title: The roles of observational astronomy in ancient Greece

authors: Hannah, Robert

abstract: This paper offers an investigation into the interface between science, in the form of astronomy, and culture, in the form of religion and the calendar. Early societies made use of a variety of mechanisms to mark time, based on the cycles of the sun, moon and stars, whether separately or in combination. In this paper I provide a survey of the use of one of these cycles, namely that of the stars, in one ancient culture, that of the Greeks. I show how gradually the night sky was mapped out with a number of distinct constellations, the number increasing over time. The Greeks used the first and last visible risings and settings of these stars at dawn and dusk as ‘event markers’, in order to signal the appropriate time for pivotal activities, especially in the agricultural sphere, such as ploughing, sowing and harvesting. At the same time, Greek societies used the moon as the basis for their civil and religious calendar, and within the lunar months were situated regular festivals of an agricultural nature. Agriculture is tied to the seasons and hence the sun, which the star cycle matches fairly well, but the moon runs on a different cycle which does not keep pace with the sun and stars. The increased refinement of the star calendars with a larger number of constellations might be a result of a desire to help synchronise the divergent seasonal and lunar timetables. Examples are provided to illustrate how particulars stars might have been associated with particular divinities and festivals.

text: The roles of observational astronomy in ancient Greece This paper offers an investigation into the interface between science, in the form of astronomy, and culture, in the form of religion and the calendar. Early societies made use of a variety of mechanisms to mark time, based on the cycles of the sun, moon and stars, whether separately or in combination. In this paper I provide a survey of the use of one of these cycles, namely that of the stars, in one ancient culture, that of the Greeks. I show how gradually the night sky was mapped out with a number of distinct constellations, the number increasing over time. The Greeks used the first and last visible risings and settings of these stars at dawn and dusk as ‘event markers’, in order to signal the appropriate time for pivotal activities, especially in the agricultural sphere, such as ploughing, sowing and harvesting. At the same time, Greek societies used the moon as the basis for their civil and religious calendar, and within the lunar months were situated regular festivals of an agricultural nature. Agriculture is tied to the seasons and hence the sun, which the star cycle matches fairly well, but the moon runs on a different cycle which does not keep pace with the sun and stars. The increased refinement of the star calendars with a larger number of constellations might be a result of a desire to help synchronise the divergent seasonal and lunar timetables. Examples are provided to illustrate how particulars stars might have been associated with particular divinities and festivals.

year: 2015

title: Enhancing athletic performance: Can video modelling and feedback on forehand hitting increase passing accuracy of field hockey players?

authors: Platt, Dylan

abstract: Research in applied behaviour analysis and sports performance is becoming more evident in sporting environments. I aimed to explore the effectiveness of video modelling (VM), and video modelling combined with feedback (VF), and whether combined video modelling and video feedback (VM+VF) is an effective coaching tool to teach and improve athletes’ skill accuracy. A single subject multiple baseline design across participants was used. Four male field hockey players, who were all members of the same North Island National U18 team, took part in this study. The intervention had three phases: beginner-level video modelling; intermediate level video modelling; intermediate video modelling + video feedback. Participants watched a short instructional video and then practiced their forehand hitting in a structured practice session which was videotaped. Both video modelling conditions were effective, but the most performance gains were seen in Phase 3 where video feedback was added. All the participants showed an increase in the number of successful forehand hits after being exposed to VM and VM+VF, supporting the effectiveness of the intervention. These findings add to the existing body of work that supports the use of applied behaviour analysis techniques in sports training. Video modelling and video feedback may be useful for enhancing skill execution in field hockey. Further research should be conducted to determine the long-term retention of these skills and the usability of similar interventions for other technical aspects of field hockey and other sports.

text: Enhancing athletic performance: Can video modelling and feedback on forehand hitting increase passing accuracy of field hockey players? Research in applied behaviour analysis and sports performance is becoming more evident in sporting environments. I aimed to explore the effectiveness of video modelling (VM), and video modelling combined with feedback (VF), and whether combined video modelling and video feedback (VM+VF) is an effective coaching tool to teach and improve athletes’ skill accuracy. A single subject multiple baseline design across participants was used. Four male field hockey players, who were all members of the same North Island National U18 team, took part in this study. The intervention had three phases: beginner-level video modelling; intermediate level video modelling; intermediate video modelling + video feedback. Participants watched a short instructional video and then practiced their forehand hitting in a structured practice session which was videotaped. Both video modelling conditions were effective, but the most performance gains were seen in Phase 3 where video feedback was added. All the participants showed an increase in the number of successful forehand hits after being exposed to VM and VM+VF, supporting the effectiveness of the intervention. These findings add to the existing body of work that supports the use of applied behaviour analysis techniques in sports training. Video modelling and video feedback may be useful for enhancing skill execution in field hockey. Further research should be conducted to determine the long-term retention of these skills and the usability of similar interventions for other technical aspects of field hockey and other sports.

year: 2025

title: Testing a suicidal ideation-to-action framework among Queer and Takatāpui people in Aotearoa New Zealand: An examination of the three-step theory

authors: Schimanski, Irie

abstract: The three-step theory (3ST) of suicide is well-established in the general population and shows promise for explaining suicidal ideation among Queer samples. This study examined the applicability of the 3ST using data from 250 Queer (n = 213) and Takatāpui (n = 37) people aged 18-74 living in Aotearoa New Zealand. The analytic approach entailed hierarchical multiple regression, ANOVA, t-tests, and logistic regression. Step-one was partially supported, with discrimination and hopelessness independently associated with suicidal ideation, but not their interaction. Step-two was fully supported, showing social support associated with lower suicidal ideation when social support exceeded discrimination, compared with the inverse. Full support for step-three was observed, finding higher self-harm among participants with histories of attempted suicide than those who had never attempted. An adapted version of the 3ST for Queer and Takatāpui people is presented, offering novel approaches to testing the ideation-to-action framework with these communities.

text: Testing a suicidal ideation-to-action framework among Queer and Takatāpui people in Aotearoa New Zealand: An examination of the three-step theory The three-step theory (3ST) of suicide is well-established in the general population and shows promise for explaining suicidal ideation among Queer samples. This study examined the applicability of the 3ST using data from 250 Queer (n = 213) and Takatāpui (n = 37) people aged 18-74 living in Aotearoa New Zealand. The analytic approach entailed hierarchical multiple regression, ANOVA, t-tests, and logistic regression. Step-one was partially supported, with discrimination and hopelessness independently associated with suicidal ideation, but not their interaction. Step-two was fully supported, showing social support associated with lower suicidal ideation when social support exceeded discrimination, compared with the inverse. Full support for step-three was observed, finding higher self-harm among participants with histories of attempted suicide than those who had never attempted. An adapted version of the 3ST for Queer and Takatāpui people is presented, offering novel approaches to testing the ideation-to-action framework with these communities.

year: 2025-08-01