Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Effect Of The 2000 Election On Low-Income African American Voters, Barbara Compton Abney

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research answers the question, "What impact did the 2000 election have on low-income African American voters and how will it affect turnout in future elections?"

The analysis focuses on the predominantly black, low-income community of Parramore and examine issues of efficacy related to the 2000 presidential election and beyond. The analysis consists of survey distributed through various community service agencies and conducted door-to-door in Parramore. Respondents were asked a series of questions related to past voter participation, trust in government, the fairness of the 2000 election and perceived future participation. The responses of the survey were compiled into a …

Three Surveys On Adult Esol Pronunciation: Teachers, Students, Textbooks, Hortensia Louro Bernal

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This study used three instruments to examine the current state of the teaching of ESOL pronunciation. These instruments included a survey of 62 teachers, another survey of 508 ESOL students, and a comparative study of ten pronunciation textbooks in widespread use since 1990. The purpose of the study was to characterize the teaching of pronunciation at present through the voices of the teachers, the opinions of the students, and the content of the textbooks. The study also identified the approaches and types of activities being proposed by the experts and recommended additional activities as well as a rationale for their …

A Multivariate Approach To The Dynamic Of Violence Within Intimate Relationships: An Application Of Theory Of Coercive Power In Exchange, Giovanna Gianesini

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This study, drawing from theories of structural power and exchange, verified the hypotheses that the mechanisms, dynamics, and direction of violence in intimate relationships depends on the resources of each partner, the ratio of such resources, and their summative effects. Specifically, this study developed a framework that integrates the factors found related to domestic violence and defined as resources, and took into account their reward power, with reference to the status quo of the partners, to determine each partner's power within the relationship. The resources considered have included variables from four domains, individual, relational, social structural, and sociocultural. Existing gender-based …

Parent Childrearing Beliefs And Child Externalizing Behaviors In Families Of Adhd And Odd Children, June E. Hoefling

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between the perceived externalizing behaviors of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and the maladaptive childrearing beliefs of their parents. The study used archival survey data provided by Intervention Services, Inc., a community mental health center. Data from 338 families with a child diagnosed with ADHD or ODD were analyzed. The study used the Conners' Parent Behavior Rating Scale short version to measure the level of conduct problems, impulsivity, and hyperactivity of the children as perceived by the parents. The Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory was used to measure the degree of parental …

Tender Offer Outcome Prediction Based Upon Efficient Market Hypothesis, James I. Montgomery

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A significant portion of firms' capital expenditures in the recent past have been accomplished through the acquisition of the assets of other firms by tender offers. While the majority of tender offers are successful, a significant number of tender offers fail for various reasons. The accurate prediction of the success or failure of a tender offer would provide investors with valuable information upon which to base their investment decisions. The target firm shareholders could use the information as a base for their tendering decision. For the abitrageur, a predictive model would reduce the uncertainty associated with their investment activity and, …

Reexamining Argumentativeness And Resistance To Persuasion, Matina Suzanne Vourvopoulos

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A recently developed receiver characteristic, argumentativeness, was examined for its relations to attitude change and information processing in persuasive communication. Generally thought to be a flowed personality trait, argumentativeness is currently being regarded in communication studies as a beneficial personality trait that correlates with other qualities such as high grade point average, dynamism in speech, achievement orientation, competitiveness and leadership behavior. This study examined the effect of argumentativeness on persuasion. It was predicted that high argumentative would be more resistant to persuasion, yet the findings show that, with a strong message, high argumentative are more likely to be persuaded by …

The Cry-Wolf Phenomenon And Its Effect On Alarm Responses, James P. Bliss

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Responses to alarms are assumed important. Yet failure to respond to alarms is recognized, although is not well understood or quantified. Conditions that might induce a failure to respond include alarm unreliability (i.e., numerous false alarms, the "cry-wolf" effect), high primary task demand, or low criticality of the alarm itself. The goals of this research were to substantiate the existence of the cry-wolf effect, quantifying its effect on operator performance, and to examine the relation between the cry-wolf effect and alarm criticality. One hundred thirty-eight UCF students alternatively performed two primary tasks, chosen from the Automated Performance Test System. Subjects …

College Students' Perceptions Of Parental Sexuality, Nancy L. Janisz

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Pocs and Godow (1977) published research results indicating that college students experienced difficulty in considering their parents as sexual beings. The results of the present study were based on responses of 330 college students to a questionnaire authored by the examiner. Results were compared to Pocs and Godow's results, and research data from Kinsey (1948, 1953) and Hunt (1972), which presented the reported frequencies of sexual activities of the parent-aged population. The comparisons suggest that although estimates of the subjects in the current study were higher in all areas than in the Pocs and Godow data, today's college students still …

Newspaper Endorsements : How Editorial Writers View Their Influence, Lisa Ferguson Lochridge

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Personality Variables Mediating Change In Concern Toward Environmental Issues, John Mark Davis

