Digital Commons Network^™

Risk Attitudes And Characteristics Of Student Pharmacists Across Cohorts, Kristin Rose Villa

Open Access Theses

In unstable environments, adaptation is a prerequisite for survival of organizations or groups. The Affordable Care Act has created a changing environment for health care providers. Unfortunately for Pharmacy, innovation within our profession has languished, leaving pharmacists in a precarious position. Many have noted the stagnation of the profession; in fact it has been a recurring theme in the commentary over the last five decades. The dialogue has focused on the externalities that represent barriers to the profession's evolution, including the direction change should take and the legal or organizational issues that inhibit change and innovation. Little attention has been …

Effects Of Individual Phenotypic Variation On Predator-Prey Relationships Of Xanthid Crabs In North Inlet Estuary, South Carolina, Benjamin J. Toscano

Theses and Dissertations

Ecological communities and the biological interactions that regulate community structure are notoriously complex. To make these systems more tractable, ecologists traditionally measure and model communities at the population level, treating individuals as functionally equivalent. While this approach has yielded tremendous insight into the factors governing communities, it remains unclear whether accounting for individual-level variation could improve our capacity to predict the responses of communities to perturbation, a major goal in the midst of unprecedented rates of environmental change.

The objective of this study was to examine the magnitude of individual-level phenotypic variation in predatory crabs (family Xanthidae), and the effects …

A Multi-University Examination Of College Student-Athlete & Coach Fit, Amanda Celeste Alexander

Doctoral Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between student-athletes’ personality traits and satisfaction with their collegiate coaching experience, as guided by vocational research and theory on job satisfaction and turnover. Specifically, this study was designed to examine both broad and narrow personality traits in relation to student-athletes’ satisfaction across four dimensions of the student-athlete/coach relationship and to explore intent to transfer as a dependent of these variables. This study is an expansion of a previous study investigation of personality and satisfaction with coaching (Levy, Alexander, & Lounsbury, under review). A national sample of NCAA Division I, II, and III collegiate student-athletes was …

Ptsd And Disclosure: Understanding The Implications Of Personality, Jena Wierwille

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite decades of research outlining the onset, course, and treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the question of why some, but not others, develop the disorder remains unanswered. One of the most widely accepted predictors of the disorder is the presence of negative posttraumatic cognitions. However, because the term “posttraumatic” implies a retrospective prediction, the clinical utility of this finding is relatively insignificant; it does not allow for the identification of those most at risk for developing PTSD prior to trauma exposure. A more promising area of research concerns the degree to which individuals feel comfortable discussing their thoughts and …

Blame Recovery: Modeling The Effects Of Personality, Religious-Spiritual Belief, And Gender On Blame Attributions And Psychological Wellbeing After A Failed Romantic Relationship, Gillian C. Tohver

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Blame attribution (BA) is the complex cognitive-affective process through which individuals feel negative feelings of internalized self-blame/guilt or externalized other-blame by varying degrees. High BA is accompanied by distress, anxiety, depression and reduced health outcomes, while low BA indicates healthful release from negative affect and direction of attention toward past transgressions or negative events. Previous research has demonstrated a multitude of personality and individual difference associations with BA and psychological wellbeing (PWB) in cross-sectional samples, but little focus has been directed at determining if such traits affect changes in (i.e. recovery from) BA and PWB over time. The present study …

The Relationship Of Affective Domains And Cognitive Performance In Paramedic Students, Katie J. Lyman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

No universal approach for application procedures has been established for paramedic curriculum programs. The field of pre-hospital, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has evolved quickly from its inception to present date. The educational components of EMS are still in their infancy and lack evidence-based protocols (Drees, 2006). Predicting success in an allied health program typically concentrates on some type of academic instrument. The use of personality inventories has been underexplored; however, literature reveals they may be more reliable in determining academic and employment success compared with other non-cognitive tools (Groves, Gordon, & Ryan, 2007; Marrin et al., 2004; McManus & Richards, …

Interventions For Addressing Faking On Personality Assessments For Employee Selection: A Meta-Analysis, Christopher Adair

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

It is common practice to administer personality assessments in personnel selection due to their ability to cost-effectively predict organizationally relevant criteria with relatively small subgroup differences. However, concerns are often raised about test-taker response bias. The proposed research focuses on one issue related to personality test accuracy, namely faking. Also called response distortion or inflation, faking represents a multidimensional behavior that is both intentional and deceptive and seeks to benefit one’s own interests. The current study uses the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1985) and expectancy theories of motivation (e.g., Vroom, 1964) as a theoretical basis for understanding faking. Prevalence …

The Invention Of Lying (At Work): The Development And Validation Of A Situational Judgment, Jeffrey S. Conway

