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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Thematic Patterns In Millennial Heavy Metal: A Lyrical Analysis, Evan Chabot Jan 2012

Thematic Patterns In Millennial Heavy Metal: A Lyrical Analysis, Evan Chabot

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research on heavy metal music has traditionally been framed by deviant characterizations, effects on audiences, and the validity of criticism. More recently, studies have neglected content analysis due to perceived homogeneity in themes, despite evidence that the modern genre is distinct from its past. As lyrical patterns are strong markers of genre, this study attempts to characterize heavy metal in the 21st century by analyzing lyrics for specific themes and perspectives. Citing evidence that the “Millennial” generation confers significant developments to popular culture, the contemporary genre is termed “Millennial heavy metal” throughout, and the study is framed accordingly. Utilizing prominent …


This Is Just Temporary: A Study Of Extended-Stay Motel Residents In Central Florida, Stephanie Guittar Gonzalez Jan 2012

This Is Just Temporary: A Study Of Extended-Stay Motel Residents In Central Florida, Stephanie Guittar Gonzalez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Motel life has existed in the United States for over 100 years. However, it was not until the HEARTH Act in 2009 changed the federal definition of homelessness that those who live in motels more or less permanently were considered homeless persons. This project utilizes qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 18 families with children who are living in motels to explore their experiences with motel life and social service providers, their housing identity, and identity management strategies. Findings show that most of the motel residents did not identify with the conventional definition or image of homelessness and instead negotiated the term …


Comparing Types Of Adaptive Automation Within A Multi-Tasking Environment, Grant S. Taylor Jan 2012

Comparing Types Of Adaptive Automation Within A Multi-Tasking Environment, Grant S. Taylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Throughout the many years of research examining the various effects of automation on operator performance, stress, workload, etc., the focus has traditionally been on the level of automation, and the invocation methods used to alter it. The goal of the current study is to instead examine the utilization of various types of automation with the goal of better meeting the operator’s cognitive needs, thus improving their performance, workload, and stress. The task, control of a simulated unmanned robotic system, is designed to specifically stress the operator’s visual perception capabilities to a greater degree. Two types of automation are implemented to …


Implementing Sustainability Initiatives: A Study Of U.S. Local Governments, Nick Lebredo Jan 2012

Implementing Sustainability Initiatives: A Study Of U.S. Local Governments, Nick Lebredo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sustainability has been framed by the World Commission on Environment and Development as a fundamental concept in human society and by Fiorino (2010) as a critical conceptual focus for public administration over the next decade. A large number of U.S. local governments have implemented sustainability initiatives. Nevertheless, relatively few studies have comprehensively examined sustainability implementation by local governments. This study makes a concerted effort to examine sustainability implementation in U.S. local governments, which have taken the lead in many areas of sustainability. This study also develops a capacity building model to empirically evaluate how organizational strategies and capacities influence sustainability …


Detecting Submerged Remains: Controlled Research Using Side-Scan Sonar To Detect Proxy Cadavers, Carrie Healy Jan 2012

Detecting Submerged Remains: Controlled Research Using Side-Scan Sonar To Detect Proxy Cadavers, Carrie Healy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While side-scan sonar has become a valuable geophysical tool for forensic water searches, controlled research is paramount to determine the best practices for searches in aquatic environments as it provides a structured environment in which to investigate variables that influence the effectiveness of the technology and provides valuable experience for sonar operators. The purpose of this research is to conduct controlled research in order to evaluate the applicability of side-scan sonar to searches involving submerged firearms and proxy cadavers. In addition, the best practices for employing this technology in forensic searches in freshwater ponds and lakes in a humid, subtropical …


Correlates To Police And Correctional Officer Burnout: An Exploratory Study, James Mcdonald Jan 2012

Correlates To Police And Correctional Officer Burnout: An Exploratory Study, James Mcdonald

