Digital Commons Network^™

Women's Social And Emotional Experiences With Abortion, Alicia M. Flanagan

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This mixed methods exploratory study piloted a non-validated online qualitative survey instrument to assess women's social and emotional experiences with abortion stigma from women recruited on college campuses in New England. Abortion stigma is defined as prejudices and discrimination directed at women who have abortions, and people and institutions that support women who have abortions. Thirty-nine women took an online survey instrument that asked respondents to: provide their reproductive health histories; report when they first learned of abortion; give information regarding their community's attitudes about abortion; state their feelings about abortion. Eight women, sampled from the qualitative survey pool, participated …

The Politicization Of Climate Change, Devian K. Harris

Political Science Theses

For decades, rhetoric has been utilized by both politicians and those in the scientific community to convey either support for or denial of the existence of climate change. This study combined two forms of rhetoric in the forms of both framing and politicization to determine which form of rhetoric is most powerful in influencing a person’s attitudes and behavioral intentions. Pro climate change frames are expected to increase support for climate change action, while anti climate change politicization is expected to decrease support for climate change action. The results of this study show that select frames have the intended effect …

An Investigation Of The Attitudes Of School Leaders Toward The Inclusion Of Students With Disabilities In The General Education Setting, Karen Felicia Ball

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Public laws mandating access to free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment have been in place for decades. Yet, many students with disabilities are still educated in segregated environments that fail to provide them with quality learning opportunities and supports. Inclusive practices have been implemented in many schools. However, the extent to which these practices meet the intent of the law depends on characteristics of the school leader. The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes and perceptions of school leaders in a Southeast United States public school district relative to inclusion of students with disabilities …

Evaluating Sustainability On The Cal Poly Campus: Attitudes, Behaviors, Knowledge, Social Norms, And Social Desirability, Rebecca Sokoloski

Psychology and Child Development

Previous research has shown that attitudes and behavior towards sustainability are not correlated. Social factors including norms and desirability have been found to explain these results. One hundred and six students from California Polytechnic State University participated in this study. The survey used was composed of several sections: attitudes, behaviors, knowledge, social norms, social desirability, and a demographic section. Attitudes and behaviors were found to be correlated in this study. Knowledge and behavior towards sustainability was not found to be correlated as expected. Participants’ attitudes were correlated with friends’ and families’ but not professors’ and peers’ attitudes. Participants’ behaviors were …

Meaning, Morality, And Fluid Compensation In Response To Attitude Threat, Geoffrey Wetherell

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Research demonstrates that people desire a sense of existential meaning in life, and imbue attitudes with a sense of moral conviction. People want to protect their beliefs, because they help them to create a sense of meaning in life. No research however, has examined whether or not moral conviction, a facet of attitude strength associated with a sense of ultimate right or wrong, contributes to one's sense of meaning in life. Furthermore, no research has tested whether or not threatening attitudes leads people to imbue them with increased moral conviction, possible as a means of protecting attitudes, and the sense …

Further Assessment Of The Psychometric Properties Of The Sex Offender Attitude Scale, Brandon C. Bogle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sex offenses in the United States are a major public health concern. Attitudes toward sex offenders are generally very negative and to be officially identified as a sex offender brings on collateral consequences that reduce incentives not to reoffend. The extent to which attitudes toward sex offenders affect discriminatory behaviors and collateral consequences is not fully understood. The Sex Offender Attitude Scale was developed in an attempt to reliably and accurately measure attitudes and stigma toward sex offenders. Initial analyses indicated the SOAS was a reliable and valid instrument. This study aimed to provide additional evidence of the psychometric properties …

Measurement Of Catch-Related Attitudes And Their Influence On Angler Preferences, Clifford Patton Hutt

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of my dissertation was to assess two competing models of catch-related attitudes (CRA) of recreational anglers for: 1) valid psychometric measurement, 2) consistency of CRA under different angling contexts, and 3) effect of CRA on angler preferences. Data came from a statewide survey of 6,924 licensed Texas anglers, and a follow-up survey of 1,078 freshwater catfish anglers identified by the statewide survey. I used confirmatory factor analysis to determine that a 4-construct model of CRA provided better fit to the data than a 3-construct model, and was configural and metric invariant across gender, ethnic, and angling context …

Livestock Production And Wildlife-Based Tourism: Articulating Land-Use And Policy Conflicts In The Okavango Delta Ramsar Site In Botswana, Nelson Kgamanyane Sello

