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Levels of trust in information sources as a predictor of protective health behaviors during COVID-19 pandemic: A UAE cross-sectional study
Get PDFHealth information sources and the level of trust in a particular source may influence
the subsequent adoption of advocated health behaviors. Information source preference
and levels of trust are also likely to be influenced by sociodemographic (culture,
age, gender) variables. Understanding these source-trust-behavior relationships across
various national and cultural contexts is integral to improved health messaging. The
present study identified the sources most frequently consulted to obtain information
about COVID-19 during the pandemic’s early stages in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The study quantified levels of trust across an array of information sources, factoring
in sociodemographic variables. Finally, the study explored the relationship between
sociodemographic variables, levels of trust in information sources, and the adoption of
COVID-19 related protective behaviors. Participants (n = 1585) were recruited during
the first 2 weeks of April 2020 via announcements in the UAE media and through
email networks. All participants completed a web-based survey presented in English or
Arabic, as preferred. The most frequently consulted information sources were websites
(health information websites), social media, government communications, and family
and friends. The sources rated most trustworthy were: personal physicians, health care
professionals, and government communications. There were differences in the use of
sources and levels of trust according to age, gender, and education. The levels of trust
in sources of information were associated with the adoption of protective behaviors,
significantly so for citizens of the UAE. These findings may help inform the improvement
of pandemic–related health messaging in multicultural contexts.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Diz-me se a tua empresa é ambientalmente responsável e dir-te-ei se quero trabalhar contigo
Get PDFDissertação de Mestrado apresentada no ISPA – Instituto Universitário para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Social e das OrganizaçõesA sustentabilidade ambiental é, atualmente, um conceito com cada vez maior importância na forma como as organizações pensam e delineiam as suas culturas, práticas e estratégias de negócio, a fim de se tornarem mais atrativas. É nesse sentido que a presente investigação tem o propósito de entender se empresas que divulgam anúncios com informações respeitantes à cultura sustentável e preocupações ecológicas são percecionadas como mais atrativas e se geram maior volume de candidaturas, introduzindo variáveis inovadoras como a responsabilidade ambiental e as intenções de comportamentos amigos do ambiente.
A fim de concretizar os objetivos propostos, este é um estudo de natureza quantitativa e com um caráter hipotético-dedutivo, sendo a amostra constituída por 443 participantes, 71.8% do sexo feminino e 28% do sexo masculino, tendo 66.8% do total, idades compreendidas entre os 25 e os 41 anos. Ao serem realizados testes de mediação e regressões lineares múltiplas, os resultados obtidos demonstraram que anúncios com mensagens pró-ambientais provocam maior atração à organização, e que esta variável não medeia a relação entre o tipo de anúncio (com mensagens ou sem mensagens) e as intenções de candidatura. Para além disso, concluiu-se também que indivíduos com maior responsabilidade ambiental individual e intenções de comportamento pró-ambiental têm, perante estes anúncios, um maior intuito de se candidatarem. Por fim, é refletido o papel das organizações na adoção de práticas green com vista a atrair e reter os melhores talentos, bem como ideias sugestivas para eventuais estudos futuros.Environmental sustainability is currently a concept with increasing importance in the way organizations think and outline their cultures, practices, and business strategies, in order to become more attractive. It is in this sense that this research aims to understand whether companies that publish advertisements with information regarding sustainable culture and ecological concerns are perceived as more attractive and generate a greater volume of applications, introducing innovative variables such as environmental responsibility and intentions of eco-friendly behaviors.
To achieve the proposed objectives, this is a study of a quantitative nature and with a hypothetical-deductive character, with a sample consisting of 443 participants, 71.8% female, and 28% male, with 66.8% of the total aged between 25 and 41 years old. When mediation tests and multiple linear regressions were performed, the results obtained showed that advertisements with pro-environmental messages provoke greater attraction to the organization and that this variable does not mediate the relationship between the type of advertisement (with messages or without messages) and the candidacy intentions. In addition, it was also concluded that individuals with greater individual environmental responsibility and intentions of pro-environmental behavior have, given these advertisements, a greater intention to apply.
