Showing 238 results for Type of Study: Research
Dr Shahrooz Nemati, , Marzyeh Baetminan,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (11-2019)
Abstract
The aim of current research was to study digit span in students with and without nonverbal learning disorders. Methods:In this ex post facto research, the sample included the students with and without nonverbal learning disorders. For this purpose, sixty preschool children ageing 10/83 years included 30 students with nonverbal learning disorders who screened by the Goldstein Nonverbal Learning Disabilities Scale by means To fulfill the stated goal sampling and 30 typical male students by simple random sampling who live in the city of Tehran in the years 2014 and 2015 were selected and the digit span subtest in working memory index in WISC-IV were used to gather the data. The Mann-Whitney U test revealed that there is a significant difference between two groups in forward and backward digit span, thus the typical children have an outstanding performance rather than nonverbal learning disordersIn comparison of two groups, a t-test’s statistical significance revealed that the typical children have an outstanding performance in digit span as well. The training of short-term and working memory strategy are needed to children with nonverbal learning disorders.
the significant difference between the two groups of children with nonverbal learning disabilities and normal children in digit span in both in forward and backward digit span memory provided sufficient psychological evidence in support of research findings related to working memory deficits toward developmental disabilities and nonverbal learning disorders as well.
Dr Marzieh Gholami, Dr Ali Delavar, Dr Hassan Sharifi,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (11-2019)
Abstract
The researcher's test consists of nineteen factors and has two parts: audio and visual; its content validity was confirmed by psychology professors and then a sample of 206 pre-school students was performedAccording to the calculations, Pearson correlation coefficient between the two-part questionnaire was r = 0.81 in the auditory comprehension section and r = 0.79 in the visual comprehension section.. In order to determine the validity of the structure and the components of the questionnaire, the main components analysis method was used with varimax normalized rotation. The most important factor in the visual-spatial perception area is the symbolization, and in the auditory part it is memory. Independent t-test was used to assess discriminant validity. Results showed that there is a significant difference between the mean scores of students with learning disabilities and normal in the learning disability test. In order to check the validity of this study, a checklist of learning disability that was completed at the same time by the mothers was used. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between the two tests. According to the validity and reliability, the learning disability test is a tool that can be used by learning and counseling centers.
Hussein Samani, Ali-Reza Moradi, Maryam Moghadasin,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (11-2019)
Abstract
The topic of this study is to compare the absolute threshold of readability among ten commonly used Persian fonts in a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) reading techniques task at three reading speed (100, 300 and 500 words per minute). RSVP is a cognitive task design method that is also used in fast reading technologies. This research had two goals: First, determine the optimal Persian font from a visual ergonomic perspective and others investigate the effect of demographic variables (age, gender and education degree) and some cognitive abilities (memory and processing speed) on total numbers of reading errors. In this study, for the first time, the concept of absolute threshold of readability was introduced as an objective indicator in comparing fonts.
Twenty subjects participated in this study with ages ranging from 11-79 years and degrees from undergraduate to PhD. The results shown that Iran Sans 5.5 is the optimal font from visual ergonomic perspective. It was also found that age (demographic) and short-term memory (cognitive ability) are correlated with total numbers of reading errors.
Asghar Noruzi, Alireza Moradi, Karim Zamani, Jafar Hasani,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (11-2019)
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of logotherapy based on Rumi's thoughts and acceptance and commitment therapy on the elderly's autobiographical memory. The research method was semi-experimental with pre-test and post-test design and the follow-up period. The sample consisted of 66 older people (46 females and 20 males) referred to daily rehabilitation centers of Sari city, who were selected by available sampling method and were randomly divided into two experimental and one control group. The semi-structured autobiographical memory interview was used to collect data. For the first experimental group, logotherapy based on Rumi's thoughts and for the second experimental group, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, each was provided for 8 sessions of 75 minutes, during which the control group received no intervention. The results of the repeated measures analysis of variance showed that logotherapy based on Rumi's thoughts and acceptance and commitment therapy improved autobiographical memory and its components in the elderly. The results also showed that there was a significant difference between the effectiveness of the two groups of logotherapy based on Rumi's thoughts and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, so that logotherapy based on Rumi's thoughts was more effective on the autobiographical memory of elderly.
