Thesis (M.A.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Psychology, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Aug. 6, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 71-76). Also issued in print.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Ashland Theological Seminary, 1994. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 215-219).

Thesis (M.A.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Department of Psychology, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Sensory-processing sensitivity, or neurosensitivity, is a biologically-based personality dimension with implications for personality, creativity and cognition. This thesis focuses on sensitivity and its cognitive implications using recent state-of-the-art sensitivity and creativity assessments with an aim to identify objective cognitive tests of sensitivity that can supplement self-report measures, whilst providing insight into the brain basis for creativity. In Chapter 1, we review literature on creativity and sensitivity. Chapter 2 presents new evidence that positive-affect-related dimensions of sensitivity benefit creativity independently and/or interactively with Big-Five openness. Factor analysis in Chapter 3 provides important evidence that multiple dimensions of sensitivity are distinct from Big-Five personality traits. Chapter 4 and 5 explore sensitivity-related attention components in relation to endogenous and exogenous attention tasks, revealing that positive-affect-related sensitivity is characterized by differences in exogenous inhibition-of-return, and defocused, disinhibited attention states that facilitate creative potential. Chapter 6 shows sensitivity has positive implications for learning and memory processes, demonstrating that neurosensitivity affects neuroplasticity favourably. Chapter 7 explores how individual differences in unconscious cognitive mechanisms of latent inhibition (LI) may underlie higher creative potential and achievement in sensitive, open creators, as theory and evidence suggest low LI in high sensitivity and creative achievement. No evidence was found to support the hypothesis that LI differs in sensitivity, or underlies the sensitive creator. All findings are interpreted in light of a new sensitivity framework that is consistent with cognitive disinhibition and hemispheric asymmetry hypotheses of creativity and models of the creative process suggesting an important role for conscious and unconscious cognition.

This thesis examines the relationship between individual differences in learning, personality, and social success in two groups of brown capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp.) housed at the “Living Links Centre for Human Evolution” at Edinburgh Zoo, UK. Being able to learn quickly and efficiently likely helps primates achieve social success (defined here in terms of centrality within a social network), such as acquiring knowledge of others or learning social skills. Therefore, individuals that are better at learning were predicted to have greater social success than other group members. This prediction, however, contrasts with hypotheses generated from two other disciplines at the individual level: 1) the study of behavioural innovation, and 2) the study of individual differences, i.e. “personality”. In terms of behavioural innovation, better learners should have less social success than other group members because they are expected to rely more on problem-solving, rather than physical combativeness or status, to gain access to socioecological resources. In terms of personality, learning should have little or no direct relationship with social success because other individual differences, like sociability and fearfulness, should mediate primates’ social decision making. This thesis investigates each of these hypotheses. Personality was assessed in 127 capuchins from 7 international sites using the Hominoid Personality Questionnaire, and then validated at Living Links (LL) using behavioural codings; this was the first-ever description of personality structure in brown capuchins. Brown capuchins have five personality dimensions: Assertiveness, Openness, Sociability, Neuroticism, and Attentiveness. Ratings were consistent across observers, and predicted relevant behaviours among the LL capuchins over a year later (e.g. scores on Sociability predicted time spent in close proximity to others). “Social success” in the LL capuchins was assessed in terms of centrality in spatial proximity networks. Individual scores on social network centrality were significantly correlated with scores derived from a Principal Components Analysis of eight affiliative and agonistic behaviours among the LL capuchins, indicating that spatial proximity is a reliable measure of the quality of subjects’ social embeddedness within their groups. Social rank and two personality traits (Assertiveness and Sociability) were positively