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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Psychology

HIM 1990-2015

Theses/Dissertations

2012

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Articles 1 - 22 of 22

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Gender Role Personalities And Physical Attractiveness, Laura Bailly Dec 2012

Gender Role Personalities And Physical Attractiveness, Laura Bailly

HIM 1990-2015

The purpose of the current study was to explore whether personality dispositions can influence perceived physical appearance. Past research demonstrates that gendered and non-gendered characteristics lead to differential preferences for potential romantic interests among males and females (e.g., Cash & Smith, 1982). These previous studies have not, however, measured direct influence on pulchritude. In the present study, gendered and non-gendered personality descriptions were paired with pictures of average-looking individuals of both sexes to determine the influence of gender roles on perceived physical attractiveness. I hypothesized that males would find androgynous females more physically attractive than gender-typed and non-gender typed females. …


The Investigation Of A Potential Link Between Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Lucas Driskell Dec 2012

The Investigation Of A Potential Link Between Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Lucas Driskell

HIM 1990-2015

With the advancement of protective gear and medical aid, soldiers are now surviving traumatic experiences that were once fatal. As a result, the prevalence of brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder in military service members has grown. Those who have obtained brain injury are at risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative syndrome. To date, there is no cure, treatment, or diagnostic method (besides autopsy) for chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Because chronic traumatic encephalopathy and posttraumatic stress disorder present many of the same symptoms and have the possibility of deriving from the same traumatic experience, an investigation of a potential …


The Effects Of Adoption On Identity Formation A Qualitative Analysis, Lisa Heath Dec 2012

The Effects Of Adoption On Identity Formation A Qualitative Analysis, Lisa Heath

HIM 1990-2015

While evidence suggests that adoptees do not differ from non-adoptees in their ability to achieve a stable sense of identity, much is still unknown about how specifically the fact of being adopted affects one's identity. The purpose of this research is to take a deeper look at the significance and meaning of being adopted to one's sense of identity through qualitative analyses of in depth interviews with adoptees. Participants were recruited from Psychology classes via the SONA system. The participants (N = 16) took part in an in-depth structured interview and completed a survey battery which included a demographic questionnaire, …


Influencing Opinions About Bats The Impact Of Levels Of Interaction During Educational Presentations, Samantha Hynes Dec 2012

Influencing Opinions About Bats The Impact Of Levels Of Interaction During Educational Presentations, Samantha Hynes

HIM 1990-2015

This experiment was run to see whether the educational presentations done at zoos and other educational facilities are effectively changing patrons' negative misconceptions about the animals they were seeing. Participants were invited to attend one of three educational presentations, where they were exposed to either a low, intermediate or high level of interaction involving a bat. I hypothesized that regardless of the level of interaction, participants would learn the information, but that a higher level of interaction would cause the biggest perceptual change in terms of how participants felt about the bat and the highest degree of learning. Across the …


Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy As An Effective Therapy In Comparison To Or In Conjunction With Traditional Therapies, Kristen Wilson Dec 2012

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy As An Effective Therapy In Comparison To Or In Conjunction With Traditional Therapies, Kristen Wilson

HIM 1990-2015

Mental disorders are a prevalent health issue that has an extensive amount of variability in the quantity of disorders, affected populations, and treatment. There are a multitude of approaches or therapeutic methods used by the mental health community. Although each therapy is valuable in unique ways, each therapy may not be suitable to treat every disorder or client. Traditional approaches, such as talk therapy, are effective for certain individuals, whereas some clients may not respond well to any of the traditional talk therapies. When traditional therapies are not working, a referral can be made for a therapy that might suit …


The Role Religion Plays In Attitudes Toward Euthanasia, Rezawana Chowdhury Aug 2012

The Role Religion Plays In Attitudes Toward Euthanasia, Rezawana Chowdhury

HIM 1990-2015

This research investigated the role religion plays in how individuals view euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. One hundred participants from each of the three major monotheistic world religions were given a seven-question survey. The seven questions consisted of statements regarding the knowledge of their own religion, how the participants feel about terminally ill patients and those who have lost vital functions, and also whether or not they believe euthanasia is morally just. It was predicted that the participants who belong to Judaism and Islam viewed euthanasia as morally just and participants who belong to the Christianity viewed euthanasia as morally incorrect.


