Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Accessibility Of In-Prison Programming For Female Offenders And Their Gender Specific Needs, Kelli Reynolds

Honors Program Theses and Projects

With the rates of female incarcerations on the rise, it is important that we examine programs available to female offenders in prison, and programs available to female offenders as they exit prison and re-enter society. Programs developed specifically for these females to fit their needs are important in their rehabilitation progress and should help in keeping their recidivism rates low. I expect to find a disconnect between the needs of female offenders and the programs meant to serve and rehabilitate them. I also expect the review of literature to support that a majority of female offenders have histories of victimization …

Lgbt Homeless Youth In Boston, Massachusetts: Experiences Regarding Resources And Potential Barriers, Brittney Connery

Honors Program Theses and Projects

LGBT youth are at an escalated risk of leaving home, mental health concerns, victimization, substance abuse, and risky sexual behavior. However, research shows a lack of LGBT-specific resources. This raises concern as LGBT youth comprise 20 to 40 percent of homeless youth – disproportionate to the general youth population which is only 10 percent LGBT. The purpose of this research was to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of LGBT homeless youth in Boston, Massachusetts regarding their use of resources and any potential barriers they may face. Furthermore, this study examined whether or not current resources are safe, welcoming …

The Undergrad's Dilemma: N-Person Games And Information Asymmetry In Undergraduate Course Selection, Michael A. Verlezza

Honors Program Theses and Projects

In 2012, the White House released its College Scorecards for institutions of higher education. In their overview, the White House states that Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA, has a six-year graduation rate of just 51.7 percent. By approaching the question of low graduation rates as a consequence of economic inefficiency, my research led me to treat undergraduate course selection as a Nash n-person game. From there, my investigation led to an analysis of information asymmetry as I attempted to identify the various internal and external information sources driving course selection. Specific attention was given to Bridgewater State’s internal system, …

Editor’S Notebook, Andrew C. Holman

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Measuring The Stuff Of Thought: Psychology And Its Discontents, Brendan J. Morse

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Confronting Cultural Difference In The Establishment Of A Global Zen Community, Joshua A. Irizarry

2013 New England Association for Asian Studies Conference

As a commercial phenomenon, Zen is recognizable throughout the world as a lucrative brand name that communicates harmony, simplicity, and cosmopolitan elegance. In contrast, the Japanese Zen institution’s attempts to develop Zen into a successful global religion have proven more problematic. Despite initial successes by Japanese clergy in establishing centers of Zen practice throughout Europe and the Americas, the past fifty years have seen the dream of a global Zen community descend into a legacy of controversy, scandals, and schisms over conflicting claims of authority.

Looking specifically at the internationalization efforts of the Japanese Sōtō Zen sect, this paper will …

The Cult Of Ho Chi Minh: Commemoration And Contestation, Dat Manh Nguyen

2013 New England Association for Asian Studies Conference

Ho Chi Minh, the “father of modern Viet Nam,” remains a powerful figure in contemporary Vietnamese politics and culture. Since his death in 1969, the Vietnamese Communist Party has constructed a state cult surrounding his image. The construction of the Ho Chi Minh memorial complex in Hanoi, the propagation of Ho Chi Minh’s teachings, and the state commemorative rituals for Uncle Ho contribute to his continuous presence. The state cult posits Ho Chi Minh not only as the “father figure” to whom Vietnamese people pay respect and tribute, but also as the moral compass by which the people orient themselves …

K-16 Education Outreach In Asian Studies: Mcc And Asdp, Dona M. Cady

2013 New England Association for Asian Studies Conference

Middlesex Community College is strongly committed to the view that sharing the languages, philosophies, histories, literatures and arts of different peoples is the most profound basis for building bridges and creating respect and civility among cultures.

Our commitment to global education, and specifically our commitment to Asia, has been strengthened by our twenty-three year association with the East-West Center’s Asian Studies Development Program (ASDP). As its first regional center, MCC has collaborated with ASDP on a variety of projects, including multiple Title VI, Fulbright-Hays, NEH Institutes and Bridging Cultures grants, national conferences, and workshops.