related to network centrality, while another personality trait (Neuroticism) was negatively related to centrality. Sociability was a significant predictor of network centrality even after controlling for social rank and the other personality traits, highlighting the importance of this personality trait in shaping the social success of capuchins beyond that of basic social rules (e.g. kinship, sex, and rank). Individual learning was assessed in the LL capuchins by administering two operant tasks to subjects under conditions of free choice participation. In Task 1, thirteen monkeys participated, and eight individuals met learning criteria (i.e. >80% trials correct over 3 consecutive sessions). In Task 2, fifteen monkeys participated, and five individuals met learning criteria; the monkeys that learned this second task were also among those individuals that learned Task 1. For monkeys that regularly participated in both tasks (i.e. >50% of sessions), their average performances (i.e. % trials correct) were significantly correlated with individual scores on Assertiveness, but not the other four personality traits, or individual differences in attention span during testing, the percent of sessions subjects participated during testing, the amount of scrounging events subjects directed towards others within their social group, or the percent of observation time subjects spent feeding within their main indoor/outdoor enclosures. In terms of social success, relatively better learners had lower social rank and network centrality compared to relatively poor learners. Also, compared to poorer learners, better learners were generally less likely to direct affiliative acts (e.g. grooming, food sharing, coalitionary support) to other group members. Controlling for Assertiveness (i.e. the only variable related to individual differences in subjects’ average learning performance), individual differences in learning performance were no longer significantly related to social rank, network centrality, or the amount of affiliative acts subjects initiated with others. Collectively, such findings contrast the hypothesis that better learners should (concurrently) be more socially successful than poorer learners, and instead are more reflective of hypotheses pertaining to behavioural innovation and/or the study of individual differences. Social rank and certain traits of personality (Assertiveness, Openness, Neuroticism, and Sociability) appear to interact with capuchins’ patterns of social interaction, and one personality trait (Assertiveness) may mediate how individual differences in learning are associated with differences in social success.

Submitted by Noeme Timbo (noeme.timbo@metodista.br) on 2017-06-01T18:37:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniel Luiz Romero.pdf: 332403 bytes, checksum: 2d344a05e6fcb800e036b4619cf2a08e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-01T18:37:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniel Luiz Romero.pdf: 332403 bytes, checksum: 2d344a05e6fcb800e036b4619cf2a08e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The morbimortality caused by accidents involving transit riders has been gaining prominence on the world scene. It is attributed this to various aspects, as for example, the adoption of risk behaviors, lack of attention, exacerbated confidence, in addition to the attraction of motorcyclists by risk and in terms of the aspects related to personality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between personality characteristics (factors of temperament and character) and risk of accidents of motorcycles. The sample in this study was 153 riders from 18 to 60 years of age, both genders, different levels of education and who use the motorcycle in its activities. It was verified the frequency regarding gender, age, level of education, marital status, knowledge of the course of defensive driving, as well as did the course, where the use of a motorcycle (professional, daily travel and leisure) time of empowerment, practice time round mileage per day, number of accidents, reasons of accidents and consequences of accidents to health and the factors of the personality through the inventory of temperament and character of Cloniger (TCI). The results show a higher prevalence of males (75.8%) and that the main reasons of accidents has a relationship with attitudes such as traveling at high speed, breaking traffic laws, recklessness, and bad conditions of roads that have provided 43.8% of accidents. As to the consequences of accidents to the health of motorcyclists, 43.1% suffered some type of fracture, 78.4% had light bruises, 75.8% using the motorbike for daily shifts and only 37.3% of the sample did courses in defensive driving. As for the characteristics of the personality, you can point to the adoption of a risk behavior associated with high scores in the factor search of Novelty Seeking (NS), as well as low score