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Memory Self-Efficacy And Beliefs About Memory Controllability In Late Life, Bethany A. Lyon Jan 2014

Memory Self-Efficacy And Beliefs About Memory Controllability In Late Life, Bethany A. Lyon

LSU Master's Theses

The Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC) model for lifespan development (Baltes & Baltes, 1990) holds that as we age, our goals change from growth to maintenance. When people face difficulties, they work to minimize losses in order to maintain skills they already have physically, mentally, and socially. Thus, we compensate when possible in order to maintain the life we have established. In the case of memory people assume that there is little they can do when memory starts to fail and forgetfulness becomes more prominent. In the present research, we examine memory self-appraisals to provide new evidence on memory self-efficacy …


What To Expect When You're Expecting: Gaps In Utility Perceptions Of The Online Adult Learner, Byron Shane Lowery Jan 2014

What To Expect When You're Expecting: Gaps In Utility Perceptions Of The Online Adult Learner, Byron Shane Lowery

LSU Master's Theses

The adult learner can be defined as someone who, while enrolled in an academic institution, is involved in other major life responsibilities such as work or family obligations. Recently, there has been an increase in the number working adults pursuing a college education. However, empirical research regarding the job-related utility of obtaining this education is limited. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to examine not only the expectations regarding how a degree may be useful for career advancement, but the work and life outcomes associated with obtaining the degree as well. This study examined job-related utility perceptions for obtaining an …


Change In Developmental Quotient In Toddlers Assessed For Autism Spectrum Disorder, Lindsey Willis Williams Jan 2014

Change In Developmental Quotient In Toddlers Assessed For Autism Spectrum Disorder, Lindsey Willis Williams

LSU Master's Theses

ASD is marked by significant delays in social and language development, while development in other areas, such as cognitive functioning, can be highly variable from person to person. Though preschool-aged children with ASD often exhibit a profile of developmental delays similar to children with other developmental disorders at a discrete moment in time, few studies have investigated possible differences in rate of skill acquisition in developmental domains in children with different disorders. Sensitive periods of development are marked by less stability in performance of developmental skills. Results of prior studies suggest that if appropriate early interventions are applied during sensitive …


The Effects Of A Test-Taking Skills Intervention On Test Anxiety And Test Performance In 4th Graders, Meredith T. Harris Jan 2014

The Effects Of A Test-Taking Skills Intervention On Test Anxiety And Test Performance In 4th Graders, Meredith T. Harris

LSU Master's Theses

Increases in standardized testing have been accompanied by increased reports of test anxiety in younger students. School-based test anxiety interventions can be implemented to decrease test anxiety and improve test performance. Skill-based interventions have effectively addressed both of these variables; however, the research has primarily targeted secondary and university students. The purpose of the current study was to determine if a test-taking skills intervention would decrease test anxiety and improve test performance in 4th grade students. Results indicated that the test-taking skills intervention resulted only in a minor decrease in test anxiety that maintained at 1-month follow-up. Effects on test …


The Contribution Of Comorbid Symptomology To The Social Skill Deficits In Infants And Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Paige Elizabeth Cervantes Jan 2014

The Contribution Of Comorbid Symptomology To The Social Skill Deficits In Infants And Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Paige Elizabeth Cervantes

LSU Master's Theses

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior or interests. The onset of ASD symptomology occurs prior to 30 months of age; however, typical diagnosis is made at 3 to 4 years old. Early identification of ASD is imperative for more effective treatment and a bettered prognosis. The evaluation and treatment of ASD is complicated by high rates of comorbid psychopathology. When an individual presents with ASD and a co-occurring disorder, symptoms may manifest differently. Utilizing the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with …


The Effect Of Habituation And Changes In Cognition On Anxious Children's Performance On The Wisc-Iv, Franziska Noack Jan 2014

The Effect Of Habituation And Changes In Cognition On Anxious Children's Performance On The Wisc-Iv, Franziska Noack

LSU Master's Theses

Researchers have shown that children with anxiety disorders perform worse on intelligence tests than children with no diagnosable disorders. At this point, two theories have been put forth to describe the direction of this relationship: anxiety results in lowered test performance, and underlying cognitive deficits result in the development of anxiety. Lowered test performance as a result of anxiety may either be due to attention-deficits due to state anxiety or anxiety-elicited difficulties with long-term retention and learning. The purpose of this study was to further examine the first theory: that clinical levels of anxiety can hamper intelligence test performance in …


