Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Designing International Institutions For Global Security, Rupayan Gupta

Fall 2012 Faculty Showcase

This talk focuses on the challenges inherent in designing international institutions for global security. The area of inquiry is interdisciplinary in nature, incorporating insights from economics, international relations, and mathematics (game theory). It is argued that this line of research would benefit from greater incorporation of techniques from bargaining theory and mechanism design. An agenda is proposed for interdisciplinary collaboration and some interesting results are presented from author’s published and ongoing research.

Public Speaking Catch Phrase: Reinforcing Good Public Speaking Skills Through An Interactive In-Class Gaming Experience, Rannie Teodoro

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Public Speaking Catch Phrase is an interactive in-classroom game derived out of the word guessing party game, Catch Phrase. Public Speaking Catch Phrase intends to make students aware of their communication habits and to develop and reinforce good public speaking skills. Speakers, or “clue-givers,” from two teams will alternate turns and deliver clues to get their team to say the words displayed on the electronic game device. However, students must follow “rules” promoting good public speaking practices in order to receive points. This includes maximizing metaphors and punctuation with gestures, and minimizing non-words (e.g., “um,” “uh,” “er”) and fluency disruptions …

Misunderstood: The Matthew Shepherd Hate Crime And Its Intercultural Implications, Cameron Muir

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

The increasing vocalization by both supporters and opponents of homosexual rights has launched the topic into the spotlight, reenergizing a vibrant discussion that personally affects millions of Americans and which will determine the direction in which U.S. national policy will develop. This essay serves as a continuation of this discussion, using the Matthew Shepherd Hate crime, which occurred in October of 1998, as a focal point around which a detailed analysis of homophobia and masculinity in American culture will emerge.

In Or Out? Experiential Learning And Three Consequences Of Communicating Group Identity, Anastacia Kurylo, Kelli Coghill, Katrina Comber, Fernando Taveras

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Group identity is intimately tied with self identity. Yet, people often understand their identity as individual without appreciation for the role others play in their identity. Based on social identity theory this article highlights the role that group identity plays in self identity and explores three consequences of this association. Case studies present first-hand experience with the consequences of communicating group identity. These case studies also demonstrate the value of a specific class project undertaken to provide students with a meaningful understanding of these issues.

“Phone Home”: Remote Parenting Across National Borders – Jamaican Students In North America And The Role Of Mobile Communication Devices, Marian Stewart Titus

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

This study presents a snapshot of geographically distributed families and how they use information and communication technologies (ICTs). The setting is in the Caribbean nation of Jamaica, and by way of qualitative interviews with eleven parents, the study explores the extent to which Jamaican parents communicate with their adolescents overseas using ICTs. Despite the barriers of distance, the parents were able to maintain strong emotional bonds with their adolescents overseas, and used mobile phones and voice over Internet protocols to enact a virtual co-presence with their children, as well as to maintain existing, and create new family rituals. The study …

Digital Death: The Failures, Struggles And Discourses Of The Social Media Spectacle, Maxwell Foxman

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Celebrities have always capitalized upon various media to give voice and substance to their own mute causes. From Live Aid to PBS fundraisers, they have utilized their public personae to support the downtrodden, sick and underprivileged. However, in December of 2010, when Alicia Keys and over a dozen other celebrities banded together to raise money for World AIDS Day by eradicating their Twitter and other social media profiles, their much-hyped campaign to raise one million dollars fell short of its goal by nearly half. This paper explores the discourses surrounding the Digital Death "Pseudo-Event," and the effects of the disjuncture …

The Good, The Bad, And The Bluths: Arrested Development As A Modern Allegory, Thomas Felty

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Allegroies are often seen as an archiac form of narrative expression. Yet the the basic concepts about human morality remain universal sources of artistic inspiratiojn thousands of years later. This piece gives a brief history of allegorical storytelling from the Middle Ages up through the Twentienth Century focusing on the Seven Deadly Sins. The second half of the piece gives an in depth analysis of the television program, Arrested Development, assigning each character a feature found with the Seven Deadly Sins often found in traditonal allegorical storytelling. The piece concludes with an explanation of why such methods are still …

From The Editor, Roxanne M. O'Connell

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

No abstract provided.