Dr. Ebrahim Ahmadi, Dr. Hojjat Hatami, Dr. Ebrahim Rangraz,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (12-2019)
Abstract
When people want to make an emotional decision, they may avoid information that can make a rational decision stronger. With the aim of investigating information avoidance as a strategy to facilitate emotional decisions and in an experimental design, a call for participation in this study was sent to thirty thousand mobile phone subscribers in Tehran and Karaj and finally 383 people (149 men) with a mean age of 32 years participated in this research. First, participants were faced with rational and emotional choices, and then their information avoidance was measured. Participants were then randomly assigned to three groups and were given the same information they had avoided in three different ways. Finally, participants chose one of the two options and their desire for emotional choice was measured. Z Test and logistic regression analysis showed that most of the participants avoided information, but the same information affected their decisions, the participants who avoided information, chose more emotional choices, and the more the participants desire for emotional choice, the more their information avoidance. So, people avoid information to make emotional decision making easier.
Asghar Jafari, ,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (12-2019)
Abstract
Students with mathematics learning disability, because cognitive- behavioral dysfunctions, have defects in orientation and visual- spatial processing, which leads to defect in perception the spatial relationships and basic skills of mathematics. The purpose of present study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive- behavioral plays on improve mathematics performance and perception the spatial relationships in students with mathematics learning disability. A quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test and a two months follow- up with control group was used. through purposeful sampling method, 30 participants who met the inclusion criteria were selected in the center of specific training of leaning disability in Zarandiyeh- Saveh and randomly assigned to two groups of cognitive- behavioral play therapy or control, n1=n2=15. Research tools were the tests of conoli’s Key math (1988) and Farastick’s perpetual- visual (1963) which were administered in three stages for two groups and the protocol of Schaefer& et al’s cognitive- behavioral play to the experimental group during nine weekly, 60- minute sessions and data were analyzed using mixed model repeated measures analysis variance. Finding showed that cognitive- behavioral play therapy had a significant effect on math performance and perception the spatial relationships of students with mathematics learning disability and this effect remained stable at follow-up. Since cognitive- behavioral play therapy likely leads to improve basic skills of mathematics, spatial awareness, visual- spatial perception, space perception, motor and orientation in students with mathematics learning disability, effect on math performance and perception the spatial relationships. Hence, it can be used as a low- cost and effective psycho educational method for improving students with mathematics learning disability.
Sharif Mombeyni, Alireza Haji Yakhchali, Manijeh Shehni Yailagh, Gholamhoseyn Maktabi,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (12-2019)
Abstract
Since imagination can help students' academic achievement and creativity and lead to the flourishing of talents and the development of ideas, the purpose of the present study was to validate the Liang, Su, Chang and Lin imagination questionnaire. The research method, correlation and statistical population of this study were all secondary school students in Ahvaz. 300 students (150 boys and 150 girls) were selected by multistage random sampling method. The Liang, Su, Chang and Lin imagination questionnaire were used to measure imagination. The results of exploratory factor analysis showed that 10 items in the form of two factors, creative imagination and productive imagination, constitute the imagination scale. Also Confirmatory factor analysis results showed that the components of creative imagination and productive imagination measured imagination with good power. The reliability and validity analysis of the imagination components showed that the questions were sufficiently accurate in measuring the imagination components. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were reported between 0.66 and 0.70 which indicated that both components have the necessary precision in determining the structure of imagination. The results of this study showed that the questionnaire has good validity and reliability and is suitable for imagination. Imagination Questionnaire has acceptable psychometric properties in Iranian students' community and researchers can use it as a valid tool in imagination measurement.
Sepideh Dehghani, Reza Rostami, Mohammad Ali Besharat, Reza Zomorrodi, Homayoun Vahedi,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (12-2019)
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder that is characterized by abdominal pain, discomfort and change in the intestinal habits. The aim of this study was the comparison of brain oscillations features between patients with IBS and healthy control, speciallity in alpha frequency band by using rest-electroencephalography (EEG). 11 IBS patients (7 females and 4 male) and 11 healthy (7 females and 4 male), gender and age-matched, were selected and brain oscillations were recorded by a 64-channel EEG at rest in eye-closed condition. Alpha power, peak alpha frequency and frontal alpha asymmetry were calculated and analyzed by fast Fourier transform and independent t test. The results showed that in IBS group, the average of alpha was higher, the peak alpha frequency and frontal alpha asymmetry are lower than healthy control. Our findings indicated that difference between healthy control and IBS group in their cortical functions and generated brain wave oscillation, specifically in alpha frequency bands. Theses results may serve as a biomarker and prognostic tools for IBS treatments.