Both ASDP and MCC promote a …

The Role Of Culture In Making Psychiatric Diagnosis: Hwabyung (火病) And Neurasthenia (神經衰弱), Jonghyun Lee

2013 New England Association for Asian Studies Conference

The Role of Culture in Making Psychiatric Diagnosis: Hwabyung (火病) and Neurasthenia (神經衰弱)

My paper looks at two psychiatric illnesses and discusses their social and cultural dimensions. The two illnesses to be compared are the Korean affliction called hwabyung, and the once-popular Western malady labeled neurasthenia, a common ailment in 19th century America.

Neurasthenia was defined as “a disorder characterized by feelings of fatigue and lassitude,” which is caused by the nervous system. That definition could fit most people at some time or another. Hwabyung, on the other hand, means “fire illness.” Koreans believe that chronic distress can …

"I Cannot Teach Because I Am Not Smart": Working Class Mothers’ Support For Their Children's Education In Japan, Yoko Yamamoto

2013 New England Association for Asian Studies Conference

Social class is a powerful element which predicts mothers’ support for their children’s academic development in Japan. Middle class mothers tend to hold higher educational expectations, invest in their children’s educational opportunities, and interact with the teachers more frequently than working class mothers (Stevenson & Stigler, 1992; Yamamoto, 2006). While ample evidence shows social class differences in parents’ academic support, few have examined why working class mothers are not as involved in their children’s education as middle class mothers. In order to understand the mechanisms of social class reproduction and mobility, it is critical to investigate the experiences and elements …

Bulletin Of The Massachusetts Archaeological Society, Vol. 74, No. 2, Massachusetts Archaeological Society

Bulletin of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society

• Editor's Note (Curtiss Hoffman)
• Perry’s Shell Heap, North Truro, Massachusetts: New Insights from Old Archaeological Sites (Lucianne Lavin)
• Unpublished Papers on Cape Ann Prehistory (Mary Ellen Lepionka)
• Titicut Mullers (William B. Taylor)
• The Copper Projectile Points of North Plymouth (Bernard Otto)

"Terrorism" In The Age Of Obama: The Rhetorical Evolution Of President Obama’S Discourse On The War On "Terror", Kelly Long

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Since September 11th, 2001, the word “terrorism” has helped to shape and been shaped by the culture of the American people who have come into contact with this concept on a daily basis. The use of “terrorism” and its companion the War on “Terror” carried with it certain ideological baggage that has serve as a prism in which the American people have viewed United States’ foreign affairs over the past decade. The fight against “terrorism” offered a pre-text for the U.S. to engage in two different wars, administrated a policy of hunting and killing “terrorists” across the globe, constructed policies …

Behind The Scenes: A Look At Socio-Cultural Messages In Situation Comedies And Their Effects On Gendered Messages, Victoria S. Hogan

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Specific values, characteristics and behaviors are expected for men and women in American society. Previous research has shown that gender stereotypes on television programs are believed to influence society's “perception of appropriate sex roles” and reinforce negative notions about the role of women in society (Fullteron et al. 2000). According to Lee & Shaw (2010), matters have not changed much. Television uses speech that creates images of and attitudes towards women that prevent equality. This study undertakes a content analysis of two prime-time television shows, 2 Broke Girls and Happy Endings. The objective of this research is to analyze the …

The People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (Peta): Creating A Collective Identity, Megan Fletcher

Honors Program Theses and Projects

How different are humans from animals? The animal rights movement has been tackling this question and more on its quest to establish basic human rights for animals. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is one of the most recognizable organizations within the animal rights movement due to their attention grabbing antics and controversial advertisements. Through visual rhetoric PETA attempts to answer the question of human and animal division. In both PETA’s PSA and print advertisements they attempt to create shared physical and mental substance between humans and animals. In creating a shared identity PETA could establish a …

Abandoning Standard Assumptions In Pareto Optimization Models: Simulating Market Scenarios With Incorrectly Estimated Preference Structures, Joshua Bernard

