The link between cognitive challenge and captive animal well-being has received increased interest over the past decade, but so far this link in zoo animals has been overlooked. This is particularly surprising for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) because these two 'large-brained' species have been the subjects of intensive cognitive research in captivity over the past six decades. In this thesis, I ask whether novel maze-like devices which aim to be cognitively challenging (abbreviated to 'devices with a cognitive component', DCCs) can be enriching for a mixed-sex group of chimpanzees and two single-sex groups of dolphins housed in zoos. I design, implement and evaluate two DCCs, and employ a new definition of cognitive enrichment that incorporates cognitive challenge and indicators of positive well-being. I demonstrate that two types of DCC for chimpanzees, one constructed from a grid of transparent cells and one from an array of opaque pipes, could be mastered using a number of problem-solving strategies (Chapter 5 and 6). DCC-use by chimpanzees increased when the DCC was less predictable (Chapter 5), but the relationship between self-directed behaviour and cognitive challenge was not straightforward (Chapter 6). In dolphins, only male subjects used an underwater DCC constructed from an array of opaque pipes, and could reflect a general sex difference in response to a novel situation (Chapter 7). In general, the chimpanzees and dolphins groups I studied showed some signs of enhanced well-being, for example increased environmental exploration and play, during exposure to DCCs. However, other behavioural responses such as increased vigilance in dolphins were difficult to interpret and did not suggest that DCCs were enriching. Both species 'worked' in the absence of food rewards and their success on the tasks (i.e. the removal of food or non-food rewards) had little effect on wellbeing indicators (Chapter 5 - 7). Finally, I demonstrate that lateralised behaviour (preference to perform behaviour using one side of the body) can be incorporated into the study of cognitive enrichment (Chapter 8).

This thesis explores whether a viable theistic program of psychological research is possible. The importance of this exploration has to do with naturalism's monopoly on psychological science, inasmuch as naturalism prevents other worldviews from competing fairly in psychology's scientific marketplace by controlling the criteria of psychological science. Because theism is naturalism's most complete rival, considering theism's scientific potential in psychology is crucial to dismantling naturalism's monopoly. Contrary to conventional wisdom, theism encompasses a unique set of understandings about the natural events that constitute the discipline of psychology. Therefore, a robust scientific conception of theism would change how psychological researchers understand and utilize existing research methods and psychological topics. Not only are quantitative and qualitative methods capable of theistic deployment; traditionally theistic topics and radically secular topics within psychology can also be reconceptualized and investigated theistically. Indeed, theistic reconceptualizations of psychological theories and topics lead to new and different research questions, hypotheses, and predictions as well as original studies and prospective programs of research, suggesting that theism is heuristic for the discipline of psychology in its current constitution. A viable theistic program of psychological research is not only possible, but also necessary for psychological science.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Duquesne University, 2009. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p. 239-251) and index.

Pituitary adenomas account for roughly 12% of all intracranial tumours and are treated either surgically or medically. Due to the prevalence, there have been many articles focusing on their treatment. Recently, a few studies have been published suggesting a link between pituitary tumours, their treatment and cognitive dysfunction. These articles challenge the texts put forward to date, texts that demarcate adenoma treatment effects to the realm of the physicaL The mechanism(s) behind these supposed deficits have not yet been identified, largely because of problematic research designs and sampling. In the South African context, practitioners tend to encounter a greater proportion of macroadenomas than developed countries. Working on the assumption that the effects of adenomas are magnified in macroadenoma patients, the South African situation provides a base of extreme cases in which any potential dysfunction has the best chance to declare itself. This is particularly valuable given the controversy surrounding the presence of these cognitive deficits.

This study investigates the gender trends within psychology since 1990 using a quantitative assessment of enrolments and graduations, professional registrations, academic staff composition, and publication output in psychology in South Africa. Among the current trends, five are noteworthy: the rapid growth of the profession; the disproportionate increase in the number of female psychologists; the disproportionate number of White psychologists; the increasing emphasis on practical aspects of the discipline and the decline of the scientific; and the under-representation of women as authors in psychology publications.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage secondary to ruptured cerebral aneurysm and clipping are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite favourable neurological outcomes, many patients report persistent cognitive and emotional deficits post intervention. To compare cognitive and quality of life outcomes in patients with ruptured aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage treated with surgical clipping or endovascular coiling. Twenty-four patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage treated by clipping or coiling were retrospectively assessed by use of a battery of cognitive tests and a quality of life questionnaire. All patients had favourable grades on admission, that is, WFNS <= 2 and favourable neurological grades on discharge, that is, GOS <=2. treated with surgical clipping or endovascular coiling. Patients in the two treatment groups were matched on age, years of education and on premorbid IQ. The two groups were further matched on time from intervention to assessment and number of treatments. The cognitive performance of the treatment groups was compared to hospitalised controls, matched for age, years of education and premorbid IQ. Comparison of cognitive outcome between the two groups indicated a trend towards poorer outcome in the surgical group which achieved significance on six test measures. There were no significant differences with respect to the quality of life measure. Patients surviving aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage are likely to suffer from a 'subarachnoid-induced encephalopathy' which appears to be more aggravated by the invasive nature of surgery, compared to endovascular coiling, as demonstrated by the poorer cognitive performance ofthe clipping patients.

