Mathematical Modelling from the Instrumentation of Improper Integrals

Background: There is little clarity in the application of content related to improper integrals in university students, due to the absence of meaning, which prevents them from making a connection with everyday problem situations. Methods: we designed a mathematical modelling proposal where a specific situation involving the instrumentation, use and application of this type of integrals is experimented and solved with a population of engineering students, who learn to use them. Results: The importance of using mathematical modelling as a didactic-dynamic resource is highlighted because it helps students to reach an understanding of real situations involving improper integrals in different contexts. Conclusions: Despite the numerous errors detected in the students, this strategy made it possible to demonstrate the development of advanced mathematical thinking skills in young people.

Getting things done: Inequalities, Internet use and everyday life

The study of mundane, everyday uses of the Internet remains an emerging field of inquiry. Analysing data from a large seven country survey of Internet use and adapting concepts and methods developed by Bourdieu, we show that there are distinct clusters of users who use the Internet in diverse ways to solve everyday problems, such as buying a mobile phone or diagnosing an illness. Such everyday problem-solving is dependent upon degrees of economic, social, digital and cultural capital, and varies across countries. A comparative methodological strategy combined the use of multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and for the first time in the field, multiple factor analysis for contingency tables (MFACTs). Extending the work of Bourdieu and the sociology of class more generally, we argue that digital capital functions as a bridging capital aiding the convertibility of other forms of capital to the benefit of already advantaged groups.

Theoretical Analysis of the Apathy Diagnostical Measurement

The article lays out a theoretical analysis of the problem with diagnosing apathy in today's research. Apathy is a state characterized by a simultaneous decrease in the behavioral, cognitive and emotional concomitants of goal-directed behavior due to loss of motivation [15]. Behavioral changes lie in a declining everyday problem-solving effectiveness at home or work. Cognitive changes result in reduced cognitive functioning and a lack of plans and life strategies. Emotional changes manifest in a decrease in affective response to events that previously elicited either a positive or negative emotional response. Diagnostic criteria, or the 'gold standard' for apathy, identify behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and social symptoms of apathy that cause clinically significant disorders in personal, social, professional, or other important areas of life. The differential diagnosis of apathy involves its clinical distinction from syndromes such as delirium, dementia, depression, abulia, akinesia, and demoralization. The review can be useful for psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and all practitioners who interact with people at risk of developing apathetic states.

Openness to Experience Moderates the Association Between Problem-Solving Style and Negative Affect

Everyday problem-solving situations can be approached on an independent or interdependent basis. The current article investigated the moderating effects of openness to experience and self-efficacy on the relation between an independent versus interdependent problem-solving style and negative affect (stress, anxiety, depression, and neuroticism). Australian university students ( Ns = 399, 186, 337, and 248) and international academic researchers ( N = 199) took part in research studies examining the relations between personality, problem-solving-style, and mental health. Openness to experience moderated the association between problem-solving style and negative affect in all five studies. When openness was low, independent problem-solvers reported greater negative emotionality compared to interdependent problem-solvers. Further, the moderating effect of openness to experience on trait-based negative affectivity (i.e., neuroticism) was mediated by state-based negative emotional experiences of anxiety and stress. The moderating effect of self-efficacy appraisals was only statistically significant on specific anxiety about solving problems. Openness to experience seems to help alleviate the negative mental consequences of independent problem-solvers. These findings have implications for clinical practice with regard to building a therapeutic relationship and retaining clients.

A-08 Predictors of Everyday Problem Solving in Subtypes of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Objective The Everyday Problems Test (EPT) evaluates problem solving ability needed to complete activities of daily living (ADLs), such as medication and financial management. This study assessed the contributions of executive functioning and subtypes of memory on everyday problem solving in healthy aging, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and non-amnestic MCI. Method Participants included healthy older adults (n = 56) and individuals with MCI (amnestic MCI n = 25; non-amnestic MCI n = 36). Composite scores were derived for Executive Functioning (Trail Making Test-B and FAS), Immediate Memory (short delayed recall scores from the California Verbal Learning Test-II and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised) and Delayed Memory (long delayed recall scores from both memory tests). The EPT was the measure of everyday problem solving. Results We found that for the control group and the entire MCI group (both amnestic and non-amnestic MCI), executive functioning, immediate memory, and delayed memory predicted problem solving. When examining the separate MCI subtypes, executive functioning and delayed memory predicted problem solving in non-amnestic-MCI, but not amnestic MCI. Conclusions Findings suggest that healthy older adults engage a range of cognitive skills (executive and memory skills) when they engage in everyday problem-solving. Executive and memory skills are also utilized for those with non-amnestic MCI when performing ADLs. Interestingly, in those exhibiting memory impairment and with increased risk for the Alzheimer’s type of dementia, memory and executive functions do not predict ADL problem solving. These findings indicate that people with amnestic-MCI may benefit from being given compensatory strategies to support their memory difficulties when they must perform everyday problem-solving.