The Experts below are selected from a list of 321 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Richard A Young - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Action and language: Contextual Action Theory in counselling
Psychologie Française, 2016Co-Authors: Richard A Young, Ladislav ValachAbstract:Abstract Contextual Action Theory is presented as a conceptual framework useful for grounding the recent work in counselling and career development called Life Design. Based on the premise of the goal-directed nature of human Action, this approach has links to language in theories of naive Action and attribution, and Theory of mind. Contextual Action Theory has an associated research method that has been used to generate a range of research studies that have described Actions and projects in the career development and counselling domains. The link that contextual Action Theory provides between research and practice allows the identification of five tasks for the counselling practitioner informed by this approach.
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Contextual Action Theory: An Integrative Framework for Qualitative Health Research
Handbooks in Health Work and Disability, 2016Co-Authors: Richard A Young, Ladislav Valach, Ada K. LawAbstract:Contextual Action Theory is presented as an integrative approach for research and evaluation in health, health interventions, and health promotion. This conceptualization provides a framework for the combination of qualitative and quantitative research and reflects the goal-directed nature of health and health interventions. Based on an ontology and epistemology of Action, contextual Action Theory is about short-term Actions, midterm projects, and long-term career in which goals are assumed, experienced, or attributed. A research method developed to study Action uses systematic observation, reports of subjective processes, and naive observation to access manifest behavior, internal thoughts and feelings, and social meaning, respectively. Different means of analysis are used for each type of data resulting in an integrated description of Action. This conceptualization is applied to health research, and previous health-oriented studies are reviewed. Contextual Action Theory is also useful for evaluation and is compliant with the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (WHO ICF). This chapter argues that the Action organization of health processes should be used as evidence and provides a means to study these processes.
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Current Counseling Issues from the Perspective of Contextual Action Theory
Counseling and Action, 2014Co-Authors: Ladislav Valach, Richard A Young, José F. DomeneAbstract:The first chapter of this volume outlined a number of relevant issues currently considered in counseling Theory and practice. In Chaps. 2–8, several authors presented their understanding of and responses to these issues. In the following chapter the stance of the contextual Action Theory in regard to these issues is outlined. In particular, commonalities and differences between contextual Action and the following approaches are highlighted: the relational view addressed by Flum, the constructionist stance embodied by Savickas, the relevance of narrative and culture, the identity and self-construction issues proposed by Guichard and Pouyard, the systemic approach described by Patton, the conceptualization mirroring human values that Richardson represents, intentionality and volitional understanding summarized by Broonen, the issue of culture, and the integration of emotional processes central to Watson’s approach. This chapter shows how contextual Action Theory enmeshes and interweaves these concerns and innovative practices into a conceptual and intervention system that provides a new solution to the questions posed by these perspectives.
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Creating a research agenda in career counselling: the place of Action Theory
British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 2012Co-Authors: Richard A Young, José F. DomeneAbstract:After identifying historical and current problems in career counselling research, we propose a research agenda based on contextual Action Theory. This Theory has been used as a framework for research in the career field and for general counselling practice. It is advantageous for several reasons including its conceptual basis, its detailed qualitative and quantitative research method, and the significant link it provides between research and practice. It is supported by the Action-project method, an integrated set of procedures developed for conducting research. Contextual Action Theory and the Action-project method can address major emerging issues in career counselling, for example the place of emotion and the use of narrative, and advance the research agenda in this field.
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Evaluating the processes and outcomes of vocational counselling: An Action Theory perspective
2009Co-Authors: Richard A Young, Ladislav ValachAbstract:In the context of current research in, and calls for, evidence-based practice, an Action Theory perspective is proposed for the evaluation of vocational counselling and other career guidance interventions. The proposition of an Action Theory perspective, which is based on the common understanding of human experience as being goal-directed, is made in light of several issues in the philosophy of science relevant to evaluation, including the role accorded common sense, the tension between evaluating processes and outcomes, how meaning is represented, how quality is judged, and the place of the intentionality of human agents. The specifics of this integrative approach for evaluation include the continuity of Action, project, and career, as well as goals, functional steps, and behavioural and other elements that comprise them. These systems operate in vocational counselling itself, as well as in other systems of which counselling is a part. The research evidence on vocational counselling reflects the goal-directed processes that the perspective enunciates.
Ladislav Valach - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Action and language: Contextual Action Theory in counselling
Psychologie Française, 2016Co-Authors: Richard A Young, Ladislav ValachAbstract:Abstract Contextual Action Theory is presented as a conceptual framework useful for grounding the recent work in counselling and career development called Life Design. Based on the premise of the goal-directed nature of human Action, this approach has links to language in theories of naive Action and attribution, and Theory of mind. Contextual Action Theory has an associated research method that has been used to generate a range of research studies that have described Actions and projects in the career development and counselling domains. The link that contextual Action Theory provides between research and practice allows the identification of five tasks for the counselling practitioner informed by this approach.