in factor Harm Avoidance (HA) when compared with the expected average for the population (NS = 20.29, P = 0.001 and HA = 14.96, P = 0.006). These personality traits show traits of impulsivity, excessive confidence in situations of danger and optimism unrealistic in the face of potentially severe. It was observed in this study that the greater the distance round per day, the greater the number of accidents among motorcyclists in this sample, as well as that there is a significant difference between the averages of mileage round by those who make professional use of motorcycle and who doesn't, Motoboy and not Motoboy. This group also presents reduced scores in the factor of temperament Harm Avoidance, as well as a strong tendency to increase the score on a factor for Novelty Seeking. Thus, the temperamental characteristics in addition to the time of exposure corroborate so that motoboys are more likely to suffer accidents. / A morbimortalidade, ocasionada por acidentes de transito envolvendo motociclistas vem ganhando destaque no cenário mundial. Atribui-se isso a diversos aspectos, como por exemplo, a adoção de comportamentos de risco, a falta de atenção, exacerbada confiança, além da atração dos motociclistas pelo risco, bem como, no que tange os aspectos relacionados à personalidade. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a associação entre características da personalidade (fatores de temperamento e caráter) e risco de acidentes de motocicletas. Participaram deste estudo 153 motociclistas de 18 a 60 anos de idade, ambos os gêneros, vários níveis de escolaridade e que utilizam a motocicleta em suas atividades. Foi verificada a frequência quanto ao gênero, a média de idade, nível de escolaridade, estado civil, conhecimento do curso de direção defensiva, bem como se fez o curso, qual o uso da motocicleta (profissional, deslocamento diário e lazer) tempo de habilitação, tempo de prática quilometragem rodada por dia, número de acidentes, motivos dos acidentes sofridos e consequências dos acidentes para a saúde, além dos fatores de da personalidade por meio do Inventário de Temperamento e Caráter de Cloniger (ITC). Os resultados mostram maior prevalência de homens (75,8%) e que os principais motivos dos acidentes tem relação com atitudes como transitar em alta velocidade, desrespeitar as leis de trânsito, imprudência, além de condições ruins das vias que proporcionaram 43,8% dos acidentes. Quanto às consequências dos acidentes para a saúde dos motociclistas, 43,1% sofreram algum tipo de fratura, 78,4% tiveram escoriações leves, 75,8% utilizam a motocicleta para deslocamentos diários e apenas 37,3% da amostra fez cursos de direção defensiva. Quanto às características da personalidade, pode-se apontar para a adoção de um comportamento de risco associado à elevada pontuação no fator Busca de Novidade (BN), bem como baixa pontuação no fator Esquiva ao Dano (ED) quando comparados com a média esperada para a população (BN = 20,29; P = 0,001 e ED = 14,96; P = 0,006). Essas características de personalidade denotam traços de impulsividade, excesso de confiança em situações de perigo, além de um otimismo pouco realista diante de consequências potencialmente severas. Observou-se neste estudo que quanto maior é a quilometragem rodada por dia, maior é o número de acidentes entre os motociclistas desta amostra, bem como que há significativa diferença entre as médias de quilometragem rodada por quem faz uso profissional da motocicleta e quem não faz, ou seja, motoboys e não motoboys. Este grupo também apresenta reduzida pontuação no fator de temperamento Esquiva ao Dano, bem como forte tendência ao aumento da pontuação no fator Busca de Novidade. Sendo assim, as características temperamentais somadas ao tempo de exposição corroboram para que os motoboys tenham maior probabilidade de sofrer acidentes. Palavras-chave: Personalidade, Inventário de Temperamento e Caráter, Motociclista, Acidentes de trânsito.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-04-06T12:05:28Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação Final Ernandes.pdf: 2307839 bytes, checksum: ac0260ae46a3bc18b2fa01e5d1fcf0b6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-06T12:05:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação Final Ernandes.pdf: 2307839 bytes, checksum: ac0260ae46a3bc18b2fa01e5d1fcf0b6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-24 / A modalidade de ensino a distância (EaD) se expande cada vez mais no Brasil, incentivada pela evolução das tecnologias de informação e comunicação (TIC). Apesar da disseminação da EaD, essa modalidade de ensino ainda apresenta altas taxas de evasão. Esse fato ocorre, na maioria das vezes, pelos seguintes motivos: sentimento de isolamento enfrentado pelos discentes, uma vez que a presença física e social do aluno em ambientes educacionais virtuais é mínima; dificuldade em colaborar com os pares e falta de adaptação às metodologias