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The Reduction Of Anti-Gay Bias Through Interpersonal Contact: The Moderating Roles Of Hiv Stigma And Motivation To Respond Without Prejudice., Lisa Ann Elliott Dec 2009

The Reduction Of Anti-Gay Bias Through Interpersonal Contact: The Moderating Roles Of Hiv Stigma And Motivation To Respond Without Prejudice., Lisa Ann Elliott

Psychology Theses

The intergroup contact effect is well-documented in the research literature (for a meta-analysis see Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006). Although researchers have identified a few moderators of the contact effect, the constraints under which the contact effect is optimally effective are not well understood. The current research explored two individual difference measures related to anti-gay attitudes, AIDS stigma and motivation to respond without prejudice (internal and external motivation), as potential moderators of the contact effect on heterosexual men’s attitudes towards gay men. Results indicated that increased external motivation and AIDS stigma hinder the benefits of contact for anti-gay attitudes. Implications of …


Investigating The Role Of Emotion Perception In The Adaptive Functioning Of Individuals On The Autism Spectrum, Margaret B. Hudepohl Dec 2009

Investigating The Role Of Emotion Perception In The Adaptive Functioning Of Individuals On The Autism Spectrum, Margaret B. Hudepohl

Psychology Theses

Cognitive functioning has historically been used to predict adaptive outcomes of individuals with autism spectrum disorders; however, research shows that it does not adequately predict these outcomes. Therefore, the current study explored the role of emotion perception in the adaptive functioning of individuals with ASDs. Emotion perception was assessed using the DANVA-2, which has audio and static face stimuli, and the DAVE, dynamic, audio-visual emotion movies. Adaptive functioning was assessed using the Vineland-II Socialization, Communication, and Daily Living domains. Results indicated that individuals with ASDs demonstrated significant impairments in both adaptive functioning and emotion perception compared to typical individuals. Findings …


Exploring The Relationship Between Racial Factors And Critical Social Analysis Among A Group Of African American Youth, Brandeis H. Green Dec 2009

Exploring The Relationship Between Racial Factors And Critical Social Analysis Among A Group Of African American Youth, Brandeis H. Green

Psychology Theses

The aim of this study was to investigate the contributions of racial identity and racial socialization beyond peer and parental influence, to the development of critical social analysis in African American youth. Young people perceive injustice and inequality in their world in varying ways. The recognition of societal inequalities, or the development of critical social analysis may be a contributing factor to activism for youth. Factors such as sense of agency, parental and peer influence and intellectual curiosity have previously been explored as contributors to activism for African American youth (Watts, 1999). Study results indicated support for the link between …


An Examination Of The Influence Of Stress And Coping On Psychosocial Functioning In Caregivers Of Children With Sickle Cell Disease, Josie S. Welkom Dec 2009

An Examination Of The Influence Of Stress And Coping On Psychosocial Functioning In Caregivers Of Children With Sickle Cell Disease, Josie S. Welkom

Psychology Theses

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder that affects approximately 1 out of every 600 African-American newborns (NHLBI, 2006). Research suggests that caregivers of children with SCD are at risk for maladjustment. The purpose of this current study was to build upon previous research regarding stress and coping of parents of children with SCD. Additionally, novel information regarding the effects of racial identity was explored. Participants included 103 caregivers (M = 41.1 years old, SD = 8.04 years) of children with SCD. Parents completed a demographic form, the Brief Symptom Inventory-18, Pediatric Inventory for Parents, Coping Health Inventory for …


2008 U.S. Presidential Election: Persuasive Youtube Interactions About War, Health Care, And The Economy, Lindsey Zimmerman Dec 2009

2008 U.S. Presidential Election: Persuasive Youtube Interactions About War, Health Care, And The Economy, Lindsey Zimmerman

Psychology Theses

Persuasive appeals posted to United States presidential candidates’ YouTube videos were coded using a grounded theory mixed-methods design. 37,562 comments about education, energy, Iraq, health care, the economy, and the presidential debates were randomly collected by date and time for three studies using coding analysis: pilot, presidential primaries, and the presidential election. Seven argument types were identified and theoretically refined according to dual process models of persuasion: reason-based, candidate-based, emotion-based, endorsements, enthusiasmheuristic, other-interest and self-interest. Theoretical comparisons and hypothesis testing of argument types were conducted by issue and election event. Consistent with impression involvement, reason-based appeals were more frequent during …


Gaze Fixation During The Perception Of Visual And Auditory Affective Cues, Susan M. Mcmanus Oct 2009

Gaze Fixation During The Perception Of Visual And Auditory Affective Cues, Susan M. Mcmanus

Psychology Theses

The accurate integration of audio-visual emotion cues is critical for social interactions and requires efficient processing of facial cues. Gaze behavior of typically developing young adults was measured via eye-tracking during the perception of dynamic audio-visual emotion (DAVE) stimuli. Participants were able to identify basic emotions (angry, fearful, happy, neutral) and determine the congruence of facial expression and prosody. Perception of incongruent videos resulted in increased reaction times and emotion identification consistent with the facial expression. Participants consistently demonstrated a featural processing approach across all tasks, with a significant preference for the eyes. Evidence of hemispheric lateralization was indicated by …


Evaluation Of A Body Pillow To Aid Pediatric Spinal Fusion Recovery, Naomi Eve Joffe Aug 2009

Evaluation Of A Body Pillow To Aid Pediatric Spinal Fusion Recovery, Naomi Eve Joffe

Psychology Theses

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure used to correct structural spinal damage or abnormalities. Recovery is painful and consists of a minimum 3-day hospital stay. Specific body positioning is necessary for healing but is difficult to maintain due to physical discomfort. The purpose of this study was to use a single-subject multiple baseline design to compare the current practice of using standard hospital pillows to a body-sized pillow for increasing comfort and decreasing pain in pediatric patients recovering from spinal fusion surgery. Four adolescents who had recently undergone spinal fusion surgery served as participants. Outcome measures included self- and nurse-report, …


Impact Of Training On Parent Knowledge And Behavior, Donald J. Bearden Jun 2009

Impact Of Training On Parent Knowledge And Behavior, Donald J. Bearden

Psychology Theses

Immunizations are an essential part of children’s healthcare; however, the associated distress can have short- and long-term negative ramifications for children. Parents’ procedural behavior is one of the strongest predictors of children’s distress. The current study evaluated whether an interactive computer training program influenced parents’ knowledge of the impact that their behavior has on their children or their actual procedural behavior during children’s immunizations. 90 parents and their 4- to 6-year-old children receiving immunizations participated. Overall, findings suggest that using a computerized training module to enhance parent knowledge and behavior is helpful but requires improvements in some areas to optimize …


A Developmental Approach To Sibling Relationships: Disaggregating The Components Of Sibling Relationship Quality Over Time For Siblings Of Individuals With Intellectual Disability, Shana Strickland Richardson May 2009

A Developmental Approach To Sibling Relationships: Disaggregating The Components Of Sibling Relationship Quality Over Time For Siblings Of Individuals With Intellectual Disability, Shana Strickland Richardson

Psychology Theses

Siblings can serve as significant companions and caregivers for individuals with ID throughout the lifespan. Yet, the developmental course of sibling relationships for siblings of individuals with ID has not been well addressed in the current literature. Thus, the current study examined change over time in four dimensions of relationship quality (power, intimacy, conflict, and rivalry) as well as how the constellation variables of sex, birth order, and age differences affected the development of relationship quality. Sibling relationships were found to have a stable power structure, with the nondisabled sibling reporting higher levels of power in the relationship. Developmental trajectories …