Understanding the Etiology of Complex Traits: Symbiotic Relationships Between Psychology and Genetics

ABSTRACT— The present article offers comments on the infusion of methodologies, approaches, reasoning strategies, and findings from the fields of genetics and genomics into studies of complex human behaviors (hereafter, complex phenotypes). Specifically, I discuss issues of generality and specificity, causality, and replicability as they pertain to molecular genetic studies of human phenotypes. These issues are illustrated with findings from genetic linkage and association studies investigating the etiology of disorders of spoken and written language—an area of inquiry that has been consistently referenced as one of the most successful in terms of its progress in understanding the genetic bases of human behaviors. I complete this discussion with comments on how the stronger presence of genetics and genomics in psychology is changing the conceptualization and investigation of research questions and affecting the next generation of interdisciplinary research.     

Deterioration of building materials and artworks in the ‘Santa Maria della Stella’ church,Saluzzo (Italy): Causes of decay and possible remedies

An in-depth scientific survey revealed the deterioration mechanisms affecting the ‘Santa Maria della Stella’ church in Saluzzo, Italy, where various salt crystallization processes are strongly damaging the building materials and artworks. Rainwater seepage permeates the vault and interior, causing: (1) epsomite growth as interstitial columnar crystals (resulting in pictorial coating detachment) or superficial, powdery efflorescence; (2) formation of nesquehonite/hydromagnesite crusts on wall paintings; and (3) nitratine growth causing pigment staining and detachment. These processes involve selective Mg²⁺ mobilization from magnesian-lime mortars and bacterial-induced formation of nitrates from guano, with consequent precipitation of degrading salts. The study confirms how characterization of all deterioration agents is fundamental to planning a viable cultural heritage conservation and restoration programme.     

Learning online: massive open online courses (MOOCs), connectivism,and cultural psychology

In this reflection, we discuss the connectivist conception of learning in Web 2.0 environments, which underpins the pedagogy of what are known as cMOOCs (connectivist massive open online courses). We argue that this conception of learning is inadequate and problematic, and we propose that cultural psychology is best suited to address the explanatory challenges that Web 2.0 poses on learning, and therefore, it is also best suited to provide massive open online courses with more adequate and less problematic pedagogy. We suggest two initial and general pedagogical principles based on cultural psychology upon which to begin building this new pedagogy for massive open online courses.     

Social diversity within multiliteracies: complexity in teaching and learning

English: This study examines the efficiency of the Imen-Delphi (ID) technique as an electronic procedure for conferencing. Originally the ID procedure (Passig, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) was designed in order to facilitate a discussion among a group of panellists sharing a common future interest. The goal of the ID is to help the participants clarify their opinions and expectations regarding their preferable and possible futures, thus helping them commit themselves to the task of implementing the desirable agreed upon future. This study conducted an electronic version of the original ID procedure and tested its efficiency in reaching an agreement among a group of experts on Virtual Reality (VR) and education.

Français: L'article étudie l'efficacité de la technique iD comme une procédure électronique pour les conférences. À l'origine la procédure iD (Passig, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) a été conçue pour faciliter une discussion entre une groupe de personnes participant à une table ronde qui partagent un même intérêt pour l'avenir. Le but de l'iD est d'aider les participants à clarifier leurs opinions et attentes concernant l'avenir préféré et possible, et de les aider à s'impliquer dans l'avenir tel qu'il est souhaité d'un commun accord. Cet article décrit une version électronique de la procédure originale de l'iD, et teste son efficacité pour aboutir à un accord au sein d'un groupe d'experts sur réalité virtuelle (RV) et l'éducation.

Deutsch: In dieser studie wird die wirksamkeit der Imen-Delphi (ID)-Technik als elektronische möglichkeit für konferenzen untersucht. Ursprünglich war diese technologie (Passig, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) entworfen worden, um die kommunikation einer gruppe von diskussionsteilnehmern zu unterstutzen. Ziel von ID ist, den teilnehmern zu helfen, ihre meinungen und erwartungen zu erklären in bezug aug ihre gewünschte oder mögliche zunkunft, wodurch sie sich selbst besser in die angestrebte zukünftige Form einbringen können. Diese studie führte zu einer elektronischen version des original ID-verfahrens. Seine wirksamkeit wurde bei der erzielung einer, vereinbarung zwischen einer expertengruppe zum thema ‘Virtual Reality und Erziehung’ erwiesen.     

Sound representations in preschool students / Las representaciones del sonido en estudiantes de educación preescolar

Abstract

Studies of the representations that students construct, within the framework of embodied cognition, have shown that perception, action and cognition are linked and are the basis of these representations. From this framework of analysis, this study attempted to identified the representations of 23 preschool students (ages four and five) of sound production, perception and propagation. In-depth interviews were conducted using hypothetical situations and experimental tasks. Three representations were identified. The first one shows a conception of sound centred on objects. Representation 2 also focuses on objects and their relationship with the subject, but it begins to attribute characteristics to the sound itself, and in representation 3, sound has more intrinsic characteristics that expand its possibilities of interacting with the subject and other objects. We conclude that the construction of representations of sound starts from perceptual elements and is linked to actions, although its complexity also shows that they incorporate characteristics that go beyond this corporal correlate.     

Group work: Prospective teachers’ acquisition of transversal competences

The current training model being used in higher education advocates the acquisition of competences aimed at providing students with all-round training that will enable them to tackle their future work responsibilities effectively. This encompasses a number of different competences, most notably the transversal kind, especially in view of the important role they play in shaping the profile of any professional individual. The active learning methods applied to group work have shown to be the most suitable for achieving these competences. From this perspective, and considering their relevance, we present the results of a study that addresses the perceptions held by students from Education Degrees regarding the extent to which transversal competences are acquired by implementing active learning methods. The students perceive group work as a dynamic that teaches them how to be more self-critical and committed to group-oriented tasks, thus encouraging communication skills, personal relationships and motivation. However, a lesser degree of acquisition has been recorded in other equally important competences. As such, it is necessary to promote these learning methods from the start, carefully designing and planning the curriculum structure as well as the tasks to be performed in order to avoid any negative implications that may arise.     

How teachers express their knowledge through narrative

The study we carried out deals with how teachers express their practical knowledge. The main objective was to classify how it is expressed, so that we can see its components, its limits, and how close it is to theoretical knowledge, understanding as such that which is based on research and aimed at explaining phenomena by looking for regular features.