Kamal Parhoon, Hadi Parhon,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (12-2019)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Cognitive rehabilitation traning (CTR) on Executive functions and attention in students with lrarning problem. In an experimental study with pre-test, post-test and control group, 42 students with LP were selected through convenient sampling method. They were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent two months’of intervention and the scores of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF), and the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) were gathered in both groups before and after the intervention and in one month follow up. The data was analyzing by the statistical test of mixed variance analysis. The results in the post-test and follow-up stages showed that there is a significant difference between the two experimental and control groups, in terms executive functions, and attention. This means that the experimental group who underwent the intervention program had significant improvement in the post-test phase in terms of executive functioning and attention. the changes made during the follow-up phase remained consistent. Also, based on the results obtained, cognitive rehabilitation intervention did not significantly affect the emotional regulation index of students with the LP. The results of this study indicate the effectiveness of a designed cognitive rehabilitation program on executive function, and attention of students with LP; therefore, considering these findings and the mechanism, the effectiveness of this intervention method can have appropriate therapeutic effects on reducing cognitive and psychological problems and improving the quality of life of student with LP.
Sara Barghool, Nasrin Hadidi Tamjid, Tooran Ahour,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (12-2019)
Abstract
Creativity can play an important role in today's world, and especially in education. Using innovative approaches in teaching can help students cope with stressful situations and learn better and deeper but unfortunately, little value is given to creativity. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of divergent thinking and metaphorical thinking as creativity-training methods on critical thinking among English learners. The present study is an experimental study with pre-test and post-test and control group. The study population consisted of 45 TOEFL students in Jahade Daneshgahi in Tabriz University. The data were collected using Honey Critical Thinking Questionnaire, and for the data analysis covariance analysis was used. The results showed that although the critical thinking score in the divergent thinking group was higher than the metaphorical thinking score, this difference was not significant, but both methods were effective in enhancing students' critical thinking. Although more studies are needed to better understand and deepen the impact of creativity on critical thinking, the present study suggests that the use of creative methods can increase the sense of innovation and creativity and critical thinking in learners. Also teachers can use both creativity-training methods in teaching English
Mrs Fateme Asghari, Mr Siamak Khademi, Mr Mansour Vesali,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
Researchers emphasise the effect of metacognition on learning and teaching. The purpose of this article was to investigate the metacognitive knowledge and skills of physics students at Farhangian University in mechanic's problem solving. This qualitative study is an interpretive phenomenology and the methods of think-aloud protocols, interviewing and observation in natural conditions have been used to collect data and evaluate the metacognitive knowledge and skills of students and instructors at Farhangian University. The sample of the current study were forty two girls in the first semester, who studied physics at the Nasibeh Campus of Farhangian University in Tehran. Metacognitive evaluations were also performed to solve problems in mechanics in the kinematic field. In this study, the samples included students who had successfully passed the university entrance exam in the previous six months. In addition, one day before the start of the research, they participated in the university's basic physics exam, therefore, they had the necessary preparation and knowledge to solve the problems. The study was conducted in three stages. In the first stage, two to three problems were solved by the students with the think-aloud protocols. To familiarize students with the think-aloud protocols, they practiced this method with the help of a researcher. In the second stage, the researcher interviewed six students who were more interested and cooperative. In the third stage, the behavior of all forty-two students was observed and recorded during the academic semester, while solving problems under normal conditions. The results showed that most of the students surveyed had moderate metacognitive knowledge and very poor metacognitive skills
Nahide Bagerpour, Ramin Habibi-Kaleybar1, Javad Mesrabadi,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of training neuropsychological executive functions on metamemory, planning and problem solving in students with mathematics disorder. This research is semi-experimental and its design includes pre-test and post-test as well as a control group. The population of this research were female students with mathematics disorder from the third to sixth grade of primery school, who had been to the Isar Specialty Learning Problem Instruction Center in 2017-2018. Thirty of them were selected by available sampling and were divided into experimental and control groups. Initially, both groups were tested by Wechsler Intelligence Test and K-Mathematical Test. Both groups were assessed by pre-test and post-test using the Metamemory Questionnaire and the Tower of London Questionnaire. The experimental group received 10 sessions for 3 months, while the control group did not receive any training. The results of multivariate analysis of covariance indicated that there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of metamemory, planning and problem solving. This means that training executive functions has been able to increase the amount of metamemory, planning and problem solving for students with mathematics disorder. The results of this study can be used in the education and treatment of students with mathematics disorder and executive functions should always be considered as a key factor.