Finally, it is reflected the role of organizations in adopting green practices to attract and retain the best talent, as well as suggestive ideas for possible future studies
Estratégias promotoras de inclusão numa sala de 1ºCiclo
Get PDFRelatório da Prática de Ensino Supervisionada apresentada no ISPA – Instituto Universitário para obtenção de grau de Mestre em Educação Pré-Escolar e Ensino do 1º Ciclo do Ensino Básico, criado por Aviso nº 11548/2020 publicado no Diário da República, 2ª série, nº 153, de 7 de agosto de 2020.O presente estudo foi elaborado no decorrer da Unidade Curricular de Prática Supervisionada em 1º Ciclo do Ensino Básico, no ano letivo 2020/2021.
A prática de ensino supervisionado decorreu numa Instituição Particular de Solidariedade Social, numa sala de 3º ano de escolaridade. A turma era composta por 24 crianças, com idades compreendidas entre os 8 e os 9 anos. Incluído neste grupo encontra-se um aluno que foi sinalizado como criança com necessidade de medidas de suporte à aprendizagem e inclusão, abrangido pelo decreto de lei 54/2018. Este aluno usufrui de medidas seletivas e adicionais.
Neste contexto, senti a necessidade de perceber quais as estratégias que podem ser usadas para promover a inclusão no 1º ciclo de alunos com necessidades de medidas de suporte à aprendizagem e inclusão. Visto que considero que os princípios da inclusão dão a oportunidade a todos os alunos terem acesso à aprendizagem respeitando a individualidade de cada um.
A metodologia utilizada neste estudo foi qualitativa, os instrumentos de recolha de dados utilizados foram a observação, registos no diário de bordo, portfólio, conversas informais e recolha documental.
A análise do estudo permitiu perceber que a educação inclusiva é composta de estratégias e métodos diferenciados. As principais estratégias utilizadas para a promoção da inclusão em sala de aula foram o trabalho cooperativo, em grupos ou pares. Resultando uma maior interação, respeito e confiança entre o aluno abrangido pelas medidas de medidas de suporte à aprendizagem e inclusão e os restantes colegas.The present study was elaborated during the Course Unit of Supervised Practice in 1st to 4th grade of Basic Education, in the year 2020/2021.
The supervised teaching practice took place in a Private Institution of Social Solidarity (IPSS), in a 3rd grade classroom. The classroom consisted of 24 children, aged between 8 and 9 years. Included in this group is a student who was flagged as a child in need of measures to support learning and inclusion, covered by the law 54/2018. This student enjoys selective and additional measures.
At this context, I felt the need to understand which strategies can be used to promote inclusion for the primary school pupils with the need for measures that support learning and inclusion, using the peer group and what role the teacher and peers play in the strategies used to promote inclusion. I believe that the principles of inclusion, give all students the opportunity to have access to an apprenticeship that respects the individuality of each other.
To carry out this study, the methodology used was qualitative and the data collection instruments used were the observation, logbook, portfolio, informal conversations, and documentary collection.
The analysis of the study allowed us to realize that inclusive education is made up of different strategies and methods. The main strategies used to promote inclusion in the classroom were, cooperative work, in groups or pairs. Resulting in greater interaction, respect and trust between the student covered by the learning support measures and inclusion, and other colleagues
O impacto do funcionamento familiar, do autocontrolo e das experiências traumáticas na delinquência
Get PDFDissertação de Mestrado apresentada no ISPA- Instituto Universitário para
obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade
de Psicologia ClínicaCom o presente estudo pretende-se dar evidências adicionais do impacto que o funcionamento familiar e as experiências traumáticas na infância têm nos comportamentos delinquentes dos mais jovens, bem como a influência que o autocontrolo apresenta neste fenómeno, que segundo a Teoria Geral do Crime é a principal causa para a prática de comportamentos desviantes (Gottfredson & Hirischi, 1990).
Os dados do presente estudo foram recolhidos de uma amostra de 337 participantes com idades entre os 18 e os 21 anos de idade, que responderam aos instrumentos, Escala de Comportamentos Desviantes (Sanches & Gouveia-Pereira, 2013), Questionário de Traumas de Infância (Dias, Sales, Carvalho, Castro Vale, Kleber e Mota Cardoso, 2013), Escala Breve de Autocontrolo (Pechorro, Pontes, DeLisi, Alberto e Simões, 2018) e Escala de Avaliação da Flexibilidade e Coesão Familiar (FACES IV) (Olson,2011).
