An Exploratory Study on the Köhler Effect and Flow in Long-term Exergaming

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 538-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seungmin Lee ◽  
Nicholas D. Myers ◽  
Taiwoo Park ◽  
Christopher R. Hill ◽  
Deborah L. Feltz
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Flow State ◽  
Social Physique Anxiety ◽  
Group Exercise ◽  
Multivariate Multiple Regression ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Kohler Effect ◽  
Over Time

Background. One way to motivate people to exercise is to create a motivating social context, such as group exercise, due to social comparison opportunities. However, typical group exercise is not always easy for those who have problems in scheduling or social physique anxiety. Software-generated partners (SGPs) could offer a solution because they have advantages over human partners. Aim. This exploratory study examined the psychological state of flow under Köhler paradigm over a 24-week exergame with different types of SGPs: Individual Control (IC), Always Superior Partner (AWS), and Not Always Superior Partner (NAS). Method. The experiment was a 3 (Type of the partner) × 3 (Time blocks) factorial design. Fifteen participants engaged in the experiment. A multivariate multiple regression with type of SGPs predicting flow state at the second and third block was conducted. Results. Participants with an NAS partner had significantly higher flow state, as compared to participants under IC, at both blocks. Participants with an AWS partner had approximately equal flow state, as compared to participants under IC, at both blocks. Conclusions. Possible reasons for flow perceptions with different types of SGPs over time were discussed in terms of programming SGPs and flow theory.

scholarly journals The dyad is not enough

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Torbjörn Bildtgård ◽  
Marianne Winqvist ◽  
Peter Öberg
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Older Parents ◽  
Biological Children ◽  
Over Time

The increasing prevalence of ageing stepfamilies and the potential of stepchildren to act as a source of support for older parents have increased the interest in long-term intergenerational step relationships. Applying a life-course perspective combined with Simmel’s theorizing on social dynamics, this exploratory study aims to investigate the preconditions for cohesion in long-term intergenerational step relationships. The study is based on interviews with 13 older parents, aged 66–79, who have raised both biological children and stepchildren. Retrospective life-course interviews were used to capture the development of step relationships over time. Interviews were analysed following the principles of analytical induction. The results reveal four central third-party relationships that are important for cohesion in intergenerational step relationships over time, involving: (1) the intimate partner; (2) the non-residential parent; (3) the bridge child; and (4) the stepchild-in-law. The findings have led to the conclusion that if we are to understand the unique conditions for cohesion in long-term intergenerational step relationships, we cannot simply compare biological parent–child dyads with step dyads, because the step relationship is essentially a mediated relationship.

Part III UK Derivatives, Money, and Debt Markets, 10 UK Government Debt Management and the Gilt Market

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cash Flows ◽  
Debt Management ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Risk Appetite ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Financing Costs ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Executive Agency ◽  
Over Time

This chapter provides an overview of the UK Debt Management Office (DMO) that was established on 1 April 1998 and was tasked to manage government wholesale sterling debt issuance, which was originally the Bank of England's responsibility. It highlights the DMO's purpose on carrying out the government's debt management policy of minimising financing costs over the long term and minimising cost to offset the government's net cash flows while operating in a risk appetite approved by Ministers. It also points out that the DMO, in institutional terms, is legally and constitutionally part of HM Treasury (HMT) as an executive agency. This chapter discusses the gilt market, which is comprised of two different types of securities: conventional gilts and index—linked gilts. It compares the different types of gilt and shows how the breakdown of the gilt market has changed over time.

An Embodied Conversational Agent in an eHealth Self-management Intervention for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Chronic Heart Failure: Exploratory Study in a Real-life Setting (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silke ter Stal ◽  
Joanne Sloots ◽  
Aniel Ramlal ◽  
Harm op den Akker ◽  
Anke Lenferink ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Small Talk ◽  
Management Intervention ◽  
Agent Characteristics ◽  
Over Time

BACKGROUND Embodied Conversational Agents (ECAs) have the potential to stimulate actual use of eHealth applications. An ECA’s design influences the user’s perception during short interactions, but daily life evaluations of ECAs in healthcare are scarce. OBJECTIVE this is an exploratory, long-term study on the design of ECAs for eHealth. The study investigates how patients perceive the design of the ECA over time with regard to the ECA’s characteristics – friendliness, trustworthiness, involvement, expertise and authority –, small talk interaction, and likeliness of following the agent’s advice. METHODS we developed an ECA within an eHealth self-management intervention for patients with both Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Chronic Heart Failure (CHF), which we offered for four months. Patients rated five agent characteristics and likeliness of following the agent’s advice before use and after three and nine weeks of use. The amount of patients’ small talk interaction was assessed by log data. Lastly, individual semi-structured interviews were used to triangulate results. RESULTS eleven patients (7 male and 4 female) with COPD and CHF participated (median age 70 years). Patients’ perceptions of the agent characteristics did not change over time (P > 0.05 for all characteristics) and only one participant finished all small talk dialogues. After three weeks of use, the patients were less likely to follow the agent’s advice (P = .01). The agent’s messages were perceived as non-personalized and the feedback as inappropriate, affecting the agent’s perceived reliability. CONCLUSIONS this exploratory study provides first insights into ECA design for eHealth. The impression of an ECA’s design seems to remain during long-term use. To investigate future added value of ECAs in eHealth, perceived reliability should be improved by managing users’ expectations of the ECA’s capabilities and creating ECA designs fitting individual needs. CLINICALTRIAL Netherlands Trial register, NL6480. Registered 14 August 2017, https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6480

scholarly journals The Effect of Flow State on EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Learning

