Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Patient-Centered Ethnographic Interview And Measurement Of Intelligibility In Spastic-Ataxic Dysarthria For People With Multiple Sclerosis, Courtney Marie Leppek

Wayne State University Theses

Multiple sclerosis (MS) produces neurological impairments that are variable in duration and severity, and that are unique to each case of MS. In addition to variability of symptoms, the length of the MS diagnostic process often affects quality of life. In this mixed qualitative and quantitative study, we used ethnographic interviews to investigate the underlying thoughts and feelings of two very different individuals with MS and Spastic-Ataxic Dysarthria. The results contribute to the understanding of MS as a multi-faceted condition that has implications that are both internal and external to the person with MS. Further, the results reflect the clinical …

Exploring The Characteristics And Motivations Of Undergraduates Who Sext, Mackenzie Boehler

Wayne State University Theses

ABSTRACT

IDENTIFYING THE MOTIVATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF UNDERGRADUATES WHO SEXT

by

MACKENZIE BOEHLER

May 2017

Advisor: Dr. Matthew Larson

Major: Criminal Justice

Degree: Master of Science

In recent years, sexting has become a controversial topic among legal scholars and behavioral scientists. Research has displayed varying accounts of the prevalence of sexting among young adults and has yet to answer the question of why. This study seeks to understand the characteristics and motivations of young adults who are involved in sexting. A survey of sexting behaviors was administered online at a large urban university. Identifying the factors and influences for a …

Conversations On Controversy: An Examination Of Internet Discussions On High-Profile Incidents Of Recorded Police Brutality, Brittany Nicole Jefferson

Wayne State University Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine the conversations that Internet user have when discussing publicized, recorded incidents of police brutality. This study examined the deaths of Tamir Rice, Eric Garner and Walter Scott and the subsequent discussions about the incidents on YouTube.com, MSNBC.com and NYTimes.com. This was accomplished by using an exploratory content analysis to establish what are the general topics of these discussions. This analysis found that there are 2 major themes that are discussed by Internet users when they comment; the content of the video and the social context of the incident itself. However, the popularity …

Anders Breivik And Elliot Rodger: Violence, Communication, And The Mediated Sphere., Walter Anthony Lucken Iv

Wayne State University Theses

The “mass shooting” has become a major hallmark of everyday news and discussions in mass media. Through the lens of two specific cases, this research situates the mass shooting within a few preexisting historical continuities and disciplines. The mass shooting is read as a communicative media event, and is considered from the perspective of mass media proliferation, political violence, discourse, semiotics, and turn of the century cultural antagonisms. The methods employed herein are textual analysis, rhetorical analysis, and post-Marxian models of historical causation.

The mass shooting is an outgrowth of global consolidation and proliferation of mass media. The mass shootings …

African Americans And The Communication Of Religious Exit, William P. Cooper

Wayne State University Theses

This exploratory study investigates Christian disaffiliation, or deconversion, in a sample of African American ex-Christians living in the metro-Detroit area. The data obtained from 15 interviews were used to address the following research questions: (1) How do participants recall the religious socialization process? (2) What are some catalysts for African Americans disaffiliating from their former Christian denominations? (3) How does the Christian disaffiliation process unfold communicatively for African-Americans? Specifically, did participants utilize any strategies of SMC in their communication of exit? Jablin’s (2001) Model of Organizational Exit and Meisenbach’s (2010) Stigma Management Communication Strategy Typology were used as theoretical frameworks. …

You Can't Hide Your Lyin' Eyes: The Uses Of Deception In Romantic Relationships, Jaclyn M. Gaule

Wayne State University Theses

A purpose of this study was to further the literature regarding the use of deceptive affection in romantic relationships. This study picks up where previous research left off in that it aimed to identify relational outcomes that may be associated with the use of deceptive affection. This study sought to identify deceptive affectionate behaviors and their role in romantic relationships. Two measures were created; a scale to measure DAMs and a scale to measure WAs, both proved to be reliable. Results from the study provided additional items to be included in the measures going forward. The study did add to …

Pets In The Family, Jason Brown

Wayne State University Theses

Recent cultural shifts have found more people identifying their pets as members of their family. However, little research has examined how families create this identity that pets have. Using narrative performance theory, this study examined the stories that families tell about their pets and how their pets fit into the family. Fifteen dog owning families were interviewed about their dog and how it interacts with and fits within the family. Results of the study indicate that there were two main behaviors that are important to the development of the identity of the pet as a family member. First, the family …

Mediated Mate Selection And Courtship: The Lived Experience Of Muslim American Women In Using Online Matchmaking Websites, Annisa M. P. Rochadiat

Wayne State University Theses

This thesis examines how technology affects two major components of courtship among Muslim American women: (1) mate selection and (2) cross-gender interactions between Muslim men and women. Sixteen individuals who self-identify as Muslim American women who are active users of online matchmaking websites participated in interviews conducted through Skype about their online dating experience. Qualitative data analysis suggests that these women balance the perceived advantages of online dating (e.g., increased individual agency in initiating romantic relationships) with their desire to maintain traditional cultural and religious courtship practices. This study contributes towards a deeper understanding of CMC and online dating among …

Communication Technology In Disaster Management, Denise Nicole Walker

Wayne State University Theses

ABSTRACT

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

by DENISE WALKER

This thesis will analyze different case studies involving catastrophic disasters. I will compare their rescue response from the government to FEMA's response to Katrina, to establish a basis for comparison. The Midwest Floods and California fires will be compared to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans because these places are prone to natural disasters. I will look at each of these states ecology to explain why these states are prone to floods, fires and hurricanes. Unlike the Midwest and California, Hurricane Katrina received far less help from the government and FEMA. I …

Speaking The Part - Is Black English In The Workplace A Detriment To Climbing The Corporate Ladder? A Sociolinguistic Study Regarding Black English In The Workplace, Kanika Nicole Jackson

Wayne State University Theses

This study aims to explore how African Americans who speak Black English (BE), particularly members of Generation X, function communicatively in corporate America, where the dominant language spoken is Standard American English (SAE). Much of the literature theorized African Americans as being resistant to speaking SAE in mainstream settings in fear of compromising their identities or "acting white." Using in-depth interviews with six African Americans across the country who work in corporate America, this study examines their lived communicative experiences in the workplace and how they learned language balance (the ability to codeswitch).

With data compiled into case studies and …

School-Based Community Television, John Kotarski

Wayne State University Theses

This thesis develops a new model for teaching media literacy through school-based community television. It traces the history of television from its use as a military and commercial vehicle intended for control of many by a few, to Internet enabled television produced by individuals for personal expression or amusement. In addition, it traces the criticism of commercial media from post-World War II to the present through writings of philosophers like Martin Heidegger and Herbert Marcuse as well as social critics Noam Chomsky, Neil Postman, Todd Gitlin, and Susan Jacoby. Finally, the thesis details the author's personal experience adapting high school …

Peter Brook: A Survey Of His Directorial Achievement, Patricia Louise Ryan

Wayne State University Theses

This study seeks to describe carefully the professional accomplishments of one contemporary director, Peter Brook, in an effort to arrive at a generalized perspective through individual analysis. The first task of this study is to compile a professional biography of Brook's work - to chronicle his achievements. The second objective is to separate the genre of his work in the various media and describe and analyse his treatment and philosophy of each area. This study will also examine his rehearsal technique and his work with experimental projects.