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The focus of the current dissertation was on the construction and validation of a situational judgment test (SJT) assessing lying/dishonesty in the workplace. The scale was designed to have two dimensions corresponding to two needs based on Socioanalytic Theory: (1) the need to get along and (2) the need to get ahead. Three studies were undertaken in order to create items, pilot test items, and assess both the construct and criterion-related validity of the scale. The result of Study 1 was a pilot-tested scale with six SJT items corresponding to each of the two SJT dimension (12 items total). The …

Discovering The Perfect Study Abroad: Using The Five Factor Model To Fit Students To Their Ideal Program, Meagan Ann Halligan

Accounting Undergraduate Honors Theses

The goal of this paper is to examine the relationship between personality types and study abroad program selection. This paper explores the different factors that play a role in the decision making process of individuals as well as the multiple dimensions of personality. In order to research the relationship between these two elements, a survey was sent to a portion of the University of Arkansas student population that had taken part in study abroad programs. It was discovered that there is indeed a relationship between personality types, study abroad program selection, and the successfulness of study abroad experiences.

Clarifying The Nature Of Resilience: A Meta-Analytic Approach, Matthew Robert Grossman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Psychological resilience, conceptualized as the ability to bounce back from stress (Tugade, 2011), has garnered increased attention across various fields of psychology and related disciplines. Despite its popularity, researchers have yet to come to a consensus regarding the nomological network of this construct, as well as its distinctiveness from conceptually similar constructs (i.e., hardiness, grit). In this paper, I use meta-analytic techniques (Hunter & Schmidt, 2004) to quantitatively synthesize three decades of previous empirical work on resilience and related-constructs and their correlates, integrating findings from more than 400 studies. Results show that resilience overlaps substantially with big-five personality traits as …

Mothers' Temperament And Personality: Their Roles In Parenting Behaviors, Parent Locus Of Control, And The Outcomes Of Young Children, Jayme Puff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many researchers have used the terms 'temperament' and 'personality' interchangeably when describing parents' behavioral styles. Although individual relationships among parents' temperament and personality, parenting behaviors, other parent characteristics, and young children's outcomes have been documented in the literature, parents' temperament and personality have not been examined collectively in conjunction with parenting and child outcome variables. As part of this study, 214 culturally diverse mothers with young children who ranged in age from 2- to 6-years rated their own temperament and personality, their parenting characteristics, and their young child's functioning (i.e., temperament and emotional and behavioral functioning). When examining mothers' temperament …

The Gamer Culture: An Exploration Of Gamer Archetypes And Their Relationship With Coping Strengths, Stephen Frank Kuniak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between gamer personality types, preferred coping strategies, and levels of resiliency as a means of beginning to understand the psychological factors making up the gamer culture. This study used a demographic questionnaire, the BrainHex Gamer Personality Test, the Coping Strategies Inventory Short Form, and the ER-89 Ego Resiliency Scale to assess participants. Chi Square analyses were used to explore gamer personality types relationship with coping strategies, a Median Test was used to compare personality types to resiliency levels, and Multiple Regressions were used to explore whether a person's coping style …

Contextualized Extraversion And Its Change In Cross-Cultural Adjustment, Mengqiao Liu

Wayne State University Theses

Bridging recent developments in personality changes and contextualized personality, the current research focuses on changes in contextualized personality and their impact on cross-cultural adjustment. Findings revealed that contextualized Extraversion provided incremental validity in predicting context-related outcomes (i.e., cross-cultural adjustment) above and beyond global Extraversion. Although no significant changes were revealed regarding contextualized Extraversion, individual characteristics (i.e., cultural flexibility and cross-cultural motivation) negatively predicted individual differences in the rate of contextualized Extraversion changes. Implications and limitations were discussed.

(Tele)Presence In Mediated Worship: The Influence Of Antecedent Traits And The Effect On Memory, Enjoyment And Behavior, Brian Klebig

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the phenomena of (tele)presence in the distinct mediated environment of an online Christian worship service. A quantitative field experiment involving 48 participants who had just viewed a religious Internet broadcast was undertaken. Individual differences in personality and religiosity are examined in tandem with (tele)presence as predictors of a number of outcome variables, including memory, enjoyment of the online worship service and behavioral intention to be more active with the church. The results showed no significant relationship between religiosity and the experience of (tele)presence, but that users who experienced greater (tele)presence enjoyed the service more, had a greater …

Exploring Personality And Motivational Characteristics Of Student Pre-Drinkers, Ashlyne I. O'Neil

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate pre-drinking motivations and behaviour within the theoretical framework of reversal theory and the consideration of future consequences. This study assessed the Prepartying Motivations Inventory (PMI) and examined novel motivations identified through a thematic analysis. Pre-drinking was studied in relation to reversal theory as well as the consideration of future and immediate consequences. A sample of 248 undergraduate students completed an online survey consisting of open-ended questions, drinking and pre-drinking questions, a metamotivational state measure, the Motivational Style Profile, the Consideration of Future Consequences scale, the PMI, and a brief demographic questionnaire. It …

