Circadian synchrony impacts on individuals' judgements, risk taking and belief perseverance

Existing research suggests that availability of cognitive resources has a potentially significant impact on information processing capabilities. Circadian variations constitute one of the factors that are likely to impact on an individual’s availability of cognitive resources. Accordingly, this thesis sought to investigate the impact of circadian variations on information processing from the perspective of belief perseverance and framing effects. It comprises of three experiments that were conducted using a sample of students from Kingston University as the participants. Experiment 1 examined the influence of circadian variations on belief perseverance and the moderating impact of socially distributed thinking. The results reveal that participants tested at their circadian congruent times had significantly less belief perseverance compared to counterparts tested at their circadian incongruent times. Socially distributed thinking was also found to contribute towards a reduction in belief perseverance. Experiment 2 examined the influence of circadian variations on belief perseverance and type of reason given (supporting or disconfirming the belief) in a legal context. From the results, participants tested at their circadian congruent times reported higher mental alertness and greater task involvement compared to participants tested at their circadian incongruent times, but at a non-significant level. In addition, there was no interaction effect between time of testing and the type reason given on belief perseverance and confidence scores. Experiment 3 tested the effects of circadian variations on framing effects in the context of the Classic Asian Disease Problem, Lung Cancer and HIV Virus. Significant framing effects were found for participants tested at their circadian incongruent times. No significant interaction was found between framing and order of the frame. The thesis discussed the implications of the findings and offered recommendations

Celebration Schedule 2015 (Friday)

Full presentation schedule for Celebration, Friday, May 1, 201

The Symbiosis of Creativity and Wellness: A Personal Journey

The Symbiosis of Creativity and Wellness project explored how holistic personal wellness practices nurture creativity, and conversely, how creativity fosters personal wellness. The project specifically explored wellness from the standpoint of sleep and circadian rhythms, somaticism and movement, nutrition and hydration, meditation and mindfulness, as well as connection and support. By immersing in research-based wellness practices and building a customized approach to personal wellness, this project not only facilitated measurable personal wellness improvements over the six-week period, but also highlighted more profound insights within the relationship between creativity and wellness. Overall this work resulted in significant lifestyle changes, a more holistic and balanced approach to priorities and time management, and insights towards personal, familial and vocational goals. The experience deepened personal skills in creative thinking, Creative Problem Solving, affective thinking, intuition and mindfulness, as well as forged additional steps on a path towards self-actualization and transformational leadership

Heart and Soul: A Phenomenology of Dementia Spouse Caregivers’ Relationship Closeness

All persons with dementia exhibit combinations of cognitive impairment (memory loss and aphasia), functional losses (changes in activities of daily living), and neuropsychiatric disease manifestations (fluctuating moods, behaviors and psychoses). The spouse caregiver role and life are affected by these symptoms which can cause intimacy, reciprocity, and communication issues, and frequently result in the caregiver’s feelings of inadequacy, hopelessness, and embarrassment. Yet caregivers somehow manage to reconstruct and maintain a closeness as a couple. Relationship closeness (RC) found in all marriages is simply depicted as the quality of the communal and emotional bond between husband and wife. Limited research demonstrates some elements of RC are altered by the progression of dementia disease and links RC with the couple’s morbidity (ill health and depression) and caregiving outcomes (burden, coping, transcendence and efficacy). But RC is poorly defined in published studies, and not adequately or critically examined in context with dementia’s cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric symptoms, whose very characteristics disrupt critical elements of interpersonal relationships. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to investigate the phenomenon of spouse caregiver RC; it focused on dementia and the sequelae of dementia symptoms and behaviors. The research questions were: 1) what is the fundamental structure of this phenomenon, and2) what is the meaning of the experience of this phenomenon. This inquiry uncovered a rich description of marital RC in couples, by focusing on their memories and lived-world experiences as caring partners, and as their spouse expressed dementia symptoms daily. Both theoretical underpinnings and qualitative research design used Colaizzi’s existential philosophy and Phenomenological Reflection method of data analysis. Data emerged from the author’s Individual Phenomenological Reflection and sixteen dialogal interviews. Findings revealed the meaning of the fundamental structure of RC in the face of dementia as a journey. Five essential constituents emerged: A past together, the present in which spouses see, feel and respond to the dementia, and lastly, a future together. The meaning expressed by spouses was woven in a tapestry of dementia symptomatology, and dyadic internal and external changes in RC described with important sub-themes such as loss and hurt, imperfect caregiving and compassionate love

