Pratiques Psychologiques 

Abstract: During the past few decades, the psychological trait of optimism has garnered an increasing amount of interest from scientists, and numerous studies have now shown that optimism is associated with important benefits. The present review summarizes the main findings from this body of research. We begin by describing the two main ways in which researchers have defined and operationalized optimism, as “optimistic explanatory style” and as “dispositional optimism”. Second, we provide an overview of the various studies documenting the benefits of optimism. Optimism indeed appears to be associated with higher levels of subjective well-being, better health, and more success. In addition, we describe some of the ongoing controversies in this area of research. Third, we summarize what researchers currently know about the causes of optimism, and how optimism can be fostered in adults as well as in youth. Finally, the present review highlights the adaptive nature of optimism, while recognizing that being optimistic under all circumstances may not always be best. Cultivating flexible and realistic optimism may therefore be most advantageous. We conclude by pointing out important areas of research for the future. These include continuing the search for the biological and brain substrates of optimism, and investigating the psychological and physiological benefits of adopting a flexible (as opposed to rigid) optimistic outlook on life.

Abstract: Resume La valeur d’une recherche scientifique depend etroitement de l’habilete du chercheur a demontrer la credibilite de ses decouvertes. Pour ce faire, il se refere a des criteres de scientificite en principe propre a son positionnement epistemologique. Il n’est pas inhabituel que ces criteres soient comparables d’une recherche a l’autre, et ce malgre des fondements epistemologiques parfois bien differents. Neanmoins, il est difficile de bien comparer les criteres utilises par les chercheurs en raison de la grande variete de criteres et de differences importantes dans la terminologie employee. Le but de cet article est de resumer et d’examiner les criteres de scientificite en recherche qualitative.

Abstract: Resume En quelques 20 ans, la notion de rapport au savoir a connu une extension et un usage proliferants, tant dans le domaine de la recherche en education que dans ceux de la formation des enseignants et des professionnels du systeme educatif, ou du debat social concernant l'ecole. Le « succes » theorique et institutionnel, voire mediatique, du syntagme rapport au savoir me semble ainsi attester de reelles convergences, qui ne doivent cependant pas minorer les questions et les debats theoriques et sociaux qu'il suscite. En reflechissant sur les debats que suscite l'usage, dans des perspectives et des cadres theoriques distincts, par differents chercheurs et collectifs de recherche, des meme notions (de rapport au savoir, mais aussi d'experience scolaire, par exemple), l'objectif de cet article est de tenter d'eclaircir les enjeux theoriques, empiriques et sociaux de ces debats, et d'y puiser des ressources nouvelles pour penser et agir.

Abstract: Work–family conflict can have a dramatic negative effect on organizational productivity. Accordingly, organizations are adopting initiatives aimed at assisting employees in achieving a balance between work and family (e.g., family-friendly work culture, supportive supervisors, work-family programs and policies, etc.). Research regarding the effectiveness of these approaches has largely ignored the role of peers/coworkers in the work–family interface. Coworkers have a unique opportunity to provide family-facilitative support as they have a clearer understanding of the nature of stressors faced by their fellow employees. Further, with the increasing prevalence of team-based organizational structures, coworkers are better prepared to offer instrumental and emotional assistance to a coworker struggling to balance conflicting work and family demands. We review the literature relevant to the role of coworker support in mitigating work–family conflict, and propose a number of potential moderators of the coworker support – work–family conflict relationship. Finally, we explore factors which may increase the likelihood that coworkers will offer vital emotional and instrumental family-facilitative support.

Abstract: Resume Une gestion adequate des risques suppose de tenir compte de l’ensemble des acteurs concernes et notamment des populations exposees On se trouve aujourd’hui devant la difficulte d’impliquer ces populations et par consequent de comprendre leurs reactions face a l’eventualite de la survenue d’une catastrophe Plusieurs questions doivent alors etre abordees : comment se construit la representation du risque ? Comment se mettent en place les strategies d’adaptation face au risque ? Mais surtout, comment faire en sorte d’augmenter les comportements adaptes de prevention et de protection ? Apres avoir dresse un etat des recherches dans ce domaine, on evoquera les limites d’une communication persuasive afin de mieux comprendre l’interet d’une communication engageante dans le domaine pour la gestion des risques naturels