Marcela Mansur-Alves

Inexistência de diferenças de sexo no fator g (inteligência geral) e nas habilidades específicas em crianças de duas capitais brasileiras

This paper intended to verify sex differences on the g factor (general intelligence) and specific abilities from a sample of children from two Brazilian cities: Belo Horizonte (BH) and Porto Alegre (PA). The sample from BH (n=1.316) aged 5 to 11 years was examined with a battery of intelligence (CPM, Verbal Scale of WISC-III, R-2), psychomotor (Bender) and school achievement tests. The sample from PA (n=779) aged 5 to 11 years was examined with Matrices Progressives Raven. The analysis from these tests shows that the majority of sex differences on specific abilities are not statistically significant. The use of Method Correlated Vectors, which is a most sophisticated method of analyzing general intelligence (g factor), indicates that there are no sex differences. These results support the international records about non-existence of cognitive difference relate to sex in childhood and adolescence.

Evidências preliminares da efetividade do treinamento cognitivo para melhorar a inteligência de crianças escolares

The present research intends to verify the effectiveness of a cognitive training (CT) to foster intelligence of school Brazilian children from different intellectual levels. Sixteen fourth-grade boys (M = 8.75 years; SD = .44) took part in this study and were randomly selected to the training group (TG) or control group (CG). In the pre and posttest, all children were assessed using measures with measures of fluid, crystallized intelligence, and school achievement. For the training program we used working memory task for a period of two months. Results: no statically significant difference was found between both groups at posttest in none of the measures used. However, after training, there was a reduction of the differences between GC and GF on measures of fluid intelligence. In the case of Raven, the difference between CG and GE (favorable to GC) dropped from d = .126 to .058. In the TNVRI test, the initial difference in favor of CG (d = .177) became negative (d = -.384), therefore in favor of GE. This small benefit was not observed in tests of school knowledge, where GC had the biggest gains in the post-test assessment. The results are partially supported in the literature. However, studies with a larger sample, more training sessions and longer interval between post-tests to verify the generality of these findings.

Working Memory Training does not Improve Intelligence: Evidence from Brazilian Children

Recent investigations applying working memory training have indicated that it is possible to train intelligence. This work aimed to verify the effectiveness of a cognitive training program aimed at increasing childrens intelligence. Fifty-three Brazilian children, enrolled in the sixth year of elementary school (M=11.17 years, SD=.37), were selected from a larger original group. This selected sample was randomly assigned into the experimental group/EG (n=27) and the control group/CG (n=26). All children were evaluated by cognitive measures in the pre-test and post-test phase. Three working memory tasks encompassed the cognitive training program. The cognitive training was administered to the EG twice a week for eight weeks. The post-test assessment was administered two weeks following the conclusion of the training program. The statistical analysis indicated no significant differences between EG and CG after training for cognitive measurements. These results demonstrate partial support of the selective literature that indicates the difficulty of achieving significant intellectual changes through specific intervention programs.

Psychoticism and Disruptive Behavior can be also Good Predictors of School Achievement

The relations of Gf (Standard Progressive Matrices Raven), Gc (verbal scale of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Version), personality dimensions (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Junior Version), and disruptive behavior (TDAH scale) with school achievement (measured by TDE test and PISA test) were investigated. Two samples of students (total N = 534) representing a broad range of socioeconomic status (SES) participated in this study. Path models were conducted. The results demonstrated that (1) in both samples no sex differences related to school achievement were found; (2) in the first sample, after controlling for age and SES differences, Gf and psychoticism predicted (.38 and -.13, respectively) school achievement (measured by TDE test); (3) in the second sample, after controlling for SES differences to which additional measures were administered, Gf and Gc positively predicted (.22 and .40, respectively) school achievement (measured by PISA test). In addition, psychoticism and disruptive behavior also predicted school performance (-.14 and -.28, respectively). Some theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Etabilidade temporal e correlatos desenvolvimentais do traço de neuroticismo em crianças em fase escolar

Neuroticismo (N) e um dos tracos de personalidade mais amplamente estudados na psicologia da personalidade. As evidencias atuais apontam a importância de se estudar o impacto do neuroticismo em varios aspectos do desenvolvimento infantil. Assim sendo, o presente estudo objetivou primeiramente verificar a consistencia temporal de N e suas relacoes com determinados aspectos do desenvolvimento infantil. Participaram do estudo 368 criancas de uma escola publica federal da cidade de Belo Horizonte, as quais foram aplicados testes de inteligencia e de desempenho escolar e dois instrumentos de autorrelato da personalidade, bem como foi realizada uma avaliacao antropometrica. Ademais, os pais das criancas preencheram um questionario de funcionamento adaptativo. Os resultados apontam a existencia de moderada estabilidade temporal de N. Nao foram encontradas associacoes significativas entre N e as medidas antropometricas. Nao obstante, o neuroticismo foi capaz de predizer o desempenho escolar, mesmo quando se controlou o efeito da inteligencia, e se associa tambem ao funcionamento adaptativo das criancas. Conclui-se que a dimensao neuroticismo possui significativo impacto no desenvolvimento das criancas em fase escolar.