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The management of common pool resources and policy conflicts between livestock and wildlife, two land-use types that take place in the same geo-spatial area has been a subject of debate among scholars for decades. This conflict in policies has engendered in communities which are beneficiaries attitudes that are either negative towards wildlife or favorable depending on the benefits they derive from them. This research therefore set out to understand the conflicts in the management of the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site (ODRS) where the OD is situated. The study used the grounded theory to collect and analyze the data in the …

Attitudes Of Portsmouth Residents Towards An Education Scholarship Tax-Credit Program, Scott Bogle

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine the interest in a Virginia educational scholarship program that would provide a tax credit to any private corporation donating to nonprofit organizations providing education improvement scholarships to underprivileged students, in order for them to attend nonpublic schools.

The Effects Of First-Year Students' Self-Perceptions Of Behaviors, Attitudes, And Aptitudes On Their First-To-Second-Year Persistence, Rebecca Jean Lambert

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Student persistence continues to be a topic of much research and discussion in higher education. Based on Bean and Eaton's (2000) psychological theory of persistence for its theoretical framework, this study examined the effect of students' demographic and background characteristics and students' self-perceptions on their first-to-second-year persistence at a small, private, faith-based institution. Demographic and background characteristics examined were gender, race/ethnicity, first-generation college student status, high school GPA, and type of high school attended. Four constructs from the CIRP Freshman Survey were used to examine student self-perceptions: (a) Habits of the Mind, (b) Academic Self-concept, (c) Social Self-concept, and (d) …

Assessing Maasai Attitudes And Perceptions Toward Vultures: A Case Study Of Resident Maasai Around Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya., Eric Reson

All Theses

The vulture population is declining globally, a situation that is more acute in the Maasai Mara region of Kenya where studies report over 60% decline in the last few years, resulting primarily from loss of habitat and poisoning by the Maasai pastoralist. This rate of decline is devastating and will result in the extinction of vultures in the region. Given that the causes of the decline are as a result of detrimental human activities, it is important to understand the Maasai attitude and perception toward vultures, particularly factors that determine their behavior to favor or oppose vulture conservation. In this …

On The One Hand And On The Other: The Effect Of Embodying Balance And Uncertainty Orientation On The Confirmation Bias, Jeffrey Rotman

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The moderating effects of embodied cognition and uncertainty orientation were examined in relation to the confirmation bias. Specifically, the alternate movement of both hands palms up, which often accompanies the expression “on the one hand, and on the other” relating to the weighing of an argument, was manipulated. Uncertainty orientation distinguishes between people who are uncertainty-oriented (UOs), that confront uncertainty with the intention of resolving it; and people who are oriented toward certainty (COs), in that they attempt to maintain certainty, by creating a predictable environment. Significant interactions were found between uncertainty orientation and the embodiment manipulations for selective exposure, …

Preventing Guilt By Association: Mindfulness And Susceptibility To Evaluative Conditioning, Laura Kiken

Theses and Dissertations

Evaluative conditioning (EC) is a type of attitude formation in which a stimulus is evaluated as positive or negative based on repeated pairings with valenced stimuli. Emerging evidence suggests that individuals differ in susceptibility to EC and these differences may be related to various social and psychological biases. One variable that has been linked with less negative attitude formation, although not using an EC paradigm, is mindfulness. Further, mindfulness is proposed to alter dimensions of elaboration that may underlie EC, particularly conditioning of negative attitudes. Therefore, three studies were conducted to examine whether mindfulness is linked to differential susceptibility to …

The Evolution Of Conservative Attitudes As A Complement To Cognitive Threat Detection Mechanisms, Russ Clay

Theses and Dissertations

Conservatism reflects a general attitude structure characterized by a preference for traditional social practices and an aversion to uncertainty and threat. Though the social environment undoubtedly plays a role in shaping conservative attitudes, recent studies suggest that trait-level characteristics may contribute to their development as well. The present research investigated trait-level cognitive threat detection ability as a factor which may influence the development and maintenance of conservative social attitudes. A computer simulation indicated that socially conservative attitudes may function as a strategy for increasing the survival rate of an individual with poor threat detection ability living in a relatively dangerous …

To Use Or Not To Use: The Role Of Affect And Cognition In Changing Attitudes Toward Using Condoms Among African American Women, Kristina Hood