The Multifaceted Relationship Between Narcissism And Aggression: A Path Model, Vanessa Piccirilli

Psychology Theses

The present study examined the complex relationship between narcissism and perceptions of aggression by conceptualizing these constructs using a path analysis model. High levels of affect intensity and low levels of attributional complexity were identified as potential mediators for the relationship between narcissism and perceptions of aggression. Participants first completed four self-report measures and were primed by writing an essay about a time they felt insulted (v. control). They then answered questions regarding a hypothetical situation prompting aggression through action and/or insult. ANOVA revealed overt narcissists more likely to view their behavior as excessive in a hypothetical insult situation in …

The Effect Of Age And Expression Of Affect On Jurors’ Perceptions Of Child Witnesses, Carly W. Hanks

Psychology Theses

A child witness’s testimony may be an invaluable piece of evidence; therefore, it is essential to study the circumstances under which jurors perceive children as credible witnesses. The current study examined affect while testifying on perceptions of the child’s credibility, the amount of blame attributed to the witness, and case verdict decisions. A case scenario about an aggravated robbery of a girl who was either 6- or 13-years-old and who either cried or remained calm while testifying was read by 186 undergraduate participants. No age effects were found, possibly due to the non-sexual nature of the case. No effects for …

Debunking Misconceptions: Do Jury Instructions Influence Comprehension And Verdict Selection, Aryssa Z. Washington

Psychology Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of jury instructions that debunk common misconceptions versus standard instructions, with regards to verdict choice, comprehension of the legal standard, and reasoning used to support verdict decisions. A case summary was read by 159 participants who then listened to auditory instructions from a judge regarding the legal standards for second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. They then completed measures assessing verdict, comprehension, and reasoning. While the results revealed that the legal instructions did not influence participants’ verdicts or comprehension of the legal standard, the data suggests that participants may have …

Considering Constitutionally Relevant Evidence: An Assessment Of Childhood Physical Abuse As A Non-Statutory Mitigating Circumstance, Fotine Konstantopoulou

Psychology Theses

The present study examines the role of a specific instruction designed to guide jurors on non-statutory mitigating circumstances in determining sentence recommendation. To date, there is no research examining whether specific instructions provide more guidance, and improve jurors’ discretion compared to the current general instructions. We predicted that specific mitigating instructions would increase confidence in life sentencing compared to generic instructions as well as revised instructions. We also predicted that expert testimony of childhood physical abuse would minimize death penalty recommendations. Contrary to our predictions, we found that exposure to generic instructions increased confidence in a life sentence. In addition, …

Relationship Between Exposure To Familial Violence And Rapists’ Offense Level Of Force, Courtney A. Meyer

Psychology Theses

There has been substantial research on the effects of familial violence on rapists and factors which lead a person to rape (Connolly & Woollons, 2008; Jaffe, Wilson, & Wolfe, 1986; Kitzman, Gaylord, Holt, & Kenny, 2003; Lee, Jackson, Pattison & Ward, 2002). However, there has been no research in identifying the factors which link rapists’ offense level of force and exposure to familial violence. In the present study we investigated how offenders exposed to domestic violence differ from those not exposed in the following factors: rates of physical abuse, rates of sexual victimization by both men and women, rates of …

Dangerous Criminals Or Misunderstood? Assessing Police Perceptions Of The Mentally Ill, Amy Roach

Psychology Theses

People diagnosed with mental illnesses are often confronted with stigmatization and discrimination because they are stereotyped as dangerous and unpredictable. Police officers are typically the first to respond to a potentially dangerous mentally ill person and therefore, it is important to understand how police officers’ perceive mentally ill persons and how they respond to a call regarding a suspect displaying symptoms associated with mentally illness. Sixty police officers read one of six vignettes involving a call to investigate a suspicious male loitering behind a store. The vignettes differed only on the perceived severity of the mental illness (mild or severe) …

Life Without Parole: The Influence Of Age And Race On The Sentencing Of Juvenile Offenders, Maria Annabel Mireles

