Nous avons souhaité, dans notre thèse, poursuivre et approfondir une étude de la pensée leibnizienne commencée en Maîtrise et en D.E.A. Nous plaçant à la frontière de la philosophie et de la littérature, nous nous sommes intéressé au point de vue d'un romancier leibnizien, Hermann Hesse (1877-1962), dont l'oeuvre imposante présente de multiples correspondances avec les théories leibniziennes. Nous avons construit notre étude autour des notions d’existence et d’harmonie, qui, dans la pensée de Hesse, comme, bien sûr, dans le système de Leibniz, sont des concepts fondamentaux. En mettant en lumière les différents thèmes leibniziens sous-jacents à la pensée poétique de Hesse, nous avons examiné le sens que prend la métaphysique de Leibniz dans un univers littéraire échappant, au premier abord, à la rationalisation.L’analyse des notions d’existence et d’harmonie nous a amené à définir les concepts, essentiels chez Leibniz, d’entr’expression et de communication, ainsi que ceux d’optimisme et de liberté. Dans l’univers leibnizien, univers "kaleidoscopique", lieu de concomitances et d’interactions multiples, l’individu, quoique déterminé dans son essence et se développant dans une forme d'autarcie, n’existe que par son inclusion dans l’ensemble du monde auquel il appartient. Nous avons essayé de montrer l'omniprésence des concepts leibniziens chez Hesse, qui conçoit le monde comme un tissu de correspondances et de résonances subtiles, gouvernées par l’immanence d’un Etre supérieur. Telle la monade leibnizienne, l’individu hessien recèle en lui-même une infinité de possibles, qu’il lui appartient d'explorer et de développer, pour acquérir son propre bonheur. La quête d’une certaine forme d'eudémonisme, qui constitue la base des interrogations fondamentales de l’œuvre hessienne, illustre sur un plan existentiel le thème leibnizien de l’optimisme. Chez Hesse, l’homme est à la recherche d’un art de vivre qui puisse lui procurer l'épanouissement de son être et la sérénité. Aspirant à un équilibre intérieur, à une communication avec le monde extérieur - et peut-être avec un principe divin - il recherche sa place au sein d'une harmonie universelle. / The aim of this thesis, is to pursue and examine thoroughly the study of the leibnizian thought we began to process in our Mastership and D.E.A. Looking at the frontier between philosophy and literature, we develop the viewpoint of the leibnizian novelist, Hermann Hesse (1877-1962), whose impressive work offers numerous connections with leibnizian theory. We based our study on the main notions of existence and harmony, which are both important concepts in the works of Leibniz and Hesse. Throwing light on some underlying leibnizian subjects in Hessian poetic thought, we examine the impact of leibnizian metaphysics in the literary universe of Hesse, which, at first sight, escapes to rationality.Analysing the notions of existence and harmony in Hesse and Leibniz leads to define precisely some leibnizian concepts which are very essential ones : expression ( of bodies, minds, universe…), communication, conception of freedom, optimism. In the leibnizian universe, which is a "kaleidoscopic" one and a site where numerous interactions and concomitances take place, the individual, though being determined in his essence as a "monad", i.e. a completely self-sufficient entity, only exists by inclusion in the whole world it belongs to. We tried to reveal the omnipresence of a number of leibnizian concepts in Hesse, who conceives the world as a set of correlations and subtle resonances, governed by an immanent superior Being. Like the leibnizian monad, the hessian individual contains in himself infinite possibilities, which it is his own responsability to explore and develop, in the view of making the experience of happiness. The search for a kind of eudemonism, which constitutes a basic question in the hessian work, is also an existential instanciation of the philosophical concept of optimism, a leibnizian subject. In Hesse's work, man is in search of an art of living, which can make him get self-fulfilment and absolute serenity. Longing for a mental balance, and for a true communication with the outer world – maybe with some divine principle – he is searching his niche in life, in its universal harmony.