Stability and developmental correlates of neuroticism trait in school children

Neuroticismo (N) e um dos tracos de personalidade mais amplamente estudados na psicologia da personalidade. As evidencias atuais apontam a importância de se estudar o impacto do neuroticismo em varios aspectos do desenvolvimento infantil. Assim sendo, o presente estudo objetivou primeiramente verificar a consistencia temporal de N e suas relacoes com determinados aspectos do desenvolvimento infantil. Participaram do estudo 368 criancas de uma escola publica federal da cidade de Belo Horizonte, as quais foram aplicados testes de inteligencia e de desempenho escolar e dois instrumentos de autorrelato da personalidade, bem como foi realizada uma avaliacao antropometrica. Ademais, os pais das criancas preencheram um questionario de funcionamento adaptativo. Os resultados apontam a existencia de moderada estabilidade temporal de N. Nao foram encontradas associacoes significativas entre N e as medidas antropometricas. Nao obstante, o neuroticismo foi capaz de predizer o desempenho escolar, mesmo quando se controlou o efeito da inteligencia, e se associa tambem ao funcionamento adaptativo das criancas. Conclui-se que a dimensao neuroticismo possui significativo impacto no desenvolvimento das criancas em fase escolar.

Event-related potentials and intelligence among Brazilian schoolchildren: An exploratory study.

Intelligence is a complex behavioral phenomenon, the biological substrates for which require further investigation. The present study investigated differences in electroencephalographic patterns of P300 waves between average- and high-intelligence Brazilian children using a cognitive working memory task. Brain activity was recorded in 8 children (Mage = 11.2 years, SD = .40 years) while they performed a working memory task. Four children had an IQ >120 (high-IQ group), and 4 had an IQ between 90 and 110 (average-IQ group). Different event-related potential (ERP) components were analyzed. The latency and amplitude of these wave peaks were analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance. The groups differed in reaction time but not in the level of accuracy of their responses. With regard to ERPs, we observed an effect of intelligence on P3 latency, the difference for which reached the greatest magnitude, but this effect was only marginally significant (p = .098). Differences in the amplitudes of P2 and P3 were not significant between groups. Likewise, the more intelligent children were more likely to respond to the behavioral task more quickly. They also had a lower latency of the later components of ERPs. Although the results were only marginally significant, they are consistent with previous studies in this field.

Estresse e Coping de Árbitros de Futebol no Teste Físico FIFA

Arbitros de futebol parecem sofrer o impacto do estresse em sua atuacao, especialmente em situacoes definidoras de seu sucesso profissional, como o teste de Avaliacao Fisica FIFA, que determina a aptidao fisica para atuacao em campeonatos estaduais e nacionais. Estrategias de coping determinam a percepcao de situacoes estressoras, e consequentemente, a forma de enfrentamento das mesmas. Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar diferencas em coping e estresse negativo em uma amostra de arbitros atuantes em campeonatos estaduais e nacionais (Federacao Mineira de Futebol – FMF; e Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol – CBF, respectivamente). 42 arbitros da FMF e 17 da CBF responderam a Escala de Estresse Percebido, que avalia estresse negativo ( distress ) e coping , antes e apos o teste fisico FIFA. Na avaliacao pre-teste, verificou-se que os arbitros da CBF apresentaram historico de mais testes fisicos, treinos por semana, anos de experiencia, alem de escores mais altos em coping (p<0,05). Quando controladas as diferencas iniciais, arbitros CBF e FMF nao diferiram significativamente em coping e distress no pos-teste fisico. Diante da confirmacao parcial das hipoteses, sugere-se a conducao de novas pesquisas na area que incluam a avaliacao do tipo de estrategia de coping utilizado e caracteristicas de personalidade dos arbitros.Soccer referees seem to feel the impact of stress in their performance, especially in situations that define their success at soccer, such as the FIFA Fitness Test, which determines the physical aptitude of the professional to perform in state and national tournaments. Coping strategies determine the perception of stressful situations and the consequent way of facing them. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the FIFA Fitness Test on the stress and coping levels of soccer referees, which perform at the state and at the national level (FMF – Soccer Federation of Minas Gerais; and CBF – Brazilian Soccer Federation, respectively). 42 referees of FMF and 17 of CBF answered to The Perceived Stress Scale, which assess distress and coping, before and after the FIFA Test. At the pre-test, the CBF referees showed a major number of physical tests, weekly trainings and years of experience, and higher coping (p < 0,05). Controlling for initial differences, CBF and FMF referees were not significantly different on coping and distress after the test. Given the partial confirmation of the hypothesis, it is suggested to conduct further research in the area that includes the evaluation of the type of coping strategy used and personality characteristics.

