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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Future Will Require Learning How To Exist In A Multicultural Society, Vanessa Lopez-Littleton Dec 2014

The Future Will Require Learning How To Exist In A Multicultural Society, Vanessa Lopez-Littleton

UCF Forum

Why should I have to tell my sons to respect the police?


Much Of Society's Unrest Caused By Barrage Of Negative Stereotypes In Films, Anthony Major Dec 2014

Much Of Society's Unrest Caused By Barrage Of Negative Stereotypes In Films, Anthony Major

UCF Forum

Everybody has a perception about what the image of art should say – or not say – but few have an informed opinion. The power of the communicative arts transcends the mere power to inform. That power is used in film, television, newspapers, radio, art, magazines, music, theatre and the new social media network as a means of influencing and shaping attitudes by providing images and opinions.


No Longer Can We Keep Our Eyes Closed To Human Trafficking All Around Us, Richard Lapchick Dec 2014

No Longer Can We Keep Our Eyes Closed To Human Trafficking All Around Us, Richard Lapchick

UCF Forum

You may have read in early December that 61 people were arrested across Florida in a four-day human-trafficking sting operation. If you haven’t followed the dramatic increase in stories about human trafficking in the United States, this news may have caught you by surprise.


Sports News Puts Focus On Society's Problems, Richard Lapchick Oct 2014

Sports News Puts Focus On Society's Problems, Richard Lapchick

UCF Forum

Recent sports news has been filled with terrible stories about racism, gender violence, child abuse, and concussion-related brain damage for one in three former NFL players.


Redefining America's Ethnicity, Gender And Race, Anthony Major Oct 2014

Redefining America's Ethnicity, Gender And Race, Anthony Major

UCF Forum

When redefining the ethnicity, gender and race of American society, I find it is interrelated with the cultural dialogue. The African-American experience has always been tied to those topics.


Are Diversity And Inclusiveness Really Possible?, Vanessa Lopez-Littleton Aug 2014

Are Diversity And Inclusiveness Really Possible?, Vanessa Lopez-Littleton

UCF Forum

I recently overheard one manager ask another if he knew a nurse who was looking for a job. After a moment of thinking, he remembered someone. Within a week, an offer of employment was made for a great-paying job with a wonderful schedule. It is a position that will open doors and create opportunities as well as move this individual into circles he may not have been privy to otherwise


The Failure Of College Sport As An Equal Opportunity Employer, Richard Lapchick Aug 2014

The Failure Of College Sport As An Equal Opportunity Employer, Richard Lapchick

UCF Forum

As someone who has worked for institutions of higher education for more than four decades, it is especially embarrassing for me that colleges have the worst record in sports for hiring women and people of color.


Life Is Like A Salad Bowl (Or Should Be!), Anthony B. Major Aug 2014

Life Is Like A Salad Bowl (Or Should Be!), Anthony B. Major

UCF Forum

Everyone in the world eats salad of some sort. We enjoy all the different ingredients in our salads depending on what we have a taste for at the time.


Stand Your Ground Law: How Can A Ucf Student's Fear Of Crime Affect Their Opinion Of The Law And What Variables Affect The Student's Level Of Fear Of Crime?, Kelly Duckworth Aug 2014

Stand Your Ground Law: How Can A Ucf Student's Fear Of Crime Affect Their Opinion Of The Law And What Variables Affect The Student's Level Of Fear Of Crime?, Kelly Duckworth

HIM 1990-2015

A person's level of fear of crime or even their perceived fear of crime can affect how they view the Stand Your Ground Law and whether it is seen as beneficial or harmful to the general public. I begin with a discussion of the Stand Your Ground Law. Next, I report on research that examines the fear of crime and how it may shape opinions on the law as well as an individual’s level of fear. My research explores the relationship of these variables using survey data. I examine the attitudes of college students regarding their fear of crime to …


'Would You Let Your Daughter Color Her Hair Blue?', Rebekah Mccloud Jul 2014

'Would You Let Your Daughter Color Her Hair Blue?', Rebekah Mccloud

UCF Forum

I recently took a ride on the new SunRail. I was among the throng onboard for a free ride and to see, as Dr. Seuss would say, “Oh, the places I could go.” When I entered the overstuffed car, a young woman immediately stood up and said to me, “Here, Momma, take my seat.” And I did. I thanked her and commented about the kindness of her gesture.


The Echo Chamber Is Getting Louder, Tom Cavanagh Jul 2014

The Echo Chamber Is Getting Louder, Tom Cavanagh

UCF Forum

My ears are starting to hurt. Let me explain.


