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Evaluation Of The Picture Exchange Communication System, Anne Rena Cummings
Evaluation Of The Picture Exchange Communication System, Anne Rena Cummings
Masters Theses
The Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS) is a picture-based augmentative communication method that is widely accepted and utilized across children with a variety of disabilities. Despite its extensive dissemination, there is a dearth of empirically based support to document the effectiveness of PECS. The current study is the first to experimentally evaluate the effects of training during each of the 6 phases of PECS. Results indicated that with all 7 participants, the level of PECS responses consistently increased only after training was completed in Phases 1 through 4. In addition, all of the participants showed an increase in PECS responses …
Practical Evaluation Of Psychotropic Medication, Lynne E. Turner
Practical Evaluation Of Psychotropic Medication, Lynne E. Turner
Masters Theses
Surveys indicate that 25-40% of students with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities receive one or more psychotropic medications, however, almost nothing is known concerning how the effects of the medications are monitored. Parents/guardians and teachers were interviewed to ascertain information regarding current monitoring procedures in the home and in the school setting. Additionally information was gathered to ascertain their knowledge regarding: 1) the reason for which their students were prescribed psychotropic medications; 2) the behavioral domains that those medications are intended to affect, 3) the current status of those behavioral domains, and 4) consumers' satisfaction with the pharmacological intervention. …
Non-Prescriptive Behavior Therapy: Effectiveness Of A Self-Help Book In Teaching Parents How To Manage Their Child’S “Picky Eating” Behavior, Sean T. Smitham
Non-Prescriptive Behavior Therapy: Effectiveness Of A Self-Help Book In Teaching Parents How To Manage Their Child’S “Picky Eating” Behavior, Sean T. Smitham
Masters Theses
The term "nonprescription" behavior therapies was first used by Rosen (1979) to describe behavioral interventions that could be totally self-administered without professional consultation. In his article, Rosen warned that empirical validation of self-help programs was needed. The present study examines the effectiveness of one such self-help program intended to help parents manage a minor pediatric feeding problem - "picky eating". "Picky Eating" (i.e., mild selectivity or selective eating) appears to be a common and relatively persistent feeding concern of otherwise typically developing children. Mild selectivity is usually regarded as a sub-clinical feeding problem. In the present study, five families with …
Examining The Effects Of Conducting Beavior-Based Safety Observations, Joseph R. Sasson
Examining The Effects Of Conducting Beavior-Based Safety Observations, Joseph R. Sasson
Masters Theses
Eleven computer terminal operators participated in a series of interventions aimed at increasing safe ergonomic performance. All participants received ergonomics training and performance feedback, and approximately one half of the participants conducted observations for safe behavior. Conducting observations of safety-related behavior is a critical component of the Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) process, yet few researchers have studied the effects of conducting observations on the behavior of the observer. This study sought to examine the effects of conducting BBS observations on the safe performance of the observer in an applied setting. A multiple baseline across participants design was used to assess the …
Examining The Effects Of Individualized Computer Work Station Adjustments And Performance Management On Safe Behavior, Kathryn Culig
Examining The Effects Of Individualized Computer Work Station Adjustments And Performance Management On Safe Behavior, Kathryn Culig
Masters Theses
The first purpose of this study was to examine the effects of office ergonomic assessments and resulting computer workstation adjustments on safe behavior. The adjustments were designed to reduce or eliminate barriers to performing safely, thus creating an environment that would allow participants to assume safe behaviors. The second purpose of the study was to examine the effects of a performance management (PM) package, including ergonomic information, graphic feedback, and praise, which targeted those behaviors that did not substantially change as a result of the workstation adjustments. A multiple baseline design across participants was used to assess the effects of …
