Aging and positivity : a cognitive comparison of encoding and memory retrieval in two different age groups : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University

The positivity effect refers to a developmental trend in which the ratio of positive over negative events becomes more pronounced over the lifespan, suggesting that older adults evaluate, encode and retrieve stimuli from recall differently from young adults. Previous research has focused on identifying the positivity effect, on whether memory distortion has caused it, and for how long older adults can maintain positive emotion. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the cognitive functions behind the positivity effect. It examined differences in the encoding and memory retrieval of neutral, positive and negatively valenced images in young and old adults by comparing measures of self-reported intensity of arousal in 30 females aged 18-30 with 30 females aged 65-80. A slideshow of 60 valenced images from the International Affective Picture System was shown in either a direct emotion or an indirect emotion task, followed by a brief interference task, after which all participants were rated on the accuracy of their recognition of the valenced images. Results revealed that older adults had a positivity effect in most tasks when compared with younger adults, enhanced by a diminished preference for negative images. Psycho-social implications of this positively-biased view of themselves and the world include concerns over personal health care and safety issues related to independent living

Delivering integrated and customised service experiences within a heterogeneous cultural organisation

This investigation explores challenges in providing integrated and customised services across a heterogeneous cultural organisation. It contributes to contemporary research which increasingly looks at service experience in a number of contexts including public services (McColl-Kennedy, Janet R. Gustafsson et al., 2015), and emphasises the complexity of customer journeys (Lemon & Verhoef, 2016). This study also aligns with research that considers the heterogeneity of cultural consumption (Marschall, 2014; McCamley & Gilmore, 2017) and tourists’ experiences of intangible and tangible elements across a range of sites, some with connections of individual resonance (Poria & Ashworth, 2009; Poria, Butler, & Airey, 2004)

Biometric surveillance in schools : cause for concern or case for curriculum?

This article critically examines the draft consultation paper issued by the Scottish Government to local authorities on the use of biometric technologies in schools in September 2008 (see http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/09/08135019/0). Coming at a time when a number of schools are considering using biometric systems to register and confirm the identity of pupils in a number of settings (cashless catering systems, automated registration of pupils' arrival in school and school library automation), this guidance is undoubtedly welcome. The present focus seems to be on using fingerprints, but as the guidance acknowledges, the debate in future may encompass iris prints, voice prints and facial recognition systems, which are already in use in non-educational settings. The article notes broader developments in school surveillance in Scotland and in the rest of the UK and argues that serious attention must be given to the educational considerations which arise. Schools must prepare pupils for life in the newly emergent 'surveillance society', not by uncritically habituating them to the surveillance systems installed in their schools, but by critically engaging them in thought about the way surveillance technologies work in the wider world, the various rationales given to them, and the implications - in terms of privacy, safety and inclusion - of being a 'surveilled subject'

Managing arthralgia in a postmenopausal woman taking an aromatase inhibitor for hormonesensitive early breast cancer: a case study

Jane Bryce1, Martina Bauer2, Peyman Hadji21National Cancer Institute, Naples, Italy; 2Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, GermanyBackground: In order to reduce the risk of recurrence, adjuvant treatment with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) is recommended for postmenopausal women following surgery for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. AIs are associated with improved disease-free survival compared with tamoxifen. The adverse events associated with AIs resemble those of menopause, such as bone density loss and musculoskeletal symptoms.Purpose: We examine the case of a postmenopausal woman who was prescribed anastrozole, a nonsteroidal AI, as adjuvant therapy following surgery for estrogen and progesterone receptor-positive (ER and PgR+) breast cancer.Methods and sample: A 58-year-old postmenopausal woman diagnosed with ER and PgR+ breast cancer was prescribed anastrozole as adjuvant therapy following a right-inferior quadrantectomy. After experiencing joint pain and stiffness, she was prescribed paracetamol and a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. She was also counseled on nonpharmacological interventions. However, she continued to experience symptoms, and reported that she was not taking anastrozole regularly.Results: The case study patient ultimately found relief by switching to letrozole, another aromatase inhibitor. This approach is supported by recent studies examining the benefits of switching strategies between aromatase inhibitors in order to relieve symptoms of arthralgia/myalgia.Conclusions: Both adherence and strategies for managing aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgia are key to deriving maximal clinical benefit from AI therapy. Switching from one aromatase inhibitor to another may provide a viable option in managing adverse events and enhancing adherence to medication.Keywords: adherence, anastrozole, aromatase inhibitor, arthralgia, breast cancer, letrozol