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Contextual Action Theory: An Integrative Framework for Qualitative Health Research
Handbooks in Health Work and Disability, 2016Co-Authors: Richard A Young, Ladislav Valach, Ada K. LawAbstract:Contextual Action Theory is presented as an integrative approach for research and evaluation in health, health interventions, and health promotion. This conceptualization provides a framework for the combination of qualitative and quantitative research and reflects the goal-directed nature of health and health interventions. Based on an ontology and epistemology of Action, contextual Action Theory is about short-term Actions, midterm projects, and long-term career in which goals are assumed, experienced, or attributed. A research method developed to study Action uses systematic observation, reports of subjective processes, and naive observation to access manifest behavior, internal thoughts and feelings, and social meaning, respectively. Different means of analysis are used for each type of data resulting in an integrated description of Action. This conceptualization is applied to health research, and previous health-oriented studies are reviewed. Contextual Action Theory is also useful for evaluation and is compliant with the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (WHO ICF). This chapter argues that the Action organization of health processes should be used as evidence and provides a means to study these processes.
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Current Counseling Issues from the Perspective of Contextual Action Theory
Counseling and Action, 2014Co-Authors: Ladislav Valach, Richard A Young, José F. DomeneAbstract:The first chapter of this volume outlined a number of relevant issues currently considered in counseling Theory and practice. In Chaps. 2–8, several authors presented their understanding of and responses to these issues. In the following chapter the stance of the contextual Action Theory in regard to these issues is outlined. In particular, commonalities and differences between contextual Action and the following approaches are highlighted: the relational view addressed by Flum, the constructionist stance embodied by Savickas, the relevance of narrative and culture, the identity and self-construction issues proposed by Guichard and Pouyard, the systemic approach described by Patton, the conceptualization mirroring human values that Richardson represents, intentionality and volitional understanding summarized by Broonen, the issue of culture, and the integration of emotional processes central to Watson’s approach. This chapter shows how contextual Action Theory enmeshes and interweaves these concerns and innovative practices into a conceptual and intervention system that provides a new solution to the questions posed by these perspectives.
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Evaluating the processes and outcomes of vocational counselling: An Action Theory perspective
2009Co-Authors: Richard A Young, Ladislav ValachAbstract:In the context of current research in, and calls for, evidence-based practice, an Action Theory perspective is proposed for the evaluation of vocational counselling and other career guidance interventions. The proposition of an Action Theory perspective, which is based on the common understanding of human experience as being goal-directed, is made in light of several issues in the philosophy of science relevant to evaluation, including the role accorded common sense, the tension between evaluating processes and outcomes, how meaning is represented, how quality is judged, and the place of the intentionality of human agents. The specifics of this integrative approach for evaluation include the continuity of Action, project, and career, as well as goals, functional steps, and behavioural and other elements that comprise them. These systems operate in vocational counselling itself, as well as in other systems of which counselling is a part. The research evidence on vocational counselling reflects the goal-directed processes that the perspective enunciates.
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Interdisciplinarity in Vocational Guidance: An Action Theory Perspective.
International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 2009Co-Authors: Ladislav Valach, Richard A YoungAbstract:In addressing the issue of interdisciplinary research in vocational guidance, twelve propositions important for understanding the vocational guidance process as joint, goal-directed Action are presented. They address the encounter between client and counsellor leading to relational ethics, the relevance of everyday Action Theory and methods for the analysis of goal-directed processes as joint Actions, projects, and careers. Research on the school-to-work transition illustrates this conceptualisation and analysis. Links to other disciplines concerned with vocational guidance are identified.
William R. Pruitt - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Testing Hagan and Rymond-Richmond's Collective Action Theory of Genocide
2015Co-Authors: William R. PruittAbstract:John Hagan and Wenona Rymond-Richmond proposed a collective Action Theory of genocide in their book ‘Darfur and the Crime of Genocide’. They then tested their Theory using data from the Atrocities Documentation Survey conducted in Chad. The Theory explains the Darfur genocide well and is supported by empirical data. Since there is little criminological theoretical work on genocide, the collective Action Theory was a great step forward. The next step in the process should be to see if the Theory is generalisable to other instances of genocide. There may be much to learn in testing Hagan and Rymond-Richmond’s Theory for generalisability including identifying any modifications that may advance the current theoretical work on the criminology of genocide.
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Testing Hagan and Rymond-Richmond’s collective Action Theory of genocide
Global Crime, 2014Co-Authors: William R. PruittAbstract:John Hagan and Wenona Rymond-Richmond proposed a collective Action Theory of genocide in their book ‘Darfur and the Crime of Genocide’. They then tested their Theory using data from the Atrocities Documentation Survey conducted in Chad. The Theory explains the Darfur genocide well and is supported by empirical data. Since there is little criminological theoretical work on genocide, the collective Action Theory was a great step forward. The next step in the process should be to see if the Theory is generalisable to other instances of genocide. There may be much to learn in testing Hagan and Rymond-Richmond’s Theory for generalisability including identifying any modifications that may advance the current theoretical work on the criminology of genocide.