Adolescent Drinking And Driving: A Descriptive And Intervention Study, Emalee M. Fields
Adolescent Drinking And Driving: A Descriptive And Intervention Study, Emalee M. Fields
Masters Theses
Given the high rates of alcohol use and abuse among adolescents in our society, it is not surprising that drinking and driving is also relatively common. This paper starts with a summary of national statistics, which is followed by a critical review of previous interventions. The purpose of this project was to attempt to find an effective drinking and driving intervention for high school students which was relatively inexpensive, less time intensive than past interventions and required little or no training for the facilitator to present. Two related intervention conditions (a video only intervention and a slightly more extensive package …
Optimistic Personality, Work Performance, And Interpersonal Relationships At Work: A Field Study, Fung Ming Chan
Optimistic Personality, Work Performance, And Interpersonal Relationships At Work: A Field Study, Fung Ming Chan
Masters Theses
A field study examines the personality trait optimism, defined as an enduring personal tendency to expect favorable outcomes, in relation to work performance and interpersonal relationships at work. Based on prior research and theory, the hypothesis predicts that optimism will correlate positively with job performance and positively with the quality of interpersonal relationships with co-workers and supervisors. 282 employees at a large manufacturing plant in the southeastern United States completed a work-based measure of personality, the Personal Style Inventory (PSI). Participants’ immediate supervisors rated the employee’s job performance and the quality of their interpersonal relationships with peers and supervisors. Statistical …
Evaluation Of Clozapine Discriminative Stimulus Properties As A Function Of Training Dose, Adam J. Prus
Evaluation Of Clozapine Discriminative Stimulus Properties As A Function Of Training Dose, Adam J. Prus
Masters Theses
Clozapine (CLZ) is an atypical antipsychotic with negligible extrapyramidal side-effects. Unfortunately, CLZ drug discrimination (DD) research has yielded inconsistencies with CLZ's known pharmacological characteristics. Porter et al. (2000) have suggested that the standard 5.0 mg/kg CLZ training dose is too high, thus accounting for difficulty in assessing clozapine's discriminative stimulus (SD) effects. Therefore, 16 male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to discriminate either 1.25 (Group II) or 5.0 mg/kg (Group I) CLZ from vehicle in a two-choice DD task. The typical anti psychotic haloperidol (0.1-0.4 mg/kg) did not substitute for either CLZ SD, with the exception of …
The Motivational Effects Of 3, 4-Methylendioxymethamphetamine On Responding Maintained By A Progressive-Ratio Schedule Of Water Delivery, Sean P. Laraway
The Motivational Effects Of 3, 4-Methylendioxymethamphetamine On Responding Maintained By A Progressive-Ratio Schedule Of Water Delivery, Sean P. Laraway
Masters Theses
Relative to their reinforcing and discriminative functions, the establishing operation (EO) function of drugs has received little attention from behavioral pharmacologists. This study investigated in rats the EO function of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) using a progressive-ratio (PR) 2 schedule of water delivery. Relative to vehicle control levels, Lower doses (1.0 and 1.8 mg/kp ip) had no effects, whereas the higher doses (3.2, 5.6 mg/kg ip) significantly decreased breaking points. In contrast to previous research, this study found no evidence that MDMA functioned as an EO for water. These results, along with findings from other studies using PR schedules, emphasize the …
Factors Influencing Teachers' Decisions To Refer Students For Special Education Evaluation, Amanda R. Perry
Factors Influencing Teachers' Decisions To Refer Students For Special Education Evaluation, Amanda R. Perry
Masters Theses
This study examined the factors that influence teachers to refer students for psycho-educational evaluation. Fifty seven teachers from Midwest and Southwest suburban and rural school districts completed a questionnaire designed to gather information about the factors teachers consider when referring students for evaluation, as well as their opinion of the etiology of Learning Disability and their preferences for services. Results indicated that the most influential factors in participants' referral decisions were low achievement and behavioral problems. The majority of teachers agreed that eligibility decisions should be based on the child's needs. However, there was no agreement that an ability-achievement discrepancy …
