Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of A Behavior Analytic Social Skills Group On School-Aged Children's Social Skills In A Classroom Setting, Rebecca A. Anderson

Honors College Theses

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit skill deficits in several areas. One of those areas is social skills. Social skills are very important for development and learning. One common intervention to increase social skills in children with ASD is social skills groups. Social skills groups use the principles of the science of behavior to teach various social skills effectively and efficiently to children with ASD. A common setting where children’s social skill deficits increase is in classroom settings. The purpose of this study was to implement a social skills group intervention in a classroom setting to increase social skills …

Nurturing Democracy? Mediating Between Women Chief Executives And Voter Turnout, Gabrielle A. Peterson

Honors College Theses

Does the presence of female candidates in executive elections increase voter turnout for that election? Does the presence of female chief executives in states increase voter turnout following their tenure? While there is little research surrounding female chief executives and candidates, past research on women in parliament has shown that the increased prevalence of female legislators increases voter turnout rates due to role modeling and socialization. Overall, a more diverse government will feel more democratic and thus more welcoming of participation by both men and women. I theorize that this phenomenon remains true with both female candidates in executive elections …

Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy And Applied Behavior Analysis Forming An Interdisciplinary Bridge For Positive Patient Outcomes, Rachel Ann Vaughn

Honors College Theses

Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, and Applied Behavior Analysis work within the pediatric population and are used to help children reach milestones throughout their development. This survey is meant to assess the amount of interdisciplinary collaboration that is occurring within these disciplines. The research team believes that this interdisciplinary collaboration could be beneficial to the pediatric population, but understands that this survey is a baseline and needs further research. Through a survey, there were 29 total participants, 22 PT/OT and 7 ABA therapists. The survey showed evidence of ABA techniques being used within PT and OT sessions for betterment of the …

Unscheduled Events, Stock Returns, And Market Efficiency: A Covid-19 Case Study Of Industry Leaders, Nathan R. Durham

Honors College Theses

This thesis explores the effects of unscheduled events on stock market returns due to increased uncertainty. A case study is done on the Coronavirus pandemic for the dates of March 9th, 2020, through March 23rd , 2020. The findings allow for short-run and long-run narratives where long-run returns, and short-run volatility explain how the role of psychology and different forecasting strategies are used to differentiate industry outcomes and technology sector returns.

Socially Acceptable Alcohol Use: The Normalization Of Binge-Drinking And The Influences Of The Covid-19 Pandemic In A College Sample., Carter Golembeski

Honors College Theses

The relationship between college students and binge-drinking is a heavily researched and discussed topic. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic a whole new side of the issue is introduced. The impacts of the pandemic on binge drinking episodes, as well as personal desire to binge drink, is valuable data to be analyzed. This capstone project collected data from Georgia Southern students on their drinking habits, as well as how COVID-19 interrupted their social life. Their personal drinking habits were investigated, including how often they find themselves “black-out drinking” and how many drinks they usually consume on a single drinking occasion, as …

College Students’ Experienced Parenting Style Influences The Level Of Difficulty In Career Decision-Making, Carlota Cruces Serrano

Honors College Theses

Career choice can be a difficult process for young adults, and parental involvement is a key factor in students’ career development. In this study, we examined whether college students’ degree of decidedness differs with respect to parental styles, following Baumrind’s (1967) classification: authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative. The authoritative style tends to be associated with better outcomes overall due to parental figures seeking discipline and control while embracing an autonomy-supportive environment. We recruited 200 first and second-year college students to complete the Parent Authority Questionnaire to determine the parenting style exercised by their parents (Buri, 1991). Then, they completed the Career …

A Sign Of The Times- How Ethnonationalist Executives Affect Democracy, Adam M. Sikes

Honors College Theses

In the immediate post-Cold War era, proponents of democracy envisioned a world with few barriers to the spread of democracy and its institutions globally. However, a clear trend has been definitively established in the recent academic discourse pointing to a marked decline in the quality of democracies in several democratizing states. While the root causes for this decline continue to be a contentious subject, much of the existing literature depends on institutional theory to explain the cause of democratic backsliding. Concurrently, we have seen a dramatic stream of news about the state of democracy in two of the world’s most …

A Needs Assessment Of Butts County After-School Programs And Their Inclusivity, Gracie P. Thompson

Honors College Theses

After-school programs have proven themselves to be a fantastic way for students to gain extra learning and social skills, while not in the usual school setting. Another benefit is to increase physical activity, to lessen the chance of childhood obesity. In Butts county, more specifically Daughtry Elementary School, there is currently an after-school program, but it does not have much of a structure- recreationally or at all. This poses a hidden problem for the students in the school system who may have no one to motivate them to get active, or no one to make them do any kind of …

The Effects Of Racial Discrimination On Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color (Bipoc) Students’ Mental Health, Alana M. Hall Ms.

