Self-assessment of individual differences in language switching

Language switching is omnipresent in bilingual individuals. In fact, the ability to switch languages (code switching) is a very fast, efficient, and flexible process that seems to be a fundamental aspect of bilingual language processing. In this study, we aimed to characterize psychometrically self-perceived individual differences in language switching and to create a reliable measure of this behavioral pattern by introducing a bilingual switching questionnaire. As a working hypothesis based on the previous literature about code switching, we decomposed language switching into four constructs: (i) L1 switching tendencies (the tendency to switch to L1; L1-switch); (ii) L2 switching tendencies (L2-switch); (iii) contextual switch, which indexes the frequency of switches usually triggered by a particular situation, topic, or environment; and (iv) unintended switch, which measures the lack of intention and awareness of the language switches. A total of 582 SpanishCatalan bilingual university students were studied. Twelve items were selected (three for each construct). The correlation matrix was factor-analyzed using minimum rank factor analysis followed by oblique direct oblimin rotation. The overall proportion of common variance explained by the four extracted factors was 0.86. Finally, to assess the external validity of the individual differences scored with the new questionnaire, we evaluated the correlations between these measures and several psychometric (language proficiency) and behavioral measures related to cognitive and attentional control. The present study highlights the importance of evaluating individual differences in language switching using self-assessment instruments when studying the interface between cognitive control and bilingualism.

Dilemas implicativos, psicopatologia e construção do self: mudança durante o primeiro ano da Universidade.

O objectivo deste estudo foi comparar os indicadores de sintomatologia psicológica, competências de resolução de problemas e de construção pessoal, quando avaliados no início e no final do primeiro ano da Universidade. Analisámos também os preditores quer de sintomatologia psicológica, quer de competências de resolução de problemas avaliadas no final do ano lectivo. Vinte e oito estudantes do primeiro ano da Universidade do Minho, preencheram uma medida de sintomatologia psicológica (SCL-90-R), uma medida de competências de resolução de problemas (IRP) e a grelha de repertório para análise da sua construção pessoal. Os resultados indicam uma diminuição significativa na sintomatologia e um aumento significativo da auto-estima, no segundo período de avaliação. Verificámos que a sintomatologia e as competências manifestadas no início do ano são, respectivamente, os melhores preditores de sintomatologia e competências no final do ano. Os resultados são discutidos sublinhando as implicações para a promoção da adaptação dos estudantes universitários.

From "being to the self" to "become to be": on development of autonomy construction in nursing students

Objective: To understand nursing student's self-consciousness and his/her autonomy in the discipline of fundamentals of professional care in the context of a liberating pedagogical proposal. Methodology. This qualitative, case-based research in the model of Ludke and André involved 14 students participating in the discipline. Data were collected by non-participatory observation and analysis of documents. Field observation was conducted from March to July 2010 and data were collected according to the proposal of Minayo: pre-analysis, exploration of material and treatment of results. Results. We constructed two thematic units of analysis: from "being to the self" and exercise of "become to be". Conclusion. When nursing students feel more liberty, they have the opportunity to substitute the scary prospect of learning something new material to something that motivates their curiosity and leads them to become more autonomous.