Predictive Validity Of Measures Of Phonological Awareness On First Grade Reading Achievement, Jennifer Hervey
Predictive Validity Of Measures Of Phonological Awareness On First Grade Reading Achievement, Jennifer Hervey
Masters Theses
The purposes of this study were to evaluate the degree to which three measures of phonological awareness (Test of Phonological Awareness (TOPA), Torgesen & Bryant, 1994; Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS), Kaminski & Good, 1996; Read America Diagnostic Tests, McGuinness & McGuinness, 1998) correlate with each other and with selected measures of reading skills (Brigance Diagnostic Inventory of Basic Skills, Brigance, 1976, 1977; Woodcock Diagnostic Reading Battery (WDRB), Woodcock, 1997). The study also evaluated which of the measures of phonological awareness best predicts reading skills in a first grade population. The current study is an extension of …
The Effects Of Parents, Teachers, And Peers On Academic Motivation, Amanda R. Holden
The Effects Of Parents, Teachers, And Peers On Academic Motivation, Amanda R. Holden
Masters Theses
The focus of this study was to assess the relationship between perceived support of parents, teachers, and peers and academic motivation. The second focus was to assess which variable was more predictive of academic motivation. The Children's Academic Intrinsic Motivation Inventory by Gottfried, 1986, the Peer Social Support, Peer Academic Support, Teacher Social Support, and Teacher Academic Support subscales of the Classroom Life Measure by Johnson, Johnson, Buckman, and Richards, 1985, and the Family Cohesion subscale of the Family Environment Scale by Moos and Moos, 1994 were administered to the students. A total of 72 students from 3rd, 4th, and …
Prevalence And Characteristics Of Bullying Behaviors In Middle And High School From The Students ' And Teachers' Perspectives, Scott W. Gardner
Prevalence And Characteristics Of Bullying Behaviors In Middle And High School From The Students ' And Teachers' Perspectives, Scott W. Gardner
Masters Theses
To assess bullying behaviors, two questionnaires were administered to 239 students and 33 school professionals from two midwestern schools. Results showed that 78% of participants reported being bullied. Further, they identified the classroom and the bathroom to be the safest and the least safe locations, respectively. More females than males also indicated that they did not always feel safe in school. Rates of reported bullying interactions were higher for verbal bullying than physical bullying with significant gender differences. In addition, most participants were not likely to report bullying instances either to teachers or parents. The implication of these results and …
Acts Of Misconduct And Perception Of Internal, Powerful Others, And Chance Locus Of Control, Jodi L. Henry
Acts Of Misconduct And Perception Of Internal, Powerful Others, And Chance Locus Of Control, Jodi L. Henry
Masters Theses
With the growing numbers of acts of misconduct that are committed in our country each year, it is important to find possible predictors of these behaviors. Because locus of control is a stable characteristic that is central to how an individual perceives causes of action, it is one construct that shows promise for predicting acts of misconduct. One hundred and forty college students answered two questionnaires: a locus of control scale called the Internality, Powerful Others, and Chance Scales and a Self Report Acts of Misconduct Index which was created for this study. A Pearson's Correlation was conducted comparing scores …
The Relationship Of Religiosity With Self-Esteem And Personality, Melissa A. Shea
The Relationship Of Religiosity With Self-Esteem And Personality, Melissa A. Shea
Masters Theses
The purpose of this study was to look for meaningful relationships between religiosity, defined as both past religious involvement and present religious involvement, and see if there are significant relationships with self-esteem and personality. Participants were from a denominational university and a secular university, to determine if the type of school one attends has any difference with their self-esteem and personality in terms of religiosity. Participants were administered the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Spiritual Transcendence Scale and Bi-Polar Adjective Ratings Scale. Results support only the initial hypotheses that personality has a significant relationship with religiosity and that school of attendance does …