Adult Adhd In Dsm-Iv-Tr And Dsm-5: Impact Of Increased Age-Of-Onset On Prevalence, Morgan Ashwill Grinnell Jan 2014

Adult Adhd In Dsm-Iv-Tr And Dsm-5: Impact Of Increased Age-Of-Onset On Prevalence, Morgan Ashwill Grinnell

LSU Master's Theses

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent disorder estimated to affect 3%-7% of children and about 4% of the adult population. In adults, ADHD is associated with lower academic achievement, more interpersonal conflicts and a bevy of other negative outcomes. Research on the assessment and treatment of ADHD in adults has considerably lagged behind research conducted with children. Existing research has been influential in the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) decision to update the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) definition of ADHD to include more developmentally expansive criteria. Modifications to the fifth edition of the manual (DSM-5) included an …


Feedback As A Source Of Criterion Noise In Recognition Memory, Bryan Franks Jan 2014

Feedback As A Source Of Criterion Noise In Recognition Memory, Bryan Franks

LSU Master's Theses

In two experiments, I investigated whether providing accuracy feedback on recognition memory tests affects discriminability of encoded targets from lures. The primary hypothesis was that feedback is a source of criterion noise which leads to lower discriminability. Additionally, it was predicted that separate sources of criterion noise might have additive effects. In both experiments, the presence of feedback was manipulated within-subjects. In Experiment 1, participants completed two recognition tests in which they made either “old/new” decisions or responded using an 8-point confidence scale. Feedback lowered discriminability for both response type conditions, although a slightly larger deleterious effect was observed in …


Examination Of The Differential Effectiveness Of Interdependent And Dependent Group Contingencies In Reducing Disruptive Behavior In The Classroom, Kelsey Lynn Hartman Jan 2014

Examination Of The Differential Effectiveness Of Interdependent And Dependent Group Contingencies In Reducing Disruptive Behavior In The Classroom, Kelsey Lynn Hartman

LSU Master's Theses

Disruptive behavior in the classroom negatively affects all students’ academic engagement, achievement, and behavior. Group contingencies have been proven effective in reducing disruptive behavior as part of behavior interventions in the classroom. The Good Behavior Game is a classwide intervention that employs an interdependent group contingency to diminish disruptive behavior. Previous research comparing the effects of the different group contingencies has been inconclusive, inconsistent or unable to rule out sequence effects. This study employed an alternating treatments design across 3 elementary classrooms to compare the effectiveness of interdependent and dependent group contingencies in decreasing disruptive behavior. Results showed that the …


Inattentional Blindness And Auditory Attention: Effects Of Cognitive Load On Visual Awareness, Dillon James Cornett Jan 2014

Inattentional Blindness And Auditory Attention: Effects Of Cognitive Load On Visual Awareness, Dillon James Cornett

LSU Master's Theses

The current study investigated the effects of cognitive load, in the presence or absence of distractors, during a dynamic inattentional blindness (IB) task on IB rate. IB is a phenomenon where one fails to notice an unexpected object (UEO) or event (UEE) that is in full view while attention is occupied. In the present study, the presence of distractors was manipulated (present/absent) to investigate the effects of selective attention in inattentional blindness when inhibition of distractors is required or not required. Undergraduates at Louisiana State University completed a visual task while listening to music embedded with sine wave tones (low …


Effort-Based Decision-Making In Schizotypy, Jessica Elaina Mcgovern Jan 2014

Effort-Based Decision-Making In Schizotypy, Jessica Elaina Mcgovern

LSU Master's Theses

Avolition/apathy, defined as reduced initiation of or persistence in goal-directed behavior, is a pernicious, core negative symptom of schizophrenia. While deficits in effort-based decision-making have been proposed to underlie negative symptom deficits, it remains unknown whether subjective or objective motivation deficits are evident in individuals with elevated schizotypy, a trait associated with putative latent liability of developing psychosis. Thus, the present study examined whether and how objective and subjective motivation deficits manifest in individuals high (n = 57) versus low (n = 58) in schizotypy traits (based on a median-split of total experience scores on the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire –Brief …