A Cognitive Investigation Of Computerized Walk-Through Models, Maria Carrillo May 2012

A Cognitive Investigation Of Computerized Walk-Through Models, Maria Carrillo

HIM 1990-2015

The growth of the World Wide Web has prompted many businesses to develop electronic commerce (e-commerce) as a domain where consumers can conveniently purchase their products (Chittaro& Ranon, 2002). Marketing and Human - Computer Interaction (HCI) research has focused on the ways interactivity can improve purchasing experience. One particular technique is through the use of computer models of products known as visual object representations (Ozok& Komlodi, 2009). Research on visual product representations is focused on models of objects typically purchased in a store, such as clothing and electronics, which can usually be manipulated and rotated as desired (Ozok& Komlodi, 2009). …


Exploring Mdma And Its Therapeutic Potential, Michael Christian May 2012

Exploring Mdma And Its Therapeutic Potential, Michael Christian

HIM 1990-2015

The clinical application of MDMA has long been an issue of great interest for doctors, counselors, researchers, and users alike. Originally synthesized by a pharmaceutical company and subsequently tested on military personnel, the drug was then used by many clinicians and physicians prior to the DEA's strict regulation of the drug, which began in the mid 1980s (Mithoefer et al, 2010). The DEA has classified MDMA a "Schedule 1" drug, which means that it among the most controlled substances, a fact which has hindered the progress of research. For a detailed explanation of the DEA's scheduling of controlled substances, please …


Preserving The Right To A Fair Trial An Examination Of The Prejudicial Value Of Visual And Auditory Evidence In The Context Of A Criminal Case, Emily Edwards May 2012

Preserving The Right To A Fair Trial An Examination Of The Prejudicial Value Of Visual And Auditory Evidence In The Context Of A Criminal Case, Emily Edwards

HIM 1990-2015

Federal Rule of Evidence 403 requires evidence's probative value to substantially outweigh its prejudicial value for the evidence to be admitted. To date, courts have opinioned that photographic evidence holds low prejudicial impact and rarely render court proceedings unfair (Futch v. Dugger, 1989). The present study sought to empirically investigate this issue. In a 2 (Auditory Present/Auditory Absent) x 3 (Graphic Photo/Neutral Photo/No Photo) factorial design, 300 participants reviewed case materials from a recent murder case and provided information concerning their verdict decision. Emotional state data was also collected prior to and following review of the case materials via the …


Dividing America? The Role Of 'Division Streets' In Residential Segregation, Kate Griffin May 2012

Dividing America? The Role Of 'Division Streets' In Residential Segregation, Kate Griffin

HIM 1990-2015

Residential segregation is an issue where multiple variables such as race, class, and income converge. Identifying the remaining variables contributing to the continuation of residential segregation is what remains in order to understand the issue completely. A possible variable that has yet to be considered is the effect that the name of a road has on the surrounding area. The objective of this research is to identify the relationship between Division Streets and residential segregation. Although this relationship may not be causal, the existence of any tie between labels as apparent as 'division' on a road where residential segregation is …


Evaluating The Psychometric Properties Of The Aggressive Driving Behavior Questionnaire (Adbq), Ajla Gurda May 2012

Evaluating The Psychometric Properties Of The Aggressive Driving Behavior Questionnaire (Adbq), Ajla Gurda

HIM 1990-2015

A principal axis factor analysis with promax rotation yielded four factors, or joint variations between the 20 items, that were inter-correlated with eigenvalues greater than 1. The ADBQ was also found to have high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .86). The four factors were used to form four subscales of aggressive driving behavior that included anger/aggression, speeding/minor infractions, overt expression, and judgment of other drivers. The four subscales were found to correlate with self-reported biographical and driver history data, as well as, gender differences across scales. Additional analyses were conducted using data from the present sample from the University of …


An Exploratory Factor Analysis Of Self-Reported State And Trait Guilt, Christina Lacerenza May 2012

