Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Effect Of Functional Fixation In Problem Solving Among Preschool, Second Grade, And Ninth Grade Children, Michael Kenneth Nehring

Dissertations

Functional fixedness is a cognitive function whereby an individual becomes fixated on a given function of an object, which prevents the individual from using the object in an alternative fashion to solve a problem (Duncker, 1935/1945). The current study analyzed the effect of functional fixedness on 36 children from three different age groups, preschool, second grade, and ninth grade. The children were presented with a problem solving activity based on a problem used by German and Defeyter (2000), in which they concluded that young children are immune to the effects of functional fixedness. Research conducted by Chrysikou (2006) indicated using …

They Just Don't Care About The Caring: Parents Perspectives Of Early Childhood Education And Care Policy And Associated Funding Programmes, Tracey Nelson

Dissertations

This research aimed to investigate parents’ perspectives on early childhood care and education (ECEC) policy in Ireland and the associated funding programmes available to them. A qualitative research approach was adopted, using semi-structured interviews and a focus group as a research tool to gain an insight into the experiences of families regarding ECEC. Parents availing of current ECEC funding programmes and grandparents who care for their grandchildren were identified as a representative sub group of the research population.

Key findings suggest families are invisible in ECEC funding policy despite their fundamental role as co-educators in their child’s learning. Another key …

Organised Crime In Ireland: A Policy Analysis Of The Introduction Of Organised Crime To The Irish Statute Book, Elizabeth Davey

Dissertations

This thesis is an examination of the policy process employed in the introduction of organised crime to the Irish Statute Book. Part 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 creates, for the first time in Irish criminal law, specific organised crime offences. This thesis examines the different definitions of organised crime that have been proffered by various academics since the 1960s and highlights the difficulties that exist in coining an all-encompassing yet specific definition for the phenomenon. The methods by which Part 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 became law are also scrutinised. The views of various interest groups …