The Impact Of Menstrual Cycle Phase On Smoking Cessation-Related Variables, Mackenzie Rae Peltier Jan 2014

The Impact Of Menstrual Cycle Phase On Smoking Cessation-Related Variables, Mackenzie Rae Peltier

LSU Master's Theses

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. Despite increased research and improved treatment modalities, rates of lapse and relapse remain high. Women in particular experience poorer smoking cessation outcomes (including more relapse), presumably due to unique considerations such as the hormonal milieu. Despite some conflicting results, researchers have speculated that timing cessation attempts to coincide with the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, where levels of neuroprotective progesterone are at their peak, may decrease nicotine withdrawal and increase cessation success. Timing treatment onset with the luteal phase may positively impact smoking variables …


The Moderating Effect Of Gender On The Relationship Between Socialization And Internalizing Problems In Early Childhood, Hilary Lynn Adams Jan 2014

The Moderating Effect Of Gender On The Relationship Between Socialization And Internalizing Problems In Early Childhood, Hilary Lynn Adams

LSU Master's Theses

Researchers in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have confirmed that comorbidities are a common problem among diagnosed individuals. Current estimates suggest that more than two thirds meet criteria for an additional diagnosis of psychopathology. In particular, rates of several internalizing problems (i.e., anxiety, depression) appear to be greater for individuals with ASD than their typically developing counterparts. However, little research has been conducted examining factors apart from autism symptomatology that could influence this prevalence difference. Additionally, it is well established that anxiety and depression are more common in females than males in the general population. However, few studies …


Effects Of Brief Motivational Interviewing On Motivation For Weight Loss, Krystal Marie Waldo Jan 2014

Effects Of Brief Motivational Interviewing On Motivation For Weight Loss, Krystal Marie Waldo

LSU Master's Theses

Obesity rates have continued to increase over the past decade with a current estimate of 35.7% of adults who are obese in the United States. Several behavioral weight loss programs are available to individuals, which typically lead to a 10% decrease in body weight; however, most individuals begin gaining weight after six months. Long-term weight maintenance interventions may be needed to help individuals keep the weight off and more cost-effective, and tailored weight-loss treatments need to be available. Motivation may play an important role in long-term weight maintenance. Self-determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1995) states that it is important …


Challenging Behaviors In Children With Comorbid Autism Spectrum Disorder And Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Katherine Margaret Macmillan Jan 2014

Challenging Behaviors In Children With Comorbid Autism Spectrum Disorder And Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Katherine Margaret Macmillan

LSU Master's Theses

Challenging behaviors, such as aggression, destruction, self-injurious behaviors, or stereotypic movements, affect the majority of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. One factor that is known to influence the frequency at which challenging behaviors occur is the presence of a comorbid disorder. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is thought to be one such disorder. This study aimed to compare the prevalence rates of challenging behaviors, according to the Autism Spectrum Disorder-Behavior Problems, Child Version (ASD-BPC), in children ages 6-16 with parent reported symptoms of ASD, ADHD, comorbid ASD/ADHD, and no diagnosis. Differences existing overall were examined as well as differences on the ASD-BPC’s …


Autism Severity And Comorbid Symptoms In Children With Asd, Jina Jang Jan 2014

Autism Severity And Comorbid Symptoms In Children With Asd, Jina Jang

LSU Master's Theses

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are reported to evince high rates of comorbid symptoms. Co-occurring disorders among individuals with ASD are often difficult to assess and diagnose accurately. Also, comorbid conditions frequently exacerbate symptoms of ASD. Different treatment regimens may be effective for comorbid symptoms in ASD; however, research looking at comorbid symptoms and ASD is limited. The current study aimed to extend the literature in this area by examining the relationship between ASD and comorbid symptoms. First, the current study assessed how often and how severely comorbid symptoms were endorsed. Further, autism severity was used to predict comorbid …


Examination Of The Relationship Between School Climate And Other School-Based Factors And Teacher Self-Efficacy, Elise C. Mciver Jan 2014

Examination Of The Relationship Between School Climate And Other School-Based Factors And Teacher Self-Efficacy, Elise C. Mciver