Omid Azad,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
Metaphores are considered as one of the most common functions of language and due to their abstract meaning, they can be used to study the performance of patients suffering from cognitive deficits. This research aimed at investigating dead and novel metaphor comprehension in Persian-speaking Alzheimer’s patients, and analyzing the role of executive function in this process. This research has taken advantage of co-relational methods. The sample society is composed of 5 Persian-speaking Alzheimer’s patients whose age and education matched healthy controls. To assess patients’ executive abilities and metaphor comprehension, stroop color, clock drawing and metaphor comprehension tests were used respectively. The results showed Alzheimer’s patients’ deficit in metaphor comprehension, particularly in the novel ones. Patients’ performance in metaphor comprehension was related with theirs in stroop color test and clock drawing tests, although this correlation was more significant in the case of novel metaphors. On the one hand, the relationship between patients’ metaphor comprehension and their executive abilities demonstrated that deficit in executive system plays an important role in patients’ poor metaphor comprehension. On the other hand, this highlights the significant role of pre-frontal cortex in metaphor comprehension.
Azadeh Askari, Forough Khodakarimi, Mohamad Mahdi Nazarpour,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
Critical thinking helps people to consider and analyze a wide range of information. The importance of strengthening this skill is significant for managers because it leads to success and the overcoming of crises. The Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Test, is a tool for measuring critical thinking and has been designed to combine the aspects of skill and tendency for critical thinking. The purpose of this study is to investigate psychometric properties of this test amomg the Iran Gas Transmission Company managers and to evaluate its psychometrics properties using validation and reliability methods as suitable tools for identifying and measuring critical thinking in the Iranian sample, especially among managers. The sample of the present study included 472 staff managers, who participated in the study of "The Development of Psychological Identity of the Managers at the Iran Gas Transmission Company" in 2018-2019, and responded to 80 questions of a computer-based version of the test. The findings of this study showed that the test on our sample society has four dimensions of analytical thinking, evaluation, interpretation, and assumption while its original version has five dimensions. Moreover, an exploratory factor analysis revealed that the two components of inference and inferring had to be merged and this new component was called analytical thinking. In addition, confirmatory factor analysis of the model with the four components was meaningful and desirable in all fit indices of the model. According to the results of this research, the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Test can be used to achieve research goals.
Seid Nezamoddin Rostamkalaee, Dr. Reza Rostami, Abbas Rahiminezhad, Hojjatollah Farahani,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
Depression is the most common mental disorder that disrupts patients’ lives and imposes costs on society. Recently, the use of biomarkers in the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders has been considered. The question is whether biomarkers derived from EEG are capable of separating depressed patients from healthy people. The objective of this study was to compare the power of different frequency bands in depressed and healthy individuals. The participants of this non-experimental study were selected using clinical criteria based on DSM-5 at Atieh Clinic in Tehran in 2016-2017 (29 women and 21 men who were depressed and 19 women and 31 men who were healthy). EEG was recorded in 19 channels and five frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma) at rest (eyes closed) and during the Emtional Contineous Performance Task (ECPT). The results showed that at rest, the mean power was significantly higher in the depressed group only in the gamma band (Fz and Cz). Significant differences were also observed in theta (P8, O1 and O2), alpha (P4, P8 and O1), beta (Fp1, P3, Pz, and P4) and gamma (Fp1, Fp2, Fz and O1) during activity. Furthermore, mean powers in the depressed group were higher. It seems that EEG power during activity is a better discriminator than power in resting state and it could potentially be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of depression.
Nassim Zakibakhsh Mohammadi, Sajjad Basharpoor, Mohammad Narimani, Moslem Kord,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of working memory training with emotional stimulation on self-injury behaviors of people with borderline personality disorder. The method of current study was semi-experimental and its design was pre-test and post-test with a control group. All the students of University of Mohaghegh Ardebili with borderline personality disorder in the 2017-2018 academic year comprised the population of this study. Forty people were selected by the screening method via the Boderline Traits Scale (STB) and the Structured Clinical Interview for Mental Disorders (SCID-II) and they were assigned to two experimental and control groups. The experimental group attended working memory training with emotional stimulation for 10 sessions of 30 to 45 minutes for 10 days, i.e. during two weeks every day (except Thursdays and Fridays), while the control group did not receive such training. The Sansone and Wiederman Self-Harm Inventory (SHI) questionnaire was used to collect information for both pre-test and post-test stages. Data were analyzed using a statistical method of single variable covariance analysis. The results showed that the mean self-injury scores of the subjects in the experimental group were significantly reduced compared to the control group in the post-test stage. According to the present study, it could be suggested that working memory training with emotional stimulation via strengthening cognitive control is effective for reducing impulsive behaviors such as self-injury.