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study builds on the small but growing body of research examining the antecedents and effects of burnout on police and corrections officers. A review of the extant literature on burnout in general and on the literature exploring police and correctional officer burnout in particular identified several variables that contribute to the social-psychological condition of burnout. The variables identified in the literature review were grouped according to biographical factors (gender, race/ethnicity, and age), biographical stressors (marital status and level of education), organizational factors (occupational field, agency size, tenure, and rank), workplace stressors (recent promotions, transfers or discipline, and perceptions of …


Affective Response Of African American And European American Students To Portrayals Of Cross-Racial Relationships On Television, Earl S. Mowatt Jan 2012

Affective Response Of African American And European American Students To Portrayals Of Cross-Racial Relationships On Television, Earl S. Mowatt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Race is a potent discourse within the world of pop culture, particularly in television where viewers are witnessing more racial diversity in scripted shows. However, show creators must maintain standards that emphasize distinct social roles among characters in order to appeal to large heterogeneous audiences. These roles tend to be characterizations of racial stereotypes that often lead to biased opinions and inaccurate perceptions of minority groups. Previous studies detail that racial biases in media adversely shape public opinions about African Americans and depress the desire for racial integration. This seems somewhat confounding since the shift in programming towards racial diversity …


Not-So Splendid Isolation: An Ipe Study Of Iranian Sanction Busting, Ryan Christopher Rilea Jan 2012

Not-So Splendid Isolation: An Ipe Study Of Iranian Sanction Busting, Ryan Christopher Rilea

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzes the US sanction regime imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran. This single case study assesses its weaknesses and shortcomings in order to present a preliminary conclusion of the character of Iranian policies to bust the US sanctions regime. In charting the evolution of the US sanction regime through three distinct "waves" of sanctions the study highlighted the general shortcomings of the regime. First, the US sanction regime has failed to impose significant costs on Iran. Second, the slow pace of unveiling each new wave of sanctions failed to bring the necessary immediate pressure on Iran. Third, …


The Impact Of Degraded Speech And Stimulus Familiarity In A Dichotic Listening Task, Anne M. Sinatra Jan 2012

The Impact Of Degraded Speech And Stimulus Familiarity In A Dichotic Listening Task, Anne M. Sinatra

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

It has been previously established that when engaged in a difficult attention intensive task, which involves repeating information while blocking out other information (the dichotic listening task), participants are often able to report hearing their own names in an unattended audio channel (Moray, 1959). This phenomenon, called the cocktail party effect is a result of words that are important to oneself having a lower threshold, resulting in less attention being necessary to process them (Treisman, 1960). The current studies examined the ability of a person who was engaged in an attention demanding task to hear and recall low-threshold words from …


Match Between Parent And Child Temperament: Implications For Parenting Behaviors And Children's Behavior Problems, Melissa Middleton Jan 2012

Match Between Parent And Child Temperament: Implications For Parenting Behaviors And Children's Behavior Problems, Melissa Middleton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To examine the relationships among the match between parent and child temperament, parenting behaviors, parenting stress, and young children's behavior problems, the current study investigated the responses of mothers who are raising children between the ages of 3- and 5-years. Mothers completed the Dimensions of Temperament Scale-Revised for Children (Windle & Learner, 1986), the Dimensions of Temperament Scale-Revised for Adults (Windle & Learner, 1986), the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire-Preschool Revision (Clerkin, Marks, Policaro, & Halperin, 2007), the Maternal Emotional Styles Questionnaire (Lagace-Seguin & Coplan, 2005), the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (Abidin, 1995), and the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2000, …


Assessing The Impact Of Economies Of Scale And Uncontrollable Factors On The Performance Of U.S. Cities., Mamoon Allaf Jan 2012

Assessing The Impact Of Economies Of Scale And Uncontrollable Factors On The Performance Of U.S. Cities., Mamoon Allaf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite the increased interest among local governments in collecting data on performance measurement, empirical evidence is still limited regarding the extent to which these data are utilized to assess the impact on efficiency of economies of scale and uncontrollable factors. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a linear programming method designed to estimate the relative efficiency of decision-making units. In addition to assessing relative efficiency, DEA can estimate scale efficiency and incorporate the impact of uncontrollable factors. Using data from the International City/County Association (ICMA), this study utilized DEA to evaluate the impact of economies of scale and uncontrollable factors on …


The Dollar Hegemony And The U.S.-China Monetary Disputes, Xiongwei Cao Jan 2012

The Dollar Hegemony And The U.S.-China Monetary Disputes, Xiongwei Cao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes the current disputes between the United States and China over the exchange rate of the Chinese currency renminbi using an International Political Economy (IPE) analysis. Monetary relations are not mere economic affairs, but bear geopolitical implications. Money is power. Money is politics. The pursuit of monetary power is an important part of great power politics. Based on this assertion, the thesis studies past cases of monetary power struggles between the United States and the Great Britain, the Soviet Union, Japan, and the European Union (EU), respectively. The thesis then investigates the dollar’s status as the dominant international …


Maya Use And Prevalence Of The Atlatl: Projectile Point Classification Function Analysis From Chichen Itza, Tikal, And Caracol, Andrew J. Ciofalo Jan 2012

Maya Use And Prevalence Of The Atlatl: Projectile Point Classification Function Analysis From Chichen Itza, Tikal, And Caracol, Andrew J. Ciofalo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Multiple scholars have briefly discussed the Maya use of the atlatl. Yet, there has never been a decisive encompassing discussion of prevalence and use of the atlatl in the Maya region with multiple lines of support from iconographic and artifactual analyses. This thesis explores the atlatl at Chichén Itzá, Tikal, and Caracol Maya sites to prove that atlatl prevalence can be interpreted primarily based on projectile point “classification function” analysis with support from iconographic and artifactual remains. The classification functions are derived from creating mutually exclusive groups of dart points and arrow points by using discrete functional analysis. Discerning between …


Estimating The Effects Of Condemned Inmates' Last Statements On Public Opinion About The Death Penalty: A Factorial Survey Approach, Timothy P. Colyer Jan 2012

Estimating The Effects Of Condemned Inmates' Last Statements On Public Opinion About The Death Penalty: A Factorial Survey Approach, Timothy P. Colyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There has been an increase in writings that address the last statements of condemned offenders. Many of these writings suggest that exposure to the humanity sometimes exhibited in these last statements may steer public opinion against the death penalty. This dissertation tests this suggestion by exposing 400 participants to randomly generated vignettes containing various capital crimes, demographic characteristics, and last statements. The survey data are analyzed utilizing multilevel modeling. Study results include the effects of varying levels of demonstrated humanity in the last statements of condemned offenders on public opinion, and whether specific demographic characteristics appear to influence study participant …


Truly Accomplished: Effectiveness Of A Measurement And Feedback Approach To Lifestyle Change, Natalie Wright Dixon Jan 2012

Truly Accomplished: Effectiveness Of A Measurement And Feedback Approach To Lifestyle Change, Natalie Wright Dixon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Individuals’ personal improvement efforts are pervasive and the benefits associated with successful self-improvement are both tangible (e.g., healthier lifestyles, more intimate relationships) and intangible (e.g., personal accomplishment, enhanced well-being). As evidenced by research on work-family spillover, self-improvement also has important implications for organizations, as there is considerable crossover between work and non-work domains. The current study tested the effectiveness of Truly Accomplished, an intervention designed to help individuals develop personalized systems for measuring and improving behavior, and examined the extent to which the outcomes associated with such behavior change exhibit positive spillover effects into the workplace. Participants (N = 44) …


The Rise Of The Smooth Jazz Format: An Exploratory Study Of Kenny G And His Gang Of Smooth Operators, William Arden Mader Jan 2012

The Rise Of The Smooth Jazz Format: An Exploratory Study Of Kenny G And His Gang Of Smooth Operators, William Arden Mader

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore the development and rise of the smooth jazz radio format. It is an exploratory study which aims to illustrate the confluence of forces that contributed to the immense success of the smooth jazz genre through the 1980s and well into the 1990s. Artists, such as the saxophonist Kenny G, popularized this style of music that is often described as instrumental-pop music, happy-jazz, or easy listening. Others might draw comparisons to the music we often hear inside of elevators and shopping centers. This is a process that is not unique to the genre …


Community Participation And Travel Choice: An Analysis Of Central Florida New Urban And Conventional Suburban Residents, Laura P. Mikovsky Jan 2012

Community Participation And Travel Choice: An Analysis Of Central Florida New Urban And Conventional Suburban Residents, Laura P. Mikovsky

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has demonstrated a relationship between the built environment and social and transportation outcomes when comparing traditional and conventional suburban neighborhoods, but much remains to be learned about whether New Urbanism can produce similar results. Among studies where new urban neighborhoods have been assessed, most have centered on regions with highly-utilized public transit systems and with climates that are amenable to utilitarian physical activity. This research sought to build on the existing research base through direct comparison of new urban and conventional suburban neighborhoods in central Florida, a region with an under-developed transit system and a climate that renders …


Counselor Education Students' Ethnic Identity And Social-Cognitive Development: Effects Of A Multicultural Self-Awareness Group Experience, Jennifer Marie Johnson Jan 2012

Counselor Education Students' Ethnic Identity And Social-Cognitive Development: Effects Of A Multicultural Self-Awareness Group Experience, Jennifer Marie Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The present study investigated the impact of a multicultural self-awareness personal growth group on counselor education students (n = 94) and group leaders (n = 10) and their ethnic identity development scores, social-cognitive maturity levels, and presence of group therapeutic factors. Findings from the study identified no statistically significant differences in ethnic identity development and social-cognitive maturity scores between treatment group and comparison group participants, or as a result of multiple measurements throughout the semester. However, a statistically significant effect was identified for time (pre-test, M = 91.94, SD = 5.33; mid-semester, M = 90.32, SD = 6.43; post-test, M …


It's Not All About The Animals: Veterinarians' Perspectives On Their Work, Nicole Owens Jan 2012

It's Not All About The Animals: Veterinarians' Perspectives On Their Work, Nicole Owens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines lived experiences of veterinarians. A common feature of being a veterinarian is curing and caring for nonhuman animals. It is the love and connection most veterinarians share for animals that ignite their journey to become an animal doctor. Data collected during semi-structured interviews with 17 veterinarians reveal that there are many more intricacies to the job than just animal medicine. These veterinarians suggest that they must treat animals as learning tools during veterinary training and once they complete school, they deal with people and business on a regular basis. Most veterinarians would like their jobs to be …


Understanding Gender And Sexuality In A Gay/Straight Alliance, Megan L. Duesterhaus Jan 2012

Understanding Gender And Sexuality In A Gay/Straight Alliance, Megan L. Duesterhaus

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Gay/Straight Alliances aimed at providing sexual minority youth and their allies with support, social events, and activism and education opportunities have proliferated in high schools in the United States over the past two decades. This study employs a qualitative, grounded theory approach to examine how sexual minority youth and their allies navigate gender, sexuality, and social movement participation. A year and a half of observation and 16 semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with Gay/Straight Alliance members in a high school setting in the southeastern United States. The study reveals that, through the lens of frame analysis, the G/SA is analogous …


The Foods And Crops Of The Muisca: A Dietary Reconstruction Of The Intermediate Chiefdoms Of Bogota (Bacata) And Tunja (Hunza), Colombia, Jorge Luis Garcia Jan 2012

The Foods And Crops Of The Muisca: A Dietary Reconstruction Of The Intermediate Chiefdoms Of Bogota (Bacata) And Tunja (Hunza), Colombia, Jorge Luis Garcia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Muisca people of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia had an exceptionally complex diet, which is the result of specific subsistence strategies, environmental advantages, and social restrictions. The distinct varieties of microclimates, caused by the sharp elevations in this part of the Andes, allows for a great biodiversity of plants and animals that was accessible to the native population. The crops of domesticated and adopted plants of the Muisca include a wide variety of tubers, cereals, fruits, and leaves that are described in detail in this thesis. The Muisca used an agricultural method known as microverticality where the different thermic …


The Relationship Between Identity And Intimacy As Moderated By Culture, Garima Jhingon Jan 2012

The Relationship Between Identity And Intimacy As Moderated By Culture, Garima Jhingon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Several important developmental processes occur in the young adulthood period. Young adults form their identities, determine trajectories regarding careers, and typically they form intimate relationships. Erikson (1963) stated that healthy identity development during adolescence is a necessary precursor to intimacy in romantic relationships during emerging adulthood. Although findings from cross-sectional and short-term longitudinal studies somewhat confirm the proposed link between identity and intimacy development, none of them addresses the role of culture in moderating Erikson‘s tenets of developmental ordering. The primary goal of the present investigation was to determine the role of cultural orientation in identity and intimacy development among …


The Use Of A Phototherapy Intervention To Foster Empathy, Self-Awareness, And Self-Disclosure In Counselors-In-Training Using The Personal Growth Group, Dallas Wilkes Jan 2012

The Use Of A Phototherapy Intervention To Foster Empathy, Self-Awareness, And Self-Disclosure In Counselors-In-Training Using The Personal Growth Group, Dallas Wilkes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The researcher set out to investigate the effectiveness of a specific phototherapy intervention on counselor-in-training’s empathy, self-awareness, and self-disclosure development through participation in a personal growth group using Davis’ (1980) Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) Govern and Marsch’s (2001) Situational Self-Awareness Scale, and behavioral observations. The study also explored the relationship between the three factors. The study looked to see if there was a difference in the change over time between the group receiving the phototherapy intervention and those participants who did not receive the intervention. The data was collected and measured through a (a) repeated measures MANOVA, (b) independent samples …


The Influence Of Components Of Positive Psychology On Student Development, Yo Sang Ha Jan 2012

The Influence Of Components Of Positive Psychology On Student Development, Yo Sang Ha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Considering a wide range of student's delinquencies and problems, preventive intervention in school is strongly required for healthy student development. American School counselor Association (ASCA) has focused on three areas, academic development, career development, and personal/social development to provide various skills and learning opportunities for the successful life of students. During the past 50 years, psychologists have concentrated on the disease treatment model. However, unlike this psychological trend, positive psychology has paid attention to prevent school violence and delinquency. Further, Positive psychologists have discovered not only to prevent problems but also to facilitate human strengths and virtues to live successful …


When Do Comprehensive Peacekeeping Operations Succeed? The Case Of The Un Observer Mission In El Salvador (Onusal) And The Un Verification Mission In Guatemala (Minugua), Sabrina Stein Jan 2012

When Do Comprehensive Peacekeeping Operations Succeed? The Case Of The Un Observer Mission In El Salvador (Onusal) And The Un Verification Mission In Guatemala (Minugua), Sabrina Stein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

United Nations (UN) Charter Article 42 authorizes the Security Council to take military action by air, sea or land if non-armed solutions fail to restore international peace and Article 43 states that UN members will keep troops and equipment available for the use of the Security Council. However, Article 43 never went into effect, leaving the UN without an alternative to diplomatic solutions. Canada’s UN representative, Lester Pearson Bowles, proposed instituting peacekeeping missions to address this handicap and Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold established a peacekeeping framework, which included: agreement from the Security Council, agreement by parties involved, readiness of UN …


