Hurting to Helping: Regret as a Potential Motivator of Helping Behavior

Previous research has suggested that emotions can influence people’s motivation to engage in prosocial behaviors. Even negatively-valenced emotions, like sadness, guilt, and shame, have been shown to motivate prosocial behaviors. Exploratory analyses of a previous study indicated that regret may also motivate increased prosocial intentions, but no research has been published to experimentally test whether feelings of regret may motivate prosocial behaviors. Therefore, the present research seeks to experimentally manipulate participants’ current emotional state to empirically examine whether regret motivates greater helping behavior than other, similar negative emotions that have already been demonstrated to motivate prosocial behaviors in humans. These studies will also use two separate samples to examine potential age differences in the effects of regret on prosocial behavior. Study 1 indicated that there were no differences in prosocial behavior between emotion conditions but there was a marginal difference between the undergraduate and Prolific samples. Study 2 replicated these results and further suggests that prosocial behavior may be motivated by altruism rather than egotism

When Species Collide: An Analysis of the Use of Anencephalic Infants and Non-Human Animals as Organ Donors

This article examines the organ transplant problem with a focus on these two potential sources. Part II exposes the problem which, simply stated, is that a serious shortage of transplantable organs makes identification of new sources of donor organs a necessity. Part III deals with the anencephalic infant as a source of organs. It discusses the nature of this fatal birth defect, the manner in which these infants have been dealt with in the past, and how they are treated today. The article goes on to discuss why these infants may be a valuable potential source of organs for pediatric organ recipients. Finally, the section addresses the arguments against using these infants as a source for donor organs

Health Seeking Behaviors: Life Histories of African Americans who are Older, Have a Low Income, and Live in Rural South Alabama

The study provides information on health-seeking behaviors across the lifespan of African Americans who are older, have a low income, and reside in rural south Alabama. A qualitative naturalistic inquiry was conducted utilizing de Chesnay\u27s (2005) life history methodology. The aim of the study was to produce knowledge that could be utilized in developing age, race, and socio-economically appropriate health promotion intervention strategies for this population. Participation was voluntary and confidentiality was protected. Participants (N=7) were informed on the purpose of the study, methods of data collection, and their right to withdraw. Inclusion criteria was utilized to purposefully select study participants who were African American, between the ages of 65 and 85, residents of rural south Alabama, and who met the definition of low income according to the 2006 Federal Poverty Guidelines (Federal Register, 2006). Both male (n=2) and female (n=5) participants were included. Data collection tools included the researcher, a semi-structured interview guide, genogram, and timeline. The study took place in rural south Alabama. Data collection was recorded under a pseudonym and conducted at a time and place convenient to the study participants. Nine major themes resulted from data analysis: (a) not sick, (b) knowledge and use of home remedies, (c) childhood preference for generic folk-learned remedies, (d) adult preference for professional health care, (e) need for and use of non-professional health care services, (f) need for and use of professional health care services, (g) limited health promotion and disease prevention education, (h) limited health promotion and disease prevention practice, and (i) trust help is available. Findings indicate a need to explore home remedy use and improve health promotion and disease prevention education related to preventive screenings and chronic disease