Theses and Dissertations

The current project involved three studies designed to examine which characteristics of persuasive communications change condom use attitudes. Study 1 investigated the effect of message type (affective versus cognitive) and source (male versus female) on attitude change among a sample of African American women attending college. In Study 1 (N = 146), the affective message and female source produced the most positive change in condom use attitudes. Study 2 examined whether message type and source were associated with favorable condom attitudes in a community sample and whether these findings differed from a college sample. Twenty-seven women participated in group discussions …

Costa Brava Y A Mi Madre Le Gustan Las Mujeres: Películas Pioneras En Una Época De Cambio, Madelyn Degutis

Honors Theses

Spain has a long history of discrimination, social and legal, against homosexuals which began to change with the end of Franco’s dictatorship in 1975. Spanish society became more and more accepting of homosexuals, and the laws that changed between 1975 and the present day reflect this change. Although Spanish society is relatively accepting of homosexuals, they have not been portrayed to a proportionate extent or with the same accepting attitudes in film. In particular, there is an overwhelming underrepresentation of lesbian movies, especially those that portray them in a positive light. This trend began to change in the 1990s, around …

Supply Vs. Demand: Re-Entering America's Prison Population Into The Workforce, Marissa Leigh Enfield

Scripps Senior Theses

Because rejoining the workforce may prevent against ex-offender recidivism, securing gainful employment is one of the best indicators of successful societal reintegration for released prisoners. However, the stigma attached to a criminal history, combined with ex-prisoners’ lack of human capital, may threaten their ability to obtain a job. The present study examines hiring managers’ attitudes towards previously imprisoned offenders applying for positions in their workplace. Using a combination of brief, fictional applicant biographies and surveys, this mixed-groups factorial study explores how hiring managers (N= 28) consider gender, type of offense, and race when an ex-offender is assessed during the application …

Culture, Context, Curriculum: An Explosion Of The Attitudes Of Black Middle School Males Towards Art Education, Rita D. Baker

Middle-Secondary Education and Instructional Technology Dissertations

ABSTRACT

CULTURE, CONTEXT AND CURRICULUM: AN EXPLORATION

OF THE ATTITUDES OF BLACK MIDDLE SCHOOL MALES

TOWARDS ART EDUCATION

by

Rita Baker

The level of participation and interest in visual arts education demonstrated by Black male students falls consistently lower than that of their White counterparts which manifests itself in under performance and disruptive behaviors. Previous research has explored how views within the Black community towards art education and art related careers have impacted high school and college students. However, those explanations may not be pertinent to middle school, and the scarcity of literature dedicated to how the valuation of art …

Enemy Within, Enemy Without: Dominican Attitudes Toward Haitians Before And After The Earthquake Of January 12, 2010, Maria Braden Clark

Open Access Theses

There has long been tension between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, two nations begrudgingly linked by the geographic constraints of a shared island, differing in their economic status, way of life, and how they perceive themselves and each other. This tension springs from conflicts over land, the lingering perceived threat of Haiti’s occupation of the Dominican Republic in the mid-1800s, the discourse of the Trujillo dictatorship that rejected Haiti as a means by which to forge national unity, and ongoing Haitian labor migration that has its roots in the emergence of the Dominican sugar industry. This thesis performs a content …

Intragroup Attitudes Of The Lgbt Community: Assessment And Correlates., David W. Hutsell

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The intragroup attitudes of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community are examined. A general overview of heterosexuals’ views about LGBT persons is considered before reviewing past research on intragroup attitudes that may exist within the LGBT community. Since little work has been done in this area, to fill gaps in the literature a study of 533 self-identified LGBT individuals was conducted to assess attitudes towards each specific subgroup (lesbian, gay male, bisexual male, bisexual female, male-to-female transgender, and female-to-male transgender) of the LGBT community. Several variables, including group identification, perceived stigma, outness, and contact, were examined as predictors intragroup …

An Analysis Of Restorative Justice In Vermont: Assessing The Relationships Between The Attitudes Of Citizens And The Practices Of The Department Of Corrections, Dustin Robert Melbardis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the attitudes of citizens in Vermont and the newly instated restorative justice programs of the Vermont Department of Corrections. To complete this task, 601 Vermont residents were contacted via telephone interview and asked a series of questions concerning their opinion about 3 restorative justice programs, namely reparative boards, the diversion program, and the furlough program. Bivariate analysis determined if a relationship exists between the dependent variables, restorative justice programs, and independent variables, demographic characteristics such as age and gender. Results of the analysis revealed several factors contributing to attitudes …