Yes / Discourse analytic approaches are increasingly used in psychological research. In this chapter, we will briefly introduce the key discourse analytic approaches used within psychological research. Then, using an example from some work carried out by the first author on ‘older motherhood’, we will guide you through the practical steps associated with an approach to discourse analysis called critical discursive psychology and consider how this approach is successfully applied to qualitative data. Finally, we will consider some of the practical applications of the approach.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT : The present study is a first follow-up assessment by means of parent and teacher reports in a cohort study conducted by Wege (2014). The study examined the long-term relationship between anxiety symptoms and behavioural inhibition in young South African children with the inclusion of parental overprotection as a moderator variable. The aims of the study were to determine whether the relationship between the anxiety symptoms and behavioural inhibition profiles of the 2012 cohort of young South African children changed within a one year follow-up period, while simultaneously assessing the role of parental overprotection. Parent and teacher reports included a Biographical Questionnaire for Parents, the Behavioural Inhibition Questionnaire, the Revised Preschool Anxiety Scale, and, the Parental Overprotection Measure. A total of 59 children of who 25 were female and 34 male were reported on. They were 3 years old (n = 3), 4 years old (n = 16), 5 years old (n = 22), 6 years old (n = 14) and 7 years old (n = 4). In keeping with previous findings, a positive correlation remained between anxiety symptoms and behavioural inhibition, even after one year. The moderating effect of parental overprotection was less strong than predicted. Nonetheless, a non-significant trend in the hypothesised direction was found: the relationship between behavioural inhibition and anxiety was strongest when simultaneously there were high levels of parental overprotection. The only significant difference found between scores of the initial study and that of the present research was that parents reported significantly lower levels of behavioural inhibition at the one year follow-up. Although at a non-significant level, both parent and teacher reports of anxiety indicated higher levels of anxiety at the year follow-up. Results need to be interpreted with caution in view of the smaller number of participants in the cohort study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Die huidige studie is deur middel van ouer- en onderwyserverslae gedoen en is ʼn eerste opvolgassessering van ʼn kohortstudie deur Wege (2014). Die langtermynverband tussen angssimptome en gedraginhibisie by jong Suid-Afrikaanse kinders is ondersoek en oorbeskerming deur ouers is ingesluit as moderatorveranderlike. Die doelwitte van die studie was om deur middel van ouer- en onderwyserverslae te bepaal of die verband tussen die angssimptome en gedraginhibisieprofiele van die 2012-kohort jong Suid-Afrikaanse kinders verander het oor die verloop van een jaar. Terselfdertyd is die rol van oorbeskerming deur ouers bepaal. Die ouer- en onderwyserverslae wat gebruik is, was die Biographical Questionnaire for Parents, die Behavioural Inhibition Questionnaire, die Revised Preschool Anxiety Scale, en die Parental Overprotection Measure. Altesaam 59 kinders van wie 25 meisies en 34 seuns was, het aan die studie deelgeneem. Hulle was 3 jaar oud (n = 3), 4 jaar oud (n = 16), 5 jaar oud (n = 22), 6 jaar oud (n = 14) en 7 jaar oud (n = 4). In ooreenstemming met vorige bevindings was daar selfs ’n jaar later ʼn positiewe korrelasie tussen angssimptome en gedraginhibisie. Die temperende effek van oorbeskerming deur ouers was minder as wat voorspel is. Nogtans is ʼn onbeduidende neiging in die rigting van die gestelde hipotese gevind: die verhouding tussen gedraginhibisie en angs was die sterkste wanneer daar terselfdertyd ʼn hoë vlak van oorbeskerming deur die ouers was. Die enigste beduidende verskil tussen tellings van die aanvanklike studie en dié van die huidige studie was dat die ouers met die opvolg ʼn jaar later beduidend laer vlakke van gedraginhibisie gerapporteer het. Hoewel onbeduidend, het beide die ouers en die onderwysers hoër vlakke van angs gerapporteer tydens die opvolgondersoek. Weens die klein aantal deelnemers behoort die resultate met omsigtigheid geïnterpreteer te word.

The present study investigates the problems of conducting psychological research from the experiential perspective of the Native subject and the Native consumer of research. / The Cree of Northern Quebec, who have a long history of independence and a strong central government, have ejected several psychologists from their lands. From the analysis of the psychological research conducted among the Cree it was concluded that ejections generally followed incidents of perceived disrespect for local authority systems. This analysis seemed to show that flexibility and a personal approach were considered by the Native subjects as important assets for a researcher. Other positive attributes included relevance of the research, Native origin of the researcher, and the use of information sessions after the research was concluded. Negative attributes included ethnocentrism of the researcher, the free expression of anger, demands for self-disclosure, question-asking, overpublication of results, over-identification with the host group, and ignorance of Cree history and culture. The situation for counsellors was found to have many similarities to the situation for researchers. / To investigate the problem directly, a quasi-experiment was conducted with a group of James Bay Cree subjects, and their reaction to the research experience was polled after the experiment. It was found that the subjects often enjoyed the research. Personality tests were accepted in varying degrees, and certain Native values were affected in varying degrees. / Subjects in a positive-feedback treatment group rated the experiment poorer in social responsibility and honesty than did subjects in a mixed positive-and-negative feedback group. The vast majority of subjects felt the study would have been better if it had been conducted by a Cree, and three subjects stated that the study should not have been conducted at all. / From both the literature and the experimental study, the following sources of reactivity were recognized: inflexible protocol, ethnocentrism, expression of anger, requests for self-disclosure, excessive amounts of testing, question-asking, over-publishing of results, the use of deception, over-identification with the hosts, ignorance of Native history, differential treatment, and lack of redeeming social value. Aspects of psychological research considered positive by the Native subjects included: a personal approach, relevance, Native origin of the research, affiliation with a local person, advanced age of researcher, use of intrinsically valuable or at least entertaining instruments, ability of the researcher to read subtle messages, and use of information-sharing sessions. The key to conducting non-reactive research is to respect local authority. Respect can be shown by obtaining permission to enter the area, to access a subject pool, to conduct the research, and to publish the results. If permission is refused, that decision must be respected.

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