| project k.i.d.s. INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
|
|
|
Student Research Projects
The information and data collected from Project K.I.D.S. has helped students further research and knowledge in the psychological field. A selection of past and current student projects are listed below. Every child that attends Project K.I.D.S. has not only assisted the students in their studies but has also helped further and extend the knowledge base we have on children's development.
Past Research Projects Nicholas Badcock (2002) " I investigated the body of research suggesting that children born prematurely take longer to develop cognitive skills, such as attention. I studied this through the use of a computer task called 'Attentional Blink', where children are required to pay attention to a rapid visual presentation of letters and search for two targets. The study attempted to see if premature children took longer to complete this task compared to non-premature children. Results showed that performance in the task appeared to be related to the development of selective attention and the automatic processing of letters. Premature children had difficulty with these functions, whereas letter processing appeared to be the source of the effect for non-premature children". Kerry Mairs (2005) " I investigated the relationship between empathy and pro-social behaviour and how this relationship is mediated but the effects of intelligence and oneness. Children were given empathy and intelligence measures, as well as participating in a ball throwing game. In this game, children were either paired with a child from the same group (red or blue team) or paired with a child from the opposite group. This was done in order to ascertain whether the concept of 'oneness', belonging to a team of group, would influence pro-social behaviour i.e. throwing the ball to the child who had not received a go. Results showed that there was no relationship between empathy, intelligence and pro-social behaviour and there was no difference between groups. However, an order effect was found, in that on the second trial of the game, the child threw more to the ' victim ' child. This suggests that the experience of ostracism can influence a child's pro-social behaviour. Dayna Luscombe, Kathryn Parlor & Aoibheann O'Brien (2005) " Our project investigated children's self-concept, with a particular focus on behaviour and intelligence. That is, whether a child's perception of their behaviour and their academic performance is in fact an accurate perception of reality. Our study revealed that children are able to correctly identify their intellectual ability and their behaviour. The findings from our study illustrated that by positively fostering a child's self concept within a particular area. subsequent positive change may follow in reality". Namita Mangalath (2006) "My project examined pro-social behaviour in children, focusing on the effects of reciprocity and experience in influencing a child's choice to help one another. Children participated in a ball throwing task and it was observed whether reciprocity, throwing to a child who threw to them, or experience, influenced pro-social behaviour i.e. throwing the ball to the child who had not received a go. My findings suggest that both of these factors are not predictors of pro-social behaviour. However, evidence suggested that modelling could be an influential factor. Children who witnessed pro-social behaviour were more likely to act pro-socially than chance, and those who witnessed anti-social behaviour. were less likely to act pro-socially than chance".
Student research projects 2007 Student research projects 2008
|