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Researchers have for several decades examined the relationships between personality and demographic variables, pro-environmental behaviors, and level of concern toward environmental problems. In this study, personality and selected demographic variables contributing to an increase in concern toward environmental issues were examined. Subjects included 79 females and 46 males with a mean age of 22.5 years who were enrolled in undergraduate courses at the University of Central Florida. During the first session, information concerning personality and demographic variables was obtained and subjects completed Weigel and Weigel's (1978) Ecological Concern Scale (ECS). During the second session, experimental group subjects viewed a video …

The Effect Of A Pet's Presence Upon Anxiety During A Simulated Clinical Interview, Kenneth G. Weigand

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Recognizing the importance of evolutionary parallels between humans and other animals, researchers make use of animals to better the understanding of people in various fields of study, such as history, ecology, medicine, psychology, and sociology (Levinson, 1978). Boris Levinson (1962) was an early advocate for the inclusion of pets in psychotherapeutic intervention. His theories have been frequently cited in research that has attempted to define the possible benefits associated with utilizing pets as an adjunct in the treatment of disturbed populations. The results of studies with varied populations indicate that a pet's presences can lower a person's anxiety level, positively …

The Relationship Of Corporate Fitness To Absenteeism And Health Care Cost, Shawn J. Mcgahey

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Interest in corporate fitness is increasing. In this study, absenteeism rates and health care costs were measured for 12 months before and 12 months after implementation of a corporate fitness class. It was hypothesized that those who participate in the fitness program would have lower absenteeism rates and health care costs. It was also hypothesized that lifestyle factors would be significantly related to the decision to participate in the fitness program and to absenteeism.

Results showed no significant relationship between program participation and absenteeism. Also, it was found that average health care costs were lower before the program intervention and …

Toward An Annotated Catalog For Use In Communication Research, Gabe H. Kaimowitz

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Gatekeeping And Coorientation, Do They Mix?: / A Three-Way Analysis Of A Business Journal, Sheryl Anne Tumlin

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Leader Sex And Task Orientation: An Information Processing Perspective, Thomas Arthur Buhr

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The role of leadership and its effect on small group function and efficiency has led to a wealth of research data. Of particular importance to the real world outside the laboratory and the classroom are the leadership variables of sex and task orientation. In the last two decades, women have assumed more leadership positions in the business and political world than at any other time in the past (White, De Sanctis & Crino, 1981). In addition, there has been a call to examine the many different ways a leader can approach the group to accomplish a task (Fiedler, 1978). Two …

A Case Study In Rumor Transmission Based On The Leo Frank Case, George Mark Jackson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the process of rumor transmission in an historical context. The basis was a case study of the Leo Frank incident. The editorials of Populist editor Tom Watson, written during Frank's appeal and commutation, were tested for emotional intensity. Significant findings tended to support the anxiety component of the Rosnow/Fine model for rumor transmission. The study was limited as there was no control condition without anxiety.

Inoculation Theory: Motivation Mechanism Vs. Attack Credibility As Mediators Of Resistance To Persuasion, Peter F. Cranis

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Feasibility Of Computerized Cognitive Testing As A Surrogate Measure For Assessment Center Performance, Leilani M. De Saram

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The use of microcomputerized cognitive testing of personnel has thus far been limited to military and environmental stressor applications. The investigation of such testing as a substitute for assessment center performance represents a novel application of this technology. An examination of the relationship between performance on a cognitive test battery and assessment center performance was conducted.

A battery of selected microcomputerized tests measuring cognitive constructs was administered to assessment center candidates in law enforcement occupations. Contrary to expectations, the computerized cognitive measurements did not exhibit significant correlations with assessment center performance measures. It was speculated that the two measures assessed …

Escalation: A Closer Look At Allocation Decisions, David A. Hofmann

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The escalation of commitment to a particular course of action has, in the past eleven years, become an increasingly popular area for research in the psychological aspects of decision making. The major question posed by this line of research is: "Does an individual become so committed to a particular course of action that he/she can no longer analyze the situation objectively and, consequently, makes irrational decisions to continue investing when such activity is no longer advisable?" Staw (1981) states that the escalation phenomenon can occur when an individual becomes overly committed to a chosen course of action. He adds that …

Mandate For Fear Appeal Research: A Clearer Perspective, Elizabeth Cheney Michel

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The fear appeal is one of the most prevalent types of persuasion evident in society. A great percentage of advertising bases its success on "an appeal calculated to elicit anxiety on the part of the listener" (Miller, 1963, p. 117). Children have been reared on its admonitions. Nearly every American is by now familiar with the Surgeon General's Warning. The recent AIDS epidemic has prompted a highly consequential use of this appeal. If the effectuality of everyday fear persuasions can be left to chance, choice, or Mother Nature, this last lethal onslaught demands immediate attention from the communication community. An …

Effects Of Informed Consent On Client Behaviors And Attitudes In A Pro-Life Pregnancy Counseling Center, Kathryn Lynn Mardirosian