Psychopathy And The Hexaco Personality Model, M. Todd Lobrano

Doctoral Dissertations

Within the recently published DSM-5, alternative diagnostic criteria for personality disorders have been offered (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). These changes allow for a more dimensional diagnostic system than has been previously used while maintaining some aspects of a categorical system (Skodol et al., 2011). These changes also include a description of specific traits that characterize personality disorders and make it possible for measures of normal personality to have a more significant impact in their diagnosis. Relevant to the present study are the changes in the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy, considered by many to be an extreme …

An Analysis Of Self: The Development And Assessment Of A Measure Of Selfobject Needs, Eamonn Arble

Wayne State University Dissertations

The theory of self psychology as advanced by Heinz Kohut (1971, 1977, 1984) emphasized the importance of early developmental experiences, most centrally, the empathic attunement of caregivers as key nutrients for fostering the capacity for healthy self-regulation and interpersonal relations. Kohut elaborated three critical selfobject needs (i.e., idealizing, mirroring, and twinship) that were ideally satiated by these early experiences, deeming the fulfillment of these needs as essential for developing a healthy sense of self, capable of sustaining ambitions, self-soothing, and caring for others and oneself. In the case of psychopathology, these needs were theorized to have gone unmet, leaving the …

Online Shopping: The Influence Of Body Image, Personality, And Social Anxiety, Brooke Mann

Master's Theses

The usage of the Internet has experienced significant growth over the past several decades, providing a vehicle for the online shopping market to experience exponential gains as well. In a 2011 U.S. Census survey, 71.7% of households reported access to the Internet, an increase from the reported 54.7% in 2003 and furthermore a large increase from the 18.0% from the 1997, the first year the Census Bureau reported Internet usage (File, 2013). Research has shown various reasons for expansion of online shopping, such as convenience, ease, and the excitement of experiencing something new, but gives little insight into characteristics that …

Challenge Accepted: Self-Enhancement Through The Pursuit Of Difficulty, Julie Anne Steinke

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Individual resilience is popular topic whereby researchers attempt to identify characteristics of individuals who react positively to stress. However, such research uses a reactionary approach, attempting to characterize successful individuals after they experience adversity and does not explain why some individuals proactively seek out challenging circumstances. Pursuing challenge is a new construct that explains why individuals proactively increase stress as a strategic mechanism for developmental purposes. I developed and validated a measurement tool for pursuing challenge in multiple studies. Additionally, I explored relationships between pursuing challenge and similar constructs (e.g., grit, proactive personality, and self-efficacy), as well as the extent …

The Association Between Attachment And Posttraumatic Growth In A Sample Of U.S. College Students, Keith Alan Morgan

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between attachment and posttraumatic growth. Previous literature has suggested that securely attached individuals show more positive methods of coping with stress by activating their attachment system and facing the distress of a traumatic event. On the other hand, insecurely attached individuals display more negative methods of dealing with stress. Those with insecure attachment may avoid the distress of a traumatic event or not successfully activate the attachment system. Thus, it is expected that securely attached individuals will demonstrate higher levels of posttraumatic growth, or positive reactions to the experience of …

Ptsd And Disclosure: Understanding The Implications Of Personality, Jena Wierwille

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite decades of research outlining the onset, course, and treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the question of why some, but not others, develop the disorder remains unanswered. One of the most widely accepted predictors of the disorder is the presence of negative posttraumatic cognitions. However, because the term "posttraumatic" implies a retrospective prediction, the clinical utility of this finding is relatively insignificant; it does not allow for the identification of those most at risk for developing PTSD prior to trauma exposure. A more promising area of research concerns the degree to which individuals feel comfortable discussing their thoughts and …

Trauma, Personality, And Behavior: A Longitudinal Study Predicting Adverse Outcomes After Sexual Assault From Personality Prior To The Assault, Jessica L. Combs

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Exposure to sexual assault results in ongoing harms for women. After an assault, some women engage higher levels of externalizing behaviors, such as drinking problems and drug use, and others experience higher levels of internalizing dysfunction, such as clinical anxiety and clinical depression. In a longitudinal sample of 1929 freshman college women assessed across three time points, I found the following. Pre-assault negative urgency (the tendency to act rashly when distressed) interacted with assault exposure to predict increased subsequent drinking and initiation of drug use. Pre-assault trait anxiety/depression interacted with assault exposure to predict increased subsequent clinical anxiety and depression. …

Negative Urgency, Pubertal Onset And The Longitudinal Prediction Of Alcohol Consumption During The Transition From Preadolescence To Adolescence, Lauren Helena Boyle

