Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Norming The Peterson Assertiveness Questionnaire, Haley Peterson, Carrie Lewis Miller

IT Solutions Publications

An assertiveness measure was developed based on the Mind Tools framework for fostering assertive behaviour (‘How to be Assertive,’ n.d.). Previous research supports the elements within the Mind Tools framework, but none has been conducted on Mind Tools specifically. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to first verify the construct, and then test the questionnaire based on that framework for its psychometric properties as well as norm the measure. Questions developed ranged from passive in nature to aggressive with varying informants. The construct was validated through a Principle Components Analysis. The measure was normed using pilot testing and a …

Gender Differences In Social Media Use And Cyberbullying In Belize: A Preliminary Report, Grace Mariko Kasahara, Daniel Houlihan, Collin Estrada

Psychology Department Publications

Cyberbullying is a global issue that usually occurs with increased social media usage. A number of studies have found significant gender differences in social media use and cyberbullying, although gender differences are not consistent across studies. Despite the increase in access to cellphones and Internet in Belize, no studies have investigated how adolescents are using these resources. The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences involving how adolescents in Belize are using social media and if cyberbullying is a problem. Results provide preliminary information about social media use and cyberbullying in Belize. It indicates that gender differences exist …

Launch-Ing Minnesota Early Childhood Mental Health Into The Future, Molly Abdo, Alyssa Baker, Elizabeth Holz

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

What is Social-Emotional Development? The foundation for lifelong mental health, including social and emotional development, is established early in life and shaped by children's relationships with parents, caregivers, and peers. This foundation is critical to all aspects of healthy development and growth in early childhood. Social-emotional development can be defined as "the capacity to form secure relationships; experience, express, and manage a range of emotions; and learn and explore one's environment."

Why is it Important? When children fail to develop social-emotionally, mental health symptoms begin to emerge and can "cause distress, interfere with relationships, limit the child's participation in daily …

Behavioral Perspectives On Risk Prone Behavior: Why Do People Take Risks?, Shelby Wolf, Daniel Houlihan

Psychology Department Publications

Utilizing the principles and concepts of behavioral economics and operant psychology, researchers in both fields initiated the creation of the optimal foraging theory. This theory describes foraging behaviors mostly within animals other than humans. However, within recent empirical studies, optimal foraging theory has been modified to explain risky choices and decision-making processes within the context of risk-sensitive foraging theory for both animals and humans alike. Although most individuals belonging to the homo sapiens species would not like to admit that their behavior is very animalistic in nature, there is a great deal of veracity behind this idea, ranging from explaining …

The Relationship Between Instruction Specificity And Resistiveness To Care During Activities Of Daily Living In Persons With Dementia, Jeffrey Buchanan, Britta Dejager, Sandra Garcia, Daniel Houlihan, Carolina Sears, Kathleen Fairchild, Adam Sattler

Psychology Department Publications

It is common for persons with dementia to display resistant behaviors during activities of daily living (ADLs) and caregiver communication skills can influence the likelihood of these behaviors. Previous research suggests that the type of instructions issued by caregivers is related to rates of compliance during ADLs in persons with dementia. It is unclear, however, if these instruction types affect the likelihood resistiveness to care (RTC) during ADLs. The purpose of the current study was to examine how the use of different types of instructions relate to instances of RTC during ADLs. Results indicated that vague and ambiguous instructions (i.e., …

Treating Public Speaking Anxiety: A Comparison Of Exposure And Video Self-Modeling, Emily Marie Bartholomay, Daniel Houlihan

Psychology Department Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine the relative effectiveness of video self-modeling (VSM) and exposure therapy in treating public speaking anxiety (PSA) in a college student. The study employed a single-subject A-B design with parametric variations. Two phases were utilized in this study: baseline (exposure therapy) and intervention (video self-modeling) with a one-month follow-up. Generalization probes were also employed to assess whether or not decreases in PSA would generalize to other settings. Results of this study indicate a significant decrease in self-report public speaking anxiety from both pre- to post-treatment as well as from baseline to exposure sessions. …

Seclusion And Restraint Policy And Practice: Are Students Safe In School?, Laura L. Strunk, Daniel Houlihan

Social Work Department Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine the significance of the policy and practice of seclusion and restraint interventions used and implemented in the public school system in the United States. Current research casts doubt on policy appropriateness; however, these interventions continue to be used in school settings across the United States. A descriptive, cross-sectional research design was used to implement via electronic survey. The survey was developed and randomly sent to school administrators and other support staff, teachers, and paraprofessionals currently employed in school districts across the United States. Data collected in this study supports the need to …

Stop Truancy Before It Starts: Getting Every Kid To School, Everyday, Brittany Roulette, Hannah Twedt, Paula Skala

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Attending school consistently builds a foundation for academic achievement and social success in the future. Students missing an excessive number of school days throughout childhood for any reason experience increasingly negative outcomes as they grow older. When truancy leads to dropping out of school, this costs individuals money in lost wages associated with reduced education levels. Truancy also costs society as a whole in reduced tax collection, increased crime, and increased need for public services. Research demonstrates that minority students and youth with other risk-factors are more likely to experience school disengagement leading to truancy. Punitive school policies such as …

Lake Wobegon’S Guns: Overestimating Our Gun-Related Competences, Emily Stark, Daniel Sachau

Psychology Department Publications

The Lake Wobegon Effect is a general tendency for people to overestimate their own abilities. In this study, the authors conducted a large, nationally-representative survey of U.S. citizens to test whether Americans overestimate their own gun-relevant personality traits, gun safety knowledge, and ability to use a gun in an emergency. The authors also tested how gun control attitudes, political identification, gender, and gun experience affect self-perceptions. Consistent with prior research on the Lake Wobegon Effect, participants overestimated their gun-related competencies. Conservatives, males, and pro-gun advocates self-enhanced somewhat more than their counterparts but this effect was primarily due to increased gun …

A High-P/Low-P Procedure To Improve Recall Memory In Elderly Patients With Mild To Moderate Cognitive Impairment, Dawn Amber Seefeldt, Daniel Houlihan, Jeffrey Buchanan

Psychology Department Publications

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of implementing two types of high-probability of naming/low-probability of naming procedures to improve object recall memory in elderly individuals with cognitive impairment. The procedures involved the use of directives for recall compliance with a demonstrated high rate of compliance followed by embedded directives with a demonstrated low rate of recall. Two elderly subjects in states of cognitive decline were used in this demonstration. Results indicated positive outcomes with both procedures. Recall-based interventions were more effective than recognition-based procedures.

A Brief Overview Of Amblyaudia, Raelynn Lamminen, Daniel Houlihan

Psychology Department Publications

Amblyaudia, a recent subcategory of auditory processing disorder, is characterized by asymmetrical auditory processing of an individual’s ears. Amblyaudia can result in speech comprehension difficulties, reading difficulties, information processing deficits, and inattention. These difficulties can be mistakenly attributed to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), depression, anxiety disorders, and communication disorders. Unfortunately, traditional hearing tests do not place the two ears in competition and cannot detect asymmetry. Therefore, students who exhibit these difficulties and have normal performance on traditional hearing tests should be also evaluated for amblyaudia with dichotic listening tests. Amblyaudia can be addressed through dichotic …

Family Involvement In The Schools Of Belize, Rachel Youngblom, Daniel Houlihan

Psychology Department Publications

This study was conducted to better understand the level of involvement of families in Belize with the education of their children. It was anticipated that information from this broadly distributed survey might show areas of current strengths and weakness in the current system that might allow for future adjustments.

Reaching Across The Aisle: The Benefits Of Interdisciplinary Work In Graduate School, Shelby Marie Afflerbach, Chelsea Chatham, Brittany Davis, Tracy M. Grimme, Kristie L. Campana, Jeffrey Buchanan

Psychology Department Publications

In this article, we outline our own experiences with an interdisciplinary project we participated in at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Adolescents And The Social Media: The Coming Storm, Daniel Houlihan, Meghan Houlihan

Psychology Department Publications

In her book Failure to Connect: How computers affect our Children’s Minds, sounded the alarm to the educational community that computers would not impact the intellectual growth of children in the ways that had been anticipated by the Clinton Administration when they started the push to have the world-wide web integrated into American classrooms by passing the Classroom 2000 education initiative. In a speech in April of 2013, Clinton would follow-up by saying that the modern internet has forced a change in what we consider to be forms of good citizenship. The future will redefine how we should act and …

Social Presence Theory, Isalt Team

iSALT Resources: Theories, Concepts, and Measures

No abstract provided.