Beyond The Stereotype Of Black Homophobia: Exploring The Potential Of Black Allies For Lesbian, Gay And Bisexual Students, Kyle Oldham

Open Access Dissertations

Beyond the Stereotype of Black Homophobia:

Exploring the Potential of Black Allies for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Students

Strides at the federal and state levels are being made to improve the overall climate for gay rights and relationships across the country. However, despite greater acceptance, legislative victories and visibility of gay rights and relationships, homophobia is still widespread in American society (Fone, 2000; Jenkins, Lambert, & Baker, 2009; Schroeder, 2004). No matter the environment, homophobic attitudes permeate all aspects of the US culture, leading to prejudicial attitudes and inequalities that affect everyone in society. Unfortunately, some of these prejudicial attitudes …

Inclusion And Collaboration: Impact Of Preservice Teachers’ Experiences On Their Knowledge, Attitudes And Perceived Sense Of Efficacy, Tamara Mcmahan Bowlin

Doctoral Dissertations

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA, 2004) requires students with disabilities be educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE). As students with disabilities are educated alongside their non-disabled peers, there are increased demands placed on general education teachers. Because of the shift in educational responsibilities, it is important for preservice teachers to acquire the knowledge, dispositions and instructional strategies necessary to succeed in educating students with disabilities before they enter the classroom. The purpose of this study was to examine whether preservice teachers’ knowledge, attitudes and perceived abilities (sense of efficacy) toward teaching students with disabilities would be …

Nursing Home Caregivers' Attitudes Regarding Sexual Behavior Of Nursing Home Residents: A Cross Sectional Survey, Teresa Madsen

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Sexual needs do not disappear as a person ages. It is possible for older adults to maintain their desired level of sexual activity if the environment is accepting and accommodating for the adults’ needs. Those who are institutionalized in nursing homes often have fewer opportunities to meet their needs than those who are not. The purpose of this project was to explore nursing home caregivers’ attitudes toward sexual behavior in their residents and thus assist in identifying areas for further education and educational programming that will allow residents to lead full and happy lives and meet the needs of the …

Faculty And Staff Perceptions Of Sustainability Initiatives On Three Arkansas Two-Year College Campuses, Kenneth Ray Warden Iii

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore higher education faculty and staff perspectives on sustainability initiatives within their respective institutions. Subjects of this study were faculty and staff members from three rural two year institutions of higher education in Arkansas. Data was gathered using an electronically delivered survey instrument. The survey organized sustainability initiatives into three categories which are management, academic, and operations. The organization of the survey was based upon the National Wildlife Federation's study, Campus Environment 2008; A National Report Card on Sustainability in Higher Education. In effort to determine the relationship if any between the …

Do Attitudes About Spoiling Children Affect Attitudes Regarding What Infants Need For Early Social-Emotional Development, Kathleen Westover

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Infants that are raised in a warm loving environment have an increased probability of growing into responsible loving adults. Infants have the ability to make their needs known through different cues such as crying. Many parents do not understand how to respond appropriately to their infant’s cues. For instance many parents believe that if you pick up an infant every time they cry they will become spoiled. Researchers have studied the effects of responding appropriately to an infant. Infants who have their needs met when they demonstrate signs of distress learn that the world is a safe place for exploration. …

The Relationship Between Teens' Communication With Their Parents, Faith And Religious Practices, Parental Involvement And Their Sexual Behaviors And Attitudes, Lee-Anne Oros

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Attitudes Of Taiwanese Employees Toward Their Support Co-Workers With Intellectual Disabilities, Tsu-Hsuan Hsu

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Taiwanese Master Of Business Administration (Mba) Students' Attitudes Toward People With Disabililties, Ying-Ting Huang

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Impact Of A Mentor Text Inquiry Approach To Narrative Writing Instruction On Attitude, Self-Efficacy, And Writing Processes Of Fourth Grade Students In An Urban Elementary School, Christine Marie Kealoha Kane Edd

Dissertations

Writing in its many forms, is the signature means of communication in the 21st century. Writing is also arguably the most complex and difficult challenge facing all students in school. The purpose of this study was to monitor the narrative writing performance of urban students who received explicit writing instruction using a mentor text inquiry approach. A mentor text is a published piece of writing whose ideas, structure,or written craft can be used to inspire a student to write something original. It is a piece of quality literature text that students can use as an exemplar text to model their …