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal. / Cette étude porte sur le phénomène de chute subite de la performance ("slump") par l'entremise des perceptions de réussite ou d'échec de 20 golfeurs masculins âgés en moyenne de 56,5 ans. Le "slumping" est caractérisé par une emprise émotionnelle qui peut se traduire par une incapacité à rebondir ou à se sortir de piètres performances survenant une âpres l'autre. Le concept de rebondissement implique que le golfeur revient positivement à un niveau satisfaisant de performance suite à un échec initial. En constituant deux groupes de 10 sujets différents en terme de rebondissement, il a été possible de montrer que ce concept est partiellement associé à la notion d'optimisme telle qu'évaluée par le questionnaire cernant le style d'attribution des sujets (ASQ). Un questionnaire portant sur l'anxiété (SCAT) a également été utilisé dans la comparaison, mais aucun résultat significatif n'a pu être obtenu pour différencier les deux groupes de sujets. La présente recherche fait néanmoins ressortir que le phénomène du "slumping", tel que perçu par le golfeur, peut-être opérationalisable et qu'il fait partie intégrante de la performance de l'athlète sur le terrain. Le phénomène n'a pas encore été étudié, d'un point de vue scientifique en sport et les suggestions avancées suite à la réalisation de cette recherche permettront de mieux le cerner pour l'avenir. / This study relates to the phenomenon of the sudden fall in the athletic performance called a "slump", via the perceptions of success or failure of 20 male golfers with an average age of 56.5 years. The slumping is characterized by an emotional influence, which can result in the inability to rebound after a poor golfing performance. The concept of rebound implies that the golfer returns positively to his level of performance with satisfactory results following an initial failure. By setting up two groups of 10 subjects differing in terms of resilience, it was possible to show that this concept is partially associated with the concept of optimism as evaluated by the questionnaire used to determine the style of attribution of each subject (ASQ). A questionnaire relating to anxiety (SCAT) was also used in the comparison, but no significant result could be obtained to differentiate the two groups of subjects. The present research emphasizes nevertheless, that the phenomenon of slumping as perceived by the golfer, forms an integral part of the performance of the athlete on the course. The phenomenon was not previously studied, from a scientific point of view. These results will make it possible for improved golfing performance in the future.

Afin de déterminer si l'optimisme comparatif est un indicateur d'efficacité d'une publicité utilisant une forte peur, une expérimentation auprès de 173 universitaires de l'Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières issus du programme d'administration a été effectuée. Pour ce faire, quatre groupes d'expérimentation ont été formés : un groupe exposé à une publicité faible peur, un second soumis à une publicité forte peur axée sur la recommandation, un troisième exposé à une publicité forte peur axée sur la menace et un groupe témoin soumis à aucune publicité. Le thème des publicités était l'alcool au volant. L'analyse des résultats statistiques n'a pas permis d'établir un lien entre l'exposition à une forte peur et l'augmentation de l'optimisme comparatif. Toutefois, d'autres analyses ont mis en évidence le lien entre un fort optimisme comparatif, le traitement efficace d'une publicité utilisant la peur et la prédiction comportementale, et ce, peu importe le niveau de peur utilisé. Effectivement, selon la présente recherche, l'optimisme comparatif serait un allié des communications publiques et non une tendance à contrecarrer. Cette étude soulève également la consommation d'alcool réelle comme variable modératrice importante dans la perception des risques, la prédiction comportementale et le niveau d'implication envers le thème

La procrastination académique est la tendance à remettre à plus tard l'accomplissement d'une tâche scolaire, au point de vivre de l'inconfort (Solomon & Rothblum, 1984). La présente recherche avait pour objectif de vérifier l'influence des illusions positives (Taylor & Brown, 1994), de la perception illusoire du temps (Buehler, Griffin, & Ross, 1994) et de la motivation (Deci & Ryan, 1991) sur la procrastination académique. Pour ce faire, un modèle médiationnel a été développé et testé auprès de 219 universitaires du premier cycle. Les résultats des analyses de régression soutiennent le modèle proposé. Ils démontrent que les illusions positives rehaussent la motivation académique à la mi-session, tandis que la perception illusoire du temps l'influence négativement. En retour, plus l'étudiant est motivé de manière autodéterminée à la mi-session moins il a tendance à faire de la procrastination à la fin du trimestre.