Appreciating The Simple Moments More Than Onslaught Of Technology, Leandra Preston-Sidler Jun 2014

Appreciating The Simple Moments More Than Onslaught Of Technology, Leandra Preston-Sidler

UCF Forum

I admit it. I’m addicted.


I Wish The Sport I Love – Soccer – Could Help Eliminate Injustice Around World, Erin O'Flaherty Jun 2014

I Wish The Sport I Love – Soccer – Could Help Eliminate Injustice Around World, Erin O'Flaherty

UCF Forum

Every four years soccer fans around the globe focus on the FIFA World Cup, this year being held in Brazil. The national teams of countries compete to become World Cup champions in the name of patriotism and pride. I am a fan of almost all sports, but especially soccer – so I cannot contain my excitement for the upcoming matches beginning June 12.


Where Are Your Papers?, Rebekah Mccloud May 2014

Where Are Your Papers?, Rebekah Mccloud

UCF Forum

My friend of 30 years died recently. Her husband called one Sunday in February to say she was gone.


A Parent's Dilemma: When To Let Child Be Responsible For Own Actions, Maritza Martinez May 2014

A Parent's Dilemma: When To Let Child Be Responsible For Own Actions, Maritza Martinez

UCF Forum

Monday morning, like most mornings, complete chaos unfolded in our house as four people – my two daughters, my husband and myself – aimed to head out the door by 8 a.m., our daughters for school and my husband and I for our offices.


This Is What Happens When We Forget That Speech Has Consequences, Nathan Holic May 2014

This Is What Happens When We Forget That Speech Has Consequences, Nathan Holic

UCF Forum

The other night, I watched a Bravo “Real Housewives” reunion show in which a woman yelled through a bullhorn “You’re a dumb ho! Shut up!” at another woman two feet away. A split-second later, this woman (the one with the bullhorn) looked genuinely surprised when the other woman (the alleged dumb ho) charged at her, furious, and began swinging.


Orlando- We’Re No More Weird Than Anywhere Else, Tom Cavanagh May 2014

Orlando- We’Re No More Weird Than Anywhere Else, Tom Cavanagh

UCF Forum

I saw the following tweet recently from a semi-famous college president: “On my way to Orlando, my version of hell.”


Zero Tolerance For Some: The Role Of Race In Zero Tolerance Exclusionary Discipline, Meghan Bejarano May 2014

Zero Tolerance For Some: The Role Of Race In Zero Tolerance Exclusionary Discipline, Meghan Bejarano

HIM 1990-2015

Within the last few decades, zero tolerance policies and exclusionary discipline have become the standard way in which schools manage student behavior. These policies, namely suspension and expulsion have been shown to have negative impacts on the lives of students who are punished with them. Educationally, the removal of students from the classroom hurts their chances of achieving academic success. Furthermore, these policies have been linked with an increase in the presence of law enforcement on school campuses, which results in the arrest of students, burdening them with expensive and serious legal battles. This research examines whether nonwhite students are …


Choosing Mates Who Look Like Ourselves, Alyse Gruber May 2014

Choosing Mates Who Look Like Ourselves, Alyse Gruber

HIM 1990-2015

Some research suggests that the reason men and women choose mates who are physically similar to them, is because though they may be genetically similar (given the physical characteristics), the fact that there is no kinship allows for genetic stability. Some researchers believe this is a product of evolutionary forces, therefore allowing possible mates to find those whom they would see as compatible and fertile. Researchers have found that as children we imprint our parent’s facial features, which helps develop the normal facial recognition later. With this knowledge it is suggested that we subconsciously use our parent’s facial imprint as …


Conceptions Of Justice: A Sampling Of Student Perspectives, Matt Landon May 2014

Conceptions Of Justice: A Sampling Of Student Perspectives, Matt Landon

HIM 1990-2015

Although the literature in the field of criminal justice and philosophy is full of ideas of what constitutes "justice," little to nothing has been done to see where the average individual's opinion falls in relation to these ideas. This paper analyzes a cross-sectional convenience sample of students at UCF to determine their preference of six models of justice: utilitarianism, contractarianism, fairness, retributivism, moralism, and libertarianism. Correlating demographic factors are also discussed.