A análise dos resultados demonstrou que quanto mais experiências traumáticas apresentarem os jovens, mais comportamentos delinquentes terão e quanto mais experiências traumáticas vivenciaram menos autocontrolo apresentam. Também se verificou que quanto mais equilibrado for o funcionamento familiar, menos comportamentos delinquentes serão apresentados pelos jovens. Através destes resultados também se percebeu que existem diferenças nos comportamentos delinquentes ao nível do sexo e das suas experiências traumáticas. Por fim, foi possível verificar que as experiências traumáticas são uma variável mediadora da relação entre o funcionamento familiar e os comportamentos delinquentes. As conclusões e limitações são discutidas.The present study intends to give additional evidence of the impact that family functioning and traumatic experiences in childhood have on delinquent behaviors of the youngest, as well as the influence that self-control has on this phenomenon, which according to the General Theory of Crime is the main cause for the practice of deviant behaviors (Gottfredson & Hirischi, 1990).
The data of the present study were collected from a sample of 337 participants aged between 18 and 21 years old, who responded to the instruments, Deviant Behavior Scale (Sanches & Gouveia-Pereira, 2013), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (Dias, Sales, Carvalho, Castro Vale, Kleber and Mota Cardoso, 2013), Brief Self-Control Scale (Pechorro, Pontes, DeLisi, Alberto and Simões, 2018) and Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES IV) (Olson, 2011).
The analysis of the results showed that the more traumatic experiences young people have, the more delinquent behaviors they will have and the more traumatic experiences they have, the less self-control they present. It was also found that the more balanced the family functioning, the less delinquent behaviors will be presented by young people. Through these results it was also noticed that there are differences in the delinquent behaviors in terms of sex and their traumatic experiences. Finally, it was possible to verify that traumatic experiences are a mediating variable in the relationship between family functioning and delinquent behaviors. The conclusions and limitations are discussed
Pensamento contrafactual : ator e leitor em cenários negativos e positivos
No full textDissertação de Mestrado apresentada no ISPA – Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Sociais e da Vida, para obtenção do grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia ClínicaO Pensamento Contrafactual é um tipo de pensamento espontâneo que nos permite procurar alternativas à nossa realidade, muitas vezes evidenciado através da expressão “e se…”, que ocorre frequentemente no dia-a-dia de qualquer sujeito (Byrne, 2016). Já em muitos estudos foi sugerido o impacto que certas variáveis como a posição do sujeito (ator vs. leitor) (Girotto e. al., 2007; Pighin et. al., 2011), ou o cenário/valência do resultado (sucesso/positivo vs. insucesso/negativo) (Roese & Olson, 1993a, 1993b) têm em diversas dimensões do PCF. Neste estudo acrescenta-se uma pergunta sobre este assunto: será que os sujeitos na posição de atores ou leitores têm pensamentos contrafactuais, perante um resultado positivo, idênticos aos que já se conhece perante um resultado negativo (Girotto e. al., 2007; Pighin et. al., 2011)?
Assim, hipotetizou-se que, por um lado, deixaria de haver diferenças entre atores e leitores em cenário de sucesso, e, por outro, que o tipo de cenário teria apenas impacto em atores e não em leitores.