Assessing victim risk in cases of violent crime

Purpose: There is a body of evidence that suggests a range of psychosocial characteristics demarcate certain adults to be at an elevated risk for victimisation. To this end, the aim of the current study was to examine consistency between one police force, and a corresponding victim support service based in England, in their assessment of level of risk faced by victims of violent crime. Methodology: This study explored matched data on 869 adult victims of violent crime gathered from these two key services in Preston, namely Lancashire Constabulary and Victim Support, from which a sub-group of comparable ‘domestic violence’ cases (n=211) were selected for further examination. Findings: Data analyses revealed methodological inconsistencies in the assessment of victimisation resulting in discrepancies for recorded levels of risk in domestic violence cases across these two agencies. Practical implications: These findings provide a compelling argument for developing a more uniformed approach to victim assessment and indicate a significant training need. Value: This paper highlights areas of good practice and forwards several recommendations for improved practice that emphasises the integration of empirical research conducted by psychologists to boost the validity and reliability of risk assessment approaches and tools used

Repeat Victimisation, Retraumatisation and Victim Vulnerability

Abstract: This study explores the contribution that traumatic experiences and psychological post-traumatic stress symptoms make to predicting subsequent revictimisation in a sample of violent crime victims. In addition, the timing of first trauma exposure was also explored. Fifty-four adult victims (27 male and 27 female) of police recorded violent crime were interviewed and their traumatic exposure history, trauma symptomology, age at first trauma exposure as well as psychological and psychosocial functioning were assessed. These victims were followed longitudinally and subsequent revictimisation between six and twelve months post index victimisation measured. A greater number of types of trauma exposure was related lower emotional stability, higher trauma symptomology and revictimisation. Those victims with childhood traumatic exposure reported more trauma symptomology exposure than those without prior exposure. The implications for law enforcement and victim services are discussed

Organisational convergence, ancestral tourism and provision of cultural heritage

Glasgow Life is a semi-autonomous organisation within Glasgow City Council responsible for disparate functions and facilities, including museums, culture, sport and learning. It is charged with the delivery of social aims through provision of related facilities while using the same to encourage economic regeneration and growth through cultural tourism. As the official custodian of the city’s cultural and heritage assets, it promotes and encourages public access while maintaining the integrity of curatorial and archivist roles and preservation of objects and documents. One area identified for development from both social and economic perspectives is the sphere of ‘Ancestral Tourism’, largely consumed by the Scottish diaspora in the rest of the UK as well as overseas markets such as Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. This has been identified as a growth heritage-tourism sector by Visit Scotland, the official national destination marketing body, but existing research shows an inconsistent network of provision across the country (Alexander, Bryce and Murdy, 2016). Glasgow Life seeks to harness this potential with its offering of urban / industrial heritage, largely absent from established ancestral narratives, but needs to develop a strategy to align its provision of resources across its diverse array of subsidiary institutions, including museums, galleries and archives. We attempt to propose contributions to the Organisation theory, curatorial and destination marketing literatures in this paper which reflects the first stage of a wider PhD study set up to tackle these issues, sponsored by Glasgow Life and the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council

Organisational convergence, ancestral tourism and provision of cultural heritage

Glasgow Life is a semi-autonomous organisation within Glasgow City Council responsible for disparate functions and facilities, including museums, culture, sport and learning. It is charged with the delivery of social aims through provision of related facilities while using the same to encourage economic regeneration and growth through cultural tourism. As the official custodian of the city’s cultural and heritage assets, it promotes and encourages public access while maintaining the integrity of curatorial and archivist roles and preservation of objects and documents. One area identified for development from both social and economic perspectives is the sphere of ‘Ancestral Tourism’, largely consumed by the Scottish diaspora in the rest of the UK as well as overseas markets such as Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. This has been identified as a growth heritage-tourism sector by Visit Scotland, the official national destination marketing body, but existing research shows an inconsistent network of provision across the country (Alexander, Bryce and Murdy, 2016). Glasgow Life seeks to harness this potential with its offering of urban / industrial heritage, largely absent from established ancestral narratives, but needs to develop a strategy to align its provision of resources across its diverse array of subsidiary institutions, including museums, galleries and archives. We attempt to propose contributions to the Organisation theory, curatorial and destination marketing literatures in this paper which reflects the first stage of a wider PhD study set up to tackle these issues, sponsored by Glasgow Life and the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council