Psychology Theses

In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to sentence adolescents charged with non-homicide crimes to life without parole (Graham v. Florida, 2012). Currently, research regarding life without parole is assessed in conjunction with the death penalty, in which life without parole is proposed as a lesser alternative to the death penalty. The current study investigated whether age and race are predictive factors in sentencing juvenile offenders. A sample consisting of 225 undergraduate students were presented with one of six case scenarios adapted from Wilkins v. Missouri (1985) in which the defendant’s age (13, 15, 17) and race …

Parent-Teen Communication About Dating Behaviors And Its Relationship To Teenage Dating Behaviors: From The Teen’S Perspective., Kimberly S. Reeb

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Research on parent-teen communication and teen sexual behavior has found that differing levels of parent-teen communication play a role in shaping their teens subsequent behaviors. This study examined teen reported parent-teen communication about dating behaviors and its relationship to the teen’s own dating behaviors. The differences and relationships among communication between mother and father and male and female participants is reported. 1st year college students were invited by e-mail to take an on-line survey about parent communication topics and different dating behaviors. The college student-based sample consisted 90 teens aged 18-19. Results present correlations and differences between the teen reported …

"Because I Said So" And Other Notions Of Authority: An Advanced Course On Communication And Power, Maureen M. Louis

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Many college students have inconsistent knowledge of historic and policy contexts where communication and power have played a key role. As Anton Ego, Ratatouillefood critic would say, “What we need is some perspective.” We have found one avenue for the development of such perspective is an advanced course for the consideration of power or, more accurately, the examination of powerlessness and how communication can be brought to bear for both the manifestation and limitation of power. By examining those factors that render one less powerful and historic instances that are glaring in this regard, the student can better understand …

The Link (Or Lack Thereof) Among Communication Networks, Organizational Commitment, And Job Satisfaction: A Case Study, Corey Jay Liberman

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether and to what extent one’s communication networks (both social and task) come to influence commitment to, and satisfaction with, one’s organization. Using Social Identity Theory as the theoretical framework, the main argument is that employees will have similar levels of organizational commitment and satisfaction as compared to those considered part of their socially constructed networks. After conducting a social network analysis of an organization involved in the creation, production, and distribution of foot care products, and conducting multivariate statistical tests, results indicate that neither commitment, nor satisfaction, is predicted by network …

Public Relations: A Role For Women?, Victoria Geyer

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

In an effort to seek coherence, continuity and connection in the communication discipline, this paper explores the issue of gender and culture within the field of public relations. This paper examines how gender affects the disciplinary detachment of public relations from the many communication disciplines. Secondary research that has emerged over the last 25 years is analyzed by discussing the feminization and perspectives of gender’s influence in the discipline of public relations. Future opportunities for both universities and the industry are explored, in order to help bridge the gap of detachment of public relations to that of similar disciplines.

The Loss Of Culture: The Changing Role Of Communication, Suzanne N. Berman

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Although, tradition serves as a core common ground for a culture’s identity, today, technology has been instrumental in breaking down cultural tradition into specialized areas within the communication discipline. When examining various contexts of media and technology, we see the role of tradition begin to fragment. However, this same media and technology also presents future possibilities of coherence and continuity for the discipline of communication. Through examining differing contexts of technology’s affect on tradition in culture, we can explore tradition(s) lost and found; traditions that may limit, integrate, or even establish a new found structure to help promote the common …

Dispelling Rape Myths Through Prison Theatre, Lorraine F. Moller

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

No abstract provided.

An Analysis Of College-Aged Women’S Personal Relations, Amanda E. Hamilton

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Current communication literature regarding personal relations is limited by its focus on romantic, friendship and friends with benefits relations. To better understand the types of relations college-aged women practice, this study sought to explore (a) the types of cross-sex relations college-aged women practice (b) the reasons they give for practicing the relations and (c) the identities they construct by practicing the relations. Results indicated a myriad of relational types. Types were categorized under three supra-categories and were explored in terms of their description, initiation, maintenance and communication rules, as well as their benefits and drawbacks. Identities associated with the relations …

Behaviors That Eliminate Health Disparities For Racial And Ethnic Minorities: A Narrative Systematic Review, Truman Ryan Keys

