Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Comparison Of High School Trainers And College Trainers Teaching A Preventive Approach To Child Abuse Program To High School Students, Sherilynn Yae Emiliano

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Many crisis intervention programs have been developed for child abuse but very few primary prevention programs exist. Teaching prospective parents to cope with aversive child behaviors might prevent the occurrence of child abuse later.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of using peer (high school students) and college students as trainers in a preventative approach to child abuse for high school students. It was proposed that peers would be better trainers because the trainees would be more likely to model their behavior and more at ease when asking the trainers questions. One hundred and thirty-four high …

The Assessment Of Social Skills Training With Delinquent Youths And Comparison Of Peer Versus Adult Trainers, Anne Gordon-Costello

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Juvenile delinquency is a prevalent problem in many communities. Social learning theory suggests that delinquent behavior results from inadequate learning experiences, negative parent and peer models, and peer reinforcement for aggressive and other delinquent behavior. Since youths are often confronted with strong negative influences (parents, peers), the study and promotion of social skills training programs which provide youths with constructive tools for handling difficult situations seems of great importance. To enhance generalization of social skill training with delinquents, the effect of positive peer influence on these youths also seems worthy of examination.

The aim of this study was to evaluate …

Teaching Complex Skills In A Psi Psychology Course, Robert Alan Kutner

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) is designed to individualize instruction based on traditional learning theories. Students are required to demonstrate mastery before advancing to new material. A self-pacing feature allows students to dictate their rate of progress. Compared to lecture-discussion instruction, PSI courses have demonstrated superior examination performance as well as increased ratings of course quality. However, studies have been criticized for testing only basic skills while ignoring more complex processes. In this research project, the PSI study guides were designed to emphasize complex processes and mastery test and review examination questions reflected increased item-level complexity. Results showed that …

An Experimental Analysis Of Generative Manding In Preschool Children, W. Guy Tidwell

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the development of mands for missing objects. Two female children and two male children (ranging from 2 years, 1 month to 3 years, 5 months) were selected on the basis of screening probes that indicated an absence of manding. A mand probe consisted of instructions to complete a response chain when one of the needed objects was missing. For every response chain, each child was:. (a) taught to label (tact) the objects, (b) then taught to use the objects in reinforced response chains, and (c) then given mand probes for the stimuli just trained.

Results for all …

Teaching Smoking Refusal Skills To Adolescents, Christine M. Robisch

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of a smoking prevention program on the acquisition of refusal skills in junior high school students. Sixty-three seventh graders were randomly assigned to a refusal skill training group (N=29) or a no treatment control group (N=34). Students' refusal skill performance was assessed pre and post training. Assessment consisted of a peer trainer offering the student a cigarette while being videotaped. The smoking refusal skill was broken down into 5 component parts: (1) eye contact; (2) upright posture; (3) voice intonation; (4) response to approach; (5) reason for refusal. Results showed significant improvement for both the …

Tutorials For Software : A Comparison Of The Appleworks Software Tutorial With Pre-Entered Data And An Experimental Tutorial With User Entered Data, Toni L. Steil

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The attention directed toward computer software research has been sparse which is quite evident in particular facets such as learning methods, specifically towards tutorials. Some authors have identified various important issues which include cognitive factors, reduction of presentation of superfluous information, and the importance of interaction with software and hardware. The present . study examined two tutorials which were similar except in their level of required user behaviors. Tutorial A required only user manipulation of disk stored data. Tutorial B required the user to enter the data into the computer, design the screen format, and then to manipulate it. It …

The Effects Of Performance Feedback And Emg Biofeedback Contingency On Self-Perceptions, Laurey R. Simkin

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The present study investigated the generalized effects of performance feedback (high and noncontingent) on self-perceptions of self-esteem, self-control, locus of control, sessions of EMG Biofeedback training, and 2 weeks of monitoring their study habits. Overall, the results indicated that subjects receiving high biofeedback contingency received, reported enhanced (a) self-esteem. (b) attributions related to biofeedback performance, and (c) improvement in the studying behaviors monitored These findings were so correlated with actual ENG reduction. The major implications of the study suggest that perceptions of success at and low success) and EMG biofeedback (contingent self-efficacy, and a naturalistic self-control task. The relationship between …

Reduction Of Stuttering In Adult Males Using Relaxed Breathing And Emg Biofeedback : A Masters Thesis ..., Victor F. Corsiglia

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The present study trained three adult male stutterers to increase speech fluency using relaxed breathing and a-x; biofeedback. A one group time-series design with 2 treatments was used. After an initial baseline phase (A) all 3 subjects received a relaxed breathing procedure (B), followed by a combined procedure featuring relaxed breathing and EMG biofeedback (BC). Results indicated that after 8 sessions stuttering was reduced by 19.1% from baseline levels across the 3 subjects. Despite these promising results , however, methodological questions in the baseline phase make conclusions regarding a clear relationship between the variables tentative.

The Relationship Of Exercise And Diet To Total Cholesterol And High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol College Age Males And Females, William F. Rothschild

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries and is defined as a form of arteriosclerosis in which fatty lesions called atheromatous plaques form on the intima of arteries. The formation of these plaques begins early, within the first two decades of life, and may be started by damage to the endothelial cells and intima of the artery walls (Guyton, 1981). A number of factors may cause the initial damage, including physical abrasion of the endothelium, abnormal substances in the blood or pulsating arterial pressure on the vessel wall (Guyton, 1981).

There is a growing body of epidemiologic, genetic, experimental, and …

Stimulus Control : A Coding Of Aversive Stimuli And Aggressive Behavior, John L. Kinch

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Treating aggressive behavior has been of interest to psychologists, sociologists, and law enforcement agencies for many years. Eron (1983) concluded that research should be directed towards understanding the early determinants of aggression before it escalates out of control. The purpose of the present study was to code aversive stimuli that precede aggressive behavior in boys. The following classes were used: Physically Aversive Stimuli, Verbally Aversive Stimuli, Socially Aversive Stimuli, Frustrating Stimuli, Neutral or No Stimuli, and Arguments. It was believed that particular stimuli would facilitate a greater frequency of aggressive behavior in the subjects. Observation revealed that physically aversive stimuli …

A Sensory Analysis Of Self-Injurious Behavior, Cris Thomas Clay

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The present study was designed to investigate the role of sensory extinction and sensory reinforcement in the moti- vation of self-injurious behavior. The intervention was based on the assumption that each subject's SIB behavior was motivated by the sensory consequences of the behavior. A pre- assessment phase was used to select appropriate sensory ex- tinction devices and sensory reinforcing toys, although no appropriate sensory toys could be identified. Thus, treat- ment consisted solely of sensory extinction using a reversal design. Results showed that the sensory extinction devices reduced tactile stimulation of face slapping and pica for two developmentally disabled adults. …

The Assessment Of Peer Social Acceptance And Social Behavior Of Type A Children, Constance Lynne Cappas

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted in order to extend the generalizability of a previous study CCappas et al., 1985) that examined the social acceptance of Type A children. One hundred and ninety-six 1 fourth, fifth, and sixth grade children from two public schools were classified as Type A or Type B based on teacher ratings on the Matthews Youth Test for Health (Matthews & Angulo, 1980). Students and teachers then assessed the level of social acceptance of each child. Lastly, behavioral observations were conducted on ~0 of these students. Results indicated that, similar to the prior study, Type A children were …