Mohammad Taghi Ghaneian - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Health belief model and reasoned Action Theory in predicting water saving behaviors in yazd, iran.
Health promotion perspectives, 2012Co-Authors: Mohammad Ali Morowatisharifabad, Mahdieh Momayyezi, Mohammad Taghi GhaneianAbstract:Background: People's behaviors and intentions about healthy behaviors depend on their beliefs, values, and knowledge about the issue. Various models of health education are used in deter¬mining predictors of different healthy behaviors but their efficacy in cultural behaviors, such as water saving behaviors, are not studied. The study was conducted to explain water saving beha¬viors in Yazd, Iran on the basis of Health Belief Model and Reasoned Action Theory. Methods: The cross-sectional study used random cluster sampling to recruit 200 heads of households to collect the data. The survey questionnaire was tested for its content validity and reliability. Analysis of data included descriptive statistics, simple correlation, hierarchical multiple regression. Results: Simple correlations between water saving behaviors and Reasoned Action Theory and Health Belief Model constructs were statistically significant. Health Belief Model and Reasoned Action Theory constructs explained 20.80% and 8.40% of the variances in water saving beha-viors, respectively. Perceived barriers were the strongest Predictor. Additionally, there was a sta¬tistically positive correlation between water saving behaviors and intention. Conclusion: In designing interventions aimed at water waste prevention, barriers of water saving behaviors should be addressed first, followed by people's attitude towards water saving. Health Belief Model constructs, with the exception of perceived severity and benefits, is more powerful than is Reasoned Action Theory in predicting water saving behavior and may be used as a framework for educational interventions aimed at improving water saving behaviors.
Holger Bech Nielsen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Reality from maximizing overlap in the future-included real Action Theory
Progress of Theoretical and Experimental Physics, 2017Co-Authors: Keiichi Nagao, Holger Bech NielsenAbstract:In the future-included real Action Theory whose path runs over not only past but also future, we demonstrate a theorem, which states that the normalized matrix element of a Hermitian operator $\hat{\cal O}$ defined in terms of the future state at the final time $T_B$ and the fixed past state at the initial time $T_A$ becomes real for the future state selected such that the absolute value of the transition amplitude from the past state to the future state is maximized. This is a special version of our previously proposed theorem for the future-included complex Action Theory. We find that though the maximization principle leads to the reality of the normalized matrix element in the future-included real Action Theory, it does not specify the future and past states so much as in the case of the future-included complex Action Theory. In addition, we argue that the normalized matrix element seems to be more natural than the usual expectation value. Thus we speculate that the functional integral formalism of quantum Theory could be most elegant in the future-included complex Action Theory.
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MOMENTUM AND HAMILTONIAN IN COMPLEX Action Theory
International Journal of Modern Physics A, 2012Co-Authors: Keiichi Nagao, Holger Bech NielsenAbstract:In the complex Action Theory (CAT) we explicitly examine how the momentum and Hamiltonian are defined from the Feynman path integral (FPI) point of view based on the complex coordinate formalism of our foregoing paper. After reviewing the formalism briefly, we describe in FPI with a Lagrangian the time development of a ξ-parametrized wave function, which is a solution to an eigenvalue problem of a momentum operator. Solving this eigenvalue problem, we derive the momentum and Hamiltonian. Oppositely, starting from the Hamiltonian we derive the Lagrangian in FPI, and we are led to the momentum relation again via the saddle point for p. This study confirms that the momentum and Hamiltonian in the CAT have the same forms as those in the real Action Theory. We also show the third derivation of the momentum relation via the saddle point for q.
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Formulation of Complex Action Theory
Progress of Theoretical Physics, 2011Co-Authors: Keiichi Nagao, Holger Bech NielsenAbstract:We formulate a complex Action Theory which includes operators of coordinate and momentum q and p being replaced with nonhermitian operators qnew and pnew, and their eigenstates m
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Momentum and Hamiltonian in Complex Action Theory
arXiv: Quantum Physics, 2011Co-Authors: Keiichi Nagao, Holger Bech NielsenAbstract:In the complex Action Theory (CAT) we explicitly examine how the momentum and Hamiltonian are defined from the Feynman path integral (FPI) point of view based on the complex coordinate formalism of our foregoing paper. After reviewing the formalism briefly, we describe in FPI with a Lagrangian the time development of a $\xi$-parametrized wave function, which is a solution to an eigenvalue problem of a momentum operator. Solving this eigenvalue problem, we derive the momentum, Hamiltonian, and Schrodinger equation. Oppositely, starting from the Hamiltonian we derive the Lagrangian in FPI, and we are led to the momentum relation again via the saddle point for $p$. This study confirms that the momentum and Hamiltonian in the CAT have the same forms as those in the real Action Theory. We also show the third derivation of the momentum relation via the saddle point for $q$.