Effects Of Choice Versus Task Preference On Students With Behavioral Problems, Jean A. Mcgrath
Effects Of Choice Versus Task Preference On Students With Behavioral Problems, Jean A. Mcgrath
Masters Theses
This study compared the effects of choice and assignment of preferred academic tasks on disruptive behaviors and task engagement within the regular education classroom. Two first grade students, identified by their teacher for frequent off-task and disruptive behaviors, participated in this study. After formally assessing academic task preferences, a multielement design was used to evaluate three conditions: (a) assigning a non-preferred academic task, (b) assigning a preferred academic task, (c) providing a choice of academic tasks. Results indicated that both assignment of a preferred task and provision of a choice in tasks had minimal effects on disruptive behavior and task …
Convergent And Discriminant Validity Of The Self-Report Of Personality (Srp) And The Youth Self-Report (Ysr), Jodi Buehnerkemper
Convergent And Discriminant Validity Of The Self-Report Of Personality (Srp) And The Youth Self-Report (Ysr), Jodi Buehnerkemper
Masters Theses
The present study examined the convergent and discriminant validity of the Behavior Assessment System for Children-Self-Report of Personality (BASC-SRP) and the Youth Self-Report (YSR). One purpose of this study was to examine the degree of relationship between the SRP and the YSR. This study also examined the degree to which each of these measures could successfully distinguish among samples of students who had been identified as LD or ED, or had not been referred. Participants included a total of 109 students between 12 and 18 years of age. Results of this study indicated that correlations between similar scales and composites …
Relating The Concepts Of Personality, Temperament And Self-Esteem, Julie Anne Koetters
Relating The Concepts Of Personality, Temperament And Self-Esteem, Julie Anne Koetters
Masters Theses
Investigating the relationships between personality and temperament was the primary focus of this study. Personality was measured using the NEO-Pl-R, a 240-item measure, based on the five-factor model of personality. The Dimensions of Temperament Survey-Revised (DOTS-R), a 54-item survey exploring temperament across ten dimensions was also administered in this study. A secondary focus of this study was to identify how the concept of self-esteem is related to the differing dimensions of both personality and temperament. The short form of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, a 25-item survey, was used to measure this construct. Eighty adults participated in this study and completed …
An Investigation Of Motivations Influencing Participation In Marathons, Courtney Hague
An Investigation Of Motivations Influencing Participation In Marathons, Courtney Hague
Masters Theses
This study examined the varying motivations of runners participating in marathon races. Several variables were explored including age, gender, marathons attempted, marathons completed, and best personal performance time. Five hypotheses were considered: 1) Younger runners will most likely be motivated by Achievement Motives (competition and personal goal achievement) than the older runners. 2) Females will be more motivated by Physical Health Motives (weight concern and general health) than males. 3) Males will participate in marathons more for Achievement Motives (competition and personal goal achievement) than females. 4) Females and males will be similar along Psychological Motives (self-esteem and psychological coping) …
Correlations Between The Wide Range Intelligence Test (Writ) And The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale Of Intelligence (Wasi): Global And Subtest Comparisons, Jason M. Collins
Correlations Between The Wide Range Intelligence Test (Writ) And The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale Of Intelligence (Wasi): Global And Subtest Comparisons, Jason M. Collins
Masters Theses
To assess the convergent validity of the Wide Range Intelligence Test (WRIT) and the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI), two new brief IQ measures, 66 participants from five rural Illinois public schools were administered both measures in counterbalanced order. All correlations between the WRIT and the WASI were significant. Correlations between the WRIT and the WASI were moderate to high, ranging from .50 (r2 = .25) to .85 (r2 = .72). The WRIT and the WASI appear to be measuring very similar constructs, indicating strong evidence of convergent validity.