Os resultados foram no sentido de ambas as hipóteses. Adicionalmente, foram propostas outras duas hipóteses: uma diz respeito à relação entre a valência de resultado e à estrutura do PCF (quanto aos atores, seria esperado que em cenário positivo fossem elaborados contrafactuais de estrutura subtrativa e em cenário negativo fossem elaborados contrafactuais de estrutura aditiva, não sendo esperadas diferenças entre os leitores); e outra diz respeito à relação entre a valência de resultado e o tipo de atribuição causal (interna vs, externa) (era esperado que, em grupos de atores, se atribuísse o sucesso a fatores internos e o insucesso a fatores externos, não se esperando diferenças entre os leitores). Os resultados relativos a estas últimas hipóteses não foram no sentido do esperado.Counterfactual thought is a type of thought which allows us to search for mental alternatives to our present reality. It’s spontaneous and frequent in our everyday lives, and it is frequently expressed through a “what if…” conjunction (Byrne, 2016). There have been many studies in which it was suggested that variables such as role (actor vs reader) (Girotto e. al., 2007; Pighin et. al., 2011) or scenario/outcome valence (positive vs. negative) (Roese & Olson, 1993a, 1993b) have impact on certain dimensions of counterfactual though. In this study, we add up yet another question about this issue: do both actors and readers have the same counterfactual thoughts for both negative and positive scenarios? Thereby, we hypothesised that there would be no differences between roles on a positive scenario, and that the difference in scenario would only impact on actors but not on readers. The results went accordingly to the proposed hypotheses. Additionally, we proposed yet another two hypotheses regarding outcome valence and the structure of counterfactual thought (additive vs. subtractive) (within the actor groups, it was expected that on a positive scenario, subjects would elaborate more subtractive counterfactual thoughts and on a negative scenario, subjects would elaborate more additive counterfactual thoughts, not expecting any differences between the two groups of readers), and outcome valence and causal attribution (it was expected, within the actor groups, that success were attributed to internal elements and unsuccess attributed to external elements; within readers, there were no differences to be expected, no matter the outcome valence). The results concerning these last hypotheses didn’t go accordingly to that which we proposed
Modulating vigilance : the differential contributions of fear chemosignals and group contexts
Get PDFTese apresentada para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Doutor em Psicologia na área de especialização de Psicologia Social apresentada no ISPA - Instituto Universitário, no ano de 2021Noutras espécies sociais que não a humana, as estratégias individuais de monitorização de risco (i.e. vigilância) e a capacidade de detetar e evitar estímulos ameaçadores são moduladas pelos co-específicos. Por um lado, a presença de co-específicos resulta numa diminuição dos recursos atencionais alocados pelo indivíduo à vigilância, permitindo um maior investimento noutras atividades (e.g., procura de alimento). Por outro lado, co-específicos expostos a uma fonte de perigo, emitem pistas sensoriais (e.g., sons ou odores corporais) que alertam/preparam o indivíduo para lidar com eventos ameaçadores. Pretende-se, no presente trabalho, explorar o papel direto (pela presença) e indireto (através de odores corporais de medo) que os co-específicos assumem ao modular estratégias individuais de vigilância e deteção de ameaça na espécie humana.
No primeiro estudo, investigou-se se os humanos usariam estratégias de vigilância semelhantes a outras espécies sociais. Com recurso a um paradigma que permite o estudo das estratégias de vigilância mediante a utilização de um eye-tracker, demonstrou-se que a presença de co-específicos (vs. condição individual), tal como noutras espécies sociais, diminui os recursos alocados à vigilância, permitindo um investimento maior noutras atividades, embora prejudicando a capacidade de detetar/evitar ameaças.
No segundo estudo foi investigado se, tal como noutras espécies, a redução de vigilância poderia estar associada a um sentimento acrescido de segurança despoletado pela presença dos outros. Os resultados obtidos parecem confirmar este efeito, na medida em que para um indivíduo, imaginando-se na presença de co-específicos (2 amigos ou 2 estranhos vs. sozinho), era menor o sentimento de ameaça assim como a probabilidade percebida de sair magoado de situações ambíguas de perigo.
O terceiro estudo centrou-se nos efeitos modulatórios de diferentes contextos de grupo nas estratégias de vigilância. Os resultados obtidos indicam que perceber co-específicos como cooperadores ou competidores (vs. mera presença) não modula, de forma distinta, o comportamento de vigilância. Sob a égide de literatura anterior, é possível especular que o efeito destes contextos de grupo poderá ser observado tão-somente perante situações em que indivíduo e co-específicos presentes podem observar-se e interagir entre si.
No quarto estudo, que visou compreender de que forma a exposição a odores corporais de medo poderia modular estratégias de vigilância e a capacidade de detetar e evitar eventos ameaçadores, concluímos que esta pista sensorial (vs. odores corporais neutros e ausência de odores) não modula diretamente as estratégias de vigilância, mas parece induzir um estado de preparação/prontidão nos seus recetores, levando-os a detetar e reagir mais rapidamente a eventos ameaçadores.
O último estudo replica literatura anterior, demonstrando que a exposição a odores corporais de medo ativa mecanismos associados a um aumento da aquisição sensorial. Evidenciou-se ainda que amostras de suor podem ser reutilizadas após uma primeira utilização de 20 minutos, permitindo especular sobre as propriedades de volatilidade das moléculas que transportam informação associada ao medo.