La stagnation est un phénomène fréquent dans le domaine de la natation, bien qu’inexpliqué et incompris, pour lequel peu de solutions sont proposées. Malgré quelques recherches sur ce phénomène, notamment au baseball, la littérature sur le sujet demeure incomplète et ne permet pas de bien cerner le problème de la stagnation. Ainsi, cette étude a pour but premier d’identifier et de comprendre les causes possibles de la stagnation, les changements émotionnels, physiques et sociaux engendrés par un tel phénomène et les stratégies utilisées par les athlètes pour gérer la stagnation. Le deuxième objectif de cette étude est de jeter un regard sur l’impact de l’optimisme sur la résolution de la stagnation. Pour ce faire, des entrevues semi-structurées ont été menées auprès de onze nageurs ayant compétitionné au niveau national canadien. Les nageurs étaient divisés en trois groupes: les nageurs ayant résolu leur stagnation et qui continuent de nager, les nageurs ayant cessé la compétition de natation suite à une stagnation non résolue et ceux qui nagent encore malgré une stagnation non résolue. Les candidats sélectionnés ont complété deux questionnaires sur l’optimisme, le LOT-R et l’ASQ. L’analyse des résultats, réalisée grâce à la théorisation ancrée, a permis de déterminer un ensemble d’émotions vécues par les athlètes et d’identifier des stratégies afin de résoudre la stagnation. Les résultats de cette étude indiquent qu’une balance entre l’optimisme et le pessimisme, une motivation intrinsèque ainsi qu’une auto-détermination chez l'athlète sont des éléments importants afin de surmonter une stagnation. / Even if unexplained and misunderstood, a slump is a frequent phenomenon among high level swimmers for which few solutions are proposed. Despite some previous research especially in the sport of baseball, the literature on this topic is fairly incomplete and does not provide a complete understanding of the problem. Therefore, the primary goal of this study is to get a better understanding of the possible causes of a slump and the emotional, mental, physical and social changes generated by this phenomenon and the strategies used by swimmers in order to break through their slumps. The second goal of this study is to examine the impact of optimism on the resolution of a slump. To reach these goals, semi-structured interviews were held with eleven swimmers who competed at the national level in Canada. Swimmers were divided into three groups: swimmers who resolved their slumps and are still swimming, swimmers who stopped competitive swimming because of an unresolved slump and swimmers who are still swimming even though they are still enduring a slump. Subjects selected were also asked to complete two optimism questionnaires (LOT-R and ASQ). Data analysis, using the grounded theory, identified an emotional patterns experienced by swimmers and certain strategies used by swimmers to resolve their slump. Finally, the results of this study suggest that a balance between optimism and pessimism, an intrinsic motivation and a perception of auto-determination are important elements when trying to overcome a slump.

Etude 1 – Cette étude de validation du CGSQ-21 en langue française a permis d’étudier les propriétés psychométriques d’une échelle évaluant le fardeau chez les parents d’enfants avec Troubles du Spectre de l’Autisme (TSA). Il est retrouvé que le modèle à trois facteurs est le plus adapté à la structure du FCGSQ-21. Le fardeau objectif ainsi que le fardeau subjectif internalisé et externalisé sont retrouvés comme les trois facteurs de cette échelle. L’homogénéité du FCGSQ-21 dans cette étude est excellente avec un alpha de Cronbach à 0,90. Etude 2 – L’objectif est d’étudier le bien-être psychologique des parents ayant un enfant avec un Trouble du Spectre de l’Autisme (TSA) en comparaison avec celui des parents ayant un enfant avec un Syndrome de Down (SD) mais aussi ayant un enfant au développement typique (DT). Il existe des différences significatives au niveau du fardeau perçu par les parents des trois échantillons de cette étude (F (2,56) = 18,34 ; p ≤ 0,001), de l’anxiété et de la dépression (F (2,56) = 5,30 ; p =0,008 ; F (2,56) = 4,72 ; p = 0,013). Il est retrouvé également des différences significatives entre le vécu des parents d’enfants avec TSA et avec SD au niveau de l’ensemble des variables de cette étude, notamment au niveau de la sous-échelle « Coordination Globale des Soins » (M SD = 6,7 ; ET = 1,82, M TSA = 5,24 ; ET = 1,67 ; t = 2,76, p = 0,009). Etude 3 – Dans un premier temps, le modèle transactionnel-intégratif-multifactoriel (TIM) adapté à la situation de parents d’enfants avec TSA a été testé et dans un second temps, des profils de parents ont été mis en lumière en lien avec leur bien-être psychologique face au handicap de leur enfant. La disposition à l’optimisme apparaît être une variable explicative du bien-être psychologique et l’anxiété et la dépression viennent se positionner en variables médiatrices entre la disposition à l’optimisme et la perception du fardeau chez les parents. Trois profils de parents ont été mis en évidence. Un profil de parents (n=63) présente un bien-être altéré. Le 2e profil (n=29), montre des parents avec un bien-être psychologique préservé. Enfin, le 3e profil (n=75) est un profil homogène.Etude 4 – Cette recherche a pour but d’explorer le vécu des parents d’enfants avec TSA selon le genre : mères et pères face au TSA. Les comparaisons de moyennes des pères et des mères aux différents questionnaires montrent un score de satisfaction de la coordination des soins et du soutien respect des soins plus élevé chez les mères. Aussi elles obtiennent un score de coping dyadique délégué (partenaire) et de coping dyadique commun plus élevé que celui des pères. L’analyse qualitative a révélé que les pères et les mères n’occupent pas, le plus souvent, la même place auprès de l’enfant. / Study 1 – This validation study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the French version of the 21-item Caregiving Strain Questionnaire (FCGSQ-21), which evaluates caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder’s burden. A three-factor model was found to best fit the structure of this scale. Those factors include the objective burden as well as the internalized and externalized subjective burdens. In the present study, the FCGSQ-21’s homogeneity is excellent with a Cronbach’s alpha of .90. Study 2 –This study aims at investigating the psychological well-being of parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) while comparing it to that of parents of children with Down Syndrome (SD) as well as that of parents of typically developing children (DT). Significant differences appear between parents of those different groups for perceived burden (F (2,56) = 18,34 ; p ≤ 0,001), and anxiety and depression (F (2,56) = 5,30 ; p =0,008 ; F (2,56) = 4,72 ; p = 0,013). Other significant differences are observed between parents of children with ASD and SD on all variables in this study, most notably for the sub-scale “Global Coordination of Care” (M SD = 6,7 ; ET = 1,82, M TSA = 5,24 ; ET = 1,67 ; t = 2,76, p = 0,009).Study 3 – First, the transactional integrative and multifactorial Model (TIM) adapted to parents of children with ASD was tested. Then, different profiles of parents linked to their psychological well-being in face of their child’s disorder were highlighted. It appears that dispositional optimism is an explicative variable of psychological well-being and anxiety and depression appear as mediating variables between dispositional optimism and burden perception. Three profiles of parents were highlighted. One profile of parents (n=63) displays reduced psychological well-being. The second profile (n=29) includes parents who maintained high psychological well-being. The last profile (n=75) is homogenous. Study 4 – This study aims to explore how mothers and fathers of children with ASD live with their child’s disorder. The mean comparisons between fathers and mothers highlight a higher care satisfaction, coordination and respect for mothers. Mothers also have a higher delegated dyadic coping (partner) and common dyadic coping than fathers do. The qualitative analysis revealed that fathers and mothers often do not have the same role with their child.

No description available.