Social Cognitive Theory, Isalt Team

iSALT Resources: Theories, Concepts, and Measures

No abstract provided.

Student Engagement, Isalt Team

iSALT Resources: Theories, Concepts, and Measures

No abstract provided.

An Assessment Of Resiliency And Life Satisfaction In High School-Aged Students In Belize, Rachel Youngblom, Daniel Houlihan, Julene Douty Nolan

Psychology Department Publications

This study assesses resiliency and life satisfaction of high school youth from Belize. Due to the contrast of geography, culture, and economic characteristics, between Belize and the U.S. many differences were hypothesized to be found. Resiliency and life satisfaction were hypothesized (a) to be lower in the youth from Belize when compared with previous studies of youth conducted in the United States, (b) youth in Belize, who have high resilience, will also have high life satisfaction and (c) youth who has low life satisfaction will also have very little resiliency.

Creation Of A Selection Program For Indigenous Students At An Eco-Tourism Focused High School In The Ecuadorian Amazon Region, Sean Houlihan, Lisa Perez, Daniel Houlihan, Alicia Kruger

Psychology Department Publications

The objective of this study was to contribute to the existing literature on international selection practices, specifically looking at selection of indigenous students in the Amazon region of Ecuador for admission into an eco-tourism focused high school. Selection criteria used in the study were based on current best practices in international selection. This study looked at the predictors of dependability, resilience, stability, sales-drive and student connectedness as they related to the success of the current student population at the school. Sixty-three current students at the Yachana Technical High School completed a traits based survey measuring dependability, resilience, stability, sales drive …

Learn To Interview More Effectively, Kristie L. Campana

Psychology Department Publications

No abstract provided.

What's Legal In An Interview?, Kristie L. Campana

Psychology Department Publications

No abstract provided.

Survival In Soviet Gulags: A Secondary Analysis, Kimberly M. Maas, Paul Prew, Elizabeth J. Sandell

Elementary and Literacy Education Department Publications

One of the most common book series on the subject of Soviet Gulags is Evgenia Ginzburg’s “Journey into the Whirlwind” and “Within the Whirlwind.” This paper will use secondary analysis from anthology works with stories similar to Ginzburg's in combination with the works of several other authors like Anne Applebaum (2011) and Geith and Jolluck (2011). It shall also examine extensively Raphaël Lemkin’s definition of genocide and how it fits to what happened in the Gulags. It shall be argued why certain situations that occurred within the Gulags fit this definition. It will also explore the intimate details and lives …

Testing Misconceptions And Building Excitement In A Psychology And The Law Course, Emily Stark

Psychology Department Publications

Did you know that there is no evidence that verifies that each person's fingerprints are truly unique, or that even trained dental examiners cannot accurately match bite marks to the teeth of a suspect? Thinking about our misconceptions can make us excited to learn more about a topic, so that we understand why we were wrong. This article discusses a method that I developed to address misconceptions about psychology and the legal system and to get students excited to learn more about these topics.

Parental Behavior Control As A Moderator Between Close Friend Support And Conduct Problems, Gabriel C. Watson, Sarah K. Sifers, Daniel Houlihan

Psychology Department Publications

Objective: Potential moderating effects between parental control and close friend support on youth conduct problems have not been investigated. Goals of this study were to investigate for a possible curvilinear relationship between parental behavioral control and child conduct issues, as well as the potential that parental control will moderate the relationship between friend support and those behaviors.

Design: Surveyed 101 youth and their parents in a small Midwestern United States metropolitan area.

