Infant gaze averting during social interaction : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in psychology at Massey University

The general aim of the present research was to investigate infant gaze averting during social interaction. Two preliminary hypotheses were examined : first, that infant gaze averting would occur spontaneously during social interaction, and second that any gaze averting would increase alongside developmental progress. A short-term (nine week) longitudinal case-study approach with home visits was planned. Conducting the research in the participants' homes was novel for this area of study. Prior studies had all been conducted in a laboratory setting. Six mother-infant dyads agreed to participate. The primiparous mothers were all full-time caregivers with an age range of 21-26 years. The healthy, full-term infants were all aged approximately three months at commencement. There were three of each gender. Visits to each pair occurred every nine/ten days. The following three sources of data collection were implemented: interview, observation and daily diary recording by the mother. Target behaviours noted were: episodes of active gaze averting and new developmental milestones (according to a developmental checklist formulated for the present study). Other relevant qualitative information was also gathered at each visit. Although basically a qualitative study, quantitative data was incorporated in the form of graphs of each infant's gaze averting frequency and developmental progress. The main findings here were: infant gaze averting did occur during interaction with mother and other caregivers for all six cases; the prediction that there is a relationship between gaze averting and developmental progress was not supported. Descriptive data provided an interesting and unexpected outcome. This was the discovery of three separate styles of gaze averting. These were described, their various criteria identified, and a classification system developed. The results of the present study have important practical implications. They present a challenge to one current theory of psychopathology which maintains that gaze averting is abnormal and may be a precursor of autism. This has ramifications for the present diagnosic system and treatment of some childhood psychopathologies. The findings of the present study indicate that a re-think of perspectives regarding gaze averting (of all styles) may be required

Strategic Philanthropy Integrating Investments In Asset Building: A Framework for Impact

Despite philanthropy's commitments to improve family economic security, stability, and growth, a lack of cross-sector collaboration limits the impacts including constrained public resources and siloed programmatic services. A new approach to address these challenges is the development of a framework that can more effectively tie together and shape the disparate policies, investment structures, practices, and stakeholders to leverage resources and impacts. The strategic framework of asset development helps to create an effective, integrated, and sustainable system, enabling families to move through safety nets into financial security and opportunity. Asset building integration shifts investment goals from remedying deficiencies to building on strengths by increasing capability, access, and opportunity. It enables foundations to integrate and expand the scope, scale, and long-term impact of their work, shifting the focus from families' vulnerabilities to their opportunities for success. This paper provides compelling evidence about how funders are applying this strategic approach to effect greater social and economic impact

Appeals against assisted and involuntary admission under the Mental Health Care Act no 17 of 2002 in region A, Gauteng Province, South Africa, between December 2004 and December 2011

Research Report Submitted in partial completion of requirements for MMed (Psychiatry) University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg, 201

Impact of prospective departmental visit on career choice in radiotherapy

In line with the recommendations from Society College of Radiographer’s (SCoR) on improving student attrition in Radiotherapy(1), prospective students applying at Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) are required to attend a visit to Radiotherapy. It is particularly important to address the poor attrition rate of student radiographers, to ensure workforce delivery is maintained with increasing service provision over the next few years(2). To ensure the quality and consistency of departmental visits, Weston Park Liaison Team in partnership with SHU evaluated the prospective student’s experiences, with a view to identify areas for development. During the departmental visit, the prospective student is assessed by the clinical staff as to whether they deem the applicant suitable for a career in Radiotherapy. Although the visit is to assess their suitability, primarily the visit is to ensure that they fully appreciate the role of a Therapeutic Radiographer and the environment in which they would be trained in. This experience will also help them in their early stages of academic training

From Skiddaw to Scruffell: Sightlines over the Solway

Explores the geography, and literary antecedents, of William Wordsworth\u27s poems about Robert Burns from the visit he and his sister Dorothy made across the Solway Firth to Dumfries and Ellisland in 1803, and discusses the link they made between the two mountains of Skiddaw in Cumberland and Curfell or Criffel on the Scottish side of the Firth