Hossein Matoori, Elkhas Veysi, Bahman Gorjian, Mehran Memari,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (10-2020)
Abstract
One of the well-known conceptual metaphors is the metaphor of "time as space". Time as an abstract concept is conceptualized by a concrete concept like space. This conceptualization of time is also reflected in co-speech gestures. In this research, we try to find out what dimension and direction the mental timeline takes in co-speech gestures and under which metaphorical sources of space it takes place. For this purpose, six possible metaphorical sources adopted from space on three axes of sagittal, lateral, and vertical in six spatial directions were examined on the words tomorrow and yesterday. Participants were 137 students ranging in age from 18 to 30. The frequency of occurrence and the average percentage in co-speech gestures showed that the horizontal-sagittal axis back to front adopted from metaphorical-spatial source of linguistic metaphors with 55.75%; and right to left horizontal-lateral axis adopted from metaphorical-spatial source of Persian writing direction with 30.1% were the two influential factors in activating these dimensions and directions. The results of this study showed that language can play an important role in the representation of the mental timeline in co-speech gestures through the embodied sensory-motor experiences that we have from language as a conventional-cultural artifact in writing or linguistic metaphors.
Hashem Jebraeili, Tannaz Seydi, Rasool Karimi,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (10-2020)
Abstract
Given the wide prevalence of procrastination and delaying tasks and the need to identify factors affecting this problem, present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of anticipated regret and consideration of future consequences in the relationship between impulsive choice and emotional distress with procrastination. In an analytical cross-sectional study, 400 students were selected through available sampling from Kermanshah universities and they were assessed employing impulsivity (Cyders et al., 2014), depression, anxiety and stress (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), monetary choice (Kirby & Marakovic, 1996), regret-based decision making (Nygren & White, 2002), consideration of future consequences (Strathman et al., 1994), and pure procrastination (Steel, 2010) questionnaires. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation test and path analysis using SPSS and Mplus software. The findings showed that the present model has an excellent fit with data (RMSEA=0.001, CFI=1, TLI=1). Urgency (β=0.08, P<0.01), lack of perseverance (β=-0.07, P<0.01), anxiety (β=0.06, P<0.01), and delay discounting (β=-0.04, P<0.01) had significant effect on procrastination through anticipated regret and lack of premeditation had significant effect on procrastination through both anticipated regret (β=-0.07, P<0.01) and consideration of future consequences (β=0.03, P<0.05).It could be said that anticipated regret and consideration of future consequences play a mediating role in the relationship between impulsive choice and emotional distress with procrastination and we can help to reduce procrastination in distressed and impulsive individuals by formulating interventions that target these variables.
Mahmoud Talkhabi, Zeinab Rahmati, Alireza Moradi,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (10-2020)
Abstract
| This study explores the necessity of conceptual change in teachers' professional development through creating knowledge building environment. In cognitive approaches to education the quality of education is considered to be a result of teachers' pedagogy and teachers' pedagogy is considered as a result of their cognition. Thereby the goal of many professional development programs is to educate teachers whose cognition is consistent with the latest research findings from cognitive and learning sciences. In this study the research synthesis was used to develop basic statements for salient characteristics of conceptual change framework. The analysis of the results showed that pedagogical belief system, teachers' preconceptions and how they align with scientific concepts, implicit theories, coherency of cognition, epistemological beliefs, metaconceptual awareness and experience-based belief system need to be considered in teachers' professional development. Finally, the possibility of creating knowledge building environment has been discussed. |
Omid Hosseinpanahi, Mehdi Zemestani,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (10-2020)
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are developmental neurological disorders characterized by defects in social interactions, communication, and repetitive behaviors. This study attempted to examine the efficacy of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on social skills in children with ASD.Thirty-two children with confirmed ASD diagnoses were randomly allocated into a tDCS treatment group or a control group. The tDCS treatment group underwent 10 sessions of anodal tDCS stimulation applied simultaneously over the left DLPFC (F3) area, whereas the control group underwent the same procedures but with the use of sham tDCS stimulation.Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS) and Social Skills Rating System was used to measure the Social Skills in two pre-test and post-test stages. Finally, the data were analyzed by the SPSS software using repeated measures analysis.Results showed that anodal tDCS significantly increased social skills in the experimental group after treatment compared to the control group.