LSU Master's Theses

Years of failed school reform speak to the need for a larger body of evidence that prioritizes the factors documented to be pivotal to student success. Research consistently demonstrates that teachers may be the most influential factor; therefore, it is necessary to critically understand the skills and personal competencies retained by highly effective teachers. One such competency is teacher self-efficacy, which is broadly defined as a belief in one’s abilities to influence student achievement. The construct has been shown to relate to a host of positive outcomes for both teachers and students. Given the significance of and implications for teacher …


Everything Is Alright: Parental Positive Impression Management In Assessment Of Anxious Youth, Megan Elizabeth Kirkpatrick Jan 2014

Everything Is Alright: Parental Positive Impression Management In Assessment Of Anxious Youth, Megan Elizabeth Kirkpatrick

LSU Master's Theses

Lifetime prevalence rates of anxiety disorders in youth are substantial and range from 6-15%. Valid evidence-based assessments are therefore of critical importance in screening pediatric clients. Assessment of childhood disorders requires multi-informant data (e.g., parents, teachers, child); however, this presents a host of obstacles not found in adult assessment. No single source represents the gold standard and it is therefore up to the judgment of the clinician to integrate often conflicting information. Parents’ reports of their children's symptomology may be marred by their own anxious or depressive symptoms as well as conflict due to differing motivations, values, and goals. This …


Cognitive Bias And Learning From Experience: Reflective Processes For Reducing Bias, Dina Acklin Jan 2014

Cognitive Bias And Learning From Experience: Reflective Processes For Reducing Bias, Dina Acklin

LSU Master's Theses

While heuristic processing is often useful for quickly ascertaining information in everyday situations, it can lead to inaccuracies when task demands become complex and more systematic processing is required. These inaccuracies are often the result of confirmation bias, in which information that is consistent with our beliefs is noted at the expense of disconfirming evidence. The current decision making literature suggests that highlighting disconfirming evidence – termed negative feedback - might work to engage deliberate, systematic cognitive processes that lead to more accurate information acquisition. Using a probabilistic learning task where feedback is not consistently accurate (Matchmaker), the first experiment …


Premature Birth As A Factor In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rachel Lichtenstein Goldin Jan 2014

Premature Birth As A Factor In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rachel Lichtenstein Goldin

LSU Master's Theses

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by pervasive delays in socialization, communication, and repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. While there is a growing body of evidence on the etiology of ASD, there are a limited number of studies examining factors which may impact the differentiation of ASD compared to other developmental disabilities. Additionally, few studies have examined factors which may predict level of ASD symptom severity. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether premature birth occurs more commonly in infants and toddlers (17-37 months) with ASD than those with atypical development. A secondary aim of this study …


Teachers' Perspectives On The Need And Acceptability Of School-Based Identification And Treatment For Children Exposed To Violence: A Mixed-Methods Approach, Rachel Marie Olinger Jan 2014

Teachers' Perspectives On The Need And Acceptability Of School-Based Identification And Treatment For Children Exposed To Violence: A Mixed-Methods Approach, Rachel Marie Olinger

LSU Master's Theses

Increasing research has emerged in the last decade focusing on interventions for youth experiencing difficulties due to traumatic experiences in their lives. In addition, recent literature has proposed that schools may in fact be an effective location for the delivery of mental health services to these children and, that teachers and school staff may be effective at implementing the proposed interventions. However, trauma is a broad term often used to describe a wide range of stressful situations for students, each of which has varying degrees of influence. With the increase of violence exposure for youth in their homes, schools, and …


Social Support As A Protective Factor For Bullied Children And Adolescents, Seandra Jean Cosgrove Jan 2014

Social Support As A Protective Factor For Bullied Children And Adolescents, Seandra Jean Cosgrove

LSU Master's Theses

The impact of bullying on children’s self-esteem, confidence, and social acceptance has become increasingly recognized. Considerable research has evaluated the deleterious effects of bullying and protective and risk factors as a result of victimization. Past research has shown social support to be a protective factor for children and adolescents who have been subjected to negative experiences, such as experiencing traumatic events (Vigna, Hernandez, Paasch, Gordon, & Kelley, 2009). However, research has not evaluated whether social support buffers the impact of bullying on children and adolescents. The current study investigated perceived social support and its role as a protective factor against …