Mastergradsoppgaver i psykologi

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Mastergradsoppgaver i psykologi

The collection contains 26 document(s)

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• Effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on experimentally induced heat pain in healthy volunteers

  Vasylenko, Olena (Master thesis; Mastergradsoppgave, 02-May-2012)

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  Abstract:

  Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique that can reduce pain. Its side effects are milder than those of pharmacological treatments, and its analgesic effect on chronic pain has been demonstrated. In this study we investigated 1) the effects of anodal tDCS on pain intensity and threshold, 2) the placebo component of tDCS analgesic effect, and 3) whether stress and negative affect moderate the analgesic effect of tDCS. Sixty-four participants (32 females) received three blocks of heat stimuli, 43° C, 45° C, and 47° C in each block. The treatment group received anodal tDCS of 2 mA intensity for 7 minutes, the placebo group received sham stimulation for 30 seconds, and the natural history group received painful stimuli only. Participants rated pain intensity with CoVAS. Threshold was measured before the first and after the last block. Subjective stress was measured by two SACL items, and negative affect was measured by FPQ, PANAS, and BFI questionnaires. Compared to no treatment, tDCS reduced pain by 28%, for 47° C stimuli only. Compared to sham stimulation, tDCS reduced pain by 11%, but this reduction was only marginally significant. There was no placebo response, and no effect of tDCS on pain threshold. Fear of medical pain predicted pain reduction by tDCS, higher fear of medical pain was associated with larger pain reduction. Our findings confirm and extend those of earlier experimental and clinical studies.

  URI:

  http://hdl.handle.net/10037/5152

  File(s) in this item: 1

  thesis.pdf   (1.423Mb)
• The relationship between perceived ethnic discrimination and ethnic identity exploration as mediated by ethnic identity crisis

  Adubofour, Millicent (Master thesis; Mastergradsoppgave, 31-Oct-2010)

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  Abstract:

  In the adolescent identity formation literature, negative experiences of stress in particular, gender discrimination, and difficulties with work, relationships, finances, health, and experiences with death have been associated with increased identity exploration (Anthis, 2002a,b). Despite these findings, little research has been conducted to examine the relationship between ethnic identity discrimination and ethnic identity exploration. Some 106 males, now 18-28 years of age who entered Norway as unaccompanied minors, were the participants of this investigation. All participants volunteered to take part in the Youth, Culture, and Competence Study (YCC) conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Items from Phinney’s MEIM and additional questions regarding participants’ experiences of ethnic identity crisis and ethnic discrimination were administered in a survey as part of a larger investigation of coping and cultural competence among youths living in Norway. This study aims to detail the relationship between experiences of ethnic discrimination and ethnic identity exploration, whereby ethnic identity crisis was considered as a possible mediator. Results showed that the experience of ethnic discrimination was associated with increased identity exploration and increased level of identity crisis. However, identity crisis was not a mediator between these two variables, as anticipated. This research should enable a deeper understanding of the role that ethnic discrimination may play in ethnic identity development among unaccompanied minors living in Norway.

  URI:

  http://hdl.handle.net/10037/4438

  File(s) in this item: 1

  thesis.pdf   (681.4Kb)
• Testing and assessing the effects of Family-Aggression Replacement Training (Family ART)

  Johansen, Nicholas S. (Master thesis; Mastergradsoppgave, 02-May-2012)

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  Abstract:

  Family Aggression Replacement Training (Family ART) is an expansion of Aggression Replacement Training (ART). The purpose of Family ART is to further enhance social skills and reduce problem behaviour. This is to happen by increasing application of what is learnt in the training sessions, to settings outside that of the training, by actively involving children’s significant persons in the ART programme. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a Family ART intervention on six families. The assessment was based on pre- and posttest scores on the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS), and qualitative data obtained through semi-structured interviews. The secondary objective of the SSRS and interviews was to determine how any effect may have come about. In addition to this, the interviews were employed to investigate whether the parents experienced personal development. The SSRS results indicated that Family ART was associated with an increase in social skills and a reduction in problem behaviour. Additional support for the effect of Family ART was found in the interview transcripts: Both parents and children expressed that the intervention had benefitted them somehow. Given the low number of participants and the lack of proper control group comparison, the present study was considered explorative and no conclusion was drawn. The findings do indicate that the intervention works as intended, but more rigorous research must be conducted in order to conclude whether or not this is the case.

  URI:

  http://hdl.handle.net/10037/4437

  File(s) in this item: 1

  thesis.pdf   (1.391Mb)
• Usage, reading and interpreting of nonverbal signs of erotic interest among Norwegian lesbians

  Potapova, Elena (Master thesis; Mastergradsoppgave, 02-May-2012)

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  Abstract:

  The main aim of the present qualitative study was to explore the means of nonverbal communication lesbian women display to signal interest/sexual attraction to a potential female partner, and what nonverbal markers of communication lesbians evaluate as signs of erotic interest when addressed to them. Different learning processes through/in which women acquire and internalize these nonverbal behaviors are also discussed. Finally, the possible factors may influence the processes of signalizing, reading and interpreting of the means of nonverbal communication among lesbians were revealed. Qualitative, in-depth face-to-face interviews were carried out. A hermeneutical-phenomenological approach to analysis was applied. A diverse variety of nonverbal signs and behaviors indicating erotic interest used by and toward lesbians were identified. Verbal statements in combination with nonverbal signals were found to be an integral part of the lesbian flirting script. Regarding the learning process, life experiences, lesbian friends/acquaintances, books/articles, and feature films are those sources through which the informants claimed to had acquired knowledge about the lesbian flirting script. Findings also indicate that alcohol, presence or absence of personal interest, and self-confidence are those factors that may meddle in and influence the processes of signalizing, reading and interpreting of nonverbal signs of erotic interest among lesbians.

  URI:

  http://hdl.handle.net/10037/4434

  File(s) in this item: 1

  thesis.pdf   (582.1Kb)
• The computer game training effect for women may depend on initial spatial ability scores

  Iversen, Robert (Master thesis; Mastergradsoppgave, 01-May-2010)

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  Abstract:

  In this project we tried to explore what it is in games that may enhance spatial abilities. Previous research has shown that action games may enhance gamers’ scores on the Mental Rotation test (MRT), while evidence is found both for and against that puzzle games could do the same. We used three different games, and one control group, with a total of 32 participants matched over these four groups. The games were Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault, which has been used as an action game in previous studies; Portal, which is labeled as an action/puzzle game; and Supreme Commander, labeled as a real-time strategy game. In addition to the MRT, we also explored the training effect on spatial abilities with the Visual Patterns test (VPT) and the Corsi Block test (CBT). No training effect was found for any of the games on any of the tests. All game groups, including the control group improved their scores on the MRT and the VPT, but there was no difference between the game groups. The results further indicate that only the matched quartets with a low pre-test score on the MRT improve their scores, while those with higher pre-test score perform at the same level on subsequent testings.

  URI:

  http://hdl.handle.net/10037/3700

  File(s) in this item: 1

  thesis.pdf   (1.931Mb)

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