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Within the health care provider-health care recipient relationship the communication must be culturally competent to eliminate barriers to equitable health care for all Americans. This assertion has conceptual grounding in Public Law 106-129 (the Health Care Research and Quality Act of 1999) and Public Law 106-525 (the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act of 2000). This narrative systematic review examines this assertion by using selection and exclusion criteria to gather interventions, assessments, and testimonies conducted from 2000-2007. Reports that were not eliminated via these criteria were analyzed to determine the effect of specific practices that were undertaken …

Roundtable Discussion Examining Ritual, Technology, And Community In Urban Communication, Victoria Geyer, Mary Ann Allison Phd, Suzanne N. Berman, Gary Gumpert

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Pervasive technologies that now exist in the urban setting have greatly improved the ability to connect on a macro-level, but have minimized the intimate shared experience of community on a micro level. This paper explores how technology has changed rituals within the global community and has contributed new methods to the process of human interaction. Technology’s influence on civic engagement, business meetings, shopping and socializing are examined to assess the impact technology has on human connections.

Understanding Space And Time Through The Exploration Of A Cafe As A Workplace, Erin Christie

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

This paper examines a café as a workplace. The position adopted is the constitutive view, whereby patrons of the café were observed as they worked. Data was obtained from thirteen ethnographic participant-observations, two hours each in length, conducted over a two-month period. It is argued that the environment provides a “sense of place” that normalizes patrons’ use of space and time, resulting in the typology of a leisure time-space worker. Themes include: patrons’ use of space to work, type of work done, and lastly, that the multi-functional work-leisure context allows for patrons’different use of time to work. This project contributes …

Keynote Address: On The Binding Biases Of Time, Lance A. Strate

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Lance Strate is Professor of Communication and Media Studies at Fordham University, and Executive Director of the Institute of General Semantics. He is a Past President of the New York State Communication Association, and a recipient of NYSCA's John F. Wilson Award. He is a founder and Past President of the Media Ecology Association, and author of Echoes and Reflections: On Media Ecology as a Field of Study. This is the text of his Keynote Address presented at the 67th Annual Conference of the New York State Communication Association, Ellenville, NY, October 23-25, 2009.

Welcome To Our Special Occasion [Teaching S.O. Speaking Via A Banquet Approach], Evelyn Plummer

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Teaching the Special Occasion Speaking unit poses a unique challenge: to effectively cover diverse goals and contexts while providing sufficient opportunity for student presentational experience.

For this activity, after completing the instruction and exposure to the key concepts and example videoclips, the instructor then distributes a banquet program handout for a hypothetical class reunion which specifies a variety of specific special occasion talks (sample included). Students are divided into pairs or small groups to create a specified speech to be delivered as part of the upcoming banquet program—to be conducted as a roleplaying activity at the end of this class …

Better Papers By “Failing Forward”: The Last Strategy, Roxanne Marie O'Connell

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

The basic philosophy underlying this method for guiding paperwriting is consistent with many approaches to writing pedagogy and supports these principles:

1) guide students to working on their final paper throughout the semester, not waiting to the last minute to draft it... and handing in a first draft as the final.

2) use writing as thinking in the early stages.

3) use peer review as a way to learn how to be a better writer/editor/reader and how to give and receive feedback.

4) use a grading system that rewards meeting criteria and deadlines, allows for "failing forward", encourages the inclusion …

The Empathy Description Exercise, Maureen M. Louis

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

One of our main goals as teachers is to help our students become more empathetic in their communication. Students can often seem focused on self and the notion that their view is the only window to the world. This exercise is one step toward changing that perspective. In a supportive environment, this activity can help build humility, greater awareness of the needs of others, and improved communication skills.

The Six Word Memoir As Teaching Tool, Patrick Allen Knisley

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

This exercise takes place on the final day of class in my Business Communication course. The semester has been devoted, largely, to the idea that the fewer words used in business communication, the better. I use Coco Chanel's quote about accessories-"Never add, always remove"-as a guideline for composing and editing both writing and speech. The goal is to get students to realize that, in almost all business communication, less is more, especially in today's business world where much communication takes place electronically. But students also come to realize that "less is more work", and that concision and brevity are more …