Honors Program Theses and Projects

This honors thesis examines the consequences of abandoning specific underlying assumptions of economic models used to describe the distribution of goods among individual agents or parties and the information about each one’s preferences. In microeconomic theory, the Edgeworth Box, Pareto-optimal trade, and convex (especially Cobb-Douglas) preference structures are used to model the process in which consumers and producers make trade-off choices that allocate limited resources among competing agents. This thesis investigates the common underlying assumptions of these economic models by drawing upon mathematical theory to develop both an analytical framework and the tools that help us establish boundaries for these …

Ex-Prisoners' Perceptions Of The Availability And Effects Of Services In Correctional Settings, Jenna Houston

Honors Program Theses and Projects

The U.S. system of retributive justice drives punitive measures, rather than interventions that could reduce recidivism. If prisoners’ needs are not met while serving time within the penal system, their chances of re-offending are greater (Baillargeon, 2010). The purpose of this study was to gather information about correctional programming from male ex-prisoners who have been involved in community re-entry services at Span Inc. in Boston, MA. Furthermore, this study also examined whether or not the programming contributed to positive coping skills during their incarceration as well as to their adaptation upon reentering the community. Data was collected by conducting ten …

The Object Of Desire: How Being Objectified Creates Sexual Pressure For Women In Heterosexual Relationships, Tiffany Hoyt

Honors Program Theses and Projects

The objectification of women is widespread in the United States (American Psychological Association, 2007), although there is relatively little research on objectification in romantic relationships. The purpose of this research was to explore how partner-objectification might be related to sexual pressure in heterosexual relationships. It was hypothesized that men who objectify their partners would be more likely to sexually pressure and/or coerce their partners. Additionally, a woman who feels objectified by her partner was hypothesized to internalize the objectification, feel like she has less control in the relationship (i.e., less sexual agency), and perceive more sexual pressure and coercion from …

Why Words Matter: Framing Immigration In America, Kayla Harvey

Honors Program Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Lgbt Aging And Elder Care, Brian Diehl

Honors Program Theses and Projects

This project focuses on particular issues faced by elderly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people. This qualitative study involves interviews with eight gay men, four lesbians and two service providers and seeks to understand the unique challenges confronting aging members of the LGBT community and the quality of training received by caregivers assisting this population. Interview participants included three couples and four single men, and two partnered individuals across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Analysis of the data indicates that the areas of greatest concern to LGBT elders are social-support networks and broader social change. Individuals interviewed expressed concern about …

Anterior And Posterior Types Of Neuropsychological Deficits In Parkinson’S Disease: A Subgroup Classification Of Cognitive Outcome, Megan M. Risi

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) exhibit cognitive deficits. Recent studies suggest there are distinct cognitive profiles of PD characterized by deficits in abilities that are dependent upon anterior versus posterior areas of the brain. While anterior-based deficits are more prevalent, posterior-based deficits are more predictive of the future occurrence of dementia in PD. The purpose of the current project was to examine these cognitive profiles in more detail. Performance on six tests of anterior function and six tests of posterior function was examined in 34 non-demented PD participants and 27 healthy control participants matched for age and education. Results showed …

The Experiences Of Transgender Students In Massachusetts Colleges And Universities, Kayla M. Spagna

Honors Program Theses and Projects

This research examines the experiences of transgender students attending four-year colleges or universities in Massachusetts. I pursued a series of qualitative interviews to gain a deeper understanding of the resources available to transgender students and to identify potential barriers to full integration on college campuses. Ten transgender students were interviewed; all were between the ages of 18 and 24 years. Data were coded using grounded theory and a constant comparative approach. Themes include: awareness, safety, college and university policies, and support by trans-inclusion through programs and policies. These findings highlight the importance of transgender-specific information and broader education for both …

Differences In Body Dissatisfaction In Male Collegiate Athletes, Sabrina L. Pavao

Honors Program Theses and Projects

While research has examined the relationship between society’s ideal male body and body dissatisfaction in the general male population, less is known regarding the relationship between male body image ideals and body dissatisfaction in male athletes. However, research has suggested that male athletes are at greater risk for body dissatisfaction because they are exposed to two ideal bodies: that of society and their sport. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in body dissatisfaction for collegiate male athletes participating in various sports and to determine whether society’s or the sport’s ideal body has a greater influence on male …

