What (actually) matters in literacy education: Contributions from community psychology

This paper describes the critical role community psychology theories played in reframing literacy research involving mainly Māori and Pacific peoples’ extended families and communities. Within a critical social constructionist paradigm, ecological systems theory and holistic, integrative theories of wellbeing brought much-needed new thinking to how family-focused adult literacy education might be theorised and practiced. This reframing marks a challenge to and movement away from still-dominant Western individualistic, behavioural orientated, skills-based and formal economy-focused ways of thinking about people’s literacy abilities. It highlights the important role of community psychology in developing theory, informing policy and enhancing practices in culturally diverse education settings to achieve both educational and quality of life aims. Improving quality of life is not possible through literacy education in and of itself, but rather through the inculcation in programme design and delivery of those things which are fundamental and critical to the participants’ overall wellbeing and welfare

Wellbeing effects from family literacy education: An ecelogical study

This paper describes a study that used community psychology theories to investigate family-focused literacy education programmes, evaluations of which usually focus solely on skills gains and their economic advantage. Specifically, the study drew on an ecological systems-based, culturally adaptive framework for personal, relational and collective wellbeing bringing much-needed new thinking to how family-focused adult literacy education might be theorised and practiced. The study traced the experiences of 19 adult participants in four family-focused literacy programmes in different communities in New Zealand over 18 months. Participant accounts from 79 key informant interviews, 12 classroom observations and programme documentation were scrutinized using latent theoretical thematic analysis which drew on broad perspectives of literacy, ecological systems theory, network theory and integrative theories of wellbeing. The study found that the programmes shared common principles and practices that prioritised holistic wellbeing whilst valuing literacy enhancement. It showed that participants experienced positive literacy, social and wellbeing-related outcomes. Programme effects were found to be interconnected and to flow on to other parts of participants’ lives and to their families and communities. We demonstrate community psychology’s critical contribution to a fuller understanding of family-focused literacy education

Characteristics of Freebase Cocaine Psychosis.

Psychosis was present in 29 percent of cocaine-disordered patients hospitalized in 1985 during an epidemic of freebase cocaine abuse in the Bahamas. Record reviews revealed that a variety of psychotic phenomenologic patterns were present. Prior major mental disorders and increased dosage of cocaine were more common among psychotic than non-psychotic patients. Violent behavior was common among cocaine patients, especially those with psychosis. We conclude that freebase cocaine psychosis is neither rare nor benign

Cultural mosaic beliefs as a new measure of the psychological climate for diversity: Individual distinctiveness and synergy in culturally diverse teams

Pylin Chuapetcharasopon, Lukas Neville, Wendi L Adair, Susan E Brodt, Terri R Lituchy, & Aimy A Racine. (2017). Cultural mosaic beliefs as a new measure of the psychological climate for diversity: Individual distinctiveness and synergy in culturally diverse teams. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 1470595817745898. © The Authors. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.1177/1470595817745898This article introduces the concept of cultural mosaic beliefs (CMBs) as a component of effective multicultural work groups. Building on theories of group diversity and self-verification, and responding to calls to understand moderators that explain the impact of group diversity on performance outcomes, we conceptualize CMBs as a psychological climate that individual group members perceive to promote the recognition, acceptance and expression, and utilization of cultural diversity (values, traditions, and practices) in their work. We also propose that CMBs might attenuate conflict that can sometimes characterize culturally diverse work groups distinguishing groups that falter from those that flourish and benefit from the informational and other potential advantages associated with their diverse cultural composition. In a series of five studies (N = 1119), we develop a 17-item CMB scale comprised of three factors: perceived group diversity, cultural acceptance and expression, and culture utilization. We present evidence of convergent and discriminant validity, showing that the CMB scale is related to but distinct from other measures of diversity. We also demonstrate predictive validity, showing that the CMB scale is related to work group members’ identification with the group, commitment to the group, satisfaction with the group, and learning from the group. We conclude by proposing applications of our CMBs concept and measure to multicultural workplaces and offer future directions for research on cultural diversity, specifically the study of group CMBs as a moderator of cultural diversity’s effects on groups.Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada [SSHRC 400102

Thrive: Success Strategies for the Modern-Day Faculty Member

The THRIVE collection is intended to help faculty thrive in their roles as educators, scholars, researchers, and clinicians. Each section contains a variety of thought-provoking topics that are designed to be easily digested, guide personal reflection, and put into action. Please use the THRIVE collection to help: Individuals study topics on their own, whenever and wherever they want Peer-mentoring or other learning communities study topics in small groups Leaders and planners strategically insert faculty development into existing meetings Faculty identify campus experts for additional learning, grand rounds, etc. If you have questions or want additional information on a topic, simply contact the article author or email [email protected]://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/facdev_books/1000/thumbnail.jp

Auditory affordances in the intensive treatment unit

This paper describes the study of auditory affordances in the intensive treatment unit (ITU). The study compared representative sounds with traditional auditory warnings. Recognition performance for both the new and old warnings was compared. Recognition performance of the ITU staff was worse with the new set than with the old set of warnings, whereas the reverse was found with non-ITU staff. This suggests that although previous experience of the alarms aid recognition, there might be other more intuitive sounds which could be used on the ITU

Auditory warnings and displays: an overview

Auditory warnings and displays take many forms. There are many characteristics and features associated with the technology of auditory displays, such as intensity, frequency, attention-getting ability, psychological salience and noise penetration ability. This chapter illustrates some of the problems typically encountered with auditory warnings. One unquestionable benefit of auditory warning and display systems is that they present a means of unburdening the visual channel. Auditory alarm and warning displays are commonplace, and may be divided loosely into four classes of areas of application. These are personal devices, transport, military and central control rooms. Typically work in applied areas of warning and display design has focused on the early stages of detection and interpretation. The chapter focuses on the effects of noise on performance as it is likely to be the most important practical and research issue in relation to noise and auditory warnings and displays. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.<br/

Increased generation of platelet-derived microparticles following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Platelet-derived microparticles that are produced during platelet activation bind to traumatized endothelium. Such endothelial injury occurs during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Approximately 20% of these patients subsequently develop restenosis, although this is improved by treatment with the anti-platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor drug abciximab. As platelet activation occurs during angioplasty, it is likely that platelet-derived microparticles may be produced and hence contribute to restenosis. This study population consisted of 113 angioplasty patients, of whom 38 received abciximab. Paired peripheral arterial blood samples were obtained following heparinization and subsequent to all vessel manipulation. Platelet-derived microparticles were identified using an anti-CD61 (glycoprotein IIIa) fluorescence-conjugated antibody and flow cytometry. Baseline clinical characteristics between patient groups were similar. The level of platelet-derived microparticles increased significantly following angioplasty in the group without abciximab (paired t test, P 0.019). However, there was no significant change in the level of platelet-derived microparticles following angioplasty in patients who received abciximab, despite requiring more complex angioplasty procedures. In this study, we have demonstrated that the level of platelet-derived microparticles increased during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, with no such increase with abciximab treatment. The increased platelet-derived microparticles may adhere to traumatized endothelium,contributing to re-occlusion of the arteries, but this remains to be determined