Em conclusão, os resultados obtidos nesta tese sugerem que co-específicos modulam, direta e indiretamente, as estratégias individuais de vigilância e deteção de ameaça. Destaca-se assim a importância de variáveis sociais para o estudo e aprimoramento da monitorização do risco nas sociedades contemporâneas.In non-human social species, risk-monitoring strategies (i.e. vigilance) and an individuals’ capacity to detect and avoid threat stimuli are modulated by conspecifics. On the one hand, the presence of conspecifics results in a reduction of the attentional resources allocated to vigilance, which allows higher investment in other activities (e.g., foraging). On the other hand, conspecifics exposed to a source of danger release sensory cues (e.g., sounds or body odors) that alert/prepare the individual to deal with a possible threatening event. The main goal of the present thesis was to explore the direct (through their presence) and indirect (through fear body odors) role of conspecifics in modulating the individual strategies of vigilance and threat detection in human beings.
In the first study, we investigated whether humans use vigilance strategies similar to other social species. Employing a paradigm designed to study vigilance using an eye-tracker, we showed that the presence of conspecifics (vs. an alone condition) reduced the attentional resources allocated to vigilance. As in other social species, this vigilance reduction allowed a higher investment in other activities but impaired the participants’ capacity to detect and avoid threatening events.
In the second study, following animal research, we investigated whether the vigilance reduction observed in the first study might be associated with an increased safety feeling triggered by conspecifics’ presence. The results seem to confirm this effect, showing that by envisioning themselves in the presence of conspecifics (either two friends or two strangers vs. alone) participants reduced their feelings of being threatened and their perceived probability of being harmed in danger situations that are ambiguous.
In the third study, we explored if different group contexts modulate vigilance strategies. The obtained data indicated that perceiving conspecifics as cooperators or competitors (vs. mere presence) did not modulate vigilance behavior differently. Drawing on earlier literature, it is possible to speculate that the role of these different group contexts governing vigilance emerges only when conspecifics can observe and interact among them.
The fourth study focused on the role of being exposed to fear body odors in modulating vigilance strategies and the capacity to detect and avoid threatening events. Our data showed that fear body odors (vs. rest body odors or a blank) did not modulate vigilance per se but triggered in receivers a preparedness/readiness state that allows them to detect and react quickly to threatening events.
In the fifth study, we replicated previous literature evidencing that the exposure to fear body odors triggers mechanisms associated with an increased sensory acquisition. We also evidenced that samples of fear body odors can be re-used after a first use of 20 minutes. This allowed us to speculate about the volatility of the molecules involved in carrying the fear-related information.
In sum, the results obtained in the current thesis suggest that conspecifics modulate directly and indirectly individuals’ vigilance strategies and threat detection. These findings highlight the critical role of social variables in studying and improving risk-monitoring in modern societies
Allopreening in the Black‐browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris): an exploration of patterns and possible functions
Get PDFThe functions of display between breeding pairs of animals have been given little attention
outside of sexual selection. Yet evidence suggests that display between partners is in
fact most commonly observed following mate choice, and is often just as elaborate. In
many bird species, allopreening, when one member of a pair preens the other, is a major
component of display both pre- and post-pair formation. Despite this, there has been little
investigation into its functions. Explanations that have been put forward tend to focus
on its role in feather hygiene, which has limited phylogenetic support, or its function in
the maintenance of the pair bond, though how this might occur or indeed what this
actually represents has not been adequately explained. Phylogenetic evidence reveals that
allopreening is most commonly observed in those species exhibiting high levels of partner
retention and biparental care, and it appears to be functional in maintaining cooperation
in parental behaviour in at least one species. In our observational study, we
explored the patterns and putative functions of allopreening during the nest-relief displays
of breeding pairs of Black-browed Albatrosses Thalassarche melanophris during
incubation and chick-provisioning. Allopreening was an important feature of displays,
constituting 30% of display time. We found that the bird returning from its foraging trip
usually initiated allopreening, and preened more than its partner prior to change-over of
nesting duties. We further found a positive relationship between the amount of time the
pair spent in display and the duration of the subsequent foraging trip, providing tentative
support for a function in maintaining cooperative parental behaviour between the parents.