Stress and Coping of Soccer Referees in the FIFA Physical Test

Arbitros de futebol parecem sofrer o impacto do estresse em sua atuacao, especialmente em situacoes definidoras de seu sucesso profissional, como o teste de Avaliacao Fisica FIFA, que determina a aptidao fisica para atuacao em campeonatos estaduais e nacionais. Estrategias de coping determinam a percepcao de situacoes estressoras, e consequentemente, a forma de enfrentamento das mesmas. Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar diferencas em coping e estresse negativo em uma amostra de arbitros atuantes em campeonatos estaduais e nacionais (Federacao Mineira de Futebol – FMF; e Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol – CBF, respectivamente). 42 arbitros da FMF e 17 da CBF responderam a Escala de Estresse Percebido, que avalia estresse negativo ( distress ) e coping , antes e apos o teste fisico FIFA. Na avaliacao pre-teste, verificou-se que os arbitros da CBF apresentaram historico de mais testes fisicos, treinos por semana, anos de experiencia, alem de escores mais altos em coping (p<0,05). Quando controladas as diferencas iniciais, arbitros CBF e FMF nao diferiram significativamente em coping e distress no pos-teste fisico. Diante da confirmacao parcial das hipoteses, sugere-se a conducao de novas pesquisas na area que incluam a avaliacao do tipo de estrategia de coping utilizado e caracteristicas de personalidade dos arbitros.Soccer referees seem to feel the impact of stress in their performance, especially in situations that define their success at soccer, such as the FIFA Fitness Test, which determines the physical aptitude of the professional to perform in state and national tournaments. Coping strategies determine the perception of stressful situations and the consequent way of facing them. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the FIFA Fitness Test on the stress and coping levels of soccer referees, which perform at the state and at the national level (FMF – Soccer Federation of Minas Gerais; and CBF – Brazilian Soccer Federation, respectively). 42 referees of FMF and 17 of CBF answered to The Perceived Stress Scale, which assess distress and coping, before and after the FIFA Test. At the pre-test, the CBF referees showed a major number of physical tests, weekly trainings and years of experience, and higher coping (p < 0,05). Controlling for initial differences, CBF and FMF referees were not significantly different on coping and distress after the test. Given the partial confirmation of the hypothesis, it is suggested to conduct further research in the area that includes the evaluation of the type of coping strategy used and personality characteristics.

Estrés y Coping de Árbitros de Fútbol en la Prueba Física FIFA

Arbitros de futebol parecem sofrer o impacto do estresse em sua atuacao, especialmente em situacoes definidoras de seu sucesso profissional, como o teste de Avaliacao Fisica FIFA, que determina a aptidao fisica para atuacao em campeonatos estaduais e nacionais. Estrategias de coping determinam a percepcao de situacoes estressoras, e consequentemente, a forma de enfrentamento das mesmas. Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar diferencas em coping e estresse negativo em uma amostra de arbitros atuantes em campeonatos estaduais e nacionais (Federacao Mineira de Futebol – FMF; e Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol – CBF, respectivamente). 42 arbitros da FMF e 17 da CBF responderam a Escala de Estresse Percebido, que avalia estresse negativo ( distress ) e coping , antes e apos o teste fisico FIFA. Na avaliacao pre-teste, verificou-se que os arbitros da CBF apresentaram historico de mais testes fisicos, treinos por semana, anos de experiencia, alem de escores mais altos em coping (p<0,05). Quando controladas as diferencas iniciais, arbitros CBF e FMF nao diferiram significativamente em coping e distress no pos-teste fisico. Diante da confirmacao parcial das hipoteses, sugere-se a conducao de novas pesquisas na area que incluam a avaliacao do tipo de estrategia de coping utilizado e caracteristicas de personalidade dos arbitros.Soccer referees seem to feel the impact of stress in their performance, especially in situations that define their success at soccer, such as the FIFA Fitness Test, which determines the physical aptitude of the professional to perform in state and national tournaments. Coping strategies determine the perception of stressful situations and the consequent way of facing them. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the FIFA Fitness Test on the stress and coping levels of soccer referees, which perform at the state and at the national level (FMF – Soccer Federation of Minas Gerais; and CBF – Brazilian Soccer Federation, respectively). 42 referees of FMF and 17 of CBF answered to The Perceived Stress Scale, which assess distress and coping, before and after the FIFA Test. At the pre-test, the CBF referees showed a major number of physical tests, weekly trainings and years of experience, and higher coping (p < 0,05). Controlling for initial differences, CBF and FMF referees were not significantly different on coping and distress after the test. Given the partial confirmation of the hypothesis, it is suggested to conduct further research in the area that includes the evaluation of the type of coping strategy used and personality characteristics.