utilizadas na EaD. Diversos trabalhos desenvolvidos na área da computação afetiva indicam que aspectos psicológicos humanos como personalidade, afetividade e emoção, quando empregados em ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem, influenciam na interação e aumentam a colaboração entre os alunos. Com base na literatura e nas entrevistas efetuadas com professores e alunos do Instituto Federal da Paraíba (IFPB), este trabalho apresenta a análise e o desenvolvimento de um sistema para a recomendação de pessoas (monitores e tutores), observando o contexto e os fatores da personalidade/temperamento dos alunos, a fim de melhorar o processo de colaboração na EaD. Os experimentos realizados com alunos dos cursos técnicos em meio ambiente, pesca e segurança do trabalho do IFPB, comprovaram que o software desenvolvido neste trabalho foi eficiente quando as recomendações foram geradas com base na afinidade da personalidade/temperamento entre os alunos. Dessa forma, os resultados gerados pelas recomendações foram bem avaliados pelos participantes desta pesquisa e revelaram que o índice de satisfação e a colaboração no ambiente virtual de ensino melhoraram com o uso do Affinity. / Distance Education has increasingly expanded in Brazil due to the evolution of information and communication technologies (ICT). Despite of this dissemination, distance education still has high evasion rates. This occurs, in most cases, due to the sense of isolation faced by the students, for the physical and social presence of the student in virtual educational environments is minimal; the difficulty in collaborating with pairs and the lack of adaptation to methodologies used in distance education. Several studies developed in the area of affective computing indicate that human psychological aspects such as personality, affection and emotion, when used in virtual learning environments, influence the interaction and increase collaboration among students. Based on the literature as well as on interviews conducted with teachers and students of the Instituto Federal da Paraíba (IFPB), this dissertation presents the analysis and the development of a system for recommending people (monitors and tutors) that takes into consideration the context and personality/temperament factors of the students to improve the process of collaboration in distance education. The experiments conducted with students of technical courses in environment, fishing and work safety at IFPB, have shown that the software developed in this work was efficient when the recommendations were generated considering the similarity of personality/temperament among students. Therefore, the results generated by the recommendations were highly rated by participants in this study and revealed that the level of satisfaction and the collaboration in virtual teaching environment improved significantly with the use of Affinity.

The problem of this study was the determination of the relationship between Myers-Briggs personality temperament and extraversion-introversion, and group counseling norms, as reflected by the group counseling outcome measures: Survey of Attraction to Group, self and leader-report Interpersonal Relationship Rating Scale (IRRS), and Sociometric Choice Status Survey. The Mvers-Briggs Temperament Indicator (MBTI) and the four outcome measures were administered to a sample population of 103 graduate and undergraduate counselor education students after completion of a semester-long group counseling experience. Fifteen groups of five to nine members were surveyed. It was expected that group members whose temperaments were compatible with group counseling norms would be more likely to receive confirmation, support, and acceptance in the group, be attracted to the group, receive higher leader and self-report ratings of interpersonal skills, and be more highly valued by other members than would members whose temperaments were incompatible with group norms. It was also thought that extraverts were more likely to be attracted to the group, receive higher self and leader ratings of interpersonal skills, and to be more highly valued by other members than were introverts. No significant relationship was found between temperament and the four outcome measures. Possible explanations for this finding were discussed. However, mean scores for extraverts were significantly higher than mean scores for introverts on the Survey of Attraction to Group and leader-report interpersonal Relationship Rating Scale instruments. A related finding was that the NF temperament was overrepresented in the sample population of counselor education students by a factor of four. The INFP type was overrepresented by a factor of 16.5, and the ENFP type had the highest frequency of occurrence. Together, INFPs and ENFPs constituted 34 percent of the sample. In the general population, INFPs and ENFPs would be expected to account for only six percent of the total.