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The Effect of Indoor Thermal Comfort on Visual Search Task Performances in a Personal Learning Environment
Yoon-Ki Min,
Woo-Hyun Jung,
Boseong Kim
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
185-191
Received:
16 October 2014
Accepted:
11 November 2014
Published:
17 November 2014
Abstract: This study examined the effect of perceived indoor thermal comfort of a personal learning environment on students’ performances of the visual search task. To do this, 11 participants who attended a high school completed the scale of indoor thermal comfort in the simulated learning environment and they performed the visual search task which reflects selective attention. As a result, there was a strong negative correlation between indoor thermal comfort and visual search task performance regardless of task difficulty. This was different from the common sense view that comfortable environments improve occupant’s performances. While this result could have been affected by students’ arousal level or perceived sensitivity to the environments, these variables didn’t appear to significantly influence the inverse relationship between indoor thermal comfort and visual search task performance. These findings could potentially be used to shape an optimal thermal learning environment in order to improve learner’s learning performance.
Abstract: This study examined the effect of perceived indoor thermal comfort of a personal learning environment on students’ performances of the visual search task. To do this, 11 participants who attended a high school completed the scale of indoor thermal comfort in the simulated learning environment and they performed the visual search task which reflects...
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Acoustical Variation and Contextual Specificity of a Gorilla Vocalization: A Case Study
Luef Eva Maria,
Pika Simone
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
192-196
Received:
4 November 2014
Accepted:
13 November 2014
Published:
21 November 2014
Abstract: Western lowland gorillas frequently produce a vocalization known as the DOUBLE GRUNT. It occurs in a variety of different behavioral contexts but so far no acoustical differences have been described that would distinguish DOUBLE GRUNT morphology in the particular contexts. The present study tests the hypothesis if different acoustical features characterize DOUBLE GRUNTS in different behavioral contexts. We are able to demonstrate that one acoustical variation of DOUBLE GRUNTS is consistently used in one behavioral context. Context-specificity of this kind has been described for certain chimpanzee calls and represents an interesting research avenue to investigate how species with a genetically determined vocal repertoire can achieve some degree of vocal variability. Our findings indicate that gorillas’ vocalizations also comprise calls that can be acoustically modified to be used for specific contexts.
Abstract: Western lowland gorillas frequently produce a vocalization known as the DOUBLE GRUNT. It occurs in a variety of different behavioral contexts but so far no acoustical differences have been described that would distinguish DOUBLE GRUNT morphology in the particular contexts. The present study tests the hypothesis if different acoustical features char...
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Assessment of the Prevalence of Dental Anxiety among Palestinian Clients Attending Dental Clinics in Bethlehem City: Cross Sectional Study
Muna Ahmead,
Ahmad Rahhal
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
197-202
Received:
7 November 2014
Accepted:
24 November 2014
Published:
27 November 2014
Abstract: Objective: To investigate the prevalence of dental anxiety as well as the relationships between socio-demographic data and perceived dental anxiety among Palestinian clients who attend dental clinics in Palestine. Materials and methods: Participants were recruited into the study from July to August, 2013 from several dental clinics. The modified Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) was used to measure dental anxiety among the study population. Results: One hundred and sixty four respondents returned the questionnaire after they filled it while in the reception area waiting their turn to see the dentists. Findings reveal that more than one third of the participants experienced a severe level of dental anxiety and were anxious mostly about tooth drilling and local anesthetic injection. Females experienced significantly more dental anxiety than males, but the relationships with other socio-demographic data (including education, place of residency, marital status, and visit habits ) were not significant. Conclusion: This study found high prevalence of dental anxiety which may represent special challenges to the dentists to treat individuals with dental fear. Non of the socio-demographic data except gender revealed statistically significant relation with dental anxiety among the study population Further studies are required to investigate the factors that may lead to increased the prevalence of this phenomena among the Palestinian clients.
Abstract: Objective: To investigate the prevalence of dental anxiety as well as the relationships between socio-demographic data and perceived dental anxiety among Palestinian clients who attend dental clinics in Palestine. Materials and methods: Participants were recruited into the study from July to August, 2013 from several dental clinics. The modified Co...
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A Survey of the Use of Echolocation Cues for Wayfinding in Campus Environments by a Student with Visual Impairment
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
203-206
Received:
9 November 2014
Accepted:
21 November 2014
Published:
29 November 2014
Abstract: Andy is a 20years old college student who was born blind without visual memory and light sensitization. He lives in the school dormitory from Mondays through Fridays and spends most of his time on campus. Andy tells us that he has had experience since childhood in using echoes to search for objects and spatial scales in the environment (e.g. buildings, plants, doorways, etc.). He believes “using echoes to identify one’s location is an effective method”. Thus, we investigated objects that can provide Andy good echoes when he is walking along a specific route on campus. Such object is usually an element of campus design and is set by the designer. This study refers to these objects, of which echoes can be perceived, as echolocation cues.
Abstract: Andy is a 20years old college student who was born blind without visual memory and light sensitization. He lives in the school dormitory from Mondays through Fridays and spends most of his time on campus. Andy tells us that he has had experience since childhood in using echoes to search for objects and spatial scales in the environment (e.g. buildi...
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A Review on ‘Capital in the 21th Century’
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
207-211
Received:
16 November 2014
Accepted:
4 December 2014
Published:
16 December 2014
Abstract: This paper is a brief review on the book ‘Capital in the Twenty-First Century’ by the French scholar Thomas Piketty. The book has started a new debate about inequality and capital taxation in Europe. It provides interesting empirical facts and develops a theory of the functioning of capitalist economies. However, I personally think the book is less convincing than recognized in the public debate. The demonstrated theory of economic growth in the book is elusive and lacks a psychological and behavioral underpinning. In fact, I do think that the increasing inequality and economic divergence are caused by capitalism but the psychological and behavioral aspects of humans are of similar or greater significance. Therefore, Piketty’s argument does not stimulate an open and scientifically founded debate in all aspects.
Abstract: This paper is a brief review on the book ‘Capital in the Twenty-First Century’ by the French scholar Thomas Piketty. The book has started a new debate about inequality and capital taxation in Europe. It provides interesting empirical facts and develops a theory of the functioning of capitalist economies. However, I personally think the book is less...
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Haptic Perception of Parallelity
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
212-221
Received:
17 November 2014
Accepted:
27 November 2014
Published:
16 December 2014
Abstract: Research has shown that the haptic perception of orientation is susceptible to systematic spatial bias. Large and systematic deviations have been found in haptic parallelity matching tasks supporting a reference frame based model. It has been suggested that the observed deviations result from the use of a frame of reference that is intermediate to an allocentric and an egocentric reference frame. The systemic bias of the deviations seems be caused by the strong bias produced by the hand-centered egocentric reference frame. In this paper results of studies are discussed showing a strong evidence for the abovementioned model in which egocentric representations exist in parallel to allocentric ones, and in which the former is biased by a hand-centered reference frame. The extent to which each representation is used appears to depend on factors like orientation, distance, gender, task instruction, practice and training. Manipulations stimulating allocentric processing or reducing egocentric processing have been shown to affect haptic parallelity performance.
Abstract: Research has shown that the haptic perception of orientation is susceptible to systematic spatial bias. Large and systematic deviations have been found in haptic parallelity matching tasks supporting a reference frame based model. It has been suggested that the observed deviations result from the use of a frame of reference that is intermediate to ...
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Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID): How Satisfied are Successful Wannabes
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
222-232
Received:
22 November 2014
Accepted:
5 December 2014
Published:
16 December 2014
Abstract: Background: People suffering from Body Integrity Identity Disorder feel the intensive wish for an amputation of one limb or another kind of handicap. Due to ethic and juristic reasons, the desired surgery is difficult to realize. In spite of these problems several patients were able to achieve the wished amputation, in most cases with a cash-paid surgery in a less developed country. Our study examined whether these patients are sufficient with the amputation in the long run. Methods: We found 21 operated BIID-people (18 men, 3 woman; 27 - 73 years old, average 53.5 years) and interviewed them with a questionnaire. Here, we asked e.g. about quality of life and mental states before and after their surgery, the integration into the social environment, changes of their own dreams, the desire for further surgery and the presence of phantom sensations. Results: Psychological therapy, psychopharmacological medication, and relaxation techniques have had little effect and sometimes increased the desire. None of the patients regretted the surgery and a change for the better was seen in almost all areas of life. There were several problems regarding the quality of life, but they were estimated as bearable in contrast to the happiness to have fulfilled the wish. Many told their closer family members the true reasons of their amputation. Phantom limb feelings were reported, what contradicts the theory of BIID as a limb not embedded in the brain’s body-schema. After the operation most of the participants dreamed of themselves with an amputated body. The majority of the interviewee did not want further restrictions. Conclusions: These results point to the fact that the often assumed negative consequences of an amputation or further surgery do not occur. Thus, a realization of the wish of a person affected by BIID could be a possible form of therapy for patients, when other therapies have shown no effects.
Abstract: Background: People suffering from Body Integrity Identity Disorder feel the intensive wish for an amputation of one limb or another kind of handicap. Due to ethic and juristic reasons, the desired surgery is difficult to realize. In spite of these problems several patients were able to achieve the wished amputation, in most cases with a cash-paid s...
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Predictors of Violent Behaviours in Young Adults Dating Relationships
Sesar Kristina,
Dodaj Arta,
Simic Nataša,
Barisic Marijana
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
233-242
Received:
29 November 2014
Accepted:
17 December 2014
Published:
27 December 2014
Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of dating violence and jealousy among university students. The role of situational and background factors of risk in explaining violent behaviour was examined. The study included 33 men and 89 women participants, from 20 to 24 years of age, from the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Mostar. For the assessment of dating violence, The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2) Partner-to-Partner was used. Males and females estimated the intensity of their jealousy in hypothetical situations presenting scenarios of emotional and sexual infidelity. The results of the analyses of the total sample showed that boys and girls differ significantly with respect to the frequency of committing and exposure to violent behaviour in a dating relationship. Men were more often the perpetrators of sexual abuse and threatening behaviour in relation to women. At the same time they were more often exposed to various forms of examined abuse in comparison to women. No differences in the intensity of jealousy between men and women were found. However, a regression analysis showed that jealousy, as a contextual variable, and earlier violent behaviour, as well as a situational variable, is a significant predictor of the exposure and perpetration of dating violence. The results of this study should be taken into account in the development and implementation of programmes for the prevention of violent behaviour in youth adults dating relationships.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of dating violence and jealousy among university students. The role of situational and background factors of risk in explaining violent behaviour was examined. The study included 33 men and 89 women participants, from 20 to 24 years of age, from the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Mosta...
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