COGNITIVE LEGITIMACY, RESOURCE ACCESS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL OUTCOMES

Previous research has demonstrated the importance of developing legitimacy initiatives in order to create new business opportunities, satisfy shareholders, and obtain access to resources. Within this framework, cognitive legitimacy plays a key role. Through a case study of six Spanish public universities, the authors measure the relationship between cognitive legitimacy, access to resources, and organizational results. The results support the assertion that organizations with more cognitive legitimacy have greater access to resources and improved their results. This study contributes with muchneeded empirical research on cognitive legitimacy and demonstrates its usefulness as an explanative factor of organizational success.

ABOUT PSYCHOLOGICAL VARIABLES IN APPLICATION SCORING MODELS

The purpose of this study is to investigate the contribution of psychological variables and scales suggested by Economic Psychology in predicting individuals’ default. Therefore, a sample of 555 individuals completed a self-completion questionnaire, which was composed of psychological variables and scales. By adopting the methodology of the logistic regression, the following psychological and behavioral characteristics were found associated with the group of individuals in default: a) negative dimensions related to money (suffering, inequality and conflict); b) high scores on the self-efficacy scale, probably indicating a greater degree of optimism and over-confidence; c) buyers classified as compulsive; d) individuals who consider it necessary to give gifts to children and friends on special dates, even though many people consider this a luxury; e) problems of self-control identified by individuals who drink an average of more than four glasses of alcoholic beverage a day.

RELATION BETWEEN BACKGROUND VARIABLES, VALUES AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

ABSTRACT Consumer perception of corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be directly influenced by individual value structures. This research aims to provide new knowledge regarding the relationship between basic human values and the public's perception of CSR. It focuses on the values of higher education students and their views regarding a particular corporate social initiative. The study reveals that social, educational, and economic circumstances influence human values. Those values in turn influence why different students perceive CSR differently. These findings are relevant to companies as they provide a more detailed understanding of why certain consumer groups perceive certain CSR initiatives the way that they do. They also suggest that universities should increase their awareness of the importance of integrating human values and CSR in the curricula of future business managers and social leaders.

Analysis of mediation and reciprocal effects of changes in weight, self-esteem, and exercise in a behavioral weight loss treatment

Improving the treatment of obesity remains a critical challenge. Several health behaviour change models, often based on a social-cognitive framework, have been used to design weight management interventions (Baranowski et al., 2003). However, most interventions have only produced modest weight reductions (Wadden et al., 2002) and socialcognitive variables have shown limited power to predict weight outcomes (Palmeira et al., 2007). Other predictors, and possibl alte nati e e planatory models, are needed to better understand the mechanisms by which weight loss and other obesity treatment-outcomes are brought about (Baranowski, 2006). Self-esteem is one of these possible mechanisms, because is commonly reported to change during the treatment, although these changes are not necessarily associated with weight loss (Blaine et al., 2007; Maciejewski et al., 2005). This possibility should be more evident if the program integrates regular exercise, as it promotes improvements in subjective well-being (Biddle & Mutrie, 2001), with possible influences on long-term behavioral adherence (e.g. diet, exercise). Following the reciprocal effects model tenets (Marsh & Craven, 2006), we expect that the influences between changes in weight, selfesteem and exercise to be reciprocal and might present one of the mechanisms by which obesity treatments can be improved.

Estudo das diferenças de género nas cognições antecipatórias, estratégias de coping e depressão em adultos

