance on cognitive testing 10 years after illness onset, but these associations disappeared when controlling baseline cognitive performance. Within the BD sample, current positive and negative psychotic symptoms were associated with poorer performance on cognitive testing. After controlling for baseline cognitive performance, markers of clinical course were unrelated to cognitive performance, consistent with existing literature on longitudinal cognitive functioning in patients with BD. The current findings support a neurodevelopmental model of verbal learning and working memory deficits in patients with bipolar disorder.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS) and the NEPSY, A Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment, to differentiate between the subtypes of Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). The CAS and NEPSY are neuropsychological instruments which provide norms for AD/HD children in general. This study examined the performance of the two subtypes of AD/HD on the CAS and NEPSY. In addition, this study examined the performance of the two AD/HD groups on the Screening Test for Auditory Processing Disorders (SCAN). Since AD/HD children tend to have difficulty with language, the SCAN was used to determine if any of the AD/HD subjects had auditory processing difficulties that might impact their performance on the CAS and/or NEPSY subtests. The sample consisted of 118 children between the ages of 8 and 12 years of age. Using the DSM-IV criteria, the children were diagnosed as having three types of AD/HD: A Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type (AD/HD-HI), a Predominantly Inattentive Type (AD/HD-I) and a Combined Type The subtypes were also identified by the Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale-Home Version (ADDES-H). Only two subtypes, AD/HD-I and AD/HD-C, were identified by the ADDES-H. There were not enough AD/HD-HI subjects to include in the study. Therefore, this study focused on the AD/HD-I and AD/HD-C subtypes. A binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted on the AD/HD-I and AD/HD-C subtypes with selected subtests of the NEPSY and the four PASS Scales of the CAS. Results indicated a significant difference between the AD/HD-I and AD/HD-C groups on the Tower subtest of the NEPSY and the Planning Scale of the CAS. The Tower and the Planning Scale are both purported measures of executive functioning; however, results of the Planning Scale were in an unexpected direction. No significant difference was found between the two AD/HD groups on the other subtests examined. The results of the SCAN analysis suggested there were no significant differences in auditory processing between the two AD/HD groups. Recommendations for future research are discussed.

No description available.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The practice of psychometric testing of cognitive functioning in South Africa is hampered by the paucity of normative data that adequately characterize our ethnically, linguistically, socioeconomically, and educationally diverse population. The general aim of this study was to ascertain whether cognitive tests developed in settings outside of the Western Cape urbanized area have valid application for clinical and research purposes in that area. Strategies used to achieve that aim included: 1) translation, adaptation, and subsequent administration of a compendium of tests in a sample of typically developing, coloured and white, 12- to 15-yearold, Afrikaans- and English-speaking adolescents; 2) evaluation of the relative impact of sociodemographic factors (age, sex, language, quality of education, and race) on test performance and the consequent derivation of appropriately stratified normative data; and 3) evaluation of the cross-cultural utility of the normative data by comparing data collected from the study sample to norms derived from other populations. Results indicated that sex and language of testing impacted minimally on cognitive functioning. In contrast, the pervasive and deleterious impact of disadvantaged quality of education on cognitive performance within typically developing adolescents was clearly demonstrated. For participants with advantaged quality of education, coloured race was associated with lower performance on measures of intelligence, semantic fluency, and one measure of attention. Furthermore, the results provided evidence of age-related increments in cognitive performance, particularly after the age of 12. For cognitive measures that were significantly affected by language, race, and quality of education, trends of a downward continuum of performance were demonstrated, from highest to lowest, as follows: 1) English-white-advantaged; 2) Afrikaans-white-advantaged; 3) Englishcoloured- advantaged; 4) English-coloured-disadvantaged; 5) Afrikaans-coloured-advantaged; and 6) Afrikaans-coloured-disadvantaged. Cross-cultural comparisons of norms showed that for some tests, norms derived from other populations were suitable for use in the study sample. For other tests, however, results showed that for certain subgroups, it was essential to use the stratified norms derived from the study in order to prevent misdiagnoses. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die psigometriese toetsing van kognitiewe funksionering word in Suid-Afrika gekniehalter deur 'n gebrek aan normatiewe data wat ons etnies, taalkundig, sosio-ekonomies en opvoedkundig diverse bevolking genoegsaam tipeer. Die algemene doel van hierdie studie was om vas te stel of kognitiewe toetse wat in omgewings buite die Wes-Kaapse stedelike gebied ontwikkel is, ook vir kliniese en navorsingsdoeleindes binne hierdie stedelike gebied aangewend kan word. Hiervoor is onder meer die volgende strategieë gevolg: 1) 'n kompendium toetse is vertaal, aangepas en vervolgens afgeneem onder ’n toetsgroep tipies ontwikkelende, bruin en wit, 12- tot 15-jarige, Afrikaans- en Engelssprekende adolessente; 2) die relatiewe impak van sosiodemografiese faktore (ouderdom, geslag, taal, opvoedingsgehalte en ras) op toetsprestasie, en die gevolglike verkryging van toepaslik gestratifiseerde normatiewe data, is beoordeel en 3) die kruiskulturele nut van die normatiewe data is beoordeel deur die data wat van die toetsgroep in hierdie studie verkry is, te vergelyk met norme wat van ander populasies bekom is. Die resultate toon dat geslag en die taal waarin die toets afgeneem word 'n minimale uitwerking op kognitiewe funksionering het. Daarenteen is duidelik bewys dat swakker gehalte opvoeding ’n verreikende en skadelike uitwerking op die kognitiewe funksionering van tipies ontwikkelende adolessente het. By deelnemers met beter gehalte opvoeding blyk daar 'n verband te wees tussen die bruin rassegroep en laer prestasie wat betref maatstawwe van intelligensie en semantiese vaardigheid, asook een maatstaf van konsentrasie. Voorts lewer die resultate bewys van ouderdomsverwante toenames in kognitiewe prestasie, veral ná die ouderdom van 12. Wat betref kognitiewe maatstawwe wat beduidend deur taal, ras en opvoedingsgehalte beïnvloed is, is 'n afwaartse prestasiekontinuum opgemerk wat van hoog na laag soos volg daar uitsien: 1) Engels-wit-bevoordeel, 2) Afrikaans-wit-bevoordeel, 3) Engels-bruin-bevoordeel, 4) Engelsbruin- benadeel, 5) Afrikaans-bruin-bevoordeel en 6) Afrikaans-bruin-benadeel. Kruiskulturele normvergelykings toon dat, wat sommige toetse betref, die norme wat van ander populasies bekom is ook geskik was vir gebruik onder die toetsgroep in hierdie studie. Wat ander toetse betref, het die resultate egter getoon dat dit by bepaalde subgroepe noodsaaklik is om die gestratifiseerde norme wat uit die betrokke studie afgelei is te gebruik ten einde verkeerde diagnoses te voorkom.

Context-sensitive cognitive rehabilitation aims to address the specific deficits of patients by taking into account the unique strengths and weaknesses of each brain-injured individual. However, this approach requires customized assessments and trainings that are difficult to validate, time-consuming or simply unavailable for daily clinical use. Given the currently struggling economy and an increasing number of patients with brain injuries, a feasible and efficient solution for this individualized rehabilitation concept is needed. This dissertation addresses the development and evaluation of a VE-based training and assessment for context-sensitive cognitive rehabilitation. The proposed application is designed to closely resemble real-world places that are relevant to each individual neurological patient. Despite such an ecologically valid approach to rehabilitation, the application also integrates traditional process-specific tasks that offer potential for standardization and collection of normative data across patient populations. Three cognitive tasks (navigation, orientation, spatial memory) have been identified for use in individualized VEs. In three experimental trials the feasibility and validity of the technological implementation and theoretical foundation of these tasks has been assessed. In a fourth trial one of the tasks has been used for the rehabilitation of a brain-injured patient. Based on the results of these studies a workflow for the rapid development of VEs has been established which allows a VR developer to provide clinicians with individualized cognitive tasks. In addition, promising results for the clinical use and validation of the proposed system form the basis for future randomized controlled clinical trials. In conclusion, this dissertation elaborates how context-sensitive and process-specific rehabilitation approaches each offer a unique perspective on cognitive rehabilitation and how combining both through the means of VR technology may offer new opportunities to further this clinical discipline.

O transtorno cognitivo no idoso acarreta repercussões na sua vida, na família e na relação com a sociedade. Um instrumento de avaliação cognitiva amplamente utilizado é o MEEM - Mini Exame do Estado Mental - que é um teste de rastreamento com o objetivo de selecionar pessoas com provável déficit cognitivo. Uma amostra representativa da população de 394 idosos do município de Batatais SP foi avaliada através de inquérito domiciliar em relação às condições socioeconômicas e de saúde, e foi feito rastreamento dos sintomas depressivos e do desempenho cognitivo através de um instrumento baseado no MEEM. A maioria dos entrevistados era do sexo feminino (66%), sendo que 75,4% dos idosos pertenciam a uma faixa etária de 60-74 anos, chamada idoso jovem. Com relação à escolaridade a grande maioria (62.2%) cursou o primeiro grau. Com relação aos analfabetos 77,1% eram mulheres e 22,9% eram homens. Para o estado conjugal a diferença foi na proporção da viuvez 80.2% para o sexo feminino e 19.8% para o masculino. Quanto à renda familiar, 43.7% da população recebiam menos de 2,5 salários mínimos. Para avaliação do desempenho cognitivo usou um ponto de corte ? a 23 para o MEEM. Observou-se que 81.7% ficaram acima deste ponto e 18.3% ficaram abaixo. Os idosos que tiveram os escores mais elevados foram associados aos fatores como idade (60-69 anos), maior nível escolaridade, ter hábito de leitura, ter boa relação social principalmente com parentes, não ter hipertensão arterial, diabete, incontinência urinária, catarata e ausência de sintomas depressivos. / The cognitive impairment in the old has its effects on their lives, families and relationships with society. A widely used instrument of cognitive assessment is the MMSE- Mini Mental State - that is a screening test whose aim is to select people with probable cognitive deficiency. A significant sample of the population of 394 old people from Batatais - SP, was evaluated through a home survey considering the socioeconomic and health conditions and a screening of depressive symptoms and cognitive performance was done through an instrument based on MMSE. The great majority of people who were interviewed were female (66%) and 75.4% of the old belonged to an age group from 60 to 74 years old, being considered \"younger old\". Regarding scholarship, most of them had attended primary school (62.2%). Considering the illiterate 77.1% were women and 22.9% were men. Concerning marital status a huge difference between the proportion of widows (80.2%) and widowers (19.8%) was found. With reference to familiar income 43.7% of the population earned less than 2.5 minimum wages. To evaluate the cognitive performance a cut off ? 23 for MMSE was used. It was observed that 81.7% of the old were above and 18.3% were under this point. The old who achieved the highest scores had factors such as age (60-69 years old), better scholarship level, reading habits, a good social relationship (mainly with relatives), no high blood pressure, no diabetes, no urinary incontinence, no cataract and absence of depressive symptoms.

In spite of the long-standing tradition of including measures of visual-motor integration in psychological evaluations, visual-motor abilities have not been included in the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory of cognitive abilities or its complementary cross-battery approach to assessment. The purpose of this research was to identify the shared constructs of a popular test of visual-motor integration and a test of intellectual functioning, and to investigate how a test of visual-motor integration would be classified within the CHC model. A large normative sample of 3,015 participants that ranged in age from 5 to 97 years completed the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test, Second Edition (Bender-Gestalt II; Brannigan & Decker, 2003) and the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, Fifth Edition (SB5; Roid, 2003). Correlational analyses indicated positive moderate correlations across all age ranges between the Bender-Gestalt II Copy measure and the SB5 Nonverbal Visual-Spatial Processing subscale and between the Bender-Gestalt II Recall measure and the SB5 Nonverbal Visual-Spatial Processing and Nonverbal Working Memory subscales. Exploratory factor analyses revealed a three-factor model for four age groupings and four-factor model for one age grouping, suggesting factors which represent crystallized ability, fluid reasoning, and visual-motor ability. The results of this study suggest that the Bender-Gestalt II measures abilities that are not included in the SB5. Therefore, the Bender-Gestalt II would complement an intelligence test such as the SB5 in order to form a CHC Visual Processing (Gv) broad ability factor. These findings also address the need for further research to validate the constructs measured by newer versions of widely-used tests of cognitive ability.