Just Eat It: An Examination Of The Sociological Factors That Influence The Eating Habits Of College Students, Alexandra Minnick May 2014

Just Eat It: An Examination Of The Sociological Factors That Influence The Eating Habits Of College Students, Alexandra Minnick

HIM 1990-2015

Young adults 18-25 years of age in the United States are experiencing a new world as they transition to young adulthood in college. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the eating behaviors of the young college population. The present study will examine the kinds of foods college students eat and how they make decisions regarding food consumption. The methodology of the present study consists of a quantitative survey, which includes questions about gender, living arrangements, convenience, and student eating habits. The sample size is comprised of 228 students at the University of Central Florida. A regression model is …


Positive Outcomes Of Divorce: A Multi-Method Study On The Effects Of Parental Divorce On Children, Grant Mohi May 2014

Positive Outcomes Of Divorce: A Multi-Method Study On The Effects Of Parental Divorce On Children, Grant Mohi

HIM 1990-2015

A great deal of the existing literature on parental divorce focuses on the negative influences it has on children and young adults in regards to such areas as their relationships (romantic and familial) and their academic standing. The implications of such research are that parental divorce will always bring harm to families and, consequentially, should be avoided for the sake of the children's wellbeing. What is often missing from this research is a focus on the potential positive outcomes of parental divorce. The intent of this thesis is to explore the effects of parental divorce on young adults' ability to …


That's So Ghetto: A Study Of The Racial/Socioeconomic Implications Associated With The Term "Ghetto", Shaun Richardson May 2014

That's So Ghetto: A Study Of The Racial/Socioeconomic Implications Associated With The Term "Ghetto", Shaun Richardson

HIM 1990-2015

The term "ghetto" has an ambiguous meaning in American society. The term frequently has been used as either a noun or an adjective. As a noun the term "ghetto" is often used to describe a place - Small describes the ghetto as a: "…a particular type of neighborhood; it exhibits a cohesive set of characteristics, such as deteriorating housing, crime, depopulation, and social isolation…"(2008: 78.) This description as a noun is indicative of unsavory social conditions and climate that fosters an unproductive populace. As an adjective the term remains more difficult to solidly define. The bulk of available research often …


Some Graduates Have A Plan – For You Others…, Mark Routhier Apr 2014

Some Graduates Have A Plan – For You Others…, Mark Routhier

UCF Forum

As the school year comes to a close, the inevitable question arises for graduating students: What am I going to do?


Sometimes We Need To Press 'Reset' Button And Return To Basics, Erin O'Flaherty Apr 2014

Sometimes We Need To Press 'Reset' Button And Return To Basics, Erin O'Flaherty

UCF Forum

I’m not a germaphobe by any means, but I love cleanliness. When I clean, I really clean, and I usually won’t stop until the mixed smells of my various cleaning products permeate my house.


You Are The Momma Now, Rebekah Mccloud Mar 2014

You Are The Momma Now, Rebekah Mccloud

UCF Forum

I am a proud member of the sandwich generation. Sociologist Dorothy A. Miller coined the term in 1981 to classify people who care for their aging parent(s) while helping to support their own children


The Anxiety Of ‘Read It Later’, Nathan Holic Mar 2014

The Anxiety Of ‘Read It Later’, Nathan Holic

UCF Forum

As a kid, I loved horror movies, and so one year I set out to record every horror movie ever made. My parents had purchased a box of blank VHS tapes from Sam’s Club, and I used Super Long Play to record three movies to a single tape. (The quality was terrible, but this was the 1980s: The TVs were terrible, too.)


Is Today’S Young Music Too Obscene? (Or Has My Perspective Changed?), Tom Cavanagh Mar 2014

Is Today’S Young Music Too Obscene? (Or Has My Perspective Changed?), Tom Cavanagh

UCF Forum

I know how I am going to sound. Really, I do. And I hate it. When I was younger, I always vowed that when I reached my current age (mid-40s), I would never be that guy. But I must face the fact that I am indeed turning into that guy.


Traffic Lights Turn Me Red, Mark Routhier Feb 2014

Traffic Lights Turn Me Red, Mark Routhier

UCF Forum

OK, I admit it: I have road rage, just not the kind that makes me drive four feet behind someone who has made me angry, or leads me to any other kind of exacting vengeance on other drivers.


Lessons Learned From Archery: How To Focus And Hit The Bull’S-Eye In Life, Bob Porter Feb 2014

Lessons Learned From Archery: How To Focus And Hit The Bull’S-Eye In Life, Bob Porter

UCF Forum

My grandfather started teaching me how to use a bow and arrow when I was about 6 years old. He taught me using a longbow made out of yew, which is a very specific type of wood used to make these bows.