RESUMO: A presente dissertação tem o objectivo de estudar a relação das diferenças de género nas cognições antecipatórias, estratégias de coping e depressão. Para o efeito, constituiu-se duas amostras, uma de indivíduos do género feminino (n=224) de 57,9% (com uma média de idades de 36,2 e um DP=10,5), e outra por indivíduos do género masculino (n=163), perfazendo uma percentagem de 42,1% (com uma média de idades de 41,1 e um DP=12,5). Foi elaborado um protocolo de investigação composto por: Questionário de dados sócio-demográficos, Questionário de Cognições Antecipatórias (QCA), de Figueira & Ramos, 1995, o Questionário de Modos de Lidar com os Acontecimentos (QMLA), de J. Pais Ribeiro, C. Santos, 2001 e o Inventário de Avaliação Clínica da Depressão (IACLIDE), de A, Vaz Serra, 1995. Os resultados demonstraram que não existem diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre géneros nas cognições antecipatórias (p=0,594). Em relação às estratégias de coping, os resultados foram estatisticamente significativos, com as mulheres a recorrerem mais à procura de suporte social (p=0,042) e à fuga-evitamento (p=0,006). O índice de depressão mostra, de forma estatisticamente significativa, que o género feminino apresenta valores mais elevados (p=0,038). A escala de depressão permitiu ainda verificar de forma estatisticamente significativa que as mulheres revelam mais dificuldades no desempenho das tarefas associadas a queixas biológicas e cognitivas (p=0,003), tal como nas dimensões biológica (p=0,002) e de desempenho da tarefa (p=0,007). A relação entre as três variáveis, permite concluir que o índice global da escala de depressão está relacionado positivamente com as Cognições Antecipatórias (p=,000), e nas estratégias de coping, as dimensões fuga-evitamento (p=,002), resolução planeada do problema (p=,000) e a reavaliação positiva (p=,034) também estão relacionadas com esta escala da depressão de forma estatisticamente significativa. ABSTRACT: This dissertation aims to study the relationship of gender differences in anticipatory cognitions, coping strategies and depression. For this purpose, it was constituted two samples, one for female gender (n = 224) 57.9% (with a mean age of 36.2 and a SD=10.5), and other of male gender (n = 163), giving a percentage of 42.1% (with an average age of 41.1 and a SD=12.5). It was prepared a research protocol composed of data questionnaire included social-demographic, Anticipatory Cognitions Questionnaire (QCA), Figueira & Ramos, 1995, the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ), J. Pais Ribeiro, C. Santos, 2001, and the Inventory and Evaluation of Clinical Depression (IACLIDE) A, Vaz Serra, 1995. The results have shown no statistically significant differences between genders in anticipatory cognitions (p= 0.594). In the coping strategies, the results were statistically significant, with women looking to take more advantage of social support (p= 0.042) and escape-avoidance (p= 0.006). The rate of depression shows a statistically significant with females having higher values (p=0.038). The depression scale allowed us to verify statistically significant that women shows more difficulty in performing tasks associated with biological and cognitive complaints (p=0,003), as in the biological (p=0,002) and task performance (p=0,007). The relationship between the three variables, shows that the overall rate of depression scale is positively related to the Anticipatory Cognitions (p =, 000), and strategies for coping, escape-avoidance dimensions (p =, 002), resolution of the planned problem (p =, 000) and positive reappraisal (p =, 034) are also related to the scale of depression and were also statistically significant.

Validation of a measurement scale for the relationship between the orientation to corporate social responsibility and other business strategic variables

The importance of Social Responsibility (SR) is higher if this business variable is related with other ones of strategic nature in business activity (competitive success that the company achieved, performance that the firms develop and innovations that they carries out). The hypothesis is that organizations that focus on SR are those who get higher outputs and innovate more, achieving greater competitive success. A scale for measuring the orientation to SR has defined in order to determine the degree of relationship between above elements. This instrument is original because previous scales do not exist in the literature which could measure, on the one hand, the three classics sub-constructs theoretically accepted that SR is made up and, on the other hand, the relationship between SR and the other variables. As a result of causal relationships analysis we conclude with a scale of 21 indicators, validated scale with a sample of firms belonging to the Autonomous Community of Extremadura and it is the first empirical validation of these dimensions we know so far, in this context.

Schizophrenia in males of cognitive performance: discriminative and diagnostic values

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the discriminative and diagnostic values of neuropsychological tests for identifying schizophrenia patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 36 male schizophrenia outpatients and 72 healthy matched volunteers was carried out. Participants underwent the following neuropsychological tests: Wisconsin Card Sorting test, Verbal Fluency, Stroop test, Mini Mental State Examination, and Spatial Recognition Span. Sensitivity and specificity estimated the diagnostic value of tests with cutoffs obtained using Receiver Operating Characteristic curves. The latent class model (diagnosis of schizophrenia) was used as gold standard. RESULTS: Although patients presented lower scores in most tests, the highest canonical function for the discriminant analysis was 0.57 (Verbal Fluency M). The best sensitivity and specificity were obtained in the Verbal Fluency M test (75 and 65, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The neuropsychological tests showed moderate diagnostic value for the identification of schizophrenia patients. These findings suggested that the cognitive impairment measured by these tests might not be homogeneous among schizophrenia patients.

Estudo da percepção dos problemas de usabilidade de um software relacionados com o desempenho dos processos cognitivos

Dissertação apresentada à Escola Superior de Comunicação Social como parte dos requisitos para obtenção de grau de mestre em Audiovisual e Multimédia.

Orientation system for people with cognitive disabilities

In health care there has been a growing interest and investment in new tools to have a constant monitoring of patients. The increasing of average life ex-pectation and, consequently, the costs in health care due to elderly population are the motivation for this investment. However, healthmonitoring is not only important to elderly people, it can be also applied to people with cognitive disabilities. In this article we present some systems, which try to support these persons on doing their day-to-day activities and how it can improve their life quality. Also, we present an idea to a project that tries to help the persons with cognitive disabilities by providing assistance in geo-guidance and keep their caregivers aware of their location.

Parental cognitive dimensions associated with preschool children’s eating habits: an intervention study

Childhood excessive weight and obesity are a major public health concern from early childhood. Early childhood is an important period of development for developing healthy eating habits, that may be associated with an adequate present/future BMI. There is extensive evidence that children’s food intake is shaped by early experiences, suggesting ways in which parenting practices may be promoting obesity. But what leads parents to endorse healthier or detrimental educational practices and routines needs further study. 1. Perception of children’s weight: parents of overweight or obese children often fail to correctly perceive their children as overweight; failing to recognize their children’s excessive weight may impeach parents from implementing the best educational practices. 2. Concern: relation between the adequacy of mothers perception of their children’s weight and the level of concern - parental concern is be associated with parental practices. 3. Attribution of control: also, if parents do not consider their children’s eating behavior at least partially controllable by them, they may relinquish some of their responsibility in this area. Self-efficacy: evidence linking parental self-efficacy to parent competence and to parenting practices and behaviors; low parental self-efficacy related to the control of everyday behavior of young children may lead parents to abandon more consistent health practices and endorse permissive and inconsistent strategies. We designed 2 sequential studies that aim to contribute to the understanding of cognitive determinants of children’s eating patterns.

What parental cognitive dimensions are important to understand children’s eating habits?

Obesidade é uma preocupação de saúde pública. Objetivos OMS - Redução a zero da taxa de crescimento da obesidade e uma redução em 10% na prevalência de atividade física insuficiente. Em Portugal, os estudos de prevalência apontam para valores entre 24% e os 34% de crianças e jovens pré-obesos e obesos. Extensa confirmação da obesidade infantil como preditor da obesidade na idade adulta. Em alguns países há indicadores de que a taxa de obesidade infantil começa a ter uma ligeira diminuição, provavelmente fruto de intervenções no macrosistema. Necessidade de intervenção direta nos microssistemas familiar e escolar da criança para uma intervenção mais abrangente e eficaz. Existe um ampla confirmação da influência parental nos comportamentos alimentares da criança. Os comportamentais parentais relacionados com a alimentação da criança são influenciados por variáveis cognitivas parentais. A maioria dos pais de crianças com excesso de peso subavalia o peso do seu filho, mas não de outras crianças. Os pais das crianças pré-escolares distorcem mais o peso do que os pais de crianças mais velhas. Os pais com uma perceção correta utilizam mais estratégias de restrição alimentar.

Escolha vocacional em adolescentes : contributos de competências sociais e emocionais : um estudo em escolas da ilha de São Miguel

Dissertação de Mestrado em Psicologia da Educação, especialidade em Contextos Educativos.

Clustering of variables with a three-way approach for health sciences

TPM Vol. 21, No. 4, December 2014, 435-447 – Special Issue © 2014 Cises.

Competências sociais e emocionais na infância: a raiva : estudo realizado em escolas do primeiro ciclo do ensino básico

Dissertação de Mestrado, Psicologia da Educação, especialidade de Contextos Comunitários, 13 de Outubro de 2015, Universidade dos Açores.

Students' engagement in school : analyses according to peer victimization and grade, throughout adolescence

8th International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Valencia 10th, 11th and 12th of March, 2014.