High-Quality Outdoor Learning

This open access book reviews evidence and case studies on the effects of outdoor learning on teachers and learners. It shows how real-world learning outside the classroom contributes to unlocking the full potential of learners, demonstrating its benefits for academic learning, social competencies, personal and emotional development, psychological well-being, and physical activity and health. In addition, the book highlights how outdoor learning nurtures environmental awareness and helps learners to tackle current sustainability challenges. Its focus on high-quality learning makes it a unique contribution to the implementation of SDG 4. Aimed at lecturers at teacher training universities, teachers, professional educators, coaches, and multipliers who train staff of educational NGOs, as well as decision makers on all levels of education systems, this book is of interest to all those who seek a more in-depth understanding of the future of education

Winthrop University Undergraduate Scholarship 2015 Book of Abstracts

University College proudly presents the fourth annual Winthrop University Undergraduate Scholarship Book of Abstracts. This year’s book chronicles the accomplishments of students and faculty mentors from 23 academic departments and programs, spanning all five colleges of the university: College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Business Administration (CBA), College of Education (COE), College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) and University College (UC).https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/undergradresearch_abstractbooks/1012/thumbnail.jp

A mixed methods investigation of multidimensional fatigue in the wind industry: towards a sustainable workforce

The wind industry encompasses a high hazard work environment with multiple demands unique to those working in this sector. A key risk to health, safety and productivity is operator fatigue. Poor management of operator fatigue is highly associated with unsafe behaviour as well as physical and mental health issues. Despite this, there is a lack of industry specific research on fatigue. Furthermore, wider organisational research and practice around fatigue management is highly reductionist, often simply addressing sleep-related strains. This could be attributed to the lack of agreed definition around the concept, particularly in the focussed literature on fatigue risk management. This research aimed to address these issues with a mixed methods approach to fatigue research in the wind industry.Research initially comprised a systematic review examining research on human factors in the wind industry which identified multiple unique industry-related strains. Following this, a qualitative interview study with wind industry employees was conducted. Findings suggested that fatigue is experienced as a multidimensional state highly impacted by cumulative strain. Finally, a 4-week quantitative diary study compared fatigue and sleep between working and non-working time and two different types of operations and maintenance roles. Findings indicated that fatigue was highly influenced by multiple work-related demands and that this impact was cumulative and occurred regardless of sleep acquisition. This emphasises the need to employ a multidimensional approach when researching and managing fatigue and for workplace interventions to be implemented with a focus on both organisational design and individual behaviour

Psychology

Psychology is designed to meet scope and sequence requirements for the single-semester introduction to psychology course. The book offers a comprehensive treatment of core concepts, grounded in both classic studies and current and emerging research. The text also includes coverage of the DSM-5 in examinations of psychological disorders. Psychology incorporates discussions that reflect the diversity within the discipline, as well as the diversity of cultures and communities across the globe.https://commons.erau.edu/oer-textbook/1000/thumbnail.jp

A multifaceted approach into the effect of coloured environment on impulsivity using personality, behavioural and neurological methods.

The direct interplay between colour and impulsivity has yet to be researched despite growing interest and activity in the field. The implications of gaining a better understanding of this area helps: realise the impact of LED use in modern environments, address the lack of evidence in reported crime and impulsive psychopathologies relating to coloured light and builds an understanding of impulsivity as a testable concept. The comparison of personality, behaviour and neurological approaches were used to understand: The effect of colour on moods and personality traits associated with impulsiveness, how colour interacts with impulsive behaviours and to explore how colour alters brain activity relating to impulsivity. Various methods were used in each approach: four self-report personality measures, two behavioural tasks and an electroencephalogram for information regarding brain activity. Results from the personality approach indicated that participants felt more impulsive under red light. However results from behavioural and neurological approaches differed indicating that blue light caused increased bursts in a balloon analogue risk taking task and increases in frontal (F3, FZ and F3 position) beta wave activity. These both suggest an increase in impulsiveness. Faster reaction times in the blue go no/ go task condition hinted at better performance but may also be an indication of hampered behavioural inhibition. These findings are contrary to the traditional notion that long wavelength lights are stimulating and short wavelength lights are relaxing but do align with the effects observed when intrinsically photoreceptive ganglion cells are active. It is recommended that until further empirically robust research is conducted, interventions relating to coloured environments effect on serious impulsive pathologies should not be implemented. Most prominently cases of blue light being used to reduce violent crime and suicide. The research also highlights the complexity of impulsivity, the difficulties in measuring it and the need to focus on sub-constructs in order to make accurate inferences about the effect of colour and impulsiveness in the future