Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Solving The ‘Mystery’ Of Cranberry Sauce At The Holiday For All Americans, Maritza Martinez

UCF Forum

About this time of year the past several years, my husband can’t help but comment on the total departure from the “traditional” Thanksgiving feast available at our family’s gathering.

The Influence Of Technology On Family Dynamics, Alessondra Villegas

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

A powerful tool, that contemporary society uses not only to entertain but also to communicate and educate, there is an ever-present availability to media access. However, there is an ongoing debate over whether or not the power of this influence and its ubiquitous availability yields positive or negative consequences in different aspects of our lives. One area of concern, in particular, is the dynamics of the American family. With the rapid progression of technological advances it is difficult to observe the influence that these devices are having on the ways in which a family interacts. There is research to support …

The Overlooked Victims Of Domestic-Violence Cases: Pets, Leandra Preston-Sidler

UCF Forum

Many of us consider pets as family members. Some refer to pets as “children” and treat them as such. I am guilty of the latter and will do anything for my dogs, including spending too much money on their needs, letting them sleep in our bed (pillows included) and generally spoiling them rotten.

Reflections On The Day The Earth Stood Still, Maritza Martinez

UCF Forum

The day started just like any other day, with concerns over my commute to work and traffic jams, what attire I should wear for the day’s meetings, should I take my lunch to work or eat out?

First-Generation College Students: Forensics Fulfilling A Family Support Function, Elizabeth Kate Stoltz

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

One in three students is a first-generation college student. First-generation college students are continuing to increase in enrollment each year. Previous research has explored the communication challenges and communication patterns of first-generation college students. However, research has not explored if an activity like forensics can fulfill a family support functions for first-generation college students. This project used a qualitative retrospective survey of open-ended questions was used to collect data. Themes emerged relating to the first-generation college student experience, the forensic team experience, and the forensic team as a family. The thesis concludes with conclusions and a presentation of future research.

Community On The Menu: Seven-Courses To Cultivate Familial Bonds, Exchange Social Capital, And Nourish Community, David Franklin Purnell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is an auto/ethnographic account, which examines food, close personal friendships, and community. The research combines autoethnography with ethnographic observations and personal/group interviews conducted within the Seminole Heights neighborhood of Tampa, Florida. The observations are of a weekly dinner event referred to by most attendees as Family Dinner. I am one of the founders of this event; the participants of this study are neighbors (or were at some point in time) as well as past and present attendees of the weekly dinner.

The purpose of this research is to illustrate how food can be a tool to build …

Polygamy Is Creepy, Wrong, And Sick! (However, I Find It Fascinating) : Parasocial Comparison, Parasocial Processing, Parasocial Contact Hypothesis, And Polygamy, Thomas Phillip Madison

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation examined tolerance of polygamists as a result of exposure to television programming. Specifically, it looked at how audiences form attitudes toward the practice of polygamy and its participants in light of viewing its portrayals in popular television entertainment. Using historical research, semi-structured interviews, surveys of viewers and students, and an experiment, I explored the issue of tolerance among different types of Americans. The findings in these studies demonstrate that Americans never cared for polygamy and continue to find little appeal for its practice. Yet, we are captivated by television shows that focus on polygamy. Part of our habit …