Results: Through hierarchical regression, the current study shows a curvilinear main effect for parent control on conduct problems. Additionally, close friend support is a protective agent only for …

School Psychology Crossroads In America: Discrepancies Between Actual And Preferred Discrete Practices And Barriers To Preferred Practice, Kevin J. Filter, Sara Ann Ebsen, Rebecca Dibos

Psychology Department Publications

A nationally representative sample of American school psychology practitioners were surveyed to analyze discrepancies that they experience between their actual discrete practices and their preferred discrete practices relative to several domains of practice including assessment, intervention, meetings, and continuing education. Discrepancies were also analyzed relative to service delivery in three levels of prevention (primary, secondary, and tertiary). Results indicate that practicing school psychologists experience significant discrepancies between actual and preferred practices in all discrete practices, with the largest discrepancies by hours noted in the discrete practices of report writing, prevention screening, CBA/CBM administration, IQ testing, and conducting research. Respondents also …

Cultural Differences In The Levels Of Rewards Between Adolescents From America, Australia, Tanzania, Denmark, Honduras, Korea, And Spain, Kendra J. Homan, Daniel Houlihan, Kari Ek, Joseph Wanzek

Psychology Department Publications

The intent of this study is to determine what items are reinforcing for high school students from different regions of the world including America, Australia, Tanzania, Denmark, Honduras, Korea, and Spain. Additionally, the researchers sought to determine if there is a difference in the levels of rewards between individuals from America and individuals from these other countries. Seven hundred and fifty high school students from seven countries participated in this study. The only requirement for inclusion in the study was current enrollment in high school in their native country. Subject ages ranged from 12 to 19 years, with a mean …

School Psychologists' Self-Perceptions Of Multicultural Competence: The Relevance Of Experience And Training, Jacquelyn B. Wright, Kevin J. Filter, Julene Douty Nolan, Sarah K. Sifers

Psychology Department Publications

A national survey of 216 school psychologists' perceptions of multicultural competence indicated that multicultural competence significantly increases as a function of hours of training and frequency of experience working with individuals from cultures different from their own. Results are discussed in the context of measurement limitations for multicultural competence and implications for trainers of school psychologists.

Dolphin-Assisted Therapy: Claims Versus Evidence, Britta L. Fiksdal, Daniel Houlihan, Aaron C. Barnes

Psychology Department Publications

The purpose of this paper is to review and critique studies that have been conducted on dolphin-assisted therapy for children with various disorders. Studies have been released claiming swimming with dolphins is therapeutic and beneficial for children with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, physical disabilities, and other psychological disorders. The majority of the studies conducted supporting the effectiveness of dolphin-assisted therapy have been found to have major methodological concerns making it impossible to draw valid conclusions. Readers will be informed of the history of, theory behind, and variations of dolphin-assisted therapy along with a review and critique of studies published …

Teacher Support As A Moderator Of Behavioral Outcomes For Youth Exposed To Stressful Life Events, Rebekah S. Huber, Sarah K. Sifers, Daniel Houlihan, Rachel Youngblom

Psychology Department Publications

The present study examined the relationship between teacher support, life stress, and behavioral outcomes in 103 youth. Participants completed questionnaires regarding life events, social support, personality, and behavior. Moderated regression analyses were conducted using youth perceptions of teacher support and negative life events to predict externalizing and internalizing problems. Results revealed a significant interaction between teacher support and life stress, indicating teacher support successfully moderated the effect of stress on externalizing problems. Main effects for life stress were consistent with previous literature suggesting that higher amounts of stress predict greater externalizing and internalizing problems. Implications for teacher support are discussed.

Reward Differences Between Adolescents From A Native American Community And Adolescents From A Non-Native American Community, Mark Guthmiller, Daniel Houlihan, Liesa A. Klein, Kendra J. Homan, Tammy J. Jollie-Trottier

Psychology Department Publications

Differences in preferred rewards of male and female Native American and non-Native America adolescents were examined using the Native American version of the Survey of Rewards for Teens (SORT-NA). The SORT-NA is a self-report survey which examines preferences across eight domains: sports, food, entertainment, excursions, interests and hobbies, social activities, social related activities, and a miscellaneous category. Results indicated significant differences in reward preference across culture in two domains, and across gender in five domains.