A Study In Sherlock: Revisiting The Relationship Between Sherlock Holmes And Dr. John Watson, Rebecca Mclaughlin

Honors Program Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Academic And Non-Academic Games, Bjorn Ingvoldstad

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Voices On Campus - Bob Woodward: What Journalism Is About, Bob Woodward

Bridgewater Review

On December 3, 2012, BSU was privileged to host and hear Pulitzer-Prize-winning journalist and executive editor of the Washington Post, Bob Woodward, as part of the President’s Distinguished Speakers Series. Mr. Woodward’s path-breaking reportage about the 1972 Watergate incident uncovered criminal conspiracy at the government’s highest levels and led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. With his colleague, Carl Bernstein, Woodward set the standard for generations of investigative journalism in the U.S. and opened the eyes of Americans to the concentration of power in the presidency and its potential for corruption. In the 40 years since, Woodward has …

Bulletin Of The Massachusetts Archaeological Society, Vol. 74, No. 1, Massachusetts Archaeological Society

Bulletin of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society

• Editor's Note (Curtiss Hoffman)
• Acorn to Icon: The History of the Pow-Wow Oak in Lowell, Massachusetts (Eugene C. Winter)
• An Early Colonial Native American Trade Point on Boston Common (Joseph Bagley)
• A New Type of Scraper (William B. Taylor)
• The Deeds for Titicut (Ketiticut) Plantation (William B. Taylor)
• New England Native American Spirit Structures (Mary E. Gage)

Librarian Mentoring Of An Undergraduate Research Project, Pamela Hayes-Bohanan

Maxwell Library Faculty Publications

Bridgewater State University has a dynamic, highly visible, and increasingly successful Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) that supports students and their faculty mentors with developing research opportunities. Students working on undergraduate research projects have sought the help of librarians, but the librarians had never been directly involved as mentors. A librarian mentor and student library worker collaborated on a project to develop an online library guide, which is used by faculty and student researchers for discovering social justice resources, and found new paths to teaching and learning information literacy skills.

'Scared Straight' And Other Juvenile Awareness Programs For Preventing Juvenile Delinquency, Anthony Petrosino, Carolyn Turpin-Petrosino, Meghan E. Hollis-Peel, Julia G. Lavenberg

Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Background: 'Scared Straight' and other similar programs involve organized visits to prison by juvenile delinquents or children at risk for criminal behavior. Programs are designed to deter participants from future offending through firsthand observation of prison life and interaction with adult inmates. These programs remain in use despite research questioning their effectiveness. This is an update of a 2002 review.

Objectives: To assess the effects of programs comprising organized visits to prisons by juvenile delinquents (officially adjudicated, that is, convicted by a juvenile court) or pre-delinquents (children in trouble but not officially adjudicated as delinquents), aimed at deterring …

A Superpower Apologizes? President Clinton’S Address In Rwanda, Jason Edwards, Thomasena Shaw

Communication Studies Faculty Publications

The failure to intervene in Rwanda was one of the greatest foreign policy mishaps of Bill Clinton's presidency. In March 1998, Clinton made an extended tour of the African subcontinent with a stop in Rwanda. During his brief visit, the president attempted to repair the image of the United States among Rwandans and the broader international community. Clinton used three primary image repair strategies: democratization of blame, corrective action, and transcendence. Despite his emphasis on the important lessons that the world could learn from the Rwandan genocide, we argue that his rhetorical choices ultimately undermined his larger mission and led …

Guide To The Massachusetts Reading Association Records, 1971-Current, Kara Leclair, Orson Kingsley

Archives & Special Collections Finding Aids

Administrative History:

The Massachusetts Readers Association, or the MRA, is a professional non-profit organization of individuals whose primary purpose is to improve the quality and level of literacy in the state of Massachusetts. The MRA is an affiliate of the International Reading Association, a worldwide literacy organization with a network of 300,000 educators in 99 countries. The MRA promotes literacy for all learners through professional development, research, publications, and advocacy for the literacy community. Some of the ways advocacy is met is through an annual state conference; disseminating best literacy practices to educators and parents; advocating for literacy issues through …