Honors College Theses

Racial discrimination and its relationship with mental health outcomes in BIPOC students, specifically psychological distress, the focus of this study. This was deemed important because these students may have responded by using certain coping strategies that could be harmful to their mental health and overall health, in the long term. It is already known that racism has been a problem in the world, but has morphed over the years to that of subtle, and often more harmful, forms of racism (e.g. microaggressions). The goal of this study was to examine the discriminatory experiences of BIPOC students at a predominantly white …

Active Measures Of Spatial Cognition, Sarah H. Noonan

Honors College Theses

Spatial cognition is how we navigate and perceive the space around us. Distance estimation is one of the elements of spatial cognition. A previous study was done to test if the presence of boundaries has an effect of distance estimation. In the present study, this same phenomenon was tested using an action-based task to examine how this affected distance estimation. Participants were asked to stand at the end of three runners and throw bean bags at a target on the other end of the runner. One runner had an open throwing path, another runner had a doorway in the throwing …

Media Representations Of Lgbt People, Christian Marrero

Honors College Theses

LGBT people of color (POC) and White LGBT people have different experiences when it comes to accepting their sexuality and coming out experience, thus affecting their mental health and interactions with the community. The coming out process is a step towards a healthier and happier life, revealing an internal acceptance of oneself while expressing the desire to be open to others. However, LGBT people consider coming out a stressful and emotionally daunting process due to the uncertainty of responses from family, friends, and classmates (Charbonnier & Graziani, 2016). Media representations of LGBT interactions may also influence feelings about the coming …

Unlearning Myths One Question At A Time, Jessica K. Kolman

Honors College Theses

People may believe in myths such as “you only use 10% of your brain” that are related to psychology. Additionally, belief in these myths may prevail despite education, or in some cases, because of education. Indeed, some research suggests students acquired false memories by remembering the wrong answers instead of the correct information (Nitschke et al., 2019). However, research on how leading questions affects memory can provide insight to this problem. Specifically, research shows that subjects who are presented with leading questions or content are more likely to recall an event consistent with that question (Miller & Loftus, 1976). Such …

The Perception Of Motherhood Through The Smiles And The Spit-Up, Sydney M. Forsythe

Honors College Theses

This research examines how motherhood is viewed by women, particularly mothers, in the southeast of the United States today. The treatment of women compared to men in women's studies has been a popular topic, but there is less research on mothers. This qualitative study is designed to hear personal stories from mothers and potential mothers, both employed and unemployed, describing how they feel mothers are perceived in the southeast of the United States. Facing the overwhelming literature that describes motherhood as associated with numerous negative impacts on women’s lives, this study explores the weight of joy or the paucity of …

Restoration Of A Nation, Deshauna Williams

Honors College Theses

Restorative justice is a growing school of penal thought which places emphasis on restoration and healing rather than punitive solutions. The purpose of this study is to assess whether prior experience with the criminal justice system, either as a victim, as an offender, or as an employee, affects perceptions of the foundations of restorative justice. These foundations include ideas such as punishment, retribution, and victim involvement. Additionally, this study examines how these perspectives influence the respondents’ perception of effectiveness or “justness” of the criminal justice system. Findings reveal that offenders have more negative views of punishment as a method of …

From Hopscotch To Border Hopping: Assessing The Role Of Education As A Catalyst For Child Migration From The Northern Triangle, Taylor A. Close

Honors College Theses

This paper will evaluate forced child migration from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, more commonly known as Central America’s Northern Triangle. More specifically, the research questions how the denial of primary education may constitute a human rights violation that catalyzes forced child migration from the region. If the denial of education constitutes a human rights abuse, then current classifications and management of child migrants at the border can no longer be deemed sufficient or legal. Ultimately, if the denial of primary education represents a significant human rights abuse and cause of forced child migration, United States immigration policy must be …

The Experience Of Dispositional Optimism Among Female African Americans, Hispanics/Latinas, And Caucasians In Generation Z: An Existential Phenomenological Investigation, Katie A. Kennedy

Honors College Theses

Mental health is becoming an increasingly important topic within Generation Z. 39% of college students in the United States reported experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety (Burwell, 2018). Conversely, researchers have shown an inverse relationship between high levels of optimism and depression, as well as optimism and suicide ideation (Chang, Martos, Sallay, Change, Wright, Najarian, & Lee, 2016). Additionally, Optimism has been negatively correlated with negative psychological outcomes (Chang, et al., 2016). The purpose of this study will be to examine dispositional optimism within female Generation Z university students. Researchers will use a qualitative interviewing process to capture the full …

#Clickbait: Social Media, Attraction, And Relational Development, Albani I. Berryhill

Honors College Theses

In the age of social media networking and online dating, interpersonal communication has evolved. Today’s young adults have grown up during the evolution of social media. Social Penetration Theory (SPT) proposes that interpersonal relationships develop through self-disclosure (Punyanunt-Carter, 2019). As we move from public to more private information in the process of self-disclosure, we develop deeper and closer interpersonal relationships. The purpose of this study is to analyze attraction, perceived authenticity, and relational development on social media through the SPT lens. I argue that Twitter is a popular social media platform that encourages user authenticity and that social media users …

The New Open Forum: Social Media Use In Georgia Gubernatorial Elections, John Mack

Honors College Theses

In 2018, Georgia saw one of the most contested elections in recent memory with Brian Kemp narrowly defeating Stacey Abrams. As a part of that election, social media would play a critical role in how campaigns are run. This thesis takes a look at previous literature on voter turnout and social media. This thesis asks: How did the campaigns use social media to spread their message, and in what stage of the election was social media most effective? To answer that question this thesis features a content analysis of Facebook posts and Tweets from the 2018 elections compared to posts …

The Effects Of Covid-19 On China’S Luxury Retail Market, Shirlysia D. Daniel

Honors College Theses

The Coronavirus outbreak that occurred in 2020 negatively impacted the world globally. China handled the pandemic better than other countries due to their experience with prior virus outbreaks, SARS and MERS. It is important to research how the Coronavirus outbreak affected and is still affecting China’s economy, as it is a leading role in other countries’ economies as well. Before Covid-19, Chinese consumers made up one-third of global spending on luxury goods. Global luxury spending decreased drastically as many were impacted financially, emotionally, and physically. However, China’s success during the pandemic has been predicted to be the largest luxury retail …

Does God Condone Assault? How Religious Commitment Impacts Trauma Following Sexual Abuse, Madison Snider

Honors College Theses

Sexual assault has been defined as crimes that include attacks or attempted attacks generally involving unwanted sexual contact between victim and offender. After experiencing assault, survivors look for support and belief often turning to their religious communities. It has been found through prior research that the confession of assault has been received on an inconsistent reaction basis. Prior research has also found that religion is often used as a protective shield for perpetrators to hide behind and a roadblock for survivors. Prior research has also primarily focused on investigating reactions to assault in religious communities for either male female victims …

“We Already Look Amazing, We Just Need Designers To Jump On Board”: Designing For Female Consumers That Use Mobility Aids Based On Satisfaction With Retail Selection And Garment Design Characteristics, Mackenzie L. Miller

Honors College Theses

One in 4 people (85 million) in the United States has been diagnosed with a form of a disability, with 13.7 percent (44 million) having a mobility-related disability (CDC, 2020). Despite being the largest disability minority group in the US (CDC, 2020), the availability of clothes for pets is larger than the selection for people with disabilities (Ryan, 2018). The purpose of this qualitative study is to evaluate satisfaction of ready-to-wear and adaptive clothing among female consumers who use mobility aids. Fit issues, lack of availability, and lack of consideration for disability needs were found as overarching problems in both …

Abenomics’ Effect On Gender Inequality In Japanese Society And The Workplace, Arianna C. Johnson

Honors College Theses

In this study, I determine the extent to which Japan’s shrinking workforce population has been affected by gender roles. Many Asian countries are experiencing a prominent decline in birth rate and population, which has increased global interest in these issues. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Japanese government officials have eagerly responded, pushing Japanese women into the labor force as a possible solution. However, this decision has unanticipated drawbacks, which require officials to address Japanese women’s concerns in and outside of the workplace. I argue that the Japanese government will have more success by addressing these needs, creating a more gender-equal …

Determinates Of Georgia White-Tailed Deer Harvests, Evan W. Page

Honors College Theses

This manuscript provides recent evidence regarding the determinates of white-tailed deer harvest densities in the state of Georgia. The data from the 2016/17-2020/21 deer hunting seasons indicates total deer harvest density is positively influenced by the prior year’s mature buck harvest density, the turkey harvest density, higher unemployment rates, higher median incomes, and a higher level of education. Deer harvest density was found to be negatively impacted by larger public land harvests the year before and greater human population densities.

Transnational Perspectives And Euroscepticism: A Strategical Rhetoric Of Blame, Madeline F. Bercher

Honors College Theses

The increasing success of Eurosceptic parties in national and European elections is undeniable. In the last twenty years, the European Union (EU) has faced economic, social, and political crises without much time in between. As a result, we are now the witnesses to an institutional crisis rendered even more real by the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU in January 2020. In this paper, I analyze the changes in rhetorical strategies employed by Eurosceptic parties to gather stronger electoral support.

Many scholars have now agreed that Euroscepticism and the parties representing it have become mainstream and accepted by …

Childhood Abuse, Invalidation, And Personality In A College Population, Kayleigh M. Heard

Honors College Theses

Studies show the detrimental effects of childhood maltreatment (i.e., childhood physical abuse, childhood sexual abuse, invalidation, and multiple forms of maltreatment; Afifi et al., 2016). Research demonstrates individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment have distinct patterns of personality characteristics (Allen & Lauterbach, 2007). Specifically, individuals with history of childhood maltreatment typically report high neuroticism, high openness, and low agreeableness compared to those with no history of maltreatment (Distel et al., 2009; Huang et al., 2012). Less is known about personality differences among individuals with different forms of childhood maltreatment (e.g., physical abuse vs. sexual abuse vs. invalidation vs. multiple …

Gangsta Rap And The Trapped Mentality, Mikalah M. Guyton

Honors College Theses

This research paper provides historical background into the evolution of Hip Hop culture and further investigation into the evolution and foundation of Gangsta Rap music. Throughout this investigation, five recurring fundamental themes are recognized through patterns presented by its pioneers. The five themes that are addressed within this subgenre include: (1) masculinity, (2) respect, (3) violence and retaliation, (4) misogyny, and (5) wealth. As Gangsta Rap emerged into popular culture, it became socially acceptable to exploit issues and limitations experienced within African American communities. In turn, Gangsta rappers overcame limitations typically experienced by black males. In what follows I will …

The Relationship Between Sleep Duration And Optimism Levels In Generation Z Students, Anna Hassett

Honors College Theses

Generation Z is getting less sleep than ever and in conjunction, the quality of Generation Z’s sleep is decreasing. Inadequate sleep can increase the risk of depression, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and cognitive decline. Optimism is a subjective measure of worldview. In the field of positive psychology, optimism is believed to improve overall psychological and physical health. The main purpose of the present study is to examine the relationship between sleep duration and reported levels of optimism in Generation Z students, aged 17 to 24. The hypothesis for this study is that optimism and duration of sleep will have a significantly …

Effects Of An Educational Intervention On Students’ Knowledge And Attitude Towards Working With Older Adults, Johnna L. Kelley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many individuals report reservations about working with an older adult population. A potential factor that may influence this is openness to experience. Additionally, research shows that educational interventions are effective in increasing individuals’ level of knowledge on various topics including older adults and aging. This increased level of knowledge contributes to a higher level of willingness to work with an older adult population. In order to support and extend the existing literature on this topic, we examined the effect of a short-term education session on undergraduate students’ willingness to work with older adults in a variety of positions and settings. …

Moral Injury: Examining The Role Of Meaning Making In Veterans, Katelyn A. Mccreight

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Moral injury is a transdiagnostic process that spans a collection of symptoms similar to PTSD (Litz et al., 2009). Many veterans develop PTSD symptoms following exposure to potentially morally injurious events (pMIE) occurring in the context of war (e.g., killing an enemy combatant or accidentally killing a civilian; (Currier, Holland, & Malott, 2014; Litz et al., 2009; Purcell, Koenig, Bosch & Maguen, 2016). The potential mediating and moderating variables between moral injury and PTSD may also contribute to pMIE-related PTSD symptoms being overlooked and left untreated (Litz et al., 2009). Furthermore, while extensive research has been conducted on coping and …

The Relationship Between Emotion Regulation And Health Status In Southeast Rural Firefighters, Catherine G. Gallagher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Firefighters are continuously interacting within high-stress and high physical demanding tasks. Minimal research investigates the influence of emotion regulation on health status among firefighters. PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between emotion regulation constructs and health status fitness metrics in a sample of career firefighters from southeast Georgia. METHODS: Forty-four career firefighters from southeast rural Georgia participated in a yearly fitness assessment. Body composition and fitness variables were collected. Emotion regulation was examined using the 36-item Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Survey. Inferential analysis including a Kruskal Wallis test was used to reveal differences between variables in health status (i.e., Perceived Health, …