An Exploratory Factor Analysis Of Self-Reported State And Trait Guilt, Christina Lacerenza

HIM 1990-2015

The construct of guilt has been a subject of debate among philosophers, theologians, sociologists and psychologists for centuries. Disagreements concerning guilt have emerged on the definitional level, measurement level, and conceptual level due to the various ways guilt can be experienced and interpreted. Researchers continue to empirically investigate various aspects of guilt in an effort to advance and refine our understanding of the construct; however, differences among researchers in assessing the impact of guilt on psychological well-being still exist. The purpose of this study is to investigate the internal factor structure of three prominent measures of guilt. This will enable …


Perceptions Of The Consumption Of Sexually-Explicit Material As An Act Of Infidelity In The Context Of College Romantic Relationships And Their Connection To Population Variables, Diego Plaza May 2012

Perceptions Of The Consumption Of Sexually-Explicit Material As An Act Of Infidelity In The Context Of College Romantic Relationships And Their Connection To Population Variables, Diego Plaza

HIM 1990-2015

This study sought to examine whether individuals perceive the consumption (i.e., viewing) of sexually-explicit material (SEM) as an act of infidelity. The study also looked into whether ethnicity, sexual orientation, religiosity, self-esteem, and femininity/masculinity influence this opinion. As an extension of the study, the participants' susceptibility for jealousy, general attitudes toward infidelity, attitudes toward SEM, opinion toward sexuality, and fear of abandonment were also analyzed. Social desirability was also used to find people's tendency to give socially desirable answers to questions related to sexuality. A statistical analysis of the study's results showed that religiosity significantly predicted opinions toward SEM as …


The Role Of Communication Technology In Adolescent Relationships And Identity Development, Betty-Ann Cyr May 2012

The Role Of Communication Technology In Adolescent Relationships And Identity Development, Betty-Ann Cyr

HIM 1990-2015

Text messaging, e-mail, instant messaging, and social networking sites are changing the way people interact with each other. The popularity of these communication technologies among emerging adults in particular has grown exponentially, with little accompanying research to understand their influences on psychosocial development. This study explores the relationship between communication technology usage (text messaging, e-mail, instant messaging, and social networking) and adolescent adjustment among 268 high school students. It was hypothesized that use of communication technology would be related to psychological adjustment, including identity development, relationship attachment and peer conflict. Participants were recruited from three public high schools in central …


The Effects Of Sports Team Allegiance On Jurors' Perceptions Of A Defendant, Andrea Ranieri May 2012

The Effects Of Sports Team Allegiance On Jurors' Perceptions Of A Defendant, Andrea Ranieri

HIM 1990-2015

This study examined the relationship between levels of sports team identification and sentence leniency. It was hypothesized that sharing the same sports team affiliation with the defendant would create bias in the form of juror leniency, and that highly identified fans would show more bias than lower identified fans. A case description of a hit and run accident, in which the defendant was described as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, was read by 220 participants. Results showed a significant difference in recommended sentence length and levels of sympathy between the three groups (High Identity, Low Identity, & No Identity). However, …


What Do You Think Of Others Who Pursue Cosmetic Surgery? Influences Associated With Perceptions Of Cosmetic Surgery, Angela Vergara May 2012

What Do You Think Of Others Who Pursue Cosmetic Surgery? Influences Associated With Perceptions Of Cosmetic Surgery, Angela Vergara

HIM 1990-2015

In the current climate in which it seems like popular media determines normality, it is not surprising to find that reality television, especially programs geared towards elective cosmetic surgery, are correlated with the decision making processes associated with actually pursuing cosmetic surgery. Research suggests that attitudes towards cosmetic surgery have changed dramatically due to the public's exposure to reality makeover shows; these shows have increased the popularity of such procedures and have highlighted and implied that cosmetic surgery is associated with little pain and risk. In this study, I sought to determine if attitudes toward cosmetic surgery vary as a …


Attitudes Towards Corporal Punishment As A Function Of Ethnicity And Gender, Nadine Richardson May 2012

Attitudes Towards Corporal Punishment As A Function Of Ethnicity And Gender, Nadine Richardson