La thèse étudie, dans des situations concrètes caractérisées par l'incertitude, plusieurs facteurs qui influencent les jugements de probabilités et les décisions. Les deux premiers essais portent sur la décision de participer à une loterie dont le nombre de participants est inconnu. La décision n'est pas influencée par le nombre de prix, c'est-à-dire le nombre de gagnants qui seront récompensés (Essai 1), alors qu'elle l'est par la similarité avec les gagnants précédents, un facteur logiquement non pertinent (Essai 2). L'insensibilité des consommateurs au nombre de prix découle de l'effet combiné de la faible évaluabilité de cet attribut et de la prise de décision sans estimation de probabilité. La similarité avec les gagnants précédents augmente l'intention de participer en raison du biais de " Hot Hand " interpersonnelle : les consommateurs pensent que leurs chances de gagner le prochain tirage sont plus élevées quand ils sont semblables aux gagnants précédents que quand ils sont dissemblables. L'essai final montre comment le fait de regretter une décision avant que ses conséquences soient connues peut conduire à être optimiste sur ces conséquences, pourvu que l'importance de cette décision pour la personne reste limitée

Businesses are operating in extremely turbulent and dynamic environments – globally and nationally – and have to adapt to ever–increasing changing circumstances, as well as cope with severe pressure to increase profit margins in an attempt to ensure their economic survival. Adding to this challenge is the changing employment relationship characterised by diversity, complexity and high levels of work stress which contribute to poor physical and mental health and employee disengagement. Individuals are strongly influenced by their work environments, and the well–being of employees is therefore critical as it relates directly to work performance. Positive Organisational Behaviour (POB) emerges within the framework of the Positive Psychology movement. POB takes Positive Psychology to the work environment as it studies and applies positively orientated human resource strengths and psychological capabilities that can be measured, developed and effectively managed. The general objective of this research was to conceptualise the components of Positive Organisational Behaviour (POB) (hope, optimism, self–efficacy, and resilience) from the literature and establish the reliability of established international psychometric measures in a South African sample. Additionally, the relationship between POB and other work–related phenomena, such as job satisfaction and turnover intention, work stress and engagement are also of interest. Various research designs were employed to obtain the necessary data. First, a cross–sectional survey design was used to obtain a sample from the study population at a particular point in time. Data was gathered from all employees in a specific business unit in a chemical factory. In addition to the cross–sectional design, a one–group pre–test post–test design was also utilised to evaluate the effects of a self–development programme on POB. This design also allowed for the investigation of the role of POB in the link between organisational stress and employee health. Finally it was possible iv to test the cross–lagged effects between measurements of POB and Engagement, and investigate causality. The following measuring instruments were used in attaining the objectives of the empirical study, namely a biographical questionnaire, the Dispositional Hope Scale, Life Orientation Test–Revised (LOT–R), Self–Efficacy Scale, Ego–Resiliency Scale, Lack of Role Clarity, Role Conflict, Quantitative and Qualitative Role Overload, Job Satisfaction, Turnover Intention, Quantitative and Qualitative Job Insecurity, Neuroticism, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). The SPSS Programme was used to carry out statistical analysis to describe the participants in terms of demographic characteristics, investigate the reliability and validity of the measuring instruments, and reveal the nature and relationship of the variables in terms of descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. The Amos Programme was used to carry out structural equation modelling. Exploratory and Confirmatory factor analysis established the validity of each of the four scales (hope, optimism, self–efficacy and resilience) that constitute POB and showed that only one factor explains the variance in the data, and that the individual scales relate positively to POB. The study provides support for the core POB construct in a heterogeneous South African sample and provides a new instrument for its measurement. Results confirmed a negative relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention over time. No relationship between POB, job satisfaction and turnover intention could be found in this research. The only significant contributor to participants? turnover intention over time was their baseline levels of turnover intention and their job satisfaction at both baseline and at the second measurement. The moderating role of POB in the relationship between turnover intention and job satisfaction was also not supported. No evidence could however be found that the training programme had a significant contribution to increase job satisfaction and POB with the subsequent lower levels of turnover intention. Results indicated that only the job stressors, quantitative and qualitative job insecurity and the lack of role clarity hold predictive value with regard to POB (T1) and general health. It could also be established that POB (T1) acts as a partial mediator between v job stressors and general health. The negative effect of job stressors can therefore be minimised in the presence of POB. A positive correlation between the stress factors (lack of role clarity, role conflict, role overload and job insecurity), neuroticism and general health is evident from the results of this research. Results also confirmed a positive relationship between the aggregate engagement and POB scores, as well as the