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davoud Amini ◽  
Shirin Ayari ◽  
Mansour Amini
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Vocabulary Acquisition ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Flow State ◽  
Peak Experience ◽  
Vocabulary Retention ◽  
The Relationship

Flow is an optimal psychological state that has been described at length by Csikszentmihalyi (1990, 1993) as a state in which people become totally immersed in an activity and enjoy it intensely. According to Csikszentmihalyi, such a peak experience can emerge in any situation in which there is an activity to do. Researchers have indeed found evidence for flow during the execution of a large number of different activities including sports, work, and playing music. However, state of flow during language learning activities has hardly been studied. The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between task-induced state of flow during vocabulary acquisition activities and the achievement in terms of short-term and long-term vocabulary acquisition. Sixty five learners at an English Language Institution took part in vocabulary acquisition tasks aimed at engaging learners cognitively and affectively in the state of flow. To measure flow state the “Flow Perceptions Questionnaire” in the Likert format (Egbert, 2003) was used. It was an instrument for gathering the data concerning students’ affective responses during task engagement. The researcher-made retention measurement was used to determine vocabulary learning efficiency. The result indicated that flow existed in the vocabulary learning classroom and that there was a significant relationship between the level of flow state and vocabulary retention both in immediate and delayed measurements. Also male and female learners of EFL were different in terms of vocabulary retention resulting from flow state.

What Triggers an LBP Flare? A Content Analysis of Individuals’ Perspectives

Pain Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalia Costa ◽  
Paul W Hodges ◽  
Manuela L Ferreira ◽  
Joanna Makovey ◽  
Jenny Setchell
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Biological Factors ◽  
Lack Of Exercise ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Objective For many, low back pain (LBP) is a lifelong condition with symptoms varying over time. Previous studies have investigated long-term risk factors and triggers for onset of LBP. No study has examined causes for less distinct fluctuations of symptoms, such as “flares,” which individuals with LBP identify as a significant and worrisome part of LBP. As little is known about what triggers this type of fluctuation, we aimed to investigate individuals’ perspectives on LBP flare triggers. Methods We conducted an online survey of 130 people with LBP, asking what they think triggers their flares. Data were qualitatively examined using content analysis. Results Most participants identified biomedical (84.8%) triggers, endorsing physical/biological factors to explain the flare occurrence. Themes included active movements (35% of participants), static postures (28.1%), overdoing a task (5.3%), biomechanical dysfunction (4.4%), comorbidities (4%), lack of exercise (3.3%), work (1.8%), and medications (1.5%). Nonbiomedical triggers were reported by 15.2% and included psychosocial and contextual factors, including psychological state (6%), weather (5%), sleep (2%), diet (1.2%), and fatigue (1%). These results indicate that individuals consider biomedical factors to be the main triggers of LBP flares, but some acknowledge nonbiomedical triggers. Conclusions Study findings contrast with current pain theories, which suggest that there is a need for a reduced emphasis on biomedical causes of LBP pain, especially when persistent. Recognition of patients’ views on causes of LBP flares is crucial to better guide clinical practice and inform further research. The validity of triggers identified by LBP patients requires further investigation.

Policy Coordination under Minority and Majority Rule

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Persson
Keyword(s):  
Political Parties ◽  
Majority Rule ◽  
National Level ◽  
Policy Coordination ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Before And After ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Over Time

This chapter analyzes mechanisms for policy coordination inside and outside Sweden’s Government Offices. It looks at how governments of different types have coordinated their policies, and focuses on the mechanisms used by single-party minority governments and by coalition minority and majority governments. Over time, Swedish political parties have developed methods for achieving stable, long-term cooperation, and these methods have become increasingly formalized and institutionalized. Coordination at the national level takes place both before and after elections, and tends to blur the boundary between majority and minority governments. These new patterns of cooperation pose new challenges to the government’s ability to coordinate policy.

The Acute Effect of Alcohol on Various Memory Processes

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Márk Molnár ◽  
Roland Boha ◽  
Balázs Czigler ◽  
Zsófia Anna Gaál
Keyword(s):  
Low Dose ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Acute Effect ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Memory Processes ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Legal Consequences

This review surveys relevant and recent data of the pertinent literature regarding the acute effect of alcohol on various kinds of memory processes with special emphasis on working memory. The characteristics of different types of long-term memory (LTM) and short-term memory (STM) processes are summarized with an attempt to relate these to various structures in the brain. LTM is typically impaired by chronic alcohol intake but according to some data a single dose of ethanol may have long lasting effects if administered at a critically important age. The most commonly seen deleterious acute effect of alcohol to STM appears following large doses of ethanol in conditions of “binge drinking” causing the “blackout” phenomenon. However, with the application of various techniques and well-structured behavioral paradigms it is possible to detect, albeit occasionally, subtle changes of cognitive processes even as a result of a low dose of alcohol. These data may be important for the consideration of legal consequences of low-dose ethanol intake in conditions such as driving, etc.

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