Mood and Personality Predictors of Art Preference

Research by Swami (2015) indicates that aesthetic stimuli may improve our understanding of individual differences in artistic preferences. However, those findings were exploratory and more comprehensive measures of individual differences in art preferences should be employed. Our study further investigated whether a person’s personality could determine their art preference. Additionally, we explored mood and life orientation (optimism or pessimism) as predictors. The objective of this research project is to investigate the extent to which an individual’s mood and personality predict their art preference. The significance of this research project is that if certain moods and personalities favor a particular genre of art, thus providing a better understanding of artistic styles. It can also display the way people express themselves through aesthetical choices. Five surveys were administered to 160 participants (males=43, females=122) enrolled in undergraduate classes at a large Southwestern public university: the Costa & McCrae (NEO-PI) Big Five Test, the Profile of Mood States Survey, and two measures of art preference. Both art preferences surveys were administered electronically via URL link prior to the mood and personality surveys, which were garnered within a classroom. SAS procedures were employed to conduct a MANOVA. Thus, the six art genres (Impressionism, Abstract, Cubism, Japanese, Northern Renaissance, Secular Islamic) were compared on the Big Five (NEO-PI), and Profile of Mood States (POMS). A significant Wilks’ λ {F (70,608) = 1.66, p<0.001 was noted. Specifically, there were significant differences between genres on the POMS Tension scale (F5, 140) = 2.44, p< 0.04), Depression scale (F5, 140) = 4.46, p<0.0008), Anger scale (F5, 140) = 3.54, p< .005), Confusion scale (F5, 140) = 3.35, p< 0.007), and Total Mood Disturbance composite score (F5, 140) = 3.50, p< .005). The Masculine-Feminine construct was also found to be highly significant (F5, 140) = 8.62, p< 0.0001) between genres. Finally, the Abstract-Realism construct (F5, 140) = 3.90, p< 0.002) also found specific differences between genres. It is intriguing that mood was so strongly related to art genre preference. This would suggest research to further investigate this relationship. Specifically, observing the relationship between art genres and POMS indices of Tension, Depression, Anger, and Confusion. Depression was the most significant of the POMS measures, suggesting that variances in mood between genres can be most identified through depression. Additionally, the Big Five (NEO-PI) reveals that Openness has a relationship with art genre preference. This dimension was initially hypothesized as a predictor because people low on Openness tend to be conventional, un-artistic, and un-analytical while people high on Openness tend to be curious, creative, and untraditional. These characteristics logically seem relevant in relation to artistic preference. The relationship between mood and art preference might suggest inclusion of artistic material in a therapy regimen

Using tablets to support self-regulated learning in a longitudinal integrated clerkship.

The need to train physicians committed to learning throughout their careers has prompted medical schools to encourage the development and practice of self-regulated learning by students. Longitudinal integrated clerkships (LICs) require students to exercise self-regulated learning skills. As mobile tools, tablets can potentially support self-regulation among LIC students.We provided 15 LIC students with tablet computers with access to the electronic health record (EHR), to track their patient cohort, and a multiplatform online notebook, to support documentation and retrieval of self-identified clinical learning issues. Students received a 1-hour workshop on the relevant features of the tablet and online notebook. Two focus groups with the students were used to evaluate the program, one early and one late in the year and were coded by two raters.Students used the tablet to support their self-regulated learning in ways that were unique to their learning styles and increased access to resources and utilization of down-time. Students who used the tablet to self-monitor and target learning demonstrated the utility of tablets as learning tools.LICs are environments rich in opportunity for self-regulated learning. Tablets can enhance students' ability to develop and employ self-regulatory skills in a clinical context

Pandemics of Metrics

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted critical attention to the performative power of metrics. We suggest that the existential capacities of metrics as a means of pandemic living warrants further consideration. We describe how the COVD-19 pandemic that came into existence as a public health and political event could only have occurred because of the anticipatory metrical practices that were used to transform SARS-COV-2 into a matter of global health concern. By exploring the affective potencies of COVID-19 metrics we show their abilities to engage the public in ways that cannot be contained; in detailing the narrative arcs created through metrics we show their opportunities, misdirections and erasures. A pandemic way of life persists: a pandemic of metrics