positive relationship between the total POB and engagement score. Given the positive nature of all the constructs measured, the inter–correlations were significant at both Time 1 and 2. Results revealed that POB at Time 1 did not predict engagement at Time 2. Strong evidence was found, however, that engagement at Time 1 predicted POB at Time 2. This finding is in line with research which suggests that engagement can facilitate the mobilisation of job and personal resources. In closing, recommendations for the participating organisation and future research were made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Businesses are operating in extremely turbulent and dynamic environments – globally and nationally – and have to adapt to ever–increasing changing circumstances, as well as cope with severe pressure to increase profit margins in an attempt to ensure their economic survival. Adding to this challenge is the changing employment relationship characterised by diversity, complexity and high levels of work stress which contribute to poor physical and mental health and employee disengagement. Individuals are strongly influenced by their work environments, and the well–being of employees is therefore critical as it relates directly to work performance. Positive Organisational Behaviour (POB) emerges within the framework of the Positive Psychology movement. POB takes Positive Psychology to the work environment as it studies and applies positively orientated human resource strengths and psychological capabilities that can be measured, developed and effectively managed. The general objective of this research was to conceptualise the components of Positive Organisational Behaviour (POB) (hope, optimism, self–efficacy, and resilience) from the literature and establish the reliability of established international psychometric measures in a South African sample. Additionally, the relationship between POB and other work–related phenomena, such as job satisfaction and turnover intention, work stress and engagement are also of interest. Various research designs were employed to obtain the necessary data. First, a cross–sectional survey design was used to obtain a sample from the study population at a particular point in time. Data was gathered from all employees in a specific business unit in a chemical factory. In addition to the cross–sectional design, a one–group pre–test post–test design was also utilised to evaluate the effects of a self–development programme on POB. This design also allowed for the investigation of the role of POB in the link between organisational stress and employee health. Finally it was possible iv to test the cross–lagged effects between measurements of POB and Engagement, and investigate causality. The following measuring instruments were used in attaining the objectives of the empirical study, namely a biographical questionnaire, the Dispositional Hope Scale, Life Orientation Test–Revised (LOT–R), Self–Efficacy Scale, Ego–Resiliency Scale, Lack of Role Clarity, Role Conflict, Quantitative and Qualitative Role Overload, Job Satisfaction, Turnover Intention, Quantitative and Qualitative Job Insecurity, Neuroticism, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). The SPSS Programme was used to carry out statistical analysis to describe the participants in terms of demographic characteristics, investigate the reliability and validity of the measuring instruments, and reveal the nature and relationship of the variables in terms of descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. The Amos Programme was used to carry out structural equation modelling. Exploratory and Confirmatory factor analysis established the validity of each of the four scales (hope, optimism, self–efficacy and resilience) that constitute POB and showed that only one factor explains the variance in the data, and that the individual scales relate positively to POB. The study provides support for the core POB construct in a heterogeneous South African sample and provides a new instrument for its measurement. Results confirmed a negative relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention over time. No relationship between POB, job satisfaction and turnover intention could be found in this research. The only significant contributor to participants? turnover intention over time was their baseline levels of turnover intention and their job satisfaction at both baseline and at the second measurement. The moderating role of POB in the relationship between turnover intention and job satisfaction was also not supported. No evidence could however be found that the training programme had a significant contribution to increase job satisfaction and POB with the subsequent lower levels of turnover intention. Results indicated that only the job stressors, quantitative and qualitative job insecurity and the lack of role clarity hold predictive value with regard to POB (T1) and general health. It could also be established that POB (T1) acts as a partial mediator between v job stressors and general health. The negative effect of job stressors can therefore be minimised in the presence of POB. A positive correlation between the stress factors (lack of role clarity, role conflict, role overload and job insecurity), neuroticism and general health is evident from the results of this research. Results also confirmed a positive relationship between the aggregate engagement and POB scores, as well as the positive relationship between the total POB and engagement score. Given the positive nature of all the constructs measured, the inter–correlations were significant at both Time 1 and 2. Results revealed that POB at Time 1 did not predict engagement at Time 2. Strong evidence was found, however, that engagement at Time 1 predicted POB at Time 2. This finding is in line with research which suggests that engagement can facilitate the mobilisation of job and personal resources. In closing, recommendations for the participating organisation and future research were made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.