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Full-Text Articles in Psychology

Exploring The Process Of Statistical Language Learning, Nicolette B. Noonan Aug 2018

Exploring The Process Of Statistical Language Learning, Nicolette B. Noonan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

In this thesis, I investigated the process of statistical word segmentation using a combination of behavioural, clinical, and neuroimaging approaches. Prior research has largely focused on the outcome of statistical learning approaches, with little research attention paid to the process of learning. In this body of research, I sought to address this issue. In Chapter 2, I examined how domain-specific and domain-general working memory interference effects on a statistical word segmentation task. I found that when completing a concurrent visuospatial or verbal working memory task, statistical language learning was impaired. Thus, this study provided some evidence that domain-general working memory …


Girls’ Internalizing Symptoms And White Matter Tracts In Cortico-Limbic Circuitry, Ola Mohamed Ali Jul 2018

Girls’ Internalizing Symptoms And White Matter Tracts In Cortico-Limbic Circuitry, Ola Mohamed Ali

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Dysfunction in cortico-limbic circuitry is implicated in internalizing disorders, but less is known about whether structural abnormalities precede disorder, thus potentially marking risk. I therefore examined associations between white matter tract integrity in cortico-limbic circuitry at age 7, obtained using Diffusion Tensor Imaging, and concurrent and longitudinal patterns of internalizing symptoms, over a 5-year period, in 42 typically developing girls. Using Automated Fiber Quantification, diffusion properties were examined at multiple points along tract length (cf., an average diffusion measure of the entire tract). Concurrent internalizing symptoms were associated with reduced fractional anisotropy in segments of the cingulum bundle and uncinate …


Relating Sensory Sensitivity And Repetitive Behaviours In Autism Spectrum Disorders, Samantha E. Schulz Jul 2018

Relating Sensory Sensitivity And Repetitive Behaviours In Autism Spectrum Disorders, Samantha E. Schulz

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The heterogenous expression of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) complicates our etiological understanding of the disorder. By focusing on the most commonly-reported symptom of ASD, namely sensory processing dysfunction, this project attempts to determine the underlying factors of autism-related restricted interests and repetitive behaviours (RRBs). The specific aims of this project are to examine the relationship between sensory sensitivity and RRBs and to compare current questionnaire measures of sensory processing issues to more objective measures, specifically, a psychophysical behavioural task of visual sensitivity. A positive relationship was found between sensitivity and RRBs in both autistic children and their TD peers. Furthermore, …


Birth Order As A Predictor Of Anxiety, Amanda Callaway May 2018

Birth Order As A Predictor Of Anxiety, Amanda Callaway

Brescia Psychology Undergraduate Honours Theses

This study examined the relationship between birth order and anxiety regarding the transition from high school to becoming a university student. Participants were categorized based on their biological birth order, psychological birth order, and living location. Participants’ state anxiety, trait anxiety, and self-esteem were measured and analyzed for predictable patterns in birth order and anxiety level. No statistically significant results were observed but results trended towards middle children scoring lowest on anxiety and self-esteem, youngest children scoring highest on anxiety and self-esteem, and firstborn and only children scoring similarly on anxiety but only children having slightly lower self-esteem. Results were …