Causes for variation in the haemoglobin content of Daphnia in natural waters

Abstract not available.<p

Mood and Personality Predictors of Art Preference

Research by Swami (2015) indicates that aesthetic stimuli may improve our understanding of individual differences in artistic preferences. However, those findings were exploratory and more comprehensive measures of individual differences in art preferences should be employed. Our study further investigated whether a person’s personality could determine their art preference. Additionally, we explored mood and life orientation (optimism or pessimism) as predictors. The objective of this research project is to investigate the extent to which an individual’s mood and personality predict their art preference. The significance of this research project is that if certain moods and personalities favor a particular genre of art, thus providing a better understanding of artistic styles. It can also display the way people express themselves through aesthetical choices. Five surveys were administered to 160 participants (males=43, females=122) enrolled in undergraduate classes at a large Southwestern public university: the Costa & McCrae (NEO-PI) Big Five Test, the Profile of Mood States Survey, and two measures of art preference. Both art preferences surveys were administered electronically via URL link prior to the mood and personality surveys, which were garnered within a classroom. SAS procedures were employed to conduct a MANOVA. Thus, the six art genres (Impressionism, Abstract, Cubism, Japanese, Northern Renaissance, Secular Islamic) were compared on the Big Five (NEO-PI), and Profile of Mood States (POMS). A significant Wilks’ λ {F (70,608) = 1.66, p<0.001 was noted. Specifically, there were significant differences between genres on the POMS Tension scale (F5, 140) = 2.44, p< 0.04), Depression scale (F5, 140) = 4.46, p<0.0008), Anger scale (F5, 140) = 3.54, p< .005), Confusion scale (F5, 140) = 3.35, p< 0.007), and Total Mood Disturbance composite score (F5, 140) = 3.50, p< .005). The Masculine-Feminine construct was also found to be highly significant (F5, 140) = 8.62, p< 0.0001) between genres. Finally, the Abstract-Realism construct (F5, 140) = 3.90, p< 0.002) also found specific differences between genres. It is intriguing that mood was so strongly related to art genre preference. This would suggest research to further investigate this relationship. Specifically, observing the relationship between art genres and POMS indices of Tension, Depression, Anger, and Confusion. Depression was the most significant of the POMS measures, suggesting that variances in mood between genres can be most identified through depression. Additionally, the Big Five (NEO-PI) reveals that Openness has a relationship with art genre preference. This dimension was initially hypothesized as a predictor because people low on Openness tend to be conventional, un-artistic, and un-analytical while people high on Openness tend to be curious, creative, and untraditional. These characteristics logically seem relevant in relation to artistic preference. The relationship between mood and art preference might suggest inclusion of artistic material in a therapy regimen

An Evaluation of the Altamont Community Unit #10 Gifted Program

Purpose The purpose of this field study was to research the entity of gifted education from an historical viewpoint, to review gifted education as it is today, and most importantly, to review evaluation procedures and studies connected with gifted education. A formal evaluation had never been done in the history of the Independent Study Program at Altamont Community Unit #10. The result of the evaluation procedure was to determine how to modify, revise, and re-evaluate the program in order to more effectively meet the needs of the gifted students in the school district. Procedure After the historical review of gifted education and research on current gifted programs was completed, many types of evaluation procedures were studied. It was decided that the evaluation design was to be formal, formative, a naturalistic inquiry, and use a qualitative questionnaire for instrumentation. Questionnaire evaluation designs were created by the researcher, and administered to the Independent Study Program parents, students, and teachers, school board members, and administrators of Altamont Community Unit #10. This was deemed to be the most effective way to meet the purpose of the study. Surveyed in this study were 92 students, 50 teachers, 79 parents, 3 administrators, and 7 school board members. The overall return rate was 85.2%. Data analysis of the survey questions, tables, results, conclusions, and recommendations for each group participating are presented in Chapter IV. Results The study found that there were several areas of agreement and disagreement among the four groups completing the survey. Most of the four groups felt that: the Independent Study Program (ISP) was a good program, liked the organization of the program, and the ISP program was more challenging than the regular classroom. Three of the evaluating groups -- parents, teachers and school board/administrators -- agreed that teachers working in the program can be communicated with comfortably. Parents and teachers indicated that the ISP program helped students learn new things. The school board and administrators gave a positive rating on several other items, as did the parents, teachers, and the students. The comments concerned good teachers in the program, good student attitudes, and over-all program effectiveness. Several areas of needed improvement were clearly indicated by negative responses. The results indicated that: more areas of study needed to be offered to the students, and more time needed to be allotted to the ISP program. Several surveyed questioned the availability of good and interesting materials. Many indicated that the materials the program had were good but that more were needed. Teachers also indicated that they needed more information relayed to them about the program. The field study evaluation revealed opinions on key factors of the effectiveness of the Independent Study Program. Opinions of the groups surveyed should serve as guidelines to plan future goals and objectives, to strengthen the program, to make it more effective, and to continue its success

Differing instructional needs for children of similar reading achievement grades two, four, and six

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit