Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Ua52/1 Out Of The Box, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Records

Newsletter created by and about WKU Archives, the records management program and TopScholar administration.

Anxiety Patterns In Gifted Adolescents From Parents' Perspectives, Felicia Moreschi

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study explores the connection between giftedness and anxiety. Families of gifted adolescents were invited to participate in a survey to identify themes of anxiety within the school and home settings. The Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale, parent report (Spence, 1999) was used as the survey instrument. A total of 18 participants responded. Several themes were revealed based on the responses to questions on the survey. The themes that emerged have been identified as patterns of anxiety, including separation anxiety, physical injury fears, and social anxiety.

The Impact Of Teacher Perception Of Gifted Individuals On The Instruction Of Gifted Students, Justin Moreschi

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study explores the impact of teacher perception on the instruction and identification of gifted students. All certified teachers in a local elementary school were invited to complete a survey addressing the state of gifted training opportunities and personal perceptions of giftedness in multiple capacities. Results from the survey led to the discussion of four themes: the support for gifted students in the traditional classroom, the amount of professional training for teachers, the identification of gifted students, and the fact that all teachers impact gifted students and their instruction.

Autherine Lucy & The University Of Alabama Integration At U Of A 1952-1956, Tamera Lott

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the University of Alabama was chartered in 1820 and is Alabama’s oldest public university. Prior to 1956, the University was segregated; admission was limited to white men and women. On February 3, 1965, Miss Autherine Lucy stepped foot on campus for the first time to attend classes at the University; history was made as she was the first African American present. Lucy’s attendance stirred conflict throughout campus and the state of Alabama. Unbeknownst to many, Lucy’s attendance garnered both national and international attention. The central argument here is that Lucy’s experiences at ...

The Prevalence Of Mirror Gazing Behaviors In Men, Rutuja Pramod Chinchankar

Dissertations

Muscle Dysmorphia is when the individual is preoccupied with the idea that his or her body build is too small or insufficiently muscular. This study looked at the distinct criteria of MD, which is persistently and obsessively checking one’s appearance in the mirror and being dissatisfied with it. It studied the reasons behind these repetitive mirror-gazing behaviors. This study also attempted to understand the effect of an individual’s age, educational background, religious orientation, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status on his predisposition to MD via mirror-gazing behaviors. This study used a qualitative research design. Part I of the study ...

Do You Believe What You Know?: A Quantitative Analysis Of Sexual Education, Sexual Consent, And Rape Myth Acceptance In College Student Attitudes And Actions, Julie Sisler

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Sexual education has long been a heavily debated topic, particularly in relation to appropriateness and effectiveness. The subject is further muddled by the difficulty of effectively addressing sexual consent and sexual assault in sexual education. The topics have garnered additional attention in today’s society, but remain ambiguous and complex. This quantitative thesis sought to examine the relationships between sexual education, sexual consent, and sexual assault, focusing specifically on college populations. Through surveying 445 college students using the Updated Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (IRMA), Sexual Consent Scale (SCS-R), and Affirmative Sexual Consent Situational Knowledge Scale, connections between attitudes and actions ...

Lifetime Cannabis Use Is Associated With Suicidal Ideation And Non-Suicidal Self Injury, Diamonde Mccollum, Katie Moskal, Jenni Teeters

Student Research Conference Select Presentations

Poster regarding cannabis use.

The current study hypothesized lifetime cannabis use frequency would be linked to greater risk of lifetime suicidal ideation, lifetime suicide attempts and lifetime non-suicidal self injury.

Shifting Identities: Professorial Identification During Covid-19, Anthony Survance

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Building on existing studies of identification, this paper melds crisis research with studies of identity to understand how crises influence workplace identities. To accomplish this, the study addresses two research questions: (a) How are professors’ identities enacted during the COVID-19 crisis? And, how, if at all, does university rhetoric shape the enactment of identity during the COVID-19 crisis? This paper uses qualitative methods to get rich descriptions of professorial identities allowing research to get at the heart of how changes during the pandemic affected professors’ organizational, personal, professional, and workgroup identities. Overall, this study shows the pandemic encouraged professors to ...

The Effects Of Imperfect Top-Down Selection On The Accuracy Of The Direct Range Restriction Adjustment, Alma Treon

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Accurate assessment of the effectiveness of personnel psychology functions is vital to the field. Many personnel decisions are made based on correlations between predictor variables and measures of job performance; however, those correlations are often affected by range restriction. As encountered in applied practice, range restriction weakens the strength of the correlation. Equations exist to correct for the effects of range restriction on correlations; these equations are widely accepted and used by Industrial-Organizational psychologists today. This study expands on research by Hall (2016), which examined the accuracy of the direct range restriction correction equation provided by Thorndike (1949) under varying ...

Ua52/1 Out Of The Box, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Records

Newsletter created by and about WKU Archives and the records management program.

Reflections On Professional Development: An Autoethnographic Study In Theories Of Practice, Sara Elizabeth Jennings

Dissertations

This autoethnographic project extends the work of Argyris and Schön (1974); Houchens (2008); Houchens and Keedy (2009); Houchens, Hurt, Stobaugh, & Keedy (2012); and Houchens, Stewart, and Jennings (2017) by replicating an experiment in reflective practice using a self-coaching protocol as a means for mapping one’s own theories of practice. Relying on selfreflexivity to study professional learning in a culture of school reform, the author used Argyris and Schon’s (1974) theories of practice as a conceptual framework by adapting a self-coaching protocol (Houchens, 2008; Houchens et al., 2012; Houchens et al., 2017) and pairing it with selfobservations of video-recorded instructional coaching ...

A Monte Carlo Analysis Of Seven Dichotomous Variable Confidence Interval Equations, Morgan Juanita Dubose

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Department of Psychological Sciences Western Kentucky University There are two options to estimate a range of likely values for the population mean of a continuous variable: one for when the population standard deviation is known and another for when the population standard deviation is unknown. There are seven proposed equations to calculate the confidence interval for the population mean of a dichotomous variable: normal approximation interval, Wilson interval, Jeffreys interval, Clopper-Pearson, Agresti-Coull, arcsine transformation, and logit transformation. In this study, I compared the percent effectiveness of each equation using a Monte Carlo analysis and the interval range over a range ...

Black Women Vice Presidents Of Student Affairs At Community Colleges Leadership Pathways And Barriers, Danielle Sims Brooks

Dissertations

This study explored the lived experiences of five Black women Vice Presidents of Student Affairs (VPSAs) at community colleges through narrative inquiry to get a better understanding of the strategies Black women deploy to be successful as well as the challenges and barriers they must navigate. Data was analyzed from a purposeful sample of five Black women VPSAs to get a better understanding of the experiences of Black women executive leaders in higher education. Participants shared many similarities in their educational and professional backgrounds in higher education by their experiences with leading and developing essential areas in student affairs. Findings ...

Applying The Circumplex Model To The Examination Of Job Stress, Emily Jade Andrulonis

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study investigated job stress as a dynamic phenomenon and the possibility of job stress spin. The concept of spin is typically associated with affect and examined using the Circumplex Model of Affect. In an effort to better assess job stress, the circumplex model was adapted to reflect the dynamic nature of job stress. One preexisting data set is utilized in this study. In the sample, burnout was collected once using the Oldenberg 15-item Burnout Inventory; experiences of job stress were also collected once using the Stanton measure of work stress. Two items, pumped and excited, were added in the ...

People Remember Liked Political Policies As Having Been Attributed To Their Own Party, Dalton Thomas Bailey

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A robust finding in psychology shows that people tend to like information more when it supports their existing beliefs, or comes from their own ingroup, a finding known as motivated reasoning. These findings are especially prominent in a political context. Quite consistently, research suggests people increase their liking of political information like political policies when they are attributed to their own party. What is unknown, however, is if people also tend to attribute personally liked information to their own party. These studies were conducted to investigate this question.

Two, within-subjects studies were conducted. In both, participants (undergraduate students) saw various ...

An Investigation Of Perceived Authenticity Of Diversity And Black Lives Matter Statements And Their Influence On Applicant Attractiveness, Shelby Nicole Davis

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) (i.e., organizations’ diversity and social justice [Black Lives Matter] statements) influences applicant attractiveness to organizations. Using Fortune-500 companies’ diversity and Black Lives Matter statements as indicators of CSR activities, I examined the relationship between CSR activities, perceived authenticity, organizational attractiveness, and person-organization fit. It was hypothesized that diversity statements that specifically mention race and actions taken to promote diverse workplaces (i.e., strong) will be seen as authentic and those organizations will be the most attractive. Additionally, it was hypothesized that social Black Lives Matter (BLM) statements that specifically mention systemic racism/ racial inequality and ...

Investigating If Changes In Cannabis Expectancies Mediate Driving After Cannabis Use Intervention Outcomes, Sarah Nicole Elder

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Driving after cannabis use (DACU) has become an increasing public health concern specifically for the states that have legalized cannabis use. In a 2018 survey, 4.7% of U.S. residents reported driving while impaired by cannabis (Azofeifa et al., 2019). Previous research suggests that several skills are impaired following cannabis use, such as increased lane weaving, slowed reaction time, and distorted perceptions about external stimuli. This effect was seen to extend to frequent cannabis users who also demonstrated driving impairments despite heightened cannabis tolerance (Hartman & Huestis, 2013). With the increase in DACU it is crucial to understand the factors that lead to DACU. Several studies have demonstrated that peer norms surrounding DACU, perceptions of consequences, perceptions of dangerousness, and effect expectancies contribute to the decision to engage in DACU (McCarthy et al., 2007; Darke et al., 2004; King et al., 2020). However, it is still unclear which ...

An Examination Of The Antecedents And Outcomes Of Diversity Initiative Fatigue, Kennedy London Hammonds

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of my study is to examine the relationship between attitudes toward Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), cynicism towards organizational change, diversity initiative fatigue, and unit diversity climate. It was hypothesized that negative attitudes toward BIPOC will be associated with cynicism toward organizational change and diversity initiative fatigue will mediate that relationship. It was also hypothesized that unit diversity climate will moderate the relationship between negative attitudes toward BIPOC and diversity initiative fatigue and moderate the relationship between negative attitudes toward BIPOC and cynicism toward organizational change. To examine these relationships, a survey was distributed to WKU ...

Ua12/2/2 Talisman: Illuminate, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Archives Records

Spring 2022 Talisman:

• Brant, Jess. Illumninate
• Johnson, Grant
• Shackelford, Ali & Raegan Steffey. The Land Before Western - Native Americans
• Quinn, Jack. Through the Light - Theatre & Dance
• Wilson, Gabby. Team Edward or Team Jacob? Is My Kind of Hymn
• Johnston, Rhiannon. Dusk to Dawn
• Plescia, Audrey. Molten Masterpiece - Art
• Richer, Cailyn. When They Shine - Light of Chance, Inc.
• Polston, Weather. The Mantis
• Spears, Kayla. Healing Within - Eating Disorders
• Dobelstein, Maya. Waste Not, Want Not - Environmentalists
• Crask, bethany. Egg Roll In a Bowl - Recipe
• Gore, Abbey. By Hand
• Story, Miriam. The People's Princess - Princess Diana
• Steffy, Raegan. Horoscopes
• Playlist

An Examination Of Mentoring As An Intervention For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Candace Michele Bone

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Despite evidence demonstrating that mentoring may be an effective intervention for neurotypical students, there is limited literature investigating the impact of mentoring on outcomes for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Using a comprehensive review of the available literature, the present specialist project provides a summary of available mentoring literature which implemented mentoring programs with students on the autism spectrum. After eliminating irrelevant literature from an initial search, a small sample of relevant articles were reviewed (N = 8). These studies demonstrated that ASD mentoring programs are often limited in scope to higher functioning young adults. Additionally, the reviewed articles most ...

A Monte Carlo Analysis Of Standard Error-Based Methods In The Construction Of Standard Error Of Difference Bandwidths, Diljot Singh Kochhar

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study is to examine the if the standard error of estimate (SEE) is more effective than the standard error of measurement (SEM) when used in the construction of use the standard error of the difference (SED)-based bandwidths. It was hypothesized that the standard error of estimate would be a more effective equation to use than the standard error or measurement because it allows for the estimation of a range of true scores around an observed score instead of the opposite scenario. To examine the effectiveness of the equations, a Monte Carlo analysis was employed to ...

Ua45/6 Commencement Program, Wku Registrar

WKU Archives Records

Combined fall 2021 and spring 2022 commencement programs.

"They Will Change The Situation Immediately": Perpetrator Subgroups And Germany's Genocidal Practices In Southwest Africa, James Michael Thaxton

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The genocide of the Herero tribe in German Southwest Africa illuminates the horrors of colonialism broadly and of German settler colonialism more specifically. I contend that the perpetrators of this event can be separated into two broad subgroups, the Old Africans and the Metropole Soldiers, distinguished by their intentions, exploitative and exterminatory respectively, concerning the indigenous tribes. Those intentions were formed over varying lengths of time but are the result of either firsthand experience with the racial hierarchy in the colony or relying on information and misinformation relayed to the metropole. Utilizing primarily letters, diaries, journals, and postcards, I argue ...

Ua94/6 Wku Pershing Rifles Company B-3 Vietnam Timeline, Doug Verdier

Student/Alumni Personal Papers

Timeline of Vietnam War events 1963-1975 experienced by Pershing Rifles members compiled by Doug Verdier.

Ua94/6 Company B 3rd Regiment Pershing Rifles Wku 1960s, Doug Verdier

Student/Alumni Personal Papers

Personal narratives of members of the Pershing Rifles compiled by Doug Verdier.

Ua1c11/119 Douglas Verdier Photo Collection, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Digital images of members of WKU Pershing Rifles.

Promoting A Walk/Run Event To Expand Services For Individuals With Disabilities, Mckenzie Rodgers

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex (CEC) at WKU provides services to many individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorders and other developmental delays and disabilities. As a nonprofit organization, the clinic relies heavily on donations and fundraisers as sources of income. One of the CEC’s primary fundraisers is the annual LifeSkills Run/Walk for Autism. This event is held each April during autism awareness month, at the Bowling Green Ballpark, providing an opportunity for the community to support the clinic in an enjoyable way.

For an honors capstone experience, the author promoted the 15th annual LifeSkills Run ...

A Descriptive Study: Perceptions Of Family Court Judges And Attorneys Regarding Parents Involved With Child Welfare Services As A Result Of Substance Misuse And/Or Mental Health Issues, Nathan Terrell

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

For three consecutive years, Kentucky has dealt with the worst rates of child maltreatment in the United States. Kentucky has implemented numerous measures to address this crisis. While many research efforts have focused on perceptions of children involved with child welfare services, there are few efforts researching the perception of judges and lawyers about parents involved with family court services.

This study used a mixed-methods approach to explore the perceptions of Kentucky Family Court Judges and family law attorneys about parental involvement with child welfare services as a result of substance misuse and/or mental health issues. The qualitative component ...

Understanding Public Support For Foreign Aid: A Cross-National Analysis, Erika Manning

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This thesis examines how public support for bilateral foreign aid in democratic donor countries, namely the United States and South Korea, is influenced by various methods of policy framing. Despite the benefits of bilateral aid to both donor and recipient countries, public support for distributing it has been on the decline due to fears that aid is ineffective. However, this trend may also be the product of the publics’ perceptions of where aid is going and for what purpose. To determine the effects of type of aid and perceptions of recipient countries on support for foreign aid, I conducted a ...

Will The Real News Reporters Please Stand Up?: A Study Of Bias In The Media, Hannah Claussen

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The goal of my project is to define what news media bias is and examine its history and the effects it currently has on our country and democracy. I will examine its electoral effects as well as how media bias has contributed to lower trust in the news media as a whole.

My project will consist of a general news story on the subject of media bias; a smaller news story focusing on the history of media bias and public perception of the press; an abbreviated research paper on newspaper endorsements and their efficacy in a modern news landscape; and ...