HIM 1990-2015

This study explores the topic of corporal punishment and examines the degree to which young adults have been subjected to corporal punishment, their attitudes about corporal punishment, the likelihood of them using corporal punishment on their children, and their propensity towards violence. Among African American participants, I also examine the correlation between their attitudes toward corporal punishment and their levels of acculturation toward the dominant culture. I predict that African Americans will have been subject to Corporal Punishment more than White Americans. I hypothesized that participants who have been subjected to corporal punishment will have a higher propensity towards violence …


Does Behavioral Treatment For Children With Social Anxiety Disorder Change Vocal Characteristics?, Anya Kroytor Jan 2012

Does Behavioral Treatment For Children With Social Anxiety Disorder Change Vocal Characteristics?, Anya Kroytor

HIM 1990-2015

Children with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) characterized by persistent shyness and anxiety in social or performance situation, exhibit social skills deficits. These deficits include difficulty initiating conversations, maintaining eye contact, and taking turns when speaking, which in turn leads to impairments in their daily interactions and development of peer relationships (Greco, 2005; Miers, 2010). Although there are many subjective assessments for treatment outcomes for children with SAD, in order to become more thorough and effective when assessing treatment outcomes, more objective measures of actual behaviors are needed. This study uses digital vocal analysis to examine vocal parameters associated with anxiety …


Atheists, Devils, And Communists Cognitive Mapping Of Attitudes And Stereotypes Of Atheists, Maxine Najle Jan 2012

Atheists, Devils, And Communists Cognitive Mapping Of Attitudes And Stereotypes Of Atheists, Maxine Najle

HIM 1990-2015

Negative attitudes towards atheists are hardly a new trend in our society. However, given the pervasiveness of the prejudices and the lack of foundation for them, it seems warranted to explore the underlying elements of these attitudes. Identifying these constitutive elements may help pick apart the different contributing factors and perhaps mitigate or at least understand them in the future. The present study was designed to identify which myths or stereotypes about atheists are most influential in these attitudes. A Lexical Decision Task was utilized to identify which words related to popular stereotypes are most related to the label atheists. …


Social Experience, Depression, And Alcohol Abuse In College Age Females, Ann Cooper Jan 2012

Social Experience, Depression, And Alcohol Abuse In College Age Females, Ann Cooper

HIM 1990-2015

Past research has explored social experience in relation to depression among college females. Other studies have investigated the relationship between social experience and alcohol use among college students. However, there is a lack of research on the relationship among all the three variables, social experience, depression, and alcohol use, in female college students. In the present study, 132 traditional age female college students completed a Brief Social Experience Rating Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). The results did not show a relationship between AUDIT scores and social experience ratings, but individuals who …


The Cost Of Discrimination Job Age-Type And Legal Outcomes, Nicholas Smith Jan 2012

The Cost Of Discrimination Job Age-Type And Legal Outcomes, Nicholas Smith

HIM 1990-2015

The older population is growing rapidly and businesses must prepare for changes in their workforce. Cases of age discrimination have also become more common. Older workers are being forced out of their jobs at a faster rate than any other age group. As a result, older workers commonly take jobs in different careers, where they compete with younger workers who have similar relevant experience and are valued for their youth. Both prototype matching theory and career timetables theory state that people hold stereotypes of the job in addition to stereotypes of people. In laboratory research, a mismatch between the age …


Increased Levels Of Anxiety Revealing Characteristics Of Social Phobia Elucidated By Smartphone Use, Mark H. Richardson Jan 2012

Increased Levels Of Anxiety Revealing Characteristics Of Social Phobia Elucidated By Smartphone Use, Mark H. Richardson

HIM 1990-2015

Students at the University of Central Florida completed two self-report inventories: the SPAI-23, (Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory - 23) and MPPUS (Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale) to determine if there is a relationship between social phobia and problematic mobile phone use. Fifty one students (N = 51) completed both surveys and the results indicated that there was a small but positive relationship between problematic cell phone use and social phobia symptoms, r=.28, p=.05. The results are discussed in terms of how social phobia might increase problematic phone use.