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Although current professional and public opinion support the right of the client to make an informed decision about entering and continuing in a psychotherapy or counseling relationship, research studying the effects of informed consent on client behaviors and attitudes in the medical, research, and mental health fields has resulted in equivocal findings. This study looked at the effects of an informed consent procedure on client behaviors and attitudes in a pro-life pregnancy counseling center where the center's primary goal is to reduce the number of abortion decisions among clients. Thirty of the center's clients (Experimental Group) were given an Informed …

Assessment Of The English Comprehension Level Test As A Predictor Of Success In Navy Recruit Training, Carla M. French

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

As of 1980, the total population of persons of Spanish origin in the United States was 14,609,000, or 6.4%, with over 2,000,000 of them Puerto Rican (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1983). Thousands of Hispanics are coming into the U.S. every year, both legally and illegally. They are the second largest minority in the U.S., and if growth continues at the current rate, they may outnumber Blacks by the year 2020 (Davis, Haub, & Willette, 1983).

Sense Of Humor And Social Anxiety, James E. Fischer

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In utilizing humorous intervention within the psychotherapeutic milieu, researchers have indicated that there is a relationship between an individual's sense of humor and stressful emotions, specifically anxiety. However, the nature of this relationship is uncertain. While some scientists propose a direct relationship between humor and anxiety, others hypothesize an inverse relationship. This study was designed to investigate this relationship, hypothesizing that the greater an individual's sense of humor, the more likely the individual would experience anxiety in social situations. The subjects were 143 male and female undergraduates. These volunteers were administered the Situational Humor Response Questionnaire (SHRQ) and the Interaction …

Evaluation Of A Support Group For Parents Who Have A Sexually Abused Child, Mark A. Winton

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the effectiveness of a Parent Support Group for parents who have a child who has been sexually abused. Twenty-seven pa rents completed pre- and post-evaluation packages to assess the effectiveness of the group. The Louisville Behavior Checklist, the Mother-Child Relationship Eva l uation, the Parenting Stress Index, an educational assessment form and a subjective evaluation using content analysis were used to test several hypotheses. The results indicated that there were significant decreases in the children's dysfunctional behaviors and an increase of the number of correct answers on the educational assessment. The subjective evaluation appeared to indicate that …

Behavioral Problems Among Sexually Abused And Nonabused Children, Kelli B. Mills

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the level of social competency and presence of behavioral problems associated with young sexually abused children ages 4 to 8, as compared to those among a comparable sample of nonabused young children. Thirty-two parents or guardians, 16 in each group, completed the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist for each child. Characteristics of the abuse were addressed on an additional questionnaire. Data was collected on 12 female and 4 male children in each group. The results indicated that the amount and severity of behavior problems was greater and social competency levels were lower among the sexually abused children than …

Self Confrontation Versus The Cosby Show's Effect On Young And Old Adolescent's Value Systems, Cathy A. Sauer

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Death Anxiety Among Older Adults As A Function Of The Christian Faith With Specific Reference To The Experience Of Being "Born Again", Wendy E. Holland

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Sixty male and female subjects between the ages of 60 to 84 years were administered three questionnaires concerning death anxiety, religiosity, and life satisfaction. Data were collected and analyzed by Pearson r correlation as well as by multiple regression analysis.

Findings included those subjects considering themselves to be "born again" Christians scored significantly lower on the death anxiety scale than did those respondents considering themselves Christian, but not "born again." Subjects considering themselves to be non-Christian/Other did not correlate significantly with death anxiety. Life satisfaction was not a significant predictor of death anxiety. Subjects indicating more conservative/fundamentalist denominational affiliations indicated …

Utility Analysis: Estimating The Sdy Parameter For Accounting Supervisors, Terry P. Brownson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Personnel decisions have the potential to influence an entire organization. The effects of these decisions are more credible and relevant when quantified. Historically, benefits were defined in correlational statistics, i.e., validity coefficients. But the increasing demand is for a bottom-line or dollar-value definition. The utility concept presents a methodology for providing the dollar value impact on performance of a personnel intervention program. One parameter of a utility analysis model is the standard deviation of job performance in dollars (SDy). This research develops a SDy value for the yearly production contribution of a first level line accounting supervisor to be used …

Initiation Of Sexual Behavior In The Marital Relationship, Nancy Roberts-Cruce

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

While traditional beliefs and some research show that men have been more likely than women to initiate sexual activity, recent research indicates that traditional patterns of sexual initiation may be changing especially for married couples. Also, patterns of initiation seem to be related to sexual satisfaction. Specifically, women who always take the initiative and those who never do are the least satisfied with their sex lives. Conversely, those wives who initiate sex half the time are very happy with their sex lives. Since it appears that initiation of sexual activity is related to satisfaction with sex, information regarding why a …

Vasectomy: A Literature Review With Implications For Pre-Vasectomy Counseling, Annette Thrift Wing

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.