The Relationship Between State-Trait Anxiety And The Use Of Superstitious And/Or Ritualistic Behaviors In Athletics: An Exploratory Study, Jodie S. Hood
Masters Theses
There is limited published research in the area of superstition in sports as it relates to an athlete's anxiety and performance. This study was designed to examine this relationship through the administration of a demographic questionnaire, a list of ritualistic and superstitious behavior and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Participants were members of 5 Eastern Illinois University Varsity athletic teams. Results indicate several differences across gender when comparing five athletic teams (men's baseball, basketball, and track and women's track and softball) with their anxiety and superstitious behavior levels. Several significant correlations were found between: reported religious persuasion and frequency of religious …
The Effect Of Telepathic Assistance On Performance In A Visual Target-Search Task, James A. Wachtel
The Effect Of Telepathic Assistance On Performance In A Visual Target-Search Task, James A. Wachtel
Masters Theses
Given the significant controversy regarding parapsychology and the study of psi phenomena, there appear to be opportunities to improve design in parapsychological experimentation through the use of more sensitive and reliable means of measurement. The current study was an attempt to introduce a design that employs time as an outcome measurement, the use of groups and individuals as opposed to just individuals, and the use of more specific and focused content through the use of problem-solving tasks, in an attempt to create a sensitive and replicable experiment in telepathy. Twenty-three undergraduate participants completed 12 trials each by finding targets in …
Low Self-Esteem: An Invitation For Victimization, Tommi Devore
Low Self-Esteem: An Invitation For Victimization, Tommi Devore
Masters Theses
The focus of this study was to assess the relationship between self-esteem and victimization. A modified self-esteem questionnaire, entitled "What I am Like," originally developed by Egan and Perry (1998), and a modified bully survey, originally developed by Garrity, Jens, Porter, Sager, & Short-Camille (1994), were administered to students. A total of 32 students from first grade participated in the research project and completed the questionnaires; data were collected in the fall and the spring of the school year. Most students reported some sort of victimization. A Pearsons R was conducted to assess the relationship between self-esteem and victimization. Results …
The Effects Of Perceived Leadership Behaviors And Goal Orientation On Female Collegiate Athletes' Level Of Motivation, Melanie L. Krynski
The Effects Of Perceived Leadership Behaviors And Goal Orientation On Female Collegiate Athletes' Level Of Motivation, Melanie L. Krynski
Masters Theses
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived coaching behaviors, goal orientation, and motivation among female collegiate athletes. Female athletes from Eastern Illinois University (n = 66) and Valparaiso University (n = 25), took part in the study. Specifically, the purposes of the study were; a) to examine if athletes who perceived their coaches to exhibit more democratic behavior, praise and encouragement, and training and instruction behaviors would demonstrate higher levels of intrinsic motivation, and b) to examine if athletes with a positive goal profile (high task/high ego) would have significantly greater motivation levels compared to …
Changes In Female Athletes' Physical Self-Esteem Across A Competitive Cycle And As A Function Of Athletic Identity, Michelle C. Reed
Changes In Female Athletes' Physical Self-Esteem Across A Competitive Cycle And As A Function Of Athletic Identity, Michelle C. Reed
Masters Theses
The purpose of this study was to examine if female athletes' physical self-perceptions are different when comparing their Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP) scores within their competitive season with their scores during the off-season. The second purpose was to determine if physical self-perception varied as a function of their athletic identity. A secondary objective was to evaluate female athletes' physical self-esteem in an individual sport setting compared to a team sport setting. Eastern Illinois University female collegiate athletes in six different sports, track (n=15), softball (n=16), soccer (n=11), tennis (n=3), volleyball (n=5), and rugby (n=19) were given the Athletic Identity Measurement …
Convergent, Discriminant, And Construct Validity Of The Acters And Asca, Katie Sprouls
Convergent, Discriminant, And Construct Validity Of The Acters And Asca, Katie Sprouls
Masters Theses
The present study examined the convergent, discriminant, and construct validity of the ADD-H Comprehensive Teacher's Rating Scale, Second Edition (ACTeRS) and Adjustment Scales for Children and Adolescents (ASCA). Participants included 106 children between in first through sixth grade for the ACTeRS and ASCA comparison of teacher ratings. The children assessed were 53 children meeting DSM-4 criteria for ADHD and 53 randomly matched control group children. Results of this study indicated moderate correlations between similar scales of the ACTeRS and ASCA. Discriminant function analysis and diagnostic efficiency estimates revealed significantly high capabilities for both instruments in accurately differentiating between known groups. …
Non-Directive Play Therapy: Past, Present And Future, Jeslina Jayanti Raj
Non-Directive Play Therapy: Past, Present And Future, Jeslina Jayanti Raj
Masters Theses
The paper focuses on the history, research and future directions of non-directive play therapy. According to the history of play therapy, the first person to advocate studying the play of children in order to understand and educate them was Henry Rousseau. The history of play therapy is discussed with further details. Few studies have been done that empirically support the effectiveness of non-directive play therapy and there have been no investigations of therapeutic processes. From a behavioral perspective, it is understood that non-contingent attention in the form of attention, the absence of demands and the environmental richness of the playroom …