Although we cannot be conclusive as to its exact functions, we add to a limited literature
the first exploration of functions for this conspicuous behaviour in albatrosses.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Systematic Review of Psychological and Behavioral Correlates of Recreational Running
Get PDFIntroduction: The aim of this review was to systematically synthesize the published literature describing the psychological and behavioral correlates of recreational running in adults, defined as running for leisure, with or without a competitive component. Methods: Quantitative research published in peer-reviewed journals until January 2021 were included. Studies were identified through MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science and were included in this review if they (1) were aimed at recreational running, (2) included general adult samples (18 years or older, without a diagnosed medical condition or metabolic disorder), and (3) assessed psychological or behavioral correlates of recreational running. Results: Fifty-six articles reporting 58 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included. There were 27 cross-sectional studies, 12 longitudinal studies, and 19 trials (8 non-controlled trials, 5 controlled trials, and 6 randomized controlled trials) (n = 37,501, 1877 years old, 43% women). Twenty-eight studies assessed antecedents of running behavior, and 25 studies used running behavior as treatment or predictor of a given effect or outcome. Four studies examined both predictors and outcomes of running. Thirty-one studies showed poor quality, while 20 had fair and 7 good quality. Motives were the most frequently studied antecedent of running behavior (k = 19), and results suggest that the highest-ranked or more prevalent motives were physical health, psychological motives, and personal achievement. Additionally, perceived control, attitude toward running, intention and subjective norms, self-efficacy, and social support may have also played a role in the adoption of recreational running. Moreover, improvements in mood (k = 10) and well-being (k = 10) were the most frequently reported positive outcomes of running. Reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress were also reported in included studies. Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review on this topic. The identification of behavioral and psychological correlates of recreational running across populations can contribute to inform and guide a public policy agenda, focused on helping people sustain regular physical activity, through a modality they have chosen and appear to enjoy. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=68954, identifier: CRD42017068954.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Foraging behaviour and diet of Brown boobies Sula leucogaster from Tinhosas Islands, Gulf of Guinea
Get PDFSeabirds are a highly threatened group, yet the foraging ecology of several species remains poorly understood. Brown boobies
breed in all oceans in the tropical region and are common across their range. In Tinhosa Grande (São Tomé and Príncipe),
this species breeds in one of the largest colonies of seabirds in the east tropical Atlantic. We studied the foraging ecology of
Brown boobies from this colony during the chick-rearing period. Thirty-three birds were tracked with GPS loggers and their
diet was analysed from 11 regurgitations, using traditional and DNA barcoding techniques for prey identifcation. A total of
127 completed foraging trips were identifed, 89% of which lasted less than 24 h. Females performed signifcantly longer trips
and both sexes foraged preferentially over deep oceanic waters. The diet of Brown boobies included juvenile fsh and squid
(Sthenoteuthis pteropus), comprising mostly fsh species whose juvenile phases live in the pelagic environment, and only
migrate to coastal waters when adults. The most frequent of those prey found was Flying gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans).
The relevance of such prey shows that Brown booby conservation depends not only on the management of their foraging
areas and breeding sites but also on the correct management of the coastal adjacent areas that support the adult individuals
of some of their prey. Our results suggest that the areas closest to the colony do not have available resources for these birds
to feed on and that Brown boobies may be associate with subsurface marine predators or with sargassum patches to forage.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Two levels of meaning elaboration in psychological research
Get PDFArocha (2021) discusses the “replication crisis,” arguing for models that allow a greater
complexity in the relationship between variables and processes. In this comment, we identify a
more fundamental issue: the impossibility of eliminating interpretation issues with operational
definitions and increased rigor in the measurements of variables and processes. Interpretation
is at the core of (a) human action and (b) scientific endeavor. First, considering Vygotsky, we
argue that all higher mental processes are sign mediated, influencing psychological research
with humans. Second, that the understanding of research results also involves sign mediation
and, therefore, it is nonneutral. We suggest two alternative approaches. There needs to be an
increase in research that delivers a detailed description of psychological phenomena. Additionally,
it is necessary to increase the elucidation of contextual-embeddedness research. Taking into
account the two levels of meaning will underline psychology as a scientific discipline of complex
phenomena.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio