We kindly inform you that, as long as the subject affiliation of our 300.000+ articles is in progress, you might get unsufficient or no results on your third level or second level search. In this case, please broaden your search criteria.
To understand human brains, it is necessary to understand simpler neural processes first. In the article we provide a core computational model of C. Elegans olfactory circuit. Based on biological experiments presented in the literature, we develop a circuit mimicking some of the features of the biological olfactory circuit of C. Elegans.
More...
The article presents the basic mental structures – neurosis, psychosis, perversion and discusses the distinction neurosis – psychosis, following the logic by which Freud specifies the mechanisms which the subject uses as it connects with the outside world. Consider the Lacanian clinic of psychosis and opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
More...
Transforming closed organizations in open social systems, reflecting the influences of the environment is one of the major challenges that the modern management is facing. Changing the organizations from chaotic to perfect ones implies adequate cultural attitudes, commitment and active project focusing on all levels of the system (organization – team – person). There is no universal formula and simple solutions. Major challenge for the new millennium management is to realize the maximum potential of the human factor.
More...
One question that has emerged from recent studies on sentence processing pertains to the nature of a specific cognitive mechanism implicated in maintenance of unintegrated syntactic information in ongoing sentence processing. In addition to evidence from language, recent research on musical syntax has suggested that processing of musical sequences may require a similar cognitive mechanism. In this paper evidence is discussed for the implication of syntactic working memory (SWM) in processing of language and musical syntax, arithmetic sequences, as well as in complex motor movements used with a specific expressive purpose. The idea is that an anticipatory structure-building component governs interpretation in each of these domains by processing relevant integrations within sequences of structurally dependent elements. The concept of SWM is anchored in representational modularity and the shared syntactic integration resources hypothesis, and empirically supported by neurophysiological and neuroimaging evidence.
More...
This methodological and concept paper reviews the role and complexity of the recently emerged yet already well-established value-based cognitive model – Means-end Chain (MEC). The paper compares the most commonly used approaches to MEC. It examines the compatibility of available models with the theory behind MEC, reveal the conceptual gaps and outlines opportunities for future research. Leading papers, books and publications on MEC address either technical aspects of the theory or the interaction of MEC and values. The present paper paves the way for understanding the MEC from a novel, motivational perspective by integrating micro- and macro-levels into the theory. The theoretical framework is based on a critical view of the scientific literature and includes the identification of methodologies focusing on laddering techniques, statistical methods and programmes to plot Hierarchical Value Maps. Particular attention is paid to extended MEC models intersecting with value instruments (RVS, LOV), lifestyle approaches (AIOs, RISC, CCA, FRL, etc.), dual process models (the Elaboration Likelihood Model and the Heuristic-systematic Model) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour. These are used to outline the prospects prevailing in modern marketing and consumer research. The results of the investigation point to opportunities for enlarging the latitude of MEC by integrating micro and macro elements to enhance the model with symbolism, dynamics and multi-dimensionality.
More...
This methodological and concept paper attempts to combine the recently emerged, yet well-established, value-based cognitive model – Means-end Chain (MEC) – with the self-concept approach and the Behavioural Perspective Model (BPM). The paper has three aims: first, to elaborate the MEC theory, the post-modern approach of self-concept and the hermeneutical model based on radical behaviourism, BPM. Second, to discuss the similarities and differences with MEC and, third, to formulate a novel extended MEC metatheory. The theoretical framework is based on a critical overview of scientific books and articles. It includes an examination of the elements to enhance the MEC model with symbolism, dynamics and multi-dimensionality on the micro-level through integration of the self-concept approach. It also investigates the environmental, reinforcing / aversive and experiential aspects of the BPM on the macro level. The results of the exploration pave the way to the new research extended MEC – EMEC – which opens up new opportunities to redesign and re-systemise the interpretation and understanding of consumer behaviour.
More...
The author uses the descriptions of magic in Homer to distinguish between three components of magic: 1) the impression made by magic, which is somewhat similar to the philosophical terms “astonishment”, “amazement”, “surprise”; 2) the capacity for discrimination, which functions similarly to dialectics; 3) its kinship with science, which becomes evident when the achievements of cosmology, art, biopsychology, neurology, are interpreted in a relevant way. Through such an analysis, it becomes easy to identify the magical techniques lying at the basis of human consciousness.
More...
This article aims to analyze the relationships of psychology with science and technology, in order to identify what does the science establish and what does the technique establish in psychology. It highlights the role of the scientific method in psychology, with emphasis on the peculiarity of inductive and hypothetic-deductive methods in the psychological research. There are also examined the "subjective-objective" and "quantitative-qualitative" problems which acquire very special forms in the field of psychology. The connections of psychology with the technique, and especially with the “techniques” are extremely strong and extended. Basically, there is no investigation or practically applicative domain of psychology that does not refer to a specific technique of evaluation, psycho-diagnosis and / or intervention.
More...
In this paper we will discuss the presence of love and sexuality in digital games (from ‘80s amateur porn games to the newest released VR ludo-erotic entertainment), both as representation and as experienced simulation. By way of a semiotic framework, we will analyze the following key features that produce the meaning of love and sexuality (L&S from now on) in these texts: the possibility of semantic manipulation, intersubjective enunciation, a cognitive sensibility created through a ratio, and the presence of an economy of meaning. Furthermore, we will look not only at what these games represent and allow players to do, but also at players’ strategies and actions that give love and sex meaning in these games. Finally, this work will allow us to highlight not only the ideological and socio-cultural relevance of love and sex in digital games, but also the limits of a classical semiotic approach to this kind of problem, and consequently to make a general theoretical reflection in the conclusion.
More...
In the field of teaching foreign languages, the game represents a seductive and tempting way, though, it often starts controversy and remains an enigma to the teachers that teach foreign languages. That’s why, beyond the pleasure that it brings to the children, the game brings satisfaction to the teacher the knows how to integrate it in the process of training, therefore making a personalized educational sequence. In this study we will analyze the role that the game activity has on the act of teaching – learning of a foreign language and in the second chapter we will focus on the song, educational material subordinate to the game method.
More...
The world is a puzzle constructed of a variety of different language speaking nations, and the individuals’ multilingualism leads to a better communication and cooperation between them. Speaking many languages represents a beneficial method for the process of cognitive development. Moreover, speaking many languages improves the efficiency of the cognitive processes and stimulates the memory; the brain becomes more active, thus preventing degradation by permanently searching for the meaning of and the links between words. Considering the actual requests imposed by the globalization of societies, speaking foreign languages became essential in establishing good social, political and economic relationships with other citizens. Studying, researching, cultural development or even building a career becomes more facile when the linguistic baggage carries more languages. Another argument is favored by scientists’ research who demonstrated that studying a foreign language helps people having more knowledge about their native language because it determines them analyze and understand the previously perceived linguistic phenomena.
More...
The intentionality was brought as a theme of philosophical meditation by Husserl, and his theories had and have a great impact in the Romanian philosophy. The main problem of philosophical thinking of all time was the lack of objective validation. I proposed the functional (neuro-physiological) research of mental activity as a fundamental means of validating the philosophy of the spirit, naming this approach neurophilosophy. From this perspective, most of Husserl's statements are invalid. The mental activity has, from a neuro-physiological point of view, two spheres: one of the receptor type (sensory) within the retro-Rolandic headquarters/associative areas, another of the effector type (action) within an area of pre-Rolandic anatomical projection.Intentionality is not sensory, as Husserl (in the theory of the "intentional object") believed, but is a psycho-motor "hinge" between the two spheres, action-oriented and has, from a neuro-physiological point of view, a very complex mechanism, evolving on the animal scale in specific stages, which we try to demonstrate.
More...
One of the special human qualities is the compassion shown towards our fellow, in special situations, people who live certain states determined by the moments of life they go through. Self-compassion refers to the ability to show compassion, understanding and protection to oneself. It is operationalized by researcher Kristin Neff. Self-efficacy, proposed by Albert Bandura, refers to the perception of self and is related to the belief in one's own abilities, in one's own ability to solve situations. The interest of the study aims the relationship between self-compassion and self-efficacy in the case of a distinct category, that of therapists, professionally faced with situations that require personal resources. Methods: The level of self-compassion was assessed with the Self-Compassion Scale, 26 items, proposed by Kristin Neff. The level of self-efficacy was assessed using the New General Self-Efficacy Scale, the 8-item scale proposed by Gilad Chen & co (2001). Both questionnaires were distributed electronically. The data obtained were statistically analyzed and interpreted. Results: In the professional categories investigated, there are underline links and relations between the two constructs, with professional implications. The results show (1) Therapists have high values in assessing self-efficacy; (2) Therapists have high values of self-compassion; (3) Therapists have a high level of self-compassion and a low level of self-criticism as indicated by the self-compassion sub-scales; (4) There is a direct relationship between self-efficacy and self-compassion; (5) Therapists with high level of self-compassion also have a high level of self-efficacy (6) The level of self-efficacy is influenced by age and professional experience. (7) The level of self-compassion is influenced by age and professional experience Conclusion: The two concepts discussed are important in relation to certain professional categories and under the auspices of situations considered stressful and with emotional burden.
More...
The article explains the contradictions in the Ukrainian system for developing creative abilities in preschoolers. It theoretically analyzes neuropedagogical and methodical aspects of developing creative abilities in preschoolers in painting classes. Besides, the article shows how they enhance professional training of fine arts teachers in Ukraine. It also presents and justifies the author’s set of competencies and recommendations for fine arts teachers working with preschoolers in the context of neuropedagogy and psychology of creativity. The article determines neuropedagogical and neuropsychological factors in the artistic creativity of preschoolers. It states that fine arts in preschool age act as a powerful tool for developing the child’s personality, shaping the self-concept and subjective self-identity. The international relevance of the article lies in the need: a) to disclose both destructive and transitional trends in primary school education in Ukraine to enhance its effectiveness; b) to reform the traditional system-centred education in the post-Soviet countries towards a subject-centred one.
More...
This paper targets the exploration of the connection between the implicit theories of intelligence, the goal orientations and the school achievement in high school students. The group of participants contains 209 students from Iasi County. These students have filled in two research tools: Implicit Theories of Intelligence Questionnaire (Dweck, 2000) and Achievement Goal Questionnaire (Elliot & McGregor, 2001). School achievement has been operationalized considering the yearly average grades and it has been self-reported. The results have shown that the implicit theories of intelligence, as well as both categories of mastery-approach goals orientation, represent meaningful predictors of school achievement
More...
When searching for a sociological perspective on career choice-related problems, the issue of social rationality comes into focus. The labor markets provide structural opportunities, but are jobs simply allocated at a macro-social level, or individually chosen? By looking for an explanation strictly within a macro-social frame of reference, we came to a conclusion that may seem biased: social structure determines professional choices. But Structuralism fails to account for individual free will or social group influence. Group beliefs and values are always confronted with real labor market opportunities. We need theoretical models of career choice that can accommodate both the macro and micro social levels of understanding. We take Pierre Bourdieu's theory of praxis as a middle-range comprehensive theory rather than an all-encompassing explanation because it is not based on a priori statements but on empirical data. The rationality of social actors cannot be understood without comprehending their shared aspirations, motivations, constraints, beliefs and values, all of which are linked to their pragmatic rationality.This notion efficiently describes the permanent negotiations between the micro and macro levels of social existence, leading us to the concept of habitus. The individual physical, practical, emotional and cognitive dispositions that constitute the habitus, are continuously mediated by social structures. Negotiated within specific social fields, career decisions emerge as an interaction between the two levels.
More...
Objective: The article presents the results of experimental research on the influence of various levels of motivational synergy (the combination of external and internal motivation) on the effectiveness of motivating people to do creative work under time pressure and in remote conditions. Research Design & Methods: The study used a pre-experimental, static group scheme covering 107 people. Three hypotheses on various degrees of the motivational synergy were verified for the criteria of evaluating the products of creative work. The criteria included originality, fluidity, and ideational flexibility. Findings: The research shows that, when fully using motivational synergy, remote motivation has a bigger impact on ideational fluidity than when it does not. Implications / Recommendations: The conclusions of the research assess the impact of full and incomplete motivational synergy in remote conditions on ideational fluidity and the diversity of the effects of creative work. Contribution: The article contributes to the research on motivational synergy as it pertains to creative work, in remote conditions, using an experiment. Thus, it goes beyond the exclusive opposition of external and internal motivation for this type of work, referring to modules of experience. This is the novel contribution of the work. The results can be used to program processes for developing, appraising, and remunerating employees.
More...
The present study attempts to examine the replicative crises in cognitive science from the perspective of epistemological anarchism and the problematic assumptions of nomothetism. A closer look at the history of science suggests replicative crises are not a phenomenon characteristic of low-quality theories or dubious scientific practices, but also a stage that describes some of the most significant and well-tested theories in the history of science. In contrast to the logic of naive falsificationism, reality paints a considerably more complex and even contradictory picture of the process of discovery. Forgoing politically correct narratives, science reveals no less fruitful manifestations of what could be characterized as disorder, irrationality, mysticism and pseudo-scientific biases. And even with respect to well-developed theories one could point to discrepancies with the available facts, beyond the acceptable margin of error. At the same time, however, a potential contribution to the replicative crisis stems from the hidden assumptions of the nomothetic approach – a neglect of the individual mechanisms problem and the contextual interactions problem. Two varieties of nomothetism could be distinguished, respectively: classical one and based on aggregate values one. While classical nomothetism tends to ignore the syncretics of ecological contexts, aggregate-based nomothetism ignores the presence of individual mechanisms and combines them into theoretical constructs that describe “everyone and no one”.
More...
Meditation and mindfulness may mediate emotion regulation and this has an impact on the social behaviour of the adult. The sample was composed of 24 adults, 12 males and 12 females, aged between 22 and 44 years old, with an average age of 29 years old. The group of experiment (6 males and 6 females), participated in the group sessions between May 2023 – February 2024, whereas the control group (6 males and 6 females) did not participate in the group sessions. For all dimensions of the personality traits studied higher results were obtained in the retest for the experimental group, compared to the control group, which confirmed our hypothesis that meditation and integrative group sessions can improve personality traits of the adults. Combining meditation with psychotherapy can significantly change the adult's personality traits. This concludes that adult's neuroflexibility can be therapeutically trained, which is of great importance for patients with psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative disorders. Also, for individuals without psychopathology this points to the fact that personality traits are flexible no matter the age and as a result social behaviour and adaptability can be improved in adulthood.
More...
This text critically examines whether psychometric scales represent a robust measurement choice when studying conspiracy theories: a key philosophical and methodological gap in the literature on conspiracy theories. I call into question whether such scales have content validity, predictive validity and whether studies employing these instruments manifest external validity, respectively. These issues manifest differently across the two types of scales examined. The adequate development of applied scales is unfeasible because it is impossible to objectively define an ideal combination of items that fully captures the conspiratorial themes they aim to measure. Applied scales will, then, always have limited content validity, which will not only impair our ability to understand whether they really measure the construct in question but will also prevent us from using them in a standardized way. While generic scales may seem superior to applied scales in that they allow for standardized measures, they seem to suffer from the same problem due to the theoretically limitless number of dimensions needed to fully capture conspiratorial ideation. Consequently, the degree to which the predictions made on the basis of these scales are valid (i.e. predictive validity) and their generalizability (i.e. external validity) becomes unclear. In this text, I argue that the employment of psychometric scales does not represent a robust method of measuring conspiracy theories. This situation raises concerns regarding the current state of the literature, since these instruments are widely used in this research area. Given the discussed shortcomings, I propose a novel approach to measurement, one that involves indirect assessment of conspiracy theories. Moreover, a better alternative to existing measures is considered, namely discourse analysis.
More...