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Alcohol use in early adolescence is associated with numerous concurrent and future problems, including diagnosable alcohol use disorders. The trait of negative urgency, the tendency to act rashly when distressed, is an important predictor of alcohol-related dysfunction in youth and adults. The aim of this study was to test a model proposed by Cyders and Smith (2008) specifying a puberty-based developmental increase in negative urgency, which in turn predicts subsequent increases in early adolescent drinking. In a sample of 1,910 youth assessed semi- annually from spring of 5th grade through spring of 8th grade, we found support for this model. …

What Machines Understand About Personality Words After Reading The News, Eric David Moyer

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Vector-based lexical semantics is a powerful technique that still has many undiscovered applications. In this thesis I apply a vector-space lexical-semantic model newly developed by Mikolov et. al. trained on skip-grams to the lexical hypothesis in personality psychology. The method produces interpretable dimensions that are consistent across several sets of descriptive personality words. The dimensions include ones for conflict and positive and negative evaluation. However they are more descriptive of word usage semantics than of the characteristics of the thing described and thus do not include a recognizable component of the 5 factor model in their first 14 dimensions. They …

The Ffoci, And Other Measures And Models Of Ocpd, Cristina M. Pinsker

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

The Five Factor Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (FFOCI) was developed in part to facilitate a shift from the categorical classification of personality disorder to a dimensional model; more specifically, the five-factor model. Questions though have been raised as to whether obsessive-compulsive personality disorder can be understood as a maladaptive variant of FFM conscientiousness. The purpose of the present study was to provide a further validation of the FFOCI, as well as to compare and contrast alternative measures and models of OCPD. A total of 380 participants, including 146 oversampled for OCPD traits, were recruited from introductory psychology courses at the University …

Effects Of Personality, Communication, And Cross-Training On Virtual Team Performance, Jennifer L. Morgan

Theses

As use of virtual teams continues to grow, it is important to the success of businesses that the most effective individuals are selected for these teams. The present study explored which personality traits influenced the formality of communication and language use in virtual team communication. Additionally, the effects of virtual communication characteristics and cross-training styles on virtual team performance were also examined. Participants (N = 210) worked in teams of three as a team of Vice Presidents at a fictional Hollywood movie studio in the business simulation Tinsel Town to maximize profit for a simulated business year. The results of …

A Multiagent Approach Towards Solving Complex Problems Of Sociotechnical Systems, Hongying Du

Theses and Dissertations

Complex resource allocation problems arise due to complex human societies and scarce resources to be distributed. Scarce resources could be food, water, and energy. Meanwhile, the size of the problem, the intersection of different areas, and possible global consequences all add to the complexity of the problems, which makes it difficult for humans to solve the problems by themselves.

For all these reasons, humans need technical help to tackle complex problems. Since humans participating in the problems usually own part of the information about the problems, and no one may see the whole picture of the problems, it is natural …

The Adult Scale Of Parental Attachment-Short Form: Item Selection, Factor Structure, And Psychometric Properties, Anthony Aron Michael

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine if an abbreviated version of the Adult Scale of Parental Attachment (ASPA; Snow, Sullivan, Martin, & Helm, 2005) could be developed with an emphasis on the instrument's item selection, factor structure, and psychometric properties. The ASPA, building upon attachment theory, is a self-report measure that assesses individuals' patterns of relating based on their relationships with both mother and father figures in childhood. Utilizing the conceptual underpinnings of Classical Test Theory and factor analysis, a 40-item version of the ASPA (called the ASPA-SF) was created from 1,075 archived responses through a test construction …

The Achievement Of Conflict-Related Goals Leads To Satisfaction With Conflict Outcomes, David R. Dunaetz

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Interpersonal conflict, a process involving perceptions of differences and opposition, is often an undesired but inevitable consequence of interaction between individuals. Multiple goals (internal representations of desired states) can be present in interpersonal conflict. Past studies identify four major categories of conflict-related goals: content goals, relationship goals, identity goals, and process goals; the last three may be classified together as social goals. Several hypotheses were tested in an online experiment in which adult members of evangelical churches (N = 276) imagined themselves in various church-related conflict situations. Participants were assigned to one of two conditions; in one condition, participants …

Development And Enhancement To A Pilot Selection Battery For A University Aviation Program, Ryan Thomas Hanna

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

There exists an imbalance between the number of pilots trained to practice in the field of aviation and the amount of those individuals who are qualified to fly airplanes. By putting a systematic selection system in place, it helps to ensure that the best possible candidates fill open positions in the field. Specifically developing a selection system to train and acclimate future pilots while they are in a university setting will not only help select top-tier candidates into the aviation program, but also prepare them for what to expect when they enter the job market. This research study built upon …