Cross-Sector And Inter-Organizational Collaborative Capacity In Community Disaster Resilience And Sustainability: Evidence From Central Florida Counties, Fatih Demiroz Jan 2012

Cross-Sector And Inter-Organizational Collaborative Capacity In Community Disaster Resilience And Sustainability: Evidence From Central Florida Counties, Fatih Demiroz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the relationships between interorganizational network development and sustainability, organizational capacity for emergency management, technology utilization, and community disaster resiliency. It is proposed that cross sector and interorganizational collaboration (i.e., network development and sustainability), information communication technology (ICT) utilization, and organizational capacity have a positive impact on disaster resiliency. Disaster resiliency is measured with a three dimensional metric which includes effectiveness of disaster response, effectiveness of disaster recovery, and adaptive capacities. A questionnaire was sent to organizations that are part of the emergency management system in 11 counties in Central Florida. These organizations were identified by each county's …


The Continuing Anglican Metamorphosis: Introducing The Adapted Integrated Model, John L'Hommedieu Jan 2012

The Continuing Anglican Metamorphosis: Introducing The Adapted Integrated Model, John L'Hommedieu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to develop and test the Advanced Integrated Model, a typological model in the tradition of Weber’s interpretive sociology, as an asset in explaining recent transformations in American Episcopal-Anglican organizations. The study includes an assessment of the church-sect tradition in the sociology of religion and a summary overview of Weber’s interpretive sociology with special emphasis on the nature and construction of idealtypes and their use in analysis. To illustrate the effectiveness of the model a number of institutional rivalries confronting contemporary Episcopal-Anglican organizations are identified and shown to be explainable only from a sociological perspective …


The Impact Of Individual Perceptions Of The Fairness Of Public Affirmative Action Policy Statements On Attitudes Toward The Organization, Joseph Zaragoza Jan 2012

The Impact Of Individual Perceptions Of The Fairness Of Public Affirmative Action Policy Statements On Attitudes Toward The Organization, Joseph Zaragoza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research project was to explore differences in perceptions of organizational justice and related attitudes. Through the use of a 3 x 2 experimental design, participants were randomly assigned to groups in which they were exposed to a fictitious organization’s mock recruitment document publicizing different types of affirmative action programs and varying levels of information regarding the mechanics of such programs. Results did not demonstrate statistically significant differences across groups. Project implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.


Is Selective Mutism An Emotion Regulation Strategy For Children With Social Phobia? A Single Case Design Investigation, Samantha L. Scott Jan 2012

Is Selective Mutism An Emotion Regulation Strategy For Children With Social Phobia? A Single Case Design Investigation, Samantha L. Scott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To determine whether children with selective mutism (SM) withhold speech to regulate their emotional arousal and decrease automatic distress, the current study examines the behavioral and physiological responses of children with SM in comparison to children with social phobia (SP) and children with no psychiatric disorder (TD) as they participate in two social situations. A single case design strategy is used to compare behavioral and physiological responses both within and across groups. Examining the temporal sequencing of behaviors and physiology provides a direct test of the utility of emotion regulation theory as it pertains to children with social phobia/selective mutism. …


Development During Middle School: An Ecological-Transactional, Cross-Section Examination Of Early Adjustment, Rachel Susan White Jan 2012

Development During Middle School: An Ecological-Transactional, Cross-Section Examination Of Early Adjustment, Rachel Susan White

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized an ecological framework to investigate the types of variables that influence adolescent adjustment during middle school and how influences change or stay the same depending on grade level. A cross-sectional approach was taken in which students entering the beginning of their Sixth Grade year and students nearing the end of their Eighth Grade year were administered a comprehensive questionnaire including items about psychological adjustment, parenting characteristics, community support characteristics, ethnic identity, acculturation status, and socio-economic status. Findings suggest that Sixth and Eighth Graders’ experience of emotional and behavioral problems is influenced differently. This is particularly salient as …